Most Recent Reviews
Review of Kona Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by EleanorofAquitaine Review Date: 07/07/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
We love the food at Kona and always eat at least one breakfast there when we stay at the Poly. This trip, we also ate lunch there twice. We love being able to walk up and get a table without a reservation. My DH is madly in love with the tuna sandwich at lunch and had talked about it from the time he had one during our trip in March until we went back in June. He ordered it both times we ate there this trip and raved about it again. I had the teriyaki steak lunch the first day and it was okay, but the sides were fabulous (sticky rice and pasta salad) and my only complaint about the divine pineapple salsa is that there wasn't enough of it. The second day, I ordered the pulled pork taco and it was fabulous. The pasta salad was underseasoned both days and I requested salt. Yes, I know chefs want us to believe their food should never be tampered with because they have seasoned it properly to begin with, but this was not Victoria and Albert's or Jiko's. I needed salt. The first time, the waiter never got it to me until he brought the check-- my pasta salad was long gone. The second day, having learned my lesson, I asked for salt when I ordered, but still got it midmeal. We also had difficulty getting drink refills, even for water. Still, the food is very good, especially at breakfast. I always get Tonga Toast and DH often gets the fruit in the pineapple. We share both and its a great way to start a Disney day.
Pros:
not overcrowded, great selection, Tonga Toast!Cons:
wait staff not always attentiveReviewed by EleanorofAquitaine Review Date: 07/07/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
We stayed at the Poly on June 6 through 9th. We got a tremendous surprise when we arrived-- we had been upgraded to club level! As many times as I have stayed at the Poly (about a dozen over the last 5 years), that has never happened before, although we did stay at club level once before and paid dearly for the privilege. This time was much nicer, especially because I wasn't paying concierge level prices. I was grinning from ear to ear as they drove us in one of those little carts from valet parking back to the Hawaii building. How comfy! I felt special right off the bat. That's how Disney does it.
The newly remodeled rooms are lovely They updated them without losing the Polynesian feel. The bathroom is gorgeous, although I could live without the mirrors going all the way across the one wall, which meant not only did I have plenty of mirror when i was getting ready in the morning, which is great, but that I was staring at myself when I sat on the toilet, which was not great. Also, the towel rack is directly under the sink, so it poked my hubby as he was brushing his teeth. There isn't a towel hook next to the gorgeous shower. Still, the room was great, and we were right next door to the lounge, which meant we could go by and pour ourselves some lovely cordials in the evening and take them back to our room to view the fireworks. And the view is amazing. We had the perfect castle view. Wish there was a balcony, but we were on the second floor. 🙁
Service was excellent. Mercy was particularly nice in the lounge, as well as one of the young men whose name has escaped me. The snacks were nice, but not as abundant or as special as last time we stayed at club level. I have to wonder if that may be because some people just pounced on every plate of food that came out. Kids would appear out of nowhere, elbow me out of the way, and fill entire plates with all the pigs in blankets or skewers of beef or whatever they could fit on there. It was like watching locust descend. And it wasn't just children, although they were the most frequent offenders. Grownups too rushed to snap up mass quantities of food and were not friendly or polite to their fellow guests.
The club level was lovely and I am extremely grateful for the upgrade. But I do not think I would spend the money to stay there again any time soon. As nice as it was, it is still very expensive, even by Polynesian standards, and I don't want to have to pay that much just to have fruit trays and beer close at hand, since we had to battle our fellow guests to get our share.
Pros:
convenience, spacious rooms, nice remodelingCons:
families running wild in loungeReviewed by kimmaxr Review Date: 07/06/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed at OKW for the first time from 6/12-6/22/13. We are a family of four (2 boys, ages 17 & 19) and picked this resort because of the size of the rooms and the pull out sofa and chair in the living room of the one bedroom villa.
The day we arrived, DVC was working on a system upgrade and all of the reservation systems were down upon our arrival. However, the staff could not be more accommodating and helpful. We were not able to get our room keys for the entire stay but were given one time entrance cards to get in until the system came up again.
I had requested a room on Millers Road, high floor with dual bathroom entrance doors. We were assigned room 6532, building 65, 3rd floor, just outside the elevator. Building 65 is just outside of the rooms located in the Hospitality House area and is very close to the main area of the resort. The one bedroom is much larger here than at the other DVC resorts we have stayed and with the points being lower than the others, it was a win/win for us!
