Is the Fantasmic Dinner Package worth it??

[Fooboy]

So is the package worth the cost? Is the seating that much better than the regular seating?

thnx,
foobs

 

[Epcotgal8]

There are going to be a lot of people who will disagree with me but in OUR family's case we have never felt the need to do the dinner package and never regretted or had a problem not doing so. What time of year are you going? We have never been to WDW during a holiday week which can mean lots of people so if you are going then maybe it will be good for you. In our case, we are ready for a break by that time of day. We usually stay in the theater's vicinity and watch to see when people start lining up. We do usually go in 45 minutes before the show, but once seated we get snacks and drinks and relax before the show. The time seems to fly and we have always (4 times) had great seats in the middle. My dh is the only one of the 5 of us that can eat an appetizer, entree, and a dessert so the package wouldn't be cost effective for us. The rest of us tend to share an appetizer, all order an entree and split a couple of desserts. That's just us though so enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[pewing]

Last December we did the package and ate at Mama Melrose. The meal was excellent and then we casually strolled over to the show. We were off to the right side, but the view was great and we loved it.

It is an expensive meal if you go the MM route, but the food was very good.

 

[Fooboy]

i am going during the worst crowds ever. the dreaded week right after christmas (26th-01/01/04). I was thinking about just cancelling the sci fi dining and go with the Fantasmic package. it wouldn't be THAT much more expensive. But i sorta wanted to check out the Hollywood Brown Derby. That's sounds pretty cool.

foobs

 

[pumba]

with or without the pkg word on it......we always like to go to the Fantasmic show anyways......and we love the buffet at H&V so we just did two in one.......

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

We did it without the package last October (around October 22) and we didn't have aproblem getting seats (family of 5). We probably went about 20 minutes before the start and the seats were definitely towards the back - but the view was fine.

Good luck!

 

[LvsTnk]

When it is busy, yes I think it is worth it. Now, on my last trip(no package) we went 2x's the first we walked in at showtime and were fine. Not the greatest seats but it was a last minute decision. The second time we got burgers at Rosie's and sat down a little earlier with GREAT seats.

I didn't know HV was the same price with or without the package, I would definately do that especially when crowds are at peak.

 

[jdads2]

I would agree that if it is busy and you know that you don't want to wait in line then do the dinner package. We have done it both ways and because we go during less crowded seasons we won't get the dinner package. We manage to wait in line for maybe 30 minutes, get some goodies to munch on and get into the show. We end up geting center section seats right up front.

I have read on these boards that there are no bad seats for this show. Well, I sort of agree with that. There may not be bad seats but some are much better than others.The first time we saw it we sat in the dinner package section and although I enjoyed the show I didn't think it was a "do not miss". I was in much, much better seats when we waited in line and I could not believe the difference, I honestly thought that they changed the show from the first time we saw it.

I hope this helps.

 

[Hadjii]

We did the dinner package and went to H&V. The food was so-so but we didn't care because we were excited about getting great seats. Surprise. Seats were off to the side and not so great. The people who waited in the line were seated center. We'll skip it next time.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We have done it both ways. In sweating hot august no less. First time with just standing in line. We waited about 1 1/2 hours. We got excellent seats, dead center, mickey section I think it was called. I dont remember. It was a long wait in line and a long wait sitting on the benchs waiting for the show. This aug. we took the pkg. at hollywood and vine. We have 2 teenage ds with bottomless stomachs and our plan is only 1 good meal a day so we would have went there anyway. The food was decent as we have ate there before. Yes the seats are off to the right in the witch section, but after putting up with crowds and weather I am glad we had the pkg. and did not have to wait in the line. Whatever restraunt you choose since you are going at a very, very busy time I would seriously consider it and as soon as you can make a ps do it. You will be glad you did. Just a side note. On the night of our pkg. they had 2 shows of fantasmic, so technically we didnt have to do it but we wanted the food. and also the latest seating they offered us caused us to miss the stars and cars parade, but we had the ftp and knew we could see it another day. If your trip is limited, consider this also.

 

[sanilacjack]

I too was wondering about this. We will be there 11/28 - 12/06. Everyone has said that this it a slow time of year.
Was wondering if we need a package or not. I do have one booked toward the end of our stay. I thought maybe if we was able to catch it toward the start of our trip, I might cancel our ressie.
-Kim

 

[FloridaCat]

If there is two shows the day you want to see it you can skip the dinner part as the crowds are a lot smaller at the second seating. We grab a Burger at Rosies and wait until the rope drops.
A must see show.

 

[BCVNovember]

If you get the dinner package, do you have to sit in the reserved area? I might end up needing to sit closer to the back...

 

[FloridaCat]

Reserved area seats run front to back

 

[princess lovers mom]

I think it depends why you want to do the package
..don't do it if you think you a re going to get the best seats, as mentioned they are way off to the right side
...do it if you absolutely HATE standing in lines

we actually do not mind standing then getting in there and grabbing quic fare type foods...better seats...

 

[Fooboy]

the prob is that it's going to be a couple of days after christmas. hence, LOTS OF PEOPLE!!! so i was hoping that this would save a bit of time. plus the H&V package is only 19.99 per person so I figure it's not THAT bad. or am i dead wrong...

foobs

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

The thing is, even if you *do* skip the package and wait in line, there's no guarantee that you'll get the center section. You could end up being way over on the far *left* side. I've been in both the center section and the far right dinner pkg section, and while I agree that the view is somewhat better in the center, to me it's definitely not so much better that it's worth spending all that time in line, especially at a busy time of year, and most especially with kids! I'd vote for the dinner package route for sure.

 

[Pluto2003]

are you allowed out of your reserved section to sit elsewhere at any point in time? We are going in the middle of the week before Thanksgiving week. A slow time, I am thinking. Thank you in advance for all your advice to those of us that have never seen the show

 

[Cinderella37]

We always do the dinner package at the Brown Derby (in July). Not only will you have more free time by not standing in line, it's completely stress free! Enjoy dinner, take a stroll to the theater and arrive with a seat. I've only ever seen Fantasmic from the reserved section - the very first year Fantasmic arrived at MGM, my fiance and I did the dinner package. When he saw the hordes of people waiting in line, my fiance decided that we better get used to the view from reserved seating rather than stand in that line! The view is wonderful, though, as the action occurs in all three sections or high enough that it is easily viewed.

 

[BCVNovember]

Originally posted by Pluto2003
are you allowed out of your reserved section to sit elsewhere at any point in time? We are going in the middle of the week before Thanksgiving week. A slow time, I am thinking. Thank you in advance for all your advice to those of us that have never seen the show

This is my question also. Am I restricted to the "reserved section" by doing the package? Can I move else where if there are seats open?

Thanks!