? about Hollywood & Vine character lunch

[2Pirates2Princesses]

I looked at the menu for this lunch buffet and it is definitely not one of the cheaper character meals. It appears the reviews on this meal are similar, great character interaction but average or not great food. Is this meal worth it? Especially when our kids can get their Disney Junior character fix during the Disney Junior Live show and I think I read that Handy Manny has a meet and greet area near there.

 

[bastraker]

Since Oso joined the crew in October, we have eaten lunch here everytime we go to Disney (3 times) and we have another lunch reservation for July. My husband actually likes the food and we do this during the deluxe portion of our dining stay so cost isn't a factor.

My son is 4 and daughter is 2 and they enjoy this place. It's just a fun environment with signing and dancing. The kids can get up and dance with the characters.

I'm sure other will chim in with their experiences.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I like doing the breakfast at 8am better -- before the park opens at 9am. Doesnt' cut into park time that way... then do one more meal later (50s Prime Time or Sci Fi Diner). We like Hollywood Studios 2 days but if only going 1 day.... having breakfast and not taking away park time helps.

Plus, good opportunity to take some photos without crowds in the background while on your way to breakfast.

 

[tinkandpan]

The breakfast is much better imo than the lunch. We thought the lunch was awful, but like you said- character interaction and energy is great.

 

[Classickat]

Sorry to be a downer here, but this is the ONLY restaurant I will never ever (as in "not in a million years") go back to. I know everyone can have an off day, but this was not a quality meal. To say the food was bad is an understatement. If you enjoy the character interaction, have at it, but if you want a decent meal, this is not the place IMO.

 

[jjant72]

Can someone explain why you consider the food so bad (i.e. is it too salty, bland, etc)? Then breakfast/lunch menus themselves look fine from reading it online. The breakfast seems to be standard Disney fare, so I am not sure how you could consider it bad unless you consider all Disney breakfast food as "bad".

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Can someone explain why you consider the food so bad (i.e. is it too salty, bland, etc)? Then breakfast/lunch menus themselves look fine from reading it online. The breakfast seems to be standard Disney fare, so I am not sure how you could consider it bad unless you consider all Disney breakfast food as "bad".

I don't have pictures to prove it... but... the quality of the food served at lunch reminded me of a college cafeteria... just a step up from high school cafeteria food....or like a cheap budget buffet place like Country Buffet or Golden Corral (but with less variety and choices). That was my experience in 2009, and the dinner we had there in 2008 was no better. The more recent reviews sound like it has not changed.

Now, to compare.... the lunch at Crystal Palace (also a buffet) in Magic Kingdom... was excellent. Lots of variety, high quality food, more fresh ingredients.

Breakfast.... Our breakfast in 2010 was good.... or good enough. Basic eggs, bacon, sausage, mickey waffles, etc.... nothing special. The character interaction is very good, so that's why I'll come back for breakfast only. Think Denny's or Bob Evans -- neither of which I like... but I can eat it. I'd never go to these places at home.... I'll cook breakfast better myself.

Now to compare..... the breakfast was good... but does not come close to the quality and variety of the breakfast buffets at Tusker House or Cape May Cafe or 1900 Park Fare. All 3 of these places have some unique food items, or custom made omelets, or something special. And the food was very, very fresh and good.

For lunch, if you can get a reservation, 50s Prime Time is much, much better. And their milkshakes are incredible. The only places I'll eat in HS anymore are 50s Prime Time and Brown Derby.