Most Recent Reviews
Reviewed by Michael P Review Date: 12/20/2017
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
As a long-time Disney fan, particularly of the Polynesian resort, it pains me to give this resort hotel a poor rating. However, I believe it is justified based on two things - poor service and inconvenient to the theme parks. I'll explain...
The service at the Polynesian was surprisingly poor. For starters, housekeeping (or "mousekeeping" as Disney calls it) was not on the ball. We had to keep asking for more in-room coffee pods, since they did not refill them daily. On one day, we slept in and went to the park in the afternoon. Apparently, that must have caused them to skip our room and it evidently NEVER got serviced that day, which left us with no new towels and a dirty room to come back to. On our second day there, I misplaced my flip flops at the pool area and had to chase down housekeeping and resort lost & found to find them. Every time I called, I was told in an uncaring tone that they don't have them and there's nothing they can do. On the second to last day, they miraculously appeared in my room. Really??? It took you all week to find them??? Finally, on our last day, I went to lobby concierge to ask about arranging transportation off-site. After waiting in line and listening to the concierge cast member have thorough conversations with each guest about dining, thing to do, etc., when it was my turn, he offered a very cold response and said "your only option is Uber or Lyft." After explaining that I'd prefer a taxi service instead and asked if they can arrange it for me, he said he cannot do that but provided me a number for Mears taxi to call. Really??? You're concierge!!! It's YOUR job to arrange transportation for me. Why would you make a guest do that? I guess since it's not revenue for Disney, they don't give a hoot.
As for the so-called convenience factor of staying on the monorail loop - that is a bunch of baloney! Disney recently switched bag checks from park entrances to the resorts. While this may save time at the parks themselves, resorts like the Polynesian get HUGE lines of people trying to thru bag check on onto the monorail. On one particular evening, it took us 90 mins to get from our room to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. That's right, Disney, 90 minutes! You can see the castle across the lake from the resort but due to this terrible new system for bag checks, it causes a large bottle neck. We tried taking the water taxi from the Poly boat dock to MK, but had to wait for three separate boats to arrive before being able to get my family of four onto one! The other option was to walk to the TTC and take the ferry across the lake to the MK. Despite these options, none of them were convenient at all, made us miss precious time at the parks, and caused a lot stress for my wife and I with two small children in tow.
In summary, for the exorbitant amount of money we paid to stay the Poly, it was NOT at all worth it. The service was poor, almost unacceptable for Disney standards. The convenience factor was not there. Looking back, we could have stayed at a Moderate or Value resort for half the cost, and received the same level of service and convenience. The Poly is a rip-off and the prices Disney charges is highway robbery, considering the poor experience we had there. I have a feeling if I complain to Disney directly, they will respond the same way they did during my trip - with an unfeeling spirit and dismissal.
Pros:
Grounds, pools, diningCons:
Poor service, inconvenient to theme parks, not worth the moneyReview of PizzeRizzo
Reviewed by CHIPSTER Review Date: 12/24/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
We love the meatball sandwiches and Caesar salad that comes with it. Also had the antipasto salad which was very good. Our best choice of counter service in Hollywood Studios. 12/14/2017
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—Review of California Grill
Reviewed by Aimee McCann Review Date: 12/20/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
The hostess took my cell number but we never received a text. It took awhile for the hostess to find us as they did not announce names. But we were seated next to the window with a great view of the castle MVMCP fireworks. Our waitress, Wendi, was able to answer all questions about the menu well and gave her recommendations which we found spot-on. The oysters, filet and scallops were delicious. We've eaten at CA Grill 3 other times and this visit will not be our last. Had a great time and were not rushed. Wendi gave us time to watch the fireworks, but was attentive to refilling drinks and bread during that time.
Pros:
Quality and quantity of food. Wait staff excellent. View of fireworksCons:
noiseReviewed by Aimee McCann Review Date: 12/20/2017
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our stay was Dec. 9-16. 4 adults sharing one room. I was afraid the room would be too small and the sofa bed uncomfortable, but I was wrong. The storage under the bed, the drawers in the baths and the closet were enough to hold our things. The laundry room was busy on a late Tues night. We didn't get any pixie dust, but the CMs we came into contact with were very helpful and pleasant. We will definitely be returning.
Pros:
Location to monorail for Epcot and MK. Two baths. ThemingCons:
noneReview of Garden Gallery
Reviewed by CHIPSTER Review Date: 12/24/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
Best breakfast buffet while at Disney - limited to SOG guests. Eggs and omelets made to order. Great fresh fruit choices, ham, bacon, sausage, corned beef hash, oatmeal, brits, cold cereals, chocolate and regular waffles, pancakes made to order, breakfast pizza. Great Service. Sure I am forgetting something. We love our baconfest at SOG! 12/2017
Pros:
Excellent choicesCons:
—Review of 50's Prime Time Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Sandanv1 Review Date: 12/28/2017
Rating: (5) Not Recommended
We ate lunch at Prime Time Cafe on 12/27/17. The food was nothing special. We both ate the Sampler, a slice of meatloaf, fried chicken, pot roast, green beans and mashed potatoes. The server was not very vocal and did not give the presentation that was expected. He did reprimand us for cell phones on the table, and not having our napkins on our laps. But that was it. We did hear other servers being more vocal. For me, it was an expensive, disappointing meal.
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AtmosphereCons:
Mediocre foodReview of Beach Club Resort (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by jeconk Review Date: 12/27/2017
Rating: (5) Recommended
Review of the Beach Club Resort – December 2017:
We have stayed in French Quarter, Bay Lake & Boardwalk before and must be spoiled because this was my least favorite stay at a Disney Hotel. Too many little things added up.
