Hollywood Brown Derby?

[serendipity]

We're considering doing the fantasmic dinner package at the derby. Has anyone had any positive/negative experiences here? We know the specialty is cobb salad, which to be quite frank disgusts us. Any feedback? Thanks Disers!

 

[bicker]

Gosh, the Cobb Salad disgusts you? I'm not sure how to advise you then.

Brown Derby is a great restaurant, one of the best inside the theme parks. The only problem we've ever had there was a mild delay associated with them being unable (or unwilling) to accommodate us with young children, and that happened only once.

 

[Disney5Mom]

We love the Brown Derby and have been for the Fantasmic package three times.The restaurant is calmer than most at WDW and we enjoyed our food a lot. Of course we did like the cobb salad. We are going again in March for the package.

 

[RadioFanatic]

It's dh and my new fave at WDW. We liked the cobb salad but also enjoyed the crabcakes for an appy. I really liked my lamb and dh loved his steak. Service also was outstanding. Would totally recommend it.

 

[serendipity]

great, thanks so much for your feeback!

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

The cobb salad we had that, everytime I had a bite of blue cheese I said to myself that must be what the stuff on fear factor taste like.

Im trying something else next time

 

[serendipity]

The cobb salad we had that, everytime I had a bite of blue cheese I said to myself that must be what the stuff on fear factor taste like.

Im trying something else next time

I HATE blue cheese...hence why I want no part of the cobb salad

 

[bigcrit]

Honestly we had our worst experience in Disney at the Brown Derby. We had taken our Daughters to the Brown Derby for their birthday in December. We were VERY disappointed in the food and the service. We arrived on time and were quickly seated. Sadly, our server took forever to take our orders. Although he was nice he was painfully slow. Our food arrived cold and he could never be found when we needed him. The thing that really through it over the top was, he brought out the birthday cake unli, plopped the cake down in fron of them and used what looked to be a torch to light the cake. We sung Happy Birthday as he walked away. We were expecting him to come back and cut the cake for us. Well he didn't! It just sat there. We waited about 15 minutes for him to return. Once we realized we were on our own we did our best with the butter knife. This was very awkward and showed how little Quality service they offered. I t was at this point I walked over to the manager and gave her an earful. I explained to her that I received the same kind of service I would expect at a McDonalds and that I was very unhappy with her reestaurant. She graciously removed the cake from our bill and we left. I would never eat the Brown Derby again. There are way to many options in WDW to overpay for lousy service and mediocre food.

 

[bicker]

Wow. I had a slightly (by comparison) negative experience, as I related earlier, but I haven't ever read about anyone else having an experience like that at Brown Derby. Rest assured you got the short straw there -- that's not indicative of what you can expect from Brown Derby.

 

[raidermatt]

We ate there once. It was ok, but not really worth the price, imo, compared to the other two FDP options.

Service was fine. A little slow and aloof, but nothing really negative.

 

[lonegungirl]

I really enjoy the Brown Derby. Never had the Cobb salad or the grapefruit cake that seem to be such general favorites, but I had a sesame ahi entree that was cooked just right and was the best fish I ate that trip!

 

[Bibbidybobbidy]

My sister, who HATES blue cheese and won't let me order a cobb salad when we eat together, went to the Brown Derby on her last trip and raved about the cobb salad. She said the ingredients were so finely minced that she could not taste the cheese. It was her favorite place to eat at in all of WDW.
I am hoping for a good experience when I go. I think If the service isn't good by the appetizer arrival, then I will be leaving.

 

[serendipity]

Honestly we had our worst experience in Disney at the Brown Derby. We had taken our Daughters to the Brown Derby for their birthday in December. We were VERY disappointed in the food and the service. We arrived on time and were quickly seated. Sadly, our server took forever to take our orders. Although he was nice he was painfully slow. Our food arrived cold and he could never be found when we needed him. The thing that really through it over the top was, he brought out the birthday cake unli, plopped the cake down in fron of them and used what looked to be a torch to light the cake. We sung Happy Birthday as he walked away. We were expecting him to come back and cut the cake for us. Well he didn't! It just sat there. We waited about 15 minutes for him to return. Once we realized we were on our own we did our best with the butter knife. This was very awkward and showed how little Quality service they offered. I t was at this point I walked over to the manager and gave her an earful. I explained to her that I received the same kind of service I would expect at a McDonalds and that I was very unhappy with her reestaurant. She graciously removed the cake from our bill and we left. I would never eat the Brown Derby again. There are way to many options in WDW to overpay for lousy service and mediocre food.

WOW! I am so sorry to hear about your negative experience! I noticed that you are from NJ (as am I) and every time we go to Florida we can't help but notice the slower service. Was this even slower then the extra slow southern speed?

 

[Das Strand]

My DW and I swear by the Brown Derby. We never miss it. I love the Cobb salad and the grapefruit cake. We've always had great service too. I'd advise you to give it a try.

 

[kaceyisme]

We've only eaten at the Brown Derby once. In general, I love Cobb Salad - anywhere else other than the Brown Derby!! It was so pulverized that it was awful (this is my opinion - please don't flame me). I didn't find the service to be good at all either. Our server was extremely aloof, very un-accomodating, and also extremely condescending.

That being said - I would definitely give it another try, ordering something other than the Cobb salad, and hopefully receiving better service.

 

[amy4bruce]

We went to the Brown Derby last December. DW had been there many, many times, and was dying for the Cobb Salad. She had it and loved it.

I don't care for bleu cheese, but what I had was also excellent.

DD6 had no problem there. They even gave her a Lizze McGuire coloring sheet.

We're not going back this trip, only because we want to try different places.

 

[mouse]

The Brown Derby will be happy to serve you the cobb salad without the blue cheese. That's how I alway order it.

 

[fizz13]

A little slow to seat us, but service was excellent, she could not do enough for us and was a master at handling the tables in our section, not intrusive but always there if needed. Food was great, found the cobb salad a little sickly but all I could taste was blue cheese in the end, so would definately ask for it again but without chesse. Would eat here again as I thought it was a great atmosphere and I enjoyed the overall experience.

 

[disneytraveler]

I like the Brown Derby. Just had dinner there last week . The grouper was great.

 

[melomouse]

I agree that if the Cobb salad disgusts you, maybe this is not a good choice for you overall.

I went to BD a couple of visits ago and enjoyed the signature Cobb and Filet Mignon. I had always been intrigued by the history and it certainly met or exceeded my expectations.

This is a place I'd choose to savor slower service - not true for me at many places in WDW.

MM may be a better option for you if it's MGM you want.