Why is Hollywood Brown Derby a Signature???

[minniebride]

We have never eaten there, but according to the Disney Dining Reservations Page, it's considered "$$" and a signature, yet the food prices look comparable to a regular sit down meal.

Is it really worth 2 credits??

 

[rlovew]

It has a more upscale atmosphere than the other places in that park. Unless you are looking at the lunch menu its prices are also higher. DH and I really enjoy it but have never used dining credits on it. I love getting the cobb salad as my meal and I think it is now an app so it isn't available on the regular dining plan and I wouldn't think it was worth the price I was paying. In general on the basic dining plan a signature is never a great value for your money.

 

[MJMcBride]

it does tend to be more upscale than other park restaurants. I like it a lot, but it is pricey.

 

[MelissathePooh]

no.

 

[BriarRosie]

I did the DDP last July for the first time (and possibly the last time) because normally I usually pay out of pocket and have Tables in Wonderland card at my disposal.

Because my friends and I were familiar with WDW restaurants, and the DDP, we knew we wanted to pay OOP for Brown Derby at lunch instead of using the DDP credits. Especially if you're getting the lunch salads as meals.

 

[KevGuy]

The Brown Derby is fantastic and the service there is unbelievable. We celebrated our anniversary there last year. there was free champaign, free anniversary cake, so many little touches that truly make it magical to eat there especially celebrating something. We go there EVERY trip now and wouldn't miss it. It is very expensive make no mistake, but to us it is worth every penny and to top it off the food is by far the best at DHS and would give any of the other signatures a run for their money as well.

 

[Pakey]

While HBD is a very nice restaurant and I like it much better than about half of the other "signatures" I would never ever ever use dining plan credits to dine here. It's not a good value on the plan. We pay OOP when we dine here.

 

[mjp12831]

While HBD is a very nice restaurant and I like it much better than about half of the other "signatures" I would never ever ever use dining plan credits to dine here. It's not a good value on the plan. We pay OOP when we dine here.

Agree with this 1000% - decent place, terrible value for 2ts credits.

 

[Agri]

We have never eaten there, but according to the Disney Dining Reservations Page, it's considered "$$" and a signature, yet the food prices look comparable to a regular sit down meal.

Is it really worth 2 credits??

No, but honestly, most of the signatures aren't when you compare the value to paying OOP. You could use those two TS credits for two different breakfast buffets and you'll get more out of your DP than if you use two credits for most of the signature restaurants.

The reason The Brown Derby is considered a signature has a lot to do with the fact that its a very unique restaurant/dining experience - most of the original restaurants in the iconic chain no longer exist.

The other reason is that its the only restaurant anywhere close to qualifying as a Signature in that park.

When it first opened years ago, there was a strict dress code in place and a lot more was made out of the entire experience. Despite the prices it had all the feel of a Signature restaurant. While its much more convenient to downgrade the dress code, it really took away from the 'Hollywood' experience.

 

[catne]

well,I would say it really depends on what you're planning to eat there.

We ate there in January on the Fantasmic package, and we happily would pay 2 credits again to eat there, The food & service was excellent, and we thought it was well worth the 2 credit/signature status.

Now sure, if you're just eating salads would not be good use of 2 credits per person ($50 salads, lol)...but if you're using credits on the Deluxe dining (or on the FAntasmic package), you're getting appetizer, entree, dessert & drink. So you wouldn't just be eating salads, I don't think.

If you just want the cobb salad & a glass of ice tea, then no, don't use your dining credits.

But if you're planning on eating per the Deluxe dining plan then it's well worth it.

 

[kermit116]

I would not use 2 dining credits on HBD. The food is good, and the atmosphere is nice and relaxing - it's actually a welcome break from all the theme park dining. But I don't think it's worth 2 dining credits unless you are committed to getting the most expensive thing on the menu. I usually get the (famous) cobb salad when I eat there, so if you go that route, I agree with the prior post saying you should just pay cash. On the bright side, since it's a signature restaurant that doesn't cater to kids (i.e. it's not a character meal), it can be a nice break if you want a non-theme park dining experience without leaving the parks.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

The worst service I have ever had in Dis was twice at BD(in fact the only "bad" service),food is decent and atmosphere is as well.I would not consider it signature by any strech of the imagination.

