Hollywood Brown Derby

[bettyann29]

Im trying to make my decisions tonight so I can call tomorrow.. I am looking at Hollywood Brown Derby for dinner one night.. The Birenbaum book says that they offer a dinner and a show deal for Fantasmic.. so of course this would be great if I can get this.. Two questions... First is can I ask for something off the lunch menu at dinnertime? I looked on debs site at the menu and Im pretty picky and not sure I see anything that I really like on the dinner menu, but see something on the lunch menu.. Second question... When I call to reserve my time do I mention the dinner and show deal? This would be wonderful if we could eat while watching Fantasmic.. Do you get a good view?

 

[sleepydog25]

First is can I ask for something off the lunch menu at dinnertime?

Can't really answer this question, but I suppose it's possible if you have an early enough ADR for BD (we had to take a 4:30 ADR last year). You might try calling the restaurant directly and asking a manager. If he/she says "yes," I'd get the person's name for when you show up.

When I call to reserve my time do I mention the dinner and show deal? This would be wonderful if we could eat while watching Fantasmic.. Do you get a good view?

Yes, mention you want the Fantasmic deal, and they will give you the available times for the day you have chosen. As for viewing Fantasmic from the BD, that's not possible. The Fantasmic venue is several minutes away and out of sight from the restaurant. What the Fantasmic deal does is keep you from waiting in line with the larger crowd in order to dash in and get a good seat. Instead, you show up a half hour or so before the show via a side entrance to the stadium, and you are allowed to your seat then.

The advantage to doing the Fantasmic package is that you don't have to worry with fighting a large crowd to grab a seat, and you can eat your meal with a relative peace of mind knowing that you will have a seat once you arrive at the show. On the other hand, the reserved seating section for the Fantasmic package diners is slightly off to the right side, so it doesn't offer middle of the venue seating. However, you still get a great view (there aren't any truly awful seats as the action takes place on an "island" in the middle of a small lake) without the hassle of standing in line for an hour or two to get in. We've done Fantasmic both with and without the dining package, and we prefer the package. In fact, we're doing it again in June! Hope this helps!

 

[cornflkgrl]

Um, I'm new to the whole Disney thing and I keep hearing Fantasmic....what is that??
Just curious.

 

[bettyann29]

Um, I'm new to the whole Disney thing and I keep hearing Fantasmic....what is that??
Just curious.

Its the big show at MGM with fireworks, etc.. I've been 4 times to Disneyworld and never made it there yet.. so this will be the year

 

[bigcrit]

Just a heads up. The Brown Derby is over-priced and in our opion LOUSY! We had our worst meal ever at the Brown Derby. If you want to eat somewhere good try the Concourse Steakhouse or LeCellier.

 

[sleepydog25]

Just a heads up. The Brown Derby is over-priced and in our opion LOUSY! We had our worst meal ever at the Brown Derby. If you want to eat somewhere good try the Concourse Steakhouse or LeCellier.

I can't speak to individual visits to any given restaurant since it's always possible to catch them on a bad night, get a bad server, not enjoy what's on the menu, or perhaps a combination of all three. But, I will say that Brown Derby regularly gets positive reviews, and for our last visit, we found BD to have excellent food and solid service. It does get a bit noisy in there due to the acoustics, but then again, it is a restaurant at a major theme park. Of course, neither Concourse Steakhouse or Le Cellier are located in MGM which doesn't help you with Fantasmic planning (and I might add, each has its detractors, too). Check the menu again, call about what you can order when, then decide if BD will work for you.

Um, I'm new to the whole Disney thing and I keep hearing Fantasmic....what is that?? Just curious.

It's an interactive show with live characters, fireworks, special effects, and music. Essentially, Mickey takes on the sinister forces which threaten our dreams, and this evil comes from the various villains throughout Disney lore. The combined evil takes the form of a dragon which Mickey must fight. It's great fun and a wonderful show. The first time we saw it, our 4yr old was a bit leery at the beginning of the show but was cheering at the end. She couldn't wait to go back last year!

Be aware that it can be rained out since it takes place outside, and due to the stunts involved, there is a danger to the performers if it does rain. During inclement weather, they won't usually make a call until just moments before show time. Our first year, it rained off and on right up until show time, and we all sat there huddled under ponchos, wet, miserable, and figuring the show would be cancelled. Thirty minutes prior to the start, the rain stopped. At fifteen minutes, the skies cleared, and moments later they made the announcement the show would go on. It was well worth the soggy wait. Good luck!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I did the Fantasmic Package there last Oct, and didn't really need it, since it rained that night, but I was so glad I ate there anyway. It's not overpriced, unless your one of those people who will order the most expensive thing just to maximize the plan, nothing wrong with this, I say just order what you want. But the food is excellant.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Also, I had the Package at Mama Melrose's later in the week, and I was so glad I had it that night, since Fantasmic was mobbed that night. So the seating is well worth a few extra dollars in my mind.

 

[bettyann29]

Does it cost extra for the Fantasmic package?? We are doing the dining plan and I plan on using that.. Hope someone can answer tonight as I want to call tomorrow..