Most Recent Reviews
Review of FastPass+
Reviewed by dailey71 Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (0) Recommended
While it was nice to not have to make a mad dash for a fast pass kiosk as soon as the park gate opened, you were limited to which rides you could reserve them. The system also wouldn't let you get passes for only certain members of your group. It was all or nothing. We did find that if you let your pass time expire, you could then set up any fast pass you wanted to replace it.
Pros:
no having to run for fast pass kiosks when park opensCons:
limited amount of fast passes, ride categoriesReview of My Disney Experience
Reviewed by dailey71 Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (0) Recommended
This was helpful with keeping track of fast passes and dinner reservations. We didn't have any issues with it at all. It was great to be able to see wait times for rides on the other side the park.
Pros:
real time ride wait timesCons:
—Review of MagicBand
Reviewed by dailey71 Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
We stayed for a week and had only minor issues with using it to get into parks. I had to have mine reset at the gate one day which involved a cast member using their iPad to reset it. I didn't have any issues after that. I had heard of friends having worse issues with their band not working at the park gate and the cast member not being helpful at all. It was nice not to have to worry about losing the card that we used to carry for park access.
Pros:
convenienceCons:
system can be glitchy sometimesReviewed by dailey71 Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our first time staying at this resort and we sprang for the savanna view. Depending on where your room is located (we were in 7440), it could be quite a long hike from the lobby or bus stop. Lucky for us, it wasn't too bad of a walk to the bus stop since we were in the Zazu section. With staying at Kidani versus Jambo, we were the first ones on the bus and the first ones off. Many others have commented that there isn't any quick service place to eat, but we used our kitchenette in our studio each morning for breakfast. We ate lunch and dinner in the parks every day. Next year, we'd definitely get a one bedrm instead and eat a few dinners in the room since we'd have a full kitchen. My DS liked going to the community hall to play one rainy afternoon. They have lots of crafts, video games, and a pool table. We also tried the night vision goggles for animal viewing. It was kind of cool and we were used to seeing many of the animals during the day/evening from our balcony anyway. Others have commented on the dimly lit hallways and rooms, but I felt the rooms were well lit. The bathroom had plenty of storage, but the dresser could've had more drawer space. At least there was also a wardrobe and we stored suitcases under the bed. There were four of us and with the sofa sleeper pulled out, it got to be slightly cramped quarters after a few days. I didn't think the distance from parks was an issue. I guess it depends on which parks you spend more time. The bus stop has monitors that tell you the arrival time for each bus. I didn't see this at Jambo House. It was also great to have our car parked underground, so we were basically a few floors up from our parking spot. This made it convenient for unloading and loading. We'll be coming back to this resort next year.
Pros:
Animal viewing, underground parkingCons:
Possible long walk from lobby/bus stop to roomReview of Harambe Nights at Animal Kingdom
Reviewed by jnrtwb Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
When I first heard about Harambe Nights, I thought it sounded very interesting and might make a nice surprise for my wife. I was able to obtain premium seating for 6/14.
Although we had been at AK earlier in the day, we took a break before the big storm moved in. More on smartphone weather apps later…
When we returned around 5:45, there were signs and CMs directing us to the turnstiles to get our wristbands. Different animal wristbands indicate different sections of the theater. Lion is premium. The CM supplying the wristbands instructed us that due to expected rain, we would meet at Pizzafari for the pre show reception at 6:45.
We saw the CM standing outside Pizzafari with a Harambi Nights sign, but we decided to wander around Discovery Island since we had some time to kill. Around 6:20 we noticed guests gathering at the bridge to Africa. We went to Pizzafari to inquire and were instructed that the event had been moved back outside and we should gather near the bridge until admitted.
Once all of the day guests were clear, we were welcomed to Harambe Nights by several CMs and lead across the bridge at 6:40.
Upon crossing the bridge, we were immediately directed to the left toward the theater courtyard. The rest of Africa was closed off. There were several food and beverage stations set up around the courtyard, so no need to stop at the first one you see.
The live band played background music and we were soon welcomed by the DJ. He advised up to eat carefully, as there would be a complete meal after the Lion King show.
The food was tasty, with the Safari cheeseburger roll with tomato curry aioli being the standout for me. I enjoyed everything but the Pickled fennel paneer cheese with tomato. I am one of the 25% of people who find cilantro tastes like soap and there was a strong cilantro flavor. Beverage options included beer (Corona, Bud Light, Tukser, St. P), various wines, “Jungle Juice†fruit juice (with the option of rum added for the adults), and various soft drinks.
Eventually the DJ advised us we would soon be entering the theater. No food could be brought in but we would be able to bring our beverages. The doors we entered through were based on our wristbands. As soon as he made this announcement, the doors opened and people began to stream in. Being caught off guard by the sudden change from “soon†to “NOWâ€, we trashed the rest of our food and headed for the entrance for Lion.
Upon entering the theater, we were greeted and presented with our snack tube of “Lion Chow†(curry flavored “muchie mix†with dried fruit). CMs directed us to our seats on the floor. This was first come, first seated, so if you want to be in front, don’t wait for the DJ’s announcement…eat, drink, and get to the doors to wait.
The show began and was quite enjoyable. My wife and I both grew up performing so we both appreciated the power and emotion of the orchestra and choir. Except for a few individuals who had clearly been brought under duress or were only there for the "open barâ€, most everyone seemed to enjoy the show.
