Most Recent Reviews
Review of Rainforest Cafe
Reviewed by hello12345 Review Date: 12/05/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We walked up on 12/01/13 at 4pm with no reservation and were told to come back at 5pm. We arrived back early at 4:45pm and we were called a few minutes later. The service was above average. I have ate at T-Rex before. The menu at Rainforest was considerably more limited when compared to T-Rex. We ordered some cheeseburgers, Chicken parm, and grilled chicken something. The food was above average to maybe good. Not worth the price though. The meal with no drinks or apps was over $90 for 4 people. The same stuff at Chili's or Applebee's would have been $50-60 at most. The atmosphere at Rainforest is boring compared to T-Rex, and I'm not really a fan of T-Rex either.
Pros:
Above average foodCons:
price, limited menuReview of All Star Sports Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by hello12345 Review Date: 12/05/2013
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
Stayed at the All Star Sports 12/01-12/04. Room was ready at 2pm. However, I had asked for a 3rd floor room in Homerun section and was given 3rd Floor in Football section. We had a room facing the parking lot/road so noise from the courtyard was not a problem. If you are facing the courtyard (especially in football) be prepared for noise. The football field in the courtyard is a popular place for people to play. Our room was too close to the loading dock area and we were awakened each morning by delivery trucks, sometimes as early as 4:30am! The walls are thin and you can hear surrounding rooms plumbing. The room and bathroom were clean. Our housekeeper came late one day (3pm). We told her to come back in an hour. I assumed she would not, but to my surprise she did. The bus transportation is adequate at best. At certain times a single bus is used for all three All Star resorts. The Sports is the first pickup and first drop off. The bus stop has no shade and that would be uncomfortable during extreme heat. The food court was closed, but we knew that. I was not aware that refridgerators were not available. If you have kids and need to keep drinks or other snacks cold that could be a problem. I would rate this overal exoperience as average at best. I have stayed at the Boardwalk, Yacht, Saratoga, Old Key West, Ft. Wilderness, and French Quarter. All things being considered if you are on a family vacation and not on an extreme budget then do not stay at the All Star resorts. For a quick trip the value resorts are fine. It will not be a top choice for a normal family vacation for me.
Pros:
PriceCons:
SomeReview of Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by asmanibe Review Date: 12/05/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
The wife had never been, and I LOVE this place, so it was on the itinerary....
She loved the trailers and ads, she loved the car/drivein idea (we shared a 6 seater that had kids "driving") and our server was attentive and fast -
The ratio of food cost to food received was a little underwhelming: Turkey Sandwich + Steak w/veggies, sodas and desserts (DDP) = $70 + tip
Summary: She loved it but does not have to go back for dinner (shakes/dessert maybe) - she would rather spend that cash at a restaurant (Boatwrights or Tony's) both places that we ate during our trip that were in the same price range using DDP.
Pros:
theme, serviceCons:
price$$$$$$$Review of All Star Movies Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by asmanibe Review Date: 12/05/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
This place was amazing - we got a "preferred" room, the entire resort was kept spotless, great food, great service. I was nervous because I heard "value" resort and thought it was going to lack in some way. Not the case. I will be back, and I want to stay @ AllStar Movies.
The loss that turned into a win... Lost the car in the parking lot out back (didn't drive for a couple of days). It was a little confusing making my way to the room to the parking lot (maybe some directional signs inside the courtyard showing where each parking lot is)- but even then, a staff member stopped what he was doing to drive us around till we found it.
Pros:
Great Sevice, Great Price, Great AmenitiesCons:
—Review of Beach Club Resort (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by wb17449 Review Date: 12/04/2013
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
We stayed here Thanksgiving week. Over all our many visits to WDW, we have almost always stayed at the BC. But this will be the last. Although the staff was friendly throughout the stay, we had issues this trip. The toilet overflowed the first time it was used. Maintenance came quickly and pronounced that all was well after plunging and snaking. But the thing never seemed to be right. Halfway into the trip, we noticed small ants around the sinks. As we had no food anywhere near the sink and no beverage cups with sugary drinks nearby, where the critters were coming from is a mystery. We were on the 3rd floor, room 3630. I reported it to the front desk. As for the Beach Club Marketplace, nice food options for lunch and dinner, but breakfast options are very small. We ended up heading to other hotels or to Epcot for breakfast. It just seemed to me that the BC is looking a bit tired.
Pros:
Location close to EpcotCons:
limited counter service breakfast options; ants; and overflowing toiletReview of Caribbean Beach Resort (Moderate Resort)
Reviewed by districtdisneygirl Review Date: 12/02/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We were very happy with the Caribbean during our 7 night stay. We had excellent Mousekeeping and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and relative serenity of the resort. We requested a room close to Old Port Royale and found that it was a very short walk to food/beverage/shopping each day as well as our bus stops.
