Very upset with Fantasmic Dining Package

[DCHSswimmer10]

We got hte Fantasmic Dining Package and ate at Mama Melrose's. The food was really good but it filled us up quick and I couldn't even finish my main dish. It was really good too. But thats not why I'm posting. After dinner we got a ticket that said we could enter through a special entrance to Fantasmic, by the time we got to the show almost all the seats were filled! There were no reserved seats for the people who had bought the dinner package. I'm not sure what happened maybe they filled up all the space they had or something but we got terrible seats all the way over on the right side. they were in the front but we couldn't see anything People that hadn't bought the package got seats like front row center. I thought when you boutght the dinner package you were supposed to get reserved seats for Fantasmic. But that is not how it happened. Has this happened to anyone else? If so, can you please tell me why this happened??

 

[Lewisc]

The prime center seats go to guests who are willing to get there early.

The right sections are reserved for the dinner package guests. Get there too late and the reamining seats are opened up to the regular guests. There is a reserved section but not reserved seats. Sound like you got there too late for better seats.

If there is only one Fantasmic show you have to get there at least an hour before if you don't have the dinner package and probably 30 minutes early if you have it.

 

[Bob P]

Hi DCH Swimmer,

AFAIK, all reserved seats for the FDP package are on the right side. The other seats (like front row center) are filled by people who were waiting in line for an hour or more.

The tradeoff for the FDP is that you are giving up the "best" seats for no wait in line. We've always been off to the side when using the FDP but I can't agree that the seats were bad.

Sorry that you were disappointed.

Bob

 

[Selket]

I know you have to arrive about 30 mins before the show - there is some cut-off time - did you make that?

Otherwise the FDP seats *are* on the right side of the theater and not in the center. And it is better not to sit down near the front - we prefer sitting near the back of the theater. I've had the FDP twice and sat where it sounds like you were sitting and had a great view (except I would never sit down close to the stage!)

 

[gingermommy94]

We've done the FDP twice and have never had any problems. We always get there early...the seating is on the right. However, we have sat right down front and not had a bad view. The other poster said that they have sat towards the top and had a good view. I'm not sure where you were seated that didn't allow a decent view

Anyway, I am sorry that you weren't able enjoy the show...that's a bummer

 

[Cinderella37]

We've never seen Fantasmic without the dining package, so we've always sat in the reserved area. We've always been very happy with our view. The way that the show is staged is to ensure that all three sections have a good view. I've always been thrilled not to have to wait in that huge line and still get a good view of the show. Sorry you had a bad experience!

 

[susan0326]

Sorry about your bad experience. We've done FDP 2 out of the 3 times we've seen Fantasmic. This past May was our first and (hopefully) only time without the FDP. I just couldn't get a good time for us with the FDP, so I chanced going to the 9:30 show (there were two the night we went) without the FDP. I will never do that again. The line was almost out to the street over an hour before the second show began with US in the middle of it. It was hot and packed. My son and dh got trapped coming back with a drink and they had to practically be rude to get people to let them through to the rest of us.

We DID get seats very near the front in the middle section and we DID get to feel the heat and water of the show better from that location. However, the seats for FDP on the right are just as good to us as the middle section. IMO, Disney does an excellent job in planning seating for optimum viewing.

We will not do Fantasmic without the FDP unless they no longer offer it. I don't care if we have to eat dinner at 3:00 pm. I like the leisurely stroll behind the gas station 30 minutes before it starts versus standing in a packed line for over an hour.

Sorry your situation was not pleasant. Now you know the trade-off for the middle seats and you'll l be able to pick which would be best for you next time.

HTH...

 

[CRSNDSNY]

........ I'm not sure what happened maybe they filled up all the space they had or something but we got terrible seats all the way over on the right side. they were in the front but we couldn't see anything ............

This is my main complaint about the dinner package and why we won't do it again. I do not like being all the way over on the right side. The view was less than ideal.

 

[Tony Toon]

I do not like being all the way over on the right side. The view was less than ideal.

