Which restaurant for Fantasmic Dinner Pkg?

[tink2]

We're a family of 11 going to WDW Thanksgiving week 09. Definitely want to see Fantasmic, so I figure it would be best to do the dinner package. We've eaten at H&V a few times and liked it- liked the variety. But, something different might be nice to- plus my mother isn't a big fan of buffets these days. So, which restuarant is your favorite of the three and why?
BTW- there will be kids the ages of 8, 10, 13, and 16 along with 7 adults.

 

[KatMark]

We do Mama Melrose each trip for the Fantasmic Package. You could NOT pay us to go to H&V after two horrible experiences (go to review page and read a recent review). We didn't care all that much for Brown Derby when we went six years ago and definitely do not think it worth two table service credits on the dining plan or the cost off the dining plan.

 

[mdelano4]

Mama Melrose for sure. The other two don't measure up.

 

[tink2]

Bump for more opinions!

 

[pooh2001]

Mama Melrose
Check out their menu. They can also accomodate special diets with 48 hours notice (no salt, gluten free, diabetic,...)

Brown Derby is not exactly kid friendly - nice for adults, but not our kids taste.

Hollywood and Vine - buffet, lots of germs, very busy and loud. The bathroms are shared with 50 Prime Time next door.

 

[txdisneyfam]

We'll be there Thanksgiving 09 too, and are planning on Fantsmic dining package, from what I've seen on the boards and heard, we're doing Mama Melrose!

 

[eagillinois]

We have done this package twice, once with H&V and once with MM, we all agreed MM was our choice when we go back in March. Although I am sure the Brown derby is good, I prefer to use the DDP and can't justify 2 TS Credits for one early early dinner meal.
H&V just wasnt good for us.

 

[msce2]

H&V is not getting very good reviews, and since we'll have 4 kids in our party Brown Derby is out. So we are planning for Mama Melrose's. The menu sounds really yummy too!

 

[plasfam04]

so the fantasmic package still only takes 1 TS unless you do Brown Derby correct? do they give you the ressie time for your dinner or do you have to figure how much time to allow yourself before the show starts? and they give you VIP seats or something too? Sorry for all the questions... we are considering doing it this year. Thanks!

 

[RMulieri]

I have done Mama Melroses in the past.But the fantasmic pkg doesn't guarantee seats anymore.You get the passes for it and still have to line up over an hour before if you want a seat.A lot of people have been complaining on other boards that it was stnading room only or they couldn't even get in.They really do need to put Fantasmic to the way it was...every night.

 

[PrincessMomto2]

I have done Mama Melroses in the past.But the fantasmic pkg doesn't guarantee seats anymore.You get the passes for it and still have to line up over an hour before if you want a seat.A lot of people have been complaining on other boards that it was stnading room only or they couldn't even get in.They really do need to put Fantasmic to the way it was...every night.

From what I understand they hold the seats up to 30 mins before the show. Especially with the reduction of shows I think the pkg is still a great idea. That was always the case they never held the seats forever.

It is better to be there 30 or 40 mins before the show then to have to be there 90 mins.

We are going to Mama Melrose too. The food is ok but the Brown Derby is not worth 2 TS and H&V I have heard horror stories about. Altough I have to admit I have never eaten there.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Mama Melrose isn't even on par with Macaroni Grill or the Olive Garden. Brown Derby is the best restaurant at the Studios.

 

[PrincessMomto2]

Mama Melrose isn't even on par with Macaroni Grill or the Olive Garden. Brown Derby is the best restaurant at the Studios.

I agree with what you are saying on both points I just don't think BD should be 2 TS. But that is just my opinion. If I am going to go to a 2TS resturant there are many others I would choose first. Of course none are in DHS.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Which is unfortunate for Tink2---

 

[MissionMouse]

I would select Brown Derby since we do not do the dining plan, I do not see the OP is doing the DDP, so are money is not converted into Disney meal ticket. If you are doing DDP then I would suggest Mama's.

 

[jmkrat]

I like Brown Derby, but I really liked Mama Melrose much better. They were able to accomodate my special diet with no problem.

 

[tink2]

We are not on the dining plan- we've done two trips without the dining plan and did the math- we came out better both times not paying for it. So, if that makes a difference, would you prefer BD over MM? Are the prices about the same? Thanks for the replies so far, I'm learning a lot!

 

[PrincessMomto2]

We are not on the dining plan- we've done two trips without the dining plan and did the math- we came out better both times not paying for it. So, if that makes a difference, would you prefer BD over MM? Are the prices about the same? Thanks for the replies so far, I'm learning a lot!

Here are the prices for the package for all 3. Yes BD is more expensive all 2TS resturants are.

Hope this helps:

Hollywood Brown Derby at $46.99 for ages 10 and up, $11.99 for ages 3-9

Mama Melrose at $32.99 for ages 10 and up, $11.99 for ages 3-9

Hollywood & Vine at $24.99 for ages 10 and up, $11.99 for ages 3-9

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We think HBD hold it's own with the other signature restaurants. We've have a better meal there than at some of the others. If anything, the menu prices are low for the quality of food. This makes it appear to not be as good a value on DDP.

And OP, if you haven't already guessed, we'd choose HBD.

 

[DisneyFanatic75]

I don't think the BD is all that great. Actually none of the resturants at studios are very good. So, I for one would not spend the extra money on the BD. For so so food you might as well pay less money.

To us the BD doesn't hold a candle to other signature resturants. CG it is not!