Originally Posted By oneyepete I have done both with DW and we prefer the riverside. Desserts are every bit as good and you didn't feel crammed in like on the balcony.
Originally Posted By kennedyjane SuzyQ when did riverside seating change to a box dessert? DH and I sat there Summer 05' and it was buffet. Not that it really matters. I do hope balcony comes back though.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ It changed sometime in '06. I've done Riverside 4 or 5 times, and January '07 was the first time I had the boxes. I was really upset when I found out, but it turned out to be really nice.
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ Interestingly enough, I emailed vacation planning on the 17th, and haven't heard back about the balcony seating.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle >>It's definitely something you do as a treat, and not an 'every trip' type thing. Everyone I know hesitates to pay the price, second guesses themselves once they have, then vows to never sit on the ground for hours again, lol.<< Absolutely! I know it's not for everyone (I have a friend going to DLR for the first time this year and she'd never even consider it) but the way I see it, I don't get to Disneyland that often, why not make the most of it and completely indulge?!
Originally Posted By kennedyjane I called Disney revervations and F! is $59.00 now. With it not being a buffet the price should be 1/2 off. I can't persuede my inlaws to buy tickets now. When I said it was balcony viewing, with a buffet they were fine with it. I'm thinking they liked the assortment to choose from, not a box of treats. Does anyone else think the price should be less now?
Originally Posted By kennedyjane If it were just DH and I we would buy tickets. I really like F!, but I'm not going to sit by the fence for hours for prime viewing.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ ^ I did think it should be discounted. It was one of the things I loudly complained about. Then I went. It's different, but every bit as worthwhile. Liberty Belle, I agree with you 100%! I go often enough that I don't bother with the Fantasmic crowds very often. When I do decide to watch, I treat myself to reserved seating - typically once every 12-18 months.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I am just not that jazzed about F! anymore. It's an old show, and the novelty of it has mostly worn off. It's definitely not a must-see for me these days. NO WAY would I pay $59.00 to see sitting it in a chair with some dessert, even as a spurge.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ ^ cool, lol, one less person ahead of me trying to get seats 30 days in advance I should add, that I typically travel with friends to DL, so I'm only buying one ticket for F!, which makes it a much easier expense to swallow.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Same as balcony, but they give a $10 discount for kids. The balcony has no kids price.
Originally Posted By Mickeys Gal I did riverside seating in 2004 and it was $59 with a box of desserts. They tried the buffet in 2005 but it didnt really work.
Originally Posted By debtee I'm also a supporter of the dessert box now in Riverside. We have done the balcony three times now and on our last trip it was a disaster! It was during Christmas week, so they had 22 people squashed into that tiny area, we were in the front row centre and a CM placed a little table at either end of our party of 6, so we couldn't get out of our seats to access the dessert buffet, because other families were positioned so close behind us, we couldn't pull our chair back and get out that way either. A CM brought a round of hot chocolate's to us and that was it.... no dessert! We didn't want to make a fuss during the performance and disturb others so thought we would get our dessert at the end of the show. No. As soon as Fantasmic finished we turned around and it was all packed up and put away. We mentioned to the CM that we didn't get ANY dessert as we couldn't move because of the placement of the tables and she basically shrugged her shoulders and said it'a all been put away now! She was nice but didn't do anything about it. So I would prefer a box of dessert, as it would ensure you actually GET your dessert! It was still cool to watch F from the Balcony as a nice treat but I'm not in a hurry to repeat the experience and we will go for Riverside next time, we did that on our first trip to DL and it was much more enjoyable!
Originally Posted By dltraveler I see your point, debtee, about at least you would GET your dessert. While I still thoroughly enjoyed the balcony seating the one time we did it, there were two minor disappointments. First, they had no hot chocolate, they said the machine broke, but that could affect the other seating as well. Second, that you needed to get your food fast because once something was gone, it was gone. I figured there would be plenty of food, so I took a few small things to sample to find out what I did/didn't like. When I went back for more, what I wanted was already gone and that's when I learned they don't resupply the table. Considering this was still BEFORE the show, I was a little irritated. Still, the view was amazing and I didn't see the point in letting these events spoil things. In spite of the rapidly disappearing buffet, I'd consider doing it again, I would just not be so "polite" about filling my plate. Still, it does give some strength to the argument for river seating with your own little box.
Originally Posted By planodisney We did Riverside in 2005, and i wwouldn't do it again. If you sit middle, to left, it can be difficult to see. We were all leaning over most of the show to get a good view. It is so hard to feel comfortable there, after experiencing stadium seating with unabstructed views at MGM.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Wow, you are the first person I've ever heard that prefers MGM! We were the far left in January. We didn't have to lean at all! In fact, our seats had a water screen right in front. Perhaps they have moved the seating over since you last went?
Originally Posted By nbodyhome I've been trying to decide whether or not to do the Fantasmic in July (seating). What type of desserts are included in the box? If I missed it in the thread, I apologize! I figured I'd do the Walts Footsteps tour, at least I can take a peek in Club 33 that way! I probably won't get have an opportunity to eat there (I could hang out in front of the door and beg!)
Originally Posted By SuzieQ In Jan., it was two each: Chocolate dipped strawberries Mickey head rice krispy treats (with chocolate mickey face) macaroons Jelly filled cookies with a colored (choc. I think) bottom Biscotti This makes 10 desserts in each box. All of them were very good. Even the biscotti, which I usually don't like!
Originally Posted By planodisney I dont realy think that the MGM show is better, but the DL show isnt better by much, while the seating situation is VASTLY more comfortable and enjoyable at MGM.
