Trip Number Nine ~ It's Christmastime!

[T*Bird]

Hey Shelly! I can't believe it's your last night either! The week has flown by. I guess it's mostly because Christmas is right around the corner, and I'm not finished with my shopping. I'm so glad y'all are having a good time and can't wait to hear all the details!

 

[lala3291]

Hi Shelly!
I can't believe it's your last night! I hope that your trip was simply wonderful. Can't wait to hear all about it!
Safe travels home.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

If you are not home yet you are probably close....I hope you had a great flight in....cant wait to hear all about it!!!!

 

[JoBird]

Hey everyone!

Just got home and the suitcases are sitting there sad.

Just heard from Shelly- they are almost home. Welcome home guys!! We miss y'all!

My trip was good- it was a lot of fun seeing Shelly and Fam but we didn't get to spend a lot of time together.
It felt like I was always running to go meet my InLaws or off to an ADR. I have to say that while it was a good trip, it wasn't the best for me.

I think lots contributed to it, but nothing that was a stand out. Crowds maybe. They were bad, but they just seemed to be standing around, if that makes sense. Wait times for rides were somewhat reasonable but it was hard to feel the magic with tons of people around.

I also had the pleasure of attending a Disney Fairytale wedding at the wedding pavilion with the reception at the Grand last night into the wee hours, so I'm pretty tired. It was beautiful and I hope to do a TR when I can squeeze it in. I do have a TON of stories-------

Enough....

Welcome Home Shelly!!!!

Hope you guys had a great trip and I can't wait to read about it!!

 

[lala3291]

Hey everyone!

Just got home and the suitcases are sitting there sad.

Just heard from Shelly- they are almost home. Welcome home guys!! We miss y'all!

My trip was good- it was a lot of fun seeing Shelly and Fam but we didn't get to spend a lot of time together.
It felt like I was always running to go meet my InLaws or off to an ADR. I have to say that while it was a good trip, it wasn't the best for me.

I think lots contributed to it, but nothing that was a stand out. Crowds maybe. They were bad, but they just seemed to be standing around, if that makes sense. Wait times for rides were somewhat reasonable but it was hard to feel the magic with tons of people around.

I also had the pleasure of attending a Disney Fairytale wedding at the wedding pavilion with the reception at the Grand last night into the wee hours, so I'm pretty tired. It was beautiful and I hope to do a TR when I can squeeze it in. I do have a TON of stories-------

Enough....

Welcome Home Shelly!!!!

Hope you guys had a great trip and I can't wait to read about it!!

Welcome home Jodi!
I'm glad that you had a good trip, sorry it wasn't the best though. We noticed in November also that the crowds for the same week from last year to this year got significantly larger. It made for a "not as enjoyable" vacation, although we still had a wonderful time. I am so nervous about the crowds on this next trip. We are planning a lot of resort time, so hopefully that will help.
Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

Welcome home to Shelly as well!

 

[jojomickey]

Sorry your trip wasn't the best but I know what you mean we just came back a few weeks ago and I feel the same way!!!! It kind of stinks when you plan for so long and it turns out like that, I guess we can only hope for a better trip next time. Welcome Home!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hey Jodi!! Glad you made it home safely and we are waiting for great stories!!! LOL!!!!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Welcome home both of you!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!!

 

[T*Bird]

Hi Jodi! Welcome back to reality! Glad you had a good trip in spite of the crowds. I can't wait to hear all your stories!

And hello Shelly if you're out there, too! Welcome home!

Several times this week I've wanted to PM y'all - it's been killing me!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We're home

Got here around 3:00. I'm so tired!!

All in all it was a very good trip. Did lots and had lots of fun. Poor DS11 had the most horrible rash I have ever seen in my life. So that was quite an ordeal. The first few days were very warm and humid. We got some rain mid week. We got plenty of rain actually. And a few very chilly days. Yesterday was just beautiful - warm and sunny and not humid. The GF was nice. I liked it, but didn't love it. DH didn't think it was great. It's definitely not a new favorite for any of us. We all still LOVE the Poly!! Got an awesome room there in the Samoa building facing the volcano pool. We did AK, DHS, and Epcot once each, and MK twice. It was crowded, and like Jodi said - just lots of people hanging around. Weird. The wait times weren't too bad at all for us. I think we hit the right parks on the right days!! Other than Soarin, long waits for it like always and we only got to ride it once. Did the new TT 2X! It is pretty cool, but I can't really say I was overwhelmed by it or anything. The new Fantasyland is very nice. But VERY crowded!! Hard to even walk through there. Plus all the walls are still up for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that they are still working on. We did the Little Mermaid ride 3X, it is awesome!

