Can someone give me some details on this? I have a 5 year old daughter. Is this something we should do?

The Fantasmic Package is where you make ADRs with this noted on it (and there are limited seating times for it) and you get a slip of paper of some sort at the end of your meal - and you go in a different entrance (it's actually by the front of the park) to get to Fantasmic. You have a separate section for all the dining package people, that's to one side a little bit, but in theory you don't have to wait as long. For Hollywood &Vine (since it's a buffet) it doesn't cost any more. Basically, if you're eating here anyway, you might as well get the dinner package if you're planning on seeing Fantasmic that night - ESPECIALLY if you're going at a busier time of the year.

I believe that Brown Derby and Mamma Melroses are the other two restaurants that have Fantasmic packages - and if you're on the dining plan, nothing is different. If you're not on the dining plan, there are additional considerations (like you can't just order a cup of soup and get the pass) but I'm not familiar with them specifically.

The Fantasmic Package is where you make ADRs with this noted on it (and there are limited seating times for it) and you get a slip of paper of some sort at the end of your meal - and you go in a different entrance (it's actually by the front of the park) to get to Fantasmic. You have a separate section for all the dining package people, that's to one side a little bit, but in theory you don't have to wait as long. For Hollywood &Vine (since it's a buffet) it doesn't cost any more. Basically, if you're eating here anyway, you might as well get the dinner package if you're planning on seeing Fantasmic that night - ESPECIALLY if you're going at a busier time of the year.



Well, does that mean that you don't have to wait in line for Fantasmic? And, that you have reserved seating for it?

We did this exact package in 2004. You eat at H&V and then get a pass to present at Oscar's Garage for entry to Fantasmic, the back way. You have to arrive at Oscar's 35 minutes prior to Fantasmic, so you don't have to wait in the general line, but you do have to be there 35 minutes prior. The seating is in a reserved section, but first come, first served to those that ate using the package that night. The reserved section seating was fine, it's on the right side if you are looking at the stage. If the show is cancelled, you don't get another pass for another night.

The prices are:
Hollywood & Vine - $22A/$10C
Mama Melrose's - $29A/$10C
Brown Derby - $47A/$10C

All take 1 Table Service credit if on the dining plan.

PS - We are doing it again in June at Mama Melrose's.

All take 1 Table Service credit if on the dining plan.
I'm pretty sure Brown Derby takes 2 TS credits. It's a 'signature' location and normally requires 2 credits.

Oops, my bad, yes the Derby takes 2. I didn't catch that on my print out of the DDP from the WDW site.

We did this exact package in 2004. You eat at H&V and then get a pass to present at Oscar's Garage for entry to Fantasmic, the back way. You have to arrive at Oscar's 35 minutes prior to Fantasmic, so you don't have to wait in the general line, but you do have to be there 35 minutes prior. The seating is in a reserved section, but first come, first served to those that ate using the package that night. The reserved section seating was fine, it's on the right side if you are looking at the stage. If the show is cancelled, you don't get another pass for another night.

The prices are:
Hollywood & Vine - $22A/$10C
Mama Melrose's - $29A/$10C
Brown Derby - $47A/$10C

All take 1 Table Service credit if on the dining plan.

PS - We are doing it again in June at Mama Melrose's.

Thanks for all th info. If it's not too late, I might try to get in on that. Which place is most recommended to eat at and get the package? Or a ranking order? I'll try to get first choice, but then have 2nd and 3rd.

My 2 cents is that if you want to do the F! package, go with Mama Melrose's or Hollywood and Vine. I think H&V is a little more kid friendly, but we enjoyed both.

The three are so different, I think it depends on what you want. H&V is a buffet - Mamma Melroses is a TS Italian, Brown Derby is a signature (aka nicer) TS location.

The seating is in a reserved section, but first come, first served to those that ate using the package that night. The reserved section seating was fine, it's on the right side if you are looking at the stage.

