Live-ish blog. My thoughts and observations April 7-13

Staying at AKL Jambo House...

I am gonna try and just hit some bullet points here. We will start off with post 1, night one...

We arrived at MCO at 9:12pm. Headed straight to Magic Express, boarded a waiting motor coach. We then proceeded to wait for approximately 45 minutes to leave. They packed the bus to bursting, and people were standing in the back(against policy, but I guess efficiency beats safety) we were the 3rd stop and didn't arrive at our resort till a little after 11.

We were then woken up at 2am by a call from bell services asking if they could deliver our luggage. This was after I spoke to them at 11, and specifically asked them not to call or knock that night. I was infuriated. Also, despite talking to the front desk and bell services, I was basically given a "we're sorry" shoulder shrug. Which, believe it or not, doesn't help with my 3 year olds lack of sleep.

Anyhoo, that's day 1. Good start.

 

[Nemo14]

The last time we did Pirates I very nearly passed out from the heat by the time we got to the load area. This has been going on for quite some time.

 

[xdan0920]

OP- thanks for a good read and for taking the time during your trip to post your observations. I enjoyed it!

Just a thought from my own experiences- While I know that bus transportation is touted as a perk of staying onsite at WDW and while I totally agree that it could be much better, I've come to just accept that it is what it is. A few trips back we decided to start using taxis whenever we didn't have the patience to wait. That expense is something we now just include as part of the trip budget. It makes everything so much easier and makes us so much happier that it's completely worth it. I know that a lot of people will say it shouldn't be necessary, but it makes things so much better and I've personally just accepted it.

We Uber-ed everywhere the trip prior to this. But we traveled with a 3 year old, so we would have needed a car seat.

I noticed Cosmic Rays as well was extremely hot in there and the Frozen ride, go figure, stood out as two of the hottest. I would have rather been outside.

Yes. Frozen was crazily hot. Cosmic Rays was honestly ridiculous. Kids crying everywhere, people packed shoulder to shoulder, no AC, optimized staffing. Just outrageous.

 

[ford91exploder]

Ya well T-Rex, as you said the food is not very good ( I know we had a conversation about this in your pre-trip, I'm sorry if I swayed your opinion to visit). I would put it on par with the Rainforest Café maybe a step lower than a TGIF or Applebee's. If you can stomach paying $20 for a mediocre salad so you can dine in the a faux ice cave with plastic dinosaurs for the sake of the youngster then it has value. Really you are paying 30%-50% more in value just for the theming.

I did not have any issues at the CP last summer, we actually saw all the characters a multiple of times but that place does get crazy, and the premium on prices ahhhh. Also the Tusker house breakfast I think has good interaction with the furries and the food has at least a few options that I found different and quite palatable.

+1 on Columbia Harbor house especially that Lighthouse Sandwich.

Flatbreads??!! WTH, I think it's just easier to produce a frozen premade crust without the necessity to allow the crust to rise. Although Digiorno's can do it, so that is a mystery. Certainly it can't be sold as a healthier alternative.

As per usual its all about cost

Disney Flatbreads take less and cheaper flour to make and less energy to cook.

That said a GOOD flatbread can be amazing especially if its the kind like Indian Nann bread but crispy on the outside yet chewy on the inside.

 

[Cookie Galore]

We Uber-ed everywhere the trip prior to this. But we traveled with a 3 year old, so we would have needed a car seat.

I understand. I didn't mean that you should have done it that way anyway. I was mentioning it as an alternative for anyone reading who might have concerns following your (fair) assessment of the bus situation.
You can actually request cars with car seats. At the resorts you just tell the valet who calls for the car and they'll make sure you get a taxi that has one. It does take a few minutes longer sometimes, and I personally don't feel as safe using a random carseat as opposed to one I've installed myself and fitted specifically for the child. Of course the child is loose on the bus, so it's all imperfect.

 

[xdan0920]

As per usual its all about cost

Disney Flatbreads take less and cheaper flour to make and less energy to cook.

That said a GOOD flatbread can be amazing especially if its the kind like Indian Nann bread but crispy on the outside yet chewy on the inside.

They are cardboard, slathered in garbage sauce and cheap cheese. I couldn't even get my 3 year old to eat it. Instead he had a steady diet of $5 "Uncrustables".

 

[21stamps]

They are cardboard, slathered in garbage sauce and cheap cheese. I couldn't even get my 3 year old to eat it. Instead he had a steady diet of $5 "Uncrustables".

Tip for next time.. bring things like kid zone bars, pb&j bars, etc. we use them as snacks when we go long between meals, but they're very similar to a uncrustable in portion/filling size. I always pack them in a suitcase on vacations, or in my bag on day trips somewhere.

