Most Recent Reviews
Review of Disney Dining Plan
Reviewed by FlamingoGirl Review Date: 07/20/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We thought the plan was an amazing deal. There was just my husband and I and we stayed in our travel trailer at Ft Wilderness. Even though we had the capability to cook for ourselves, we decided, it was our vacation and we saved for 6 years and we were going to enjoy it.
We planned ahead. We sat down about 7 months out and looked at all the menus and made our choices for were to dine. We made our reservations at the 180 day mark. We even looked at the counter service meals and had an idea where and what we would like to try. We did our homework. It was so worth it. We had fantastic meals everyday.
We were there for 12 nights, on day 11, the lady asked us if we knew we had 22 snacks still on our card. We did. We had eaten so much that we waited until the last day and bought snacks to put in the trailer for the rest of our trip. It made the Disney Magic last that much longer.
The only thing I wish would change is that the camp ground does not have a special dining offer in Sept. We went in Sep and the hotels have free dining but there is nothing if you are camping. Even a 1/2 price deal would be great. (We camp because we have furkids that go everywhere with us.)
We loved it and would recommend it to anyone vacationing at WDW!
Pros:
Easy to Use, Great VarietyCons:
Wish there was some kind of a deal for campers at Ft WildernessReviewed by StacyLovesDisney Review Date: 07/20/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
I stay at Port Orleans with my family every time we come to WDW. After our last stay, we thought we might try a different resort, but we decided for this trip, the first part of May, 2014, we'd try it again.
Once again, our reservations were completely messed-up! We need 3 rooms because we come in two groups. Last Sept. PO had my parents across the resort from us. It took over an hour to get us checked in.
This year I had the foresight to call before arriving to make sure we were all together. Glad I did!!!! They had me and my two children in a connecting room with a man I DID NOT KNOW!!! I kept telling the cast member on the phone that was NOT my husband's name! They couldn't seem to understand that the man whose last name was Hispanic, our last name is clearly American, was not my husband. They had to pass me to a manager. I had to explain the whole story over. She put me on hold for 10 minutes, but luckily came back on the phone and told me the problem was all straight and we were all together! Super!
We arrived and check-in went quickly and smoothly!
Unfortunately, I became sick with the flu two days later. I needed new sheets/pillowcases/towels. I called Mousekeeping. 40 minutes go by, no supplies. I called again. They said they had sent someone. 20 more minutes and no one. My husband left to go find someone with a cleaning cart (it was 8AM when all of this was happening.) He found our Mousekeeper who we had the previous 2 days. I think his name was Jonathan. He came to see what I needed. When he saw me in bed he asked if I was sick. When I told him yes, he had the most sincere look of concern on his face and said he was sorry. He then came back with a stack of everything I needed---extra blankets, sheets, towels, wash cloths, soap, and wished me well. On the days I let him come into the room--when we were all healthy--I didn't want him to get sick when I went down----he took such pride in his work. Each day my kids came back to their stuffed animals arranged so nicely on their beds and everything in place.
The food court is great. However, it was so crowded in the AM we didn't even try to order. My daughter used her refillable mug we bought her to get hot chocolate each morning. She said it was creamy and yummy.
Both kids love the swimming pool slide. My parents love the boat to Downtown Disney.
Pros:
beautiful, quiet room, food courtCons:
reservation /check-in staff, bus serviceReview of Epcot After Hours Wind Down
Reviewed by heavenlyfood Review Date: 07/24/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
Even though the price is expensive for what you get, if you take a hard look at the value, its really, probably worth it. On the night that I attended, there was only one other table with two gentlemen who ultimately aslked me to join them. The beer flight is a sampler of all of the English beers that they have on tap and if there is one that you would prefer to skip, they are happy to substitute another style. They easily could have increased the size of this offering a bit because compared to the large offering of food, the beverages seem a bit skimpy. On the food side, we received a slab of English cheese along with a scotch egg and a sausage roll. After already eatying dinner, I was wishing that they simply offered a beverage option. There were several real positive aspects to the event in that first, you miss the huge rush to the gate after the fireworks. This may well be worth the price alone! Second, the cast members at the Rose and Crown who are normally very rushed and cannot take time to talk, were animated and very willing to stop at our table and join in conversations. The managers also came by and were enjoying the slow yime to tell a few stories. All in all, for the money only, its a bit much; but in the overall scheme of things it is probably worth it
Pros:
Individual attention, beer flight, good foodCons:
no dessert, expensiveReview of Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch
Reviewed by StacyLovesDisney Review Date: 07/20/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
I love this gem of Magic Kingdom.
