Which Restaurant should I choose?

[Bricket]

For the Fantasmic! Dining Package.
Our trip is scheduled 11/7-17. We have 3 adults and one 7 yr old daughter and a 17yr old son.

We've been reading about Minnie's Holiday Dine at H&V and that sounds fun. We've been to H&V before with Nickelodeon character buffet and enjoyed it.

Never been to Mama Melrose, but we've also never heard anything good about it.

We've been to the BD and would rather do something different.

So do we try Mama Melrose and hope for a good experience? I need to look up the menu, but if I remember correctly it's strictly and Italian menu, correct?

or

Do we stick to what we know we enjoyed in the past (H&V) and check out the new (to us anyway) Holiday Dining and Characters? Goofy as Santa?! My daughter would love this!

Is there anything going on at BD that I'm not aware of during this time?

 

[DizDaD7]

For the Fantasmic! Dining Package.
Our trip is scheduled 11/7-17. We have 3 adults and one 7 yr old daughter and a 17yr old son.

We've been reading about Minnie's Holiday Dine at H&V and that sounds fun. We've been to H&V before with Nickelodeon character buffet and enjoyed it.

Never been to Mama Melrose, but we've also never heard anything good about it.

We've been to the BD and would rather do something different.

So do we try Mama Melrose and hope for a good experience? I need to look up the menu, but if I remember correctly it's strictly and Italian menu, correct?

or

Do we stick to what we know we enjoyed in the past (H&V) and check out the new (to us anyway) Holiday Dining and Characters? Goofy as Santa?! My daughter would love this!

Is there anything going on at BD that I'm not aware of during this time?

BD is a lot more expensive..Keep that in mind...H&V Is fair..Nothing bad nothing great..Good interaction though....This is what I saw from Pete & the boyz..

 

[Hopefully]

Mama Melrose. I will never return to H&V

 

[SaraSpringsIsHome]

We had a great experience in Nov ‘16 at Mama Melrose. The strip steak was quite tasty!

We enjoyed it so much that my DH requested it again, and we have Mama Melrose F! package booked for our upcoming January trip.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Only been to Mama Melrose once, and that was maybe 5 years ago, but we enjoyed it and would go again.

 

[ilovevacation]

Mama Melrose. I will never return to H&V

I could say the exact opposite. Our mama Melrose meal was probably the worst of many, many disney meals over the years. We did minnie's holiday dine a few years ago and we were very pleasantly surprised with the food. The squash soup was delicious and the character interaction was the best!

 

[Disneylover99]

It's been over a year ago, so my review is probably not worth much, but I really enjoyed H&V much more than Mama Melrose.

 

[sanapp]

I am not a fan of Dining in HS. I usually choose HBD as I think it is better than the rest!

 

[B-Ride]

If money isn't a concern I would say Brown Derby. If it is I would choose Mama Melrose. That said if you like H&V then why not unless you would like to try something new. How is that for a wishy washy response.

 

[Tksolomom]

I think you should do H&V since you enjoy the food and would like to see the characters in their costumes. HBD is good but expensive (if you are on the dining plan it is 2 credits). I haven’t tried MM but it can be slow based on the reviews I have seen. Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[gharter]

Brown Derby would be my first choice. However, since you want something different, i would pick Moma Melrose. We have not had a bad meal there. The atmosphere inside is nice. Ate there in April and were not disappointed.

 

[2hapykdz]

For the Fantasmic! Dining Package.
Our trip is scheduled 11/7-17. We have 3 adults and one 7 yr old daughter and a 17yr old son.

We've been reading about Minnie's Holiday Dine at H&V and that sounds fun. We've been to H&V before with Nickelodeon character buffet and enjoyed it.

Never been to Mama Melrose, but we've also never heard anything good about it.

We've been to the BD and would rather do something different.

So do we try Mama Melrose and hope for a good experience? I need to look up the menu, but if I remember correctly it's strictly and Italian menu, correct?

or

Do we stick to what we know we enjoyed in the past (H&V) and check out the new (to us anyway) Holiday Dining and Characters? Goofy as Santa?! My daughter would love this!

Is there anything going on at BD that I'm not aware of during this time?

We've ONLY ever gone to Mama Melroses for the FDP....and IT"S ALWAYS BEEN FANTASTIC!!! With that being said....I think they changed it ....you used to get an app...an entree and a dessert....I think they chopped off the app. Sucks...cause I'd go with 4 and we'd get 4 apps and the other 3 barely picked at the apps....so I literally rolled out of that meal!!!!!LOL

 

[crabbygal902]

I must say you threw me with the Nickelodeon buffet comment and I assume you’re talking about Disney Jr!

MM is one of the best dining experiences we’ve had at Disney and that comparison comes from 14 years of regular visits, multiple times a year. I couldn’t believe it, either.

I booked it as a part of an F! Package and was not excited about it at all, I chose the lesser of 2 evils. We were blown away and wouldn’t hesitate to go back.

 

[AlVan]

I had a fantastic experience at Mama Melrose fairly recently.

 

[SweetSerenity]

We did the Fantasmic package with Mama Melrose our last trip and really enjoyed it. I love all types of Italian foods, but sometimes I like to keep it simple and order chicken parmigiana. It's a classic dish, but that doesn't mean it's always done well. I really love theirs. The chicken it moist and tender, and not thin and dried out. My husband liked the calamari appetizer that came with the package, and the dessert trio was fun. We have not been to Brown Derby, but we are not fans of Hollywood and Vine. If you enjoy it, though, and that's what you think is best for your group then stick to that.

 

[reluctantredhead]

We actually love Mama Melrose, and it's a must-do for us on every trip! Had our first meal there in 1994 and have returned nearly every year since...twice already this year. We also have it booked for our upcoming Christmas trip.

We've only been to H&V once, about 10 years ago, and we all (party of 5) thought the food was terrible and the restaurant was very noisy, and I personally thought that the restaurant wasn't very clean. Having said all that, I have read very positive reviews of Minnie's Seasonal Dine, even from a few people who, like me, didn't enjoy their other experiences at H&V. Given that, and the fact that you have a 7 year old, I would see if your family is interested in meeting the characters that will be at Minnie's, and if they are then book that and give it a shot. But if the characters don't matter to your family, I'd consider giving MM a shot.

HTH!