Most Recent Reviews
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 12/20/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our last time attending the party was 2012, and it was not a great experience, in part due to our own lack of planning. This year we attended on 12/18 and had a great time. The party was sold out but I didn't think the park felt crowded at all.
We entered early and did some rides before lining up to meet the Seven Dwarfs at 5:30pm. At that time, there were three groups ahead of us (one or two people each). The Dwarfs came out by 6:50 and we were on our way before 7. By 7:45 I had also met Snow White & Snow Prince and Aurora & Prince Philip, as well as Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore.
After that we headed to Main Street for the 8pm castle lighting, which we viewed from the Liberty Square side of the hub. My only complaint is that better crowd control is needed in this area to help keep walkways open. Our view of the stage was slightly obstructed but we could see the castle itself just fine.
We proceeded to Pecos Bill for dinner around 8:15 and could see/hear much of the first parade as it passed by. Also stopped in for some cocoa (very good) and cookies (just okay) at Tortuga Tavern before heading to the Adventureland bridge to watch Celebrate the Magic and Holiday Wishes. Our view was clear, if not straight on, and the bridge remained fairly uncrowded. After the crowds dissipated we went to the stage to view Celebrate the Season at 10:05. This was a very cute show.
Then we went on to Liberty Square for the 10:30 parade. Unfortunately, the handicapped viewing area was already full and cast members were very unhelpful in assisting us. We ended up near the rope just by the Diamond Horseshoe with a pretty good view.
After the parade it was time for characters in Storybook Circus. I met Minnie and Santa Goofy with minimal wait and then Daisy, Donald, and Scrooge after about 20 minutes. Finally, I caught part of the Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show, which was not that great, and met my mom on Main Street. She was disappointed that the Confectionery closed promptly at 12, and went to get a snack in the Emporium, where there were long lines and not enough cashiers. After obtaining a few photopass pictures, we left around 12:15. There was no wait for the resort monorail at that time.
We definitely got our money's worth this time around, even with the elevated cost for this date. The only thing I wanted to do that we just didn't have time for was the Frontierland dance party. If you go in with a plan and try to avoid Main Street as much as possible, you'll have a great time!
Pros:
Special characters, parade, fireworks, showsCons:
Main Street crowd controlReview of Biergarten - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by PolynesianStitch Review Date: 12/20/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
Good, hearty food, but could have had a few more salads or vegetable dishes. Nice variety in the desserts. Felt very wedged in against rail and was somewhat difficult to get out to get food at the buffet.
Pros:
food was freshCons:
crowded seatingReview of Flame Tree Barbecue
Reviewed by PolynesianStitch Review Date: 12/20/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
The chicken and ribs platter was not only outstanding but large enough for two of us to share. The staff were very accommodating about substituting fruit for the coleslaw. Staff brought out menus to look at in line so it speeded up ordering. A little difficult to find seating, due to popularity, but that gave us an opportunity to see how many creative locations they had for eating in the pavilions and we ended up with a lovely water view. There are a fair number of birds around looking for hand outs, but they're easily shooed away.
Pros:
fresh, flavorful food, large servingsCons:
birdsReview of MagicBand
Reviewed by bmdisney Review Date: 12/18/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
We had no glitches on hotel doors or park entry or fast passes. I assumed park entry for crowds would be faster with new system. If anything, it was a little slower. The bands work fine...but don't get me started on the new Fast Pass Plus system :).
Pros:
No glitches for usCons:
park entry no fasterReview of 'Ohana Dinner
Reviewed by bmdisney Review Date: 12/18/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We ate here for our second time on Friday Dec 12. We had a 9:40 ADR and were seated a little after 10. The closing time is 10 but we did not feel rushed to leave. I really enjoy the food here. Service was good, especially Cliff. Small matter came at the end when bill arrived. Our party was 4 adults and 1 child. We were charged for 5 adults. We brought to server's attention and she said her table seating said 5 adults on the reservation. If I forgot to specify online one of our party was a child, would they charge me for 5 children if online I said the party was made up of all children? Didn't think so. Lesson: always check the bill carefully. Even so, we will be back!
