Looking for expert advice

[twokids0204]

Allright DISer's, I trust your advice....

Here's my situation.

I want to see Fantasmic. Mama Melrose is booked solid with the Fantasmic package.

1) I got a reservation at Hollywood and Vine but it's to early for my liking - 4:30 pm, I have also read H&V is not very good. But it includes the Fantasmic pass.

2) I was able to get a reservation at Mama Melrose for a better time - 5:55 pm, but it does not include the Fantasmic package.

Which Reservation should I keep - and why?

And how long before the 8:30 showing of Fantasmic do I have to be there to get a seat for the family (kids 4 and 6).

I am going with the majority. Your opinion counts.

 

[KatMark]

Allright DISer's, I trust your advice....

Here's my situation.

I want to see Fantasmic. Mama Melrose is booked solid with the Fantasmic package.

1) I got a reservation at Hollywood and Vine but it's to early for my liking - 4:30 pm, I have also read H&V is not very good. But it includes the Fantasmic pass.

2) I was able to get a reservation at Mama Melrose for a better time - 5:55 pm, but it does not include the Fantasmic package.

Which Reservation should I keep - and why?

And how long before the 8:30 showing of Fantasmic do I have to be there to get a seat for the family (kids 4 and 6).

I am going with the majority. Your opinion counts.

Personally, you could not pay us to eat at H&V. We always go to Mama Melrose and have always had good food and great service. That being said, with young ones they might prefer H&V more and then you have the seats for Fantasmic. I read on another thread recently that with the show being cut back to only so many days a week that people are being turned away.

 

[webray]

Mama melroses is disgusting, hollywood and vine we haven't been to in a long time.
We didn't find the fantasmic package to be any benefit at all.

Eat where you want, attend fantasmic..don't worry about anything else.

 

[pumba]

remember that alot of people have different likes and dislikes.......I, for one, Like H & V . They had plenty of choices and had enough choices for all of our group......two sixty year olds, three thirties, one college kid, one high school and two kiddos.......we all have plenty of choices and enjoyed it..
SO remember that we are all different......Hope you go and have a great time.

 

[twokids0204]

Anyone else?

 

[MissionMouse]

I don't really remember the food at H&V, so in hindsight it would appear I was not impressed.

The things I remember is slow service and this is a place all they do is bring-refresh drinks and remove plates. The floor was very dirty and the food lines were poorly maintained with most food offerings near empty and food residue found on the serving line and floor. There was also no noticable effort being made by the staff to address these issues in a timely manner.

This was our experience with the Fantasmic Dining offering at H&V. I would advise to go to H&V when they first open ...

 

[DisDreaminMom]

We were there in December with the H&V Fantasmic pckage. We had a 3:50 ADR. It worked out great. We slept in that AM (till 8:00) had a snack at the bakery when we got to DHS right at opening (don't forge to run get your FP for Toy Story Mania before 10am), ate at Prime Time cafe at 11:10am (which was great, because it was totally empty when we got there and packed like sardines when we left. We had server all to ourselves the majority of the meal- was fun because our server was cool.

Our meal at H & V was also nice because we were there so early that no one was in the place. We walked up and got anything we wanted, plus everything had just been made because it's the 1st seating. I thought the food was good, nothing made me go "yuck" but I enjoyed all the food we ate that week). We ate until 5:00 (our waitress was very nice, too- even put our drinks in to go cups) and then rode a few rides until we went to get our seats around 6 ish. I was glad we got the package because it is just completely packed for that show and it will get worse when they reduce # of shows.

We had a great day- one of the better days of our trip because we didn't have to wait for ever to get into our ADR's and kids didn't get completely worn out being inpatient.

That's just my $.02.

 

[twokids0204]

I am leaning towards H&V ... someone want to talk me out of it?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I am leaning towards H&V ... someone want to talk me out of it?

Nope.

It was going to be my suggestion, although, you didn't mention BD. Way better food wise but more expensive. The food is OK at H&V. Nothing that makes you go but there are better buffet's at WDW. Boma's it isn't. It won't be a killer memorable meal but there WILL be something there for you to eat including the standard kid's stuff.

We love the Fantasmic! package. It would be the only way we would do the show. It saves so much valuable touring time. Everyone is at the show and no one on the rides. Even just walking around the park enjoying the Art Deco motif is far better then killing time on a rather stiff bench. (We bring blankets to sit on).

When to show up? 7:55 Five minutes before all the people planning on showing up 8 get there. They will open the seating to all comers about 15 minutes before the start of the show so there is a chance you will lose your seat if you get there after 8:15.

If you're asking this question you are a planner who will worry about getting to the show. Take the worry out of the vacation and go to H&V.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[disneygal2007]

The only thing you get from the Package is no line. You don't have to wait in line to get into the pavilion. We have done it with and without and that was the only difference. Myself my family had a good time waiting in line. We talked and got to know some other disney lovers.

 

[twokids0204]

If you're asking this question you are a planner who will worry about getting to the show. Take the worry out of the vacation and go to H&V.

Let us know how it goes.

You read me like a book...

 

[ktlm]

I've heard Fantasmic is an absolute nightmare to try to get in right now since they have cut back the days they are showing it. We were there in December before the cut, so I can't verify that. Because of that, I would say keep the dining package. We did the Mama Melrose Fantasmic package in December. We had to eat dinner at 3:35 because it was the only time we could get the entire week we were there. My DD is just under 3, so even with the early dinner it was definitely worth it to us not to have to wait over an hour before the show.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I'm debating what to do with the package. I've heard lots of negative comments about the seats for the package. Are they really that bad? I'm willing to wait in line if its really necessary. We are coming a long way and I don't want to regret anything.

 

[twokids0204]

I'm debating what to do with the package. I've heard lots of negative comments about the seats for the package. Are they really that bad? I'm willing to wait in line if its really necessary. We are coming a long way and I don't want to regret anything.

Another valid point... If the seats are not as good, is it really worth it.

OR - if we get in with the package... can we still choose to sit in general admission in hopes of finding a better viewing location?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Another valid point... If the seats are not as good, is it really worth it.

OR - if we get in with the package... can we still choose to sit in general admission in hopes of finding a better viewing location?

I know from my experience the times we get there, the reserved seats are the best ones left. They are right of center but you can get closer then the general admission, which was often standing room only. Plus they are closer to the exit, another plus to be ahead of the crowds.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I'm debating what to do with the package. I've heard lots of negative comments about the seats for the package. Are they really that bad? I'm willing to wait in line if its really necessary. We are coming a long way and I don't want to regret anything.

Only you can decide if you want to give up valuable park time to sit and wait. Yes they probably are perfect dead center just a few rows up that if you're one of the first people in the theatre and wait you will get.

But IMHO they aren't that much better and I really think I couldn't have enjoyed the show any more then I did from reserved section. We didn't miss a thing. If you calculate how much you've spent on park tickets, flights and rooms per hour in the park, I think it is worth it for just one more ride on R&RR or TGMR or even just meandering in the shops.

This is just my opinion. Yes, it is a must do and if you really want the perfect seat then it might be worth it for you. If you are in the reserved seats you still won't miss a thing so I wouldn't regret it.