Most Recent Reviews
Reviewed by dreams Review Date: 05/15/2016
Rating: (8) Recommended
Room: This was our 3rd time staying at Riverside. We stayed 8 nights the beginning of May in a Royal Guest Room with a Garden View in Oak Manor. The room was very magical. I loved the fireworks in the headboards and the pictures of the princesses on the walls. All the little touches of detail from the rug to the lights to the faucets were great. Wish the tub/shower room was a little bigger, even just another foot of space would have made a big difference. Liked the extra hangers in the closet area but really missed the alarm clock and wall-mounted hair dryer. Being in our 60s we requested a room on the first floor but were assigned one on the second. Every other night there were movies in our courtyard which we could hear from inside our room. They were usually over by 10:00 but some lasted a little longer. If something like this would bother you than make sure you don't get a room in the fountain courtyard at Oak Manor. Housekeeping did a great job the week we were there, they even left us 3 towel creations.
Pools: We used the quiet pool next to our building because there was never a crowd to deal with. The main pool looks like a lot of fun for families and young people. All the kids looked like they were having a great time.
Food: This is one of the reasons for the #8 rating. We felt the quality of the food had slipped from our previous visits. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either, just ok and more expensive. The food court was very busy in the morning leaving no available tables to eat at several mornings so we took our food to the table-service restaurant to eat. A much quieter place to eat anyway. I love to get the Mickey waffle for breakfast every morning and I like some strawberries on it. In the past it used to come with strawberries, on our last visit they changed it to an awful banana topping but I would just ask for a small cup of strawberries and they would give them to me. This time they refused to give me any even though I was willing to pay for them except the morning that a manager was helping out. She gave me a cup of strawberries with no problem. Not a way anyone wants to start their day. I wish I could have bought a bigger container of strawberries and then I would have just brought a few with me every morning but that was not one of the fruits available for purchase.
Staff: This is the other reason for the #8 rating. Our first day we arrived very early so we knew our room would not be ready until later. We made plans for the day and had rented a car from the Car Care Center at Disney. Our phones did not work at the resort (pay as you go phones) so I went to the desk to see if they could call the car center for the shuttle. They said they could not call, I explained that our phones were not working and we had just arrived so we didn't have a room yet, they finally directed me to a phone in the lobby. We ended up having to take a taxi to the car center (taxis from the resort start at $2.40 just getting into the car). Continuing with the phone problems I needed to make a call from our room the next day to a relative in Florida. The front desk called our room twice that day and left us a message to come to the front desk or call. When we returned to our room later and got the messages I walked to the lobby to see what the problem was. I had made a $3.00 phone call and we did not have a credit card on file. I did not want to leave a credit card and I told them that I would probably need to make a few more calls and would it be all right if I paid for all of them when we checked out. I was told that would be fine but the next morning we woke up to the same message again. We gave up and gave the front desk our debit card.
Transportation: We used the buses for 5 days of our trip. We used the South Depot after we had breakfast to get the buses. It was crowded and we had to stand a few days but we liked the board at the bus stop that told us when the next bus would be there. We used the boat several times to go to Disney Springs. It's very relaxing and usually not too crowded. For taxis see above. We love the Magical Express. So nice just tagging our luggage when we leave home and not worrying about it again. When it was time to come home it was very easy checking our luggage at the resort and getting our boarding passes before we left for the airport.
Entertainment: Movies and an arcade, a pirate cruise for kids, bikes and horse and carriage rides. A must see is Yee Haa Bob. A very entertaining show. He gets everyone involved.
A lot of people complain about the walking involved at the resort but we enjoyed walking over to the lobby or to get a bus because of the picturesque views along the way.
