Mama's or Hollywood & Vine?

[jpolak]

We have never been to either and are looking to try one on our next trip in August. We are going to do the Fantasmic pkg. I know they are both very different, but if you could only do one which one and why? Thanks

 

[Disney owl]

With kids I'd do H&V

without MM provided you like Italian food!

 

[Califgirl]

I just booked H&V for our trip in May because it was the only restaurant for Fantasmic availability at any time during our trip.

Someone please tell me that the food is okay. (2 adults, me and my husband.)

 

[tictoc]

The food is fine at Hollywood and Vine. In fact, I find it very tasty and they have things for picky kids. H and V was a favorite of ours and we always ate lunch there when it was a character meal. With that being said I prefer Mama Melroses. I like the atmosphere and I always have a really good wait staff. Italian food is not my favorite, but I really do like the food at MM.

 

[jpolak]

Thanks for the info. Still do not know which one to make.

 

[DisneyHokie]

I am not a buffet fan so booking the FDP has always been Mama Melrose (my brother doesn't like the selection at Brown Derby). The flatbreads, bread with dip, and pasta dishes are yummy. I've found this restaurant to be A LOTTTTT less packed than Hollywood and Vine making for a very enjoyable meal.

 

[GarrettJD]

Basically, with H+V dinner imagine a character buffet without the characters. If you've eaten at Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace for lunch or dinner, it's similar. Some of the selections are different but quality is about the same. Nothing "spectacular", but not bad either.

Never been to Mama Melrose, so I can't comment on that.

 

[jpolak]

I think we are starting to lean towards MM. The idea of a calm sit down dinner is starting to appeal to me.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We have never been to either and are looking to try one on our next trip in August. We are going to do the Fantasmic pkg. I know they are both very different, but if you could only do one which one and why? Thanks

For us, the choice would be MM. We have eaten at both and this fall will go with MM instead of H&V. I do realize alot of people really enjoy it, but H&V was our least favorite meal last year.

 

[jpolak]

For us, the choice would be MM. We have eaten at both and this fall will go with MM instead of H&V. I do realize alot of people really enjoy it, but H&V was our least favorite meal last year.

Sounds good. How could I not take the advice of a fellow Islander.

 

[jsmla]

I think we are starting to lean towards MM. The idea of a calm sit down dinner is starting to appeal to me.

Our FDP meal at Mama Melrose was a bit too leisurely for us. With a 5:00 pm ADR we were seated at 5:30. To say service was slow would be an understatement. From our 4:45 arrival for our ADR we spent over 3 hours at MM and that was taking our desserts to go. If we had stayed for dessert we would have missed Fantasmic all together. As it was we got seats all the way at the top right hand side of the theater. We could have gotten better seats in the regular sections but by that time Fantasmic was getting ready to start.

Service was terrible! Our waitress would disappear for over half an hour at a time. My meal arrived at least 10-15 minutes after the kids'. I went up to the hostess area once to try to get our desserts before Fantasmic started and there was our server gossiping with friends in the waiting area. When I told her we were still (after about 30 minutes) waiting for our check and desserts she got really huffy and brought our desserts out plated though I had twice requested for them to go. We thought the food was only so-so. DS's steak was tiny and the asparagus had the texture of over cooked spaghetti. DD's pasta dish was very dry. My eggplant was good but the white bean ragu served with it was waaay undercooked. I was afraid I'd break a tooth on the beans! We were never checked on and never had our water glasses refilled. This is the only time in my life that I didn't leave a tip.

This is the only negative review that I think I've ever given to a Disney restaurant. I hope it was just a fluke thing but we won't be going back to MM any time soon.

 

[bexareaglecheryl]

We did H&V on the Fantasmic Pkg in the middle of the afternoon and loved it. It was nice to have a slow leisurely meal. There is something for everyone there and it is the one restaurant my DD (18) wants to revisit on our trip next month. I would recommend it - a group of 13 adults and kids all loved it and we're a pretty picky crowd.

 

[cdntourguide]

With H&V you get the full buffet.
With Mama Melrose there is a special (ie limited) menu to order from.
I usually do H&V and have never regretted eating there. MM however can be hit or miss with service and food quality.

 

[jpolak]

Good points about MM taking a long time. The plan was to be able to eat and have a little fun before the 9pm fantasmic. I would hate to get stuck at dinner.

 

[jpolak]

Well I did it. I just got off the phone with Disney Dining and switched our ADR to H&V. Thanks for the info.