Most Recent Reviews
Review of Backlot Express
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (6) Recommended
We ate here on September 16, 2016, during a monsoon (e.g. normal Florida evening). The Darkside Chicken and Waffles were fine. Usual chicken fingers, but the Vadar waffles were too cute. Portion size was good and my hubby and split it as a snack.
It is a partly open-air restaurant, so it tends to be noisy. Metal chairs constantly dragged across tile floors and such, but the theming is fun if you take the time to look around - a storage area for movie props.
Unfortunately many of the tables were taken by people not eating, but just avoiding the rain, so that was a bit inconvenient. But all in all, if you are looking for a quick bite, it is just that.
Pros:
Vadar waffles!Cons:
NoisyReview of Coral Reef - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
We ate lunch at the Coral Reef on September 16, 2016. Instead of purchasing a large meal, my hubby and I shared three appetizers and we loved all of them. We ate the Frisee and Endive Salad, which was a very large portion and had a nice light dressing. Plenty of walnuts, cranberries and such. The Heirloom Tomatoes was a Caprese salad with tomatoes and mozzarella slices. Very tasty. We also had the Crispy Rhode Island Calamari and I could have eaten my weight in this appetizer. It was so good. Corn relish and sauce really set it off. All appetizers were a large size and we had plenty to eat between the two of us.
The dining room is set in three tiers (I believe) and we were on the second tier back from the tank on the front row. While it would have been nice to sit closer, I actually feel we could see everything much better from our vantage point. We could see all tank windows and could watch the animals come and go. Two sea turtles spared over a resting place by the window and the children seated there were very excited.
All in all a very nice experience.
Pros:
Atmosphere, tanks, appetizersCons:
NoneReview of Trolley Car Cafe - Starbucks
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (7) Recommended
On September 16, 2016, my hubby and I shared a fairly simple turkey sandwich as a snack. It was the usual pre-made, in a plastic container, so nothing beyond what you usually encounter at a Starbucks.
The location, while convenient, is also at the crossroads of Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard. It can be very crazy there at busy times of the day.
We took our sandwich and ate it in the outdoor seating for Starring Rolls, which is just across Sunset Boulevard. That is a relatively more peaceful setting.
Pros:
Convenient location, grab and goCons:
Can be a congested area at certain times of the dayReview of My Disney Girl's Perfectly Princess Tea
Reviewed by Granny1049 Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
My 4 year old granddaughter and I went to this Tea on 9/11/16. The Garden Tea Room is charming and we were greeted warmly. After her crowning and being sprinkled with rose petals, we went to our table where she was given her Princess Aurora doll. It was one of the most beautiful dolls I have seen and she was thrilled! Rose Petal was a wonderful hostess and very entertaining. When Aurora arrived she went from table to table and spent plenty of time with each girl. The girls were also each given a rose, a bracelet, a necklace, and a pink bag to carry all their "goodies" in. After our tea sandwiches which were very good and our Princess cake which was delicious, Aurora took the girls for a Princess Parade around the lobby of the Grand Floridian and then each girl had a portrait photo taken with their doll. This Princess Tea is a little pricey, but it turned out to be one of the best memories my granddaughter and I have ever made. I would recommend it to anyone (especially Grandma) who has a little girl who loves the princesses.
Pros:
Charming, treated the girls very special, doll was beautifulCons:
NoneReview of Sanaa Lunch/Dinner - Kidani Village
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
We ate here for the first time on September 16, 2016, for my hubby's birthday. It was a stellar experience!
The atmosphere is beautiful with highly decorated ceilings, Indian-style lamps and large windows affording a good view of the animals on the savannah. The staff is knowledgeable and very attentive.
The Indian Style Bread Service is a must do. My favorite bread was the Garlic Ginger Naan and the Papadum, which had a thick, spongy texture, but I found it interesting. We ordered all 9 accompaniments (for a mere $3 extra) and it was worth it. I wish I could tell you which dip I liked best, but the names don't help me remember. However, they serve them in order of hot to mild and I liked the medium hot the best. It could have been enough for a full meal for the two of us, but we bravely plowed on.
I ate the Tandoori Chicken and enjoyed the flavor. Spicy, but just the right inch. My hubby ordered the Potjie Inspired and his meat choices were the braised beef and spicy Durban shrimp. The beef was fork tender and very flavorful. The shrimp was spicy, but again, not too much for me to try a piece. We ended with a simple Indian strawberry sorbet.
I know some complain that the food is spicy, so remember that if you have a sensitive stomach. The menu is African and Indian-inspired. The name says it all.
