Brown Derby that bad?

[Allison]

It is very good. It is pricier than the other options and seems to have a lot more seating than 50s Primetime so you will see more options.

 

[Dakota731]

Prime Time is fun but food isn’t good IMO

 

[loveshak22]

It’s our favorite eatery in HS to people watch, sit, and enjoy a cool drink with your meal. We normally sit in the lounge’s patio but the restaurant is nice as well.
Do not however go there for a holiday meal as many others have the same idea and management overbooks.

Can you eat in the lounge without an ADR? I'm traveling solo this trip and am thinking of checking out several of the lounges for meals (SH71, Tambu, Brown Derby ans S220) and am really curious if I'll have any luck getting a seat!?

 

[NYCgrrl]

Can you eat in the lounge without an ADR? I'm traveling solo this trip and am thinking of checking out several of the lounges for meals (SH71, Tambu, Brown Derby ans S220) and am really curious if I'll have any luck getting a seat!?

Yes, I’m pretty sure that all lounges in WDW need no ADRs. Once during a holiday season (Christmas?) we had to wait 10 or 15 minutes because the lounge was full but normally not.

 

[loveshak22]

Yes, I’m pretty sure that all lounges in WDW need no ADRs. Once during a holiday season (Christmas?) we had to wait 10 or 15 minutes because the lounge was full but normally not.

Thanks - that's what I thought about the resort lounges but wasn't sure if the park lounges might be different! Good news for me!

 

[BrotherCraig]

I love the Brown Derby. Their Cobb Salad is the best, and it’s my goto every trip. Also you can get a ‘martini glass’ version of it at the patio bar. I am not a fan of the Grapefruit cake but it’s very popular. Honestly I think there are quite a few unicorn reservations now so I much prefer that some of my favorites are easy to get. I’ve never actually managed to get a Castle meal before and this trip I snagged a lunch so I’m happy.

Yeah. Almost impossible to get any meal reservations for our trip Mid-November. Didn't get any of our Top 20 choices for the parks. We did get what we wanted for Disney Springs non-park days. So far, the dining part of this trip for the parks have been a huge disappointment for us. All of the planning and being up early to book was a complete waste of time. Won't do that again.

 

[loveshak22]

Yeah. Almost impossible to get any meal reservations for our trip Mid-November. Didn't get any of our Top 20 choices for the parks. We did get what we wanted for Disney Springs non-park days. So far, the dining part of this trip for the parks have been a huge disappointment for us. All of the planning and being up early to book was a complete waste of time. Won't do that again.

I'm in the same boat - I've had so many technical issues trying to make ADRs. At my 60 day mark I tried the app, two browsers on my phone and my desktop and kept getting errors. I lost three openings at Sci-fi and lost two ADRs for S220. I've had no luck with Yak and Yeti (my absolute favorite park meal).

I'm doing a solo trip so am going to try the lounges and walk-up and see what happens.

 

[bookgirl]

Yeah. Almost impossible to get any meal reservations for our trip Mid-November. Didn't get any of our Top 20 choices for the parks. We did get what we wanted for Disney Springs non-park days. So far, the dining part of this trip for the parks have been a huge disappointment for us. All of the planning and being up early to book was a complete waste of time. Won't do that again.

Yep I'm noticing that.

I really only made a few reservations (mostly at HS) and I did the 6am thing. The Castle lunch at MK was a fluke I swear, because now I can't get really anything else for any other days. Olga, Brown Derby and a Cinderella meal were the only things I tried for that first day. (well that and a Savi's workshop).

I'd like to do a few others but they weren't as important and honestly I'm solo and I can do the day of thing where you just grab whatever opens up.

Hope some places open up for you.

 

[bookgirl]

Can you eat in the lounge without an ADR? I'm traveling solo this trip and am thinking of checking out several of the lounges for meals (SH71, Tambu, Brown Derby ans S220) and am really curious if I'll have any luck getting a seat!?

I know that Brown Derby is a walk up for the patio, but it does fill up so I went by early last time and got a table maybe 45 minutes later. Not sure if it's still that was as this was prepandemic. But that lounge was popular.

 

[BrotherCraig]

Yep I'm noticing that.

I really only made a few reservations (mostly at HS) and I did the 6am thing. The Castle lunch at MK was a fluke I swear, because now I can't get really anything else for any other days. Olga, Brown Derby and a Cinderella meal were the only things I tried for that first day. (well that and a Savi's workshop).

I'd like to do a few others but they weren't as important and honestly I'm solo and I can do the day of thing where you just grab whatever opens up.

Hope some places open up for you.

Thanks. I booked Brown Derby 4 PM and dumped the 50s Prime Time that was at 7 PM. The 7 PM was just a bit late for us.

trying to get Oga's. That has been tough.

 

[Lucky Liam]

It's BY FAR the best food in Hollywood Studios, but as other have said, it's expensive. It's also kind of stuffy and formal feeling, so parents with kids might not choose it for the atmosphere.

Exactly. It's on the pricey side and doesn't have a family-friendly atmosphere (another reason I love it.)

As a fan of old Hollywood, it's my go-to spot at DHS.

We love it have lunch there every trip. Always get the Cobb Salad and dessert.

The Cobb salad was invented at the (original) Brown Derby!

 

[ColinBlair]

Ate at Brown Derby yesterday. They have a new oyster and Brie soup appetizer that is amazing. Also at at Prime Time, I thought the fried chicken was very good.

I'm in the same boat - I've had so many technical issues trying to make ADRs. At my 60 day mark I tried the app, two browsers on my phone and my desktop and kept getting errors. I lost three openings at Sci-fi and lost two ADRs for S220. I've had no luck with Yak and Yeti (my absolute favorite park meal).

