Most Recent Reviews
Review of Skipper Canteen
Reviewed by joplin Review Date: 05/27/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
Pleasantly surprised on our last visit in May 2018.
Fantastic vegetarian dish (Thai noodles without the meat) and fish of the day. Excited too with the Kungaloosh beer and best Sangria on property.
Favorite desserts are here too.
A new WDW tradition for my family - not to be missed.
Pros:
atmosphere, new f&b selectionsCons:
noneReview of River Belle Terrace Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 05/30/2018
Rating: (7) Recommended
I dined here on 5/26/18 for the Fantasmic! package. The menu has changed since my last time here in 2015, and is even different than menus I've seen online - I was really looking forward to strawberry shortcake but it was not on the menu. My reservation was at 7:05pm and I was allowed to choose the showtime I wanted; I picked the later 10:30pm option. I don't mind eating quickly but I felt very, very rushed here, even though I spent about 45 minutes. My server spoke so fast it was like he was auditioning to be "that voice" at the end of the car commercials!
I had the house salad (very good), the pulled pork sandwich (good but very messy) with coleslaw and beans, and the seasonal caramel pudding parfait (delicious, but not strawberry shortcake). I should have chosen a different side besides the coleslaw, since the sandwich comes topped with it as well. A lot of the options are sandwiches and the $45 price tag seems a little high for what you actually get.
I will say the reserved viewing area was great. I've never gotten such good pictures of the show, either at DLR or WDW. I watched the fireworks from Main Street and then joined the crowds moving slowly to New Orleans Square. It is my understanding that for the earlier show, they separate the viewing areas for the three restaurants, with Blue Bayou getting the front and center spot, but for the later show, everyone mingles together. Even though it was a holiday weekend, the area was not crowded - probably because it was the later show, of course. I had plenty of room to spread out and was in the third "row" (I use the term loosely because beyond the first clear row it was kind of a free for all pattern!) Next time I might try one of the other restaurants to get a value more closely aligned with food and service.
Pros:
Decent foodCons:
Felt very rushed, Sort of expensive for the food qualityReview of Wine Country Trattoria
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 05/30/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
I have never eaten at one of the DCA table service restaurants before this weekend, but WCT was a wonderful experience. I dined here for lunch on 5/27/18 as part of the Paint the Night parade viewing package. My reservation was at 11:30am; I arrived at 11:35 and there was a short line. A first that I experience was they asked for my phone number to text me when my table was ready, and I was seated around 11:50am. Although I spent about the same amount of time here as at River Belle Terrace the night before (45 minutes), this felt more leisurely and enjoyable. My server was not rushed and did not come to check on me every couple of minutes to make me feel like they wanted me out of there.
I had a table under the shade just where the side patio meets the open area. I chose the Italian Ensalata (good but I liked the house salad at RBT a little better), the Fettuccine Shrimp Alfredo (outstanding, lots of huge shrimp), and the Chocolate Panna Cotta. I thought the cost was reasonable; cheaper than the Fantasmic! package at RBT but better quality food, atmosphere, and service.
The parade viewing area was great, I couldn't have asked for better. I arrived about 35-40 minutes ahead of step off and the area was not full. Some of the narrower parts were a little cramped but not where I was further down. I had read that the first 1-2 rows were allowed to stay seated during the parade, but this was not true the night I saw it - CMs came by and made everyone stand about 5-10 minutes before the parade started. I'm not sure why this was the case, as it made for a blocked view for those in the back, but my section was only about 2-3 rows deep anyway. I had hoped for pictures without people's heads in the way but that didn't happen. The parade was super close though, and many of the performers came by to interact with the kids near me. I definitely recommend this restaurant and the dining package in particular!
Pros:
Really good food, relaxed atmosphere, spectacular parade viewingCons:
—Review of Cozy Cones - Cars Land
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 05/30/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
I stopped here a couple of times on 5/27/18. The first time
I wanted some ice cream and the line at Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats was outrageous. The line here wasn't any better, just more densely packed and barely moving. This was around 4:30pm and it was easily the most crowded cone. I gave up on that pretty quickly and decided to sample Red's Apple Freeze instead, which is definitely a bit unusual (to the disgust of the family in front of me in line) but I did end up liking it.
I returned later in the evening to try the Chili "Cone" Queso. The Frito topping is an interesting choice but it works! The chili had huge (almost unreasonably large) chunks of meat in it and I liked that the cheese was layered throughout to give it some variety. I'd get it again!
Pros:
Interesting optionsCons:
Lines can be very slow movingReview of Grand Californian Hotel
Reviewed by Disneyhenry Review Date: 06/07/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
I stayed at the GC for 2 nights, it was for a work conference
The staff: they were amazing, all very happy and helpful.
I thought it was strange not being able to do an online check in, I was worried about my early arrival and no room request. I arrived at 10am, it was just my 9 year old and me. My work had forgot to request an ADA room ( I have a scooter) but at check in they switched me, I received an ADA room and it was ready! My room was 3208, not to far from the elevator and a pool.
The room was about the size of a deluxe at WDW, the balcony was small but nice, the decor was beautiful with lots of lighting, which was good because it is darker decor.
The bathroom was nice size, good size walk in shower but no pull string to hang bathing suits. Only a slider door for the bathroom, that was ok for son and I but if more people where in the room it may have even awkward.
Plenty of storage for us, a fridge, big flat screen tv and comfy bed.
Food - I was shocked there was no food court! They said because they are in downtown Disney they didn’t need one, however there isn’t much food options at DTD
Pool - my muscles were cramping I needed the hot tub, so off to the pool. They advertise 3 pools, but they are all located in the same area and One was closed, along with one of the two hot tubs. The pools were crowded, so was the hot tub but I was happy the hot tub was hot.
