Most Recent Reviews
Review of Disney Dining Plan
Reviewed by Hannah1230 Review Date: 08/07/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
There are some good aspects to the DDP. We have used it for quite a few trips. Some complain of having to make some reservations so far out and you have to plan too much. I kind of find that fun. Planning park and restaurant visits so far ahead of time feels like the vacation lasts longer.
As others have said, however, it was a much better value when we could have an appetizer rather then dessert and when the tip was included.
We would much rather have a nice appetizer then a heavy sweet dessert....most times.
Our trip this November, we are not using the DDP. Instead, we are having a couple table service meals at a favorite restaurant and the rest will be at favorite QS places. I am really looking forward to this for a change. I still have my plans on what parks we will visit each day and the QS we will aim to that day, but this way we can change our mind at the last minute, if we want and we can have great appetizers if we want and no dessert just because we feel we have to eat it because we paid for it with the DDP.
The DDP has it's place but not for every visit.
Pros:
Lots of choicesCons:
too much dessertReview of Be Our Guest Dinner
Reviewed by DanDVC92 Review Date: 08/07/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
On our annual trip to WDW we dined here the last week of June, had Dining Reservations(party of 8), and tho they were pretty packed we were seated in under 10 minutes. Great atmosphere, excellent service, and the food was very good, between the 8 of us we had Mussels, French Onion Soup, Pork Rack Chop, Salmon and the Strip Steak, and not a complaint amongst us. We were on the Tables in Wonderland, but, still thought the $280.00 tab was a pretty good deal for 8 of us, which also included a few drinks. Also a nice touch having our group picture taken after Dinner with The Beast in his Sitting Room.
Pros:
Atmosphere--Good Food--Da BEASTCons:
noneReview of Flame Tree Barbecue
Reviewed by chippypaint Review Date: 08/05/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
This is one of the best counter service restaurants in all of Walt Disney World! My personal favorites are the smoked chicken salad and the onion rings. My boyfriend loves the ribs and chicken. Everything is pretty reasonably priced for the amount of food you get, and you have a great view of you sit by the water.
Pros:
delicious food, good value, great seating areasCons:
—Review of Disney Dining Plan
Reviewed by sreynolds5 Review Date: 08/05/2013
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
We used to be big fans of the dining plan. But then, it used to be a better deal. We remember loving it when appetizers and gratuities were included w/table service meals and 2 snacks per day were offered. Sigh... Our biggest "hitches" with the current Dining Plan were the lack of more snack credits and the out of pocket expense of tips. Our teens love snacks in the parks, sometimes to the exclusion of a meal. One snack a day was not enough, yet we ended up with extra counter service meals at the end of our stay. The tips expense blew me away. Be aware that if you have 5 in your party and book a table service restaurant every day, each of those meal will come to app. $200 - $250. Disney invites you to leave 15,18, or 20% gratuities. We encountered a lot of wonderful service, but it hurt to leave $45 and $50 meal tips every day. (That is an expense we neglected to budget for.) After 9 trips to WDW, 5 utilizing the dining plan, we will probably not be using this option again. Our family would be better off eating at fewer table service restaurants and paying out of pocket for the food we'll really eat.
Pros:
ConvenientCons:
Tips not included, may not fit food/snack needsReview of Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Reviewed by sreynolds5 Review Date: 08/05/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stopped by for fish & chips and were lucky enough to nab a table by the lake. Food was hot & delicious. Location by the water is charming. A great counter service option.
Pros:
Delicious foodCons:
lack of ample seatingReview of Be Our Guest Dinner
Reviewed by sreynolds5 Review Date: 08/05/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our daughter wanted to eat here for her birthday & our whole family (3 teens, 2 parents) really enjoyed this meal experience. We were seated within 15 minutes of our reservation time. Mother nature provided black clouds, thunder & lightening, to add to the atmosphere as we waited on the bridge 🙂 Our table was in the main ballroom, which was incredibly detailed and just beautiful. Our server was excellent. All 5 of us ordered the strip steak - it was delicious. We tried a variety of cupcakes for desert - yummy. Our daughter was presented with the grey stuff and a birthday card signed by Belle and the Beast. Though she is 13 now, this still tickled her inner princess! The entire meal, plus visiting Beast for pictures afterward, took 1 hr. 15 min.
