Need some Fantasmic Advice

[plymouthmom]

So......we are going, first time as DVCer's in January, the 17th-24th. Doing Hollywood Studios on Monday the 19th, my DS 14th bday. Have reservations at Brown Derby for 3:30....not that is not a typo, for the Fantasmic Package. Do I really need to do this to get a decent seat? Am I setting myself and my four kids up for a disaster trying to feed them so early?

Thoughts?

 

[mtmbyck]

how are they offering you priority seating for a 3:30 dinner when it is an 8pm show. Can't you go for supper? Fantasmic is usually packed - as in - ARRIVE ABOUT 90 MINUTES EARLY. We have shown up 60 minute early in the past and had to stand the whole show! So any way to ensure good seating is a great idea! But I would confirm you have priority seating.....

 

[allshookup]

So......we are going, first time as DVCer's in January, the 17th-24th. Doing Hollywood Studios on Monday the 19th, my DS 14th bday. Have reservations at Brown Derby for 3:30....not that is not a typo, for the Fantasmic Package. Do I really need to do this to get a decent seat? Am I setting myself and my four kids up for a disaster trying to feed them so early?

Thoughts?

No you do not need to do the package to get a good seat. We just got back 2 weeks ago & it was fairly busy with the F&W going on & it was Columbus Day & we arrived about 40 mins. before Fantasmic & sat right up front. You get a little wet in front so I don't recommend it for January, but I'm short so I actually prefer it.

We usually go in August & still we have had no trouble getting a seat 45 to 60 mins. prior. In fact I don't like the Fantasmic Package seats because they are all the way right & we always ended up near the back even when arriving 60-45 mins beforehand. A lot of people tend to congregate in the middle of the stadium leaving the whole left side wide open til the last 30mins or so. However that wouldn't be true for peak Holiday times, but you should be absolutely fine in January.

 

[jekjones1558]

It has been reported in several places that Fantasmic will only be on Mondays and Thursdays in January. When I checked your dates on the Studios calendar, I didn't see Fantasmic listed at all, so maybe the schedule isn't posted yet. But if the number of performances is being cut back then I would expect that crowds will be very large when Fantasmic occurs. I would get there 90 minutes early or schedule a package.

 

[allshookup]

It has been reported in several places that Fantasmic will only be on Mondays and Thursdays in January. When I checked your dates on the Studios calendar, I didn't see Fantasmic listed at all, so maybe the schedule isn't posted yet. But if the number of performances is being cut back then I would expect that crowds will be very large when Fantasmic occurs. I would get there 90 minutes early or schedule a package.

Oh I didn't realize that they were down to 2 shows per week in January. That does put a glitch in things, but I personally would still not do the Fantasmic Pkg, especially if I was forced to book that early. You could keep trying & see if something later opens or just show up 60-90 mins. beforehand. Unfortunately with only 2 shows, that means DHS should be more crowded on the Fantasmic days so it might be difficult to get anything later.

 

[Granny]

So......we are going, first time as DVCer's in January, the 17th-24th. Doing Hollywood Studios on Monday the 19th, my DS 14th bday. Have reservations at Brown Derby for 3:30....not that is not a typo, for the Fantasmic Package. Do I really need to do this to get a decent seat? Am I setting myself and my four kids up for a disaster trying to feed them so early?

Thoughts?

I would do the Fantasmic package. Even if the line for Fantasmic is only 40 minutes (though could well be longer as has been pointed out), I'd rather have the ability to get to the attraction closer to start time and wait on a bench seat rather than in a rather claustrophobic line. Especially with four kids.

If 3:30 doesn't work for you, you might want to try the buffet at Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic Package. Even if you eat that early, you can always find some sort of snack like popcorn if they get hungry again before Fantasmic.

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

So......we are going, first time as DVCer's in January, the 17th-24th. Doing Hollywood Studios on Monday the 19th, my DS 14th bday. Have reservations at Brown Derby for 3:30....not that is not a typo, for the Fantasmic Package. Do I really need to do this to get a decent seat? Am I setting myself and my four kids up for a disaster trying to feed them so early?

Thoughts?

You do not need that for a good seat. The time of year you are going it will not fill up that fast. Its in a great stadium seating venue and 30 - 45 mins early you are good!

 

[Caskbill]

The seats that come with the package are actually back in the corner. They're not bad, but they're not the best seats.

I would not expect late January to be that bad. It's a huge theatre.

Be sure to check on the weather. If it's going to get cold after sunset, be sure to dress for it. And if it's windy at all, it is possible spray can blow into the crowd.

