MGM/Fantasmic question

[disneyfanfamily]

We are going to WDW in July. We have been to the other parks, but not MGM. I hear Fantasmic! is great. But reading through some of the other threads, I am confused. Do you have to do a dinner in order to see the show? Can you stay in line to see it? And is it a long line, or when should we start standing in line? Sorry is this is a silly question. But we want to be as prepared as possible before we head out! Thanks!

And if you have any other suggestions for MGM, please let me know!

Angela

 

[kandmwedding]

You do not have to have dinner in order to see Fantasmic. You can wait in line instead. You'll probably need to be in line about an hour before the show, whereas, with the dinner package, you only need to be in line for about 30 minutes before the show. The dinner package is nice, but only if you actually need the dinner. The amphitheater is very large and it's not likely to run out of seats unless it's a very busy day.

As for other MGM tips - go to RnR and ToT first to get fastpasses. Ride whichever one has the shorter line and get a fastpass for the other one. Then get a fastpass for the Stunt show. Plan all your other shows (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, etc) around these shows.

 

[champagnegirl26]

im new to disney this year but i know you do not have to take the dinner package to see fantasmic you can just join a line. Apparently its best to start queueing at least 1 hour before the show, if not more. If you book a dinner package you get seated in a reserved area so you dont need to stand in the long line with everyone else......but im sure someone more experienced will be along soon to fill you in!
Claire

 

[pumba]

we usually try to see it at least TWICE.........hahaha........We do enjoy the perk of getting the pkg and eating at Hollywood and Vine Buffet before. YUMMY .....the whole park is starting to get up and up and up......we love it there

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

They offer the Fantasmic Dinner Package which consists of an early dinner time at a few predetermined restaurants then gets you into the Fantasmic show via a back route. This allows you seating in a reserved area to view the show. This area is located on the right side of the stage. You still have to allow plenty of time to get seated before the show starts as this package doesn't guarantee you a prime seat for the show.

It is not necessary to use the dinner package to get into the Fantasmic show but the line waits will probably be long in July. I would suggest allowing at least an hour or wait for the second show (if they have one) if that fits into your schedule. The second show is usually not as crowded.

 

[babar41]

No, you don't have to do a dinner to see Fantasmic. You will want to start lining up at least an hour before the show. I agree with kndmwedding, it is a big place and chances are they won't run out of seats, but I have been there when they have! If you are going to have dinner at MGM I would suggest the dinner package because it makes it nicer not having to stand in line for an hour or more just waiting. With the package you are given a ticket to enter a different gate, you don't have to show up till 30 mins. before show, and you walk right in. No standing in line. I love that!

 

[NCombs]

Here is our experience from last June:

We did the package and ate at Hollywood & Vine. We really enjoyed it and we were going to eat somewhere so why not get the package.

I saw people in line at least 1 1/2 hours before the show.

We walked in about 30 minutes ahead of time and had very good seats. No standing in line at all. We just went straight into the theater.

The show did fill to capacity and this was on a rainy night.

 

[ducklovr]

We chose Mama Melrose as our FDP restaurant. We loved it. We loved almost all the food. The salad was delicious and very refreshing. Our appetizer was the grilled chicken flat bread. Our main courses consisted of Char Grilled Filet Mignon and Spicy Italian Sausage with rigatoni pasta. My SO was not fond of the pasta dish but my filet mignon was wonderful. Finally it was time for dessert. We respectfully declined. Our waitress asked again though and we caved. It is included in the package so why not. She brought out this beautiful piece of Honey Hazelnut and Ricotta Cheesecake. OMG, it was worth every bite!

 

[isyt]

Although you don't have to do the dinner package , why not? If you are eating dinner anyway its a great way to get into the show easier. I have done the dinner package several times and last June when we didn't do it and the theater was full it was dissapointing. We managed to get in but standing only with 3 small kids was not fun. I took a group of 23 in November and we ate at Hollywood and Vine and we all walked over to Fantasmic together and sat together, it was great. I already have my booking for Brown Derby in July and am taking another group in October ( MNNSHP here we come) and plan on H&V again.

If you choose not to do dinner get in line 60-90 minutes before. Good luck may the pixie dust be with you.

 

[Elfstar]

Fantasmic is wonderful! Instead of the dinner/show option, we chose to pick up counter service food (DBF loves those turkey legs!) - salads, drinks, and had a picnic in the amphitheater (having arrived 90 minutes before showtime)while waiting for the show. It gave us a little time to relax and made the wait for the show go much faster. (And it goes without saying to dispose of your trash properly - there are plenty of trashcans there.)

 

[blue_eyes5212]

How do you get the dinner package? We will need to eat anyway so it sounds better to do it that way!

 

[ducklovr]

How do you get the dinner package? We will need to eat anyway so it sounds better to do it that way!

Easy stuff! All you do is call 1-407-WDW-DINE. Tell them you want the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Make sure you pick a couple of dates before you call cause the first choice could be booked up. IMO you can't go wrong b/c the seating is great. You get to see everything. Please get there at least 30 mins before b/c it does fill up.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

How much is the dinner package? From reading the above posts you get to choose your restaurant. Can you choose any restaurance in MGM? Or just from certain ones?

 

[disneyfanfamily]

Thanks for all of the help. Don't know if there would be anymore times available since we are at the 39 day stage. But I may try to call tomorrow. But I also like the counter service idea and just eating while waiting. (And disposing the garbage as always. If not, it is considered "glittering" according to my 4 year old DD! )

 

[RevBob]

Thanks for all of the help. Don't know if there would be anymore times available since we are at the 39 day stage. But I may try to call tomorrow. But I also like the counter service idea and just eating while waiting. (And disposing the garbage as always. If not, it is considered "glittering" according to my 4 year old DD! )

We just returned from WDW and saw Fantasmic on 5/15. We elected not to do the Dinner Package becuz non were available when we called back in March, however, have heard that they open up more reservations for the Dinner Package sometimes around 30 days or so, so there still might be some hope for you.
We got counter service meals and took in with us, they opened the theater up 2 hours before the show. We went in about 1 3/4 hour before hand and there were all ready a good number of people there. But we had a relaxing time eating while we waited. By showtime the theater was pretty filled up. It was a great show.

 

[720L]

We were there during spring break and went an hour before the show. We weren't standing in a line, we were able to sit down right away. Keep in mind if you have young children this will get boring for them fast. (we had a 3 and 6 yr old) Next time we will bring something to keep them busy and probably eat dinner while waiting. It is an awesome show. I think if you came 1/2 before the show you could still get seats, but they would be way on the side. But if it's really busy, go an hour before.