Fantasmic Dinner Package Watchout

[tiggerandpooh63]

We bought the Fantasmic Dinner package and had a wonderful time - great dinner at the Brown Derby then headed to the show about 6:10 - as mentioned on another board, the show this past Thursday was standing room only already at that time. We showed our seating pass and were directed to the right side of the stadium which is the reserved section and at that time was virtually empty - but people started to figure out ways to "sneak" into the seats - including those sitting next to us who said they snuck through and were calling their friends to join them. I mention simply to alert people to make sure you get there early, even with the pass to make sure you get a seat!

[dmosher]

See, that's not right at all. I mean, I know it is no pleasant waiting for a good viewing area of Fantasmic and maybe when it gets closer to start time CM;'s should open these seats up, but we pay extra for the privilege of NOT having to get there so early and scrape for a seat.
When will people stop being so selfish and realize that just because they CAN break a rule does not mean they HSOULD break a rule. When DW and I see people doing these sort of things, we actually go to CM's and complain. Yes it seems like silly school yard tattling, but it isn't. This is what we pay for and one of the reasons prices on events and special ticket things like the package you bought go up.
STOP CHEATING PEOPLE! BE HONEST AND RESPONSIBLE!

D

[sacandjac]

We also had the Fantasmic Dinner Package on Thursday and it was a zoo!!! We started to the theater at about 6:00, but because of the crowds did not make it to the reserved section until 6:20 and there were no seats. The lady at the beginning of the reserved seating entrance actually said, "good luck, I think they have taken all the seats by sneaking under the rope." They had no control whatsoever on the crowd. My brother was in a scooter and we found a spot for him and his wife and my mother. We moved down aways and found a few seats in the section saved for family of handicapped individuals. We were harrassed three times by Disney people saying we could not sit there and all three times we explained that we were with a handicapped individual, but there was no seating near him. I wanted to say instead of harrassing me why don't you ask all these people if they have a yellow ticket that allows them to sit in this section. Much better when there was a separate entrance. Several of my family members had never been Disney and I was severely disappointed at how this turned out and was handled. I was very embarrassed because I told them how great this event was and how easy it would be with the Fantasmic Dinner Package-not!!! We have done this every time we have gone and never encountered a problem like this. I will not be using package again and will definitely avoid DHS on Fantasmic night. The park was a zoo all day. We went back on Friday and it was great-we got most everything done by noon including Toy Story Mania. Other than this day, we did have a great week.

[CaptSmee]

We also had the Fantasmic Dinner Package on Thursday and it was a zoo!!! We started to the theater at about 6:00, but because of the crowds did not make it to the reserved section until 6:20 and there were no seats. The lady at the beginning of the reserved seating entrance actually said, "good luck, I think they have taken all the seats by sneaking under the rope." They had no control whatsoever on the crowd. My brother was in a scooter and we found a spot for him and his wife and my mother. We moved down aways and found a few seats in the section saved for family of handicapped individuals. We were harrassed three times by Disney people saying we could not sit there and all three times we explained that we were with a handicapped individual, but there was no seating near him. I wanted to say instead of harrassing me why don't you ask all these people if they have a yellow ticket that allows them to sit in this section.

We were there from a little before 6 in the package area the same night and it was very crowded. We sat right near the rope about 1/3 of the way down and people were trying to sneak under the rope, but guests and cast members were able to chase them away until about 6:30 or so when it pretty much became a free for all and the entire theater was filled to capacity. The CM that told you that should not have said that to you because they were trying hard to keep people out and so were we along with other guests seated in the area.

[hokies4life]

See, that's not right at all. I mean, I know it is no pleasant waiting for a good viewing area of Fantasmic and maybe when it gets closer to start time CM;'s should open these seats up, but we pay extra for the privilege of NOT having to get there so early and scrape for a seat.
When will people stop being so selfish and realize that just because they CAN break a rule does not mean they HSOULD break a rule. When DW and I see people doing these sort of things, we actually go to CM's and complain. Yes it seems like silly school yard tattling, but it isn't. This is what we pay for and one of the reasons prices on events and special ticket things like the package you bought go up.
STOP CHEATING PEOPLE! BE HONEST AND RESPONSIBLE!

D

I was under the impression that it doesnt cost anything extra for the Fantasmic Dining Package, you just have to ask for it when you make your ADR. At least thats how it was told to me because we are doing it in April and not paying anything extra.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Wow, we did the package Dec 24th and the Cast Members were guarding the rope faithfully, many tried sneaking under and were made to move....is this a sign of cut backs even in the past month?

[joelkfla]

Wow, we did the package Dec 24th and the Cast Members were guarding the rope faithfully, many tried sneaking under and were made to move....is this a sign of cut backs even in the past month?

Well - yes! The show schedule was cut back just in the past month!

But there are always more cm's at peak times to help with the crowds.

And since that was before the schedule cutback, some of the cm's may have been full-timers who have since been transferred to other areas. (Although I can't say that definitively, as I'm not familiar with that area first-hand.)

