If you go at a slow time of year, you dont even need the Fantasmic Package. We actually did the package for Thanksgiving 2004, and found we didnt "need" it either. We ate at Hollywood & Vine, and it was the only restaurant where the regular price and the Fantasmic price were the same. We got there 3040 minutes early, and the preferred space was empty. The entire place was maybe 2/3 full. We would have gotten a seat with out the package, and possibly gotten betters seats more towards the middle. We havent done the package other than that, and have never had any trouble getting a good seat at any trip we took in January. Thats going up no earlier than 30-40 minutes before it starts.