Most Recent Reviews
Review of Tangierine Cafe
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/14/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Go here to eat! Really awesome food and one of the best values for the Dining Plan. The Mediterranen Sliders Combo and the Shawarma Chicken and Lamb platter are just awesome. I'm not particularly a Moroccan food fan either, so don't think you have to have a distinct taste for it. My young kids even liked it. And the atmosphere is quite nice as well--the tiled walls are somehow really soothing.
Pros:
Great food, great atmosphereCons:
NoneReview of Pirates League at Magic Kingdom
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/14/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
My son did this while his sisters did the Bibbidy Bobbity Botique. He actually ended up having more time at his event than they did, which says something about the quality of the event, though perhaps that it is too long for a young boy. He got the ghost pirate makeup, which the makeup artists recommended against. To be sure, as soon as he ate it started coming off (though it was not uncomfortably hot, as they said it might be). But it was really cool, and he knew it. The earring, saber, etc., are nice, and he liked them, but they're not exactly a whole lot. Kids get a picture afterward (free with Memory Maker), and the pics are pretty awesome. Oh, and the pirate headquarters room is really well-themed.
If your kid would rather ride the rides, however, you could probably squeeze a couple in in the same amount of time, and probably not have your kid notice too much that he's missing it (I say he, but there were plenty of girls dressing like mermaids).
Pros:
Cool setting, kids love the face paintCons:
Takes awhileReview of MagicBand
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/14/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This thing is just awesome. After leaving the park, I found myself raising my hand at the gas station, grocery story, coffee shop, wishing I could just pay for my order with a swipe of the wrist and entering my pin. It always worked for me. I wore it in the pool with no adverse effects. My kids loved being able to let themselves into the room. And I did not have to carry my wallet anywhere!
Pros:
Awesome. Just awesome.Cons:
None.Review of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/14/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
I was on the app for months beforehand--it is a great time suck at work, in line, on the subway. And I found the app very useful in the park. You can figure out dining menus when you need a quick meal, and changing FastPass+ selections is super easy (as long as times are available). We could really shift our plans quickly as circumstances required, and it really enhanced our experience.
However, the app can be slow--it takes far too long to load new screens. And for one whole, rainy day at Epcot the whole system was down, which meant that we lost all of our FastPass+ selections because we could not change them. When that kind of thing happens, the thing seems pretty disastrous. Oh, and there's this glitch: sometimes when you think you're going to hit the "Change FastPass+ Time" link, the page suddenly changes to the calendar view, which will cause you to select a date two weeks in the future, and getting back just takes more time.
That said, the power of the app--when it works--is impressive. You're missing out if you don't get it early, link all your magic bands and photo passes, and familiarize yourself with it so that you're not staring at your phone while your family runs ahead to Dumbo.
Pros:
Convenient, powerful, informativeCons:
Sloooooowww...sometimes unreliableReview of Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/14/2014
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
We thought this would be a great last night event to make sure that we had at least one good viewing of the fireworks, and my kids love dessert. So we never felt like we had to fight for or use a FastPass+ for a spot. But you know, in the meantime, we saw the fireworks most nights from the monorail, from our resort, or from elsewhere in the park. By the last night, the fireworks seemed to matter less. Now seeing Tinkerbell up close was cool, and we got a great view of the castle illumination.
But...
I was, in short, shocked at the behavior of the adults at this event. Given the way the roof hangs out, and the relatively small amount of room at the railing, small kids who are not right at the railing just don't get a view that is worth the cost. There is plenty of room to stand around and watch, but kids who are down low just can't see the whole show very well. One would think that grown adults, who could just as easily have made room for the youngsters and still had a perfect view, nevertheless hogged the railing. And I mean hogged. One very tall woman deliberately slipped into my daughter's spot when she stepped back to give me a hug. Another stood directly in front of us the rest of the time videoing the entire firework show. A large man claimed a prime spot as soon as he entered the terrace. One man did give up a spot, and from what I could tell, enjoyed the whole thing standing just behind his wife--but then the aforementioned tall woman took that spot from my six year old daughter. I suppose I could have made more of a stink, but there's the rub. I paid around $200 for the event, and I should not have to ask obnoxious people to let my kids see. Sorry if this sounds bitter, but I think you have to know that to know whether this experience is going to be pleasant enough for you to she'll out the non-refundable cash up front.
