Most Recent Reviews
Review of Crystal Palace Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by mrtoad2015 Review Date: 07/31/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
Oh, Crystal Palace, how far you have fallen!
Look, in all seriousness, this used to be my family's absolute favorite place in WDW to eat during our annual week in Disney vacation. Atmosphere: terrific, considering you have a full view of Cinderella's Castle and the (relatively) hard to find Pooh characters come to your table at least once, but often twice.
Three years ago, this place was still a smash hit, including the food. Two years ago (circa 2012) we noticed subtle changes (for the worse) in the food quality for the lunch and dinner buffets. Prime rib was replaced with a tougher cut of meat - still carved, but not quite as good. In addition, the bottomless steamed clams and mussels dish in the popular buffet line was reduced to mussels only. These weren't the only changes. As a result The place went from an A+ to more of a B+ - still worth one reservation during a week long stay.
In 2013, we found ourselves traveling to Disneyland and comparing Crystal Palace to Goofy's Kitchen, located at the Disneyland Hotel (the latter of which is now far superior) and debating which was better (the vote then was 3-1 for Goofy's Kitchen).
Back to WDW in 2014, and we had two visits scheduled for Crystal Palace. Carved meats had decreased in quality (much higher fat content) and the former bottomless clams/mussels dish (reduced to just mussels in 2012) was now an esoteric rice dish with just a few mussels sprinkled in along with a tasteless sausage companion. It was a joke how fast people in the buffet line tried to pick out just the mussels before returning to their table (they probably remembered and missed the former dish the same way I do).
Suffice it to say, if you are not picky about your food (i.e. if you are the type who thoroughly enjoys C+ chain restaurants like Applebees) you will still enjoy this restaurant if you are willing to pay $50 per person for dinner - plus a healthy tax and tip. However, for those of us who have been dining here for years, it is hard to justify the cost in light of the declining food quality.
Pros:
Pooh, Piglet and their friends / View of the CastleCons:
Food has been consistently declining in quality year to yearReview of Caribbean Beach Resort (Moderate Resort)
Reviewed by mkhmn Review Date: 07/30/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We scheduled our vacation at this resort to give it a try after spending the last four visits at Coronado Springs. We had combined conference time with tacked on vacation in the past and Coronado Springs did not disappoint. After retiring we decided to try the other resorts in the near or same price range. Bad idea.
We arrived on the Magical Express from the Orlando Airport and so far, so good. We are welcomed into the lobby by the major domo at the door...again, nice touch. We get in line to register, although I'm expecting to sail on through as I have "checked in" using My Disney Experience and should only have to grab room keys and be gone. WRONG.
We are in line and are approached by a woman castmember who is carrying on an argument with a male castmember about why is she doing what she is doing (which is apparently helping with check-in). They continue arguing and we are waved over before she concludes her argument and can talk to us.
Our clerk takes FOREVER to get the information for our room and manages to make 3-4 mistakes that take FOREVER to correct. We want my daughter's credit card tied to her name and my card to mine, even though we are sharing a room. We don't want to share our charges. He doesn't understand, messes it up and has to do it again. The kids (8 and 11) are now running around the lobby even though they have been threatened and we have now been in the Custom House for 30 minutes. At 45 minutes we are done and my sons (who are sharing a room of their own) step forward. Two hours later - I am NOT KIDDING - their information is finally entered into the computer even though they also did the My Disney Experience check-in. In the process we have called a supervisor, who has called another supervisor who in the time he worked with the computer, called someone somewhere, managed to completely WIPE OUT all my information on the Disney Experience site, including fast passes and reservations. No sorry, no let me help you, no NOTHING for the extreme inconvenience. I have told my daughter and grandkids to go onto our room and hit the pool or something after the hour mark - I've stayed to lend moral support and maybe ramrod this thing as my sons are handicapped and not the most assertive.
So when we're ready to finally leave we go out to bell services. The bellman was annoyed to have to take us to our rooms which are quite a walk away. He just got back from taking my daughter and grandkids. I'm like, you just took them? and he said yes. So in spite of getting them out of there an hour ago they've had to wait for a ride. Nice.
I tell him we have a grocery service delivery waiting as well to be taken and that annoys him further. I have never been treated like this before at Disney. A woman bell person gets the groceries from a room and we are finally heading out with the disgruntled bell person.
We arrive at the rooms and he brings up the groceries, semi complaining the whole way ("I've had a long day, it's hot, wow it's tough coming up these steps all the time"). Gave him a tip that he didn't deserve just to take in the room without him around.
Not good. Neither room's refrigerators are plugged, so we're starting from hot with insulin to cool. The carpet feels damp and the room smells strange. We ask for housekeeping to come look at the refrigerators and are given a lecture over the phone about plugging them in, are both down? etc. I tell them to forget it and plan to ice the stupid insulin for the remainder of the trip.