Pros:
Beautiful landscaping, Quiet/peaceful, Convenient transportationCons:
No refrigerator in room, wish food court/bar were open laterReview of Keys to the Kingdom - Magic Kingdom
Reviewed by love2gals Review Date: 12/02/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
My family of 5 went on the Keys to the Kingdom tour this past Saturday, November 30, 2013. I should begin by saying my husband and I took this tour 14 years ago when our children were too young to join us. They have heard us talk about the tour many times on our visits to WDW and were anxious for the time when they could join us. They were finally old enough and got to join us this time.
I can't say enough about our tour guide, Jessica, she was wonderful! She was very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. She would have made Walt very proud!
Most of our tour was very interesting. Jessica pointed out many facts and even some Hidden Mickeys. She also revealed various other hidden characters, including a Hidden Walt! We really enjoyed all of the facts that she taught us.
Now for the not-so-positive aspects of the tour. I think most people, and Jessica mentioned this herself, probably take this tour because you get to go into the Utilidor. Sadly, it was a real letdown. When we took this tour 14 years ago, a major part of the tour was in the Utilidor, and in various locations of it. We got to see where they styled the wigs, applied make-up, we were shown their laundry service and told about their costumes and how each and every one had a bar code sewn inside to keep track of them all. We were told interesting facts from "down under". One of which I remember them telling us was about the amount of dryer lint they produce each day. I don't remember details but it was staggering.
During this tour we only went into the Utilidor for about 40 minutes at the very end of the tour. It was only under the Main Street section were I would assume you see less "action" in the form of characters. It was pretty much standing around looking at a few historic pictures and displays that were hung on the walls. Not only was this very disappointing compared to what we recall from our previous tour, it was also very uncomfortable to stand still for 40 minutes after you had already been touring for over four hours.
All in all I would recommend this tour but not if you are taking it to see the Utilidor, you really don't see much of it.
Pros:
for the most part, very interestingCons:
utilidor segment was boring and a lot of standingReviewed by DVC Fans Review Date: 12/01/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Excellent property design keeps the Villas well away from the GF main building and pools. So, the GF bus station and GF monorail station noise is thankfully absent. Clearly, this is the quietest DVC location, but the rooms are still reasonably close to transportation, recreation, dining, parking, MK, and the monorail loop.
We drove to the GF Villas, so we checked in at the Villas Concierge desk. Elegant lobby. Personalized service. Our standard view studio provided a terrific view of the beautiful grounds, including Franck's Bridal Studio, the Spa, and the Polynesian beach. Our room paint colors were sublime. The innovative square footage tradeoff provides an expanded bathroom (large walk-in shower plus separate shower/tub) and pull down bed (beneath the big screen TV), but there are significantly fewer drawers for storage. The studio size is perfect for an extended stay for a party of two or perhaps three. A family of four would work well for a short stay.
Overall, this new addition to the DVC family feels more like a four star resort than a "time-share property." We eagerly anticipate our next visit.
Pros:
Elegant, Peaceful and Convenient LocationCons:
HousekeepingReview of Fresh Mediterranean Market Breakfast
Reviewed by DVC Fans Review Date: 12/01/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We greatly enjoyed the breakfast buffet on Thanksgiving morning, our first visit to this location. The excellent chefs make your omelet, pancakes, French toast, and waffles to order. All were outstanding - the best on Disney property. (You scoop your omelet items into a silver bowl and hand it to the chef). We also especially enjoyed the oatmeal, grits, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, pastries, orange juice, and coffee. Service was a bit below par on this very busy morning. The atmosphere is nice - Sheraton, not Disney. Managers are visibly coordinating the restaurant. We look forward to returning to Fresh for breakfast buffet on our next visit to WDW.
Pros:
Fresh Food, Variety, Friendly ChefsCons:
NoneReview of Gasparilla Island Grill
Reviewed by DVC Fans Review Date: 12/01/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We enjoyed the yummy Margherita Flatbread twice during our Thanksgiving stay. This is prepared fresh and delivered, when ready, to your table. Abundant, clean indoor and outdoor seating is available. Staff is friendly and helpful. Menu options are extensive for a counter service location which is also open 24 hours a day.
We found out that the new refillable drink mugs now have a chip which allows you to use the drink stations for 1, 2, or 3 days, or length of stay (priced accordingly). Most important, we were told that the new chip system allows refills at any WDW hotel drink station across property that is also on this new system.
