Going to see Fantastic...best resturant to eat at for dining and theater

[babsy2]

Have reservations to see Fantastic and to eat at Mama Melrose...Am going with daughter and her two children, ages 5 and 6. Can you give me some input as a better restaurant to make reservations at for dinner and show? I have been reading the threads and it seems people have been disappointed with Mama Melrose... Any input would be so appreciated :

 

[lovethedisneymagic]

We had lunch at Mama Melrose's when we visited in October. We have no complaints ~ the kids loved the spaghetti. I enjoyed their chicken parmasean. We had a hard time finishing everything!

 

[The Sweetness]

You could always eat whatever you want, then wait on line to enter fantasmic 90 min (or an hour) before seating is open. Some ppl pick up CS (sandwiches, hot dogs etc, and eat while they wait. There's also a snack bar inside the theater w a few things You dont **HAVE TO** do the package. Eat wherever you want, even a late lunch at a resort if you want then just go on in when its time, if thats what you like

 

[LMO429]

hollywood derby is AWESOME

 

[darlak]

Mama Melrose's was at the top of our list as far as service. In Sept 2006, we ate there w/ a party of 6. At least 4 of those 6 were VERY picky eaters. Our waiter was great! Anything we wanted could be prepared any way we wanted it. I had a seafood dish that included mussels, which I don't eat. Our waiter asked if I would prefer to just have extra shrimp in place of the mussels. I think at least 4 of our meals were altered from the menu description. We're going back there on our April 2007 trip, but on the night we're seeing Fantasmic!, we're doing the package at Hollywood and Vine, where we've never eaten. I'll be happy if it's half as good as Mama Melrose's.

Darla

 

[kdzgon]

You could always eat whatever you want, then wait on line to enter fantasmic 90 min (or an hour) before seating is open. Some ppl pick up CS (sandwiches, hot dogs etc, and eat while they wait. There's also a snack bar inside the theater w a few things You dont **HAVE TO** do the package. Eat wherever you want, even a late lunch at a resort if you want then just go on in when its time, if thats what you like

Made my ADRs this week - I was told the Fantasmic package no longer has a limited menu. the only restriction now is time of dining. I asked if she was absolutely positive (re: no limited menu) and she double-checked and confirmed: no limited menu.

Anyone with recent first-hand experience with this?

 

[Volcanokrazy18]

When you go to see fantasmic don't eat alot before the show unless you intend not to eat lots of popcorn, cotton candy, or other sweets during the show.

 

[kimberh]

We prefer Mama Mel Rose. I have read the bad reviews. I really don't know what they ordered, I always order the Chicken Parm. It is always good. Twice we have taken a large group. The service has been wonderful, even when I read how terrible it was. We are going again in May. This restaurant has become one of our favorites. Just to say, I have ate at The Brown Derby, and Hollywood and Vine. We prefer Mama's. I would stick with my reservation and make my own decision. The line for Fantasmic is very long. Before we knew about the Package, we stood in this line, for 2 hrs. It was not fun. The show is Great!

 

[kdzgon]

We prefer Mama Mel Rose. I have read the bad reviews. I really don't know what they ordered, I always order the Chicken Parm. It is always good. Twice we have taken a large group. The service has been wonderful, even when I read how terrible it was. We are going again in May. This restaurant has become one of our favorites. Just to say, I have ate at The Brown Derby, and Hollywood and Vine. We prefer Mama's. I would stick with my reservation and make my own decision. The line for Fantasmic is very long. Before we knew about the Package, we stood in this line, for 2 hrs. It was not fun. The show is Great!

What time of year did you go when the lines were so long?

 

[Katiebell]

Made my ADRs this week - I was told the Fantasmic package no longer has a limited menu. the only restriction now is time of dining. I asked if she was absolutely positive (re: no limited menu) and she double-checked and confirmed: no limited menu.

Anyone with recent first-hand experience with this?

Not first-hand experience, but on AllEars Fantasmic Dinner Package FAQ, it says the OOP price is going up 4/1/07 for HBD and Mama Melrose's, not for H&V. As of 4/1, it says, "Mama Melrose: Ages 10 and older $32.99 (plus tax and gratuity); children ages 3-9 $11.99 (plus tax and gratuity). You will be able to choose from the regular menu as of this date."

And it still says for the DDP that H&V and MM are 1 TS credit, HBD is still 2 TS credits.

 

[Kata]

I usually do the Fantasmic Package with the Brown Derby. I enjoy the Brown Derby but usually do the DDP and I don't think BD is worth 2 TS so I just pay OOP for the Fantasmic package and enjoy a nice meal and get out of waiting a long time to make sure I get a seat for Fantasmic. Last time I went WDW it rained my night of Fantasmic and I did end up trying to book
the Fantasmic package a different night and did book Mamma Melrose.I started talking to the waitress and told her that my 1st Fantasmic package was rained out.The waitress said I should have stopped at Customer services that night because they probably would have given my a pass for another night. The waitress talked to the manager and they offered to give me a pass with out paying for the package if I just wanted to order dinner off the menu and not pay for the package but the the price of the package there wasn't that bad and I just kept the package. The thing I remember most about MM was how much I loved the salad,I am not a big salad lover but their dressing and gorgonzola cheese was awesome. I can't remember what else I had there but I do remember I thought it was a good deal.I must say that recent bad reviews about MM have made me think it may have went downhill since I was there in 2005 so I would probably not choose it again for FDP.Have fun what ever you decide.

 

[Fire14]

My issue with mm and FDP was I felt I was "forced" to order more food than I normally would and it cost more than I usually spent. It sounds as if that limited menu thing is going away but will I still have to order a appetizer, a entree and dessert?

 

[momtoPrincessA]

I haven't heard of the Fantasmic Dinner Package. What's included? Can you use DDP towards it?

 

[kimberh]

What time of year did you go when the lines were so long?

We usually go in May, Oct or Nov so it had to be one of those months. Then when I found out about the Fantasmic Dinner Package, The package use to be booked different than it is now. We didn't always stay on property either, so maybe that is why we booked it different, I can't remember now, it has been so long. My husband waited it the very long line, while we rode rides.