Should I do the F! Dessert Package..

[cooniez]

even if we'll have 5 days/4 nights at DL/DCA? I will have my 2-year old in a stroller, and I'm starting to get worried about how crazy the crowds will be (I've heard stories of people jumping over kids in strollers!). Should we just try to get to the 2nd showing given the amount of time we'll be there or should we just go for it? Would love to hear how those with toddlers fared during the show! TIA!

 

[Mister Toad]

even if we'll have 5 days/4 nights at DL/DCA? I will have my 2-year old in a stroller, and I'm starting to get worried about how crazy the crowds will be (I've heard stories of people jumping over kids in strollers!). Should we just try to get to the 2nd showing given the amount of time we'll be there or should we just go for it? Would love to hear how those with toddlers fared during the show! TIA!

Its a total mess from what I have always seen during the show. I have done the preferred seating and it made it very easy, you just show up and sit down, no waiting or any of the other stuff.

If they would let you just have your 2-year old on a lap and not charge you for another seat, it may be worth it. Totally not worth paying for a full seat since an adult won't even come close to eating the dessert box in full.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Since she's only 2 you wouldn't need a seat or ticket for her. She doesn't even need one to enter the Parks. She will be fine lap sitting - she'll be able to see better and you'll be able to hold her if she finds it a little overwhelming.

The dessert boxes were full of stuff and would be plenty to share with a toddler. The CM's are super nice in the F! area and will certainly be willing to help you get the best seat with your 2 yr old.

I don't think you can bring a stroller into the dessert seating area - but when I did it it was just DH and me - no kids. There are places to park your stroller, so you should be fine.

We did the riverfront seating when we went in Nov. and DH was perfectly willing to camp out for us (he had a nerve problem in his foot that trip). We rode Pirates and Pooh and BTMRR while he rested and staked out our spots. We got some dinner and sat around and had our stroller there with us. We sat near the back so the stroller wouldn't be in anyone's way - just pay attention to the vents that are on that back wall, the smell from Pirate's can be overpowering. We started staking out our spots about 6 pm for the 9 pm show - but like I said, DH was willing to rest there for us.

We've never done it during peak season without the dessert seating, so I don't know how early you'd have to stake out your spot.

 

[mvf-m11c]

We've never done it during peak season without the dessert seating, so I don't know how early you'd have to stake out your spot.

I have done F! during the peak season last summer during Summer Nightastic debut in June and August. Back in June people staked out viewing areas since 1 or 2 for the first show and I've seen people stayed in the same area for the 2nd show. I have done the dessert package last year on the debut of the new F!. It was a mess that week, people were already in line at 6 for preferred seating.

But with WoC, it should not be as bad as last year, but I would say at least 3 hours waiting time for people to see the first show at the railing area.

 

[heatherleigh]

I'd go ahead and purchase the preferred seating ahead of time. I'm not the aggressive type and I get anxiety when I know I may have to fight for a place to sit (like when I fly on Southwest). Because of that, I find it worth the money to just buy a seat ahead of time.

 

[Lissame]

We've done it with the dessert seating three times before, and multiple other times without it. It is SO much less stress with the dessert seating, especially if you have a little one in a stroller.

Last summer we did the commando thing--always at the second show because I just can't see sitting there for hours on end for the first show anymore. But even with a shorter waiting period there is a lot of pushing and four people trying to cram into a spot big enough for one person.

The dessert seating is very expensive, but totally worth it to me.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I debated this for a while, and then just decided to do it. We are also planning it for our last night on June 16th when there's only one showing due to grad nite, so waiting for the "less crowded" second show wasn't an option. Yes, it's expensive, but I LOATHE the idea of staking out a spot hours in advance. If you can afford it and seeing Fantasmic without a major hassle is important to you, I would do it.

I will happily report back on my experiences after we've done it!

 

[jacobsmommy]

I've been debating the same thing... We definately won't pay for dinner for WOC b/c my dd and I are too picky, but I don't know if we should do the dessert package for Fantasmic. Fantasmic is my ds's favorite thing about WDW, and we saw it three years ago at DL, but he doesn't remember it. It'll be dh, me, 6yo ds, and 2yo dd. We might be able to do the late show, but can't guarantee that due to the 2 yo. I was thinking about doing the grad night Fantasmic, but we could do it on our last night at the late show since we don't need to get up early the next day... Do they do dessert packages just for the 9:00 show?

 

[Lissame]

No, they do it for both shows.

 

[summer0407]

How much does it cost? Is there a link or sight where I can see all the different types of dinner/show packages. Sorry I went off season and now we are going again in August so I would like to have options for all the peak activities.
Thanks. I also have a 6 year old and 2 1/2 year old so I would have a stroller as well. I think the package sounds good just wondering prices.

 

[cooniez]

Its a total mess from what I have always seen during the show. I have done the preferred seating and it made it very easy, you just show up and sit down, no waiting or any of the other stuff.

Ugh...this is what I was afraid of. I think I've pretty much decided I'm just going to take the plunge...worst that could happen is we get the back row/maybe get separated w/in the seated area, but not too big a deal for me. I don't like the price tag, but I dislike broken bones & getting my toes stepped on even more!

We did the riverfront seating when we went in Nov. and DH was perfectly willing to camp out for us (he had a nerve problem in his foot that trip)...We started staking out our spots about 6 pm for the 9 pm show - but like I said, DH was willing to rest there for us.

