Should we do the Fantasmic Dessert Show

[kristenandrick]

I have been reading a lot about this but I am still on the fence. $59 per person seems like ALOT for a 20 minute show. We have seen the WDW version several times and if it's not too much different I don't see the reason to shell out so much for prime seats. Are there any others out there who have done this who could give me some input? Thanks in advance!

 

[oc_tony]

I haven't done the Fantasmic dessert package (yet), but most agree that DL's F! is significantly better than WDW's. We were used to the DL version when we saw WDW's for the first time two summers ago, and we were disappointed. Even if you don't do the dessert seating, I still recommend that you see F! at DL. I'm sure others will weigh in on the dessert package, but that's my $0.02 on the show itself. Have a great trip.

 

[Belle Ella]

The general consensus I have heard regarding the two F! is that the one at Disneyland is by far the superior of the two. I've never seen it at WDW so I can't comment, but I absolutely love[/i] the DL version and recommend it even if you don't do the dessert seating which I am splurging on and doing for the first time next month! Barring a horrible experience I'm already sure it will be worth it.

 

[Colfireman]

I like the superior seating in WDW but the boat is way better at DL. Overall the DL one is a better show. Can't seem to fork out $60.00 for the dessert packadge, if they had the dessert buffet back and sitting upstairs then i may reconsider. Besides for $40.00 you can have dinner and a FP for WOC so were trying that instead.

 

[CADisneyMom]

I did the desert package, I think last year, and I loved it. You don't have to worry about where you're sitting, the only problem is is there was a huge line to go and pick your seats about 2 hours prior. The good thing is that you come back about half-hour before the show starts to get in your seats, get your desert tray (which definitely feeds at least 2 people, we took one full one back to the hotel) and your drinks. You get free soda, water, hot chocolate or coffee as much as you want, and they'll give you an extra soda sometimes when the show is over. I may do this again when I take my aunt to DL in December if they still have it.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I have seen both F! shows at DL & WDW. By far DL F! is way better over WDW F!. DL F! has the better boats (Columbia & Mark Twain) and the dragon.

Mostly the people do the F! dessert seating because they don't have to stake out a spot for F! right next to the ROA. Just like what the pp said that they do have a ckeck-in booth right next to the churro stand by the HM entrance and the wait line to select your seating can go up to 2 hours. You just only need one member of your party to be in line for the check-in. Not only do you get a reserved seating for F! and also the dessert treats & drinks. If you do the first show of F!, you can still be in your seats for the fireworks after F!. People who don't do the F! dessert package wait by the ROA to get a good spot for F! as long as 3+ hours, but that is mostly for the railing.

 

[albertamom]

We absolutely love doing the Fantasmic dessert package! The dessert box is so yummy (and huge), drinks are plentiful, the CM's treat you so well, and if you see the show before the fireworks, you can stay in your seat to watch them (the icing on the cake)!

 

[edit1]

I would love to try this and consider it every time we go, but in the end I always figure that the cost of doing this for the 5 of us could be better spent towards something else. One of these days, though!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I have been reading a lot about this but I am still on the fence. $59 per person seems like ALOT for a 20 minute show. We have seen the WDW version several times and if it's not too much different I don't see the reason to shell out so much for prime seats. Are there any others out there who have done this who could give me some input? Thanks in advance!

I have never done the dessert seating because we've always been able to see the 2nd show which doesn't require a long wait like the first show does. As another poster mentioned above, for the 2nd show, you just position yourself by the ROA during the end of the first show. (It's a bit of a spoiler though, because you will see the ending of the show.) Most of the people who are there will stay and watch the fireworks from where they are seated. When the fireworks end and everyone is leaving, you just move into the vacant spots. If you move in right away, you can sit right in the front row by the railing and have a great spot to watch the second show with only about a 45 minute wait. Some people aren't able to see the 2nd show because they have young children who can't stay up that late, so the early show with the dessert package might be a better option for them. Since you have older kids (like myself) then the later show without reserved seating might work for you.

 

[cats mom]

I have seen both F! shows at DL & WDW. By far DL F! is way better over WDW F!. DL F! has the better boats (Columbia & Mark Twain) and the dragon.

Mostly the people do the F! dessert seating because they don't have to stake out a spot for F! right next to the ROA. Just like what the pp said that they do have a ckeck-in booth right next to the churro stand by the HM entrance and the wait line to select your seating can go up to 2 hours. You just only need one member of your party to be in line for the check-in. Not only do you get a reserved seating for F! and also the dessert treats & drinks. If you do the first show of F!, you can still be in your seats for the fireworks after F!. People who don't do the F! dessert package wait by the ROA to get a good spot for F! as long as 3+ hours, but that is mostly for the railing.

Except I understand the poor dragon had a bit of a mishap last night, so until we hear when/whether he will be back, I wouldn't let that be part of my decision making process.

I agree, the wait for the 1st show can be downright crazy, but the 2nd show is generally doable with a much more reasonable wait. Depending on the crowd, you may have to be pretty aggressive about getting to and claiming your spot for the 2nd show though.

