fast pass + vs. dining package question

[Piwacket's Mom]

Hi, this is my first disney trip so it's all new to me. Can someone please help me understand the differences between using fast pass + and using dining package? We are choosing a restaurant we didn't really want in order to be able to "Just walk in and sit down" (not sure if I'm even correct about that). Please help me with this. I appreciate it.

 

[richmo]

They're separate entities.

FastPass+ allows you to reserve times where you can bypass the standby lines at attractions in the four theme parks. You get three of these per day, per person for a single park. They have nothing to do with dining, other than you may see conflicts in your plans if you schedule dining at the same time as FP+.

The dining package is offered to those staying onsite, where your some or all of your dining costs are included as part of the package. For instance, the standard package would be one table service, one counter service and one snack per person per night you are staying. For the table service portion, due to demand, it is highly recommended that you make an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) for that dining location. Dining locations are throughout the entire Disney World complex, not just in the four theme parks. ADR's are not FP's.

Also, in case you are deciding on whether or not to do a dining package, you do not have to have the dining package in order to secure reservations at Disney restaurants. It is just an option.

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

They're separate entities.

FastPass+ allows you to reserve times where you can bypass the standby lines at attractions in the four theme parks. You get three of these per day, per person for a single park. They have nothing to do with dining, other than you may see conflicts in your plans if you schedule dining at the same time as FP+.

The dining package is offered to those staying onsite, where your some or all of your dining costs are included as part of the package. For instance, the standard package would be one table service, one counter service and one snack per person per night you are staying. For the table service portion, due to demand, it is highly recommended that you make an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) for that dining location. Dining locations are throughout the entire Disney World complex, not just in the four theme parks. ADR's are not FP's.

Also, in case you are deciding on whether or not to do a dining package, you do not have to have the dining package in order to secure reservations at Disney restaurants. It is just an option.

Do you know if there would there be less standing in line if I chose the dining option?

 

[cincystamper]

Hi, this is my first disney trip so it's all new to me. Can someone please help me understand the differences between using fast pass + and using dining package? We are choosing a restaurant we didn't really want in order to be able to "Just walk in and sit down" (not sure if I'm even correct about that). Please help me with this. I appreciate it.

Wait - are you talking about a dining package for a specific show like Fantasmic! or the Candlelight Processional?

 

[CAS239]

Are you referring to the Disney dining plan or something like the Fantasmic dining option?

The Fantasmic dining option essentially is you pay to eat at a restaurant and then have a reserved dining area/fast pass section in the arena. On busy nights you'll still need to arrive early to Fantasmic to get a seat up front if you wish to be close. Last time I was there that section was nearly filled up about 30 min prior to show time.

If you're not interested in spending extra to eat in the park at a restaurant and just looking for a FP, then just select it as a fast pass. You'd be waiting the same amount of time as someone with a FP for one of the shows. It's just you're eating dinner

If you're referring to the Disney dining option. That's completely different from shows and what is posted above about the 1 quick service, 1 snack, etc

 

[rwdavis2]

And, the dining package, unless you get it for free, does not necessarily save you money. It's not designed to.

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

Wait - are you talking about a dining package for a specific show like Fantasmic! or the Candlelight Processional?

yes, the fantasmic dining package

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

Are you referring to the Disney dining plan or something like the Fantasmic dining option?

The Fantasmic dining option essentially is you pay to eat at a restaurant and then have a reserved dining area/fast pass section in the arena. On busy nights you'll still need to arrive early to Fantasmic to get a seat up front if you wish to be close. Last time I was there that section was nearly filled up about 30 min prior to show time.

If you're not interested in spending extra to eat in the park at a restaurant and just looking for a FP, then just select it as a fast pass. You'd be waiting the same amount of time as someone with a FP for one of the shows. It's just you're eating dinner

If you're referring to the Disney dining option. That's completely different from shows and what is posted above about the 1 quick service, 1 snack, etc

it's the fantasmic dining package w/reserved seating we were choosing. I think it means we dont have to wait in a line. am i right? I dont care about sitting and waiting, it's the standing part.

 

[minnie mum]

Glad that got clarified, because the original post had me scratching my head.

With the F! Dining package you use your voucher to enter the amphitheater any time up to 30 minutes before showtime, and seat yourself in the center, reserved section. You bypass guests entering standby. If the theater is approaching capacity, any unoccupied seats may be opened to general seating 20 minutes or less before showtime, so don't just show up minutes before the show is due to start.

If you have a FP, you will have an entry window that allows you to enter and then find a seat in the FP or the standby section. As long as you enter within the window, you will have a seat, even though it may not be in an area you might want.

Robo gives some very good advice about F! in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/question-about-fantasmic.3409519/#post-53649371

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

Glad that got clarified, because the original post had me scratching my head.

