Most Recent Reviews
Review of Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe
Reviewed by monorailmom Review Date: 09/19/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
We always eat at Cosmic Ray's at least once per trip. The multi-bay ordering system can be chaotic, but the food is always good and fresh. The toppings bar is an added plus. As a family of six, we appreciate not struggling (typically) to find seating together. It can be loud if you're in the main room listening to Sonny Eclipse, but the other dining rooms are much quieter.
Pros:
good food for a quick service locationCons:
little hectic at time of orderingReviewed by mdm24551 Review Date: 09/22/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
We truly enjoyed the Stone Harbor Club at the Beach Club Resort. From the moment of our arrival we were treated as special guests. Our escort met us in the main lobby and accompanied us to the Club level check-in area where we were offered a complimantary champagne signature drink. The duty Concierge checked us in and provided us with the unique phone number and text message service to the Concierge Desk in case we needed any assistance during our stay. We made use of this service on several occasions and were always impressed with the service provided.
Other than the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Suites all other rooms on the Club level are "standard" rooms, but our room was very nice to include a decently sized balcony overlooking the pool and lagoon. It was an awesome view that we enjoyed many evenings and mornings. In my humble opinion it is worth the extra cost to ask for this view. The pool can be a bit noisy at times, but only during family friendly hours. They could, however, lower the volume of the kids activities at the pool by 50% and still have it be more than loud enough for participants, and much less intrusive for other guests. The Stone Harbor Club was excellent. Great fresh fruit at breakfast and a unique make your own yogurt spread. Hot oatmeal was there every day. A hot egg dish would have been appreciated, but was not part of the deluxe continental breakfast offering. The early evening offerings varied from day to day and always included two hot dishes and several unique salads. They have an assigned Chef who really cares about what he is serving and it shows. Salads were unique, cheeses were top flight. All in all it was excellent. Drink offerings were more than adequate with numerous wine and beers selections all of good quality. Later in the evening liquors were offered with dessert and were also of top quality. Chocolate covered strawberries were not offered, and would have been a top notch addition had they been.
Our stay was excellent and we would do this again. The lounge and the staff really made a magical WDW stay even better.
Pros:
Service, staff, food and beverage offeringsCons:
None, but a little crowed on busy nightsReview of Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Reviewed by monorailmom Review Date: 09/19/2015
Rating: (6) Recommended
We ate at Pecos Bill' s for lunch over our August trip. Food was fine, but seating here isn't the easiest. It always seems that some of the dining room is closed off, making other rooms rather crowded. We tend to prefer Cosmic Ray's over this place, but would eat here again if we're nearby and hungry!
Pros:
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—Review of Art of Animation Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by Correllian Review Date: 09/24/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
I have been to Disney four times, twice at midrange to upscale resorts and twice at budget resorts, so I knew what to expect at a budget Disney resort.
Art of Animation compared very well if not better to All Star Movies, EXCEPT for the "free in room wifi". Put simply: it barely worked. It worked sporadically in one corner of one of the beds in the room, and nowhere else. I couldn't get news and weather, (Disney's in-room TV doesn't really do much in the way of decent local weather forecasts), I couldn't use social media to keep my family and friends at home updated, and even worse, I couldn't make meal reservations at Disney restaurants.
I detected a little wear and tear in our room at All Star Movies two years ago, but at least the WiFi worked.
Pros:
Decor, food courtCons:
Subpar WiFiReviewed by minniemagicalmoments Review Date: 09/25/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
This review is of the Royal Palm Concierge in the Main Building of the Grand Floridian. Originally, I booked a garden view outer building room but when I received my text from online check-in, I knew I had been upgraded. Thrilled that it was the main building. This room is difficult to book and pay full price for on certain dates. I was only there for 1 night for the Halloween party in September so I am guessing it was just good timing for there to be a little pixie dust offered. It was enjoyed and appreciated to the fullest. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I was given an accessible room which was laid out a little different. Upon entering the room the bath was on the right and beds on the left. Other than that the room was mostly the same. We had a balcony view of the kids splash playground. I really feel after this visit it would be worth the money to book the Concierge Level again at a resort. My husband stayed back at the resort. He did not plan to attend the party and really enjoyed the evening offerings which included marinated vegetables, nice cheese and aged beef. He enjoyed the champagne as well. My 2 girls and I returned about 9pm to join him for the dessert course. It took us less than 5 minutes to return via the boat launches and 5 minutes back via monorail. Unbeatable! Mini cheesecakes, key lime and fruit tartlets, chocolate mouse too. I liked that the girls could have a PBJ and goldfish and not just sweets. This was so nice to have beverages always available. Bottled water had to be requested but was always available. The ice water and cranberry lemonade was always available. Coke products were available. Ginger ale was nice since I can't always fine it. Wines and liquors were a nice brand. Nicer than expected and the pour was nice too. Coffee and Hot Tea were great for breakfast. Oatmeal, breads, cereal, yogurt, fruit and a few meat and cheese for breakfast. The mid day homemade chip with veggies and dips were incredible! The lounge area was nice since the tables lined the windows and offered a view and privacy from other guests. The band in the lobby was perfect and such a nice touch to being in the main building. We hope to stay here again!
