Fantasmic - to package or not to package?

[Fionasmommy]

I've heard some great review of Fantasmic recently, and I'd love to check it out when we return. What I can't decide is how to do it - get the Fantasmic package or book an ADR whereever we want at MGM and go to the later showing.

I'd like to try Hollywood Brown Derby, but I'm not sure it's worth 2 TS if we can't order off the regular menu. Or, 50's PT might be nice, if we could do that and then see the late show - but not if the lines will be a mile long.



What's the best way to have a good meal and enjoy the show?

 

[mdhkitten]

I tried to see Fantasmic two years in a row and each time I waited over an hour for decent seats, only to have the show be cancelled at the last minute because of thunderstorms in the area. When I went again in 2003, we did the Fantasmic package and were so glad that we did! We at at Brown Derby, but any of the places would have been fine just for the fact that after dinner we just walked in through the special gate and had a section for those of us with the dinner package. At least if it had stormed (which it didn't), we didn't wait for seats, and got a good meal out of it! I hate to say it, but I guess from all of my anticipation of seeing the show, I was actually a little disappointed.

 

[barbeml]

We've done FDP twice: once with Hollywood & Vine and once with Mama Melrose. I would do the MM FDP again in a heartbeat. It was a bargain for all the great food we got, and it is pretty neat going through the "secret" entrance and walking "backstage" to the theater. Our seats were wonderful and we did not have to wait long for the show to begin.

I can't believe it took us so many trips to see Fantasmic. We loved it.

 

[Fionasmommy]

Thanks! The CM I spoke to said that you can order off the full regular menu if you get the Fantasmic package at the Brown Derby, so I went ahead and booked it. I could swear I read somewhere that there was a special, more limited menu, though...

I'm kind of wondering now if we should switch to MM and save the 2 credit meal for Cali Grill.... I could go back and forth forever!!!

 

[mdhkitten]

IMO, go to MM for Fantasmic and go to CG if you haven't before! This way, if you book close enough to Wishes, you can go out on the balcony and watch it from there (or from your table, although last year they weren't piping in the music or dimming the lights). CG has WONDERFUL food, and it's my favorite restaurant along with Jiko. That way you could have great views of both of the shows.

 

[byoung]

If you are there at low times no need, you can get a good seat without the package.

 

[indigoxtreme]

We are going to be there the same time as you and at POFQ 09-30 through 10-09. We got MM package this time and I had to give may dates to get the package as most were booked up at MM or H&V, BD was available but I won't use 2 ts for this. We went to Fantazmic in Feb 06 without res. got there 1 hr early and by the time the let us in we just got seats. So yes do the package. The week seems to be a bit crowded, may be just because of the end of free dining and Columbus day holiday

 

[checkwriter]

We did the package at H&V and thought it was worth it. They book you early, so you can do an attraction or two before heading over to the reserved section (front and to the right) for the show. When we got there, the reserved section was maybe 20 percent full, while the rest of the place was at 80 percent.

 

[F1Julie]

I'd do the FDP at Brown Derby, but pay OOP for it. You can get more for your credits if you use them for two 1 TS credit meals. The FDP package at Brown Derby is pretty reasonable, I think it is $36.99 for adults and that gets you an app, entree and dessert. We were there in May and the food was fantastic - probably the best meal we had that trip.

 

[binky]

My two cents: If you want to eat at one of the Fantasmic restaurants, then by all means you should do the package. But if you don't want any of the 3 participating restaurants, I'd say skip the plan. We went last month (23rd-29th) and I cancelled my H&V res after reading all the bad reviews. We decided to take our chances on getting in, and it was no problem! We got to the theatre about 35 minutes before 9:00. No lines, we just walked on in and there were plenty of seats available. Heck, they tell you to get there 30 minutes early even with the FDP! Two other things to consider: we were able to choose seats that were better than the reserved FDP section, and if it rains you are out of luck with the FDP. We were there during a pretty busy time ( it was Star Wars weekend). One last thing: if there is a late show (I think 10:30) and you choose that one, you definitely won't need the FDP.