Fantasmic! question? Need help deciding...

[Jenni20]

We will be going back to the world in January 2007 . I am trying to decide whether we should do the Fantasmic dinner package - if it is really nessecary for that slow time of year. The only reason I would do the dinner package is to not have to get there 1 -1 1/2 hours early to get a good seat. Is it possible to not do the dinner package and still get good seats w/in 30 minutes of the show starting? Any input would be helpful!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

We were there beginning of January for 2 weeks. After New Years, it was pretty busy for a few days. It continued to be semi-busy for another week, with all the people from England. Once they went home, it was practically empty.

We showed up for Illuminations about 25 minutes before it began and found a place on the rail, so I doubt you'd have a hard time with Fantasmic.

But, I don't go to Fantasmic (think it is boring!), so hopefully someone will have a super-concrete answer for you!

Good luck!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

Never have I had to get there over 45 min early. Able to get good seats each time.

So I don't think you will need the dining package unless you just want to do that???

Sometimes we go grab those big Turkey legs and drinks and then take them in and find a great seat and eat our dinner while we are waiting!!!

Good luck!

 

[durango kid]

IMHO, don't do the dinner package. I have done it both ways. The package seats while not "bad" they are also not "good". Go a little early, grab a snack, you'll be glad you did.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

IMO, I don't think that reserved seats are all that great. While you can still see everything, you don't get that same feeling as you would if you sit in the middle.

But if you don't mind where you sit (you can still see everything clearly), then go ahead with the dinner package. It is very handy, because those seats get awefully hard and uncomfortable after a while.

If you decide not to do the dinner package, then grab an early dinner, and head over to the Ampitheater around 1 hour to 45 minutes before the show starts. Since you'll be going in Jan, its usually not crowded, so you shouldn't have to get there that early.

Have fun!!

 

[Jenni20]

Thanks for the feedback! Didn't really want to do the dinner package, but would if others thought it nessecary to get seats.

 

[Bronte]

We did the package last spring break ... I thought the seats were totally bad consitering how much it cost to eat on the package at Mama Melrose (no dinning plan back then just hard cash and eight "adults" )
This year we will be going for during Star Wars Weekend ... the first Sunday in June and I am still consitering the package for our group of seven ... just so that my parents don't have to wait too long to see the show ... Everyone in my party hates the menu at Hollywood and Vine but I made the resevations anyways just to get the seats ...
I LOVE all your ideas about bringing super in with you ... I might just change my mind ... do you think you can order out at one of the sit down places or just at the CS? We are still not doing the dinning plan ... that just never works out for us.
Bronte

 

[byoung]

You got to eat anyway. DO it.

 

[dixipixi]

About 4 yrs ago we went to Fantasmic! without any pkg. We were let into the arena about 1 hr before the show started, found our seats, and enjoyed the show.

3 yrs. ago, we had the Fantasmic! pkg. mainly because we planned on eating dinner in the park that evening anyway. We sat as close to the center as possible in that section and thought that our seats were as good as the ones we had previously.

Last yr., we went to Fantasmic! without the pkg. About 2 hrs. before the show started, the line was way down Sunset Blvd. We joined the line in hopes of getting seats. About 1 hr. before the show, they start letting people in. We did not realize there was another line coming from the other direction. It was a madhouse at the arena entrance. People were pushing and shoving. It was ridiculous. At that point we decided to leave the line and just go back to the hotel. All week the crowds were like that.

I have to say we were there the first week of June so it was much more crowded than January I'm sure. But, if you like just being able to walk right in and sit down, the meal pkg. is worth it to me. Sure, they're not the best seats, but at least it is a seat!!! JMHO.

I don't know if the pkg. would be necessary at a slower time of the year, but I'm definitely planning on having it this June!