Walt Disney World has introduced modifications and value will increase coming to Fantasmic Eating Packages for breakfast, lunch & dinner at Hollywood Studios. Right here’s a full rundown of what’s taking place and attainable the explanation why, plus our commentary concerning the increased prices and additions/subtractions.
For these unfamiliar with it, Fantasmic is a nighttime spectacular carried out nightly within the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Whereas Fantasmic contains pyro amongst its components, it isn’t a traditional fireworks present. As a substitute, it’s extra like a stage present at night time, at an epic scale with wow-inducing wizardry, visuals, and performers.
That rationalization doesn’t actually do Fantasmic justice, however nothing will–not even photographs and video. Suffice to say, it’s an absolute must-do and arguably the flagship nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World. (Fortunately Ever After is pretty much as good or higher, however it’s nonetheless fireworks. Fantasmic is not like something you possibly can see in the actual world.) Because of this, Fantasmic is fashionable…producing FOMO…resulting in planners buying eating packages for assured seating.
Right here’s what’s at the moment included in every Fantasmic! Eating Package deal:
- An entrée and appetizer or dessert at choose full-service eating places or one (1) full buffet (the place relevant), together with a nonalcoholic beverage
- One voucher for assured seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved space
Beginning August 29, 2024, the next will probably be included in every Fantasmic! Eating Package deal:
- An entrée and dessert at choose full-service eating places or one (1) full buffet (the place relevant), together with a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage, for Visitors 21 and older)
- One voucher for assured seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved space
Discover taking part eating places and costs for the Fantasmic Eating Packages, earlier than and after the modifications:
| Present Pricing | Beginning August 29, 2024 | |||
| Adults (ages 10 & up) |
Children (ages 9 & Below) |
Adults (ages 10 & up) |
Children (ages 9 & Below) |
|
| 50’s Prime Time Cafe Basic American consolation meals, ’50s kitsch and old school household gathering take you again to a bygone period. |
$54.00 | $23.00 | $60.00 | $23.00 |
| Hollywood & Vine Rejoice breakfast with Disney Junior Stars or get pleasure from lunch and dinner with Minnie and pals at seasonal eating events. |
Breakfast: $59.00 Lunch & Dinner: $75.00 |
Breakfast: $39.00 Lunch & Dinner: $49.00 |
Breakfast: $65.00 Lunch & Dinner: $81.00 |
Breakfast: $39.00 Lunch & Dinner: $49.00 |
| Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano Mangia within the backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios at this informal however colourful Italian eatery with a California twist. |
$56.00 | $23.00 | $62.00 | $23.00 |
| Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant Do dinner and a present ’50s-style at our drive-in “theater,” that includes all-American delicacies and sci-fi film clips. |
$51.00 | $23.00 | $57.00 | $23.00 |
| The Hollywood Brown Derby Step into the Golden Age of Hollywood at this heat, wood-paneled restaurant serving up to date American delicacies. |
$77.00 | $31.00 | $83.00 | $31.00 |
All listed bundle costs don’t embrace alcohol or required park admission. Alcohol will solely be served to Visitors 21 and older.
In a nutshell, the primary key change is that the Fantasmic Eating Packages will embrace an entrée and dessert at desk service eating places, as an alternative of a dessert or appetizer. Moreover, a non-alcoholic beverage or an alcoholic beverage for company 21 and older, as an alternative of a non-alcoholic beverage for anybody.
In “alternate” for the lack of appetizer possibility and addition of alcohol possibility (for Disney Adults who’re additionally Adults within the Eyes of the Authorities), grownup costs are rising by $6. Youngsters’s costs stay the identical. All of this begins on August 29, 2024.
When it comes to commentary, I can’t say I’m shocked by this. I assume I’m barely as a matter of timing, as usually modifications like this occur in bulk initially of the brand new fiscal yr in October. That consults headlines (like this one!) since there will definitely be others, moderately than dragging them out.
Just some fast ideas earlier than going off on a tangent. First, desserts are cheaper than appetizers, so eliminating the latter most likely works as a cost-savings for Walt Disney World. Second, alcohol is high-margin and never even each Disney Grownup is 21, in order that’s a simple “addition” to make the worth improve simpler to justify.
Third, this brings the Fantasmic Eating Package deal in step with what’s included on the Disney Eating Plan. It’s attainable the discrepancy was a supply of confusion, and that’s why this modification is being made–that it has little to do with making an attempt to spice up income. I don’t assume that’s the case, however who is aware of.