I'm another who can't really understand this point of view. I've seen Fantasmic several times - some with DP and some without - and I much prefer to know that the seats I will get to the side will be consistently good rather than taking the chance that my seats anywhere else might be equidistant between two water screens. The images from there are so blurred that I consider these to be the only inferior seats in the theatre (English spelling ) - whereas my view from the DP seats have never been less than marvellous. And that's withour the added benefit of not have to queue for over an hour.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I used to work at Fantasmic! (6 years ago on the CP) This is what I can share with you:
yes, the rightmost section is reserved for dinner package, but 20-30 minutes before the show it is opened up to other guests once they are already sending guests to the last section on the leftmost side. This is why they print "Arrive 30 minutes before the show" on the dinner package tickets.
The rightmost section isn't a bad view in my opinion. There are three screens so that you can see from virtually anywhere. The only "bad" views in my opinion are the very close seats that are somewhat between sections because it is difficult to see the water screens from that closely on an angle. If you are closer towards the back you can see well regardless of where you are- between screens or not. In addition, the VIP section is the last two rows in the Mickey section.
I love the show and there are only two ways that I would prefer not to see it 1. in standing room only on a crowded day or 2. in the first two rows
Sorry you did not have a good experience at Fantasmic, but I am glad you enjoyed your dinner. I would recommend either getting there a earlier and bringing dinner (you can get snack type food up there or some counter service before you walk up) or doing dinner package again and making sure to get there before the 30 minute mark. It DOES get hectic up there! You can imagine what it's like to work that! Christmas night. 3 shows. Flashback. lol.

 

[disneyjunkie]

If you book the FDP, and get there early enough, what's to keep you from getting a seat in the center section?

 

[threeboysmom]

This is why I would never do the FDP. I don't want to be sitting way over to the right of the theatre. I *like* those front and center seats! We usually head in around 60 minutes before and get perfect seats each time. After seated, we then get our dinner, take rest room breaks, and do a little people watching. I'm not sure what the attraction of FDP is.......You have to pay for it and you get lousy seats.

 

[disneyjunkie]

This is why I would never do the FDP. I don't want to be sitting way over to the right of the theatre. I *like* those front and center seats! We usually head in around 60 minutes before and get perfect seats each time. After seated, we then get our dinner, take rest room breaks, and do a little people watching. I'm not sure what the attraction of FDP is.......You have to pay for it and you get lousy seats.

I've sat in those seats twice and over to the right once without doing the plan. I've always had a great view.

We're doing the FDP during our next trip since it will be our first time going during value season.(only one Fantasmic)


Since we've never sat in the center section, I'm hoping to try it in October. However, there's no way I'm willing to get there an hour early to do it.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

If you book the FDP, and get there early enough, what's to keep you from getting a seat in the center section?

When we did the FDP we did arrive early and the CM's wouldn't allow us to sit in the center section. They told us if we came through the FDP entrance we had to sit in the reserved section. I guess the poster who said that section is for those who stand in line for such a long time is correct. And having done my share of waiting in the hot sun I do sort of agree with that. We had a great view in the reserved area.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

The perk of the dining package for Fantasmic is so that you dont have to wait in a long line to see Fantasmic, not to guarantee you the best seat because you did the package. If that was the case, they would likely charge more for the dining package.

 

[beattyfamily]

The last two times I did it they specifically told me to get there at least 45 minutes before the show or there would be no guaranteed seats left. You don't say what time you got there??

Sorry you had such bad seats.

 

[jwann]

We did Fantasmic Dining once and we'll never do it again. Perhaps it's because we usually go when there are little crowds, but we've gotten better seats on our own with similar wait times. TOO $$$$ for no benefits, IMHO.

 

[Chicago526]

We did the FDP and at at Brown Derby. YUM! We loved it so much we are doing it again for our honeymoon.

I too can't understand why people think they have to be in the center section for a good view. Normaly I'm the type that HAS to sit in the middle of a movie theater or stage show to be happy, but for Fantasmic! even I think the right section is fine.

But if you are unhappy, then by all means, don't book it for the next trip. More room for the rest of us!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

We have done the dining package the last three times when at Disney. Having also done the show without the package, I must say we will most likely always do the dining package. We did it a couple of weeks ago and also ate at Mama Melrose. (Very yummy I might add!!) It was Memorial Day weekend and it was crowded but we did get good seats for the show. It definitely beats fighting the crowds in my opinion. Sorry your experience wasn't good!

 

[mouseslave]

the last couple times we did the hollywood&vine fdp and had so much fun! the seats on the right are not that bad, although we did have to wait 15 mins for ok seats. Without fdp we waited 1.5 hours for good seats!!!! 1 hour and 15 mins to me is, tot, rrr, and a stroll through the shops. OK a turkey leg while we are over there.

And FANTASMIC is my alltime FAVORITE thing ever!!!!