Review: Cheapest Fantasmic Dining Package at Hollywood Studios

The most cost-effective Fantasmic Dining Package at Walt Disney World is out there at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, which gives reserved seating to the reimagined nighttime spectacular at Hollywood Studios. Here’s the way it works, meals photographs, ideas on the view from the reserved part, our evaluation of whether or not the upcharge is well worth the cash, and an total evaluation of the expertise.

In phrases of fundamentals, Fantasmic Dining Packages are again for breakfast, lunch & dinner at DHS. These provide a pay-to-play FastPass with seating in a reserved space for the nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World. This comes at a value, with these reserving the Fantasmic Dining Package paying a premium over what their meal would value if paying out of pocket.

However, Fantasmic Dining Packages are presently the solely method to assure a seat on the reimagined nighttime spectacular at DHS. There is not any digital queue or Genie+ Lightning Lane. It’s both shopping for a eating bundle or ready within the standby line. Given that Fantasmic has been gone for almost 3 years and there’s a ton of pent-up demand–it’s all the time fashionable with vacationers, however now locals are wanting to see it for the primary time in just a few years and longtime WDW followers additionally need to try the brand new scenes–that is notably related.

One massive factor to notice, and a supply of confusion amongst Walt Disney World followers, is how to order the Fantasmic Dining Package. Simply making an Advance Dining Reservation for a taking part restaurant is (often) not sufficient. It’s attainable the restaurant will can help you convert to a Fantasmic Dining Package upon arrival, however there aren’t any ensures.

The finest follow is making an ADR for the devoted Fantasmic Dining Package. You’ll know you will have the best factor as a result of it’ll be listed as “Fantasmic Dining Package” within the My Disney Experience app, on disneyworld.com, and in your confirmed ADR.

Here’s what’s included in every Fantasmic! Dining Package at Walt Disney World:

• An entrée and appetizer or dessert at choose full-service eating places or one (1) full buffet (the place relevant), together with a non-alcoholic beverage
• One voucher for assured seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved space

Participating eating places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and eating bundle costs, which exclude tax and gratuity:

For our Fantasmic Dining Package, we booked Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. In actuality, we first booked Hollywood & Vine brilliant and early on the morning when Fantasmic Dining Packages first opened up (for the .0002 seconds they have been really accessible) to be able to revisit Minnie’s Holiday Dine, however needed to change that ADR resulting from different journey plans. I assumed I used to be going to have to do that meal solo consequently, and wasn’t notably eager on doing a personality eating expertise on my own.

Fortunately, Captain America intervened and saved me on the final minute. By that, I imply our good friend Mark Willard–who has made previous appearances on the weblog and is world-renowned for his appearances as Steve Rogers at MNSSHP–took Sarah’s place. Except we did Sci-Fi as an alternative of Minnie’s Holiday Dine. But I digress.

With the pivot to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, my plan modified to ordering the most costly appetizer and entree to be able to display the best way to get as a lot bang for buck as attainable with the Fantasmic Dining Package. Then I referred to as a last-minute audible resulting from unexpected circumstances. Which is to say that my abdomen demanded a burger. Suffice to say, I had no say within the matter.

And because it seems, I can merely let you know the best way to get the most effective worth for cash out of the Fantasmic Dining Package at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant: order the Sci-Fi Smoked Wings and Pan-Seared Salmon Pasta. At current, that’ll complete $42 as in comparison with the $49 for the Fantasmic Dining Package. The finish consequence with that combo is paying $7 additional for the Fantasmic FastPass, which is the most effective you’re going to do. (We additionally each ordered Coke, however I’d’ve gotten water if that wasn’t included, so I’m ascribing $0 to that. YMMV.)

Instead, Mark ordered the Spinach & Artichoke Dip and Drive-in BBQ Burger; I ordered the Fried Dill Pickles and Feature Film Burger (Signature Burger + shrimp & crab cake, pepper jack cheese, chipotle hollandaise sauce). Save for this newish Feature Film Burger, we’ve commented on all of this stuff in previous critiques. As for the burger, it was glorious as all the time, however I ended up consuming the seafood cake individually as I didn’t assume it added something to the burger.

