Most Recent Reviews
Review of Grand Floridian Cafe Breakfast
Reviewed by elainep Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
Arrived at the Grand Floridian (after having to go through security at the Magic Kingdom even though I wasn’t going to the park) shortly before my 10:45 a.m. ADR on July 4th. I figured that since I was paying full price for my meal (my Tables in Wonderland discount doesn’t apply on the holiday), I might as well go for the cheapest meal of the day. I was seated within minutes after my arrival at a table for 2 facing the window on a lovely sunny day—the room here is really quite lovely. Ordered the French toast (3 thick half slices with a bit of fruit and a side of bacon), coffee and a Grand Mimosa, which was HUGE! Instead of being served in the usual flute, it was presented in a tall hurricane glass, much like a tropical umbrella drink. Not what I was expecting, but quite enjoyable. Breakfast was tasty as well—just enough to start the day.
Pros:
Lovely settingCons:
Brunch-type menu which some might not enjoy if they're expecting a typical breakfastReview of Enzo's Hideaway Tunnel Bar
Reviewed by elainep Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Had a 6:45 ADR at Enzo’s Hideaway on Monday, July 2nd. Checked in at the podium shortly before my reservation time and was seated immediately. Thought the dining room and bar area were charming—the place looked just like the “fixed up†basement it’s supposed to be. My server was Salvator and he and his coworkers did a great job of taking care of me—very attentive service, but not overly so. Ordered a Stag’s Leap chardonnay, the Cesare salad and the snapper (which I remembered to request a little more well done) and was served with sides of potatoes and vegetables. All were excellent—this was easily the best meal of my trip. Enjoyed every bit of it and will be bringing friends when we visit the World next month.
Pros:
Great atmosphere, attentive service, really good foodCons:
Some may not like dining in a place with no windowsReview of Flying Fish
Reviewed by elainep Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
I hadn’t dined at Flying Fish since the remodel, so I was long overdue for a visit. I was dining alone, checked in shortly before my 7:05 ADR time on Sunday, July 1st, and was seated at a table for 2 within minutes. My server was Izzy who had a great personality and was very knowledgeable about the menu. I ordered a glass of chardonnay, the seasonal salad and the sea bass. The wine was good, the salad was tasty and the sea bass was OK--the sauce tasted pretty much the same as what used to be served with the potato-wrapped snapper at the “old†Flying Fish and the side of leeks was similar as well. I should’ve asked that my fish be prepared more well done—my error. Overall, the meal made me wish that the old Flying Fish was still there. I was hoping to be impressed, but almost $80 later (with my Tables in Wonderland discount plus a little extra for my wonderful server), I kind of felt let down. I don’t think I’ll go back anytime soon, which is very disappointing to me—Flying Fish used to be a great “go to†spot on the Boardwalk.
Pros:
Food was good, but not greatCons:
Wished I was back at the "old" Flying FishReview of Art of Animation Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
This was my third stay at Art of Animation and it really is one of my favorite resorts. I’d previously stayed in the Family Suites but this time we decided to try The Little Mermaid as there was, surprisingly, a travel agent discount available.
I arrived around noon after traveling all night and morning from the west coast. I did not have a room assigned in the My Disney Experience app yet, so I went to the front desk. I was assisted very quickly and asked if I had a floor preference. I had actually sent a fax a few days earlier, since the Room Request section of Online Check In has been non-functional for months, but it appears it wasn’t read. Anyway, I asked for the highest floor and I was immediately granted Room 8802. Highest floor, near the elevator, overlooking the Flippin’ Fins Pool.
I often hear that The Little Mermaid rooms are far away from everything. As an overweight, out of shape 27-year-old walking at a fairly brisk pace, I could make it from Building 8 to Animation Hall in about 8 minutes. My mom arrived later that night and she uses an ECV at Disney. One thing we noticed was the handicapped parking spots near the buildings are somewhat limited. The closest row to our room only had four handicapped spots that were often full by the time we returned at night. Not a big deal since she was riding the scooter at night back to the room to charge it, but not always convenient during the day for an afternoon nap, when we would leave the scooter in the car rather than reassemble it and then dis-assemble it again to return to the parks.
Our other major annoyance was, of all things, the bathroom fan. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so irritated by this in any other Disney hotel and I don’t recall this being an issue even in the Family Suites. It is motion activated and set off by any little movement out in the vanity area, which is just ridiculous. And since it only runs for maybe a minute at a time, it keeps restarting, and it’s quite loud. The only solution we found was to keep the bathroom door closed, which makes the vanity space feel smaller than it already is.
