Fantasmic Package

[FourBees]

I currently have this package at Hollywood & Vine but am really second guessing because of bad reviews. I booked it because it was the only restaurant left for the package and Fantasmic was only being shown twice the week we are there but now they are going to be showing it everynight except one while we are there so my question is do we really need it? I would rather go to a different restaurant like Beaches and Cream. Do you think we should be okay without the package? TIA

 

[zales127]

You will be fine without the package. Actually, with the package, you just get priority seating..which is to the far right of the show. Its not the best seat in the house for sure. People usually start lining up around 2 hours before to get a seat..those without the package..but people are still walking in right around show time. There is not a bad seat in the house.

 

[Hootch]

the Fantasmic package this past trip because originally there were only a couple of showings. Like your experience, WDW added more shows before our trip.

The night we went, we entered the arena about 25 minutes before show time. The Fantasmic seating had few people in it. The general seating was pretty but not completely full.

Our package was for Mama Melrose. The food was good but we did not need all the food so it didn't seem worth the money to us. Next time, if they have double shows, we will head to the second one where you can generally get a seat without much of a wait.

 

[DisWishes720]

The first time we used the package we did enjoy a shorter wait for the show, but I did feel limited in our food choices. The next time we went, we decided to just book an earlier dinner at a restaurant of our choice close to HS (we went to the flying fish then took the boat over). We planned on being in line for fantasmic a half hour before the show and it ended up working out great. Don't feel like you have to do the package to get great seats...just time it the right way and you'll be fine!

 

[koolaidmoms]

We did the F! package (MM) in June (near peak season) because they were only doing shows 2x a week and it was crowded. An hour before the show they were announcing that if you left you may not be let back in because they were reaching SRO.

If we go back to our usual travel dates Oct - December unless we are traveling over a holiday I would not do it again. It gets crowded but nothing like I saw that night. Just plan ahead and get there early.

Hope this helps.

 

[nkereina]

We canceled our package and decided to chance it, since they are showing F! every night now when we are there too. When they decided to do that, people on these boards said that it would even out the F! crowds and the shows won't be quite as busy. So that's what we're going with.

If you do decide to go to Beaches & Cream, just make sure you allow yourself enough time if you go before F!. There can be really long waits there since it's so small and they don't take ADRs. People have recommended going there at opening at 11am just to avoid waits. If you decide to go after F!, be prepared for a long wait then as well.

 

[LovinPooh]

We love H&V. I dont see why it gets such bad reviews. I just dont think everyone shares the same opinion is all.
As far as the package. We dont leave home without it
I have seen the line go all the way from the entrance past the hat 3 hours before showtime. I guess its a hit or miss. But I would rather sit and enjoy a meal and then go to the show than spend all my time in line. The seating is great. You can see the whole show without a problem. We sit up top in the corner cause the exit is right there and its just as easy out as in. I recommend the package. You may not need it, or you may need. But we eat, then go play, and go to the show with 10mins to spare
have fun either way

 

[NYDIS]

I agree with the above poster....we use the package, it just makes things easier for us. We ate at H&V last year and thought it was decent so that's where we are again this year. I thought it was clean and the food was hot and plentiful. Our seats for F were great and we just walked in, sat in the reserved area and had a great time.