Pros:
Clean resort with a lot to doCons:
Large resortReview of Chef Mickey's Dinner
Reviewed by KBates Review Date: 05/15/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
My family of 4 ate here many years ago and we remembered it being fantastic, but we hadn't been there since, even though we visit Disney every year! We decided to go again last year, 2015, (My parents and my Fiance' and I). We had booked the day our dining options were available and it was already hard to get in! We went in August (it was very hot out) but we were ready for a great buffet dinner. We got there and they take your family picture which was nice because I don't remember them doing this many years ago. When we were called in and directed to our table everyone was so nice and explained what the different foods were. My fiance' was excited to see all the different dessert choices they had. I have a beef allergy and there was plenty of food to choose from. And then the characters came around and we got pictures with every one of them. Also, the waitress noticed it was my parents 25th year anniversary and they gave them a celebration mickey cupcake with a candle on it! The food was absolutely delicious I would definitely recommend it!!
Pros:
price, atmosphere, charactersCons:
need to make reservation well in advance!Review of Yak and Yeti Restaurant
Reviewed by dreams Review Date: 05/15/2016
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
We did not have a reservation but we stopped in and asked if they were taking walk-ins and how long the wait was? We were told 10-15 minutes so we gave them our name and waited and waited. Every time someone else came in and asked the girls at the desk told them a different wait time. One girl would say 15 minutes, another would say 30 minutes. We checked back after 25 minutes and were told we were next. 15 minutes later we were seated at a table by the door so we did not experience any atmosphere. Our waiter Paul was great. We ordered the green beans with chili sauce for an appetizer and for our entrees I ordered Chicken Teriyaki Kabobs and my husband ordered Sweet and Sour Chicken. We both agreed our meals were ok but not great. We had better take-out at home. For the price we would probably not go back.
Pros:
good waiterCons:
nothing specialReview of Biergarten - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by dreams Review Date: 05/15/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
This was our first time at the Biergarten. We had reservations for lunch. You are seated with other families to eat. We are a couple in our 60s and were seated with a young couple and their 4 children. While this pairing could have been a disaster we were very lucky. This young family was very friendly and the children were very well behaved. We would not have enjoyed it if the children were rowdy and unmannered. There was a large assortment of food, cold and hot. Everything we tried we liked including all the different sausages. The desserts were all delicious. It's nice that they are cut in small pieces so you can try everything. The show was very entertaining and we enjoyed the music. The only problem I have is I can't eat a large amount of food so the price, although it includes the show, was a one time only meal.
Pros:
Fun AtmosphereCons:
costReview of ESPN Club
Reviewed by dreams Review Date: 05/15/2016
Rating: (8) Recommended
We enjoy going to ESPN on every trip. This time when we arrived they were doing renovations but were open. We were seated right away and had a great waitress, Rocky. She took the time to explain that they were in the process of changing the menu from bar food to more sit-down meals. That was a little disappointing since we came for bar food but we stayed. We were not very hungry so we were looking for just a little to eat. I had a margarita flatbread and my husband ordered the turkey sandwich. We split a piece of pineapple upside down cake for dessert. While we enjoyed our meal we miss the old menu. There are enough table service expensive restaurants in WDW we always enjoyed going to ESPN for snack food that was affordable.
Pros:
A lot of TVsCons:
change in menuReview of All Star Music Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by MickMinnMom Review Date: 05/17/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our family of 4 stayed here 5/10-5/15 in one of the Family Suites. I didn't quite know what to expect but it was great! The Calypso building is very close to the food court & bus stops so that was very convenient. The theming throughout the resort is nice & the main pool is very nice. (We didn't get to try out any of the other pools). The food court was like all the others & tended to get full at prime times. Our room was great. We had a 2 bathrooms (which made getting ready in the morning for the 4 of us so much easier) & the couch pulled out to a double bed which was comfortable. We didn't need the chair but it did open up to a single bed if needed. There was a mini kitchen with coffee pot & microwave & mini fridge. Some silverware & paper plates & cups were provided. Each bathroom had it's own safe & a privacy curtain to help getting ready in morning easier. There was a tv in the living room & 1 in the bedroom as well. Housekeeping was fine & staff throughout was friendly & helpful. Movie night was held most nights out by the outside of the food court building. All in all we were pleased with our stay & the for the price we paid for the extra room by choosing the Fam suites instead of a standard room. Much more pleasant for 4 adults in the room. I'd definitely stay here again. (We've stayed in resorts in all 3 price levels on site & feel for the Value level this was a good one.)
