Hollywood and Vine (good or not)

[JudyC]

I've made an ADR for the Hollywood and Vine/Fantasmic package. Now I've just read some recent bad reviews on the HW&V buffet:(
Has anyone been recently and was it a good or bad experience.

[Amyrlin]

I have been there, it was nothing to write home about, but there was nothing wring with it. On the plus side if you find the mains a bit limiting or don't like them there is a good dessert selection.

[glorfy]

My DW went and loved it... we went together a few days later, and she said it wasn't as good,,,, We will be going again, and hoping that it's like it was when DW went!

[loadsapixiedust]

We ate there last summer and everyone enjoyed it. DH had prime rib and loved it, the kids both found things they liked and the desserts were gorgeous. The food was all very fresh and nicely presented and service was excellent. We had no complaints and have booked to eat there again.

[Sue]

We went last September and were very impressed. Neither of us are really into buffets, so it was an experiment. DH read the menu selection outside and looked at me as if to say "what have you booked". I was a bit concerned.:(
Should not have been, we both found many choices to suit us (there is that much selection, you would have to be really picky not to find something IMHO) and went back a couple of times for more "bits".:tounge:
The dessert selection is great too and DH loved that, but I'm not really into desserts, prefer savoury.

[Cinders Mum]

Judy, I must have read the same reviews and I too had concerns, I was going to come on here this morning and post the same question.

So will read all the replies keenly.

[JudyC]

Yes, it always seems to have had good reviews until recently. I was wondering has it gone down hill in the last month or two:confused2 . I'll keep an eye on the reviews over the next month or so before I decide whether to change the ADR.

[borntoshop]

We ate at Hollywood & Vine in Nov'05 and it was a lovely meal with plenty of choices, seafood, beef, chicken, lots of desserts.

[Gaz]

booked our adr the other day so i too will be keeping tabs on this thread

[Sean_and_Sue]

Planning to book ADR here today - trying to stick to buffet menus, as I have several faddy eaters in my gang:erm: Will keep an eye on this thread too.

Love Suexx

[mart77]

We ate here last July and enjoyed it. Good variety of food and tasty deserts. For the money i cant fault it.

[ClaireD]

Here goes....

Ate here in January and wasn't impressed - sorry :( .

I know alot of people like it.

My reasons are, we were rushed, the place seemed a bit grubby and well used our table didn't look as if it had been cleaned and the food was only OK. Maybe we were there on an off day? :confused2 DH who likes to eat and is usually easily pleased said he wouldn't rush back either - that's just our opinions.

ClaireD x

[JDG]

We ate there twice in November 2004 and twice in October 2005 - had a great experience both times.

We liked the range of food (puddings were good too) and found lots that we enjoyed. If I'm being really picky the service of drinks was a little slow and the mess from some of the other tables took a while to clean (some of the tables were very messy though).

We've never felt rushed and we'd eat there again.

[TandCmum]

we enjoyed our meal there last year. I wouldn't say it was our best meal but it was good. It was very busy when we went and had to wait 20 mins past our ADR time for a table, but once inside we didn't feel rushed. There was plenty to choose from and the salads and peel and eat shrimp were lovely. We went on the FDP and i didn't realise that you couldn't get DDE discount for it, so handed over my card as usual. Our waiter came back and said he couldn't apply the discount but as DS had eaten so little (as normal) then he didn't charge us for him. DD on the other hand was free anyway as she was under 3 but she ate loads and really enjoyed. I would go back again.

[TH1]

Ate there in April and it was excellent. You would have to be very picky not to find something you didn't like on the menu. We use it for the Fantasmic Dinner Package and the only tip I have is to make your ADR for at least 2 hours before the start of the show (preferably, 2 1/2 hours). This lets you have a leisurely meal and a leisurely walk to Fantasmic - it is a long walk and mostly uphill!

[Amyrlin]

I think it varies what is on the menu, when were were there there was Turkey anf flank steak and salmon. but no rib of beef or peal and eat shrimp. both of which I really like.

It is alsoi likey that the quality may imprtove as soon the character breakfast and luch is starting, so there will be more use fothe kitchen etc, which might increase the choice and quality.

