FastPass vs. Dining Package for MSEP, WOC, and Fantasmic!

[ezonline]

Planning a trip for myself & DD (age 10) August 3-7, and haven't been to Disneyland in over 20 years. Really want to see parades and fireworks, and doing this trip on a limited budget. Questions:
1) Of the three - MSEP, WOC, and Fantasmic! (hoping it will be back by August) - is there one where it would be significantly advantageous to do the dining package over FastPass for viewing?
2) How early in the day do those FastPasses go? (i.e. should we get the FP first thing, or get attraction FP first and get show FP later?)

 

[katejc]

If Fantasmic! is back, I would totally recommend whatever dining package they do. To me, the Blue Bayou one we did a few years back was SO worth having the space, good view, and no waiting that it provided. I really love F!--not sure what the new iteration will be like, but I like it lots more than WOC. I think you can probably get a decent viewing spot for MSEP without too much trouble, especially at the later parade. Show fps are not connected to ride fps, so no worries there--at least that's been true in the past.

 

[losfp]

There was a thread someone in here with an unconfirm report that the DSEP dining will be replaced with the F! dining once that comes back.

We also did the F! dining at Blue Bayou and would not hesitate to do it again if it comes back. Nice food in a great setting, you get a foam cushion to sit on for the show, and a nice little viewing area that IMO has great sightlines as everyone sits down.

With WoC dining, I enjoyed it too, but that one you need to wait a bit longer as IMO it's more important to get a front row position compared to F!.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you want an actual seat while watching WOC, then book the Dessert Party package. That option comes with the shortest amount of waiting, a very good view overall (just to the left of the CCR section, facing the water, but not an up close, immersive view), and a chair. If F! is back, then the dining package will be a great choice. But there has been no word yet on an official return date.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Fantasmic is the hands-down winner. It will be "new" so FPs will run out quicker. Also people still line up early to get a good spot for the FP areas. Dining puts you front and center which is an awesome view.

MSEP, if you go for the later parade it is easy to get decent spots without waiting a long time. It will be in its last month, but still several weeks left so people may be choosing to do Fantasmic instead.

WoC is pretty easy to get FPs with good view.

 

[figment_jii]

As far as I know, there are no FPs for MSEP, just the dining packages. As others have said, the second parade tends to be less crowded (or at least the viewing area doesn't fill up as quickly or as far in advance), so I would do that rather than the dining package.

For WoC, there are good and bad viewings areas within both the FP and the dining package viewing areas. My guess (I haven't done it) is that the WoC dessert package is the only option that doesn't run the risk of having a "bad" view. Given how the viewing area is configured, if you end up standing behind someone taller than you, you're going to have a hard time seeing the show, which makes any spot potentially a "bad" view. We've done the dining package (WCT) and the viewing area is fairly centered, but you still have to plan on getting there a little before the viewing area is slated to open if you want to have the best shot at getting an unobstructed view. I don't know what it's going to be like by August (summer), but WoC FPs have been lasting fairly well into the day.

For F!, they haven't announced what the paid viewing options will be (e.g., dining package, dessert party, etc.). Given that the show will still be new (assuming it's opened by the time you go), I would definitely consider doing a package or anything else that might give you an edge. Before it closed, there were good viewing spots withing the FP viewing areas, but you had to commit a fairly significant amount of time to getting one (be there well before the viewing areas open and then make a beeline for your desired viewing spot). I suspect F! FPs will run out fairly early in the day while the show is still "new" (at least well before WoC FPs run out).

 

[farmfresh]

We've done all three packages, and dessert party for WOC. Definitely go for F! Also given your budget considerations, remember there are usually a few options for dining FPs. The more $$ the better the spot but the cheaper views are still ok and you don't waste precious park time queuing.

Would be great if they brought back the dessert viewing for F! - the cushions are ok but the BB dining package really isn't as good as the old seated party. So if by any amazing chance that came back, go for it!

 

[ezonline]

Thanks for the suggestions all! I think I will make a WOC reservation for now, and then see if something happens with Fantasmic!

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Fp world of color and go to the splashzone and go to the center as close as it will allow u to go.

We did it 2 times on our 4.5 day trip loved it
Showed up half hour before the show