The food is fresh and delicious. My kids love the kid's meals.
The Colony salad is full of crisp veggies, perfectly grilled chicken and a light dressing. Husband's sirloin cheese burgers was one of the best he's had--he said. Also, cooked perfectly to his liking.
Celebrated bday here. Didn't know they would give me a birthday cupcake with a candle. Really nice of them, but it was really stale. My sugar-aholic child didn't even like it.
Best of all for me, who doesn't enjoy soft drinks and the tea at the fast food places, this place as freshly brewed iced-tea. YUM and refreshing!
Waiter was VERY friendly and nice. He was understanding of the grandpa, who still couldn't eat anything because he was getting over the flu. (He only ordered a coke.) Waiter seemed very understanding of the situation. Didn't drop quality of service even when he knew the bill wouldn't be as high as it could be. Don't worry, we tipped him well.
We will go back again.
Pros:
food, cool, REAL brewed iced-teaCons:
noneReviewed by StacyLovesDisney Review Date: 07/20/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
This is a favorite of my two kids, girl 8, boy 5 and me too!
We love the character dancing and singing. My kids love the Mickey Waffles and Tater Tots.
This year, perhaps due to the new characters, the wait time was massive. We arrived in time for our ADR. We had to wait on the front porch to be called. We were taken to our seats where it took another 10-15 minutes to be greeted by our waitress. (My kids were really starving by now) Chef came out to take care of my son's food allergies---stellar job, Chef. Waitress was unfriendly (the first time I have ever had this experience at Disney and I've been going for years) and I actually had to yell out to her," May I please have more tea." as she went sailing by. No stopping at our table to ask if everything was ok. The characters took long to come around. (The last time we ate at H&V we saw each character 3 times during the hour we were there.) Finally, the moment my daughter was waiting for--Doc was coming to the table. My 8 year old daughter was wearing a Doc outfit, I had put her short hair in Doc pigtails, had the Doc headband, she was wearing a Doc bracelet, and had her talking Doc doll with her. I'll have to say this was disappointing.....Doc came stood for a photo and left. No pointing at my daughter's outfit or a hug for the baby doll. No clapping for the outfit and knowing that Doc is a favorite. (We've had this happen with Handy Manny for my son, Donald when he saw my daughter's Donald Duck dress, etc.) In fact, Doc started walking away before my son could get a photo in with her. I had to ask her to wait. (We do not do autographs, so we're quickies as it is with the photos.) We were ready to leave after being in there for an hour and 15 minutes. We kept waiting to see Sophia. We were actually giving up and walking out-- because we had a fast pass--when she finally arrived. We got our photo, but we were frustrated with the money we spent on this event. We will try it again to see if this was just a one-time occurrence.
Pros:
food--dancing with charactersCons:
wait!! lack of character interactionReview of Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
Reviewed by StacyLovesDisney Review Date: 07/20/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were here in the first part of May. We ordered the chocolate cupcake with the white chocolate elephant. My daughter's eyes "bugged-out" when she saw the size of the cupcake. It had a vanilla frosting topped with toasted coconut. Inside was a german chocolate filling ---oh so good and gooey.
The cupcake was moist and delicious. FABULOUS treat. Yes, this will be a must-do on our next AK trip.
Pros:
Great Cupcakes!Cons:
NoneReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by StacyLovesDisney Review Date: 07/20/2014
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
I am a planner by nature and thought I would love this product. However, after using the FastPass+ system twice, I have decided this is not a great addition to Walt Disney World.
Problem #1--My family got the flu as soon as we arrived to WDW--domino style. First son, then me. I had to spend a day and a half in the hotel room. This meant all of my fast passes for Tues. were unusable. I had to switch around my park days to accommodate a must do breakfast at Hollywood Studios. What did this mean?
