Most Recent Reviews
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.
Pros:
NoneCons:
Drunk people.Review of Pandora -- the World of Avatar
Reviewed by Sandy Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
Amazing...if you have no problems with motion sickness. I had to close my eyes several times, it was just to intense for me. But the parts I was able to watch really was amazing.
Pros:
RealisticCons:
A little too realReviewed by SophieR Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
My family and I have loved this resort! The lobby is amazing by day and night, the surroundings are amazing and the chance to view animals all day is incredible. We booked a standard room, but were upgraded to a savanna view with a bunk bed, which made my 6 years old son very happy. The room was large and clean, we had a good view of the animals from the balcony. Short distance to the restaurants, we ate at all of them, had a great dinner at Jiko and the best meal of my life at Sanaa; try the bread service! We enjoyed both pools, at Jambo and Kidani, but my son preferred the slide at the Kidani pool. Good bus service, never waited more than 10 minutes. We are going back in 2019, looking forward to it!
Pros:
View of the animals, Sanaa, Jiko, both pools at Kidani and Jambi House, nice gift shop.Cons:
Not so good wifi serviceReview of Pandora -- the World of Avatar
Reviewed by Mosesthewondercat Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
Mind blowing rides and great theming.
Pros:
ThemingCons:
Crowds!!!!!!!Review of Walt Disney World Minnie Van Service
Reviewed by Grandma Minnie Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
I trusted my knee so badly on the way to the airport for our last WDW trip that I needed to rent a motorized scooter. Getting to the ESPN Sports Center was not an easy task since there wasn't a direct bus from our resort. We called for a handicap Minnie Van, which promptly arrived within 20 minutes. I applaud each driver we had for their patience and caring in helping me navigate and feel well cared for. And although the price for the Minnie Van service has increased, it was still a blessing.
Pros:
Quick arrival, courteous and patient drivers, handicap vans available as wellCons:
Increased price plus tipping getting a bit expensiveReview of Disney Dining Plan
Reviewed by morgaa2 Review Date: 09/30/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
We love that the dining plan means we don't need to spend time crunching numbers and picking the lowest cost option. However, to make the dining plan worth the bang for your buck you need to be judicious about where you choose to use your credits. A "snack credit" on an apple is not going to give you the value that a $6.00 pretzel is. If you like to do character meals and ever attend during the food and wine festival the dining plan is worth it. It is also worth it when "free dining" is available. I wouldn't bother if you are not a big eater or have small children. I recommend looking at menus and prices before you go and deciding if you are really going to be saving any money. The dining plan goes up in price every year so although we love the convenience it may not be worth it next visit.
