Hollywood & Vine for Pre-Park Opening Breakfast

[TiggerTrigger]

I booked an 8am ADR at H&V for our trip next month. My first concern is food and experience. I've heard such mixed things about H&V and it worries me to see a restaurant with wide open availability less than a month before our travel dates. I know the current characters aren't most peoples' faves, but is that all it is OR is the food/experience bad as well? The videos I've seen of breakfast look pretty fun, but just wondering if anyone has any first hand experience.

The other big question...rope drop and TSMM FastPasses...is it an advantage or disadvantage to be at H&V with regard to this? I was planning on leaving my fam back at the restaurant and doing the FP "run" if they're still finishing up, but I was wondering if anyone has done this when having an early breakfast at H&V....i.e. does it put you farther back in the rope drop line and found H&V put you at a disadvantage OR are you able to get farther into the park from H&V for rope drop?

 

[KAA1972]

I booked an 8am ADR at H&V for our trip next month. My first concern is food and experience. I've heard such mixed things about H&V and it worries me to see a restaurant with wide open availability less than a month before our travel dates. I know the current characters aren't most peoples' faves, but is that all it is OR is the food/experience bad as well? The videos I've seen of breakfast look pretty fun, but just wondering if anyone has any first hand experience.

The other big question...rope drop and TSMM FastPasses...is it an advantage or disadvantage to be at H&V with regard to this? I was planning on leaving my fam back at the restaurant and doing the FP "run" if they're still finishing up, but I was wondering if anyone has done this when having an early breakfast at H&V....i.e. does it put you farther back in the rope drop line and found H&V put you at a disadvantage OR are you able to get farther into the park from H&V for rope drop?

We went Dec 2010 and had your same concerns. We found the food to be good-- not great but still good. Characters were fun and very interactive. We would go again but breakfast only. For fast passes, the effect will probably be negligible as the rope drop lines up right by the side of the restaurant and the cast members will walk the rope back to TSMM. August begins value season so I've found many restaurants even the more popular ones to still be available. I wouldn't let that concern you so much. If you want to go for the experience, then do it!

 

[Jedimike]

We've done H&V breakfast the last two times we were there. My girls both thought it was great fun with the characters and the dancing. The food didn't distinguish itself, good or bad, from the other character breakfasts. It is a buffet, with a wide assortment.

The last time I went was in December 2009. I missed the rope drop, but still managed to get to the Fast Pass line for an 11 AM fast pass and then meet my wife and kids in the regular standby line. If you're going to try beat the rope drop for fast passes, and you're on the Disney Dining Plan, I would recommend you let your server know ahead of time so that you can pay early with your Key to World Card (which you'll need to have with you when you run to the Toy Story Fast Pass kiosks).

Hope this was helpful,

-Mike

 

[Kali14]

This is one of our favorite character meals. You get so much more interaction with the characters. You do not feel like you need to rush out. Take your time to eat all you want and let your children interact and play all they want. We really enjoy the food selection for breakfast. It is good and it was not the same every time we have gone.
As for the TSMM fast passes. They tell you a time when a CM will walk you to the front of the rope drop crowd so the people from H & V are usually among the first to get fast passes for the day. No matter the time of year we have gone the fast passes for that ride run out. One person from your party goes to get your fastpasses and then comes back to enjoy the meal and air conditioning. Enjoy!!! We love it

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

we love h&v's breakfast! it's a good thing there's still availability... that means more interaction with characters... and that it's still a hidden gem secret for breakfast!! you'll get a great spot for rope drop too! have fun!

 

[bumbles3248]

We also have a 8am reservation next month but are wanting to get to the Jedi Training Academy. I'll probably have DH go with DS to get signed up to be a Jedi and DD and I head to TSM. I'm not expecting much from the food since it's breakfast but DD can't wait to meet Oso.