Fantasmic ????

[DisneyDotty]

We did the Fantasmic package with dinner at the Brown Derby. We LOVED it. The food was excellent, service attentive and efficient, and the convenience of walking into our assigned seating area 30 min. before show couldn't be beat. I really like enjoying a leisurely sit-down dinner after a long hot day at the park, and the cool dark restaurant helped me unwind, too. Our seats at the show were great.
Without a dinner package, yes, during crowded times you want to be there 90 min. prior. I don't like waiting that long for anything, so the package is well worth the cost IMHO.

 

[Kuzco]

Where is the reserved seating? Is it pretty close? Do you really need to get there 90 mins before?

If it is still the same place it was when we did the package (at H&V), the seating was in the far right-hand side (if you are facing the stage) toward the back. I thought it was a good location, despite being in the back. But I actually prefer sitting toward the back of the theater!

 

[daemom]

How much extra is the FDP than the regular mean at H&V? Feel kinda stupid asking this!!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We did the package last week and BD and we were pretty disappointed. A party of 20 had just been seated before we got there so the timing wasn't great.

You get an appetizer, entree, and dessert My DD's didn't get their appetizer and their dessert was much smaller than 18 months ago. My crab cake was good but my husband portabella and goat cheese ravioli wasn't so good. His filet was tough and my lamb chops were seriously overcooked (I'd asked for medium rare and got medium well) and frankly tasted a little long in the tooth.

I got the hazelnut cake and what I was served was a glorified brownie. It was shaped the same way and it reminded me of a cheap sheet cake. My husbands cheesecake was OK.

I'm not crazy about the early PS times, the latest I could book was 4:30.

I do love the seats we get but we arrive there about 35 minutes before the show because at 30 minutes they open the seats up to the rest of the crowd. I made a point of looking and there were still some seats in the last two sections.

I'd go for HV next time. We did that about 12 months ago and liked it better than the BD this trip.

 

[weluvpluto]

How much extra is the FDP than the regular mean at H&V? Feel kinda stupid asking this!!

Here's info about the package from allearsnet:
Hollywood & Vine $22.99 adult/$10.99 child (3-11) not including admission, tax, and gratuity (no characters) Child's meal includes beverage. All you care to eat buffet. Choose from a number of selections including; oven-roasted Prime Rib, Citrus Baked Chicken, Pan-seared Salmon, and Stir-Fry Noodles with Sesame. Also includes fresh salads and build your own ice cream/dessert bar. Alcoholic beverages NOT included.

She lists prices as Adults $21.99, Children (Ages 3-11) $9.99 on the menus webpage.

 

[jenr812]

We're doing H&V in july

 

[disneygoof]

b/c they have pizza for picky eaters.

 

[NCombs]

We did H&V on our first trip last year.

We really liked it and we are pretty picky about restaurants. The buffet had a ton of stuff to choose from, it was fresh and tasted good.

There was plenty for the kids to pick from.

I thought the price was decent also. Our philosophy was that we would be eating somewhere anyway and we might as well go ahead and get the package. If the show got cancelled(and it almost did after a delay) we still had a good meal.

We will do it again on our next trip in June 2006. There is no way my husband would wait in line for a long time for regular seating in Fantasmic. I wouldn't either. We saw people lining up at least 2 hours before the show. It was standing room only by the time the show started and that was on a rainy evening. I don't know if everyone got in or not.

IMO, the package is worth it.

 

[NCombs]

Just to add a little note here, it appears Disney makes later seating times available about 30 days out. When I first booked, I believe we were scheduled at 4:30. I called just a few weeks before our trip and got a 6:20 reservation. Take an early time when you first schedule and you can always keep trying for something later if you prefer.