Fantasmic Dining Package- Which restaurant????

[ThinkTink75]

Okay... so we are def going for the Fantasmic Dining Package- we currently have and ADR for Hollywood & Vine BUT we are thinking of changing to Mama Melrose's. The only drawback is that we are eating at Alfredo's in Italy the night before.


I am really not trying to be biased. I got these descriptions off of the Dis website but there seems to be a lot more about Mama's...

Mama Melrose's
"The first thing that you notice when you enter Mama Melrose is the amazing aroma. The wood-burning oven is the source of the tantalizing fragrance.

Brick walls, cozy booths and hardwood floors combine with overhead vines and cheeses to create an authentic and cozy atmosphere. The walls are adorned with record albums by legendary Italian singers. Red and white checked curtains provide the final touch. Bring your appetite, Mangia!

Dinner (Updated: 11/06)
Appetizers/Starter

Bruschetta - Marinated tomatoes served with Crostini. - $5.99
Crispy Calamari - Topped with peppers and onions, served with a side spicy marinara sauce. - $7.99
Mozzarella and Tomatoes - Served with marinated sweet onions, balsamic drizzle, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh sweet basil. - $6.99
Oven-baked Caprino Cheese - In a tomato-basil sauce, served with rosemary garlic crostini. - $5.99
Toasted Italian Bread Salad - Tossed with cucumbers, tomatoes, Arugula, onions, basil, and Red wine vinegar. - $5.99

Soups/Salads

Caesar Salad - Made with crisp Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing and Crostini. - $5.49
Mixed Greens - Made with Balsamic vinaigrette and Gorgonzola cheese. - $5.49
Soup of the Day - Soup of the Day - $5.49
Vegetarian Minestrone - Made with Ditalini Pasta. - $5.49

Entree/Main Course

Charred Butcher Tender Steak - Topped with gorgonzola butter on roasted red pepper polenta and grilled asparagus with a red wine reduction. - $20.99
Eggplant Napoleon - Made with eggplant, fresh mozzarella, and tomatoes on a warm Cannellini bean ragu. - $14.99
Four Cheese Flatbread - Made with Asiago, Mozzarella, Provolone, and Gorgonzola cheeses. - $11.99
Grilled Chicken Flatbread - Made with sun-dried tomato pesto, Pancetta, Asiago cheese, and fresh chives. - $12.99
Grilled Pepperoni Flatbread - Made with bell peppers and sweet onions. - $11.99
Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana - Served over spaghetti. - $16.49
Penne Alla Vodka - Made with Pancetta and sweet onion, finished with tomato basil sauce, cream, Vodka, and Pecorino Romano. - $16.99
Spaghetti Fra Diavolo - Made with clams, mussels, calamari, and shrimp tossed in a spicy marinara sauce. - $19.99
Spicy Italian Sausage - Served with Rigatoni pasta, peppers, onions, and a tomato basil sauce topped with Caprino cheese. - $16.99
Veal Osso Buco - Slow-braised and served with Risotto Milanese. - $23.99
Vine-Ripened Tomato Flatbread - Made with sweet basil pesto, and Caprino cheese. - $11.99
Wood-grilled Chicken - Tossed with pipette pasta, artichokes, peas, and roasted red peppers, in a basil four-cheese cream sauce. With shrimp $19.99 - $17.99
Wood-grilled Salmon - Basted with a sun-dried tomato pesto on roasted veggies. - $18.49

Dessert

Crema Limone - Lemon custard topped with fresh whipped cream and berries. - $5.49
Gelato - Gelato - $2.99
Honey-Hazelnut & Ricotta Cheesecake - Honey-hazelnut and ricotta cheesecake. - $5.99
Tiramisu - Tiramisu - $5.99
Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake - Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake - $5.69

