Best restaurant for kids for Fantasmic package?

[Monarchgirl]

We are very excited to be planning our third trip to Disney this coming October. We were last there three years ago and didn't do a lot of evening activities because my daughter was only 2. However, she will now be 5 when we go and this time we plan on doing much more including Fantasmic for the first time!

I think I will try to book the fantasmic dinner package and I'm wondering which restaurant is best for picky kids? They are pretty much pizza or chicken finger kids. Any recommendations for a decent restaurant for the family?

Also, what time should I get the ADR for if Fantasmic is at 8pm?

Thanks!!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Well - your 3 choices are:

Brown Derby - we have had dinner there several times, very good but not worth the $$$$ or 2 credits on the Dining Plan in our opinion.
Hollywood and Vine buffet - Never been for dinner - and based on the consistently bad reviews, I never even consider it.
Mama Melrose - we haven't been in a few years, but have this booked for our F!Package in a few weeks. Our kids love pasta and pizza and DH and I are not picky. An average bowl of pasta or decent flatbread will be just fine for us..looking forward to seeing how it ends up! Plus you get an appetizer with the package.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

as far as time: We have a 5:00 pm reservation for the 9:00 pm Fantasmic - I think (hope) that will be enough time.

 

[minnie mum]

Last time I checked there were no more ADRs available for October. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[hammie59]

We had a wonderful experience at Mama Melrose recently. Both my kids enjoyed the food, dd got pizza and ds got chicken parma. (You should check out the menu section on the website) I had no desire to drag 2 kids thru a buffet (Hollywood and Vine) and Brown Derby was just a tad overpriced at this stage, IMHO. I wouldn't mind trying that one in a few years when my kids are older and will actually eat their whole dinner....
So my vote is for MM.

 

[Monarchgirl]

Last time I checked there were no more ADRs available for October. I hope I'm wrong.

Yep, they seem to be totally gone. Bummer. We really wanted to do Fantasmic this time around but I don't think I'm up to doing it without the package. Not sure the kids would last since it seems you have to get in line a couple hours ahead.

 

[hammie59]

as far as time: We have a 5:00 pm reservation for the 9:00 pm Fantasmic - I think (hope) that will be enough time.

That's what we had. You'll have plenty of time. Dinner took about 1.5 hours. We made sure to ask for the check when we ordered dessert. We wandered over to the seating area for the show about 45 min ahead and walked right in.


PS- I'd just like to add that pre trip, I read that they open up the reserved seating to anyone 30 min prior to show. That wasn't our experience. The ropes weren't taken down until right when it was starting. They were pretty strict about reentry too. I got up to buy some items with the kids (within the theater) and getting back to my seat was a little hectic. CMs had me going every which way and at one point accused me of trying to go where I wasn't allowed (my already reserved seat! LOL), but it was all good in the end.

 

[Monknmom]

A little off topic from the original posting (I am sorry in advance), but when you go into F! early what do you do? You just sit there in your seats? Is there something to entertain the kids while sitting? And can you bring strollers in just in case they fall asleep? I have never been this will be our first time so I'm just a little curious!

 

[kirbsam]

A little off topic from the original posting (I am sorry in advance), but when you go into F! early what do you do? You just sit there in your seats? Is there something to entertain the kids while sitting? And can you bring strollers in just in case they fall asleep? I have never been this will be our first time so I'm just a little curious!

you sit there. it is brutal. oh and mama melroses is the place to go.

 

[ibela]

I'm planning on taking CS into the theater with us while we wait. I figure it's a 2-in-1: we have to eat and it'll keep them occupied.

 

[minnie mum]

A little off topic from the original posting (I am sorry in advance), but when you go into F! early what do you do? You just sit there in your seats? Is there something to entertain the kids while sitting? And can you bring strollers in just in case they fall asleep? I have never been this will be our first time so I'm just a little curious!

Yep, you just sit there. Or you could entertain each other. Have a conversation about your day in the park. People watch. Plan your next day. Relax and enjoy being off your feet. Honestly, it won't be that bad. If you are on the F. package, the wait isn't that long. If you are in the regular line, then you know to plan for something to keep your little ones quietly occupied. And bring a snack.

No you cannot bring in strollers. There is stroller parking before you enter the amphitheatre.

 

[hammie59]

After we claimed our seats, dh hung back and I took kids to get light up flashy things. They also have concession stands for food and beer. After that we prety much did the wave for the next 30 minutes. The crowd got pretty creative with that...


And no, you can't take your stroller to your seat. You have to park it after you enter closer to the stadium.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yes - you just sit. Disney used to have a live preshow but discontinued it some time ago. Up to the guests to keep their families entertained while they wait now. Strollers must be parked; they don't allow them to be brought to the seats.

 

[heatherwillmom]

My kids aren't picky. They like Mama Melrose & Hollywood & Vine both. I don't recommend Fantasmic without the package unless you can sit & eat to kill the time. They line up pretty early

 

[Monknmom]

Thank you everyone! And I think that I will take that idea to bring in the CS dinner with us to eat while we wait! That's a really good one!