Need resort info + opinions

[iggyboo]

My sister and I will be going to Disneyworld this summer on the Dreammaker Gold plan.

We will we be staying 15days/14nights at Caribbean Beach(5 days),PO Riverside(5days),and AKLodge(4days),Sister wants to try a few resorts so we'll be moving our luggage alot.

I'm just looking for some info on these resorts and opinions of people who have stayed there.

Also if you have any opinions on your favorite restaurants please post them to my other thread "Going Gold this summer",I have 42 meals to eat so I'd like to get people's opinions of what is good and what should be avoided.

Thanks for any help you guys can provide.


Iggyboo:king:

 

[Erika]

Hi Iggy!

My husband and I stayed at Caribbean Beach in 2000 for our honeymoon. We LOVED it- however- something to keep in mind is that this resort is VERY large and you may end up with a long walk to the food court area. If this is a problem, try for a "village" right across the water or else right next to Port Royale. We were across the water and it was a nice little walk, over the footbridge and across the island- It was perfect. Beautiful.

It's been a while since I stayed at Riverside- I was there in 94 and in 95. The first time I was in the plantation-style and the second time was Alligator Bayou. I loved them both equally. It's a very pretty resort.

We have not stayed at AKL but we visited when we ate at Boma and decided that we would deffinitely try to stay there for at least a few nights next trip. We're pretty cheap so this says a lot for the AKL :lol:

As for restaurants- my all-time favorite is San Angel Inn at Mexico, but I also like the restaurants at Morocco, Germany, and the UK. Boma was good although I doubt I'll get John to eat there again (a bit too adventurous for him). Prime Time Cafe at MGM is good for a few laughs and the food was decent.

Have a fun trip!:wave:

 

[tybroid59]

We have just come back from PO riverside.
we loved it to bits.......but i checked out a map of the layout of the hotel and faxed a request to stay in Magnolia terreace as it was near to the pool and food etc

The food court was ok ...but we were not tempted to eat very much but break fast in it .

the bar food in River Roost was great and so was Boat wrights .

pool was lovely

Fav reataurant of the stay was Spoodles in Boardwalk which I loved.
Worse restaurant Cuban cafe in DTD:hurl:

boat ride from DTD back to hotel was brilliant in the dark and lovely in the light.

We kept passing a horse and carriage but never had a ride so im not sure where it came from .

 

[Moustronaut]

My wife and I have done the "meals included" thing twice. Once for our honeymoon and once for new years 2001. It's truely awesome to just go wild at the restaurants.

Here's a quick list of places we've just absolutly loved and make it a point to go back.

Coral Reef at the Living Seas: Obvioulsy seafood with a VERY unique atmosphere where you can watch the fish swim by. Amazing desserts so save room.

Citricos at Grand Floridian: Guide book says this is a mediteraining style food, but we've just found it to be just very good meats and fish. One of the of the best things is the wine pairing. A selected wine with each course for $25. It's a real treat. Also great desserts.

Flying Fish at Boardwalk: Just amazing seafood. On stage woodfired kitchen. Must try!

Spoodle at Boardwalk: Pasta, Flatbread Pizza, and more. Great tapas appetizers. Wonderful breakfasts too.

Notiable mentions:
California Grill at Contemporary resort: Very contemporary foods but a bit eclectic. Only restaurant I've seen at Disneyworld where the sommelier actually comes out to your table. Plus great view of the propery... especially at night as Cinderella Castle changes colors.

Maya Grill at Coronado springs: Southwestern grilled meats. Not your typical mexican.

Disappointments:
Alfredos at Epcot Italy: Neat atmosphere but ALWAYS crowded. Food was nothing special and can find better italian food at home. Skip this and head for Spoodles.

San Angel Inn at Epcot Mexico: The view of the Aztec pyramid is truely cool but the food is less impressive than what you can find at your local mexican place or a big chain like On The Boarder.

Boatwright's at PO-Riverside: Eh... nothing special. Way too long of a wait.

All the places at Downtown Disney: Odds are you can find most of the chains at home.

Places I'd love to try, but haven't had a chance:

Bistro de Paris at Epcot France: fine French gourmet restaurant.
Victoria and Alberts at Grand Floridian: The best and most expensive restaurant on WDW properties.
Narcoossee's at Grand Floridian: Steaks and seafood
Ohaha at Polyneasan: South Pacifc food.
Polyneasan Luau:

Yes folks, I really do go there just for the food :sohappy:

 

[roysta123]

I ate at the Concourse Steakhouse last week and it was outstanding and it is right under the monorail. The Liberty Tree Tavern in MK is also very good for dinner.

