Fantasmic Showing & Package question

[DisneyGigi]

I know that I have heard the days that Fantasmic is showing but I cannot for the life of me remember. I am trying to get my ADRs together so we can book them in a few days and I want to do the package at Brown Derby so I need to plan around the days that it is showing. (November hours are not out I take it? I cant bring them up on disney.com) Also are they still making the people with the package stand in the regular line?? Is it still worth it now to get the package??

Thanks!

 

[luvlifeinfl]

Nov. Dates will not show till early Aug.

 

[3fordisney]

We did the dining package in May and thought it might not be worth it. They are limiting show to just 2 or 3 days a week. There is no special entrance, just roped off sitting for those who did the dining package. We stood in line just like everyone else and by doing so, we would've had seats regardless of the package.

My husband did ask management about not providing the special entrance. he was told that the production staff was cut by 50% and there simply was not enough people to man both entrances. So, there is only 1 way in regardless.

We were pleased with our dining meal at Mama Melrose. We were not aware of the changes until we were at the restaurant. We didn't know about the changes when we mafe the ADR's. Otherwise, we might not have gone that route.

 

[mickey2008.1]

It's very ard to get the fantasmic packages. I am going in September and called at 7AM 90 days out. I got shut out. There is no special seating really. The only addition you get from the package is an appetizer at dinner. In september they have cut the show down to once a week, so seating will be a premium, but no guarantee. Mama melrose is the best in hollywood studios, takes one tableside. Brown derby takes 2 tablesides, not worth it.

 

[DisneyGigi]

We did the dining package in May and thought it might not be worth it. They are limiting show to just 2 or 3 days a week. There is no special entrance, just roped off sitting for those who did the dining package. We stood in line just like everyone else and by doing so, we would've had seats regardless of the package.

My husband did ask management about not providing the special entrance. he was told that the production staff was cut by 50% and there simply was not enough people to man both entrances. So, there is only 1 way in regardless.

We were pleased with our dining meal at Mama Melrose. We were not aware of the changes until we were at the restaurant. We didn't know about the changes when we mafe the ADR's. Otherwise, we might not have gone that route.

That so stinks that you have to stand in line like everyone else, the whole reason we did it was so we did not have to stand in line. :brick: When we went last year there were only like two CMs at the entrance.

It's very ard to get the fantasmic packages. I am going in September and called at 7AM 90 days out. I got shut out. There is no special seating really. The only addition you get from the package is an appetizer at dinner. In september they have cut the show down to once a week, so seating will be a premium, but no guarantee. Mama melrose is the best in hollywood studios, takes one tableside. Brown derby takes 2 tablesides, not worth it.

I was able to get them our last trip but that was before the switchover to 90 days. I can't belive it is only going to be running one day when we go. What day is it in September as it may be the same when we go?
I actually really enjoy Brown Derby and we are not that fond of Mama Melrose so we do know that we want to eat there, and we have an extra dining credit from arrival day so it works out okay. I may do it for the appetizer since we love the crab cakes and otherwise I will have to pay out of pocket but I am not too fond of the standing in line thing.

 

[WDWNooby]

In June when we went, we had the dinner package at Hollywood and Vine...we actually enjoyed it. Our dinner was for 3:45. We all thought the food was good.

I will say that I was disappointed in how the seating worked at the show. Like mentioned before, we had to stand in the same line as everyone else. The section we sat in was in the right section. Although we had front row seating, I think, personally, seating for those that purchased a dinner package should be in the center of the stadium and not off to the side.

The show is fantastic. Would I do the dinner package again...probably but that is to ensure we had a place "reserved"...this was the one thing my son wanted to do on our trip and probably would be again. It really was awesome.

 

[AGentlRose]

I originally planned on doing the dinner package when we went at the end of March, but when I found out that the separate entrance was discontinued, I changed my mind and we just showed up at the Fantasmic theater 90 minutes before showtime and we got great seats in the center of the amphitheater, in one of the last rows, which was my choice because I can't do stairs. I thought our seats were better than the ones on the right side that were reserved for those on the dining package. I would advise getting there at least 90 minutes prior to showtime because at an hour before Fantasmic started, the theater appeared to be full. I'm sure there were seats scattered, but you would have to search for them.

 

[elisatonks]

fantasmic is showing twice a week in september, thought the days do vary, they are also now opening the theatre 2hrs prior to show.

 

[DisneyGigi]

So if there are still seats reserved, even though we have to wait in the regular line- If we show up 60 minutes prior to show start those seats will still be reserved for dining package holders right? I just don't want to wait in line more than an hour to get a seat. What I loved about the seperate entrance was that you did not have to wait in a line .. you could sit down relax and wait.

 

[AGentlRose]

So if there are still seats reserved, even though we have to wait in the regular line- If we show up 60 minutes prior to show start those seats will still be reserved for dining package holders right? .

