Is the Fantasmic package worth it?

[Jaimie1911]

On my HS day I have lunch at the 50's PT and dinner after Fantasmic at Cape May Cafe. Should I switch these for a late lunch at the Brown Derby w/ the Fantasmic package? I am going in late Jan so I am not sure if I should worry too much about getting a good seat This is a must do this trip since my husband and I have never seen it.
Thanks!

 

[essom71]

I can't say about crowds but if you are on the regular dining plan an appitizer is included at Mama melrose on the fantasmic plan.

 

[jmhazlett]

The Fantasmic packages tend to go fast so book early. Is it worth it? It depends on the crowds - It the park is busy it is definately worth it since you get a good seat and avoid having to wait a long time.

 

[Tinkerbell2B]

I am not sure of the crowd levels either since we are always there in March and always use the F! Dining package. I would just look on line and see what is available at this point for the day you are looking at. I would also consider how much you wanted to eat at the other restaurants that you would be missing out on by eating at HBD. If they are a must do, I would see if they could be done on another day. It is nice not having to line up way early to get into F! That might not be an issue in January. I have the package booked in March with HBD. Just see what is available and that may make the decision for you!!

 

[larryz]

We just did it, at the HBD (13 Dec), and loved it (2 TS credits). The food was great, the show -- well, we wanted to see it and we have.

 

[luvdisney00]

We do it in the summer because of the crowds, but not sure if you'd need it in January. We love Mama Melrose and have never been disappointed in our meal there, although I would rate it as "Olive Garden" type quality. Different than HBD for sure, but 1 credit difference.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

On my HS day I have lunch at the 50's PT and dinner after Fantasmic at Cape May Cafe. Should I switch these for a late lunch at the Brown Derby w/ the Fantasmic package? I am going in late Jan so I am not sure if I should worry too much about getting a good seat This is a must do this trip since my husband and I have never seen it.
Thanks!

I'm not sure about the Jan. crowds, that's not supposed to be a crowded time. I'll guess you will not have a problem. Even if you sit in the very back/top row, it's still a great view of Fantasmic and a fast exit when the show is over.

The fantasmic dinner, if available, would be around 4pm at the latest. I really liked 50s Prime Time but the food and milkshakes (you have to get a milkshake there!) are very filling. Even if our lunch was at 11am, there's no way I'd be hungry at 4pm.

Have fun! 50s Prime Time and Brown Derby are two of our favorites (reviews at link below). Didn't care so much for Mama Melrose in 2009, and SciFi's food is just OK, but I'll go there anyway because DS likes sitting in the cars and watching the old movie clips.

 

[Jaimie1911]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I ended up going for the Brown Derby fantasmic package. I decided to drop 50's PT and and move Cape May to one of our Epcot days. I am excited to try something new! Does anyone know if the F! package still includes an appetizer?

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes, the Fantasmic package still includes appetizer.

 

[Jenn504]

I think you made the right choice. We were there end of last Jan. It was very crowded. It was not fun standing in that long line and having to be herded in like cattle. We didn't have bad seats, I don't think there is a bad one but the waiting was not fun. I am pretty sure since it doesn't play nearly as often, it will be packed every time. Next time we will get the package to avoid the long lines.

 

[Redwitch]

I think you made the right choice. We were there end of last Jan. It was very crowded. It was not fun standing in that long line and having to be herded in like cattle. We didn't have bad seats, I don't think there is a bad one but the waiting was not fun. I am pretty sure since it doesn't play nearly as often, it will be packed every time. Next time we will get the package to avoid the long lines.

ITA. We waited for 45 minutes in line before they opened the 'GATES" and then experienced a very scary, pushing crowd to enter the theater. This was Jan/Feb. I will never again go to Fantasmic without the dinner package. Even with low crowds, the limited showings make for a large turnout.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

ITA. We waited for 45 minutes in line before they opened the 'GATES" and then experienced a very scary, pushing crowd to enter the theater. This was Jan/Feb. I will never again go to Fantasmic without the dinner package. Even with low crowds, the limited showings make for a large turnout.

I agree with this 100%.
I don't care if I have to eat bread and water for my Fantasmic Pkg dinner. I will never attempt to see it again without one. We went to the second showing hoping that would help with the crowds..NOPE it was waiting for them to open the gates, then it was a mad, scary, rush...adults were literally pushing little kids out of the way...NEVER again will I put my family through that!
I already booked the package for May.

 

[Jaimie1911]

Glad I booked it then, I am not a fan of crowds or pushing . Plus the Brown Derby menu looks really good! Can't wait to try the Cobb salad and grapefruit cake!

 

[Mary T in PA]

Thanks everyone for your responses, I ended up going for the Brown Derby fantasmic package. I decided to drop 50's PT and and move Cape May to one of our Epcot days. I am excited to try something new! Does anyone know if the F! package still includes an appetizer?

We did this last summer and it worked out well for us. Hope you have a great time!!

 

[goofy4prez]

ITA. We waited for 45 minutes in line before they opened the 'GATES" and then experienced a very scary, pushing crowd to enter the theater. This was Jan/Feb. I will never again go to Fantasmic without the dinner package. Even with low crowds, the limited showings make for a large turnout.

I agree with this 100%.
I don't care if I have to eat bread and water for my Fantasmic Pkg dinner. I will never attempt to see it again without one. We went to the second showing hoping that would help with the crowds..NOPE it was waiting for them to open the gates, then it was a mad, scary, rush...adults were literally pushing little kids out of the way...NEVER again will I put my family through that!
I already booked the package for May.

I agree with both of you. We also saw Fantasmic this past August and will never do this again unless I do it with the dinner package. I thought TSM and rope drop was hazardous to your health, my experience was darn frightening.

Prior to opening the entrance (and Disneys herding) we had mass cutting, threats, and heated confrontations around us, all the while no cm called security(I started a thread in August on this). Once they opened the gates, I truly was scared for my dd and her friend getting hurt in the mass herding of humans as though they were cattle. Even worse, was the behavior to these so called people of "intelligent life." Never again.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

five trips and on four we have attempted to get to fantasmic. (Second trip we even had the fantasmic package but DH felt ill after our meal and we ended up going back to our resort )

This last trip we decided to head over on the first night of our trip as Fantasmic was only showing on the Sunday night and also the Thursday night (we had MNSSHP tickets for the thursday).

We got to DHS one hour before the show and after going through security and heading straight to the theater must have arrived between 40 and 50 minutes before the show. It was already full so we were walking back away from the theater before 7pm. Next trip we intend trying again and booking the fantasmic package once more.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Can someone add clarification - The fantasmic! package will only use 1 DDP credit Per Person for Mama Melrose??? We booked it for June and Im pretty sure that is the way I was reading it...

 

[CathieArms]

Can someone add clarification - The fantasmic! package will only use 1 DDP credit Per Person for Mama Melrose??? We booked it for June and Im pretty sure that is the way I was reading it...

That is my understanding as well.

 

[Dizzyworld]

Probably not a bad idea to go with the package since many of the showings are crowded since they do the show only on slected days unlike the fireworks at MK and EPCOT.

 

[sharona]

I just reluctantly booked a 3:45 "dinner" package at Mama Melrose's for a 9pm show after reading some of the stories about the crowds for this show. We're determined not to skip it this time.