Hollywood and Vine?

[nhdisnut]

What are people's opinions regarding Hollywood and Vine? We are considering booking the Fantasmic dinner package for our April trip. H&V seems to be the most affordable and we tend to enjoy buffets - something for everyone.

Thanks!

 

[Schucraig]

We ate there last month and did the Fantasmic Package, it was really good! There is something there for everyone! It was well worth it!

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

I would recommend H&V, we ate there in 2003 with the Fantasmic package and it was good. I prefer Mama Melrose's, but we will be doing the Fantasmic package again this year at H&V.

 

[dizcrazee]

Hollywood and Vine is one of my favorite restaurants at WDW! We got the Fantasmic dinner package and it worked out really well for us. The food was great! We plan to go back to H & V on our next trip to WDW in May.

 

[purpliequeen]

My family had a good time at H&V, it was our first buffet of the trip this December 2005. The food was good and our server was awesome. It was really nice not having to wait in those long lines for good seats with the Fantasmic Package. The only thing that didn't go perfectly was the rowdy table next to us (kids throwing food and running around the place, knocking into waiters/waitresses carrying food). Besides this, we would definitely go again this year. Have fun!

Raina

 

[CheshireVal]

I ate at H&V in Dec. '04 for the first time, and absolutely LOVED it. The food was fresh and tasty, the buffet wasn't very crowded, and the service was great.

So we went back in Dec '05, and we pretty much hated it. The place was jam-packed and noisy, the buffet was crowded, the food wasn't very fresh or tasty, and service was slow.

I doubt we'll go back.

 

[Wendy31]

We chose Hollywood & Vine last May for our FDP, and, honestly, we weren't impressed at all.

Although the retro Hollywood decor is cute, the restaurant was very crowded, & the tables are very close together. The couple at the table next to us might as well have been sharing our table they were so close. I could hear every word of their conversation, and I was constantly telling my children to be a little more quiet because I didn't want them to disturb the people next to us - they weren't even being "loud", I just felt "on edge" during the entire dinner.

Regarding the buffet, it was okay - albeit crowded. DH didn't feel like it was any better than our local buffets like Ryan's. I thought it was probably a little more upscale than that - just due to some of the offerings on the buffet & in the presentation of some of the offerings - like the bread. However, all of the selections on the buffet were just "okay" - nothing "wonderful". Nothing tasted "bad" - although after we ate there, DH didn't feel well at all, & he still swears it was due to something he ate at Hollywood & Vine - but nothing tasted "yummy" either. Some of the items on the buffet were just lukewarm - not fresh & hot - and the items weren't always replenished quickly. It was just your typical buffet...

I do like buffets w/ our children because I'm normally sure to find something they'll eat on the buffet so, in that respect, Hollywood & Vine was okay, and DD & DS really enjoyed the ice cream & sprinkles.

Hollywood & Vine was probably our least-liked meal at Disney last year. The mediocrisy of the restaurant in comparison to the other wonderful places we ate was disappointing to us.

This year, we're trying Mama Melrose's for our FDP, and I've heard mixed reviews of this restaurant as well, so... we'll see!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

We just ate there last week and really enjoyed our meal. We had 5 pm ADR's and the restaurant was not crowded at all (maybe because it's January?). The food on the buffet was nice and hot.

I was a little tentative about eating here because I've seen some bad reviews lately here on the boards, but having had a great experience at H&V 2 years ago, we decided to go back and were very glad we did.

 

[melomouse]

H & V seems to get mixed reviews here on the DIS, but our family loves it for the FDP. Sans kids, I have gone for Brown Derby. Haven't tried Mama Melrose yet. In case dinner takes too long - lol - I always feel better being closer to the front of the park to get to Fantasmic!

The bad - yes, banquette-type seating. close together - sometimes I guess you could feel too snuggy with the people next to you...

DS - my Asperger's sensory challenged boy, STILL complains about the smell of some cleaner or disinfectant when we were there in October

Crowded and sometimes less-than-perfect restrooms shared with PTC.

The good - price and FDP
Great selection - same DS (who hates smells) sucked down at least 4 mousse in chocolate shells and thought they were the best thing he ever tasted!

The food selection was great and to be honest - MUCH preferable to CP this past trip - DD ate London Broil, I atried everything..lol

Our server was quick and accomodating...but tho we had ADR's - we waited about 25 minutes outside to be seated and saw many, many turned away w/o ADR's.

Give it a shot! I have a feeling you will be happy!

melomouse