Most Recent Reviews
Review of Be Our Guest -Counter Service Lunch
Reviewed by lisadunn40 Review Date: 01/14/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
We (our family of 4) ate here on Dec 15. I had been trying to get dinner reservations here for months to no avail. Just a couple of weeks before our trip, we received an email from Disney inviting us to participate in the experimental Fastpass+ lunch at Be Our Guest (without using one of our valuable Fastpass+ selections). It was a dream come true. We were given the choice of deciding what we wanted to eat ahead of time and so we chose that option. I am an ultimate planner so I usually look at the menus ahead of time anyway. Ordering ahead just made it that much easier. When we arrived for our Fastpass+ window, we were directed to a cast member who checked us in and directed us right into the front door. Another cast member met us there and reconfirmed our pre-order, let us choose our payment option and then printed out our receipt. We then walked right in to choose our seat. We decided to sit in the main ballroom. Each room is beautifully themed with so much detail. It was everything I imagined and more! Our food came to us within minutes. We tried the turkey sandwich, the ham sandwich, the braised pork and the quinoa salad. All delicious. We had the lemon and the gray stuff cupcakes as well. It is by far the best food offered in the Magic Kingdom. We walked around each room when we were finished. The only thing I missed was the hallway with the knights that talk while you order your food...but pre-ordering was the best so it was ok with me. By the time we left, the line outside was wrapped around the corner of those trying to get in for lunch. It was a wonderful experience and I hope they make this a regular Fastpass+ choice. Even without the Fastpass+ it is well worth the food and experience.
Pros:
atmosphere, food, serviceCons:
a little loudReview of Raglan Road
Reviewed by lisadunn40 Review Date: 01/14/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
Our first night in (Dec 13) was spent in Downtown Disney. We were planning on trying out the new food trucks for dinner but on our way to that side of Downtown Disney we heard live entertainment coming from Raglan Road. We had eaten there years ago when they first opened and thought the food was good but nothing special. But we were hungry and the music was good, so we decided to give it another try. We were seated outdoors within minutes right in front of the performers. They were wonderful but the music was a little loud that close. We ordered some adult beverages and our food. We ate the Raglan Risotto which was fabulous, Shepherds Pie which was the best we ever had, Bangers and Booz which was delicious and the Fish and Chips which was actually our least favorite but tasty. We all had to try each others food because it was really that good. It really was a great surprise to come back after all of those years and see how much they have improved their menu and the dining experience. Our server was very attentive as well. It was a great start to a great vacation!
Pros:
great food, entertainment, outdoor seatingCons:
music can be a little loud depending on where you sitReview of FastPass+ (Retired)
Reviewed by tpetty Review Date: 01/14/2015
Rating: (3) Not Recommended
This was our 3rd trip (12-2-14 to 12-11-14) using the FP+ system. The 1st trip was when they were testing it so won't count this trip but the last two trips when the system has been live for everyone we have had problems. Mainly with switching our FP+ experience to another experience. This past time we decided we wanted to switch Test Track for Soarin' and my phone told me we could have the same time as our Test Track ride time but then once it did the final confirmation it was for a completely different time. I didn't realize this at 1st and went on to change another experience and again got a ride time that wasn't the same as what it told me I would get. I know the system tries to be smart and not book FP+ during dining reservations but it didn't take into account that we were doing the Candlelight Processional (had a dinner package) so it kept putting ride times into that time frame. In the end we spent about 45 min. with a Cast Member the next day at a kiosk trying to figure out what went wrong. Final the Cast Member told us that b/c we don't have an iPhone the system will tell us we can have the same time as the FP+ that we are trying to switch but then once it does the final confirmation and that time really isn't available it will pick another time for us and give us that time instead. The way around that was to not use the My Disney App but to log onto the disneyworld.com website and make the changes that way. So much for getting to use an app that is supposed to make your vacation easier.
There was one day where we were by a kiosk and we had used up our 1st three FP+ so DH got a 4th one and he was able to get most rides at the MK to pick from.
