Most Recent Reviews
Reviewed by prncsmom Review Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
This was our first time attending the party and will likely be our last. We attended on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. We arrived early (we had park hopper passes for the week) and the park was already hopping - unbeknownst to us this was a night Disney offered discount admissions to cast members, so it added to the crowds. We got our bags and wrist bands and then the down pour happened. People were trying to take cover while they cleared out the park of non-party attendees. It was a bit chaotic to say the least. The trick or treat lines were long and going from station to station ate up a bulk of our time. We did a ride or two, but it was that or wait for character photos and not trick or treat. We did manage to see the second parade because we stopped to take a break and the cast member said now would be a good time to secure seats. It was a good, but not great parade. We did see some of the last of the night Hocus Pocus show - our son was tired and we decided to leave a bit early...as well as everyone else did staying at the resorts. Getting a bus back to the hotel was not easy and the drivers were impatient and frankly a bit rude to cram as many people on as they could - the other passengers who had never attended felt the party wasn't worth the price either. That was a theme we ran into for the remainder of the week - just not worth it. For the money - use it for park hoppers or add the water park or treat yourself to something nice to take home - the party was average and not worth it in our opinion.
Pros:
Lots of CandyCons:
Over crowded, tremendously long waits for photos, hard to see the parade, show and trick or treatReview of Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by LLSS Review Date: 09/26/2016
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
We have stayed at the Pop numerous times and it is usually pretty good. This was a last minute trip just for MMNSHP, so we figured it would be a quick in and out of the hotel, no need to go all out on expenses. The room was ok. We didn't use the food court at all. However, it was not a great stay. First real problem is the other guests. It's hard to really kill a hotel based on what the other guests are like, but it really made the experience terrible. Things such as guests smoking wherever they wanted (near the busses, outside their door, etc.) with no cast members around to take care of it.
So, while I don't put that completely on the hotel, I do put the next bit on them. We did online checkin, and after taking our bags to our room (no issues getting in), I went to get our parking pass. The cast member proceeded to check me in and filled out a map for me (I had already told him we are in the room). No big deal. However, he sent me to the 80s building, room 8621. That is not where my text message (and subsequently where my family was currently at having our magic bands let us in) told us. Further, if you have been here before, you know that at the Pop, the building number is the first digit (hence he circled 80s), and the floor is the second digit (so if you were in 8212, you would be 80s building, floor 2). The Pop is all 3 stories, meaning not only does that room not exist, but it is impossible to exist at this resort. This shows me that Disney has cut a lot of training of their staff at this hotel, and that is unforgivable to me. For those wondering what happened, we had reservations starting the next day at a different hotel and that is the room he was pulling up. Once again, I don't so much fault the actual cast member as I do the management and what I can only attribute as a complete lack of training. In the end, I will just pay the extra $50 and go to a good moderate.
Pros:
Cheap, decent accomodationsCons:
GuestsReview of Trattoria al forno - Dinner
Reviewed by cmoranski Review Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: (6) Recommended
Lovely dining room. Lovely aroma of food, pizza cooking. Open kitchen. However, the food coming out of that kitchen was a disappointment. Dry, crackery pizza. While they prided that the made the mozzarella, there was very little on it. Ground turkey in the lasagne. Come on, guys...in a trattoria? Eggplant roll ups way undercooked. DH ordered shortrib and it was just a little shredded meat in sauce. Small portions. Large prices. Bragged they made the pasta but very little of it on the plates. So disappointed for $160.00 for 5 with only one can of beer.
Pros:
Beautifully decoratedCons:
FoodReview of Crystal Palace Breakfast
Reviewed by Smitty Review Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: (10) Recommended
Hubbo and I ate at the Crystal Palace on 9/20 and had another fantastic breakfast. Cast members were so helpful and friendly. Coffee appeared instantly!
The food was fresh and hot and was replenished frequently - there were no empty pans of eggs, etc. Ordered a cheese omelet from the chef and it was delicious. The characters came by, waved and posed for pictures.
Consistently good food and service. Love being at rope drop at Adventureland after breakfast!
Pros:
Cast Members, convenienceCons:
NoneReview of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by Smitty Review Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
I tried for 2 years to get reservations for lunch and finally did for this trip.
Went to check in and met a snippy cast member who sent me away stating that I had 2 more minutes to wait, despite showing her the time on my phone as it was 11:45 - my reservation time. I love being sent back in line to melt in 90 degree weather.
Finally, we got into the restaurant and ordered. Nothing was explained about getting beverages, etc. the cast member told us to find a table.
