[mduarte13]

For those of you who have done the Fantasmic dinner package and not done the package, is the package really worth it? When we went 4 years ago, the package was not an option....we did show up about 1 1/2 hours ahead of time for the show, and took turns walking around with my daughter....the pre show was great fun, for fantasmic, too....Just trying to decide the best way to go.

Thanks.

[WVWISEGUY]

We did the Fantasmic package last summer and thought it was worth it. We ate at Hollywood and Vine which my family liked. The great thing for us was that we only had to arrive for the show about 40 minutes early. If we had to have arrived 1-2 hours early, we probably would have skipped the show because my 2 sons would have been bouncing off the wall. The only bad thing is that the seats saved for the fantasmic package is to the far right as you are facing the show, but we still had a great time.

[RMJKS05]

...You are considering the Fantasmic Dinner Package is for the PS at Fantasmic, an important thing to keep in mind...

The right most section (looking at the stage), is the section reserved for Dinner Package guests. They fill the Center section first, then the Left section, then the Dinner Package guests are admitted for their PS in the Right section. Once the PS guests are all seated, they'll fill in the rest of the Right section with remaining General Admission guests.

We were there a few weeks ago, did not take advantage of the Dinner Package, queued up for General Admission at 6:30ish and sat in the center section about 2/3 of the way back. Excellent seats by all accounts.

So if where you sit for Fantasmic is not as important as eating an excellent meal, then it might be worth it.

[mduarte13]

Well, what I was thinking was to do lunch at one of the restaurants (maybe a late lunch) before lining up for general admission....I would not want to do the package and then get stuck all the way to the side....

[disneydana]

We have never done the dinner package before but have been to Fantasmic (without the kids). This trip we plan to use the dinner package mainly because we will have the kids with us. I think showing up 40 mins. early vs. 2 hrs. will be much more pleasant, not to mention, let us do a few more things besides wait. The reviews I've read regarding the package are generally good and people seem to feel it is worth it. They've also reported that the seat location was okay. I don't think there are really any bad seats for the show. I guess for me the location of the seat is not as important as the convenience. BTW, I thought that they began seating at the far left and worked their way over. Have they changed the way they do it or am I just confused?

[Disneybound]

We have seen Fantasmic twice. It is my son's favorite evening show. On both occasions, we showed up about 1 and 1/2 hours early and had similiar seating....in the center section. The seats both times were wonderful. I don't know what it would be like to see the show from the right side of the stadium....
I have had dinner at the Brown Derby...the food was excellent and I know that they offer special seating if you have dinner there.

[RMJKS05]

Originally posted by disneydana
...BTW, I thought that they began seating at the far left and worked their way over. Have they changed the way they do it or am I just confused?

...Not sure if it's the same every night. We went on 8/20 & they filled the center section first, then as you look at the stage the left, then the right with PSs and remaining General Admission guests.

[disneydana]

Originally posted by RMJKS05
...Not sure if it's the same every night. We went on 8/20 & they filled the center section first, then as you look at the stage the left, then the right with PSs and remaining General Admission guests.

It sounds like they have changed it. It does make sense that way so that the people who have waited the longest get the best seats. Either way, I guess I'll find out in about a month!

[dalspot]

We booked dinner at Hollywood and Vine in August to get the Fantasmic package - and I would NOT do it again. For one thing, if it rains, (and it did) and the show is canceled, they make no provisions to reschedule your seating. We stood outside in the LIGHTNING for 45 minutes only to have them cancel the show at 8:29.

If it's lightning, don't bother waiting around. The dinner at Hollywood and Vine was ok, but not worth the total we paid for 3 adults and one child. Was a lot more than we'd normally pay for dinner, and we basically wasted the money as the Fantasmic show that night was canceled. Otherwise, we never would have eaten there.

[BDavis932]

We did the Hollywood and Vine dinner package in May and it has become one of my favorite restaurants. I thought the all you could eat buffet (and dessert bar) was fabulous!! Our entire group of 17 LOVED IT. It is officially on my "not to miss" list for next trip!

We were told that if rain was in the forecast, you could cancle your reservation the morning of the reservation. We just called the WDW weather line the morning of our ressie and made sure the % chance wasn't too high. I believe there was 20% for that day....so we took our chances and it worked out great for us.


To see the menus at for the 3 choices for the Fantasmic Dinner Packages click the links below:

Hollywood and Vine: http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_hvd.htm

Mama Melrose: http://wdwig.com/menu/men_mmd.htm

Brown Derby: http://wdwig.com/menu/menu_bd.htm

[mickaholic4077]

Originally posted by dalspot
We booked dinner at Hollywood and Vine in August to get the Fantasmic package - and I would NOT do it again. For one thing, if it rains, (and it did) and the show is canceled, they make no provisions to reschedule your seating. We stood outside in the LIGHTNING for 45 minutes only to have them cancel the show at 8:29.

If it's lightning, don't bother waiting around. The dinner at Hollywood and Vine was ok, but not worth the total we paid for 3 adults and one child. Was a lot more than we'd normally pay for dinner, and we basically wasted the money as the Fantasmic show that night was canceled. Otherwise, we never would have eaten there.

I think it's a shame that they don't make privisions to reschedule the show!! Did you pay more per person than you would have normally paid for H&V?

[dalspot]

No, we didn't - price is the same, however we paid more than I care to spend on dinner and I did it just for the Fantasmic seating.

And, as others have explained, the seating is not the best in the place, just a shorter wait.

[DisneyTeacher]

I had heard that you get a rain check for the following night if Fantasmic is cancelled. I read/heard that you can go to a ticket window on your way out to pick up a ticket for the following night. Have I heard wrong?

[ppe]

When we got to MGM we went to the booth where you could change, make etc PS.

They said they did not anticipate getting into the show would be a problem, and suggested we not worry about keeping the reservations if that is not what we wanted to do. They also told us if we did take the package, our seats would be towards the back. I don't know where other people were seated, but we decided to take our chances.

We got there 30 minutes before the show - walked right in - sat about halfway back alittle to the left. Our view was great ! We didn't waste time or money at the sitdown OR sitting in line.

After the show the crowds were pushing to the exit of the park....we went and rode Rockin Roller Coaster....no wait.

My sister went 6 months later and had the same experience with the show. It is a huge arena and they decided rather than wait 90 minutes to get there shortly after they opened the gate and there was plenty of seating for them.

Great show, I know you don't want to miss it, but thought I would share our experience.

PS We have eaten at Mama Melrose and enjoyed our meal very much.

[crystalrp]

The only bad seats in the whole arena are the ones right down front. We did the Fantasmic Dinner package in May, and it was worth every cent! We ate at H&V, 3 adults (DH, myself, 12 yo DS), and one child. (9yo DS). After dinner, we were able to watch Beaty and the Beast, and ride RR coaster. We walked right onto both these things, since everyone else was lined up for Fantasmic. About 30 minutes before Fantasmic, we made our way to our seats. Near the back, to the far right as you see the stage. These seats were wonderful. All 4 of us are "vertically challenged" (short), yet none of us had any trouble seeing at all. A huge bonus, to us anyway, was that when Fantasmic ended, we were near the exit so were able to get out of the park before the crowds descended on the bus area. We were the first ones on the bus back to WL. After waiting about 1 1/2 hours the night before to catch a boat back to WL after watching SpectroMagic, we were all thrilled by this!
We have done the Fantasmic dinner package twice now, and we would not even consider going to Fantasmic without using this.
P.S. DONT SIT DOWN FRONT!!