 

[Moustronaut]

wow.. didn't realize that was so long.

But remember this when you're there... you've paid for it already so try everything!

Have a great time... you'll love it

 

[Moustronaut]

Originally posted by roysta123
I ate at the Concourse Steakhouse last week and it was outstanding and it is right under the monorail. The Liberty Tree Tavern in MK is also very good for dinner.

How was that? I wanted to go there just to watch the monorails drive by every 10 minutes but my wife insisted that would just be way too noisy and distracting.

Oh well, maybe next time

 

[all_good_chic]

i stayed at the animal kingdom lodge last year for 4 days. It is one of the best resorts at WDW. Being able to wake up in the mourning, walk out on the balcony and see giraffs and other elephants walking around is amazing. There is honeslty no feeling like it. There is only one pool and it can get a bit busy so we only went swimming at night when there were only about 2 other people swimming. We only grabbed breakfast at the food court and it was fine but we did eat at Jiko and had an excellent meal. The chef even made a special vegetarian meal for me. you will definitly have an original and great time at AKL

 

[Erika]

Originally posted by Moustronaut


Disappointments:
Alfredos at Epcot Italy: Neat atmosphere but ALWAYS crowded. Food was nothing special and can find better italian food at home. Skip this and head for Spoodles.

San Angel Inn at Epcot Mexico: The view of the Aztec pyramid is truely cool but the food is less impressive than what you can find at your local mexican place or a big chain like On The Boarder.

Maria can correct me if 'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that San Angel is more authentic than places you'll find at home, like On The Border. There is a difference- some people will deffinitely prefer the American chains to San Angel because San Angel is not exactly what you are used to.

Living near Chicago, Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen...but I have to say, IMO, San Angel beats them all :slurp:

 

[orangefan15]

Originally posted by Moustronaut
How was that? I wanted to go there just to watch the monorails drive by every 10 minutes but my wife insisted that would just be way too noisy and distracting.

Oh well, maybe next time

I, too, have really enjoyed the concourse steakhouse in the past. Good food, good atmosphere. I think last time we stayed at the Contemporary we ended up eating there like 5 times! Its a blast to sit around and watch (and hear) the monorail go by. I've never found it to be too noisy or distracting, just plain cool! How often do you get to eat in a building that has a monorail going through it? Way awesome.

 

[orangefan15]

PO Riverside is great...I stayed in the mansions area (magnolia bend) and really enjoyed it. I found it to be quiet and relaxing. The main pool is fun, and its nice to also have the quiet pools for relaxing after a long day at the parks. The theming is great...just taking time to walk along the "river" is enjoyable. I found Boatwright's to be a good place to eat and the boat ride to DTD is very convenient.

 

[tybroid59]

oh the boat ride was great at night and so romantic.......except one night when a down wid meant au de toilette de diesel :lol:



i loved looking back on DTD and all the restaurants lit up for the night

 

[iggyboo]

Thanks

Thanks for all the opinions so far.

I plan on trying alot of those restaurants evewn the ones lke Prime Time and Alfredo's that i've been to b4.

I've been to San Angel's and think the food is good defiately ot your typical Taco bell food.

Keep the suggestions coming,I love hearing everyone's opinions.

Thanks,
Matthew
:king:

 

[SnowWhite5669]

Prime Time Cafe- ask for cousin Christopher!! He definately makes dinner an exceptionally good time!!! Try the potroast!! yum yum yum:slurp:

 

[nuts4mickey]

Our favorite place is the California Grill--you can watch the fireworks while eating the best creme brulee imaginable! Don't miss it!

 

[ppiew]

My 2 cents worth after eating my way thru WDW more times than I will admit to.

Best Overall: Citrico's. Great food/wine/atmosphere/service. Ask for Tom regarding wine selections. Elegant restaurant but you don't have to dress to the nine's. Food is wonderful and the attentiveness and concern by the staff is unparalled.

Flying Fish - Casual, fantastic food. Must have - Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert. My second favorite restaurant at WDW.

Boma - AKL. Best buffet I have ever had! Creative foods, best soups ever, great use of spices, noisy, definitely need a PS! Desserts (Zebra Dome) are amazing!

Jiko's - Try the tenderloin with macaroni and cheese! Wierd combo, but great as is the sauce. Wonderful atmosphere. High end dining experience in a gorgeous restaurant.

Pepper Market - Casual, very good, nice food selection.

Kona Cafe - Used to be the Coral Isle at the Poly. Really good food and service. Exotic desserts! Great place to eat.

