a couple years ago I ate at Hollywood & Vine and there were characters there - are they not doing that anymore? It was a lot of fun, the buffet was okay. I too am unimpressed with the restaurants at MGM, although it's been about 15 years since I've eaten at the Brown Derby (too much $$$ for me now!). We won't be getting park hopper passes this time, but what I have done in the past is go to Epcot after leaving AK or MGM and eaten dinner at the world showcase (there are too many great restaurants there to fit into one trip!)