Most Recent Reviews
Review of Columbia Harbour House
Reviewed by mmfan Review Date: 03/20/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We had not eaten here for several years, although we visit the World at least yearly - guess we kind of overlooked it even though we had eaten there before. We were so glad we returned, our experience was great.
We ate lunch here during our first day 02/21/13 right after we entered the park. We were hungry and tired after the arrival and checking in process. MK was very busy, so we went to where we thought would be a restful spot -- and we were right.
We were a little nervous when we saw the refurbishing scrims up, but no need to worry, once inside the experience was as usual. The lines moved very quickly, and there were cast members waiting to assist and answer questions. We ordered the chicken salads and drinks, and headed up the stairs to find a table.
The best place to eat and people watch is to snag a table on the bridge over the walkway to Fantasyland. It was quiet, restful, and people watching was great! Our salads were very good with lots of chicken. We planned the rest of our day, relaxed and just enjoyed being HERE - at the MK, our favorite place. Be sure to head upstairs for the most enjoyable experience. The menu had changed somewhat from our previous visits - for the better, and all the meals we saw looked plentiful and good. The dining areas were kept clean and there were lots of cast members chatting with folks to answer any questions and
offer suggestions.
We will put this counter service spot back on our must do list.
Pros:
upstairs bridge great place to relax, good foodCons:
—Reviewed by the7dwarfsandme Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Port Orleans Riverside has been our home away from home for quite some time now, but the rooms had been looking a little rundown from the countless guests that have been through them. However, on our most recent trip, we got to see the redone rooms. First, we had no idea how to enter the room...luckily there was a maid cleaning a room two doors down, who showed us that we had to hold our room key against the lock to open it. (I really love this new technology. We found you didn't even need to remove the card from your wallet. The door could read the card through the leather. So cool!) We always stay in the mansions, and I love the new decor there. It feels very classic with hidden Mickeys sprinkled in. My favorite new feature is the thermostat. In past trips, we either froze or had heatstroke in our room. With this new thermostat, it is easy to program the room to your perfect temperature! Strolling aaround this resort and taking in its beauty never gets old. I can't wait to go back next year!
Pros:
Tranquility, theme, amenities, staffCons:
—Review of Disney Dining Plan
Reviewed by DisneyDad61 Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (6) Recommended
When the dining plan was first introduced in 2005, we were huge fans! At that time, our family of 4 included an 8 year old and a 2 year old. My wife and I paid about $35 each per day and we paid about $10 a day for our 8 year old. Our 2 year old was free. With taxes included, we paid about $80 a day. It allowed us 1 table service (TS), 1 counter service(CS), and a snack each day. We were thrilled that we could dine at restaurants that we would not normally dine at because of the prices. We saved hundreds of dollars. Disney has obviously discovered they were not charging enough for the plan. 8 years later, the plan now costs about $58 a day. Now that both of our children are over 10, we all have to pay the adult price (interesting since you have to be at least 14 to be admitted to the parks as an adult). The Dining plan would now cost us about $230 a day bringing the total dining cost for a 6 night stay to about $1370. The $1370 cost is not your final total on the dining plan-don’t forget it does not include tips which could easily total $150. You do each get a refillable mug, but when you already get drinks included with the your 2 meals a day, then they really expect you to drink a lot! It is also important to note that just because you purchase the dining plan, don’t be misled to think that you will have no more food costs. There are a few more incidental snack and breakfast costs to consider. It is very likely that a 6 night stay would cost us around $1600 for food only. It is also important to note that each CS and TS meal comes with a dessert. Our family rarely orders a dessert with our meal.
The DDP is a fixed cost for convenience. It is for those who want to pay a premium and is also nice for less frequent visitors who are not familiar with all the restaurants and prices to know what they like and how much it will cost. When visiting the parks, you are captive, so Disney knows that it is inconvenient for you to dine off site.
We are planning a trip to WDW in June and have made only a couple of dining reservations and will dine at some of the CS restaurants. We will have the option of sharing meals and and not be “forced†to order a dessert at any restaurant. We plan to take breaks from the parks during lunch and go back to our room for sandwiches or something simple. We have calculated our dining costs to be around $600 to $700 which is still expensive for a week of vacation, but far less than $1600. I cannot see paying another $900 to $1000 for convenience.
