Most Recent Reviews
Review of Pandora -- the World of Avatar
Reviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
Most AMAZING ride at Disney World!
Pros:
Breathtaking rideCons:
NoneReviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (6) Recommended
This experience has made it on Groupon before...and that makes it a better deal for sure. It is an experience to do once to say you have done it but I don't think it is one I would repeat. It does give you a birds eye view and some amazing chances for pictures. I would recommend it for young kids or people with a fear of heights because it may just be too expensive for something that wouldn't be remembered or enjoyed.
Pros:
The view, taking picturesCons:
A bit pricey unless you can snag a Groupon. I think it a one and done type of experience.Review of runDisney Events
Reviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
We volunteer with runDisney to work the races and they are amazing! They are pricey so I don't think I would enter one (especially a short one) with the mission of trying for a personal best. I think it should be more about the entire experience. However, a runner should be trained and ready. Many fall behind in the marathon and once you are too far back you are scooped up and can not complete the race. Volunteers are stationed everywhere for water, powerade, gel food, cheer squad, and so much more. We love seeing how creative the running costumes can be. Especially when big groups all theme together -it is fabulous. We worked the race where the man competed in the REWALK suit and it was an amazing experience. There are also hand cyclist that compete - so runDisney events are not just for the able bodied.
Pros:
The ambiance, the pictures, well run, great medalsCons:
Waking up super early, crowds, if you are running a 5K trying to "win" you really miss out on a lot of the experience cause you don't take it all in.Review of Food & Wine Food Booths
Reviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (6) Recommended
You have to go in to it expecting a "taste" more than a snack or a meal. And don't just go for the hype, choose things you want to try. We did a fruit sushi that was all the rave last year and none of us cared for it.I was with my 2 girls so we got one and each take a small taste for the booth. The things that come in cups are like a bathroom sized Dixie cup - so it isn't much at all. The other stuff is normally served in a small cardboard boat. It is a great chance to taste lots of different cultural foods but it will add up if you are trying to eat enough to get full. I don't do any of the alcohol offerings because I am with my kids and am the one driving so I can't speak to it. But there are always people who are drinking a bit too much...
Pros:
Unique opportunity to taste many different cuisinesCons:
Portions are small, so it adds up. I wish there was a "tasters" pass like a digital punch card you could prebuy at a reduced rate and get a certain number of samples. We typically only try 2-3 things per visit to stay in budget.Review of Candlelight Processional (Epcot)
Reviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Show is a MUST do for the holidays! Try to book for a time when the celebrity narrator is someone you are interested in. My oldest has performed 4 years and the show is so amazing. Neil Patrick Harris, woman that voices Ariel, and Whoopi have been her favorite narrators. NPH is her number one, for sure. I liked Trace Adkins though she found him too monotone. But the deep traditional southern voices just fit for me. It is the traditional religious Christmas story with orchestra and chorus. The center chorus are employed by Disney and sides are church/community/school choral groups that advanced through the audition process to qualify so everyone is AMAZING! That said, they have totally changed how they seat the venue so the stand by line is not a good plan unless you want to wait hours and don't care which show you see for the day. We have parents that don't get in to the show their child is performing in (the 5:00 performers are often different than the 6:30 performers etc so let as many school groups have a shot to get in.) Now you more of less must do the Dining Package to get a guaranteed seat at the show of your choice. Those people are all loaded into the venue first and IF there are open seats, then they move to stand by line. One show probably only 100 got in from stand by and there were hundreds of hopefuls. The dining isn't like just a few reserved rows - they will sell out the theater to dining if enough people book. But if in EPCOT, why not dinner and a show? Eating there is part of the charm. And the show has a celebrity narrator, fabulous orchestra, and amazing singers. Definitely puts you in a holiday mood if you connect to the Christian Christmas celebration.
Pros:
Amazingly done! Celerity narrator!Cons:
Don't count on standby line - book a Dining Package to be sure to get in.Review of My Disney Experience
Reviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (7) Recommended
I have gone to Disney regularly for about 25 years so I have see multiple changes throughout the park and system. I do like the app and feel like it is keeping with the times. I know people miss the paper fast pass machines but I don't miss them that much now that I have figured out how to manage FP+ and I do that from the app. Of course, if app crashes, then it is very frustrating! I travel with 2-3 teens typically so everyone has a phone. And everyone brings a battery back to charge from as well so we don't worry about any phone being dead ever. (We bring one backpack with our supplies for the day and take turns carrying it.) I use the app mainly for managing Fast Passes and checking wait times. When I was chaperoning a school trip that performed and then had 3-4 hours in EPCOT, our group was the most accomplished of getting in rides. Performers don't get a ticket on day of performing - they enter from backstage in the countries. So fast passes aren't possible. Just by using the app and checking waits we could have a plan of attack. The group agreed on 3 must do's and we got all of those plus a couple others in.
Pros:
ConvenientCons:
Frustrating when not functioning correctlyReview of Yacht Club Resort (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Beautiful resort with great theming. Long walk down corridors to our particular room though and view was awful from room (was primarily a gravel roof a few floors below and parking lot). We commented that they should have down something special with the roof (maybe a mural or rooftop garden) to make it feel more "Deluxe." We adored the sand bottom pool and long slide. Probably our favorite part when compared to other resorts. The walk over to EPCOT was super convenient except that it was a race morning when we wanted to head in so it was tricky since many racers were on that path. We made it though. Watched part of the evening show from the bridge that goes over to the Boardwalk. We also watched the sword swallower on the boardwalk one evening. My girls enjoyed roaming around the resort and all the thematic touches. There were a great many beautiful backdrops for taking pictures as well.
Pros:
Beautiful, sand bottom pool, great slide, super convenient to EPCOTCons:
You pay for what you get...I think Deluxe resorts should include parking since they are top tier. Can be a long walk down corridors from the elevator to a room with little view in you book standard category.Review of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by patd Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Have been there 3 times for lunch, twice for dinner. We are going for lunch again this year. Enjoyable, fun, kids love it.
Pros:
Food, LocationCons:
Noise LevelReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by survivoramy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
For the novice, I can see how FP+ may seem underwhelming. If you log on the day before looking for Mine Train the chances are dismal at best. The use does require knowledge of the system, some patience, and some luck. We don't always know months ahead of time when we are going so sometimes we are booking fast passes just a week or two out. We book 3 for the park we want of whatever is available. And then we start checking multiple times a day to switch out for earlier times or more popular experiences. Different things are opening up all the time as other parties change their reservations. Being persistent helps. I have scored a 7DMT the night before MK for 4 doing just this. Our strategy in MK is to book our first 3 fast passes for around 10:30-1:00. We get in a rope drop and can generally get on Mine Train, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion etc with small waits by being early. Then the crowds really start clogging everything up about an hour after opening. So we use fast passes during that time. And once we use all 3 we book the next. As soon as we are scanned into the last fast pass line we are booking the next experience while we wait to be loaded onto the ride. I have teen girls with me and my oldest loves being in charge of it.
Pros:
Getting to bypass long lines for some "must do" ridesCons:
Must book well in advance (or be persistent in looking for better ones that what you book originally), can't park hop with fast passes, some parks have tiered systems where you only can get a fast pass for one "good" ride and two lesser ones.Review of General Exhibits and Experiences
Reviewed by patd Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
Went to the Food and Wine last year with my 11 year old granddaughter and other family members. If I want to see that many falling down drunks, vomit on rides, vomit in restrooms (in a restaurant) I could go to a seedy bar. Would not recommend until they clean up the drunken behavior.
