Questions about the Fantasmic Dinner Package...

[kristenrice]

We are looking to book the FDP for our group of 15, 8 adults, 6 children, one infant (7 mos). The only thing I really know about it is that we can wait until about 30 minutes before showtime to enter the theater. That is the main reason we are interested in it...we don't want the kids (all age 10 and under) to bake in the June sun waiting 2 hours for the show.

I've read that there is a fixed price for Mama Melrose's which includes an app/entree/dessert/beverage. Is this still correct? Anyone know the current price?

I also read that at the HBD, you order a la carte. How does this work? Is there a minimum that each person must order? We have some light eaters, some picky eaters and some gluttons in our group. Could my DSiL share a meal with her 10 yo daughter? Do you just pay for what you order? If so, can you use the TiW discount?

On a slightly related note, I was advised to call the restaurant directly at the 180-day mark since they will be able to reserve a group of 15. Can I do that and still book the FDP?

The only thing we are fairly certain of is that we are not interested in H&V. There are about 5 people in our group that are really light eaters and a buffet would be a complete waste of money. The only buffet that we are even considering for this trip is Chef Mickey's so that the first-timers can meet the Fab 5.

Any and all input is welcome.

 

[Pakey]

We always do Brown Derby so I can only answer your questions there.

You pay a fixed price at HBD but then you order an appetizer, entree, dessert off the regular menu. You cannot share, you cannot just order an entree, etc. I think the cost is $55 or $60 per adult.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The reason HBD's description says a la carte is that at one time there was a special menu for the FDP but they've since gotten rid of that and now you order the appetizer, entree, drink and dessert from the regular a la carte menu. You pay a fixed price regardless of which options you choose. Even if you pass on the appetizer and dessert (or any component you wish to skip) you still pay that same fixed price. If I recall, in August (low season) we paid $54.99 per adult; add $4 for peak season. I don't know the kids prices since my youngest was 11.

Yes MM FDP does still include appetizer, entree, drink and dessert.

 

[TDC Nala]

At about 30 minutes prior to showtime, they open up the reserved section to the general public and start allowing non-package guests to sit there. You should get there before that if you want to choose your seats, don't cut it too close.

TIW is not accepted for the Fantasmic package.

 

[TaraPA]

We just did the HBD F! Package on Sunday. You pick the items off the regular menu - one app, one entree, one dessert & one regular beverage - and it's a fixed price. Like someone else said, if someone shares an entree or skips the app, there's no discount taken off. It came to $70 per person with tax & gratuity. We all loved the food, the service & the atmosphere.

There is no discount for TIW, it cannot be applied to a F! dinner package.

We got to F! about 15 min. prior to the show & walked right in & got good seats to the right of the stage area. If it's a busy time of year I'd definitely get there 30 min. prior or more. By the time the show started, the theater was completely filled, and people were lining up outside for the 2nd show. Once you get in the theater, there are restrooms & snack stands, so you could get up & move around once you're inside.

 

[kristenrice]

Thank you all! This helps immensely. We will definitely not be doing HBD (even though I love it) because my niece is 10 and eats like a bird. We'll be perfectly fine at Mama Melrose's.

The main reason my dad wants to do this (he's treating) is because he wants everyone to see Fantasmic. Half of our group has never been to WDW so it is on our "must-do" list. I know that the theater fills up quick. DSiL and I were there an hour early in October and barely got a seat...and there was just the two of us! I would plan on getting in line about 1 hour and 45 minutes early if I was trying to get seats for all 15 of us. I know that they could wander around, but I don't feel right about "saving" that many seats. There's 6 kids who would need 2 adults to supervise and I wouldn't want to have to hold down 8 seats.

So, we're hoping that with the FDP, we can get into the theater 30-45 minutes early. Hopefully it will be a little more manageable. If we have to split up, that's OK too, we'll deal with it.

Anyone happen to know the going rate for Mama Melrose? Allears.net says $34.99 for adults. Sound right?

 

[tmfranlk]

That's the price I have in my spreadsheet for two weeks from now so I think it's accurate.

 

[disnutt]

We just did the HBD F! Package on Sunday. You pick the items off the regular menu - one app, one entree, one dessert & one regular beverage - and it's a fixed price. Like someone else said, if someone shares an entree or skips the app, there's no discount taken off. It came to $70 per person with tax & gratuity. We all loved the food, the service & the atmosphere.

There is no discount for TIW, it cannot be applied to a F! dinner package.

We got to F! about 15 min. prior to the show & walked right in & got good seats to the right of the stage area. If it's a busy time of year I'd definitely get there 30 min. prior or more. By the time the show started, the theater was completely filled, and people were lining up outside for the 2nd show. Once you get in the theater, there are restrooms & snack stands, so you could get up & move around once you're inside.

Was this for the dinner or lunch package? Is it the same price for both?

 

[Pakey]

Was this for the dinner or lunch package? Is it the same price for both?

Brown Derby does not have a separate lunch menu. Both meals are the same price.

 

[kristenrice]

I thought of another question...

Since we are traveling in mid-June, what time does Fantasmic typically start? Since it is summer, I'm assuming that it doesn't start until dusk which is what? Around 9pm? How would they ever do 2 shows? We'd definitely want the "early" show so would we be better off booking the lunch package? TIA!

 

[nkereina]

I thought of another question...

Since we are traveling in mid-June, what time does Fantasmic typically start? Since it is summer, I'm assuming that it doesn't start until dusk which is what? Around 9pm? How would they ever do 2 shows? We'd definitely want the "early" show so would we be better off booking the lunch package? TIA!

$34.99 is correct price for MM. We did F! in September and it was 8:30, with a second show at 10:30. So I'd guess the first show would start 8:30-9. The show is only 25 mins long. All F! packages are only good for the first show.

To my knowledge, the latest F! dinner package you can book is 5pm. The latest we could get is 4pm, and ended up canceling it. I believe F! packages are only available between 1-5pm (ish) so it doesn't tie up the restaurants for the lunch and dinner crowds. You'd all get passes to return to the separate entrance at the F! theater for the show, and should arrive 45 mins early to get seats.

 

[Yul]

To my knowledge, the latest F! dinner package you can book is 5pm. The latest we could get is 4pm, and ended up canceling it. I believe F! packages are only available between 1-5pm (ish) so it doesn't tie up the restaurants for the lunch and dinner crowds.

The F! package at MM is available for lunch at regular lunch hours. We were also faced with 4pm booking and we did not want to eat so early, so we booked the F! package for a 12:05pm lunch.

 

[mmay60046]

We did the F! package at MM last May for a group of 10 (6 adults, 4 kids). Our reservation was around 3:50 pm or so. It was totally worth it. Food was decent (Olive Garden quality) and yes it included appetizer, entree and desert for each person (tbh I don't remember if the kids got their own appetizers). Kids loved the spaghetti and meatball cupcakes.

We got to Fantasmic about 20 minutes before showtime and got awesome seats on the right side of the theater right near the front. My mom was with us and this was one of the highlights of the trip for her.


I should add that even though we used the DP to pay for this, our bill was still quite large because of the bar portion of the bill. My brother-in-law ordered limoncello shots for everyone after desert.