DIS convinced me to try DHS....now some questions!

[cbellasmomma]

I posted a thread about being on the fence about DHS. Now I'm pretty convinced it will be worth a try, particularly because of the Frozen Summer Spectacular (or whatever they call it!). My question is, we will either be doing a resort relax morning or a waterpark morning before. I don't want to make an ADR in case we are just too tired. BUT, I heard great things about Sci-Fi and the prices look reasonable.

So, two questions:

1. If I did a Sci-Fi ADR what time would leave allow me enough time to see the Frozen fireworks and Fantasmic!

2. If I didn't do an ADR is there a good counter service place in DHS?

Thanks!

 

[100acreHiker]

Don't know about the fireworks timing, but if you do a quick or counter service, the only two I recommend are Starring Rolls and Studio Catering Company.

 

[Itinkso]

Fireworks should be @ 9:45 when the park closes @ 10:00. Fant will be at 10:30.

A 7:00 ADR will allow plenty of time for you to find a spot to watch fireworks.

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

I posted a thread about being on the fence about DHS. Now I'm pretty convinced it will be worth a try, particularly because of the Frozen Summer Spectacular (or whatever they call it!). My question is, we will either be doing a resort relax morning or a waterpark morning before. I don't want to make an ADR in case we are just too tired. BUT, I heard great things about Sci-Fi and the prices look reasonable.

So, two questions:

1. If I did a Sci-Fi ADR what time would leave allow me enough time to see the Frozen fireworks and Fantasmic!

2. If I didn't do an ADR is there a good counter service place in DHS?

Thanks!

However you do it I suggest having a meal at the Sci Fi. It is like no other place I have ever eaten at. This is not a 5 star eatery but the food is really good and the experience is really fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NavyDad]

I posted a thread about being on the fence about DHS. Now I'm pretty convinced it will be worth a try, particularly because of the Frozen Summer Spectacular (or whatever they call it!). My question is, we will either be doing a resort relax morning or a waterpark morning before. I don't want to make an ADR in case we are just too tired. BUT, I heard great things about Sci-Fi and the prices look reasonable.

So, two questions:

1. If I did a Sci-Fi ADR what time would leave allow me enough time to see the Frozen fireworks and Fantasmic!

2. If I didn't do an ADR is there a good counter service place in DHS?

Thanks!

The counter service options at DHS are VERY limited. The only place that is any good IMHO is Starring Rolls. The sandwiches are very good and the cupcakes are AMAZING. The thing to understand about SR though is that it is more of a cafe and the seating is extremely limited to about a dozen outside tables.

If you know you are going to be in the park I would just go ahead and make the reservation for Sci-Fi. It adds to the old Hollywood theme. The atmosphere is great - go with the burgers and shakes and you won't be disappointed!

 

[kaetra]

We thought Starring Rolls was OK, but haven't been there in quite a while. Other counter service in DHS was pretty bad in my opinion.

At the time we went, it wasn't uncommon for Starring Rolls to run out of food.

 

[RJstanis]

Fireworks should be @ 9:45 when the park closes @ 10:00. Fant will be at 10:30.

A 7:00 ADR will allow plenty of time for you to find a spot to watch fireworks.

Agreed, but...
Look at the hours of the day you are going. Some of the days in September with Frozen Fireworks are at 745p for 8pm close (with 830p Fantasmic!) for example

 

[HydroGuy]

However you do it I suggest having a meal at the Sci Fi. It is like no other place I have ever eaten at. This is not a 5 star eatery but the food is really good and the experience is really fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[goofy4prez]

I posted a thread about being on the fence about DHS. Now I'm pretty convinced it will be worth a try, particularly because of the Frozen Summer Spectacular (or whatever they call it!). My question is, we will either be doing a resort relax morning or a waterpark morning before. I don't want to make an ADR in case we are just too tired. BUT, I heard great things about Sci-Fi and the prices look reasonable.

So, two questions:

1. If I did a Sci-Fi ADR what time would leave allow me enough time to see the Frozen fireworks and Fantasmic!

2. If I didn't do an ADR is there a good counter service place in DHS?

Thanks!

IMHO, the answer to that question is no. I am of the opinion HS is about as pathetic (strong word but is my opinion) as a park can get when it comes to cs. I guess I would say the best of offerings would be Starring Rolls. Unfortunately the only options are a couple of pre-made cold cut sandwiches that have mayonnaise already on them or pre-packaged sushi rolls. Don't like mayo like me, to bad, go find a frozen burger, frozen pizza, pieces parts chicken nugget or hot dog joint. I pass on cs and usually start my day getting breakfast at Cape May on the Boardwalk or Captains Grill for breakfast and skip cs lunch altogether and just get a snack at Starring Rolls which does offer some incredible good cupcakes.

