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View Full Version : Character breakfast or Fantasmic! balcony?



Leap for Joy
04-02-2003, 04:35 PM
I decided that this time I would 'splurge' on a character breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen... then I started reading the threads about watching Fantasmic! from the balcony while eating scrumptious desserts and now I'm torn! None of us have done either activity, and we can't afford to do both. It will be our first viewing of Fantasmic! We have 3 adults and one 7 year old in our group. We'll be there in mid-July so I'm assuming that Fantasmic! will be running.

If you had to choose, which would you do and why?

:) Thanks!

MammaSilva
04-02-2003, 06:00 PM
The Fantasmic Balcony hands down... your 'numbers' swayed the vote for me, 3 adults eating full price at Goofys Kitchen .. one 7 year old to be impressed and awed by the characters.....all of whom can be seen in the parks with a little effort for 'free' .. the balcony is THE place to see Fantastmic! no doubts about it.

A couple Tips on the characters...Mickey is a no brainer, Toon town is the easiest location, same with Minnie and some of the other residents. Stop by the kiosk where they have the wait times posted and ask the CM about specific characters your son will be disappointed to 'miss'.....

dsnylndmom
04-02-2003, 06:32 PM
I'd say Fantasmic! also, considering your group. If you really want to do a character meal than consider just you and your son and go for a cheaper morning or lunch vs dinner option. But I bet he'll enjoy the Fantasmic! Show also!

Tina:D

Pirate Girl
04-02-2003, 06:39 PM
I would definatly spring for the Fantasmic! balcony. Character breakfasts are fun, but nothing like Fantasmic! from premo seats!

kisroo
04-02-2003, 08:19 PM
Fantasmic Dessert Buffet!!!!

I love Goofy's but ****looooooove**** the balcony even more. If you have to choose just one, do the dessert.

just my .02 ;)

Toady The Eighth
04-03-2003, 01:32 PM
I like Goofy's Kitchen better. There's more, (and better) food, and with the characters and all, I think it's a better deal.

I didn't think the dessert buffet was that great. It was a lot of fun, but for the money, it isn't something I would do on every trip. Goofy's, on the other hand, is.

julia
04-03-2003, 04:57 PM
Hello,

It all depends on your personality and preferences. If you like lots of fun and noise and activity, then, Goofy's Kitchen is great! There are lots of characters and they do all of the fun stuff that we think of when we think of character meals - lots of interaction with the kids, dancing, etc. But, I really like peace and quiet with my breakfast, so I LOVE the character breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel - the buffet is more than worth the cost with every possible breakfast food (the Mickey Waffles are to DIE for), plus I LOVE Chip n' Dale.

But, if you are sweets person, or feel that a day is simply not complete without some chocolate, go for the dessert seating at Fantasmic! The Fantasmic show is so outstanding, completely mesmerizing and it is divine, ESPECIALLLY with lots of chocolate.

You can't go wrong with either choice - do one of them for this trip and then, plan to do the other on your next trip.

Have a magical day!
Julia

PurpleDove33
04-04-2003, 02:19 AM
I was thinking on doing the Fantasmic balcony this year. What do they give you for your money and does anyone know how much does it cost? And how much in advance do you need to make your reservations? Any help would be a big help.

Toady The Eighth
04-04-2003, 08:48 AM
When I was there last year I think it was around $45.00 per person. They had about 4 different desserts, coffee, and mint juleps. If you get put in the pack row (like I did) your view of Fantasmic is not all that good.

mystycalchyk
04-04-2003, 09:04 AM
I can't imagine the view not being better than what it is when you are fighting for your spot on the ground. They only allow 14 guests max up there so it's very comfortable. The last time I went it was $45 per person and the desserts were decadent. Fresh fruit dipped in chocolate, cheesecake to die for (I cant even remember them all, those were the two I stuck with the most) Hot cocoa, tea or coffee and mint julips (which I adore)

To me it's worth completely for the relaxed unobstructed comfortable view. The desserts were a bonus. We just made sure to not eat dinner first. Whats one night of unhealthy decadance in the grand scheme of things?

We try to do it every time we go. Unfortunately for us they stopped having it in the winter time so we didnt get to see it this last year :(

Toady The Eighth
04-04-2003, 09:09 AM
Didn't say the view wasn't better from the balcoony than it was from the ground.

