Finally posting my "just back" thread

[PamNC]

Hello,

My mom and I (me 54 and mom 73) were there 5/29 - 6/3 - 5 nights at Coronado Springs Resort. I am posting my just back thoughts but better late than never.

First, Coronado - LOVE IT. It had been about 8 years since I had stayed at this resort. I've stayed at all price points within Disney but up until recently, I've sort of been a deluxe snob. My last trip was AKL which I absolutely loved. But, I'll have to say Coronado is my favorite moderate and I've been to all of them except PO French Quarter. (liked Riverside a lot). The grounds are beautiful and I loved walking around the lake. The pool, as we all know, is very cool with the pyramid. We actually loved the pepper market. It's a great alternative to counter service because it's a step above counter service as far as food quality IMHO. The rooms are clean and fresh - I can't say anything bad about Coronado. The only thing I missed was years ago there were jet skis zipping about and apparently those can't be rented any longer or any kind of watercraft. That added a lot of charm I think. We stayed in Casitas - I prefer the white sand area of Ranchos. Cast members were fabulous - every single one of them!

Animal Kingdom is my favorite park and I wasn't disappointed in anything this time except the Jungle Book Show - it wasn't worth the wait. It felt "thrown together" - it wasn't horrible by any means.. but I think they should go back to the drawing table and let this one go. I'm not sure what's happening with Rivers of Light - is it going to be re-introduced? I loved being at AK at night - very magical. The tree lighting is very cool and riding EE at night was a blast. CM's were perfect and it was a totally magical experience. We spent a lot of time at this park.

MK - great as always. It was my first time seeing the different queue at Haunted Mansion - very nice touch.

Epcot - We had a great time - my mom loves this park and she hadn't been to Disney in a long time. Me, I feel like it needs a lot of updating..future world especially - but she loved it. I had fun too!! Loved seeing the old Soarin' one more time. We booked a character meal at the Garden Grill because mom remembered it as one of her faves - the price is ridiculous - definitely not worth it. Food is just marginal.

Hollywood Studios - I can take it or leave it. Loved Fantasmic as usual. Too much "flux" going on - and too many outdated attractions. I'm not a huge star wars fan, certainly don't dislike it and Toy Story I definitely can do without. Not sure I'll spend much time at this park in the future. I did like the Star Wars fireworks - they are amazing. i miss the old studios - I can't even remember what it was called - MGM? Anyway - life goes on.

We had a blast - I love photopass - and I love Disney. But I have to say the food prices are completely ridiculous. It's a tradition for me to have my first morning breakfast at Kona Cafe before going to MK. It used to be a $30 breakfast splurge. Well, now it's a $53 breakfast for the same food. Burgers have doubled in price all over the park - and although I'm certainly not poor (or rich) I think the food prices are totally out of control. I refuse to splurge on one of the high end restaurants because it would end up being over $100 for two folks. That's out of control to me. Hence why we dined a lot at Pepper Market.

Can't wait to go back - will consider booking a DVC by renting points again like I did last year at AKL. We had bagels in our room in the morning and watched the animals roam around. Gotta' find a way to control the food $$ .. it really puts a small damper on the magic for me.

 

[oceanmarina]

Thanks for the update! Sounds like a wonderful "Mom & me" trip.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have to agree with the Jungle Book. I didn't think it was worth waiting for. It's a poor spin off of Fantasmic in my opinion. The beginning of it didn't even remind me of the actual movie except for it being reflected in the waters. I didn't care for the music choices...just my opinion. I would not watch it again

 

[bbak30]

Sounds like a wonderful trip!
I agree 100% on food prices, they really are out of control.

 

[Hopefully]

Food prices are high, but for us not out of control. It costs more to eat at a major league baseball game here, than at a Disney theme park. And we spend over $100 to go to dinner at a local family run, nothing special restaurant near us. The Disney prices are about what we are used to.

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Glad you had a nice trip. I don't think food prices are out of control, it's expensive but on par with any type of vacation/tourist/entertainment place. I will say the quality seems low for the price...

 

[bpadair32]

I think that the food prices are high, but I certainly wouldn't say that they are out of control. I guess it depends on where you live and what you are used to. For my wife and I to go out for a nice date night dinner around home, we are looking at $100 or so for the two of us at home. Not that much different in the parks.

