If you could choose only one dining package, WOC or Fantasmic?

[jenjersnap]

Specifically, comparing Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou. I know most people enjoy the food at Carthay Circle better but, in terms of being the best use of the money for the best viewing location and ease of touring (is Fantasmic FP a hotter ticket? )...which would you choose?

 

[Quam]

Woc…

 

[figment_jii]

Personally, given the price of the packages, I would pick the package that is for the show you would rather see.

For me, that would be Fantasmic! I like both Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle, so I'd be quite happy eating at either venue. Which means the difference is then down to the show. I've never been fond of WoC's viewing areas because they aren't terribly friendly to non-tall individuals. So, I would not want to pay more money to still have trouble seeing over the people in front of me. I do like that the Blue Bayou F! viewing area is ground seating, so it means you should have a good view regardless of how tall you are. So, if I had to pick one, I would go with Fantasmic! because one stands the best chance of getting a good view of the show that has been selected.

 

[jenjersnap]

Personally, given the price of the packages, I would pick the package that is for the show you would rather see.

For me, that would be Fantasmic! I like both Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle, so I'd be quite happy eating at either venue. Which means the difference is then down to the show. I've never been fond of WoC's viewing areas because they aren't terribly friendly to non-tall individuals. So, I would not want to pay more money to still have trouble seeing over the people in front of me. I do like that the Blue Bayou F! viewing area is ground seating, so it means you should have a good view regardless of how tall you are. So, if I had to pick one, I would go with Fantasmic! because one stands the best chance of getting a good view of the show that has been selected.

That is exactly what I need to hear. With two shorties in the group, I know we would need to line up as early as possible for WOC, dining package or FP. If that is true, might as well just get a FP and know there will be a time investment. We need to see both over the course of 5 days but I just can't budget for two dining packages with a 10-year-old who eats very little.

How is the Fantasmic FP area...are most people sitting? I know I can probably find that info in a search so I appreciate someone humoring me by answering here.

 

[figment_jii]

That is exactly what I need to hear. With two shorties in the group, I know we would need to line up as early as possible for WOC, dining package or FP.

Yes, unfortunately, WoC is not geared for shorter individuals. I am not sure when you are going, but just note that WoC is currently undergoing refurbishment.

How is the Fantasmic FP area...are most people sitting? I know I can probably find that info in a search so I appreciate someone humoring me by answering here.

Only the Blue Bayou viewing area is guaranteed to be ground sitting. Folks have reported that the other dining package area (RBT and Dessert Party) also had ground sitting areas, but that's not listed in the official information, so it could be subject to change at any time. Most of the FP viewing areas are standing only. There might be small areas near the river's edge that is ground sitting, but it seems very limited.

 

[jenjersnap]

Thanks, figment_jii. Very helpful information!

 

[disneychrista]

I love Fantastmic, so I that is the one I would pick. But I do not like the dinning options, so I wouldn't pay for it.

Show tickets (aka FP) are seemingly easy to get for both, so I would save my money and go that route.

 

[cmrdgrs]

Seconding figment_jii advice. A FP for WoC will allow you to get there early if you choose and find a suitable viewing spot that you have at least some control over. Although you can get wet, I highly recommend down in the very front, and you may not get wet at all - it depends on the way the wind is blowing.

The new way they are doing FP for Fantasmic! Guarantees a random spot that you will have no control over, and if you are vertically challenged, I would guess that you will most likely have trouble seeing. Fantasmic! at DL IMO is one of the best shows at either DL or WDW. I am not a huge fan of shows, but I always love to see Fantasmic! Also, after the show, don't rush out, there may be fireworks you can see from your spot.

If you are going to pick one, if you can, do the Blue Bayou package. But, I understand that they are very, very hard to secure. I tried over our last trip and was online daily when my window opened, for dates, but I had no luck. I hope your luck is better!

 

[jenjersnap]

Yes, I see March's Fantasmic dining package isn't available yet to book (but WOC dining package is), how far in advance does it open?

 

[cmrdgrs]

Yes, I see March's Fantasmic dining package isn't available yet to book (but WOC dining package is), how far in advance does it open?

I thought your ability to book all dining (including packages) opened up 60 days prior to check-in. That was the way it seemed to me when I booked all my dining at DL over my 2014/2015 NYE trip. You could call Disney Dining in DL, they may be able to give you a more concrete answer (714) 781-3463.

 

[figment_jii]

Yes, I see March's Fantasmic dining package isn't available yet to book (but WOC dining package is), how far in advance does it open?

I would have said normally it's 60-days out, but the DLR ADR system is known to be a little wonky. At this point, no one knows if it means the packages are not being offered in March, if the system just hasn't loaded the dates yet, or something else entirely. My inclination is to say that the dates have not yet been loaded because the system most frequently has issues when a new month starts and there are packages for the 28th of Feb, but none starting 3/1. So, I'd give them a few weeks to get things straightened out.

 

[jenjersnap]

Just like the FDP at WDW, IME (not the 60-days but the random "we will load it into the system when we feel like it"). Ok, will keep checking.

 

[DahliaRW]

I love F!, But I think if you know what color FP to get and have time to keep going back until you get that color (asking what the current is, and going back when the color that is sitting along the railing is) you have a good shot at a good view.

With WOC, and standing, it's harder to get a good view. And, IME, the Carthay Circle area was the least crowded of the dining areas and the food is outstanding. So I probably would do that and a regular FP for F!

The other way I would do it, if I could bear not dining at Carthay, would be to go to the 2nd showing of WOC (usually less of a crowd, especially if the park it closing earlier so you waste less park time) and do BB for F! My dh got some pixie dust with the second WOC show on our last trip. He and 3 of the kids stayed late, and went over and asked a CM about 10 minutes before show time where the stand by viewing was for WOC. The CM let them in to an area right next to the dining and they ended up with a good view since it wasn't crowded that night!

 

[Blue32]

I love F!, But I think if you know what color FP to get and have time to keep going back until you get that color (asking what the current is, and going back when the color that is sitting along the railing is) you have a good shot at a good view.

With WOC, and standing, it's harder to get a good view. And, IME, the Carthay Circle area was the least crowded of the dining areas and the food is outstanding. So I probably would do that and a regular FP for F!

The other way I would do it, if I could bear not dining at Carthay, would be to go to the 2nd showing of WOC (usually less of a crowd, especially if the park it closing earlier so you waste less park time) and do BB for F! My dh got some pixie dust with the second WOC show on our last trip. He and 3 of the kids stayed late, and went over and asked a CM about 10 minutes before show time where the stand by viewing was for WOC. The CM let them in to an area right next to the dining and they ended up with a good view since it wasn't crowded that night!

As Figment noted though, you could get a regular FP and still NOT get a spot in a seated section with a regular FP. Blue Bayou dining pretty much seals the deal on getting a seat so everyone in your party can see the show.

 

[DahliaRW]

As Figment noted though, you could get a regular FP and still NOT get a spot in a seated section with a regular FP. Blue Bayou dining pretty much seals the deal on getting a seat so everyone in your party can see the show.

Yes, but you could definitely try for it (hopefully the color maps will be more locked in by the OPs trip, which must be a ways off if asking about WOC which is closed through mid-March).

 

[jenjersnap]

Yes, our first day in the parks is the day WOC re-opens (though we wouldn't try to attend that one!). I think I am going to book FDP when it becomes available and keep my eye on the current news re: FP areas. I will have to research which FP colors have the better view...still have much to learn but was hoping to nail down meal plans, at least. Thanks, all!