Hi Ashley!
Welcome to planDisney! I'm so excited to hear that you're planning your first visit with your family! As a mom of three, my boys have grown up visiting Walt Disney World Resort and the memories we have made there hold a special place in my heart. With your vacation getting closer and closer every day, you may want to check out a recent episode of the
planDisney Podcast where my panelist pals Lizzie and Diane share some of their best ideas for counting down to your trip!
Ashley, I already love the plans you're making for your visit to
Disney's Hollywood Studios! The
Fantasmic! Dining Package is one of my most highly recommended "must-dos" - especially when you have young children. Our family likes that we not only get to enjoy a fabulous meal but also don't have to worry about arriving early and waiting for Fantasmic! to begin. Instead, we can spend more time enjoying the park and knowing that our reserved seating is waiting for us closer to showtime!
The Hollywood Brown Derby is a great choice for your meal - with or without little ones joining you! With options on the kids' menu like steak and fish as well as items like hot dogs and macaroni and cheese, there is something for all children. . .even picky eaters like my boys. The Hollywood Brown Derby is considered a signature dining experience so you will find the food choices and ambiance to be a bit "fancier" than some other locations. However, it is still located inside of a family theme park so please don't worry about being dressed up and know that you'll see many other families with kids there as well. Some of the other restaurants that offer the Fantasmic! Dining Package have a bit more of a playful, themed atmosphere like
50's Prime Time Café or
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, and my boys really enjoyed the Disney Junior Play n' Dine Character Breakfast at
Hollywood & Vine when they were preschoolers, but it's really all about which location you prefer!
When it comes to pricing, children under 3 are considered very special guests of Mickey and enjoy many aspects of their vacation for free, including theme park admission. At restaurants, children under 3 can eat for free at buffet or all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style restaurants, such as the character buffets offered as part of the Fantasmic! Dining Package at Hollywood & Vine. When you're dining at restaurants like The Hollywood Brown Derby or other plated options, children under 3 are welcome to share from an adult's plate free of charge, but if they would like a separate meal, you would need to pay the listed children's price for them.
Ashely, I hope this information is helpful as you continue to plan for your first visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Don't forget that the Fantasmic! Dining Package is very popular so I recommend being ready to make your advanced dining reservation
as soon as your reservation window opens! If you have any other questions about planning your first trip and visiting with preschoolers, I'd be happy to share more tips and tricks with you!
See ya real soon!
Kristi