If you’re in search of different delicacies suggestions, try our full Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Review. Since that is merely the traditional menu, I’m not going to fixate on the meals portion of the evaluation. As ought to be clear from its inclusion on our List of the 22 Best Restaurants at Walt Disney World, we’re massive followers of Sci-Fi and extremely advocate it. The Fantasmic factor of the eating bundle is the rather more pertinent consideration right here.

To that finish, we obtained Fantasmic FastPasses on the finish of our meal with the date and efficiency time listed on them. I assume technically these aren’t FastPasses as that system has been retired, however that is nonetheless mainly a paper FastPass by a special title.

We have been additionally suggested by our server that if we misplaced the paper not-FastPass, we may both obtain one other or entry into the eating bundle part with our receipt. It’s been a protracted, very long time since we did the Fantasmic Dining Package at Walt Disney World, however that is nearly verbatim what we have been advised earlier this yr at Disneyland. In any case, we went nearly instantly from Sci-Fi to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, so dropping the paper FastPass throughout that commute would’ve been fairly the spectacular feat.

Otherwise, Fantasmic Dining Packages aren’t a brand new factor, and work precisely the identical as earlier than. Seating on the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater the place Fantasmic is carried out begins (a minimum of) 90 minutes previous to the primary efficiency time. As with everybody else, eating bundle visitors will enter on Sunset Boulevard subsequent to Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage.

The Fantasmic Dining Package reserved seating sections are assured till a minimum of 25 minutes earlier than the present begins. At that point, Cast Members may start providing open seats to visitors with out packages. (In follow, we didn’t see this really occur and aren’t assured it does–it’s only a ‘warning’ on the Fantasmic FastPass.)

There’s loads of signage and Cast Members stationed to direct visitors and make sure you get to the reserved space. It’s fairly easy–simply observe the directional signage, with the one one which actually issues being on the seating space itself.

The Fantasmic Dining Package reserved seating areas are the Mickey and Scar sections of the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater. These are actually dead-center, with the most effective views of the stage. While Walt Disney World claims that nice views of Fantasmic can be found anyplace within the amphitheater–which is arguably true–that is the middle stage perspective. Mickey Mouse and different characters seem instantly in the midst of the stage very often, making this the most effective view. There is actually little question about that.

Seats aren’t assigned, so you may select any open spot within the Mickey or Scar sections.

Of the 2, Mickey is the more-centered part. If you will have choices, I’d say purpose for as near the entrance as attainable, and on the Scar aspect (moderately than Pocahontas aspect) of the Mickey part. Personally, I prefer to be just a few rows again to have clearance over the handrail for photographs and likewise to be on a straight-plane with the primary stage. That’s in all probability splitting hairs a bit an excessive amount of, although. The backside line is that anyplace within the Mickey or Scar sections goes to supply an distinctive view of Fantasmic.

Finally, the core query for many Walt Disney World planners: are the Fantasmic Dining Packages well worth the cash? Yes (with an asterisk). 

This is kind of the change in perspective. If you requested me pre-closure whether or not the Fantasmic eating bundle was well worth the out-of-pocket value, my reply would’ve been a fast and unequivocal “no.” I’d’ve merely really helpful catching the second present, or hedging your bets with a FastPass+ choice if Fantasmic was actually necessary and also you didn’t need to wait or threat it.

Even my present sure comes with an asterisk, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly removed from an unequivocal no. This is partially as a result of Fantasmic is extra fashionable than ever because of the reimagining…and for good cause. (Speaking of which, undecided whether or not there’s curiosity in a standalone evaluation of the brand new Fantasmic, but when so, let me know.) It’s additionally partially as a result of there’ll typically be no simple alternate options to the eating bundle.

With that stated, I’m going to equivocate a bit right here as a result of it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. I’d say that 90% of the time, the eating bundle is value the additional $7 to $15 per individual. The time you’ll save ready within the standby line plus the superior view weighed in opposition to the present lack of alternate options for guaranteeing an amazing view with out the effort make {that a} fairly simple conclusion.

The remaining 10% of the time, you might not want the eating bundle for an amazing spot with minimal effort. For instance, on the night time that we did the Fantasmic Dining Package, there have been two performances of Fantasmic. Second showings have been added for a lot of the vacation season and early 2023 resulting from elevated early-on demand for Fantasmic, which noticed crushing crowds overwhelming Sunset Boulevard.