[trikkinikki]

We ate there in February also with the Fantasmic package. The food was good IMO, there was something for everyone and the puddings were yummy. It was slightly manic I suppose but in all we loved it and would go again. I would say though to allow plenty of time after your meal to get to the show as there is a fair a walk which we didn't realise - especially with little ones - but its well worth it the show is brilliant.

[notgrumpy]

We've had the buffet there a few times, most recently last December, and will definitely be going there again. Good value and variety and there is something for everyone even if you don't like absolutely everything there is.

[lesleyanne]

Have eaten here twice and would deffinately not do it again. Kids ate nothing i ate hardly anything as i didnt like what was on offer. Service was the only thing that was good in here. So thumbs down from me.

[Scrap_Vamp]

We had really good food when we were here on May 1st - DF and I both found something to suit and the desserts were scrummy. Don't have any complaints at all, tbh :)

[JulieWuzzle]

We ate there last August. We all enjoyed our meals and the service was really good. There was a good range of dishes and the deserts were great. We would certainly go there again.

[asil44]

We ate here on 24th april (i think) it was nice meal not impressed with our miserable server who acted all nice and chatty when she came over with the bill and if we had have been in uk there would not have been a tip given. The food was nice and desserts were too. It was good for the fantasmic package as that gets packed very early so book adr for latest 6:30, we went at 5:50.

[Stuart_D]

How many good buffet restaurants are there? IMO you are far better going table service no matter where or what the package is. However if you want a review on H&V the best way to do it is to consider it compared to other buffet places.

For example if your other experiences of all you can eat buffets are Ponderosa, Golden Coral, Shoney's, Wendy's etc this is a different world. Compared to those places this is five star luxury, spotless and incredibly relaxed in attitude. However if you want to compare H&V to Boma, or to Whispering Canyon Cafe you are going to be really disappointed.

The fact is that most people don't go to H&V because of the food....most go because of the Fantasmic Package and that IMO makes the whole experience well worthwhile. There's no queuing for an hour and a half in the baking heat just to be seated out in the sun for another hour before the show starts. The food is perfectly edible, infact they do great bread and an unbelievable array of butters that impresses. You can also eat as much meat as you like unlike in the cheap buffets that some wax lyrical about :spin:

Yes it is busy especially from 5pm onwards. Yes the servers are overworked at that time and probably stressed out. Yes sometimes the tables haven't been cleaned properly. Lets face it the pressure is on because people want to be fed and ready to leave in time for the Fantasmic show. Thats the true function of H&V and if you aren't using it for the Fantasmic package stay well away.

[janeywaney]

We ate here with Juju and her family last year, the food was beautiful, plentiful, and hot! The waitress however was not happy, it was as though we were not there, not once did she smile at us or be anywhere near pleasant for that matter!
As with everywhere what is good for one family it may not be for another. We went to Mama Melroses's for our fantasmic dinner package a couple of years ago and it was awful. Thats why we tried H&V and loved the food.

[JudyC]

How many good buffet restaurants are there? IMO you are far better going table service no matter where or what the package is. However if you want a review on H&V the best way to do it is to consider it compared to other buffet places.

We did love the Brown Derby when we went :tounge: but I've booked a few ADR's for table service restaurants.

I was hoping to balance the budget a bit by going for a cheaper option for this one though.;)

[madmumof4!]

We ate here last Sept, and really enjoyed it, the food was good, service EXCELLENT, my DH and I felt bad as kids left alot but they were encouraged by our server to go and get more as he said they dont know if they like it unless they try it.
We didnt feel rushed and loved it, it wasnt my fav all you can eat place in Disney that would have to be Crystal Palace but all the same excellent food and service for what we paid, and great seats at Fantasmic thrown in.

[spider]

We loved it so much in 2004, we've made an ADR for this year too!!!!;)

Found there was plenty of choice, great salad bar, peel & eat shrimp by the bucket!!!! :thumbs-up There were chicken, beef, fish, seafood hot dishes, veggies, pasta, rice, carved beef from the hot plate, potatoes, etc.

The desserts were scrummy too and theres an ice-cream station for the kids with lots of toppings (though there were plenty of adults using it too!!!!)

We had a great server too, she was very helpful and bought a plate of fries for our youngest DS who was having a "slight" stress-out at the time and she was lovely, so understanding and he was settled very quickly so we could enjoy our meal.

