When we introduced our new Restaurant and Hotel Review System
last year, we asked members of our MousePad message board to help us test
the system. The review system has been a hit, with our readers submitting
over 530 reviews of hotels and restaurants in and near Disney resorts
around the world.
With over six months worth of reviews, our readers clearly have their
favorites – those hotels and restaurants that really stand above
the rest. Based on these reviews, we are pleased to announce the 2002
MousePlanet Reader’s Choice Awards.
Reviewers were asked to provide a rating between one to five “planets,”
and submit a detailed review of their experience with each hotel or restaurant.
To qualify for a Reader’s Choice Award, a property must have received
at least two reviews, with an average score of 4.6 “planets”
or better. Honorable Mention awards go to establishments with at least
two reviews and an average rating of 4.5 planets. In the event of a tie,
the establishment with the most reviews receives the higher ranking. These
awards are based entirely on the reviews submitted by MousePlanet readers
and staff.
The award winners in each category are listed below, along with their
average score and a notable quote from one of the reviewers. Today, we
recognize the Walt Disney World area Hotels and Restaurants. Disneyland
Resort area Hotels and Restaurants awards can be found in this
column.
Most Popular Walt Disney World area hotels
The Volcano pool at the Polynesian Resort – Photo
by Sue Holland
1st Place: Courtyard
Lake Buena Vista at Walt Disney World, 1805 Hotel Plaza Blvd.,
Lake Buena Vista
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 5.0 Planets
- Our readers say: “THIS PLACE IS GREAT …. elegant lobby, great
staff — HUGE HUGE ROOM”
2nd Place: Polynesian
Resort , 1600 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista
- Average Rating (3 Reviews): 4.6 Planets
- Our readers say: “From the moment we arrived to the moment we
(grudgingly) left, our stay at the Polynesian was fantastic.”
All Star Movies Resort – MP File Photo
Honorable Mention: All
Star Movies Resort, 1991 W. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
- Average Rating (4 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “My 6 year old loved checking the window sill
each afternoon to see what the house keepers had done with his toys.”
Honorable Mention: Grand
Floridian Resort and Spa , 4401 Grand Floridian Way, Lake Buena
Vista
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “I was in heaven while staying at the Grand
Floridian.”
Honorable Mention: Walt
Disney World Dolphin , 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd., Lake Buena Vista
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: Our readers say: “Very fun and whimsical resort!”
Most Popular Walt Disney World area Restaurants
The California Grill – Photo by Brian Bennett
1st Place:
California Grill , Contemporary Resort
- Average rating (5 reviews): 5 planets
- Our readers say: “All I can say is if you haven’t done this,
you are missing one of the true treasures of WDW.”
2nd Place: Victoria
& Albert’s, Grand Floridian Resort
- Average Rating (3 Reviews): 5 Planets
- Our readers say: “If I could give it 6 planets, I would.”
3rd Place: Fulton’s
Crab House, Downtown Disney
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 5 Planets
- Our readers say: “The setting is nice and the service was the
best we had anywhere in Disney.”
4th Place: Flame
Tree Barbeque, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 5 Planets
- Our readers say: “The lush, exotic setting is terrific, as you
are surrounded in the seating area by the sights and sounds of Southeast
Asia.”
5th Place: Tusker
House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 5 Planets
- Our readers say: “Tusker House is one of the best counter service
restaurants in WDW.”
6th Place: Liberty
Tree Tavern, Magic Kingdom Park
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 5 Planets
- Our readers say: “The food, service, and character interaction
were all excellent.”
7th Place: Chef
Mickey’s at the Contemporary, Contemporary Resort
- Average Rating (7 Reviews): 4.8 Planets
- Our readers say: “I believe that this particular breakfast is
Disney’s magic at its best.”
8th Place: Flying
Fish Cafe, Boardwalk Inn resort
- Average Rating (5 Reviews): 4.8 Planets
- Our readers say: “I was hesitant to eat here because I don’t
eat seafood, but this was the best meal of our trip for sure.”
9th Place: 1900
Park Fare, Grand Floridian Resort
- Average Rating (3 Reviews): 4.6 Planets
- Our readers say: “A couple or a party of 8 all receive the same
superior service and treatment here.”
10th Place: Narcoossee’s,
Grand Floridian Resort
- Average Rating (3 Reviews): 4.6 Planets
- Our readers say: “The dinner here was a true joy.”
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Photo by Sue Holland
Honorable Mention: Boma,
Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Average Rating (8 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “We had never tried African cuisine, and this
was the perfect way to do it.”
Honorable Mention: Hollywood
Brown Derby, Disney-MGM Studios
- Average Rating (4 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “Quick, attentive, friendly service, wonderfully
fresh and tasty food in generous portions. A must-eat-here place.”
Honorable Mention: Ghirardelli
Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop, Downtown Disney
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “Finding a place to sit is a challenge but the
ice cream is worth it!”
Honorable Mention: Crystal
Palace, Magic Kingdom Park
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “The food was wonderful and a huge variety to
pick from.”
Honorable Mention: Garden
Grill at The Land, Epcot – Future World
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “I highly recommend this restaurant and can’t
wait until I can personally go back and take my children.”
Honorable Mention: Cantina
de San Angel, Epcot – World Showcase (Mexico)
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “Everything we have tasted here has been great,
and the portions are huge.”
Honorable Mention: Sommerfest,
Epcot – World Showcase (Germany)
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “This stuff is REALLY REALLY good!”
Honorable Mention: ESPN
Club, Boardwalk Inn resort
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “This is a great place to go for a quick, not-too-expensive
sit-down meal”
Honorable Mention: Jiko,
Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “The best wine selection anywhere in the world,
with a endless selection of unique South African wines that can be tried
by the glass.”
Honorable Mention: Kona
Cafe, Polynesian Resort
- Average Rating (2 Reviews): 4.5 Planets
- Our readers say: “The atmosphere of this whole resort is beautiful
and relaxing, and this carried over into the restaurant, which was open
and airy”
Let your opinion count!
You can help us to determine the 2003 MousePlanet Reader’s Choice
Awards. When you visit a hotel or restaurant, be sure to share your experience
with other MousePlanet readers by submitting a review through our MousePlanet
Restaurant and Hotel Review System.
