We can now book Fantasmic Dinner Package by phone!!

[Puffy2]

Saw this on www.orlandotripplanner.com - starting Monday, they are taking Fantasmic Dinner Package Reservations by phone - 7 days in advance. This is a test period to run till Dec. 16th. - it's on Orlando Trip Planner's Restaurants Message Board and on their alerts page!

 

[ceecee]

The prices are like $33-39.00 and it used to be 2 entrees, which seems like this will NOT be good. You will be paying for the card to get in. Too many changes in one day for me with the ticket increase and now this.

 

[Penny12]

I'm all for being able to book 7 days in advance on the phone, but the pre-packaged prices? YUK! That stinks, there is even a mark-up on H&V. I really liked the FDP before, I'd maybe consider H&V thru it, but certainly nothing else. I hope the whole thing falls on it's face.

 

[Eeyore2U]

I'm not thrilled with this.

I want to know what you can order. DW and DS never spend close to $40.

If I can only call 7 days prior it's really not a benfit to pay $240 for my next visit.

 

[LvsTnk]

Doesn't sound too great

 

[Luv2Roam]

"Brown Derby $39.33 adults, $10.99 children (soup, salad, entree, dessert, NO drink)

Hollywood N Vine $22.99 adults, $10.99 children (buffet meal, drink included)

Mama Melrose $32.99 adults, $10.99 children (No drink included)

We are also told that if the Fantasmic Show is cancelled due to bad weather, you may get a refund on your credit card if you choose not to eat at the restaurant."

Too much $ IMHO. We ate at BD for the Fantasmic package and between DH and I WITH TIP, we only spent $48.47.

I *assume* the above prices still don't include tax and tip.

Luckily we will be seeing Fantasmic again in January, when a dinner package isn't really needed anyway.

I could see if Disney charged no-shows a $10-$15 fee. Or if you and the family were big eaters and/or you don't watch a budget. Then the prices sound *okay*.
But I don't see doing this for us. A meal with the package could easily cost us $100 (with tax and tip) as opposed to the less than $50 we paid. Big deal -- free popcorn and drink at Fantasmic, as others have mentioned.
Hope they don't do me anymore favors.

And the part, "...you may get a refund on your credit card if you choose not to eat at the restaurant."
Key word -- MAY. I certainly hope you would get a refund if you didn't eat there because of Fantasmic being cancelled!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Rereading the entire alert --
"The prices (which vary depending on the restaurant you choose) will include reserved seating for the Fantasmic Show at MGM, dinner, 15% gratuity and ,in the case of Hollywood and Vine ONLY, a beverage. Tax is NOT included in the price - this is due to the fact that sales tax schedules may change for the area after an upcoming vote. If you have a package deal that includes meals like the discovery magic package you may use your ?wishes?. Your Credit Card will be charged when you book the meal. Tickets must be picked up at the guest services desk at your resort prior to your dinner reservation."

OK -- tip IS included. That's SOMETHING, although not much, IMHO. Not tax. Still no big savings.

I also wonder how many guests will forget and tip again at the meal anyway...

And we still have to buy our drinks, even if they are just ice teas. So it brings it close to that $100 level again for the two of us. Not good enough for me.

 

[kaabost]

Here is the wake-up call to me. For as long as I have been on the boards, Eeore 2U has always been supportive and understanding of the decisions Disney has made. I just saw a thread posted by Eeore 2U not supporting the dinner package change. If nothing else, this tells me that this REALLY is a bad decision that Disney has made.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by kaabost
Here is the wake-up call to me. For as long as I have been on the boards, Eeore 2U has always been supportive and understanding of the decisions Disney has made. I just saw a thread posted by Eeore 2U not supporting the dinner package change. If nothing else, this tells me that this REALLY is a bad decision that Disney has made.

kaaboost. Thanks for the kind words. There are smart business decisions and there are STUPID decisions. IMO, this is a chowderhead choice if the reports are accurate.

I was talking with DW about this over pizza. I'll wait till I get all the facts and voice my opinion with Disney. We have used FDP 5 or 6 times at the BD and never, ever averaged $40/person. I don't think I could drink that many Margaritas I want to know the actual details before firing my bullets.