 

[Ceryssa]

Also not a fan of the QS places. I haven't tried them all, but the ones I did were forgettable at best. I did see that Kenny the Pirate posted they've added some new items to the menu at a couple places--Studio Catering and possibly other places, so hopefully they're stepping up their game in that area. But as for the Sci-Fi question--yes, book it. It's worth it for the experience. As someone else mentioned, take a look at the park hours the day you're going and plan accordingly. Not sure if it's always the case but the service was sloooowww the day we were there, so maybe budget a bit of extra time just in case. If you don't need it, you'll be that much earlier getting a good spot for the fireworks, which are definitely not to be missed. I wish I was going again this summer so I could see them again.

 

[yulilin3]

Starring Rolls closes early, around 4L30pm everyday so I don't think it would be an option if the OP is looking for dinner

 

[itchin2go]

In reading over this thread, it occurs to me one of the reasons we're not fond of DHS is the lack of decent dining options. We probably find as few things to do in AK, but at least the dining options are better!

CS in DHS is easily the worst of all parks. Also, we ate at Sci Fi once and it was one of our worst dining experiences. The service was terrible, the food was mediocre, and "movie experience" part of it was more lacking than I expected. For dining in DHS, the only place I can recommend is Hollywood Brown Derby.

 

[sdomino11]

Sci-Fi is fun! Good choice. I like it especially because it's so quiet and dark. Makes for a very relaxing meal. Also, my kids would never let us go to HS without taking them to Pizza Planet from the Toy Story movies. I've never been disappointed in the pizza there. I mean, for fast food pizza, it's a good option. It's worth it to take your kids if they're Toy Story fans.

 

[vicb]

However you do it I suggest having a meal at the Sci Fi. It is like no other place I have ever eaten at. This is not a 5 star eatery but the food is really good and the experience is really fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with this. Love the atmosphere in Sci-Fi and actually find it relaxing. We always stick to the burgers and turkey sandwich and are not disappointed in those choices. Sci-Fi is not just a restaurant, it is like eating in another attraction.

 

[PoohsFan1]

First off I am glad to see that you are going to give DHS a try (I was one of the posters in your other thread)

Edited because I accidentally hit submit before finishing my post....DOH!!!

Second, I would definitely just stick to going to Sci-Fi for your meal...this is a must do for us because of the food/shakes/desserts, the atmosphere is awesome, and like what others have already mentioned, CS restaurants really lack at DHS, unfortunately, we do like Starring Rolls for the ginormous cupcakes and Writer's Stop for the Carrot Cake Cookie (both not sensible meals, but they are both really good). If you want to know what time to to make your ADR, you should go to Disney's website and find out what time they are doing the fireworks on the day you plan to go and coordinate around that. I would say, if you are wanting to eat before the show (which I am thinking you want to do) then, plan for 2 to 2 1/2 hours before the fireworks start. I would just be safe and make it for around 5ish if the fireworks aren't until 9:45pm (I think that is what the PP said) because that will give you more then enough time to eat and enjoy the atmosphere of Sci-Fi. Have a great time.

 

[lmcarr49]

What about Hollywood & Vine? Is it bad?

 

[danceintherain]

Sci Fi is one of my husband's favorites. We've tried most everywhere else in that park, and it's probably the best, in our opinion. The only place we haven't eaten is Hollywood & Vine.
The counter service is definitely awful. I wasn't even very impressed with Starring Rolls. Also, it's not the only counter service place that closes early. We usually eat at our hotel on days we're going to DHS for that reason. Although, I do intend to try Hollywood & Vine next time, since we have a kid(s) that will likely enjoy the characters. I don't think they have characters for dinner, so we'll do it for breakfast or lunch. I expect it's probably about the same as all the other buffets/character dining around, and I haven't been impressed with any of it. I'd rather wait in line a get a decent looking photo op, instead of having them come around to the table while we're trying to eat, especially since I haven't been to one that actually has good food.

Anyway...the other good thing about Sci Fi is that the prices aren't crazy. The food is decent as long as you stick with the burgers.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

2. If I didn't do an ADR is there a good counter service place in DHS?

I can't answer you first question because I don't know anything about the Frozen Summer Spectacular.

Fairfax Fare is the only halfway decent counter service place in DHS. Well, that's not true. Starring Rolls is good, but, but that's mostly just a place for breakfast.

 

[Reddog1134]

Studio Catering just got a new menu.

I have heard ABC Commissary got much better since their menu change a couple of years ago.

 

[cbellasmomma]

We are going in late August and the park schedule closes at 8:30 .... that seems SO early. Is Fantasmic! at 9 on an 8:30 day????