*Some attractions were already "sold out" because people get to choose what they want before arrival. We missed a few of our favs.
*When the grandpa got the flu, grandma had to switch around her days to join my kids and me. She had to go wait at Guest Relations for them to change around her Fast Passes.
*The grandma's fast pass times did not sync up with what we had scheduled.
*All the fast passes that were wasted and unused on the days the family couldn't make it to the theme parks could have been used by others who were actually at the parks.
Problem#2 I do not have a smart phone. I have to carry around return times on a piece of paper. Terrible on the day when I forgot my sheet of paper with the times.
Problem #3 The portable iPads would not work on my MagicBand, so I was told I'd have to go to Guest Services at the FRONT of each park to have a Fast Pass modified.
Problem #4 Waiting in Line to get a Fast Pass at a Kiosk. LONG LINES!!! I did the parks a couple of days w/ 2 kids, age 8 and age5-by myself w/o adult help. They couldn't last in a long line in the heat.
Problem #5--My husband decided at the last minute to join us at MK on our last day (he had been golfing each day minus the sick days) When we got to MK NONE of our Fast Pass times would sync with our band. Here we go again. He could not ride any of those rides with us---one of which was Splash Mountain. Kids disappointed Daddy couldn't go with them.
Problem #6--We finish our day in the parks around 2-3pm so kids can go enjoy resort pool. When one has to modify a fast pass the morning times or early afternoon times have been taken. So, we either didn't get to ride some of them. We had to leave Hollywood Studios in the early afternoon and return at 5:45 just so we could ride Toy Story Mania!
Problem 7# --A couple of times we arrived to use our fast pass and there was only a 0-15 minute wait! For example, Character Greetings at Epcot for Mickey was a 5 minute wait! We could have used that fast pass for something else. Yet, more waste.
Problem #8 -I was thinking about going to Disney at the last minute in a couple of weeks. (I've been so many times I don't need that much time for planning....) Then I remembered about the new fast pass system. Because guests can reserve their attractions so far in advance, I bet the fast passes have already been taken.
Here is my suggestion....BRING BACK the old Fast Pass system and modify it so you can tap your Magic Band and get a fast pass return time on the spot. The old system let you plan SOOOO much better by actually not really letting people plan that much into the future.
Pros:
NoneCons:
inability to change attractions when plans change, waiting for more fast passes after 3 are used, sometimes I did NOT need to use fast pass because line was short--waste!!!Review of MagicBand
Reviewed by StacyLovesDisney Review Date: 07/20/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
Using the band for park entry is great. Waterproof--great. Connecting credit card to it--great. Using the band for fastpass+ did NOT work well for us--see that posting under Fast Pass+. We were not able to use or update our fast passes/bands with portable readers.
Pros:
ease of useCons:
doesn't always workReview of 'Ohana Best Friends Character Breakfast
Reviewed by abmadmo Review Date: 07/19/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We've done the character breakfast at Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey on past trips and decided to try O'hana for the first time on this trip. It was SO much better! The food was amazing (especially the juice!), was so very much quieter and we really liked that it was served family style. We honestly could only get our forks to our mouths two or three times before a character would come back to play or take pics with us. It didn't feel rushed at all either. CM's kept the food coming and the drinks filled. We definitely recommend this one!
Pros:
relaxed, quiet (for a character breakfast), food, THE JUICE!Cons:
absolutely nothing!Review of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by abmadmo Review Date: 07/19/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We had FP reservations for lunch @11 on July 7th. The food was very good though we really didn't think we were hungry when we got there. It's nice to have a cool, indoor quick service choice for lunch in any park and we were happy to have been given the opportunity to try out this new place w/ ADR. The line outside looked pretty depressing when we were leaving and we're not sure we would've been nearly as pleased with our experience if we'd had to wait in that line but for 2 adults, a teenager and a tween to have gotten our bellies FULL on really good food, at an air conditioned venue for no more than we would have paid to sit outside in the sun and heat eating the common theme park fare? Yeah, it was definitely worth it!
