Fantasmic! VIP Seating

[Robo]

1. We got the fantasmic package, for lunch as there is only one show the day we're going and we don't want to wait an hour for it to start.
I really wanted to get the dinner package, does anyone have any experience with those opening up closer to the mark.
2. I read on Touringplans website, 45 days before your trip is a good time to try, because people cancel their reservations? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks

1. Even WITH the Dining Pkg. you STILL should arrive at least 45 minutes before show-time, especially on a night when there's only one F! show.
On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.
So, you are really not saving a lot of time with the DP.

2. They sometimes can.

However...

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.
Without a FP or DP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.

There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.

As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.
Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.

On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Map Below-
Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red= Dining Package Reserved
Blue= FP+ Reserved
Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.

(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved
(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

 

[magic458]

Can anyone explain the FDP and what restaurants and is the dining plan allowed?

So confused.

 

[Alexiss207]

Can anyone explain the FDP and what restaurants and is the dining plan allowed?

So confused.

Yes the dining plan is accepted but you must book the reservation through the Fantasmic dining package.
You have 3 restraunts to chose from
Brown Derby- 2 dining credits
Mama Mia-1 dining credit
or
Hollywood and Vine-1 dining credit

 

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

We love it !!! Did it our last 2 trips at Momma Melrose ,,,Good food and great seating for Fantasmic , Cant beat it !

 

[magic458]

Awesome. Like all three options but LOVE the Brown Derby.

 

[Nancyg56]

Is it worth it to get the Fantasmic! dinner package for the VIP seating vouchers that come along with it? Or, on a not so crowded evening, would we be able to score decent seats if we arrive early enough? Anyone have recent experience with the dinner package?

I think it depends on several factors. If you are using the DDP the package is a good value. I like Mama Melrose, so we generally book this meal with either a late lunch or an early dinner. I like the break, especially if we are there in the summer months. I am not at all sure I would pay the OOP price for the package. I probably would use a fast pass.

 

[magic458]

We are using the dining plan but looks like we are going to have to try the call a few days before trick. All booked up 60 days out.

 

[Nancyg56]

We are using the dining plan but looks like we are going to have to try the call a few days before trick. All booked up 60 days out.

Keep trying. If you plan to eat anyway, I would use the package because for MM and Brown Derby an appetizer is included.