Most Recent Reviews
Review of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by May3 Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
I just found out that the paper fastpasses are gone! I am so shocked that I am posting a review here. Normally, I just read the stuff here, I'm too lazy to write anything.
Last fall, I was picked for testing the Magic Band. In all fairness, it worked nicely for getting into the hotel and into the park and buying stuff and all, replacing the Key to the World card in such a way that I no longer needed to take the Key out so often. Anything I wanted, scan the band, and everything worked instantly!
So back then, I was quite happy. The three fastpass+ we got each day all worked nicely. It was all great until last night, when I found out that those three fastpass+ things are all that we get now. Oh, no!
One thing I love about Disney is the fastpasses, being able to get them when I need them. I was OK with the three extra fastpass+, but thought they were kind of unnecessary. They eliminate walking, but I love walking in Disney World. That's why I go there. Plus I don't know when I might feel like doing a certain ride, depending on the kids' needs, my feelings, whether there is a parade walking by that we should stop to watch, etc. I don't want to sell myself into having to do Splash Mountain at 11 a.m. I'll do it when I feel like it.
I love the feeling of the fastpass tickets in my hands. I love showing them to cast members, as if they are tickets to a special place. (They are!) I love the mad dash towards Toy Story Mania. It gives meaning to life at Disney World! And in case you think I'm some young, energetic dude, I'm not. I'm a middle aged mother of three sons. I spend most my days suffering from chronic fatigue, but in Disney World I have energy to spare! I push my youngest in the stroller as I speed across Hollywood studios while I holler at my teens to WALK FASTER!!!
And now all that is gone, gone, GONE! It is a huge part of why Disney World is more wonderful than your average amusement, why I spend so much to go there every year!
Please Disney, bring the paper fastpasses back!
Now you have to get more fastpasses only after the first 3 are used. Yeah, what if your third fastpass is late in the night? Well, sucks for you! So you think, just get the three in the morning and hope for more openings later. But Disney says "Additional FastPass+ selections must be made at a FastPass+ kiosk within the same park as the FastPass+ experience that you wish to select." In other words, you can't do this on your iPhone; it has to be done at their kiosk. Guess how many kiosks there are compared to the number of guests, and how slow it is to use them compared to fastpass machines? And guess how many people are stuck with fastpasses they don't want (because you have to have 3) and therefore prevent others from getting them? And guess how slow it is to scan in the magic bands compared to just showing a handful of fastpass tickets to a cast member?
In fact, even last fall I remember there being a big line in front of the Test Track fastpass+ lane because the scanning procedure was so slow. I didn't give it much thought then, but now I realize what a disaster that is going to be
I only know of one way to handle this. Get up early and make it to the park before everybody else does. Kick my kids out of bed no matter how late they swam the night before.
Here is what I think Disney should do: let everybody prebook one fastpass+ per day on the magic band. The rest of the fastpasses stay in ticket form so that we can have both. Then people can get the one ride they really have to do, and everything else is fair game.
Or even just allow the deluxe guests to get one fastpass+ while the rest use the paper fastpasses. They pay such a horrendous amount for so little that they deserve it. There aren't that many deluxe guests, so they won't make a difference. The rest of the resort guests can enjoy the magic band, which is still very cool and better than offsite guests can enjoy. Offsite guests can get magic bands too, but they don't get to open their hotel rooms with it.
I love the magic band, I think it's very nice the way I can do everything with it. But if I had to pick, I'd rather lose the magic band than lose the paper fastpasses. I can do the same thing the magic band does with the Key to the World card, just a little more clumsily. But without paper fastpasses, I can't even clumsily get fastpasses when I want them. That is a big step backwards, Disney.
And I wish Disney had spend the billion dollars building new rides or improving on old ones, rather than installing fastpass+.
Pros:
Conveniently computerizedCons:
Lost the paper fastpasses!!!Review of Cape May Cafe Clam Bake Dinner
Reviewed by DisneyTheVs Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
My wife and I had an ADR for 6:45 PM and arrived a little bit early and about 5 minutes later were seated. Our server PUI was excellent in keeping the plates cleared and refreshing our drinks. We never felt rushed. The crab was fantastic. We both enjoyed the Seafood Chowder and ribs. We would have liked to have seen some additional seafood items on the buffet. My wife and I were celebrating our anniversary and they brought us a chocolate mousse dessert with a congratulations sign made out of chocolate. This was the priciest meal for our trip. We don't feel like we get our monies worth as we are not big eaters.
