For those of you who have gone to Fantasmic...

[Ahnberg4]

I have read mixed review and am wondering if it is worth it to wait in line for Fantasmic. I am also wondering if the Fantasmic dinner plan would be worth while for my group. My family of 4 will have DDP, my sister's family of 5 will have DDE. I believe I heard that DDE is not accepted for the Fantasmic dinner plan-is this true.

I sure appreciate all of you experts who help us newbys plan a wonderful trip!!
Michelle

 

[bytheblood]

I love Fantasmic. I did not do it my first visit because many on this board said they did not like it. The second time I went, we did the Dinner Pkg and it was worth it and I was so very glad I went. Fantasmic is amazing. I think you will like it.

You most certainly can use the dining plan for Fantasmic. We do. You can do Mama Melrose which is a sit-down meal with menu choices or you can do Hollywood and Vine, which is a sit-down meal frm buffet.

We did H&V last time. I liked it, but we are doing Mama Melrose in May. I might like that better.


**You can do the Brown Derby, but it will count as two table-service meals per person.

 

[helenk]

Fantasmic is great, I have only gone once without the dinner package, and there were 2 shows that evening and I walked in about a 1/2 hour before the show and got a good seat.
You are correct though, you can not use the DDE for the Fantasmic Dinner Package . Your group can us the dining plan for the Fantasmic Dinner Package

 

[eblack0409]

I loved Fantasmic....it's a definate on every trip!!!!!!

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I love Fantasmic and will be doing it again this trip

 

[GlennI]

We went to Fantasmic during Thanksgiving week 2005, when it was busy, we walked right in about 15 minutes before show time and got a seat. Now we were not dead center of the seating, but we had a good seat and could see everything.

So I don't think you need to wait in line, unless you want to be "CENTER SEATING", you should be fine with getting there 15-20 minutes ahead of showtime.

I think you will enjoy the show, I know we did...

 

[Quinn222]

Fantiasmic is great and getting there early really isn't a big deal. You can get a snack in there and sit and eat and wait for the show. I saw it Saturday night and we got there about an hour ahead. We sat and talked and listened to the music. Once the crowd built up it was very festive. People were doing the wave and taking pictures. A few people were dancing. The wait was very relaxing and enjoyable and the show was totally worth it.

 

[Allison]

I love Fantasmic. We will be watching the 5:30 parade, have a 6:10 ADR at Mama Melrose and then it's off to Fantasmic at 8:15 or so. We have to eat anyway, so why not do the package?

I can't wait.

 

[Mike and Natalie]

We did the Meal thing and was disapointed b/c the ropped off seating area was all the way on right hand side (facing water). We usually get there 30 to 45 min b/f showtime. As long as you are not planning on sitting center stage you should be OK. We usually eat a big lunch and grab a snack to take in with us to keep us occupied while we wait.

 

[aunt kelly]

We've been twice-the first time was Thanksgiving week 2000 and the second time was Thanksgiving week 2003. The park was packed both times, but we walked in about 15 minutes before the show started and found seats near the top. We loved the show and didn't mind sitting up high at all. In fact, because we were sitting near the top, we were able to beat the crowds to the exit at the end of the show.

 

[Mike and Natalie]

Do they do the bellmen skit b/f the shw as a preshow? I saw this the 1st yr. or so Fantasmic came to FL. but have not seen it since. We usually go during non-peak time so I'm not sure if they do it during peak time.

 

[Lizzybee]

Fantasmic is a must do on every member of our family's must do lists. We have not used the dining package and all three times we have gone we have had fabulous seats near the front and center. Our first two times, we went to the amphitheater about 1 1/2 hrs early. We were ready for a rest and had bought food from the food court across from the amphitheater. We sat, rested, ate dinner and chatted with the people behind us. The last time, it was just myself and my kids and we had an ADR at Prime Time 50s Cafe. We got there about 40 mins before show time and still got the same seats LOL.
Enjoy!

 

[bubba73]

I love Fantasmic. It is the best display at Disney, jmo. Now, before someone gets mad at me for saying that for this instead one of the other displays. This is my favorite because it is the only one with the characters. That is what makes it great.

 

[daisyduck123]

We just returned from our trip...saw Fantasmic last Tuesday night.
It's definetely worth going to.

We were on the Dining Plan so we ate at Hollywood & Vine using their "Fantasmic Package" & got a voucher to go in a special entrance. This turned out to not really be needed as this is a slower time of year. In retrospect, we should have used our table service credit at a different restaurant that day, but that is another story.

Fantasmic was a great show!!

 

[jjk]

you should definatly see fantasmic its really good

 

[Minniespal]

We love Fantasmic ~ It is a must do every trip. Cannot comment on the FDP as we usually eat in the BD.

 

[KCMiller]

If you've never seen Fantasmic, you should make a point to see it - it's a really good show. That being said, I've seen it twice, and that's plenty. I would go again, but if I felt like doing something else, that would be OK too. And I agree, the seating area leaves something to be desired - but on the other hand, it's nice to be out of the way. It's a LONG walk from the 'secret' entrance to this area, though - interesting, as you're backstage, but LONG (I know, it's a long walk to the regular entrance, too, but you have stuff to look at and shop for there).

KC

 

[88Keys]

Whenever a question about Fantasmic! is posted, about 2/3 of the respondants love it and 1/3 could do without it. I think it's interesting that one of the main criticisms is the lack of fireworks, lasers, etc. If you want fireworks, hop over to Wishes. One of my favorite things about Disney is that all 4 of their night shows are completely different and really well done -- Wishes, Spectromagic, Fantasmic, and Illuminations.I do agree that the video on the water may be too long, but I think that not only does it help with the story-telling, but it masks some of the huge scene changes involved -- remember, for those dismissing the show, it is not just water film but dozens of watercraft, huge figures (the snake, etc.) scores of cast members and cool music.

 

[bellelinus]

My daughters and I love Fantasmic and always plan to see it at least once when we go to Disney. I've never used the dining plan with reserved seating -- just get there about an hour ahead of time, bring some snacks, and relax. However, if you plan to eat anyway at one of the dining choices and don't mind seating off-center, I can't think of a reason not to go ahead and do that.

 

[jann1033]

while fantasmic is my least favorite night time show i'd go to it at least once. we were kind of underwhelmed and i think it was more violent/scary than we thought necessary. not awful or something we'd never do again, just imo not on a par with the others. and i wouldn't take tiny kids . maybe all the screaming in fear toddlers around us made it less fun since i felt bad for them and had a hard time paying attention wishing the parents would just take the kids out since they were not having fun.

if you are going off season imo the package is not needed. we went about 20 mins or less preshow and had no problem gettting seats. with such abig group you might want to go a little earlier but i don't think the wait of 45+ would apply off season. i don't even think they opened it up much before 30 mins before and we literally walked up and were one of the first in one night but the weather was cold and we didn't wait. the night we went was nice but still had one entire section empty when it started. however if you are going to use the plan and it covers it, unless you are afraid of rain or something and might want to change days at the last min. it isn't going to hurt you to get the pack.