Brown Derby - Fun Stuff?

[DizzyFORDisney]

Hi Guys,

I am still trying to decide between Brown Derby for lunch or Mama Melrose for dinner (either one would be out of pocket).

Anyway, a friend of mine was telling me about the phone that they bring out to your table at the Brown Derby - pretending a kid has a phone call or something like that.

My question is - does either of these restaurants offer a "fun" atmosphere for my four boys?

Thanks!!

 

[laughinplace199]

I've never heard of the phone thing at HBD, but my kids did get a phone call from Goofy while we were eating at Jiko.

HBD is definitely not a "fun" restaurant in my book. However, the food is very good and we try to eat there every time we go to WDW.

I've never been to Mama Melrose, but I will say that for a fun restaurant in HS, we like 50's PT.

 

[ChelleinNC]

My son did receive a call from Goofy at Brown Derby For the phone call, ask when you make the ADR and/or when you check in. They'll bring an old fashioned phone to the booth and plug it in (just like they did at the Original HBD in the ol' days)

I don't know that I'd say either HBD or MM is "fun". HBD is cool because of the Old Hollywood theme/feel and the caricatures are really neat. MM is like going to most Italian restaurants. We love HBD, it's our favorite restaurant on property

edit to add: Whether they'll have fun will depend on the age of your boys. HBD is a signature resturant. It'll be a longer meal, but since it's in a park not as long as most signature meals. "Fun" meals at DHS are 50's PTC & Sci-Fi

 

[KatMark]

I wouldn't call either one of them "fun". We prefer Mama Melrose over Brown Derby. The one time we ate at Brown Derby the service was terrible (we went for lunch and only four other tables were occupied) and the food was mediocre (and my DH hated the grapefruit cake). Do not think it is worth the money they charge.

 

[kellypooh]

I wouldn't call either one of them "fun". We prefer Mama Melrose over Brown Derby. The one time we ate at Brown Derby the service was terrible (we went for lunch and only four other tables were occupied) and the food was mediocre (and my DH hated the grapefruit cake). Do not think it is worth the money they charge.

I agree almost completely -- except that our service at HBD was ok and I loved the grapefruit cake! Definitely not worth the price, IMO. Love Mama Melrose, but wouldn't say it was "fun"

 

[blanq]

Hi Guys,

I am still trying to decide between Brown Derby for lunch or Mama Melrose for dinner (either one would be out of pocket).

Anyway, a friend of mine was telling me about the phone that they bring out to your table at the Brown Derby - pretending a kid has a phone call or something like that.

My question is - does either of these restaurants offer a "fun" atmosphere for my four boys?

Thanks!!

We have been to the HBD a number of times, and have never had the phone thing happen as you describe. This restaurant has a more formal atmosphere; definately not fun, but more elegant and the food is wonderful. We have been to Mama Melrose too, and again, not a "fun" atmosphere and the food is hit or miss.

Honestly, if you are looking for fun, try 50's Prime Time. I think your boys would love it.

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

Thanks everyone!

We've already done Sci-Fi and Prime Time on previous trips and wanted to try something different this time.

Hmmmm....I still can't decide.

Oh - my boys are 11,9,almost 8, and almost 2.

 

[blanq]

It helps to know you have already been to Sci-Fi and 50's Prime Time. Honestly, the TS options at DHS are limited. Would your family mind hopping from DHS over to Beaches & Cream for a meal? This might be a good option if you have never been there. It is a nice relaxing boat ride from the park, and the atmosphere there is fun. Maybe your family could try the kitchen sink! It is quite fun to watch them make it, and even more fun to eat it!

 

[gigi1313]

we are big MM fans... and we've had some fun times... there are some streetosphere characters that come around and do a little "skit" at your table... jokes, etc... it was fun and entertaining

 

[hmillerbarilla]

We ate at BD for the first time this past year and hated it. It was really bad. We didn't care for the food, and our waiter was rude. My DS 2 was very bored and squirmy.

My sister, mom and dad went to MM while we were at Sci Fi and thought it was really good.

If you've been to 50's and Sci Fi, I'd agree with the other poster and suggest going over to BoardWalk or Beach Club to grab a bite. Spoodles or B&C would be better than Brown Derby.

 

[seadd67]

We want to try it next March, but looking at the menue lunch seems a bit more for us.

 

[CindyKansas]

My friend Barb and I ate at the HBD in August for lunch and we had a wonderful time. We were sitting there waiting for our lunch and 2 of the CM's that are characters on the street (one was the supposed director and the other was an agent) came and sat with us. It was sooooo funny. I had eaten dinner on previous occasions (when I was with DH and DD) but I had never been there for lunch, and my friend had never eaten there. She thought it was fantastic. I will agree, we didn't care for the pineapple upsidedown cake.

 

[angboys3]

we ate there before as part of Fantasmic meal. We did get the phone call at the table from Goofy, we didn't request, my kids (8 at the time) thought it was a hoot. Food was very good when we went, we ranked it up with Le Cellier. In fact, I thought about trying MM instead of BD this trip since we don't need another signature restaurant but my husband really likes it.