Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package Help

[wvdisneyfamily]

We make our ADRs on Sunday! :sohappy: However, of course, we are making last minute changes to our plans. We are thinking about trying the Fantasmic Dinner Package at Mama Melorse. H&V is out for us because of a past terrible experience; Brown Derby is out because it is a signature. Anyway, I have a list of questions. I would appreciate any quick answers (before Sunday at 7AM) you may have to offer. Thanks!

1. Is this still one DDP credit?
2. What is the menu?
3. How is the food?
4. What Fantasmic show do you get reserved seats for? We are looking at the 15th of June. Right now there is only a 9:00 show, but if they add an earlier one, I don't think I would like it as much. Fantasmic is better later at night.
5. Do the reserved seats offer a good view?
6. How much time do we need to allow between the reservation and Fantasmic time?

Another worry I have is rain. I'll be upset if it rains and I waste this credit. However, I'd be upset if I waited in line forever and it rained. There's no real answer for this one, but I just needed to vent.

 

[Monty]

1. Is this still one DDP credit?

Yes, the Fantasmic! package doesn't change the cost of your meal.

2. What is the menu?

Menu

3. How is the food?

Haven't eaten there... :shrug:

4. What Fantasmic show do you get reserved seats for? We are looking at the 15th of June. Right now there is only a 9:00 show, but if they add an earlier one, I don't think I would like it as much. Fantasmic is better later at night.

I believe it's for the first show, but could be wrong.

5. Do the reserved seats offer a good view?

There aren't really any bad views unless you're stuck behind one of the two lighting support posts.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

:wave:
I do not know much about dining plans and whatnot, but I do however know about the food. IMHO, when I did eat at Mama Melrose, the food was absolutely not good. Being an Italian and knowing good Italian (and all) food, it was disappointing. But that's just me...

With Fantasmic, it has been my experience with 3 or 4 dinner packages that you are reserved seating at the far right (looking at the show)of the stadium. The view is generally good...definitely worth buying the package instead of waiting or being seated in the middle (to the end and at the right allows for a quicker escape!)

Also, you are told by the restaurant, who will give you a slip indicating you've purchased the package, that you're allowed to go and be seated 90 to 45 minutes prior to show time.

Good luck!

 

[brent2124]

I ate at MM once and enjoyed it. I has there pizza and it was great. They had a very good appetizer of a few types of bread and dipping sauce(there is one at Jiko that is amazing too). Id say its worth it just for the Fantamic reserved seat.

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

I wasn't too impressed by the food at MM. The atmosphere is great, love the lighting. My son still talks about the calamari tasting like rubber bands. I pushed him to try it (and I love it), but was sorely disappointed when it arrived.

I'm not sure I'll be back there. That was my second bad experience. But, as always, that's just my opinion. I'm sure others have had good experiences there.

Oddly enough, I've always had better experiences at H&V. :shrug:

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I don't know. The menu at MM doesn't look great. In fact, I wouldn't even consier eating there except for the Fantasmic package. I really don't want to stand in line forever for Fantasmic though. We weren't even going to watch it this year because we've seen it every year for the last four, but our plans changed. I think we may just chance it and eat at one of the resorts and then stand in line for Fantasmic. If the show starts at 9 (as the calendar currently says), what time should we get in line?

By the way, thanks for all of your help! :wave:

 

[Wolfclan Dan]

We did the Fantasmic! package last year, only we ate at Hollywood & Vine. It does not matter when your dining time is, we ate at 430.

The seating is front right. Not bad, not the best, but definitely not the worst. And like you said, you get to avoid the lines.

 

[rsoxguy]

3. How is the food?

I have eaten there three or four times. We have experienced hit or miss quality with the food. I believe that the food there is typical of WDW homogenization, but it is OK. They have a bread platter that was nice (I believe its an appetizer).

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

I don't know. The menu at MM doesn't look great. In fact, I wouldn't even consier eating there except for the Fantasmic package. I really don't want to stand in line forever for Fantasmic though. We weren't even going to watch it this year because we've seen it every year for the last four, but our plans changed. I think we may just chance it and eat at one of the resorts and then stand in line for Fantasmic. If the show starts at 9 (as the calendar currently says), what time should we get in line?

By the way, thanks for all of your help! :wave:

I'd be there at least an hour before, definitely earlier if they don't up the number of shows offered during the summer season. I really hope they do.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

We've decided to not chance a bad experience on MM and just brave the Fantasmic line. I am hoping they will add more summer shows. Who knows at this point?

 

[spaceghost]

Well, just for the sake of balance, I'll chime in and say that my family ate there 2 years ago on our last trip (did the Fantasmic package as well), and we all enjoyed it. There was nothing mind-blowingly awesome, but nothing horrible either. Plus, the atmosphere is nice. I had a pasta and sausage dish that was tasty, although I'm far from a food critic...

