Most Recent Reviews
Reviewed by lizzie1974 Review Date: 02/12/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Overall, we love AKL, both Jambo and Kidani.
On this trip though, we had to wait until 7 o'clock for a room to be ready. The CM who ultimately took care of us was very professional. We were given 3 extra fast passes for the next day, which turned out to be very important. It was a really busy day at Magic Kingdom.
I'll never know what room we were supposed to get because there was a mechanical issue (thus the reason for the late check in). We ended up in 5356, Kudu trail. This is very far from the lobby. Laundry for DVC is on the 4th floor, on the other side of the lobby. So, that was a hike.
I really wish they had some alternate exits (say at the end of those super long hallways) so we could access the parking lot faster, rather than going all the way through the lobby.
The biggest thing with the room was the condition of the pullout sofa. This thing has had it's day. Happily, I have a child who doesn't complain! She slept on it ok, but I thought we were going to break it pulling it out and putting it away!
The mara was excellent. Victoria Falls lounge was great.
It's tough to beat this resort but it needs a little TLC.
Pros:
Beautiful hotel. rooms were very quietCons:
room needs a refurbReview of Sci-Fi Dine-in Theatre Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by lizzie1974 Review Date: 02/12/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
This place has really stepped up it's game.
We've eaten there 3 times over the last 5-6 years. This was by far the best.
I had the salmon salad. It was beyond my expectation. Daughter had strip steak and loved it. Husband had the reuben. He and I split our meals. The waitress had the kitchen separate the salad for us into 2 bowls. Much appreciated.
I had a cocktail, which was good too.
They take Tables in Wonderland which is great.
It was just a fun time with terrific service and above average food.
Pros:
food, service, atmosphereCons:
noneReview of Category 7 - Navigator's Verandah
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 02/12/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
From the time I first began researching Disney Cruise Line, I was always interested in the Navigator's Verandah so it was the obvious choice to book for our 3-Night Bahamian cruise on the Wonder. Initially we chose room 7120, but later learned this is not a true Navigator's but instead an obstructed view regular verandah, so we switched to 7128 well in advance.
We were pleasantly surprised by the amount of storage space - drawers and shelves everywhere! The bed was so comfortable. I knew I would be sleeping on the fold down sofa and was quite apprehensive about it, but it was amazingly comfy! I slept better there than I have in my own bed at home!
The curtain divider was fantastic for separating the bed and living area. My mom prefers to keep a lamp on at night and I need near total darkness to sleep. The curtain was nice and heavy so it was perfect at blocking most of the light!
Our stateroom host, Ajus, made us fun towel/blanket creations every night, sometimes wearing our sunglasses! He kept the room spotless for us.
Parts of the stateroom were narrow (the walking area between the end of the bed and the wall) but overall we felt there was a reasonable amount of space. I don't know that I'd want a much smaller cabin even for just two people, though.
I'm also torn in my feelings on the split bathroom. I think the idea of it is great. I liked that we could each claim a sink to leave our stuff on. But the two sides were SO tiny, it was hard to get enough elbow room at times! I think I might prefer the single bathroom that is only available in Category 11 rooms.
One other thing that wasn't *too* problematic is the lack of outlets. There are two that were easily accessible, on the desk area. If a larger family was traveling, this could be a real problem. We had a USB hub just in case and thankfully didn't need it.
We were a bit farther than expected even from the aft elevators and I think next time I'd go a bit more midship. We did feel some rocking occasionally, but it was much worse in the forward part during theater shows.
Overall our stateroom was outstanding. I would definitely recommend it to others and would consider booking it again in the future.
Pros:
Loved our verandah, bed and sofa SO comfortable, cleanliness, curtain dividerCons:
Teeny tiny bathroom; lack of outletsReview of Tokyo Dining
Reviewed by JessicaBonnell Review Date: 02/13/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
We ate here on a Friday evening at the end of January. It was excellent!!! The staff was very friendly. The whole atmosphere was so fun! We were sat near the sushi prep area, which was great when they did the sushi making demo! Everyone was so excited. Our food was delicious. I had two rolls, the fire cracker roll was great! My husband had the teriyaki butter chicken, and he loved it! The sauce on it was amazing. Our 8 year old had the chicken nuggets. They came in an adorable little bento bowl, with tempura chicken, sweet potato and cheese! She loved it, and she doesn't like anything. It also had some fresh fruit. Also, we got to try the sushi that was made during the demonstration...and Nana, the sushi chef, came over and she was the absolute highlight of our whole trip! She and our daughter became fast friends. She even made us an origami swan with all our names in Japanese.
This restaurant wasn't really somewhere we ever considered before, but I am so glad we did! This will be a must do from now on!!!
Pros:
food, atmosphere, sushi demonstration, staffCons:
noneReview of Brown Derby Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by JessicaBonnell Review Date: 02/13/2018
Rating: (6) Recommended
We ate here for lunch at the end of January. We had a reservation time of noon, which is when they open, so no wait at all. We are the first people seated and had the whole place to ourselves for awhile! The atmosphere is great and our server, Justin, was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and I heard him speaking with the people next to us about a food allergy. He was very professional.
The food was good...not great. I was really excited for the Cobb salad, but it was just okay. I wouldn't get it again. My husband had the burger and really liked it. My 8 year old had the hot dog. It was a hot dog.
We had the dessert trio of grapefruit cake, lemon cheesecake, and blueberry cobbler. They were all good. (not great)
I enjoyed going, to say I went. But, I would have been irritated to use one dining credit(we weren't on DDP)...let alone TWO!!!
