Favorite splurge at DLR??

[winklet]

Hi all,

If you were going to choose one or two experiences to splurge on at DLR, what would you pick?

Things we're considering:

-meal at Blue Bayou?
-World of Colour dessert party?
-Fantasmic dining package?
-something else? what's your favorite bang for buck special treat at DLR?

(I know "splurge" is a very subjective term, I'm thinking here in terms of spending $150 max per person on something above and beyond what comes included with admission and quick counter meals...)

We are a family of four heading to DLR for two full days during Presidents Day weekend in Feb.
Our kiddos will be 11 and 15, so too old to really get the most magic out of a character meal (we've done them before and also don't want to spend precious park time since we only have two days). It's not our first trip, but we only visit every 3-4 years.
We have hoppers with LL and will be in the parks as long as humanly possible both days.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts!

 

[LKing]

Normally I would tell you that you can do a Blue Bayou Fantasmic dining package and knock two off of your list, but it sounds like it the Blue Bayou package may be ending in early January. We haven't heard official announcement yet, just that a new Fantasmic dining package will be offered at Cafe Orleans starting on Jan 10, 2025.

 

[winklet]

Thank you @LKing
I was thinking maybe we could book Rancho del Zocalo fantasmic dining package ($35pp?) and with the price difference from the BB fantasmic package ($89pp?), we'd still have enough to go to BB for a "regular" lunch or dinner with the difference in price... I've seen quite mixed reviews about BB fantasmic package...

I'm not sure how to compare it to World of Colour dessert party in terms of value

 

[StarlitNight05]

Thank you @LKing
I was thinking maybe we could book Rancho del Zocalo fantasmic dining package ($35pp?) and with the price difference from the BB fantasmic package ($89pp?), we'd still have enough to go to BB for a "regular" lunch or dinner with the difference in price... I've seen quite mixed reviews about BB fantasmic package...

I'm not sure how to compare it to World of Colour dessert party in terms of value

I would totally do the RDZ Fantasmic package and a regular Blue Bayou seating. My personal favorite is 11:00 am since it almost guarantees you a waterside table, still inquire about it at check-in though (it makes the ambiance amazing)!

I liked the World of Color dessert party for the seat, but the desserts weren't really my thing (not a big sweets person in general though). Not sure on how many are in your party, but we also had an uncomfortable experience being sat with another couple that didn't realize it was shared seating for smaller parties. World of Color is pretty easy to catch without a package (via the virtual queue), especially if you can wait for the second show.

Hope you have a great trip!

ETA: duh, you said a family of four! Lol well regardless, my pick still stands

 

[disneychrista]

World of Color Dessert or the Premium dining for Fantasmic at Riverbelle Terrace. Unfortunately, they have made a dining package a necessity to view Fantasmic these days, so I am not sure I would consider a standard package a splurge. But to me paying the extra premium to be able to sit and view the show from an actual chair is worth it.

If you & your group are okay with sitting on the ground I would do just what you are thinking and do the Fantasmic dining at Rancho. And do your splurge somewhere else.

 

[lilsonicfan]

World of Color Dessert or the Premium dining for Fantasmic at Riverbelle Terrace. Unfortunately, they have made a dining package a necessity to view Fantasmic these days, so I am not sure I would consider a standard package a splurge. But to me paying the extra premium to be able to sit and view the show from an actual chair is worth it.

If you & your group are okay with sitting on the ground I would do just what you are thinking and do the Fantasmic dining at Rancho. And do your splurge somewhere else.

Can I just clarify what you mean by this - you can't view Fantasmic if you haven't paid for a dining package?

 

[disneychrista]

Can I just clarify what you mean by this - you can't view Fantasmic if you haven't paid for a dining package?

You can technically but you are forced to stand behind those that have paid for dinning packages. Before dinning package, the entire area in front of the Rivers of American was available to all.

 

[thenicefamily]

Can I just clarify what you mean by this - you can't view Fantasmic if you haven't paid for a dining package?

