Is Fantasmic Dinner Package WORTH the $$$??

[LglBlonde]

It seems like a good outlay of cash... any advice for those who have been there?

How early should we get to Fantasmic if we do not have FDP?

Is this question more appropriate for another board?

 

[bigbabyblues]

I'm trying to decide whether or not to do the meal package as well. I think the meal prices are the same as regular prices. We're looking at Hollywood and Vine, and the buffet price is the same either way.

I think it was about an hour and a half to two hours to be there to get a seat for Fantasmic without the package, but someone else may correct me.

Good luck!

Steph

 

[laurabelle]

We've only done it once, for Easter Week. We ate at Hollywood and Vine for the variety, and had a great meal (which the kids loved!) and it's the same price whether you do FDP or are just there for dinner. We're doing it again in July.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I think it is a big waste of money!!!

If you get to fantasmic at least 45 minutes early you should always get a great seat. But since we always go the first part of December it's not really that crowded. We have never been during the summer ( and we never will ) when it's really crowded. So maybe it would be worth the money during the summer.

 

[CharlesandCamilla]

The only reason we're doing it is because we're on the silver. But if you want to go to the 9:00 show in the summer it is a must. Some people talk about how nice and relaxing it is to wait in line for a couple of hours but I'll take a pass on that one. In the summer (June, July, and August) I've been told that if there is only one show that they occasionally fill up and turn people away.

 

[Snow Shoe]

To us, this is what vacations are for. Spend that extra $$$ on something you wouldn't otherwise do. We've done the dinner package several times, and have always eaten at the the Brown Derby. Wonderful meals and service. For us, it was worth every penny spent. We will continue doing it as long as it is offered.

 

[Aisling]

If you get to fantasmic at least 45 minutes early you should always get a great seat.

We went to Fantasmic in July, took the advice of these boards, and went an hour before the show. It was pure h***. We were in a crowd of shoulder-to-shoulder people, our feet were killing us after the first half hour of standing and not being able to move, it was hot, sticky humid, my kids were cranky, and so was I. When we got in, we got great seats, but it's not worth it to me to have to go through the discomfort of waiting in that huge crowd for so long.
This year we're doing Mama melrose with the package, will enjoy a nice meal, and casually stroll over to Fantasmic when it's time. We won't have front and center seats, but my feet won't beg for amputation from the pain of standing still for so long like that last time.

 

[sm4987]

I like doing the dinner package. I love Hollywood and Vine. The food there is great and there is plenty to eat. However, if Fantasmic is playing late one night, you could consider the late show. We did it and stood in line for an hour. Stupid me. Won't do that again. The crowds are light for the last show, I could have walked right in and had an excellent spot.

 

[wmarsich]

Actually if you do a cost analysis, it costs only 1$ for the package in addition to what you would pay for the meal at H & V per child.
If you are a big enogh eater (would enjoy three courses), you can generally come out ahead in both of the other two restaurants, depending upon your order choices. In other words if you into eating and/or like three course meals, it appears to be a no brainer to go for the package. The package also allows you additional time in the parks (only need to be there 30 minutes ahead of time) and allows you to be the first to exit the show. We just had a friend return from the parks and she highly recommended this package for it's convenience and they loved the Brown Derby! I think we'll try MR though, as I've also read great reviews of this restaurant also.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We did the pkg. last aug. and I tried to get it for easter but it was sold out. At easter break we went to the 2nd showing of fantasmic and it was really crowded. I only pick hollywood and vine because its the cheapest and I plan to have that be our one good meal of the day. You may take the risk of the 1st fantasmic being rained out. Your passes/seating are for the 1st show. In sweating hot aug. it sure beat waiting in a 2 hr. line especially with one ds having asthma and my own health problems. I think its definetely worth the money.

 

[Kaycee]

We've never seen Fantasmic, because we've seen that line and we simply refuse to wait in it for anything. We're doing the FDP this year, because it's obviously the only way we'll ever get to see this show!

We chose H&V because it was the cheapest, it's the same price as it would be if you were just having dinner there, and there's a good variety to choose from.

 

[disney4us2002]

If they offered it at Primetime or Sci-Fi I would definitely say it's worth the money, but not with the three restaurants chosen. There are too many great choices for dining in the World to have to choose one we would not normally enjoy. We'll try the late show and if we don't get in, then we don't get in. We're going at a very busy time so planning is everything, lol. Between the Osborne Lights, Christmas around the World Showcase, Candlelight processional, Macy's thanksgiving parade & Grinchmas (universal side for those two), we'll be swamped so I don't think the kids will miss Fantasmic if we can't see it this time.

WOOOHOOO!! Edited to add that this is my 1000th post!!!!!!!!

 

[mc97]

Can someone give me an idea of the menu at the three different restaurants? I've heard H&V, where we're currently booked, is a buffet...do you still get to order at the other two places or is it a pre-determined meal? It's just me and DW, but we're simple folks Would Brown Derby or Mama's be better???

 

[wmarsich]

Hollywood and vine
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_hvd.htm
The package includes the buffet without any restrictions

Mama's
http://allearsnet.com/menu/men_mmd.htm
The package includes a flatbread appetizer, any main dish from the regular menu, and a Tiramisu dessert

Brown Derby Menu:
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_bd.htm
The package includes your choice of soup, salad, or appetizer; any main dish from the regular menu and a dessert

This information comes from TGM and the menus are from allearsnet! Hope it helps!

 

[EEyorelover22]

Fantasmic is our favorite family event. I can't imagine standing in the heat of the summer with kids who are tired for an hour. To us, the FDP is well worth it. H&V is great for us because there are choices for the entire family. We stay at AKL and H&V is actually less than Boma for adults and if we weren't eating at H&V we'd eat at Boma so for us it's really not any extra money. H&V gets mixed reviews, but we enjoyed it.

 

[mc97]

Thanks for the menus and help! I think H&V is definitely the right choice for us...can't wait!

 

[yecats]

I always go in the offseason and even then the lines for Fantasmic are long. I have gone in early December and walked into Fantasmic 1 hr and 15 minutes before the start of Fantasmic and was seated 3 rows from the top in the direct center of the stadium seating. I really was centered right but had to sit there 1 hour and 15 minutes waiting for the show to begin.

Last year in mid November, I decided to the FDP at Hollywood and Vine. I felt it was worth the cost I paid as I would've paid it for a decent dinner in MGM. I ate then walked up 15 minutes prior to the start. Even though I wasn't directly in the middle, I had a great seat and enjoyed the fact that while plenty of people had been sitting there for at least an hour while I was having a nice dinner. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again in the future.