Fantasmic VIP tickets, worth it?

[PabloMax]

Taking family to WDW for first time in August. Definitely want to see Fantasmic as wife and kids have never seen it. Have heard about the dining packages that offer access to the VIP area for the show, am wondering if those are worth it.

What are the advantages of doing it that way? If you recommend it, which restaurant is the best option? Thanks in advance.

 

[VisionDisney]

Sure it's worth it!You have to eat and you want to see Fantasmic without having to stand in line for over a hour before the show starts. My family really enjoys Hollywood Brown Derby but it is more expensive than the other options. You also have the option to get a FP for Fantasmic.

 

[Robo]

I recommend getting a FP+ for the show.
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, 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.

There is sometimes a "pre-show" (such as it is) that can help pass the last 30 minutes before show time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

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.)

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

 

[Delphinidae]

We thought it was worth it when we did it a few years ago. I was debating doing it again this trip because the price has gone up since our last time, but we ended up getting on the dining plan so we are definitely doing it again. If you aren't on the dining plan and don't like the price, you'll probably be ok getting a fastpass. We ate at Mama Melrose and we all really liked the food. I got the steak and it was WAY better than I was expecting. The kids loved the "spaghetti" cupcakes for dessert. We didn't have to wait forever to get into Fantasmic and of course the show was great.

 

[PabloMax]

We will be on the dining plan. Curious to hear Robo's explanation, though.

 

[ajbtv2]

I'm interested as well. I've found that doing Mama Melrose is a *fantas(m)tic* package offer. If you want character dining, I've found Hollywood & Vine will do the job. I enjoyed Brown Derby, but I think that cost is a little high.

If you're on the dining plan -
Brown Derby - 2 credits - not worth using DDP
Hollywood & Vine - 1 credit - cost $54 - worth using DDP
Mama Melrose - 1 credit - cost $45 - worth using DDP

I base table service credit usage on if the meal costs over $38 it should help to provide at least a break even point.
$5 snack, $20 QS, $38 TS


I love the direct front stage seating, the option to arrive and walk right in, and that I don't have to use a precious fast pass slot.

If I didn't feel the menus were within my taste at one of these locations, that would the be the only time I'd not suggest getting the package.

 

[CAS239]

If you're already planning on eating inside the park at one of the restaurants, then do the dining plan. It's like a free upgrade.

If you're not planning on eating inside the park, there's no reason to purposely eat at one of the restaurants JUST to do the Fantasmic Dining Package.

You can use a FP for it, and if you don't want it as part of your initial 3, it's easily obtainable as a FP later in the day. We've gotten it before an hour before showtime and went straight to the arena.

The dining package area is direct center, FP is right next to it. The views are nearly identical. And with great views all around the arena, you don't have to be direct center to experience the same show.

No matter what you choose though..dining plan, FP, or standby..I, along with Robo as well, will tell you you should still arrive 45 min-1 hour ahead of showtime. They generally open up the arena 1 hour prior to showtime so if you're there then, you'll have first dibs on seats. Some people think since they have the dining plan they can arrive 5 min before and have seats reserved for them...this isn't the case. While the dining section is front and center (robo will provide pics when he can), as it gets closer to showtime, if they have enough people coming in they'll make all sections available to everyone. So those with the dining plan coming in 5 min prior to show can find the dining section completely full. When we went last November or December the dining area was probably about 80% full 30 min prior to show. So if you care about sitting close and/or having first dibs on seats, then arrive early

 

[sturner324]

We did it once with Mama Melrose and really enjoyed our meal and less stress over Fantasmic. This was for a special trip with extended family who were first (and maybe only) timers. I wanted to make sure we had a good experience, and I thought it was worth it. I wouldn't necessarily do it with just me and my husband since we've seen it plenty of times, but depending on circumstances I would do it again.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We did it in December. I wouldn't exactly call it "VIP." As I said on another thread, sure the seats were great, but it took forever and a day to get out of there. Don't sit as close as we did, either or you'll get wet

 

[PabloMax]

All good information, especially about the FP option. I know this is probably the wrong forum but is there a different table service restaurant that you would recommend in HS or nearby over the options with the dining package?

 

[tomatecerise]

On the dining plan with Mama Melrose yes! You get an appetizer

 

[msk]

We used the DP and ate at Mama Melrose with the Fantasmic ticket. It was worth not standing in line and not having to use a FP. Enjoy!

 

[Robo]

You can check my post #3 above for F! FP info.

(I'm at a performance of a national tour of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on the campus of
University of Kansas right now. Its intermission.)

 

[agavegirl1]

A FP+ is adequate but if your want to use your FP+ at different attractions, then the Fantasmic! dining plan may be an acceptable option. It's not bad and the premier seats without a long wait were worth it for us because we park hop and used our FP+ in a different park. Now that you can use the app to book additional fP+, you may be able to get good seats without paying the premium price for dinner.

 

[Mikie]

All good information, especially about the FP option. I know this is probably the wrong forum but is there a different table service restaurant that you would recommend in HS or nearby over the options with the dining package?

I like Mama Melrose and Hollywood Brown Derby is very good, though pricey. I've done Hollywood &Vine for the F! Package and it was fine, but not great and I'm glad it was just a dining plan credit vs out of pocket.
Without the F! package, both 50s Prime Time Cafe and Sci Fi dine in are tasty and fun! Aaaaaand if you have park hoppers, Epcot is just a short boat ride away with lots of options!

 

[addiemon]

I've been checking back in just about every day to see if an opening for Fantasmic VIP pops up...we booked about 160 days out for our trip, and we're doing Hollywood Studios on 11/01- I'm hoping to do Fantasmic as the big finale for our trip. Glad to see people think it's worth it! I'll keep trying.