Help me decide!!! H&V???

scrubnurse

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jan 23, 2006
Messages
70
Okay, with only two weeks before our trip, I find myself in a dining dilemma.....

I have booked the fantasmic package for Hollywood and Vine. I have never eaten here before. After reading this board, I have seen some bad reviews of this restaurant. Has ANYONE eaten at Hollywood & Vine recently and liked it??? I don't really want to do Brown Derby or Mama Melrose. Here are my options:
1. Keep ADR's for H & V.
2. Cancel Adr's and forgo fantasmic package, hoping it won't be too crowded to eat somewhere else and just go to the show. (It is a monday night, March 6th...do you think it will be THAT busy???)
3. If I do eat somewhere else, I am thinking maybe Sci-Fi (never been there before) or Beaches and Cream (never been here either.... is it very far from MGM? Is there a bus or boat that can take us there?)

So I need your help. Our family consists of myself, DH, DS-8, DS-6 and also my mother and father will be going with us. Should we eat at H&V? Sci-Fi? Or Beaches and Cream???
:scratchin :scratchin :scratchin
Also.. we didn't really care for 50's Prime Time, so please don't suggest that.
Thanks in Advance
 
We ate at H&V for the first time last May on the Fantasmic Package. I wouldn't say it was bad, but it wasn't great. It didn't really impress me or DBF. When we go this year, we're going back to MM for the FDP. Although they do have all you can eat fresh shrimp. But that's about all that's worth it.
 
The last time we were at MGM we went to Beaches and Cream for lunch. You take a boat to the Beach and Yacht Club. If I remember correctly, the boat ride was about 15 minutes. It all depends on how long you have to wait for the boat. We have never done the package and always been okay. I think we usually get there about 45 minutes early. I've never been first week of March, always first week of May.

I've never been to H & V so I can't compare. I have been to Sci Fi and think it is a lot of fun. I do like the burgers and ice cream much better at Beaches and Cream though. Good luck deciding!
 
We also went on a Monday. We had ressies at H & V for 4:30. We waited about 20 minutes out on the patio for a table, but there are umbrellas to sit under.

We found it to be good solid food. There was nothing fancy or anything. But it was all to temperature and none of the stuff sat so long it had a skin on it or anything. They changed it out well. They had peel and eat shrimp and some nice salads. The greens bar was nice but not elaborate. The selection there was slightly under what I would have preferred, but still adequate. On the carving station they had ham, which was really good and Flank Steak, which was some of the best Flank Steak I've eaten. But that was sort of disappointing because it's still flank steak and not prime rib. I was mildly disappointed, but not too badly because the flank steak and gravy was so good.
They had Chicken, fish, and other stuff. They had alot of little cakes and pastrys for desert and there was an ice cream bar. It was really quite good.
Everything was fresh and plentiful and to temperature. They changed things out fairly rapidly. The service was great. The tables where we were were just slightly to close. The decor is pretty much faux 50s diner which really doesn't appeal to me but it was well done for what it was meant to be. It wasn't raunchy or anything. It was loud, but no louder than most Disney restaurants tend to be.

Fantasmic was packed when we went. We got there 35 minutes before show time (just before they opened the reserve section up to everyone) and got a nice seat near the back (you want to be toward the back for fantasmic) centered in front of the right projecter. The place ended up packed and the people that were in SRO overflow said they waited an hour for those spots.

This was about 3 months ago.
I would suggest keeping it and trying it. Especially if you've never seen Fantasmic before. Expect good solid food and a good variety, but don't expect anything particularly fancy. I found it worth it and I would return for the Fantasmic package.
 

scrubnurse said:
Okay, with only two weeks before our trip, I find myself in a dining dilemma.....

I have booked the fantasmic package for Hollywood and Vine. I have never eaten here before. After reading this board, I have seen some bad reviews of this restaurant. Has ANYONE eaten at Hollywood & Vine recently and liked it??? I don't really want to do Brown Derby or Mama Melrose. Here are my options:
1. Keep ADR's for H & V.
2. Cancel Adr's and forgo fantasmic package, hoping it won't be too crowded to eat somewhere else and just go to the show. (It is a monday night, March 6th...do you think it will be THAT busy???)
3. If I do eat somewhere else, I am thinking maybe Sci-Fi (never been there before) or Beaches and Cream (never been here either.... is it very far from MGM? Is there a bus or boat that can take us there?)

So I need your help. Our family consists of myself, DH, DS-8, DS-6 and also my mother and father will be going with us. Should we eat at H&V? Sci-Fi? Or Beaches and Cream???
:scratchin :scratchin :scratchin
Also.. we didn't really care for 50's Prime Time, so please don't suggest that.
Thanks in Advance
We have eaten at H&V four times and it has been wonderful every time! We were there last May and used the DDP for the first time. Same great food and service.

We're going back there next month!

HTH!
 
Ate there last month. It was fine, like always.

Although I'm not a fan of the Fantasmic package, we usually go to H&V, it is the favorite of the kids.

The place is noisy, but the food is pretty good.

I vote: Go and check it out.
:goodvibes
 
We've done this restaurant twice. The first time, we didn't really enjoy it at all. However, we were tired and sick and decided to try it again, hoping it was just our own attitudes. The last time we did it, there were 6 of us, and everyone absolutely loved it. They had great options. We almost all got different things and were all happy. It was a really great experience. So we've decided to go back this trip too. The key to disney dining is, you can always catch a bad day. I've decided none of the restaurants at disney are "bad" overall. It's a matter of opinion and timing. Some people have horrible experiences, others great. It could go either way. We've had one of each at this restaurant.
 
I had no complaints there. As buffets go I like Boma's better.
 
Yes, I think you'll need the package at that time. Mondays aren't all that busy, but this one is an EMH night for MGM, according to Disney's schedule. That means more people, and besides, with the package, you don't have to wait in line. You go to your package entrance and walk right to your seat. You can wait sitting down!
 
Thank you to everyone who replied! You have made me feel better about my ADR's. I have decided to keep them and give H&V a try. It is nice to hear people say positive things about it! And Sunny04-- you are right, people have there own experiences and opinions. I have seen people bash some of our favorite restaurants on this board, and I just scratch my head. Everyone is different! I will find out for myself in 14 days!!!! :banana:
Thanks again!
 
We've eaten at H&V on our MGM park day the last three years (we go annually) and we have never been disappointed. I have a very picky DD5 and even she was full after dinner. They have a nice variety and we have found the food to always be very good. Our servers have been great, just okay and great. As has been stated, H&V is what it is. A decent buffet and a good option for the Fantasmic dinner package. Have fun!
 
It is one of our always eat at, at MGM. The kids are happy and so are the adults. My favorite are the meatballs at the kids buffet, and I am really picky about my meatballs. I don't think you will be disappointed.
 


Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE








DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom