Most Recent Reviews
Reviewed by cj1996x2 Review Date: 07/16/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
My family of 4 checked into the resort on July 6th at 10:00 am. We fully expected to have to wait until later in the afternoon to actually get into our room but they had it ready and waiting. I love the updates that they have made to the rooms. 2 queen beds and the extra storage space under the sinks is invaluable when you have 4 people staying in a room. We were in building 3 on the second floor. Close to both the main building and the pool. I wish the pool had been a little deeper but the kids had fun.
The bus service was good the only day we had issues was one and that was when we had to stop at Typhoon Lagoon and all of the Riverside stops. Disney should consider having one bus for each resort especially at busy times.
The food court was nice. I wish they had more choices in the evenings but other than that, it was ok. The coffee that is provided in the rooms as well as what is offered in the food court is awful! Tastes like brown water. The coffee maker in the room doesn't get the water hot enough so I was excited that I was able to get Starbucks when I was at the Magic Kingdom. They should really update the coffee at the resorts!
The staff were all pleasant and willing to help with anything that we needed. All in all, we had a great experience and would stay here again.
Pros:
Size of Resort, updated roomsCons:
limited food choices at nightReview of Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by onejasper Review Date: 07/14/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We dined here on July 1st and really enjoyed the food. On the Disney Deluxe plan, you learn to eat and share to get different experiences. Our group chose the spinach dip and onion rings for appetizers and they were wonderful. I had the veggie pie and I have to tell you the garlic mashed potatoes on the top were delicious. DD had a steak and she said it was the best steak she's ever had. One of our party had the sugar free icecream but found the brownie dry. DD had the candy bar chocolate cake with ganache and raved about it. I had a vanilla milkshake and it was divine. Server was great, very attentive. Referred to the third row diners as back street drivers...lol. Very funny. Old movie were good. We would maybe go again...still so many restaurants to try yet. The seats are cramped if you have backpacks and families of four are separated by, well a car seat but it is fun. Only downfall is there is no water drain for the downpour that occurred outside the restaurant and we were all drenched (up to ankles) when leaving.
Pros:
Great Food. Very quietCons:
Limited room in seats and very darkReview of Contemporary Resort (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by onejasper Review Date: 07/14/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We stayed at the Contemporary from June 30th to July 6th. We were treated like royalty for the most part from towel animals to very courteous service throughout. The concierge and hotel managers could not have been more helpful. Were there a few issues? Yes, but they were taken care of immediately.
We stayed in adjoining rooms on the 10th floor facing the Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian. It was truly a breath-taking view. Fireworks line up was different every night and the two nights of July 3rd and 4th were outstanding with twin fireworks over both the castle and GF. It was wonderful to watch them from the balconies instead of fighting shoulder to shoulder with the crowds.
Beds were great, we had no issues with the sinks...they didn't drain fast but then I wasn't in a hurry. I had taken a little folding unit for the wardrobe and kept most toiletries in there. The safe is a nice size as are the wardrobes with plenty of drawer space. Nice 27" tv...very clean. There are bound to be a few issues with any hotel but overall we felt surrounded by luxury.
The monorail is very cool and you cannot hear a thing inside the rooms nor could we hear Chef Mickeys. I know we were on the 10th floor but you didn't really hear the monorail much anyways as there is a lot of noise from the Contempo cafe which has a decent menu.
The Wave does an amazing breakfast...didn't care for lunch/dinner menu at all..see separate review. Chef Mickeys was a hoot!
The beach is quite lovely, very simple and nice and quiet since I guess most were in the parks during this busy time.
We would stay again for sure. Loved it from start to finish!
Pros:
Location is amazing! Fireworks WOW!Cons:
The Wave lunch/dinner menuReview of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Concierge
Reviewed by Rbbss Review Date: 07/13/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Returned for a Sunrise Safari after 8 years with my nephew and his family. Was a little disorganized in the beginning and we left the lobby more than 1/2 hour late. Once we boarded the busses all was good and we enjoyed seeing the animals. Breakfast was good, but I missed the fruit soup that I remembered from before. Pool was good. Concierge was pleasant with good food. Really enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the guides about the Savannas and their lives in their countries. Animals on the Savannas were very different from the last time we were there. Guides explained why they adjusted animal composition. Lucky to see Crested Cranes and 2 eggs. Tried dinner at Sanaa - delicious. Enjoyed the new Red River Hogs and donkeys. Hated to leave. Can't wait to return
Pros:
Concierge lounge, guides, sunrise safari, animalsCons:
Far from other parksReview of Storyteller's Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by FamilyOfSix Review Date: 07/13/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I loved this Character Breakfast and would definitely go back again. The setting in the Grand Californian hotel is really great. I loved the theming in the whole restaurant. We were seated near the buffet, and our waitress kept our drinks and coffee constantly filled and topped off. I was very pleased with the service. One of my kids asked if they have Mickey Waffles, and the waitress said that they could make some in the kitchen. 5 minutes later we had a plate of Mickey Waffles! Very nice! I loved the eggs benedict (what a vacation treat!) and all the other fresh fruit and more upscale type breakfast offerings.
