Fantasmic without Dinner Package ressies?

[lolatuck]

How awful is it to try to do Fantasmic without a PS for one of their dinner package deals?

The last time we went to WDW was two years ago, before they started this lame-brained idea.

Hubby and I will be going it alone next time (no kids) and while we love eating at Mama Melrose's, if they are still doing this package when we go again, we may just try to grab a burger and get in line for the show extra early.

What are your thoughts for a couple without kids who want to see the show? Should we spring for the package, or save our money and get in line early?

Thanks.

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by lolatuck
How awful is it to try to do Fantasmic without a PS for one of their dinner package deals?

The last time we went to WDW was two years ago, before they started this lame-brained idea.

Hubby and I will be going it alone next time (no kids) and while we love eating at Mama Melrose's, if they are still doing this package when we go again, we may just try to grab a burger and get in line for the show extra early.

What are your thoughts for a couple without kids who want to see the show? Should we spring for the package, or save our money and get in line early?



Thanks.

"Lame-brained idea"? My sister-in-law and I did the Fantasmic dinner pkg. last April at Hollywood and Vine - and it was great. It may not be as good a value now, since the price is fixed for each restaurant, but it sure is nice to not wait in line to see Fantasmic.

 

[skuttle]

We were at WDW the first week of March. We originally had the Fantasmic dinner package reserved because we did it for our honeymoon in 2000. We ended up canceling the package because we didn't really want to eat at any of the restaurants (rather save our money for a restaurant we really wanted to eat at) and there was a chance of rain. We went to Fantasmic about 45 minutes before the show started and got great seats in the middle, about halfway down. I'm pregnant and I was 19 weeks pregnant at the time, so I was so happy to be able to just sit for a while.

 

[kevind65]

I would not do the dinner package for fantasmic as long as it remains in it's current form. The reserved seats that you get with the package are no better than the seats you can get by getting in the end of the line 15-20 before the show starts. Also, you pay more for the meal now and have to chose your dinner from a limited menu? Unless you truly have a physical problem that prohibits or make it difficult to stand in line or walk in mass I don't think it's a good deal. just my .02

 

[StampMom]

For our family, the Fantasmic Dinner Package is a godsend, but I think if I were in your position (there as a couple, with no kids to complain about waiting in line!), I'd pass on the dinner package and just get in line early.

Good luck!

 

[beattyfamily]

You didn't say what time of year you are going??

If you are going off season, then I would definitely NOT buy the terrible 'new' package that is overpriced and pre-paid and you are stuck with even if Fantasmic gets rain-out...

If you are going peak season then maybe you can consider it...

We did the package BEFORE it was prepaid and thought it was nice.

Now that it's changed we will no longer do it. I researched what happens when you don't do the package and found that you are not standing in a long line till the show starts like I thought. You enter the theater and get to sit and eat while you are waiting in very good seats. I'd rather do that than some pre-paid package that I'm stuck with and end up sitting on the far right side.

Good luck.

 

[hercamore]

Ditto on beattyfamily post!


herc.

 

[phyllis1966]

My DH, DD3 1/2, and I went to WDW just this past October and weren't aware of any dinner packages, so we just entered the show area about 1 hour before, got great seats in the middle and had to wait for the show to begin. Not so bad with a pre-schooler, but if you're traveling alone, it should be great, as long as you don't mind sitting and waiting for 1 hour.

 

[bunnyfoo]

What are the lineups for Fantasmic like in May? I've never been to see the show before so I thought it would be better to book a package at the Brown Derby. Maybe this is something that I should rethink?

 

[cloudydrms]

What are the lineups for Fantasmic like in May? I've never been to see the show before so I thought it would be better to book a package at the Brown Derby. Maybe this is something that I should rethink?

I'm curious about this too. I'm going the first week of June and now I'm starting to wonder if I should book a dinner package or not. I do know that my family would be happier not sitting and waiting for an hour though.

Cindy

 

[LIFERBABE]

We'll be there the first week of June also and I called today to book the package and was told the June dates are not released yet. I was not aware of the changes and I think we'll be lining up and eating a snack too!
Im interested in wait times if anyone knows.

 

[DebbieB]

We went the first week of May last year and got seats about 35 minutes before, it was almost full. It was a Monday night.

 

[mishoe01]

I'm going the 6th-9th of May, and I ended up booking a PS reservation for Hollywood & Vine, with the VIP seating to the show.

I did this yesterday, and while I had to give a credit card to hold the reservation, it is not prepaid at this time. I do need to cancel at least 48hrs prior to my PS to not be charged.

Their rate is $19.99 per adult for the buffet (including drink) - not bad in my opinion for a DW park meal. Mama Melrose was $28.99 per adult, and the Brown Derby was $36.99 (sorry I don't have the rates for kids).

I have had 2 knee surgeries, and figured this would be the best way to go as to not have to stand in line. I really hope this works to my favor.

Monica

 

[jcemom]

Didn't I read somewhere that even WITH the package you need to show up 30 minutes ahead of time?

If so, I think I'd rather just get in line 45-60 min ahead and eat fast food, which my kids would prefer anyway.

 

[Kirby]

We were there during Thanksgiving week on a Tuesday I think. We had thought to do the dinner package but didn't want to spend the money. We got in line about 1 1/2 to 2 hours early, whatever was the earliest time that they would allow you into the ampitheater. We got great seats in the middle section about halfway up on the end of a row, just where we wanted to sit. Even though it sounds like a long wait, it didn't seem all that long. Radio Disney is piped in for you to listen to, people watching was fun and we got a time or two for bathroom breaks, to buy food, etc. Our children were 14 and 11 at the time and had no problem waiting. I was glad that we did not get the dinner package after I saw that those that did had to sit over to the side. Now granted, all the seats are probably good but I'm glad we got to do what we did and sit where we did.

 

[laurieny]

Last time we did the package and ended up switching our seats to more centrally located ones. We were there last week and it was very crowded. They had 2 Fantasmics. The 8:30 still had standing room at 8:30. The 10pm show was maybe half full. We went to the 10, had some snacks and had a great time.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hmm... so if you go with the Fantasmic dinner package does that mean you get in earlier than everyone else and can switch your seats to somewhere else if you don't like the area that you're put in?

 

[DebbieB]

The gates for Fantasmic open 2 hours before. The advantage of using the dinner package is being able to not get there 2 hours before and still be guaranteed a seat.

 

[laurieny]

From what I remember we all lined up near the park entrance and they walked us in. The other people were already filing in at the same time. The reserved seats were to the far right. There were plently of seats more centrally located so about 3/4 of the people we walked in with moved over. No one said anything. The reserved seats did eventually fill up.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by bunnyfoo
Hmm... so if you go with the Fantasmic dinner package does that mean you get in earlier than everyone else and can switch your seats to somewhere else if you don't like the area that you're put in?

Yes, with the package, you can sit where ever you want BUT Disney 'holds' the far right side for the package people in case they show up later... The MAIN benefit of the package is not having wait a long time before the show to arrive and then also being guaranteed a seat.

Only down side now with the package is if it rains, you're out of luck.