 

[mountdew1]

As a PP has said, it is signature in quality, both of service and food, when compared to the other restaurants in DHS. It has a more upscale dining feel to it, not so much a comfort food feel to the menu. Is it signature, especially when comapared to Jiko, California Grill and the like? Not really. But it is well above the normal park restaurant.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Lots of theories.
2) But, here's the skinny
. . . DDP allows only a specific pre-set amount of reimbursement
. . . Brown Derby needs more than DDP allows
. . . DDP had to declare 2TS to adequately reimburse
. . . if not, Brown Derby would not sign the DDP contract
. . . it would be the only eatery (other than Bistro) in a park not on DDP *
. . . so either they cut down the menu or not be listed as DDP
. . . this could not be accepted by WDW
. . . thus, it was declared "Signature" and allowed 2TS for profits


NOTE1: Bistro was allowed to not be on DDP because Chefs was on DDP. Since France eateries are not owned by Disney, they could negotiate any way they wished.

NOTE2: This comes from a person involved with the annual negotiations for DDP contracts with eateries. This person also has knowledge of the non-Disney-owned eatery contracts for DDP/DxDP/Premium/Platinum.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Back in the day you could almost always count on seeing a "celebrity" eating at HBD (like in the first couple of years it was open). As a senior in high school in 1991 we saw Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam there at lunch. Have seen a few others there in the past as well.

In the last 10 years or so I've had more lack luster meals there than good. I have had HORRIBLE service on more than one occasion. Just a lack of organization - 20 minutes to get a water and be greeted kind of thing. We only ever pay OOP there. I always want it to be good - as its the only somewhat decent place at DHS, so we go and spend $100 for lunch and walk out melancholy at best.

Food is subjective, but I can verify poor service on several occasions.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

We enjoyed a very nice fantasmic dinner and a lunch at Brown Derby in Dec. 2010. Great service, delicious food. I had an oyster-brie cheese soup that was unique and delicious. And my black grouper entree was fabulous.

Definitely a better restaurant than your 1 credit options in Hollywood Studios. Twice as good? I don't know, I'm a simple person and was happy with 50s Prime Time. Brown Derby's food quality was a LOT better. I didn't really care for SciFi (but like the movies and car theme) or Mama Melrose.

Worth it? For 2 adults and 1 child, our bill was $140 not including tip. Flying Fish Cafe, California Grill, and Narcoosees waas $165-180 each. That's for appetizers, entrees, desserts, no alcohol. And we tend to order the more expensive entrees because we like seafood (and DW likes steak). Artist Point and Citricos are lower priced restaurants (compared to other signatures).

Read my reviews for more info... and have a great trip!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

If you are on the regular dining plan than the better value is to Pay OOP.

This is a must do for us every trip as it fits into the older pre-hat old Hollywood feel of the park.

I will say the DH thought the steak at DH best of trip and he orders steak everywhere including Narcosee's, Le Cellier and Yachtsman.

I love the oyster brie soup which is seasonal.

 

[psac]

I will say the DH thought the steak at DH best of trip and he orders steak everywhere including Narcosee's, Le Cellier and Yachtsman.

I also think the 8 oz filet at HBD is the best in WDW, and I've tried steaks at almost every restaurant except Yachtsman. For $40, it could be "worth" two credits, but compared to the $50+ entrees at Narcoossee's, it comes up short, purely in price. The appetizers here are great, as are the desserts, except for that super tart grapefruit cake.

Personally I would say it's worth two credits on the DxDP, where you have credits coming out of your nose. On the regular DDP, the credits are better spent elsewhere, and eat here OOP.

 

[ready4mouse]

When you eat here with the F!package, do you pay a set price, or simply order off the menu and receive F!tickets?

 

[cdtommie]

We used to go to this place pretty much every trip for lunch...now it's the same menu (and prices) for lunch and dinner so we haven't been back in a couple of years.