Fantasmic Dining - Hollywood Brown Derby or Mama Melrose

[Busterbailey]

We have 4 credits left on our deluxe dining plan for choosing a restaurant. After doing the math we come ahead saving $$ either way. Would you spend the 4 credits on HBD and pay for 2 qs restaurants out of pocket or use the 2 credits on Mama Melrose and 2 credits for the qs restaurants. Thoughts on taste and value of both of the restaurants for the Fantasmic package?

 

[chicagodisfan]

We have done the Fantasmic package at both and I think it depends on which menu appeals to you more. Dollar wise you’ll probably come out ahead eating at Brown Derby depending on what entree you choose and what QS you pick to pay for out of pocket. My husband loves Brown Derby. I enjoy it but I prefer other signatures more. That may have to do with the theming too, which is on point for what it is, but doesn’t really appeal to me. We had a wonderful meal at Mama Melrose the first time we ate there on the deluxe plan, so much so that we’ve been back twice - once on the regular plan and once deluxe. These past two times have been fine but not as good as the first. If it matters, I believe the dessert at Mama Melrose on the Fantasmic package is a sampler plate, you don’t get to choose. At Brown Derby you can select your dessert from the menu.

 

[SharonZ]

I prefer the menu at Brown Derby, I was disappointed in Mama Melrose's in both meals we had there. I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[havoc315]

Purely for dollar value, Hollywood and Vine is the best Fantasmic value. (About $60 and 1 credit, where Brown Derby is $68 and 2 credits).

But on the DxDP, you have so many credits, I wouldn’t obsess with value. Brown Derby is an excellent restaurant. With lots of credits to spare, that would be my pick.

 

[Busterbailey]

Purely for dollar value, Hollywood and Vine is the best Fantasmic value. (About $60 and 1 credit, where Brown Derby is $68 and 2 credits).

But on the DxDP, you have so many credits, I wouldn’t obsess with value. Brown Derby is an excellent restaurant. With lots of credits to spare, that would be my pick.

We'd still save money and come out ahead even with having to pay 2 qs meals out of pocket. We thought about Hollywood and Vine, but we have Crystal Palace, CRT, Ohana bfast and Tusker House for character meals so I think we have character meals covered. We're looking more for good food while being able to get the Fantasmic passes and if it's HBD are the extra 2 credits worth it over Mama Melrose. It seems like Melrose has a lot of negative reviews.

 

[daae3]

Prefer HBD over Mama Melrose....mama melrose can be good, but it is hit or miss. brown derby is consistent and such a nice break from the parks...it is my go to DHS restaurant. If I wanted a single credit meal, I would go for Mama Melrose but just looking at flavor...HbD all the way...

 

[glocon]

If you choose MM, get the saltimbocca. It is Devine!!!

 

[gatour]

The Brown Derby would be my choice. Good menu, good food.

Mama Melrose, while okay Italian food, I can get similar dishes at restaurants in my home town. Some much better.

 

[B-Ride]

You can't really compare the two as Brown Derby is a level up but we have eaten at Mama's twice and enjoyed our meal.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

We'd still save money and come out ahead even with having to pay 2 qs meals out of pocket. We thought about Hollywood and Vine, but we have Crystal Palace, CRT, Ohana bfast and Tusker House for character meals so I think we have character meals covered. We're looking more for good food while being able to get the Fantasmic passes and if it's HBD are the extra 2 credits worth it over Mama Melrose. It seems like Melrose has a lot of negative reviews.

I had a great steak and mac dish at MM's, we too had shied away from it in the past, until the Dis guys gave it a good review.
HBD is classic, it's old school HBD motif inside and the food is very good. It's up to you, but you can't go wrong either way. If you have never eaten at HBD then I'd say go for HBD.

 

[pooh2001]

We love the Brown Derby