River Belle Terrace – Premium Package Fantasmic food review?

[crystal1313]

Why does the reservation start so early for a 9:00 pm show? If you do this package and eat for an hour, what are you supposed to do for the remaining 45 minutes?

I understand if gives people a chance to relax and eat slowly, but 1 hour 45 minutes seems excessive.

I was wondering the same thing. Lol. I guess we will have fun people watching while we wait. Lol.

 

[disneychrista]

It is listed on the Disneyland website. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/fantasmic-dinner-packages/

River Belle Terrace – Premium Package
Enjoy a 3-course dinner and the evening’s first performance of Fantasmic! right from your table on the outdoor terrace.

For dinner, choose dishes from the regular menu or from a Dining Package menu with specialty items, including:

• Platter featuring Fried Chicken, Brisket and Pork Belly Burnt Ends
• Pot Roast
• Mashed Potatoes

And dessert!

Package Pricing

• Dinner: $89 per adult; $45 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax and gratuity not included.

Time

• 7:15 PM dining reservation, outdoor seating only.

Interesting you can order from the regular menu for the premium package. But for the other dining packages it seems you are limited to just the special menu.

 

[disneychrista]

Why does the reservation start so early for a 9:00 pm show? If you do this package and eat for an hour, what are you supposed to do for the remaining 45 minutes?

I understand if gives people a chance to relax and eat slowly, but 1 hour 45 minutes seems excessive.

I think, at least part of the reason is that most people don't want to eat dinner at 8pm.

What I am curious about, is as a solo traveler, will I have the table to myself or will they try to seat other smaller parties at my table? Will they even allow me to book as a party of 1.

 

[flygurl814]

Ok, we did the premium package yesterday. Overall, I was happy with the experience. Here's my review:

We went to River Belle Terrace around 7:00 to check in. Waited in the check in line for about 10 minutes. The seating area was zoned off. I noticed a group of people being seated from the back and looked on the app and realized they wanted you to check to the west side of River Belle Terrace. Checked in there and was sat pretty soon after.

They said the seating was done in the order bookings were made so we did not get front row seating. We did not know what we wanted to eat the first time the waiter came by and it was about 15 minutes before he came by again, which was ok for us we were just happy to be sitting.

Drinks: soft drinks, power ade, etc. We got decaf coffee with dessert.

Biscuts were brought to the table after we ordered with a very sweet cinnamon butter. Together tasked like coffee cake to me.

Appetizer course: farmhouse salad, meatless meatballs, or chicken pot pie soup. We tried all three.

Farmhouse salad: lettuce, peppers, cucumber, avacado, croutons with dressing. Pretty good, the avocado didn't really seem to fit and the dressing seemed closer to italian then creamy. 6/10

Chicken pot pie soup: very tasty, lots of chicken. Creamy with a biscuit on top. 7/10

Deviled "Meat"balls: my husband and son both liked these, I didn't try them.

Main course:
BBQ platter: brisket, burnt ends, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuit and gravy. All were very tasty. We loved this plate and it was hot and well seasoned. 10/10

pork chop: breaded with spicy breading but was pretty good, a little dry. 8/10

market fish with salad and side: I enjoyed this a lot, well cooked, seemed like maybe old bay seasoning or similar but good flavor. I had broccolini for my side and liked it also. There was a salad with it that was ok but felt weird to have another salad after the first course. 9/10

burnt ends pasta: my daughter ordered this and then didn't eat much (she's a picky 11 year old so no suprise). My husband and I both liked it. 9/10

dessert:
Fantasmic Sunday: this was interesting: all the components were good separately but didn't feel like a good combo. White chocolate bark on top was tasty. Sorbet was also good. Jello was meh and cream was at the very bottom so hard to get to. My kids all ordered this but only at a little bit. There was just too much very sweet sorbet on top and this was just a really big, messy dessert. 6/10

cherry oat compote with ice cream: unfortunately I realized once I ordered this that the "ice cream" was plant based and that's just not the same to me. I'm sure would be delicious for someone who wants dairy free. 4/10 unless you enjoy plant based desserts.

pudding: blue raspberry, lemon cream, raspberry on bottom. This was actually delicious even though it sounded weird. Not too sweet, I couldn't put it down. 9/10

kids menu:
first course: chicken pot pie soup or veggies and dip
second course: grilled chicken or mac and cheese
third course: blue rasberry pudding

Service was good and accomodated allergies and special requests. Wished the bathrooms were closer. We took our time with dinner and dessert was served just before Fantasmic started. We could have left and come back if we wanted, they gave wristbands when we came in.

View of the show was good and I was satisfied with it. It would have been nice to have a front row but an actual seat away from the crowds was more important to me. I loved the ships being encorporated into it.