Had lots of fun with Jodi and family. But like she said, not enough time together!!

That's about all I can think of right now. Let me know if you have any questions!

 

[lala3291]

We're home

Got here around 3:00. I'm so tired!!

All in all it was a very good trip. Did lots and had lots of fun. Poor DS11 had the most horrible rash I have ever seen in my life. So that was quite an ordeal. The first few days were very warm and humid. We got some rain mid week. We got plenty of rain actually. And a few very chilly days. Yesterday was just beautiful - warm and sunny and not humid. The GF was nice. I liked it, but didn't love it. DH didn't think it was great. It's definitely not a new favorite for any of us. We all still LOVE the Poly!! Got an awesome room there in the Samoa building facing the volcano pool. We did AK, DHS, and Epcot once each, and MK twice. It was crowded, and like Jodi said - just lots of people hanging around. Weird. The wait times weren't too bad at all for us. I think we hit the right parks on the right days!! Other than Soarin, long waits for it like always and we only got to ride it once. Did the new TT 2X! It is pretty cool, but I can't really say I was overwhelmed by it or anything. The new Fantasyland is very nice. But VERY crowded!! Hard to even walk through there. Plus all the walls are still up for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that they are still working on. We did the Little Mermaid ride 3X, it is awesome!

Had lots of fun with Jodi and family. But like she said, not enough time together!!

That's about all I can think of right now. Let me know if you have any questions!

WELCOME HOME!!!

So glad to hear you had a good trip! Your poor DS, that rash sounds horrible. A bad rash any time stinks, but at Disney...that's the worst!

You got the same location at the Poly that I am hoping for! I requested Samoa- facing the volcano pool. I'm glad that you liked the GF- my DH is with your DH- the GF is not his favorite at all. He just agrees to stay there mostly to please us girls! My DH's favorite is the BWI, followed by the Poly.

Did you go on the new Little Mermaid ride? What did you think?! I actually really liked it- DD11 absolutely loved it!

Again, welcome home!

 

[T*Bird]

We're home

Got here around 3:00. I'm so tired!!

All in all it was a very good trip. Did lots and had lots of fun. Poor DS11 had the most horrible rash I have ever seen in my life. So that was quite an ordeal. The first few days were very warm and humid. We got some rain mid week. We got plenty of rain actually. And a few very chilly days. Yesterday was just beautiful - warm and sunny and not humid. The GF was nice. I liked it, but didn't love it. DH didn't think it was great. It's definitely not a new favorite for any of us. We all still LOVE the Poly!! Got an awesome room there in the Samoa building facing the volcano pool. We did AK, DHS, and Epcot once each, and MK twice. It was crowded, and like Jodi said - just lots of people hanging around. Weird. The wait times weren't too bad at all for us. I think we hit the right parks on the right days!! Other than Soarin, long waits for it like always and we only got to ride it once. Did the new TT 2X! It is pretty cool, but I can't really say I was overwhelmed by it or anything. The new Fantasyland is very nice. But VERY crowded!! Hard to even walk through there. Plus all the walls are still up for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that they are still working on. We did the Little Mermaid ride 3X, it is awesome!

Had lots of fun with Jodi and family. But like she said, not enough time together!!

That's about all I can think of right now. Let me know if you have any questions!

Welcome back! We missed you!

So glad it was another good trip! I guess no trip is perfect, so a good trip overall is

Is your DS's rash completely gone now? Poor thing, what bad timing.

"Let me know if you have any questions!" Foolish, foolish girl. How long have you known us? We're just getting warmed up!

Is it back to school tomorrow for the boys?

 

[Pluto_fan]

Welcome home Shelly and Jodi! Can't wait to hear all about your trips.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good morning ladies!!

WELCOME HOME!!!

So glad to hear you had a good trip! Your poor DS, that rash sounds horrible. A bad rash any time stinks, but at Disney...that's the worst!