Drinks

Amarone de Valpolicella Classico, Satori, Veneto - Dry, full-bodied, dark cherries, plums, and toasty oak. Bottle only $67.00
Bellini Cocktail - Combination of Sparkling wine, White Peach, and raspberry. - $7.00
Benziger Chardonnay, Carneros - Dry, full-bodied with bright pears and spice. Glass $8.00 or Bottle $37.00
Blackstone Merlot, Coastal - Dry, full-bodied flavors of dark plums, cherries, soft and supple. Glass $8.00 or Bottle $37.00
Blue "Glow-Tini" - Inspired by The Year of a Million Dreams: skyy citrus vodka, peach schnapps, blue curacao, sweet-and-sour, and pineapple juice with a sugared rim and souvenir blue glow cube. - $9.25
Brachetto d'Acqui, Banfi Rosa Regale Piedmont - Off-dry, sweet juicy flavors or strawberries and dark red cherries. Glass $12.00 or 1/2 Bottle $30.00
Chianti D.O.C.G., Tiziano, Tuscany - Dry, medium-bodied flavors of cherries, oak, and spice. Glass $7.00 or Bottle $29.00
Draft Beer - Featuring Italian-brewed Moretti. Market price, ask server for details.
Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles - Dry, full-bodied flavors of black currants, plums, soft yet complex. Glass $9.00 or Bottle $39.00
Gavi, Banfi Pricipessa, Piedmont - Dry, flavors of lemon citrus with slight minerality. Glass $8.50 or Bottle $38.00
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc, California - Dry, medium-bodied, flavors of grapefruit, lime, and herbs. Glass $7.50 or Bottle $34.00
Italian Surfer - Amaretto, Malibu Rum, and assorted Fruit juices. - $7.00
Kenwood White Zinfandel, California - Blush wine served by the glass $6.50 or bottle $27.00
Parker Station Pinot Noir, Central Coast - Dry, medium-bodied flavors of red cherries, spice, and toasty oak. Glass $8.00 or Bottle $35.00
Pinot Grigio, Ecco Domani, Delle Venezie - Dry, medium-bodied, flavors of pears and ripe peaches. Glass $7.00 or Bottle $29.00
Poggio del Sasso IGT, Cantina di Montalcino, Tuscany - Dry, richly textured notes of cherries, spice with hints of licorice, elegant. Glass $10.50 or Bottle $46.00
Rotari Sparkling Brut, N.V., Trentino - Dry and crisp refreshing flavors of green apples and lemon citrus. Glass $8.00 or Bottle $35.00
Sangria - A taste from the Italian Riviera. Glass $4.00, 1/2 Carafe $9.00, or Full Carafe $17.50
Strawberry Colada - Bacardi Rum with a mix of strawberries and coconut. - $8.00
Valpolicella Ripasso, Masi Campofioran, Veneto - Dry, full-bodied flavors of cherries with herbs and hint of orange peel. Glass $10.00 or Bottle $45.00
Wines Inspired by the Year of a Million Dreams - Chalk Hill Imagine Chardonnay, Sonoma: rich, full-bodied, displaying pear, red apples, and spicy oak, delicious long finish, glass $11.00 or bottle $49.00 OR Silverado Fantasia Sangiovese Blend, Napa: spicy cherry and blackberries in a rich full-bodied finish, bottle only $75.00


HOLLYWOOD AND VINE
From the passporter info I get the idea that it is set up for an old hollywood feel. Right down to the tile floor and metal chairs. Featuring a mural on the back wall that is amazing.

Dinner (Updated: 11/06)
Entree/Main Course

Adult Buffet (Not a Character Buffet) - Ages 10 & up - Selection of Salads: Mixed field greens, Caesar salad, Orange & watercress salad, and fresh seasonal fruit salad. Selection of Cold Appetizers: Spicy fennel slaw, Peel & eat shrimp, Roasted beets & balsamic onions, and Tomato & fresh mozzarella salad. Entree Selections: Flank steak with red wine demi-glaze, Pasta with seafood, Herb crusted salmon, Tai chicken satay, Beef pot roast with vegetables, Baked chicken thighs, Brown rice & whole grain medley, and Vegetarian pasta. Selection of Accompaniments: Sauteen, onions, peppers, & mushrooms, Bean cassoulet, Garlic mashed potatoes, Sun dried tomato polenta, Creamed corn spoon bread, and Green beans with garlic & tomato. Includes a selection of handcrafted desserts and pasties from the bakery. - $23.99 *

 

[tinkgurl]

We did the Fantasmic Package with Hollywood & Vine last year and there was nothing exciting about the restaurant at all and the food was mediocre. We are trying Mama Melrose for the first time with the Fantasmic Package in July! The menu looks like there is some great things to try! Can't wait!

