Fantasmic without the meal package?

[cottontail]

Hi: We did the hollywood and vine fantasmic meal plan on our last visit to mgm. Is there a problem getting a seat if you do not use the fantasmic dinner package? We are looking at going end of april or end of oct.

Deb.

 

[pookybean]

we went in early may, on a EMH nite, and had no problem getting a GREAT seat.

good luck!

megan

 

[mmessler]

We did the package at H&V last trip in Sept., and found that it wasn't really necessary, we got there about 20 minutes before the show and there seemed to be plenty of good seats available all over. Not dead center, but then you don't need to be dead center. There are actually no BAD seats anywhere, from my point of view. Just preference.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

We grab a CS meal and head to the line . We will wait until they let us sit and then eat right there. It kills the time waiting for everyone to be seated. Last 2 times we have sat dead center.

 

[88Keys]

It is nice to do (since it does not cost anything extra) if there is only one Fantasmic that night during a relatively crowded time -- we have showed up over a 1/2 hour before hand and had to do standing room only -- and that just stinks. We've done second show at 20 minutes and got great seats.

 

[stevelamb121]

We have never done the dinner package, but have never had any trouble getting seats. I agree with the previous post and don't think there are any bad seats.

 

[tripplanner]

We've never had trouble getting good seats without doing the dinner package.

 

[mmessler]

We grab a CS meal and head to the line . We will wait until they let us sit and then eat right there. It kills the time waiting for everyone to be seated. Last 2 times we have sat dead center.

We've done this before too. Another thing we'll do is get over to that part of the park early, keep an eye on the lines and just take some extra rides on ToT and RnRC if the lines aren't bad, keeping an eye on the line for Fantasmic in between. When it gets backed up a little, we stop riding and get in line.

 

[Harambe]

We've never done the pkg. either. We get in line, grab an ice cream, and sit. All the seats are fine, altho we like to be in the second "tier" (sort of). I think you can see more sitting a little ways back. Just IMO.

For some reason, we don't mind waiting! It's fun to anticipate - this is one show that we do not do every trip, so when we do go, it seems special!

 

[tink621]

I was wondering the same thing. WE are going May 19th thru 26th with a 2 1/1 yr. old and 3 1/2 yr. old. We have adr's for H&V Fantasmic Package but I would rather eat somewhere else. Does anyone know how early we would have to be in line to get decent seats. THanks

 

[mmessler]

I was wondering the same thing. WE are going May 19th thru 26th with a 2 1/1 yr. old and 3 1/2 yr. old. We have adr's for H&V Fantasmic Package but I would rather eat somewhere else. Does anyone know how early we would have to be in line to get decent seats. THanks

I would say 30-45 minutes. I agree with a previous poster who preferred to sit in what they called the the "2nd tier". I usually choose a spot about halfway up when I can. You can see more, it's a little easier to get out afterwards. Plus, any longer than that and you might have trouble keeping two small children amused. If it looks to be an extraordinarily busy day at MGM, think about picking up some food and heading over a little earlier.

 

[Princess Jayne]

If theres two shows on would it be better to go to the second one from a seating point of view? x

 

[marciemi]

People always say that the dinner package doesn't cost any extra. Well, it doesn't, assuming that you were planning on eating at one of those restaurants anyways. However, we're staying offsite, have 3 adult (by Disney's pricing standards) children, and don't really have a strong desire to eat in any of those 3 restaurants (especially for the price). If we grab Subway on our way into the park, it'll be under $20. If we eat at H&V (the cheapest), with tax and tip it will easily be $100 more than than $20. So in our case, yes, it does cost quite a bit.

I've also heard that you still have to be there 30-45 minutes early even with those seats. If I have to be there 60-75 minutes early normally, I'm saving what? A half hour? We can wait a half hour to save $100. Plus bear in mind that if the show is cancelled for weather or other reasons, you're out of luck. Cancellation policy is 48 hours for the dinner package. So in that case we'd end up going, spending the $120, and STILL not getting to see Fantasmic. I don't think it's worth the risk (for us)!

 

[dadof2]

I've don't the dinner package the last three years, each year we get there 1/2 hour before showtime & there are plenty of seats left w/o the package. This is the week of Thanksgiving. However we plan on eating @ MM each year so we do the package.

 

[jdd]

I read somewhere that there's a concession stand in the back of the "theater". Does anyone know if they accept the DDP? And, is there real food - burgers/chicken - or just snacks?

Thanks!

 

[mmessler]

I read somewhere that there's a concession stand in the back of the "theater". Does anyone know if they accept the DDP? And, is there real food - burgers/chicken - or just snacks?

Thanks!

I think they might have hotdogs and hamburgs, that kind of thing, maybe pizza, not positive as we usually eat before going and just grab popcorn and drinks there. As for the DDP, not sure, maybe someone who's used it regularly can answer? (Anyone know if there's a place online where you can see a list of every place that does accept the DDP?)

In answer to whether the 1st or 2nd show would be better, seating wise, I'm assuming the second one would require less waiting as most families with children would choose the 1st show? The second show is only on when the park is open extra late, right?

 

[jdd]

I think they might have hotdogs and hamburgs, that kind of thing, maybe pizza, not positive as we usually eat before going and just grab popcorn and drinks there. As for the DDP, not sure, maybe someone who's used it regularly can answer? (Anyone know if there's a place online where you can see a list of every place that does accept the DDP?)

I have a list of DDP places, but don't know the name of this "restaurant". Anyone?

 

[Stitchfans]

We have never booked the meal with Fantasmic and always had good seats. I really don't think there is such a thing as a bad seat.

 

[88Keys]

We have never booked the meal with Fantasmic and always had good seats. I really don't think there is such a thing as a bad seat.

Well there is a crummy standing only section and there are over 150 people in that section every full show

 

[korzmom]

i really didnt like the seats we gt after we got the dinner package..it was basically the same seats you get if you get in line a little early..never had a problem getting a seat except for this one time in july - must have been overcapasitated in the park that day because it was just horrible.as far as the concession at the back of the stands - i think its just snacks.popcorn,pretzels,chips, nachos,maybe hotdogs-i've never seen anyone with a hamburger...we usually make a stop at the sweet shop and get carmel apples for the show- its my favorite part of my vacation,FANTASMIC WITH A CARMEL APPLE