Fantasmic dinner-which restaurant?

[hcipi]

Never did fantasmic....recommendations?

 

[Pakey]

Best food is Hollywood Brown Derby

 

[GoofyinBuffalo]

I would say it depends on when you are going. You may not need to do the Fantasmic dinner package. When we did do this, we ate at Hollywood and Vine. It's a buffet. This was 6 years ago and the food was so-so. If crowds will be lower when you go, then I suggest just eating at the restaurant of your choice and enter Fantasmic with other park guests. I recommend 50's Prime Time Cafe.

 

[hooch11bear]

I agree with the PP. We love the Brown Derby.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Brown Derby. Without a doubt, the best food in Hollywood Studios. If fantasmic package works the same as in the past... you get an appetizer too even if paying cash or on the regular (not deluxe) dining plan.

Mama Melrose is OK but nothing special. It's also much further away if you are cutting it close to time. Hollywood and Vine -- yuck.... It's OK for breakfast or lunch if your primary reason for going there is to see the characters... but no characters at dinner.

Brown Derby has delicious soups and I really like their fish entrees. The steak was pretty good too. Appetizers very good too but beware that the cobb salad is very big... enough for the whole table to share. I'm looking forward to lunch there on my next trip just for the cobb salad and soup.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

We opted for Mama Melrose because we only wanted to spend one DDP credit. The food was fine. Not great, not bad, but acceptable.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I say none of the above! Lol. Go to whichever restaurant you wish (outside of HS), then get in the regular line up for fantasmic.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I say none of the above! Lol. Go to whichever restaurant you wish (outside of HS), then get in the regular line up for fantasmic.

That's what we did the last few trips! The fantasmic package restaurants seem to be VERY busy during the fantasmic dinner times. We did it once at Mama Melrose and twice at Brown Derby. Our lunch at Brown Derby (non-fantasmic package) was much more enjoyable another day.

We absolutely prefer SciFi Diner and 50s Prime Time for lunch or an early dinner and we just don't worry about getting a seat for Fantasmic. We always got a seat... that being said, we travel during less busy times of year and will choose days for Hollywood Studios that are expected to be less crowded during our vacation.

I actually like sitting all the way in the back (top) in the fantasmic theater -- it's faster to exit (or go get drinks, popcorn, etc.) and you don't get the water spray or feel the heat from the fire... On a cold night though, we were more than happy to sit closer! The fire on the water warmed us up!

If I were traveling during a busy time (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Summer, etc.), I might consider the fantasmic package again.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We're going to try the Mama Melrose's Fantasmic Dinner package this year. We're on the dining plan and only want to use 1 credit so that knocks Brown Derby out for us.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Disney gives you three options, but it is my opinion that you really only have 2: Brown Derby and Mama Melrose. I am not a Hollywood and Vine fan. Actually, I have yet to meet anyone who raves about this place. So now you have two choices which makes it a little easier to narrow down.

Are you looking for a more upscale restaurant? Brown Derby has food that most would consider to be on the fancier side. It is a signature dining experience so it will cost you more (or will be 2 credits if you are on the dining plan) but the food is usually very good.

Mama Melrose is usually my pick. My husband and I love this restaurant and comment that it is great and romantic when it is just the two of us dining, but also works nicely as a family restaurant if we decide to bring out daughter. It is Italian food and I have yet to have a dish I didn't like here.

 

[newdeal]

if I had to pick it would be Mama Melrose (we don't do 2 credit restaurants). That said I don't like Mama Melrose so what we would really do is just take the boat from DHS to one of the hotels it services and eat there then ride the boat back for fantasmic. Can't remember which hotels that boat goes to but I think its Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Swan and Dolphin.

 

[goofyintoronto]

That's what we did the last few trips! The fantasmic package restaurants seem to be VERY busy during the fantasmic dinner times. We did it once at Mama Melrose and twice at Brown Derby. Our lunch at Brown Derby (non-fantasmic package) was much more enjoyable another day.

We absolutely prefer SciFi Diner and 50s Prime Time for lunch or an early dinner and we just don't worry about getting a seat for Fantasmic. We always got a seat... that being said, we travel during less busy times of year and will choose days for Hollywood Studios that are expected to be less crowded during our vacation.

I actually like sitting all the way in the back (top) in the fantasmic theater -- it's faster to exit (or go get drinks, popcorn, etc.) and you don't get the water spray or feel the heat from the fire... On a cold night though, we were more than happy to sit closer! The fire on the water warmed us up!

If I were traveling during a busy time (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Summer, etc.), I might consider the fantasmic package again.

Actually I agree with you about SciFi & 50's, we love them both as well! Forgot about those two places. lol. I like them both and would recommend the OP eat at one of those, then get in the regular fantasmic line.

 

[Martyap]

We are going in late July and we are 10 people. I just made an ADR for Mama Melrose/Fantasmic and it seems most are not great fans of their food.

How hard would it be to get separate tickets for Fantasmic? Is there an additional cost? Would the wait be worth it in the summer? Is the food at MM that terrible?

 

[SpectroMagic*o*]

Love Brown Derby. Only restaurant I would go to the studios to eat at.

 

[GoofyinBuffalo]

We are going in late July and we are 10 people. I just made an ADR for Mama Melrose/Fantasmic and it seems most are not great fans of their food.

How hard would it be to get separate tickets for Fantasmic? Is there an additional cost? Would the wait be worth it in the summer? Is the food at MM that terrible?

You do not need a separate ticket for Fantasmic. What the dinner package means that those eating at the specified restaurants are directed to a reserved section of the theatre to sit, so in essence they do not have to wait with the rest of the park guests for general seating. The seats in this package are off to the right side of the stage.

 

[SA mom]

We enjoyed the lunch at Mama Melrose as part of the Fantasmic! package. It wasn't the best Italian food I've ever eaten (my mom is half Italian), but it was a good hardy meal.

 

[jmcghee2024]

Brown Derby 100% gets my vote!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If quality food is your top priority, you should try Brown Derby. You won't find better food at a cheaper price by leaving DHS. HBD is one of the cheaper signature restaurants & is better than non-signature restaurants.