At the end of the day, its like any restaurant, it's down to personal choice and taste. We like buffets, there was plenty of different things to try (I tried my first scallop at H&V!!) and it comes with the great seating for Fantasmic :d: :d:

[Logan]

I've never been, first time this year, but this sounds like just the sort of place for us, something for everyone.

It actually sounds a bit like Plaza Gardens (I think - opposite the castle) in DLP and we were well impressed with the service and food on offer there.

One thing that puzzles me a bit, everyone keeps talking about 'their server'. With it being buffet and therefore self-service, do you still have a server for your table?

On the tips issue, some have mentioned that the service would not have warranted one - Disney prices are already inflated by 'outside' standards, so are tips still the norm in Disney property?

[BarryandCaron]

I've never been, first time this year, but this sounds like just the sort of place for us, something for everyone.

It actually sounds a bit like Plaza Gardens (I think - opposite the castle) in DLP and we were well impressed with the service and food on offer there.

One thing that puzzles me a bit, everyone keeps talking about 'their server'. With it being buffet and therefore self-service, do you still have a server for your table?

On the tips issue, some have mentioned that the service would not have warranted one - Disney prices are already inflated by 'outside' standards, so are tips still the norm in Disney property?

You have a server at a buffet to explain how it works (self explanatory really) to re-fill your drinks and to fetch you clean plates for the buffet for each of your visits (Not like Pizza Hut buffet where you use the same plate)

Yes you should tip at Disney restaurants, it's not the servers fault for the restaurant prices. IMO, the prices are the same as we pay here for a good meal and what I would expect for a theme park. Have you ever eaten at DLP? there prices are extortionate :omg: Servers in the US are paid poorly and are taxed on the tips (15%) that they are expected to receive. Therefore, if you don't tip they are out of pocket.

When in Rome ....... as the saying goes.

Caron

[Logan]

No, I appreciate that about the servers and their generally low wages, fair point.

I was just puzzled about the 'server' aspect as generally in my experience, buffets are entirely self-service, ie get your own plates, refills and off course food. :d: It does seem to be needless use of staff and in a way could actually hold up service while you wait on plates, etc when you could have been up and back to your table ages ago.

[BarryandCaron]

No, I appreciate that about the servers and their generally low wages, fair point.

I was just puzzled about the 'server' aspect as generally in my experience, buffets are entirely self-service, ie get your own plates, refills and off course food. :d: It does seem to be needless use of staff and in a way could actually hold up service while you wait on plates, etc when you could have been up and back to your table ages ago.

The servers are generally very good and we haven't ever had to wait for clean plates, they usually bring a pile to start with and should bring you drink re-fills before you need to ask. I would call that good service and tip accordingly. They also bring your bill to the table. It's a totally different set up to the buffets in UK;)

Caron

[Logan]

Thanks Caron for explaining the system. :grin:

No, I'm looking forward to that aspect as generally Disney staff are very good and helpful. It will be a pleasant change to have staff of that calibre look after us while dining. (unlike N Ireland and I suspect much of rest of UK, where service is often poor and food thrown at you :angry: )

[teabag]

We ate at Hollywood & Vine first week in May and thought it was awful, but then again, I thought Fantasmic was a waste of time as well, as did everyone else seated around us, the walk from the Hollywood & Vine restaurant is quite some distance up hill so if any member of your party have walking difficulties be prepared. Next time we visit we will definately give this restaurant a miss and try one of the others.
My children didn't even like the nuggets, meatballs, macaroni etc and it was a real job getting them to eat anything other than cakes, which i must admit looked lovely but in my opinion were really dry and a disappointment to the taste buds!
Overall, I did not know what to expect from this restaurant, but it looked quite tired and dull, but we were just pleased to be in the air-conditioning!

[Treacle44]

WE've been twice now doing the fantasmic package. Both times it was probably my least favourite meal BUT it wasn't awful, it's just we had a lot of excellent meals in Disney! They do nuggets, mac n cheese, pizza and meatballs for the kids, mash, salads, pasta, stew, beef filet mignon type thing, chicken in something or other, breads, shell on prawns etc etc. Desserts were good and they've got a great ice cream factory with about 10 toppings. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad at all, just wasn't my favourite, didn't like the chrome decor etc and it's v busy.

It's cheaper than most of the disney buffets and is fine to be able to go to Fantasmic, don't miss that whatever you do!!

T
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