Is The Fantasmic Dinner Package Worth It?

[Coconuts]

We did fantasmic last year and didn't have any problem getting in and getting a good seat, although we did have to wait about an hour for the show to start. Is it worth it to get the dinner package, and do you still have to get there just as early?

 

[kakiegirl]

If you go during the summer to us it is well worth it. We usually go in around 30 minutes before show time and walk right in and have no problem finding a seat. My family just does not have the patience to wait 1 1/2 hours. Some say the seating is not as good but we are fine with it. I think the stadium is set up so that all seats are good. The only problem is those famous Florida Thunderstorms if it does rain out you are just out your reserved seats you can not use them another night.

 

[Coconuts]

If you go during the summer to us it is well worth it. We usually go in around 30 minutes before show time and walk right in and have no problem finding a seat. My family just does not have the patience to wait 1 1/2 hours. Some say the seating is not as good but we are fine with it. I think the stadium is set up so that all seats are good. The only problem is those famous Florida Thunderstorms if it does rain out you are just out your reserved seats you can not use them another night.

Good point about a rainout--I didn't even think about that.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Not IMO. If you're planning to have dinner there anyway, then it can't hurt.

But I wouldn't eat there just to get the seats. The seats they give you are the worst of the seats available. And if it is rained out, you lose your money.

 

[Robo]

No one can predict exactly how large the crowds will be or how early you should go to find a seat for Fantasmic! on any given day.
It has totally to do with the whim of the crowd at DHS on that day, and the general crowd LEVELS.
How much time you wish to "invest" in waiting is a personal decision. We never do the formal Dinner Package, and have always seen the show (dozens of times).

(Take all of these as "average" numbers, sometimes the crowd will be MUCH greater and the theater can fill up much sooner.)

VERY Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 75-120 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
45-60 minutes before: Good seats
20-40 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests.

Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 50-60 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
40 minutes before: Good seats
25-35 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests. (The crowd of "last-minute" arrivals can be slow to get seated before show-time.)

Off-Season (not busy days):
You should be OK to enter by 10-20 minutes before, but you'll likely be seated to the outer edges, and/or way at the back.

If you do the Fantasmic! Dinner Pkg. you still SHOULD enter by AT LEAST 35 minutes (much "safer" at 45 minutes) before show-time and still be guaranteed "pretty good" seats (not my "first choice" area, but fine), regardless of crowd-levels. Remember, the DP is only valid for the first show of the evening, if there are 2 or more. If you do have DP and you spy some seats outside the DP "reserved" area, you are free to choose to sit anywhere outside that area you like, no problem.

If there are TWO Fantasmic! shows in one evening, the second one will have lower crowd level than the first one. You can arrive a bit later and still find a seat.

Be aware that the second show waiting area will LOOK like the show is "too crowded".
That's because they HOLD the 2nd crowd outside the theater while the CMs CLEAN it after the first crowd has exited.

Then, they will let those waiting together in that big group IN... all at once, and there will be PLENTY of room.

(The theater seats over 7,000 guests.)

When you enter the theater, there will be CMs along the way directing the flow of traffic, but you may (if you are early enough to have a choice) simply choose any open seats in the theater to be your own.
If you want to exit more quickly, choose a seat farther back and to towards audience-right.
If you want to be immersed in the show (and sometimes, immersed in water-mist, if the wind is blowing "in") choose a seat towards the front.

We like to eat our evening meal while waiting for Fantasmic! to start.
You can bring in items from the counter-service places in MGM, or they DO have concession stands at the rear of the theater serving "baseball stadium-type" food and drinks. Yes, even beer, sold strictly ONE-at-a-time, one-only-to-a-person, so a single person can't go and buy beer for other members of a group... all guests wanting to buy a beer must be present in-person at the counter.
We have a hot dog, maybe a pretzel, later some popcorn or cotton candy (Disney Health Food).
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_fan.htm
Click above for the "menu."

 

[lilsydney]

Just booked our Oct 2008 trip ( I know last minute!!)

no reservations open at any resturant for Fantasmic BUT after reading this I feel confident that we will get in anyway.

We tried it Jan with Hollywood and Vine BUT down pouring rain and tornado warnings cancelled the show

I really want to see it this time

Keep your fingers crossed for us please

 

[*disgal*]

We did fantasmic last year and didn't have any problem getting in and getting a good seat, although we did have to wait about an hour for the show to start. Is it worth it to get the dinner package, and do you still have to get there just as early?

We've done it twice because I caved to the pressure. Most people on here then said that was the only way to do it. I'm just not convinced.