 

[Shanti]

I agree that Disney food prices are typical for what you'll get in restaurants in many medium to large cities in the USA. Character buffets are another story, but half the price for those is for getting to meet the characters.

We ate at the signature Yachtsman Steakhouse last year, and the cost was the same as it would be for the same type of restaurant in my hometown.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that the food prices are too high too but mostly because most of the food is mediocre. I don't mind paying through the nose for great food but I only know of a few places in WDW that actually have good food.

I'm glad that you had a good time!

 

[MelissaBee]

Glad you had a nice time! Food costs are high, but I've noticed that they item-for-item aren't much more than in the real world. Depends on what you get though. Compared to the food costs at our local Cedar Fair park, Disney seems like a downright bargain!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Thanks for the report! I agree about food prices versus quality. I think unless there is a special reason to eat somewhere, QS is often the way to go, it tastes pretty much the same as TS much of the time.

 

[MeganMango]

I think that the food prices are high, but I certainly wouldn't say that they are out of control. I guess it depends on where you live and what you are used to. For my wife and I to go out for a nice date night dinner around home, we are looking at $100 or so for the two of us at home. Not that much different in the parks.

While I thought I felt the same, the food isn't great quality. If you go to a nice restaurant and spend $50+ per person, the food is or should be exceptional. Disney food is good, but not "i can't wait to eat that" type good. Except Tusker House, I think that food is exceptional with African choices for a Disney buffet.

 

[MeganMango]

And i agree with OP, I think. About food prices. You just don't get the quality or quantity that you should for the price. I was in Epcot yesterday at World Showcase, and was just looking for a quick meal to bring with me to the character line. A hot dog and SMALL bag of Lays chips was going to be $9. I would spend $9 on a meal, but a hot dog costs probably no more than a dollar if you include the bun and a bag of lays chips $0.50. No, I didn't expect to pay $1.50 for that, but $9 is ridiculous.

 

[Hopefully]

While I thought I felt the same, the food isn't great quality. If you go to a nice restaurant and spend $50+ per person, the food is or should be exceptional. Disney food is good, but not "i can't wait to eat that" type good. Except Tusker House, I think that food is exceptional with African choices for a Disney buffet.

Dinner for 2 at a family owned, nothing special, certainly NOTexceptional restaurant in my home town is over $100 for 2

And i agree with OP, I think. About food prices. You just don't get the quality or quantity that you should for the price. I was in Epcot yesterday at World Showcase, and was just looking for a quick meal to bring with me to the character line. A hot dog and SMALL bag of Lays chips was going to be $9. I would spend $9 on a meal, but a hot dog costs probably no more than a dollar if you include the bun and a bag of lays chips $0.50. No, I didn't expect to pay $1.50 for that, but $9 is ridiculous.

It costs more than that at a baseball game

I think it really depends on where you live and what costs are in your home area. It is on par with, or even less than, I am accustomed to paying.

 

[RenaissanceBabe]

Sad to hear that Garden Grill wasn't very good. Hubs and I were thinking about trying that for our upcoming trip. Might have to go back to the drawing board on that one.

Last time we went about a year ago we actually expected to spend more on food and were surprised about how our expectations were met. Everywhere we went we had great service and food, but I also did some pretty extensive research here previous to that. We might just live in one of those areas where costs are just higher than others.

 

[bpadair32]

While I thought I felt the same, the food isn't great quality. If you go to a nice restaurant and spend $50+ per person, the food is or should be exceptional. Disney food is good, but not "i can't wait to eat that" type good. Except Tusker House, I think that food is exceptional with African choices for a Disney buffet.

I think it all depends on where you live. For me $50+ per person is on par for a good meal, no where near exceptional. If I want exceptional I am looking at $80-100 per person.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I tend to think the prices are inflated to make their dining plans seem worthwhile. I'm kinda scared because my last five trips, we had a dining plan so I hope paying OOP won't feel crazy.

I agree that the Pepper Market has a much better atmosphere than your average food court.

Thanks, OP, for a mostly upbeat review. Glad you and your mom had a good trip and that you shared your impressions with us.

 

[aretha30]

Sounds like you had a great mom and daughter trip! I hear ya on food costs. We save by purchasing Disney gift cards at Target with our red card and getting the 5% off. This way we have our food prepaid and we've saved something. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your trip!

 

[lustergirl]

Thanks for the great report. I love CSR and glad you enjoyed your stay there.

 

[nilla]

Agree 100% about Coronado!