Most Recent Reviews
Review of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We had an early lunch here during out visit to the Magic Kingdom. Tried to ask questions of the hosts "guarding" the bridge about the menu, choices, etc. and they basically blew us off. They were too busy telling people that they could only enter if their entire party was present and that they couldn't take stollers past a certain point and that they couldn't enter without their entire party being present, and that they didn't know how long the wait was and that they couldn't enter without their entire party. (get the idea with that last item....they were so worried that you would try to enter without your entire party...lol.
The ordering system was quite confusing and some in our group had to restart the process a couple times. One even had to go up to the center counter area to have their order changed because they messed up. (oh and did I mention that the person who let you into the ordering area was a clone of the bridge guards..."you can't go in without your entire party being present."
Once you ordered, you were on your own to find a table in one of the dining rooms and then to get your own drinks. The meals came out fairly quickly however. The portions were not as large as other Disney quick service locations but the food had and adequate taste.
While the food was ok and the decor was nice, there were too many other issues that lacked for me to reccommend this restaurant.
Pros:
Varied Selection; Nice Decor in seating areasCons:
Staff is not as friendly as other locations; Confusing ordering systemReview of Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
This is a quick service restaurant located near the border of Adventureland and Frontierland and is one of the largest quick service restaurants at Magic Kingdom.
The burgers are large and very tasty and the food was served very fast considering how busy they are. (if you get a chance to look in the back where the food is prepared...it is neat to watch the "assembly line" action of filling orders.). The fixins bar is a really great addition and allows you to build your sandwich the way you want to. My wife got a Taco Salad and, with the exception of the meat and shell which they give you, you build it yourself.
The one negative is the seating area. Due to the popularity of the restaurant and the location (where a lot of people evidently decide to try and stop to rest without buying). THey have "seating hosts" who will have you wait until your entire party is through the lines (and fixins bar) and then seat you at a table of their choosing. (for a large party, it can mean standing there with your tray for quite a while while your food gets cold.) Then if you have to leave the seating area (for restrooms or something off the fixins bar for example,) you are given the third degree upon your return. (almost acting as if you are lying that you were already seated.) There HAS to be a better system.
But the food outweighs the "Table Security Guards" so I highly reccommend this as a Quick Service restaurant for Disney visits.
Pros:
Very good burgers and great fixins bar.Cons:
Seating "hosts" act more like Security Force than hosts.Review of Earl of Sandwich
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
While the food at this restaurant is very good...the sandwiches have a unique and very good taste to them.....the whole process at this restaurant is confusing. If you are on the Disney DIning Plan, you have to ask what is included and not included and then you are still somewhat confused. ("this case of sides is included" "this case of sides is not").
The service was not as good as at other Disney Restaurants....it seemed like the employees were more interested in talking amongst themselves than working with customers.
This restaurant can also get crowded, but the line does move pretty fast.
Because of the size of the portions and the great taste of the food here, I still reccommend this restaurant however.
Pros:
Very large menu....takes a while to read it and figure out what you want!Cons:
Confusing menu and ordering system...especially for those on Disney Dining PlanReviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
This was another "anticipated" restaurant of our large group and one that, while we were satisfied, we were not "overwhelmed." Obviously the choices on the buffet offer many traditional African dishes but they also have several standard American Faire dishes for those who may not be as adventurous. It was a great way to sample foods (and find some that you like and want more of!). While they had the names of the dishes listed above them, that didn't always tell you what the dishes were and what was in them. (my brother in law is allergic to mushrooms for example.) We found that we had to ask the chefs what was in many of the dishes and they were not always standing right by the foods so you had to guess or skip it.
The bread and salad selections were varied and the dessert portions were small (so you could try several) but were not that varied and didn't "wow" you.
It was a nice restaurant to try, but not sure I would go back there.
