Most Recent Reviews
Review of Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
Reviewed by Tampa Mom Review Date: 07/21/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
This is sort of a semi-review, because while we ate here, the food was from the Tutto Italia menu. The only tables TI had available were on the porch, and since my daughter was feeling bad from the heat, we wanted to eat where there was air conditioning. They very helpfully recommended going next door to Tutto Gusto, where we could get the same food. We did, and am I glad.
We were seated at a sort of conversation circle - a loveseat and two ottomans set around a coffee table. There were only a handful of small tables, and they were already taken. My husband and older daughter were a bit doubtful about eating on ottomans, but got used to it quickly. It turned out well, though, because it allowed my younger daughter to partially lie down and doze on the loveseat while we waited for our food. This made her feel *much* better, and she was full of energy for the rest of the evening.
Our server was friendly and helpful. Most of the people there were drinking rather than eating a meal, but she made sure to check on us frequently. The food from Tutto Italia was fantastic. My husband had the gnocchettti, my older daughter had the lasagna alla bolognese, and my younger daughter had the fettucine vecchia roma. They all raved about their pasta. I was in the mood for steak, and had the bistecca del macellaio. It was thinner than I like my steak, but that's my fault for not asking questions. It was still very tasty, and the rosemary potatoes were excellent.
I highly recommend Tutto Gusto as an alternative if you find yourself unable to get a table at Tutto Italia. We had a lovely relaxed meal with the same great food.
Pros:
Great service, delicious foodCons:
Odd seating, but not too badReview of The Wave - Breakfast
Reviewed by onejasper Review Date: 07/21/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
First time we visited here we had made a reservation. We quickly learned there was no need to reserve as the restaurant is large and rarely full.
We ate here most days as the selection for the buffet is excellent. Three picky eaters in our party and everyone was happy.
Sweet potato pancakes...WOW and I did not think I would like them...we all loved them. The mickey waffles are multi grain and my picky DD will tell you they were her favourite and she could not tell the difference between those and the regular ones at 1900 Park Fare.
The eggs are ok but the omelette of the day was better. If the scrambled eggs are fresh out, they can be a bit too liquidy for my taste but you could find some firmer eggs mixed in.
The omelettes are good, the biscuits, they have bagels,bacon, sausage, lots of fruit and great breakfast potatoes and bacon. It was a birthday for two of our party and the waitress arrived with decorated cakes, sparkles and candles and that was a nice touch.
Sometimes it took a while to get our bill.
We would recommend this to anyone looking for a good selection, nice ambience, but not if in a hurry to get your bill and go although I guess you could just say "we are in a hurry"
Pros:
Location and selectionCons:
Service can be slowReview of Cape May Cafe Clam Bake Dinner
Reviewed by Harrimans Review Date: 07/21/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I am allergic to Shell Fish and do not eat any kind of seafood really. DW, DS14, DD10 are seafood lovers and DD7 loves chicken, mashed potatoes and dessert 😉
DW, DS14 and DD10 loved the seafood selection. Crab Legs, Clams, Mussels and Fried Shrimp were their favorites. I thought the salad selections, carving station, potatoes and corn were very good. DD7 loved the kids area and ate plenty of chicken legs, potatoes, corn, mac-n-cheese and pizza. We all enjoyed dessert.
This place has become a must-eat for us especially if we are staying at Beach Club but really is worth it even if staying at another resort. We may try the breakfast next time but would eat dinner here again for sure.
Pros:
Seafood Selection, Carving Station, DessertsCons:
Crowded buffet line / awkward layoutReview of Beaches and Cream
Reviewed by Harrimans Review Date: 07/21/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
This place is AWESOME. Great decor and Ice Cream. We did not get to sample the food as we were only to order from the to-go window which only offered ice-cream. We were able to use our DDP snack credits for Milk-shakes, cones and floats.
Each day we stayed there I asked at the counter about an availability. The do not take reservations so it is first come first serve. Each time I asked it was a 4-6 hour wait whether it was 11AM, afternoon or evening. There is a huge arcade next door that was completely empty each day we were there and I know they very recently did a major renovation of this area so it baffles me as to why they did not expand seating capacity. We were there at a busy time (mid-June) but the place is great and if they were to increase their seating I think they would increase the volume of customers served.
We would love to eat here and would do the to-go ice-cream option again for sure.
Pros:
Great Ice Cream - Snack CreditsCons:
No Reservations, EXTREMELY limited capacityReview of Hurricane Hanna's Grill
Reviewed by Harrimans Review Date: 07/21/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
Good quality food poolside.
The first night we tried to eat at Hanna's was a failure. We checked out the Marketplace which was completely slammed with people at 8 PM weeknight in June. Hanna's closes at 9 PM while the pool was open until 11 PM. After waiting for over 30 minutes without being able to order food at Marketplace I walked up to Hanna's at 8:55. I looked at the menu and waited to order. When a person finally came over to the window at 8:59 I asked if we could still place an order. The CM replied "We're Closed!" and slammed the metal doors down basically in my face. I walked a few feet over to the bar area and asked the bartender if I could at least order some fries or something. The bartender looked over to the CM cleaning at Hanna's and the CM replied "I told that guy we are closed once already".
We visited again a couple days later at lunch time. After getting our food we realized there was no seating available. There is about half a dozen tables right next to Hanna's and some spread out around the pool. The tables near by were nowhere near enough to handle all the customers and the ones at the pool were covered with peoples towels and sun-block. They really need a bigger dedicated seating area or need to enforce that the tables are actually for people to sit and eat and not just throw your belongings on for the day.
The third time we tried to eat there we found out that they were opening at 11. I stayed outside the door until they opened up and was the first one to order. Even at 10:30 AM my wife struggled to find us a table and eventually found one with only 3 chairs but at least it was a table.
Once we got our food and ate it was actually pretty good. DW really enjoyed her Lobster Roll and my burger was pretty good for counter service. The kids enjoyed their selections and I think all kids enjoy getting the sand-bucket to play with at Storm Along Bay.
We will eat here again for sure but will need to make sure we plan a bit so we will actually be able to get food and sit down and eat it. We will have to add "Reserve Table" and "Get in food line early" to our Touring Plan when we visit Storm Along Bay! LOL 🙂
Pros:
Food QualityCons:
hours, seatingReview of Beach Club Marketplace
Reviewed by Harrimans Review Date: 07/21/2013
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
First I have to say the staff was very friendly and helpful.
After that....
This has got to be one of the worst counter service locations at any Disney Resort. The layout is small and cramped. Not nearly enough room to fill the demand of two Deluxe Resorts. The food selections were good but pretty limited. We ended up only trying the pizza and flatbreads because each time we tried waiting to get a sandwich we gave up after at least a half hour wait. The food prep area is about as big as subway store and set up the same way but we found the staff to be incredibly slow. Each flatbread and pizza was hand prepared as you ordered it and then had to be cooked in a small oven the size of the ones they use to toast a sub at Subway. This basically takes FOREVER when you have 20-30 people lined up from dinner time till close and the same at lunch time when we stayed there in June.
Once you get you food you have to navigate over to a circular register area that is shared with the gift shop and has no organized line set-up. Not bad if you catch the place when it is empty but if you actually want to go there for breakfast, lunch, dinner or an evening snack it is basically chaos. There is not much seating so you have to then walk your food either to the Solarium, the pool or your room.
The drink machines are small and too few again to handle the capacity of two Deluxe resorts. They were constantly out of ice and had way too little room to fix your drink and/or replace the lid if you were lucky enough to get ice and the beverage you wanted instead of just water.
We were there at a busier time of year, but I would say the Marketplace is a complete embarrassment to an otherwise great resort.
Pros:
Friendly StaffCons:
Small, Slow, Awkward Layout, Slow, SelectionReview of Beach Club Resort (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by Harrimans Review Date: 07/21/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stay 6/19 - 6/26
This was our first visit to a Deluxe Resort after staying at two value resorts previously. Check-in was extremely pleasant and efficient which set the tone right away. The lobby was beautiful just like it had been when we were there for dinner at Cape May last year and all of the staff was very friendly. The atmosphere was bit more reserved than the value resorts we have stayed (and quiet).
Our room was ready right away when we checked in at around 6 PM. Our bags were brought up about 5 minutes after we got to the room. We got settled in to our room, changed and made plans to get dinner and swim.
DS14, DD10, DD7 and I went to find the pool while DW went in search of laundry facilities and was going to meet us at the pool after she threw a load of laundry in a washer. We were told the laundry was near the quiet pool so she headed down the maze of corridors and found a smaller laundry room with only a few washers and one of them was broken while the rest were full. She gave up at that point and headed to the market place to find something to eat.
Meanwhile the kids and I found the pool, got our wristbands, went for a quick swim and were also in the marketplace in search of food. The kids did not want burgers at Hurricane Hanna's and were more in the mood for Pizza and I wanted a cold sandwich. The lines were terribly long at the Marketplace and were not moving at all. After looking around and waiting in line for a bit we headed back to Hanna's at the pool and arrived just in time for the door to slam in our face at EXACTLY 9 PM. Back to the Marketplace for flatbreads and pizza, friendly but very slow service and then took our food back to the pool. We had a bit of trouble finding a table but sat and ate and the kids got to enjoy the AMAZING pool for about an hour before bed.
We loved the resort and went to the pool basically every day. We even spent a day just at the resort swimming, coloring, doing laundry (my wife later found a larger laundry room outside in a separate building on the other side of the quiet pool) and enjoyed another wonderful meal at Cape May Cafe located inside the lobby of the hotel. We really enjoyed the ice cream and Beaches and Cream which was probably one of the best uses of snack credits our entire stay. Highly recommend using the "to-go" window if they are busy (which they almost always are). Storm Along Bay is nearly a water park in itself and was the best part of our stay.
We were very happy with the size and cleanliness of the room. The included refrigerator was great for water and other drinks. We did not a large balcony but the layout of our room was able to accommodate a full size day bed which was great for our family of five. The staff was friendly and efficient just a bit more reserved than what we experienced at our value resort stays which was just fine. Not much Disney theming but kids and parents were happy and comfortable. The short walk to Epcot and short boat ride to HS were great and we were able to eat dinner in the World Showcase almost every night.
