Assurance from Brown Derby afficionados, please

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

First I want to start my question out by pointing out that I have two "modes" of dining. I LOVE being a dining "snob", you know, leave the kids with a sitter and enjoy a nice quiet expensive meal, etc. Now, honestly, as much as I LOVE that I hardly ever get to BE that, and my meals, at home, abroad, and at Disney are more realistic, with my kids (whom can be wonderfully well behaved, or monsters depending on various factors),trying to enjoy my food.

Ok, now why I mention that is because I am trying to "attract" responses from the latter category, the food lover that eats with their family. Not that I don't completely value the opinions of the first group.

Ok, that being said. My family is going to the Last Tour to Endor party.

Now I was planning on making reservations for 50's Prime Time for that night, a restaurant we have been to many times and enjoy thoroughly.

But, when I brought up the reservations available for that night, up pops Brown Derby. Oh how I have been wanting to eat there SO BAD, but never having the money for it have not had the chance. . . . .. and now, there it is, a reservation, for the time I want, AND we have the money handy.

So, what's my hesitance? Well, since we are going to the Last Tour to Endore Party my family of four will be decked out as Jedis. We are big dorks!

Brown Derby is a signature restaurant, soooooooo exactly how BADLY out of place will we be? Will we be treated badly by CM's and guests? I am expecting stares, by golly, I'm expecting stares all night, we're dressed up for cryin' out loud, lol! But I mean will we get those "what in the world are those people doing here ruining my dinner? " type of stares?

I know since it's in a park that they get the family at the end of the day types, you know, the irritable kids, the frizzy haired parents, so people "not at their best" is expected (my family, normally, ha ha). But since we will be getting to the parks right before the reservations we will not be frazzled, sweaty jedi, we will be fresh, highly presentable jedis. And that brings comfort, along with the fact there is no dress code for this signature restaurant, and due to the special event being that night we most certainly will not be the only ones in costume around the parks. But we will be jedi in the Brown Derby nonetheless.

So, should I put off my chance to eat the the Brown Derby again? Or will we be ok?

 

[mollymar]

First I want to start my question out by pointing out that I have two "modes" of dining. I LOVE being a dining "snob", you know, leave the kids with a sitter and enjoy a nice quiet expensive meal, etc. Now, honestly, as much as I LOVE that I hardly ever get to BE that, and my meals, at home, abroad, and at Disney are more realistic, with my kids (whom can be wonderfully well behaved, or monsters depending on various factors),trying to enjoy my food.

Ok, now why I mention that is because I am trying to "attract" responses from the latter category, the food lover that eats with their family. Not that I don't completely value the opinions of the first group.

Ok, that being said. My family is going to the Last Tour to Endore party.

Now I was planning on making reservations for 50's Prime Time for that night, a restaurant we have been to many times and enjoy thoroughly.

But, when I brought up the reservations available for that night, up pops Brown Derby. Oh how I have been wanting to eat there SO BAD, but never having the money for it have not had the chance. . . . .. and now, there it is, a reservation, for the time I want, AND we have the money handy.

So, what's my hesitance? Well, since we are going to the Last Tour to Endore Party my family of four will be decked out as Jedis. We are big dorks!

Brown Derby is a signature restaurant, soooooooo exactly how BADLY out of place will we be? Will we be treated badly by CM's and guests? I am expecting stares, by golly, I'm expecting stares all night, we're dressed up for cryin' out loud, lol! But I mean will we get those "what in the world are those people doing here ruining my dinner?" type of stares?

I know since it's in a park that they get the family at the end of the day types, you know, the irritable kids, the frizzy haired parents, so people "not at their best" is expected (my family, normally, ha ha). But since we will be getting to the parks right before the reservations we will not be frazzled, sweaty jedi, we will be fresh, highly presentable jedis. And that brings comfort, along with the fact there is no dress code for this signature restaurant, and due to the special event being that night we most certainly will not be the only ones in costume around the parks. But we will be jedi in the Brown Derby nonetheless.

So, should I put off my chance to eat the the Brown Derby again? Or will we be ok?

I say go for it and have fun! We are usually the frizzy hair parents and definitely sweaty after having been at the park all day. We have never been given a 2nd look. It is DH's favorite place for dinner. You'll be fine

 

[thej]

So, we did the Fantasmic dining package at the Brown Derby for the last day of the last Star Wars Weekend this year. It was a hot, busy day, and there were more than a few SW fans in the park

While DS and I were just in Star Wars T-shirts and shorts for dinner, I saw several people there in varying stages of costume and a few light sabers were evident. While it looked a bit odd with the decor, nobody seemed to be put off by it at all. One girl in a Princess Leia dress several tables from us seemed to get several compliments.

So I say go for it! It will be the experience of a lifetime

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

Thank you, you guys!!!!
I especially am happy to hear that during Star Wars weekends other people were wearing costumes to the BD!
AND that it's a fav restaurant, I am so excited to get to try it!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We've eaten at HBD many times, and even though they are now billing it as a Signature restaurant, I don't think of it as such. The food is very good, but it's in a theme park! Most of the diners are in park touring clothes - shorts, t-shirts, etc. No one is dressed up - nor should they be, in my opinion.