You got the same location at the Poly that I am hoping for! I requested Samoa- facing the volcano pool. I'm glad that you liked the GF- my DH is with your DH- the GF is not his favorite at all. He just agrees to stay there mostly to please us girls! My DH's favorite is the BWI, followed by the Poly.

Did you go on the new Little Mermaid ride? What did you think?! I actually really liked it- DD11 absolutely loved it!

Again, welcome home!

Thanks Lauren!

Oh the rash was awful! I've never seen anything like it before in my life. Luckily I had Benadryl with me because he needs it right away if he gets a bee sting, so I got him started on that right away and that really helped with the itching. Too bad it didn't help the rash go away any sooner. Tuesday and Wednesday were the worst. He was so embarrassed.

I hope you get Samoa too! It is wonderful. I didn't even ask for a volcano pool view because the quiet pool is on the other side of the building, so I thought either side would be great. Luckily we got the volcano pool side though, because right outside the other side of the building they have it all fenced off and appear to be working on the landscaping or drainage or something over there. It looked like quite a mess! Of course we got the only room on the volcano pool side with a big tree in front of it. But it was still great!

My DH's favs are the Poly & the BWI too!

Yes we rode the LM 3X and loved it!!

Welcome back! We missed you!

So glad it was another good trip! I guess no trip is perfect, so a good trip overall is

Is your DS's rash completely gone now? Poor thing, what bad timing.

"Let me know if you have any questions!" Foolish, foolish girl. How long have you known us? We're just getting warmed up!

Is it back to school tomorrow for the boys?

Thanks Teri!

It really was a good trip. Not the best, but it's right up there!

DS's rash is nearly gone. Thank goodness! He probably would have had to miss a few days of school because of it had we been home. It was that bad.

I'm ready -- fire away with the questions!!!

Yep, it was back to school for the boys today. But they just have this week and then it's Christmas break!

Welcome home Shelly and Jodi! Can't wait to hear all about your trips.

Thanks Kathy!

 

[JoBird]

Morning girls!

Shelly-- are you feeling like I feel this morning? What just happened? Mark asked if we can leave again today to go back.

So sad.

Now it's laundry time. I'm not even going to unpack everything since we leave Saturday. So not ready for Christmas!!!


How did Jack do while you were gone? Beau Gator is good-- a little thinner, but snoring away as I type. Happy mutt.


Mark and I were talking about the feel of the GF this time and we both decided that if this had been our first trip there, that we wouldn't have liked it much. Too many people, too much going on with construction. I'm so happy you got a great room at the Poly so that you could relax b/c there definitely was no relaxing at the Grand this trip. Chaos was all around. Well, I'm glad you tried it and can check that one off the list. We'll just have to wave from across the lake now!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Morning girls!

Shelly-- are you feeling like I feel this morning? What just happened? Mark asked if we can leave again today to go back.

So sad.

Now it's laundry time. I'm not even going to unpack everything since we leave Saturday. So not ready for Christmas!!!


How did Jack do while you were gone? Beau Gator is good-- a little thinner, but snoring away as I type. Happy mutt.


Mark and I were talking about the feel of the GF this time and we both decided that if this had been our first trip there, that we wouldn't have liked it much. Too many people, too much going on with construction. I'm so happy you got a great room at the Poly so that you could relax b/c there definitely was no relaxing at the Grand this trip. Chaos was all around. Well, I'm glad you tried it and can check that one off the list. We'll just have to wave from across the lake now!

I feel like I don't even know what just happened!!

And I feel like I hate laundry!!! Did you end up doing any on the trip? I didn't.

Jack did great. My parents didn't want to give him back!! He's napping right now too!

Yeah, didn't really 'feel' the GF. I really liked the room. It was really nice. So was the balcony and the view. It was just so hectic and noisy there. All I heard from the room was people clanging their forks on their plates in the lounge. Wasn't really impressed with the lounge itself either. The Poly lounge is so much better! The food - well, it was about the same. I did enjoy the sugar cookies and the choc covered strawberries at the GF though!

And for all those people posting that the construction at the GF is a "non-issue" - they are out of their minds!!!

