Lunch at Crystal Palace or Dinner at Hollywood and Vine

[Mousefan mom]

Hello--

We have a day where we will do morning in MK, go back to BC resort to rest mid day and then go back over to HS for the evening (EMH).

We don't like to do more than one heavy meal a day. I'm debating between a lunch at Crystal palace to finish up our MK morning or a dinner at Hollywood and Vine to begin our evening. For those who have done both--which is better. Both have characters.

 

[Hope Soda]

I haven't actually dined at either, so I can't speak about the food, but I would say that if you have kids that like the Disney Jr. characters, and you intend to see the evening show at HS, you should be able to get a package and obtain seating (center sections) for the show. If you're on the dining plan, it is still one table service credit. My kids love Handy Manny, Jake, and Sofia, so it was a no brainer for me to make reservations here.

However, Crystal Palace is really pretty and I love me some Pooh Bear, so I have made reservations here, also.

If I did have to choose between the two, I would choose Hollywood and Vine because the trip is for the kids and that's what they would prefer. They aren't too picky (as long as my 5 year old doesn't have to eat "leaves") about food, and they are really excited about the idea of meeting the Disney Jr. characters. If your kids aren't obsessed with Disney Junior, and you don't care about the night show, I'd do Crystal Palace. Again, this is based on characters and atmosphere, not at all on food.

Sorry if this isn't helpful at all.

 

[Tucker24]

The food was TERRIBLE at Hollywood and Vine

 

[Hopefully]

Hollywood & Vine is the only restaurant in all of WDW that we will NEVER return to.
We were surrounded by dirty unbused tables. Our waitress was RUDE, the only time this has ever happened in Disney.
The buffet was dirty. The hot food was not hot. The cold food was not cold. The Ladies Room was filthy. NEVER AGAIN

 

[Mousefan mom]

I haven't actually dined at either, so I can't speak about the food, but I would say that if you have kids that like the Disney Jr. characters, and you intend to see the evening show at HS, you should be able to get a package and obtain seating (center sections) for the show. If you're on the dining plan, it is still one table service credit. My kids love Handy Manny, Jake, and Sofia, so it was a no brainer for me to make reservations here.

However, Crystal Palace is really pretty and I love me some Pooh Bear, so I have made reservations here, also.

If I did have to choose between the two, I would choose Hollywood and Vine because the trip is for the kids and that's what they would prefer. They aren't too picky (as long as my 5 year old doesn't have to eat "leaves") about food, and they are really excited about the idea of meeting the Disney Jr. characters. If your kids aren't obsessed with Disney Junior, and you don't care about the night show, I'd do Crystal Palace. Again, this is based on characters and atmosphere, not at all on food.

Sorry if this isn't helpful at all.

Its my understanding they only do the Disney Jr. at breakfast. Its Mickey/Minnie at night. We are already dining with them in other locations. They enjoy characters, but its not the deciding factor for this meal. Looking more for overall environment, atmosphere, and food quality. We have eaten at both years ago...but only breakfast at CP (did not think it was very good food--but we may have just gotten it on a bad day) and HV for dinner pre characters..but I can't remember much!

 

[lady_hlh]

We love Crystal Palace for lunch or dinner, we went to H&V once years ago and everything about it was nasty so we've never returned.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Can I vote neither?! I agree with other PP's. I will NEVER eat at H&V again. Food is terrible and it becomes very dirty. Then you are left with a hefty bill at the end. It's just not worth it.

CP is fine, but is incredibly chaotic. If you want to pick between the two, then I would vote for CP.

Would you consider eating at a TS prior to going into DHS for the evening? The food at the EP resorts is so much better than CP or H&V. You could eat at Capt. Grill, B&C or Trattoria al Forno and then head over. Or, if not on the dining plan, walk over to the Dolphin and eat at The Fountain and then take the boat one stop to DHS. Good sandwiches, salads, burgers and ice cream.

Otherwise, if you want to eat at MK or DHS, I would recommend lunch at the Plaza or BOG and dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

We had a very delicious lunch at CP a few weeks ago. The characters circulated multiple times. It was very clean and our server was friendly.

We cancelled our H&V dinner ADR due to timing.