Where to dine in Hollywood Studios

[DisneyJColeMom]

We’ll be staying in September and celebrating my son’s 7th birthday in Hollywood Studios. We have the deluxe dining plan, and Im trying to decide what lunch & dinner to do that day. I like character dining, but I actually want the food to be good! This would probably be for a different post, but Ive booked 3 different signature meals that are double credits & am wondering if thats a bad idea or not. Regardless, right now I have reservations for lunch at SciFi & dinner at Hollywood & Vine. But our party is 8 people & I didnt realize the unusual seating that SciFi has. Any thoughts, recommendations? My son is a picky eater on top of it all... but I love food & not so huge a fan of buffets!

 

[Ross Kratter]

If you want really high quality food, the Brown Derby would be your best bet.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

I figured Brown Derby would come up! But with the other 3 signature restaurants we scheduled on other days, I was hoping to keep HS day to 1 TS credit spots! Anyone think the food at Hollywood & Vine is good? Or eat with a large party at SciFi?

 

[Ross Kratter]

I figured Brown Derby would come up! But with the other 3 signature restaurants we scheduled on other days, I was hoping to keep HS day to 1 TS credit spots! Anyone think the food at Hollywood & Vine is good? Or eat with a large party at SciFi?

The other table service food in that particular park is nothing to write home about.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Eating 3 full meals a day in Disney is a feat in itself

have you done the DxDP before?

 

[Aurora79]

We ate at Hollywood & Vine in February. I booked it because we wanted to do a lot of character meals, and even though I’d seen all the reviews I thought that it couldn’t be *that* bad.

It was. The service was good. The character interaction was good. The food was not. I’m not even a picky eater, but I thought most of it was inedible. It just tasted cheap, and not off-brand cheap, but Dollar Tree cheap. It was really our only bad meal of the trip.

 

[lubob]

Brown derby and backlot express and 50 s prime time

 

[rkstocke5609]

Mama Melrose’s has always been my 1 TS credit choice at Studios. It can accomodate a larger group easier than the other choices.

 

[StarSeven7]

We sat with a larger group at Sci-Fi and we were seated at 2 "regular" tables with chairs that just have the front and back of the car at each end of the table.

 

[gharter]

Sci-Fi is a lot of fun and worth doing.
He might enjoy 50's Prime Time, if you get a good server.
The food at Mama Melrose is not bad and the atmosphere is very nice.Have never had a great meal there, but never a terrible one either. Would be easier for a large group.

 

[MarkS2112]

Hollywood and Vine is bad buffet food. Backlot was our go to but food quality is way down.
Sci Fi fun and food ok.
50s Primetime is good basic food and with a good sever very fun.
Mama Melrose is good with nice atmosphere.
ABC Commisary was decent with some different choices. Rib platter could feed 2-3.

 

[kastoney]

I'm with you in the buffet loathing club! Why character dining largely = buffets and bad food is beyond me. Even more perplexing is how people can forgive this because of the characters (side note Tusker House is the only character meal buffet we've found has good food). It is a restaurant after all. Moving along...

SciFi is our favorite place to eat in MGM. The cars do only accommodate 6 so they would likely split you in 2 or put you at a "regular' table in the back of the restaurant. That said my daughter (9) loves this place so it would likely be a hit with the kiddo. 50's Prime Time can be fun for kids too but their food is pretty heavy for September IMO.

Another option would be to go to one of the Boardwalk area restaurants. We really enjoy Beaches and Cream as well as Ale and Compass. We aren't dining plan people so I cannot attest to their "value" but both are one credit options that actually focus on the food

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Has anyone eaten at one of the tables at SciFi in the back that seats 8 facing eachother? Is it still as fun?

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Another option would be to go to one of the Boardwalk area restaurants.

How far away is it to do this? Is it any easy trip? Are there any very nearby resort restaurants to try?

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Brown Derby for the Cobb Salad and Grapefruit cake!
We also love Sci-Fi because its really cool. We always show up early and go to Baseline Tap House for 1 or 5 drinks first.
Mama Melrose's is actually pretty good. My wife really likes it so we go when we can.
A strange suprise is ABC Commissary . They have some really good ribs! Not what I expected, I mean really good!
Last is 50's Prime Time but I only go for the PB&J milkshake. The fried Chicken is pretty good too.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Another thing im noticing... does Disney not serve kids french fries? Im not seeing french fries as option for any kids meals?

 

[kastoney]

How far away is it to do this? Is it any easy trip? Are there any very nearby resort restaurants to try?

It’s a quick 10 minute boat ride away or a half mile or so walk if you prefer that. Both restaurants I mentioned are in the Yacht and Beach Club but there are options in the Boardwalk as well. You could also take the Skyliner to Caribbean Beach and eat at Sebastians. Believe it is dinner only but the food is fantastic

 

[Disneypro1]

50s. And Sci Fi.

 

[mattpeto]

Here is my take: the table service meals at HS aren't special. Sci-Fi is okay if you like Nifty Fifty's type of food, but nobody in my partyof 6 indicated they would like return. MM was mediocre (although I'd like to give it a 2nd shot) and HBD is not good value for a 2 meal credits.

Woody's Lunch Box was a decent breakfast (or lunch) stop for QS. Galaxy's Edge has some fun spots and we loved Ronto Roasters and the blue/green milk stand. The rest of the QS don't appeal to me at all.

The podcast I frequent loves the Skyliner and raves about the 10 minute ride over to one of the resorts and goes crazy about the burger at QS place at Rivera's. The Boardwalk is also a good option. Plenty of spots around there. Tratorria al Forno for breakfast is awesome and your son might get a kick out of Prince Eric/Flynn. Cape May Cafe is great for breakfast or dinner. The Bakery at the Boardwalk has amazing food too.

Obviously it can be a real hassle of leaving the park and coming back. If you aren't doing Fantasmic, hit dinner options elsewhere.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

Mama Melrose’s has always been my 1 TS credit choice at Studios. It can accomodate a larger group easier than the other choices.

Agree^^^^ We had a surprisingly good meal at Mama Melrose's in Sept.
Another option would be hit the Skyliner and eat at Sebastian's at Caribbean Beach resort for an early dinner and shoot back to HS for the nighttime stuff. I hear nothing but good things about it from everyone including Disney employees.