Thanks for sharing. I have not watched Fantasmic in about 20-25 years (since it debuted when I was in high school!) so I don't have a good handle on what the seating areas look like. I did end up in the general area about an hour or so before a show when it first came back recently and it was such a mob scene. I definitely wouldn't even attempt it without a dining package, especially since I can dedicate a chunk of time to showing up early and waiting.
We rarely do dining packages, and in fact, rarely see the nighttime entertainment since he's so young, but I decided to splurge and do a few packages before my son turns 3 since he's free and also because there are some earlier showtimes available since it gets dark early this time of year. I chose Hungry Bear for Fantasmic because I'm going bigger and doing a mommy-and-me WOC Dessert Party, too. Although I read on here that the kids don't get the glow cups anymore, which is a big bummer as I was counting on that to help keep him entertained, ha ha.