Fantasmic Package

[james'mommy]

We hardly ever go to the Studios and have never eaten their. We are taking the in laws this December and DH wants to see Fantasmic. I figured that we would eat at Mama Melrose's first. I remember reading about booking a Fantasmic dinner package but I never paid much attention to it. Can this still be done and if so can someone explain it to me?

 

[MHSweb79]

The Fantasmic dinner package has to be booked in advance. They will ask you for a credit card to hold your reservation. You can't just eat at Mama Melrose and get the Fantasmic seating- you must have booked the package. And they are tough to get!
What happens is you pay a set price for your meal. At the end of your dinner, you are given tickets that will get you into a special line before Fantasmic. There is one section of seats in the theater reserved especially for those who purchased the Fantasmic dinner package.
You still have to line up early, though, and many report that it's not such a great benefit as it used to be (there used to be a completely separate entrance into the theater for ticket holders. Now you go in with the masses, although in a different line.)
If the show is cancelled for any reason, you are out of luck. They do not give rain checks. This happened to us and we just went another night and lined up early.

 

[DisneyMom14]

I'm considering doing the dinner package for Fantasmic for the first time. Give me more details. Where is the reserved section and where do you line up?

 

[ccigliano]

I'm considering doing the dinner package for Fantasmic for the first time. Give me more details. Where is the reserved section and where do you line up?

When you call for your ADR 90 days out ask about availability for the Fantasmic Package at Mama Melrose. I just read that effective June 2009, there is no fixed price anymore. You just order off the menu and as long as you book the ADR w/Fantasmic you get the tix. About 30 mins prior to the show, you walk back toward the front of HS to Oscar's. On your way out of the park it will be on the left near the restrooms. Show your tickets to the CM at the wooden gate and then proceed up the path to the theater. The priority seating will be on the far right of the theater.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I was frantically trying to book one of these packages until I found out the details. Im glad I didn't get one. I thought the purpose of the package was to have a separate entrance where you didn't have to wait in line 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Not true according to the CM I spoke with. You still have to wait.

And Priority Seating on the "far right" of the theatre? What kind of crap is that? I have seen the show and can't imagine those would be good seats at all. The view is definitely best from the center, IMO.

We are eating at Sci-Fi that day and just getting in line like everyone else. I cant see eating at a restaurant that I really dont want to be at just so I can get this package and sit over on the side of the theatre.

OP, I think you will be just fine seeing the show whether you get a package or not. If you really like one of thse restaurants, just book a meal without the package.....much easier to get.

 

[patandlisa]

Yah, what's the deal with these packages anyways? They seem incredibly hard to get. I was on the phone at 7am on my 90th day, and still unable to book it at any restaurant. Called again this morning, and 5 minutes ago (hoping for a cancellation--or maybe new seats opening up), and still no openings. I have a regular lunch reservation at Mama Melrose, but would love to have the dinner package. Yes, you have to wait in line, but only 45-30 minutes ahead of time, unlike the others who need to wait 60-90 minutes. Especially Thanksgiving week! I'm sure it will be crowded. I just don't want to chance having standing room only.

 

[MarkinNM]

And Priority Seating on the "far right" of the theatre? What kind of crap is that? I have seen the show and can't imagine those would be good seats at all. The view is definitely best from the center, IMO.

The theatre was designed to get a great view no matter where one sits…..

So go ahead and squish into the center with everyone else and stand in a line for 1.5 – 2 hours, great plan of attack……….

 

[MHSweb79]

About 30 mins prior to the show, you walk back toward the front of HS to Oscar's.

Do this if you want to miss the show.They did away with the separate Oscar's entrance ages ago, so you line up with the masses over by the Tower of Terror. You must get there at LEAST 45 minutes or more beforehand if you want a seat, even for the reserved area. Word is they open up the reserved area to the public about 30 minutes beforehand.

There's really no great benefit to the Fantasmic dinner package any more.

 

[catne]

We have actually gone to Fantasmic THIS YEAR on the new schedule, using the dinner package. Regardless of the supposed updated post on allears, you still pay a fixed price at Mama Melrose & at Brown Derby -- what they posted as "news" in June 2009 was actually "news" about a year before -- what changed was they dropped the fixed menu...still charge a set price, but now you get to choose from the regular menu.