Go, have a great time, I don't think anyone will think a thing of it.

 

[Nadjalu]

I agree, go fulfill this dream and don't worry a second on what others think.

WHO CARES???

You are at Disney, you are having fun with your family. If they wanted a "certain" clientele then it wouldn't be located in a theme park. They would've put it at a resort.

Yes you will find "snobs" and yes you will find people dressed in park clothes, or as you will be....Jedis. LOL

Makes sure to save room for the grapefruit cake!!

 

[cyndisun]

We really enjoyed our lunch at BD last year with DS12. While it is one of the places DH (somewhat of a food snob) *must* go back to this trip, I had no idea it was a signature restaurant. Not that it wasn't good, it just didn't have the same deluxe feel as the other sigs--it was a very comfortable and down to earth place.

I say go for it! Enjoy dinner with your jedis.

 

[larryz]

If you're dressed up in Jedi formal, I don't think anyone would say anything -- as long as your hair braids and beads don't clash with your cloak...

 

[MSmathmom]

The vibe there isn't stuffy at all. You will be fine. The servers we have encountered at Brown Derby have been among the most professional, friendly in the parks. They will most likely love what you are wearing.

 

[charlielinda]

Go -- have fun -- you're at the Happiest Place on Earth. We visit Brown Derby on every trip and everyone is in shorts and tees - flip flops and crocks. Go enjoy! You'll probably be the best looking group in the place. Have fun!

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

If you're dressed up in Jedi formal, I don't think anyone would say anything -- as long as your hair braids and beads don't clash with your cloak...

Actually, we will be New Republic Jedi formal (Rebel Legion standards).
And actually would be Old Republic formal, if it weren't for us picking colors that might not be considered "earth tone".
Now, the fact that I even know any of that still astounds me.
When I decided to make them, since I was going to put so much effort (and cost! ) in to them, then I wanted them to be accurate, and boy, I quickly learned there's alot that goes in to an authentic outfit! I know terms now I never knew before!

I know you were playing, but when you posted "formal" (and since I actually knew what you meant, )I just had to boast about my costumes, SO MANY man (or woman, ha ha) hours have gone in to these outfits, so any chance I get to brag on them, and also show off the knowledge I have acquired from hours of internet searches and tutorials.


Thanks again to everyone else. I am SO GLAD to get reassurance!

When I see "signature" I think of Jiko, or Artist's Point. (yum and yum!) and I would never DREAM of wearing costumes there! lol

 

[pixarmom]

I agree with the previous posters. Brown Derby is my favorite restaurant at WDW (Cali Grill is second) and one of the things I love about Disney is the opportunity to eat good and interesting food in a relaxing setting WITH our kids. We used to skip some of the signature restaurants based on the negative comments on these boards about children. Then we decided to start giving them a try, and we are really happy that we did!

Granted, we make our ADRs for 5:30 or 6pm, so the atmosphere may change later in the evening. But we have been entirely comfortable with our boys (ages pre-school to pre-teen) at signature restaurants. If our pre-schooler got antsy, we would have just taken him out immediately (but that was never necessary.) We were happily surprised at the number of kids we saw at the signatures - in all sorts of regular park wear (and some costumes.)

OP, so glad you decided to go with Brown Derby!

 

[prttynpnk]

Come on show that Jedi pride! Would Yoda ask for a booster seat? Would Mace Windoo accept a seat by the kitchen? Saunter in with dignity and enjoy the creme brulee and envious stares.

 

[larryz]

I know you were playing, but when you posted "formal" (and since I actually knew what you meant, )I just had to boast about my costumes, SO MANY man (or woman, ha ha) hours have gone in to these outfits, so any chance I get to brag on them, and also show off the knowledge I have acquired from hours of internet searches and tutorials.

I don't mess around when it comes to formal.

Photos?

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

I don't mess around when it comes to formal.

Photos?

I'm still in the process of finishing my husband's. Still have to do his pants, cloak, and inner tunic. But was already thinking it might be fun to post a pic, of us eating at the HBD.
(Hey, it's no Chalmun's Cantina, but now I'm super psyched)

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

Thanks everyone for your "support" .
Thought I'd post pics of our outfits, and us at dinner.

Also, a small review of HBD. Our server sucked. Pretty sure it wasn't because of our outfits, but rather I think we just got a bad server, he was treating the tables around us the same, and bad service tends to taint my food experience, especially when paying so much AND since we have Tables In Wonderland he autotmatically got an 18% tip that he definitely didn't deserve. *sigh*
I ordered the Sterling Silver Pork Chop. The pork chop was DIVINE! yum, yum. But the hash was so doused with the jus that I found it close to inedible.
My husband loved his Char-grilled Filet of Beef, didn't like his side though.
Both of us loved our desserts though. He ordered the Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower, and I ordered the Grapefruit Cake.

I did think it was completely awesome that we were sat right next to a Sith! So we were definitely not the only ones in costume, but also hilarious that they would sit a family of Jedi next to a lone Sith. lol.

We had cloaks too, but due to the heat we ended up not wearing them very often. And not in to the restaurant.

 

[POTCfan]

Awesome outfits! Thanks for posting... and sorry your server was not up to par (I know how that can taint an experience).