Most Recent Reviews
Review of Garden Grocer
Reviewed by mcmouse Review Date: 04/18/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
We tried Garden Grocer for the first time this year. We found it to be a great money saver. We placed our order online enough in advance to receive a 10% discount. Delivery fee was $14. with a minimum order of $40. Just ordering a case of water is a huge money saver when the price of a bottle of water at the World is $2.75. We ordered munchies, and lots of breakfast foods, along with OJ and milk, so we could get out of our room earlier in the AM, and also, of course, to save $$$ on breakfasts. Delivery is made to bell services, and they keep your refrigerated things cold until you call and ask them to deliver everything to your room. Groceries are brought in sturdy paper bags (eco friendly). We will certainly use this service again. A great idea!
Pros:
cost effectiveCons:
—Review of Bay Lake Tower (Disney Vacation Club)
Reviewed by GoldenOakDreaming Review Date: 04/19/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
This is our Home Resort. The rooms are clean, service is great, if there is a problem the desk sends someone ASAP. Walk to the MK, buses are out your front door, and Epcot is just a Monorail hop away. The Top Of The World Lounge is an awesome spot for cocktails and fireworks. This is a fantastic place to vacation.
Pros:
Transportation so closeCons:
Check in at The ContemporaryReview of Yachtsman Steakhouse
Reviewed by rickg Review Date: 04/21/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
My wife and I eat here at least once a year when we come to WDW. We always ask for Oscar to wait on us. He really takes care of us. Yes the food is good, particularly the steaks. But we can get pretty good steaks in Kansas City too. So, what makes this place special is the service in general, and Oscar in particular. Our last visit was on 4/16/2016. My wife and I could not find the tomato and mozzarella appetizer on the menu that we have enjoyed so much in the past. We asked Oscar if we could get that appetizer even thought it was not on the menu. Oscar said let me check. After a while, he came back to us and said the chef could make one up for each of us. When Oscar brought them out to us he told us the chef had to send a person to another kitchen to get the mozzarella cheese and tomato, because, since this item is not on the menu, they don't keep them in their kitchen. This is an example of the kind of excellent service this restaurant, and Oscar, provide.
Pros:
Service, ambiance, foodCons:
NoneReview of Morimoto Asia
Reviewed by rickg Review Date: 04/21/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
My wife and I have eaten at Morimoto Asia twice. The most recent visit was on 4/12/2016 for lunch. We both had the Morimoto lunch special for $26.00 that includes miso soup and house salad Choice of California Roll with white or brown rice. I had both California roll with white rice and ate my wife's California roll with brown rice. The white rice tasted better. We both had orange chicken. It was excellent. Also included was a dumpling and kimchi. I did not think I likes kimchi, but I liked this kimchi. They have several different kinds of tea. We both had the Jasmine pearl dragon tea. It was very good. The service was good, the restaurant was very clean and we likes the atmosphere.
Pros:
Excellent food and atmosphereCons:
NoneReview of Le Cellier Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Dave s Review Date: 04/19/2016
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
My wife and I had dinner reservation for 430. We were seated fairly quickly to a crowded seating area. I must say before I continue that we have been to every country for lunch and dinner in the Epcot world showcase. In fact, we go every month. We were saving Canada for last thinking and hearing that it was the best place to eat at world showcase. To make it short and sweat. We both had the steak dinners for 52$ and split a bowl of soup. The steak was great. Unfortunately, not much else came with it, the bread was nice but the side items the came with the steak were maybe two mouthfuls. Definitely not worth the 140 for 2 steaks and a bowl of soup and that's with water to drink.
Like I said, been at every single restaurant at world showcase multiple times. Don't waste your money here.
My favorites are still Germany for lunch, Mexico for dinner, rose and crown isn't bad and teppen edo is a safe bet
Pros:
Good steakCons:
Small portions of everything but steakReviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 04/23/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
Our family- myself, DW, DS & DD (15 yo twins) enjoyed a 5 night stay Apr 12-17. We had stayed club level @ BC in 2014 and were very pleasantly surprised by the renovations that had taken place since that last trip. To start, our 1 bedroom suite was furnished with what seemed to be brand new furniture. We had noticed on our last stay that the rooms were starting to look a bit run down. Disney did a great job of completely refurbishing everything...new paint, wood trim etc. The furniture was placed differently which opened up space and made the room feel larger. There isn't quite the level of theming we'd seen in the past, but the room was very well appointed. And honestly, we kind of enjoyed a respite from the constant Mouse reminders. There were subtle touches that reminded us of where we were but it also felt more like the upscale experience you'd expect for the cost. We really liked it.
We were also very happy about the expansion to the Stone Harbor Club room. The new area, which looks great, has to be 3 times the size of the old room, which could get quite crowded. There were many more tables available and much more room to maneuver around the food offerings. I think that was a major concern in the past and nice to see Disney respond by expanding.
We had arrived late and checked in at the front desk as SH was closed (Rachel was super as was Front Desk Mgr Tea). I had set up our ADRs & special events so we didn't require the services of the SH concierge cast members. But they were very friendly each time we visited the club and I saw them working with other guests quite a bit. The food offerings at SH were similar to what we've had in the past. They had a nice selection of breakfast items including bagels, pastries, fresh fruit with yogurt dips etc. Afternoon snacks were adequate, dinner offerings were all very good and it was nice having access to pop, beer & wine. The club cast members were all very friendly and welcoming, eager to help with requests for to-go coffee cups or a beer for dad at the end of the day. They did a great job of keeping the lounge clean and the offerings available & stocked. Everyone was top notch.
Mousekeeper Michelle did a great job and was very flexible working around our schedule. But no towel animals? 🙁
IMHO...no review of the BC can be complete without touching on two aspects...First, the unparalleled awesomeness of Stormalong Bay. It has to be one of the best resort pool areas in the universe. So nice to just spend a lazy day there. It's traditionally where we decompress on our first morning/afternoon. We always enjoy a room service pizza under the gazebo and a treat from Beaches & Cream. Pixie dust heaven.
And can it get any better?! Are you kidding?! It's Disney!! Of course it can!!! We were in room 3501...the very furthest Eastern end of the resort. A good stretch of the legs heading back to SH or the lobby (GPS would be helpful). But, oh my...we walk out a stairway exit door next to our room and we're literally 100 yards from the International Gateway entrance to Epcot...our favorite park. How cool is that?
You're also just across Crescent Lake from the Boardwalk area and all that it offers. And with the Yacht Club, Swan & Dolphin added in, you've got a really nicely varied selection of restaurants to choose from.
Another exceptional experience all the way around. BC is our default resort and we encourage everyone to stay there.
Pros:
Refurbished Rooms, Enlarged Stone Harbor room, Proximity to EpcotCons:
NoneReview of Walt Disney World Swan (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by bjtrax Review Date: 04/21/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed at the Swan April2-9. Location graet- walked to Studios, Epcot, Boardwalk. Bus service OK. Beautiful, newly renovated room. The 2 sinks are nice to have. Pool areas nice and all of staff friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay at the Swan again!
Pros:
Location, staff, pool areasCons:
—Review of Trattoria al forno - Breakfast
Reviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 04/23/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
Had reservations for 9:30a on 4/13. Tim, Coty & Migdalena welcomed us and we were seated immediately. DS & DD had the pancakes with berry compote which they both devoured. I tried a little and the blueberry/raspberry/cranberry compote was very good...not overly sweet. The whipped cream took care of that.
I had the frittata and was very happy. Really flavorful although a bit too much Romano for my taste (easily solved...I just scraped a little off and it was perfect). Coffee was really good, the orange juice was freshly squeezed and my daughter enjoyed her pink grapefruit juice.
Our server, Amy, was very pleasant and took wonderful care of us. Place wasn't crowded at all and we enjoyed the experience very much.
It is a bit pricey...total for the three of us was $56 + change & tip. That was 3 meals, two juices, a milk & a coffee. But portions were large. DD couldn't finish her pancakes and I took a big breath before the last forkful of frittata (this did not present a problem for DS, however. He's 15 and has a hollow leg. He finished his sister's cakes & bacon). And the quality was exceptional. Everything was very fresh. I feel like I got some value for that dollar amount. This meal fueled our day in the park.
Pros:
Quality of foodCons:
NoneReview of 50's Prime Time Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 04/23/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
What a great experience. Had 6:00pm res but was holding Fastpasses for Toy Story for that same window. I thought we could probably make it, but I didn't want to rush through dinner. We approached the front desk around 5:30. I explained the situation to cast member Jenny and asked if there were any way we could be seated earlier than our res. She advised me there was a 40 min wait but she'd see what she could do. Kids & I took a seat hoping for the best. Pixie dust was falling and not 5 minutes later Phil calls out our name. Beautiful...thank you Jenny!
Phil was a hoot...we joked around while he walked us to our table. Great guy. Our server Carmelo was equally friendly and into character. My DS & DD are 15 and the three of us engaged in some lively banter with Carmelo. Big smiles all around. Kids dug the décor.
Our meal was just incredible. We shared an onion ring appetizer. Great big, thick slices of onion in a sweet beer batter. Horseradish dip was tasty. DD had Grandma's Chicken Pot Pie which she raved about. I had Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken...juicy & crispy...excellent. But we all agreed the Mom's Old Fashioned Pot Roast my son ordered was the best of the 3. I make a pretty mean pot roast...my kids love it. I asked my boy if Mom's was as good as mine. He sheepishly informed me it was better. I completely agreed...tender, juicy & full of flavor. I downloaded the recipe yesterday. Chocolate shakes all around. They were really good and so big we left with to-go cups and finished it while walking to Toy Story.
One of the best moments was when another cast member pranked my son. He was standing at another table with a cat toy...long stick with a feather at the end...and stuck it through the shelving unit directly behind us. Touching the feather to my kid's ear. My boy was kind of freaked out at first, thinking it was a big bug. But once we figured it out, we all had a huge laugh. I mean milk out your nose kind of laughter. I think the cast member's name was Art...he came over and asked my son if he was feeling okay...looked kind of jumpy. My daughter was just eating all this up and everyone was laughing uncontrollably. What a great memory. I love Disney.
We all agree this was the best meal and experience we had all week. Very highly recommended. We easily made that Fastpass, BTW.
Pros:
Great food, entertaining servers, kitschy atmosphereCons:
NoneReviewed by MouseDaddy Review Date: 04/23/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
Party of 9 of us, 5 adults 4 kids 15 & under, ate here for lunch on 4/16. No reservation...just walked up around 1:15 and were seated immediately.
Our server, Evan, was friendly & attentive. Very knowledgeable about the menu and she checked on us regularly. A few picky eaters in this group and they were flexible about changes to the menu.
We had been strolling around Disney Springs checking out all the changes. We were with friends who now live in the area and their daughter suggested we eat here. Raved about their burgers. I was a little skeptical honestly but she's a very wise young lady. Food was exceptionally good. Our group ordered everything from sushi to salads. Unanimous in the opinion that everything was fresh & tasty. Special mentions for the pulled pork sandwich, the Black Jack and the BBQ chicken salad. I know my bacon cheeseburger was outstanding.
Surprisingly good food experience and we'll definitely eat here again on future trips.
