Is Fantasmic Dinner Package worth it?

[tyzzle]

Just wondering what people think. None of the restaurants really appeal to me, but we definitely want to see Fantasmic during our stay. As of now it is only scheduled for one night during our stay. I don't mind waiting, but am nervous about not getting seats at all. I appreciate any advice.

 

[OhThePain]

IMHO it isn't really worth it. I know the position you are in because it is only showing once durring our upcoming stay as well. Our plan right now is to have lunch at 50's (we already have our ADR) and then grab a counter service for a quick dinner on our way to see the show. We plan on getting there about an hour or so early, hope we can get seats, and have a beer or 2 while waiting (I think they serve beer in the theater, I could have sworn I had one last time).

 

[Namine13]

The plan is definetely worth it. You get great food and then you get kick but seats for Fantasmic! The seats are near the middle and you get a great view. For the price, everything is worth it. We do it every time.

 

[jpecora1@nycap.rr.co]

Had lunch at HV and it was not good last year. Were on DDP last year so could afford some 2TS credit meals and HBD was our Fantasmic package meal - awesome food and experience. This year we've booked MM.

So, in terms of not being excited about restaurant choices, can understand if you are not willing to spend the $$ or credits on HBD, however I'd be afraid to risk not having the package and getting shut out and missing the show during our visit.

 

[MissionMouse]

Just wondering what people think. None of the restaurants really appeal to me, but we definitely want to see Fantasmic during our stay. As of now it is only scheduled for one night during our stay. I don't mind waiting, but am nervous about not getting seats at all. I appreciate any advice.

They use Fantasmic to prop-up so-so restaurants in my opinion. If their just showing it once during your stay and you want to see it, then it sounds like it would be worth considering. You might consider what would be the impact to your vacation if you were unable to get in without the dining option? Do you want to stand in lines way in advance...no telling when people would start lining up. Just consider your situation is the same situation that many others may be in too.

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

We had dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby. We really enjoyed the dinner, but I must admit, the "Reserved Seating" section was a bit dissapointing. We certainly had no problems seeing the show, but the seats were all the way over to the right of the theater.

 

[twokids0204]

If you want an early dinner it's worth it.

The F! dining package are all early seatings....

 

[joyfulnet]

How does this work if you have the Deluxe Dining Plan? Do you give 2 credits for the meal/show or do you pay extra for the Fantasmic package?

Thanks in advance!

Emily

 

[Mamu]

Never done a Fantasmic Dinner Package and have always gotten a good seat.

 

[PearlySwan]

The plan is definetely worth it. You get great food and then you get kick but seats for Fantasmic! The seats are near the middle and you get a great view. For the price, everything is worth it. We do it every time.

^^^ Robo, often posts answers to questions regarding Fantasmic. Here's a Robo map I saved that shows the Fantasmic Dinner Package seating. I believe he has mentioned that if there is seating available in other sections when you get there, you can opt to seat in those sections instead.

Robo's Image:

 

[twokids0204]

How does this work if you have the Deluxe Dining Plan? Do you give 2 credits for the meal/show or do you pay extra for the Fantasmic package?

Thanks in advance!

Emily

Hollywood and Vine / Mama Melrose - are both 1 table serve credit.
Brown Derby - 2 table serve credits.

At the end of your meal, your waiter (or waitress) will give you a pass for Fantasmic Seating.

Simple...

 

[Trinityloo]

I think the Fantasmic Dinner Package is definitly worth it if you are on the dining plan because you don't pay anything extra on top of what you would have paid for a TS anyway. We booked it for Hollywood Brown Derby (2 TS credits) and that was my husband's favourite signature meal (we dined also at California Grill, Citricos, Narcoosee's and Jiko). Also, you get appetizers even if you're not on the Deluxe plan, so if you are on the regular plan, you are essentially getting a free appetizer AND reserved seating. That being said, however, I have never eaten at H&V or Mamma's so if the food is terrible, then I might reconsider...

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

It was worth it for us in January. We ate early (3:05 ADR, actually ate about 3:45) at Mama Melrose. Fantasmic! was at 6:30, so eating at 7:30 would have been too late for the kids, although we could have brought food in while we waited. We arrived 45 minutes before show time, and the reserved area was less than half full, but the rest of the theater was mostly full. We had twelve in our group - we would not have been able to sit together without the package unless we arrived 90 minutes in advance, I'm guessing. We saw hordes of people headed to the theater at 5:00 and DH wanted to know where everyone was going. We were able to ride RnR with just a few minutes' wait at 5:00.

It is definitely not necessary if you are willing to go early and wait. But it was a nice thing for us. If it had been just me and DH, we would have gone to the 8:00 show instead and just waited. But there were several kids in our group and we only had one shot to see it during our trip.

 

[Aristocath]

It really depends on how much time you are willing to devote to waiting for Fantasmic. Even with the dinner package you should plan on getting there 45 minutes before the show because they will fill those seats. We did the dinner package once and did not like the seats since they are on the far right side. And Mama Melrose was just so-so food. We would not have gone there otherwise. Last time we got there early and got wonderful seats in the middle. We had snacks , had just gotten some souveniers to keep the kids occupied and we relaxed while waiting for the show. That is our plan for this trip, too.

Have a great trip!