Most Recent Reviews
Review of Columbia Harbour House
Reviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
We visited twice during my 9/1-9/8 stay for its different options such as the lobster/crab topped mac and cheese, broccoli peppercorn salad, tuna sandwiches, etc. We ordered the chicken pot pie with broccoli, chocolate cake, and lemonade slushy on one visit and lobster roll with housemade chips and seasonal cobbler (peach that week) and lemonade slushy on the other visit. We dined upstairs both times and found it to be a nice escape - it's seldomly crowded, and you get a nice view of fantasyland near small world/Pan and haunted mansion/frontierland. There were also outlets for charging phones I heard about upstairs so I knew to pack my charging beforehand for a charge while eating.
The pot pie was really good, it had panko crumbs on top - not very large/filling. Got good portion of broccoli. Slushi was good and topped with whipped cream. The peach cobbler wasn't very tasty and the only other choice for dessert is the same old packaged chocolate cake you get everywhere at MK. The lobster roll was large and tasted great, and the chips were much better than the mushy fries you get at most places at MK. We'll definitely make it back here in the future to try the fish/chicken nuggets, seafood mac and cheese, etc.
Pros:
Different dishes, seafoodCons:
Desserts, slow orderingReview of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We were able to do the FP+ on the Beourguest website 60 days prior and highly recommend doing the preorder. While they had our preorder at the gate where you pick up your rose, they oddly couldn't find our order once inside and we had reorder. It took maybe another 10 minutes for our Braised Pork with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was as good as everyone raved about. Big enough to split between 2 of us. It had little to no fat, nicely seasoned. The green beans were maybe slightly undercooked, but way better than french fry option. We had the choc. cream puff for dessert and it was very delicious. You fill your own drink (w/ refills) and you get real silverware/plates, which is a nice touch. The ballroom was full so we sat in the smaller dining hall and made sure to take lots of photos, along with several others who were doing the same.
The second visit here, we waited at 1025 am (opens at 1030) and the line was well out to the bridge in front of Snow White Mine Train. It took us about 45 minutes to get our food, maybe about 25 min to get inside. We sat in the dark, West Wing, which I preferred over the other, less private, more well-lit rooms. We again split the meal and ordered the roast beef sandwich, fries, and strawberry cream cheese cupcake. The cupcake, as many have said, is really spectacular. All of the desserts are on the small side, however. But the sandwich is filling and it was better than expected. The horseradish sauce was barely noticeable (I tend to like a lot of sauce, my wife liked it as is). The fries are the same you get elsewhere - maybe not as mushy but still not something you really want. If getting a sandwich again, I will get the green beans as a side instead of the fries. We also ordered a french onion soup as a snack credit, even though the website and several other sites will state that it's not elligible. We had to make it a whole another order though, as the system was confused and wanted to call it a second dining meal credit instead of snack credit when paired with the sandwich entree. So be sure do snack credits separately. Based on other reviews, I was afraid to order the soup but it was very good. It had a layer of cheese on top.
We nearly came back on a third day at MK:) to try either the ham or turkey sandwich, but while a mgr suggested that we always try checking at the gate around 2pm as FP+ doesn't go that far and there's usually room for some people, they were full for lunch prior to 130pm and turned away the line.
I think the braised pork is probably our preferred meal at MK, and we'd go in the future with a FP. Having been there a few times, I'm not sure I'd wait in the line over going to Pinnochios or Columbia Harbor. It's a must try though, at least once... because the theming is great and the food is pretty decent.
Pros:
dining atmosphere, real dishes, braised porkCons:
long wait for lunchReview of Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Reviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
Pecos has a lot of seating, but it's still busy because so many people stop here. I come here every year, and normally order their burgers or pulled pork sandwiches. This time, we split a steak/chicken dinner, and same ol' chocolate cake. The steak and chicken was available during dinner only, and had a small strip of steak, not bad, and a split breast piece of chicken, which was better than the thigh you get at most places such as Fairfax. You got a lime salsa for the chicken and we got sauteed mushrooms, sauteed onions, tomatoes from the toppings bar for the steak. It wasn't as big of a meal as you'd expect, but enough to share. The CM was especially friendly and took time to talk to us (we came during early dinner hours and it wasn't that busy). We sat in the dark dining room, which I liked. Thought the food was decent, not exceptional. This place is very similar to Cosmic Rays in that it's large, has a toppings bar, and some overlap in menu. We prefer Pinnochio's, Be Our Guest lunch, and Columbia Harbor for more off the beaten path foods (i.e. italian flatbread, braised pork, chicken pot pie). But we will probably continue coming here when craving a burger with onion rings.