It is not the easiest restaurant to get to. We had to take a bus from our resort, PORS, to the Animal Kingdom Park (or any other park, whichever bus comes first), then transfer to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The bus stopped first at Jambo House and since we love it so much, we wandered around there for a few minutes. It is a short walk to the Kidani Village or you can request a shuttle ride. It was a tolerable night, so we opted for the walk.
It was a wonderful experience and I can't wait to go back!
Pros:
Awesome!Cons:
Long travel timeReview of Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (7) Recommended
We grabbed a quick Southwest Burger here on September 13, 2016, during the MNSS Halloween Party. By the later hours of the party, it was one of the few places still open and it's never been a favorite of mine.
That being said, the burger was the standard, fairly large-sized sandwich. My hubby and I were able to split it as a snack. It came with tortilla chips, which I thought odd, till I remembered the toppings bar. We had at least three salsas to choose from and that saved the meal. There are also many toppings for your burgers or salads.
The seating is spread out and like a maze, so if you have a group you may lose each other. It can be a bit noisy and it's always crowded.
Pros:
Convenient if in FrontierlandCons:
Food selectionReview of Skipper Canteen
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (8) Recommended
My hubby and I ate an early dinner here on September 13, 2016, before the start of the MNSS Halloween Party. Of the three dining rooms, I can really only recommend the Library. The main mess hall is open air and can be a bit noisy and the other back room was near the waiter's station, so silverware clatter was constant. We asked nicely to be moved to the Library and were quickly and politely accommodated. In my opinion, it is the coolest room. Quieter, but decorated so beautifully with carved dragons and snakes. One circular table is surrounded by beautifully-mounted butterflies. Unusual stained glass light fixtures everywhere, even in the bathrooms. I loved the decor!
The food is fine, but nothing we got too excited about. I had the Tastes Like Chicken because it is! and it was a decent-sized portion of white meat that had been cooked a bit too long and the coating a bit too thick for my taste. My hubby had the Char Sui Pork and he enjoyed the flavor of the meat. The rice was a little bland and the Chinese broccoli was just okay. So, I would have liked maybe better side options or something to help it out.
Don't know if we will go back or not, but it's a nice one-time adventure.
Pros:
Decor, especially stained glass light fixturesCons:
Can be noisyReview of Beaches and Cream
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
We ate a late lunch here on September 14, 2016, after a day at Typhoon Lagoon. My hubby had to be very persistent and check often for an open reservation time. If you don't have a reservation, you will wait. It is a small space.
The decor is old-fashioned, seaside ice cream parlor. Bright colors, white and blue tile and such.
We shared a Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque combo. When I go again, I will get my own. It was amazing and I would have loved more. Then we shared a No Way Jose, which has to be shared. I saw someone eat one by themselves and I'm not sure how they did that. It was massive. It's a hot fudge sundae with a big dollop of peanut butter. I can still taste it!
It may be a bit hard to get to unless you are staying in the Boardwalk area. We were staying at PORS and had a car, so we drove. The Beach Club has limited parking and we had to let them know we had a restaurant reservation in order to gain entry. Otherwise, you could take a bus to Hollywood Studios Park and then the boat to the Yacht and Beach Club. It would be a time-consuming, but nice trip.
Pros:
Grilled cheese and No Way JoseCons:
Small and tight seatingReview of California Grill
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
We dined at the California Grill on September 14, 2016, for our anniversary. This was our second visit and the first since the renovations. Both times were seated in a back corner room by the window. So we were not in the main dining room with a view of the Magic Kingdom. However, it was quiet and romantic, and the view from our table was of the fireworks from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I prefer it to the open, main dining room. We walked out on the top for a view of Wishes.
The renovations have updated the color and lighting, but overall nothing too noticeable. It is still a wonderful, upscale restaurant with the menu to match.
We started with the Spicy Kazan Roll, which was a large portion and the spicy sauce in the middle was to die for! It was almost a meal in itself. My husband enjoyed the swordfish, but my pork was the best. I had never had lacquered belly before (it needs a new name lol), but it was my favorite part. Fork-tender and flavorful.
Excellent service as before and we didn't wait long for our table even though we arrived early for our reservation. It was a very memorable meal.
Pros:
Food with a ViewCons:
NoneReview of Gasparilla Island Grill
Reviewed by Tanasigirl Review Date: 09/27/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
We grabbed a snack here on the evening of September 12, 2016. We like to tour the monorail resorts on our first night, so we popped in and shared a Cuban panini with cucumber salad. Very flavorful and plenty for me and my hubby.
The best part about this little gem is the view of Cinderella's castle from your table. You don't have to pay the big bucks to have a nice, relaxing view.
