Which Fantasmic Dinner Package to book?

[sandshal]

Second trip to WDW next year and last time managed to miss Fantasmic. This time must do so was hoping to book one of the Fantasmic Dinner Packages - can anyone advise which restaurant is best for 2 adults and 2 children, Hollywood Brown Derby, Hollywood and Vine or the Italian one (sorry can't remember the name!!)? Quality of food and proximity to Fantasmic would be helpful.

Many thanks

 

[kilee]

I'm going to move this to the resturant board- they should be able to help you.

 

[Wendy1953]

All of the restaurants in the package are excellent! It all depends on what you like...the Italian restaurant is Mama Melrose! Have a great time! You are going to love Fantasmic...don't miss it again!

 

[dzneelvr]

Mama's is our favorite of the three...good portion size, wonderful Italian food with specialties of grilled items. Brown Derby is pricier, a bit classier. H&V is a buffet--large selection and dessert bar. Of the three, that was our least favorite (pricey too). You can get on allearsnet.com for exact menus. Mama's is over by Toy Story and the Muppets and will be the longest walk. BD is around the corner from Sunset Blvd and H&V is just down the block. All well within 10 minutes walk....maybe 15 for MM; just never timed it. MM gets my vote.

 

[canwegosoon]

Last year we did H/V...it was ok(buffet seems easier to me with kids). This year we are going to Brown Derby...DH is really into better food, so we are hoping for an improvement.

 

[DreaminDisney]

We have not been to H & V but plan to do that pkg upcoming trip. We did Mama Melrose last time and were very disappointed.

 

[turnlisa]

We did H&V the first time -- hated it! The place was dirty, terrible waitstaff, and food choices not to my DSs liking. Last year we did Brown Derby and loved it! Great food, wonderful service and worth every penny! We will be going back there in February and I can hardly wait. My oldest DS had this on his list of "must do" restaurants.

 

[sandshal]

Thanks everyone for your input - only 11 more days to the 180 day mark for booking PS!!! Can't wait - I'm leaning towards Brown Derby at the moment but is there much for the kids to eat there? Mama Melrose also sounds good but I'm not a great fan of Pizzas

 

[My2Cinderellas]

If you are on the dining plan, Brown Derby takes 2TS credits, Mama Melrose and H&V take 1TS. If I were paying out of pocket, I might try the Brown Derby, but to maximize my TS credits we are going to Mama Melrose since I'm not a buffet person. My DD's love pasta so I know they will eat well at this meal.

 

[Amyrlin]

I have done H&V and BD, I'd go for BD is it is affordable. H&V is the cheapest, but the buffet they offer is avery limited and I din't think the choice was very good at all. The BD was very good, better service and food.

 

[jugglinfish]

BD is one of our favorite restaurants in all of WDW we do the BD Fantasmic package every trip. I highly reccomend it!

 

[Allison]

As you can see, everyone has their favorite.

We chose Hollywood and Vine and thought the food was very good and we had nice service. There was a lot to choose from and everyone got very full. We liked it a lot.

Next year we will do Mama Melrose to try something different.

 

[mom2grace]

If you are on the dining plan, Brown Derby takes 2TS credits, Mama Melrose and H&V take 1TS. If I were paying out of pocket, I might try the Brown Derby, but to maximize my TS credits we are going to Mama Melrose since I'm not a buffet person. My DD's love pasta so I know they will eat well at this meal.

I just booked the BD with the Fantasmic package, and the "package" part makes it not eligible for the dining plan.

 

[DreaminDisney]

I just booked the BD with the Fantasmic package, and the "package" part makes it not eligible for the dining plan.

So if you're doing a Fantasmic Pkg, you have to pay oop, you can't use dining credits for this?

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I just booked the BD with the Fantasmic package, and the "package" part makes it not eligible for the dining plan.

that used to be the case - but as of Sept 1st (I think) it is included on the dining plan. I think the menu restrictions are still applicable, instead of being able to order off the full menu, but you can use dining plan TS credits.

search for old threads, this was discussed extensively when the change came out.

 

[mom2grace]

that used to be the case - but as of Sept 1st (I think) it is included on the dining plan. I think the menu restrictions are still applicable, instead of being able to order off the full menu, but you can use dining plan TS credits.

search for old threads, this was discussed extensively when the change came out.

I searched and the only thing I could fine is that sometimes servers will accept it, on a case by case basis??

This is not mentioned on the Dining Plan brochure from Disney.

Our trip is 5/06.

Thanks!

 

[My2Cinderellas]

Instead of searching through old posts, here's a link to allearsnet about the Fantasmic package

http://www.allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm

 

[disneydreamer98]

We love Mama Melrose and it's always the choice we make. Have never been disappointed!

 

[taimgxe]

We have been to Hollywood and Vine for the last three times that we have visited. each time, the food was very good. There was alot to choose from. Yes, it is a buffet and for some people, a popular choice. However, for us, we had a great time. The steaks have been been very good. I enjoyed the salmon and cold boil shrimp. For families with kids, it's a good option because there are lots of options. I would like to try Mama Melrose and Brown Derby sometime in the future, but for now, Hollywood and Vine is perfect for us.
This last time we visited (March 05) we had my parents, Grandma and Grandpa with us. Grandpa is a very stubborn man and when he doesn't like something with his food, he will let it be known. It's not that he is picky because he is not, it's just that he prefers his food to be prepared correctly. So, needless to say, a buffet restaurant better be clean, service better be good, and the food better be hot and fresh. He was plesantly surprised with the whole package ( including Fantasmic) and I was pleasantly happy.

 

[scootch]

Our H and V dinner was excellant... going again this year.