Fantasmic is back! Fantasmic is back!
Can you tell we’re excited?!
Fantasmic at Disneyland
This epic multi-sensory show has been dark and dry since early 2016, making way for changes to Disneyland’s Rivers of America and the start of construction on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (the official name for both Star Wars lands!).
But now the show is back — and it’s better than ever! The revamped show features the same basic storyline with Sorcerer Mickey as the hero, but it incorporates some newer characters along with the classics. Plus there’s fresh technology to enhance an already technically spectacular show.
Everything the Light Touches is Fantasmic
But you know us: we wanted to know what Fantasmic had in store in terms of event-specific food (including yummy snacks!). And food plus a show equals the Fantasmic Dining Package. Luckily our Disneyland pal Sabrina (hey-o, @everythingdisney.55!) was able to snag a dining package reservation — and some yummy food pics. 😉
Atmosphere
The Fantasmic Dining Package offers three dining options: Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square and River Belle Terrace in Frontierland are table service, while Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country is counter service. Blue Bayou and River Belle offer a three-course meal with a non-alcoholic beverage, while Hungry Bear offers an entree and a beverage.
Sabrina dined at River Belle Terrace because, well, it’s awesome. The building itself has so much southern charm with wrought iron fencing and posts, two-story pillars at the entrance, and lovely shutters astride double-paned windows.
River Belle Terrace in Disneyland
And the outdoor seating? So. Many. Tassels. And also pretty serene for a theme park dining area.
Outdoor Seating
The details continue inside as well, with elaborate chandeliers. Love the flowers organically intertwined in the arms of the light fixture.
Light Fixture and Ceiling Detail
After you’ve dined and eventually make your way to the preferred viewing seats, you’ll find that Blue Bayou and River Belle Terrace share an area — and there are no assigned seats. Rather, you get a ticket for preferred viewing at the end of your meal, and when you arrive before the show, you self-select your seats. Preferred seating for Hungry Bear is likewise first come, first served, but folks on the interwebs who’ve had this preferred view have not reviewed it kindly.
Fantasmic Dining Package Preferred Seating Ticket
Sabrina was able to snag a center seat in the Blue Bayou/River Belle Terrace section, and she reports that her view was perfect. We agree!
View from River Belle Terrace and Blue Bayou Fantasmic Preferred Seating
Eats
specializes in southern-inspired dishes (it’s where we found Secret Menu Tater Tots!), and the menu for Fantasmic Dining reflects that, featuring classics like a Fried Chicken Sandwich and Pulled Pork.
Fantasmic Dining Package Menu
The kids’ menu also offers lots of options, including Mickey Check Meals like Oven-Roasted Chicken.
Fantasmic Dining Package Menu
Sabrina opted for Corn Chowder for her starter, and she reports that it was delicious! It featured lots of plump, Fresh Corn, plus some Red Peppers for color and flavor.
Corn Chowder from River Belle Terrace Fantasmic Menu
For her entree, Sabrina chose the Pork Spareribs, which come with two sides. She went with Tater Tots and Baked Beans. The Spice-Rubbed Spare Ribs were flavorful, while the sides complemented the meat well. (We love the cute little handled dishes for the sides!)
Fantasmic Menu Spice-Rubbed Spare Ribs
But dessert was a tough call for our intrepid diner. Sabrina went with the Maleficent Dragon, which was as spicy as the villain herself. It featured a Crunchy Milk Chocolate base, a Spiced Dark Chocolate and Blackberry Ganache interior, Caramel Mousse, and an Orange-Vanilla Sauce.
Maleficent Dragon
It is a visually beautiful dessert, featuring a glossy exterior that’s shimmery purple in the sunlight. But Sabrina reports that when the description says “Spiced Dark Chocolate”, it totally means it (for once!)! After two bites, she couldn’t go on (even though the flavors were yum!). But if you like spice, this is sure to be a winner.
Maleficent Dragon Interior
The table also ordered the Strawberry Shortcake. It’s described as featuring a House-Made Sweet Biscuit, which Sabrina felt was more like a scone (so a little more dense). But the Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Cream were as classic as Fantasmic itself!