Yes, thanks for asking @disneychrista for clarification. I'm also confused/concerned about this. We aren't doing a dining package and had hoped to be able to view Fantastic from somewhere behind or beside the 3 dining package areas. One year we had an awesome spot, more by chance than anything - we didn't stake anything out we just walked up near showtime - behind the centre seating area. Is this not allowed anymore?

 

[Pluto468]

My favorites are the WOC dessert party and the River Belle Terrace premium Fantasmic viewing.

It's hard to choose between the 2 because they're so different, but the Fantasmic viewing is probably more bang for your buck because you get a full course meal, seating to watch Fantasmic and afterwards you can stay at your table and watch the fireworks. The only thing is it takes a long time, so you're missing out on some park time. But you can leave and come back if your kids finish eating and wanted to go on nearby rides like Indy or Pirates. It can also be a nice long break after a busy day.

 

[LKing]

Yes, thanks for asking @disneychrista for clarification. I'm also confused/concerned about this. We aren't doing a dining package and had hoped to be able to view Fantastic from somewhere behind or beside the 3 dining package areas. One year we had an awesome spot, more by chance than anything - we didn't stake anything out we just walked up near showtime - behind the centre seating area. Is this not allowed anymore?

It is allowed but is much more difficult than it was before April 2023. It is much easier to wander upon a good viewing spot for the second show than it is for the first.

 

[thenicefamily]

It is allowed but is much more difficult than it was before April 2023. It is much easier to wander upon a good viewing spot for the second show than it is for the first.

Thanks @LKing! You seem to be my personal Disboard consultant this evening I really do appreciate the input, it's good to know from those who have more experience than we do. We only go for a few days every year or so and missed 2023 so, it seems that we may give Fantasmic a miss or just wander by at second show time to see what's what.

 

[LKing]

it seems that we may give Fantasmic a miss or just wander by at second show time to see what's what.

If you don't care about fireworks and are a family that stays late, I would go on rides during the first Fantasmic show and try to catch a spot for the 2nd show. Warning, fireworks start immediately after the first show. When they are over (around 9:45 pm), there is a mass exodus out of the Fantasmic viewing area. They guide people out via Adventureland and in via Frontierland. Do not try to swim upstream.

 

[ambula603]

We did both the WOC dessert party and had lunch at Blue Bayou. The food was delicious and we had a prime table right on the water. Didn't request it, because the man in front of me did and the CM sort of rolled her eyes about his request. I was shocked when we were the first one called at 11 and led to the perfect table.

My daughters were 12 and 15 and they loved both. For a "splurge" feel, I would pick the WOC party! We loved the desserts and our waiter came around and took photos of us, so that felt special.

I haven't done the Fantasmic package so I can't speak to that one, but we plan to do it next trip. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices!

 

[irlandaise]

@winklet If you want to do the River Belle Terrace Premium Dining Package for Fantasmic, make sure you have a backup plan, because those sell out immediately.

Has anyone here been able to snag a cancelled reservation the day before the show?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

If you’re going to be in the parks all day and going hard, the seats at the World of Color dessert party will feel luxurious. I like doing it for the first show (if there are two shows) because you get more time at your table to relax and enjoy the fantastic views before the show starts.

Since WOC party is $90/person, you could still make a Blue Bayou reservation and likely come in at about $150/person total and get both experiences. I think Blue Bayou is special and fun, and we’ve always enjoyed the food. I like eating there for lunch because the effect of being “outside at night” is more fun when you walk into the restaurant from bright daylight.

If you book an 11am seating (the first lunch seating) and check in 15 minutes early you’re very likely to get a coveted waterside table as they fill those first. If you book as noon seating and do the same, you’ll also have good luck with table placement as the first round of waterside tables is usually done by noon. When I check in I always ask nicely for a waterside table and I’ve never experienced eye rolling (and usually get one!).

 

[irlandaise]

I think Blue Bayou is special and fun, and we’ve always enjoyed the food. I like eating there for lunch because the effect of being “outside at night” is more fun when you walk into the restaurant from bright daylight.

Good point!