I've thought about doing the dessert package, but when it came down to it, I could never quite justify the cost.

Good Luck with your decision OP

 

[LifeIsTinkIsLife]

I always wanted to do the dessert seating, but $60 a person is a lot! Specially when we could get a dinner and FP's for WOC for only $14 a person. But what comes in the dessert boxes? I am thinking about maybe just making my own for DBF and I and while DBF stakes out a spot for the second show, I grab the boxes from the hotel. What should I put inside and where could I get a box that would work for this?

 

[kristenandrick]

AAAHHH, I am still so conflicted lol. Part of me really wants to splurge because it would only be the two of us on this trip, but the "mom" in me is resisting . Thanks to all who replied, it's always so nice to get input from my fellow Dis'ers .

 

[CADisneyMom]

I did it when it was only me and my daughter and I felt it was definitely worth it. We waited a little bit after the show and the fireworks before leaving since it was a mad house at that point. I saw go for it.

 

[Raindown]

How long are you staying? and would you be seeing the first or second show? I think these are two important considerations. Also you would be going around Thanksgiving? (if I read your tracker right).

 

[kristenandrick]

We will be there Nov.14-20th, but will only be in the parks that Tues thru Fri. Do you think there will be two shows that Friday with the Season starting? I was looking at the October calendar and it looks like F! is mainly on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I agree, the wait for the 1st show can be downright crazy, but the 2nd show is generally doable with a much more reasonable wait. Depending on the crowd, you may have to be pretty aggressive about getting to and claiming your spot for the 2nd show though.

I've thought about doing the dessert package, but when it came down to it, I could never quite justify the cost.

For guests who have np of staking out a spot for the first show of F! it is understandable for the group to get the prime spot for the show. And I understand the guests that are visiting DL for the first time or have little time in the parks during their stay want to enjoy DL to the fullest and do not want to wait hours for the first show of F!. You are right that most of us DISers would choose the 2nd show of F! than the first show since you could use the time to watch the fireworks from the hub and than head on over to the ROA for the 2nd show of F!. But you have to fight the crowds from the hub and walk towards Frontierland entrance and head on over to the ROA for a spot. Not only the guests coming from the hub, but also from Critter Country too. The wait time can only be for 30 min until the 2nd show, but you have to fight through the crowds from both the Frontierland side and the Critter Country side.

It is very expensive the F! dessert package, but for guests who do not want to stake out a spot and wait for the first or 2nd show, this is recommended for people who don't want to wait for the show.

 

[mvf-m11c]

We will be there Nov.14-20th, but will only be in the parks that Tues thru Fri. Do you think there will be two shows that Friday with the Season starting? I was looking at the October calendar and it looks like F! is mainly on Fridays and Saturdays.

You can check out the November 2009 park schedule on the wdwinfo.com and F! will most likely have two shows on Friday. They also have F! running on Sundays in the past.

 

[Raindown]

We will be there Nov.14-20th, but will only be in the parks that Tues thru Fri. Do you think there will be two shows that Friday with the Season starting? I was looking at the October calendar and it looks like F! is mainly on Fridays and Saturdays.

It's a tough choice because you do have time to view all the evening spectaculars. I'll give you my opinion on the package then perhaps some considerations.

Personally I really like the experience and have done it more than once. It really doesn't save you a wait because you still have to 'check-in' (pick your seats). However, it is nice to have a chair and some food later in the evening (I do the second show). The seats are good. That bit of elevation puts you in a great spot for the show. I have watched the fireworks from the Rivers of America area and I don't like it as much as being in front of the castle. I can't recall what the entertainment schedule looks like during that time, but Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are usually pretty good even during slower times.

Some things to consider:
-I think the F! reservation window is 30 days so you have some time to think about it.
-The dragon is currently having issues.
-You have time to catch one show a night (F!/fireworks/WoC)
-If there are one/two shows and what time do you want to sleep at
-There are good viewing options around the river

If the reservation window is 30 days, I'd wait and see what the hours/schedule looks like and how the dragon is doing. The past two times I've actually bought my second show tickets the day of. If the cost is going to be a splurge I'd hold off. Vacation is supposed to be relaxing.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have always done the first show, just did it two weeks ago and it was just as good as the years before. We like to sit on chairs and not mingle with the rest of the people. There were 75 chairs set up and they were sold out.

Jack

 

[jenergy]

So people say that the line starts forming to check-in 2 hrs before you are supposed to. However, if you do the buffet with the idea that there isn't really a bad seat and therefore don't care where you sit (as long as me and my bf could sit next to each other) can you just come right before check-in? Correct me if I'm wrong but they start assigning seats at 8 pm for both shows so what would happen if you got there at like 7:45? I really want to do this package but the whole idea is that I don't have to sit and wait to get a good spot. My boyfriend isn't a huge Disney fan and he HATES waiting so if I still have to wait in line for something I'm paying $60 per person for, well that doesn't seem worth it at all.