The characters were all outdoors types, and they were very nice. I kept calling Brer Bear "Ballou" (my son corrected me)-- he didn't act offended at all. The characters can't all sign autographs, because some of them don't have fingers, but they were ready to smile and pose and joke around (especially chip and dale).
My kids actually took part in the kids parade they had in the middle of the cafe, which ended with some type of ceremony near the buffet. The kids were all given a button at the end of the ceremony. It was fun- they were excited by it.
This was a breakfast that we added on to our trip on our last day as we were leaving Disneyland. It was a great way to end the Disney experience. Great food, fun characters, and outstanding service.
Pros:
Food, Service, Kids' parade, settingCons:
NoneReview of Pacific Wharf Cafe
Reviewed by FamilyOfSix Review Date: 07/13/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
These bread bowls were good, and fresh, and the bread was soft. I had a salad bread bowl, but most of my party had the clam chowder. Everyone liked the lunch, but we all had a hard time finishing off the bread. The kids meals were really limited. My kids had sandwiches and one opted for the toddler meal because she really wanted mac and cheese. The toddler portion of mac and cheese was tiny! I guess typical for toddlers, but since they offered mac and cheese for toddlers, why not just put it as an option for a kids meal? I don't get why the counter service places don't offer more of a variety for kids meals... Anyway, seating here was a little bit difficult, as it was all outdoors. The line was so slow, which I don't understand since the menu is so limited. Really they should be able to move the line along quicker.
Ultimately, if it's a cool day and you want some good, fresh bread, this is a good option. If you want a quick lunch with indoor seating, probably this won't work for you.
Pros:
Good chowder, bread is fresh and tastyCons:
Limited kids meals, slow slow slow lineReview of Flo's V8 Cafe - Cars Land
Reviewed by FamilyOfSix Review Date: 07/13/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I liked Flo's a lot. We had turkey dinners and the food was pretty standard. We also had a couple of milkshakes to share among our group and they were really great. I liked the food, and it didn't feel so heavy as the typical fried fast food offerings, so that was nice. My kids didn't see anything they wanted to eat (they are not big sandwich fans) so we ended up splitting up our party so that my husband could take the kids to the Boardwalk Pizza place. I wished that they offered some other kids meal options at Flo's.
Pros:
Lots of seating, Fun atmosphere, Great serviceCons:
Limited menu options for kids especiallyReview of Pirate Adventure from Grand Floridian
Reviewed by PackFan Review Date: 07/13/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
My 7 year old daughter absolutely loved this Pirate Cruise. It was her favorite part of the trip. The kids get to go on an adventure without Mom and Dad (which makes them feel very grown up) and the parents get two hours of adult time knowing that their kids are having a great time. I spent my time at the Grand Floridian Spa (which I highly recommend). The pirate crew was terrific.
Pros:
Great adventure for the kids!Cons:
Soggy experience if it rainsReview of Goofy's Kitchen Character Dinner Buffet
Reviewed by FamilyOfSix Review Date: 07/12/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
I have been to too many great character meals to give this higher than an "8". We were seated by the door in a dark corner of the restaurant. We were close to the buffet, which the kids liked, but several characters passed us by on their way out the door to go to their breaks I suppose. Pluto passed us twice and never stopped for pictures. We told a waiter that the characters were not stopping to see us, and he flagged some down which was helpful. Alice was fun, and I think we did meet all the characters who were there except for Pluto.
My kids would want to go back to this restaurant just for the dessert bar. It was huge. They also liked the food from the regular menu. I liked the food, and the salmon was really good, but this wasn't worth it for me due to the exorbitant price and less than enthusiastic characters. I will pass this one up next time, but I'd recommend it to people who want a character meal since there are so few character meal options at Disneyland.
Compared to DisneyWorld, this just isn't that great. In DisneyWorld, they usually have a character handler or attendant of some type managing the characters and monitoring when they go to tables and what not. I hate having to go to the waiters and make them find the characters. I think that should be taken care of by the staff themselves, especially in light of how much dinner costs.
Pros:
Food is good, dessert table is huge, lots of charactersCons:
too dark in the restaurant, too expensiveReview of Golden Horseshoe
Reviewed by FamilyOfSix Review Date: 07/12/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
This gets a "9" because of the show. The show was really fun, well done, and my husband was picked to be in it. So I kind of enjoyed it more than I would have otherwise! Here's a hint-- if you want your husband to be picked, have him point at someone else when they are asking for volunteers. That's what my guy did and the host said, "If you volunteer someone else, you volunteer yourself!"
The food was OK-- Only a few choices but everyone ate. Typical fast food type food.