The desserts WERE really good, and were special in the sense that we had not eaten the same thing elsewhere. Ice crem sundaes. Tiramisu. Cheesecake. Little peanut butter-filled chocolate cups. Really good stuff. My kids loved it, and we let them go wild (did I mention that this was 9pm?). That said, unless you really have a big appetite, you're not really going to get enough food to justify the cost of the entry fee. I had a small plate of delicious food and was done. My wife picked off of mine. My kids ate more than I expected, but that still was not much.
Of course, you're paying for the experience. But considering the limitations I mentioned above, I'm just not sure it is really worth the really substantial cost. I could have had my kids of the pirate cruise for about the same price, and my guess is that the experience would have been more clearly special.
I might have selected "maybe" recommend if that was an option. If money is not an option, if you want a relaxed, roomy place to watch the fireworks and you don't have small kids, and you have the fortitude to commit to really digging in to the dessert options, it is a nice location.
Pros:
Exciting event, good desserts, good view of fireworksCons:
Not really the best viewing location, food value not optimalReview of Disney Dining Plan
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/14/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
My family of 5 just got back from WDW. My kids are all 7 and under. We got the basic dining plan (1 table service, 1 quick service, 1 snack), and I think it was worth it, and even enhanced our experience.
Here's the main value: I did not once hesitate to buy my kids any food because of the cost--in fact, because the plan incentivizes the purchase of costlier items, I actually encouraged my kids to get the fancy things they wanted. This was, for me (I do have a tendency to be a tightwad, and to worry about letting spending get out of control), well worth every penny. I did not have a single argument with my wife or kids about spending money on food. And that meant that an argument about food did not turn into an argument about souvenirs ("you got the Dole Whip, so you can't have the mouse ears!"). Maybe that's what your every day is like, but if you're like me, go for it.
Some details: you really pack the value in on counter service. Some of the options (Cosmic Ray's at MK, Tangierine Cafe at Epcot) are just fantastic, and you can actually get more food than the average value of a counter service entitlement. Table service is a little less valuable for the food I think, but we used all of ours for character meals, which I think ended up balancing out--especially when we chose the buffet meals. And we had breakfast every morning on our snack entitlements--bagels, muffins, fruit, etc., at the resort.
Some people complain that it is too much food, and I get that. My girls want chicken nuggets and hotdogs at each meal, and that does not always beat the bottom line. But if you're savvy, you can get a big meal to split among your light eaters and reserve your entitlement for a later time. When you factor in all the desserts, fruit, drinks, etc., that you can get and the carry with you for a later snack that come even with the chicken nugget meal, I think it balances out. And my girls tended to eat more than they even knew when they ordered because they were exerting themselves a lot more than usual.
It is worth noting in this context that although table service restaurants require that kids order off of the kids menu, counter service restaurants do not! So the Mediterranean Slider Combo at Tangierine (highly recommended) comes with 3 pita sandwiches, any one of which will feed a kid (if they'll eat falafels, that is). This is a value that no one explained to me, but which I quickly realized represented real value, and which I wish I had known on day one. I would have done some version of the following each day: have the girls split a counter service breakfast, table service (character meal) for lunch, have the girls split a chicken breast nuggets and fish meal at the Columbia Harbour House. That would have saved us an additional six counter service meals that we could have used to feed adults later, and which would have allowed us to have two counter service meals on most days.
OK, so there's the downside. To really maximize value, you have to know what you're going to eat. I found some good websites that laid out some of the most valuable eateries, so no matter where I was, I knew a $14.95 counter service meal could feed three people within a 100 yard radius. This is not rocket science, but it could be another source of argument if your kids are hungry and you're making calculations about dinner locations based on value.
A couple of other things:
*cast members are very knowledgeable and help explain the system to you.