Other than the toppings bar and lots of seating, it's one of the few restroom locations in the immediate area by Splash/Thunder. It is also where the Electric Parade starts, so you can actually park a spot with your food at around 8-830 on the curve and be less crammed than on Main St. The drawback is that you have to be ok with either missing or being further back on Main St. for Celebrate the Magic (945pm during our 9/1-9/8 stay) or 10pm Wishes. Which we preferred anyway, so that we could beat most of the crowd to the buses and have many of the lighted Main St. bldgs in our photos of the castle.
Pros:
fixin's bar, only non seasonal place with mexican, open late, lots of seatingCons:
—Review of Beaches and Cream
Reviewed by 5busyrussells Review Date: 09/12/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Had an ADR for Wednesday, September 10 at 4:10. Also had a reservation to come back for dessert same day at 9:10, so instead of ordering sundaes to go with our meals, instead, we "combined" dessert and beverage and each got a milkshake. They were delicious as were our burgers and fries. We were able to substitute bacon for the ham on two burgers. DH had a salmon sandwich which he said was good and youngest daughter had grilled cheese and tomato bisque which she enjoyed. Overall, no complaints! We were not rushed, were able to enjoy our dinner and had fun watching some tables struggle to finish the kitchen sink!
Pros:
Very good food, excellent serviceCons:
NoneReview of Kringla Bakeri og Cafe
Reviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This is the first 10 rating I've given from our 9/1-9/8 trip and maybe the 1 quick service I'm most excited to return to for it's awesome baked goods, large and tasty sandwiches, decent side salads, and friendly staff. Normally, I've seen this tiny place packed, with lines easily forming outside. We planned ahead to know what to order and to get here early (11:15ish). WS opens at 11, so I was the only person ordering: Norweigian Club, toasted, with side salad (can also choose a fruit bowl which looked good) and the famous school bread and Simply Orange OJ with my dining plan credit on 9/5. Because we had a FP to maelstrom, and wanted to make it to a few WS show times, we got everything to go, and the friendly staff was accommodating. The salad had like a sliced provolone (I think) and tomatoes on it, and much better than the normal packaged tossed side salads you find elsewhere. The school bread, which was much anticipated, fell a little short of expectations. It wasn't bad at all, but not as good as many raved about. There was a little bit of creme filling and a cocunut cream topping, but many bites were of just plain bread. The troll horns and many of other baked goods look awesome, and I can't wait to try other things next time. The meal was split, and still very large, very tasty. I recommend coming early to get a table, and because you are put on the spot with so many baked good choices... I'd plan a few choices ahead of time.
Pros:
baked goodies, sandwiches, friendly staffCons:
small space for lines/ordering, not an abundance of seatingReview of Tangierine Cafe
Reviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
1st of all, we're not real big on mediterranean. And of the few times I've had it, this place was probably better. I'd probably recommend it to mediterranean food lovers. We had the lamb/chicken shawarma plate with "Morrocan Bread" which was just pita, hummus for dipping, and tiny bit of couscous and tabouleh. The overall portion was large and we split this as a quick service, perhaps one of the best values for a quick service credit relative to portion size and price (I think around $15). We ate everything, but the tabouleh was our least favorite... funny tasting, sort of sour, I think. But I think it tasted the same as previous versions I've had (and didn't love). The couscous was good, and lamb was excellent. It was so tender that we easily cut it with the sides of our plastic forks! No exaggeration. The chicken, as others have commented, is not as good, and we'd either get just the lamb shawarma or the pitas or something else next time. Pita/hummus was good - although never something I've craved. The baklava for dessert is tiny, but very tasty. It is a flaky, crisp on outside, and nutty/chewy/honey gooey on the inside:). We wanted to say we've had lamb before, and it was hard for me to order the red wine steak at Liberty Inn or something more familiar over this... since we were at the world showcase and emersed by the different cultures.
Pros:
Unique foods, tender lamb, big portionsCons:
very limited indoor seatingReview of Fairfax Fare
Reviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
This has been rated the worst quick service at HS by Allears members primarily for the long waiting, ordering system, and partially due to food quality. On 9/6 we ordered the chicken/ribs which comes with beans/slaw at 130, right after a 1pm Beauty show. The confusing ordering system that was mentioned in other reviews was nonexistent. We ordered directly at the counter as you would expect, and no one was line! Maybe they do the weird ordering system during peak season, I'm not sure. We got our food immediately, because like other Disney quick service, they ramped up orders in anticipation of lunch crowds. I'm one of the least picky eaters I know, and I eat just about anything. So a 6 rating from me is reflective that the meal was edible, but that I probably would pick just about any quick service at HS over this one. The chicken/ribs, while not bad, was far from what you'd find at an average sit-down restaurant (think a notch below Applebee's). The ribs weren't super tender but still tasty, the chicken was alright. You can get packaged BBQ sauce but there was enough on the meat. The very small sides of beans and slaw were ok, not great. The meal was luke warm from sitting out. You can get the banana pudding with wafers or vanillia cake with custard. We got the latter, and it was a mistake. It came in a small 4 in deep jar, half filled, but it had gone bad from being old. anyway. I think if you paid for this meal outside the dining plan it's around $16, which I'd much rather get the burger at Rosie's next door, and we didn't order a single burger during the entire 8 day trip.
