Originally Posted By sugarplum Hi... I'm getting ready to make my restaurant reservations and have some questions that the tour books just won't really answer. First, is the Fantasmic dinner package worth the money, and does anyone know if we can use our dining plan credits towards it? And which of the three restaurants are best (Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose, or Brown Derby)? I'm wondering if the additional money spent is worth getting a guaranteed seat at the show (we're from So Cal, so we've seen the DL version). Or would it just be better to wait in line...how long in advance? Second, we want to watch Illuminations at Epcot... where is the best area to watch, and are there any restaurants we can go to, dine, then stay to watch the show? And what World Showcase restaurant is the best, both food quality and entertainment value. Kids are 9 and 11. Any other restaurant recommendations are also appreciated. T.I.A!
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP I too, am planning my first trip to WDW, but as no one has responded yet, I'll give you some reviews from other sources. Allearsnet.com has the following reviews: Brown Derby, 86 reviews w/a score of 8.1 <a href="http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=114&cat=35" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com/reviewpo st/showproduct.php?product=114&cat=35</a> Hollywood and Vine, 125 reviews w/a score of 6.9 <a href="http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=113&cat=35" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com/reviewpo st/showproduct.php?product=113&cat=35</a> Mama Melrose, 117 reviews w/a score of 7.1 <a href="http://allearsnet.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=117&cat=35" target="_blank">http://allearsnet.com/reviewpo st/showproduct.php?product=117&cat=35</a> If you go to the links provided you can read what people had to say about their experiences. The Unofficial Guide rates them like this: The Hollywood Brown Derby gets 4 stars, and 82% of their reader's give it a thumbs up. Hollywood and Vine gets 2.5 stars, and gets a thumbs up from 75% of readers. (They say Playhouse Disney at the Hollywood and Vine is really noisy). Mama Mellrose also gets 2.5 stars, and a thumbs up from 89% of readers. Longer reviews, of course, are available in the book.
Originally Posted By MrDisneyGeek as a comparison of the fantasmic show in DL and WDW as I recall they are pretty much the same with there being more space to watch the show at WDW than at DL. My last and only fantasmic at WDW was in 2000 so it’s been a while. my last 2 trips to DL were in Feb 2005 and November 2006 the November 2006 Fantasmic was not a good experience at all but that is a completely different rant (I think it is somewhere on the DL board) We are going to WDW for 2 weeks January 20-Feb 3 next year so I am hoping you will post your Fantasmic dining experience whatever it is you decide to do. Have a great trip
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl Does anyone know what they are now charging for the Fantasmic dinner package>
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 <a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/din/ fantdin1.htm</a> 3 prices depending on the restaurant you choose to eat at. Brown Derby $43.99 adult/$11.99 child Mama Melrose $32.99 adult/$11.99 child Hollywood & Vine $23.99 adult/$11.99 child hope that helps.
Originally Posted By wam0418 For Fantasmic..there are 2 shows a night usually. Your best bet is to hit the first one. The last one everybody hits because the rest of the park closes. Get there right around an hour before. They have it roped off until 1 hr before and then they open it. There are no lines per say because it is roped off at the tower of terror exit and it is a walk from there to the stage. I would say the brown derby would be the choice to eat.
Originally Posted By FenwayGirl We are going in January. Are there still 2 showings or one. What time would you suggest for dinner reservations?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 doubtful there will be 2 per night in January -- maybe on day on the weekend
Originally Posted By wam0418 If im not mistaken, The Park Closes at 8 in January and the show starts at 8. Your reservations should be for around 5 PM. It will give you a 1 to 1 1/2 hour time area for eating and relaxing. Then you will be around the entrance by 7 which is when they will start to let people in. I have been where I did not get there until about 730 and still got decent seats.(in the middle). So u dont have to be there right at 7. Good Luck
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 It's a huge arena. Lots and lots of seats. First time we saw it we were the last 2 seats (end) in the 2nd row, thought they would be crummy seats, but the show was great. Not a bad seat there, just that some are better.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb >>>is the Fantasmic dinner package worth the money, and does anyone know if we can use our dining plan credits towards it?<<< I was able to use dining plan credits. We ate at Mama Melrose, but didn't enjoy our meal. I would go with one of the other options. As for the show... it's nice to have a place to sit with out some rude person shoving their way in front of you blocking your view by putting a kid on their shoulders. There are some elements that are different from the DL version (a Pocahantas scene). But ours (I'm from So Cal too) blows theirs out of the water. Since WDWs isn't on the Rivers of America they don't have the Columbia or Mark Twain (both of which give me chills in the show). You should see the MGM version at least once IMO, but don't expect the emotional impact you get from DL's. As for EPCOT restaurants, my son and I both liked the Nine Dragons, but we love Chinese food.
