Most Recent Reviews
Review 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!
Pros:
Beautiful, Immaculate ship, Staff are AMAZING, SO much to do!Cons:
—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.
