Please Rate Hollywood Studios Dining

[DisneyBugs]

We're heading down to WDW in about 2 months. DH getting "iffy" on Prime Time 50's -- we've always had fun there, but he wants to try something different.

We're on the dining plan, this would be for a table service meal -- lunch or dinner doesnt' matter. Party of 10 (4 adults, 6 children ranging in ages from 16 to 4).

Which of these 3 would be your first pick? Sci-Fi, Brown Derby or Mama Melrose's?

If there's an out-of-park restaurant that is close to Hollywood Studios, please recommend one! We'd plan to go back for Fantasmic.

Thanks!!

 

[bytheblood]

Disney Studios really needs to do something about their dining options, there is just not a lot that is good to choose from. Mama Melrose is okay, but not great. Brown Derby is the best option IMO.

 

[disneymagic12]

Personally, I would choose Sci-Fi. I have not been impressed with either the Brown Derby or Mama Melrose in the past. I think the Sci-Fi food is good for what it is and I LOVE the theming. If there are kids in your group of 10 I would definitely go with Sci-Fi.

 

[KatMark]

We eat at Mama Melrose every trip. Not gourmet food, but we've always had a good meal and good service. We were disappointed in Brown Derby and my DH hated the grapefruit cake (said it was the worse thing he had ever tasted in his life). We thought of giving it a second try, but the cost and having to use two table service credits when on the dining plan has stopped us from doing so--too many other places we enjoy that we'd rather dine at. The Studios definitely need more options.

 

[DisneyBugs]

funny you guys said... I've never heard anyone impressed or happy with the BD.
I agree that park needs more dining options. Thanks for the input!

 

[disneyquilter]

Sci-Fi is a must do for us every trip, just for the atmosphere. We love the cars, the B-movie clips and how it makes you feel like you are outside on a summer night at the Drive In.

We have done both lunch and dinner and prefer lunch. Dinner is sub-par, lunch (in our opinion) is better. Like I said earlier, we go mostly for the fun atmosphere.

Mama Melrose always has had poor service for my family, so we have never returned.

Never been to Brown Derby, although we have plans to go for lunch on our next trip because of the DxDDP.

I hope this helps

 

[disneymagic12]

Sci-Fi is a must do for us every trip, just for the atmosphere. We love the cars, the B-movie clips and how it makes you feel like you are outside on a summer night at the Drive In.

We have done both lunch and dinner and prefer lunch. Dinner is sub-par, lunch (in our opinion) is better. Like I said earlier, we go mostly for the fun atmosphere.

Mama Melrose always has had poor service for my family, so we have never returned.

Never been to Brown Derby, although we have plans to go for lunch on our next trip because of the DxDDP.

I hope this helps

We've also only ever been to Sci-Fi for lunch and it's also a must-do for us. I have no idea about dinner.

 

[JeffZ]

How about 50's PT? We are going in Sept. and have an ADR. But we have never been . Is it worth it??

 

[Brer Shay]

Brown Derby is overpriced for okay food. Sci-Fi is hit or miss and would probably be a little tough for your party size. MamaMelrose has decent food - we've had nice meals there. Service can be slow though.

 

[hotdogmj71]

You can take the boat launch to Boardwalk, Dolphin, Swan areas also. My son love to ride the boat.

 

[DisneyBugs]

How about 50's PT? We are going in Sept. and have an ADR. But we have never been . Is it worth it??

50's PT is a lot of fun! definately a dining experience. you should do it at least once...and be sure to eat all your veggies and keep your elbows off the table.

 

[GoofyKidd]

Mama Melrose is the worst meal we have ever eaten at WDW!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

We're heading down to WDW in about 2 months. DH getting "iffy" on Prime Time 50's -- we've always had fun there, but he wants to try something different.

We're on the dining plan, this would be for a table service meal -- lunch or dinner doesnt' matter. Party of 10 (4 adults, 6 children ranging in ages from 16 to 4).

