My MGM Dilemma - Dining Experts Wanted!

[andrews1]

OK, Saturday of our September trip we're going to MGM. Might not go early, I don't see this park taking us all day, but we do want to see Fantasmic at 8 pm.

The dilemma is this: I've currently got an ADR for Sci Fi at 6:05 pm. I've read, of course, that the food isn't the greatest, but it does look like a fun place. DH & I are cracked up by the b-movie, MST3K type stuff, so I think the atmosphere would be right up our alley.

But, of course, now I'm second guessing myself, as I was just reading in another post that it only takes 10-15 minutes to get from MGM to some of the resorts, and we could get an ADR at one of the resort restaurants that's close. I don't want to feel like I wasted a TS getting too bad of food.

Here's where I need help:

1) Is it feasable to leave MGM, have dinner (we don't mind eating at maybe 5 or so), and get back to MGM in time to get seats for Fantasmic? I know Sept is slower, but we'll still need to be there for seats 1/2 hour early, right?

2) If yes, where do we go that's quick to get to, either by boat or bus? Another post said the boats only take 10-15 minutes to get to some of the resorts (which ones?) but I was looking on the Our Laughing Place transportation wizard and to some of the same ones they mentioned it said the boat was 20 - 27 minutes. HELP!!??

3) Is this worth the hassle? Which restaurant would make it worth the hassle?

Sorry this is so long, I REALLY appreciate any help you can offer.

Oh, and I only want to use 1TS, since we're doing our 2TS later in the week.

 

[sandybobandy]

I can try to help!

You're going to get a billion different reviews on any given restaurant, but if you're into MST3K, I think you'd have a blast at sci-fi. Like anywhere, food can be hit and miss but your overall experience could be one of the best of your trip!

Anyway, you would certainly have enough time if you went to, say, the Boardwalk for dinner and made it back to MGM for Fantasmic by 8 (or is the show at 8:30?). We love the ESPN Club at the BW. You could also try the Big River Brewery or Spoodles for dinner. It's an easy walk back to MGM.

It's of course up to you, but I'd go ahead and keep Sci Fi. I think you guys would have a lot of fun there.

Good luck and have fun!
Sandy

 

[NYDisneyDude]

I'm not a big fan of Sci Fi. We like to take the boat from Disney Studios to the Boardwalk, Swan/Dolphin, Yacht/Beachclub area. It's a short boat ride and you will have maybe the best selection of restaurants on property ... ESPN Club, Flying Fish, Shula's Steakhouse, Yacht Club Galley, Yachtsmen Steakhouse, etc., etc., etc. If you don't want to leave Disney Studios, try the Hollywood Brown Derby, another fine restaurant.

 

[TigerKat]

Another vote for Boardwalk restaurants!

 

[Jrabbit910]

STAY W/ SCIFI.... we had a blast... they have great burgers & shakes.... its a fun drive in!!!!

 

[CAJUNBLAZE]

What is MST3K type stuff?

 

[sandybobandy]

MST3K was an old tv show...kinda hard to explain if you don't know what it is. lol I'm sure if you googled it you'd find it

Sandy

 

[BCV23]

If you are allowing one day for the Studios, I would stick with your reservation and Sci-Fi especially since you enjoy that genre...if that's what MST3K means.

Mama Melrose is our favorite 1 TS restaurant at MGM personally. We also love Brown Derby but it is two credits as are Yachtsman's and Flying Fish in the resort area.

There are no buses from Disney Studios to the Epcot resorts. Swan/Dolphin are the first stop by boat and probably are 10 minutes after a boat arrives and loads. But the restaurants there are not on the DDP. You can walk to the BW area in perhaps 15 minutes but it is still hot and humid in Sept so why not make life easier and stay put in the park.

If you do stick with your reservation, I would make sure to show up a bit early as I think your timing might be tight.

 

[mrslur]

Maybe it would help readers to know that MST3K stands for Mystery Science Theatre 3000.

 

[Snow_White]

Stick with Sci-Fi. The atmosphere can't be beat; it is certainly one of a kind. The food isn't gourmet, but it's good if you stick to the basics. AWESOME onion rings and milkshakes!!!!

 

[kato0627]

I would head over to the ESPN club or Brew Pub if you want a quick meal. If you want a nice sit down, Yacht Club Galley is good. If you want more upscale but still casual, Yachtsman is good. Either way, you can't go wrong.
We just did Prime Time on Sunday. It was ok, but not worth the 40 min wait with ADR's

 

[stitchlover]

Have you considered the Mama Melrose Fantasmic Dinner Package? Then you have seats at the show and don't have to wait in as long a line. We did that in March and really enjoyed it. In '06 we never even made it into Fantasmic because we just didn't see our 10 yo DD waiting 1-1/2 hours for seating and the show to begin. I give MM at MGM thumbs up!

 

[TreslovesWDW]

I would stay with Sci-Fi , we had a great time there and had a great server. The food was good , you should try it at least once. If you want to see the show after you eat I would not try running somewhere else and chance missing it.

 

[princess-rn]

I would suggest staying with the Sci Fi..we were nervous about it too but ended up loving it. Or you could (as suggested above) make a Fantasmic Dinner Package ressie at Mama Melrose, Hollywood and Vine or Brown Derby. The Sci Fi really isn't as bad as some people say. (at least it wasn't for us)

 

[pooch]

ESPECIALLY if you're a fan of MST3K (I love it, it's SOOO cheesy!) Although not listed on the dinner menu, you can get a burger and I think they're the best on property! DH had a shrimp & penne pasta dish he loved.

Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere!!! The food is good and the atmosphere is fun. I wouldn't waste time leaving MGM.