The groceries are fine, however, and we have one thing that has gone right. Yippee.
Head for the food court at the big pool and are shocked to see several white sand beaches leading to...nothing. No water access to the very green lake (thank goodness) but what is the point of the sand, then? I guess if you like to sunbathe on a chair over sand, fine, but don't expect to cool off. You have to walk to a quiet pool or to the big pool - and it's a major hike - to get wet. I must have been naive to think that beaches meant water access. WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE BEACHES??
On the dining plan for the first time as well and cannot believe the disappointing choices we have for dinner. Never heard of half of the stuff we are offered and got a crazy sandwich cut in a wedge that was hard and inedible. We never ate here again.
The gift shop attached was really pretty full of most things you could want and also had some grocery items including a large selection of beers and wines by the single serving, or larger packages.
Checked out the "amazing pool" with the pirate theme - the water was the same temperature as a warm bath. Ugh. Never came back here, either. The quiet pool by our room had cool refreshing water albeit without a slide.
Decide to hit Downtown Disney and the bus transportation still seems to be working great. We walk down to the stop and head out with a minimum wait. Downtown is still the same, more or less and we came back a few hours later.
The refrigerators are still not working - off to get ice to pack the insulin in till hopefully they kick in. Our luggage has partially arrived and same bell person comes back with one last suitcase after we call to report it missing. He is again unhappy to have to come back - this guy needs a new job somewhere else. Tipped him again, reluctantly.
Over the course of the days we were there we had housekeeping miss us entirely one time (called and asked for them to come at 8 p.m. and the man who answered said, "really?" like that was outrageous. They did not come.
On the day we left, I called for bell services to pick up our luggage to take in for the Magical Express. We had the most surly, unpleasant person come - a man whose name I wrote down but can't remember now. He gave us nothing but grief about the fact that we all had ipads that would need to be locked up till the time for the bus. Why did we all need one, we ought to get our heads out of them and look around, etc. My daughter wanted to take him on verbally but I told her to just let it go and we'd never come back here again. Again, a reluctant tip, but I also wanted to have my stuff back when it was time. This guy looked like he could "lose" our stuff if crossed.
I intend to keep my promise. I WILL NEVER GO BACK HERE AGAIN. I have never been treated so shabbily at a Disney resort. Oh, by the way, no soap dispenser in the laundry worked for the entire time of our stay. We had to ORDER soap to be delivered to the room from the grocery company again - no one we asked about it at the Custom House gave a care. I know others complained, but NO ONE CARED.
I would avoid this huge property with its insane beaches that go nowhere and its unfriendly clerks, bell persons and staff. Go to Coronado Springs - we will.
Pros:
Gift shopCons:
Rooms, castmembersReview of Chefs de France - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by skipb Review Date: 07/30/2014
Rating: (5) Recommended
My wife and myself had gone to WDW for a long weekend and had dinner Sunday night at Les Chefs de France and looking forward to a relaxing quality dining experience. What a disappointment!
We were seated right on time
( the resturant was only at about 75% capacity)
but from there it was all down hill. I think the management was in a contest to see just how many tables they could cram in the space without cracking the foundation. The person behind me kept bumping my chair all through the evening, the tables were just too close.
When we finally received our dinners we were again disappointed, My Wife's salmon was over done and tasteless and my shortribs were both tasteless, and tough. In addition the presentation was of the "just get it on the plate and get it out variety" Perhaps we expected too much, but we really felt we had gotten into some low cost chain restaurant by mistake. In all, I cannot in good faith recommend this place without word of caution.
Pros:
Decor and the staff.Cons:
food quality and serviceReview of Garden Grocer
Reviewed by poohfan Review Date: 07/30/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
On our recent trip to WDW I placed an order with Garden Grocer. Our groceries including alcohol were delivered to our hotel during the time frame that I requested. Garden Grocer called me to confirm my order after I placed it on-line, they also called to let me know that my order was delivered to the hotel (Polynesian) and the cold items were placed in the refrigerator & informed me to contact Bell Services to have my items delivered to my room. I was very happy with their service definitely recommend them & would use them again!
Pros:
everythingCons:
noneReview of Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner
Reviewed by khh1997 Review Date: 07/28/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We ate dinner here on July 26, and it was magical. Our daughter had just turned 10, so we told them when we made the reservation. They had a giant balloon waiting for her, and at the end brought out a special cupcake and sang. Our meals were excellent. I had the crawfish, shrimp, and grits for starters, and it could have been a stand alone meal. The grits were extra creamy and made with gouda. Being from MS, I am extremely picky about my grits and hardly ever approve of restaurant grits, but these were outstanding. For my entree, I had the beef tenderloin on a bed a mashed potatoes. It was cooked medium just like I had ordered it and was very flavorful and juicy. For dessert, I had a cake that had chocolate ganache, chocolate cake, and a white chocolate decoration. It was all so very good! We don't eat here every trip because of the price, but nothing beats it for a special occasion!
