Most Recent Reviews
Review of MagicBand
Reviewed by lw Review Date: 03/16/2014
Rating: (4) Recommended
Having just returned from a Disney vacation over Spring Break I feel this was the first real 'test run' for Fastpass+. The concept in theory is great if everything is working and that is where the problem rests. An example for our party of eleven was a visit to Typhoon Lagoon on Tuesday March 11th. As we are patrons from Canada our bands are not shipped to us prior to vacation departure but we receive them upon check-in which seems reasonable. Unfortunately, 4 members of our party 2adults and 2 children were denied access to a Typhoon Lagoon as it was not synchronized on their passes. The ipad carrying Fastpass resolvers explained they had not paid for this product and denied them access to the park. Which was highly upsetting. Our family members were then shuffled to wait in line at guest services to pay for a product which they had. At this point a very expensive telephone call was made to Canada where our travel agent scanned and emailed documentation showing payment for waterpark and more. This was a very upsetting situation. The Disney Fastpass resolvers were rude and it seemed their job is to push people through lines or ask for payment. It just was not the Disney hospitality that one expects.
I hope that once these glitches are resolved the Fastpass+ is a success.
Pros:
Simplicity. No need to carry money credit cards in park.Cons:
A few snags to be worked on by Disney.Reviewed by lw Review Date: 03/16/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
A family gathering of eleven aged from seventy to six years old had a wonderful time at Port Orleans - French Quarter. The relative smallness of the resort in comparison to Riverside was perfect. Everything was within a very short walking distance. Two of our rooms were connecting which was perfect. The refillable mugs were a huge hit with our kids.
I would highly recommend Port Orleans - French Quarter.
Pros:
Perfect size for multi generational gatheringCons:
Small washroom but completely useable. Hard to find a con!Review of Epcot Seas Aqua Tour - Epcot
Reviewed by dubtrub Review Date: 03/16/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We met up at the Guest Relations at the main entrance of Epcot. We only needed to bring bathing suits. The group was small (maybe 15 people) and the instructors were helpful and funny. We toured the facility and learned interesting facts and saw a fair amount of the aquarium backstage. I was very nervous about swimming with the sharks, but became much calmer once we were swimming. The staff is incredibly helpful. Our kids loved it (under 10) and there was so much to see. I loved waving at people who were watching us! Can't recommend this experience more highly.
Pros:
Instructors and swimming experienceCons:
NoneReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by miketp Review Date: 03/15/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
It's nice to get fast passes without running through park at opening but being limited to one park ruins the benefit of buying Park Hopper tickets. You won't be able to get on popular rides at the 2nd park you visit. We were there in October and most Fastpasses were gone early in the day. So even though Disney allows you to change choices there were not many options. We are going again this summer and staying at Yacht which makes EPCOT and Hollywood convenient but not as accessible as when we could get passes in both parks. There should be a benefit for staying onsite.
Pros:
Ability to prescheduleCons:
Limited to one park, no benefit for staying at Deluxe or buying park hopper ticketsReview of Shades of Green
Reviewed by cavwife82 Review Date: 03/14/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
We stayed here 2/7-2/14. We are a family of 6 (2 adults, 2 kids, 2 babies) so we loved the size of the room. It was wonderful having the extra space for pack n plays and suitcases! While the room size was nice, it was just like any holiday inn where the carpet is worn, the bathroom fan was very loud and rattled, and our key wouldn't open the door on multiple days so we would have to go down and get a new one. The bus waits were longer so we walked over to Polynesian and used their bus system and monorail. Its only a 15 minute walk so I recommend it. My kids loved the pool. It was nothing fancy, but never crowded. They liked the playground area. My favorite part was the starbucks as you enter. While my husband put kids to bed, I snuck off to get a couple ice cream cones or coffees for us to snack on. The restaurants were pretty good. I was worried after reading such horrible things. We never waited for a table. Some of the food was kind of bland, but I like spice so most places at Disney taste bland. The waiters were so friendly and I loved that the kids under 6 ate free! If you're looking to save a lot of money, than its great. However, if you're expecting that Disney Magic than look into other resorts.
Pros:
price, size of room, restaurant costs, poolsCons:
no disney feel, bus wait time, room problemsReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by Jrnevins Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We have visited WDW 5x in in the last 5 years with 1-3 children ranging from 8 months to 7 1/2 years old. We mastered the fast pass & loved it. It made visiting the parks manageable with littles. We never had to wait in line for any ride more than 15-20 mins. We got fast passes for all the high wait times averaging 1 every hour or two we were in the park whichever park. The new system gives you only 3 fast passes per day. With the old system, we got a lot more. You also only can use them at one park. For Park Hoppers this is not a plus. The previous system allowed you to go with the flow of your day not schedule everything before you leave home. Unfortunately we missed a lot of ours due to delayed nap or travel time. Supposedly there is the option to change them but when we tried there was no fast passes left. Not flexible. Scheduling around dining reservations is enough planning. I don't want to have to plan around rides too. The old fast pass system worked very well. Why change it? When we asked why it was changed, we were told because some people like us mastered it but others never used the system and WDW wanted to make it fair/equal. I don't understand that. I think a nice compromise would be to allow guests to choose 3 per day but continue the one/hour for those who can master it.
Pros:
Guaranteed 3 rides per dayCons:
Too plannedReview of St. Thomas and St. John
Reviewed by Scrapping in Ontario Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Port Adventure: Best of St. Thomas Island Tour and Shopping
The open-air safari taxi was a great way to see the island. Easy to get group on and off at each stop. Beautiful stops at at least 5 different lookouts that also had souvenirs to purchase. Guide was great at pointing out things of interest. Relaxed and yet didn't feel like too much time at each stop. A great variety of stops with different things to see and appreciate on the island.
We were dropped off in the shopping area where we could purchase jewellery, clothing and more.
I would highly recommend this tour!
Pros:
Open Jeep was a great way to see the island, knowledgeable guide, beautiful island!Cons:
—Review of St. Maarten/ St. Martin
Reviewed by Scrapping in Ontario Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
Under 2 Flags Island Tour
There were 8 in our travel group (6A and 2C) and none of us really enjoyed the tour very much. We travelled on a full bus that quickly became very warm but the AC did not really work and we were asked not to open the windows. Thankfully the little vents above the seats offered a little air flow.
The tour guide was very kind but it was extremely difficult to hear her. Our group was scattered throughout 4 rows in the back half of the bus and none of us could really hear what she was saying.
First stop was a little market on the French Side. Nice length of stop and fun to check out the stalls and purchase souvenirs.
Second stop was an outlook with no real guardrail or anything and fairly steep so we kept this one short and put our adventuresome 4yo's back on the bus. 🙂
Third stop was a covered antique carousel and ice cream parlor. Very nice! We enjoyed long rides on the carousel and the ice cream was delicious!
We were dropped off in the cruise area for shopping and enjoyed some of this before boarding our ship.
Glad we've been to St. Maarten's but next time would choose another tour.
Pros:
Nice to see the islandCons:
Bus was hot and speaker system was poorReviewed by Scrapping in Ontario Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
Although tiny (as we'd expected) our family of 3 (MIL, myself and 4yo DD) made out just fine in our room. (Fantasy - 2025)
There was enough drawer and closet space for the 2 adults with a lot of hangers and the easy access to under the bed storage allowed me to keep my DD's things there and easily get to them. we also used the steamer trunk for storage although often pushed it to the side during the day to allow more room for walking.
Single bathroom was no problem. Took us a while to figure out tap. LOL!
The virtual port hole opened up the room so much! Wish the classic ships had this as that's what we're sailing on next. Hopefully someday.
If you're a couple/family that doesn't plan on spending a lot of time in your room then an inside stateroom on the fantasy will probably suit your needs just fine!
Pros:
Clean room, enough space for 2A and 1C, Great hostess Giesel! Virtual Port Hole is Amazing!Cons:
—Review of Disney Fantasy Overall Experience
Reviewed by Scrapping in Ontario Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our first cruise (3 generations MIL, myself and 4yo DD) and it could not have been better!! We were overwhelmed in a very good way by everything from the moment we walked into the terminal until we disembarked one week later!
The staff all love their jobs and cannot do enough to help. There is tons to do and every detail and more is thought of! Great live shows, AquaDuck a blast.
Can't wait to get back on board and bring the rest of our family too!