First, you can't beat the location. It is a quick walk to the International Gate at Epcot or to the Boardwalk and either a short boat ride or 15 minute walk to Hollywood Studios. The boat dock is closer to Yacht Club than beach club but still very easy to get to. The building color and grounds are very nice and the bus stops are close to the front door.
Now for a breakdown of the various areas of service:
A.) Transportation: Obviously walking to EPCOT & Boardwalk are great perks, but to get to Future World/front gate/monorail at Epcot, you have to walk through part of International Showcase (and according to one boat Captain, it is a mile to the front.). The walk to Hollywood Studios is longer but the “Friendship Boat†service is very efficient coming and going. The boat Captains are well trained and loading/unloading are quick.
The bus service at Beach Club however is another story. Beach Club shares a bus route with Yacht Club and Y.C. is picked up and dropped off first. Many times in the morning this meant that busses to Magic Kingdom or Animal Kingdom were already full of Yacht Club guests when they arrived at Beach Club. It would take several busses to pick up the crowd waiting at Beach Club due to busses already being full. (and Beach Club guests were usually the ones who had to stand on the busses.). Strange how a DVC resort at Beach Club gets the second string on bus service.
Because of the design of the busses, those in wheelchairs require longer periods of loading & unloading and take out many seats. Unfortunately I heard many groans and complaints when busses pulled up to a stop with a person in a scooter waiting (or coming up to a bus stop with a scooter person waiting.) When my father was there in 2007, they had specific busses for handicapped/scooters and that prevented the time lost by regular busses (and the grumblings.) As more and more scooters appear at Disney, they may want to rethink that option.
B.) Check-in: Here is where another problem arose. We had arrived very early that morning and gave our luggage to bell services while we went to Hollywood Studios. We had completed online registration so we just waited for our room assignment. At 2:00 p.m., we went back to the hotel and inquired about the room and were told that our room was not ready but they would text us when it was and we could walk around the complex. At about 3:45, we were finally notified that our room was ready. Even though they knew we had arrived, it still took 8 hours for our room. (even with an 11:00 a.m. check out of the previous guests, it was still 4 ½ hours for our room.)
C.) Front Desk/Bell Services: These were all efficient, friendly and answered your questions. We had arrived early and bell services held our luggage for most of the day until we received our room assignment and they arrived with our luggage within minutes of our call.
A special shout out to the guys at the airline/luggage check in. They were friendly, helpful and it appeared they enjoyed their jobs. They made it a very great experience…even though you were checking out….lol.
D.) Housekeeping: Another area that was lacking on this trip. As stated above, our room was not ready until 3:45 and in reality, it was not ready as it appears no supervisor check was completed. Things that were wrong: No shampoo, soap, etc were left. No wash cloths and only 2 hand towels. (we had to call twice to get these items and when they finally came, they brought “bath towels†instead of wash cloths. (they got the hand towels right….). It appeared the carpet was not vacuumed. I will say that the bathroom appeared to be properly cleaned however.
E.) Room/Bathroom: The room was typical Disney resort room with two very comfortable queen beds and a fold out couch. We didn’t need to use the couch as a bed but if we had it would have made things very tight to move through. Two of the wall outlets however were missing covers. While the vanity area was spacious and had two sinks and plenty of shelf space, the toilet/tub area was smaller than others we have been in. The tub/shower had good water pressure but the water never got really hot (even with the cold turned off.). Since I have a bad back, soaking in a hot tub of water is helpful but was not really possible.
While there were plenty of computer/phone jacks on the credenza, the desk and the night stand, the problem came with the electric plugs. The plugs on the nightstand are very close together (like a power strip) and this made it impossible to plug two large plugs into it. Only one plug would work unless both were the small type.
The closet location was nice as was the safe. The refrigerator location sometimes made it tough to use (why do the doors to the cabinet and the refrigerator open opposite directions??)
The elevators were very quick and you did not have to wait long for one going up or down.
F.) Public areas: These areas are much nicer than those at Boardwalk or Bay Lake. Lots of spaces around the hotel to sit, relax, socialize, read, etc. (lobby, solarium, patios, etc.). While the marketplace is a nice place for purchasing drinks and snacks, the food choices are extremely limited. There is no food court at Beach Club (or Yacht Club or Boardwalk) and so your choices are sit down restaurants (like Cape May Café) or “fast food†type meals from the Marketplace.
We did wander over to both the Marketplaces at Yacht Club & Boardwalk and both appeared to have more merchandise selections than Beach Club while the Yacht Club Marketplace and Boardwalk Bakery have more choices. (but still not as good as a Food Court.)
Obviously the grounds around Beach Club are very pretty and the ability to see the lights of Boardwalk are nice as well.
Overall, Beach Club is a very pretty resort in a good location but it had a lot of “minor†things that added up to a not as good experience. I still rate French Quarter, Bay Lake Tower & Boardwalk above Beach Club.
Pros:
Location can't be beat, boat service, poolCons:
Poor Bus service; Housekeeping issues;Review of Sleepy Hollow - Liberty Square
Reviewed by CHIPSTER Review Date: 12/24/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
Sleepy Hollow caught on with a lot of folks. Long lines this past trip but I had to have my Nutella waffle and my DS had to have her freshly made toll house ice cream cooking sandwich. Visited December 2017
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—Review of Plaza Restaurant
Reviewed by CHIPSTER Review Date: 12/24/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
Glad they are back to taking reservations. Had my Rueben and homemade chips. Miss their potato salad. Bottomless shakes. Nice break and doesn't cost much more than counter service.
Pros:
Consistent food for the past 30+ yearsCons:
—Review of Columbia Harbour House
Reviewed by CHIPSTER Review Date: 12/24/2017
Rating: (10) Recommended
Always eat at CHH at least once a trip. Great shrimp dinner for the price.
Visited: December 2017