The best advice I can give is look at the menus on this website to estimate your costs for each meal and then compare it to what you would actually pay if you were not on the plan. It is almost a sure bet that you will dine at different places if you are not on the DDP however, if you plan on dining at expensive TS meals anyway, the DDP may fit your needs.
Pros:
ConvenienceCons:
PriceReview of Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by mgilmore Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I have stayed at POP 5 times, and really love the theming here. I also love the fact that they have their own dedicated buses that serve this resort alone, and don't share with the All Stars.
I recently spent a week at WDW from March 6-12 2013, for my birthday.
My only complaint is as others have said...the beds are a bit hard. I prefer a softer mattress.
Honestly, I spend all day at the parks, morning till night. All I do in my room is sleep and shower. It was a little too cool during this trip to swim.
Mousekeeping this trip was the best ever! She left me messages every day along with a towel animal or she did amazing designs with the towels near the sink area. I was very pleased.
Pros:
Love the decorCons:
Hard bedsReview of Flying Fish Cafe
Reviewed by mgilmore Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I dined here during my recent 7 day trip on March 6th. I was really looking forward to trying FF for the first time and it did NOT disappoint.
Since I was a single diner, I requested to sit at the long table in front of the open stage kitchen. My request was honored.
Service was impeccable here. My server was a very experienced gentleman. From start to finish, I was treated very well. I was presented with a personalized menu (I was celebrating my birthday).
He took the time to go through the entire menu, and make recommendations. My server was very good at his job. I was very pleased. A bread service was presented while I waited for my appetizer.
I chose the signature appetizer of Jonah crabcake and Ceasar salad. Delicious. For my entree I chose the Duo Filet & Potato wrapped Snapper. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the flavors were fantastic. I ordered a pear Martini to go with my entree. It was good albeit a bit strong for my tastes.
The chefs cooking, often struck up conversations, and were happy to answer questions. I was surprised when the Chef de Cuisine stopped over to wish me a Happy Birthday.
For dessert I had the Carmelized Banana Napoleon.
I was happy with my choice, it was delicious.
The pacing of my meal was good, it was not rushed at all.
I was overall very happy with my meal and service.
Pros:
Watching & Conversing with Chefs in the open kitchen.Cons:
None that I experienced.Review of My Disney Experience
Reviewed by mgilmore Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I had the opportunity during my 7 day trip to use the RFID on my KTTW card this month from March 6-12, 2013.
I stayed on Property at Pop Century.
At check-in they had me choose a passcode for my card, and taught me how to use the card.
What was really nice was my resort room had the RFID feature too! When going to unlock my resort room door, all I had to do was hold my KTTW card up to the RFID on the door and it unlocked instantly! Very nice!
I also had the opportunity to use the RFID gates at ALL of the parks, and it made entry so quick and easy! You hold your card up to the RFID, then put your finger on the machine and it turns green and you are in.
I like the new system.
I also had the chance to use it in Epcot when I made a couple of purchases to charge back to my room. You hold your card up to the reader then enter your passcode. It was so easy.
Pros:
Easy to useCons:
None that I experienced.Review of Kona Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by mgilmore Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
I had the opportunity to eat at Kona for the first time during my March 2013 trip. I had a late breakfast at 10am. The restaurant was not crowded. Since it was my first time here, I had to have the Tonga Toast with bacon & Press Pot coffee.
My server Eric was so nice! He took my order and went to prepare my Press pot of coffee. I was a little disappointed when my breakfast was delivered only 2 mins later by another server, and I hadn't even gotten my coffee yet. It was as if they had the food already made & ready to deliver to a customer...it was that fast.
My server was a bit upset about it when he delivered my Press pot of coffee. He apologized even though it wasn't his fault.
Nevertheless, the food was very good as was the coffee. If you are a coffee lover, definitely get the Press Pot of Kona coffee. You won't be disappointed.
The tonga toast came with a strawberry compote (tasted exactly like the 1900 park fare strawberry soup) and regular syrup. It was a big portion and I couldn't finish it all, but it was really good.
My server Eric was a great server, and made my breakfast enjoyable.
Pros:
Great Service!Cons:
pacing of the meal was fast.Review of Citricos
Reviewed by mgilmore Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Dined here for the first time on Thurs March 8th 2013.
I really enjoyed everything about the meal.
My server presented me with a personalized menu that said Happy Birthday, and my full name on it.
My server was professional and knowledgable.
I ordered the Sauteed shrimp appetizer...WOW this was so good. I would have eaten 2 more bowls of it. It was delicious.
For my entree I ordered the Filet. It was nicely presented atop barley risotto, with a cabernet demi-glace. It was cooked at a perfect medium as ordered.
For dessert I had coffee and Chocolate lava cake with belgium chocolate crown. It was heavenly.
My server also presented me with a special birthday dessert that had a small cone with a scoop of gelato, and a chocolate decoration that said "happy birthday" and a whipped cream with a birthday candle. It was really nice!
I was so happy with my meal and service at Citricos. I plan to dine here again.
Pros:
Great service and cuisineCons:
None that I experienced.Review of Chef Mickey's Breakfast
Reviewed by mgilmore Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
I dined here on Fri March 9th for breakfast.
Had a 7am ressie, so the restaurant was practically empty.
They took my picture first with the statue of Chef Mickey. I had photopass + so they gave me my picture at the table no additional cost.
**Not sure why they don't have your pic taken with the real Chef Mickey...At Donald's Safari breakfast at Tusker House in AK, you get your pic taken with the real safari Donald.**
I don't go here for the food, I go for the fun atmosphere, and character dining.
I was celebrating my birthday. My server was bright and bubbly...like someone I knew for years. Since I was dining alone, she made it a point to be around when the characters circulated through so she could take pictures for me.
I'm not a picky eater, so the buffet breakfast was fine for me. They had lots of fresh fruits, and Mickey waffles which are my favorite.
The characters were fun and they treated me like a kid again. I had a really fun meal! I love the napkin twirling!
After my meal I hopped on the monorail to Epcot for Rope Drop!
Pros:
Fun atmosphere and good serviceCons:
Food could be betterReview of Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Disney6Pack Review Date: 03/21/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Party of 5 (me, DD15, DD14, DS12, and DD10) dined here during Mardi Gras break for my DD14’s birthday. This is our favorite restaurant at WDW and we eat here on every visit. Had made reservations online months prior, but could only get 7:45pm reservation. We were starving at 5:30pm, so we stopped by to see if we could get in early. The CM said that a table would be ready in about 10 minutes, but it wasn’t the normal car with 3 rows of seating; it was a table with the seats facing each other (3 on one side/ 3 on the other side) with a car part at both ends of the table. I said this was fine and we would wait for it. I reminded them of my DD’s birthday and ordered a cake for dessert. We were seated promptly and the CM was extremely friendly. I reminded him also of my DD’s birthday and the cake. We all enjoyed our food. I had the turkey club with cucumber salad, 2 DDs had the build your own burger with fries, youngest DD had kid’s meal burger, and DS had kid’s meal chicken nuggets and a chocolate shake. CM was over-to-top... checked on us frequently, refilling drinks, and gave the 2 youngest kids driver’s licenses for finishing their meals. He gave the birthday girl a glow cube which she loved. He came to me as we were finishing the meal and quietly said he was sorry, but they were out of chocolate cakes. They had sent someone to Mama Melrose’s to get us a cake and it would be here shortly. The wait was a bit too long for the cake and the CM apologized several times, but it was ok because we were enjoying watching the silly movie reel. Finally the cake came and even put candles on it. We all sang happy birthday to her and the CM took a picture of our group with my camera. The cake was just under $20 and it was larger than I thought it would be. The 5 of us ate one half of the cake and he gave a go-box to take the rest back to hotel with us. Even though we have always loved sitting in the regular cars, this table worked out great for us, allowing us to celebrate the birthday more easily. The entire dining experience was wonderful and reinforced in me why we love Disney so much. They have always provided us with that extra bit of magic that we will always remember.
