Question about Fantasmic

[Macca1111]

You must see it. The dining in MGM is skipable, but not Fantasmic. See it!

 

[eemmie1]

Fantasmic is my favorite show. It is a must see. I have never been to Hollywood and Vine so I can't help you there.

 

[byoung]

Fantasmic is on the top of my must see's.

 

[amery]

Without reading a single post on this thread, I'll bank that most if not all says someting to the effect of:

Holy *&%&^%$&& what an amazing attraction!!

Yes, it really is just that. Whether a la carte or part of the dinner package, it is argueably in the top 5 evening attractions and very worth the 90 minute wait on the bleachers. The single advantage of doing the dinner package is that you get advanced and reserved seating and don't have to deal with the throngs of people trying to get in.

The only down side is that on days where inclement wether may rear it's head, you can lose some of the effects if it's lightly raining or very cloudy. The show can be canceled on a moments notice but that happens very infrequently.

 

[DisneyConvert]

I strongly suggest you listen to a recent wdwtoday podcast that was devoted to this subject:

http://www.studioscentral.com/shows/Episode_258_-_05-18-07.mp3

As you intuit, HV is not special for its food (although we enjoyed a nicely uncrowded Little Einstein's Char Breakfast last year during "hurricane season"). Brown Derby, Mama Melrose & HV offer the "package" (it's really not that great a deal $-wise); Prime Time does not.
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The "VIP" seating at Fantasmic isn't so special -- comments about simply getting there 45+ minutes on your own and getting better seats, seem accurate. If you're going during the summer or when DSMGM has EMH-Evenings, there will be two Fantasmic Shows; if you can stay up that late, the 2nd one is typically uncrowded.
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We've seen it twice. It's quite impressive.
This coming visit, we have reservations at Prime Time (NOT the package) and may/may not amble over to Fantasmic afterwards on our own.
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Finally, during Fantasmic is a great time to hit RRRC and TT a few more times.
Have fun!

 

[ChipAndDale2006]

It is definitely worth the meal to get the VIP seating This is one of our favorite shows to see when we go to WDW. Definitely worth it your family will love it!

 

[DiskneeFan]

I could take it or leave it One DD (10) loves it and must see it every year, every other year is fine for me. Illuminations on the other hand, I could see every night.

 

[chipndales]

Is fantasmic worth seeing? We have resevations at Hollywood and Vine for the Fantasmic package, but i have heard that H&V is not a good place to eat. Is it worth eating there just to get the VIP tickets for Fantasmic? We have never seen the show so any suggestions would be helpful!
Also, mama melrose is already booked, so that is not an option

I cried. I am a huge, huge fan of Fantasia, though, it's definitely one of my favorite Disney movies and I love collecting WizardMickey so for me, it was a no brainer. My DD loved it so much, we're going back again this year, however, after consulting a lot of people on this board, we canceled our H&V dinner package and plan on being there early for seats like last year. I think it depends what time of year you're going as well to determine if you even need to go that route with the dinner package. Maybe you can consider a counter service, then just hit the theater early and get your own good seat, relax and enjoy the show!

 

[AJKMOM]

As you can read, there are an array of opinions. Mine is: it's not the best show at WDW, it's too loud, and parts are boring to me. However, it is a show that you should see at least once and make up your own mind.

Personally, I love the Festival of the Lion King show at AK better than any other production at WDW. To each his/her own.