 

[CleveRocks]

I believe that the food there is typical of WDW homogenization, but it is OK.

I agree 100%

If you are from the East Coast and know "real" Italian food, then Mama Melrose will pale in comparison. But if your idea of authentic Italian food is Olive Garden or Pizza Hut, then the food at Mama Melrose is very very good.

I didn't hate our meal there. It was okay, no complaints, nothing "wrong" with it.

By the way, we did thr Fantasmic Dinner package last month and are very happy we did it. Earlier in the day, CMs were telling people without the Dinner Package to line up 2 hours before the 7 p.m. show. We got there at 6:15 and walked right in and got our seats in the reserved section even though it was standing-room-only everywhere else in the theater. By 6:30 p.m., two CMs took away the rope separating our section from the rest of the theater, and within a minute or two the flood of people totally filled the (formerly) reserved section.

 

[Edisto Pluto]

We've decided to not chance a bad experience on MM and just brave the Fantasmic line. I am hoping they will add more summer shows. Who knows at this point?

We have done the package many times in the past at all of the restaurants that participate. Finally, we decided to take our chances on a last minute walk in. WE got in both times and the seats were just as good or even better. MM is OK but not special and as others have said the food is not remarkable. Have a good time we will be there in August.

 

[ToTBellHop]

There will not be an earlier Fantasmic! in June. Sunset isn't until about 8:15 pm so it's not even dark until right at 9 pm. IF they add any shows, they will be on different evenings or at 10:30 pm.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I thought about sunset and Fantasmic. Since the night we will be at MGM is EMH, I thought maybe they would add a later show. Who knows? I'll be taking my chances on a walk in.

 

[NewfieFan]

Well, just for the sake of balance, I'll chime in and say that my family ate there 2 years ago on our last trip (did the Fantasmic package as well), and we all enjoyed it. There was nothing mind-blowingly awesome, but nothing horrible either. Plus, the atmosphere is nice. I had a pasta and sausage dish that was tasty, although I'm far from a food critic...

You've already got your mind made it up by the sounds of it but I'll chime in anyway! I agree with the above poster! It wasn't amazing but it was good! I had the salmon and I licked my plate clean - it was really good! I also enjoyed the atmosphere and our server was really nice and friendly! It was one of my most relaxed meals, actually! I loved being able to just walk into F! and sit down!

(And you get an appetizer with the F! package even though the dining plan doesn't include it anymore!)

 

[sandheichert]

Do the MM Fantasmic package

We went in December and had a great time. It was good food, nice atmosphere and good service. Take all the good and bad reviews with a grain of salt. Being in the Food and Beverage industry for 20 years you can have a good or bad experience every time you go into a restaurant.

 

[disney1077]

By the way, we did thr Fantasmic Dinner package last month and are very happy we did it. Earlier in the day, CMs were telling people without the Dinner Package to line up 2 hours before the 7 p.m. show. We got there at 6:15 and walked right in and got our seats in the reserved section even though it was standing-room-only everywhere else in the theater. By 6:30 p.m., two CMs took away the rope separating our section from the rest of the theater, and within a minute or two the flood of people totally filled the (formerly) reserved section.

Do they still have the seperate entrance for people who have the package or do you enter the same way as everyone else? How is the view from the reserved section? I was planning on doing the package but with the cutbacks I am afraid I wont get a good seat and that it is not really worth doing.

 

[mro415]

if you are italian, mama melrose's will disapoint you. The food is decent. I would suggest Hollywood and Vine. It doesnt matter what time you eat. Just dont eat during Fantasmic, Obviously. It does not change the cost of your meal and if you want the appetizer, entree and dessert option that the fantasmic package gives you, i would go to the brown derby because its worth it.

The seats are not the best, my favorite seating is in the Scar section and you are off to the right. You avoid the lines so it is worth it, but if they cancel fantasmic that night, you are out of luck and you cannot come the next night to see the show. I learned this from my own experience when there was a rain out.

So my suggestion is to eat at the brown derby with the package.
or eat at hollywood and vine without the package and arrive early for the best seating you can

 

[Boray]

We ate there the past 2 years. In '07 I had the Pork Marsala and it was wonderful, but way too much food. I could have eaten half of it and had plenty. It was 2 boneless, center cut chops and that was too much but the sauce and asparagus was very tasty. In '08 I ordered a flatbread pizza and was very disappointed. I had to choke it down, very little flavor and way too expensive for what it was. We probably won't eat there again because it just isn't worth the price. I would split an appetizer and the Pork Marsala with someone, then it would be worth it.

We usually just take our chances with Fantasmic. If there are a limited number of shows scheduled for the week you're there, then I'd do the package, otherwise, just wait in line for the show and skip the extra cost. (And find dinner somewhere else.)

Just my .02...