Pros:
special mealCons:
priceReview of Tangierine Cafe
Reviewed by khh1997 Review Date: 07/28/2014
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
On July 27, I stopped by here to grab a quick lunch. The service was very fast as there was no one else ordering, which should have been a sign. I ordered the falafel sandwich wrap, and the falafel was so hard I couldn't even cut it with my fork. I stabbed it and bit into it and it was cold as ice. The pita was the best part of the meal. I could only make myself eat two of the four falafel, but I will never eat here again. The two salads that came with the sandwich were not that great either. Maybe some of the other dishes are better, but I do not recommend this one!
Pros:
fast serviceCons:
food was terribleReviewed by Susan B Review Date: 07/28/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Last night at Disney. Had already seen the fireworks at epcot and magic kingdom. Decide to stay for the new fireworks at Disney studio.One of the best fireworks presentation I've ever seen and really appreciated the screens to view the animation/narration that accompanied the fireworks
Pros:
outstanding fireworks and screens in several places to see the other parts of the showCons:
—Review of Bay Lake Tower (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by mzznlink Review Date: 07/28/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
With OKW as our home resort, we're used to larger studios, but you can't beat the view. This was supposed to be just my wife and I getting a 1-day jump on the family vacation. The rest of the family was arriving the next day to start a 2 week stay at OKW. At the last minute our youngest got time off from her summer internship and riding with us was cheaper than a plane ticket. For 2 people the studio is fine, but no more than 2.We had a theme park view which was great both day and night views.Took the boat over to Fort Wilderness to enjoy the Trail's End Buffett, well worth the ride & price.Went up to the Top of the World Lounge to watch fireworks. We were seated at the window and enjoyed a few drinks and snacks before it started. While we could see most of the fireworks, it was a little irritating when people arrived and lined most of the railing in front of us, blocking the view of the castle. I mean there's a lot of railing...
Pros:
The View!Cons:
Studio SizeReview of Main Street Bakery Serving Starbucks
Reviewed by John Review Date: 07/28/2014
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
We used to love to stop in at the Main Street Bakery. But alas no more. We found it to be very crowded and the lines were very long. Also finding seating outside when it is raining is difficult and it rains a lot in Florida.
Pros:
I am trying to think of someCons:
No cinnamon rolls, crowded, no seating, long linesReview of Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package
Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/28/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our family (DH, myself & DD8) took part in this Premier Package for Frozen Fun Summer on July 19th. Included in the package were reserved standing area to view the 11:00 parade with drinks & ice cream, reserved seating in the first 4 rows at one sing-a-long show of your choice and the reserved standing area to view the fireworks and dessert party.
At 10:00 we checked in for the premiere package. We received our lanyard and chose the sing-a-long time and received a card for the time we selected. At this point we went into the reserved area to get some water but did not view the parade from this area as DD was in the parade. (Upon entering HS last Saturday, DD8 was selected to be a part of the parade. This was at 8:00 in the am & it was random - a cast member came up to us and asked if DD would like to be part of the parade. DD was dressed in an Elsa costume purchased prior to our trip.) I matched with DD & DH viewed the parade from another reserved area for family of the kids in the parade (approx 20 kids).
For the sing-a-long, we were seated in the second row (first row reserved for handicap). The show was great. Anna comes out, then the Royal Arendelle Historians tell the story of Anna & Elsa as parts of the movie played on a large screen. Everyone in the place was singing!! At the end Anna, Kristoff & Elsa come on stage again & sing Let It Go. Elsa made it snow. Fantastic show!!
The dessert party & fireworks reserved area was very nice. The reserved area opened at 8:30, but our paperwork said 8:00, so that is when we got in line (which was very long but at 8:30 moved very quickly). We were able to get a table in the middle of the reserved area. The desserts were great & constantly refilled. Several drink choices for the kids, as well as bottled water & can soda. Hot coffee & tea for the adults as well as several adult mixed beverages. There were cast members clearing away dirty plates and cups from the tables within the area. You had a great view of the dance party on stage as well as the stage show portion of the fireworks. Your view of the fireworks is a little blocked, but you are free to move around the reserved area to find a better spot. The fireworks were amazing!! Once the fireworks were over, you were not rushed out of the area. You could have taken desserts & drinks with you as you left the area.
Overall we loved what the package has to offer.
The biggest negative is no seating during the dessert party. Especially for the kids, several of which were asleep prior to the fireworks. I did have a stroller for DD so she did sit in it for about an hour.
I also think that part of the package should include a fastpass for the play area (where the ice skating & snowman area are).
I would recommend this to parents whose little ones love everything frozen and whose little ones can stay up late to enjoy the dessert party & fireworks.