Pros:
Attentive Staff- Main Building- Food and Drink availabilityCons:
noneReview of BOATHOUSE
Reviewed by clayalex02 Review Date: 09/24/2015
Rating: (6) Recommended
I am unsure about this restaurant. I would have to give it one more chance and order something different. Mom, sister and I ate here at the end of August. The restaurant was busy, we were seated pretty quickly, in the middle of the room. Sister and I ordered the Lobster mac and cheese and both did not care for it, it was the one and only dish the whole week in Disney that we did not like. Mom had the scallops, which were okay - spicy. None of desserts on the menu appealed to me as they were all in the same vein, except for the big ice cream dessert - but they would not let us get that because we were a party of 3 and on the meal plan. They need to make a smaller one for smaller parties!
Pros:
atmosphereCons:
—Review of Grand Floridian Cafe Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by clayalex02 Review Date: 09/24/2015
Rating: (9) Recommended
Mom, sister and I ate here at the end of August, even though I had heard that ADR were not normally needed for this restaurant I am glad that I had made one. A tropical storm was in the area and with all the rain the restaurants on the monorail line were busy and I don't think this restaurant is used to being this crowded. Mom had the pork chop, she said it was the best pork chop she has had, however the sides were cold. Sister had the filet, which she enjoyed, but once again the sides were cold. I had the shrimp and grits, which was not cold in the least and very tasty. At the next table, they were getting desserts and I spotted a chocolate Mickey! It comes with the sampler platter, but that did not appeal to us at the table. When I ordered my dessert, which I can't remember now, I jokingly told the waitress "and a chocolate Mickey" She brought me one! It was really too cute to eat, but eventually did a couple of days later. It was solid chocolate. Would come here again
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cold sidesReviewed by minniemagicalmoments Review Date: 09/25/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
Attended the party on Tuesday September 22, 2015. Arrived at 5pm because we dinner ran a little later than planned. Was able to use 2 of our 3 FP reservations made before 7pm. Many of the rides were a walk on: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountian were all under 5 minutes. Peter Pan and 7 Dwarfs were the longest lines but we FP Peter Pan and rode 7 Dwarfs twice, waited 25 min then 10 min even though posted times were double the actual wait. Rode every thing we wanted. Only went through 3 Trick or Treat lines. Those got much longer and we were too excited about the rides. Stopped to watch the Headless Horseman and the Fireworks and just a few minutes of the Hocus Pocus show. Really an enjoyable night. No FP options for the party really levels the playing field and I really like it! Saw several of the characters that only show up during the party from afar. Very fun atmosphere!
Pros:
short lines for ridesCons:
noneReview of Bengal Barbecue
Reviewed by mg0914 Review Date: 09/25/2015
Rating: (10) Recommended
Two of us tried the safari skewers - bacon wrapped asparagus. Wow were they good! I am so glad we tried them. The wait was a little longer than we had hoped but well worth it. Very inexpensive and a fun eat-on-the-move kind of snack. Don't miss these!
Pros:
awesome snackCons:
—Review of Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Lunch/Dinner
Reviewed by mgilmore Review Date: 09/28/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
We ate at the Supper at the BBQ on Sunday Sept 20th during our first visit to DL. It was our 1st and only time eating there since the BBQ will be closing in a few months.
We checked in for our reservation 10 minutes early and it took 20-30 minutes to be seated.
You are seated at a table with others. The area was decorated for fall/halloween time. There was a gentleman strolling around singing and playing the banjo and a lady joined him a bit later.
Our server was very attentive and friendly.
It is served family style, all you can eat. Each family gets there own portions to share. We were served a bucket of ribs & chicken, beans, corn cob wheels & coleslaw.
We enjoyed everything except the coleslaw. We prefer a creamy coleslaw. This coleslaw was made with a tangy dressing that wasn't creamy. It reminded me of a vinegrette.
The only other negative comment is that dessert costs extra. At Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Disney World dessert is included.
The employees are all getting moved to other restaurants so I don't think there are any plans to move this to another area or bring it back any time soon.
We enjoyed the BBQ and were glad we decided to try it.