DH & DD1 are the ones that love to do rides (esp. the crazy ones), so I'm thinking it will be me and the 2-yr. old waiting in line for the CM.

Back in June people staked out viewing areas since 1 or 2 for the first show and I've seen people stayed in the same area for the 2nd show. I have done the dessert package last year on the debut of the new F!. It was a mess that week, people were already in line at 6 for preferred seating.

Wow, really? They just camped for 7-8 hrs. waiting for the 9pm show? That's just crazy...I don't think I could do that even w/out my toddler!

I'd go ahead and purchase the preferred seating ahead of time. I'm not the aggressive type and I get anxiety when I know I may have to fight for a place to sit (like when I fly on Southwest). Because of that, I find it worth the money to just buy a seat ahead of time.

Exactly...I am the aggressive type, but I don't want my 2-yr. old to get trampled so I'm thinking I will just go for it. It is a bit scary because it's prepaid so if our plans change we're out that $

We've done it with the dessert seating three times before, and multiple other times without it. It is SO much less stress with the dessert seating, especially if you have a little one in a stroller.

The dessert seating is very expensive, but totally worth it to me.

It is definitely expensive (at least for us, w/DH finally finishing his BA degree & not yet employed!)...but it definitely seems like it would be worth it to not be stressed out about staking out a spot!

How much does it cost? Is there a link or sight where I can see all the different types of dinner/show packages. Sorry I went off season and now we are going again in August so I would like to have options for all the peak activities.
Thanks. I also have a 6 year old and 2 1/2 year old so I would have a stroller as well. I think the package sounds good just wondering prices.

I think it's $59/adult, $49/kids 3-9? There was also a link that had pictures of what's included in the dessert box, but I don't think the search results pulled that thread up for me.

 

[cooniez]

Wow, that turned out to be a really long post! Sorry about that. I appreciated everyone's feedback by the way! Since y'all are more experienced than I am w/all things Disney, can you suggest which day/show would be best. We'll be there June 17-22, but free for nighttime only June 18-21. Any advantage to doing it weekday vs. weekend or 9pm vs. the later show? TIA!

 

[specialks]

Check out this thread (posting #10 has another thread link with photos of the dessert box):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2444354&highlight=fantasmic+dessert

We went last Sept (which is off-season) but not on an AP blackout day. My mom agreed to sit with our blanket while my DH and I took our 2 girls on more rides. We arrived around 330 pm (INSANE) for the 9 pm show and already the main center and side sections had people with blankets (I think these are AP holders who come after work or something). We were in the second blanket row and the island was just right center of us. They were amazing seats. However, if I did not have my mom who is happy to play cards & read a book available to hold our spot I would splurge for the package. It became crazy busy and just too much to handle. Enjoy!

 

[vpalmer]

This thread along with others have convinced me to call and see if there are any Dessert Packages left for June 25. He actually said several were available so it made me wonder if there might be fewer people at the shows after WOC debuts. I wasn't taking any chances though so I booked the package.

 

[Lissame]

I was surprised too...I called yesterday for June 30 because my hubby said he really wanted to do the Fantasmic seating and we are getting it for him for father's day.

Last time we went in 2007 we called right away at 8 am 30 days before and barely got tickets.

 

[mrsmoore]

I debated this for a while, and then just decided to do it. We are also planning it for our last night on June 16th when there's only one showing due to grad nite, so waiting for the "less crowded" second show wasn't an option. Yes, it's expensive, but I LOATHE the idea of staking out a spot hours in advance. If you can afford it and seeing Fantasmic without a major hassle is important to you, I would do it.

I will happily report back on my experiences after we've done it!

Did yoiu call and book it yet? We are debating this issue too for the same week, and possibly same day, worried about it being full, planning to call tomorrow, wonder if I should call today?

 

[NewbieMouse]

Yes, I arranged it through vacation planning who book it exactly 30 days before. I think it books fast - you may find that day no longer available since it's now less than 2 weeks away (especially June 16th there is only one show that day).

 

[cooniez]

This thread along with others have convinced me to call and see if there are any Dessert Packages left for June 25. He actually said several were available so it made me wonder if there might be fewer people at the shows after WOC debuts. I wasn't taking any chances though so I booked the package.

I was surprised too...I called yesterday for June 30 because my hubby said he really wanted to do the Fantasmic seating and we are getting it for him for father's day.

Last time we went in 2007 we called right away at 8 am 30 days before and barely got tickets.

Yes , I called and despite the fact that our trip is less than 2 weeks away they had a lot of availability for the 9pm show & the 10:15(?) show was completely open. I REALLY want to book right now, but so scared to commit!

Btw I was wondering what day you guys suggest we do the WOC dinner pkg and the F! DP? The nights we'll be at the park would be Fri., June 18-Mon., June 21. I'm guessing it's not a good idea to try to squeeze both in 1 night? I was thinking maybe do WOC! on Friday, and F! Sat. night?

 

[jacobsmommy]

Is this unusual that there are still spots for the dessert package? Do you think this means WOC is drawing some people away?

I just booked the dessert package for Thursday, June 24th. It's a grad night, so Fantasmic is at 8:40. That's perfect for our two year old. Now we won't have to deal with all of the rude people pushing and shoving. Where will we put our stroller?

 

[mrsmoore]

Called today and got three spots for the 9pm show on June 14!