Is Hollywood & Vine as bad as they say?

[Luis Rodriguez]

Hi all,

I have a September ADR for Hollywood & Vine (lunch), but now I keep getting "horror" stories about its service and/or food quality.

So, should I try to change my ADR to another restaurant? If so, which one would you recommend?

Thanks,

Luis

 

[hogwartsdropout]

We went to the Hollywood and Vine last August. We had WONDERFUL service, including those cast members working behind the buffet. They were so accomodating to my mother who is a vegetarian. It was our favourite buffet of our whole 2 week trip. The food is great for someone who is a picky eater, like me. We are going again next month and I can't wait.

 

[kelma]

I think it really depends on individual experiences. For us, it is the only restaurant at WDW that we've had consistently bad experiences. The first time we went, the service was absolutely horrible, we went without drinks for much of the meal. Finally, as we were leaving, I asked another waitress if I could just have a drink to take with me as I had waited for 20 minutes for a refill that never showed.

The second time we went, the restaurant was half full, yet the wait for our seating was unusually long - maybe lack of staff? Then, they stuffed my family of 6 in a booth. The way that booth worked is that you share a very large booth with another group, so you both have your own tables, but share a booth seat. There is a small space between each table, but you must coordinate coming and going with the other family as the space is barely large enough for one medium sized person and definitely not large enough for two. And if the characters are there meeting either you or the other family, it is next to impossible to get into or out of the booth. I felt like a sardine. We also missed out on seeing a couple of the characters who completely skipped our side.

The food was fine both times. If you do go, I would definitely request a table.

 

[skier_pete]

WE went there two years ago and thought the food was good, but not spectactular. To me it's all about the characters. If you have kids that like the JoJo's Circus and Little Einstein characters, then go there. If they don't like them - it's not worth it for just the food.

SkierPete

 

[MickeyNicki]

For us it was horrible, bad service, surrounded by dirty tables and terrible food

 

[Praying Colonel]

We've been twice, in 04 and 06. We liked it both times. It's not Victoria & Albert's, but we liked the selection, the quality and the service.

 

[catne]

we liked it (May 2008). Place was busy for dinner, but food was good, plentiful & variety enough to please everyone. We had a table, so didn't experience any squishing by another party, and we went for dinner when there is no characters so no traffic issues due to character appearances.

Help was good enough, we did not find the place "filthy" at all. We think a lot of the negative reviews are really about 'tude...if you go in expecting something ultra-lavish (based on higher price) you're going to be disappointed. If you go in with a more positive attitude: expecting a good buffet while knowing you're paying an inflated amusement park price, you'll do just fine...it IS a good buffet and it IS expensive...but what the hay, you're in Disney World! If you want a good buffet at a cheap price, you can stay home, right?

 

[Luis Rodriguez]

Well, it seems that the "nays" are winning this one.

I'll be traveling with my family: DW, DD(5) and a nephew (12) (D-What?).

I think I'll contact our travel agency and have the ADR changed, maybe to Mama Melrose's or the Sci-fi Dinner.

Have anyone visited the Sci-Fi Dinner? The kids could find it interesting, as they don't have the concept of seeing movies from a car…

Thanks to all for your help,

Luis

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

I have to say that I have had nothing but GREAT experiences here so much so that my DH requested we go there for breakfast on Father's Day if we actually make our trip. I go there for the charchters for my DD. Service varies but we always have drinks and the staff is so very helpful with my DD and I as we have food allergies along with celiac to deal with. I just went in April, last June, and many times before that.

 

[disneystick]

We have gone with just a family of 4 and then we were just there over Spring break and did the HWV with the Fantasmic package, took 10 girl scouts, all teens. We have had great service both times. They took away our plates as fast as the girls used them up. My teenage son had his drinks refilled 4 times...before our server just left the pitcher with him. He loved that!! Food was fresh. It was loud but what buffet is not loud? Would we come back...you bet!!!

 

[Hoopfamily]

Well, it seems that the "nays" are winning this one.

I'll be traveling with my family: DW, DD(5) and a nephew (12) (D-What?).

I think I'll contact our travel agency and have the ADR changed, maybe to Mama Melrose's or the Sci-fi Dinner.

Have anyone visited the Sci-Fi Dinner? The kids could find it interesting, as they don't have the concept of seeing movies from a car…

Thanks to all for your help,

Luis

Mama Melrose's has good food, but not as kid friendly. Sci fi the food is so-so, but the atmosphere is good. We went to hollywood & vine and loved it the food is good, and plentiful the Character interaction was great for our then 3 yo daughter. We had a group of 7 and no problems with seating or anything else for that matter. I say go to H&V you'll like it.

 

[adaygaby]

We had a character breakfast at Hollywood Vine and we enjoyed it. Breakfast was hot, great service from our waitress, great interaction with the characters and DS loved dancing with the characters. We had GREAT service here.

 

[momto2inKC]

It's the worst restaurant we've ever ate at! Poor service, cold food that all tasted bland, just bad all around

 

[Mommymcgee]

We did the Fantasmic dinner package at H & V this past May. We are big fans of Disney's buffets in general. H & V was just so-so. It wasn't "bad" but the food wasn't as good as some of the other Disney buffets, crystal place, boma, park fare, for example. And it didnt' feel like anything special as far as theme or atmosphere, sort of run of the mill buffet. It was clean and the service was fine, but we'll try somewhere else next time. I wouldn't refuse to eat there or anything but it wasn't worth putting on my list to repeat when there are other more interesting places to try.

 

[Hopefully]

H & V is the only WDW restaurant we won't return to. And I don't have "'tude". My expectations were in line for a lower level buffet regardless of the cost.
The food was bad, cool to cold, we were surrounded by unbussed tables full of dirty dishes, our waitress was rude at best, and the Ladies Room was FILFTHY!!!! The only good thing about the entire evening was dessert.
I would change your reservation. We like 50's Prime Time Cafe. I have not eaten in Mama Melrose or Sci Fi
Have a great trip.

 

[Nank]

OH boy, I just booked H&V for my Fantasmic Package is Mama Melrose was completely booked.

 

[pdchris]

I'd agree with Kelma. It really is an individual's opinion. We've been twice (Fantasmic pkg) and didn't think it was bad. Crowded both times but food was plentiful and tasty (IMHO).
I wonder if a poll was taken about whether it was the CM's or the other guests that made the dinner a bad experience, what the results would be.

 

[vtwep]

we did H&V for breakfast in November 2007. It was great! Food was fine - neither spectacular nor bad. It was a breakfast buffet with traditional breakfast items and all were fine - hot and fresh also. Service was fine as well. Interaction with characters was GREAT. We really enjoyed ourselves, especially our DD4. And we had not "clean" issues - we thought the place was fine.

A couple other comments:
- our tables were not close to others as a PP mentioned. We had plenty of room - no issues at all.

- we at at Melrose on the same trip. Food was "ok" (lunch), but nothing special. No interaction. And we had slow service that day - took forever for our food to arrive. So for us, that's the one we're skipping next time for sure. H&V will depend on DD4 - if she still watches JoJo and/or LE, then we'll go.

 

[tmanaster]

Is H & V my FAVORITE restaurant? No. But it's fine! We have enjoyed it both times we ate there for Fantasmic package. The food was good, maybe not great, but good. It was above average buffet food, not gourmet fine dining. We are trying Mama Melrose for our upcoming trip because we've never tried it but I would have happily booked H & V if I couldn't get MM. Whatever you decide, have fun!

 

[CaptainNemo]

I've eaten there 4 times and enjoyed them all. I think Its a great place.