Fantasmic Dinner Package

[ESN]

Has anyone done this? Is it worth it ? I understand that Fantasmic is not to be missed.

I am going with my 2 and 4 yr old - We want to see the show - but there is no way my kids will sit in line for 2 hrs (which I have been told is the wait time to get in).

How does the package work? Do they give you some kind of ticket to get into the show?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Buckeye]

We did the Fantasmic dinner package last June. We ate at the Brown Derby. It was a set price (I forget how much) and we were all able to pick one appetizer, one entre, and one desert from the regular menu. We were then given passes for the reserved seating section of Fantasmic. About 30 min. before showtime, we went to a special entrance near the main entrance of the park. From there, we walked down a path that took us to the Fantasmic ampitheater from the back. We were able to find good seats in the reserved section. Now, was it worth it? That depends....I honestly felt we would have had decent seats for the show if we'd just come in the normal way. But, we had no way of knowing that prior to arrival, so the peace of mind was nice. Also, we usually eat at the Brown Derby anyway, so for a few extra dollars, we got that "perk". I guess I'd look at when you are going. If the parks are going to be packed, I'd say "go for it" and do the package. If you are going at a "down" time, you'll probably be OK without the package.

 

[scorp111]

We have used it 2-3 times with HollyWood & Vine. Like the OP said, it is just for peace of mind. You may or may not need it depending on time of year etc. But you really aren't paying more for it, so why not?

Yes, you get a voucher, and are told to meet at the service station at least 40 min (a guess, can't remember what it really was) prior to showtime.

 

[JPVonDrake]

I'll be happy to assist...

The restaurants available for the Fantasmic Dinner Package are:

The Hollywood Brown Derby
Guest Ages 12 and Up - $36.99 plus tax and gratuity
Guest Ages 3-11 - $10.99 plus tax and gratuity.

Choice of appetizer, soup, or salad; entrée; and dessert from the Derby's classic menu featuring Spice Grilled Filet Mignon, Pan-Seared Grouper, and the Original Cobb Salad. Dine as the stars once did at The Hollywood Brown Derby. Beverages NOT included.

Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano
Guest Ages 12 and Up - $29.99 plus tax and gratuity
Guest Ages 3-11 - $10.99 plus tax and gratuity.

Choice of one of our Wood-fired Flatbreads to share from Mama’s rustic on-stage kitchen, as well as family style salad, and choice of entrees from our Italian menu featuring Linguine Fra Diavolo, Oven Baked Stuffed Chicken Breast, and Char Grilled Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola Butter. Finish the meal with Mama’s signature Fantasmic! Tiramisu. Beverages NOT included.

Hollywood & Vine Dinner
Guest Ages 12 and Up - $22.99 plus tax and gratuity
Guest Ages 3-11 - $10.99 plus tax and gratuity.

All you care to eat buffet in our spectacular on-stage kitchen. Choose from a number of selections including; oven-roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Citrus Baked Chicken, Pan-seared Salmon, and Stir-Fry Noodles with Sesame. Also includes fresh salad selections and build your own ice cream/dessert bar. Non-alcoholic, non-specialty beverages included.

Notes:
*A credit card is required to guarantee your seating, with a 48 hour cancellation policy (Your credit card will be charged $10 per person if you cancel within 48 hours of your dining time or simply do not show)
*Admission to the Disney MGM Studios is required
* Fantasmic! is an outdoor show and is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, since you are not paying extra for the package, no refunds will be issued if the show is cancelled.
* When you pay for your meal you will receive your vouchers for the first performance of that evening's Fantasmic! and will be instructed to arrival at Oscar’s Service Station (near the entrance of the park) no later then 30 minutes before show time to enter the theater.
* The Fantasmic! Dinner Package is included on the Disney Dinning Plan (aka Magic Your Way Package Plus Dinning.) The Hollywood Brown Derby is a Signature location, and counts as 2 Table Service entitlements.
* The Fantasmic! Package is included on the Magic Your Way Premium Package and the Magic Your Way Platinum Package.
* Disney Dinning Experience discounts are not accepted on the Fantasmic! Dinner Package
* All prices subject to change without notice.

