I have always gotten the Fantasmic Dining Package. The last time I did it, I wasn't really thrilled with how Disney World handled it. I don't remember the specifics, just that it was awful.
Now I am going with a large group of people. I initially thought we would get the Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic Dinner Package. While doing research for my planning, I discovered that Hollywood & Vine has some characters during lunch that the kids love. I thought "well, I didn't really like the dinner package last time, and I can get a fastpass for Fantasmic. I will book the lunch for the characters and the fastpass for Fantasmic." Now as I am looking at the tiers for the fastpasses, it says that if I get a Fantasmic fastpass, I won't be able to get any other fastpasses besides the initial 3 all day.
Can I wait and get a Fantasmic fastpass later in the day? Does the time when we get the fastpass affect which section we'll be seated in? Should I just go with the dinner package after all? Yes, I'm OCD about planning these trips. I want them to be perfect for new people. 
I have seen the standby line for Fantasmic before. I'm not waiting in that line with a 3 year old. Actually, I wouldn't wait in that line if it was just me.
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
I'm a Fantasmic Dinner girl. If I see the show, I get the dinner package. I figure "we've gotta eat anyways" and like you, I refuse to stand in the line. Do you remember your issues at all? Is there anything that can do be done to avoid them this time?
I don't know if I'd use a FP either. I'm assuming you'll be getting one for TSMM, and then something else. DHS is a tricky one, since there are so few "great" attractions. I'd worry about getting one later in the day, I know I've seen them all "gone", but not sure how early in the day that happens.
Heather aka ibelieveindisneymagic
INTERCOT Staff
Engaged at the castle!
My Disney Home is POFQ
When are you going? We've used the package the last couple of times we saw Fantasmic but we were there during the holidays. We are going next week and I didn't bother with it this time, I figure in the off season shouldn't be hard to get a decent seat. If it's busy season,I'm thinking if you want to see the characters do the fast pass.
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If you wait to get the Fastpasses, you are setting yourselves up for a potential glitch, like not being able to get Fastpasses for that many people late in the day. And you say you are OCD and love planning, so I think this will affect your enjoyment. It's taking a chance, and you will most likely be uneasy about it. If Fantasmic is a must for your group, and waiting in line isn't an option, then for your own peace of mind, you probably need to either take the dinner package or secure your FPs and give up on any FPs after the initial three. Keeping in mind that there will be things to do even without the ability to Fastpass.
Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014
Never have used the dinning package. The last two times I went to Hollywood studios after I used my initial 3 fastpasses, Fantasmic was the only thing left to get a Fastpass for.
My last trip was Thanksgiving day 2016, I was able to get Fantasmic FPs while I was waiting for a 4pm showing of Indian Jones Stunt Spectacular.
"Welcome, Foolish Mortals..."
We've never had a fastpass for Fantasmic and never had a problem getting a seat (we visit the end of August). We actually prefer to find a seat on our own because we like to sit way in the back so we can head to the exit right before the show ends to avoid the crowd existing.
MississippiDisneyFreak;2496075 wrote: When are you going? We've used the package the last couple of times we saw Fantasmic but we were there during the holidays. We are going next week and I didn't bother with it this time, I figure in the off season shouldn't be hard to get a decent seat. If it's busy season,I'm thinking if you want to see the characters do the fast pass.
End of September/1st week of October.
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
mydisneygirls;2496094 wrote: We've never had a fastpass for Fantasmic and never had a problem getting a seat (we visit the end of August). We actually prefer to find a seat on our own because we like to sit way in the back so we can head to the exit right before the show ends to avoid the crowd existing.
Hmm, this may be a good option with small children too. I hadn't thought about exiting. I still don't want to stand in that line though. I had a friend call it "masstasmic" once when he saw the line. lol
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
ibelieveindisneymagic;2496068 wrote: I'm a Fantasmic Dinner girl. If I see the show, I get the dinner package. I figure "we've gotta eat anyways" and like you, I refuse to stand in the line. Do you remember your issues at all? Is there anything that can do be done to avoid them this time?
I went and found my old trip report. This is what I wrote
I was very disappointed in the show. The seating area for the dinner package was changed. We were between two water projectors, so the image was blurry. There was a giant pile in Chaq's view, so he couldn't see Maleficent get taller. The dragon did work. I caught myself thinking "at least the dragon worked", and then I realized that was a ****** way to think. People pay a lot of money to get in the parks and we had paid for the dinner package on top of that. It seemed a bit ridiculous to settle for "at least the dragon worked ". Apparently I wasn't the only one to feel that way, because we heard quite a few grumbles around us.
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
Do you really need more than three fast passes at DHS, especially for the time frame you are going? Assuming it hasn't changed, you can't get a 4th FP until after you have used your 3rd and final FP. Because of how FP's get spread out, by the time you use your 3rd one, chances are what's left at that time of day is pretty minimal.
We got lucky, we were dining at Momma Melrose and the hostess asked how are day was going and what we were going to do in the evening, and we said Fantasmic. About 5 minutes later she came back with free dinner package tickets to the show.
You are going at one of the historically slower periods of time, I think I'd forgo the dinner package (and cost) and FP Fantasmic and two other rides.
My only real concern about doing it as a fastpass, is that my oldest son LOVES Star Wars. I would hate to interfere with him getting another one for Star Tours. We are hitting DHS for two days. I could use one day's fastpass for Fantasmic I think.
I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.
