Keep or cancel Fantasmic package?

[icunurss]

We have a lunch reservation with the F! package at Mama Melrose. When we made it, F! was only going to be done twice during our stay. Now it is going to be shown every night. But there may also be increased crowds due to free dining. We would probably otherwise not dine at MM (at least during this stay), but with 2 young and impatient children, we like the idea of knowing that we will get in without having to stand in long lines. So, keep the reservation to be safe? Or will the lines be much shorter with the increased number of shows? Thanks for the help!

 

[minnie mum]

Depends on a couple of things. Are you on the dining plan? Then you would have to try to find another TS meal. If you are going during free dining, and the trip is coming up soon, then availability may be a problem. If you are not on the dining plan, you still need to decide on a replacement for MMs.

Even if the crowds for F. on the evening you are going are lighter than normal, and it is not an evening EMH, and the predicted crowd levels are low (not a holiday week) you will probably have to be in line 45 minutes before the show. You would have to play it by ear when it comes to lining up. If it looks like it will be a crowded night, then you would have to line up even earlier.

So it's up to you to cancel or not. We always take the dining package since A)We always have the DDP B)We would be making a TS ADR at HS anyway C)We hate waiting in long lines longer than 30 min. YMMV

Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

[memakwed]

I would keep it for the same reason you booked it originally. We have the same situation. What could be better than not waiting with kids in a huge line for anywhere between 45 minutes and longer. Don't worry keep what you have.

 

[SYLVESTER7577]

The only disadvantage to you reservation is that the entrance you take to Fastasmic has always been to the right side of the theater. If your reservation is later than sooner than you could be to the far far right. We have gone also w/o the package and got good center seating w/o much of a problem. The center of the theater offers a lot better view. If you keep your reservation you would have both choices then depending on the lateness of your arrival and the crouds.

 

[Disney grandma]

You don't have to stand in line, the people go into the theater fairly fast once it is opened. You will have to sit and wait until the show starts, or one of you could hold your seats and the other bring the children in closer to the actual show time.

 

[nkereina]

Once they announced F! will now be every night during our trip, we decided to cancel the package and chance it. Before cancelling, I was assured on these boards that since it's offered every night, it will help to even out the crowd levels so each show won't be *as* crowded. Now, we can eat where we want at a normal dinner hour. They even added a second show the night we are going, worst case scenario.

 

[FourBees]

I was thinking about cancelling our Fantasmic package also as we are going to be eating at Hollywood and Vine and I have heard nothing but bad about it. There looks to be a showing everynight except one while we are there. Should we keep the reservation or should we be okay to eat somewhere better and go after?

 

[dvcterry]

once they open up, everyone will start moving in for seats, no more lines; however the restaurants (Hollywood & Vine, MM, Brown Derby are very, very busy Fantasmic nights). i still recommend getting in early before showtime and getting a good seat. don't wait until 30 min. before show (there were hardly any seats left). AT least 45 min. prior.

 

[Disney grandma]

The show can be seen from anywhere in the theater, so even if you come in a little later you should be able to get seats. I don't mind the back row but there are others who want to be up front. We went to the first show on a night in July and got there an hour before and sat midway in the center section, so there were plenty of places but it did fill in fast. They do sell food inside the theater area, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, drinks.