MGM dining options

[rentayenta]

I am trying to decide on a good TS or CS at MGM. Currently we have the F! package at Mama Melrose but the more I read, the more I am considering cancelling it. I hear the preferred seating isn't really necessary for F! as there are lots of good seats.

I don't want to do the Brown Derby because it's 2 TS. A CS would be okay too.

for any insights.

 

[kimbac3]

Let's see if I'm guessing correctly you are going early September..yes?? That's the same time we are going. We don't have a dinner package. We will just get there early. I'm going to judge by the crowds but a 1/2hour to 45 mins should be fine. We usually bring a snack to munch on while we wait.

We've done Fantasmic several times over the past two years and never had a package. I'm in a wheelchair too so that limits my choices even more. We really have never had a problem.

As long as you are willing to get there early you should be fine.

Pizza Planet is yummy. Rosie's and Backlot Express aren't too bad either. Personally we enjoy the Sci Fi too. Even though it gets very mixed reviews on here we've always enjoyed it.

Whatever you do, have fun!!!

Kimba

 

[TheresaNY]

We really enjoyed Primetime Cafe for TS meal. Great basic menu and fun atmosphere.Great for a large group - the more the merrier. We also like the ABC Commissary. I love the Cuban Sandwich and my husband loves something they have there with black beans. A nice CS meal. Hope it helps !

 

[amery]

I would have probably chosen H&V or BD for the FDP but I wouldn't cancel the res simply because of the 'lack' of good seats albeit preferred.

Remember, through the FDP, your wait time is all of about 30 minutes or a little longer whereas with everyone else, it's 60-90 minutes.

 

[rentayenta]

Let's see if I'm guessing correctly you are going early September..yes?? That's the same time we are going. We don't have a dinner package. We will just get there early. I'm going to judge by the crowds but a 1/2hour to 45 mins should be fine. We usually bring a snack to munch on while we wait.

Yep mid September! Good idea on bringing a snack.

We've done Fantasmic several times over the past two years and never had a package. I'm in a wheelchair too so that limits my choices even more. We really have never had a problem.

Good to know that seats are not limited. I am used to F! at Disneyland where seating is extremely limited and you literally have to save a spot 1.5 to 2 hours early.

As long as you are willing to get there early you should be fine.

I actually like the down time.

Pizza Planet is yummy. Rosie's and Backlot Express aren't too bad either. Personally we enjoy the Sci Fi too. Even though it gets very mixed reviews on here we've always enjoyed it.

Sci-Fi looks really fun. DS would love Pizza planet!

Whatever you do, have fun!!!

Kimba

Truer words were never spoken!

We really enjoyed Primetime Cafe for TS meal. Great basic menu and fun atmosphere.Great for a large group - the more the merrier. We also like the ABC Commissary. I love the Cuban Sandwich and my husband loves something they have there with black beans. A nice CS meal. Hope it helps !

50's Primetime looks like so much fun to me, so kitschy.

I would have probably chosen H&V or BD for the FDP but I wouldn't cancel the res simply because of the 'lack' of good seats albeit preferred.

Hollywood and Vine? Is that a buffet?

Remember, through the FDP, your wait time is all of about 30 minutes or a little longer whereas with everyone else, it's 60-90 minutes.

That could be a very valuable hour. I cannot decide!

 

[Corinne]

Another vote for 50's! We dine there each trip. Even if you decide not to the the Fantasmic package, Mama Melrose's is really great too!

 

[beattyfamily]

Remember, through the FDP, your wait time is all of about 30 minutes or a little longer whereas with everyone else, it's 60-90 minutes.

Not true at least in my experience in off peak season (end of Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec are the times I've been).

In Sept, when the OP is going, you could enter the stadium at 1 hour or even 45 minutes before and still get great seats; even better seats than the package seats (which are to the far right).

Also, with the package, they (the waiter) suggest you enter at 45 minutes before because after 30 minutes, they can, and sometimes do, open the package section to the general public. They are no longer guaranteed at that point.

OP, you do not need the package in Sept. I suggest eating where you want to eat instead and for me that would be 50's Prime Time or maybe Sci Fi (my kids love both).

 

[rentayenta]

Another vote for 50's! We dine there each trip. Even if you decide not to the the Fantasmic package, Mama Melrose's is really great too!

I am leaning towards 50's Prime Time. You enjoyed MM? I have read such mixed reviews, more so than on any other restaurant.

Not true at least in my experience in off peak season (end of Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec are the times I've been).

