We have both done the package and not done the package, both times mid-August. The time we did not do the package i thought was better. We chose to go to MGM purely for Fantasmic that evening, this meant that we had already showered and changed and felt nice n fresh. We arrived at MGM about 2 hours before the show and wandered around a little. We went to get seats about 1-1/2 hours before show time and took our gameboy with us (we are both 27 no kids!!), but to be honest the atmosphere is great and I love to people watch. You should note at this time, there were still hundreds of seat left, we were just being cautious. We got way better seats without the package as the package seats are in a cretain section, this year we are going again without the package. Can't wait, hope this helps y'all. PM me if you have any more questions about this.