It should be noted that the reserved section is as far over to the right as possible. It is in no way prime seating, as you might expect from booking reserved seating. It's still not bad for the show, but you should be aware that you won't be seated front and center.

It's a matter of personal taste on which one to do.

We did H&V last time cause it's a buffet and our youngest was only 4, so a buffet worked better for her than waiting to be served.

This time we are doing MM as she will be almost 8 now and sits through meals out while at home very well now.

Maybe next time she'll be ready for BD.

And, yes, the seats are the rightmost when facing the stage, but are still fine for viewing the show.

It should be noted that the reserved section is as far over to the right as possible. It is in no way prime seating, as you might expect from booking reserved seating. It's still not bad for the show, but you should be aware that you won't be seated front and center.

You can actually sit anywhere there is a seat left when you enter the show from this 'reserved' seating entrance; of course there is unlikely to be better seats left elsewhere. For my money, whilst the seating is far right and certainly not the best this is more than compensated for by the reduced wait. We were naughty and arrived 15 mins early not the stipulated 35 so were near the back of the far right reserved seating. I still loved the show and we made a really quick exit out of the park after the show too. Someone did steal our buggy on the way out though :crying:

scooby, if I had a family and needed a bunch of seats, I'd probably agree with you that the reserved seating is far better than having to get there 60 to 90 minutes early. As a single visitor, though, I can show up about 20 minutes before showtime and snag a great seat in the middle, at the end of someone's bench.

And yes, the viewing of this show is pretty good from just about anywhere. But I'd still feel cheated if I came in unsuspecting, expecting a prime reserved seat, only to find out that the reserved section was way over to the side (in essence the worst seats in the house!). As long as people know what they're getting into, all is well.

Thinking about it I guess your eyesight is an issue here. I was definately straining to see the detail from the back. Still, there's no way my children would sit and wait nicely for over an hour so the reserved seating is really a better option for us.

What time does Fantasmic start? How long does it last? Is there a certain night during the week that is lss crowded?

The schedule for Fantasmic, is on the WDW calendar pages that has the hours. Just click on the individual day in the Studios monthly calendar, and it'll tell you when the parade and Fantasmic are scheduled.

It's going to be more crowded on days with EMHs, but other than that, I'm not sure if there's much difference in days.

It's 25 minutes long.

Can you do Fantasmic and the parade? Are they back to back?

Can you do Fantasmic and the parade? Are they back to back?

The parade is usually at 3, and Fantasmic doesn't start until it's dark, so they are usually quite a bit apart in time.

But I'd still feel cheated if I came in unsuspecting, expecting a prime reserved seat, only to find out that the reserved section was way over to the side (in essence the worst seats in the house!). As long as people know what they're getting into, all is well.
Going off of this, and with all fairness, they never advertise the reserved seating as a "prime reserved seat."

Ive done F! both ways and to be honest, its a great show regardless. The views are different but overall, the way the stadium is laid out, there really isnt a "really bad" seat, just some that are somewhat better than others. That may sound like I am trying to candy-coat things but that is just my opinion from my multiple experiences.

What I would do if going with the package is still get there somewhat early. That way you can try to get a seat in the reserved section that is more to the left than the others. That would be the best compromise as sometimes having the package is great if the parks are really crowded.

We did it last trip (F! Pkg with MM), and LOVED the convenience of it (I agree with Scoobydooby). One note, though. We got EARLY ADRs at MM (I think it was something like 4:30!). We didn't eat lunch that day; we ate a late, heavy breakfast and then dinner. It was a slow-ish dinner. I don't think we left until nearly 6:00 and the waiting area was packed. People were FREAKING that they wouldn't make it to the 7:00 show. Just a helpful hint....

BTW, I would do the F! pkg again in a nanosecond.

Going off of this, and with all fairness, they never advertise the reserved seating as a "prime reserved seat."

I know. But in most venues, if you've booked reserved seating you should be getting at least moderate to excellent seats, not the worst seats in the house. Still, even the worst seats in this theater aren't too bad. I only mention it so people aren't surprised when they're ushered way over to the right.