In Sept, when the OP is going, you could enter the stadium at 1 hour or even 45 minutes before and still get great seats; even better seats than the package seats (which are to the far right).

So the first come seats are better than the F! package seats?

Also, with the package, they (the waiter) suggest you enter at 45 minutes before because after 30 minutes, they can, and sometimes do, open the package section to the general public. They are no longer guaranteed at that point.

Great info!

OP, you do not need the package in Sept. I suggest eating where you want to eat instead and for me that would be 50's Prime Time or maybe Sci Fi (my kids love both).

I like that idea. Right now it's a toss up between Sci-Fi and 50's. If I cancel the F! package then it really opens up the whole evening. I am losing it thinking about all of this.

 

[beattyfamily]

I am leaning towards 50's Prime Time. You enjoyed MM? I have read such mixed reviews, more so than on any other restaurant.

So the first come seats are better than the F! package seats?

I like that idea. Right now it's a toss up between Sci-Fi and 50's. If I cancel the F! package then it really opens up the whole evening. I am losing it thinking about all of this.

I also enjoyed MM when we dined there but we prefer 50's Prime time if we had to choose.

Yes, the package seats are not better, just guaranteed till 30 minutes beforehand. They are to the far right so if you do not do the package and arrive around 1 hour to 45 minutes before the show then you can probably get a better seat than the package seats.

I arrived at 1 hour before the show, the end of Sept (a Saturday no less), and got right in the center, half way back. Great seats.

All seats; package and non-package are first come, first served, so if you want the best seats, arriving earlier is always better.

 

[tink606]

Another vote for 50's primetime or Sci-Fi it all depends what your in the mood for. The atmosphere in Sci-fi is relaxing and very refreshing and the dinner there is delicious, but 50"s primetime dinner is really good also the food is great but its more of a fun atmosphere and the waiters and waitresses are hilarious of course you have to go there with an open mind and sense of humor.

 

[rentayenta]

I also enjoyed MM when we dined there but we prefer 50's Prime time if we had to choose.

What makes 50's preferable?

Yes, the package seats are not better, just guaranteed till 30 minutes beforehand. They are to the far right so if you do not do the package and arrive around 1 hour to 45 minutes before the show then you can probably get a better seat than the package seats.

This really is helpful because the only reason I chose the package was to get good seats.

All seats; package and non-package are first come, first served, so if you want the best seats, arriving earlier is always better.

Another vote for 50's primetime or Sci-Fi it all depends what your in the mood for. The atmosphere in Sci-fi is relaxing and very refreshing and the dinner there is delicious, but 50"s primetime dinner is really good also the food is great but its more of a fun atmosphere and the waiters and waitresses are hilarious of course you have to go there with an open mind and sense of humor.

I really love a good server, makes the meal so enjoyable! Thanks for the tip. BTW, your wedding photo is beautiful!

 

[tink606]

"I really love a good server, makes the meal so enjoyable! Thanks for the tip. BTW, your wedding photo is beautiful! "


Thank You, glad I could help u out.

 

[beattyfamily]

What makes 50's preferable?

For us it's a combination of the food and the fun, 50's atmosphere that we love. We love the fried chicken, the meatloaf, the pot roast, and the steaks. All delicious!

The S'mores is also delicious!

I did like MM too but I like the food options a little better at 50's.

Good luck!

 

[WAHMto5]

Sci~fi is our favorite. The entire family always enjoys it there and looks foward to going. For CS we always go to Pizza Planet

 

[ks12066]

We were at MM on July 4. We ate there because of the Fantasmic reserved seating. The food was just average, -- I could not believe that bread was not provided at an Italian Restaurant -- had to ask for some to go with my soup, but did not receive it until right before the main course. Let me say this -- I had a counter service pasta meal later in the week at Pop Century that was better than MM.

Of course, everyone has tough nights, but the restaurant was not overly busy. It was about an hour before we received our main course and almost 25 minutes between the appetizer (soup) and the main course. I felt that was way too long.

I doubt that we will go there again. Now Fantasmic was packed (July 4), but we were able to get fair seats outside the reserved area. I don't think that you will have any problem getting a seat in September (we were there last year in September) if you get there 45 minutes or so early.

Good luck!

 

[Praying Colonel]

I am trying to decide on a good TS or CS at MGM. Currently we have the F! package at Mama Melrose but the more I read, the more I am considering cancelling it. I hear the preferred seating isn't really necessary for F! as there are lots of good seats.

I don't want to do the Brown Derby because it's 2 TS. A CS would be okay too.

for any insights.

