Most Recent Reviews
Review of Carthay Circle Restaurant
Reviewed by Stanton Review Date: 08/26/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I don't think anyone has written a review since the NEW World of Color menu was introduced (turns out the ALL the menus have changed). We like our dinner so much...we came back and ate (Salmon) again! While the WofC pricing is unreasonable IMHO, the same food on the "regular" menu is priced more appropriately. Everything from the salads to the main dish to the dessert (chocolate cake) was excellent and consistent from night-to-night. This restaurant is the closest thing we experienced to WDW "sit down" dining during our stay. Highly recommended!
Pros:
Food, Atmosphere, Staff (really everything)Cons:
PriceReview of Surf's Up Mickey and Friends Breakfast
Reviewed by Stanton Review Date: 08/26/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I can't believe no one has reviewed this character breakfast: it was very, very good! The characters here were both popular (can't do any better than Mickey & Minnie) and fun. The bread and fruit selection was excellent (better than Storeyteller's), but the same can't be said for the eggs. A bit pricey, but a good experience.
Pros:
Food, StaffCons:
—Review of Storyteller's Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by Stanton Review Date: 08/26/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
This was probably the closest character mean "experience" to WDW that we had in DL. The food was excellent, but could have had more variety (the scrambled egg whites where a pleasant--and delicious--surprise). The characters, while not very well known, were entertaining.
Pros:
Food, AtmosphereCons:
—Review of Tusker House Lunch and Dinner Buffet
Reviewed by igpg826 Review Date: 08/29/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was our first meal in Disney. Day 1, AK. We had the deluxe dining plan for our family of 4 and I booked one character meal every day of our week long stay. The food was good, lots of options. The kids loved what they ate too. The service was amazing. Characters come around in a very organized fashion to each table. Would definitely make reservations for this again in a future trip.
Pros:
Food choices, service, charactersCons:
Nothing negative at all!Review of Art of Animation Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by igpg826 Review Date: 08/29/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
My family of 4 stayed at AoA 8/18-24 in a Lion King suite. Check in was a breeze since we had done the online check in before hand. They held our carry ons (did Magical Express so bags were to be delivered to our room) and we went to AK the first day. I got a text shortly after arrival (probably around noon) that our room was ready.
We eventually made it back to the room...gorgeous, wonderful layout, tons of storage drawers and space, plenty of hangers, immaculate, lots of towels, etc. I loved everything about this room. I had ordered stuff from Garden Grocer and it was waiting in the room for us. I also ordered from Diapers.com and that too was delivered to our room. Luggage was there as well.
The pool is amazing. My kids loved it. Grounds are beautifully maintained. Mousekeeping did an excellent job every single day.
Had a wonderful experience with Zach (front desk) who worked tirelessly to try to get our bag back which was stolen along with our rental stroller in MK one day. He was amazing and handled it all for me so that I didn't have to spend my vacation time dealing with it all.
My only negative comments really relate to Landscape of Flavors. I had high hopes for this even after reading mixed reviews. My family and I didn't enjoy a single meal we had there. First of all, the lay out is stupid, you have to go from line to line, the "cooks" are very slow in getting stuff out and by the time you get to another slow person at a register, the food (which was awful - breakfast, lunch and dinner) was ice cold. The drink area was always a mess and no one really seemed to clean it. While I appreciate their efforts to go green, there has to be a better way than to have to scrape your food off of plates and organize all the dirty dishes. Every station was a disaster and kids were just throwing stuff in the garbage, making it worse.
My other negative comment was due to several different cashiers at Ink and Paint. Slow doesn't even begin to describe what is going on there. They had no idea where stuff was located and didn't make any effort to help.
All in all, we loved loved loved this hotel and I would stay there again in a heartbeat. I would just order more stuff from Garden Grocer to ensure I would not ever have to eat in Landscape of Flavors while there.
Pros:
Front desk staff, mousekeeping, groundsCons:
Landscape of Flavors, some cashiers at Ink & PaintReviewed by Martygeorge Review Date: 08/28/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We stayed in a 2 bedroom villa with a sunset savanna view at Kidani. The rooms were much larger than villas we have stayed in the past (at other Disney properties) and were well furnished. The view was amazing - we saw the zebras, giraffes, wildebeast, and other wildlife daily. The kids activities in the lobby were great and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. We ate at both Jiko and Boma, which were fantastic. The kids went to Simba's cubhouse and loved it as well. Kidani also has a fabulous community hall which has a ton of activities for the kids. We used it almost every day just to take a break. They had coloring activities, a pool table, video games (free), movies, books, toys, etc. It was a huge hit with our kids who are 1, 4 and 6.
