Tell me about Fantasmic!

[BensWife]

We were in DLR in June, but with only having 2 days there and having 2 small kids, we didn't make it. DH and I are going back in August, and since it will be just the 2 of us, we don't want to miss it. I've been doing some looking on these boards and have found some great information. However, I'd like to learn more. Is the dessert thing worth it? How much does the dessert thing cost? Is there any other way to get preferred seating for F!? Any other info you have would be great! Thanks a bunch!

 

[mvf-m11c]

We were in DLR in June, but with only having 2 days there and having 2 small kids, we didn't make it. DH and I are going back in August, and since it will be just the 2 of us, we don't want to miss it. I've been doing some looking on these boards and have found some great information. However, I'd like to learn more. Is the dessert thing worth it? How much does the dessert thing cost? Is there any other way to get preferred seating for F!? Any other info you have would be great! Thanks a bunch!

The F! dessert package is worth it if you don't want to stake out a spot for any of the F! shows by the ROA. Its $59 dollars per adult and $49 for children. There is no other preferred seating than the F! dessert package, its location is right in the middle between the ROA and the HM entrance. If you don't want to pay for the F! preferred package, you can stake out a spot at the ROA for the 1st show or wait for the 2nd show that a lot of us DISers do instead of the long wait for the 1st show.

Here is another thread about the F! dessert package: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2498438&highlight=fantasmic+dessert+seating

 

[blackjackdelta]

We were in DLR in June, but with only having 2 days there and having 2 small kids, we didn't make it. DH and I are going back in August, and since it will be just the 2 of us, we don't want to miss it. I've been doing some looking on these boards and have found some great information. However, I'd like to learn more. Is the dessert thing worth it? How much does the dessert thing cost? Is there any other way to get preferred seating for F!? Any other info you have would be great! Thanks a bunch!

Here is a good thread to start with...

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

It cost $60.00/what does "worth" mean to you. We prefer to do the package opposed to fighting the crowds. There is no other way to get preferred seating.

Have fun,

Jack

 

[MAMACARLA]

What happens if the show is cancelled due to weather or technical difficulties? Are you just out the money or are there refunds?
Thanks
Carla

 

[mvf-m11c]

It cost $60.00/what does "worth" mean to you. We prefer to do the package opposed to fighting the crowds. There is no other way to get preferred seating.

Have fun,

Jack

There are people who would wait for hours to get a good spot for F! and there are always the other people who would not even spend one hour of waiting for a show. I am one of the people would wait for hours to get a good spot for any nighttime show. I liked the preferred viewing area for F! last year, but I would just do the waiting game and stake out a spot than doing the dessert package. That is just me.

 

[fidoprincess]

Just a tip, the package sells out really quickly so if you are staying at one of the Disney hotels, ask Vacation Planning to do it for you. They always seem to be able to get the tickets but calling yourself is tough to do. You have to call a month ahead and exactly at 8am.

I knew people who gathered together just for "the phone call" and used multiple cell phones to make the call at the same time and they were able to get it. In the "olden days" when they had the balcony seating, I never got it once by myself calling on 2 lines at the same time, home and cell, got shut out every time, but we were able to go everytime Vacation Planning called for me.

I don't know if it is still that hard to do but I just asked Vacation Planning to make our reservations and they will let me know on Saturday if they got them for next month. If by some chance they didn't (and I've never heard of that happening) we will still have a few nights left to try.

If Fantasmic gets cancelled, everyone I know has gotten a refund. If you cancel, there is supposedly no refund but I think they take it case by case. I've heard of people getting refunds for medical emergencies.

 

[Mary09]

I've never tried the package because it wouldn't be worth it to me. Keep in mind the show is about 25 minutes and is put on free twice a night. If you're there multiple days you'll have lots of opportunity to see it free. With no kids, I'd wait for the second show. Be back by Splash Mountain (I think that's the tip) during the first show and then funnel into a decent standing spot after the first show/fireworks crowd files out. We've also had decent luck with just walking up to the back of the crowd when the show starts and watching over them, as much as you can see anyway. You miss detail on the water but a lot of it's tall. We've also camped out from 6pm or so on, up at the water edge, on a blanket. If you're not in the park many days, it eats up your park time.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

"Worth it" is a relative term. I have said to DH that if we ever go alone without the kids, then this should be one of the things on our to-try list. But then we also think it would be fun to do the Segway tour at DCA. Or eat at a restaurant that the kids wouldn't want to eat at. Or stay at the GCH. Or... Well, since we're not made of money, we would have to pick and choose what to do if our special anniversary trip ever comes about (we were going to try for 10, then 15, come and gone now, maybe in a few years, when our 20th comes around...). Anyway... If I had to drop something from our dream list, Fantasmic preferred seating would be the first to go since even though we love the show we know we could just stake out a spot and wait together and people watch and talk and just have some nice together time in Disneyland. I'd pick other special stuff to do first if it was just DH and me and we had limited funds (when wouldn't we? ).

 

[blackjackdelta]

"Worth it" is a relative term. I have said to DH that if we ever go alone without the kids, then this should be one of the things on our to-try list. But then we also think it would be fun to do the Segway tour at DCA. Or eat at a restaurant that the kids wouldn't want to eat at. Or stay at the GCH. Or... Well, since we're not made of money, we would have to pick and choose what to do if our special anniversary trip ever comes about (we were going to try for 10, then 15, come and gone now, maybe in a few years, when our 20th comes around...). Anyway... If I had to drop something from our dream list, Fantasmic preferred seating would be the first to go since even though we love the show we know we could just stake out a spot and wait together and people watch and talk and just have some nice together time in Disneyland. I'd pick other special stuff to do first if it was just DH and me and we had limited funds (when wouldn't we? ).

Excellent reasons to me. We just keep doing it while we have resources.

Jack

 

[Tikestoublie]

Just a note on availability. Not sure when you are going but we are heading there next week. I called this past Saturday right before 5pm and was easily able to get seats for the first show and the CM said they had plenty for both. Not sure if this was a fluke but it was simple. I had worried that we would be out of luck even with 2 days to pick from. Perhaps WOC has made it a bit easier?

This will be our first time so am hoping it is great. The value for us was that it is a special trip for my DD and while we have almost 6 days at the park we wanted the special treat.

 

[Lissame]

They have opened up a second section, so there's more seating available. That's why it's not as difficult to get tickets for the dessert seating anymore.

 

[blackjackdelta]

They have opened up a second section, so there's more seating available. That's why it's not as difficult to get tickets for the dessert seating anymore.

I seem to remember at least 2 distinct sections if not 3 last year. Need to find a photo.

Jack

 

[corgi_monster]

Yes, the Fantasmic dessert package is worth every cent! It's the only way to get good seats without giving up at least an hour or two of vacation time. The way I see it is that I didn't spend all this money on airfare, hotel,. tickets, etc. to spend two hours waiting for a show to start.