I agree the FDP isn't necessary unless you're going at a crazy time of the year, like Christmas or Easter.

If it were me, I'd eat at one of the Boardwalk restaurants like Spoodles. IMHO it's better than any of the other 1 TS restaurants in MGM and is within walking distance.

 

[Magical JenK]

Thanks for posting this thread! I'm glad to hear so many good things about 50s. We're going in September & I decided to change up a couple of our ADRs. We had Momma's FDP, but we thought 50s Primetime would be fun to try. I was a little worried about not having the reserved seats, but then realized that after dinner we usually just walk around (in NO mood for TOT that's for sure) anyway. So we could easily just get to the theater a little earlier than we normally do w/FDP. Can't wait!!

 

[rentayenta]

"I really love a good server, makes the meal so enjoyable! Thanks for the tip. BTW, your wedding photo is beautiful! "


Thank You, glad I could help u out.

Me too!

For us it's a combination of the food and the fun, 50's atmosphere that we love. We love the fried chicken, the meatloaf, the pot roast, and the steaks. All delicious!

The S'mores is also delicious!

I did like MM too but I like the food options a little better at 50's.

Good luck!

My kids love fried chicken and places that serve it seem limited in WDW. I am totally leaning towards 50's!

Sci~fi is our favorite. The entire family always enjoys it there and looks foward to going. For CS we always go to Pizza Planet

It seems to be a favorite here! We will definetly be hitting up Pizza Planet. My son is a Buzz fanatic and would never forgive us if we missed it!

We were at MM on July 4. We ate there because of the Fantasmic reserved seating. The food was just average, -- I could not believe that bread was not provided at an Italian Restaurant -- had to ask for some to go with my soup, but did not receive it until right before the main course. Let me say this -- I had a counter service pasta meal later in the week at Pop Century that was better than MM.

No bread? How silly! You have to have bread at an Italian restaurant! I really hate poor service too. I was a server all through my undergraduate and know the importance and value of a good server.

Of course, everyone has tough nights, but the restaurant was not overly busy. It was about an hour before we received our main course and almost 25 minutes between the appetizer (soup) and the main course. I felt that was way too long.

That's really inexcusable especially if it wasn't busy. Did you talk with a manager?

I doubt that we will go there again. Now Fantasmic was packed (July 4), but we were able to get fair seats outside the reserved area. I don't think that you will have any problem getting a seat in September (we were there last year in September) if you get there 45 minutes or so early.

Good luck!

Thanks! Even though DH really likes the menu I am truly afraid the poor service will undo any good that's done by even the best menu. I really appreciate your help!

I agree the FDP isn't necessary unless you're going at a crazy time of the year, like Christmas or Easter.

If it were me, I'd eat at one of the Boardwalk restaurants like Spoodles. IMHO it's better than any of the other 1 TS restaurants in MGM and is within walking distance.

The Boardwalk is within walking distance? What other TS or good CS are there?

Thanks for posting this thread! I'm glad to hear so many good things about 50s. We're going in September & I decided to change up a couple of our ADRs. We had Momma's FDP, but we thought 50s Primetime would be fun to try. I was a little worried about not having the reserved seats, but then realized that after dinner we usually just walk around (in NO mood for TOT that's for sure) anyway. So we could easily just get to the theater a little earlier than we normally do w/FDP. Can't wait!!

Sounds like a great plan!


I am really interested in the finding out more about food on the Boardwalk!

 

[mstew99]

I saw Fantasmic last year on Labor Day (Sept. 4th) and i'd say the stadium was only maybe filled up 25%. I don't think catching this show is too hard during the off season. I'll be trying mama melroses for my first time this year too, without the package. I'm hoping it's good, even though looking at the menu on here i'm debating changing.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

We did the Fantasmic package last week -- we did ours at Hollywood and Vine (I waited too long to book it and that was all that was available). When we went to Fantasmic, our seats were on the far left side of the ampitheatre. I didn't think they were great seats, personally. The night we went the show got cancelled due to weather (15 minutes before it was supposed to start) so we ended up going back the next night to see it. We didn't have the package the next night but our seats were much better than the seats we had the night before with the package. We got there about an hour early and had no problem getting good seats. The ampitheatre ended up being completely full so I would definitely try to be there at least 40 minutes early.

As for H&V, it's just a standard buffet and really wasn't anything special...I certainly didn't think it was worth the regular price (I'm glad we were on the DDP)...my favorite thing there was the desserts! Next time we go I'll skip the dinner package and just go to the show.