For many dates throughout peak seasons, these second showings are completely obligatory. This specific night time, not a lot. The far left and proper (Hades/Beast and Ursula/Witch) sections by no means stuffed up, and there have been loads of openings in different prime viewing areas, as nicely. In truth, we have been in a position to snag spots within the Mickey part only some rows behind our earlier reserved spot lower than quarter-hour earlier than showtime.

While this will probably be attainable occasionally, the issue lies in precisely and persistently predicting when it’ll happen. (You won’t have a lot luck guessing appropriately 60+ days out.) It’s seemingly that Walt Disney World will get higher about scheduling second showings of Fantasmic solely as demand dictates, that means low-crowd days like this could solely have one exhibiting all through 2023.

Another chance is that Fantasmic will obtain a Lightning Lane, that means that those that buy the Genie+ service will be capable of e book reserved seating by way of that paid FastPass choice. The issues with which can be two-fold. First, it doesn’t but exist. Second, even as soon as it does, meaning selecting Fantasmic over one other Lightning Lane in DHS, which is already a aggressive park for Genie Plus.

Given that Fantasmic Dining Packages e book up nearly immediately once they’re launched, I’d not advocate rolling the cube on any of this. Sure, a second present may be added to your date that may be much less crowded, or Genie+ may be a viable various, however there aren’t any ensures. And even when a kind of choices does pan out, it’s not with out threat or draw back.

Even on the night time we did the second exhibiting of Fantasmic with ease, there was a chance value. We may’ve performed Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog Dash with wait instances of 40 minutes or much less. Other sights have been undoubtedly walk-ons at that time, too.

This weblog spends numerous time warning in opposition to falling sufferer to the FOMO machine or that mentality. There are so many upcharges which can be in extraordinarily low provide, and this shortage ends in packages promoting out regardless of greater worth factors. That will be confused for recognition or high quality, which is usually not the case. Dessert events, we’re taking a look at you!

Unlike dessert events, the Fantasmic Dining Package just isn’t a kind of situations. For most guests who could be doing a desk service meal at Disney’s Hollywood Studios regardless, the Fantasmic Dining Package is well worth the cash for the superior view and time-savings.

With that stated, it’s additionally not the top of the world in case you can’t afford the eating bundle or get shut out. The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater seats 6,900 visitors with extra standing room for about 3,000 visitors. That’s an enormous quantity, and one which’ll permit a great share of all visitors in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see Fantasmic.

There’s no query that the Mickey and Scar sections provide the most effective views of Fantasmic. However, until you’re an obsessive photographer who may be very specific about views, there are a selection of sections that’ll be ‘good enough’ for you. The purpose-built venue for Fantasmic makes it a lot simpler to see–the amphitheater and present have been roughly designed so that every one seats provide ample or above views.

Ultimately, the Fantasmic! Dining Package is nicely well worth the premium per individual pricing for almost all of Walt Disney World visitors, and is an objectively higher use of your trip finances for bonuses or add-ons than absolutely anything else. The time and complications saved plus the consolation of the reserved space and avoiding the chaos of the standby part makes this cash nicely spent.

That’s not true of each Walt Disney World upcharge providing, and definitely not of most different nighttime spectacular reserved viewing or dessert events. Of course, that is topic to vary. It’s seemingly that the ‘new nighttime spectacular smell’ will put on off Fantasmic in some unspecified time in the future in 2023, or it’ll be added to the Genie+ service. If or when these issues occur, the value-calculus may change.

For now, we’d advocate reserving a Fantasmic Dining Package as quickly as attainable as soon as your ADR window opens. You can all the time cancel nearer to your journey dates if it doesn’t seem to be it’ll be obligatory, however you nearly actually will be unable to e book a Fantasmic Dining Package to your Walt Disney World journey on the final minute.

Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about inns on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every thing you’ll want to know!

Your Thoughts

Will you be reserving a Fantasmic eating bundle? Thoughts on doing Sci-Fi for the most affordable meal versus “upgrading” to a dearer restaurant? Is it well worth the surcharge to ensure that you just’ll have a spot within the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater to see the nighttime spectacular? Have you performed any of those eating packages up to now? Was it well worth the cash? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Hearing your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!