Most Recent Reviews
Review of All Star Music Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by alwill Review Date: 12/13/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
First let me acknowledge this post might appear a bit jaded, as our last stay in a Family Suite was with Disney's Art of Animation resort. Nevertheless, I can report our room was adequate, even though it seemed a little worn and the furniture seemed to show signs of heavy use. You could seem to tell these Family Suites were retrofits: where they changed two rooms into two bedroom suites. And the room's color schemes, well, they were interesting.
But with that being said, it was still a decent place to crash after a long day (or night) at the Parks. Two bathrooms and extra bed space always makes a difference. I was the only one in our suite who ventured into the Resort's Food Court area and I can say it was madness during the Breakfast hours. Then again, the ASM was a host resort for families attending the National Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading Competitions so that wasn't all that surprising. Finally, the bus transportation to-and-from the parks was very efficient (much better than Animal Kingdom Lodge, IMHO!)
Overall, it wasn't terrible but for my money, I'd be wiling to pay the little bit more to stay at Art of Animations Family Suites.
Pros:
Sufficient place to crashCons:
A little worn; kind of crowded in the Food CourtReview of MagicBand
Reviewed by alwill Review Date: 12/13/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Made our annual Holiday trip plans in September and then received a MagicBand® special test offer from Disney. Just before we left home for our trip, purchased Florida Resident 3 Day Tickets per four family members and received confirmation voucher. I tried to add them to our MagicBand® but was unsure if it worked or not. So I printed out the voucher and took it with me.
Upon arrival to All-Star Music resort, checked with Concierge to see if the tickets were on the MagicBands® and if not, could they could add them to each MagicBand®. I was told I had to go to Guest Relations at park because only Guest Relations could confirm I was an actual Florida Resident and do the MagicBand® transfer. We were going to Mickey's Christmas anyway so took the voucher (or as they called them "certificates") along with MagicBands® to Magic Kingdom Guest Relations and the girl took my confirmation voucher and proceeded to issue four plastic tickets. I asked why she couldn't could just put them on our MagicBands®? She replied I could do it using the MyExperience app on my iPhone. So while eating dinner during MVMCP, I attempted to do so. The app told me the ticket number I was entering per my MagicBand® was already in use! (????) Okay.
So I went to Concierge desk the next morning and reported my issues. The CM tried to help and even called in his manager, who fuddled about on his laptop for about 20 minuted and then declared it was all taken care of. Proceeded to Epcot and tried to enter. Neither the MagicBand® nor the plastic ticket(s) would work. We were directed to Darcy, a CM with a specially setup iPad, who walked us over to a Ticket Counter. But the TC tried and tried but couldn't help. We returned to Darcy. She walked us over to Epcot's Guest Relations and Marc, at Guest Relations, went thru the process of transferring each ticket to a MagicBand®. (While waiting there, my wife met a group of nice senior ladies that included one who had actually worked with Walt Disney in the 60's so it was not all for naught.) For our troubles, Darcy provided us a couple of FastPasses and got us into the park. The MagicBands® must of worked as the FP events we had scheduled via My Experience before I left home worked flawlessly. (If I didn't have tickets, how was I able to do FP scheduling?)
The next day, the MagicBand® worked as advertised. Moral of the story: if you buy tickets online that require resident confirmation, be prepared for snafu (hopefully to be addressed soon) Eventually, Disney will likely work it out and I have to admit, it is a cool system.
Still not sure why neither the Concierge nor the MK Guest Relations couldn't have taken care of this when I asked though.
Or that you can't just swipe a MagicBand® at either Concierge desk or Guest Relations and see what is on a MagicBand®. And to defer to "taking care of it" with the MyExperience app is somewhat flawed too, IMHO.
Pros:
Better than fumbling around for tickets and FPCons:
Glitches with Florida Resident PassesReview of California Grill
Reviewed by wdwfan6 Review Date: 12/13/2013
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
Was excited to go back to the California Grill after the rehab. Change is good, but not in this case. Had a table next to the kitchen, so got to see and hear servers clanging dishes throughout the meal. No view out the window. When the server realized I was solo and not drinking alcohol, the service went out the window. I got extremely slow drive by service (drop a course and run), while the larger tables around me that were drinking received constant checking, smiles and chatting. 30-45 minute waits in between courses. The appetizer was 3 medium sized shrimp for $22. When I asked if they had something a bit more basic for the side dish to the swordfish I ordered (roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, etc), was told they did not have anything. The small piece of seared swordfish was cold, raw and undercooked inside. By the time the server came back, he just grabbed the plate and kept walking. The final straw was when he dropped the dessert menu and made a nasty, sarcastic remark "maybe you will find something here to eat." When I went to leave, the manager asked how the meal was. When I told him my experience, his response was "well I guess you had a bad night." That was all he said, then walked away to glad hand a large group of people. This is the last time I will dine there.