Not sure. I do remember reading a post somewhere, of course I can't find it now, where someone was complaining because people who were not on packages, were jumping over to the package holders section and sitting there and even though CMs told them that they have to move --- they weren't budging. I do not have first hand knowledge of this, just that the poster was annoyed about the circumstances.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Not sure. I do remember reading a post somewhere, of course I can't find it now, where someone was complaining because people who were not on packages, were jumping over to the package holders section and sitting there and even though CMs told them that they have to move --- they weren't budging. I do not have first hand knowledge of this, just that the poster was annoyed about the circumstances.

People were doing that when we were there last time , I think I remember that post too. I hope it works out because I don't know if I have the patience to wait that long in line as much as I love Fantasmic. I guess I will just ask when I can call and make my ADRs I just wish I had a better idea of when it will be showing so I can have them ready to go now.

 

[heliumalias]

I don't know if things have changed recently but the only time I've ever had to "Stand in line" for Fantasmic is basically when I've seen the second show of the night while everyone exits the theatre and stuff. For the first show of the night I find that I spend far less time standing up and that almost all of the 90 min (or whatever) wait is spent in my seat.

 

[AGentlRose]

I don't know if things have changed recently but the only time I've ever had to "Stand in line" for Fantasmic is basically when I've seen the second show of the night while everyone exits the theatre and stuff. For the first show of the night I find that I spend far less time standing up and that almost all of the 90 min (or whatever) wait is spent in my seat.

You're right. Technically, we got on a line about 90 min. before showtime, and it was constantly moving. We were seated in less than 10 minutes of getting on the line, the rest of the time we just sat and waited for the show.

 

[wserratore1963]

It's very ard to get the fantasmic packages. I am going in September and called at 7AM 90 days out. I got shut out. There is no special seating really. The only addition you get from the package is an appetizer at dinner. In september they have cut the show down to once a week, so seating will be a premium, but no guarantee. Mama melrose is the best in hollywood studios, takes one tableside. Brown derby takes 2 tablesides, not worth it.

I agree; I did the same thing on June 21st for an Aug 23rd show and could only get a 240pm seating.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I don't know if things have changed recently but the only time I've ever had to "Stand in line" for Fantasmic is basically when I've seen the second show of the night while everyone exits the theatre and stuff. For the first show of the night I find that I spend far less time standing up and that almost all of the 90 min (or whatever) wait is spent in my seat.

You're right. Technically, we got on a line about 90 min. before showtime, and it was constantly moving. We were seated in less than 10 minutes of getting on the line, the rest of the time we just sat and waited for the show.

It has been a really long time since I have done Fantasmic without the package so maybe the wait is not as bad now because we had to stand in line without moving for forever with two small kids so my memory of it isn't so pleasant. :lookaroun (This was like 2000 though)

 

[erstwo]

My advice would be - don't book the package unless you really, really want to and if it rains while you are at Disney go on that day.

We did the Hollywood & Vine package the first week of June. The food was decent, but the price for those who were paying out of pocket in our party was a little steep. Especially since there is no "atmosphere" with the lack of characters at dinner. Plus "dinner" was at 4:20 - a little early for our tastes.

Here's a picture of the crowd 20 minutes before show time on the day we had our reservations.

This was a very rainy day. Rained in the AM and then again at around 4 pm. As you can see, there is still PLENTY of seating left. (This photo was taken from the "reserved" seating area.

I am NOT saying that the crowds are low for Fantasmic by any means. I'm just saying that you risk paying a lot of money for something that might not be worth it in the long run.? All depends on your perspective I guess!

Either way, have fun. It was a good show!

 

[DisneyGigi]

My advice would be - don't book the package unless you really, really want to and if it rains while you are at Disney go on that day.

We did the Hollywood & Vine package the first week of June. The food was decent, but the price for those who were paying out of pocket in our party was a little steep. Especially since there is no "atmosphere" with the lack of characters at dinner. Plus "dinner" was at 4:20 - a little early for our tastes.

Here's a picture of the crowd 20 minutes before show time on the day we had our reservations.

This was a very rainy day. Rained in the AM and then again at around 4 pm. As you can see, there is still PLENTY of seating left. (This photo was taken from the "reserved" seating area.

I am NOT saying that the crowds are low for Fantasmic by any means. I'm just saying that you risk paying a lot of money for something that might not be worth it in the long run.? All depends on your perspective I guess!

Either way, have fun. It was a good show!

Thanks! We are on the free dining plan so the only thing is that it will cost us is two credits instead of one to eat at Brown Derby but we are going to eat there anyway, we always do. I think I will go ahead and get the package and hope for the best because I love Fantasmic, it is one of my favorite things at Disney. I just wish I knew what day so I could map out my dining I have everything ready to go but have to wait to plan around Fantasmic.:brick: