Most Recent Reviews
Review of Cinderella's Royal Table Dinner
Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We only ate here because DD(7) went to BBB & dressed as Cinderella.
Best part was meeting Cinderella for the picture before dinner. She was lovely.
Dinner was average at best. Small portions, just ok choices. Our server was very nice & very attentive. When DD food was served, something was on her plate - possibly a strand of hair?? Server took it away & came back with a brand new plate of food.
The princesses were so rushed, you could barely get one picture with our camera. Now what bothered me was across from us was a table that included 4 girls of different ages. The princesses made such a fuss over that table - which in itself is great. That is the way the princesses should behave. But then when they came to our table - DH & I & DD(7), they were so rushed, Aurora forgot to come to our table all together!! I could sense that DD was aware of this so diner was not so magical.
Not too sure I will return again. I think Disney is missing the whole point of eating in Cinderella's Castle - so much more could be offered to make this more magical.
Pros:
Eating in the CastleCons:
everything elseReview of Be Our Guest Dinner
Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
This was the highlight of our July trip. Food was excellent, servers were beyond nice, decor is beyond our imagination!!
To start, DD(7) was afraid to eat in the West Wing. When the line started to form for lunch, I asked the podium to confirm my dinner reservation and asked if we could sit in the main ballroom. CM were more than happy to help.
When we checked in, I again confirmed that we not be seated in the West Wing, again CM said not a problem. Only needed to wait 10 minutes to be seated for our 5:30 reservation. Upon our greeting, the hostess told DD that the Beast reserved a very special table for her - next to the windows to watch the snow!!! Needless to say, CM sprinkled pixie dust!!
On to the food - excellent. DD had the kids steak with french fries & green beans - she made a clean plate. DH had the steak - and enjoyed it. I had the pork chop - so moist. Then the dessert cart is rolled to your table. We had 2 Chocolate cupcakes & the lemon cupcake - both were great!!
Our server was so friendly & drinks were refilled quickly. She also brought the "Grey Stuff" to DD as we were celebrating.
I am so glad that Disney if offering these great choices for the kids menu.
After we finished, the server said to check out all the rooms & make sure to see t he Beast before we leave. So glad the CM seated us in the main ballroom - the West Wing was very dark & DD would not have enjoyed herself.
We can't wait to eat here on our next trip!!!
Pros:
everythingCons:
West Wing very darkReview of Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Excellent dinner!! We were a party of 7 (4 adults, 2 kids 1 toddler)
Everyone enjoyed their food. Had a pitch of sangria - delicious!! Portions were just the right size & the kids food was yummy as well.
Desserts were nice options.
Servers were very friendly. Only problem was very slow in bringing the check. We had a late dinner & was trying to get the kids ready to watch Illuminations, getting the bill took forever. The two moms took the kids to get a spot & the dads waited for the check.
We will eat here again!!
Pros:
food & CMCons:
noisyReview of Sunshine Seasons
Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Lots of choices here, something to please everyone in the family.
Ample seating & friendly CM.
Yummy desserts (but so big you can share!!)
Pros:
lots of choicesCons:
—Review of Liberty Inn -- CLOSED
Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
Basic quick serve food - burgers, nuggets. Food was ok, nothing to rave about. Service was good quick & friendly.
Desserts were really good - apple pie & s'mores brownie.
Being this is the American Pavilion, there is so much more that could be offered as quick service. Disney should think about the addition of a table service offering foods by the region (SW, NE, Southern...)
Pros:
air conditioningCons:
—Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Family & I had dinner here early July 2013. Previously had diner in 2012. Overall a nice meal with great character interaction.
First had salad with fresh vegies. Dressing was very nice. Also had rolls with maple butter - yummy.
Served family style was turkey with stuffing, beef tenderloin & fresh fish. All were excellent. The childrens meal was a roasted drumstick, vegies & mac & cheese. Everything was wonderful & flavorful. Dessert for DD was an ice cream cone cupcake. DH & I had a warm blueberry cobbler with whip cream.
Character interaction was good. Mickey, Pluto Chip & Dale. Each stopped at the table several times.
Only problem was the waitress was very slow with drinks & clearing the plates. With that being the only negative, we will return again!!
Pros:
characters & foodCons:
waitressReview of Theme Park Photo Pass
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I originally balked at the thought of paying $150 for Photopass Plus, but it includes 7 attraction photos, all of which we planned to ride. At $14.95 per photo, the CD nearly pays for itself. Plus we were able to get some adorable shots throughout the parks.
The only ride photo that we didn't get was at Splash Mountain, as the photos weren't working at the time we rode (around 11pm on an Extra Magic Hour night). On Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, rows 11 & 12 pictures weren't working, but the photo cast member allowed us to ride again (with no wait!) in a different row! I thought this was above and beyond.
At Buzz Lightyear, there were only two registers open and quite a few people wanting to purchase photos. The lines moved very slowly and I found it a bit frustrating. The same problem was had at Space Mountain, but most other attractions were fine.
We did get a few magic shots: me holding Tinker Bell at MK, Simba at AK, and Stitch popping out of the ground at DHS. They also had props at DHS: a giant picture frame and a director's board.
We did get some adorable photos, I liked adding borders, and I am currently waiting to download my photos-much faster than waiting for the CD to arrive in the mail!
Pros:
Photopass Plus valueCons:
WebsiteReviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
I have been an advocate of Disney transportation for many years. This trip we rented a car, and it was the best decision I ever made. It was easy to find our way around the property, convenient to just leave when we wanted to, and so nice not to be stuffed in a bus with a crazy amount of other people at the end of the night.
However, we did use the transportation options a couple of times while staying at Art of Animation. On a Saturday night, a friend went to Downtown Disney (we dropped her off). She took the bus back around 12:30am and said she only waited about 10 minutes.
On Sunday, we took the monorail from the TTC to MK, as well as from MK to and from the Polynesian. Each time, there was less than a 1 minute wait and it wasn't too crowded, which was wonderful.
We also took the bus from and to MK that same day around 7:15pm and 9:15pm. The wait was 10 minutes or less.
At the end of the night, when Extra Magic Hours were over at 1am, we needed to get back to the TTC to pick up the car. The monorails had stopped running at midnight, and there was no bus; they were forcing everyone to take the ferry boat. While the wait wasn't long, they do make you sit for quite a while before departing, and the trip was filled with mosquitoes and other bugs. I was very disappointed that this was our only option.
Pros:
Easy to useCons:
No bus to TTC from MKReviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Family & I had lunch here in early July 2013. We have eaten here on our previous trips as well. Checked in at podium & had no wait at all. Place was half empty upon entering & was like that most of the time we were there (had 1:00 reservation time).
Friendly CM took us to our table & we were greeted by our server. She took our drink order & explained how the characters came to the table. (Again, just like our server at Tusker house we were told the table rotation so we were prepared with cameras & book). Our server was great, never had an empty glass or a dirty dish on the table.
The buffet food was a nice selection, but we have had better in past years. Nothing was wrong with the selection, everything was tasty, but in years past there was more of a variety. We had roasted chicken, pot roast (which was very tasty), roasted pork. There were several fish choices which we did not taste due to allergies. Basic salad choices & soup was tomato something or a spicy corn soup. DD (7) ate off both adult & kids buffets. The kids choices were roasted chicken, sweet meatballs (did not like) or basic kid staples (chicken nuggets, corn, etc.) She really liked the roasted chicken from the adult buffet better than the kids. She did eat some vegies off the kids buffet.
Dessert was great, loads of choices & soft serve ice cream. Also had a chocolate fountain that a CM was dipping fresh fruit.
Now the characters - Jake, Oso, Handy Manny & June. They were all great, took their time, did not feel rushed. DD was dressed like Izzy & got so much attention from Jake - it made her feel special. I also like the dances that the kids get to join in doing. Makes it a fun place.
We will eat here again on our next trip. We are patiently awaiting Sofia's arrival & hoping maybe Doc will join as well.
Pros:
charactersCons:
Sofia not there yetReview of Starring Rolls
Reviewed by vickie1016 Review Date: 07/31/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Had a quick breakfast break here in early July 2013. Ordered a chocolate muffin & cinnamon roll for DH, DD(7) & I to share. YUMMY!! Loved each one. Wish we had time to stop back before leaving HS that day, would have liked to try a cupcake.
Only negative - it was very crowded at that time & there was no proper line formation, just a big crowd of people. Also, no napkins?? Might be because they were busy.
