Should we do the Fantasmic Package?

[Dr.Cinderella]

Hi everyone! Looking for a bit of advice here, if anyone could help that would be great! My fiance and I are taking our first trip to Disney at Easter and will be going to DHS on Good Friday. It seems like they have Fantasmic every day on holiday weekends so I am pretty sure they will have it, just not sure if we want to go or not? We were planning to go to DHS during the day, then leave the park and go to Kona for dinner and watch Wishes from the beach because I thought that would be romantic. However, we are planning on watching wishes from the Cali Grill the night before as well. So when I heard about the Fantasmic dinner package I thought maybe we should do that instead (we were planning on Mama Melrose for lunch that day anyways) and stay for Fantasmic? I have seen it and love it, but my fiance has not as its his first time at Disney! Which option would you do? I just wish we had more time so we could do everything! Thanks in advance!

 

[catne]

I would do Mama Melrose for Fantasmic Dinner Package...it's a great show, and the dinner package ticket is the only way to see the show without lining up long time in advance. Ever since they started to cut back on the number of Fantasmic showings the place has been packed. In May this year, the week after Memorial Day - which is one of the less busy times - we had the package on Thursday night when there were two showings. Even though there was a 2nd show at 10 that night, the line started at 6:30 for the 9:00 show. When we got our dinner package seats an hour before the show the rest of the theater was full & they were sending non-ticket folks to the standing room only section. Even in September (after Labor Day) when the parks in general were fairly empty the night we went to Fantasmic the non-ticket seats were all gone 30 minutes before the show. I would guess the crowds during Easter week will be even worse...even though they usually show it every night during a big holiday week, that's because the crowds are so huge so you'll still getting standing room only long before the show starts.

We loved the food at Mama Melrose, though sometimes the service is very slow. It's better than Hollywood & Vine (buffet) and less expensive than Brown Derby. If you're doing the dining plan, MamaMelrose is one table service per person, Brown Derby is 2 Table service per person. Just make sure you call at the earliest possible time to get Fantasmic dinner package reservations -they go very fast. And you have to ask specifically for the Fantasmic package...you don't automatically get the tickets by eating at the Fantasmic dinner package restaurants.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Another vote for doing F! dining, especially if you are on the DDP. We are trying it for the first time next month also going to Mama Melrose's.

We went to Fantasmic this past Spring Break, about a week before Good Friday. The show was at least half full when we got there 90 minutes before showtime, and it started 20 minutes early because the venue was already at capacity. So going at such a busy time of year it would be a relief to know you guys would already have a seat.

Good luck!

 

[Dr.Cinderella]

Thanks so much! Anyone else?

 

[Magic3forme]

Love the Fantasmic package!! we are bummed it was sold out for our trip next month. We normally do Hollywood and Vine. ( I am not a fan of Italian food.) the Brown Derby has awesome food. ( but not worth using 2 dining credits.)

there is a different entrance for the Fant. diners and reserved seating. if you dont have reserved seating.. a lot are there 90 minutes or more before the show to get a good seat.

 

[chrismom3]

I'm not a fan of the Fantasmic Package. I love the show and I love the restaurants (MM and BD) but I like to be a bit flexible with my dinners. You seem to pay an inflated price per person for the Fantasmic dinner package (not sure how it works with DDP - the Candlelight Processional package this year is charging 2 TS tickets for restaurants that usually take 1). Yes, you have a seat but it's not in a very desirable section - way over to the side (we were fine with it but I heard a lot of grumbles from other people). Also, if there is heavy rain/thunderstorm they will cancel the show and you can't go to another show with that ticket. Sometimes, they've canceled the show 15 minutes before due to storms and you've already eaten you dinner 4 hours ago and paid more money for it then you would have otherwise.

Personally, I would either take my chances and go to the later show (usually is less crowded - everyone with small children will leave by 10:00ish) or do your other idea at the Polynesian. It is absolutely wonderful to sit on the beach (or in the pool) and watch Wishes - they even pipe the music in - it is very magical!