I didn't think the view of the fireworks was very good. Trees blocked most of it. If I could do it again I would leave immediately after Fantasmic and head towards main street to watch the fireworks. I really like the symmetry over the castle that that view provides.

I hope this helps someone! Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[LKing]

Ok, we did the premium package yesterday. Overall, I was happy with the experience. Here's my review:

We went to River Belle Terrace around 7:00 to check in. Waited in the check in line for about 10 minutes. The seating area was zoned off. I noticed a group of people being seated from the back and looked on the app and realized they wanted you to check to the west side of River Belle Terrace. Checked in there and was sat pretty soon after.

They said the seating was done in the order bookings were made so we did not get front row seating. We did not know what we wanted to eat the first time the waiter came by and it was about 15 minutes before he came by again, which was ok for us we were just happy to be sitting.

Drinks: soft drinks, power ade, etc. We got decaf coffee with dessert.

Biscuts were brought to the table after we ordered with a very sweet cinnamon butter. Together tasked like coffee cake to me.

Appetizer course: farmhouse salad, meatless meatballs, or chicken pot pie soup. We tried all three.

Farmhouse salad: lettuce, peppers, cucumber, avacado, croutons with dressing. Pretty good, the avocado didn't really seem to fit and the dressing seemed closer to italian then creamy. 6/10

Chicken pot pie soup: very tasty, lots of chicken. Creamy with a biscuit on top. 7/10

Deviled "Meat"balls: my husband and son both liked these, I didn't try them.

Main course:
BBQ platter: brisket, burnt ends, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuit and gravy. All were very tasty. We loved this plate and it was hot and well seasoned. 10/10

pork chop: breaded with spicy breading but was pretty good, a little dry. 8/10

market fish with salad and side: I enjoyed this a lot, well cooked, seemed like maybe old bay seasoning or similar but good flavor. I had broccolini for my side and liked it also. There was a salad with it that was ok but felt weird to have another salad after the first course. 9/10

burnt ends pasta: my daughter ordered this and then didn't eat much (she's a picky 11 year old so no suprise). My husband and I both liked it. 9/10

dessert:
Fantasmic Sunday: this was interesting: all the components were good separately but didn't feel like a good combo. White chocolate bark on top was tasty. Sorbet was also good. Jello was meh and cream was at the very bottom so hard to get to. My kids all ordered this but only at a little bit. There was just too much very sweet sorbet on top and this was just a really big, messy dessert. 6/10

cherry oat compote with ice cream: unfortunately I realized once I ordered this that the "ice cream" was plant based and that's just not the same to me. I'm sure would be delicious for someone who wants dairy free. 4/10 unless you enjoy plant based desserts.

pudding: blue raspberry, lemon cream, raspberry on bottom. This was actually delicious even though it sounded weird. Not too sweet, I couldn't put it down. 9/10

kids menu:
first course: chicken pot pie soup or veggies and dip
second course: grilled chicken or mac and cheese
third course: blue rasberry pudding

Service was good and accomodated allergies and special requests. Wished the bathrooms were closer. We took our time with dinner and dessert was served just before Fantasmic started. We could have left and come back if we wanted, they gave wristbands when we came in.

View of the show was good and I was satisfied with it. It would have been nice to have a front row but an actual seat away from the crowds was more important to me. I loved the ships being encorporated into it.

I didn't think the view of the fireworks was very good. Trees blocked most of it. If I could do it again I would leave immediately after Fantasmic and head towards main street to watch the fireworks. I really like the symmetry over the castle that that view provides.

I hope this helps someone! Let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for sharing all of this! Glad you enjoyed the show.

When you refer to the "back side" of the restaurant, are you talking about the side facing the tree house & Indiana Jones?

 

[crystal1313]

For the main dishes, can you pick from all the items you listed? If so, that’s great. I thought you just automatically got the platter and had no other choices. Thank you for the info!!

 

[flygurl814]

Thank you for sharing all of this! Glad you enjoyed the show.

When you refer to the "back side" of the restaurant, are you talking about the side facing the tree house & Indiana Jones?

Yes, right across from the treehouse was where someone was waiting to check us in.

 

[flygurl814]

For the main dishes, can you pick from all the items you listed? If so, that’s great. I thought you just automatically got the platter and had no other choices. Thank you for the info!!

yep! There was also a nashville hot chicken sandwich that was super tall and had mac n cheese in it. Also a pot roast option I didn't see.

 

[LKing]

yep! There was also a nashville hot chicken sandwich that was super tall and had mac n cheese in it. Also a pot roast option I didn't see.