I have to say, however, that there were a few things about the resort that I found to be very surprising for a higher end Disney property. The pool at Kidani is basically located in the front parking lot. It was quite a hike for us to walk the length of the building to the lobby, and then out through the parking lot to the pool. There was a short cut, but that took us through the underground parking garage which was quite frankly, creepy and dangerous for the kids. I also found it a little surprising that the food service at the pool (which other than Sanna, is the only food option at Kidani) ended at 6pm. We have never had a problem in the past with bus service, but this time it was an issue - there were several times where we waited over 30 minutes for a bus (with the maximum wait being an hour). We usually go this same week every year, and have never experienced quite this much of a delay in the bus service. All in all, the room and view were stellar, but knowing what we know now, we would probably try Jambo house next time, or another resort all together.
Pros:
Views of animals, size of the roomsCons:
pool location, bus service, lack of food optionsReview of Shades of Green
Reviewed by disneylover21 Review Date: 08/28/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
My father was in the National Guard for 21 years and for the last 5 times I have gone to Disney World, we have stayed at Shades of Green. They are welcoming, they allow a taxi company to enter the resort. My father has taken this taxi every time we go and they are very good price wise and personable wise.
When we first get to the resort, they take your name and your ID, proving you were in the military. They tell you of the room, the check in and out times and of any special events going on within the hotel itself. They also, if you're too early to check in, will hold your bags and bring them to your room when it is ready, allowing your group to either spend time around the hotel or get an early jump at Disney World.
They, like Disney World, are very good about food allergies. I am allergic to peanuts and my father to anything with alcohol in it. They asked the chef, he or she will come out and tell us what we can have, which is great. One of many things we love about Disney.
The pools are large and are heated at night. The all you can eat breakfast is always full of food and kept very clean. At the egg stand, they will make other things with eggs beside omelets, which is great for my mom, cause she does like them. The large dining room is classy and has really good food. There are TV's for those who wish to sit in those areas.
The rooms are large, they include two sinks, a bath and toilet, two beds, and sometimes a wonderful view. They also come with a safe, which it great to keep phones, mP3's, pills, and jewelry. They also come with an iron and blow dryer, which mom loves.
The only down side we have ever had is with the grill/ bar in the back of the resort. They are slow and have gotten our orders wrong more then once, along with leaving things out as well.
I will be going back to Shades of Green in January of 2014 for my 21 birthday. And my father (over heard this) has asked them to make a cake for me for my birthday, so they do special things for special events. Which will make my trip very magical!
Pros:
clean, frinedly, welcoming, readyCons:
—Review of Remy - Specialty French Dining
Reviewed by dvcnut Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I did both the Remy brunch and dinner during my recent Fantasy cruise. Remy has two chefs, one from France and one from the US. Both are from Michelin rated restaurants and the US one is from Victoria & Albert's. Having eaten at V&A, the food and dining experience is on par with what you get there but for less money.
The brunch is $50 with an optional $25 champagne pairing. I did the pairing and had a fabulous meal. Remy will accommodate food allergies, but I opted to take my Lactaid for my lactose intolerance in order to have the original experience. The chef did come and tell me that he could fix me dairy free versions of the food, but I opted not to. Unfortunately, everything at Remy includes dairy.
The dinner is $75 with an optional $99 wine pairing. I also did the wine pairing, but be advised it is only a two ounce pour for each of five wines. To me, the champagne pairing was more worth it because you got four full glasses of champagne. A 15% gratuity is automatically added to brunch and dinner if you do the pairing. However, the tip for the waiter is not.
I can't say enough about the food, service or atmosphere. I've done Palo many times and this far surpasses it.
Pros:
Service, foodCons:
NothingReview of Rainforest Cafe
Reviewed by jallears Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We just enjoyed 6 nights at the Saratoga Springs Resort with the dining plan. We were impressed by the customer service at the Coral Reef, Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef France, and the Turf Club. We had short but reasonable waits.
