Most Recent Reviews
Review of Artist Point
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
Both of us were most disappointed in Artist Point. We enjoy signature dining and had read many very positive reviews. However, we found the food mediocre at best. Our appetizers were rather up eventful-- my beets had three TINY pieces of beet although they were tasty. The entrees (pork and scallops) were fine but nothing special. Desserts were again plain (cobbler and creme brûlée) that could be found at many table service restaurants. We expect that signature dining should offer a special meal experience and Artist Point just did not offer anything that would justify signature dining to us.
Pros:
AmbianceCons:
Food was disappointing for a signature restaurantReview of Whispering Canyon Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
This was a case of high expectations that were not met. We had read quite a few very positive reviews, but we found the food rather typical and nothing to write home about. My eggs Benedict were lukewarm and nothing special. My wife's omelet was fine but again rather ordinary. Lots of better breakfast meals nearby that don't require any special transportation to get there. We choose to eat here for the first time because we were going to take in the holiday decorations but will probably skip it in the future.
Pros:
Friendly, helpful serviceCons:
Nothing specialReview of Rose and Crown Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
This was our first time at Rose and Crown and we were pleasantly surprised. The scallops for appetizer were different and good. My wife had steak and fish and both were excellent. My steak was also tasty and cooked to perfection. The great surprise was dessert both the Mandy's Mess and Jaffa Tarts were refreshingly different from the WDW standard cheese cake!
Pros:
Location, dessert, priceCons:
Service was a bit aloofReview of Brown Derby Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
While the service continues to be impeccable, we are finding the menu to be limited and getting old. We have always eaten here but our dinner in December may be our last until the menu is updated. Our entrees (steak and pork chop) were rather dry and the accompaniments were rather bland. We kept looking for salt and pepper to season our food. The strawberry champagne cheesecake was the highlight of the meal. We actually canceled a second return dinner ADR and went elsewhere since the food was so predictable and not signature dining quality
Pros:
AtmosphereCons:
Menu is getting pretty oldReview of Yak and Yeti Restaurant
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We ate here twice during our holiday trip. The service both times was excellent. We had ADRs but arrived early and once waited about 10 minutes and were seated immediately the second time. We asked for window seating to view the Jingle Jungle Parade and were accommodated both times-- once at the end table on the 2nd floor directly overlooking the parade as it turns in front of the restaurant. The lo-mien is tasty, the mandarin orange chicken salad was fresh, tasty and huge. The tempura shrimp was ok but it was a very busy day. Portions were large for WDW and a great value on the DDP. Lettuce cup appetizer was very fresh and tasty. We asked for additional lettuce cups and got them with no hassle. The cheesecake and the fried wontons are excellent desserts. Yak and Yeti is always on our list of must do restaurants!
Pros:
Great food; large portions; EXCELLENT serviceCons:
NoneReview of Garden Grocer
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were totally pleased with this service. We arrived late due to delayed flights, but found our order in the room. Our cold items were delivered after we arrived and put in our refrigerator while we were at dinner. The order was 100% accurate except we were given extra food but not charged. The fresh fruit we ordered was perfect. This was our first time to use this service but it surely won't be our last.
Pros:
On time, accurate, great fresh fruitCons:
—Review of All Star Sports Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were very pleasantly surprised. We have stayed at all the value resorts and find that we liked Sports the best. It never seemed crowded even though we were there 21-31 December. DME bus service was great-- we never waited long nor did we ever have to stand unlike we did at other value resorts. Sports is now our first choice among the value resorts.
Pros:
Quiet, not crowded, excellent serviceCons:
NoneReview of My Disney Experience
Reviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 01/04/2014
Rating: (7) Recommended
Great concept and we utilized MDE and MagicBands on our latest trip. I had downloaded the MDE phone app quite a while ago. Was excited to setup MBs, park tickets, dining res etc. Encountered site issue immediately with Family/Friends list. Somehow all identified as "Family" got duplicated as "Friends". Once I got that straightened out system was relatively easy to use to set up itinerary, link info to MBs etc.
So I get my family established and system advises me to invite them all. But each individual has to set up their own MDE account in order to link/share with me and system will not allow my 12 yo twins to build their own account. So I can't share any info with them, then can't participate in the sharing/planning aspect of app.
System also wouldn't allow me to establish FP+ for my wife or kids. Party of 6 but I could only secure FP+ for three of us. We had been given a number of complimentary 1 day park tickets and I linked those to MB's. Was advised by cast member that paper, comp tickets won't link to MB correctly. Probably explains why I could establish FP+ for those individuals of my party. But it would have been nice if the MDE site advised me of those comp tix limitations so I could have addressed the issue prior to our trip.
Finally, once I got F&F list established, all ticket & res info linked etc., when I would try to add a res or activity to the itinerary, the system would prompt me to log in and establish my F&F list. So I had to resave all my F&F info before I could make each change/addition. Very aggravating to have to repeat steps over & over.
