Best Fantasmic dinner with kids?

[WeluvDisney2]

Which restaurant would you recommend for the Fantasmic dining package with kids? Thanks!

 

[erinch]

what age kids?

We just did the Brown Derby last week. It's the most expensive -- but they made her a "gourmet" grilled cheese--and let her get it with soup--which is what she wanted the most--and it provided a peaceful oasis to the day.

Our DD is 9, and it was perfect for her

 

[SnoweyWhite]

I LOVE the Brown Derby, but not sure if it would be too fancy for your children. I've heard great reviews about Mama Melrose on the boards (my mom loves it, too) and sure it would be easy to find something there the kids would like. You could always let your kids look at the menus on www.allearsnet.com and see which they would prefer.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

what age kids?

We just did the Brown Derby last week. It's the most expensive -- but they made her a "gourmet" grilled cheese--and let her get it with soup--which is what she wanted the most--and it provided a peaceful oasis to the day.

Our DD is 9, and it was perfect for her

I have a range of ages... 12, 9, 5, and 2.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[erinch]

we were at Mama Melrose's also last week. It was right at the end of lunch, but we had a really yucky meal. Both my DH and I got pasta which was overcooked and barely sauced. Our meals were held under a heat lamp, and the same thing happened to a table near us. We've had good meals there previously, but I'm wondering if they've gone downhill?

 

[Cdn_Tink]

While I can't vote in your poll, I do have reservations for Hollywood and Vine's Fantasmic dining package. We will have to eat very early as there wasn't much left when I booked my reservations. We will be there Aug 28th and the latest they could seat us for dinner was 4:20 pm for the 8:30 Fantasmic show. The CM checked the other restaurants mentioned and all of the seating were around the same time but with less avalibility.

 

[JandD Mom]

While I can't vote in your poll, I do have reservations for Hollywood and Vine's Fantasmic dining package. We will have to eat very early as there wasn't much left when I booked my reservations. We will be there Aug 28th and the latest they could seat us for dinner was 4:20 pm for the 8:30 Fantasmic show. The CM checked the other restaurants mentioned and all of the seating were around the same time but with less avalibility.

FWIW, I would call again. I just called yesterday and got 6 pm on 8/26. Maybe I will see you there!

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Thanks everyone who voted!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I may be a little late, but here is our plan with 3 kids 2,5,15.

We will do Brown Derby. I also love Mama Melroses, but we only can do one meal at MGM, and I don't want to miss BD this trip. DS was fine there when he was 2 - I think he just had a side order of fries that time.

Happy planning!!!

K

 

[erinch]

One tip on BD with kids: when we checked in at the desk (there was a "gruff but kind" CM doing check-ins), I said that we would be willing to wait for a booth if possible. I'd guess we waited an extra 10 minutes, but we had a lovely booth in the "side room." It was an entirely different meal than if we'd had a table in the middle of the room.

 

[DVCJEN]

Hollywood and Vine was one of the worst buffets we have ever eaten at. Granted we only have been there once, but the food quality and cleanliness of the buffet was much worse than any of the other buffets we have tried.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

One tip on BD with kids: when we checked in at the desk (there was a "gruff but kind" CM doing check-ins), I said that we would be willing to wait for a booth if possible. I'd guess we waited an extra 10 minutes, but we had a lovely booth in the "side room." It was an entirely different meal than if we'd had a table in the middle of the room.

Thanks for the info - note taken!

 

[pooh2001]

Here is the H&V menu from Deb's web-site
Menu Date: April 2005

NOTE: Menu Changes Daily

Adults $22.99
Children (Ages 3-11) $10.99


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sample Menu



Sirloin Steak - grilled over open flame with red wine demi-glaze

Chef's Catch of the Day - Seared Salmon with Swiss Chard Greens

Pasta with Broccoli, Scallops, and Surimi in an Alfredo Sauce

Grilled Sausage with Green and Red Cabbage, Apples and Dried Cranberries

Herb-Roasted Vegetables

Vegetable Lo Mein



Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with garlic and Parmesan cheese

Sweet Potato Wheels with Rootbeer Bourbon Glaze

Creamed Corn Spoon Bread



Turkey Pot Roast with Vegetables

Assortment of Fresh Specialty Salads and Mixed Field Greens

Petite Sweets
Hot Cobbler
Create Your Own Sundae with Toppings

Childrens' items
(children can have anything from above items also)

Macaroni & Cheese
Chicken Nuggets
Citrus Chicken Legs
BBQ Meatballs
Broccoli with Carrots
Steamed Corn

Non-alcoholic beverage included in price.