Pros:
Plenty of food, great locationCons:
Price glitchReview of Chef Mickey's Breakfast
Reviewed by bmdisney Review Date: 12/18/2014
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We did not have a good experience partly because of our own mistake. Our party of six included 4 children ages 9, 7, 4 and a baby. I did not anticipate my 4 year old being terrified of the characters. My mistake! She is. It normally fearful (she rode Space Mountain later in the day) so I was not expecting her to be terrified of them. So, before sitting down for a meal with this price it would be good for you to know how children will fare. I know...I know...this mistake was on me. I was not quite prepared for the server's tip to be automatically added in. We were a party of 6 but one was a baby. I don't consider myself a cheapskate but $25 for a server who came to our table twice was steep. Food was decent, nothing outstanding. I was really looking forward to this meal as it was our first time but I was underwhelmed.
Pros:
Access to characters, locationCons:
Automatically adding in tip for party of 6 that includes an infantReview of Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner
Reviewed by bmdisney Review Date: 12/18/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
We had a 4:30 ADR on Wed 12/11. We were seated within 10 minutes of checking in. Service was good. Meal was good, not outstanding, but good. Location in Liberty Square is nice. The atmosphere is quieter than other MK table service options so this is a good place if you are looking for a quieter meal.
Pros:
Nice location, family styleCons:
None majorReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by bmdisney Review Date: 12/17/2014
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
i recently returned from my first trip to DW using the new FastPass Plus system. i did not have a good experience with it at all. I stayed on property so I had made reservations 2 months in advance. Some people may like to decide 2 months in advance what park they are going to attend. I am a planner - but not that much. But if you want a FP to rides like 7 Dwarfs or Toy Story Mania or Soarin, you have to do it this way. I like to plan but also maintain a bit of flexibility. The new system won't allow for that. You have to decide on what day you will attend MK, HS, Epcot or AK weeks in advance. The My Disney Experience App never worked well in the parks for me - either on my phone or my iPad. When i tried to use the kiosks they told me i could not make changes to my FPs if i made reservations online - WHAT?!?! I know the new system is here to stay and for me the change is not a good one. For me, there is nothing about the new system that is better than the old one. It will make it more likely for me to return to Disney World but less likely.
Pros:
none off the top of my headCons:
eliminates spontaneity, eliminates flexibility, app was sluggishReview of Whispering Canyon Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by browneyedgirl Review Date: 12/16/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
We were really looking forward to this restaurant because we love the Wilderness Lodge. However, we were very disappointed.
We checked in a little early, but were seated immediately. The first thing we noticed was it was very loud. Although we really don't mind loud restaurants for dinner, for breakfast we would like a little quiet. I knew going in this may be loud, so I prepared my son. However, we were not ready for how loud. It took forever for the waitress to come take our order, but she was very nice once she had our order. This was the only positive experience of this breakfast.
When the food came out, it was lukewarm on the verge of being cold. It was nothing special & there was hardly any flavor. We were very disappointed & left a lot on our plates. Our waitress got a good tip only because she was good, however this is on restaurant will not go back to for breakfast. Truly disappointing. 🙁
Pros:
Waitress very niceCons:
Food / AtmosphereReview of 'Ohana Best Friends Character Breakfast
Reviewed by browneyedgirl Review Date: 12/16/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our first time to Ohana for breakfast. We had an ADR & even though we were about 15 minutes early, we only had to wait for a table about 5 minutes. Once seated, our waitress was right there explaining about the food & the way it will be served. Once we got our drink order, our bread came out, then the food. It was AMAZING. It was just enough for my son & I & when she came around with the Mickey Waffles, my son fell in love. (He's 26 & loves Mickey Waffles!!!) Anyway, the food was a huge hit for both of us.
The character interaction was perfect for us. Each character took their time for a couple of pictures with each of us or both of us at the same time. We didn't do autographs so they didn't stay too long at our table.
I don't know about dinner, but Ohana for breakfast will definitely be on our list for our next trip! 🙂
