My Fantasmic! Cookie Experience.

Every time my family visits a Disney park, we try to do something we’ve never done before. Luckily, there is no shortage of options!  On our most recent trip to Disneyland, we opted for tickets to the Fantasmic! Premium Viewing and Dessert Party.  I’m here to tell you, this was an excellent decision.

In order to reserve your tickets, you may call up to 30 days ahead of time (or just call me to help!). We purchased tickets for the 9pm show, which I highly recommend as you are permitted to keep your seats for the Seasonal Fireworks that follow.  Of course, you can expect to pay a premium for any special event that includes a chair, and this event is no different.  The cost is $60 for adults and $50 for children.  I thought it was a little pricey, but my husband reminded me that when it comes to Disney, you get what you pay for.  This event was worth every penny.

We were instructed to pick up our tickets at City Hall on the day of the event, and then to check in at 8pm to get a seat assignment. The viewing and check in area is right across from the Haunted Mansion on the Rivers of America.  We made the mistake of checking in at 8:04, and most of the front seats had already been assigned.  The Cast Member suggested that we choose the 4^th row (the back row), as opposed to the 2^nd or 3^rd, so that we would be able to stand.  After seeing the show I completely agree—if you can’t get the first row, go for the back.  If time permits, I suggest showing up and waiting in the check-in line at 7:30 to get those coveted front row seats.  Once you’ve gotten your seat assignment, you are welcome to explore the park until 8:45, when you take your seats and experience Disney service at its finest.

Our Cast Member showed us to our seats and offered us our choice of soda and juice options, hot chocolate, coffee, and water, all with unlimited refills. He was thoughtful enough to put a few ice cubes in my daughter’s hot chocolate so she could enjoy it right away.  He also delivered our dessert trays and happily took family pictures for us.  Now, when I think of a “dessert tray”, I picture a couple of cookies, maybe a piece of cake or pie.  I was more than pleasantly surprised when we were each presented with our own box consisting of a large bunch of grapes, three packages of water crackers, 5 cheeses, 2 truffles, a lemon tart, cheesecake, chocolate cake, a coconut macaroon, and a raspberry jam filled cookie.  The children’s boxes were the same size as the adult boxes!  My husband and son shared one box, and even though my daughter and I each opened our own, we easily could have shared as well.  Everything was tasty, but let me just take a moment to tell you about the jam filled cookie.  It was out of this world!  Imagine a soft cookie, enveloped in a white chocolate coating featuring purple and gold stars, with a perfectly sweet and tart jam filling.  The best part is—according to our Cast Member, this party is THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GET THIS COOKIE.

Shortly before the show began, another Cast Member came by and made sure to let us know that we could do what we needed to ensure our children could see the show. He encouraged us to let them stand on the chairs if necessary.  We did, and were all able to see the show perfectly.  If you’ve never seen Fantasmic!, it’s a favorite of mine, filled with stunning effects, water projections and live performances, but for me the best part is watching the magic reflected in my children’s eyes.

Once Fantasmic! was over, our Cast Member returned and offered to refill our drinks while we waited for the “Remember…Dreams Come True” Fireworks Spectacular.  Although this isn’t the best viewing spot, it is decent, and being able to enjoy a seat, drinks, and fantastic desserts definitely beats waiting on the curb for an hour at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.  The music was piped into our area, and even with a slightly obstructed view Disney fireworks are second to none.  When everything was over, we packed up all our leftovers, which provided snacks for the rest of our trip!

We had a fantastic experience that was most definitely worth the cost. Normally, we try not to repeat our special park experiences because there is so much to do at the Disneyland Resort and I want to try them all.  But in this case, I might be persuaded to do it again—even just for that cookie!