We also got a FP+ for The Frozen Sing Along and when we got there between our window they were already seating non-FP+ guests and so the seats were picked over and we were presented seats with a pole in our way. We wouldn't have had a problem with this had we been late for our window but we weren't so we saw no advantage to using a FP+ for that.
Pros:
When a ride went down we were allowed to us the FP+ on another ride (or that ride if it came back up) for the rest of the dayCons:
System still isn't working correctly; no room for flexibilityReviewed by lauriembs Review Date: 01/15/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
My husband and I stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter from Jan. 9 – Jan. 14th. We usually stay at an “off-site†hotel when visiting Walt Disney World but my husband had signed up to participate in the Disney Marathon so we decided to stay onsite. We absolutely LOVED this resort! The rooms were very nice and clean. I had requested a specific room in a specific building for our stay so we could be close to the bus transportation. We drove to Orlando (12 hour drive) and checked in at 9:00pm. While they could not accommodate my EXACT room request, they did give me the room I had requested – just one floor down. It was perfect! The beds were more comfortable than I had expected too which is always a plus. Everything was in close proximity to our room – the pool, the food court, ice/vending on each floor, the gift shop and the bus stop! I had read the food court at this resort was very bad but we had no complaints! We ate there for dinner the night of our arrival (9:00pm) and the food was just fine. We also ate breakfast there two mornings and really enjoyed it. Don’t miss the beignets! In the evenings, the restaurant has live music which we enjoyed. The staff was always friendly and ready to assist us with any requests we had. We also loved the boat transportation to Downtown Disney – what a fun experience! I would definitely stay at the resort again…in fact, I am not sure I would want to stay anywhere else – we LOOOOVED it!
Pros:
Very nice accommodations/not super large propertyCons:
NoneReview of My Disney Experience
Reviewed by alwill Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Not sure if we truly experienced MyMagic+ or just a prelude to its features. However, during our stay in December, I was asked at check-in if I'd be interested in participating the new program with our room key, which we were also putting our park tickets on. The guest services member said we'd be able to use our room key by merely waving or tapping on a device at select stores within the test park, EPCOT. So, we agreed. We added a 4 digit pin to each card, in the event we were to use it on a purchase of $50 or more.
A couple of days later, when we were approaching the gates at the park, a lady (not in the usual Cast Member attire) saw us pulling out our room keys and asked if we'd like to participate in a test experience, and naturally, we agreed. She led us down the way from the other gates and ushered us to a entry point that had a waist-high T-bar with a ball adorned with a Disney "D" and on the other end of the T-bar, a finger reader.
We waved our card in front of the "D" and a green light twirled around the D and then lit up in a solid ring around the D. Then the index finger was inserted on the reader, which also twirled a green light, ending in a solid green color and voila, you were in. There were a lot of upper level types standing around observing this, taking notes on tablets and thanking us for participating. I asked if I could take a picture of the gate device and after a little checking, a gentleman in what I'd call casual business attire stepped over and asked a few questions, then declined my request, saying it was still in testing and they would rather wait for the official Disney announcement. He was very nice about it.
Then while in EPCOT, and making purchases at various checkouts, we saw the same Disney "D" emblem ball as part of the credit card reader. When we asked if we could do the tapping technique, almost every place said it wasn't working (one member took the card and wiped it across the D-ball a few times like she was under surveillance and then said, "See, it doesn't work.") However, when in one of the shops in the China pavilion, we asked the cast member at the checkout if we should we tap our card, she had no idea what we were talking about. And when we tried, it worked! She was as surprised as we were.
The next day, as we were about to enter the Animal Kingdom, we were again approached by some nicely dressed cast members to participate in the new entry test, and we went through like old pros (they were impressed we knew what to do and so quickly) The only difference in the AK device is that it had a patina look, like it had been weathered, keeping with the jungle explorer theme of the park.
Overall, it seems to be very cool technology and so much faster than the usual entry method. I can't tell you how many times our tickets would not go through the regular readers and you'd have to run it through several times before you could enter. I'm also looking forward to the FastPass+ features that are being touted.
