To see Fantasmic or not?

[tink89]

I chose to do Fantasmic because we wanted dinner and to see the fireworks with out being in the crowds and i would not have to worry about the kids (6,9) sitting on the floor and not being able to see the show. Based on some reviews and the view we might end up canceling. We originally were not planing on seeing the show but being able to sit while watching I thought why not.

Are there better restaurants and/or things we can/should do with the $$ we will be spending to watch Fantasmic. The kids don't care either way. We are already doing Plazza(28th) Stroytellers(29th),PCH(31st) for breakfast. And Goofys(29th) and PCH Bonfire(28th) for dinner.

This trip is mostly enjoying the holidays at Disneyland. Having more sit down dinners/breakfast instead of quick service. We are celebrating DD9 bday and our niece first time there. I would like for the kids to at least watch the fireworks on one of those days.

 

[whoever]

The Blue Bayou Dining package is the best (albeit Pricey). I'll have my pics from the location we got up in my current trip report shortly. They do give you foam stadium cushions, but they don't help much. We really should have brought inflatable cushions. View was GREAT though.

 

[bethwc101]

I have honestly not been a fan of the new Fantasmic 2.0. Before the changes we would see every show we could, but now it's just not worth it for us.

 

[chickapin parterre]

has the daughter seen the fireworks before?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I am guessing the OP is talking about the premium package at River Belle?

 

[MacMama0930]

Have you thought about the WOC dessert party? I think the holiday show is absolutely amazing and it’s such a nice treat to sit at a table and watch.

 

[tink89]

The Blue Bayou Dining package is the best (albeit Pricey). I'll have my pics from the location we got up in my current trip report shortly. They do give you foam stadium cushions, but they don't help much. We really should have brought inflatable cushions. View was GREAT though.

Yes the BB food menu looks much more appetizing also. But i am not sure about dinner then having to come back at a later time to get in line for the show.

has the daughter seen the fireworks before?

Yes she has seen fireworks, Fantasmic, WoC, but she just likes seeing the fireworks out of all three. On her must do list this trip is HM, see Darth Vader(or Rey, but she knows that she probably wont be there), RSR, PotC, and Plazza and Goofys.

I am guessing the OP is talking about the premium package at River Belle?

Yes we have the premium package reserved.

Have you thought about the WOC dessert party? I think the holiday show is absolutely amazing and it’s such a nice treat to sit at a table and watch.

I did think about it, and i prefer WoC to Fantasmic but it seems to be more expensive for just to get dessert. I will read some more reviews and info on it though.

 

[glk2009]

We did the BB package w/ our kids (6 and 9) and it was great that everyone was sitting in our section and the foam cushions helped. The view and the show were awesome and it was a bonus that we could see the fireworks afterwards.

We also the WOC dessert party and that too was awesome.

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice.

For us, the value is in the low-stress situation for the good views. I'd rather pay for that than wait two hours prior to try and get a good spot.

 

[whoever]

Yes she has seen fireworks, Fantasmic, WoC, but she just likes seeing the fireworks out of all three. .

FWIW, after they finish F!, they keep the area roped off and you have preferred viewing of the fireworks. You obviously don't get to see the castle projections, but you get a decent view of the fireworks from your F! seating spot if you are in the BB seating area.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I was going to suggest the dessert party as well. That show is more expensive because you get good seating with a good view. I can guarantee if this were an option for Fantasmic the price would be more expensive there as well! Because of the non-stellar view they have to throw in dinner (if we're talking the RBT package).

What's your priority? Maybe that will help you decide what you want to do.
-To see fireworks and fantasmic while seated in a chair? This is your only option.
-To spend the $$$ doing something special?
--if WOC dessert party is too expensive consider just a plain dinner at Blue Bayou, it's not for all young kids but our family had fun meals when I was that age (we were well behaved children though and not picky eaters) and I'm told we thought it was really cool we were eating inside POTC- but obviously I don't remember!
--Ariel's Grotto has character dining featuring princesses, I've never done it not having children of my own but if I was going to DLR with 2 young girls I'd book that one in a heartbeat!
--Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique if you want something totally different from dining: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/shops/disneyland/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique/

 

[whoever]

The skyline lounge might be an option as well if Fireworks are the desired outcome.

 

[darph nader]

I've caught the 2nd show,(if there is one). Less crowded.

 

[tink89]

I was going to suggest the dessert party as well. That show is more expensive because you get good seating with a good view. I can guarantee if this were an option for Fantasmic the price would be more expensive there as well! Because of the non-stellar view they have to throw in dinner (if we're talking the RBT package).