 

[Luv2Roam]

My understanding of the reason the Fantasmic dinner package was initiated was to bring guests into these restaurants.
This new (temporary?) policy seems to do just the opposite. What will most familes do -- opt for a much cheaper counter service meal that require no PS schedule, or go with the NEW dinner $ package?
Again, in January, it is not needed anyway. But I think I would do as others suggested -- just grab some food to go, go to the stands and enjoy SITTING down for awhile.

 

[Luv2Roam]

And Puffy2 -- Just as an FYI, I booked my FDP seven days out without having to prepay or give a cc number for our January trip '01! All I did was call CSR Guest Services and they booked it for me within seconds while I was on the phone.
It was shortly after I did this that Disney cut back that guest option.

 

[CarolMN]

I am sad to see the set price for the FDP. Even though we often enjoy a nice sit down dinner in MGM, I cannot eat the amount of food that come with the packages at one time. I am a diabetic and the worst thing I can do to myself is overload my system with a lot of food at the same time. Soup, salad, entree and dessert is simply too much for me to eat at one meal, especially since the portions tend to be on the large side. I normally would order just an entree and a non-alcoholic drink. I don't think even the most expensive entree at the BD including tax and tip would result in a $39.99 check. If this becomes the norm, no FDP for us! We'll either have to wait in line (OK with me) or skip Fantasmic altogether.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Eeyore2U
...(snip)...We have used FDP 5 or 6 times at the BD and never, ever averaged $40/person. I don't think I could drink that many Margaritas .....

LOL, Eeyore2U! Rest assured, the FDP will NOT include any Margaritas! Sounds like it won't even include coffee or soda!

 

[Disney-Kim]

I did not realize it was $40 per person......ugh.....forget that....I will eat at the Brown Derby and wait in line for $40 total !!!!!!!!

 

[wdwphanatic]

Do I have to reserve ahead and pay these prices or can I book a FDP ressie when I get to WDW and not pay any extra?? In other words, is the FDP a fixed-price meal now or can you still just get a regular ressie and priority seating at the show if you wait 'til you get to WDW? Let me know asap because this could affect my September trip plans!!! Thanks for the help!

 

[KarlainKY]

This may change our plans. We were planning on doing a H&V FDP in early October, but now I'm not so sure. I just wonder if we can still do it the old way and just book it the day of at Guest Services.

 

[Scottwdw]

Here's an update for you all...

You can call NOW for the entire test period for any day during the test period. Makes it lke a 120 PS event.

I still think H&V is not too bad a deal here.

I like Mama Melrose personally but my family didn't like it too much. The Brown Derby never thrilled me. I guess it depends on how good the seating is and your usual appetite.

But, if everyone starts avoiding the package like the plague, WDW might either reinstate the old policy, revise this one or dump it all togther. In this case, a test period seems like a good idea. Again, email or call WDW and let them know your thoughts.

 

[B3LM]

Just my opinion, but I think this is one of the worst decisions they've made! I cannot believe they want $33 per adult at Mama Melrose's. Our entire family at there for about $45 last November. We had an appetizer, salad, pizza, 2 kids meals, and soft drinks. There is absolutely no way I'll pay that kind of price.

I think we all need to write to Disney and let them know how we feel.

Beth

 

[helenk]

There is a post on the Theme parks board that someone just called for Momma Melrose and they were told that the price is $22.99 not $32.99. $22.99 seems more in line than $32.99 . Hopefully the original rate posted on the other site was a misprint

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by helenk
There is a post on the Theme parks board that someone just called for Momma Melrose and they were told that the price is $22.99 not $32.99. $22.99 seems more in line than $32.99 . Hopefully the original rate posted on the other site was a misprint

IMHO, it is more likely that the CM made a mistake and booked the poster for H&V. $22.99 for soup, salad, entree and dessert at MM would be an INCREDIBLE deal (especially since it includes gratutity). Even if it was for just soup OR salad OR appetizer and an entree and dessert it would still be a very good deal. Check out the menu prices on WDWIG and see for yourself. If I were that poster, I'd call back and verify my reservation!