Most Recent Reviews
Review 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.
Pros:
Fun, enjoyable, yesteryear experienceCons:
A bit pricey for lunchReviewed by gener222 Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Our party of 11 across 3 families stayed here from Sun 8/18 to Fri 8/23. My sister is a DVC member and made all the arrangements. Our rooms were studios which for us - 2 adults and 2 children - was just fine. For 4 adults I think it might be tight, with the one bed and the sofa sleeper. We stayed at the hotel section 5 years ago and we absolutely love this resort. As much as I'd like to try other resorts, I'd find this one tough to beat. The theming and landscaping are stunning, and except for the heat you really don't feel like you're in Florida. We even saw deer feeding in the woods. The boat to Magic Kingdom is a huge plus. The staff was very friendly and helpful. At night after all the craziness of the crowds at the parks, the resort was quiet and very peaceful and relaxing. I highly recommend this resort and can't wait until my next visit.
Pros:
Beautifully themed, quiet and ideally locatedCons:
Studio rooms a little on the small sideReview of Whispering Canyon Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by gener222 Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
We had breakfast here on our last day at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. We had eaten here on our last trip 5 years ago. The food was just as good as I remembered and the all-you-can-eat platter carried me through most of the day. I was a little disappointed that the atmosphere wasn't as fun this time around. Only one or two servers seemed to be having any real fun. It takes two to tango, though, and the other guests didn't seem to be in a jovial mood either. I passed by a previous night during the dinner and the place was hopping. I would still recommend this restaurant for breakfast, and the fun you get is what you give!
Pros:
The food, especially Mickey wafflesCons:
Not as fun as my last visitReview of Be Our Guest Dinner
Reviewed by eeyore74 Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We were in the west wing it was dark and could be scary for little kids. The other two rooms are a lot brighter. I had the chicken and it was delicious. My husband had the steak and said it was a little fatty. My daughter had the Mickey meatloaf and hated it because everyone told it was a Mickey burger. She's not that big on meatloaf. My parents weren't crazy about what they ate either. I would give them another chance because they could of had an off night.
Pros:
The castle,Cons:
—Reviewed by eeyore74 Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
The front desk staff were great, except when we checked in they told us that our travel agent cancelled all of our celebrations, which she didn't. They also had our party on two separate floors and told us they were only a few doors down. We were on floor three and my parents on floor one. That's more than a few doors down. My daughter loved the royal princess room, however it wasn't very clean. We found someone else's receipts from things, a dry contact on the bathroom floor and used lip gloss on the floor. One day we came back from the parks to find that our room was never cleaned that day. We called the front desk and asked for clean towels they never came so we called again and finally they came at 11:30PM and asked if we wanted them to make the beds. Sure lets wake up my five year old so you can make the bed and then she can go to sleep again. Upon arrival to the hotel our a/c was not working it was 74 degrees in the room. That took about five calls before someone finally fixed it at about 10pm our first night. It was a nice place but they need to be more up on some of the maintenance and cleaning staff needs to be retrained on how to clean.
Pros:
Royal princess room, staffCons:
Cleanliness, house keepingReview of Crystal Palace Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by eeyore74 Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I love this place. The Pooh characters are my favorites. We eat here at least once every time we go to Disney. The only thing I didn't like this time was the waitress. I was figuring out what else I wanted to eat and she came over with a cupcake for my daughter's birthday. We told her we were still eating dinner and she seemed a little upset, but in the end she did the cupcake at a better time. The manager and a chef came out to help me figure out what I wanted. In the end one of the chefs made me a stir fry that could feed my whole family. The chefs here are great when it comes to food allergies they will make you anything you want that they have on hand.
Pros:
Food, charactersCons:
WaitressReview of 'Ohana Best Friends Character Breakfast
Reviewed by eeyore74 Review Date: 08/25/2013
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
The characters were great especially since my daughter loves Stitch. However I have allergies and when the waitress came over she saw the ticket and said, "oh I can't give you anything until the chef comes over." Which is fine but when this is your last meal of your Disney trip and every other waiter/waitress has said "oh you have allergies the chef will be over to talk to you
u but I can get you something to drink in the mean time." A person who is thirsty tries to ask for water but the waitress is gone. She even takes the coffee away. Then she was also very nasty and acted like a fool by jumping up and down yelling for the chef to come to our table. When I told the chef he wasn't serving anything I was allergic to, which is shrimp (this was breakfast) he rolled his eyes at me. The waitress came back and told my daughter to try this juice that she never said what it was. First of all she should of asked if we allow her to drink juice which we don't. Then she kept saying things like you don't want me to lose my job do you that's why I couldn't serve you. A drink of water really? She never told us what there was to drink. I didn't eat because one the food looked like it was under cooked. We spoke to the manager but it was too little too late. I didn't want to eat something from there hotel. I will never go back here again.
