Fantasmic Dinner Package

[Beccone]

I am planning on getting the package because I really want my kids to see the show but there is no way my 6 yr old special needs son will be able to wait 90 minutes in line like it is recommended. I was on AllEars today and read a bad review that has got me worrying. Someone said that they arrived 45 minutes prior to the show to be told that the reserved section was full and the show was standing room only already. Does anyone know how often this happens? If anyone can let me know their experiences with the package I'd be really grateful, I get to make my ADR's in the morning so I want to get this all figured out tonight. Also if we end up not getting the package, will my husband be allowed to stand in line while I walk around with the kids? Thanks in advance!

 

[timeman]

I have never used the dining package to see the show and have had no problem getting to see it. The amount of crowds depends on how busy it is that day and how many showings they are having.

I went the saturday after Christmas and they had three showings that night. I got to the first show an hour before it started and found a great seat in the middle. The only time there is a line to get in is before they open the entrance, which is 90 minutes before the first show and after that you can just walk in. They do close the entrance when it gets full.

The seating is stadium style, so one person can save seating for multiple people with no problem. The dining package area is small and only one section while without the dining package you can choose the rest of the sections. It does hold a lot of people. They do sell food in the show area so you don't have to leave the area to get something to eat.

If your son gets restless sitting, you or your husband can get up and walk him around the area as it is huge. You will have no problem saving seating.

 

[CleveRocks]

Your food server gives you a special voucher at the end of your meal. It specifically says on there that you must be at the theater no later than 45 minutes before the show. I assume that if you're there 44 minutes before the show, you've given up your right to a reserved seat.

When I was there in February, I got there 45 minutes before the show and there were tons of seats in the FDP area. At 30 minutes 'til showtime a couple of CMs took away the rope separating the FDP section from the rest of the theater, and the section filled in in maybe 1 minute. The theater had been standing room only since about 60 minutes before showtime, I was told (except of course for the reserved section).

 

[disneyny]

The voucher for your meal guarentees you a seat if you arrive the designated time prior to the show. I do not beleive that people who got the dinner package can be turned away as they do not even allow that section to fill until after the time allowed for all dinner package people to arrive. We have done this in the past at busy times of the year and have not had a problem at all even when we arrived just at 45 minutes prior- there was tons of open seats. It was quite a while before they dropped the rope and let open seating happen there. I would suggest bringing some books etc. to keep your child busy and as someone else said you can also walk them around the top area. But, hopefully you will have luck with guest relations and won't have to worry about any of it!

 

[javs4evas1298]

I was looking into doing this but then changed my mind. I really like the fantasmic show but I never see it because you have to get there so early to get a seat or even a decent place to stand so you can actually see it. When I heard about the Fantasmic dining package I was like cool we should do that but then I read that you still have to show up at least 30 minutes prior to the show starting. Some have said 45 minutes but I saw a few websites saying 30. Not that 15 minutes makes a difference. I think the bleachers are so incredibily uncomfortable that by the time the show starts I just want to walk out because I cant take sitting there anymore. Anyway I just dont think there is any point in doing the dining package if you still have to show up so early to get your seats. I think the section should stay reserved until the show starts otherwise what is the point?

 

[Master Yoda]

I was looking into doing this but then changed my mind. I really like the fantasmic show but I never see it because you have to get there so early to get a seat or even a decent place to stand so you can actually see it. When I heard about the Fantasmic dining package I was like cool we should do that but then I read that you still have to show up at least 30 minutes prior to the show starting. Some have said 45 minutes but I saw a few websites saying 30. Not that 15 minutes makes a difference. I think the bleachers are so incredibily uncomfortable that by the time the show starts I just want to walk out because I cant take sitting there anymore. Anyway I just dont think there is any point in doing the dining package if you still have to show up so early to get your seats. I think the section should stay reserved until the show starts otherwise what is the point?

In the past I would have agreed with you but now with greatly reduced showings Fantismic! is seeing some incredibly insane stand by wait times of an hour or more at the bare minimum. As it stands right now I would not even attempt to see Fantasmic! without the dining package especially in the busier summer months.

 

[ThinkTink721]

We always get the package - less wait...more time for fun! :wave:

 

[Lucky]

It seems to be much harder to get a Fantasmic Dinner Package ADR than it was before the show was cut back to a few days a week.

 

[Master Yoda]

It seems to be much harder to get a Fantasmic Dinner Package ADR than it was before the show was cut back to a few days a week.

You are correct. Before the schedule change it was a fairly easy to get. Now they book up quite quickly.

 

[Beccone]

It seems to be much harder to get a Fantasmic Dinner Package ADR than it was before the show was cut back to a few days a week.

I never would have thought that it would have been so hard to get in. I called yesterday at 7am on our 90 day mark and the only thing they had available was 3:30 at Hollywood and Vine. My kids would be upset it they missed the Pixar parade again (missed it last summer) so 3:30 wasn't going to work for us, that combined with the fact that I haven't read such great reviews of Hollywood and Vine made us have a change of plans. I ended up booking 50"s Prime Time, which the whole family loves and my husband said he'd wait in line for us.