Is Fantasmic Dinner package worth it?

[llggood]

How are the seats at this? Are they decent? We would eat counter service but thought sit down may be worth it to have reserved seats. Going Dec. 8 thru 12th.

 

[KimR]

I think it is worth it if you are going at a very busy time and want to avoid waiting an hour + for a seat. We did the Dinner Package at the Brown Derby over Easter Break. The seats were all the way over to the side, but we were able to see everything just fine. I think it was well worth it at that time of year especially since we enjoy Brown Derby and would have eaten there regardless. However, at the time you are going, I wouldn't think the crowds would be much of an issue. In fact, we did the dinner package last year and wound up not using the tickets because we were able to find better seats in general seating without waiting too terribly long (and that was in June).

 

[Uncle Scar]

I think it was worth it, but we went in July and it was packed.

We ate a Hollywood and Vine, the cheapest...but good food. It did save us having to wait in line for 1-2 hours just for seat. It was standing room only the night.

It was also cool that we got to walk behind the scenes to get to the theatre.

I agree that it is mainly beneficial during crowds and not always a necessity.

 

[dzneelvr]

No. it's not worth it. We go each summer and can get better seats than those we received the one year we did the package. It's a "plan" for those who start out--we did it the first year but now going on our umpteenth trip, we know the ins and outs.

First time --yes. Get the layout of the stadium; try a meal you may not have reserved otherwise. but next time--no, you'll have it figured out!!
WDW ON JUNE 24

 

[nativetxn]

I won't bother with Fantasmic without the dinner package. I like not having to be there more than 1/2 hour before. Besides, it doesn't cost anything extra.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Do the package unless you enjoy standing in line for well over an hour to get a decent seat.

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[jgates]

We did it in July and I was very glad. It was JAMMED. However, they did do an unannounced 2nd show (wasn't posted till sometime during the day - I was watching the sign) and if I had known that we probably wouldn't have. However......we walked out via the 'street' entrance and were able to walk onto ToT and RnR cause they kept them open later because of the 2nd show.

 

[Rpsemont]

I would say for the time you're going, it might not be necessary and if you'd normally eat counter service, you could probably pick up your food and get in line and you'd be fine. How busy MGM is that night might depend on whether MK is open late that night or not. Depending on your schedule you could always hedge your bet. Make a Fantasmic dinner reservation for the night of the 11th, then go to MGM the night of the 8th and if the lines aren't bad and you see the show that night, cancel the dinner reservation. I think you do need 48 hours for full refund on the cancellation, though.

 

[ranthony]

...if it's busy and has not been raining you have 2 choices.

1. Eat a relaxing meal in an sit-down restaurant and wait less than 30 minutes for your seats.


2. Eat fast food while waiting in line for probably at least an hour.

You can somewhat predict the crowd level by watching for park hours/special events, etc. but you cannot predict the weather.

I agree with the previous poster that you might want to make the PS and then cancel if you don't want it. Check with Disney Dinning because I think it is only a 24 hour notice, but I may be mistaken.

Rhonda

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We've done the Fantasmic pkg a number of times but won't in the future.

The latest time they would schedule us for dinner was 4:30. My two DD's were not at all hungry and would not eat. It was a complete waste, and they were hungry later. Now that they are 6 and 4 I think they would be able to sit a little longer in the stadium so we might take in counter service and wait in the stadium.

 

[Pete W.]

The 4:30 dinner times are given out first. I've made FDP PSs at the 90 day mark and they never have anything past ~4:30, but if you call back closer to the actual date, they have usually opened up later seatings. We're doing FDP on 6/25 and I just called 2 days ago and switched our 4:30 to a 5:30 seating. That one hour makes a big difference for us.

BTW that was 31 days out that I called to make the change, so don't rely on other posts which state they only release later dinner times at the 30 day mark.

 

[jimmytammy]

I think it is but I dont like waiting a long time for anything. We went to Mama Melroses on the dinner package and enjoyed it very much. Then we went to the show and didnt have to wait at all to get in and the the show that night was full.

BTW, MM is a good place if you like Italian. You dont hear much about it cause it is tucked away in its on little world. It is probably the least expensive of all packages.

