Fantasmic

[SnoweyWhite]

If I don't want to wait in line for long and I really don't care where we sit for Fantasmic, should I do the Fantasmic dinner package? I've got it reserved right now for the day we arrive, but not sure if it's worth it. Does it ever fill up where people wouldn't be allowed in? Thinking I might make a reservation somewhere not in the package or just do counter service. Thoughts?

 

[figment_jii]

If I don't want to wait in line for long and I really don't care where we sit for Fantasmic, should I do the Fantasmic dinner package? I've got it reserved right now for the day we arrive, but not sure if it's worth it. Does it ever fill up where people wouldn't be allowed in? Thinking I might make a reservation somewhere not in the package or just do counter service. Thoughts?

When are you going? I think that if you're going during a busy period of the year, then either having the dining package or being willing to wait in line is more important.

I've read that the theater can fill to capacity and they won't allow more guests in. This seems more common with the first (or only) showing. The second showing generally sounds more manageable.

 

[SnoweyWhite]

When are you going? I think that if you're going during a busy period of the year, then either having the dining package or being willing to wait in line is more important. I've read that the theater can fill to capacity and they won't allow more guests in. This seems more common with the first (or only) showing. The second showing generally sounds more manageable.

We are going the last week in April. Arriving April 26 with plans to do HS and Fantasmic that afternoon/evening. It's the end of the week following Easter and the last Peak day before it changes to Regular season.

 

[Robo]

If I don't want to wait in line for long

Show up 50-60 minutes before show time.
Walk into the theater and find a seat.

 

[SuperRob]

If I don't want to wait in line for long and I really don't care where we sit for Fantasmic, should I do the Fantasmic dinner package? I've got it reserved right now for the day we arrive, but not sure if it's worth it. Does it ever fill up where people wouldn't be allowed in? Thinking I might make a reservation somewhere not in the package or just do counter service. Thoughts?

Snowey,

If you're going to eat at the park anyway, then the dinner package is a great way to go. It basically amounts to a free FastPass, and given how limited those are, it's a pretty great way to go.

The package just requires that you get an entree, and either a dessert or appetizer per person. Depending on how many are in your party, you can alternate desserts and appetizers and share, so it doesn't have to be too much food.

Now if you weren't already planning to spend the money eating at the park, it's a tougher decision. There will be SOME waiting you'll have to do if you opt to not get the dinner package (or use a precious FastPass on it). But if it's a busy night, there may be TWO showings of Fantasmic! The second showing you can likely get into right before the show, as these are rarely full. That way, you can spend more time on the rides while the first show is happening, and then see the show without much of a wait at all.

Have a great trip!

 

[SnoweyWhite]

Snowey, If you're going to eat at the park anyway, then the dinner package is a great way to go. It basically amounts to a free FastPass, and given how limited those are, it's a pretty great way to go. ...There will be SOME waiting you'll have to do if you opt to not get the dinner package (or use a precious FastPass on it). But if it's a busy night, there may be TWO showings of Fantasmic! The second showing you can likely get into right before the show, as these are rarely full. That way, you can spend more time on the rides while the first show is happening, and then see the show without much of a wait at all. Have a great trip!

Thanks. I imagine we will just keep our reservations as is.

 

[wiigirl]

Thanks. I imagine we will just keep our reservations as is.

 

[purple figment]

Snowey,

If you're going to eat at the park anyway, then the dinner package is a great way to go. It basically amounts to a free FastPass, and given how limited those are, it's a pretty great way to go.

The package just requires that you get an entree, and either a dessert or appetizer per person. Depending on how many are in your party, you can alternate desserts and appetizers and share, so it doesn't have to be too much food.

The Fantasmic Dining Package is a fixed price per person. At Mama Melrose each adult is entitled to an appetizer, entree, non-alcoholic beverage ordered from the regular menu. The dessert is a pre-plated sampler served family style. At Hollywood Brown Derby it's the same thing, but the dessert is also ordered from the menu. You can choose to skip courses, but you'll still pay the fixed price. Hollywood & Vine is a buffet. If you are on the dining plan MM and H&V are 1 credit per person, HBD is 2 credits per person. Here's a link to the prices if paying OOP:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/fantasmic.htm

If you are on the dining plan, then the package is a good way to have a meal and get the voucher for the seats. You'll still have to show up no later than 30 - 45 minutes in advance, but the seats are in the center section of the theater.

If you don't care where you are seated and would be paying for the package OOP, then it probably would be better to just get in line and take your chances as to where the seats are. If there are 2 shows the second one would be the better choice.

 

[Pooksie]

I can only speak for where we ate, but when I did the Fantasmic Dinner Package we went to Mama Melrose's for dinner and had a great meal. Our server was very pleasant and the food that we ordered was very good and the portions were large. I'll certainly be eating there again even without the Fantasmic Dinner Package.

As for Fantasmic itself, we loved the dead center seating area that was reserved for the dinner package guests. We could have even sat front row (guess some people worry about getting wet) but sat about four rows back since we heard two little kids just behind us as we were going down to find seats say "oh mommy can we sit in the front row?" and we didn't want to take that away from them. Great show, great seats, well worth the cost in our opinion.

 

[BudgieMama]

The Fantasmic Dining Package is a fixed price per person. At Mama Melrose each adult is entitled to an appetizer, entree, non-alcoholic beverage ordered from the regular menu. The dessert is a pre-plated sampler served family style. At Hollywood Brown Derby it's the same thing, but the dessert is also ordered from the menu. You can choose to skip courses, but you'll still pay the fixed price. Hollywood & Vine is a buffet. If you are on the dining plan MM and H&V are 1 credit per person, HBD is 2 credits per person. Here's a link to the prices if paying OOP:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/fantasmic.htm
.

Are you sure about the appertiser? There's no mention of it on the website... http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/fantasmic-dining-package/ (I'm hoping you are right as I love calamari!)

 

[newlywed mice]

Yes on the app. There last month and got an app even though not mentioned on the website!

 

[ses1230]

Are you sure about the appertiser? There's no mention of it on the website... http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/fantasmic-dining-package/ (I'm hoping you are right as I love calamari!)

Yes to the appetizer.

 

[figment_jii]

Are you sure about the appertiser? There's no mention of it on the website...

It's one of those non-publicized things...I wish the website mentioned it as well because it does cause a lot of confusion, but you do get an appetizer at HBD and MM (you don't get anything "extra" at H&V).

 

[daizieduck]

In answer to the question about does it ever get so full people are turned away, yes, it does. First it goes to standing room only, and then it is completely full. So definitely go to a second showing if available and you opt not to do the dinner package.

 

[SuperRob]

The Fantasmic Dining Package is a fixed price per person. At Mama Melrose each adult is entitled to an appetizer, entree, non-alcoholic beverage ordered from the regular menu. The dessert is a pre-plated sampler served family style. At Hollywood Brown Derby it's the same thing, but the dessert is also ordered from the menu. You can choose to skip courses, but you'll still pay the fixed price. Hollywood & Vine is a buffet. If you are on the dining plan MM and H&V are 1 credit per person, HBD is 2 credits per person. Here's a link to the prices if paying OOP:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/fantasmic.htm

Thanks, it must have changed since the last time I was there. I knew I should have checked the site first.