Fantasmic dining in August

[magic cait ball]

My family is headed down to Disney from Aug 27 - Sept 3 with free dining. My mom wants to eat at Mama Melrose for the Fantasmic priority seating even though we're not crazy about the quality. We've really only been during real peak times (think 3 spring break trips in a row) and we thought the fantasmic package was worth it then. However, is it worth it for the end of August to do the fantasmic package or is it better to just show up to Fantasmic? Would we have to deal with a 2 hour line for Fantasmic at the end of August (during free dining)?

Bottom line, at the end of august, during free dining, is it better to do the fantasmic dining package or just try to get fantasmic seats on our own?

Thanks!!

 

[jeffk410]

Depends

I went almost that same exact time last year. Fantasmic is popular and still was filled up. You should be aware though that the seats you recieve with the fantasmic package are not the best. It helped us alot because we ate at the Brown Derby then while everyone who was going to fantasmic was up saving seats i was able to go on rock n rollercoaster with no wait. It helped us but it completly depends on what you want. if you want better seats dont bother with the package( ive done it twice and they just stick you in the uppercorner its still good though. I also have to add that even in august it can be an hour wait to get seats and with the heat and humidity its just nice to not have to sit still outside when you can be elsewhere and still be guarenteed a seat.

 

[righttrack]

Yes, I'll add that the package is great for 2 reasons, firstoff do not enter MGM and expect dinner. You really need an ADR for this park, moreso than not. Everyone seems to want to eat here. Likely its the package that is helping the dining so much. Either way, I like H&V because its a very varied buffet, and the small batches keep everything, even the veggies, nice and crisp. The Brown Derby has some nice and well-presented food. Mama Melroses just never thrilled me. Being from the northeast, we have the best italian and pizza here. Its hard to eat it anywhere else.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Free dining is there to attract guests duriing quieter times - to fill Resort rooms. If you don't want to stand in line queuing for Fantasmic then get the dinner package

 

[MattyFresh]

I went last year at the beginning of Oct and waited to long to book the fantasmic package. I wish I would have. That is the worst queue line anywhere on Disney property. We almost had to get out of line because my fiance is very claustrophobic, and she was getting a little panicky. So yeah, I think I would recommend the fantasmic package anytime of the year.

 

[Nansafan]

Mama Melroses just never thrilled me. Being from the northeast, we have the best italian and pizza here. Its hard to eat it anywhere else.

I'm from Chicago and I totally know what you mean. What they call pizza at Disney, ugh. To the OP, get the Fantasmic package. Waiting in line for 2 hours really, really, stinks. We'll be doing it this year for the first time in years and I'm not looking forward to it. The best we can hope for is a huge rain in the late afternoon which clears out the park so that we can get in line 1 hour before time. (Happened before for us and it worked out great.)

 

[stormer]

We were there the same time last year. We did not book the fantasmic package. We waited on line for 1 hour and 30 minutes for the first showing of Fanatsmic and were turned away b/c the theater was full when we got to the front. We went back later and got in for the second showing, but it was a lot of waiting and it is unbearably hot at that time. If you don't mind sitting to the side I would book the package.

 

[DivineMadness7]

We were there the week before last year and did the Fantasmic package at Hollywood and Vine. It was the first time we did the package and I think it was a great choice. You can show up half an hour before the show with the package. Comparing that to a possibly 2 hour wait, seems like a good deal to me. If you decide to do it, I would try to book ASAP because the dining plan will limit the availability.

As to the quality of the seats, I thought they were fine. No, they aren't in the center, but I think that's only fair to those who wait as long in the regular line as they do. I don't usually like to sit in the center anyway. Most seats provide a good view, I got some very nice photos from my seat in the reserved area. Good luck! :wave: