Best MGM Studios Dining Options?

[NickieMouse MO]

I'm stumped trying to find a decent TS meal for our family at Disney Studions. DS7 DD4.

Not read anything yet that seems worth the time or TS credits for. Any suggestions?

 

[SGMCO]

We have that same problem whenever we went to MGM last trip.
We tried 50s Prime Time Cafe last time because everyone
loves it so much.
The food was not bad but my worst fear came true,
I didn't care for all of the pretending you are related
and forcing you to eat all of your food.
This was a busy lunch day and it was very Loud in there.

Because there were only 3 of us,
We also were seated in the same nook with people we didn't know
and didn't like and were encouraged to pretend that we were related to them
also.

We will be trying out SCI-FI Cafe next trip even though this one
get bad reviews.
The restaurants we seem to really like are the ones that others dislike, so we'll see.
At least at SCI-FI they won't force you to eat so much.
I think I will enjoy the fun experance of eatting in the cute cars, and nobody bothering you
like 50s PTC (I have enough Annoying real Relatives to deal with I don't need fake ones).

We are just trying different restaurant on each trip even if they get bad reviews,
because you never know, you might really enjoy the place.

 

[becka]

We have never really found a lot we like at MGM. The Brown Derby was nice for lunch when it was just DH and I but it is not really a great place for kids imho so we have not been since we had them.

We did eat at Mama Melrose on our last trip and it was OK - nothing great but if you want a TS in MGM it is a decent option. I know lots of people like 50PTC but we didn't enjoy it that much. The food was just OK and it is so hit and miss with the servers in our experience and we seem to always have a miss. Sci-Fi is fun and interesting but the best way to do Sci-Fi is to just get an afternoon ADR for dessert.

 

[MinnieMommy]

Would you consider taking a break and taking one of the friendship boats to the Boardwalk area and eat at Spoodles? Then you could head back to MGM when you're done.

 

[Twende]

We have not found a place to eat there either. We either take a boat and head to the Boardwalk area or this trip we have a car and we will leave the park in the late afternoon then head to a resort to eat.

I think it is really sad that there are so few good places to eat in Disney Studios/MGM.

 

[MJMcBride]

We have that same problem whenever we went to MGM last trip.
We tried 50s Prime Time Cafe last time because everyone
loves it so much.
The food was not bad but my worst fear came true,
I didn't care for all of the pretending you are related
and forcing you to eat all of your food.
This was a busy lunch day and it was very Loud in there.

Because there were only 3 of us,
We also were seated in the same nook with people we didn't know
and didn't like and were encouraged to pretend that we were related to them
also.

We will be trying out SCI-FI Cafe next trip even though this one
get bad reviews.
The restaurants we seem to really like are the ones that others dislike, so we'll see.
At least at SCI-FI they won't force you to eat so much.
I think I will enjoy the fun experance of eatting in the cute cars, and nobody bothering you
like 50s PTC (I have enough Annoying real Relatives to deal with I don't need fake ones).

We are just trying different restaurant on each trip even if they get bad reviews,
because you never know, you might really enjoy the place.

I couldn't agree more. I hate the Prime Time. Here's actually a review I wrote on it.
http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/04/14/a-review-of-50s-prime-time-cafe-at-disney-mgm-studios/#comments

I would the Sci-Fi which has average food but a fun atmopshere or perhaps Mama Melrose which also has average food. You could just do the Hollywood and Vine. Unfortunately, the only thin worse than the TS at MGM is the CS which is the worst of any of the parks IMHO.

You're best bet maybe to duck out of the park for a bit and head to the Boardwalk or another Epcot resort. Or even better yet, head to the World Showcase.

 

[disneyfan4u]

We love the Sci-Fi and so do the kids. It has a great atmosphere. The 50's prime time was a little to abrasive for my family. My husband and kids did not appreciate the humor. And Mamma Melroses was fair. I think your best bet is Sci-Fi. It is so neat inside like nothing I have ever seen. We make sure we go every year.

 

[Quiksilvr]

My wife and I ate at the Brown Derby for dinner a couple of weeks ago and there seemed to be plenty of families there enjoying the food and the atmosphere. I thought the food was excellent; I had the filet. The Cobb Salad is perfection.

 

[avamadison]

Every time my family goes to MGM we always eat at the Sci Fi Theater. We always enjoy ourselves but the menu is small and boring. It is fun the first couple of times and fun for kids but it would be nice to try something else. We have also done the 50s PTC. We loved the food but it was definitely noisy and always packed.
We are going back in April and we have reservations for Mama Melrose. I have read mixed reviews but we love Italian foods. I read recently that the atmosphere was boring but the food was good.....we shal see.

 

[ballarinamom]

OK. I am a foodie. My family is a family of food snobs. We prefer to be served at a meal instead of waiting in line for counter service or buffets. However, when at Disney..... DD5 loved Hollywood and Dine. We had the first lunch seating and they still had some breakfast out, DD got all of her breakfast favs while DH and I chose lunch items. The character interaction was great and we were all satisfied with the food quality.
We also did 50's Primetime. The 3 of us sat at a kitchen table and had a good experience. We knew that we would have a snack and dinner at Sci Fi so we split some of the plates as the portions were huge. Again, we all had a good time.
Finally, Sci Fi was a great experience, even though we watched the film clip 3times over. Again we split some plates as we just weren't that hungry. So knowing the snob in me, I can say we had good experiences at 3 TS places at MGM. Nothing was so aweful that I would say don't go. We had some great different experiences that were very enjoyable. I wouldn't worry about having a bad meal at any of the places at MGM. Remember you're on vacation and enjoy the things around you!

 

[Saratoga Souris]

We make it a point to eat at the Brown Derby every trip. The service and the food have always been excellent.
My second choice would be to take the boat to Boardwalk and go to Spoodles. It is a great place.

 

[audisight]

I've really enjoyed Sci-Fi and 50's Prime Time in the past. If those don't intrest you then I agree taking the boat over to Spoodles or Big River Grill is a good idea too.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Here is another vote for going over to the BW to Spoodles. I took my DD 3 & DS 1 there this September & we loved it . GREAT food. we do always go to Prime time, but we tried Spoodles this year and loved it. I'm going back next year for sure! Have fun choosing!

 

[sugarlens]

We visited 50s this Sept and while the food was great, we didn't really care for the interaction. We went to Hollywood and Vine before too and the food was just OK, although DH loved it (he's easy to please). Next time though, we will probably try Mama Melrose. We like to try all restaurants first before going back to places we have been before.

In my opinion, eating at Disney is never just about the food. It's the atmoshere. Chances are you can find better southern cooking, italian, chinese, american, frech, etc food outside of the property (or your hometown). But then again, you won't have the disney magic!!

 

[Jenniww]

We do not park hop by choice- So I must plan were we are eating by where we are going to be.
On our MGM day we are not using a TS credit we will be using to CS credits. There is no where I want to eat a sit down meal at.
Our plan is to use two TS credits at Epcot- there are so many places to eat at Epcot. One for Breakfast and one for dinner!
Good luck- happy planning!

 

[DizzDoll]

We had lunch at 50's Prime Time and dinner at Mama Melroses. While we enjoyed the experience at 50's, the food, in my opinion, pretty much sucked. I had the ratatouie pepper thing and couldn't eat it. The waiter, however, was a nut and we had a blast. And even with all the negative comments about Mama's, we actually had a fairly decent meal there. Our waitress was on top of things and everything just flowed which makes for a more pleasant experience. I'd give Mama's a try, and we're going back next August - this time for lunch.

 

[princessesrule4]

We take the boat over to BC for Beaches and Cream! Have also done this for Yachtsmen as well!

 

[PerryT]

We always eat at Sci-Fi. BD is great, also - but the kids love Sci-Fi. As someone posted, you can always walk or boat over to Boardwalk / YC-BC and there are a ton of places...doesn't take too long.

~ P

 

[OKW Mom]

Ours were about 6 and 9.

We were seated near the piano and the "singer" kept calling "Mr. Heston...Mr. Heston" to my husband. The kids were cracking up, my Mom and I were about to wet our pants we giggled so much.

My husband is the quiet type and his looking around when she spoke to him looked like he was playing back with her.
Because the meal was TS and longer than some children's attention span the "entertainment" helped pass the time. PLUS the food was to die for and that was a plus for the adults!

 

[disneysuncat]

I just got back from vacation yesterday, and one of the restaurants I dined in was the Brown Derby. The food was excellent, but the atmosphere was horrible. It was hands down the loudest restaurant we dined in the entire trip. I'm not sure if it's always like that, or we just were there at a particularly loud time. And I can handle LOUD, but this was really, REALLY loud. Obviously kids are to be expected anywhere (after all, it's Disney!) and I have one child of my own...but there were kids in the floor rolling around (where servers were having to step over them) kids to one side of us punching each other, screaming, while the adults ignored them. I know this was probably just a fluke situation, but WOW the noise was ear-splitting in there.
My other problem with Brown Derby was that we got passed off to another server once our first server found out we were on the dining plan. After we were seated, our first server came up, asked if we were on the dining plan. When we said yes, she rolled her eyes and said she'd be back. About ten minutes later a gentleman (Medhi) showed up, and said that he would now be our server, that the first girl was "busy". I have no idea if the first person thought they wouldn't get a tip because of the dining plan or what. Medhi was very nice, and I tipped him 20% (on top of the included tip).

Again, the FOOD was excellent. I will say I didn't think the pork belly was anything special (a pork belly doesn't SOUND special does it? ) But the steak was oh so good. Everything else was just delicious. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it was much as I would have because of the noise.