Most Recent Reviews
Review of EPCOT Storytellers Around the World
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
The Holiday Storytellers have become a tradition for my wife and I during our annual holiday trip to WDW. We plan a day before the 25th and see the ones that actually deal with Christmas Day-- Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Norway. Then on a less crowded day after Christmas, we see the ones that deal with New Year. (China, Japan,) three king's day in Mexico and the Muslim holidays in Morroco, and Kwanza and Hanukkah in the US. It can be challenging to fit them all in one afternoon since the schedules don't always mess well without bouncing around the World Showcase. The storytellers are very talented and do their job well. It can be difficult to get a good viewing place since the venues are small areas out front if the pavilions. Be sure to arrive a few minutes early and read the scrolls that explain the tale being told. One year (2010) we got pictures with each storyteller, but that is a challenge since the storyteller only has a few minutes for photos. There are lots of pictures available on line if you just want the storyteller without a personal photo. Canada changed thus year to a musical presentation of holiday songs from across Canada. That was a nice change, but we liked the woodsman storyteller better. We find this a very enjoyable tradition for the holidays at WDW. The stories are short but since you stand the whole time as the only seating is the ground that's helpful.
Pros:
Talented storytellers; short but very informativeCons:
Small venuesReview of Narcoossee's
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
While this is a very expensive place to eat, it is worth every penny and certainly 2 DDP entitlements. The crab cake appetizers are excellent. The steak and lobster tail was the best prepared and tastiest entree we ate during our 10 day visit. The service is very attentive. An ADR around the time for fireworks at MK adds a special magic as the view is excellent especially if you ask for a window table. In our opinion, you can not do better than Narcoossee's when at WDW.
Pros:
The best restaurant in WDWCons:
NoneReview of Captain's Grille Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
We were sad that the crab cakes were off the menu when we were there in December after Christmas. But the other seafood appetizers, scallops, clam chowder, were good. The steak entree was surprisingly enjoyable since this is not a steak house. Our steaks were prepared well just as we ordered. This is a less expensive alternative to the signature restaurants that offers a fine meal for the price. The atmosphere is peaceful and the service was excellent from the sign-in podium to the servers.
Pros:
Good food and friendly serviceCons:
—Review of Captain's Grille - Breakfast
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We think this is the best breakfast buffet in all WDW as long as you are not looking for characters! of course, you don't pay for that interaction so it offers great value. The buffet is very well attended and kept well stocked. There's a good variety of hot and cold foods and you can ask for eggs anyway you like them. This is a great brunch location reached by boat from either Epcot or HS. We eat here at least twice each trip and highly recommend the breakfast buffet, but if that doesn't appeal to you, unlike the other buffets, there is an a la carte menu also.
Pros:
Best value buffet in WDWCons:
—Review of Mama Melrose's Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
Every time we go the waiting area is swamped and even with ADRs the wait time here is greater than any other place. We had to check at the podium several times and waited almost 30 minutes past our ADR. That said the offerings seem to be getting better and better each time we go. The calamari appetizer was very tasty and the dipping sauces were excellent. My wife enjoys the chicken entrees and the pork I had was excellent. The steak is very good but not the best in WDW. Desserts are varied and a nice ending to a solid meal. Service can be spotty largely due to the crowded space and seeming desire to turn tables quickly.
Pros:
Much improved foodCons:
Unbelievable waits even with ADRReview of Yachtsman Steakhouse
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We had a most truly magical experience this past Dec. We ate a absolutely excellent meal our first night with the best of service. We decided to cancel another signature ADR to go back to Yachtsman for a second dinner. Again, service was superb. We were engaged in conversation about all the great things we were enjoying about our holiday trip and never noticed how much time had passed since our appetizers had been served but no entree yet. It wasn't until we noticed two other tables who had been seated after us had their entrees already that we even realized we had been waiting a while. Since we were in no hurry and actually spending time until we were hopping to a park for fireworks, we didn't say anything since our waiter was being very attentive to us. Then I saw a manager walking towards our table. She was very apologetic that we had been waiting for our entrees. We said that was no issue and we were sure our steaks would be well worth the wait. She offered to send two accompaniments that we had not ordered and told us our meal would be covered by her since there had been such a wait. We again told her that was most generous and not really necessary, but she insisted. So, we enjoyed a meal that would have cost over $200 (actually we saved 4 table service entitlements ). We did have to take dessert with us, but that was not really a problem. The Yule Log just became a midnight snack. When I tried to tip the waiter, he politely refused apologizing again for the "problem" with our meal. On the way out, I asked to speak again to the manager. She was ever so apologetic, but I assured her we were not upset. I simply wanted to leave a tip for our waiter with her since he wouldn't accept one. She assured me that an 18% gratuity had been included in what she had comped for our meal. By the way, the steaks were EXCELLENT when they were served-- cooked exactly as ordered-- one medium well and one medium rare. The entire meal was a delight and we will certainly become regulars on our annual holiday trips to WDW.
Pros:
Service and excellent foodCons:
NoneReview of Disney's DELUXE Dining Plan
Reviewed by rebelbuddhist Review Date: 01/05/2014
Rating: (10) Recommended
We have found that the DDP meets our modus operandi perfectly. We are a mature couple who enjoy meals at WDW as much as attractions at the parks. We don't think it is any loss of valuable time to spend a couple of hours at a quality Meal. We would rather spend the time at a meal than in line for a thrill ride. We use one credit for a late morning breakfast buffet after a few hours in the parks. Then we hit the parks again and eat a later dinner usually at a signature restaurant. That uses the 3 meal entitlements and we use the 2 snacks if we need something in the afternoon. We also tend to eat steak or seafood so we are often ordering the more expensive entrees. Since we eat late dinners, we often take desserts with us back to the room for a late snack or early morning treat! We paid out of pocket in July and tracked that we spent a lot more each day than the Deluxe plan fists. That's especially true if we can score a free dining plan and then upgrade to the Deluxe. Do you math well because if you don't use all your credits; have picky eaters who don't want what's on the menu; tend to want smaller meals without an appetizer and dessert or just want/prefer counter service the DDP may not be best for you. Using all 3 entitlements for table service seems to be the best way to be sure to save on the Deluxe Plan.
Pros:
Ease of use: opportunity to eat wellCons:
—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!
