Hollywood & Vine?

[sher92]

What characters are at Hollywood & Vine now? I heard thy changed it a while ago but not sure who all is there? How s the food? Wee never been so just wasn't see what the menu was like!

Thanks!

 

[bangzoom6877]

What characters are at Hollywood & Vine now? I heard thy changed it a while ago but not sure who all is there? How s the food? Wee never been so just wasn't see what the menu was like!

Thanks!

Last summer (and also last month when my friend went), it was June from Little Einsteins, Special Agent Oso, Jake the Neverland Pirate, and Handy Manny. We had lunch there last summer. Our expectations were low for the food but the boys really wanted to see jake. DH and I thought the food was delicious and we were pleasantly surprised. My favorite was the lobster mac and cheese, I went back for seconds of that! They also had things to make deli sandwiches, a pasta area where they make it to order for you, great variety of salads and hot food, and wonderful desserts.

I haven't been to breakfast there since 2008 but the food was great back then. The CMs and characters dance in the area between the buffet and the tables periodically (you will definitely see it at least once during your meal). They encourage children to come up and join them. It was a lot of fun!

 

[sher92]

Thanks so much!! I've never really heard such great thinks about t so ive always been really hesitant to try it! So it's a buffet lunch then?

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thanks so much!! I've never really heard such great thinks about t so ive always been really hesitant to try it! So it's a buffet lunch then?

There's a buffet breakfast and then a buffet lunch. Both have the characters I mentioned in my above post.

Dinner is also a buffet but no characters. We've never been there for dinner. Any negative reviews I've read have been about the dinner buffet. We went mainly for character interaction for the kids, and were pleasantly surprised at the lunch food. It's not a place I'd spend the money for on dinner though, since there are no characters. We're planning to do the Fantasmic! dinner package for the first time when we go back next summer, and we're going to book Hollywood Brown Derby for that.

 

[Gorechick]

We had breakfast there last August and it was a highlight of our trip. It was my twins first ever character meal and they still talk about it. They want to do it again even though they'll be past Disney Jr. age next time we go.

 

[sher92]

Thanks so much! Yes, we definitely want to go for the characters, my DS is 4 and DD is 6, so we were mainly going for his to see Jake. They're kind of older and over for the other characters there but I know he'd love to see Jake.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thanks so much! Yes, we definitely want to go for the characters, my DS is 4 and DD is 6, so we were mainly going for his to see Jake. They're kind of older and over for the other characters there but I know he'd love to see Jake.

That was exactly the reason we went last year. My little one was 5 at the time and really was into jake. So I booked it and he was so happy when we went. We also went to the Disney junior live on stage at DHS because jake was added to it a little while before that trip. I didn't think we were returning to Disney junior again but with the addition of jake, it was great that we did! My older one who was 7 at the time, enjoyed himself too!

 

[shan23877]

We've done breakfast there each of the last 2 years. It's been my DH's favorite breakfast buffet (we do a lot of character breakfasts) by far. For breakfast they have a nice selection of fruits and pastries, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and (most important to my husband) tortillas, salsa, etc for breakfast burritos. There are also Mickey waffles and pancakes on the kids area-but I always have a few myself.

We've gone only for Jake as well, and my DD6 always loves it. It's a fun, not too crowded meal. We like it a lot and are a little sad that DD has pretty much aged out of it. If they add Sophia we may get one more year in though.

 

[TravelMommy]

Does anyone know what time the characters are there until? Is it 4pm?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Hollywood and Vine: (*rev 2/19/2013)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: D
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: D
. . . staff attentiveness: D
. . . character interaction: B

NOTE: H&V had previously been an eatery-of-choice for
Studio guests. But, *possibly* due to DDP and reduction in
tips, the food selection/quality suffered significantly.
We found it badly kept, and with less than hospitable CM's.
(Dinner changes daily and has no characters.) The character
interaction for the kiddies is pretty good with Jake from
Jake and the Neverland Pirates, June from

 

[anjalee6]

Does anyone know what time the characters are there until? Is it 4pm?

Lunch is served from 11:00 am- 2:25 pm
Dinner is served starting at 4:00 pm.

I would assume characters clear out right before dinner reservations switch over.

 

[mom2cgj]

We did breakfast there in January, and both DH and I agreed it was the best character dining we did all trip. We also did CM, CP, CRT, and TH. The breakfast buffet was really good, the characters were fun, and the little dance party they did was a hoot! DS8 was kind of bored, but he's really past the DJr stage. DD5 and DS4 LOVED it, especially Jake and Oso!

 

[Ferrentinos]

We were at H&V in July and the characters were as the PP mentioned. Just curious if since adding Sofia to meet and greet if she was also at H&V now. We'd revisit again in Nov. if she was a part of the group!

Thanks!

 

[aaarcher86]

We were at H&V in July and the characters were as the PP mentioned. Just curious if since adding Sofia to meet and greet if she was also at H&V now. We'd revisit again in Nov. if she was a part of the group!

Thanks!

She is not and isn't planned to be added in at this time.

 

[Ferrentinos]

She is not and isn't planned to be added in at this time.

Oh well! Thanks for the info.

 

[sb682]

I took DS there last month because it was the only way for him to meet Oso. The service was good, the character interaction was great, and the food was in no way worth $35, but it was pretty good. I liked the pork roast, the plantains, and the barbecue chicken. DS was happy with chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. The dessert selection was my favorite part; lots of chocolate-covered fruit made me very happy. Josh from EasyWDW just reviewed it yesterday if you'd like to see pictures of the buffet. The sing-alongs are great for little kids, and the characters spend lots of time at each table and are very playful. I would absolutely recommend it if you have preschoolers.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I took DS there last month because it was the only way for him to meet Oso. The service was good, the character interaction was great, and the food was in no way worth $35, but it was pretty good. I liked the pork roast, the plantains, and the barbecue chicken. DS was happy with chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. The dessert selection was my favorite part; lots of chocolate-covered fruit made me very happy. Josh from EasyWDW just reviewed it yesterday if you'd like to see pictures of the buffet. The sing-alongs are great for little kids, and the characters spend lots of time at each table and are very playful. I would absolutely recommend it if you have preschoolers.

I agree that the food alone is not worth $35 but the experience is, just like you said. Seeing my kids so happy at character meals makes it worth the price, although we do have our limits...won't pay the outrageous Chef mickeys prices anymore since my kids liked meeting Mickey at Garden Grill more. They said it was nice that he spent more time with them there than at CM and they would rather eat at GG now. We did enjoy the lunch at H&V but if it weren't for the character experience the food itself wouldn't be worth $35.