A few weeks ago, I saw Fantasmic! for the first time since its return to Disneyland Park. It was a very emotional experience as I hadn’t seen it in over two years since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the parks. I arrived two hours early to get a spot (which is pretty standard on how early to get there) to find out that, unlike in the old days, you are no longer allowed to sit during the show, and you must stand. I noticed a few of the sections in the middle were roped off, and people were sitting in those sections, so I asked a Cast Member how those sections were able to sit. Those sections are reserved for guests who have Fantasmic! Dining Packages. Although it’s a bit of a pain to stand for that long to both wait and watch the show, I was just excited to finally see the show after so long, and I continued to stand.
When the show started, I became a bit frustrated because there were so many people standing in front of me that were much taller (I am 5’2), and I was on my tippy toes leaning left and right, trying to see Mickey over on Tom Sawyer’s Island. I had to be that person and lift my phone up high and watch the show through my phone screen. That’s when I decided I wanted to try out one of the dining packages to get the reserved seating to see if they are really worth it.
Short answer? Yes, it is absolutely worth it!Â
Currently, there are three different spots you can choose from that offer the Fantasmic! Dining Packages: Blue Bayou, River Belle Terrace, and Hungry Bear Restaurant. I got a lunch reservation at River Belle Terrace this past weekend, and it was one of the best experiences. I chose River Belle because Blue Bayou is the priciest out of all three and Hungry Bear is quick-service, so I chose the middle priced option with table service. It was also my first time dining at River Belle so I got to try some items off their menu for the first time!
I was able to check in on the Disneyland app five minutes before my reservation and was seated within ten minutes of checking in. They tried to seat me inside, but I asked if I could sit outside since it was such a nice, summer day out. All the tables are covered by umbrellas and you get the riverfront view, so if you’re ok with the temperature in the shade I highly recommend eating outdoors! The servers will bring out their regular menu once you are seated, and if you are interested in the Fantasmic! Dining Package you will let them know right away and they will bring you another special menu.
I started off with the Strawberry-Pistachio Salad. I didn’t think this was anything special; the leaves were a bit wilted and the entire thing was a little bland. It wasn’t completely awful but it wasn’t the best. For my entree I chose the Cuban Sandwich which is actually an item off the regular menu. The plate came with a side of tots and house-made baked beans; the entire plate was delicious! The meat in the sandwich was so tender and flavorful, and the green dipping sauce was out of this world! I’m also normally more of a french fry kinda gal, but these tots blew me away. They have a cajun seasoning on them that makes you just want to keep eating them! The baked beans were a perfect addition to the meal, although they weren’t anything special.
The Fantasmic! dessert is very interesting and visually cool. It’s a chocolate dome that’s surrounded by fruity pebbles. They give you a little tiny pitcher of hot condensed milk that you pour over the dome to make the chocolate melt. The inside reveals mango sorbet, macerated berries, and raspberry cake. A big issue with this dessert is that the condensed milk is not hot enough to actually melt the chocolate dome, so you have to use a fork or a spoon to actually open the dome up to get the rest of your dessert. The berries were really good, but I personally was not a fan of the sorbet or the raspberry cake. Again, it’s visually really cool but I because I felt gipped I had to go off into the park and find another dessert to fulfill the sweets craving.
One important thing to note is that if you don’t see an item on the Fantasmic! menu that is on the regular menu that you would like to order, ask your server any usually they will be able to do it for you no problem. River Belle Terrace offers both lunch and dinner and for lunch you can get the Standard Package which is $50 per adult, and $35 per kid. For dinner you can choose between the Standard Package or the Premium Package ($75 per adult; $45 per child). The Premium Package requires you to get a 7:15 PM dining reservation and you can watch the show from your table! Lunch reservations take place starting at 11:00 AM and ends when dinner starts at 4:00 PM.
Once you get your bill you get the option (depending on availability) between the 9:00 PM showing and the 10:30 PM showing. Your server will give you an old school-looking FastPass and you meet in a designated area to be taken to your seating section. River Belle Terrace diners meet by Harbor Galley. For my 9:00 PM showing I was told the line starts at 7:30, but when I got there several people were already lined up. I got a really great seat however and was in the second row; with everyone seated it’s definitely easier to see the whole show and it’s more comfortable!
As stated before, I highly recommend the Fantasmic! Dining Packages. While I have not yet experienced the ones at Hungry Bear Restaurant or Blue Bayou, I do know I have had great dining experiences at both spots and the seating areas for Fantasmic! for both looked pretty great as well! I had a great first experience at River Belle Terrace, and for the most part the food was really good and the service was probably hands down the best service I’ve ever had at a table-service restaurant at Disneyland.
If you’re interested in booking a Fantasmic! Dining Package during your next trip to Disneyland, be sure to let your Academy Travel Agent know!
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