Most Recent Reviews
Review of Liberty Tree Tavern Lunch
Reviewed by dksyooper Review Date: 02/09/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
My family and I had dined at Liberty Tree before, and we weren't disappointed with this visit. I had a cheeseburger which tasted fine, DS had the Pilgrim's Feast which she enjoyed and DM had the pork sandwich which she liked. When we arrived at the restaurant, I asked the hostess for a window seat, which was granted. We had to ask the waitress a couple of times for lemon for our drinks, but other than that the service was fine. We appreciated the 18th century décor and would eat here again.
Pros:
Great atmosphere, decent foodCons:
PriceyReview of Earl of Sandwich
Reviewed by dksyooper Review Date: 02/09/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
Although Earl of Sandwiches still offers some very good sandwiches, I believe their restaurant has gone down a little in food quality. We waited in a very long line on a Saturday afternoon, but fortunately the line moved along as quickly as possible. I had the tuna melt and DS and DM had the All American. Both were good sandwiches, but the tuna melt had less tuna and more bread than I remember. Also, the tables were sticky and messy.
Pros:
Tasty sandwichesCons:
Long lines, messy tablesReview of Walt Disney World Swan (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by mayers Review Date: 02/09/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
We stayed there from 04.02.2014 to 07.02.2014 and I'm pretty satisfied with what the hotel offered. This time we spent the time without our kids. The queen bed was one of the things I liked the most. Some people said before that they got the feeling of an upscale resort, which also applies to us. One of the best things is definitely the pool area, with the bar and especially the good service. Minimal waiting times and nice food. We're definitely going to visit it again.
The only reason I'll rate it with 8 are the prices. I checked some sites for cheap offers and found one, maybe I didn't notice the fact they didn't include tax, so we had a couple of unpleasant minutes when we arrived. In the end they made a small discount for us, since we were planning to stay only until the weekend, maybe they were expecting less people in that period. However, I would definitely recommend it.
Pros:
Great beds, nice service, good location and perfect foodCons:
NoneReview of Boardwalk Villas (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by sparky Review Date: 02/08/2014
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We have in the past stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge Villa's, Saratoga Springs Villa's and Beach Club Villa's. Comparing Beach Club (since so close) to Boardwalk we would stay at Beach Club again and not Boardwalk. Rooms were nicer, mug refill's very close to rooms, Pools nicer and working order. The parking lot at Beach Club was a lot more user friendly vs Boardwalk which appears more oriented to valet parking instead of regular parking and it was quite a walk to your car if you needed it. We stayed 9 days at the end of January the private pool heater was broke the entire stay. And the heated pool closed to early to use it. Very disappointing for as many trips we have taken and this resort was not up to our expectations. Also if you go to Downtown Disney from this resort you will stop at Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club and Yacht Club and are on the bus forever. It is a major plus being able to walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studio's and that is why we booked in this location. We asked for a pool view and we had a huge tree that was directly in front of the pool. Since we have been to other resorts that is why we are stating this one was a disappointment since we know there are better places to stay.
Pros:
location to Epcot and Hollywood StudioCons:
lots of ware /long walk to fill mug/no heat in pool/dirty stairwellsReviewed by Nurseaudreyk Review Date: 02/08/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
There were some really great aspects of this resort, but some not-so-great. I am a bit spoiled due to only having stayed at Deluxe resorts previously.
Check-in - smooth and seamless. We checked in online so it was pretty easy. We arrived at 1pm, and was surprised there was no line. We walked around the grounds and played in the arcade while we waited for the text that our room was ready. That was pretty awesome--the room number was texted to me and we entered with our magic bands. We also took advantage of the Pontoon boats that were available for rent. It was SO relaxing after a day of travel. We went all the way around to Downtown Disney and really enjoyed the boat. The grounds are absolutely breathtaking.
Room - the entrance to the room opens to the outside (different from the deluxe resorts I have stayed --Animal Kingdom and Polynesian open inside a building). It wasn't bad, just different. The room was nice but small. We paid a bit extra for the Royal Room which was a great addition. It just reminded me of a nicely decorated Holiday Inn room from the 80s. That is where I am spoiled. If I hadn't experienced Deluxe rooms this would have been wonderful. We could hear our neighbors and toilets beside and above us flushing but it wasn't so terrible that it fully awakened me every time. It was just noticeable. Beds are terribly uncomfortable, but this was also an issue when I stayed at the Deluxe resorts.
Busses - There are 4 bus stops at Port Orleans Riverside: West, North, East and South. We were in the Royal Rooms at Parterre Place so we were dropped off at the South Depot. Oh my. Every time we left the resort or returning, we stopped what seemed like 100 times. Not a biggie unless one gets motion-sick. I get motion-sick. Bleh. Boats to Downtown Disney were ok but didn't save any time. Not fabulous for the motion-sick traveler, either.
Dining - There are very few options for dining. The food court (B, L, D) is adequate with options but is absolutely crazy. There is a lot of pushing and shoving, and it would be easy to lose a limb, much less a child in the process of getting a meal -kidding- but you get my point. We had to break up the family and meet up after the meal so as to not lose each other. Boatwright's is the only table-service option and is only open for dinner (5pm). Food was good but nothing fabulous.
