For the past two and a half years, readers have shared their
experiences at Disney resort-area hotels and restaurants by posting reviews
to our Restaurant and Hotel
Review System. Reviewers are asked to provide a rating between one
to five (in the form of planet symbols), and submit a detailed review
of their experience with each hotel or restaurant. In late 2004, we also
began to accept reviews for local ground transportation services.
To qualify for a Reader’s Choice Award, a hotel, restaurant or service
must have received at least three reviews, with an average score of 4.5
planets or better. 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 the hotel and restaurant categories are listed below,
along with their average score and a notable quote from one of the reviewers.
Last week, we recognized Disneyland Resort-area
hotels and restaurants. Today, we recognize Walt Disney World-area
hotels and restaurants. Ground transportation services will be recognized
starting with the 2005 awards.
Most Popular Walt Disney World-Area Hotels
First Place: Holiday
Inn Family Suites Resort
- Location: 14500 Continental Gateway, Orlando Ê
- Description: A family-friendly off-property resort located near Downtown
Disney and the theme parks with a popular breakfast buffet.
- Average Rating: 5.0
- Number of reviews: 4
- Notable reader comments: “If you have younger kids, enjoy a lively
atmosphere, and are on a moderate budget, this is the place for you.”
Second Place: Hotel
Royal Plaza in The Walt Disney World
- Location: 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd, Lake Buena Vista Ê
- Description: An off-property resort located right by Downtown Disney.
- Average Rating: 4.7
- Number of reviews: 4
- Notable reader comments: “The first time I stayed there, I was
a little worried because the rate was so reasonable, how nice was this
place going to be? Well, I was pleasantly surprised! The Hotel Royal
Plaza is a really nice place.”
Third Place: All-Star
Movies Resort
- Location: Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
- Description: A value resort located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom park
- Average Rating: 4.6
- Number of reviews: 11
- Notable reader comments: “We stayed in the Fantasia building.
in a preferred room and it was well worth the extra $10 a day because
of it’s proximity to the main building. Believe me—at the
end of the day when you’re kids are wired and tired you will thank your
lucky stars that you got the preferred room and don’t have to walk very
far.”
Fourth Place: Walt
Disney World Swan
- Location: Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
- Description: A deluxe on-property resort managed by Sheraton and located
near Epcot.
- Average Rating: 4.6
- Number of reviews: 3
- Notable reader comments: “The proximity to MGM and Epcot is spectacular.
” “this is a high traffic hotel for business use. For a vacationing
family, this may be a disctraction from the Disney escape.
Most Popular Walt Disney World-Area Restaurants
So many WDW-area restaurants have excellent reviews that we have raised
the bar by a 0.1 rating point for the 2004 Awards. The restaurants listed
below all have ratings of 4.7 or higher (compared to 4.6 for 2003), and
have also received at least two reviews in the past 12 months. Some highly
rated restaurants, including the “5-planet” restaurants Victoria
and Albert’s (at the Grand Floridian Resort) and Tangierine
Café (in Epcot’s Morocco pavillion), were not included because
no new reviews were submitted during 2004.
First Place: Flame
Tree Barbeque
- Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom park
- Description: Discovery Island counter service restaurant featuring
beef and pork barbecue and sandwiches.
- Average Rating: 5.0
- Number of reviews: 4
- Notable reader comment: “Bargains may be hard to come by at WDW
but this is definitely one of them.”
Second Place: Boma
- Location: Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Description: Lavish buffet offering wide range of African specialities,
along with more familiar offerings.
- Average Rating: 4.7
- Number of reviews: 20
- Notable reader comment: “This was our best meal at Disney. There
are enough unusual foods and recipes that you can ‘experiment’ with
new tastes–yet they also have familiar food for those who aren’t adventuresome.”
Third Place: Liberty
Tree Tavern
- Location: Magic Kingdom Park
- Description: Dinner with a “family-style” service, featuring
various Disney characters in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom.
- Average Rating: 4.7
- Number of reviews: 9
- Notable reader comment: “The thing I love the most about liberty
tree is the feeling of being away from the hussle and bussle of the
parks when you are right in the middle of it.”
Note: Liberty Tree Tavern also offers a character-dining experience,
which in our system has a rating of 3.8. Read the reviews here.
Fourth Place: Tusker
House
- Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom park
- Description: Africa counter service restaurant featuring rotisserie
chicken, salads, vegetarian sandwich and a special African dish.
- Average Rating: 4.7
- Number of reviews: 7
- Notable reader comment: “One of the best fast food restaurants
I’ve been to at WDW. The quality of the food is excellent.”
