The Ultimate Guide to the Fantasmic! Dining Package at Walt Disney World

Fantasmic! is the nighttime show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that everyone raves about, and for good reason. It’s a magical blend of Disney storytelling, fireworks, water projections, and live performances that will leave you spellbound.

But here’s the catch: you can either wait in a long line for a decent seat, or opt for the Fantasmic! Dining Package where you get a fantastic meal at one of the park’s best restaurants and reserved seating for the show.

Here’s how it works:

What is Fantasmic!?

Fantasmic! is Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ flagship nighttime spectacular, and it’s a show you won’t want to miss.

The exciting 29-minute show is performed in a large theater (which means you get to sit while you watch it!) and features lots of Disney characters, projections on water screens, boats, fireworks, water effects, and great music.

It’s a fantastic visual treat, though some little ones may find some of the darker scenes to be scary.

Location and Showtimes

Fantasmic! takes place at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, which is located near the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror:

This outdoor venue offers plenty of seating, but it fills up quickly, so arriving early is always a good idea.

Showtimes can vary depending on the season and park hours, but there are typically one or two performances each evening. If you do luck out and have the option of 2 shows, the second show is almost always less busy.

Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date schedule during your visit.

What is the Fantasmic! Dining Package?

The Fantasmic! Dining Package is a special dining reservation that combines a meal at one of Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ restaurants with reserved seating for the Fantasmic! show.

Where do you sit?

The reserved seating for the Fantasmic! Dining Package is located in the Mickey and Scar sections, which are the two middle sections of the theater.

What is included in a Fantasmic! Dining Package

When you book one of these packages, here’s what you’ll get. Note that the package changes on August 29, dropping the option to get an appetizer instead of a dessert.

For dates through August 28, 2024:

• An entrée and appetizer or dessert at select full-service restaurants or one (1) full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage
• One voucher for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area (you get your voucher when you dine)

For dates beginning August 29, 2024

• An entrée and dessert at select full-service restaurants or one (1) full buffet (where applicable), along with a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage, for Guests 21 and older)
• One voucher for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area

How much does a Fantasmic! Dining Package cost?

If you want one of the Fantasmic! Dining Packages you’ll have 5 different restaurants to choose from.

You also can use the Disney Dining Plan for your package, and this is a great using of a dining plan credit.

Important: Keep in mind that spots for the Fantasmic! Dining Package at each restaurant are limited, and you will need a special Fantasmic! Dining Package reservation (and not just a regular dining reservation) to get the reserved seating.

How the Fantasmic! Dining Package Works

First, you’ll want to make sure you book the correct thing. These reservations are different from “regular” reservations, so make sure you are booking a dining package. The easiest way to do that is to book them online.

This is really important to know because we often hear from people who accidentally book a regular dining reservation instead of one of the special Fantasmic! Dining Packages.

On the day of your dining reservation, after checking in at the podium and being seated at your table, you’ll be given a voucher. That voucher is what you’ll take with you to the show that night.

Seating at Hollywood Hills Amphitheater begins 90 minutes before show time, but unless you just really want the front row, 30-45 minutes before showtime is plenty with the Dining Package. You’ll enter the Amphitheater on Sunset Boulevard next to Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage.

During busier times of the year, the reserved space for Dining Package people will remain open until about 25 minutes before the show starts. At that time, they’ll begin filling any of the open seats in the Dining Package area with guests without packages.

That means you MUST arrive at least 25 minutes before show time to be seated in the reserved section. Otherwise, you may not get a seat at all.

Note: During slower times of the year, they may delay opening that section up, which means you can show up closer to the start of the show. But, there really isn’t any way to know, so we recommend you stick to arriving about 30 minutes ahead either way.

One last thing:

Your exact seat is not assigned. It is first-come, first-served. If being up close is important to you, make sure you arrive earlier rather than waiting for right before the show starts.

So what’s the catch?

You might wonder why everyone wouldn’t just book the Fantasmic! Dining Package, but there is at least 1 downside: the meal times available with the package can sometimes (but not all the time) be weird – especially during the busiest times of the year. Like eat-lunch-at-2:00 weird.

If you’re OK with eating at off-peak times, this will be a good option for you.

One more possible downside:

The show gets canceled due to weather (rain = too slippery for the performers) and sometimes due to technical difficulties. In the event of a cancellation, typically you won’t automatically be issued a new pass for another night or be given a refund.

(Note: some people have had success stopping by guest relations and being issued a voucher to return on a different night. Park admission would be required to do that, and it’s not something that you’re guaranteed to get.)

Is the Fantasmic! Dining Package worth it?

If you were already planning to dine at one of the eligible restaurants AND you wanted to see Fantasmic!, then definitely we think it might be worth it.

Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Reserved Seating: One of the biggest perks of the Fantasmic! Dining Package is the reserved seating. You get prime seats in the Mickey and Scar sections, which are centrally located and offer an excellent view of the show. This means no more waiting in long lines and worrying about getting a good spot.
• Convenience: It is a lot easier to get a good seat without long waits.

Cons

• Cost: The Fantasmic! Dining Package is more expensive than a regular meal at the park. And, you could see Fantasmic! for free if you’re willing to line up early and sit off-center.
• Fixed Schedule: You’ll need to plan your day around your dining reservation and the showtime. This could limit your flexibility with other park activities.
• Weather Dependency: Since Fantasmic! is an outdoor show, it’s subject to weather conditions. In the rare event of a cancellation due to inclement weather, your dining experience remains intact, but the highlight—Fantasmic! itself—might be missed.
• Weird Dining Times: Sometimes, the only reservation options for the Dining Package will be at weird times of the day, which isn’t always ideal.

FAQs about the Fantasmic! Dining Packages

Can I book the Fantasmic! Dining Package if I have a special dietary need?

Yes, the participating restaurants are very accommodating to dietary needs. When making your reservation, be sure to note any allergies and inform your server upon arrival to ensure your meal meets your needs.

What is the cancellation policy for the Fantasmic! Dining Package?

You can cancel or modify your Fantasmic! Dining Package reservation up to 2 hours in advance without penalty. This is the same cancellation policy for other dining options.

What happens if it rains and the show is canceled?

If it rains, you are typically out of luck. We have heard of people being able to get a voucher for a show on another day, but Disney clearly states that there is no guarantee for a show, and rain outs are a possibility.

So, check those forecasts before that 2 hour cutoff. If it looks like a rain out, you may want to cancel.

How do I get to the reserved seating area?

The reserved seating area for the Fantasmic! Dining Package is located in the Mickey and Scar sections, which are the two middle sections of the theater. Follow the signs and Cast Members’ directions to the designated entrance for reserved seating. You’ll need your voucher in order to access the seats.

How far in advance should I book?

Packages open up 60 days in advance, however, we can often find same day reservations, too.

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Have you used the Fantasmic! Dining Package? Got questions we didn’t answer? Let us know, in the comments!