Hollywood Brown Derby Question

[LeahA]

We have never been to this restaurant and I wanted to know if is kid friendly. I think I remember reading once that it was not, but, I feel if I'm in Disneyworld with my kids, and my kids are well behaved, we should be able to eat and feel comfortable wherever we want.

We have eaten at Mama Melrose's, Hollywood and Vine, Sci-Fi Dine In, Prime Time Cafe and at the Pizza Planet, just wanted something different.

 

[drumflower]

We ate there 2 times with my kids and thought it was kid friendly. There is a kids menu and dirt cup dessert I think.

 

[Chuck S]

If your kids are comfortable eating in a more "adult themed" upscale restaurant, then by all means take them to Brown Derby.

If they are the kind of kids that need constant "entertainment", or are uncomfortable in a more "reserved" atmosphere then I would skip it. It really depends on the personality of the individual child.

 

[KimR]

I agree with the previous posters - if you children are used to dining in nicer restaurants and are well-behaved and can sit quietly, it is wonderful! The first time we went our children were 11, 5, and 2 and we had a terrific waiter who catered to our children like they were little princesses - we felt totally welcome and very comfortable there. The following year, we had 4 children with us; ages were 12, 12, 6, and 3 and while the waiter was not as attentive as the prior year, we still had a great meal and did not feel at all uncomfortable or out of place. However, we go out to dinner at least onece a week and our kids are used to sitting quietly in restaurants. Brown Derby is a must-do for us each trip.

 

[juliesue]

My only experience was actually without my own kids. I agree with the other posters, it would be fine as long as you prep the kids that this is a nice place and there is no "entertainment" like the other MGM restaurants. I find that when I explain what is expected to my kids, we generally get that behavior.

 

[MrsKreamer]

I find for certain children, who like someone else said doesn't need to be entertained constantly, and behaves at home in up scale resturants...then all disney upscale restraunts are OK. When I worked at the AS Sports we had a couple with 2 boys. The husband was very direct in all of his plans, so I helped him make dinning ps and other vacation plans. Then he wanted all 4 of them to eat at victoria & Albert's. I explained to him that there was a jacket required dress code, he told me that his kids ate at those types of resturants all the time back home and they had their dinner jackets packed. SO I called V&A's to make the ps, and the CM told me flat out that they don't seat children in their resturant. I told her that this guest was well aware and prepared and his kids were well behaved and so-on. She still told me no, so then the guest got on the phone with her and set her strait(I told you he was very "direct") and within minutes they had a table for 4 at V&A's

True story
Stephanie

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We ate there last summer with our three kids (7, 5 and 3 at the time). It was fine. They aren't "perfect" kids but they weren't loud and wild. It seemed "kid friendly" to me and food was delicious. We definitely didn't feel out of place either.

 

[Ibelieveinfairies]

We have eaten at the Brown Derby with our 2 DDs who were almost 4 and almost 6 at the time...they loved the food and we loved having a great meal (albeit a little on the expensive side) in beautiful surroundings. We probably wouldn't have thought to have tried the Brown Derby, but we were with my MIL who once she heard about the replica at MGM, HAD to eat their Cobb Salad! So, I say, go and enjoy every last bite!

 

[Vavasmon]

We ate at the Brown Derby with our DD who was 8 at the time. We eat out often at home and she has no problem with eating in nice restaurants. SHe enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. It is not the place to take kids who can't sit still or expect a show but they have no problem with weel behaved kids.

 

[the kabuki]

We ate there once and I wouldn't go back , it's just not a kids' place. While mine we're fine and behaved, it just didn't feel like disney , which is probably a plus for some folks'. I'd much prefer to take them to SCi-Fi and let them have fun and be kids' and not worry about them talking too loud. The food at derby's was good though.

 

[Uncleromulus]

It's certainly not "romper-roomish" ala Whispering canyon, but the Derby is always full of kids every time we dine there. For one thing, it's in a Theme park where there are lots of kids anyway. For another, Fantasmic assures that there wil be plenty of families with kids dining there before the show.

Mrskreamer: Tho they aren't used to many kids at V&A and they certainly don't cater to them, they will seat kids at that restaurant. Don't know why that CM said "no". Probably trying to discourage things. Which isn't correct behavior on the part of that CM.

 

[NMW]

We ate there with our kids last trip and plan to go back on our next one! Our kids were 23 mos., 5, and 7. We had no problems at all. We were made to feel welcome and there was a nice kids menu. My 23 mos old DD ate half my grapefruit cake, she loved it! There were many children there.

 

[4mykids]

We eat there most every trip. Good food for us. When my DD was about 5 and we were there for her b'day, the pianist came to the table, walked her to the piano, and she sat beside him. He played Happy Birthday and several other songs "for her". He let her sit beside him for as long as she wanted. She was fascinated. Our waiter brought out a birthday card with a photo of Mickey and Minnie. It was signed by all the Mickey/Minnie characters (Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, etc). She was thrilled. There were other CM having dinner there and they gave her Disney Dollars! Do I need to say, it is among her favorites!

I find it to be very relaxing and, for the kids, it decompresses them. Not so much stimulation. They need a break from it during the day.

As far as kid friendly, it is Disney! There are always kids there!

 

[DaveT1]

OP first you will have no problems at BD with kids. I had to think on this awhile and i am going to say BD is more "adult friendly" !!

You may have read that this would be one of the better choices for a couple to have a nice meal in MGM, which it is, but that does not also make it un-kid friendly. There are usually quite a few families, more for the Fantasmic package. And don't be scared off by looks, the first time i went i was in full park clothes and having second thoughts waiting for a table. That was soon gone after i was seated the excellent waiter came by put me at ease and i saw everyone else. Great meal and service.

 

[jjsmom]

DH & I began eating at Brown Derby on our honeymoon in 1989. Then 2 years later we took our second trip with a 4 month old. She is now 13 and a Cobb Salad fanatic. Brown Derby is always on restaurant "must-do" list and she now (a restaurant snob in training) looks forward to the level of service and quality of food that the BD offers.
That said, there is absolutely no reason why your kids shouldn't feel welcome in this restaurant. It is definately adult oriented, so explain that this particular restaurant is part of the MGM/Old Hollywood theme. If they're clammering for burgers and pizza, this probably isn't the place for them, but if they're open to new experiences they should be just fine.
Enjoy!

 

[LeahA]

Thanks to everyone that has posted, my kids do eat out alot, and I just want to try something different and new at Disney, without snears from other folks. My kids aren't perfect but they are not horrible either.

Thanks again!

 

[christinou]

We eat there every time that we go, first time the girls were 1 and 3. They really enjoy it, and know that it is more of a grown up restaurant. They do have the best macaroni and cheese on property...

 

[Turner5]

Our children were 11, 9, and 7. We had a nice experience at the Brown Derby. My children enjoyed it and did my husband and I.