Question about Dining/Dessert Packages

[lovethesun12]

Hello all! Loving this board and have some questions about packages/dining. First of all, just to note we were planning on trying a few restaurants, and Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou are at the top of the list (also wouldn't be opposed to Wine Country Trattoria). Since we also want to see WOC, Fantasmic, and Frozen, we are thinking of combining the visit with a package.

While I read a ton of reviews on the dining/dessert packages, most of them discuss getting the best view (which seems to be obtained with a FP anyway if you're willing to wait).

The thing is with young kids while we want to WOC, fantasmic, frozen and the parades and would like a decent view (able to actually see it) it's really not worth waiting hours in line for us. If we did that the kids would be upset and it just wouldn't be enjoyable anyway. (Also, disclaimer: on our last trip our kids took an afternoon nap and had no issue staying up late and sleeping in the next day so I'm sure it will go the same way this time).

So the questions:

1) For World of Color, if we got the dining package and showed up 30 minutes before the show, would we have a decent view? Is a FP just as good for that time frame or would those areas be much more crowded? Would a dessert party be a lot better (I realize you show up earlier for a dessert party but not an issue since it's not waiting in line)?

2) For Fantasmic, which dining package would you suggest for the lowest crowd and best view if we showed up 30 minutes prior. Or again would a FP suffice?

3) For the frozen package, we would prefer to eat at 6:30pm and this one is offered at 12 or 1pm. Will changing the time be worth the advantage the package offers if we plan to show up 30 minutes before the show starts?

TIA!

 

[deedubb]

For WOC, both FP and dining packages are standing only. 30 minutes may not be enough if it is a busy day. You really want to be near the front of the section if your kids are short. The dessert package is the only way to get a seated viewing.

For Fantasmic, all dining packages are seated and FP is standing only (although I have heard that Hungry Bear may be standing depending on the number of people who book that package). The dining packages are well worth it. All have a good view, but Blue Bayou is dead centre, River Belle to the right and Hungry Bear to the left.

I can't comment on the Frozen package.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...
1) For World of Color, if we got the dining package and showed up 30 minutes before the show, would we have a decent view? Is a FP just as good for that time frame or would those areas be much more crowded? Would a dessert party be a lot better (I realize you show up earlier for a dessert party but not an issue since it's not waiting in line)?

2) For Fantasmic, which dining package would you suggest for the lowest crowd and best view if we showed up 30 minutes prior. Or again would a FP suffice?

3) For the frozen package, we would prefer to eat at 6:30pm and this one is offered at 12 or 1pm. Will changing the time be worth the advantage the package offers if we plan to show up 30 minutes before the show starts?

TIA!

1. If your maximum wait time will be 30 minutes, then the Dessert Party would be your best bet. It will give you guaranteed seats (in real chairs!) no matter how close to show time you check in. There are only two rows of tables, so even the back row still has a decent view. But if you want to enjoy your desserts and drinks before the lights go out and the show begins, you might want to check in a bit earlier than 30 minutes prior to showtime.
2. All F! dining packages (HB, BB, RBT -- in that order, left to right, facing the island) have very good viewing -- seated on the ground, right up at the waterfront, centered viewing. HB is the most economical package and allows you to order off the regular menu or the package menu, but you will pay the same package price no matter what you order. If you see the first show of F!, you will be invited to stay in your viewing area to view the fireworks right afterward. The projections will be shown on the water screens and the music will be piped in. Don't show up much later than half an hour before F! starts though -- it can get crowded in the viewing areas and there isn't always room for latecomers to sit together.
3. Frozen doesn't require a dining package for good viewing. The Hyperion Theatre is very big and has lots of seating -- it is pretty easy to get a good view these days. If you want to do the dining package, fine, but it won't be necessary just for a good view. We've shown up closer than half an hour before showtime and still gotten good seats.

 

[lovethesun12]

Thanks all! I will definitely be going for the dining package for Fantasmic, since it sounds kind of like or WDW experience with one (which we loved).

I think the world of color one is definitely the one that concerns me most. If we went with the dining package would we still see the projections even if we showed up a little later? I'd be fine arriving an hour early for the dessert party if we're eating/etc. I wouldn't even mind arriving 1-1.5h early for the dining package. The issue is "forcing" the kids to stay in a spot to wait, and having to ask people that try to get in front of us to move. I'm just not the type of person that wants to deal with kicking people out of the way on vacation or making the kids stand in one spot.

We had a bad experience at Illuminations in Epcot using a FP+ which is why I'm leaning towards paying if it makes a difference. We prepped the kids for fireworks that day - made sure they took a nap and they were really excited. We showed up pretty early (I thought - like 45 min) and sat in the FP+ area where everyone was sitting. We were thinking "this is an awesome view"! Then - the show starts and everyone stands. I guess it was stupid to assume everyone would stay seated, but it would have been nice because it ended up the railing was completely packed and there was no way for the kids to see the fountains. They were still happy with what they saw and so were we but we could have came in during the last 5 minutes and had a spot just as good (maybe better, because we wouldn't have been stuck in the FP+ area) as the one we had. So just looking for the best options we can find this time =)

 

[dieumeye]

I'm going to go against the grain a bit on the WoC dining package. Twice this year I have done the Carthay Circle dining package for WoC and both times have shown up about 15 minutes before the show and there has been plenty of room in the Carthay Circle reserved area. Also, just this past Saturday I did the dessert party for WoC and was able to see over into the Carthay Circle reserved area and there was plenty of room - it seems like they do not pack it shoulder to shoulder like the other FP areas. It's true there is no guarantee (it's standing room only on a set of steps next to the dessert party area), but this has been my experience multiple times this year.