I'm doing a solo trip so am going to try the lounges and walk-up and see what happens.

Yak and Yeti is a Landry restaurant. Get yourself a Landrys Select Club card and then you can just walk up to the restaurant, flash your card, and get a table. It costs $25, but you get an immediate credit of $30 and $25 every birthday month.

 

[loves to dive]

I know that Brown Derby is a walk up for the patio, but it does fill up so I went by early last time and got a table maybe 45 minutes later. Not sure if it's still that was as this was prepandemic. But that lounge was popular.

We were there the week after Labor Day. It was sort of a hybrid of what it used to be. It is still a walk up but you used to stand in line. Now they take your name and you get a text when your table is ready. We were there around 1pm and it was a 45 min. wait, which was no big deal we just went shopping. They do not have the small Cobb Salad at the lounge any more (or right now at least). It's the full sized one you get inside. I shared it with my son's SO and there was still some left over. The lounge menu isn't as big as it used to be but it's still pretty good.

 

[Eastern]

My family liked it. They got burgers and a Cobb salad.

 

[loveshak22]

I know that Brown Derby is a walk up for the patio, but it does fill up so I went by early last time and got a table maybe 45 minutes later. Not sure if it's still that was as this was prepandemic. But that lounge was popular.

Good to know! I'll keep looking for an ADR but get there early to check in and like @loves to dive mentioned, go shopping!

Ate at Brown Derby yesterday. They have a new oyster and Brie soup appetizer that is amazing. Also at at Prime Time, I thought the fried chicken was very good.

Yak and Yeti is a Landry restaurant. Get yourself a Landrys Select Club card and then you can just walk up to the restaurant, flash your card, and get a table. It costs $25, but you get an immediate credit of $30 and $25 every birthday month.

I didn't even know about a Landry's card...I'll definitely look into it tomorrow! And really you just show the card and get a table without an ADR? Seems like the way to go...especially with the $30 credit and $25 for my birthday month (which is when I'll be going). I'm sure I can Google this, but are there any other WDW restaurants that are Landry?

 

[agavegirl1]

Well, it has been 12 years and we never actually ate there. I have been trying to give them a second chance but DH is against it. The staff treated us like crap and we walked out after receiving no water, no menus and no contact after 20 minutes. We watched staff gossiping in corners, checking their phones and laughing at us as we sat there with no service. We ea;ked out expressing exactly what we experienced
.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Thanks, everyone. We have 50s Primetime booked but wanted Sci Fi for the kids but doesn't look like that will happen. 50s Primetime is at 7 PM and that is a little late so looking for something earlier. Brown Derby is the ONLY real choice.

We have two children plus a 1 year old toddler.

2 children and a 1 year old toddler will find Brown Derby Restaurant very boring and meltdowns may break out. It allows children, but is only good for them if they sleep through it.
Teen foodies and film fans might enjoy the signed caricatures, if they know who the signatures belong to. I would say keep trying for Sci-Fi Dine-in, it is a lot of fun. But I am 67 years old, and some of the movies pre-date me! I have read reviews of people who were shocked how scary the movie clips are. I think of them as funny 50's "scary" movies---giant ants, 50 foot tall woman, both from nuclear testing fallout. Late night babysitting movies from long ago. But again, might not be right depending on your kids' ages. Cancellations and openings happen all the time, especially within 24 hours you need to cancel to avoid the no show fee. Good luck. I hope you enjoy your choice.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Good to know! I'll keep looking for an ADR but get there early to check in and like @loves to dive mentioned, go shopping!



I didn't even know about a Landry's card...I'll definitely look into it tomorrow! And really you just show the card and get a table without an ADR? Seems like the way to go...especially with the $30 credit and $25 for my birthday month (which is when I'll be going). I'm sure I can Google this, but are there any other WDW restaurants that are Landry?

To be more accurate, you can get the next available table for your party size and location request. When I am solo or 2, so a 2-top, I request the upstairs porch which overlooks AK park Asia area, and characters frequently appear there also, as well as the best people watching area of Yak & Yeti Restaurant. My wait may be 30 minutes to 45 or more minutes. But you may wait that long anywhere anytime with an ADR, and without location request. I have always had to wait longer than that at Chefs de France, and many other restaurants.
Yes, there are other Landry restaurants, as you will find when you google it. Also, it used to be $25 credit not $30, equal to what you paid. It may have changed.

 

[loveshak22]

To be more accurate, you can get the next available table for your party size and location request. When I am solo or 2, so a 2-top, I request the upstairs porch which overlooks AK park Asia area, and characters frequently appear there also, as well as the best people watching area of Yak & Yeti Restaurant. My wait may be 30 minutes to 45 or more minutes. But you may wait that long anywhere anytime with an ADR, and without location request. I have always had to wait longer than that at Chefs de France, and many other restaurants.
Yes, there are other Landry restaurants, as you will find when you google it. Also, it use to be $25 credit not $30, equal to what you paid. It may have changed.

Thanks for all the tips! I'll do some more research tomorrow!

 

[DVCjj]

Good to know! I'll keep looking for an ADR but get there early to check in and like @loves to dive mentioned, go shopping!



I didn't even know about a Landry's card...I'll definitely look into it tomorrow! And really you just show the card and get a table without an ADR? Seems like the way to go...especially with the $30 credit and $25 for my birthday month (which is when I'll be going). I'm sure I can Google this, but are there any other WDW restaurants that are Landry?

Rainforest Cafe at AK is Landry’s.

I just did a Yak walk up with the card Thursday for lunch. BUT for our May trip, it was extraordinarily busy and everyone seemed to have a Landry’s card so the wait was for 45 min even with the card. (For our little party of 2).