Dream Big, Live Grand - 4th of July at the Grand Floridian!

[LittleMissMagic]

We returned to Mom and convinced her to come with us on the slides we thought she'd like. By now, all of the slides had 15-30 minute waits. Double Dipper had a 45 minute wait - pass! Our first stop was the Tobaggan Racers. She liked that slide. I still failed at reaching the Finish Line. Next we did the other tobaggan slide, and she liked that one, as well. We were going to take her on the slide with the double tubes, but the line to get tubes was long, so we decided to pass. It was nothing special.

Our next stop was Steamboat Springs. We knew she'd like that. And she did!

I want to buy this picture, and I really want a border for it. Unfortunately, the two Blizzard Beach borders are for Summit Plummet. Hmph... I guess I will have to go borderless.



We then got in the Lazy River. There were many people trying to hoard tubes by the stairs to get in. However, we found if you just got in the river and started traveling along, you'd come across an empty tube. Much easier than sending someone out to fight the current and bring back a tube one at a time.

We made it back around past the tidal pool, then returned to our chairs. We swam a little bit... the water was really cold, though! I guess because it's "melted snow!"







We left Blizzard Beach around 2:30 or 3:00. And... get this... Rachel and Dad were saying, "This is definitely a morning park! You really need to get here when it opens." Umm... yeah, I told you that! But now they are convinced! The first hour or two we were there, there was hardly a wait for anything. Then after 11:00, the crowds started picking up. We're guessing that around 5-6:00, the crowd starts thinning out, again.

[LittleMissMagic]

After we got back to the GF, it was time to get ready for dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

Mom - "What time is dinner?"

Me - "4:50"

Mom - "4:50!!!!???????!!!!!!!!!!!! Who eats that early???????????"

Me - "Chill out - we're gonna get there late, and we probably won't eat until after 5, anyway."

Mom - "I just wish I wouldn't have eaten those Wheat Thins..."



Dad - "Good thing we didn't tell her when dinner was - huh huh (Dad's laugh) - then we would've had to leave an hour earlier! Huh huh huh!"

No worries, guys... we made it.

[MarieTheCat24]

Hi, Victoria! I'm joining in! Your family reminds me so much of my own. Plus, we were at WDW at the same time (July 3rd-8th)!

I'm majorly in love with the bags your mom made. I mean, putting the bows on pins so you can change them out to match different outfits/occasions? GENIUS. If she ever decides to sell them, let me know!

Your Grand Floridian photos are GORGEOUS. OMG. I'd love to stay there one day.

Space Mountain is the best for crazy photo taking. And I totally know what your sister means. I looked at the flash once and my eyes were quite wonky for a while.

I love your Daisy Duck top!

AH! I saw those new Mickey Mouse crocs and was desperately wishing they sold them a few years ago when I was having foot issues and was forced to buy a pair of the regular old crocs. Those things are not fashionable (though they are quite comfortable) but the new Mickey Mouse ones are ADORABLE!

I've never been to Blizzard Beach, but it sure sounds like a lot of fun.

Can't wait for more!!

[Ellen aka Snow White]

Thank you!! I can't believe you guys have never been to BB!! Getting there first thing when it opens is the best way to get everything done. Sounds like you had a good time! Keep the updates coming...please?

[Kat in GA]

We had a great time going to the water parks - did ya'll go to Typhoon Lagoon, too??

[alliebelle3]

Just joining in! Loving the TR so far. You sound like me on my last trip w/my family...I was all about getting to the parks early and beating the crowds, but my family didn't believe it until they saw for themselves! Why don't they just trust us disney freaks?!

[Lucys2200]

It sounds like you guys had a great time in BB. I've never been. My dad has always prefered to go to TL. And god bless you for having patience to be between the 2 groups of foreign kids Cause if it were me...I would've been on the Orlando news for attacking kids...i have no patience for them..they're loud, annoying, smelly and just the worst

[LittleMissMagic]

Originally Posted by MarieTheCat24

Hi, Victoria! I'm joining in! Your family reminds me so much of my own. Plus, we were at WDW at the same time (July 3rd-8th)!

