Tell me which Fantasmic Dining Restaurant to go to!

[ColoradoLime]

I really want to do the Fantasmic Dining Package as its the one show DD has been waiting years to see so I don't want to take any chances with not seeing it and standing in line for 90 mins isn't how I want to spend my vacation.

However NONE of the particpating restaurants appeal to me. I'm hoping to get some input from those that have actually eaten there. Please give me your thoughts.

Brown Derby - Just looks too "fifi" for us
Hollywood & Vine - Didn't really want to do another buffet
Mama Melrose - Maybe the menu online isn't really the full menu, but it reads as if the only kid's choices are either spaghetti and mac & cheese.

 

[skeletor40]

Brown Derby. The atmosphere is kind of intimidating but their Cobb salad is awesome. Plus you can make it a game of identifying all those caricatures on the wall. It's a great way of ending your day at Hollywood Studios and getting you ready for Fantasmic.

 

[KatMark]

We've done all three. You could not pay us to go to H&V ever again (two horrible experiences--terrible service, lousy food, filthy tables and bathroom); Brown Derby--went for lunch and service was terrible and there were only five or six tables occupied; food mediocre at best and DH did not like the grapefruit cake at all--and believe me, my man loves his desserts. It is definitely not worth two table service credits. Mama Melrose is not gourmet by any means, but we have always had good food and good service. Unfortunately, the Studios is seriously lacking in food options and food that is good.

 

[ChelleinNC]

Brown Derby is one of our favorite restaurants on all of property It's a nice restaurant, but not overly stuffy or fancy schmancy. It is a Signature restaurant, but it is in a themepark which makes it more casual. Food is wonderful and the service is excellent! The Cobb Salad is excellent, for entrees I love the salmon & the grouper, DH has loved everything that he's tried (ahi tuna, salmon, venison) and DD15 loves loves loves the roasted pork rib chop! DS11 has told the head Chef that they have the best hot dog on Disney property DH & DD love the grapefruit cake for dessert, I love the flourless chocolate cake and if they have the pumpkin cheesecake on the menu make sure someone gets it, so you can have a taste it's really good DS loves the kids hidden treasure dessert and the creme brulee on the adult menu.

If you still don't think HBD is for you, look again at Mama Melrose's. I'm not sure what kids menu you saw, but here's a link to the menu from Aug 08. There's a grilled fish of the day, grilled chicken strips, cheese or pepperoni pizza or spaghetti.

Hollywood & Vine is the only Disney restaurant that I will never go back to.

HTH

 

[twokids0204]

I haven't eaten at any... but from my personal (and current) experience... for the Fantasmic Package... you take the one you can get!

For Mid March when I am going.. they are ALL fully booked, and have been for 2 weeks.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

We like Mama Melrose the best of the 3. I actually didn't care for my food at the Brown Derby and H&V felt like a crowded, rushed experience for us. I wish 50's PT and Sci-Fi were regularly on the Fantasmic Plan. My kids always want to eat at both, and we usually just do one day at DHS.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

I wasn't really wanting a buffet, but didn't want Italian, so I had a early early supper ADR at H&V Buffet.

Thought it was great...I ate only as much as I wanted, without being a pig! This was mid Sep, and the service was great....the waiter glanced at my table every time he went by. The selection was good. I realized after that it was nice to have my food as soon as I decided what I wanted, instead of then waiting for the kitchen to prepare it!

Was thrilled with the show, although, boy!, was it ever a long walk from the Reserved Seating entry to the seats!

 

[mdelano4]

Mama Melrose for us. Liked the food very much. Forget H&V. Agree with the other post about the bad food and filth. There's a post on the review board you may want to read on that. Never tried Brown Derby, menu doesn't appeal to DW.

 

[stepdisney]

We've done MM and H&V. We liked H & V even though they get a bad rap. We booked it during free dining and after reading the reviews I wanted to switch to MM and couldn't get in. We decided to keep it and we had a very good experience. Like PP said, it was great to get in and eat right away. The food was good, just like Chef Mickey for us. I'd eat at either if it meant not having to stand in line to get into Fantasmic show.

 

[colinsdad]

We like (not love) Mama Melrose's.

We do the DDP, so we won't cough up the 2TS for any restaurants as it's an unwise use of our credits. So that drops HBD out immediately. As for H&V, we do like the Play 'N Dine BF (and have done it our last 2 trips) so we'd prefer not to repeat a location. I've read the dinner isn't all that great, so we stick to what we know.

I wish they offered Sci Fi or 50 PTC for Fantasmic, but there's a reason for that. They're trying to fill up the ones that aren't as popular at times that aren't popular (dinner at 4:40 or the like).

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We did MM for the Fantasmic dining package last year and liked it. My husband and I also ate at MM for lunch on another trip. Both times we had good service and good food.

Like a PP, if we're on the DDP, we don't use 2 TS credits for one meal. We're stingy!

We ate at H&V for the character breakfast and did not like it, so we have not been back for the dinner.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I haven't done MM, in fact haven't done the Fantasmic Package. We have eaten at H&V but only for lunch. We felt that the food was fine. Great selection, and tasted good. Not 5star but we were not expecting that nor paying for it. We are going back this time (again for the characters) but I'm certainly not dreading it, in fact quite looking forward to it.

 

[twinklebug]

Mama Melrose is our favorite of the three. The Fantasmic dinner package however gives us too much food and for the price we always feel like we need to eat it.

I was considering skipping the FDP this time around, but since I've heard Fantasmic will not be offered everyday we might just need it.