Why does HBDerby-seem to get less attention than other MGM choices?

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hello everyone.

I was planning to schedule a Fantasmic Package including the Hollywood Brown Derby for our trip in December 12/14-12/20.

I don't really want Hollywood & Vine because I'm just not a big buffet person (We'll probably do Boma because we'll be staying at AKL) and we're probably going to wind up at Tony's despite my reservations about it (see earlier post) so I don't think we would do Mama Melrose especially since my daughter wants to go to lunch at Pizza Planet. I've been to both Sci Fi and 50s Prime Time and really wanted to try Brown Derby this time around (And there not part of the Fantasmic Package anyway-my guess being they don't need the extra business anyway.

The photos of the restaurant look lovely,the menu looks lovely and I love that whole 1930s Hollywood thing but compared to the other MGM restaurants (and a lot of other WDW restaurants) there doesn't seem to be nearly as much feedback (I know there is some-just not nearly as much as some of these other restaurants.)

Does anyone have a sense about this-Is there a mysterious something I should know about before I book it?

I'm very, very curious,
Patricia

 

[Chuck S]

I think it is probably overlooked by a lot of families because it does have a more "adult" atmosphere. It is our favorite studio restaurant.

 

[donaldtutter]

it is also more expensive than the other mgm restaurants which may be too much for some families.

 

[daisyduck123]

It's 2 TS credits on the Dining Plan - - that's why we're not trying it.

 

[japlady]

Personally its one of my very favorite restaurants on 'campus' Every time I go I get the Cobb Salad because its one of the few places on the planet these days where you can get an authentic one. If you didn't know the Cobb salad was invented by a chef at the original brown derby. And Disney still serves it as wriitten.

Now granted, the Derby is a tad more expensive and its a very classy joint, to put it in the vernacular. So maybe it's better suited to adults who crave the ability to really take a step back in time and experience what once was, but isn't that what Disney's original vision was? A place for adults as well as kids?

My favorite experience was once when going in there off season getting a table to myself, relaxing with a fabulous Cobb salad and listening to the wonderful (and rather cute) jazz pianist they had there.

He at a certain point noticed that when he would start a song, usually Cole Porter, Irving Berlin or Gershwin, I would by the end of the first phrase be very quietly singing along as I ate or sipped my wine. And then to my delight he started quizing me, playing a song and checking to see if I was singing the words, and was elated to find I was. At the end of the set he walked over to my table and said, "PLEASE tell me your a local!"

These are the things that I as an adult woman LOVE about disney, the quite moments enjoying the live performances and the great food.

 

[rascalmom]

This is our favorite Studios restaurant & one of our "must-do's" on every trip. We like the relaxed & novel atmosphere, the wonderful food (Cobb Salad!) and the fact that the serve brewed ice tea - not that made-from-syrup stuff that you get at most of the park restaurants.

We've never had a bad meal there & the service has always been great. I wouldn't put in the same category as Jiko or Artist Point, but for a park restaurant it is the near the top.

It is pricier than the others you mentioned, but as we don't do the dining plan, it is well worth it to us.

 

[Snow_White]

It is a WONDERFUL restaurant....their pork entree is simply awesome. However, as someone else noted, it is a 2 TS credit restaurant, which is why you don't hear as much about it (I think). I think it's definitely one of the best park restaurants (out of all 4 parks). Really yummy. They have a yummy "celebration" dessert too, that we've been lucky enough to get twice (once for our engagement, once for our wedding/honeymoon). Love it.

 

[Dizneydaz]

We've eaten there several times (lunch) and here's what I think (for what it's worth) Yes, 2 TS credits is a lot on the DDP, if I'm going to use 2 credits I'll probably do CG. Second, the elegant appearnace may scare off the casual diner, especially with kids, and thirdly, especially for lunch, the menu can be a little, shall I say, adventurous. That being said-we like HBD and my mom LOVES the Cobb salad!