 

[Anal Annie]

We always do the dinner package for Fantasmic when we decide to see it. We either reserve at Hollywood & Vine or Mama Melrose's because they're both cheaper than the Brown Derby. I believe with the package deal they do make you go pretty early tho. I think the latest time they do the package is perhaps 5:30ish maybe? Last summer we did like 5:10 at Mama Melrose - it was very good. H & V never runs on time. 5:00something is still really early for us as we typically eat at more like 7:30 - 8:00 in everyday life. For us, if the only time slot we could get was at 3:30 I think we would skip going altogether. I would not want to eat a big meal at that time of day.

I think for the cost Mama's is better than H & V. We have always been fine with our package seats and we prefer to be a little higher - maybe about 1/4 of the way down. I really don't think any of the seats are bad since the show moves around so much. We have been there when I've seen the line outside looking really ominous and then we have been there when there appeared to be no line. I don't know what causes it to be worse sometimes over others. But we always do the package. I just wouldn't eat at 3:30. I think we have finally seen the show enough times that we can start making that an every other trip event.

 

[plymouthmom]

We did Brown Derby as it is my son's 14th birthday and he wanted to do something other than a buffet. I personally would love Mama Melrose but not a lot of Italian lovers in this house!

We are on DDP and have already alloted our 2 TS's for this meal. Still gonna try to see if we can get it later.....so early!

 

[Inkmahm]

I would do the Fantasmic package. Even if the line for Fantasmic is only 40 minutes (though could well be longer as has been pointed out), I'd rather have the ability to get to the attraction closer to start time and wait on a bench seat rather than in a rather claustrophobic line. Especially with four kids.

If 3:30 doesn't work for you, you might want to try the buffet at Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic Package. Even if you eat that early, you can always find some sort of snack like popcorn if they get hungry again before Fantasmic.

I read that now there is no separate entrance for those with the package deal, you have to stand in that claustrophobic line with everyone else. No, thanks. If there was any advantage at all, it was being able to use the quick entrance to get in.

 

[ADP]

I would not do the package if you go see Fantasmic! The section of seats in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater reserved for people with the package are not very good. You'd be better off getting there a little earlier and finding a seat slightly off center. Those are the best seats in the house.

 

[WaltEeyoreWorld]

Another option that we like to do is instead is to buy burgers from the place across the street from the Fantasmic entrance and eat dinner while in line. If you are there an hour early you will get a fine seat I would think even when they are down to 2 shows a week. You also might want to do a different park during the day and just go to DHS for the show to avoid the crowds. Just food for thought...

 

[plymouthmom]

Just got off the phone with MS. Had a great CM who suggested that we cancel the package and do our special birthday dinner after the Fantasmic Show. So....we can get in line early, watch the show and have a leisurely dinner at 7:20 at Brown Derby.

Thanks all for your thoughts!

 

[Granny]

I read that now there is no separate entrance for those with the package deal, you have to stand in that claustrophobic line with everyone else. No, thanks. If there was any advantage at all, it was being able to use the quick entrance to get in.

I agree...I had no idea that they no longer let you walk in the "back way" since it's been about 18 months since we last did it. You're right...if you stand in the same line as everyone else, what on earth is the benefit you get by paying the extra money for the dinner package??

 

[TosaTrio]

We went in September and walked in 30 minutes prior to the show. While it was crowded and looked filled, we walked over to the far right side and just kept walking down. We got second row and there were many openings around us. People fill the rows going up but most didnt check the lower levels which had gaps.

Our seats were great!

 

[simzac]

We have done the package on our last 2 trips, ate at H & V. Got to the gate for the package entrance right as it opened. When we got to our seating area, just proceeded to the center of the theater instead and sat in the best seats. CM's had no problem either year in us doing this.

 

[Inkmahm]

I agree...I had no idea that they no longer let you walk in the "back way" since it's been about 18 months since we last did it. You're right...if you stand in the same line as everyone else, what on earth is the benefit you get by paying the extra money for the dinner package??

I guess there is still a separate section to sit in but you just have to get there by standing in line with everyone else? Who knows? I'm not sure how they keep people out of the separate section if you all come in through the main entrance, either. Take your tickets when you get to the section instead of at the entrance to the "back way" maybe?

 

[twinklebug]

I guess there is still a separate section to sit in but you just have to get there by standing in line with everyone else? Who knows? I'm not sure how they keep people out of the separate section if you all come in through the main entrance, either. Take your tickets when you get to the section instead of at the entrance to the "back way" maybe?

In August we went in the "back way" and a CM who was totally spaced out holding random shopping bags took our tickets half way up and told us to go to the left. When we got to the seats we were asked for our tickets, told we went the wrong way and refused entry.

I really hate getting my back up in the happiest place on earth, but I had to flat out demand to talk to the manager to get into the seating area and to make sure that CM down the way wasn't still doing it to others.