Thirty minutes later we were still waiting for 2 roast beef sandwiches all the while noticing people that were behind us in line already eating. I found a cast member and she came and looked at my slip, walked away - then another cast member came and looked at the slip ??? Ten more minutes passed and then the food came. Absolutely NOT worth the wait or the cost. I tried to find ketchup and was told that it was in the fridge under a cabinet ?? Not sure why it isn't out on the counter.
We spent $50 for two roast beef sandwiches and two cokes that took 40 minutes to get. No thanks.
Pros:
Restaurant settingCons:
Overpriced foodReviewed by Smitty Review Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: (2) Not Recommended
We ate breakfast here on 9/19 and were very disappointed. The check-in process was a nightmare, as the cast members were calling people who already went into the restaurant. When they did call names, no one could hear them. What happened to the pagers???
The food was not worth the money. Besides scrambled eggs and bacon they had tater tots, greasy hash and a chorizo and egg dish that was so salty we couldn't eat it. Hubbo couldn't find jelly for his toast and was told you have to ask a server for it ?? (who only came to the table to give us the bill) What a waste of $64. Next time we'll go to Starring Rolls and spend half the money and half the time.
Pros:
NoneCons:
Checking In / Cost / Food QualityReviewed by prncsmom Review Date: 09/25/2016
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
We stayed from 9/17 - 9/24 at Coronado Springs. Had stayed here previously on another visit and had a wonderful experience this time not so much. The registration clerk was a bit short and didn't explain the dining plan or offer any assistance with our luggage - it was us and a 7 year old with quite a few bags. When I asked she said we could manage - it would be a short walk! We were in the Ranchos way in the back of the hotel area - it was not a short walk! We managed and our room was okay - the shower needed some additional cleaning and some of the furniture looked a bit worn.
The AC worked well and mousekeeping was at our door by 9 am each day wanting to clean the room. It was quiet in our section.
The waits for the bus were long and the buses when they did arrived were always packed - we were stop 3, so with 4 stops it was to be expected.
For the pricing, we'd gladly stay at Caribbean Beach or Art of Animation again and skip Coronado Springs.
Pros:
—Cons:
Long walk to front of hotel, long waits for busReviewed by LLSS Review Date: 09/26/2016
Rating: (9) Recommended
This is actually the last of the moderates we had not stayed at. Overall I really liked it. I loved the room, as well as the pool. It is similar to the Caribbean in that there are multiple buildings around a lake resulting in multiple bus stops, but the stops are much closer together. I think most surprising for me was how much I liked the location. I always attributed it to being the Animal Kingdom side and really away from everything (similar to the All Star Resorts). It's really not. It is closer to MK and AK than the other moderates, and either closer or the same distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. I was surprised how quick the bus rides went.
I really have only 2 complaints. First is just the conferences. To be honest, you really do not notice them unless you head to the bar area at night (which I did after the family went to sleep to watch some sports). Bartenders were fine, it was just that the conference goers (for whatever conference this was) were very obnoxious. Anyways, not something I'm holding against the resort, and something you really wouldn't notice if you aren't in the bar area.
The only other negative I have is how spread out the resort is. There are 4 bus stops which on the surface I do not mind. The walk to the QS area got cumbersome every morning (going for drinks and snacks), but I can live with it. However, they did not do a good job with the busses. On one day (we were heading to Epcot), we waited 20 minutes for busses, and eventually just took our car. We watched multiple busses go right by our stop (our stop was full of people waiting) because they filled up on the first few stops. We also watched as the Time til next bus board kept rising. I think they need to rethink the busy hour bus system a bit to fix that issue. But, other than those minor things, I did really enjoy this hotel.
Pros:
Beautiful Resort, LocationCons:
Conferences, spread outReview of Tutto Italia Restaurant - Italy
Reviewed by LLSS Review Date: 09/26/2016
Rating: (6) Recommended
The food was good (not great or anything that blew me away), and the service was very good. However, based on the price you pay, I don't really think it is worth it.
Pros:
Decent FoodCons:
ExpensiveReview of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by LLSS Review Date: 09/26/2016
Rating: (8) Recommended
Overall the food and the atmosphere were great. Food is much higher end quick service than you get other places. My real complaint here is the amount of time it takes to order. We had our reservations but forgot to order ahead of time. We sat in a line for 10-15 minutes just to put our order in. It seemed that people had a lot of issues with the self-checkout kiosks. Still worth it, but make sure to try and order ahead of time.