 

[flynnibus]

We Uber-ed everywhere the trip prior to this. But we traveled with a 3 year old, so we would have needed a car seat.

FWIW.. every uber I rode in (about a dozen) when I was down there in March had a booster seat. But I do know they charge a surcharge if you request a car with a car seat.. so I dunno the full details

I didn't have any noticible complaints about AC in Frozen or pirates. But it was only about 91-92 those days, not crazy heat.

 

[xdan0920]

FWIW.. every uber I rode in (about a dozen) when I was down there in March had a booster seat. But I do know they charge a surcharge if you request a car with a car seat.. so I dunno the full details

I didn't have any noticible complaints about AC in Frozen or pirates. But it was only about 91-92 those days, not crazy heat.

It was cooler then that when we were there. Maybe they were using the more moderate temperatures as a way to optimize their energy spending. It was routinely nicer outside then inside. And it was mid 80s outside.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Food.

Now, in fairness, we did basically no sit downs outside of two character breakfasts and T-Rex....So, this is mainly a QS review. Now, that said, blech...

Good -
1. Citrus Swirl - Still the best snack on earth. Sucks they moved it out of the Sunshine Tree Terrace.
2. Free Ice Water
3. Columbia Harbour House - Had the Lobster Roll, Clam Chowdah, and some fries, all very good, if stupidly expensive.

Bad -
1. Cost - I mean, this has gotten totally out of hand. $5 for an Uncrustable. $15 for a drink. $16 for a Lobstah roll on what amounts to hot dog bun. I could honestly go on and on here. The prices are in-bleeping-sane.

2. Crystal Palace - Not sure what the typical cycle time is for characters, but we sat for an hour, and only met 2 of the 4. Look, I am not paying $35pp for that crap food, if we can't get all the characters in, in an hour, what are we paying for?

3. T-Rex Cafe - Ok, maybe we ordered the wrong things, or maybe they had a bad night, but all three of our meals were essentially inedible. I got the Chicken Sandwich, which turned out to be more of a pita thing. Megan got a Caesar Salad and Soup, and Landon got what was advertised as Mac and Cheese. All three dishes were little more then warm garbage. I wouldn't eat here again if it was free. And it was decidedly not free. Total after tax and tip was approx $135. I have never left a restaurant more unsatisfied in my life.

4. Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe - Impossible to talk about this dump without mentioning the lack of AC. It was oppressively hot in here. They were running optimized staffing, so only two bays were open, so that was fun too. The food was typical QS crap. The table vultures were also incredibly aggravating. 1 of 10, IMO.

5. The proliferation of "flatbreads." What is this abomination? It's not pizza, I can tell you that. These things are AWFUL. Serve me that round personal pie. At least that resembles pizza. Pizzafari, now serves flatbreads, that is not PIZZA!!!!

6. The costs. Wanted to bookend this list by refocusing on cost. Disney has taken the pricing too far. Don't talk to me about ball games, you aren't at a ball game for a week. The prices are comical. $40+ for a buffet, where the best food option is a GD Mickey Waffle? OUTRAGEOUS.

SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!

The pricing at WDW has gone beyond ridiculous to exploitative. It took them a long time to get rid of me, but they did it. I just won't go anymore.

 

[Plowboy]

Just couple of comments.

First: Food pricing has gotten totally out of hand. When we go to the world it's just me and Mrs. P. and at the end of the trip when they e-mail me my bill and I go into shock at how much we spent on food for just the two of us I can only imagine what it must be like for a family with 2 or 3 kids. We try to do one sit down a day, but usually it's Biergarten or Boma for breakfast, etc., not California Grill or Shula's. In other words we don't go overboard and it's still unfreaking believable.

Second: The ECV thing. Yes, I understand that many of my older brethren aren't able to get around as easily as us (we're in our 60's). I feel for them and hope I don't ever have to be in that predicament. However, since when do 8 or 9 family members have to accompany Grandma/Grandpa through the back door of the bus? I'm fine with one or two, but when the bus has been half filled and the front door hasn't even opened yet, I think that's a bit much.

Let the flaming begin.

 

[xdan0920]

Just couple of comments.

First: Food pricing has gotten totally out of hand. When we go to the world it's just me and Mrs. P. and at the end of the trip when they e-mail me my bill and I go into shock at how much we spent on food for just the two of us I can only imagine what it must be like for a family with 2 or 3 kids. We try to do one sit down a day, but usually it's Biergarten or Boma for breakfast, etc., not California Grill or Shula's. In other words we don't go overboard and it's still unfreaking believable.