 

[JoBird]

The feel of the Grand this time wasn't the "feel" that we had in September. In September it was so quiet and relaxing and stress free.
This time, it was noisy, chaotic, hectic, couldn't walk in the lobby at all, the lounge was mass confusion at all times, hard to get a table.
The feel wasn't at all what I know the GF to be. Hard to explain, unless you experienced it I guess. I guess the best way to explain it was that last trip the GF was magical and this trip I just felt like I was at a nice hotel with tons of people.



HATE the Alice in Wonderland dump zone water play area. HATE it. LOATHE it. The ding-ding-ding-ding-dingdingdingdingdingdingding Splash, Dump, Scream Squeal SCREAM!!!!- of the area is a nightmare to me. Totally takes away the calm tranquil ambience that used to be there.
IDK why they felt the need to put it in, it does not go with the rest of the resort. Hate it.

And yeah-- the construction definitely is an issue. It's an ugly terrible sight.



I did do laundry this trip. When we got to the TS I kept that machine running! Every night and morning we put loads in, but I still have more to do in order to get packed up again.


Glad Jack did well. I know he is happy to be home, even if Gma and Gpa spoiled him a little.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Welcome home ladies! Glad you're home safe, and that Shelly's DS's rash is gone! How miserable! Sorry that it had to end and wasn't super magical.

I can see how the GF would be noisier and busier this time - all that construction and people for the seasonal stuff have to go somewhere, right?

So Jo - what did you think about the new splash zone? Any opinion? Come on, be honest...


I have heard other reports that it seemed more crowded this fall/winter to people. October was pretty crowded in my mind, having never been that time of year, and having heard how empty everything is, I thought it was quite busy. The economy must be picking up!

 

[seacrestpromo]

Welcome home Shelly and Jodi!

Looking forward to hearing your in depth trip reports! It sounds like you had some memorable experiences both good and challenging.

Who is ready to go back?

LOL!

Sea

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

The feel of the Grand this time wasn't the "feel" that we had in September. In September it was so quiet and relaxing and stress free.
This time, it was noisy, chaotic, hectic, couldn't walk in the lobby at all, the lounge was mass confusion at all times, hard to get a table.
The feel wasn't at all what I know the GF to be. Hard to explain, unless you experienced it I guess. I guess the best way to explain it was that last trip the GF was magical and this trip I just felt like I was at a nice hotel with tons of people.



HATE the Alice in Wonderland dump zone water play area. HATE it. LOATHE it. The ding-ding-ding-ding-dingdingdingdingdingdingding Splash, Dump, Scream Squeal SCREAM!!!!- of the area is a nightmare to me. Totally takes away the calm tranquil ambience that used to be there.
IDK why they felt the need to put it in, it does not go with the rest of the resort. Hate it.

And yeah-- the construction definitely is an issue. It's an ugly terrible sight.



I did do laundry this trip. When we got to the TS I kept that machine running! Every night and morning we put loads in, but I still have more to do in order to get packed up again.


Glad Jack did well. I know he is happy to be home, even if Gma and Gpa spoiled him a little.

Sadly, I'm afraid that with the new DVC the GF is never going to feel the same as it did when you stayed there in summer 2011. We also visited the GF that trip and spent an entire evening there, just relaxing. And loved it!! Didn't get that experience this time. And with the DVC coming in that only means more people everywhere, especially since they are not adding any place to eat or swim at the DVC. I hope I'm wrong!! I know how much you love it there.

I agree - the Alice in Wonderland water structure just doesn't belong there. And with it's location (right in the middle of everything) that's another reason I don't think the GF will ever be it's quiet self again.

I think you should try another resort next time.....Perhaps the BWI..... I hear their CL is the best!!

Welcome home ladies! Glad you're home safe, and that Shelly's DS's rash is gone! How miserable! Sorry that it had to end and wasn't super magical.

I can see how the GF would be noisier and busier this time - all that construction and people for the seasonal stuff have to go somewhere, right?

So Jo - what did you think about the new splash zone? Any opinion? Come on, be honest...


I have heard other reports that it seemed more crowded this fall/winter to people. October was pretty crowded in my mind, having never been that time of year, and having heard how empty everything is, I thought it was quite busy. The economy must be picking up!

Yeah really Jodi, why don't you tell us how you really feel?!!

Oh well, all things considered we really did have a nice time. Considering what the crowds might be this week and next, I think we went at a good time!

I think most times of the year are busy anymore. There really is no good time for low crowds except for maybe very late summer.