Hollywood & Vine is really that bad?

[bbn1122]

We have dined at Prime Time and have done Sci Fi twice, wanted to try something new. We like to spend almost the whole day at the Studios, so we do not want to leave for dinner.
I booked ADR at Hollywood & Vine, because its a buffet I have 3 sons and a hubby who like meat. I noticed they had turkey, steak and roasted chicken, so I figured, not fancy but they would have good choices.
Now, I keep coming across terrible review of the restaurant. My question, if so bad, how come Disney does not do something to improve it.
I looked at the menu for Mama Melrose and Brown Derby and I am thinking too fancy and too expensive. I already have ADR at OHana, Biergarten, Liberty Tree and Rainforest Cafe.
Would love help with finally decision.

 

[ZellyB]

We ate there when we went a few years ago on a Fantasmic package and I thought it was fine. We have only been to Disney that one time and are planning our next trip, so I don't have a lot of basis for comparison so take my opinion for what it's worth.

There was a pretty good amount of choice and the food was tasty. It wasn't anything fancy or anything, but still good.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Hollywood & Vine is not the worst meal on property, at least not in our experience.

It is a basic buffet, much to choose from and none of it spectacular - but then, that is the fundamental definition of a buffet if you ask me. Especially when buffets turn as many tables as the ones at WDW do on a daily basis.

We do it when we are there in busier times and want to do the Fantasmic package, and we've always had friendly service. The wait times to get in are bad, but that is true anytime you have limited dining choices and book tables at prime dining times.

Unremarkable, yes. But not bad.

 

[Pumpkingirl7]

I hated H&V dinner. It was by far the worst meal I have ever had at WDW. I think Ryan's has better tasting food. I personally would not waste a table service credit on this one unless you are doing the character breakfast

 

[dipity]

I hated H&V dinner. It was by far the worst meal I have ever had at WDW. I think Ryan's has better tasting food. I personally would not waste a table service credit on this one unless you are doing the character breakfast

We had a similar experience during the character breakfast. Yuck!

 

[princessmom29]

yes, it REALLY is that bad. It is the one and only restaurant on WDW property that I will NEVER return to. It was like bad cafeteria food!!

 

[KAA1972]

The dinner was one of the worst that we've had on property but that was almost 2 years ago so things may have improved. We are going to try the breakfast in a couple of weeks and we are hoping for a decent meal -- or at least decent character interaction....

 

[JaxsonsMom]

I don't think it's as bad as everyone makes it out to be, I would compare it to like a Hometown Buffet or something. I have had breakfast and dinner there and perferred the breakfast and am doing it again in January. For Dinner, I found something to eat (I am a little picky) and I was full.

 

[tcoopman]

We had lunch at H&V and it wasn't so much that the food was terrible. It was more that there are so many better places to eat at WDW. This was the worst meal of our trip (including counter service meals). We won't go back but I think H&V is a classic example of "your milage may vary." You might really like it. Good luck.

 

[Big Kid]

We had lunch there a couple of years ago and found the food and service to be similar to other buffets on property. The only thing that we didn't care for was that we are unfamiliar with those characters and so didn't get much out of the interactions.

 

[ILuvMulan]

We went there last month and I was not impressed. I just polled my three kids and two of them said "eehh, it was ok" and the other responded "it was awesome". When I asked him what made it awesome? "The mashed potatoes were great." Hope that helps.

 

[jenjersnap]

We had lunch at H&V and it wasn't so much that the food was terrible. It was more that there are so many better places to eat at WDW.

This sums it up. It is our least favorite buffet at WDW but it wasn't atrocious, just not up to the level of other buffets. I doubt we will ever waste our time on H&V's dinner again but I am considering a return for breakfast or lunch because my youngest wants to see Oso.

 

[MaryPA]

We eat there. I wouldn't say it's the greatest place but we like it. We also like the fact that dinner does not have characters. It's not fancy but it's not bad. We kind of like it. We have always had good service - even though a buffet. We are going to go back in May.

 

[ilovejsparrow]

I'm not a fan at all. I thought the food was pretty gross
Maybe we caught it on a bad day though.

 

[Quin]

For the family and food preferences you described: given the choice between H&V, Mama Melrose, or Brown Derby - I agree that H&V is your best choice.

But if you could get away from the park for a while, you could do so much better! Even if you don't have Park Hoppers, you can leave & come back to the same park that day on the same admission. How about going from HS to Fort Wilderness for the Trails End buffet, maybe for the earliest dinner ADR, then back to HS to finish the evening? Good food, very basic meat-and-potatoes, and probably the least expensive buffet dinner at Disney (which is necessary to refuel 3 boys, I know!).

Honestly, the only way I'd recommend H&V would be to lock in your seating to F! that night.

 

[sherbet]

Im just reading this thread and thinking "oh no !! " We have a ressie for lunch at H&V, now i think i will change it but where should i go? Suggestions please for HS Thanks

 

[bbn1122]

I am going to leave my ADR for now, but I am going to way my options.
I know if we leave for dinner, no one will want to go back.

I am trying to get my guys to hang around and see Fantasmic, the last time we saw it was 2003 and they were very young.

I just can not understand why Disney does not improve this place with so many bad reviews.

Thank you to everyone for their honest opinions.

 

[JerseyDisneyGirl]

The food was ok, I found that most of the food at Disney wasn't outstanding. We ate there for lunch at the last minute. I loved the character interaction, the kids had a blast! Much better than CM, it also wasn't very crowded. It was the most fun meal we had. I was there for the characters, not the food. I am in the minority here, liked H&V, hated Ohana.

 

[kapeppy]

We ate there in December as a party of 7. It was great for variety but was just barely ok. We were on the free DP so for free it was fine. Had I paid OOP, I would have been disappointed. We found the food to be picked over and not filled very often. Was it terrible? No. Was I expecting better? Yes. We will stick with 50's PT Cafe from now on.

 

[msmith07101]

Did the dinner buffet here last year and did not care for it...my least favorite meal of our trip...it was expensive, and so no worth it. My 2 teenage boys agreed.