FANTASMIC! Worth the price for reserved seating??

[candygirlIRE]

I have read through the great super thread, but I am curious if it's worth the price for reserved seating (2 ad. + 2kids +1baby). I am always happy to pay the extra money for great views (love the hubs credit card hahaha), as we won't be back to DL for a couple/few years but we are already going to book WOC and are doing the Halloween Party.... should we spend the extra cash?? The dessert box looks amazing, but it likely would not get all eaten even with taking it back to the hotel.


Opinions??

Thanks!!

 

[skiingfast]

I'd guess if you tallied votes it would be something like 50% yes, 45% no not worth trying, 5% did it not worth doing again.

 

[HydroGuy]

When I was younger and finances were tighter I thought there was no way the dessert seating was worth it. With four kids we could take that money and spend a whole extra day at the parks and pay for an extra hotel night.

As I got older and finances were not so tight I decided to try it and we really enjoyed it and thought it was worth it.

I guess my answer is it really depends on how you want to spend your money. Are you spending money on this and not doing something else at DLR? Or cutting your visit short in order to do it?

I would say if you feel like you have the money it is a worthwhile thing to do.

 

[rentayenta]

I have read through the great super thread, but I am curious if it's worth the price for reserved seating (2 ad. + 2kids +1baby). I am always happy to pay the extra money for great views (love the hubs credit card hahaha), as we won't be back to DL for a couple/few years but we are already going to book WOC and are doing the Halloween Party.... should we spend the extra cash?? The dessert box looks amazing, but it likely would not get all eaten even with taking it back to the hotel.


Opinions??

Thanks!!

We are sort of in the same boat. We haven't seen F! in years. Between everyone having a different opinion on what shows to see, we are trying to squeeze them all in to 3 nights. DH and DS want to see the WoC. My middle DD is asking for F! I am a fireworks junkie. I don't mind paying or waiting for good views either but feel limited on time. I just want it to be worth the hefty cost.

 

[nunzia]

When I was younger and finances were tighter I thought there was no way the dessert seating was worth it. With four kids we could take that money and spend a whole extra day at the parks and pay for an extra hotel night.

As I got older and finances were not so tight I decided to try it and we really enjoyed it and thought it was worth it.

I guess my answer is it really depends on how you want to spend your money. Are you spending money on this and not doing something else at DLR? Or cutting your visit short in order to do it?

I would say if you feel like you have the money it is a worthwhile thing to do.

Agreed...NEVER could have afforded this when the kids were young and actually I don't think they even did this in those early days (I still have stuff from the opening Fantasmic! season), then it was on the balcony of the Disney Gallery (now Dream Suite) and they had a limited number of seats riverside. It seems like they have really expanded the dessert seating and the views, while still worth it, are not always spot on center..our last time we sat between 2 screens and really didn't see either crystal clear. STILL...worth it for a special treat..I've taken 2 of the kids/grandkids groups to see it this way and it was really enjoyed. Lots of great desserts (saw a really good tip here..bring baggies or even a tupperware type thing to take extras back to the hotel. Those containers have real issues with the lids not staying on.) We always eventually eat it all..the cheese is nice to carry for snacks and many even make it home for later. I really enjoy having the reserved seating and not having to deal with crowds with little kids. WOC, to me, is more iffy as to a good time. If you have kids and don't get a rail the kids can't see..with F! you can find a way to see after having spent so much. You do want to check in pretty early to get assigned a front row seat with kids, but then you can take off again and come back for the show, and only one person needs to check up so little kids won't get antsy.
so..after lots of babblling..I vote yes!

 

[Saylan]

It also depends, I think, on crowds and which show time you're seeing. We saw the second show, without the package, and had no problems walking right up to a good seat almost at centre in the non-reserved area about 20-30 minutes before the show. The reserved section was behind us and to the side a bit, so we had just as good a view as them, without paying the big price for a chair and desserts.

It's all a judgement call, I think, since I didn't really like F! in the past (and only marginally more this time) I didn't want to spend a lot on seeing it and DBF, who had never seen it, didn't think any show was worth so much just for desserts and a chair. For 20$ less a person we got a full meal with our WoC package.

