3 Brits and 3 weeks at Disneys Grand Floridian (**Completed**)

[disneybarbie]

Hi Sara!

Great updates - so many lovely photos

I've never heard of the 'That Guy' badge before.. how cool!


Emma x

 

[wahoostampingirl]

I just started reading your TR a few days ago and I've really enjoyed it. Your pictures are great. Your family really knows how to enjoy a vacation! I hope you'll do another TR for your upcoming trip.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Hi Sara,
So many updates in a row! I can't believe you're almost finished and only have a little over three months and you'll be back at Saratoga Springs. It's always hard to have the last day, but yours looked like it was pretty perfect.

How long will you be staying this time?

Hi. I spoilt you doing 2 in one night!!! I can't believe it is nearly finished but we will be back in just over 3 months

We are staying 16 nights this time so not quite as long.

I have really enjoyed your report! Such a photogenic bunch you are!! I also love ur unique english sayings. Looks like an amazing vacation. Excited to see you have another coming up! We have stayed at Saratoga twice-it is a nice resort. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Thanks for reading along and I'm glad you are enjoying it. I wasn't aware I had unique english sayings but I'm glad you love them

I am glad you liked Saratoga Springs - I hope we do too x

Nearly finished your story then about your epic holiday. Thank you so much for putting on those nice pictures of your Mum and Dad. They really made us laugh. So I shall be posting one of you when we were there in 1991. We can then all have a good laugh together. Still, the pictures of my grandaughter are as lovely as she is. Keep making us laugh. Disneydad.

Big Belly - you've finally made a post then! I have no worries about you posting a picture of me in my "chunky" days as I know you don't know how to!!!!

Love No1 Daughter xxx AKA Frump xx

Hi Sara!

Great updates - so many lovely photos

I've never heard of the 'That Guy' badge before.. how cool!


Emma x

Hi Emma

it was so funny!! We couldn't stop laughing at poor Dad.

I've been meaning to Facebook you - only 4 weeks to go - are you beyond excited - how did you get on picking up your dress??

Sara xx

I just started reading your TR a few days ago and I've really enjoyed it. Your pictures are great. Your family really knows how to enjoy a vacation! I hope you'll do another TR for your upcoming trip.

We certainly do - we like to get the most out of things!! Trouble is we need a vacation to get over it!!!

I will definately do another trip report - I've really enjoyed re-living it - even 8 months on xx

 

[jtlover]

Loving your trip report.

You will love Saratoga Springs - what are you staying in one or two bed villa?

We are staying again at SSR this October, last year in a 2 bed, this time in a 1 bed villa - I love it as it feels like a home but with housekeeping I also loved having a washing machine and tumble dryer which meant I did all the washing before we got home which was fab!

Also is Jonathan wearing birkenstocks? I showed DH and he wants to buy some now for our holiday

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Loving your trip report.

You will love Saratoga Springs - what are you staying in one or two bed villa?

We are staying again at SSR this October, last year in a 2 bed, this time in a 1 bed villa - I love it as it feels like a home but with housekeeping I also loved having a washing machine and tumble dryer which meant I did all the washing before we got home which was fab!

Also is Jonathan wearing birkenstocks? I showed DH and he wants to buy some now for our holiday

Hi

We have a 2 bed as wanted to all be together but with separate rooms. I am looking forward to the washing machine as well - I plan to wash a lot before we come home.

Jonathan is wearing Birkenstocks - he has 2 pairs, one black and one brown and he loves them!! Hope your DH finds some.

Sara xx

 

[jtlover]

Hi

We have a 2 bed as wanted to all be together but with separate rooms. I am looking forward to the washing machine as well - I plan to wash a lot before we come home.

Jonathan is wearing Birkenstocks - he has 2 pairs, one black and one brown and he loves them!! Hope your DH finds some.

Sara xx

Thanks for the quick reply

I got obsessed with the washing machine - it is a top loader machine and housekeeping give you free washing powder. I am not taking as many clothes this year due to being able to wash things

It is lovely having a 2 bed - having the living room/kitchen in the middle - you will love it - and the hot tube - that is fab - just dont put too much bubble bath in it

Rachel x

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Saturday 11th September 2010 (coming home day!!)

An early start. We called for the luggage at 7:30am and made our way out of the Grand Floridian. We took some pictures on the way as it looked so beautiful! We had truly loved our stay there.

We drove out to Downtown Disney so that we could check in and the Virgin desk. One of our cases was over – I’m not surprised! – so they let us move some stuff over. Bit of a mess doing that on the pavement!!

We were finished by 8:35am so went and called for Mum and Dad. We left all our hand luggage in their room so that we were free to enjoy the rest of the day.

