Regarding the seats, we did the dinner package last month for the first time after previously viewing Fantasmic from a middle section. Personally, I didn't enjoy the performance as much from that perspective. Everything just seems a little...off.
You can also see some of the backstage area pretty clearly, which ruins a bit of the 'magic' of the presentation. This was particularly evident when the large paddlewheel boat was getting ready to make its entrance toward the end. Some of the pyrotechnics started warming up about 30-45 seconds before the boat was to have made its appearance, which sort of threw things out of sync.
You also can see and hear some of Illuminations at Epcot--paricularly the finale-- when sitting in that far right section. From most other areas of the theater, the large mountain structure would block any view of the sky in Epcot's direction. From the dinner package seats, you have a clear view around the mountain, making it impossible to ignore those Epcot starbursts.
IMO, there's no question you get a better show from the middle sections of the theater. I won't say that the things noted above ruined the show--I just can't honestly say that it was equally enjoyable from that angle.
In the end, it's a trade-off between quality and convenience. If the 45 minutes extra that you get in the park is more valuable to you than a prime seat for Fantasmic, then by all means go with the Dinner Package.
You can also see some of the backstage area pretty clearly, which ruins a bit of the 'magic' of the presentation. This was particularly evident when the large paddlewheel boat was getting ready to make its entrance toward the end. Some of the pyrotechnics started warming up about 30-45 seconds before the boat was to have made its appearance, which sort of threw things out of sync.
You also can see and hear some of Illuminations at Epcot--paricularly the finale-- when sitting in that far right section. From most other areas of the theater, the large mountain structure would block any view of the sky in Epcot's direction. From the dinner package seats, you have a clear view around the mountain, making it impossible to ignore those Epcot starbursts.
IMO, there's no question you get a better show from the middle sections of the theater. I won't say that the things noted above ruined the show--I just can't honestly say that it was equally enjoyable from that angle.
In the end, it's a trade-off between quality and convenience. If the 45 minutes extra that you get in the park is more valuable to you than a prime seat for Fantasmic, then by all means go with the Dinner Package.
