Updated: April 25, 2024

Hollywood Studios has one of the best character dining experiences at Hollywood & Vine, located in the Echo Lake area of the theme park.

I’ve eaten here multiple times and keep coming back for more, because it’s that good. But, let’s talk about my most recent visit.

The following Minnie’s Seasonal Dining at Hollywood & Vine review is from my October 29, 2023 Minnie’s Halloween Dine experience.

In this article

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What is Hollywood & Vine?

Hollywood & Vine is home to Minnie’s Seasonal Dining and Disney Junior Play n’ Dine. So, you can book two different character dining options, depending on the meal.

If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, it is accepted here (1 Table Service credit per person).

Here are the differences between Minnie’s Seasonal Dining and Disney Junior Play n’ Dine:

Minnie’s Seasonal Dining

• Price (minus tax & gratuity): $63 per adult and $40 per child (ages 3 to 9)
• Discounts: Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members
• Meal: All-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet
• Food: Classic American food (but better), with both kid-friendly and plant-based options
• Characters: Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto
• Costumes: Vary based on the season
• Sign autographs: Yes

You can only experience Minnie’s Seasonal Dining during lunch and dinner.

What makes Minnie’s Seasonal Dining so great is the costumes change depending on the time of year. So, for Halloween, the characters wear Halloween costumes. During the holidays, they sport festive attire, and so on.

These are the following Minnie’s Seasonal Dining offerings and when they are typically available:

Disney Junior Play n’ Dine

• Price (minus tax & gratuity): $47 per adult and $30 per child (ages 3 to 9)
• Discounts: Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members
• Meal: All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet
• Food: Classic American breakfast food, with an omelette station, kid-friendly items, and a range of plant-based options
• Characters: Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, and Goofy
• Costumes: Traditional
• Sign autographs: Yes

Disney Junior Play n’ Dine is only available at Hollywood & Vine during breakfast. This is a great way to meet a range of Disney Junior characters at once, not to mention a fun way to have breakfast and start the day.

The Disney Junior characters also have their own meet and greets in the Animation Courtyard at Hollywood Studios (check the My Disney Experience app for times).

If you want to save money, you can meet them there. However, standing in line isn’t for all little ones, so booking a character breakfast might be the better option.

Minnie’s Seasonal Dining Review

While I’ve dined here on more than one occasion, my last meal was during Minnie’s Halloween Dine on October 29, 2023 for dinner.

In no surprise whatsoever (at least to me), the entire experience was exactly what I expected — delicious and fun.

The Food

Buffets at character dining meals can certainly be hit or miss, but I honestly believe Hollywood & Vine has a truly fantastic one.

Here are a few examples of what you can find on the all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffet line (the same food is served for both meals):

• Make your own tossed salad
• Other salads, like tomatoes and artichokes, couscous, and a plant-based bean option
• Variety of fruit, including cantaloupe, watermelon, and grapes
• Meat and fish items range from salmon cakes to a strip loin carving station
• Sides include sour cream and chive whipped potatoes, plant-based olive oil and crushed potatoes, broccoli and carrot mix, and caramelized Brussels sprouts
• Kids can choose from penne pasta and marinara, macaroni and cheese, green beans, chicken nuggets, potato barrels (tater tots), and mini corn dogs
• Dessert features carrot cake cupcakes, bread pudding, plant-based apple crisp, and a soft-serve ice cream station

Many of these offerings are fresh and steer clear from your typical theme park food. Plus, there are multiple plant-based options.

As a vegetarian, I appreciate this greatly. Two of my favorite items are the Roasted Mushroom Farro Risotto and the Crispy Tofu with Asian Glaze.

You can order alcohol for an additional price. I didn’t this time, but below is what’s available.

Wine and beer menu:

Cocktail menu:

The Characters

During Minnie’s Seasonal Dining at Hollywood & Vine, you get to meet classic Disney characters. Depending on the season, their costumes will change.

Here’s what they wear during Halloween. In my opinion, these are the best costumes. They really don’t get any cuter than this.

Minnie

Mickey

Goofy

Pluto

All of the characters were fantastic. I’ve never had one bad character interaction here. They usually come around multiple times, like they did during my most recent visit.

If you miss a character because you’re at the buffet or you want a better photo, you will most likely always have a second chance. And if you miss a character, don’t hesitate to tell your server or the character attendant. Usually, they will even check with you to verify you’ve met each character.

All of the characters sign autographs, as well.

Is Minnie’s Seasonal Dining worth it?

Yes, I definitely think Minnie’s Seasonal Dining is worth it.

Not only do you get to meet four core characters, but you get a really good lunch or dinner and overall experience.

What makes this particular character meal even better is the costumes are super unique. It’s like you get five different character meals in one location. I love that you can go back throughout the year and see the characters in new costumes.

As for the food, it has improved greatly over the years. I appreciate that the buffet offers a unique variety compared to standard theme park fare.

The buffet options don’t normally change, though you may encounter seasonal desserts. Overall, while the costumes may be different, the meal itself should be the same.

No matter what Minnie’s Seasonal Dining you book, you should always get a quality dining experience. The service also always seems to be impeccable.

As the only character dining option in Hollywood Studios, the restaurant can get busy. But, more often than not, you can score a last-minute reservation, which is another bonus.

Keep in mind that buffets can be more difficult with little ones, especially compared to a sit-down meal. But, the experience and characters can make a difference.

Better yet, each time I’ve dined here, everything moves at a good pace, without feeling rushed. You should be in and out within 60 minutes or so.

There’s no denying that character dining can be expensive. The price certainly adds up. But, if you want a good meal outside of Quick Service and the chance to meet a handful of characters without waiting in line, then Hollywood & Vine is for you.

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Have you experienced Minnie’s Seasonal Dining at Hollywood & Vine? Let me know in the comments if you love it as much as I do!