Which of these 3 would be your first pick? Sci-Fi, Brown Derby or Mama Melrose's?

If there's an out-of-park restaurant that is close to Hollywood Studios, please recommend one! We'd plan to go back for Fantasmic.

Thanks!!

Well I love Prime Time good food and fun & Mama Melrose good food they r must do's for us. Now Si-Fi for years was a must do but now it's a NO WAY! The menu has changed and not for the better. In my opinion.

 

[AJA55]

Different strokes for different folks. IMO.......While the Brown Derby is not as excellent as is use to be, we still love the food and ambiance. It’s the only ‘not to be missed” place we eat. Mama Melrose has been consistently ordinary. SciFi is good for an afternoon sweet treat….only….

 

[tarheelmjfan]

funny you guys said... I've never heard anyone impressed or happy with the BD.
I agree that park needs more dining options. Thanks for the input!

Have your read the HBD reviews from the past few months? I've read reviews from people who ate at more than 1 signature restaurant & HBD was their favorite. We ate there several years ago, & weren't thrilled with it. We all got sick shortly afterwards, but that could have had nothing to do with our meal there. We'll be trying it again in Oct. It seems the poor reviews have more to do with it not being a perceived "good value" than the food being subpar. We base our choices on food quality not value. Then again, we don't use the DDP. FWIW, we didn't like the grapefruit cake either. It just didn't suit our palate. Most people love it though.

We're also having lunch at Sci-fi. It will be our 1st time trying it, so I can't really offer an opinion.

 

[Madi100]

I voted for Mama Melrose's because that's MY favorite. DH and I ate there, and it was our favorite meal. He put it on his list for everytime. Everytime until we took DD there. Who knew that only having one red crayon for her to use was going to set her off???? Her behavior completely ruined the meal. And, it wasn't that she was HORRIBLE. We just sat next to a couple. And, the tables are arranged that you are pretty close to the people next to you. If you are there for romance and the table next to you is a family, it can affect your experience. So now, when we have our kids, we don't go there.

 

[danielle782001]

How about 50's PT? We are going in Sept. and have an ADR. But we have never been . Is it worth it??

50s and Sci-Fi are the only two places we will eat in DHS for now on...We have been to them all more than once in some cases....We will never go back to the others...The food was just yucky at the other two IMO...

We love Sci-Fi...The food is not fancy and the menu is not tremendous but we have enjoyed our food three times in a row...We like simple American food...They have good oinion rings, fries, burgers, chicken sandwiches, spinach dip, and great desserts...The milkshake (included on the dining plan) is so yummy...The atmosphere is great and our kids love it there...They sit so quietly, watch the movies and eat up all their food....

I do not know that I would suggest it for a large group such as the OP described...The cars will separate your party....

50s is a great second choice (or first choice too)....The food is also very simple...They have great fried chicken...The food tastes very homemade...It is very good...The atmosphere is cute....We like the silly behavior of the servers (some do not)...

We are fans of either and think both are great for families!

 

[JMD]

We ate at Mama Melrose recently and was pleasantly suprised. The food was much better than I expected.

We also at Sci-Fi and I thought the food was terrible. I've always been a big fan of Sci-Fi, but I don't think I'll be back.

 

[JeffZ]

Thanks for the info/opinion on 50's PT. I was wavering on keeping our ressies,but it sounds like we'll keep them(it's pretty tough to get a different ADR now anyways--sound like everything is booked for Free dining.)

 

[disneypolybride2008]

Sci-Fi is our must. I love sitting in a car and watching the movie like i'm at the drive in. Their ribs are also really good. It's all i'll ever get.

The BD looks ok, but the prices are not worth the 2 TS. My sister LOVED it there though. We were going to try MM but the menu didnt appeal too much for us.

We either go 50's or Sci-Fi, sometimes both! -one for lunch and one for dinner.