Thanks for joining in! Maybe we were in the same place at the same time or saw eachother in passing without knowing. I always wonder if I'm standing around other DISers whenever I'm at WDW. I intended to put the lime green paint chip on my bag as a key chain or something, but I forgot... and I'm not quite sure where I'd attach it!

[LittleMissMagic]

Originally Posted by Ellen aka Snow White

Thank you!! I can't believe you guys have never been to BB!! Getting there first thing when it opens is the best way to get everything done. Sounds like you had a good time! Keep the updates coming...please?

We've always been so park-oriented... never had time for the water parks. My parents didn't really know much about them, either. I persuaded Dad into it by mentioning that it was only $4 extra per person per day in comparison to the $45 gate price. Once he heard that, he was sold!

[LittleMissMagic]

Originally Posted by Kat in GA

We had a great time going to the water parks - did ya'll go to Typhoon Lagoon, too??

No, we haven't gone to Typhoon Lagoon, yet, but we bought the 10-day park hopper no expiration passes with water parks and more, so I'm sure we'll be back. We still have 9 more water parks and more days left. I think we'll probably try out Typhoon Lagoon on our next trip! Blizzard Beach had just always appealed to Rachel and I since we were little kids (we used to watch the free vacation planning videos for fun... we'll still pop one in when packing for a trip to get us excited about our vacation! ). What's funny is that Rachel had always wanted to do the iceberg course thing... then we went over there and realized it was for kids 12 and under.... we were seven/five years too late!

[Merida]

Your trip to Blizzard Beach looks fun! I was only ever there for a class trip - it was too cold to be in the water really (and everyone was so worn out), it was pretty much just a glorified naptime and everyone got sunburned. Not the best first impression! It seems like a park that's more fun to do in a small group (racing, etc.) anyway.

I don't blame your mom for eating Wheat Thins! A box of those (or a bag of Sun Chips) only last about two days in our house. They're just so good!

[Native NYer]

Great tr!
Love your GF photos.

[Kat in GA]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

No, we haven't gone to Typhoon Lagoon, yet, but we bought the 10-day park hopper no expiration passes with water parks and more, so I'm sure we'll be back. We still have 9 more water parks and more days left. I think we'll probably try out Typhoon Lagoon on our next trip! Blizzard Beach had just always appealed to Rachel and I since we were little kids (we used to watch the free vacation planning videos for fun... we'll still pop one in when packing for a trip to get us excited about our vacation! ). What's funny is that Rachel had always wanted to do the iceberg course thing... then we went over there and realized it was for kids 12 and under.... we were seven/five years too late!

My girls much preferred Blizzard Beach to TL - but I thought that TL was much prettier - especially in the lazy river (which was my favorite thing about both parks! ) And my youngest LOVED the ice berg course. She and her friend spent a lot of time there and on the zip line. But my oldest and her friend are 13 so the area was verbotten!

What did ya'll think of the crowds while you were there? We were there at the same time and didn't think they were bad at all - at least I was thinking Summer and July 4th would be horrible, so it was a pleasant surprise. But all the rain - yuck!

[LittleMissMagic]

Originally Posted by Kat in GA

What did ya'll think of the crowds while you were there? We were there at the same time and didn't think they were bad at all - at least I was thinking Summer and July 4th would be horrible, so it was a pleasant surprise. But all the rain - yuck!

We actually managed to avoid most of the crowds and had no problem at all with rain! The one time it rained, we had already gotten on the monorail to head back to our resort. We took our much-needed nap, and when we left the resort for dinner, the rain was all gone. It didn't rain on us any other day of our trip! It's the best luck we've had with weather in Orlando in a few trips!

[dalmatian7]

Loving your tr and subbing.
I'm an adult and I wish I could go on the iceberg things too.

I've been to a Disney wedding and the horse and carriage is over rated. Cute but for the money you could do something else more spectacular and that would last longer. You will make a gorgeous Disney bride someday.

Keep the pics coming