Which Fantasmic restaurant would you recommend?

[aes74]

Hello, I think we are going to do the Fantasmic show for the first time. Everyone on the boards seems to recommend the dinner package, and I am not sure which to choose. I have eaten at Mama Melrose's this past October, and we did enjoy it. I've never eaten at H&V, but heard it's terrible. Haven't eaten at Brown Derby, and haven't heard anything about it. What would you recommend? We have three children...10, 7, and 2.

 

[aes74]

Ugh, I think I put this post in the wrong place. Sorry.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Worst seats I've had at F! was the one time I did the dinner. I'd rather stand in line an extra 30 minutes and sit where I want. We ate at H&V and, while not as bad as many on here say, it wasn't great. Our service, however, was. The restaurants they use are the ones that don't fill up usually and need a boost.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

Although we've eaten at MM (food was prefectly fine), we prefer the food at HBD. That said, it may be a long meal for your children. On our DM, we were there for over 2 hours (guess he thought we wanted a very leisurely meal).

As for the seating, we have always used the package and like our seats and not having to wait in a line to get in. I had to leave the theater last time and it was crazy trying to get back in through the mobs of people. Make sure you don't sit too close or you will get wet though, especially on a windy night.

 

[wildcatfan]

We have eaten at both MM and HV for the F! package. I did not like HV at all and I thought MM was pretty good. Since then, I have opt to stand in line because the seats are much better. It is a long wait, especially with little ones. However, I think it is worth every minute of the wait and I would do it again to see the show. I have never eaten at Brown Derby, but I would have a hard time giving up two credits for the meal.

 

[mjp12831]

We've had the dinner package the last 2 years - a pp said he got bad seats, and you can if you wait until the last minute. We were threre around 30 minutes before showtime (July 4th week) and got great seats and both times the reserved section was far from full yet.

HBD is pretty good, but it's a signature (2ts dining credits and probably pricier oop), not quite good enough to be worth the extra ts credit.

H&V was awful the 1x we were there - I compare it to eating at a Golden Corral

MM was ok - I thought the red sauce was pretty poor, but I'm Italian and make good sauce myself, so have high standards. I had a good fish dish and the calimari was good as an app.

So, by default, I'd recommend MM.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

We prefer Mama Melrose. Brown Derby is good but if you aren't on the deluxe plan I would skip it. I really really did not enjoy my meal at Hollywood and Vine and we won't be returning anytime soon.

By the way, if you get to Fantasmic about 40 mins early you will get great seats. Also I have read that you do not have to stick with the reserved section although we always did. Do sit up away from the water. The spray will be cold!