If you do the WoC dessert package, like others said, you get a reserved table no matter how close to showtime you arrive, but you really should arrive early (the tickets I got this past weekend said to arrive at 9:30 for a 10:15 show) because that gives you time to order drinks and check out the dessert plate before the show starts. The time really goes by quickly.

If you are worried about young kids having a good view, I would recommend the WoC dessert party since that guarantees no one is going to be standing in front of them.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I did the Frozen Dining Package at Carthay Circle on July 1 2019. Its a set menu which cost €89 before tax.
My lunch reservation was at 1.00pm.
When I paid for my meal I was given my ticket for the show, just like with the Fantasmic and World of Color Dining Packages. I was told to be in the area by the Coke Red Truck, at the Monsters Inc side of the Frozen Theatre by 2.30pm. When I got there, there were 2 other families there. A CM came out and took our tickets. At about 2.45pm we were brought into the theatre by the side entrance. We were brought in before the main standby lines and could sit anywhere in the theatre. I chose row 5 from the stage, the centre seat in the row as I wanted to be close to the stage but eye level at the stage. Once we were seated, the doors on the other side of the theatre were opened, and the general standby were allowed into the theatre.

 

[shaunacb]

Do kids have to pay for the WOC dessert party as well? ($84 each for our family of 5 with small children is pricey, and I don't see a kids price for the dessert party?) What (and how many) alcoholic drinks are included?

 

[avalon451]

Yes, kids over the age of 3, I believe, all pay the same as adults. The alcoholic drinks are a choice of champagne, or a blue cocktail, I forget what it's called, but it is good. You get two drinks, plus unlimited coffee or hot chocolate.

I have done both the dining package (Wine Country Trattoria) and the dessert party. I think the dessert party is totally worth it, especially if you're short (like me) or have small kids. The standing FP areas are generally squished (though I was happy to see diuemye had a better experience in the Carthay area). It's a long time to wait, and as soon as it starts, dads start swinging their kids up on their shoulders, and your view can be instantly blown. At the dessert party, you're going to get a good view even if you show up right before-- but show up early and enjoy your drinks and snacks in your chairs. Much more relaxed.

 

[soniam]

I didn't see it mentioned, but the Blue Bayou F! package comes with a seat cushion. The others don't. They definitely had us sitting. It was phenomenal. I don't remember how early we got there though. I think it was early, because we were cold and wet (Splash) and tired and there were wolves after us

 

[clydeisme]

Last October we did the Blue Bayou Fantasmic dinning package and it was the best deal for our family. We have 4 young kids and the fact we didn’t wait more then 30 mins for an amazing view was worth the money. Plus the food at BB is delicious. Next trip we will be doing the WOC dessert package because I have never gotten a decent view, I’m super short.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I think the world of color one is definitely the one that concerns me most. If we went with the dining package would we still see the projections even if we showed up a little later? I'd be fine arriving an hour early for the dessert party if we're eating/etc. I wouldn't even mind arriving 1-1.5h early for the dining package. The issue is "forcing" the kids to stay in a spot to wait, and having to ask people that try to get in front of us to move. I'm just not the type of person that wants to deal with kicking people out of the way on vacation or making the kids stand in one spot...

The 90+ minute wait time for WOC is to insure that you have prime viewing spots, e.g. up at a railing so that no one can cut in front of you. The railing then gives you something to lean against while you sit on the ground waiting for the show to start. You will be asked to stand once the show is ready to begin. If you are up at a railing, no one can cut in front of you, but you will need to be firm about standing your ground laterally, i.e. making sure no one squeezes in between you and your kids or tries to push you aside. This isn't super common, but can happen if your family tends to drift apart. If this is really a problem for you, then reserve seats with the Dessert Party.

 

[lovethesun12]

Thank you so much for all your replies/reviews - they are so valuable to a newbie =) I feel like I have a much better idea of what's going to happen now!

 

[GeneralTso]

There are really huge lines at 30 minutes. People start lining up about an hour prior, it's kinda nuts.

We love the WOC dessert package. You actually GET A SEAT! Makes a huge difference and the desserts are really nice. Even for that, people line up because they want the primo tables. Everything is a wait. Everything.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There are really huge lines at 30 minutes. People start lining up about an hour prior, it's kinda nuts.

We love the WOC dessert package. You actually GET A SEAT! Makes a huge difference and the desserts are really nice. Even for that, people line up because they want the primo tables. Everything is a wait. Everything.

But since there are only two rows of tables, it is possible to show up closer to show time and still get a table with a decent view. It's not like the OP will end up waaaaaaay in the back if they check in half an hour to showtime -- the furthest back they could be would be the second row. They may not get the most centered view, but they won't be miles back.