Location- it is great! Love being able to walk to CA
We will on the West Coast, haven’t been to DLR in 3 years, we go to WDW every year, we will return in 3 years I will probably stay at the Grand Californian again, the location and being able to charge my scooter easily it the huge plus! At least I will know what to expect I gave it a 8 because no food court (so eating after 9pm is difficult) the room size is small and no pull string in the bathroom but location and staff helped make up for it
Pros:
LocationCons:
No food court, small sized roomsReview of Beaches and Cream
Reviewed by patersonprattle Review Date: 06/10/2018
Rating: (6) Recommended
We've always wanted to try the Kitchen Sink, but how to squeeze it in? We've been to Beaches and Cream for burgers, fries, and shakes, all of which are yummy, but leave no room for dessert afterwards. So this trip, I was strategic in my planning. We had an early lunch at Sunshine Seasons, and didn't have dinner planned til late evening, so when a 4:20 Beaches and Cream popped up, I grabbed it. We would head to Beach Club for the Kitchen Sink only! There were 5 ice cream eaters in our party. We ordered the Chocolate Lovers Kitchen Sink. We did ask for the snickers bar pieces on the side, and also asked if we could add Mint Chocolate Chip to the sundae, both requests we were told, could be easily accommodated. When our Sundae arrived though, the snickers weren't there, and neither was the Mint CC. We didn't really mind, and we didn't bother to ask for it to be remade. We were there for the experience, and it wasn't a big deal that a few things didn't go exactly perfect. Our waitress also forgot to bring us bowls, though she did remember the giant serving ladle. That's the spoon my oldest son ate the sundae with! The others used the small spoons, but everyone just ate out of the sink! We didn't mind that there weren't bowls. It just added to the fun of the experience! The ice cream was enjoyed by all, and YES, they finished the entire thing!
Pros:
Kitchen Sink ExperienceCons:
—Review of Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Reviewed by patersonprattle Review Date: 06/10/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
We ate dinner at Via Napoli on Monday evening around 8:15. We were seated within minutes of arriving for our reservation. Salvatore, our waiter, was excellent. He was kind, attentive, and so funny! We've loved this restaurant for years. The pizza did not disappoint. We ordered a large four cheese, and a large pepperoni with spicy sausage added. The pizza was hot, fresh, and very tasty! The Insalata di Ceci was yummy! I added chicken to the salad. After dinner, the kids enjoyed the tiramisu too. As great as the food was, it was the service at the end of the evening that impressed us most. As a party of 7, the gratuity was added in, but my husband did not notice, so he added gratuity himself. We thanked Salvatore, and left the restaurant. Soon, we were being chased down the sidewalk by Manny, the manager, with Salvatore following close behind. They wanted to let us know that the tip was included, and they assumed correctly that we did not know. They wanted us to have the opportunity to correct it. What an incredible display of honesty! Thank you to Via Napoli, Manny, and Salvatore for an excellent dining experience! We will definitely return!
Pros:
Excellent food and Excellent ServiceCons:
NoneReview of Skipper Canteen
Reviewed by patersonprattle Review Date: 06/09/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
We enjoyed a late lunch at Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen on Sunday, with our family of 7 adults. The service provided by Skipper Zita was excellent. Three of us had the "Tastes like chicken because it is" meal, and all of us loved it. My husband had the lamb chops, which he immensely enjoyed last trip, and he was not disappointed! He says it's one of the best lamb entrees he's ever had. My adult sons both ordered the seafood stew, and though they enjoyed it very much, they both felt it just wasn't enough food. We will definitely eat here again.
Pros:
Great food, Great ServiceCons:
seafood stew could have been more filling for growing boysReview of Satu'li Canteen
Reviewed by patersonprattle Review Date: 06/10/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
Satu'li is the newest addition to AK quick service, located in Pandora. The Combination Bowl - grilled beef and chicken topped with crunchy vegetable slaw and boba balls served with your choice of base and sauce $15.99, is so yummy, with both the steak and chicken cooked to perfection. I chose to have it with the Base: Hearty Salad and Sauce: Charred Green Onion Vinaigrette. My sons both had the burger pods. They also both enjoyed the Hawkes' Grog Ale - draft beer, green in color, with a fruity hop character including apricot and peach with a hint of wheat on the finish; 16 oz $8.25; 22 oz $9.50. It is quickly becoming one of our favorite quick service restaurants.
Pros:
Great fresh foodCons:
noneReview of Contemporary Resort (Deluxe Resort)
Reviewed by kelallie Review Date: 06/11/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
I stayed 1 night on May 31, in a garden view room on the first floor, room #6114. My view was of Bay Lake. I was close to the pool. My walk from the room to the tower and to MK was not long at all. The room was very large as was the bathroom. Room could easily accommodate 5 adults, or at least 4 adults and a child. The bed was probably the most comfortable on property. CMs were very friendly and helpful. I checked in around noon and waited about 20 minutes until my room was ready. Bell services quickly delivered my bags. It is a very quick walk over to MK.
I went to Contempo Café for breakfast and it was standard grab and go fare. I had dinner at The Wave. It was good, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat there again, though it may have been what I ordered.
The views from CR are breathtaking. I woke up early to see the sunrise over Bay Lake and MK. I was able to get great photos from the Tower balcony.
If you have the chance to stay here, definitely go for it. I've put off staying here because of the decor, but I really enjoyed my stay and would definitely go again.
