Most Recent Reviews
Review of Boardwalk Villas (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by xxjess10 Review Date: 08/21/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We LOVE the Boardwalk! After staying in the Inn for many years, we decided to try a villa as non-DVC members. It did not disappoint! We quickly got used to the kitchen that we used to house our breakfast and snacks, and we constantly used the washer/dryer that is in the villa. Our villa provided us with a viewing of Fantasmic and the Frozen fireworks, which we watched almost every night! We liked the DVC pool that was just a short walk from our room, although we prefer the Inn's quiet pool. The Boardwalk in general just helped us feel at home, from the "movies on the beach", to the delicious treats at the bakery, and more. We are sure to come back.
Pros:
Size of villa, kitchenette, laundry facilities in room, proximity to DHS and EpcotCons:
Only one toilet/showerReview of Disney Dream Overall Experience
Reviewed by florsaucedo1696 Review Date: 08/20/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
We just got back from a 7 night cruise on Fantasy. I have to say when I book another cruise I will be booking on Magic or Wonder. Fantasy is a nice ship very clean very friendly staff. However Fantasy is very crowded the pools are overcrowded. When we have sailed with Magic and Wonder my kids enjoyed the pools and had a very hard time getting them out. On Fantasy my kids were disgusted from how dirty and small they were they didn't even go in at all. They have the Mickey pool and Goofy pool way too close together which makes it very crowded in the area, everyone seems to be in one small area.
There was 4 of us on the trip. They charged me $366.00 for the week. Yes it was $366.00 which for what we pay for the trip wouldn't that be included in the price? I thought it was a litte much for being a single mother that was just trying to take the kids on an unforgettable trip. I understand a tip is a good thing for their extra time and efforts but that was alot of money since we already pay to have the room cleaned and a good service for dinner.
Other than that we loved it and will keep sailing thru disney but on Magic and Wonder.
On Magic and Wonder i feel its more intimate and personal.
Pros:
CLEAN/NICE STAFF/GREAT FOODCons:
Crowded Pools/Overcrowded ship/overpriced tipsReview of Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by rambin Review Date: 08/20/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
We, my husband and 14 year old daughter, and I stayed at Pop from August 1st-August 8th. We go to the parks from opening to close so I thought for the value you could not beat the hotel. The room was very small. We struggled getting ready in the mornings due to the small space. The room was fairly clean but not up to Disney standards in my opinion. I requested a room close to transportation and a lake view. We were able to check in early on the first day but neither request were granted. I would pay the extra for a Preferred Room next time. We had good experineces Dining at the POP. The food court has many selections. We ate here 1 time for dinner and 2 times for breakfast. The pools are great! This resort met our needs as far as a place to sleep and take a shower. I would probably not stay here again. The bus service was great and we rarely waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. All in all, I would pay a little more and stay at a moderate resort or AOA.
Pros:
Price, ThemeCons:
SmallReview of All Star Movies Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by Andifonly Review Date: 08/19/2014
Rating: (4) Recommended
My family of 4 stayed here last year on our very first trip to Walt Disney World. The theming was cute, the kids (ages 3&5 at the time) really liked the giant toy story characters. We were in the mighty ducks building which was kind of disappointing since the girls had no idea what it was. However our room was clean, staff was friendly, the pools were great, and they loved the activities by the main pool held every evening. The food court got a little boring by the end of our 8 day stay, but the food itself was decent. We will be returning to disney next year with two more children in tow, and plan to try out a moderate resort this time, however we would definitely stay here again.
Pros:
Cute theming, plenty to doCons:
—Review of Kringla Bakeri og Cafe
Reviewed by LISAE Review Date: 08/18/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Fantastic value on the dining plan. Sandwich with either fruit cup or side salad plus dessert plus drink as one counter service credit makes it brilliant value and there is plenty of food to split between two people.
We ate here twice and enjoyed the Norwegian club sandwich and the jarlsberg apple sandwich both were delicious.
Had the fruit cups for side orders each time. The Voss water was unusually good.
We enjoyed almond pretzel, cheesecake and troll horns for dessert and all of these were amazing. The desserts were worthy of a table service restaurant.
Pros:
fantastic fresh food and great value on the dining planCons:
—Review of Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles
Reviewed by LISAE Review Date: 08/18/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Bought pastries and cakes from here, all fresh and fantastic.