Anyway, IT IS 100% WORTH IT...unless you want to get in line two or more hours before show time. People who have not gone to Fantasmic this year HAVE NO CLUE what it's like now. In May 2009, in a week with 6 shows, the line started at 6:30 for a 9:00 show...yes, people were actually in line 2.5 hours before showtime! At 60 minutes before showtime, it was standing room only. At 55 minutes before show time the theater was full & they were turning people away.

Except for those who had the Fantasmic Dinner Package seats. They were still coming in & getting seats.

And you don't "walk in with the masses", you don't "get in line early" with the tickets. You walk right in the regular entrance now, not waiting in a line, but just walking straight up the ramp...at 60 minutes before show time, hand in your ticket & get directed to your seating area. Where you sit & relax until the show starts.

We thought it was a wonderful advantage to NOT stand in a massive line 2 or more hours before the show. And we thought it was wonderful to walk in an hour before the show & actually have a seat.

And the seats are wonderful everywhere in that theater.

 

[MarkinNM]

We have actually gone to Fantasmic THIS YEAR on the new schedule, using the dinner package. Regardless of the supposed updated post on allears, you still pay a fixed price at Mama Melrose & at Brown Derby -- what they posted as "news" in June 2009 was actually "news" about a year before -- what changed was they dropped the fixed menu...still charge a set price, but now you get to choose from the regular menu.

Anyway, IT IS 100% WORTH IT...unless you want to get in line two or more hours before show time. People who have not gone to Fantasmic this year HAVE NO CLUE what it's like now. In May 2009, in a week with 6 shows, the line started at 6:30 for a 9:00 show...yes, people were actually in line 2.5 hours before showtime! At 60 minutes before showtime, it was standing room only. At 55 minutes before show time the theater was full & they were turning people away.

Except for those who had the Fantasmic Dinner Package seats. They were still coming in & getting seats.

And you don't "walk in with the masses", you don't "get in line early" with the tickets. You walk right in the regular entrance now, not waiting in a line, but just walking straight up the ramp...at 60 minutes before show time, hand in your ticket & get directed to your seating area. Where you sit & relax until the show starts.

We thought it was a wonderful advantage to NOT stand in a massive line 2 or more hours before the show. And we thought it was wonderful to walk in an hour before the show & actually have a seat.

And the seats are wonderful everywhere in that theater.

THANKS for your update!!!!

Most who say it’s not worth it have not experienced the "F!" dinner package, we have one for our upcoming trip in September and with 3 shows now scheduled that week,
I think it’s going to be crazy to get into. Having never seen DW version of “F!” and loving DL version we are looking forward to “F!” ………………….

 

[ccigliano]

Do this if you want to miss the show.They did away with the separate Oscar's entrance ages ago, so you line up with the masses over by the Tower of Terror. You must get there at LEAST 45 minutes or more beforehand if you want a seat, even for the reserved area. Word is they open up the reserved area to the public about 30 minutes beforehand.

There's really no great benefit to the Fantasmic dinner package any more.

We just did this in December 2008 and went to the Oscar's entrance and walked straight up the path past the strollers and into the theater 30 minutes ahead. And the view from the side is just a good as the center as I have been seated in all sections now to compare.

 

[pooch]

We just did this in December 2008 and went to the Oscar's entrance and walked straight up the path past the strollers and into the theater 30 minutes ahead. And the view from the side is just a good as the center as I have been seated in all sections now to compare.

It has been confirmed over and over again on the DIS that the Oscar's entrance is now closed and ticket holders enter at the same place as everyone else. The right-hand section is still reserved and I agree that the seats are great. I've never found it necessary to sit in the middle and wouldn't waste an hr of park time to sit there. We have the package reserved at Brown Derby for a midday meal (3:30) and will get snacks or a CS meal to munch on while we wait for the show to start. Plan on getting there 45-60 min in advance. I expect it to be busy as there are only 2 shows the week we're there!!!