Brown Derby & Fantasmic???

[Mouskateacher]

We're doing our first trip to WDW and have ressies for Brown Derby's Fantasmic package. Anybody eaten at Brown Derby w/package???

I'd love to hear input.

Mahalo,
Mouskateacher

 

[Plan Man]

We went about 6 to 8 months ago.

the food is very good. We had our choice of a main course and a dessert.

it is a good choice you will love it.

My only advice is to make your ressies earlier then you might think. Sometimes it is very busy and you mightl wait 15 plus minutes to get your table. Allow 1.5 hours for dinner so you can relax and enjoy. the service won't hold you up but trying to do a good dinner fast is never as good as a slow relaxing dinner.

 

[elemusing]

We have done the Fantasmic package at both Mama Melrose's and the Brown Derby. Hated BD. I am sure part of that had to do with the fact that we had our 4 year old with us in this restaurant where there was nothing for him to color, etc. It was very sterile. Everything breaks. etc. Ask to sit outside on the patio and maybe it will be better for you. We were going to do that but when we did it, it was a chilly fall day.

The food was not all that great. Now, this was in 2001. Maybe it has gotten better. We just paid alot for food that wasn't particularly good to us. I am not usually a complainer. We eat at many full service restaurants at WDW and this is our least favorite. But I have heard rave reviews from others on here.

As far as the package goes, if you have never done it - here's some advice: Be sure to show up early to the show even with the reservation for seating. The seating is off to the side and it fills up quick. The best seats are to be had for those who show up early. Even with the package, we always show up at LEAST 45 minutes early - most of the time an hour early.

Angie

 

[KimR]

We did the BD fantasmic dinner package last year and it was the best meal we had the entire trip. One drawback - it was a set price for appetizer, salad, entree, dessert, etc. and it was way more food than we could eat. On the other hand, we wound up sampling different things that we wouldn't have ordered otherwise. I would definitely do it again. Funny thing though, we wound up not even using our reserved seating tickets because by the time we finished dinner and made our way over to the theatre, there were still plenty of great seats in the middle of the auditorium. We decided to take those seats and give our reserved seating tickets away to another family, but the theatre never even filled up!

Kim

 

[Mouskateacher]

Plan Man, thanks for reassuring me about our timing. When I picked a 4pm reservation I was concerned. That seemed REALLy early to me... but you're right, I don't want to rush the meal.

Food wise... KimR... the only reason I picked DB was because they have rack of lamb... I am a lamb fanatic. With the fixed price are you free to choose from the regular menu???

Elemusing: are the best viewing seats for Fantasmic up close or towards the back of the section? I've seen Fantasmic at Disneyland 3 times. The last two times our seats were horrible. I was really upset. Ok. I was mad. This time around I want to find the best seat I can get without having to wait hours in line for it.

Thanks...

 

[elemusing]

If you like lamb - you're in luck! Maybe that's why we didn't enjoy it so much. We didn't order lamb or anything like that - we are steak and chicken kind of people.

Anyway - we prefer getting as close to the middle as possible and up front. They are bleacher seats are not real comfie, but being up front gives you an unobstructed view of the show. The first time, we got there late because we knew we had "reserved" seats and were sorely disappointed. We were way over to the side and way up at the top. (Now- that is great for leaving! One of the first people out! ha ha )

I would say anywhere in the middle is the best. IMHO.

Have a great time. I think Fantasmic is really a one of a kind - amazing show.

Angie

 

[DNBois]

DH and I did not get a package but we did eat at Brown Derby for our anniversary last May. It was the absolute best meal (and most expensive) we have ever had; if I had checked out the menu, I could tell you what we had to eat but I pretty much only eat chicken so I believe it must ahve been a chicken meal. But I do remember our appetizer - the COBB SALAD. It was so good - if you try it, we guarantee that you will not be sorry. Bottom line -you will enjoy

 

[sarahsmom73]

We have the package with a 4:20 ps for our trip in April... DH is really looking forward to it!

 

[Artuero]

My family just ate there with the package. It is not the most kid-friendly place but our kids do well eating out so was not a problem for us. The food was the best we've had on our trip. I had a great crab cake appetizer and a salmon over risoto entre. I do not usually find the food at WDW table service places very good. However, I thought the Brown Derby was on par with city resturants.

The seats for Fantasmic are fine. If you need the best seats, you are better off waiting in line. But I can barely tolerate the 30 minutes wait they say you have to endure to get the reserved seats, so it works well for me. As mentioned, the seats are to stage left. At this time of year, the 30 minutes was more than enough for us to be way over to the most center part of the reserved section.

You can get wet in the front three or four rows, so it is better to sit back a bit (unless it is really hot or you don't mind getting wet).