 

[MJMcBride]

Neither is great but I would go Mama Melroses

 

[myladyisatramp]

We are doing Mama Melrose, when are you going Alfredos will be closing end of August, for good. I think I would skip that, last time I ate there didn't care for it.

 

[ThinkTink75]

We did the Fantasmic Package with Hollywood & Vine last year and there was nothing exciting about the restaurant at all and the food was mediocre. We are trying Mama Melrose for the first time with the Fantasmic Package in July! The menu looks like there is some great things to try! Can't wait!

I have heard good things as well. And I heard exactly your reaction to H&V... we had friends cancel their ADR upon entering they didn't like the atmosphere at all-- said it was loud and a little chaotic.

Neither is great but I would go Mama Melroses

We def want to go to MGM and we have already done Sci-Fi Dine In and are not at all interested in 50s Prime Time... any suggestions where else to eat? In your opinion should we go somewhere else and cancel the Fantasmic Package??

We are doing Mama Melrose, when are you going Alfredos will be closing end of August, for good. I think I would skip that, last time I ate there didn't care for it.

We are in Disney July 22-28 and we are doing Alfredos the night before our Fantasmic package. We wanted to leave our MGM meal the night we have it set for already because there are evening EMH at MGM that night. I have heard good and bad from people about Alfredos. We love World Showcase and have done dinner at Norway, Moracco, Japan, Mexico and England. This trip we are going to Canada, Italy and China. Would you suggest one of the other countries that we missed instead of Italy? I think all that is left is France, Germany and America. What do you think?

 

[loopner67]

We went to H&V years ago and it was just a mediocre buffet. I was not impressed at all and would not go back if I didn't have to. I'd rather get a burger.

We tried Mama Melrose's this past April despite some bad reviews here at the Disboards and my family really enjoyed it. My DH and I loved the sangria we got and we all had good meals. Our service was great, we thought the ambience was nice (but not overwhelming or anything) and our boys loved being able to get pasta. If you're into this sort of thing, there are quite a few Hidden Mickeys in the waiting area of this restaurant.

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

We just ate at Mama Melrose's 2 weeks ago with the Fantasmic package. I would not recommend it - in fact it was our least favorite meal that we had. Our service was bad - both at check in and with our waitress, it was a really long wait after we were seated for our food, and the food itself wasn't great.

I've never been to H&V but - do you have kids? If not, I've done the fantasmic package at the Brown Derby twice. I don't remember if that's 1 dining credit or 2 but we really enjoyed our meals there.

 

[seven dwarfs]

We love Mama Melrose. We eat here twice on each trip. We have had some slow service but overall it has been great. Good food everytime. It is a favorite of my family.

 

[Katiebell]

We just ate at Mama Melrose's 2 weeks ago with the Fantasmic package. I would not recommend it - in fact it was our least favorite meal that we had. Our service was bad - both at check in and with our waitress, it was a really long wait after we were seated for our food, and the food itself wasn't great.

I've never been to H&V but - do you have kids? If not, I've done the fantasmic package at the Brown Derby twice. I don't remember if that's 1 dining credit or 2 but we really enjoyed our meals there.

Brown Derby is another option, but it is 2 TS credits. Not really the best way to spend 2 credits because the OOP price is only $43.99, but supposed to be a great restaurant, I'd probably pay OOP here.