 

[KimberMama]

We’ve done all of your listed splurges in one form or another. Given the ages of your children, if you think you can stay in the parks late then I would plan on seeing WoC and F! at their second showings and not spend money on dining packages for a spot on the ground. But if you aren’t sure you can do second showings, I would probably do the RDZ dining package for F! since it’s the most reasonably priced and has food they might actually like. We did a F! dining package once (Hungry Bear at the time) and decided we’d really rather not sit on the ground at our ages. I’d be willing to try out the RBT premium viewing package if I were able snag a reservation.

For BB, I think it depends on your kids. Mine have eaten at BB several times (as toddlers and teens and ages in between), and I don’t think it really has ever been that special for them. My best meal at BB was my most recent, when DH and I went alone for the first time in 25 years. We did politely request a table on the water, arriving early for our reservation and letting the host know we were willing to wait however long it would take. This wasn’t our first water front dining, but it was our first without kids. My kids weren’t the type to only eat chicken tenders, but they also didn’t care for a lot of unique spices and sauces. (That said, they loved Steakhouse 55 when it was still around — both the food and the ambiance.)

WoC dessert party was a one and done for us, and that was without our kids. I loved having a place to sit, but it was a lot of hassle to wait in line to check in to choose the table, and then wait in line again to be seated. I felt like we lost a lot of time. The kids at the table next to us did seem to be having a good time, however. My kids would have wanted to be up and moving, and wouldn’t have liked most of the desserts. They are perfectly happy with the VQ.

My kids at the ages your kids are now are fine with standing, and my antsy youngest would rather stand that sit. Any money I would have put into a fancy meal or dining package they would have rather had for souvenirs. My youngest was 19 when SW:GE opened, and saved money to go to DL with friends and to do the lightsaber workshop — that was their kind of upgrade experience (friends didn’t do the workshop). If they had been younger when it opened, that is the kind of upgrade they would have wanted me to splurge on. My oldest is my true Disney nerd and is now a proud Disney adult. They love buying shirts and pins and have put together several themed lanyards over the years. I think their idea of a splurge would be a guided tour where they get to do something not everyone else has done. The railroad tour doesn’t look to be going right now, but that would have been right up their alley (we have ridden in the Lily Belle more than once, but that’s no longer free). Probably getting to see Walt’s apartment would have been fun for them.

For my kids, the most memorable things have been things that just happened, mostly by being aware and polite. Being in ToonTown late at night when it’s nearly empty and spending 10 minutes playing with Pluto. Any of their unscripted interactions with characters (versus waiting in line). Checking out the Lily Belle when it was stationary in NOS and being invited in for a private tour in honor of an 18th birthday. Being on Big Thunder as the fireworks light the sky (that takes a little planning). Getting to meet their favorite horse while he was waiting for passengers to load. Being singled out by a member of the DIsneyland Band and asked their favorite attraction, and in general being recognized by the band members because we see them as often as we can. Getting to play a rag on the piano at Coke Corner for an audience because they were interested in the performance and took a moment to thank and talk to the piano player. Having one of the small bands play Happy Birthday for them when they saw their button. Getting to know the players of the jazz band (again because we saw them every time we could). There are more, of course, but some of the opportunities don’t happen anymore. Me paying for a dining package can’t compare with being chosen — together — to become Jedi knights.

 

[maleficent55]

Normally I would tell you that you can do a Blue Bayou Fantasmic dining package and knock two off of your list, but it sounds like it the Blue Bayou package may be ending in early January. We haven't heard official announcement yet, just that a new Fantasmic dining package will be offered at Cafe Orleans starting on Jan 10, 2025.

Where did you hear this?

 

[LKing]

Where did you hear this?

It was posted on Disney Eats a couple of days ago. @joseph821 has been watching BB regular vs BB Fantasmic dining options. See this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-thread.3936261/page-57

 

[maleficent55]

It was posted on Disney Eats a couple of days ago. @joseph821 has been watching BB regular vs BB Fantasmic dining options. See this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-thread.3936261/page-57

I think I’m missing where it says the Blue Bayou package will be gone though?