Just back!!!

[TMM]

We just returned from our first trip to DLP.

Just a few thoughts until I can do a proper review:

Highlights:

Marriott - Home away from home
Stitch Live - Just loved this
Free Annual Pass for Under 7
Annette's Diner - fun place, good food

The lows:

Lucky Nugget Saloon - major disappointment, saw two other families refuse to pay - it was that bad
Service - Non-existent and I am not too particular
The weather - felt like I was back in Chicago
Counter food - overpriced and pretty disgusting (and I don't feel harsh for saying so)

All and all we had a good time. We have been to Disneyworld and I tried very hard not to compare the two. However, for the cost I did feel let down. The parks just didn't seem to have the same upkeep. Rides were often broken down, 50% of the staff could never answer a question or never bothered. It just was not the magical experience we are used to. We are going again in August and staying onsite and I truly hope better weather will bring a better time.

Write more later, got to prepare for my little ones 5th birthday tomorrow!

 

[disneyangel]

We love the Marriot too and Stitch was so good we did it twice this trip. It was one of our highlights too

WE enjoyed the food at the Lucky Nugget , however I do agree their customer service could have been better . They should have a wee chat with the staff at Cafe Mickey . The layout also makes it harder for characters to visit you as easily.

There are a few places that we like the counter food in (cowboy cookout , Colonel Haiti)but mostly we prefer to have a table service meal once a day and snack. The tabel service meals are usually much better

 

[hildasmuriel]

Sorry you felt let down by parts of your trip. It is disappointing if you spend a lot of money and don't get what you were expecting.

As we only ever holiday in the UK or France we considered the weather this week to be quite good. Anything warmer and we would have been complaining about the heat.

 

[TMM]

We did the character lunch at Cafe Mickey and the interaction was great, but I do agree the layout of the restaurant is really tight. The characters were brilliant, but again the food could have been better. I have to say we won't do anymore character meals at DLP. Anyone who has done one in Orlando knows what I am talking about.

One thing I noticed about everywhere we ate no one ever came back to see if we wanted or needed anything else. At the Lucky Nugget we waited 20 minutes for someone to come and take our drinks order - it was not busy. I was practically scolded for seeking a server who kept telling me she was not my server and I would have to wait. She was really rude and this was an overall mood killer for me. Coupled with the fact she made a flippant comment about me being English speaking (she was unaware I understand French).

Food was not being refilled and the service was bad. I overheard a two couples - one French, one English refusing to pay on the basis the food was not being restocked (it wasn't) and the service being poor (it was). This was a birthday treat for my son. I had to keep asking for my cake. In the end, it came, but I noticed it was not a new cake as there were holes from previous candles. It seems they were circulating the same cake and then just bringing fresh pieces from the kitchen. While not horrible, just a bit tacky. When I download all the pictures you can see what I mean.

Okay, back to my cake baking. More later.

 

[hildasmuriel]

I have to say we won't do anymore character meals at DLP. Anyone who has done one in Orlando knows what I am talking about.

There are a number of reasons why I don't want to go to Florida and this is one of the minor ones. I have read so many times about the CMs and waiting staff being more attentive there and an image pops into my mind of fawning and obsequious staff fussing around and it creeps me out.
I've always been happy with the service we get in Paris - pleasant staff just doing a days work and where mutual respect is shown. It's a shame that it wasn't what you experienced.

 

[Ware Bears]

Anyone who has done one in Orlando knows what I am talking about.

There are a number of reasons why I don't want to go to Florida and this is one of the minor ones. I have read so many times about the CMs and waiting staff being more attentive there and an image pops into my mind of fawning and obsequious staff fussing around and it creeps me out.

I've had probably equal the number of character meals in WDW as well as DLRP ~ I don't really see any difference in the quality of the service I receive at either resort. At meals at both resorts I've received excellent service, good service and not-so-good service but luckily I've never received service that was so poor as to warrant a complaint.

However, I would not have been happy with the experience you received at the Lucky Nugget, not only was your server very rude but I find it awful that they "recycled" a cake, then only brought you out slices. On reflection, I remember the first time we went to Lucky Nugget we had a miserable server and let's face it, it doesn't matter how marvellous the food is, bad service will really have a bearing on your enjoyment of your meal. We've been back to Lucky Nugget twice since and had a lovely meal each time, both times with great servers.

I'm glad you had a good time overall, looking forward to hearing more about it and I hope the birthday goes well tomorrow.

 

[angelamc]

I have never eaten at the Lucky Nuggest so I can't comment on that, however on previous trips my experience of the counter service food was so bad, I will never be tempted to try it again. Although I waited an hour past my reservation time for a seat at Cafe Mickey last week I was just so relieved to sit down and have something to eat and a glass of wine, I was able to soon able to forget my annoyance, and I felt the character interaction for my DD's birthday was great. I think if I had been given a recycled cake I would certainly have complained. Since I have decided to freely indulge in my Disney obsession, We are off to WDW in January, which I hope will provide me with the similar happiness I usually find in DLP.

On a plus note the Marriott is a fabulous experience and I thought Stitch was also hilarious.

 

[Cyrano]

Welcome home
Looking forward to hearing all about your trip

 

[Disney owl]

glad to hear you had a good time

 

[giuly09]

back.
I too look forward to your trip report.
I am a bit scared by Lucky Nugget now, i was thinking of having a meal there during our Halloween trip