Does anyone know what the best options are for the different dining packages for World of Colour and Fantasmic! at DL? Is it a question of just getting the best which one can afford or are some simply better than others? haven't been before so I am hoping that someone has some advice.
DL dining packages
- Thread starter Scilly
- Start date
StarSpeckledSky
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 11, 2019
I only have info on Fantasmic! because that's what I've been researching. The three packages are:
- Blue Bayou - $72 lunch, $62 adult. $29 kids both. Centered viewing with a foam butt pad
- River Belle - $45 adult, $25 kids. To the right of Blue Bayou viewing and left of FP viewing. Upgrade for $25 to sit on balcony.
- Hungry Bear On-The-Go - $29 adult, $19 kids. To the left of Blue Bayou and right of FP viewing.
It's a personal preference I suppose, with cost and viewing. My family will be getting the Hungry Bear package because it's the most affordable and if you arrive early you can get seats comparable to those of the people who purchased the Blue Bayou package. Blue Bayou's is overpriced imo but does have the most centered view and provides a cushion to sit on, but you're still paying for more than what you get (this is my opinion btw, if view REALLY matters and you can afford it BB might be a good option). River Belle is a little better imo value-wise than the BB package. It's view is pretty good too, and if you want to enjoy food while watching the show you can pay a few dollars to upgrade and sit on the balcony and eat while watching.
pharmama
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 6, 2012
For F! the above summary is good. I've done all three but have not done the premium one at RBT where you sit at your table. General consensus on that is the view is mediocre at best but its a good option if you or someone in your party can't sit on the ground. All others you sit on the ground front and center on the Rivers of America. BB seating section definitely has the best view but its pricey. If you are thinking of going to BB anyway then might as well do it as long as you're ok with the restricted menu for the dining package. RBT...meh. I didn't love the food any of the three times I've done it. The view is fine but similar to HB, just to the other side of the BB section. HB hits a sweet spot for us on price and viewing so it's our go-to now unless we're going to splurge on BB. We didn't really like what we got off the F! menu for HB the first time so now we usually just order off the regular menu when we do the package there.
For WoC, IMO the dessert party is, hands down, the way to go if you can afford it. You get a chair, drinks, dessert/cheese/fruit plate and a pretty relaxing experience. For WoC everyone else has to stand. The dining packages at CC and WCT provide a reserved section with an excellent view but its still standing only and you do need to get there a bit early so you can get a good spot in the reserved section (though not as early as for the FP zones). We've only ever done the WCT package but the sections are near each other-the CC one usually seems to have less people so maybe you don't need to get there as early for that one. I've just never been able to get myself to splurge on the CC dining package (and DD13 loves the GF pasta options at WCT so we always go there)- I'd do the dessert package first.
For WoC, IMO the dessert party is, hands down, the way to go if you can afford it. You get a chair, drinks, dessert/cheese/fruit plate and a pretty relaxing experience. For WoC everyone else has to stand. The dining packages at CC and WCT provide a reserved section with an excellent view but its still standing only and you do need to get there a bit early so you can get a good spot in the reserved section (though not as early as for the FP zones). We've only ever done the WCT package but the sections are near each other-the CC one usually seems to have less people so maybe you don't need to get there as early for that one. I've just never been able to get myself to splurge on the CC dining package (and DD13 loves the GF pasta options at WCT so we always go there)- I'd do the dessert package first.
StarSpeckledSky
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 11, 2019
imo the F! package at BB isn't worth it unless you're planning on getting the most expensive things on the menu. But I suppose that if you want to go to BB anyways might as well.
theluckyrabbit
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2012
imo the F! package at BB isn't worth it unless you're planning on getting the most expensive things on the menu. But I suppose that if you want to go to BB anyways might as well.
