DLR Night Time Entertainment

[BlueGreen5]

Will be at DLR for the first time around Easter/spring break. We expect heavy crowds because it seems like many of the local districts' spring breaks overlap our trip. In that context, I'm asking for some advice:

1. Would you recommend reserving a Fantasmic dining package? If we do, we will probably stay at ROA to watch the fireworks. That would mean we'd want the first showing, right?
2. Is Fire of the Rising Moons something that we need to pay to access? I thought I read something about it being overpriced. Or do we just show up at SWGE? If so, how early would you recommend getting there?
3. Virtual Queue for WOC - if I'm in DCA at noon and enter the VQ, is it a pretty safe bet to assume that we'll get a semi-decent spot? How fast do the VQ spots go? And how does seating work - is it FCFS for all VQ folks, or is it ordered in terms of queue position? If we don't get a VQ spot, is WOC worthwhile?
4. What ADRs will go the fastest?

 

[BlueGreen5]

Tagging @LKing and @OlliePop27 because, among others, you have given me such wonderful advice already (and because I got reprimanded for raising this topic on a WDW thread on which we were all participating!)

 

[OlliePop27]

Will be at DLR for the first time around Easter/spring break. We expect heavy crowds because it seems like many of the local districts' spring breaks overlap our trip. In that context, I'm asking for some advice:

1. Would you recommend reserving a Fantasmic dining package? If we do, we will probably stay at ROA to watch the fireworks. That would mean we'd want the first showing, right?
2. Is Fire of the Rising Moons something that we need to pay to access? I thought I read something about it being overpriced. Or do we just show up at SWGE? If so, how early would you recommend getting there?
3. Virtual Queue for WOC - if I'm in DCA at noon and enter the VQ, is it a pretty safe bet to assume that we'll get a semi-decent spot? How fast do the VQ spots go? And how does seating work - is it FCFS for all VQ folks, or is it ordered in terms of queue position? If we don't get a VQ spot, is WOC worthwhile?
4. What ADRs will go the fastest?

1. Yes, you will want first showing. When showing, Fantasmic is always at 9:00 and 10:30, with fireworks at 9:30. There are three tiers of dining - Cafe Orleans (just recently replaced Blue Bayou), River Belle Terrace, and Rancho del Zocalo (which is cheapest and seated to the left of center). I recommend Rancho. There is also a River Belle Premium package where you eat dinner and watch from your seat, but it's very difficult to get and some people don't like the view as it's more obstructed.
2. Fire of the Rising Moons has a dining package, but it's not necessary. You just go outside MFSR and it's right there without an extra charge needed.
3. You will easily get WOC VQ, it's not a mad rush. You will likely get assigned the first show at 9:00 unless you want to wait for the 10:15. There is no seating, standing room only. You will want to show up about an hour in advance, if you want a decent view, and try to be at the railing of any section. This does not have to be the front, as it's a tiered viewing area with gardens separating each spot. Last year, I stood at the rail in the back right most section and there were no obstructions. There is a dessert package where you get to sit, but it is about $90 per person and is not necessary to get a good view.
4. Someone will know better than me on ADR's, but I would say Blue Bayou, Oga's, and Trader Sam's. If you want to do any character dining like Plaza Inn, Goofy's, or Storyteller's, it's also best to book those well in advance.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I've done the BB dining and Rachco one

The Ranchco one is very fairly prices and has good seats, BB is great but it cost much more

 

[LKing]

Cafe Orleans (just recently replaced Blue Bayou as most expensive),

I'm at work so will add more later tonight when I get home. I just wanted to clarify that Cafe Orleans is $58 which is the same price as River Belle Terrace. On the Fantasmic thread, we're watching for someone to report back to hear if DL combined the CO and RB seating or if CO gets the center stage seating that used to be reserved for Blue Bayou.

 

[OlliePop27]

I'm at work so will add more later tonight when I get home. I just wanted to clarify that Cafe Orleans is $58 which is the same price as River Belle Terrace. On the Fantasmic thread, we're watching for someone to report back to hear if DL combined the CO and RB seating or if CO gets the center stage seating that used to be reserved for Blue Bayou.

Thank you, correcting my post to avoid confusion.

 

[LKing]

Tagging @LKing and @OlliePop27 because, among others, you have given me such wonderful advice already (and because I got reprimanded for raising this topic on a WDW thread on which we were all participating!)

I'm sorry that happened. Discussing WDW in the Disneyland section is okay, but as soon as we discuss DLR on the WDW side, they tell us to move back into our corner.

 

[LKing]

Will be at DLR for the first time around Easter/spring break. We expect heavy crowds because it seems like many of the local districts' spring breaks overlap our trip. In that context, I'm asking for some advice:

1. Would you recommend reserving a Fantasmic dining package? If we do, we will probably stay at ROA to watch the fireworks. That would mean we'd want the first showing, right?
2. Is Fire of the Rising Moons something that we need to pay to access? I thought I read something about it being overpriced. Or do we just show up at SWGE? If so, how early would you recommend getting there?
3. Virtual Queue for WOC - if I'm in DCA at noon and enter the VQ, is it a pretty safe bet to assume that we'll get a semi-decent spot? How fast do the VQ spots go? And how does seating work - is it FCFS for all VQ folks, or is it ordered in terms of queue position? If we don't get a VQ spot, is WOC worthwhile?
4. What ADRs will go the fastest?

How many days will you be here? How many people are in your party? Small kids? Anyone with mobility issues?