 

[Malcon10t]

We are in the "absolutely worth it!" crowd.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

We are in the worth it crowd too.

So much more relaxing than having to have someone camp out for a few hours and sit on the ground.

 

[Cali Dis Kid]

i have done the seating multiple times and find it to be worth the $$

 

[NewbieMouse]

It is relatively pricey, so I wouldn't suggest it as one of those things people have to do if it would really break their budget, but I agree that if you can swing it, it is very enjoyable. We did it the first time we went, skipped it the second time, and will probably do it again at Christmas. I LOVE the dessert box!

 

[isisisme]

It is part of our annual pilgrimage tradition. my DH and I do it every time we go.
Of course, if it was between that and say eating..

I love the service you get.

 

[DahliaRW]

It depends. If you have the time for someone to go spread out a blanket and stake out a good spot and wait for a few hours, then no, not worth it. If you want a good spot with minimum time investment, then yes. And the desserts are really yummy!

 

[rentayenta]

What are the desserts offered; anyone have photos?

 

[Dobie]

I truly truly love the Fantasmic Dessert seating.

That being said, I also believe that whether it is "worth it" depends on how much money you have. There are only three Dobies, (for our last trip there were only 2) we don't do other fancy meals, and we really don't notice that extra charge. If I were counting pennies and worried about whether I could afford souveniers or the extra day in the park and planning what snacks I would carry into the park to save money (believe me, we have done this) then I would say absolutely not.

 

[hootey]

Yes, it is worth every dime if you want a great view! We used to get late reserved seating at New Orleans Rest patio for a late dinner. The view for Fantasmic was great. They used to have a lot of security and control where people could sit or stand for the show, not anymore. Not a lot of security or control of the crowds last time we were there, people were climbing up on the planters and sitting on railings, as well as a lot of talking during the show. It was almost a free for all compared to the first several years they had it. I saw about half the show and heard less from the table we had sat at for several years with great results. Not anymore. Now, they want you to purchase the reserved seating. It is worth it if you want to see all the show. Otherwise it is a gamble if you will get a good place to watch from. Then, if you do get a good place, someone can cut or crowd in front of you and ruin the show. Happened to us. I will not go back to see Fantasmic without reservered seating period. Yes, tis worth every dime!

 

[furb & dez]

We are in the worth it crowd too.

So much more relaxing than having to have someone camp out for a few hours and sit on the ground.

I have to disagree on both points, but only because I've never waited more than 5 minutes to see Fantasmic!.

 

[skiingfast]

What are the desserts offered; anyone have photos?

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=40955643&postcount=51

 

[Mama Who]

We were always just fine with open viewing (easier to get a good spot for a second showing) until our last trip when the crowd was simply too overwhelming for a member of our party with a spectrum disorder. We are going to pay the hefty price for the dessert viewing because it is really the only way we can make it happen.

So... worth it to us because open viewing is not an option.

 

[DLR29]

Perhaps I'm in the minority because I'm a poor college student, but even with my family, we've never seen how this is worth it. It's a 20 min show and a box of desserts for the price of almost a day's admission. I guess the other thing is that we always watch the 10:30 show, not the 9, so we never wait for more than 30-40 min. It's one of the things at DLR that I legitimately don't understand.

 

[HydroGuy]

Perhaps I'm in the minority because I'm a poor college student, but even with my family, we've never seen how this is worth it. It's a 20 min show and a box of desserts for the price of almost a day's admission. I guess the other thing is that we always watch the 10:30 show, not the 9, so we never wait for more than 30-40 min. It's one of the things at DLR that I legitimately don't understand.

I can totally understand your lack of ability to understand! That was me for many years. We always did second show seated section.

I was feeling rich last year when we did it. One thing I do remember was how much more everyone in my family enjoyed the early show from reserved seating than when we sit on the ground for the late show. My DS16 commented afterwards how that was the first time he really understood what Fantasmic was about after about five previous viewings.

So now I can see how it is worth it for those who feel like they have discretionary cash. I would never trade an extra day at the parks for a Fantasmic! reserved seat. But for those who feel like the have the money I see the value now.