Fantasmic! PKG - Using DDP - Appetizer yes or no?

[Verolovesdisney]

Hello! Just booked the Fantasmic! Dinner PKG at Mama Melrose for March 5th. I was told however that since I would be using a DDP TS for this PKG that I would not get the appetizer; only if I was paying OOP would I get the "true" pkg inclusions.

The reservation agent did not seem very comforatable with her answer, anyone know the official line for this?

Thanks!

 

[Tricia1972]

Appetizer - Yes

(I love giving good news!)

 

[TDC Nala]

At last report, yes it was included (this was just this month). There are rumors that the appetizer may be removed in the future for basic dining plan guests, but that hasn't happened yet if it will at all.

 

[Silver Queen]

We were at Mama Melrose in April and appetizers were included in our Fantasmic Package.

 

[Carys]

I hate to post this, but when I was at the Brown Derby in September the couple at the table next door were on the regular dining plan doing Fantasmic and were told appetizer wasn't included (I clearly remember the conversation because I was hungry and waiting for my food and the waitress was taking forever with the table next door ). Perhaps a misinformed waitress?

 

[Kurby]

here's what i've read on a few different sites including disney's

the DDP does not include appy's

the DDDP does.

so $40 for the DDp gets you 1 table 1 counter and 1 snack with drink, main and dessert

$80 for the DDDP gets 3 table which includes appy main dessert and drink

except at breakfast where you get a drink main juice

 

[Tricia1972]

here's what i've read on a few different sites including disney's

the DDP does not include appy's

the DDDP does.

so $40 for the DDp gets you 1 table 1 counter and 1 snack with drink, main and dessert

$80 for the DDDP gets 3 table which includes appy main dessert and drink

except at breakfast where you get a drink main juice

This is 100% true and it's a good point. However, I don't think that the OP was questioning the DDP in general - just the package aspect. For a good part of this year if you purchase a package that includes an appetizer, they've been giving the appetizer to those with the DDP. Some examples of where the meal includes an appetizer at Disney are CRT, LeCellier's new Chef's Choice, and the Fantasmic! Dining package.

One reason that I could see them changing the Fantasmic package is due to the Candlelight Processional Package. That clearly states in the foundation of the program that appetizers for those paying OOP - Yes and those using a DDP credit - No.

 

[Bete]

This seems to be one of the remaining exceptions to this rule. There are rumors about the place changing and excluding the appetizer with the package. I think you take a chance on it, right now. You ask when you arrive and if you get it; it's a bonus. You still get the reserved seating which is nice. I go in mid-December to Mama Melrose and I'll report back my experience from that time.

I've asked this question over the last two months and all the reports are positive for the appetizer being included at Mama Melrose to date. I, too asked dining reservations and none of them will admit there's an appetizer included at Mama's for the Fantasmic package. All they will say when I mention it has been included so far is that the final choice is at the discretion of the restaurant to do it or not.

There are exceptions like trading your TS for CS even though it's a downgrade and you lose value. But even then all places will not honor that choice. Again, it's at their own discretion.

 

[TDC Nala]

As we had a recent report from November that someone said they got the appetizer with basic DDP on the Fantasmic package, I'd assume they're still including it. Those looking to book it solely for that reason should note that it's always possible that WDW could choose to close that loophole at any time.

As Tricia noted, the OP was not asking about the DDP in general - it's well established that the basic plan does not include appetizers for the most part - but the Fantasmic dinner package, which historically has been handled differently and the appetizer has been made available for basic dining plan guests on the package.