To get the Fantasmic Dining Package or not.

[mommy4]

I'm trying to decide if I should get the Fantasmic Dining Package for the 6 of us or not. We have not seen it yet because I think last year it was too late for us, but this year it is at 6:30. We are going in November, so how early would we have to get to the theater?
What does everyone think of this? We would probably do Mama Melroses.
Thanks

 

[catne]

we've done Mama Melrose twice on the Fantasmic Dinner Package...last September and just this past May 2009. We liked it last Fall, although it was not really a necessity then. We LOVED it in May, when we saw people lining up at 6:30 p.m. for the 9:00 show...and that was the 5th show in a 6-show week! At Mama Melrose, we love the food there, but service was slow both times, so be prepared for waits. We're doing the dinner package again this September. With the schedule cutbacks, people without the package are routinely lining up as early as 2 to 2.5 hours before the show starts...at 45 60 minutes before show time, there is typically only standing room only left for people who do not have the dinner package tickets. So, if you do not have the tickets, show up about 2 hours early to get your choice of seats. 70-90 minutes will probably get you a seat if you're not picky about where you sit. 45-60 minutes, you may get only standing room (or nothing...sometimes even the standing room is full at 60 minutes)

With the dinner package, show up 60 minutes before the show for your seats. Some time around 30-35 minutes before the show, they take down the ropes on the reserved section and let people from the standing room only section fill in any remaining open seats in the reserved sections, so do not be late or you will lose your seat.

 

[Missytara]

I am going to do it this year; since I am on the dining plan and Mama Melrose is on it. I figure it cuts out about 1 hour waiting time for the show......

 

[Mommytobree]

I'm debating the same thing. I am going to DS on Nov 30th and Fantasmic is @ 6:30pm that night. What to do what to do...

 

[codyvt]

I am debating as well. We have never seen Fantasmic - do you guys think a 4 1/2 year old would like it? We haven't done it in the past because i didn't think he could handle the wait. We do like mama melrose so maybe we will try it this trip!

 

[mccreel]

I am debating as well. We have never seen Fantasmic - do you guys think a 4 1/2 year old would like it? We haven't done it in the past because i didn't think he could handle the wait. We do like mama melrose so maybe we will try it this trip!

I was wondering about the package as well. There will be 2 shows the week we are there on Oct 11, 13, and 15. But the only night we will be able to go is the 11 because we will be going to MNSSHP on the 13 and will be leaving on the 15. The have added 2 shows a night the week before as well. With the 2 shows per night, would I still need the fantasmic package? I have one at the Brown Derby but I am not sure I am wanting to spend the 2 credits for the dining, but Mama Melrose fantasmic packages are all booked up for Oct. 11. And I am really wanting to see it this time, we are going for our 20th wedding anniversary.
Thanks,
Mel

 

[princessmom29]

We did a fantasmic package the week of thanksgiving last year and were SOOOO glad we had it. The line was insanes and people were still standing waiting to get in when we sat down an hour before the show. Especially with small kids, this is the way to go. There was no way DD would have done a 2 hour line without a meltdown. i think it is even more important now that there are not 1-2 shows a day. The lines will be even worse.

 

[princessmom29]

I'm debating the same thing. I am going to DS on Nov 30th and Fantasmic is @ 6:30pm that night. What to do what to do...

If you don't already have a package you may be out of luck. We are going that night and whe I called at 90+5 out there was only a 4:00 Brown Dreby open. Everything else was gone. I highly doubt you will be able to get a package at this point. Sorry to be the brearer of bad news!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I really doubt that there are any Fantasmic packages available for any November dates at this point. If you can get them, I say jump on it. I really do doubt that you'll find any availability though.

We've booked Mama Melrose Fantasmic package for 12/27. I figure it's the only way we'll get to see it because there's no way my autistic daughter can wait in line for 2.5 hours to see a show. The 1 hour wait will be hard enough for her in those crowded busy quarters.

