Fantasmic Dinner Packages

[Tink&Goofy]

I know there have been many threads regarding the Fantasmic packages, but none seem to answer my questions.

I'm not exactly sure how it works - you go to your ADR, and get a pass/ticket at that time to get you in later? Does everyone who is using the dinner packages get in at the same time? Is there any advantage to having an early or late ADR? :confused:

If Fantasmic starts at 8:30 - what would be the preferable ADR time?

Lastly - I have read numerous debates as to which is "better" - H&V or Mama's. We love Italian food - but not sure how this compares. The youngest is really picky :humph:- but could likely find something at either place. Suggestions?

[Jared]

You will receive vouchers at the restaurant. After dinner, enter Fantasmic! near the front of the park through a side entrance. You can enter the theater whenever, but you're supposed to arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain.

If Fantasmic! starts at 8:30 during your trip, I'd try to have dinner before no later than 6 p.m. so you won't feel rushed.

My family likes Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano, but the reviews on these boards are always mixed. Perhaps we've just had two good experiences, but I always recommend the restaurant.

Hollywood & Vine is a pretty standard buffet. It's good, not great. You'll leave satisfied but not particularly moved by the meal.

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

A couple of comments to add to the previous poster. Your server should provide you with all the necessary information/documents for when and where to meet. As mentioned you meet at the front of the park and are semi escorted via a back walkway to the Fantasmic stage. MGM reserves the right side of the seating area for package holders. These are not the prime seats, they are stage right. Nothing wrong with them, but they are not the best out there.

Second, if you book a Fantasmic package be prepared to be told when to eat. There is a very good chance that you may have to eat at a time much earlier than you'd prefer. We did the package thru the HBD and I think ate around 4:00 or so as that was the only time available.

If you are going during the value season I would say that the "need" to use the package to get into Fantasmic is not necessary, as crowds are much more manageable, more seating available and less wait times.

If you are using the dining plan, as an fyi you can use a 1TS to book for the Fantasmic package, 2TS if you eat at HBD.

[SBETigg]

We liked using the package because it just made it all seem so much easier. It probably didn't save us time because we like to get there early, know we have good seats in that section, and wait. It saved us standing around in line and worrying about the crowd beating us to better seats. Not that there are bad seats anywhere in the theater, I just don't like looking through crowds to find seats.

Depending on season, showing up a half hour before the show (the supposed perk of having the package) will leave you with a limited choice of remaining seats. They fill up fast. We usually get there about an hour before the show. You want to be done with dinner by 7:30 meaning the ideal dinner time would probably be 5:30-6. However, with the package, we've always been told what is available for dinner times and it's usually early, like around 3:30 or 4. So you eat, then kill time by visiting more attractions, then head for the show. A lot of people would rather just stand in line for the show.

As far as dinner, I've only tried Brown Derby (excellent) and Hollywood & Vine (not bad, not great). Mama Melrose might be okay but with picky kids, the buffet may be the better choice.

[Jared]

These are not the prime seats, they are stage right. Nothing wrong with them, but they are not the best out there.
I agree with everything you said, but the seats are actually flanked stage left.

Stage directions are given through the perspective of the actor, not the audience. The section reserved for the Fantasmic! DInner Package is on the right side of the theater while facing the stage.

If facing the house, the section is on the left, therefore, stage left.

I just showed my theater snobbishness. Sorry!

:blush:

[Laura670]

Second, if you book a Fantasmic package be prepared to be told when to eat. There is a very good chance that you may have to eat at a time much earlier than you'd prefer. We did the package thru the HBD and I think ate around 4:00 or so as that was the only time available..

Same thing with Mama Melrose when we went in January the lastest seating they could give us with the Fantasmic package was 3:30pm. Just another note that when we were there in Jan. Mama Melrose no longer has a special menu for the Fantasmic package you can order anything off their regular menu.

[jpH/keD]

:confused:I dont know if I can answer your questions exactly but we have also had many questions about the FDP and show seating. I called again today for about the 6th time. Our trip is in Nov. and we are scheduled to do Mama Melrose's at 4:10. We have a group of 11. We could not get all together so we are split of 9 and 2 ....another story. However when we booked the ressies at 180days out the show started at 7pm. Now they have changed the show to 6:30 AND added a 2nd show at 8 or 8:30. I called Disney and they said we had to go to the first show . I questioned whether we would have enough time to finish and get there 30 minutes prior to the show and was assured it was ample time. However someone from Disney mgm called our house but did not leave a message and the phone # was a no call back #. SOOOO I called again and this time I was told we could choose which show time we wanted when we got to the restaurant and our server would give us the voucher??? :confused: So, I truly do not feel comfortable w/ the whole thing but WHEN are you going? If its after Nov 20th I will be glad to post a report on exactly what happened with us! We are hoping the scoop I got today is true an that we can swing the Osbourn Lights before our Fantasmic show but still....Not too comfortable w/ the info we have been given!

[Lynn J Mc]

The server will give you one card similar to a 3x5 index card. It will have the number of people in your party. You will take that card to a gate between Oscar's on the restrooms near the front of the park to the left of the "Main Street". The CM there will look at the card, let your party in and tell you to give the card to the next CM. Have fun.