Strawberry Shortcake
Overall
Sabrina loved the Fantasmic dining package. The value for a great meal and great seats was totally worth it for her. The Fantasmic Dining Package at River Belle Terrace is the mid-priced package: $45 for an adult, $25 for children 3-9. Blue Bayou will cost you $65 per adult and $25 per kid. Hungry Bear (the counter service option) runs $29.99 for adults and $19.99 for children.
Fantasmic Pirate Ship
Nosh or Not?
Sabrina’s take? The package is totally worth it. But here are a few other considerations:
You might like the Fantasmic Dining Package If:
- You want to see Fantasmic but don’t want to show up super early to grab a seat
- You love one of the participating restaurants and love the bonus of preferred seating
- You’ve got limited time at Disneyland and a tight touring schedule
The Fantasmic Dining Package Might Not Be For You If:
- You’re ambivalent about seeing Fantasmic
- None of the dining options really appeal to you
- You’re on a budget and the extra cost for a meal isn’t worth the preferred seating when you could see the show for free in exchange for a little wait
- You prefer to eat quick service — and the Hungry Bear viewing isn’t enough of a draw for you
Have you ever taken advantage of a dining package? Let us know your thoughts! And if you’ve done the Fantasmic Dining Package, what did you think?
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My family had this dining package a couple of nights ago. I had the fried chicken sandwich, my husband the beef brisket and my daughter the kids roasted chicken breast Micky check meal.
My husband and I both felt that while the entrees were okay, they were no better than good counter service food. My daughter liked her meal, but she likes simple food so a plate of roasted white meat chicken, grapes and green beans was perfect for her. I had green beans too, but while the children’s were plain mine were dressed with garlic butter and bacon. I think the green beans were actually my favourite part of the main course.
Both adults had the strawberry shortcake for dessert, they were very good and reading this review I’m glad I didn’t chose the chocolate thing. I like a bit of spice, but not with my dessert. The kids dessert was a butterscotch parfait, which my daughter said she enjoyed.
Taken as a whole with the Fantasmic seating I think the package was just about worth doing. However I wouldn’t rush back to the River Belle Terrace just for the food.
Tuesday night we had the Fantasmic Package at the Blue Bayou. Excellent. My friend had Surf n Turf (Filet mignon and lobster tail). I had the salmon. We had the salad starter — excellent. Sheryl’s Lobster tail and Filet were more than she could eat — packed the filet home. My Salmon was cooked to Perfection. For dessert we both chose the Sorcerer Mickey. Delicious and too cute to eat but I ate it anyway. I’d post a photo but don’t know if I can or how. The Blue Balou Package comes with excellent preferred seating along with Cushions to sit on. As someone who has done the show on the hard ground, the cushions were wonderful.
Hi. When moderator reviews my previous message, please change Fantastic to Fantasmic — I hate autocorrect.
Wendy — Done! 😀 And thanks so much for sharing about your experience with us!
So the preferred seats are just a location, right? The actual “seats” are just cushions for the ground? I saw somewhere on the Disney site a little footnote saying guests in the preferred area must be able to sit on the ground…
Also, is Fantasmic only on Saturday nights, right? I might be screwed anyway in that case as I’m heading over to Knotts for their Knotts Scary Farm at ~6 or ~7pm (I’ll be at Disney/CA Adventures for two full days Thur and Fri as well as most of Sat)
Other then Mickey’s Halloween event this was the only other things I really wanted to do that I haven’t been able to make fit… I have reservations already for, Café Orleans for lunch and Blue Bayou for dinner on Thur, Frozen Lunch package at Carthay Friday and World of Color Dessert Party Friday night. I wasn’t able to score tickets for Mickey’s Halloween party since they were all sold out… any tips for guests staying at Disneyland Hotel getting access to that event?
Otherwise, I think I’ve got everything packed in…. I think?
Andrew — You’re going to be fabulously busy!
