Is the Fantasmic package worth it?

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

We've done F! H&V Package
and F! HBD Package....

I would NEVER hope to experience F! withOUT an F! dining package...however I am looking forward to trying MM's F! Package...

H&V is a buffet.... it satisfied ALL the family... and we got our $$ worth.

With HBD... was just DS and I... we had 1 appy each.. entree...drink and dessert... about $110 for both with tax/tip. I just was NOT that impressed with the food. I WOULD go back though and try the Cobb salad... and perhaps some other dishes...

BUT I was still very satisfied with the F! Package as we got Great seats with NO waiting. Albeit... I've not been in January...

Have a Wonderful time !

Mary

 

[DisneyFamily123]

That is my understanding as well.

1 DDP credit... and includes appetizers whether or not you are on the deluxe DDP. If you choose Hollywood Brown Derby - that's 2 DDP Credits

 

[kpalomino]

We were there Christmas week. We walked right in to the early show. I couldn't believe it! I don't know if we were lucky or what? But, we enjoyed the show. It was very very cold that night. When we got out of the show, the late show already had a line all the way down the street. I couldn't believe it!

 

[left210]

I saw online that the F! seats are on the far right of the theater. So are they still good seats? Can you see everything ok? I figured since they were reserved they would be front and center. I guess from reading everything on here they would still be worth it to avoid the crowds but you still have to get there 35 minutes early with F! package.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I saw online that the F! seats are on the far right of the theater. So are they still good seats? Can you see everything ok? I figured since they were reserved they would be front and center. I guess from reading everything on here they would still be worth it to avoid the crowds but you still have to get there 35 minutes early with F! package.

The Fantasmic seats are on the right side of the theater, but not the "far" right. When you enter, you can sit anywhere there's an empty seat... you do not have to sit in the reserved seating. But our F! seats were fine. In 2009, we sat close to center but about the 10th row from the back (top). Perfect! Quick exit to get snacks before the show started (concession stands right outside there), and a quick exit ahead of the crowd when the show was over. In 2010, we sat center again but much closer, about 3/4 way from the back to the front row. That was close enough. When the fire was on the water, the heat really hit us (felt good, it was cold outside).. like sitting close to a roaring campfire. Both times we entered about 30-40 minutes before the show and plenty of other seating too..... but we went during less busy times of year so getting there early and enjoying a drink, beer, snack, etc. while waiting is better.

I don't have a map, but I think this post does.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I Totally agree.... I loved the Fantasmic Dining seats...

I can't imagine why anyone would think they are "bad" seats... I mean the theater sits... (What) 7,000 people?

I would think there are VERY few 'bad' seats there at all...and they definitely arent' Fantasmic seating.

Hugs,
Mary

PS: For folks who think 30 minutes is a long time to wait.... please don't... DS and I arrived there right at F! Dining time... and were just able to settle in and get comfortable. Then the WHOLE Theater started the "WAVE" which entertained for a bit and next thing you knew the show started. We didn't feel as if we waited at all....

 

[p&tbrown]

We did this for our entire party when we got married at WDW. Even though you pay more for this package, you are not "reserved" at Fantasmic. We arrived about 30 minutes before and the "reserved" area wa already filled up. NO remorse by the CM who said that you didn't actually have a reserved seat, just access to the reserved location.

 

[Jenzerbenz]

OK - I have been browsing the boards, and I am still confused by the Fantasmic Package Question. I thought I had booked this when I booked the Brown Derby for the night of 3/26. But then it didn't show up when I pulled up my dining reservations. So I called the Disney Dining number and she said there was not Fantasmic package in the system for that night. But now I look at the disney website and it says Fantasmic is playing that day. Do I need to call back and book "the package" or do my Brown Derby reservations automatically get me in. I am confused.

 

[LJSquishy]

OK - I have been browsing the boards, and I am still confused by the Fantasmic Package Question. I thought I had booked this when I booked the Brown Derby for the night of 3/26. But then it didn't show up when I pulled up my dining reservations. So I called the Disney Dining number and she said there was not Fantasmic package in the system for that night. But now I look at the disney website and it says Fantasmic is playing that day. Do I need to call back and book "the package" or do my Brown Derby reservations automatically get me in. I am confused.

You need to specifically book under the Fantasmic Dinner Package. You can do that online if you'd like here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/fantasmic-meal-packages/ and click on 'Make a Reservation'. If you are on a dining plan, you need to make sure you link it to your reservation. It will require a credit card number to make the reservation. If you do not show up for your dinner reservation you will be billed a small fee. If you are on the DDP, Brown Derby is 2TS credits per person. If paying out of pocket, that is not relevent. A regular reservation made for Brown Derby does NOT entitle you to the Fantasmic special seating, so you will need to cancel that reservation and rebook specifically under the Fantasmic package. I hope this is helpful and answers your question.

 

[luvmy3boyz]

Does anyone know if there will be no showings of Fantasmic from 01/29/12 thru 02/04/12? We are going at that time, and the calendar here says no showings of Fantasmic. If you try to book a dining package on the Disney World site, those dates (as well as a block before and after) are in shadow and do not let you click on them.

Thanks!

 

[LJSquishy]

Does anyone know if there will be no showings of Fantasmic from 01/29/12 thru 02/04/12? We are going at that time, and the calendar here says no showings of Fantasmic. If you try to book a dining package on the Disney World site, those dates (as well as a block before and after) are in shadow and do not let you click on them.

Thanks!

The information is correct - Fantasmic will be closed for refurbishment during your stay (most of January and into the second week of February to be exact). My husband and I actually pushed back our February travel dates by one week to accommodate Fantasmic. I'm sorry you won't be able to see it!

 

[Belle's Castle]

We are trying to decide if the F! package is worth it. We are looking at Mama Melrosa as we have always enjoyed our meals but...I can not seem to find anywhere how much this package is??? We will be paying out of pocket for our meals. Can anyone help me out??

THANKS

 

[mjp12831]

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.

After doing the F package 3 times, I'd say definately not.

I've had 2 really poor meals at MM, and most of the apps are for 2, which they won't let you get in a portion for 1. The sauce at MM is terrible. We were seated 1 hour and 15 minutes after our ADR. Not worth it.

HBD meal is ok, but for 2 TS credits on DDP, no, not worth it.

Also have eaten at HV (not F pkg), and that's not anything I'd go back to.

In addition, the seats you get for the F pkg aren't that great

I love the F! show, but next year I'm taking our chances on getting in.

 

[LJSquishy]

We are trying to decide if the F! package is worth it. We are looking at Mama Melrosa as we have always enjoyed our meals but...I can not seem to find anywhere how much this package is??? We will be paying out of pocket for our meals. Can anyone help me out??

THANKS

The Fantasmic package itself does not cost anything extra aside from paying for your meals. Mama Melrose is somewhere around $35 per adult I believe, and I'm not sure what the kids meal price is there (I don't have children). It is a price fixe menu meaning you order one appetizer, one entree, and a dessert from several listed choices in each category for a fixed price. When you leave, you will receive tickets for the reserved seating area for Fantasmic. You're still supposed to arrive at least 30 minutes early to the show.

 

[latmck]

OP, thanks for posting this question. I am undecided on reserving this package cause we want to see Fantasmic!, but want to eat at 50 Prime Time. We are going in May 2012. I looked this past May, & Fantasmic was showing twice every night of our stay. Should we chance it or not?