Lastly, now we have a very powerful time recommending the Fantasmic Eating Package deal. When the nighttime spectacular first returned, we really useful reserving the most cost-effective Fantasmic Eating Package deal and guaranteeing your self an ideal seat that means.
Nevertheless, that was over 18 months in the past and crowds to see the present have died down since then. Additionally, you might recreation the bundle and are available out near forward by ordering the “proper” gadgets, so the premium was fairly insignificant. Often only a few bucks.
Whereas it’ll nonetheless be attainable, in concept, to recreation the packages if everybody in your social gathering drinks, that received’t be the case for many events. Not solely that, however the Fantasmic Eating Package deal merely is just not essential to see the present. So actually, the one individuals getting it after August 29, 2024 ought to be those that can recreation it or these on the Disney Eating Plan. With restricted exceptions, nobody “wants” it.
Due to this fact, in case you’re paying out of pocket on the increased charge and it’s a major surcharge…you solely have your self in charge. Positive, it sucks that Walt Disney World is rising costs, however that’s the character of the beast. Individuals feeding the FOMO machine by shopping for pointless upcharges like this solely have themselves in charge when the beast will get greater, so to talk. (Put extra delicately: please cease shopping for these items so Disney stops rising the costs on it, I urge of you!)
Proper now, Fantasmic solely has one showtime most nights. Our expectation is that that is the case for just about the length of the summer time season, because it merely is just not that busy. Disney isn’t filling up the only displaying, so no want for 2. This has been the case previous to Summer time 2024, with only some exceptions that we’ve seen (busier dates that also solely have one showtime scheduled).
If you happen to’re scheduled to do Disney’s Hollywood Studios on a busier date in October by December 2024 (when the parks really may be busy), there’ll typically be two showings of Fantasmic. If there are two performances, you do not want to purchase the eating bundle–even when it’s busier. You simply want to remain for the second present (the primary will typically refill).
Sarah and I’ve completed Fantasmic a number of occasions now, and we’ve managed to see the second present from spectacular seats just by displaying up ~10 minutes prematurely. They’re a implausible option to see Fantasmic with out paying further for the eating bundle. They’re additionally a good way to increase your day, as second showtimes typically/often happen half-hour after park closing.
With all of this stated, I’m nonetheless not a fan of value will increase. Hopefully that goes with out saying. Regardless that I feel company must be extra discerning with how they spend their cash–and never be free-spending with upcharges out of FOMO–I additionally want Walt Disney World would train extra restraint with value will increase. However I’m additionally a realist, and acknowledge that the latter doesn’t occur with out the previous–pricing is dictated by demand.
However, if Walt Disney World goes to boost charges (and they’re!), I want it have been completed in a extra visitor pleasant means. This who recreation they’ve been taking part in the final a number of years by including booze to justify value will increase simply rubs me the incorrect means. I’ll admit that a part of that is purely private–we now not drink, so one of these bundle quantities to paying for one thing we wouldn’t use to its fullest.
We aren’t alone, although. As hinted at above, a big portion of individuals paying grownup costs can’t order alcohol–Disney Adults who’re below 21 years of age. For an additional, there’s an ever-increasing proportion of the inhabitants that doesn’t drink in any respect, particularly these below age 35.
Lastly, Walt Disney World is a family-friendly place. I’ve completely zero subject with accountable adults having the choice to buy alcohol in all the theme parks–I’m not some teetotaler who thinks booze must be banned. Nevertheless, I additionally don’t assume Disney must be actively incentivizing the apply or tacitly encouraging individuals to drink with a view to “get their cash’s value.”
It’s the identical story with the dessert events or the Disney Eating Plan. Our “resolution” to this downside is just to not buy both, as these merchandise are now not compelling for us. Straightforward sufficient–we vote with our wallets. Nonetheless, it doesn’t appear fairly proper that Walt Disney World, of all locations, is implicitly encouraging alcohol consumption by making it a part of the value-proposition.
It’s additionally odd that they’d be transferring on this route this regardless of realizing that one in every of their core demos–households with youngsters ages 10 to twenty years outdated–received’t be capable to take full benefit of those packages they’re promoting. Eradicating the booze and decreasing costs a bit can be a internet optimistic for lots of company–as an alternative, they’re doing the alternative.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What’s your tackle the Fantasmic Eating Package deal pricing will increase and modifications? Do you pay for these packages out of pocket? What benefit do you assume it provides? Would you be pleased with value decreases and the elimination of alcohol, or does booze add quite a lot of worth for you? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!