Minor issues: the “privacy†curtain across the vanity area had a gap of several inches at one end, which definitely made it not quite so private. The Wi-Fi and cell service was somehow greatly improved over previous visits, but it seemed like the traded that for the cable TV, which would freeze and pixelate every few minutes no matter the channel. Drawer space in the dresser is quite limited. We had barely enough room for the two of us.
Room size was fine for the limited amount of time we were there. I thought the beds were a little on the firm side, but my mom thought they were fine. We heard almost no pool noise from inside the room. We like the décor of the rooms at Art of Animation which is why we keep staying there and I absolutely would stay there again. I finally made it a point to swim in the Big Blue Pool, even though it was only for about 10 minutes, just to say I did it. Neat to hear the underwater clips from the film. I only used the bus transportation once, round trip to Magic Kingdom for the Disney After Hours event. It was adequate. Did wait 20-30 minutes leaving the park at 11:30pm. Ink and Paint Shop is well stocked. We can always find something we like at the food court. Of note to CPAP users, they do have distilled water available for purchase, but you must ask for it at a food counter. They don’t have it accessible to prevent people from buying it as drinking water. Unfortunately, like nearly everything at Disney, the markup is outrageous - $4.25 for a gallon.
Of note for those concerned about this resort being dog-friendly. I saw maybe three small dogs the entire 5-6 days and all were well under the control of the owners. We never heard any barking. I asked at the desk and was told there are areas in each building reserved for the dog-friendly rooms. These are typically on the first floor and face either the lake or green space.
Finally, guests with a handicapped tag or license plates do receive free parking at the resort, even after the ridiculous nightly parking fees were announced. You must speak to the front desk about this, because they charge based on your MagicBand being scanned at the front gate. When I went to talk to them on our third night, they refunded the nights we had been charged (though their computer system apparently makes it a bit of a hassle) and also set it up so we would not be charged for the rest of the nights. You can probably avoid this by telling them at check in, but as I said, my mom wasn’t with me when I checked in and she has the tag.
Pros:
Love the theme, friendly cast, bigger rooms than other Values, still has a table and chairs with two bedsCons:
Limited handicapped parking, bathroom fan is incredibly annoyingReview of Crystal Palace Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
Crystal Palace has been a go-to for us for 11 years and counting. We most recently dined here on Monday, 9/3/18 before MNSSHP. Our reservation was at 5:20pm; like Wine Country Trattoria in Disney California Adventure, they now take a cell phone number and text you when your table is ready. Got lots of compliments on my Halloween outfit from nearly all the CMs. One even asked where we got our ears from - they're several years old and not in stock anymore.
We were seated and meeting Pooh by 5:28. I know Disney is doing away with straws across property unless you ask for them. I'm really skeeved out by drinking directly from a glass that other people have also drank directly from - I'm sure we've all encountered a glass with someone else's lipstick marks on it at some point or another. Yes, we were given straws when requested, no problem.
The food was very good. They had pork with a peach sauce and strip loin with a horseradish glaze. I didn't take either of the sauce options but the meat on its own was good. Great mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese. I can't remember if it was here or Tusker House where I tried the Tropical Homemade Coleslaw, but I didn't like it. Easy even for picky eaters to find something to eat here.
Numerous dessert options, including a bunch of Halloween themed ones. They had "Rabbit's Garden Worms and Dirt" which is simple yet satisfying. Smores Tart was very good. Blueberry mousse dome that had an Eeyore tail decoration looked cute but had an odd texture that I did not like at all. Pooh's Honey Cream Pot was good. I was looking forward to the Mickey's Not So Scary themed Chocolate Bark, but it was very disappointing. It looks like there are crumbled gummies baked on (purple and orange, of course) and that's all I could taste. No chocolate flavor at all.
We usually come here for breakfast but I'm glad we visited at dinner. Started our evening off with some characters and filled up for the night, although then we were so full we couldn't find room for any of the special Halloween food items in the park!
Pros:
Good variety of food, nice character interactionsCons:
Chocolate bark had no chocolate flavorReview of Tusker House Character Breakfast
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (7) Recommended
We ate here for lunch on Sunday, 9/2/18, as part of the Rivers of Light package. Our reservation was at 11:20am and I switched it just a few days before our trip began from breakfast to lunch. I've eaten here twice before for breakfast and I think that's the better option. The food here was good but I honestly can't remember much of what I ate. I know there was a strawberry cake of some kind that was good. We didn't get photos or autographs with the characters here since I have some from my last few trips, and they were fine to wave, blow a kiss, and move on.