Pros:
NothingCons:
EverythingReview of Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by wdwfan6 Review Date: 12/13/2013
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
Just returned from staying at Pop Century. Wanted to give Pop another try, but should have just spent the extra $$ and stayed somewhere else.
Pros: My housekeeper was very good and the room was cleaned well each day. The other pro was that it is not too far from EPCOT & the Studios.
Cons: Check-in/out is bad. Long lines, managers just standing there with clipboards reviewing the few cast members at the desk. If you see lines that long, put down the clipboard and take care of a customer. Had continuous problems getting into my room with the new Magic Band. This resort needs some serious maintenance. There was a gap along the length of the door to where you could see light coming through, as well as a draft and bugs. The towels are thin and there are none at the pools. Did not know that until I got to the pool and had to ask a cast member. The food was just ok in the foodcourt. Very little options for grab & go (2 kinds of sandwiches?). Transportation to/from this resort is the worst. This resort's bus stop is the furthest away at every park. 35 minute wait for a bus to EPCOT???? Pop Warner overflow from the All Stars were at this resort. Kids running around, screaming, etc with little to no adult supervision. Wanted to like this resort, but will stick to the French Quarter.
Pros:
Close to EPCOT & Studios, HousekeepingCons:
Front desk, room, foodcourt, transportation, out of control Pop Warner kidsReview of Brown Derby Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by John Review Date: 12/12/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We had lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby and it was excellent, even though the wait was long and they were very busy.
My daughter-in-law and I had the Cobb salad and it was excellent. My wife had the Lobster Bisque and hse said it was very good.
I had the Filet of beef and it was superb. My son had the duck two ways and it said it was excellent. All in all it was a Great Experience.
The Grapefruit cake was also excellent.
Pros:
Great food and ServiceCons:
Waiting area very smallReviewed by ldeglian Review Date: 12/12/2013
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
The hotel itself is lovely. The rooms are well appointed, though smaller than most concierge rooms at WDW (or even at the DL Hotel). In my experience, they seem most close in size and layout to those at Wilderness Lodge. We had booked a premium park view. We ended up with a view of the other side of the hotel with a small slice of California Screamin' viewable over the top of the hotel. This doesn't seem worth an extra cost.
The proximity to the parks, particularly to CA Adventure, is excellent. We booked late and expected to pay a premium, but $2000 for two nights is more than we would pay at other high-end resorts. Based on that alone, the service was far inferior, the lounge hasn't had an update in at least 3-4 years and is getting shabby and the offerings in the lounge are just OK.
I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again on a passholder or other special rate, but I would not choose to pay for club level or a view again. In terms of club level, I much prefer the Disneyland Hotel--also prefer their room decor since their remodel a few years ago.
Pros:
Location--can't beat the proximity to the parks!Cons:
Not worth the extra cost for conciergeReview of Walt Disney World's Magical Express
Reviewed by Motherhen Review Date: 12/12/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
We used this service on 11/30 and 12/9. As always, the service itself was very convenient and removed the extra cost of a car rental or cabs/shuttles.
The CMs dealing directly with us were polite and courteous. However, we were appalled to overhear a CM (who was directing the bus arrivals/departures) behind the desk constantly being rude to and back-stabbing her fellow CMs. She had to be aware that she was within earshot of dozens of guests. In all our years going to WDW, we have never heard such behavior. Not a great first impression of Disney for any 1st timers!
Pros:
Awesome convenienceCons:
Rude CMReview of Biergarten - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Motherhen Review Date: 12/12/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We ate here 12/8 and had to wait almost an hour past our reservation time (which we had reserved six months prior!) even though several tables were empty. There's no place to sit to wait. Once inside, the atmosphere is fun and upbeat. The buffet was well-stocked and tasty.
Pros:
Great SelectionCons:
Long wait even with reservationReview of 50's Prime Time Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Motherhen Review Date: 12/12/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
We ate here 12/6. Mary-Anna from NJ (aka Mama) is the perfect server for this place. She was hilarious and personable and made us truly feel right at home. Although the food is rather bland and not spectacular, the atmosphere and experience here is worthwhile. My DH managed to get a "Clean plate club" sticker, then proceeded to try and clean up our DD's plate as well as her BFF's. Mama called him "Skippy" and announced to everyone that if anyone was struggling, just give their plate to Skippy to polish off. She then gave him several more stickers (stuck them to his cheek and forehead).
Pros:
ServersCons:
Must eat ALL of your veggiesReview of Turf Club Bar and Grill
Reviewed by Motherhen Review Date: 12/12/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We ate here 12/3. As always, this was our best meal during our 10-day stay. Our server was magnificent (attentive, funny, personable). The food was all incredible (delicious, hot, cooked perfectly to order). Desserts were wonderful. Nothing bad can be said about this awesome restaurant!
