Is Hollywood and Vine Really AWFUL???

[rosiep]

I booked a Fantasmic package and from what I read I made a BIG mistake.
I simply like the idea of not having to wait in a throng of people for Fantasmic.
Do you think the stadium will fill up in October? Do I really need to be there an hour earlier???

 

[MickeyNicki]

Yes it is really that bad...blech

 

[firsttimer2007]

We did the Hollywood and Vine package. It is buffet. There are not very many choices on the buffet. It taste like a so-so buffet.

So if you are looking for an average buffet then you are in luck.

What we did not like -- we had a reservation for 6:00 but did not get seated until 7:30. (Waisted park time). Our drinks were empty the whole time (It was hot and we were thirsty). We got one refill after she handed us the check.

We did like having seats reserved for us.

 

[imthatgirl]

we really liked it. i guess we hit it the right day, they were more than enough choices for us. we were there just 2 weeks ago. we'll definately go back.

as for the package tickets, no you dont have to get there an hour early. of course when you get there determines the seat you get, so if you want to sit front center, then yeah get there eatly. theres no need to sit front center btw. its not a better seat than lets say right front or left middle. theyre all good seats.
i just wouldnt get there 10 minutes before the show, then youll get the back, but youll get out quicker so i dont know
we use the package and get there about 1/2 hour before. we almost always sit in the designated package seats but sometimes we'll move to the center. we've always gotten great seats.

 

[kadesha]

Hollywood and Vine is TERRIBLE! It's the only restaurant at Disney that I refuse to ever eat at again.

 

[rosiep]

I'm really leaning towards cancelling it and taking my chances with Fantasmic.
Am I correct that there is no penalty to cancel as long as I do so within 48 hours?

My Mom is a picky eater but I think she'd rather eat a hamburger than bad food.

Other than the Brown Derby...what's a good sit down restaurant at HS?

 

[dseth]

We have dined at numerous restaurants at WDW. Hollywood and Vine is the only one I will NEVER do again.

 

[letstalkboutdisney]

We were there in August. It wasn't as bad as some of you are saying. The food was good, our waiter Mike was really good. Checked on us, bought us new silverware when my kids keep droping theirs. I would go there again. There were plenty of food choices. I was nervous about going too after all the reviews I read. Give it a shot you might be surprised.

 

[Pumbaa_]

the bad reviews I am afraid outnumber the good significantly, sorry

 

[DonaldTDuck]

We were there in August. It wasn't as bad as some of you are saying. The food was good, our waiter Mike was really good. Checked on us, bought us new silverware when my kids keep droping theirs. I would go there again. There were plenty of food choices. I was nervous about going too after all the reviews I read. Give it a shot you might be surprised.

I was there 2 years ago and Mike was our server. The food was meh to fine, but the service was incredible. There was an issue with my KTTW, and Mike got it taken care of with the resort and all I had to do was tell the desk who I was and got new media. I'd eat there again, but not my first choice.

I'm really leaning towards cancelling it and taking my chances with Fantasmic.
Am I correct that there is no penalty to cancel as long as I do so within 48 hours?

My Mom is a picky eater but I think she'd rather eat a hamburger than bad food.

Other than the Brown Derby...what's a good sit down restaurant at HS?

50's Prime Time Cafe. The food is awesome and the 'show' is worth the price of admission. The pot roast is heavenly.

 

[Tricia819]

I just the some of the food was a little hoity toity. Which, I'm kinda a picky eater too, so I wasn't impressed. My husband who is more adventurous didn't care for it either. Not that it was disgusting or anything.

We are going to try it again this trip, but we're going for the character breakfast. My 18 m.o. son really likes the Toon Disney characters.

Course, I didn't think Hollywood & Vine participated in it anymore either.

 

[caribbean-mickey]

I have seen so many different reviews on H+V that I can't help but wonder whether there is some reason other than personal preference why reviews are so different.
Could it be that it depends on the time of dining.....early for the buffet = good food; later times = cold, tasteless food?
I'd love to hear from those who felt it was bad and what times their reservations were, especially since I have an adr for December and am now wondering whether to cancel.
TIA

 

[si-am]

I really like the food at H&V. The food seems to be a bit different than what you would find on other Disney buffets. While I wouldn't call it fancy, exactly, it's certainly more adventurous and tries to be more upscale. Maybe that's what's so off-putting to so many people.

The atmosphere can be bad when it's crowded. Kind of cramped and very loud. Not relaxing.

I think it's a good choice for the Fantasmic package if you're looking for a good basic meal that gets you in and out rather quickly.

 

[KatMark]

We've done it twice and never again--terrible, if any, service, bland, lukewarm food and filthy conditions. We went to Fantasmic on Labor Day using the Fantasmic Package (Mama Melrose) and arrived 30 minutes before showtime for our "reserved" area. We could have easily sat more center and closer to the front if we had wanted when we got there (we chose sitting in the VIP section for the easy exit).

 

[twinklebug]

I liked H&V when we did it (4 years back) but the kids hated it. I also recall the tables & seats being very ... cafeteria-ish. For a few $$ more I'll take Mama Melrose any day.

 

[perriwinkleblue]

We have eaten lunch here 3 times. We go mostly for the Playhouse Disney characters at lunch- but I have always thought the food was fresh and good. The salads are interesting and the salmon (my favorite) was tasty. I really enjoyed everything I tried. Look over the online menu carefully and see if you'd like the choices available. That said, the restaurant used to be set up as a cafeteria and it still has that feel. This may not make for a comfortable, relaxing dining experience. It seemed that the wait staff, although usually good, was hurried most of the time.
As for Fantasmic, we have been those people that arrived 20 min. prior to showtime and found seats near the back. Really, there are no terrible seats in this venue. So, worst case scenario, if you end up in the back, I think you'd still enjoy the show. Also, as the other post said, you can exit easier from the back. There is a huge throng of people exiting when the show ends.