The only concern with the card tap method in purchasing from the stores would be if you lost your card and the finder was to take advantage of its easy buying ability. Even though when purchasing something over $50, you had to enter your pin, a lot of damage can be done buying food and beverages. But I'm sure Disney has thought about that!
Pros:
Very cool technologyCons:
A little buggyReview of Kona Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by Wykdg Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
We ate dinner here Jan. 3. There was no place to sit down to wait until our reservation was ready. The couches and chairs at the end of the lobby area were full.
The cafe is just off the doors to the monorail, so it is busy and noisy, plus the sound of the waterfall contributed to the noise.
The restaurant is open to this activity and it was hard to have a quiet conversation. Maybe if they built a half wall or put in some other kind of sound absorption, this restaurant would be more relaxing,
.
The food was good. We had Asian noodles, coconut chicken and coffee crusted pork chops. The salads and breads were delicious as well. Our server was informed and helpful. The coffee was the smoothest, most delicious coffee we have enjoyed on WDW property!
This restaurant is very convenient to get to from the Magic Kingdom.
Pros:
Good food, convenient locationCons:
Noisy, did not feel upscaleReviewed by Wykdg Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We ate here for the first time on 1/5, the morning we checked out. It was recommended by the concierge as a way to use up 2 table service meals on the dining plan. We are so happy we ate here!
The juice was delicious! The selection of foods was amazing. My favorites were the corned beef hash, the quinoa and the french toast bread pudding with pecan praline sauce. The bacon was nice and crispy, too!
We will be sure to make a reservation here again.
Pros:
Delicious food, ambienceCons:
NoneReviewed by Wykdg Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed here Jan. 1-5. Our first time staying here. It is a beautiful, unique resort. The animals were abundant. Be sure to watch the savannah through the night vision goggles. We stayed in a DVC studio and it was spacious and comfortable. We could see across the savannah to the Christmas tree in the lobby of Kidani Village from our balcony.
The staff was fantastic, especially the concierge staff. Check-in was fast and easy. We had done online check-in.
We enjoyed a dinner at Mara our first night. We also had a breakfast there and enjoyed the selections. This is the only location to refill mugs. Since our room was nowhere close to Mara, we did not fill our mugs very often. The location of Mara is not on the way in or out of Jambo House, so filling mugs is not very accessible.
We had breakfast at Boma and it was fantastic! This was on our last morning there and we shall return in the future.
The gift shop in Jambo House is one of the best resort shops. There are many items unique to AKL.
The only con about AKL is the time it takes to travel anywhere else (except AK). In our short 3 days at WDW, we felt we spent too many hours waiting for/traveling on busses. We usually stay at the Beach Club Villas and have become spoiled at being just minutes away from 2 parks and mini-golf.
A family could enjoy a vacation here without even needing to go anywhere else!
Pros:
Gorgeous setting, decor, great staffCons:
Took a long time to get anywhere on bussesReview of Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by sreis2010 Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
We have visted POP 3 years in a row and will continue to stay here for years to come. The front desk was extremely helpful, accomadating and always smiling. Food court had a great selection of food, our room was always clean. I have stayed at the moderate resorts and I definately prefer to stay at the Pop its just more inviting.
Pros:
clean, fun, outstanding customer serviceCons:
nonReview of Art of Animation Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by alwill Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed at the Art of Animation in the Cars Luigi & Guido section. Loved it-- great theming, nice sized room with plenty of space (and two bathrooms!) We especially liked the table/bed for our 10 year old.
It's like an upgraded Value resort: the buildings are regular and rectangular but have enough of a facade to ramp it up a bit. When walking from the Food Court with our trays of food, the huge seagulls perched in the Finding Nemo building squawked "Mine! Mine! Mine" (but we never heard them do it again when we walked by other times)
The only hitch was the swimming pool water didn't appear to be heated. We started in the Nemo pool and ended up in our native Cars area. This was strange as we've always noted the heated pools in whatever resort we've stayed in-- and we've stayed in several, from WL, AK, PO, CS, etc.
But we'd be inclined to stay there again. We'll just have to save up more money as it is a bit pricey, but worth it!
