Hi Nicole! We are so happy to have you here at planDisney! It sounds like you are a Disneyland planning expert yourself, getting all your pixie-dusted ducks in a row ahead of your trip. As I'm sure you know, all that hard work will pay off in just a few weeks when you're strolling down Main Street, U.S.A., and the magic is unfolding around you!
Fantasmic! is one of my absolute favorite shows, and the setting right on the Rivers of America is quintessential Disneyland at its best! As you've discovered, there are a few
dining package options that guarantee a great spot for viewing this beloved show.
River Belle Terrace offers both a premium and standard dining package. The premium allows you to sit at your table and view the first show of the evening, while the standard allows you to enjoy lunch or dinner and receive a voucher for entrance to a preferred viewing area for either the first or second show. I took a peek myself, and you are correct that it seems like the premium dining reservations have all been scooped up. I know that these go quickly even when you log in right at the 60-day mark. If you have your heart set on the premium package, my best recommendation would be to continue to refresh and check back. Guests are always modifying their plans and are able to cancel their reservations up to the day ahead, so I will throw a little pixie dust in the air that something pops up! The day before is a great day to check as this is sometimes when I see the most movement with hard-to-get reservations. It also never hurts to ask when you arrive in the park that day. Head over to River Belle Terrace when it opens and ask the host if they happen to have any premium package openings for the evening. While not a guarantee, you never know when the magic may find you!
While I know dining and viewing the show at the same time is an extra special experience, I loved my experience with the standard package and ended up with a great viewing spot closer to the show! To book, you would make a regular reservation for lunch or dinner at
River Belle Terrace and then request the Fantasmic! dining package when you check-in. One thing to note is that there are a limited number of standard dining packages available each day, so perhaps a reservation earlier in the day might be best if the preferred viewing of Fantasmic! is a priority for you! I just looked, and there are plenty of lunch and dinner openings as of this moment. You can also cancel this reservation up to a day before in case the premium package comes through or you change your mind! Just nice to have the option if you want it!
While River Belle Terrace is the only location offering the dine and view option,
Blue Bayou Restaurant is just returning from a refresh and is expected to be offering dining packages for Fantasmic! at some point this summer! While I wish I had the date for you, my magic wand does not extend quite that far. Sometimes the reservations go live quietly overnight and sometimes they are announced on the @Disneyland Instagram account and the
Disney Parks Blog. Either way, both are good to follow for the latest, breaking news!
Nicole, I hope this was helpful in your planning! If you have any more questions, come back to see us real soon here at
planDisney!
Never stop dreaming,
Tara