Really fun hotel - great for kids. We stayed in the Pride Lands in a Lion King room surrounded by the characters from the movie. Amazing Nemo themed pool. Plenty to eat in restaurant altho bit pricey. Really easy access to all the Disney parks - free buses every few minutes - about 15/20 mins from each park. Definitely recommend. Great for poke hunting!

To be fair I usually review all inclusive resorts in Mexico and Caribbean on top of business types of hotels internationally. So my review is based on what I am used to. I do travel often with my family to those places too for perspective.

For one I really don't understand these high ratings as my experience was not what I would call great in comparison of what I am used to. Yes there is sarcasm written below so take with grain of salt.

There was nothing wrong with front desk, cleaners and pool resources. They were very pleasant and exactly what I would expect from employees of Disney. They were the saving Grace.

The downgrade of the review really lies in one place that unfortunately was consistently poor. This area was the cafeteria. The resources there were less than energetic including chefs to cash register people. More like lethargic. No umph in their step, no smile. It takes a century to order food at each station (which is another issue in my opinion), then another 50 years to pay for it (again another issue) even with limited people there. Then as you try to pay with a service plan there is no consistency between the cash register clercks (again issue). Then lastly the NOISE in the cafeteria and sitting area is daunting (last issue). Keep in mind all done with no smile or sense of urgency from the staff. I will explain all below.

Food station isssue. If you want pasta you have to go to one line, then if your kid wants something else you have to go to another. Each line takes forever even if no one is there. These workers look so exhausted and there is just no drive. Why can't it all be one line or buffet type of style. Keep the sides, entrees, kids picks. Etc... in one specific area instead of all of these stations. The food choices remain the same all week so don't expect anything different.. No changes same food.

Cash register issues. After you wait for your food you then have to wait to get through this line which again appears to have no motivation. By the time you get to eat your food is cold. What a great experience. In addition there is no consistency in a meal plan. One day you get a dessert with meal plan. Next day you don't or the wrong drink but day before it was fine. I get it perhaps some of the register people are trying to be nice but each day was a surprise. It was confusing and when asked what is proper no one could explain.

Last issue cafeteria noise. Wow. I think my ears are still ringing. They could try to dampen the noise through engineering methods as a start. It did not matter if it was 7am or 9pm, the noise was terrible even with less people. In all the places I have been in the world I can't think of anywhere else it has been that noisy. It was actually hard to have a conversation. There was no management out there at anytime to at least inform other families that young children should not be running around ramming into tables and bumping into people sitting down. I get it its on the parents more so but it should not be put onto a guest to say something. I get it its Disney, let kids be kids but if you were to see this running around i can't believe these kids did not get hurt with how much they were falling down.

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer. I am not sold on this place purely from our cafeteria experience. It was enough for me to say no way if opportunity exists again. I love all of the other areas of the hotel and the people exceeded there. I just can't get over the mess in cafeteria.