Hollywood and Vine...is it really that bad?

[druidcat]

The only reservation for the Fantasmic dinner package was at Hollywood and Vine....I've never heard anything positive about it, is it really that bad? Should we change the day we are planning on doing DHS so that we can book Mama Melrose instead?

 

[handinpocket]

Yes. It is really that bad. I think WDW keeps it open for amusement purposes. There must be a running bet on how any restaurant can survive, no matter how bad, if it is at WDW.

 

[pumba]

remember that we all dont like the same places.

We hubby and myself.....our grandkids......our neighbors ....their relatives and friends that happen to have gone there a few times....we all said it was a pretty good buffet.......it is not that bad.......

 

[Red_Rider]

We've gone there twice and didn't find it that bad at all. We were going with a group of people and the buffet had a variety that everyone could enjoy. Yes, there are going to be things that are typically "bad" or unflavorful at buffets but overall we didn't feel it was horrible at all. I actually think we may be doing a reservation for there again when the group of us go back again this year......

 

[emlutz23]

We love Hollywood and Vine! My DH and I were there in May and had a wonderful meal! We like the food better there than at Chef Mickey's. You'll find every opinion here on the disboards and the only one that really counts is yours. So I say go ahead and try it for yourself. I think you will enjoy it! Good luck!

 

[laura428]

We've never had dinner there, but the character buffet breakfast was great. All of us went back for seconds!

 

[pigletto]

Well it was our least favourite TS out of 10 days of free dining. That being said, I had no complaints with anywhere we went .. so it wasn't horrible.. just average.

If I had complaints it would be that it was so busy that they weren't getting the tables cleared in a timely manner and it looked really messy. But who can blame them.... free dining was a busy busy time.
The buffet did not disgust me.. I ate and it was adequate.
I would not go out of my way to book it, but I would not go hungry if it were the only thing available.
My kids loved the soft serve ice cream. Our server was attentive and funny.
Again, it wasn't awful.. just not great.

I should add we got it as a same day ADR during free dining. So we snapped it up. We all left full and satisfied.

 

[KatMark]

Like any ride, resort, etc., everyone will have their likes and dislikes of a restaurant. Personally, after two exact horrible experiences, we will not go back to Hollywood & Vine. But if it is something you want to try then you should do so.

 

[rrkman]

We've been there twice and I find it no better or worse than most of the other WDW buffets. They have a creamed corn bread thing that was amazing.

And personally, we liked the food and service better than Boma....probably better than Chef Mickey's....and about the same as a Crystal Palace.

Our only problem was the restrooms. I didn't use them but I guess they share a restroom with the neighboring place (I think that is Prime Time) and it was a mess....according to my eating mates.

One other thing to note is that our DS has a food allergy and the chef (same one both times) was absolutely wonderful with it.

 

[wickywinn]

Of course it's not that bad. Great, fantastic, out of this world...no. Awful, inedible, foul? No. It was good enough for a buffet. We enjoyed our meal there. Not alot of atmosphere but the food was fine. Some dishes I didn't care for but overall it was good. I find alot of people tend to get a little carried away when rating on here with the absolutely horrendous ratings for places that are far from it.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I've eaten there about 4-5 times now....

Last visit we did the H&V F! package...and I recommend it. I am not doing H&V in MAY...because it is just me & DS...and we went with Brown Derby which is more expensive...but it's just the 2 of us...so we should be able to pick out a good meal...

Here is my tripadvisor.com review from our July '08 H&V F! pkg...

I had eaten at Hollywood & Vine about 3-4 times before so I knew as a buffet, it would have several choices for my family of husband,myself, & 3 teens including picky, newly vegetarian, and somewhat picky. We had reservations around 3:40pm and although we stood in line a few minutes to get to the hostess, we didn't wait long at all to be seated. The restaurant did fill up quite a bit however after we were seated. Our waiter was friendly and pretty good about refilling our drinks. The buffet offered a wonderful Salad bar including regular and Ceasar salad, a tomato/buffalo mozzerella salad that I enjoyed,as well as the feta, proscuitto, and artichoke salad. (and others.) Salmon, Chicken, BBQ RIbs, were offered. I liked the Carved Roast ..the Garlic/Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Green beans. Kids had the Peel-your-own shrimp. There is a "Kids Buffet" with mac-n-chs, chicken nuggets, and 'kid friendly' offerings. The dessert buffet was a "hit" with Soft Serve icecream and loads of other choices. No one left hungry- we were all satisfied with this buffet. The waiter gave us a pass to bring to (F!...this info is different now with new F! entrance)

Have a magical visit !
Mary

 

[ShannonMB]

I actually thought the food there was better than at Chef Mickey's as well. Of course it's not the same ambiance, but if you really want the package for that day, I wouldn't hesitate to try it. You'll most likely be pleasantly surprised!

 

[MyVirtueAidan]

The only reservation for the Fantasmic dinner package was at Hollywood and Vine....I've never heard anything positive about it, is it really that bad? Should we change the day we are planning on doing DHS so that we can book Mama Melrose instead?

We ate at HAV mainly for the kiddies... It didn't bother me at all but the hubby didn't let me live that one down the whole vacation.. Between my brother being madd cause buffet signs were all wrong and the random kids comin up to our table during our character time was crazy... Chicken Nuggets were good!!! Characters were awesome and were making their rounds rather quickly!!! This year we decided to try Sci Fi Dine in Theatre!!! Super Excited!!! May couldn't come any sooner!!!!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I thought it was good when I ate there, comparable to the food at Crystal Palace.

 

[LUVDZNY2008]

I don't like Hollywood & Vine, and I've eaten there more than once. The best thing to do is try it once and see for yourself.

 

[kimis]

My dh and I like it. Everyone has different tastes. You should try it for yourself. Enjoy!

 

[Disneymama5816]

We have eaten there numerous times and enjoy it. It is not gourmet food (but what buffet is???), but everyone will find something enjoyable. As stated by others, it is similar to Crystal Palace or Chef Mickeys - except they do offer cocktail/wine service here. The dessert selection was really nice. Enjoy!!!

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with all PP's who mentioned that everyone has different tastes. But H & V is one of only 2 restaurants in ALL of WDW we will not return to.
Others have mentioned some of our issues. We were surrounded by dirty, unbused tables. Our waitress was RUDE (THe only place we have ever experienced this). Our drinks were not refilled. The Rest Rooms were filthly, and the food was not good. The appropriate food temperatures were not maintained on the buffet, and I did leave hungry.
Never Again.

 

[koolaidmoms]

As you can see from PP this is one restaurant that is deeply divided. My suggestion is if you are up to it go and find out for yourself. That's what we did.

There are some pictures on my blog (link in my signature). When you get in it is under restaurant reviews.

I did not think it was that bad. Nothing overly great but there was nothing wrong with it. It was just nothing "special."

Hope this helps some.

 

[druidcat]

Thanks everyone! This is not a restaurant we would try if it weren't for Fantasmic, the menu (and buffets in general) aren't that appealing to Dh or myself. I think we'll keep the ADR for now...if we go in with low expectations, it can only be better than we expect, lol.