Pros:
good value, cute hotel layoutCons:
—Review of T-Rex
Reviewed by meffajen13 Review Date: 05/17/2016
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
All I can say is DO NOT GO THERE. I got the Fish and Chips and then ended up sick. Without going into great detail, I was up all night. I was unable to leave my room. I had to miss the Star Wars 5k that I was signed up for. Out $75 right there. Fortunately I was able to do the 10k and Half Marathon on Saturday and Sunday. I tried calling the restaurant the next day to report the incident and got voicemail. I left a message and they never called back. Nice customer service, not even a SORRY!!
Pros:
Cute atmosphereCons:
Got SickReviewed by Fredd Review Date: 05/18/2016
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
I attended last years 'Not so scary Party' in September, my 3rd party over the years.
I was amazed at the size of the crowds, much larger than on any previous visit to the Magic Kingdom going back to 1983.
The transition between the day & night crowds was very well handled but the volume of the crowd meant that there were long queues for everything, including the restrooms!
Not all attractions were open on the night we attended and the queue for the Seven Dwarf's Mine train was unbelievable.
The handouts at the 'Goofy Candy Company stands were very small in contrast with previous years but the queues very, very long and slow moving.
If you hadn't attended a 'Not so scary Party' before don't miss it but if you have been before consider saving your money for something else like a good meal at one of the better restaurants!
Pros:
Halloween costuming of guests & Park.Cons:
Huge crowds & reduced trick or treat candies.Reviewed by maze4 Review Date: 05/30/2016
Rating: (7) Recommended
Began trip 5/16, arrived very early room wasnt ready but was told what bldg it was in. Requested bldg 18 Alligator Bayou, connecting corner room. Was told we paid for preferred room that is only bldg 14. All info I had was bldgs 14 & 18. Received text 4pm with room #. got wwhat requested on 2nd floor room facing other bldgs not as pretty but ok. Mousekeeping awesome, took boats to Disney Springs, ate at Boatwrights, used trundle bed for dd7. My ds23 tried it he is 5'9 did not work. Also took carriage ride which was very nice.
Now for bad: we upgraded from All stars which is where we have stayed many times, we switched because of too many teenages being left unsupervised and being out of control. Didnt experience that here but used the main pool and it was always crowded no chairs available. People would put towels to hold them and then never use them. I lost count how many times the lifeguards had to jump in to grab small children who went down the slide unattended. The force of the water would hold you under and small children needed a parent to catch them at the bottom. No parents around. Really? Tried to use hot tub but a small boy arounf 6 or 7 decuded to use it as his personal pool. He would jump in do tricks and splash everyone we were not able to just sit and relax. And again no parent to be found so we left. And finally the mosquitoes were aweful. We used bug spray and still got bit up. The worst was the busing. Apparently you pay more $ to stay at a nicer resort and you still get herded onto the buses like cattle. We used the south stop which was the last stop in the resort. I paid for preferred room for convenience and there was nothing convenient about it. Never got a seat had to stand everytime. As a family we decided this is NOT the resort for us.
Pros:
Quiet, pretty landscape, boats to Disney SpringsCons:
Bus stops, mosquitoesReview of Garden Grocer
Reviewed by maze4 Review Date: 05/30/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
First time user. Wanted to try since was staying 9 days and didnt want to pack so much. As a family we connected the laptop to our tv and viewed yhe website to make selections. That made it fun during the planning process. We ordered early to get discount. Received text, email, and phone call letting me know items were waiting at resort. We stayed 5/16-5/24 and actually had alot of food leftover. My milk froze but that was resort issue not GG. Will use this service again. Did not request special items but will next time ie. Alcohol, specialty yogurts etc
