Hollywood Studios Dining w/ Fantasmic! afterwards

[jjharvpro]

Hey all!! We are going to WDW in March for 5 days during Spring Break and were wondering what restaurant/dining experience would you all prefer if we want that and a reserved seating at Fantasmic! afterwards.

We just reserved Crystal Palace for MK on one night(never been there), so then afterwards we can get a great viewing place for Wishes.

If what we want if available in Hollywood Studios, I'd love some advice.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Hey all!! We are going to WDW in March for 5 days during Spring Break and were wondering what restaurant/dining experience would you all prefer if we want that and a reserved seating at Fantasmic! afterwards.

We just reserved Crystal Palace for MK on one night(never been there), so then afterwards we can get a great viewing place for Wishes.

If what we want if available in Hollywood Studios, I'd love some advice.

Hi there! We've always done the F! package at Hollywood and Vine. It's a pretty good buffet and we usually try to get a time between 4 and 5 so it allows us not to rush to the show.

Crystal Palace is very good by the way!! Another good buffet with great views of Main Street and the Castle plus great atmosphere.

 

[jjharvpro]

Thank you! We got Hollywood Brown Derby at 3:45(the only available time) w/ the F! package. Good plan? Necessary to change?

Of course, when we are done, we will go do other things in the park(DHS), then head over to Fantasmic! later. What are the usual times?

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Oo Trotsky says Brown Derby has improved greatly. We always want to go but it's too expensive haha. Check the calendar to see the day and time exactly (http://http://www.wdwmagic.com/Calendar.htm) but it looks like the shows are later so you'll have time to do rides and get to the show without rushing.
You weren't told the time of the show when you booked the package?

 

[jjharvpro]

Oo Trotsky says Brown Derby has improved greatly. We always want to go but it's too expensive haha. Check the calendar to see the day and time exactly (http://http://www.wdwmagic.com/Calendar.htm) but it looks like the shows are later so you'll have time to do rides and get to the show without rushing.
You weren't told the time of the show when you booked the package?

We were not. Strange...I'm gonna research right on that. Thank you!!

 

[jjharvpro]

Oo Trotsky says Brown Derby has improved greatly. We always want to go but it's too expensive haha. Check the calendar to see the day and time exactly (http://http://www.wdwmagic.com/Calendar.htm) but it looks like the shows are later so you'll have time to do rides and get to the show without rushing.
You weren't told the time of the show when you booked the package?

Fantasmic! on that night(March 15th) is at 8:30, when the rest of the park closes. Thanks again!!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Ooh great-you're welcome. Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[ThinkTink721]

We have done Hollywood & Vine w/ the Fantasmic package several times.
On our last visit, we did not eat at H&V, but we were able to get into Fantasmic 5 minutes before the show began. We were in the standing room only section, but that did not bother us.

 

[flavious27]

Hey all!! We are going to WDW in March for 5 days during Spring Break and were wondering what restaurant/dining experience would you all prefer if we want that and a reserved seating at Fantasmic! afterwards.

We just reserved Crystal Palace for MK on one night(never been there), so then afterwards we can get a great viewing place for Wishes.

If what we want if available in Hollywood Studios, I'd love some advice.

I think that hollywood and vine is just one table service point, go there. we went to brown derby, it was not worth two TS points.

 

[Magical Dreamer]

On our last trip we booked Fantasmic with our dining at Mama Melrose.

I gotta say I was hesitant when making the reservation but was glad I did. We really enjoyed it.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I started this thread a while back...
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=586251

As a result of the feedback- we went with Mama Melrose. It took a while to be seated since supposedly it's harder for them to work in a party of 6 (after being seated, I didn't see how that was the case with the tables I saw). The service was slow, but the food (with the exception of dessert)was very good. The steaks DH and I got (which weren't listed on the menus I'd seen- were very good). I wasn't expecting much- but it was one of our best meals of the trip. The slow service wouldn't have mattered much except that it forced us to sprint back to make it to the Fantasmic preferred seating in time.

Here are some of our Mama Melrose food pics.

(pippette, tuna, steak)

Hope this helps! :wave:

 

[SpoonOfSugar]

We did this last April and went to Brown Derby and LOVED IT!!! We almost didn't do the package and then said what the hey. It was a nice relaxing way to finish a day at DHS rather than standing close to sweaty people for over an hour.

 

[networkpro]

My wife and I ate at the Derby on the 16th of December and it was wonderful. My wife had the bay scallops and roast chicken and I had the crab cakes and lamb shank and they were delicious. We split a slice of the grapefruit cake.

Its nice, quiet , and no screaming kids. The serving staff has very little turn over in the 8 years I've been eating there.

 

[SeaCastle]

I'll give high marks for both the Brown Derby and Mama Melrose's. Definitely some of the best full service restaurants in a WDW theme park.

 

[hankhill]

Gotta agree with Hollywood and Vine. We were there about 10 years ago and not entirely thrilled with it. Went last week and the dishes were superlative. Multiple options. Good carving stations. Pork entree didnt hold and was tough (too long under the lights) but overall a ton of options and great value for the money. Entirely pleased.

 

[apple]

Love The Crystal Palace!!! Perfect place to eat before the Fireworks!! Have soooo much fun!

 

[jjharvpro]

Thank you everybody!!!

Crystal Palace at MK

Hollywood Brown Derby, then Fantasmic! in DHS

Via Napoli in Epcot

any advice on Via Napoli?