Has anyone done

[emeraldlover]

the Fantasmic dinner package where you eat at one of 3 restaurants in MGM and then get reserved seating for Fantasmic so you don't have to wait 90 minutes before, and are guaranteed a seat?

Would love some feedback.

Thanks.

 

[Disney Gator]

Yes I've done it. Last year with a small group, we ate at the Hollywood and Vine restaraunt. We ate at 4:30 and had reserved seats for the 7:30 show (only show of the day), so we had plenty of time to enjoy our meal and still get to the show.

They gave us a slip of paper showing that we could get into the reserved section. You show it to a cast member over next to the "gas station" that's to the right of the ticket gate, and they take you on a backstage shortcut to the show area. The backstage walk was cool I thought, you get to see some behind the scenes stuff.

We were told to arrive there at least 45 minutes before, but we showed up about an hour and 15 minutes before and were able to sit anywhere we wanted in the reserved section.

If you want to see Fantasmic and don't want to wait in line, I would recommend the dinner package. Especially if you were going to eat at MGM anyway.

 

[kandeebunny]

I love doing it. I can't stand very long or very well so it's fantastic! We would normally eat at MGM anyways (we love Hollywood and Vine and 50's Prime Time (they sometimes offer it)) so it's a great extra perk and gives us more time to do shows/shopping instead of waiting in line!

 

[cepmom]

we did in 2002 at the Brown Derby restaurant. I think it was worth it, especially since we planned on eating at MGM anyway, to not wait in line to see Fantasmic. I would not do it again though at The Brown Derby...the food was good but a little expensive for us. My oldest DD (12 at the time) couldn't find anything she wanted to eat so she ended up ordering from th kids menu. If we wanted to see fantasmic again, I would try another restaurant.

 

[futuredrwalsh]

I did it this past January at the Brown Derby and it ended up being a great deal because I think we paid less with the package. I can see why you wouldn't want to go with kids though, the food is geared more toward adult tastes. We were allowed to order off the whole menu: appetizer, entree, dessert and still only paid $39 per person TOTAL, when I think it would have been about $50+ per person without the package. If you were going to eat at Brown Derby anyway, it's a great deal. I may try it in May with Mama Melrose, so I can try a new restaurant.

Not having to wait a looong time for Fantasmic was nice too. Even in January on a cold night, it was PACKED in there. I believe we arrived about 30 minutes before the show started and still got great seats in the reserved section (which is all the way on the right of the theater, but still an excellent view).

The down side is you often have to eat really early. In January, we had to make 4:30 dinner reservations, and that was the latest they offered (Fantasmic started at 7:30pm that night). Not sure if you have to eat this early even if the show is at 9pm.

Still, this is the only way I'll do Fantasmic...it's a great show but I'd rather save 2 hours, do more rides, and have a decent meal.

 

[jezaduck24]

We did it in 2001 at the Brown Derby and were glad we did. DH still refers to his tuna ( Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Whipped Potatoes, Sugar Peas, Ginger soy reduction, and coriander lime essence $21.99 per allearsnet.com) as the best meal of his trip. The Grapefruit Cake was awesome! We had a decent view up high in the Ursula section and didnt have to wait in line for seating. I'd call it a good value and a must-must see show.

 

[emeraldlover]

I actually just got the idea out of the UG. I don't know if I will even be able to get a reservation since we are leaving in 13 days, but figured it would be worth a try. We have never seen Fantasmic and really want to this trip.

Since we are staying at FW we planned on eating most of our meals back at the campground, except for our PS at Chef Mickeys and the Hoop Dee Doo.

I think I will try and call them today and see if they still have any PS available.

Thanks again.

 

[kandeebunny]

H&V had PS's for the 18th last time I called so you may want to try them!!! That was the only date I could get for the week at H&V!

Good luck! Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[nluvwithmickey]

I think if you plan on having a sit down meal at MGM AND see Fantasmic.....The dinner package is the best way to go.

There is 3 choices of places to eat, so you get to choose from a variety of types of meals ( buffet,italian, and more upscale).

We did the buffet at H&V, it's the cheapest of all 3, at 21.99/ad. you don't get much better. Plus you get to have fun in the attractions instead of having to wait in lines in order to get a seat.

I will do it again even if it isn't on the MYW dining plan.

 

[bdrex95]

We are going on Monday 4/4. I called about 10 Days ago and got a reservation for 8 people at 5:50pm at Hollywood & Vine, with the show at 8:30. I was shocked. So definitely call, you might be surprised at what's avaialble even seemingly last minute.

ONLY ONE MORE DAY!!!!!! WE LEAVE TOMORROW!!!!!

 

[elgerber]

If you can't get anything over the phone, try at the guest relations at your hotel. I have been able to get next day Fantasmic package PS at our hotel. After we tried to do it without the package, and 90 minutes before it was standing room only. We went back to the hotel and made the PS for the next night. We always do the package, every trip.

 

[emeraldlover]

the phone with a CM. I was able to get PS for H&V on Sunday the 17th at 4:40 p.m. She even told me that should the show get rained out, we can still use our reservations for Fantasmic on another night. Since we are staying through the 21st we will have 4 additional nights should the weather be bad. I had read in UG that if they cancelled the show, you were out of luck on the reserved seating. Guess they were wrong. Definintely a sweet deal

 

[sskem96]

I just made our reservations a couple days ago for April 9 at Hollywood and Vine. They offered me anytime from 4-6pm. They did tell me though that if Fantasmic is cancelled for any reason, you're out of luck on the seating. I also read recently in a trip report that a couple did this, it got rained out, and they couldn't do the reserved seating another day, so I'm afraid they may have given you the wrong info there.

 

[emeraldlover]

it just won't be allowed to rain on Sunday, the 17th. Weather gods are you listening!!!!

 

[eeyoreforever]

Since the DDE card is good at all 3 of these places (Mama Melrose, H&V, Brown Derby), I wonder if you can use it on the package? That would be a pretty good deal and I will probably do it this trip. Anyone know? May need to post that as a question on the restaurants board also.

 

[elgerber]

They do tell you know rain checks, but if you go to guest services inside the entrance to the park, they will give you a raincheck. I know for a fact, because we did this once. Actually it was the same year I made the PS at the hotel for the next day. Took us 3 tries to see Fantasmic that year.

 

[NCombs]

I'm another fan of the dinner package. We just planned this to be one of our "bigger" meals. We ate at H&V. My husband wasn't thrilled with a lot of the Disney food but really enjoyed the buffet. This will be a standard plan for us.