Pros:
atmosphere, server, presentationCons:
average foodReview of Satu'li Canteen
Reviewed by JessicaBonnell Review Date: 02/13/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
Everything was great! We ate there twice during our last trip. We had the grilled chicken bowl, with the potato hash and herb sauce and the steamed cheeseburger pods. Also, the kids hot dog & quesadilla. The hot dog was excellent! It was a real beef dog, not a cheapo kind. It also had a sticky sweet dough on the outside. We also got a blueberry cheesecake, because we wanted to see what it was like! It looked awesome...just like the pictures. And it tasted great too! Everything was excellent!
Pros:
Great FoodCons:
NoneReviewed by JessicaBonnell Review Date: 02/13/2018
Rating: (5) Recommended
This was out first stay at Saratoga Springs. We stayed in a studio, in The Springs area. The location in relation to the bus stop/main pool/Carriage House was great! It was a 20 second walk from our building to the buses!
The room was a huge bummer. We only stayed in one room, so maybe we just got a dud. It was very outdated, there is still an entertainment center with a square cut out, with a rectangular television. the drawer knobs were broken...hanging off. But, the worst part was the bathroom. It was much more spacious than most. But, there was carpet in the sink area. Gross. There was mold on both ends of the fabric shower curtain, the bathroom floor was dirty, and the bathroom door was sticky to the touch, I wiped it down with clorox wipes, more than once. It was NOT up to the standard I have come to expect from WDW.
We did rent a surrey bike one day, and went all around the resort. It was so much fun!
If the room was updated, the resort would have been more more enjoyable.
Pros:
lovely grounds, beautiful exteriors, nice pools, friendly staffCons:
outdated decor, grimy room, very little selection QS and gift shop, multiple bus stopstReview of Activities for Adults
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 02/18/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
As a group of four adults, we took advantage of several of the adult activities offered. Since we were traveling as part of a larger group, we were able to reserve a private Mixology class in the Cadillac Lounge. This was very interesting. We had four drinks of different styles, and a choice between two different shots for the final drink (so five in total). I liked some drinks better than others, but each one was enjoyed by at least one person in the group!
Our first night aboard, we finished at dinner early enough to catch 70s Music Trivia in O’Gills Pub. We had hoped to go to 80s and 90 slow on the next two nights but alas, our dinners were longer than anticipated. Prior to dinner on our last night, we went to Know It All Trivia as well. I rocked the Disney category but it turns out, we aren’t know it alls in general.
Also on our final night, we went to Azure for some fun. First up was a game called Majority Rules, which I liked. Then there was an outstanding show by a magician/illusionist who had us all in stitches. Finally, we stayed for the 80s Flashback, where the room was divided into two teams, and you had to name the song and complete a challenge assigned by the host. There may or may not have been a human pyramid made for “Hey Mickeyâ€!
Finally, I have to give special recognition to our adult activities host, Jo from England. I adored her and her laugh! She’s definitely phenomenal at her job and I want to cruise the Wonder again just for her!
Pros:
Activities host, variety of optionsCons:
—Review of Tropical Rainforest
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 02/18/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
I purchased one day passes about three weeks in advance of our sailing on the Wonder through the gifts link. Since our cruise was only three days long, we didn’t make it here until the final afternoon, and now I know better for next time!
When you check in at the reception desk, they take your Key to the World card in exchange for a wristband to the Rainforest Room. The locker room is very nice, and includes over 40 complimentary lockers with robes for your use.
The Rainforest Room on the Magic and Wonder has five heated stone loungers (I understand there are more on the Dream and Fantasy). In the hour we were there, the amount of people varied. At one point we were the only ones, and at another time there weren’t enough of the loungers for everyone.
The “mild†sauna was way too hot and steamy for my liking - there was so much steam I had trouble breathing. The aromatherapy sauna was much better, and with a nice scent as well. We also enjoyed the three different showers, my favorite being the Rain Shower.
We were even allowed to leave the spa and go to the nearby Quiet Cove Pool to use the whirlpools before coming back in to the Rainforest again. When you’re done in the Rainforest and back to the locker room, there are two large showers with Elemis brand toiletries, mountains of towels and washcloths, four fabric lounge chairs, and a dry sauna (190 degrees) for you to use, along with complimentary disposable razors and two nice hairdryers.
We’ll definitely return on our next cruise and I’ll probably spring for the length of cruise pass!
Pros:
Incredibly relaxingCons:
Limited amount of lounge chairsReviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 02/20/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
Now known as Cabanas with a refreshed decor and expanded seating after the 2016 dry dock, we dined here multiple times on our recent 3 Night Cruise on the Wonder.
Embarkation Day, we joined the masses flooding the place around 2pm. I think our group found the warmest table in the restaurant, with the sun beating down on us. There was a reason it was empty! Lots of items to choose from; most of my party was thrilled with the seafood options. The only thing I tried and didn't like was the meatloaf. The Oreo Cheesecake was fantastic!
Dined here for at least one additional lunch with similar offerings. We also ate here for breakfast on the morning of Castaway Cay. I was very, very happy to have my Mickey waffles! And the bacon was delightfully crispy!
This is also where the post-fireworks buffet is found on Pirates night. There was a wide variety of desserts and fruits; the majority of the main offerings was Mexican. I limited myself to just one dessert, the Chocolate Cherry Choux Bun, and it was great! Also had some fruit and banana bread. My mom requested some corn bread, which was a little dry.
If you're looking to satisfy the whole family, this is the place to go!