Artists Point - Another of the 'don't miss' restaurants. The planked salmon is extraordinary! Very nice selection of NW American wines.

Yachtsman's Steakhouse - Expensive but good food and service. The portions aren't very big if you have a huge appetite.

Maya Grill - Very underated. Quiet and very nice food. Kind of
creative-Americanized- Mexican. Super Margarita's!!!

Victoria & Alberts - The epitome of dining! Coat & tie, subdued atmosphere and everything you expect from a 5 star restaurant. Personalized menu's, rose for the ladies, and absolutely perfect service to accompany an extraordinary meal in an elegant dining room.

Prime Time Cafe - Big improvement in food in the past year. Fun place to go!

Brown Derbv - Excellent food. Atmosphere very relaxing. Nice wine list.

Sci-Fi - Forget it. Atmosphere fun, food expensive and not very good

Bistro de France (the one upstairs) - Excellent food and service with a nicer atmosphere than the Chefs de France downstairs. Quieter too.

Coral Reef - Great atmosphere looking at all of the fish! Food is just so-so and is quite expensive.

LeCellier - Probably the best food in Epcot. Atmosphere is just OK, but their stuffed steak and cheese soup can't be beat.

California Grill - Overrated (sorry). Atmosphere is the best but the food, though creative, can be warmed over and dry with small portions. Service is rushed and restaurant is loud and noisy.

Downtown Disney: Fultons - Avoid!! Super expensive and just not worth the $$$. Pushy servers, mediocre food. A tragedy compared to what the Empress Lily was.
Bongo's - Average
Wolfgang Pucks - long waits, good food, crowded all of the time. Good place for sushi.
Captain Jack's - great Margarita's and Daiquiri's!!! Food is pretty good too!










Citrico's

 

[kennyj29]

Meal Plan

Meal plan is by far the smartest thing you can do!!!! We love Coral Reef, Canada-best pretzel sticks!!!! Liberty Tree at MK, O'hana at the Polynesian. If you like buffet's the 1900 Park Fare at GF is great!!!! For breakfast and dinner. If you like Japanese food on the grills, Japan is the best, my children loved it as well, it's their favorite. Fultons Crab house at Disney's shopping area was great for lunch, food wasn't expensive but if you have the food plan. you really don't have to worry. Also, the freshest seafood I've eaten in a long time! You really have to try a lot. We were extremely dissappointed in Alfredo's in Italy and the Sci Fi theater. MGM has the worst restaurants that I have been to. We are trying the buffet at Hollywood and Vine this year for dinner. I was told that the buffet there is very good. I'll let you know we'll be there in 10 days!@

 

[AkiraRaptor]

We have stayed at AKL twice now, the last being just a month ago. We just love the place, and you will too. Definatly make that the end of your trip 'cos you'll probebly not want to leave to another resort. We are always saddened the day we must pack up and leave that resort.

We also added the 2/wish a day package this last trip and used them for meals almost exclusivly. I would recomend Liberty Tree Taven at MK for dinner. It's a character dinner, but it's by far the best one I've gone to. Chip and Dale (more Chip) are just crazy! They will do anything for a laugh. :lol:

Narcosseses' (sp?) was wonderful too, and if you time it right, you'll get a great view of the firworks and they even pipe in the MK music into the resturant and dim the lights for the show.

Other fun/good meals we had this last time were Garden Grill @ Epcot, Chef de Frace, Boma for breakfast. :slurp:

 

[Elaine]

Resort info and opinion

We love PORiverside (DIXIELANDINGS FOREVER) It was the first place that we ever stayed in WDW so I guess it's a sentimental favorite. The atmosphere is great-smells right,sounds right,looks great. We love walking in the am and listening to the cricket, frog and other sounds along the water. The water from the heated pools has a haze above it adding to the charm (in cooler months). The AKL was the most expensive place that we have stayed and it was excellent. Hard to go back to the cheap seats after one trip there. I got a wake up call from MICKEY every am so I could drink my coffee and watch the animals get fed. Truly a great experience. We don't care for CB at all!!! Nobody mentioned The Garden Grill in the Land but it's always good. They should bring back breakfast. The Liberty Tree is always a good choice. Our personal favorite is The Rose and Crown at Illuminations time. We always do that twice a trip. If I was alone I would do it every night.

 

[iggyboo]

Thanks

Thanks again for all the opinions so far it's good to hear first and accounts on resorts and restaurants besides researching them on websites.


Keep the opinions coming,
Iggyboo:king: