Is Fantasmic Dinner worth it?

[232271]

We will be a party of 9. We missed Fantasmic last July because it was full.
So, it will have been over a year since we have seen the show.

I was considering doing the Fantasmic dinner package in order to get into the show this time. We would do the cheapest dinner, HOllywood and Vine.
It is $22 adults and $12 kids.
Is this worth doing? Or are we better off just getting to the regular line
an hour early?

thanks for your opinions.

 

[Chicago526]

I thought it was worth it, as we were able to tour other areas of the park instead of standing in line. We ate at the Brown Derby, though. The seats for the show are all the way over to the right side, but I though the view was fine, we didn't miss any part of the show by sitting there. You all have to eat dinner some place, anyway, so you may as well get to skip the line to get into Fantasmic while you're at it!

 

[jaysmom4285]

We just did the Fantasmic package at Hollywood and Vine last week. As the previous poster said, seats are on the right, but the view was perfectly fine from there. We thought the buffet at Hollywood and Vine was excellent and well worth the money. The amphitheater did fill up totally (the non-reserved seating) about 20 minutes before the show started, and people were standing in the back, so the reserved seats were worth it to us.

 

[LibertyBelle]

I think it is worth it because I hate waiting in lines With the package you get a good dinner and then a voucher for your seating at the show. You show up when they tell you to and your seats are waiting. As stated they are not dead center or anything like that but they are good seats. And the theater does fill up.

 

[Laura66]

I'm glad to check out everyone's opinion because we were thinking of doing this in June when we go.

Laura

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We've done the Fantasmic package in the past. At the time (I don't know if this is still true) the latest you could eat is at 4:30 and both DD's didn't eat a thing because they just aren't hungry then, so we paid $20 at the Brown Derby and then had to feed them Granola Bars later.

That said, I would not want to wait 2 hrs with small children. The seats are just fine and we were able to walk around and ride the Great Movie ride instead so I think it is well worth it, particularly at a busy time of year when the line forms very, very early.

If we were planning to see it again, I'd definately do the package.

 

[princssdisnygina]

I just got back but did not do it this time. We went in an hour and a half before the show and it was nuts! Although we did get center seats the side seats are good too! It is worth it to me to do the package because if you are having dinner anyway it isn't any extra! The HB&V charges $21.95 per adult anyway and this is what they charge you for the package, so why not! Save yourself some time for other things!

 

[Limmer]

We did the package and ate at Hollywood and Vine. My advice would be only do it if you would eat there anyway. We got rained out after we had already eaten. We would not have spent the money on that buffet (probably counter service) without the package. We did not get a rain check and never saw Fantasmic. It was not worth it for us.

 

[babieemelly]

I think it's definitely worth it. You're going to have to eat anyway so you might as well have some good food and then not have to wait on line for an hour, especially is there will be little kids in the group!

 

[Leota]

We're going to try it in April. DH has never seen Fantasmic, DS & I saw it in 1998. None of us feels like it's worth going 1.5 hours ahead of time to get a seat to see. So, we'll have dinner & go 1/2 hour ahead. If it works out, great,if not, no biggie - either way we'll have had a nice dinner.

 

[NCombs]

We ate at Hollywood & Vine in June and did the package. We really liked the restaurant and we would have eaten somewhere anyway. I definitely recommend it and we will do the package again the next time we go. We got to walk right in and not worry about the lines.

 

[QuickGold]

If the time of year you go is busy(i.e. during holiday or summer), then I'd say go for the package. Otherwise, it's not totally necessary.

 

[MarkLem]

As you said, last time it was full and you missed it. With the reservation you will get a seat without waiting nearly the length of time it takes otherwise. We all gots to eat, so why not combine the two?

 

[Windjammer]

If you do the fantasmic dinner package make sure you show up at or before the time they tell you to (I think it is at least 1/2 hour before the show). After that time they release the "reserved" seats and you may not get a seat.

Steve

 

[Hippychickali]

We did the package and ate at Hollywood and Vine. My advice would be only do it if you would eat there anyway. We got rained out after we had already eaten. We would not have spent the money on that buffet (probably counter service) without the package. We did not get a rain check and never saw Fantasmic. It was not worth it for us.

Two things. The first is about having to make PSs at 4:30. I've been looking into this package for awhile now because it will be the only PS we make. I was told on the Restaurant Board that you will only be offered 4:00 or 4:30 PSs at the latest when you first call. If you call in about a month before you leave, later slots open up and you can change your PS time. Just thought I would share the tip.

The second thing is about getting rained out. I'm really concerned about this and wanted a little more information. Is there any way to use your Fantasmic passes on another night if this happens? It really does seem unfair to pay into a package and not get to take advantage of it. Could someone help me with this?

Ali

 

[Chicago526]

As far as I know, no rain checks are given. If it's rained out, your out of luck.

However, they will usually wait until the last minute to cancel, hoping the weather will clear. This means that in most cases, they will not cancel until after the crowd has waited out side the theater, then seated prior to show time. For those who don't have the package and wait in line for general seating, they just waisted 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours for a show that just canceled. And they didn't get a yummy dinner!

So, it's always a risk to be rained out. But I'd rather lose my prefered seating than lose out of 1 or more hours of park time. That's just me, though!

 

[Hippychickali]

This is a very good point. Ok. I think I'm set to go with the package and take my chances with the weather.

Ali

 

[kldmom2000]

We just got back on the 11th and did the Hollywood and Vine meal package on the 5th-it was WELL worth it! The food was excellent and abundant-my girls are 2 and 4 yrs old, so I knew that a long wait for Fantasmic would have been out of the question.... they both LOVED the show and sat through it mesmerized!!!!

 

[232271]

never had it rain on us, however, i wouldnt think you could use your passes on another night as they wouldnt have enough seating for that. it wouldnt be fair to those who had tickets the night you tried to use yours.
you can always call and ask though.

if you know different let us know.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We were rained out several months ago and no rain check. I called WDW dine on the phone as we walked backed to our resort and booked H&V for the next night.

I would definately try to call and move your PS to a later time. When I talked to a CM and asked why so late she said because they wanted to be sure everyone was out of the restaurant in time for the show. I'm sure my mouth must have dropped open because it made no sense. My guess is to fill the restaurant when it isn't busy.