That's the Big Belle sandwich (Nashville Hot Chicken, Brisket Mac & Cheese and House-made Slaw). It is offered at brunch as well.

@flygurl814, I agree with your ratings. I didn't taste the pudding but I've tasted the platter, burnt ends pasta, Big Belle, salad, pot pie soup and cobbler. In my opinion, the platter is the best. A manager told me that they usually only offer it in February (during Celebrate Soulfully) and they were surprised when it was brought back as part of the Fantasmic package.

 

[crystal1313]

yep! There was also a nashville hot chicken sandwich that was super tall and had mac n cheese in it. Also a pot roast option I didn't see.

Thank you!!

 

[Jane VanTassel]

I went just last week to this.

1. FOOD: was just OK for me. Maybe because I wasn't that hungry. Tried the platter and my Mom tried the pot roast. I'ld skip the pot roast. Too much rosemary for us. The biscuits and cast members were awesome!!

2. Via the app you "check in": needless to say, I did this ASAP right at 20 minutes prior to seating. The APP will prompt you on times. We lined up early: yet they didn't take first come first serve. They called out random names of groups. It seemed to me like the seats were pre-assigned. There was a table display that has our last names written on it. So lining up first didn't matter/I think getting your "check-in" done ASAP matters! But I could be wrong on this as well. Also, you enter from the "EXIT" sign by bridge and Tree House area.

3. There only seemed to be a not so good seats right at entry to this area: 3-4 tables back from walkway to Rivers of America. My party was blessed and had the best seats! Great views to everything. The random people walking in front of us, I didn't even notice during the show.

4. You could stay in your seats and watch the fireworks/but this was through trees/they did project onto water sprays on Rivers of America.

5. When leaving yes busy/but they opened the "secret path" that is in the corner at Jolly Holiday and Refreshment Corner. I just buzzed out no issues at all.

I loved this experience. But I was charged more than $89.00/person. It ended up being around $130.00/person before gratuity. I still loved it and would recommend. I truly loved being able to sit and relax. Hope this helps!.

 

[LKing]

It ended up being around $130.00/person before gratuity.

Do you know why? Did you order cocktails?

 

[disneychrista]

I loved this experience. But I was charged more than $89.00/person. It ended up being around $130.00/person before gratuity. I still loved it and would recommend. I truly loved being able to sit and relax. Hope this helps!.

Why was this? Did you question it?

 

[Jane VanTassel]

Why was this? Did you question it?

no, we ordered water/Diet Coke and bubble water. I should have, but in the chaos just paid and left. it was a 34$ per person "fee" as I remember. With a 25% tip total paid was $320. Now I'm curious what others paid.

 

[Jane VanTassel]

Why was this? Did you question it?

I think I got doupt!! I just paid and left. As I was walking back to the hotel, I began to question this. Oh well, live and learn. I just hope it was an honest mistake!!!

 

[Jane VanTassel]

Do you know why? Did you order cocktails?

No, and I'm now realizing that I probably got doubt. In the chaos I just paid and left. I should have! I still enjoyed the show etc. I now will take time to question things more!!

 

[disneychrista]

no, we ordered water/Diet Coke and bubble water. I should have, but in the chaos just paid and left. it was a 34$ per person "fee" as I remember. With a 25% tip total paid was $320. Now I'm curious what others paid.

Do you happen to still have the receipt? Maybe give a call to Disney and find out what the extra charge is for. Do they have a wine add on like Blue Bayou and maybe they charged you for that in error?

 

[LKing]

How many people were in your party? Could it be that they gave you the wrong table's bill? Was "bubble water" an additional fee? I don't remember it being included.

I agree. Contact Disney ASAP. You can dispute it with your credit card company until Disney is able to settle things.

You have a choice for how much tip to pay. The pre-calculated values at bottom are not required. 25% is quite generous.

 

[disneychrista]

I agree. Contact Disney ASAP. You can dispute it with your credit card company until Disney is able to settle things.

As someone who deals with credit card chargebacks as part of my job please DO NOT dispute with your credit card company until you have spoken with Disney and given them a chance to either explain the charge or make it right first. In my experience most credit card charge issues can be handled by speaking with the company. Also, in this case she agreed to the charges by signing the credit card slip. It is not Disney's fault that she did not ask why she was being charged so much at the time of purchase.

 

[LKing]

As someone who deals with credit card chargebacks as part of my job please DO NOT dispute with your credit card company until you have spoken with Disney and given them a chance to either explain the charge or make it right first. In my experience most credit card charge issues can be handled by speaking with the company. Also, in this case she agreed to the charges by signing the credit card slip. It is not Disney's fault that she did not ask why she was being charged so much at the time of purchase.

Thanks for correcting my error.