Just said the view and the cheesecake weren't worth the $45.00 per person to me. I imagine if I were in the front row, it might be.

julia
04-04-2003, 02:59 PM
Hello,

When I did the Fantasmic! dessert, and I think that someone else had the same experience, I had a box of goodies waiting on my seat and all the pop or water that I could drink. The box was a large shoebox size with a Disney gold medallion on the top and it was filled with chocolates, bon bons, a couple of rice krispie treats in the shape of Mickey with chocolate ears, several huge chocolate chip cookies. It took me several days to eat all of the goodies, and I am a chocoholic AND had some help from my husband, too.

It might be too expensive to do every time you go to Disneyland, but it is a special experience and creates a good Disneyland memory. I'd definitely do it again for another special occasion.

Have a magical day!
Julia

pixiepal
04-05-2003, 11:38 AM
I would definitely do the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet....my friend and I did it last August, and it was well worth the 45.00. We got whatever (and as much) as we wanted to drink, there were cheeses and crackers, fruit ka-bobs with these HUGE strawberries (I ate about 5 kabobs...but then I was 5 months pregnant!), cheesecake, tiny eclairs, tiny creme brulee, and a few other desserts....but there was plenty to choose from, and I ate a lot of it, let me tell you!

Leap for Joy
04-06-2003, 09:55 AM
Thanks for the great advice! It decided me on Fantasmic! since it is our first time seeing the show. I think my husband and I might go and leave the others behind though...

It was supposed to be 4 of us: me, my hubby, his sister, and her daughter... Now my sister, her husband, and their 7 kids(!) are also going to Disneyland with us!! Wowsa!!! Party of 13 in July, including 5 princesses between the ages of 5 and 9!!!! Can you imagine?!?!

We're going to need a night out without the small ones!! I think Fantasmic! balcony will be a perfect date.

MammaSilva
04-06-2003, 11:10 AM
You'll enjoy it and I agree it's a great 'date night' event!

Ace
04-06-2003, 11:29 AM
Someone said something about it not being as awesome if you're not in the front row.... If you get there 'early,' do they seat you in the front row? I'm not sure how far in advance of the show they tell you to arrive.

Toady The Eighth
04-07-2003, 09:13 AM
Yes, they "seat" you. We arrived 30 minutes prior to the show, and the front row only had 2 people in it, but they seated us in the back row.

PurpleDove33
04-07-2003, 02:01 PM
Toady the eighth, you would think if you arive first or early enough, you would get to choose where you want to sit. When I talked to a CM the other day about this, she told me they don't asign seats and its a first come first serve. So I am not sure why when there were only 2 people in the front row, you didn't get the front row also?
It is 47 dollors now and you need at least a month in advance for the reservations. The CM also said the second show of Fantasmic for the balcony doesn't book as fast as the earlier shows. Because of families with kids book the ealier one then the one at 10:30.
I am still thinking if I want to treat myself to this or not. Because I am in the wheelchair, the places I have to sit is either where the wheelchair section is, which is on the side right in back of the smoking section. Which to me that doesn't make a whole lot of sence. Since most disabled persons can't handle the smoke. They also won't let you sit up close because then you block the view of the other people in the section. I think one time, they let me sit in the back of the sit down section by the rope. So doing this balcony thing to me will be a real treat. And I will make sure I am there early enough that I get in the front row.

Toady The Eighth
04-07-2003, 02:19 PM
Toady the eighth, you would think if you arive first or early enough, you would get to choose where you want to sit. When I talked to a CM the other day about this, she told me they don't asign seats and its a first come first serve. So I am not sure why when there were only 2 people in the front row, you didn't get the front row also?

Hmmm. I'd like to know too. Maybe they changed their policy.

MammaSilva
04-07-2003, 03:19 PM
Originally posted by PurpleDove33
I am still thinking if I want to treat myself to this or not. Because I am in the wheelchair, the places I have to sit is either where the wheelchair section is, which is on the side right in back of the smoking section. Which to me that doesn't make a whole lot of sence. Since most disabled persons can't handle the smoke. They also won't let you sit up close because then you block the view of the other people in the section. I think one time, they let me sit in the back of the sit down section by the rope. So doing this balcony thing to me will be a real treat. And I will make sure I am there early enough that I get in the front row.


PurpleDove33, I say go for the Balcony ...go early so you are one of the first if not the first to check in, if you haven't visited the gallery, you have to check in downstairs at whatever that shop is being called these days, a CM will escort you up the elevator that goes into the Club 33 kitchen, then out onto a balcony type area then into the Gallery... it's way cool, I may never be able to say I've eaten at Club 33 but I have pics of the kitchen :)