Unfortunately, things took an unexpected turn at this point. When the show finished, the DJ took the stage and advised us that due to rain, we would be relocating, but not to worry, the party would go on. He advised us to sit tight and we would be directed shortly. As soon and he put his mic down, we were ushered out the theater door, handed ponchos, and instructed to head for Pizzafari.
When arriving at Pizzafari, we were offered bottled water or canned soft drinks. The main ordering area had been set up with tables on the three walls away from the order counter. Facing the counter, to the left was “surf and turfâ€, to the right bread and samosas, and on the opposite wall was slow cooked options (pork and chicken). This quickly turned to chaos. Far too many people tried to queue in all directions for food. The food was fine, but the chaos was frustrating. Side note: if you don’t like cilantro, stay away from the Vegetarian Eggplant Tikka Masala Curry and the Coriander Chutney Roasted Potatoes. At one point a CM walked through the dining area yelling something. It turned out he was saying that beer and wine were now available at the order counter. My wife overheard someone talking about dessert, so she wandered around until she found the dessert table in the back room. The desserts were unique and tasty, but I have to wonder how many people missed them.
After some time Pizzafari started to empty out. Most people were heading for the park exit, but my wife wondered “what about the street party?†We headed back to Harambe to find the area full of mostly empty tables with food stations set up serving no one. We saw people heading back to the theater, so we followed. Inside we found more tables and food stations. "Why were we sent all the way to Pizzafari?†I wondered…
We decided to sit in the bleachers to see what else might take place. Soon the band took the stage and played while a few people danced. Timon and Rafikki wandered through the small crowd of guests posing for pictures. Around 10:30, the food and beverage stations disappeared and we took this as our cue to leave.
The lack of direction and communication from Disney management made an otherwise enjoyable evening, rather frustrating. I don’t blame the CMs because most of them didn’t seem to know what was happening either. As we were leaving, one CM told us that the change to the indoor food area was sudden and last minute. He said everything was already set up outside. Again I say to Disney management: my smartphone has a weather app that shows live radar as well as predicted precipitation for the next few hours. Couldn’t you have had ONE person watching that?
If you attend Harambe Nights, I hope the weather is nice and you don’t experience the frustration we did. Overall, it was fun, but I feel like it could have been much better with stronger direction and communication. Is it worth the money? Only if it doesn’t rain...
Pros:
Harambe at Night, Lion King ShowCons:
Rain leads to chaosReview of MagicBand
Reviewed by Time2Talk Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
I recommend wearing the magic band on your left wrist so you can easily put your right index finger to scan when entering a park. It saves some time.
Pros:
—Cons:
—Review of FastPass+
Reviewed by Time2Talk Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
I just returned from WDW. I've been to WDW before and knew what rides I wanted to ride. I can't imagine how overwhelming it must have been to someone who didn't pre-book their major rides.
I liked the convenience of the new system, but just wanted more passes. I wish the system would allow you to schedule fast passes in different parks not just one park at a time. By the time I used my 3 fast passes, it was too late to get more passes on the major rides. They were all gone for the day. You can get more fast passes after the 3 uses, but you need to get it from a kiosk in a Disney Park. Really don't understand why you can book more passes on the disney app or online after you use the first 3. Crazy! It would have been more convenient than finding a kiosk.
I couldn't get fast passes to both Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios. Bummer! But, I rode Rockin' Roller Coaster as a single rider with no problem. In fact, I highly recommend riding Rockin' Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom) as a single rider. It's much quicker and you can ride them numerous times in a row.
The extra magic hours for resort guests helped with riding the major rides with the exception of the new Snow White mine ride in Magic Kingdom (the wait was as long as 180 minutes). I was never able to get another fast pass because they were gone so quickly. Also, the magic bands really made it quicker for the extra magic hours.
I found that some stand-by lines were shorter in some rides because of the fast passes.
There were a few times that my disney experience online indicated a different time than my disney experience app on my phone. When I showed the disney cast members, they overrode the system and let me in. Also, you will be let in 5 minutes before the start time on the fast pass.
The cell phone app is very convenient and you can view wait times for rides. People were constantly engrossed in their cell phones while waiting for lines. Not a problem until the line wasn't moving because they didn't look up. It really made me want to pass them in line, especially when I waited for over an hour for a few rides. Even though I didn't pass anyone, I really don't think the folks would have even noticed.
The magic bands are waterproof, however I had a black residue on my wrist after wearing it all day.
Pros:
ConvenienceCons:
Must use 3 fast passes before getting more from a kiosk in a disney parkReviewed by Time2Talk Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Loved going during Star Wars weekend recently. I had so much fun riding Star Tours with Star Wars fans. Enjoyed seeing all of the characters. Lines to get pictures with characters were long. Ok, I did several selfie type pictures with the characters in the background! Lines for the rides weren't long at all. It was fun watching the parade with so many other fans of Star Wars. I would definitely go again during a Star Wars weekend.
Pros:
Seeing characters from movieCons:
None!Review of Le Cellier Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Time2Talk Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This is my favorite restaurant in WDW. It's a cozy and relaxing restaurant. The food and service are both excellent.
Pros:
Food and serviceCons:
nothing!Review of Disney Dining Plan
Reviewed by Time2Talk Review Date: 06/15/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
My group had the dining plan with one quick service, one table service, and one snack per day. After reviewing our trip, we decided that we will get a quick service only plan for our next visit. We will pay for two table service meals out of pocket for our next visit. A table service meal each night ended up being way too much food.
The tips for a group of four really add up and you need to take this into consideration. Tips added about $10 for each person for a table service meal.
