Fantasmic dinner package worth it? which restaurant?

[DisFam95]

DH does not really enjoy these big shows but will go for the kids. Was wondering if these dining packages are worth it? Is there a better viewing area? less of a wait?

Also which restaurant is best?

Brown Derby - seems pricey

H&V - some reviews are just 'meh'

Mama Melrose

Thanks!

 

[courtneybeth]

I found the dining package reasonably priced and worth doing, especially since you have to eat dinner at some point. Hubs and I did the Mama Melrose deal and were pleasantly surprised with the quality. Food portions are quite large and you definitely get what you pay for -- appetizer, entree, drink and dessert.

The reserved seating section for Fantasmic make it easier to get into the stadium. You're right in the middle of the auditorium and get the best view. Hubs and I opted to sit in the front row since we're Disneyland natives and were surprised most people sat further back. We didn't get wet! (The pre-show with the crowd warmers, on the other hand, was unbearable and painful to sit through!)

 

[Forcino]

The package (extra $7? in addition to dinner) was definitely worth it for the center, reserved seating (with no one in front of us). However, you still have to wait to get in with the FastPass+ people. And the line was quite long for me and my wife.

 

[DisFam95]

I think we'll stick with it just for good seating- now just trying to decide on a place. H&V is what I have now but I'm skeptical after reviews. There was still a spot for BD but need to check w/ DH on our spending. MM has nothing open but i'll keep checking. I think I'd prefer MM over H&V.

 

[4under4]

If you like Cobb salad, the BD version is great and not too pricey.

 

[kastoney]

I think it depends on what time of year you go. We are off-peak season kinda people (September and January/February) and have never encountered a full Fantasmic. We usually get there 10-15 minutes before show time and have never had an issue getting a seat. And with the amphitheater seating there really isn't a bad seat in the house.

 

[elsbit]

I believe it is a fixed priced meal, so opting for cheaper items won't impact the cost. I had been wanting the salad when I go in December, but think I will opt for something that makes the cost more worthwhile. I keep waiting for MM to open up so I can just pay for a 1TS rather than 2.

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

I had an ADR for MM for Fantasmic Dinner Pkg. It was later cancelled when lunch pkg was available. For H&V, the price is the same and I want to do Disney Jr. character meal anyway. Fantasmic seating is an extra bonus.

 

[hammie59]

The Fantasmic! pkg was absolutely worth it for us, particularly because we have children (at the time very young). I've waited in the standby line for it once and wasn't looking forward to doing that again with tired kids. Anyhow, we chose MM and loved it. Was the best meal we had all week (Strip steak-so good). We ate at 50s once and it was fine, but our waiter wasn't really into his role, so kind of boring. Food was alright. Nothing really stood out except for the Dad's Sundae which I still dream about

 

[Nancyg56]

My family likes Mama Melrose and we have it booked for the lunch package. I agree with thoe who say you need to eat anyway, so why not have a nice meal that includes a good seat for the show?

 

[jerseygal]

If you like Cobb salad, the BD version is great and not too pricey.

We did Hollywood Brown Derby Fantasmics Lunch Package last December and LOVED IT! YUM...still tasting that Cobb salad! There were 6 of us and we could not get a dinner package, so I took a 12:00. It just opens at 12 and it was FABULOUS! Great service, outstanding food, and great seats with no line for us(maybe that is because it starting a very light rain.. Show went on and it was GREAT!

 

[whitney37354]

We've done the F! dining package every time & it has been worth it to us. We did MM the first time & it was fine. We did H&V the second time & DH loved it. We just came back from our second time at H&V & it wasn't very good at all. We were very disappointed since we were there while it was a Star Wars character meal & we have to pay extra for that experience too. If the food had been good, we wouldn't have cared to pay extra for the characters. We'll probably do MM the next time because I don't know if I want to pay extra to go to HBD.

 

[SweetMimi]

I think the package is worth it. It's easier for me to plan when I have a set price and the food was really good at Mama Melrose. We've never really had a "bad" seat at Fantasmic but it definitely didn't hurt to get to roll through with the Fast Pass line and be sat right in the center with our passes.

 

[Summertinkerbell]

I think it is really worth it as far as seating goes. We had a bad experience at Mama Melrose's Ristorante last time...worst Italian we've ever eaten. This time, we booked Hollywood & Vine. We've eaten there before and liked it despite the lousy reviews. Hopefully we won't regret our choice.

 

[BrokeMack]

I don't know how different the regular H&V menu is compared to Star Wars Weekends, but I really enjoyed the SWW menu. I was kind of dreading it because of all the bad reviews I've heard but it was pretty good and not just compared to my low expectations.

 

[Hootch]

The year we went, they were not doing F! every night let alone twice a night. It was a good deal at that time. The food was pretty good. I would stick to some of the simpler meals. The flat breads, pastas and chicken parm were good. I introduced my son to calamari there. I was pleasantly surprised with it.