The only negative for us was price. We were on the dining plan, thank goodness, but still were a little shocked to see the bill. 5 entrees, 5 iced teas, and 5 cupcakes came to $235 plus tip (20% for excellent service = $47). Total out of pocket expense for this meal would have been $282. I know it's Disney... but the expense takes the edge off of the magic. For this reason only, we probably will not return. So glad to have done it once, though -- our daughter could not stop smiling!
Pros:
Service, atmosphere, food, experienceCons:
costReviewed by pickyles2 Review Date: 08/04/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We were most fortunate to stay on Club Level from 7/13 thru 7/18. The upgrade was a gift from our daughter and son-in-law. We love the Beach Club, but the upgrade was an amazing. I have to say that what made the experience was the cast members, especially Hannah, Neil and Hyacinth who always greated us with a smile and went out of their way to make our stay AMAZING! I cannot say enough about how helpful they were, even tracking down a hard to find die cast car that our Grandson had asked for.
Yes, the location is great, and of course the pool is amazing, but I would spend the extra money in a heart beat to be treated this "magically" again!
Pros:
The Cast MembersCons:
NoneReview of The Wave Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by allearsfan Review Date: 08/07/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I had waited years to eat here! We had reservations in 2008, then our trip had to be rescheduled, but we just wound up eating elsewhere on my WDW visits. Until this summer. 🙂
I am happy to report that The Wave did not disappoint!
I had planned to order either steak, curry, or fish, but it was a hot day (July) and somehow the penne pasta with tomato sauce & chicken just seemed like it would feel "lighter" that day, so I ordered it. The sauce was excellent, full of little tomato chunks. The chicken was tasty, even though it was almost too much for me that day. And the pasta was perfect.
I also had planned to order the dessert sampler. It looked so good in pictures I had seen! But the mango smoothie sounded SO refreshing, I ordered it with my meal. Unfortunately, that meant I had no room for even a little bit of dessert, so I skipped it.
My waitress was good, but she didn't know about the Disney Visa discount (breakfast & lunch according to the DV site.) So it took a little longer for her to bring the bill, but she was able to apply the discount, so I'm happy.
I highly recommend this restaurant for lunch.
Pros:
fresh food, mango smoothieCons:
waitress didn't know about Disney Visa discountReviewed by plt964 Review Date: 08/04/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My husband, son(8) and I just completed an 8 day stay at the Polynesian. We have visited Disney almost every year for the past 12 years. The first few years we stayed at Pop Century and for the last several years at Wilderness Lodge. This year we were able to afford the Polynesian due to a 30% discount that Disney was offering. We loved our stay!
The room was much larger than those at the Wilderness Lodge (can sleep 5 with the pull out sofa). Being on the monorail was great. We preferred the eating choices (Kona and Cap'n Cooks) over the choices at Wilderness lodge. It was a treat watching the night parade and the fireworks from the pool beach area.
The only reason that we give the Polynesian a 9 instead of the 10 is the cost. The price difference can pay for our food (and maybe more) over the course of the trip. Although the extra space was nice, it was not needed for a family of 3. If we needed sleeping for 5, the Polynesian would be at the top of our list.
Pros:
location, size of rooms, fire works, restaurantsCons:
priceReview of Crystal Palace Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by missy Review Date: 08/03/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
I noticed that service has gone down hill fast at Disney overall. Besides that, the food was good for lunch. Went to get cookies and there were flies under the covered area for the cookies.
No dessert for me. Probably a good thing because it was our last meal before our flight to leave for home. Had enough dessert during the week!