Advance Reservations can be taken up to 180 days in advance. Seating times are available for early dinning times, normally 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm depending on location. About 30-40 days in advance, some later dinning times will normally be added, based on availability.

Hope this helps!:sohappy:

 

[ESN]

Very helpful info - Thanks!

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

My 11-year-old son and I did the Fantasmic show last summer. I'd heard about the crowds and they weren't kidding. The place was absolutely packed (this was in July). We arrived almost two hours ahead of show time.

This year, I booked the package (Mama Melrose's) because I don't fancy going again through my son's boredom and begging for all the goodies hawked by CMs before the show.

 

[lawyergirl77]

I've gone both with and without the Fantasmic package. While I MUCH prefer the seating that you get without the package (the seating is all the way over on the right side of the theater - show is still great, but the effects seem cooler in the center), you'd better believe that when I go to WDW this July, I'm booking that package!!!!! However, I wouldn't bother for any time other than the Holidays/summertime...

 

[orioleinflorida]

package

I just booked the Fantasmic package for my family last night with Hollywood & Vine . Seemed like a good idea since there wasnt any extra cost .I did note however that the price 22.99 and 10.99 listed on allears is incorrect. I was told last night that it is 23.99 for adults & 11.99 for children . Not much of a difference. We are going March 17th-23rd. The guy that took my reservation said it was a good thing we werent going this week .He said and I quote it's
crazy here right now we are all booked up .

 

[Tramp]

This is just my opinion and not meant to be argumentative.

I think the dinner package is over-hyped and not worth taking the risk of losing $10 per person in the event you cannot make it. The seats are in the far right section of the stadium and they are NOT reserved as you might expect. We arrived at the designated gate on-time as instructed and barely found a place to sit in the theater. It was our belief that the package would provide a comfortable meal and a liesurely stroll to our seats without the hassle of dealing with the herd of people stampeding into the theater. The 30 or so people we walked in with were pretty ticked off and felt duped when they saw where we had to sit. Some had been told there was a section roped off in the center for us...but no way.

Until Disney guarantees a better seat or, at the very least, a reserved seat for eating at their restaurants, the dinner package serves little purpose for me. I don't think that's unreasonable. We sat in seats that we could've gotten had we been the last people in line. Since we visit mostly in the summer, Fantasmic often has two shows and the later show is seldom crowded and decent seats are easier to be had.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

We have done it both ways, and as others have said, the seats are on the far side, but if you consider that you've saved 1-2 hours of wait time (especially with smaller children) I thought it was well worth it.

 

[TLM323]

Hi All :wave:

Can you tell me if FANTASMIC is worth the wait? I am going with teenagers, the week before Easter, so there will certainly be LONG LINES. Will we regret it, if we miss it?

Thanks for your input!
~ Tammy

 

[Kwit35]

Hi All :wave:

Can you tell me if FANTASMIC is worth the wait? I am going with teenagers, the week before Easter, so there will certainly be LONG LINES. Will we regret it, if we miss it?

Thanks for your input!
~ Tammy

It is our favorite show. It is really the only reason we go to MGM. There is something there for all ages. I will say that my daughter was a little scared when she was about 3. We did the dinner package and did not mind sitting all the way over to the right. We could still see everything just fine. It was so much better then just standing in line for two hours.
It is hard to regret missing something unless you know what you are missing, however, this IS one worth seeing. :wave:

 

[lawyergirl77]

Hi All :wave:

Can you tell me if FANTASMIC is worth the wait? I am going with teenagers, the week before Easter, so there will certainly be LONG LINES. Will we regret it, if we miss it?

Thanks for your input!
~ Tammy

*adding to the thread drift*

I had been to WDW many MANY times before going to see Fantasmic in 2004. I now kick myself for not having discovered this amazing show sooner. While waiting always makes things seem less awe-inspiring, I have happily waited with whiny adults for an hour for Fantasmic (popcorn is key)... they turned to me afterwards and thanked me for making everyone stick around for the show.

It's really not to be missed!!