Some clarification:
For F!, the "seats" in the dining package areas are all ground seating (no chairs). So if sitting on the pavement is going to be a problem, these dining packages may not be the best option. All 3 packages (HB, BB, RBT -- the viewing areas are seated in that order at the river's edge) have good to very good viewing. Our favorite is BB -- the souvenir cushion is very cute and very welcome when sitting on the pavement. We know the price is higher, but we factor in more than the price tag. The fun of eating inside the Bayou makes this package an "event" (great for birthdays, treating friends and out of town guests, special celebrations, etc.). I have food allergies, and BB always does a very good job of dealing with these. For me, the price tag is worth knowing I don't have to worry about my food. The most economical package is HB -- this also has the most flexible menu -- you can order off the regular menu and the prix fixe, but you will pay the dining package price no matter what you order. RBT regular dining package falls in the middle. For the regular dining packages, choose according to your menu preference and budget allowance -- all the viewing in those 3 areas is good.
If you must have a chair while viewing the show, RBT Premium Package is the only option. The reviews on this package are quite divided. Some people love having dinner during the show (1st show only) and being seated in a real chair (deal breaker/maker for some!). Others, myself included, are not willing to accept the possibly mediocre-to-very poor view for the upcharge. After viewing right up at the water many times, the view below is not acceptable to me. I know I can get a better view with a free FP and a good wait strategy. This review and photo will show you what I mean: (https://www.disboards.com/threads/a...-premium-seating.3650163/page-5#post-59623041, see post #83)
HT: BriannaRuth
Last edited:
theluckyrabbit
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2012
For WOC, read the first post in this classic super thread very carefully and study the map: World of Color Superthread. With WOC, the more you know, the easier time you will have. "Best" is totally subjective, so here is some information to help you decide what will be best for you.
From that superthread:
... Some people prefer the dinner dining packages (either CCR or WCT) because they want a full meal for the price paid. Totally understandable. Other people prefer the Dessert Party dining package because they want a guaranteed seat in a guaranteed chair. Totally understandable. The choice is up to you. We've had great viewing in all FP areas -- free (yellow and blue), CCR, WCT, and the Dessert Party. And there have been reports of poor to very poor viewing in all FP areas, including the Dessert Party. There is NO guarantee of perfect viewing in any area for WOC. And there is good-to-great viewing in ALL areas. It all comes down to how much research you do beforehand, how much time you are willing to invest in waiting for good spots, and how much money you are willing to pay (if any) for your viewing area or seats. All areas, including the Dessert Party, will require some kind of a wait unless you don't care where you end up. As suggested above, read the first post in this superthread, and maybe the last few pages to get the latest updates, then see which option (free FP, CCR package, WCT package, or the Dessert Party) will be the best fit for your family.
Ask yourself:
Do you want to sit in a chair (Dessert Party) or stand for viewing (CCR or WCT)?
Do you want a plate of fruit, cheese, and sweets (Dessert Party) or a 3 course meal (CCR or WCT) for the price you pay?
If deciding between CCR and WCT, look over the menus online to see which one appeals to you more.
Do you want a big picture, further back view (Dessert Party) or a close up, immersive view (WCT or free FP)? Some people don't care which they get and others really do care.
There is no way to guarantee a perfect view for WOC with any package. This cannot be repeated enough. And there is great viewing in all sections: free and paid. And there is a risk of poor to very poor viewing in all sections: free and paid (and this includes the Dessert Party, too). We've done all the options and had great viewing in all areas. It really comes down to doing the research ahead of time and investing the wait time to get the spots you want.
Hope this helps!
Sue M
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 27, 2009
We did BB Fantasmic pkg. loved the view and was glad to have that cushion to sit on. That said sitting on the ground is still uncomfortable for me. But view was great and we stayed for fireworks after. They made an announcement and said area was still reserved for us if we wanted to stay.
And I love BB.
For WOC we did the dessert party. We had a very good view. And loved the dessert. The Terrace where the seating is was a raised terrace above the FP area so we were higher up and even the dreaded shoulder children didn’t obstruct our view.
Yup, as soon as music started for WOC up went all the shoulder children everywhere. I would be choked if after standing for over an hour wait to get a good spot the dad in front of me hoisted their child up the moment the show started.
And I love BB.
For WOC we did the dessert party. We had a very good view. And loved the dessert. The Terrace where the seating is was a raised terrace above the FP area so we were higher up and even the dreaded shoulder children didn’t obstruct our view.
Yup, as soon as music started for WOC up went all the shoulder children everywhere. I would be choked if after standing for over an hour wait to get a good spot the dad in front of me hoisted their child up the moment the show started.
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