We arrived to a spotless room, nice and cool, and the balcony overlooked the 7th hole and pond on the golf course. I was concerned that there would be road noise since the building backs to the road (on the other side of the course) but that was not the case at all. The room was quiet, other than some noise from the connecting studio room, and the toilet flushes that are extraordinarily loud.
The Millers Road bus stop is the last when returning to the resort prior to the Hospitality House, and we determined that it was faster to get off at the first stop and walk, rather than spend 15 mins. Riding all around the resort.
We loved the main pool, although there is not much shade and the few tables are usually he first to get taken in the morning. I found I just couldn't handle being in the direct sun in the afternoon, but that was my issue. They had games in the afternoon which the kids seemed to enjoy.
My older boys spent time in the Community Hall playing pool and video games. I went in to check it out and found that area desperately needs an upgrade as it felt damp and had a mildew smell to it. The workout area is small but has everything most folks would need to get a good workout in.
We enjoyed lunch and dinner in Olivia's and found the staff to be warm and friendly and the food was excellent.
We had no issues with the transportation and took the pat a few times to Downtown Disney. I did not find the wait to be long and really never waited more than 15 mins. Which I believe to be normal.
I am disappointed in the new DVC member discount policy which requires you to show your DVC membership card with your name on it. It is great for me since I am the owner, but my husband and children were not able to use it. We have never experienced this before in all of our stays so I am not sure if it is new policy or if OKW was just enforcing the rule. I need to call Member Services.
Overall,I really loved this resort and felt like I was on vacation rather than being at Disney in the heart of the World.
Pros:
Friendly staff, clean rooms, good serviceCons:
DVC member discount issuesReviewed by momof3inMadisonAL Review Date: 07/05/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Love Love Love SWW! and I am not a big Star Wars fan (kids are). Love to dress up but wish it just wasn't so HOT. Kids usually would start the morning in costume and would shed it by 10am.
MUST get there early. Yes, EARLY. We were there everyday of Memorial Day weekend at 7:15am. Park opens at 7:30 and it's a mad rush to Jedi Training and characters. (We weren't there for any celeb autographs). We were exhausted by the end of the weekend, but it paid off.
We were able to get A LOT done every morning by 10am. One morning did Jedi Training sign up while DH got FP for TSM and got in line for Vader. Then did Maul, and the Fetts. Then got our spot an hour ahead of time for the parade.
Another morning we got in line for PMC while DH got FP for TSM and in line for Chewbacca. Next morning we got in line for Jedi Mickey etc first thing.
Kids enjoyed meeting all the SW characters and especially trading with Jawas (which they did every day).
Sunday of Memorial day weekend was the worst crowds. So crowded that we could barely walk by TSM and waits were 120 mins and even Disney Junior had a queue, but we had most everything done by then. Met every character out in those 3 days except R2MK. Rode TSM and RnR every day. We go to WDW often so we weren't trying to do a lot of non SWW things. Restaurants were always crowded and we made a point to schedule TS every day for lunch. It's necessary that time of year to get out of the heat. And after our experience waiting an hour at a CS last year during SWW, we knew what to expect.
Watched HH 2 different nights in front of screen at AI. Trying to watch it on the stage is impossible if you have kids. My kids didn't seem to mind watching it on screen and they could sit down.
If you love Star Wars then it is a must. If you don't really care, then I'd recommend HS for a different day.
Pros:
characters, parade, HooplaCons:
crowds in general but especially restaurantsReviewed by momof3inMadisonAL Review Date: 07/05/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We tried this character lunch 2 years ago when my kids still appreciated most of the Disney Junior characters. Not so much anymore that they are 7, 8, 9 (and a baby that hates every character). BUT when I booked it 6 months ago, I was really hoping that Sophia would be there. Obviously, she is not yet.
Anyway, we were in HS for 3 full days of SWW and there are only 5 TS in HS so we decided to eat here anyway. Remembered not liking the food in 2011, and really still didn't like it. Unfortunately, it looks like we will have to try it again in the fall when Sophia is scheduled to appear.
Pros:
charactersCons:
foodReview of Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by momof3inMadisonAL Review Date: 07/05/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Went here over SWW Memorial Day. One restaurant we had NEVER tried in over 10 visits to WDW because of the bad reviews.
It was a fun theme. Only complaint is that it was a tad dark and DH couldn't read the menu. Kids would have preferred videos a bit more updated.
