Fantasmic Pkg- HBD/OOP???

[POOHS3]

The last time we did the fantasmic pkg at HBD was in 2008. In 2008, you paid one set price per person dining. This allowed you to order one appetizer, one entree, and one dessert from the menu at the set price.
Now for the HBD fantasmic pkg it states it is a la carte. Can we just each order an entree and still qualify for the fantasmic pass or are we required to order/pay for one appetizer, one entree, and dessert? Another question. Can my 11 year old boys order an entree from the kids menu, if they do not find anything on the adult menu?

 

[clanmcculloch]

What they mean by a la carte is that you order your items off the regular a la carte menu. You still pay the fixed price. In the past, there was a limitted menu for the Fantasmic! package at HBD.

 

[catne]

We just did the Hollywood Brown Derby Fantasmic package a couple of weeks ago. It IS fixed price...we were on the dining plan, and it's 2 TS credits just like all the other signature restaurants. I believe they said it would have been $49 per person if not on the dining plan but I didn't actually pay close attention to that part since we were on the Deluxe plan anyway. You still get an app, entree, non-alcohol beverage and a dessert per person, whether or not you're on the deluxe plan (that's special for Fantasmic dinner package...you would get the appetizer at Mama Melrose, too, though you pay just one credit there for the package...we've done that several times with the package too.)

By the way, you order off the full menu at both Mama Melrose and Hollywood Brown Derby. They did away with the "special" limited menu for the dinner package several years ago. We've done the Fantasmic dinner package 5 times in the last 3 years and it's been your choice, full menu all of that time.

That wording referring to "ala carte" ordering is very confusing...but it's not new. I believe the reference to "now ala carte" ordering happened when they did away with the restricted menus for the dinner package.

Though you can split meals or choose partial meals, you won't get the tickets doing that...unless you still pay the full price per person to get the Fantasmic tickets. They will only give you a ticket for the number of people who actually paid for dinner package (I know this for sure...was unfortunately stuck in line at the check-in desk behind a person who was arguing with the maitre d that she should be able to get a ticket for all 7 in her party even though only 5 of them were on the package. Maitre D was telling her they could only give her admittance for 5 anyway, because that was all they had reserved for: he was saying the package seats were long sold out for that date and they could not make exceptions at the last minute due to capacity audience. The woman was livid because the 2 kids weren't hungry and had just split an appetizer--when she booked she knew the grandkids wouldn't eat full meals so hadn't bothered to get reservations for 7 just the 5 she knew would actually eat full meals.

As for ordering off the kids' menu...most places will allow the kids to do this, but they will charge you the full adult meal price. They will usually bring a larger serving (like if the kid orders a kids nuggets meal, they may bring out double the nuggets as a kids meal would usually have.) There have been reports that some restaurants do not allow the older kids to order kids meals, though, so be prepared either way.


We had excellent food & service at H Brown Derby...would return in a heartbeat.

By the way, we really, really debated whether or not to get the package on this last trip because we were going at a very slow time (Jan 7-11) and in fact the parks were fairly empty after the marathon hoopla was done. However, Fantasmic was PACKED! Even though they did add a 2nd show the night we were there every seat at the first show that night was taken long before the show started, and there were quite a few people in the standing-room only sections, too.

 

[POOHS3]

Catne, thank you for the explanation. Yes, the a la carte did confuse me. So the fixed price is about 49$/person (we are going at the end of Aug). We have 11 year old twins , who sometimes order from the adult menu and sometimes from the kids. If they want to order from the kids menu, that will be one expensive meal. I guess though its dinner and a show.

 

[catne]

you could try Mama Melrose...that's about $10 less per person for the package, so more like $39. And I think Hollywood & Vine buffet is even several dollars less per person for the dinner package.

We liked Mama Melrose...didn't care for Hollywood & Vine (it was OK food, but we had no luck with service whatsoever there.) A lot of people like it, though, especially with kids who may be pickier eaters.

 

[alldiz]

Catne, thank you for the explanation. Yes, the a la carte did confuse me. So the fixed price is about 49$/person (we are going at the end of Aug). We have 11 year old twins , who sometimes order from the adult menu and sometimes from the kids. If they want to order from the kids menu, that will be one expensive meal. I guess though its dinner and a show.

I believe children 10 and up are considered "adults". At least on the DDP and I'm sure the fantasmic package is the same.
Kerri

 

[POOHS3]

The HBD is a WDW tradition, for our family. It is one meal, even with free dining, we always paid for out of pocket. HBD has always been our WDW "fancy meal". Also, when I was a child, HBD was my "fancy meal" where I grew up, outside of Fort Meyers, FL. It is just sentimental!

I just have to get my head wrapped around the $49/person now. Our days of kid meal prices our slipping away. Even a night out to Chili's for us runs around 120, anymore.

My husband and I are thinking of upgrading to the DlxDP, since we are now 6 TS credits, over our allotted 8.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Dizney73]

This ceratinly sounds worth it since it was like a cattle coral the last time we did fantasmic over the summer! Is Mamma Melrose just 1 dining credit on the dining plan or 2?

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

MM is only one TS credit.

I've "done" H&V F! Package DDP
and
I've "done" HBD F! Package OOP...

Ditto PP's.... DS18 and I did HBD in May... our bill came to around $110 (WITH TIP?)
I had Tuna appy, Beef Filet and grapefruit cake
DS had
Crab Cake appy, chicken and some kind of banana/toffee cake

I HAVE PICS if you want although I MUST say... I didn't LOVE the food...

I am weird... I actually enjoyed the food at H&V better (Crazy, I know)

LOVE the F! Packages....although I can't wait to try MM's...


HUGS,
Mary

 

[alldiz]

The HBD is a WDW tradition, for our family. It is one meal, even with free dining, we always paid for out of pocket. HBD has always been our WDW "fancy meal". Also, when I was a child, HBD was my "fancy meal" where I grew up, outside of Fort Meyers, FL. It is just sentimental!

I just have to get my head wrapped around the $49/person now. Our days of kid meal prices our slipping away. Even a night out to Chili's for us runs around 120, anymore.

My husband and I are thinking of upgrading to the DlxDP, since we are now 6 TS credits, over our allotted 8.

Thanks for the info.

I've found the regular DDP not a great value anymore since they took away appetizer.
I do love my signatures and table service so the deluxe DDP does save us a lot of money. Especially that DVC allows you to have the DDP for part of your stay. For me I am doing 5 nights with only 4 on DDP have the extra day to use it.
My DD is turning 10 next year and I will probably do an AP with TIW and plan my trips close then with a larger gap with no WDW trip.
Kerri