Hello. I’m wondering about the dining package at River Belle where you can sit at the restaurant and eat while watching the show. There is an upcharge for this option. I’m curious about the view from the restaurant…is it as good as the preferred seating?
Thanks for any advice!!
I too am wondering about the premium seating option at the River Belle 🙂
Tessa and Kate: Viewing Fantasmic from the River Belle Terrace is a fun experience that pairs great food with a great show. The area of the terrace that’s designated for the show has a view between the Fastpass and dining reserved viewing areas — so there’s not another viewing area in your line of sight. On the other hand, between the terrace and the show is a walkway (often used for stroller parking), so there’s definitely a possibility that guests could stand in that area and possibly block some of the lower portions of the show. But the terrace is (very) slightly elevated over the walkway, so views should still be good. I hope this helps!
I was wondering if beverages are included in the dining packages?
Melissa, a non-alcoholic drink it included with the meal.
Revisiting this again, Fantasmic wasn’t running on the days I was there in 2017, so this year I’m planning on including a Sunday so I can hopefully see it. I’m still not clear on the “seats”. Are there any seats? Just cushions for the ground? Or just a preferred “viewing area” with standing room only?
Andrew, it’s a preferred viewing area with standing or sitting (on the ground) room only.
Can you request a close table on the patio when purchasing the upgrade? Or are all of the tables on the patio good for viewing the show?
PC, the viewing area is outside of the restaurant area on the walkway that passes River Belle Terrace. Viewing is decent from all areas of the viewing area. Hope this helps!
So who gets to sit at the tables on the terrace
Jane, that space is for diners of the restaurant.
I’m trying to decide between paying for the premium Riverbelle or other dining options w/ reserved “on the ground” Seating. I will have an ECV and unable to sit on the ground or stand. I’m wondering if there is an area for that for the other dining options or if I am better off paying for the Riverbelle premium? I’ve heard mixed reviews from folks that were stuck at tables in the back and unable to see the show. Thoughts? Thank you!
Joyce, any of the dining package seating areas will have space for ECVs. In our experience, Blue Bayou and River Belle Terrace shared a viewing area, with ECVs directed to park at the back of the reserved space. The views are likely decent from the back, particularly from the slightly elevated ECV seat. Hope this helps!
I just made reservations for the RB F! dining packge for late Oct 2018, and will be doing lunch earlier in the day. There was no way on the reservation page to indicate which F! performance I want to go to. There are two scheduled performances that day. Will I be able to specify which show time to grab my reservation for when I go for lunch? TIA!
Robert M — Your reservation should be for one performance, so it’d be best to call Disney to check on your reservation number and get confirmation of which show you’ll be attending.
We were just there on Sunday. They will ask you which performance you want to attend when you arrive for lunch. Given that you are doing lunch you most likely will get your preferred time.
Thanks AJ and Joyce for the warm fuzzy that there is at least a choice. I have an email in to Disney guest services as well, so will report back with any “official” words.
Did Sabrina do the late or early show?
I called Disney the day before the reservation and was told that it “shouldn’t” be a problem to choose the later show. When I showed up, the CM waiting our table asked which show we wanted. In the end it worked out fine. The food was good and the seating area wonderful.
Side note–It was an extremely day (touring plans had it as an 8/10 but it was more like 10/10) and we were very happy to have made a reservation for lunch. We noticed that several people had tried to sneak in thru a side entrance to bring their non-River Belle meals to sit at an open table but were shoo-ed away. We also noticed that during our entire meal, more than 1/2 of the outside tables were empty yet, we heard the CM tell any walk ups that everything was reservation only.
Robert, thanks for sharing your experiences!
What about sitting at the Riverbelle for the second show?
just booked my reservation for the Premium River Belle dining package for my trip in May. REALLY hoping the patio seats are worth the extra money, and don’t end up being seating in the back or a blocked viewpoint. My boyfriend and I will be celebrating our two year anniversary and I wanted this to be a special night for us in our favorite place
Thanks for the review and for easing some of my worries!