Everyone liked their food although it was more comparable to CS items (Burgers, sandwiches, onion rings). Only thing I didn't like was the Berry milkshake. Should have gotten chocolate.
Pros:
great themeCons:
darkReview of 50's Prime Time Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by momof3inMadisonAL Review Date: 07/05/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
We ate here without kids many years ago and loved it! Then tried it again about 5 years (and 8 visits) ago with kids and it just wasn't as much fun. The food was fine, but the waiter didn't really get into character with us and the experience wasn't the same. Thought maybe it was just the server and decided to try it again over SWW Memorial Day. WE were in HS 3 full days and ate at 3 different restaurants.
Had a 1:30 ADR and had to wait about 20 mins. Was super crowded and could barely find a place to sit in living room. Walkups were being turned away.
Kids were hungry so waiter was focused on getting us food. I can't complain about that, but we just didn't seem to get the same interaction that the adult only tables got. Table next to us got green beans served to them for dessert with whipped cream.
Food was good. DH and I both got the plate with the chicken, meatloaf and roast. Very filling.
Maybe we will try it again in another 5 years when our kids are older.
Pros:
fun atmosphere, good foodCons:
experience depends on serverReview of Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Reviewed by kamachine Review Date: 07/05/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
Overall a good experience. We got there about 30 minutes before our ADR in the rain and they seated us immediately which was great. The prosciutto and melon pizza was out of this world. The chicken parm was very good as was the spaghetti and meatballs and the portion sizes were good. The frutti di mare was good but for the price it only had 3 clams, 3 mussells, and 3 shrimp, pretty skimpy for $30. We also tried the arancini and they were ok but we get better at home in NJ for a lot less than $11 for a bigger portion. We skipped dessert (no cannoli!?!?) and went to France instead; we would eat here again.
Pros:
Pizza, pastasCons:
Frutti di MareReview of Ft. Wilderness Cabins (Moderate Resort)
Reviewed by momof3inMadisonAL Review Date: 07/05/2013
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We stayed in the cabins over Memorial Day weekend. We go to Disney multiple times per year and usually our family of 6 stays in 2 values, but we decided to splurge. Even with military discount the cabin was $250 per night.
Loved it when we got there. So nice to have parking right at your cabin and not have to lug bags so far to our room. Kids loved the bunks. HOWEVER, the Murphy bed in living room was not comfortable. We would put 4 kids to bed in bedroom and then transfer them to Murphy bed when we were ready to go to sleep. We missed having 4 beds in values.
We went to Chip and Dale campfire our first night and that was fun, and also went to pool another night. Had to take Ft Wilderness bus to pool. Didn't realize we were supposed to take our own towels (maybe because we don't ever go to the pool when at Disney?) so we ended up having to buy $75 worth of towels at the gift shop to avoid going all the way back to our cabin.
Bus transportation inside Ft Wilderness was TERRIBLE. on two different occasions we waited for the bus at the pool/camfire area for over 30 mins before just walking back to our cabin. We didn't have a golf cart but there is no way I would ever stay here without one again. Golf cart is a necessity not a luxury here.
Even going to the parks is a hassle with our own car because Ft WIlderness is so far removed. Took 10-15 mins just to get to TTC. We took Disney transportation one day to MK (bus and then boat to MK), but we were there for SWW so it made more sense for us to drive to parks.
We liked the full kitchen but didn't use it other than for breakfast (and we can do that in a regular room). I liked having coffee maker, but missed being able to walk to counter service and get something else for breakfast. We didn't realize that there was no counter service AT ALL here. Went to Trail's End one night (after waiting a long time for bus) hoping to grab a quick bite and ended up with a 45 minute wait for TS. Eating at 8:30 with 3 kids and toddler....you get the picture. Food was fine, but our kids were so crabby at that point that we didn't enjoy it at all.
Pros:
full kitchen, away from everything, close parking to cabinCons:
busses within campground, too far from parks, no CSReview of 1900 Park Fare Character Breakfast
Reviewed by brittos Review Date: 07/05/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
Ate here on the last morning at DW, on 6/14. The draw was seeing the Mad Hatter, Alice, Mary Poppins, Pooh, and Tigger. The food was average compared to other buffet breakfast during the week, and on previous visits to DW. Nothing to write home about. Character interaction was great. 3 year old dressed as Alice, so Alice and the Mad Hatter spent lots of time with her. She loved every moment of it!
