Hollywood & Vine OR Brown Derby?

[M*2]

Hi! I've never been to MGM before, and I'm hoping to reserve a Fantasmic package. I'm trying to decide between Hollywood & Vine or Brown Derby for our dinner. This is for two adults who love Disney's wonderful theme details (like the realistic atmosphere in the Harambe Marketplace). Any thoughts on this? Thank you so very much!!!!

 

[becka]

I have never been to H&V before but IMHO Brown Derby is one of the best restaurants on property and I have seen lots of so-so reviews of H&V. I don't think you can go wrong with Brown Derby.

 

[PolyAddict]

Brown Derby is awesome!!! Sorry haven't done H&V. If I were you and didn't have kids, I would never do a buffet. I hate getting up and down during meals. Service and food at BD are top notch.

 

[Chuck S]

I did H&V a few years ago, prior to the character meal, then the switch back to non-character. It was good, some unique items. But it just doesn't compare to Brown Derby. I love sitting and being waited on vs. buffet, and the food at Brown Derby is fabulous. It really depends...if you like buffets, you'll probably enjoy H&V, if your more into "dining" you can't go wrong with Brown Derby.

 

[canwegosoon]

FAntasmic Brown Derby package is a real value!!!

 

[Marthasor]

I have to agree - Brown Derby is EXCELLENT! The atmosphere, the food, the service. You really feel like you are transported back to old Hollywood. I highly recommend HBD

 

[Laurajean1014]

counter service. sorry.

 

[3princesses4us]

I'm doing Brown Derby but I'm paying out of pocket at $37/adult rather than using 2 TS credits/person. It's only $11/child also. I think that's a very good deal for a signature restaurant with tickets to a show afterward!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Boy, are these two different experiences.

The Brown-Derby serves fine-dining type food - like Chicken Cordon Bleu, that kind of thing. Really nice place, dark colors, warm and calm. It's relatively quiet - depending on the courtesy and parenting skills of those around you.

Hollywood & Vine is a buffet in a large, noisy restaurant with kids running around. Lots of black and white (and, if memory serves, stainless steel). They serve pretty much standard American-Buffet type food.

I'm not a big fan of the Brown Derby, because I'm not much for frou-frou food. H&V is OK (but, again, LOUD), but not the best buffet on property.

Hope this helps!

 

[NHAnn]

I have never been to H&V but ate at Brown Derby last week on 12/22...our first time there and we would definitely go again. The food was excellent, better than California Grill (which we also experienced for the first time )in our opinion. Our service was not up to the standard I expected at either place. The service issues at the Brown Derby were a (thankfully) brief encounter with a "grumpy old man" at the check-in desk...no hint of welcome at all in his expression or words just a grunted "can I help you?" and then handed the pager to me without a word after I gave my pleasant hello and name and ADR time including the please and thank you my mother taught me... Nothing that would ruin my evening it just wold have only taken a smile or pleasantry to make it a more gracious start to the experience.
The waiter's service started out fine but got a little slow towards the middle of the meal...maybe no fault of his, kitchen issues I guess, and not enough of an issue to upset us. The food was excellent....DH and I both had the grouper and it was superb - IMHO for taste and value for the money, the only other meal for the whole week that was comparable was Christmas Eve CP dinner at Le Cellier in Epcot where I had the 7 oz filet and DH had the filet with mushrooms and such.

Good luck with your trip planning!

 

[afcgirl]

We did the Brown Derby/Fantasmic package last July and loved Brown Derby. You feel like you are transported out of the park from the moment you enter the restaurant. It is a very relaxing and upscale environment. The food was delicious. I highly recommend Brown Derby.

Edited to add that I think the "theme" of Brown Derby was sort of old Hollywood glamour. Very fitting to MGM.

 

[Bracho]

I too have to vote for Brown Derby... I've always had good service, good food and have never left hungry...

 

[Miffy2003]

H&V is a good buffet meal, but the Brown Derby is awesome. Fantastic food, excellent service and an oasis of calm in the middle of MGM. I actually did not feel like I was in a theme park restaurant (apart from all the shorts the guests were wearing, LOL).

I think this was possibly our favourite meal last trip out of about 20 full service meals including Flying Fish, Le Cellier etc.

 

[Miffy2003]

A few photos from the Brown Derby (August 2005)

 

[turnlisa]

I agree with everyone about how wonderful the Brown Derby is. I am one of those that absolutely HATES H&V and will never go back. The food was o.k., place was dirty and where did our waitress go? Brown Derby is wonderful -- from the food, to the theming, to the waitstaff. You really can't go wrong with this place!

 

[mcnh63]

We did H&V and were not all that happy with it.( pretty boring food and atmosphere) I would spend a little extra many and go to the Brown Derby!!!!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Brown Derby Brown Derby Brown Derby
H&V is not that good

 

[aviva5675]

My plan also--pay for BD Fantasmic OOP and save the 2 TS credits. We did BD last time (02) for Fantasmic and really enjoyed it. Its a different class of restaurant than the others in MGM, so you have to understand that and be prepared for it, pricewise and foodwise (especially with little kids).

 

[KFISCHER]

This is like comparing filet mignon to chipped beef.
Brown Derby.
Not even close.