Second: The ECV thing. Yes, I understand that many of my older brethren aren't able to get around as easily as us (we're in our 60's). I feel for them and hope I don't ever have to be in that predicament. However, since when do 8 or 9 family members have to accompany Grandma/Grandpa through the back door of the bus. I'm fine with one or two, but when the bus has been half filled and the front door hasn't even opened yet, I think that's a bit much.

Let the flaming begin.

I *think* you're in a safe space now. The maniacal "Disney can do no wrong" folks have been chased out after page 1.

I value everyone's opinions.

 

[21stamps]

Am I the only one who thinks that Disney quick service and drinks (non alcoholic) are somewhat reasonable compared to prices or portion sizes elsewhere?

Not saying they are cheap by any means, just not over the top comparatively. Even the non-character tableservice restaurants, imo.

My biggest issue is kid menu options. It drives me nuts!
Luckily the new Pandora restaurant will actually offer decent food for kids.. hopefully the other ones will start the same.

 

[xdan0920]

Am I the only one who thinks that Disney quick service and drinks (non alcoholic) are somewhat reasonable compared to prices or portion sizes elsewhere?

Not saying they are cheap by any means, just not over the top comparatively. Even the non-character tableservice restaurants, imo.

My biggest issue is kid menu options. It drives me nuts!
Luckily the new Pandora restaurant will actually offer decent food for kids.. hopefully the other ones will start the same.

"Pepperoni Flatbread - freshley baked flatbread with tangy tomato sauce, mozzarella, and spicy pepperoni slices, served with tomato and cucumber salad $10.49"

$11 after tax for a flatbread. No sides. No drink. That's reasonable to you?

 

[21stamps]

"Pepperoni Flatbread - freshley baked flatbread with tangy tomato sauce, mozzarella, and spicy pepperoni slices, served with tomato and cucumber salad $10.49"

$11 after tax for a flatbread. No sides. No drink. That's reasonable to you?

Tomato and cucumber salad is the side.
I said they aren't cheap.. I'm just saying compared to a lot of amusement parks or destinations they don't seem so bad. I don't want them higher, trust me.. but food and drink prices.. and recreation.. are the only areas where I don't feel they have become astronomically priced at WDW. Hotels, and tickets if less than 3 days- yes.

 

[xdan0920]

Tomato and cucumber salad is the side.
I said they aren't cheap.. I'm just saying compared to a lot of amusement parks or destinations they don't seem so bad. I don't want them higher, trust me.. but food and drink prices.. and recreation.. are the only areas where I don't feel they have become astronomically priced at WDW. Hotels, and tickets if less than 3 days- yes.

Have you had that "side"? I have. It's a quarter cup of bruschetta.

 

[21stamps]

Have you had that "side"? I have. It's a quarter cup of bruschetta.

But you don't think the flatbread is large? I don't know, maybe it's just me.. but food prices are the one thing..sorry, and recreation activity prices, that do not bother me at WDW. Everything else is ridiculous.. but somehow those have remained palatable- to me.

I'm more angered that I have to order my kid a huge adult meal at a Moroccan restaurant bc they do not offer one Moroccan dish for a child.. that's stupid to me.


Ok so here's an example- streetside cart conch fritters. $12 for a little basket of conch fritters, no drink, no side. That's so over the top to me. 6 in total.

 

[xdan0920]

But you don't think the flatbread is large? I don't know, maybe it's just me.. but food prices are the one thing..sorry, and recreation activity prices, that do not bother me at WDW. Everything else is ridiculous.. but somehow those have remained palatable- to me.

I'm more angered that I have to order my kid a huge adult meal at a Moroccan restaurant bc they do not offer one Moroccan dish for a child.. that's stupid to me.


Ok so here's an example- streetside cart conch fritters. $12 for a little basket of conch fritters, no drink, no side. That's so over the top to me. 6 in total.

Large?!?!?

It's hardly bigger then a standard size napkin.

 

[flynnibus]

Stalin aint so bad when you compare him to hitler...

 

[21stamps]

Large?!?!?

It's hardly bigger then a standard size napkin.

View attachment 199772

The only places I've had one are Captain Cook's and Roaring Forks.. each time I could finish only half or just over. So to me they seem like large portions

I guess it depends on how someone eats..really. That's 6 slices...and a mini salad. Maybe to men it seems like not enough.lol

 

[21stamps]

Speaking of food though..

When I was looking at AKL the menu at Mara looked good. Did you eat there at all? Did they have decent kid choices?