What's your priority? Maybe that will help you decide what you want to do.
-To see fireworks and fantasmic while seated in a chair? This is your only option.
-To spend the $$$ doing something special?
--if WOC dessert party is too expensive consider just a plain dinner at Blue Bayou, it's not for all young kids but our family had fun meals when I was that age (we were well behaved children though and not picky eaters) and I'm told we thought it was really cool we were eating inside POTC- but obviously I don't remember!
--Ariel's Grotto has character dining featuring princesses, I've never done it not having children of my own but if I was going to DLR with 2 young girls I'd book that one in a heartbeat!
--Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique if you want something totally different from dining: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/shops/disneyland/bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique/

My priority is I want my family to enjoy either a nice show while sitting. And it isn't that i think WoC dessert is expensive i understand we are paying extra for a view( although it is expensive) but when I compare it to Fantasmic dinner v desert it makes me think twice. But I will look at what type of view we get with WoC. Can we also order any food or bring in food or only dessert?

I did think of doing Ariel but DD is not much into princess but my niece might like it. When i looked in to this there were many negative reviews for Ariels.

BBB is not something i have done but will check with DD and see if she is interested.

Thanks

 

[gottalovepluto]

My priority is I want my family to enjoy either a nice show while sitting. And it isn't that i think WoC dessert is expensive i understand we are paying extra for a view( although it is expensive) but when I compare it to Fantasmic dinner v desert it makes me think twice. But I will look at what type of view we get with WoC. Can we also order any food or bring in food or only dessert?

I did think of doing Ariel but DD is not much into princess but my niece might like it. When i looked in to this there were many negative reviews for Ariels.

BBB is not something i have done but will check with DD and see if she is interested.

Thanks

It would be hard to bring dinner into the WOC party, you'd want to eat ahead of time. Everybody gets the same dessert plate with a variety of things on it. (The party is kinda late and you have to stand in line before you get in and there is no room on the tables for anything besides the drinks and dessert plates.) There is a thread about it somewhere here but I can't find it right now, people have posted images of the view and of the desserts.

Good luck with whatever you chose! I'm sure you're DD & niece would love any of it!

 

[tink89]

WoC is out as DD said between that and Fantasmic she prefers Fantasmic and would rather view the show while sitting at RBT than on the floor. So I think we are going to stick with RBT for Fantasmic. I did book right on the 60th day mark so hopefully we get a closer table if not we will just try and enjoy the experience.

Oh and Ariels and BBB got a firm NO.

 

[whoever]

WoC is out as DD said between that and Fantasmic she prefers Fantasmic and would rather view the show while sitting at RBT than on the floor. So I think we are going to stick with RBT for Fantasmic. I did book right on the 60th day mark so hopefully we get a closer table if not we will just try and enjoy the experience.

Oh and Ariels and BBB got a firm NO.

I think your table selection is going to be when you get there and nothing to do with when you book.

 

[tink89]

I think your table selection is going to be when you get there and nothing to do with when you book.

That is what I thought to. But I read somewhere either on here or another blog that arriving early does not guarantee a better seat and that they probably assigned seats based on when people made their reservation. It might be true it might not, but I am hoping it is.

 

[Louie7080]

That is what I thought to. But I read somewhere either on here or another blog that arriving early does not guarantee a better seat and that they probably assigned seats based on when people made their reservation. It might be true it might not, but I am hoping it is.

You may be right. I made a reservation for Carthay Circle for 11:30 am (opening) maybe 2 weeks in advance and we were the first in line but were not seated first nor were we going to be seated in the main dining room. I asked to be moved and they accommodated (I don't think they were booked full), but otherwise we didn't get preferential seating despite being there earlier than anyone else. For what it is worth, we have done the fantasmic dining package 3 times each time with a different restaurant. I probably liked the 2nd show best because it wasn't crowded though the park was really busy that day. When I saw the first show on not very busy days, the dining package viewing areas were relatively more packed and there was still wriggle room. I have not done the special chair seated area but read that the view was poor. The Blue Bayou is a great restaurant, it is unique with good food and you would get a cute "cushion" with the package, and the viewing area is great. So in case you change your mind, I would go with that.

 

[whoever]

If you are interested in seeing what your view will be like with the Blue Bayou seating area, check out the pics from Fantasmic! in my current trip report:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/k...rip-with-club-33.3647811/page-3#post-58529751

 

[Meriweather]

FWIW, after they finish F!, they keep the area roped off and you have preferred viewing of the fireworks. You obviously don't get to see the castle projections, but you get a decent view of the fireworks from your F! seating spot if you are in the BB seating area.

We went last night and there were projects on the water during the fireworks. Are they the same....haven't seen the fireworks with a castle view