I would have to say that I missed the option of a buffet that the Deluxe resorts offer. Also, there is nothing nearby to enrich the dining options.
So, all-in-all, it was a good trip, but since I do enjoy the luxuries of the Deluxe resorts, I will likely stay at a Deluxe resort on the monorail system.
Pros:
Beautiful grounds, great theming, Pontoon boatsCons:
Distance from parks, lack of dining optionsReviewed by lizzie1974 Review Date: 02/05/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We made reservations for this on the first day that Sofia & Doc were joining the cast.
The food was very good. We've eaten here for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the past. But the last time was a few years ago.
They've upgraded all the food on the buffet.
The lobster mac & cheese was loaded with lobster. My husband came back with heaping piles of claw meat with each plate.
The kids buffet had tater tots! Yum.
The dessert bar was also very good. Quite a selection and all delicious.
The character experience is fun. The cast members are very energetic when it comes time to do their songs/dances.
Pros:
food & new characters!Cons:
—Review of Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner
Reviewed by lizzie1974 Review Date: 02/05/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We went to dinner here on the 20th of January for our daughter's 8th birthday.
The food was very good. Certainly at least what I would expect for the price. We were all happy with our meals. One odd thing about the kid's dessert offerings: the item described as "cones" were not filled with ice cream. I think it's deliberately misleading. I guess it was some sort of yogurt (?). This was disappointing for the birthday girl.
We were seated in a primo spot at a window. I was so happy about that. Our reservation was for 6:40. The fireworks went off as we were being served dessert. Perfect timing. It was truly amazing and unique to see them from our table.
Here's the one bizarre aspect. Once you are called to come into the castle, there can be in crazy long wait. We were apparently the first of a huge group of people who were basically all let in at a slightly staggered pace. When we were let into what turns out to be a waiting and photo area, there was no one else there but the photo pass guy.
After a few minutes, Cinderella came down the staircase for photos. This was a pretty quick process. Then we were instructed to have a seat and wait (again) for our names to be called to go upstairs to be seated. By the time we were called, this waiting area had completely filled with people. Probably a good 50 people easily. Luckily, we were the first of all of these people to escape the waiting area. Probably waited for about 15 minutes though. So, all tolled, we were in that waiting area for 20-25 minutes.
Our waiter, Mustafa, was excellent. He brought our daughter a candle with her dessert and sang happy birthday to her. Very, very nice touch.
Then there was one funny thing. We saw another waiter, Nabil, serving a table over from ours. He had been our waiter at Spice Road Table the previous day!! Is that weird? I waved and he definitely recognized us. I can't imagine what the chances of that are.
Pros:
locationCons:
wait timeReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by mom2mybugs Review Date: 02/05/2014
Rating: (4) Recommended
We were at Disney during marathon week in January. I was very worried about the bands and fast pass plus issues so I screenshot all my reservations. During this non peak time and since I wasn't at opening every day (running my first marathon took a bit of touring and sleep out of me!) The fast pass limit was fine and I could easily make changes if I was going to miss a fastpass. I live in absolute terror of the summer though. Since Disney has made staying on-site so expensive for a family of 5, we plan on staying off-site for 7 days and 4 on-site. Ok...no easy fast pass for those "cheap days". 3 of the family has magic bands already and annual passes so we might be able to get them ahead if Disney grants the ok, but my 17 and 15 year olds are just out of luck. Have fun standing in hour plus lines at opening because that is what they will be in crowded peak time in July. In the past, we were genius at Fastpasses. Sure we did park crossing but we got on everything...sometimes two or three times a day. And we park hop a lot. So great...3 of us can do later day fast passes and do standby lines at the first park when they are shorter. But by the time we get to park two, the two teenagers will be out of luck again because the passes will be gone. I always loved that Disney didn't punish for staying at value or off-site, but now they really are doing just that. Maybe after the test phase and first year are really done they will let everyone get them early. However it will be too late for our final family trip before college. The benefits will just not outweigh the consequences. I will just have to hope that following unofficial guides touring plan will offset no family fast pass+, because I'm not paying 150 more a night to live in one room just for three fast passes a day.
Pros:
didnt have to be at park openingCons:
limited to 3, lack of spontaneity, no park hopingReview of Biergarten - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Fishfamily Review Date: 02/04/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
This was my 3rd time at the Biergarten. We went on Jan 10th. It's a highlight of the trip, our favorite restaurant in Epcot. The food was good and the service was prompt.
Each time I go I'm just amazed by the theming, you really feel like you're in a German village at night.
The big beers are fun, liter steins.
The band is a hoot, they play several instruments and tell some jokes. This is a great place to rest after lots of walking at Epcot, the only drawback to our visit was we were seated around noon and the band didn't start until 12:45 or so.
Some people grumble about sitting with strangers, I enjoy it, everyone is there to have a good time, just enjoy it!
Pros:
Atmoshere, entertainmentCons:
None really, just try to find out when the band comes on before bookingReview of Starring Rolls
Reviewed by xtandt Review Date: 02/04/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
Has great desserts. But it does get very crowded inside. Limited seating outside. But still go, grab something and eat it while walking.
