Will I need Fantasmic Package in August? Mama Melrose or H&V

[Mommytobree]

We've been to Disney multiple times-and have never been to Fantasmic. Do you think I'll need to do a Fantasmic dining package in August-we are going late August-Early Sept. Seeing it is a must for me this time. If you think I need a dining package, would you do Mama Melrose or H&V? I only want to do a 1 TS credit meal. Thanks!

 

[koolaidmoms]

I would do MM. We were at H&V in December and it was okay I just think MM is a bit better.

You can read the review I did on my blog (link in signature) under the restaurant review section with a few pictures of our H&V experience.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Mama Melrose! That's exactly what we booked for our F! package, they have great food and we have always had excellent service there. The F! package is price fixed menu so it includes appetizer, entree and dessert for around $33/adults, $13 kids. The regular DDP is accepted there and you will get the appetizer w/ the meal b/c of the price fixed menu.

 

[sharadoc]

I didn't see F! on our August trip, but a friend did. She walked right in the last week of August. A CM told her the park was not crowded enough to fill up the stadium. Those poor people who waited in line!

Based on her experience, I don't even know if you need to do the package, but that's your choice. I haven't eaten at either, but I wouldn't go to H&V for free, based on everything I've heard on here.

 

[Mommytobree]

Mama Melrose! That's exactly what we booked for our F! package, they have great food and we have always had excellent service there. The F! package is price fixed menu so it includes appetizer, entree and dessert for around $33/adults, $13 kids. The regular DDP is accepted there and you will get the appetizer w/ the meal b/c of the price fixed menu.

Is it still 1 TS credit do you know? Thanks!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I didn't see F! on our August trip, but a friend did. She walked right in the last week of August. A CM told her the park was not crowded enough to fill up the stadium. Those poor people who waited in line!

Based on her experience, I don't even know if you need to do the package, but that's your choice. I haven't eaten at either, but I wouldn't go to H&V for free, based on everything I've heard on here.

These results are rare w/ the fewer F! showings and may vary greatly from day to day. We tried to get into F! on 2 nights during our trip from 9/1-9/6 this year (sunday and thursday maybe, this is supposed to be one of the slowest weeks of the year, too) and 30 min before the first show both times they were full, no standing room either, CM's were not allowing entry to the theater at all. One of the nights had a second showing and people were lined up from the first show to wait for the second one, an hour before the 2nd show started they were over half the way down Sunset Blvd (to where the bathrooms are and there is an old car that sits there). We left, we have never seen crowds like that for F! or at HS at all!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Is it still 1 TS credit do you know? Thanks!

yes it is, which makes it a great 'value' on the DDP. They will require you hold the ADR w/ a credit card when you book, but you will not be charged unless you don't show up. Also you must cancel 2 FULL days before to not get charged the fee.

 

[letstalkboutdisney]

Last time we went in August we did H&V with Fantasmic. We liked it. This August we are going to try Mama Melrose with Fantasmic. I don't think you can go wrong with either place. Would you rather have a buffet or sit down dinner?

 

[Mommytobree]

Last time we went in August we did H&V with Fantasmic. We liked it. This August we are going to try Mama Melrose with Fantasmic. I don't think you can go wrong with either place. Would you rather have a buffet or sit down dinner?

Sit down I think H&V is a buffet, right? So I think we'll do MM.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

The fantasmic package doesn't cost anything extra so why not? Unless you're not going to eat dinner. When we booked the fantasmic package, the down side was they were only making early reservations so our dinner was at 3:45pm, kind of early for us...

On a positive, we were done plenty early for fantasmic, but did other stuff, and walked right in 30 minutes before the show and had seats in the section reserved for fantasmic packages. We were in the back/top of the stadium but right by the exit/entrance. And this was perfect because all seats have a great view, I was able to quickly leave and return before the show started -- to get frozen lemonade and popcorn (right outside the entrance), and we were the first to exit after the show was done.

Be sure to check fantasmic showtimes.... I found out it is common for Disney to add more shows on other nights. So check back, even the week before you arrive to WDW to see if more shows were added.

 

[planitdad]

We have done late August several years and always do the F! package. It just makes sense for us, since we plan our meals and use table service locations anyway.

All four in our family vote for Mama Melrose's, however they are harder to book, so count yourself among the lucky few if you can get them on the package. We still do the package if H&V is all that's available. We haven't tried Brown Derby yet.

Book as soon as your able for MM.

Our experience with crowds has always made us happy we didn't have to wait in the long Fantasmic line. This we have never done. This is one of the best examples of the use of planning and Disboard knowledge I can think to recommend to someone unfamiliar with Disneyworld.

 

[mm6mm6]

We always eat in the park anyway so we always make a reservation for the Fantasmic dinner package. We love the Hollywood & Vine. I like the atmosphere and I like the food a lot. It's a large buffet with lots of choices.

I order a chocolate milk and then I put vanilla ice cream in it from the dessert area. Awesome chocolate milkshake! I love the 50's decor.

 

[Mommytobree]

Thanks everyone for all the advice and input!