[WDW_Obsessed]

Yes it seems like silly school yard tattling, but it isn't. This is what we pay for and one of the reasons prices on events and special ticket things like the package you bought go up.
STOP CHEATING PEOPLE! BE HONEST AND RESPONSIBLE!

D

I don't think this is "silly school yard tattling" at all. You're completely right that you paid the price for the package and you deserve to receive the full value of that ticket, which includes not having to fight with those people cheating their way in to the same privelage you have paid for! DH and I always do the same thing...we are good consumers and intend to get the value of what we pay for. Besides, it really is the Disney's responsibility to enforce their own rules. And I've found that most CM's are thankful when you let them know (politely of course!) what is going on.

[KylesMom]

I was under the impression that it doesnt cost anything extra for the Fantasmic Dining Package, you just have to ask for it when you make your ADR. At least thats how it was told to me because we are doing it in April and not paying anything extra.

This is a "yes and no" question. While there is no money actually exchanged for the the Fantasmic voucher itself, you could save some serious cash (roughly $180+ or 6 dining credits for three adults at Brown Derby in Peak & Holiday Season - and $135+ or 3 dining credits for Mama Melrose) and skip the meal. I use the 3 adults as an example because it is DH and I and our 10-year old son - but he is considered an adult as well. Even with our Dining Experience 20% discount, in value season, with cocktails and extra tip for exemplary service I think we laid out $145 each time at Mama Melrose for the package. The only place we spent more at during our 15-day stay was LeCellier.

So in a way it is free, but you are paying a premium in a roundabout way for the pass you receive. Also, Fantasmic Dining packages are limited - you must ensure that your ADR is specifically made for the package.

We've been participating in the Fantasmic Dining program for many years, and have always thought it to be well worth the $$$ we are paying for the dinner and the pass, especially since we love Mama Melrose anyway.

I will mention that in July of last year, by 8:30 it was an open free-for-all to get seating on both occasions we did the Fantasmic Dinner Package. We had people pushing and shoving to try and fit more than was allowable on the benches since general guests began swarming the Fantasmic area. We used to be able to get there by 8:30 for a 9 pm show - good thing we left a bit of extra time this time around, or we would have been standing!

[chrisie703]

This is nothing new. We had the package in Sept of 2007 and there were plenty of people sneaking in under the ropes, and no CM's were stopping them. And that is supposed to be low season!
If they didn't have the fantasmic dinner package would not be eating a table service meal at DS, as they are not any of my favorites.
There are plenty of places I would rather eat.

[Ian]

Another example of Disney refusing to enforce their own rules to the detriment of the guests that actually follow the rules.

[Pirate Granny]

OH NO...we always get the Fantasmic Package as we love to come right on time and be able to get a seat...hummmm...I agree with the previous poster...we only eat at HS when we want the Fantasmic Package...it's my least favorite park and restaurants. I guess we'll have to reconsider for our May trip.

[CaptSmee]

Another example of Disney refusing to enforce their own rules to the detriment of the guests that actually follow the rules.

I guess everyone chose to ignore my on hand account of what was happening that night having sat there for over an hour prior to the show start. I felt bad for the 2 CM's trying to "guard" the rope. They were trying...and like I said, us guests were attempting to do our part as well. Everyone seating in the section at one point even shifted all the way over to where the rope was to make it more difficult for "rope crossers" to get across the line! Signs or placards hanging from the rope would make sense because noone understood why it was there.

[mouseketeer mom]

aaaah!!! You guys are scaring me! We are doing the Fantasmic package in March for the first time. We wouldn't be eating at DHS otherwise. I am sad to hear this, I thought we could just get there right before showtime.

[JPL]

It's really a simple solution for Disney Call their Uniformed security and escort those people out of the section. I understand what you saying with the CMs trying but sometimes trying isn't enough. Disney created this new problem by cutting back performance of the show they need to be proactive in preventing problems like this from happening if it means strong arming some guests breaking the rules so be it.

The one thing Disney always did well was crowd control and slowly they are getting really bad at it. All in the name of profit.

[DreamFinder2]

I wanted to say instead of harrassing me why don't you ask all these people if they have a yellow ticket that allows them to sit in this section. Much better when there was a separate entrance. Several of my family members had never been Disney and I was severely disappointed at how this turned out and was handled.

So, you don't enter through the gas station anymore??? That was half the fun!!!

[AXOAlum]

So, you don't enter through the gas station anymore??? That was half the fun!!!

This is my question too!!

[kakn7294]

So, you don't enter through the gas station anymore??? That was half the fun!!!

That's what I was wondering too! That walk was kinda brutal but no matter which way you entered, the walk into the stadium is loooong!

[PrettyMinnie]

Thanks for the tip! We are planning on buying the Fantasmic Package at Hollywood & Vine over our May trip. We will definitely keep that in mind.

[Altair]

Another example of Disney refusing to enforce their own rules to the detriment of the guests that actually follow the rules.

They wouldn't to "insult" anyone now would they? If they are not going to enforce the rules, why have them. I'm with you, tired of following rules just to watch others get ahead for cheating.

All they have to do is enter violations on your tickets. More than one violation per day and out you go.
I bet things would change for the better quick.