Is the F! or other dinner packages worth it?

[mrsp1030]

We've never booked one of these packages and tomorrow is my ADR date. Trying to decide if it is worth the cost or not. My biggest fear is someone gets sick, or something happens that day and we can't make the show in the evening with the kids.

 

[tomatecerise]

If you are on dining plan Mama Melrose is the best bet. The steak there is soooo good! I love the sampler dessert Plate, all is In My taste. And you have an appetizer of your choice (the flat breads are include)

 

[kastoney]

It depends when you are going to me. We typically go during slower seasons (Jan/Feb or Sep) and you really don't need it as we've had no trouble getting into Fantasmic. But if you're going during a busier season and don't want to use FP on it it may be "worth" it to ensure yourself a seat

 

[Hopefully]

We've never booked one of these packages and tomorrow is my ADR date. Trying to decide if it is worth the cost or not. My biggest fear is someone gets sick, or something happens that day and we can't make the show in the evening with the kids.

I see this is the 2nd "Is it worth it" thread you have started today. What does " worth" mean to you? It is different for everyone. Is it cost - you mentioned that in both threads? Is it the food? Is it the setting? Is it the overall experience?
In my opinion Disney is expensive. You will pay more on site than off. Is it worth it? Only you know for you and your family. As you can see from you 'OHana thread, there are strong opinions both ways. This is true of every restaurant.

 

[wilkeliza]

We like them very much and think every penny is worth it. We do the table service meals in the parks anyways so we see it as paying a small surcharge for the FP on a meal we would have eaten anyways.

 

[minnie mum]

We've never booked one of these packages and tomorrow is my ADR date. Trying to decide if it is worth the cost or not. My biggest fear is someone gets sick, or something happens that day and we can't make the show in the evening with the kids.

A F! Dining package is no different than any other ADR. You can cancel up to midnight the night before. We always do the package since we prefer a TS meal every day anyway, and F! is a family favorite.

If your primary fear is a "day of" change of plan or illness, then this would apply to any ADR. In that case, don't make any ADRs. Eat at CS restaurants or only make TS reservations "day of". Opt for a F! FP instead, or go standby.

 

[Disney mac]

Throwing this out there: last year fantasmic was canceled on day of my dining reservation and they let me use it any day in the next 4-5 days

 

[jsutherin1]

Just to play a little devil's advocate you are still not guaranteed a seat even with the dining package. If you show up at the last minute you can still be turned away at the gate. Still plan on getting in line at least 30 minutes prior to show time during a peak season. If you get turned away they will honor that ticket up to 3 nights after though but it may not be in your scheduled time available to return.

 

[crabbygal902]

In my experience during slower times of the year, no. If available, the 2nd show is generally less crowded and it is easier to just attend that one. If you are going during a peak time, then I would recommend booking the package.

 

[jon18uk]

If you would plan to have a table service meal in DHS at one of the places on the package and don't mind potentially eating a little early (most of the reservations for the package are around 4pm/4:30) then go for it.
But if you wouldn't do these meals anyway it's less point getting the package.

 

[JerseyJanice]

When we did our Free Dining trips in 2008, 2009 and 2010, Mama Melrose was a deal! You got an appetizer plus the Fantasmic ticket for 1 TS credit.

I'm not as sure it's a good deal paying cash, but if I can get an ADR for our next trip, I will because the Fantasmic ticket is a nice convenience.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[minnie mum]

Just to play a little devil's advocate you are still not guaranteed a seat even with the dining package. If you show up at the last minute you can still be turned away at the gate. Still plan on getting in line at least 30 minutes prior to show time during a peak season. If you get turned away they will honor that ticket up to 3 nights after though but it may not be in your scheduled time available to return.

If you follow the directions given to you, then your seats are guaranteed. From the website:.

Plan to arrive for Fantasmic! seating at Hollywood Hills Amphitheater 20 to 30 minutes prior to showtime.

If the theatre is approaching capacity, they will open the reserved seats in the Dining package and FP sections after that time.

 

[jsutherin1]

Unfortunately that was not the case for us last September. They turned away a lot of us that were in line 20 minutes in advance. It is not a guaranteed seat. I paid extra for the package and could not use the passes. I could have just went with the regular dining reservation and saved the 20% with my TIW had I known it was not a guarantee to get in. They said we could wait for the second show but we had to stay in line the whole time. They shut down all of the lines including stand by fastpass and dining package almost 30 minutes prior to the show due to the capacity.

 

[mrsp1030]

I think I will try and book it and see how it goes....My DH really wants to see it and so we will try it out! Fingers crossed it works tomorrow AM!

 

[mommycrawford]

Just want to mention that the show can be cancelled due to weather, so there is always a little risk. Many here say getting it as a fourth fastpass isn't that hard.

 

[kevgraub]

A F! Dining package is no different than any other ADR. You can cancel up to midnight the night before.

Just wanted to mention that I received an e-mail this morning for our ADR at H&V Fantasmic dinner next week. That e-mail said that we had to cancel 2 days in advance, rather than the typical 1 day. No idea if it is really the rule or not, but wanted to throw it out that there might a different cancellation rule for the dining packages now.

 

[newestkg06]

If Fantasmic is a high priority to you (it wasn't for us last time, but will be this time), and you enjoy table service meals, I think it's a good value (particularly on the dining plan). We are hoping to get free dining again next year, and this is one of the ADR's we're looking for. H&V pre park opening breakfast, a small snack for lunch, and early dinner (4?) at Mama Melrose is our plan for DHS.

 

[sallytigger]

Last June we did the F! package at Hollywood and Vine. It stormed that night and the show was canceled. We knew that was a risk and were willing to take it. I've booked one at HBD in June this year but keep thinking we should cancel.