Most Recent Reviews
Review of 1900 Park Fare Character Dinner
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
I'd heard horror stories about the food for dinner, but we found the bulk of the food to be decent. I think the crab legs in the seafood bowls were the biggest letdown. We were also part of the first seating and seated a bit late, so that was a tad disappointing since we were on a bit of a schedule. The characters varied...Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and Anastasia were great. Cinderella was meh and Drizella barely stopped for us, so that was upsetting. In doing this, we've now done every character meal experience on property and I don't see us repeating this one. Still, I'd recommend it - just to try it once.
Pros:
Most Food, Some of the CharactersCons:
The rest of the charactersReview of 'Ohana Dinner
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
The last time we did 'Ohana dinner, it was good, but not great. Still, I could see why people rave about it since it's a never ending meat parade. Well, this visit was GREAT! The food, the service, the fun, the games, the setting, even the wait- all was PERFECT! The rest of the family with us loved it so much that they want to go back ASAP. They even compared it to what they get at their local Brazilian steakhouse and felt that 'Ohana was real value for the $...not something you usually hear about Disney and dining.
Pros:
Everything!!!Cons:
noneReview of Chef Mickey's Breakfast
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
Obviously, you are paying for the characters here, and we had excellent character interaction. We just felt the food was very average and didn't offer any distinctive breakfast items like other popular character breakfasts. Ex. Crystal Palace, 1900 PF, and Cape May all have more elevated food options among their offerings to make you feel like there's a bit more value in the meal. The service this time was really only so/so. It's not the worst we've ever had, but it also wasn't great... which bites since we were a party of 9 i.e. she was getting an 18% tip no matter how bad she was. I think we're going to give this one a rest on future trips.
Pros:
good characters, good locationCons:
mediocre serviceReview of Kouzzina by Cat Cora - Dinner
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
Kouzzina is so heavily hyped and the menu looks so good that I had to try it. It was by no means awful, but for a person that really enjoys Greek food, I was only so so on what we had. We certainly didn't hate it, but we're also in no hurry to return. While we went for dinner, I think I'd also skip breakfast since they removed a number of the things of interest from the menu.
Pros:
location, food is decentCons:
doesn't really live up to hypeReview of Mara - Jambo House
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We stayed at Yacht Club last trip and were quite disappointed with the quick service options between YC and BC. We've also tried a number of deluxe quick service spots and have found mixed results. The Mara, so far, is the best deluxe counter service we've experienced. There are just so many options and there is plenty of seating for all. It's nice to not have to worry about where you might turn for a light bite or a snack.
Pros:
variety, sizeCons:
—Review of Sanaa Lunch/Dinner - Kidani Village
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Rarely does a restaurant live up to all of its glowing reviews...but Sanaa does just that. Seriously...we loved it so much that we dined there twice this last trip. My husband tried the slow cooked meats the first time and I just did the bread service with all of the dips/sauces. The kids tried the meatloaf the first time. On the second visit, my husband had the bison burger, I had the lamb kefta sliders, one kiddo had the shrimp and the other had the chicken. The food was just outstanding. The views were also amazing- just having all of the animals there while you dine. The service was great and love how so many of the hosts and hostesses have so much interesting info on the actual African pieces or functional styling of the restaurant. I think it's safe to say that Sanaa is going to be a must do for us on future trips. A+++++++++++
Pros:
Food, Service, ViewsCons:
NoneReview of Crystal Palace Breakfast
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our 4th visit to Crystal Palace. I don't think we've ever had a bad visit here. The service is always exceptional, the food seems to be a bit better than the other breakfast buffets, the character interaction is top notch, and we just love the pre-park opening experience. Also a plus that the breakfast lasagna is back...YUM!!!!
Pros:
Characters, Service, Food, PrePark OpeningCons:
noneReview of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were lucky enough to be part of Be Our Guest Fast Pass + testing, so we had the luxury of checking in at noon and getting right in. Seriously, just walked down the bridge past the massive line, had a CM waiting for us with our order info, paid for the food I pre-ordered online with my Magic Band, and was sent in to find a table. They checked on our ticket pretty quickly and had our food on the table in just a few minutes. We had the croquet monsieur and the carved chicken sandwich...and it was all really tasty. We were also lucky enough to find a table in the West Wing. I don't know if I'd wait on that long line for it, but I'd definitely do it again if I had a Fast Pass for it. We also preferred this to the dinner we had there during the preview last year.
Pros:
tasty food, neat atmosphereCons:
—Reviewed by TiggerTrigger Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I was nervous about staying at AKL because everyone seems to draw so many comparisons to WL. Not that WL is bad, but I didn't love it either. Thankfully, AKL was nothing like WL.
The CM who assisted us at check in was wonderful, Mousekeeping was very attentive, and really everyone we encountered was just so friendly and helpful.
The Mara is so far the best deluxe resort QS we've experienced, we enjoy Boma, and love that Kidani is a quick and easy walk- since Sanaa is divine!
The room was nice and felt much brighter and happier than the WL rooms. And while we were upgraded to a savannah view, it's one of the few resorts where the view really seems worth it.
The pool was also nice...felt like this wonderful oasis. It was clean, the slide was fun, and it's nice how things like flamingos are so close by.
All in all, we've stayed in 4 of the deluxe resorts and been inside all of them...and so far AKL does the best job of really transporting you - i.e. making you feel like you're in a totally different exotic destination.
My only complaint is transportation. The buses were always there in a timely manner, but AKL is just so far from practically everything else that you always burned more time getting from pt A to pt B. We were also told by their CMs that it's pretty much impossible to get from AKL to a 7am breakfast without taking a cab. So, that was kind of annoying.
Still, the attention to detail and the amazing and informative cast members make it worth a visit or even a split stay if you have some downtime planned into your trip.
Pros:
Restaurants, Pool, Staff, Decor/DetailsCons:
Distance to ParksReview of Wilderness Lodge (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by Drakegirl Review Date: 09/29/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Stayed at the lodge from 9/20 to 9/25 for the first time. My husband and I loved it! Short bus trips to all parks and downtown Disney. Beautiful room and great view of the woods. Whispering canyon café was great for breakfast. Roaring forks was a little small and cramped when it was a prime time for meals. We are already planning next years trip to this amazing resort.