*you also get these nifty travel mugs. You can only fill them at your resort (or at park water fountains). They're RIFD-embedded, so you literally can't use them at other resorts. But if you're having breakfast at your resort using your snack entitlements, there's your drink--coffee, lemonade, etc. We carried them to the park (use a "mommy clip" to clip them to your stroller), and left them with the stroller for hours at a time. I was sure they'd get stolen, but they never were!
Pros:
Convenience, valueCons:
You must keep track!Review of 1900 Park Fare Character Dinner
Reviewed by dclagett Review Date: 05/13/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
We had 17 people in our group, which is a challenge. We were seated at two tables close together which we had been told would occur. We were advised to get our food as soon as we arrived so we would be at our table when the characters came around. We just sat down to eat when they arrives. They came one at a time and did not rush. Talked to each child, even the ones that were frightened a little. They were very good with them. As the grandmother of 7 kids there, I was very busy trying to get pictures of all and my food got cold so after they finished I went back for more. The food was very good and plentiful. I enjoyed it but would have rather had a relaxing meal, then met the characters. The kids hardly ate anything due to the excitement.
Pros:
Characters talked with the kidsCons:
Felt rushed, but we had 2 tables for visits & picturesReview of Mickey's Backyard Barbecue
Reviewed by dclagett Review Date: 05/13/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Mickey's Backyard BBQ was the BEST event of our trip. We had 7 kids in our group, ages 2-9 and they all loved it. We arrived at 5:30 and were able to meet Chip & Dale & Goofy for pics and autographs and get in line for seating. We had 17 in our group and had been told to arrive early to be sure we could sit together. No problems! The food was fantastic as well, especially the ribs, pulled pork BBQ and mac & cheese. The kids really enjoyed dancing with the Characters and the band was fun. Here's a hint... during the rope trick show, watch for Mickey & Minnie greeting guests outside the shelter for pictures and autographs. You'll need to get in line early for this opportunity but it's worth it.
Pros:
Our kids were able to interact with the charactersCons:
noneReview of Cinderella's Royal Table Lunch
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/13/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
You're doing this because your little girl wants to do it. Has to do it. She will feel sad leaving the park every day that she does not do it. She will need therapy in later years if she doesn't get to go. She'll always wonder if you really love her. But you already know that. Will it be total misery for you if you do it?
We had a great time. There's a great atmosphere of sheer anticipation, punctuated by shrieks of delight from young girls. Actually, it is not that bad--not chaotic or loud at all. The princesses were nice; my son (his review would be significantly worse, but he's 7) actually enjoyed coming up with smart-alek questions for all of the princesses ("hey Snow White, do you still eat apples?"), and they sweetly took time to engage him. My daughters loved it because, well, princesses.
The room is pretty impressive; if you can get by a window I imagine it is even better.
The food is not terrible. I was told there would be Filet Mignon, and there was not Filet Mignon. There were short ribs, which were passable. Like Peter Pan's Flight, which makes one feel as if one is flying over London, one feels at Cinderella's Royal Table as if one is eating in a nice restaurant. But one is not. One is only there for the princesses. One would probably not be able to enjoy really good food amid all the anticipation anyway. The appetizer plate and the dessert were good. The portions were not very large. So as a stand alone meal, I would have felt that it was not a very good deal considering the quality and size, but then again you're not paying for the food. You're paying to pretend to eat a nice meal while you meet princesses. And that is worth every penny.
I had heard that you feel rushed, but we did not.
Pros:
Did you hear that it is in the castle? That the princesses come?Cons:
Food and portion size not worth what you payReview of Tusker House Lunch and Dinner Buffet
Reviewed by WDWDad1974 Review Date: 05/13/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
If you don't like ethnic food, don't bother (I guess you could make do, but why?). Really good food, nothing too spicy (though I do like spicy), but flavorful. Huge buffet, with a carving and dessert station. Those here who say little selection I am guessing just did not like what they did have. But my sense is that many of these would have been good dishes to order as individual plates. We ate our fill, and didn't need dinner that night!
We went on a very busy day, but it did not feel busy. The characters spent plenty of time--we even had Safari Mickey come back to our table, and he seemed to be wandering around a bit looking for things to do!