Pros:
Crab Legs and DessertCons:
—Review of Nine Dragons - China - Epcot
Reviewed by DisneyTheVs Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We had an ADR for 2 at 6:30 PM and arrived early and was immediately seated. My wife had the Iced Chai Tea, which she loved. I had the raspberry iced tea and was very good. We split the vegetable spring rolls appetizer, which was 2 rolls total. They were very good. We split the Honey Sesame Chicken, which was excellent and didn't taste like any of our local Chinese restaurants. I have stayed away as the posts had said that is wasn't any different from their home offerings. We enjoyed our visit and would be back. We enjoyed it so much that I forgot to ask for the DVC discount and didn't remember until I was looking at the receipt back at the hotel. Missed 20% discount.
Pros:
AtmospherCons:
—Review of Kona Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by DisneyTheVs Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We had an ADR for 9:40 AM and arrived at 9 am and was able to be seated after 5 minutes. My wife and I split the Big Kahuna. We especially enjoyed the French toast. Not sure how they make it, but it was delicious. I usually have the Tonga Toast, but will have it next time unless I decide to get the regular French Toast. I would highly recommend the Big Kahuna as everything was excellent and we were able to easily share the meal. No DVC discount!
Pros:
French ToastCons:
—Reviewed by DisneyTheVs Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
We heard that you can just show up and get into this restaurant. We arrived and was given a pager for 4 guest and about 5 minutes later we had a table. The table was small for 4 people as there was not leg room. My wife and I split the Hickory Bacon Burger ($12.50) and kettle chips. They brought out the burger and chips split onto 2 plates. The burger is 8 oz. and is enough for us to split. We had the Chocolate Confusion for dessert and enjoyed every bite and keep talking about going back, but never had a chance to get back for another slice. There was plenty for us to split. We will be back on future trips.
Pros:
Chocolate ConfusionCons:
Small tablesReview of Beaches and Cream
Reviewed by DisneyTheVs Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
WE had an ADR for 2 on May 17th at 7:40 PM and arrived early and was told they were running behind and would be in around about 10 minutes after our ADR. We were seated around the time of our ADR.
We share meals in an attempt to not gain 6-10 pounds after vacation. The meals are usually very large at Disney. We split the Beaches Angus Beef Burger for $15.49, which also includes a thick slice of ham. They brought us 2 plates with the burger split in half and split the French fries. We liked the burger at the Big River Grille & Brewing Works better. We also shared a 2 scoop (1 vanilla and 1 chocolate) sundae with hot fudge and peanut butter. This was fantastic and could have used some more peanut butter as there was plenty of hot budge at the bottom. We like the atmosphere of the old fashioned soda shop. We will be back for ice cream. No DVC discount.
Pros:
Ice CreamCons:
—Review of Raglan Road
Reviewed by DisneyTheVs Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our first time at Raglan Road. We my wife and I) had ADR for 2 at 6:30 pm on Saturday May 18th. We arrived early by over an hour and was given a pager and only had a short 10 minute wait for our table. The waitress brought us soda bread and Guinness glaze and olive oil which was fantastic. After talking with the waitress we decided to order an appetizer of ribs. We ordered the Sheppard Pie as we thought it would not be enough for us to share. We were saving room for the Butter Bread Pudding. The ribs were done and crispy and tasty with the sweet sauce. The Sheppard Pie was enough for the two of us to share. We also added peas on the side to add to the Sheppard Pie as there is very little vegetables in the entrée as was recommended by our waitress. Everything was excellent and we didn't need the appetizer as we couldn't finish the Pie and took it back to the room with us. We had the Butter Bread Pudding, which was fantastic and plenty to share for two. We also took the balance of the dessert and had it for breakfast the next morning and heated up very well in the microwave. The dancers are fantastic. Look forward to returning again. The price above included a bottle of the Guinness Glaze to take home. This was our favorite meal on this trip.
Pros:
Entertainment, Service, Meal and DessertCons:
NoneReview of Pinocchio Village Haus
Reviewed by clyde0523 Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
For a quick service meal this was really good. Good food, great atmosphere. It is very busy though so try to catch it at off hours!
Pros:
—Cons:
—Review of Crystal Palace Breakfast
Reviewed by clyde0523 Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was wonderful! The food was great, service was excellent and characters really took their time with us! Definite will do again!
Pros:
—Cons:
—Review of Cinderella's Royal Table Breakfast
Reviewed by clyde0523 Review Date: 05/26/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
So as far as character meals go, you are paying for the visit at this meal. If we had not had the dining plan we would not have done this meal. The food was decent, but portions are small. The service is so so and you have to beg for drink refills.
The atmosphere and the princesses are why you go for this meal.