Pros:
Ribs, along w/ Sunset Blvd restaurants: open the latestCons:
limited dessertsReviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
This is actually our 2nd favorite quick service option (after Starring Rolls) at HS. Not because it's especially good, but because there aren't a ton of great options. They offer a capuccino or specialty cupcake or cookie for dessert. Had both cupcakes, and both were very good. The specialty last week was the Olaf cupcake that was carrot with white cream cheese frosting, and white chocolate Olaf-shapped candy topping with milk chocolate stick arms. I liked the cappucino one slightly better.
We got the meat pizza both times w/ the caesar salad. The pizza had few pepperoni and chunks of sliced meatballs... not very much meat. The pizza tasted better than expected. The salads here, I liked better than the usual side salads... but I prefer caesar over tossed greens. We wish we ordered the meatball subs, because they looked fantastic. They were covered with mozzarella on top, unlike the one we ordered from MK's Pinnochio's, which was still good.
It can get kind of crazy in there, despite a lot of seating, because it's Toy Story themed, and has an arcade. The lower area was packed both times we visited (lunch and at early dinner), with a lot of arcade playing noise. Upstairs has its own set of restrooms. I did slip and fall down the last few stairs coming down during a long rain one night.
We love Toy Story, and as others mentioned, the theming could be better. There are aliens hanging from the ceiling, and a few other characters present, but it doesn't scream Toy Story. The pizza or sandwich/salad/cupcake meal is definitely splittable (we did that twice), and pretty good.
Pros:
Decent pizza, cupcakesCons:
loudReview of Starring Rolls
Reviewed by nick6300 Review Date: 09/11/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We visited twice during last week's vacation, and it was one of our favorite quick service places to use the dining plan. You can get sushi rolls, or deli turkey or ham on focaccia plus a banana or apple or small bag of lays chips. We split the ham one day and the turkey on the other. I tend to prefer turkey over ham, and thought it tasted better. Neither of us loved the dressing on the ham (not sure what it was, sorry). For drink options, they had a cooler full of teas, juices, milks, plus you could get sodas, you specialty coffees (hot or cold). The bakery is what sets this place a part. They have a large selection of bagels and pastries that rival what you'd find at EPCOT. The butterfinger cupcake was our favorite dessert option. It's served chilled with a chocolate filling, hard chocolate and butterfinger pieces on the outside, and huge! You can't really cut it in half easily because of the hard exterior, but it's definitely for splitting (i.e. 1000+ calories). We favored this over the ice creams at the MK's Parlor, which we ordered 4 times, and choices at places such as Kringla La Bakeri (spelling)?.
The main knock on this place is that it's mainly open from breakfast through 4, and it was changed to until 2pm starting Labor Day. So our window was 11-2pm. There are only about 10-15 tables outside, so it's best to come early or late. We weren't able to find a table on the occasion we arrived at 1230 but found a few empty ones when arriving at 1130.
A lot of people consider the ordering system to be a mess. It's simple once you do it. Upon entering near the drink frig entrance, grab a tray and cold drink (if that's your choice for drink), then as you approach the sandwich/sushi/coffee counter, ask for your sandwich or sushi, coffee, and some of the pastries. Then at the checkout counter, you can ask for a specialty cupcake (Olaf or Elsa, red velvet, PB, butterfinger, etc.) and check out. People complain when they don't order their drink before the check out counter and have to go back, and there is a line formed at that point. It's poorly organized because it's such a tight space. You just have to see what's offered at each station before moving on to the next one. The sandwiches were ok, but this is still my favorite HS quick service for it's desserts and coffees.
Pros:
Great dessert and drink optionsCons:
limited hours, confusing lines, limited seatingReview of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by rrhiannon99 Review Date: 09/10/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
I just came back from a Disney World trip and I was VERY disappointed in Be Our Guest for lunch. Food wasn't great, even for quick service. There were TONS of wasted server time bringing out lunches ONE TABLE AT A TIME in their carts - meanwhile tons of people were waiting outside with plenty of empty tables inside. The lack of efficiency was such a huge blow. We had our receipt checked multiple times at our table with a good number of cast members standing around in each dining room having to double and triple check receipts - we never figured out why, these cast members never introduced themselves or said why, they just rudely came over and picked up our receipt and checked and left without explanation. Obviously there are kinks to be worked out, I just hope that Disney actually gets them worked out instead of everyone being so starry-eyed over the restaurant in general. I won't be back for lunch, and am only partially convinced I should even try for dinner service. Anyway, totally disenchanted with the experience...and the grey stuff cupcake was a bomb. Went over to Animal Kingdom the next day and picked up their zebra cupcake from quick service and it was twice the size and actually had flavor.