On our last night at Disney, we went to
Downtown Disney, for an 8:00 p.m. reservation at Rainforest Cafe. We were concerned we might be late and called. They told us that if we
were 15 or 20 minutes late they would put us in with general seating. (No one mentioned they were running an hour behind). We rushed and
we arrived just before 8:00 and were through the line posted "reservation check in" by 8:01 as noted on the white slip we were given, which also said call time 8:21. We were told they would just need 15 to 20 minutes to set up our table. We debated about taking our two toddlers to ride the carousel and do some shopping for souvenirs. We decided not to leave as they would be calling us in 15 to 20
minutes.
As 8:21 came and went and I was pushing a double stroller around the crowded store. I asked one of the employees if they were
running behind. She returned to let us know they were 11 minutes behind, which would take us to 8:32 from the time on our white slip; still not enough time to take our older son to the Lego store. At 8:30 my son asked about our name and was told there were 2 parties ahead
of us. At 8:45 and after hearing 4 names called, I asked again and they clarified 2 parties of 5 before us. I then asked a manager how the
reservation system was working and if they were honoring reservations. He said this is how it works at any Disney restaurant. I told him we had been here for six days and we had always gotten right in. There was no apology or customer service attitude.
We finally got called at 8:50 and were sent to another line where we were asked if we had a white ticket. I said yes, our girls were given frog hats, we were told to park our stroller, and again we waited. Four more parties were called. I noticed they were reading the tickets. I asked the employee who handed me the hats for the girls if she needed my ticket and if that is why we hadn't been called. She snapped back, "Yes I have been asking if you have white tickets" I explained that she asked me and I said yes. (We don't know all of the many systems at Disney. For example at the entrance to the fast pass line, they ask if you have a fast pass but don't take it until later in the line one, you show it and say yes, and another person on down the line takes the ticket. We need to know if you need the ticket.) I gave it to her and we finally sat down at 8:59 p.m.
I asked the server if there was anything they could do about an hour wait time after our reservation. She went and got another manager, who came and asked about the
situation. I told her we waited an hour after our reservation time. She replied, "You mean your preferred seating time?" I said no we had an
actual reservation. She said they don't take reservations and that they give Disney dining club members preferred seating over walk up
customers, but there's no guarantee. I signed in under a sign that said reservation sign in though. She said the wait was usually half an hour and that they were running behind half an hour that night. This was not what was told to us initially (15 to 20 minutes just to get to the
table ready) or after checking (running 11 minutes late). We could have spent that hour shopping in Downtown Disney buying the kids
souvenirs, or riding the carousel. The said she would buy us a dessert, which was already on our dining plan, but then we settled on a Childs
meal and was reluctant to do that. Management was very unapologetic and stated conflicting information and policies.
I will say that the server rushed our toddlers meals out and got our food in a timely manner. Maybe we were spoiled by Disney customer service the rest of the week, but this night was anything but magical on our last night at Disney.
After three separate emails to [email protected] I got am email from the General Manager of Rainforest Cafe. Here is my synopsis of that conversation that I sent back to guest communications. I spoke to their GM who emailed me yesterday (first contact and I called back on the same day). He apologized but also confirmed that they do not honor reservations (no answer as to the sign that says reservation check in) and they put Disney dining club members into "preferred seating." "It is a business decision and they would lose money if they held tables." It would have been nice to know this up front instead of the "15 to 20 minutes just to get the table ready" that we were quoted upon arrival and additional extensions of time each time we asked. I believe the treatment we received and one hour wait time with no communication is unacceptable, but I understand that they choose to run their business that way and Disney cannot do much to correct it. After the phone call, which was cordial, it was clear that the treatment we received was a result of the tone at the top. The only person who treated us with customer service was the server (of course they have the incentive of a tip).
If we want fairy dust, we will have to stick with Disney parks and resorts in the future.
Pros:
food was quick after ordered server was niceCons:
one hour wait after reservation time of 8:00 & rude managementReview of Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by gener222 Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Had lunch here on Monday, 8/19. Me and my family enjoyed this restaurant and got a real kick out of the drive-in theming. There was a huge line to get in, most of whom I gathered did not have reservations. Luckily I did and was seated without much of a wait at all. My daughter had ribs, the rest of us had burgers and the food was good. We also had dessert. The apple crumble was delicious, the cake part was still steaming when they brought it out! I would definitely try to do this again because we found it to be a fun experience while eating, only next time I would probably just stick to dessert. A lunch or dinner can get pricey for essentially just comfort food. Staff was very nice and speedy in their service.