With the F! Dining package you use your voucher to enter the amphitheater any time up to 30 minutes before showtime, and seat yourself in the center, reserved section. You bypass guests entering standby. If the theater is approaching capacity, any unoccupied seats may be opened to general seating 20 minutes or less before showtime, so don't just show up minutes before the show is due to start.

If you have a FP, you will have an entry window that allows you to enter and then find a seat in the FP or the standby section. As long as you enter within the window, you will have a seat, even though it may not be in an area you might want.

Robo gives some very good advice about F! in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/question-about-fantasmic.3409519/#post-53649371

thank you so much for the help!

 

[ZoZo]

Do you know if there would there be less standing in line if I chose the dining option?

The dining plan itself doesn't minimize your time standing in line at restaurants. I think what you're asking is if using the dining plan will minimize your waits in line at restaurants, similar to the way FastPass minimizes your waiting time for rides and attractions. Is that what you're asking?

If that's what you're asking about, the answer is no. Having the dining plan won't minimize your waiting time in line at restaurants. The dining plan is simply a meal package, basically a way to pay for your meals, to avoid having to charge them to your room or pay in cash at the end of your meal. Having the dining plan doesn't give you any "special treatment" like skipping lines at restaurants. All diners are treated the same, whether they have the dining plan or not.

Does that make sense? If you're interested in minimizing your waiting time at restaurant, you should think about making some ADRs at table service restaurants. Or if you prefer "counter service" restaurants (similar to fast food, where you order and pay for your food at the counter and bring it to your table yourself), you can minimize your waits by eating at off-peak times when the restaurant isn't crowded (say, and early or late lunch).

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

The dining plan itself doesn't minimize your time standing in line at restaurants. I think what you're asking is if using the dining plan will minimize your waits in line at restaurants, similar to the way FastPass minimizes your waiting time for rides and attractions. Is that what you're asking?

If that's what you're asking about, the answer is no. Having the dining plan won't minimize your waiting time in line at restaurants. The dining plan is simply a meal package, basically a way to pay for your meals, to avoid having to charge them to your room or pay in cash at the end of your meal. Having the dining plan doesn't give you any "special treatment" like skipping lines at restaurants. All diners are treated the same, whether they have the dining plan or not.

Does that make sense? If you're interested in minimizing your waiting time at restaurant, you should think about making some ADRs at table service restaurants. Or if you prefer "counter service" restaurants (similar to fast food, where you order and pay for your food at the counter and bring it to your table yourself), you can minimize your waits by eating at off-peak times when the restaurant isn't crowded (say, and early or late lunch).

no, i was hoping that using the fantasmic dining package would eliminate standing in a line for the fantasmic show. If I understand correctly, I won't have to stand in line at fantasmic if I do the dining package.

 

[staceyeileen]

When is your trip? It's not always even necessary to wait in a line to see Fantasmic, dining package or not, especially if there are 2 Fantasmics on the same night. Go to the later one, and you can often just walk right in.

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

When is your trip? It's not always even necessary to wait in a line to see Fantasmic, dining package or not, especially if there are 2 Fantasmics on the same night. Go to the later one, and you can often just walk right in.

It will be mid december. I am trying to organize certain dinners to match the processional at epcot, fantasmic at hollywood and the christmas party. I read somewhere that there will one viewing each night that week for fantasmic and am thinking just wing it and get fast pass + instead of the fantasmic dining package.

 

[CAS239]

no, i was hoping that using the fantasmic dining package would eliminate standing in a line for the fantasmic show. If I understand correctly, I won't have to stand in line at fantasmic if I do the dining package.

If you don't care about eating in the park, then just do the FP.

Dining and FP have the same wait basically and go in about an hour ahead of showtime. It's standby that has to stand for a long time and wait.

So you just have to decide if you want to eat at the restaurant (get dining plan) or just don't want to stand and wait for Fantasmic (get FP)

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

I really appreciate the help. It's our first trip and I have so many things I want to try. Those Christmas activities and the regular events together is a bit daunting.

 

[richmo]

yes, the fantasmic dining package

Ohhh...I had no idea you were talking about Fantasmic dining...I thought you were referring to Disney Dining Plan packages. Just ignore my comments above...

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

sorry about the vagueness of my questions. I just glanced at it and realized what i wrote.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

The Mickeys Jedi with Fantasmic seating was so amazing I clearly had the best seat in the house for Fantasmic such an amazing experience.

It's additional money so think about if it's worth it to you...to me it's excellent.

 

[CAS239]

I recommend the FP, unless you plan to eat in the park already. The dining plan is not required to have good seats and cut down on waiting. The FP provides great seats and allows you to enter ahead of standby.

We waited about 15 min in the fast pass line and were the first ones in the arena out of everyone. We sat front row directly next to the dining area. Here's some pics I took

Panoramic view. Rope to the right is the dining area




This is the dining area on the other side of the rope. This was about 45 min before showtime.