We've always had a good meal, very relaxed. Many times we've made our ADR and been a little early and it's never been a problem. On our last visit-Jan. 06 (No DDP) we had a very accomodating server. We were a party of 5 adults and 1 child. My 2 sisters aren't very adventurous when it comes to dining and didn't find anything they liked on the adult menu, and I wasn't overly hungry. We asked our server (sorry-don't rememer his name) if we could order the kid's menu chicken with red potatoes and green beans. He said, no problem, we could even double or triple the order if we wanted. We decided to go with the single orders. The portion was small, but it turned out to be plenty, along with the bread and butter. The chicken itself was a little plain (since it's for kids) but my niece had ordered the Coconut Shrimp appetizer and we shared her dip-it was delicious (our server offered to get us more but we were fine). So for our party of six we had 4 kids meals, 1 appetizer, and 1 Cobb Salad. Very good, and very reasonable. And yes, the piano player is a nice touch. Our server even took several pictures of us with several of our cameras-again-he was very accomodating. If you're wondering, he charged us the kid's menu price $5.99 each. I don't remember if we paid additional for our drinks-I think we did.

If we decide to dine there in Sept. we'll probably pay out of pocket as it will most likely be for lunch and it won't be worth spending the 6 TS (for 3) since we won't want a huge meal (appetizer, entree, and dessert) early in the day.

 

[sleepydog25]

We did BD with the Fantasmic pkg last year and enjoyed it enough that we'll do the same this year. The food was excellent and the service mostly good (our server got stuck with a party of 20 so he was pushed to the limit). My only complaint about BD is that it can get loud in there. They accomodate large parties quite often, and given that it's in a theme park, then you don't have the quiet ambience of, say, an Artist Point. Nonetheless, we thought highly enough of BD to rebook the Fantasmic pkg again in June.

 

[Snow_White]

We did BD with the Fantasmic pkg last year and enjoyed it enough that we'll do the same this year. The food was excellent and the service mostly good (our server got stuck with a party of 20 so he was pushed to the limit). My only complaint about BD is that it can get loud in there. They accomodate large parties quite often, and given that it's in a theme park, then you don't have the quiet ambience of, say, an Artist Point. Nonetheless, we thought highly enough of BD to rebook the Fantasmic pkg again in June.

You're right--in can get loud. It seems a little quieter if you're able to sit in the upper part of the restaurant, rather in the bowl in the middle of it.

 

[Cookie Princess]

We did BD with the Fantasmic pkg last year and enjoyed it enough that we'll do the same this year. The food was excellent and the service mostly good (our server got stuck with a party of 20 so he was pushed to the limit). we thought highly enough of BD to rebook the Fantasmic pkg again in June.

I am glad to hear this as we just booked the BD Fantasmic package after much family debate. I am sure DS (10) will not be thrilled, but DH and I wanted to try it. We are going in August and the less time we spend waiting in lines for shows the better.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Japlady: We saw that pianist several times. Including one of the last nites he was there, when his girlfriend was with him and she got up and sang a # of the songs as he played.
Of course, he's long gone, as is the quiet atmosphere that prevailed at the "pre-Fantasmic " Brown Derby.

AS to the original question--there are a # of posts from time to time about the Derby, and I think on most nites it is crowded. We always enjoy the Cobb Salad and the grapefruit cake. And they have a wonderful pork entree.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We love eating at The Brown Derby. We ate there again last year and enjoyed another wonderful meal. I had the pork tenderloin and it was very good. I always leave room for a slice of Grapefruit cake after dinner.

 

[sleepydog25]

I am glad to hear this as we just booked the BD Fantasmic package after much family debate. I am sure DS (10) will not be thrilled, but DH and I wanted to try it. We are going in August and the less time we spend waiting in lines for shows the better.

Actually, our 5-yr old daughter liked BD just fine. Since it's not mausoleum quiet, then she didn't feel put upon not to speak in a normal voice. There are occasional characters who walk through the restaurant, too. Last time we were there, an Errol Flynn-as-Zorro character was making banter with many tables and providing some amusement. If you take a look at the menu, I'm sure you'll find a few dishes your son will like, as well. As for waiting in line, I'm with you--the less time the better. The Fantasmic seats with this package are on the near side of the amphitheater as you approach, but the sight lines are still wonderful from nearly any seat. Walking up and sitting down right away is VERY appealing to us.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

We're going to book the Brown Derby with the Fantasmic Pkg.

Now I just have to decide between the tuna or the pork tenderloin.

and the Grapefruit cake or something else.....

Patricia

 

[AllAboutPluto]

It's 2 TS credits on the Dining Plan - - that's why we're not trying it.

 

[KarenAylwood]

We're going to book the Brown Derby with the Fantasmic Pkg.

Now I just have to decide between the tuna or the pork tenderloin.

and the Grapefruit cake or something else.....

Patricia

Just booked my FDP for Brown Derby in Sept!!!!