need advice- Fantasmic dinner package in early Dec??

[sunnygirl]

I am planning to see Fantasmic! on Friday or Saturday, Dec 3 or 4. It's just my sister and I, but I would still rather not have to stand around waiting to get a seat for Fantasmic. I've read good things about the dinner packages, but didn't know if it would be neccesary since it's early Dec and the crowds will most likely be lighter in the parks (or so I've heard). Anyone know if it would be worth it to do the package? And if so, which restaurant has better food and atmosphere?

Thanks so much!!

 

[MickeyTime]

IMHO, it's not worth it to do the dinner package in early December. Whether you do the dinner package or not, you will still have to arrive early for Fantasmic, just not quite as early with the dinner package. The seating for the dinner package is all the way over at one side of the theatre, so you're more likely to get better seats without it. Plus, if you do the dinner package, you each have to have the fixed price meal that includes appetizer, entree, and dessert. I don't know about you, but the portions are so huge at all the Disney restaurants that I find it to be a waste of money to order all that food and throw at least half of it away, so I always share.

In early December, you shouldn't have any trouble getting into Fantasmic an hour or so before showtime with general admission seats. With the Fantasmic Dinner Package, it is recommended you arrive 45 minutes prior to show time. I believe at 30 minutes before showtime those reserved seats that have not been taken, are opened up to the public. So, for only a 15 - 30 minute difference in the arrival time with the dinner package, plus the extra cost involved, plus the area in which the seats are located, it is not worth it, IMHO.

Even over the 4th of July weekend this summer we had no problems getting seats for Fantasmic and only got there 1 1/2 hours early. We would have had to arrive at least 1 hour early with the dinner package for the holiday weekend. Personally, I don't see what the big draw of the dinner package is. Doesn't seem like it saves much time at all and costs a small fortune. Now, if you were planning on eating at one of those restaurants anyway and would actually order and eat all that food, then it's probably a good value for you.

 

[Suzanne74]

If you planned on eating at MGM anyway, than I think it is a good deal. I am not sure whether you will need it or not in Dec. but with the package, you can show up 30min prior to the show for your seats. Yes you are not front and center but you can move to a better seat if there are some available at that time.

I have heard you can book the package and cancel if need be with no penalty. Also you can book on that same day (if it isn't sold out) if you decide in the AM you want to eat there and stay all day. Hollywood and Vine is a buffet, the other 2 are a sit down. Most parents with kids tend to do this package since kids don't want to sit around for awhile. Most families also pick the buffet so I am sure the sit down ones would be quieter if you prefer that. I have called a few times and the package is not sold out any of the days we will be going this week so we are waiting to see what day we go and how crowded it is.

HTH

www.allearsnet.com has reviews and menus of the restaurants which might make your decision easier.

 

[sunnygirl]

Thanks for the advice. I will have to check in with my sister and see how hungry she thinks she'll be !!

I LOVE the DIS Boards! Where else can you learn about stuff like this from people who know?????

Thanks again!

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

We go in early Dec. just about every year. We will be there Dec 3 - 12. We usually setup a PS at Mama Melrose's for the Fantasmic package and plan on doing so again this year (and again in Jan.). Mama Melrose's is a nice little Italian restaurant right near MV-3D. In fact it is getting close to start making some PS' for the Dec trip.

 

[tjkraz]

For what it's worth, I was really disappointed with the seats for the dinner package. Yes, I knew where they were going in and enjoyed the fact that we didn't have to arrive extremely early. But, the show was much better from a section more toward the middle of the arena.

And, not surprisingly, we arrived 30 minutes ahead of time and the stadium still had empty seats at the opposite end of the theater. So, basically we could have bypassed the package, arrived at the same time, and gotten the same quality of seat. This was in May, BTW.

We're going in mid-December and I decided just to bypass the dinner package. We'll arrive a few minutes earlier and hopefully get a seat closer to the middle.