If you want to eat at Brown Derby, then ok. It's expensive but it's the only package restaurant that I will eat at. I've heard so much bad about H & V, I'm shy about trying that one. And the ONLY bad meal in 12 trips to WDW that we have had was Mama Melrose. My DD's meal was unedible. It had gotten bad reviews before we went but I thought, oh, they are just exagerating.

So next time, if there is a next time since Fantasmic isn't our favorite night time entertainment, I will do what Robo does..........get some food and have a seat.

 

[*disgal*]

Robo...........thanks for the map. Is the way you exit in yellow also? I hate how long the exit is. I thought for sure we must have crossed the Florida state line by the time we were done!!

 

[disneychick0412]

Robo...........thanks for the map. Is the way you exit in yellow also? I hate how long the exit is. I thought for sure we must have crossed the Florida state line by the time we were done!!

I thought for sure we were going to end up having walked back
to Pop Century!!

 

[katallo]

Thanks so much for the map. What is the best exit strategy to leave and return to the BW area?

 

[Robo]

Robo...........thanks for the map. Is the way you exit in yellow also? I hate how long the exit is. I thought for sure we must have crossed the Florida state line by the time we were done!!

I thought for sure we were going to end up having walked back
to Pop Century!!

Thanks so much for the map. What is the best exit strategy to leave and return to the BW area?

Both Fantasmic! exit routes emerge deep in the park onto Sunset Blvd. (each on either side of the Beauty and the Beast Theater.)

The yellow line then, is the exit path to the front gates.

To go to the Epcot area resorts (or Epcot) follow the line either to the Friendship boat dock or take the walking path that goes all the way to the resorts and Epcot's Int'l. Gateway.

 

[just4today]

I wouldn't do it again. We did the Mama Melrose's package. The meal was 'eh' and it rained so we didn't even get to see Fantasmic that night. We came back a few days later for the second showing and had seats right in the middle. I would have been disappointed with the section they have reserved for the dinner packaged.

 

[USCGamecocks]

We went a few weeks ago and did just like Robo. We grabbed food at the CS restaurants along the way and took it in with us. We got there about 50-60 minutes ahead of the first show and had seats in one of the middile sections about 2/3 of the way up. We just could not see doing the package. We were one of about 20 families in there eating dinner with a bunch more looking like they wish they had brought food with them.

 

[Coconuts]

WOW Robo, what a response! Thanks for all the info; I think we will just enter with the throngs of people and forget about the package.

 

[snykymom]

We're going in January, when they've reduced the shows to 2 per week. D decided she wanted to eat at Brown Derby anyway, so we'll do the Fantasmic! package since no one can say what the lines will look like with the reduced showings.

If she didn't want Brown Derby, we'd probably take our chances.

 

[CalvaryMike]

DW and I are Southern California natives and I mentioned Fantasmic to her and she said she's never seen it. I can't tell you the number of time I've seen it at DLR. So, I thought I should add the Fantasmic Package to our December trip. After reading this thread, I'm following the advice here. No FP, we'll just bring in food.

Thanks all!

 

[LeesyUD]

We have found the FDP to be helpful in off season, some of the time. It is really hit or miss. If you are going during a slow or moderate time I would only do it if you are planning to eat at the Studios anyway. We have been to Mama Melrose's a few times but that is also hit or miss on the quality of the food. However, next time I really want to eat at Brown Derby anyway so I will do the FDP. However, if you are doing it in the summer or peak time - I would highly recommend considering the package bc those lines are crazy. And like others have said things could change with the reduction of the number of shows.

 

[Abharmagic]

I think it's worth it- we went in about 20 mins prior to show time and had plenty of choices for seating in the reserved area. We are doing it again this trip- with young kids I hate to wait long for anything- the kids en up having a melt-down.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We did a Package last year with Fantasmic, and quite frankly for our family, once was enough. Please no Flames!!! It was just ok for us, BTDT. That being said, we did eat at H & V, and the food was just ok. Nothing to write home about, Mama Melroses or Brown Derby might be better.

 

[Mrs.Bungle]

Helpful thread!... Me and my (f)DH are S. Cal residents and I love DL's Fantasmic. Due to the crowds though, we do our best to avoid the Fantasmic side of DL when the show is on (more fun to hit up line free rides at that time). I am REALLY looking forward to watching the show in an actual stadium with seating.

I was thinking of booking the dinner package just to get the reserved seating but after reading this I think too we are just going to wing it and show up a little early. The map was really great! Thanks!