Is Fantasmic! package worth it?

[turtlegirl25]

Is the package worth it? Yes or no and why?

My understanding is that is basically saves us 30-min. of wait time. I've also read that it's a haul to get to the special entrance near Beauty and the Beast.

We have an ADR at Mama Melrose for 12:15 during the week of Aug. 21 when there are two Fantasmic! shows per night.

+ The package saves us time
+ Reserved seats

- I'm debating a big sit down lunch in the August heat.
- DH and I are concerned about being tied down to a lunch reservation with 2 kids.


Any honest input would be appreciated. Thanks. If there is a thread started please direct me. I searched but some seemed really outdated.

 

[ccgirl]

Is the package worth it? Yes or no and why?

My understanding is that is basically saves us 30-min. of wait time. I've also read that it's a haul to get to the special entrance near Beauty and the Beast.

We have an ADR at Mama Melrose for 12:15 during the week of Aug. 21 when there are two Fantasmic! shows per night.

+ The package saves us time
+ Reserved seats

- I'm debating a big sit down lunch in the August heat.
- DH and I are concerned about being tied down to a lunch reservation with 2 kids.


Any honest input would be appreciated. Thanks. If there is a thread started please direct me. I searched but some seemed really outdated.

Here is my honest input.

I feel it is worth it; especially with kids. You have to eat anyway so having a sit down lunch makes the kids slow down a bit. The package is saving you much more than 30 minutes of time during that time of year. I believe we waited in line for 90 minutes when we went and, of course, the kids were not happy campers. We could not get the Fantasmic package as there were none available. When we have had the package, I did not find the entrance a haul at all. Keep in mind that the seats are to the far right of the stadium. They are not in the middle. Not sure if that matters to you. We love having the package though. My children are currently 8 and 3.

 

[nkereina]

Are they showing F! every night in August? I haven't been keeping tabs on months other than September when I'm going. In September, they changed F! to every night instead of 1-2x a week so I cancelled my package and am taking my chances. Since there will be an over abundance of shows now, it's exepected to even out the crowds which means you don't need to get there *quite* as early without a package.

If F! is a must do for you and you want good seats, I would say do the package because you will have a reserved section. You still need to get there about 30+ minutes before to get a seat in the reserved section. We are not as concerned about seats and didn't want to be tied down to a reservation that was credit card guarenteed and used 2 TS credits per person for a show we don't NEED to see.

 

[dzneelvr]

I was VERY pleased I purchased the package our first trip long years agoWith two small kids and a DH who wasn't yet "sold" on the magic, anyway I could get around waiting in line was hugeWe had a wonderful meal at Mama's (continues to be on our must-eat-at-list decades later) and simply filed into the show without incident. It's a fabulous show and I vote a huge YES for the package as a stressless way to see your inaugural show!

 

[KEPE]

Fantasmic! is 2TS credits? I didn't realize that. I thought it was one. We have a 3:55 ressie for our day but F! is only offered one other time while we are there and we can't go the other day so we figured this was the best way to get it. I'm not crazy about eating dinner at 4:00 but... whatever, we'll deal. For those of you that have seen it, is it scary? I'm worried that I may be doing this for nothing and will end up leaving in the middle of the show if my 3y/o is afraid.

 

[sdzman]

The package is one TS at Mama Melrose & Hollywood & Vine. It's 2 TS at Brown Derby. The worse thing I can think about the packages are the odd dining times, like 3:30 PM for dinner.

 

[KEPE]

Thansk SDZman, I didn't think it was 2 for Mama but got a little nervous. Yes, the dinning times are not ideal at all. We have a Breakfast ressie for earlier in the day so doubt we would have been hungry for lunch so it might work out ok.

 

[wgeo]

We have Fant. package ADR for Mama Melrose on Oct. 2nd. We are not on the dining plan and I'm trying to decide if it's worth paying oop for. It's hard to figure out what the exact price will be. Can we just order anything off the menu? I thought I read somewhere that it was a fixed price meal for the Fant. package. Does anyone know? We are really light eaters and if it is a fixed price I'm not sure we'd eat anywhere near that much food.

Thanks

 

[nkereina]

We have Fant. package ADR for Mama Melrose on Oct. 2nd. We are not on the dining plan and I'm trying to decide if it's worth paying oop for. It's hard to figure out what the exact price will be. Can we just order anything off the menu? I thought I read somewhere that it was a fixed price meal for the Fant. package. Does anyone know? We are really light eaters and if it is a fixed price I'm not sure we'd eat anywhere near that much food.

Thanks

Mama Melrose and H&V are fixed prices. Mama Melrose is $32.99/adult and $11.99/child plus tax & tip and includes app, entree and dessert per person. I don't believe there are restrictions on the menu items you can order at Mama Melrose, but don't quote me on that.

If you're light eaters, you probably won't eat that much food at Mama Melrose so it probably wouldn't be worth it. If you can get a package at H&V, that's $26.99/adult and $13.99/child and is a buffet so you can eat as much or as little as you want.

 

[wgeo]

Thanks Nkereina That helps us make our decision, I really appreciate the info.

Gina

 

[minnie mum]

I'd like to throw my two cents in as well. We're another family that appreciates the value of the Fantasmic package. As a PP said- you have to eat anyway, right? Yes, the meals are scheduled at off-peak times. But I am totally prepared to spend at least an hour sitting down in a lovely air conditioned restaurant during the hottest part of the afternoon. On the DDP it seems worthwhile since you have the added benefit of an appetizer, which you would have had to pay OOP otherwise. (I like my appys whether we're on the dining plan or not)

But that's not the real reason that we like the F. package so much. I hate the crowds in the line waiting to get in. I REALLY, REALLY hate it. You're out in the sun for at least an hour, surrounded by crowds, when it's hot, you're tired after a day in the parks, and the kids are getting cranky and restless. And once the crowd starts moving, the jostling is just not nice.

Or (cue the birdies tweeting and violins serenading) you go to the separate entrance, present your voucher, stroll up to the reserved section, and have a seat. Which would you rather do?

Having said that, there are caveats: if it rains and they cancel Fantasmic, then you're out of luck. There are no rain checks. You can't come back and see it another day using the voucher. And if there is a second show on the night that you are there, and your family is happy to stay that late, then you might be happier standing in line, since it won't be sunny and hot by that time.

So I guess it comes down to weighing the pros and cons and seeing what is best for you and your family. Whatever you decide, I hope you really enjoy the show. We try to see it at least once per visit.

 

[tina.tina]

When we saw Fantasmic!, the line started forming about 3 hours before the show. It was great to be off exploring without having to be sweltering in line.

 

[darthtatty]

Mama Melrose and H&V are fixed prices. Mama Melrose is $32.99/adult and $11.99/child plus tax & tip and includes app, entree and dessert per person.

is tip included? Ive never heard that before.
will ask in the main tip thread.

 

[brooklynnbaby]

Not for us. I did stand in line for a good couple of hours, but I was 11 weeks pregnant and not a fan of the rides, so I didn't mind. And we got fantastic seats... better than the "preferred" seating, imo. I'd do the same thing next time.

 

[nkereina]

is tip included? Ive never heard that before.
will ask in the main tip thread.

No... it's $32.99/$11.99 PLUS tax & tip... meaning tax and tip are in addition to these prices.