Pros:
great pastry and cake choiceCons:
—Review of Flame Tree Barbecue
Reviewed by LISAE Review Date: 08/18/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
fantastic food in a beautiful setting. We watched turtles play in the water and there was plenty of shaded seating even in August.
We each had the rib/chicken platter. My daughter subbed the side for grapes.
Desserts weren't fantastic but we were full after our entrees so it didn't spoil the meal and probably wouldn't have ordered dessert had we not been on the dining plan anyway.
Pros:
great value BBQ food and lovely settingCons:
—Review of Garden Grocer
Reviewed by LISAE Review Date: 08/18/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
The saving on our water purchase compared to the cost of water in the Disney parks was enough to pay for all of our groceries for holiday and home.
We had no transport as international visitors and loved the fact that the groceries were waiting when we arrived. Email was received to confirm when delivery had been made.
This is the 7th time we have used Gardengrocer and we have never had problems with the service. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Pros:
FANTASTIC SERVICE, SAVE A FORTUNE ON PARK PRICESCons:
—Review of Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package
Reviewed by tigrezz Review Date: 08/18/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
WE LOVED everything about the Frozen Premium Package!! From the special seating for the parade (while they serve you drinks and ice cream) to the sing along with priority seating (which was a great show and funny!) to the night time dessert party...the desserts were impressive and we liked that they served adult drinks as well as sodas and lemonade for the kiddos....the music was cute while the party was going on...(they remixed some Frozen soundtrack songs) and played kid friendly upbeat music that really set the mood...the tables were lit with blue luminaries and covered with linen table cloths....it was a blast and WELL WORTH THE MONEY.....It was our favorite part of Hollywood Studios! I had two children one 7 and one just 5 months...but the shows even kept her attention! It was fantastic!
Pros:
—Cons:
—Review of Disneyland Hotel
Reviewed by disneydad78 Review Date: 08/17/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
The Disneyland Hotel (DLH) touches Downtown Disney. DLH has theming like no other hotel. The service at DLH is top-notch.
DLH is expensive.
Our recent trip to Disneyland was our first. We have been going to Walt Disney World annually since 2009, staying in every level of resort along the way. The best comparison I can draw to WDW resorts is the Contemporary Resort. But make no mistake about it, the theme/feel of the resort is 100% Disneyland Park. You can go nowhere within the hotel without seeing a reference to the park's history. The hotel is divided into 3 towers to complement the Disneyland "lands" they're named for: Fantasy, Adventure, and Frontier. This park-style theming is elegant, not unlike the Disney ships. The height of this theming is in the guest rooms, where you have mickey-hand bathroom lamps, hidden-mickey carpet, pictures of Walt on nearly every piece of printed media, mickey mouse faucet and shower handles, and the enormous Sleeping Beauty castle headboard (that lights up and plays "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" at the touch of a button). The theming takes an eastern turn by the pool, where the hotel's counter service restaurant (Tangaroa Terrace) and lounge (Trader Sam's) are located. These two places could have been pulled straight from the Polynesian resort.
Steakhouse 55 is a jewel in the hotel. Dinner was good, but the breakfast was spectacular. SH55 is the best place for your traditional American breakfast. Goofy's Kitchen was spoiled for us by poor service and disorganization at the check-in desk.
The hotel is quiet. The pool is surrounded by lots of foliage that acts as a natural screen that keeps pools noise down. There are 2 pools plus a kiddie play area around the monorail slides, and 2 large heated spas surrounded by padded lounge chairs and cabanas. There are plenty of green areas shaded by mature trees that make for great picnic or stroll areas.
The proximity of the resort to Downtown Disney and the parks is wonderful. Our last stay in WDW was at Beach Club, and we loved the quick walk to Epcot. The walk from DLH to Downtown Disney is <5min, to the parks is just over 10min.
We had no real complaints other than Goofy's Kitchen. Yet the price we paid did leave us wanting something more. For instance, our bathroom only had a single sink. We paid for a ticket + room package that would have easily landed us at a Monorail-level resort at WDW. I would recommend the Grand Californian if you're looking for something more "deluxe level". But the one thing that has a price, that cannot be duplicated anywhere else, is being immersed in a "Disney place". Go to the other resorts, and you have left Disney. Go to the Disneyland Hotel, and you have simply arrived again.
If you go to Disneyland, take the time to explore this hotel--even if you're not staying there. There's so much to see if you take the time.