Pros:
Great way to try foods of another areaCons:
Need explanations of what some foods are - perhaps cards next to them on the linesReview of Cove Pool Bar
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
This is the only location in the Bay Lake Tower for people who are not DVC members to get food or beverage without hiking over to the Contemporary Resort.
Obviously they have a drink station and you can get other drinks here...which is helpful when you get your free resort mug. Food selection is limited.
The main problem wiith this food area is that they are open very limited hours. THey don't open unitl late morning/early afternoon and close in the early evening....leaving those residents of BLT to trudge over to the Contemporary for food or drink.
Pros:
Only food location located in Bay Lake TowerCons:
Limited HoursReview of Whispering Canyon Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
When our large group was choosing restaurants for our week long visit, this restaurant was near the top of many of the lists. After eating here, it fell to the very bottom of almost everyone's.
While the atmosphere can be fun at times and the server's can be fun, it all depends on how interactive and "into the part" your server is. While the host who seated us was great, our server was not very much fun compared to what we saw servers at other tables doing.
The food is mediocre. WHile the choices are varied, the taste was not that good and quite frankly, all the different meats tasted pretty much the same. (is pork supposed to taste like chicken??...lol). The desserts also were limited in selection.
Since this restaurant is somewhat out of the way at the Wilderness Lodge, it is one that is easily overlooked..... and that is not always a bad thing.
Pros:
Choices are varied; can be fun atmosphere but depends on what server you get.Cons:
Food Taste not that greatReview of Chef Mickey's Dinner
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
Everyone who goes to Disney World should try to eat at Chef Mickely's once for the experience.
The food is standard buffet food although there is a large selection. Dessert selection seemed more limited than before (6 years ago). Characters are great at interacting with you. Service can be hit or miss.
You must have reservations for this restaurant and you may still wait for a table past the reservation time.
If you really don't care about Character Experiences and just want a good meal, then there are MANY other better choices in WDW.
Pros:
It is one of the signature restaurants - Fun AtmosphereCons:
Food is standard fare, not alot of variety - can be noisy. Overpriced if not on Dining PlanReviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
Ok people...it is a pizza place based on a Disney movie. With that said, most complaints should be taken away. Yes, it can be noisy and have kids running around...it is basically an arcade with food...know that going in.
The food is better than most people give it credit for. Pizza is pizza to me. The Ceasar Salad that is one of the choices for adult meals is very good with a great dressing. The portion sizes for both the pizza and the sides are very good. The line moved quickly and our food was ready quickly...no complaints there.
I will say dessert selection is limited but I found that to be the case at most of the quick service restaurants. This is not a restaurant to be afraid of....unless you don't like pizza...lol
Pros:
Portion Size; speed of service; Great Cesar SaladsCons:
Can be noisy and hectic with kids running about and the games making noiseReview of Hollywood and Vine Dinner
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
We took the dinner meal at Hollywood & Vine to take advantage of the Fantasmic Seating advantage. While you get some of the best seats for Fantasmic (center section), you do not get a "private entrance" and have to enter with the masses.
The dinner is a buffet, which I like because you can try different things. They had a varied selection of entrees and some specialty stations (pasta, etc.) but the side dishes were not that varied or exciting. The dessert selection was great and the small portions allowed you to take several different ones to try. (and then go back for more of the ones you like!). Since it was a buffet, the small dessert portions are not a big deal.
The decor is not exciting, but I don't choose or really judge my dining choices by decor...but by food, service and comfort....all of which were fine at this restaurant.
Pros:
Wide selection of entrees and dessertsCons:
Selection of sides not as variedReview of Flame Tree Barbecue
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
I have always thought the dining choices at Animal Kingdom to be quite limited and not very good. Flametree Barbeque is the exception. The choices are varied enough for everyone to find something they like and the portions are large enough and quite filling. We ate here for the first time on our last trip and it won't be our last. While the desserts are less than exciting, you can always get fruit instead. The dining area is amongst the trees which is nice (and is covered) but the condiment location is somewhat far away from the seating areas.