 

[TDC Nala]

They've reinstated the separate entrance for package users (it's now at the Beauty and the Beast Theater, not the old Oscar's entrance) so if you can get one and you can handle eating dinner very early, it might be worth it. The trick is going to be booking a package. They're very limited and very popular, and most if not all package reservations for November are probably sold out - especially Mama Melrose because of the one dining plan credit per person thing.

As to whether children like it I only have one suggestion. If your child is afraid of fire, sit in the back and sit near the end of the row so you can get out if you need to.

 

[MarkinNM]

I'm trying to decide if I should get the Fantasmic Dining Package for the 6 of us or not. We have not seen it yet because I think last year it was too late for us, but this year it is at 6:30. We are going in November, so how early would we have to get to the theater?
What does everyone think of this? We would probably do Mama Melroses.
Thanks

we've done Mama Melrose twice...

With the dinner package, show up 60 minutes before the show for your seats. Some time around 30-35 minutes before the show, they take down the ropes on the reserved section and let people from the standing room only section fill in any remaining open seats in the reserved sections, so do not be late or you will lose your seat.

NOT TRUE on the night we went, 9/18, the rope NEVER came down SEE MY REVIEW HERE, if you can get the package, its WELL WORTH IT!!!!

 

[catne]

The post MarkinNM quoted me was from August...and the info I posted applied to our May Trip this year. Because on the night we were there in May 2009 (Thursday after Memorial Day) the rope came down about 30 minutes before the show. The theater had been full everywhere else at about 60 minutes before the show.

But in September 2009, they were using the new separate entrance by B & B theater when we went AND the rope did not come down until about 10 minutes before the show...I was watching the rope & checking the time to see if that had changed too since they were using that extra entrance. The theater was full when they took the rope down except for a few seats in the reserved section, so they let some of the standing-room-only people take the few remaining empty seats in the reserved section. This was on 9/10/2009

Agree 100% that the dinner package is worth it if you can get it.

 

[Broncobilly83]

They've reinstated the separate entrance for package users (it's now at the Beauty and the Beast Theater, not the old Oscar's entrance) so if you can get one and you can handle eating dinner very early, it might be worth it. The trick is going to be booking a package. They're very limited and very popular, and most if not all package reservations for November are probably sold out - especially Mama Melrose because of the one dining plan credit per person thing.

You see, I was not going to do the package because there was no perk in it, but now, I am definitely shooting for the package, since they re-opened the exclusive entrance

 

[Ahabart]

I recommend going at least once, but IMHO it is not worth doing without the package.

As for whether or not it's worth eating early and all just to see the show, that's a personal call. Some people LOVE the show and it's a must-do for them. Others are not big enough fans of the show to eat early and wait (or wait in general without the package) to put in the effort. Unfortunately, I think it's something you have to see to know for sure.

 

[Cant wait for Disney]

I dont want to be a downer at all, just something to consider. I called and called trying to get the package for our trip in June, but was never able to. We could only make it on one night so we just went, waited in line and got good seats. However, as soon as we sat, it started pouring and didnt let up. We sat in the rain for 40 minutes as they kept pushing the show back and back. Finally, it was canceled. We were so glad we didnt use the double Dining Plan points for the package when we missed the show and wouldnt be able to make it up.
But if you are paying oop for dinner anyway, it might not be such a big deal.
Other than that, we love Fantasmic and I can totally see the value in not being stressed over seats!

 

[MarkinNM]

I dont want to be a downer at all, just something to consider. I called and called trying to get the package for our trip in June, but was never able to. We could only make it on one night so we just went, waited in line and got good seats. However, as soon as we sat, it started pouring and didnt let up. We sat in the rain for 40 minutes as they kept pushing the show back and back. Finally, it was canceled. We were so glad we didnt use the double Dining Plan points for the package when we missed the show and wouldnt be able to make it up.
But if you are paying oop for dinner anyway, it might not be such a big deal.
Other than that, we love Fantasmic and I can totally see the value in not being stressed over seats!

We ate at Mama Melrose and was only charged with 1 credit PP, NOT DBL, only the Brown Derby is 2 DDP credits..............