1. I would 100% recommend getting a Fantasmic dining package. The seating is on the ground, but the view is the best you can get and you don't have to fight the crowds. Rancho del Zocalo is the price point option, but I think the Cafe Orleans menu looks pretty attractive. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of River Belle.
2. Fire of the Rising Moons is free and there is plenty of space to watch the fireworks. In November, Disneyland filed new building permits for projectors to be installed on top of Oga's Cantina, Smugglers Run, Village Shops and Souk Market. The projections don't start until March 28. I'm sure there will be lots of photos and people reporting back about the best place to view the fireworks and projections.
3. OlliePop summarized it well. For both Fantasmic and WOC, it is much easier to find a good viewing location for the second show than it is for the first. We watched a second show from Pixar Pier and thought it was great. We watched from Lamplight Lounge and it was disappointing.
4. The River Belle Terrace Fantasmic PREMIUM package fills within seconds. That's because there is very limited seating. Trader Sams (Disneyland Hotel) fills very quickly. @DizMe has a lot of experience with the Trader Sams reservation process. I think Lamplight Lounge brunch fills faster than dinner. Blue Bayou is very popular, but doesn't fill instantly. Lunch tends to be available for a couple of days while dinner (especially the earlier reservations) fills within a day.

 

[BlueGreen5]

@DizMe has a lot of experience with the Trader Sams reservation process.

@DizMe what does @LKing mean by this? There's a process? Do I need to bring three forms of ID? Please tell me it's not like WDWs process of getting lucky by showing up in person at an unspecified time just to get added to an hours' long waitlist...

FWIW, I was just planning on logging in the second the ADRs open - again WDW nut here - and picking up spots at the places we want to dine, based on availability and our plans. But, I'm not going to prioritize getting into Craftsman Bar over BB because it seems like Craftsman Bar has plenty of availability still 5 minutes after ADRs open, while BB may not. So, it sounds like my priority probably should be: (1) Trader Sam's, (2) Fantasmic! 1st @Rancho, (3) BB, and (4) Lamplight Lounge. Those are the places we think we really want to hit.

How many days will you be here? How many people are in your party? Small kids? Anyone with mobility issues?

"Here" as in CA - two weeks. "Here" as in DLR, three nights, maybe a fourth. No mobility issues; pretty typical nuclear family with a wide age range in the kids.

 

[LKing]

@DizMe is in the parks this weekend so she might not be online until she gets home. What I meant is that I think she goes frequently. Take a look at this thread about reservations popping up at odd hours. https://www.disboards.com/threads/trader-sams-reservations-opening-before-6am.3949364/

I would book 1. Trader Sams. 2. Lamplight Lounge 3. Blue Bayou 4. Rancho del Zocalo. You could flip 2 & 3 if you want.

Craftsman Bar should have availability the day of your visit. Shoot, there is a reservation open for tonight in a half hour.

Rancho del Zocalo for the first Fantasmic show should be lunch. The second show is dinner.

For Blue Bayou, if you want to sit at a waterside table, try to book a reservation as close to opening as possible (11 am). You can also make a request when you check in, however it is up to the CM and availability. They will usually tell you that there is a long wait for waterfront tables or that they don't take requests anymore.

Lamplight Lounge is in DCA, so plan that on a day when you will be at that park. Carthay Circle Restaurant is another nice restaurant in DCA.

Wide age range of kids.... none will have a problem seeing over adults when sitting on the ground watching Fantasmic? Dining package guests are guided to their seats starting at 7:45 pm. If you want to sit in the front couple of rows, I would be lined up by then. Many people bring blankets or towels to sit on as well as snacks to eat while they are waiting. Harbour Galley cookies are very popular. It is next to where you will be sitting to watch Fantasmic. Just make sure you put your mobile order in earlier in the day as they often sell out.

 

[CarolynFH]

1. I would 100% recommend getting a Fantasmic dining package. The seating is on the ground,

The River Belle Terrace Fantasmic PREMIUM package fills within seconds.

Well, we’d have trouble getting UP from the ground after Fantasmic, so if we can’t snag a River Belle Terrace Premium Package, what are our options? How long before Fantasmic starts would we need to find a place to stand and watch it?

 

[LKing]

Most of the time, dining package guests can stand in the back next to the ECVs. Although the last time we went, my spouse asked about it and they said they weren't allowing anyone to stand back there.

Harbour Galley has three dining patios. The lowest one is used for dining package guests during Fantasmic. There is a limited number of tables and chairs (maybe 20-25 seats??). It is first come, first served so at least one person from your party will need to get there early to grab a table.

 

[maleficent55]

Trader Sam’s by far goes the fastest of any ADR in my opinion
I have a lot of experience with it and it’s come down to this for me, dinner reservations, which seem to be the most popular or the hardest to get and seem to be least sometimes in the middle of the night at really odd times. I’ve had them release at 9 PM Pacific standard time the night before, although that was an anomaly. But I’ve had them release at midnight, 3 AM, and 4 AM. When I’ve been on the app ready to go for release at 6 AM generally what releases are the lunch slots.

I have booked trader Sam’s as a non-resort guest and as a resort guest and I feel like it’s just all over the place.

If that reservation is a must for you then I would just almost get no sleep the night before lol and check often!
Some of the best tricks you can do are, of course being logged into your app, I’m making sure that you have a payment method already in your app, being ready just before each drop time that you’re trying for.
Don’t go to the + at the bottom of the homepage of the app that says check Dining availability. Go to the actual restaurant through the search function, click on reserve Dining, then select your number of people and then when the time is exactly the release time then click on the calendar to pick your day and go forth