 

[pooh2001]

Mama Melrose menu from Deb's web-site:
Menu Date: June 2005
Telephone: 407-560-3650


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANTIPASTI

Mama's Bruschetta - with marinated tomatoes and crostini $6.49

Crispy Calamari Mama's Way - with peppers and onions and a side of spicy marinara sauce $6.99

Mozzarella and Tomatoes - with marinated sweet onions, balsamic drizzle, extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil $5.99

Brick Oven Baked Caprino Cheese in a tomato basil sauce and rosemary garlic crostini $5.99



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Insalate & Zuppa
Vegetarian Minestrone with ditalini pasta $4.49
Zuppa of the Day $4.49
Field Greens - balsamic vinaigrette and gorgonzola cheese $3.99
Caesar Salad - Romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing and croutons $3.99
Panzanella - toasted Italian bread tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, arugula, onions and red wine vinegar $4.99



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Individual Wood-Fired Flatbreads

Grilled Chicken with sun-dried tomato pesto, pancetta, asiago cheese and fresh chives $12.99

Grilled Pepperoni - with bell peppers and sweet onions $11.79

Four Cheese with Asiago, Mozzarella, Provolone, and Gorgonzola Cheese $11.79

Vine-Ripened Tomato with basil pesto, olive oil and asiago cheese $11.79


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Courses
Oak Grilled Salmon basted with sun-dried tomato pesto over fire roasted vegetables $17.99

Wood-fired Chicken Pipette tossed with artichokes, peas, roasted red peppers in a basil and four cheese cream sauce $16.59; substitute shrimp for $2.00

Eggplant Napoleon layers eggplant, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes over a warm cannellini bean ragu $14.99

Spicy Italian Sausage with rigatoni pasta, peppers, onions, and a tomato basil sauce topped with caprino cheese $14.79

Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti rigati pasta $15.99

Penne Alla Vodka with pancetta and sweet onion, finished with tomato basil sauce, cream, vodka and pecorino romano $16.99

Fra Diavolo with clams, calamari, mussels and shrimp, tossed in a spicy Marinara sauce over spaghetti rigati $17.99

Charred Butcher Tender Steak over roasted red pepper polenta, grilled asparagus, with gorgonzola butter and red wine reduction $19.99

Veal Osso Buco slow roasted and served with Risotto Milanese $21.99


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Desserts

Tiramisu - layers of ladyfingers soaked in coffee and whipped mascarpone cheese $5.99

Coffee Tartufo - house-made Coffee Ice Cream crusted with Crushed Coffee Beans, Chocolate, Butter Fingers, and Hazelnuts with a Sambuca Anglaise sauce $6.99

Honey Hazelnut and Ricotta Cheesecake with a blood orange sauce and dollop cream $5.49

Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake filled with chocolate ganache over raspberry sauce, and a pistachio florentine $5.49

Gelato - choice of chocolate, vanilla, or spumoni $2.99



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beverages

SPECIALTY DRINKS:

Bellini Cocktail - a refreshing combination of sparkling wine, white peach, and raspberry, made famous at Harry's Bar in Venice $6.75

Strawberry Colada - Bacardi Rum with a mix of Strawberries and Coconut $7.00

Italian Surfer - Amaretto, Malibu Rum, and assorted Fruit Juices $7.75

Sangria - Quench your thirst with a taste from the Italian Riviera.
Glass $3.75
1/2 Carafe $8.50. Full Carafe $16.50

BEER
Featuring Italian-brewed "Moretti"

WINES BY THE GLASS



KIDS MENU:
Menu Date: June 2005


ALL KIDS' MEALS INCLUDE BEVERAGE AND ARE $4.99

Pasta Your Way
Pick a pasta: Penne, Pipette, Spaghetti Rigati
Pick a sauce: Tomato, Meat, 4 Cheese Cream, or Butter

Mini Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti rigati with tomato sauce

Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza

Kiddie Calz - Child's version of a calzone with a 3-Cheese mix and choice to have it with pepperoni

BEVERAGES - Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Sprite, Cherry Coke, Root Beer, Pink Lemonade, Milk, Chocolate Milk, Apple Juice, Orange Juice

 

[pooh2001]

Brown Derby's menu from Deb's web-site:

Introductions
Portobello Mushroom, Chevre Cheese Raviolo with tomato fennel sauce and sweet basil $6.49

Cobb Salad for Two with chopped greens, turkey breast, bacon, egg, tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, and Cobb dressing $12.99

Sake Laced Crab Cake with Nori crust, miso aioli, and cucumber-watermelon slaw $8.29

Chilled Gazpacho Soup with cilantro sour cream and sherry vinegar $6.29


Mesclun and Arugula tossed with fresh oranges, spicy pecans, feta, and cabernet vinaigrette $6.49

Fried Tortilla and spring corn soup with chorizo and avocado cream $5.99

Honey-Chipotle Barbecue "natural bacon" with a spicy green papaya som tam $7.49


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Center Stage
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with tomato polonaise, sweet corn succotash and Madeira sage pan juices $22.49

Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Whipped Potatoes, Sugar Peas, Ginger soy reduction, and coriander lime essence $21.99

Pistachio and Mint Crusted Rack of Lamb with spaghetti squash, seasonal vegetables, and a zinfandel nage $26.99

Thai Noodle Bowl with Coconut Crusted Tofu, edamame, snap peas, bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms in a red curry broth $16.99

Pan-Fired Grouper over balsamic roasted asparagus, lemon plugra butter sauce, topped with Bermuda onion marmalade $23.99


Char-grilled Center Cut Filet of Beef with Dijon crushed potatoes, truffle infused shallot confit, watercress and merlot jus $27.99

Tanglewood Farms Rotisserie Half Chicken with toasted cashew-dried red currant pilaf and natural juices $18.99

Grilled Atlantic Salmon on creamy polenta, gorgonzola, oven dried tomatoes, baby arugula and balsamic butter sauce $19.99


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grand Finale
Happiest Celebration on Earth! featuring orange chocolate impression with pinot noir reduction $8.29

Roasted Local Strawberry Creme Brulee with Petite Orange chocolate Scone $6.99



White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Praline Cheesecake - with blood orange sauce $7.59

Grapefruit Cake - A Brown Derby Original! Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit Cream Cheese Icing $5.99

New Age Chocolate Decadence Soft Cake with a fresh berry melange $7.99
No sugar added - vegan - dairy-free


KIDS MENU...
Menu Date: June 2005




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Appetizers

Soup - Chicken Noodle Soup with Mickey Noodles $2.29

Salad - Mixed greens with tomato, carrots and choice of dressing. French, Ranch, Blue Cheese, Thousand Island. $1.99

Entrees

Grilled Chicken Breast - Served with roasted red potatoes, fresh vegetables and a beverage $5.99

Mickey's Macaroni and Cheese - Pasta with cheddar cheese sauce and a beverage. $4.99

Fried Florida Grouper Strips with fries and a beverage $5.99

Hot Dog with fries and a beverage. $4.99




Specialty Drinks

Cookie Magic - vanilla ice milk blended with Oreo cookies $2.99

Sour Stitch - Apple juice, fresh lime juice, Sprite and club soda. $2.59

Frozen Derby Lemonade - Lemon juice, orange juice, and sugar $2.59

Strawberry Banana Smoothie - Strawberry, banana, sweetened cream, topped with whipped cream. $2.99



Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Sprite, Minute Maid Lemonade, Milk, Chocolate Milk, variety of juices

Dessert

Hidden Treasure Dessert - Vanilla ice cream, Oreo cookie crumbles and gummy snakes. $2.99

 

[WeluvDisney2]

Thanks Pooh2001!

 

[raidermatt]

They are all fine for kids. H&V is the most casual, while BD is the most formal, though its still a theme park restaurant.

I voted for H&V because I think its the easiest with kids and provides the best value. We've eaten there several times and have no complaints about the food or cleanliness. But I wouldn't hesitate to try one of the other two if that's what you're looking for. We've been to both with our son and everything was fine.

We will have to eat very early as there wasn't much left when I booked my reservations. We will be there Aug 28th and the latest they could seat us for dinner was 4:20 pm for the 8:30 Fantasmic show.

There's actually some advantages to eating that early. We used to try to make all of our dinner PS's later, but like you, had to try an early one because that's all that was available, and now that's actually the schedule we prefer in the parks.

Plusses to eating early:

1- You get out of what is nearly the peak heat of the day, and when you come out, things have started to cool.

2- You can hit an attraction or two after dinner, when many others are taking their dinner break.

3- In the case of the Fantasmic package, there is no need to worry about rushing through dinner.

4- Makes it easy to treat yourself to a little ice cream later, if that catches your fancy.

You just have to make sure you eat an early lunch, or late breakfast with no lunch so you are actually hungry at 4:30. You might even save some money by only having 2 full meals and a snack or dessert instead of 3 full meals.