Really the only negatives were the counter service selections and the seating at the pool. We are used to large food courts at Pop and AoA, so to us the Marketplace is nice but WAY to small in size, staff and selection. Hanna's was great but closes two hours before the pool closed and had about 6 tables. There were more table nearer to the pool but they were not available to actually eat at because our fellow guests would throw their towels and sunblock on the tables and leave it there for hours while they enjoyed the pool and didn't actually eat anything. We found that if you were not at the pool the first two hours or the last two hours it was nearly impossible to find a table and almost as hard to find a couple of empty chairs together. The kids didn't mind because they were having a blast, but DW and I were annoyed a bit because sometimes it would have been nice to sit and watch the kids swim.
Overall the positives FAR outweigh any negatives. Our plan starting in 2009 when our kids were a bit younger was to visit every Disney resort before the last child moved out starting with the Values. We probably should not have "skipped ahead" to the Beach Club because we honestly cannot imagine staying anywhere else.
Pros:
Pool, Proximity to Epcot & HSCons:
Counter Service OptionsReviewed by Ed Mann Review Date: 07/20/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
In 2003 we were gifted 3 nights at OKW and then paid for 2 nights at All Star Movies. Going from a high to a low we agreed that future visits we'd have to find a nice moderate. We did! In 07' we did 10 nights, 5 at POFQ then upgraded to the Contemporary, Tower Lake-side. In 09' we duplicated it again with 6 nights each resort. Both times we were sad to leave POFQ even though the Contemporary and monorail with it's proximity to MK & Epcot were great. Unfortunately their only laundry facility in the south wing was disgusting, hot and crowded, even at 1am. This time 6.27 - 7.8.13 we stayed put at POFQ and enjoyed this stay even more than before. Reasons...rooms are up-dated, including the bathroom and new firmer mattresses, and an updated laundry room. We didn't have to put a credit card on file at check-in to utilize the laundry room. All you do is pick the machine and swipe your own credit card. It couldn't have been easier. Staying 12 days and with Spirit Airlines ridiculous limit of 40 pounds per checked bag it makes this issue more important then one might think. The boat to DTD is as quaint a ride as ever. Between the boat and buses you can get to the parks and resorts with more flexibility then what's offered at other resorts. It comes in handy if you're park hopping and are on the DDP. The only pixie dust you'll find is in the lobby area where they're finishing up the last of their renovations. Book and enjoy. We did and we will again.
Pros:
small, quiet & convenientCons:
noneReview of Be Our Guest Dinner
Reviewed by Ed Mann Review Date: 07/20/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Well! It was worth getting up at 7:00AM...180 days before we arrivED' in WDW to make this reservation. This place is unbelievable. Bring your camera for the pictures as you're leaving. You'll get a photo op with the 'Character of the Night' on your way out. More on that later. We ate here on July 2nd. When we got to the podium I requstED' to be seatED' in the Ballroom. At first it didn't look good, but once I showED' him a picture of my DD playing Chip' in her high school play he smilED' and his request for us became reality. We were seatED' in the very back of the room and our table was next to the windows where it was snowing. Beautiful scene. Then Yvonne came into our lives, who is from Germany but for this special night she was serving us in France. My DW, DD and myself fell in love with the steak & fries. They gave my DD the 'Grey Stuff'! We all triED' it and it WAS delicious. It was a treat for her graduating high school. The desert cart was rollED' over and the selection was AWESOME and tasty too. Forget taking pics or videos in the room. It's dark and romantic and photo un-friendly. Before I forget, the greeter who seatED' us ( I don't know his name ) went beyond my expectations. After giving us a autograph from Belle and the Beast, he took my DD's Chip' pic and her playbill I brought from NJ and came back with them signED' by the BEAST". Way to go Disney! I'm trying to keep this short but over our 12 day stay this was it. The Night to REMEMBER! As we exitED', we stoppED' in the side room to get a picture of Allison (DD) and the Beast. While my DW (Cathy) took the stills, I videoED' Allison DANCING with the Host of HOSTS himself. The BEAST! Who really is just a sweet-heart. It's now our #1 restaurant. It was well worth the DDP swipe. Between me and you it was worth 3 swipes...but don't tell them. "JUST DO IT"!!!
Pros:
EVERYTHING!Cons:
NOTHING!Review of 1900 Park Fare Character Breakfast
Reviewed by Ed Mann Review Date: 07/20/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Well as promisED' this review is the total opposite from our July 2nd dining experience here. It's hard to believe it's the same room. We had breakfast here on July 6th and Helen our waitress was as pleasant as could be. She was 'coffee' on the spot! Tea...too. Mary Poppins was the hi-lite. Before I took the picture of her with my DD I askED' if she could move a little to the left so the carousel would be in the background. With the snap of her fingers it was done. The buffet was the same as we rememberED' it to be back in 09'. All the characters were good. We NEVER felt rushED' and not being big on breakfast it was nice to see it hasn't changED' and we'll do it again next time. My DD is now 18 and she still loves this place like she did in 03', 07 & 09'. You'll love it too!