We hit the switch between breakfast and lunch so did get to eat some of the breakfast foods too, which was nice. We enjoyed Rivers of Light and were glad we had the reserved seating for it because I didn't want to use a Fastpass. The Tiffins menu didn't appeal to us at all. I'd dine here again but will stick with breakfast in the future.
Pros:
Rivers of Light seating with more "family friendly" food options than TiffinsCons:
Food not particularly memorableReview of Pandora -- the World of Avatar
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
I forced myself to watch the film, which I had never seen, a few days before my trip so I would have some understanding of this new land during our Labor Day weekend trip. The movie is quite long, but I was in awe of Pandora when I saw it in person. Got Flight of Passage Fastpasses for the evening at 60+ days.
We arrived to the park a little ahead of an 8am opening on 9/2, and were heading to Pandora by 7:45, where we basically walked on Na'vi River Journey. It's true that the Shaman of Songs is truly a masterpiece.
I am 100% sure that Disney was employing some form of "Stacking" the queue for Flight of Passage at just after 8. The end of the line was well out into the land but we waited only about 45 minutes including pre-show. We rode standby just in case we wanted to use the Fastpass to ride again later, and I think this was a good strategy. The queue is so detailed and there's so much to look at that I can honestly say it didn't feel like 45 minutes...and I typically refuse to wait more than 20 minutes for anything that isn't a nighttime spectacular.
I was nervous about fitting on the ride but my mom and I both used the test seat and they said we "should" be fine. My restraint closed with no issue. They needed to give my mom a little extra push but she fit too. I think for this first ride we were higher up and it was genuinely the most amazing ride I've ever been on!
We didn't eat at the Canteen or browse in the gift shop but I took TONS of pictures throughout the land, day and night. We returned for our Fastpass after 7pm and I'm glad we did the standby queue because the Fastpass line skips all of the cool details. I think we were in a lower row that time. I could see at least one row of riders above us and the ride felt more intense, and the visuals not quite as smooth. I felt a little "off" for a short while after riding.
We came back again to explore after dark just around 10pm as the park was closing. Didn't stay long but it was worth it to see the hyped "bioluminescent" plants. They started sound effects of things growling from the surrounding forested areas and it was quite unnerving - probably to get the guests moving along so the cast members can go home for the night!
Pros:
The level of detail is amazing and Flight of Passage is on another levelCons:
—Review of Landscape of Flavors - Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
I ate here for a late lunch on 8/30, my mom had dinner later the same day, and we ate dinner together on 9/2. Never had trouble finding a table. Even the make-your-own pasta line moved quickly. Between the two of us we had the BBQ Pork Sandwich, the pasta, and a Caprese Sandwich. My mom also tried the Nutella gelato, which she said tasted like regular ice cream, and so she was a little disappointed. CMs are friendly and keep the place very clean.
My first visit, the MagicBand PIN I've been using literally since MagicBands became a thing 5 years or so ago, was not valid. My mom had the same thing happen when she tried to eat dinner. The cashier was going to let me just take the food without paying but I reset the PIN from my phone and was good to go. For my mom, they reportedly took her name and room number and said it would be charged to the room, but it never showed up on the charges. The PIN issue isn't the fault of the restaurant, of course, and they handled it well, but the result of the incredibly poor Disney IT service. I'm positive the PIN was correct, and after I reset them both we never had any more problems.
Pros:
Huge portions, food is usually very goodCons:
Huge portions - makes me feel wastefulReview of Be Our Guest Dinner
Reviewed by Crawale Review Date: 09/15/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
Much improved dinner menu. However the escargot appetizer really needs improvement - very dry. The dish needed more butter and garlic as in Chefs de France. Best steak in Disney World and the dessert, especially the chocolate chip cup, was excellent. Wait staff always attentive but not obnoxiously so.
Area just outside the restaurant is shaded but you are not allowed to proceed there until 15 minutes before your reservation. There is little if no shade around the check in area. With a possible heat index of over 100, no one wants to arrive hot and sweating for dinner.
Pros:
Entree and dessertCons:
Escargot appetizer. Only allowed to check in 15 mins before reservation time. This means you cannot go sit in the shade if it is a hot night.Review of STAR WARS: Secrets of the Empire
Reviewed by dcdeb Review Date: 09/16/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
I ventured into the VOID for this Star Wars virtual reality experience not knowing what to expect. I was thoroughly surprised and entertained. You can read my full review in our blog here:
http://land.allears.net/blogs/allearsteam/2018/09/the_void_star_wars_secrets_of.html