 

[jcemom]

We were there the first week of February and the parks weren't crowded at all. However, we arrived along with the rest of the "herd" to the Fantasmic stadium over 45 minutes early and our seats were comparable to the FDP seats but on the other side of the stadium. Leaving was awful, I was afraid I would lose a child (though after the way a couple of them behaved that day it might not have been a bad thing, lol.) Next time we are using the package. The exit is directly behind the package section which is a big plus to me, not to mention that I was "herding" into the stadium while "they" were casually walking in and choosing a seat. The people on the package that night were arriving 15 minutes before showtime (as opposed to my 45), getting comparable seats with no "herding" involved, and they all got out of the stadium before me.

 

[rykdad]

My family tried to see Fantasmic 4 years ago without the package. We arrived 45 minutes early and couldn't get in. Next week's trip we're using the package.

 

[qtwns]

We used the package last week. I called in the morning, got our ps for 4:10 @Hollywood & Vine. We just manipulated lunch/snacks so we'd be hungry (we knew we'd be hot and tired and in need of a break.) The seats were great; no waiting is a plus. I'll admit, we felt a little smug as we walked past the line forming outside the theater as we strolled over to RNRC for a few rides before we had to be at Oscar's to "sneak" in. We won't do it any other way ever again. BTW, Hollywood and Vine has the cheapest package, but next time we'll eat at MM b/c it sounds so good. H&V was good, but I love Italian!

 

[zippehsmom]

Currently we have Fantasmic Dinner package PS at Hollywood & VIne, but they have a second showing on anther day. Should I do the second showing or just use the Fantasmic DInner PS?

We will be there JUly 10-20th.

zippehsmom

 

[DisKim]

I'm a real cheapskate, but it is worth it to me to do the FDP. I always have to go at busy times because of our work schedules. I went once during Easter break without the FDP and waited for over an hour to get in. I don't mind waiting. What I did mind was that we were all on top of each other. I felt like I was waiting to board a train to a concentration camp! I felt like everyone was closing in on the children. They looked like they couldn't breathe in the heat and the crowd. The next time I went, I did the FDP and I wouldn't see Fantasmic without it. We were having fun on rides while everyone was waiting in the crowd and got to walk in 15 minutes before the show. I think all the seats are fine, so I didn't mind where the seating was. I highly reccomend the package.

 

[Fire14]

My Dh, A friend and I all ate at MM for our FDP and it costs us more than a CHACARTER Meal at 1900 Park Fare.
We were "forced" to eat more than we would have ordered otherwise and we are $ 95.00 more broke for it.
My Friend and I personally preferred Tony's italian food and friend is a culinary artist.

Next time it's H&V for Us 3.

 

[Marbear]

To add my 2 cents to Pete W.'s post, yes you can change an early reservation. I made the initial reservation for 3:40 (at Brown Derby, the only slot available), and at the ten-day mark I was able to switch to a 5:00 PM (at Hollywood and Vine, a more economical choice for our family of 4). The cast member even admitted that more times open up the closer you get to your ressie day.

Good luck all!

 

[sters]

I felt locked in by the Fantasmic Dinner package, which I'd reserved two months out. It rained that day, and there was some question as to whether the Fantasmic show would go on. However, I couldn't cancel dinner because it was on my credit card. I'd have preferred to be somewhere else and go to Fantasmic on another night. The dinners are scheduled so early. We had to wait around for our PS at Hollywood and Vine, in the rain no less, and couldn't really go do something else because we had these stinkin' dinner PS!! And, they were running late, about a half hour or more, which I suppose might be that common for a buffet meal on a rainy day.

By the time we finished eating, there wasn't any time to do any shows or attractions (kids too young to do ToT etc.) so we ended up going to stand in line early anyway.. mainly to see if the show would go on. Fortunatley, it did go on, but there were many, MANY walk-in people who came after us and got better seats. (The reserved seating is off to the side.)

So, from 4:15 to the end of Fantasmic we ate and saw the show while soaking wet. That's it. I felt it was a collossal waste of time, even though the show was excellent.

We were there the first week in November, if that helps. Not too crowded for big shows like Fantamic, but crowded enough for other attractions. Just my opinion, but unless you were going at peak season, you'd have more control over your schedule if you walked in to Fantamic. There are bathrooms and I think a shop or something at the rear, so you at least one in your party can get up and walk around.