We went to Mama Melrose's and it was very good, we loved the atmosphere. The appetizer wasn't the best (I had bruchetta, and DH ordered Artisan breads and spreads which was ok, but not wonderful). DH had chicken parmesan and I had wood-grilled chicken with pasta with artichokes, peas and roasted peppers and it was excellent. I couldn't even finish it all, because I had to save room for honey hazelnut and ricotta cheesecake for dessert, which was fabulous. Our waitress was friendly and efficient, no complaints there.

 

[Tam1067]

We ate at Mama Melrose in July and liked our food.

I had the eggplant--one of my favorite meals of the trip. DH had the chicken with pasta. The kids all had pasta. We enjoyed it a lot, and our service was fine. We're returning there this July for the Fantasmic package.

I would also be careful about Alfredo's. They are closing for good, as another poster pointed out, and you might get mediocre or bad service and food--they know they're on the way out.

 

[ThinkTink75]

We are definitely going to be switching from H&V to Mamas... I am going to call as soon as I am done going through my threads here. I commented this to another poster yesterday but overall does anyone have any thoughts about changing our Alfredo's ADR.
I have heard good and bad from people about Alfredos. We love World Showcase and have done dinner at Norway, Moracco, Japan, Mexico and England. This trip we are going to Canada, Italy and China. Would you suggest one of the other countries that we missed instead of Italy? I think all that is left is France (never held our interest), Germany (not to into the whole buffet thing) and America (we eat in America everyday). What do you think? Mexico was our favorite last time and we were going to do lunch there. Should we maybe switch Alfredo's to San Angel to be safe???

 

[SassyLassy]

Mama Melrose by far. I just think that H&V was so blah. I think the atmosphere at MM is better also.

 

[tinkgurl]

We are definitely going to be switching from H&V to Mamas...

When are you going to be eating at Mama Melrose? Just wondering if we'd be there around the same time!

 

[TKDisneylover]

I think all that is left is France (never held our interest)

I cannot speak from experience, but DH & I were considering Bistro de Paris. Have you looked at the menu? It actually looks very good, and there is not a kids menu so it may be more adult friendly(no offense to people with children) for a romantic dinner for 2. It's also located "upstairs". I hope this is a helpful suggestion. Good luck in your search for a new restaurant and have a wonderful trip!

 

[ThinkTink75]

Thanks everyone. Since no matter how the votes increased the 70/30 percentages seemed to sway towards Mama's from the start. We called a few hours ago, switched our AlDR from Hollywood & Vine to Mama Melrose's and canceled Alfredo's. As per the DBF's request I switched Italy to San Angel Inn in Mexico. It was our fav last time and he wanted to go to one "nostalgic" TS. lol. Plus, we can grab margaritas and a ride on Gran Fiesta Tour after our meal.

THANKS TO ALL!

 

[clownfish1452]

I am doing it at Brown Derby. Because really dont care for buffets.

Sarah

 

[gk90]

There's a special Fantasmic package menu at MM's--I think I saw it posted on allearsnet.com. You don't get all the regular menu choices but it still looks pretty good.

 

[Katiebell]

There's a special Fantasmic package menu at MM's--I think I saw it posted on allearsnet.com. You don't get all the regular menu choices but it still looks pretty good.

That's actually outdated. As of April 2007, the Fantasmic Package includes choices from the regular menu.

 

[ThinkTink75]

I am doing it at Brown Derby. Because really dont care for buffets.
Sarah

We def agree. I don't know if you are on DDP and using two TS for Brown Derby (we were not willing to do this) but only Hollywood and Vine is a buffet.

There's a special Fantasmic package menu at MM's--I think I saw it posted on allearsnet.com. You don't get all the regular menu choices but it still looks pretty good.

That's actually outdated. As of April 2007, the Fantasmic Package includes choices from the regular menu.

I double checked when I made the ADR switch just to be sure! It is the same as what we would get on DDP without doing the Fantasmic package.


Thanks for all the info!

 

[gk90]

That's actually outdated. As of April 2007, the Fantasmic Package includes choices from the regular menu.

Thanks for the info! Maybe we'll reconsider and do the dining package after all--we were thinking of just doing the 10 pm show instead.