DHS Lunch

[travelgirl06]

I need help with my DHS lunch plans. It's myself, DH, DMIL and our 2 DDs (4 and 1.5) and we'll be there Labor Day weekend. We usually just do 50's PT, but want to try something new. We're NOT on DDP so cost is a consideration, but certainly not the only factor. We don't love buffets, but I'm considering Play and Dine (with Fantasmic), MM (Fantasmic), and Beaches & Cream (the kitchen sink has been tempting me for years!)

Do I need a Fantasmic package this time of year? How hard is it to meet Doc and Sophia without Play and Dine? Am I missing other good options?

 

[asta]

I need help with my DHS lunch plans. It's myself, DH, DMIL and our 2 DDs (4 and 1.5) and we'll be there Labor Day weekend. We usually just do 50's PT, but want to try something new. We're NOT on DDP so cost is a consideration, but certainly not the only factor. We don't love buffets, but I'm considering Play and Dine (with Fantasmic), MM (Fantasmic), and Beaches & Cream (the kitchen sink has been tempting me for years!)

Do I need a Fantasmic package this time of year? How hard is it to meet Doc and Sophia without Play and Dine? Am I missing other good options?

It has been a couple of years but we really like Starting Rolls at DHS. It is outside the back/side of The Brown Derby. They have very good sandwiches and fantastic huge cupcakes. It is counter service and you eat at outside tables so it might be to casual for you. But the food is good and the Butterfinger cupcake is worth going for that alone.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

We love Mama Melrose's. We had a very good meal there last year. There is also the Sci Fi Dine-in. In my opinion the food is not as good at the Sci Fi as it is at Mama Melrose, but the atmosphere is great. Everyone should to do the Sci Fi at least once. They have burgers & Fries, sandwiches, Ribs etc...

 

[Lucius Best]

We have definitely enjoyed the food at Mama Melrose's the times we've eaten there, both with and without Fantasmic package.

Do I need a Fantasmic package this time of year?

It's a low crowd period, but also a holiday weekend. We did it because I hate waiting in line, it was nice being able to walk into the theater a little later.

 

[SuzieN]

Sci Fi, especially for lunch! Nothing cooler than coming in from the hot Florida sun and eating lunch under a starlit sky! I think it is the BEST atmosphere of any WDW restaurant. Burgers, fries, and shakes are great there too.

 

[maryj11]

We perfer Sci Fi over Mama Melroses. Our food was not the greatest last time we ate at MM. We thought the food was really good at Sci Fi. Maybe MM had a bad day that day .

 

[chocolateMinnie]

if you don't want to stay in the park (and we don't particularly like any of the restaurants at DHS) then would highly recommend taking the 10/15 minute walk to Boardwalk and going into Big River Grille. We had a fantastic meal there. Also love the Boardwalk Bakery if you want something smaller.

 

[kastoney]

Definitely do SciFi. From a cost perspective it isn't much more than a counter service and they have great food and of course atmosphere

 

[happymommy]

I agree with Sci Fi! It's so dark that it really makes you cool down (I often need a light sweater!). The food has never been anything but good, and the prices for a sandwich (for a light eater, large enough to share with an order of yummy onion rings!) are not much more than a counter service place. It's fun for the kids, and the servers can be super fun (ours was last trip - she had us all cracking up!).

I'd get a reservation - it's a popular place! We've done 50's prime time a couple of times, and despite the fried chicken being good, it's no where as good as Sci Fi I think.

 

[samsteele]

Given you are going over Labour Day Weekend with young children and the weather could be extremely hot & humid with heavy rain in the afternoon, I'd stick with Sci-Fi since its in the park so less walking and pushing a stroller, air-conditioned and there are a variety of entrees & appies that your family could share. If you didn't have the youngsters in tow & the weather was more moderate, I would then leave the park for the Boardwalk area & get to Beaches & Cream if paying OOP. Regardless of your choice, in light of the holiday long weekend, I'm guessing you have either made your ressies or will be doing so ASAP as both Sci-Fi and Beaches & Cream fill up quickly. Good luck with your choice!

 

[travelgirl06]

Thanks for all the tips. We're intrigued by scifi and think it looks fun, but does anyone have experience with really little kids there? The "car booths" make me a bit nervous, since our kiddos are so young (can you do a highchair at those?) That said, DH really thinks it looks cool and I think DMIL would get a kick out of it. If it's do-able with the preschool set we'd definately like to give it a try.

Also, Starring Roles is definately on our snack list - my mom, dD and I split a cupcake there last time while DH was doing a few rides - great way to take a break and awesome cupcakes

 

[maryj11]

Given you are going over Labour Day Weekend with young children and the weather could be extremely hot & humid with heavy rain in the afternoon, I'd stick with Sci-Fi since its in the park so less walking and pushing a stroller, air-conditioned and there are a variety of entrees & appies that your family could share. If you didn't have the youngsters in tow & the weather was more moderate, I would then leave the park for the Boardwalk area & get to Beaches & Cream if paying OOP. Regardless of your choice, in light of the holiday long weekend, I'm guessing you have either made your ressies or will be doing so ASAP as both Sci-Fi and Beaches & Cream fill up quickly. Good luck with your choice!

Yes I agree make dining reservations ASAP!