I like the idea...I'd be willing to try it again...but they need to work out the kinks.
Pros:
Phone app; MagicBandsCons:
Family/Friends; Kids can't share;site glitchesReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 01/04/2014
Rating: (3) Recommended
We were not very impressed with this aspect of the MB/MDE experience. Didn't like the idea of being limited to FP+ being categorized...for instance, couldn't get FP for both Mission:Space & Soarin' or Splash/Space Mountains. One or the other along with 2 other attractions. Also, limit of 3 per day was disadvantage for park hoppers.
I had a problem with phone app and changing FP's. We got to park late one day and missed first FP+ for BTM. I tried to secure us another FP for later in the day but was given message restricting me from doing so as I had 3 FP's active. But one was already expired so I should have been able to establish another.
I also encountered issue with MDE site. When I went to establish FP+ for my party of six, system would only allow me to set up FP+ for 3 of us. DW, DD & DS could not secure FP+. At each attraction, I explained to cast member on duty issue I had encountered and they let all 6 of us on via the FP. But frustrating that I encountered the problem and since I had to have all ticket & res info to Disney in order to get MBs, didn't feel like I had time to work with customer service to get issue corrected.
I experienced issue with MBs and park entry. We had several complimentary 1 day park tickets that I had linked to MBs. At entry, MB would not work and I had to show paper tix. I was advised that paper tickets will not link to the MB as plastic tickets will. Perhaps that was issue for FP+ as well? It would have been nice to have website inform me of need to manually link paper tix at time of set-up and prior to the trip.
It's a great idea but they have a bit of work to do to eliminate the bugs and make it more guest-friendly.
Pros:
Early bookingCons:
limitation on atractions;limit of 3 per day;could not get kids FP+Review of MagicBand
Reviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 01/04/2014
Rating: (6) Recommended
Like a lot of other posters I've seen here, I was REALLY excited when I got my MagicBand invite in the mail. I was aware of the Beta testing and intrigued by the idea. I love techie stuff like this and the idea of having my room key, park pass & charging privileges on my wrist was totally cool. I'd already downloaded the MDE app on my phone a while ago and was excited about the capabilities I'd have there with park info, dining res, FP+ etc. Disney for the 21st Century!! But I'm also a realist and knowing it was still in Beta stages, I expected we'd encounter some glitches.
Note: I encountered some issues with the MDE website/app both during setup and while in the parks. Also had some FP+ issues. I'll post those reviews in the forums AllEars has established for those topics.
I had received my MB invite about a month prior to our trip. I went online and began the process of setting up my MBs. I had myself, DW, DS & DD 12 yo twins and my mom & MIL on our room res (I know, I'm goin' right to heaven, right?). Eventually got room, dining res & park tickets linked to the bands and my daughter and I selected colors for each band. We liked the idea of being able to personalize the bands with color as well as name. The bands came in the mail less than 2 weeks later, surprisingly enough. Pretty short turnaround. The bands themselves were really neat...bright, vibrant color...soft rubber with our names on the back. They came in a cool Elastagirl box! Love The Incredibles.
First glitch...about 2 weeks after that (maybe a week before out trip), I get an email and snail mail advising me that my MB package will be waiting for me at our resort. Weird. I've already got my 6 bands...what's up?
When we arrived at SSR it was later in the evening...around 10pm. During check in, I mention the issue and cast member brings us one MB for my son, but in grey, not the red we chose. But we've already got all our bands. Cast member mentions that they've see isolated issues of additional bands coming through the system.
We head to our room and my son tries his band on the room door. Bingo! How cool. So of course now my daughter has to try hers...success as well. We head to Artist's Palette to grab some snacks before they close for the evening. I had linked my cc to MB for both me & DW. I go to pay for our items and band doesn't work. No biggie, I'll figure it out later, dig for cash. Head back to our room and I tell the kids daddy wants to try his band and...door won't open. All other bands in our party worked fine. So I head to concierge the next morning. They try a couple things...re-format my band...15-20 minutes later, they give up and code a new band for me. Grey...not the blue I chose. Eh...not the end of the world. But I was assured all my other res & tix info is okay and I encountered no other issues with my band for the rest of our trip. Yay!!
With only a 5 day stay and the grandmas along, we only hit MK & Epcot on our trip. At both parks the MBs didn't work for the kids. I made sure to bring along the paper tickets so entry was no problem. At Epcot I spoke with a very friendly & helpful cast member. DW's employer had given us several complimentary 1 day park tickets that I had linked to the kids' MBs. Cast member advised that paper tickets such as we had will not link correctly to the MB. Plastic tickets will encounter no problems. Offered to take us to Guest Relations so they could do the link but it was our last day in the parks so no need.
So even though we encountered one fairly significant issue and some glitches, we all thought the MB was a great idea. Grandmas were just amazed at the technology, kids loved the room key aspect and I gave them charging privileges so they were able to pay for pins, snacks etc. I'm confident Disney will refine the process and work out all the kinks