We drove straight to Hollywood Studios.

Once inside, Jonathan did his road runner bit and went straight over to Toy Story Mania to get some fastpasses. The rest of us made our way over the Rock N Roller Coaster and had a couple of Photopass pictures taken along the way!

Jonathan met us there but he was only able to get Fastpass tickets for 15:40 and we would have left by then. We hang on to them just in case.

Jonathan, Dad, Amber and I went on the ride. I sat at the back and it really shook my head around.

Jonathan then managed to persuade Amber to go on the Tower of Terror. She was so brave!

We all went to Starring Rolls to use up some of our snack credits.

Amber and I then rushed over to Art of Animation so that we could meet the Incredibles. There was no queue at all so we waited. Jonathan, Mum and Dad strolled over and we waited some more. I then thought I better check the time and guess what – I was an hour early!! They must have thought we were really keen! We decided not to wait another 45 minutes and thought we would try our luck with Toy Story Mania. We went and saw the cast members and Jonathan said we had fastpasses but they were for much later but we were going home today and would them let us on early. Well … no pixie dust for us – they said No! I do understand why – if everyone did this the whole system would collapse.

We had a walkaround and went over to meet Mike and Sully! Dad just had to have his picture taken with them after his experience yesterday in the Laugh Floor Comedy Club.

We then saw Lightening McQueen and Mater and had our picture with them.

It was so so hot today so we let Amber cool off under the Singing in the Rain umbrella.

We walked back to the car – nearly melting and went across to Downtown Disney. Out last trip to the Earl of Sandwich (this trip anyway!) It was as good as ever!

We walked right through the Disney Village and Pleasure Island to West Side so that we could go on the Balloon. I had wanted to do this all holiday. Nobody seemed keen as it was so hot but Jonathan (who is scared of heights) agreed to come on. Mum, Dad and Amber needed to sit in the shade – it really was boiling!!

Jonathan was really nervous but was fine when it got to the top. He thought it was brilliant, as I did. We got a great view of Saratoga Springs which was good.

When we got down the others had cooled off and wanted to go on. We sat in the shade while they did.

We really felt hot and thought that a swim would do the trick so Mum suggested we go back to their hotel. How handy was that! I could borrow one of her bikinis but we had to rush round Downtown Disney getting a costume and shorts for Amber and Jonathan. It was going to be the most expensive swim ever!!!

We went over to their hotel and got changed. Once down to the pool we got straight in. It was so refreshing and really cooled us off. I had a nice strawberry dacquiri by the pool and then we said our goodbyes to Mum and Dad. It was really strange and I felt really sad!

We went up and got showered and changed in their room. They were bringing home the clothes we had been wearing and the wet swimming stuff.

We had an easy trip to the airport and returned the car.

We had a look round the shops and I managed to get the Universal Studios Magnet and some Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans that I had forgotten to get.

We went through security with no problems and went into Burger King as Amber was hungry. She had something to eat and Jonathan and I had a drink.

I went to look for some perfume but to be honest it didn’t seem much cheaper so I didn’t bother.

Once we got to the gate we were allowed on the plane pretty quickly.

I have to say the service on the flight was pretty bad. I tried to sleep most of the way and when I woke up the breakfast was there but it was awful so I didn’t eat it or bother to wake Jonathan and Amber.

We landed a little early and our baggage came out really quickly. All except for the golf clubs which took another 40 minutes! It was really bad – the conveyer belt for those items had broken – nobody knew what was going on. Everyone was waiting for the Buggys so they were poor tired kids everywhere with nowhere to sit!!

When we eventually got them and went through our Driver was waiting. We got loaded up and he got us back in about 2½ hours. We all kept dozing off (the joys of being picked up!) and Amber slept most of the way.

We got our luggage out of the car and were home! A mountain of post and surrounded by luggage we reflected on our wonderful holiday!

We all agreed that the highs were staying at the Grand Floridian, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, our day at Discovery Cove, having our first 2 week holiday alone, and then having my Mum and Dad with us for a week and the California Grill.

Jonathan had an additional high and that was playing at Sawgrass.

Our only low was Virgin and to be honest it wasn’t bad enough to stop us flying with them again – after all we are this year!!!

I really hope you have enjoyed reading my report as much as I have writing it.

Sara xx

 

[sue_88]

Enjoyed your report! You got some really great photos!

 

[TXdisney]

Great trip report!! I'm looking forward to your next TR!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Enjoyed your report! You got some really great photos!

Thank you - they were sheer luck!!!

Great trip report!! I'm looking forward to your next TR!

Thanks. I am looking forward to writing it

 

[Canberin]

I really enjoyed reading your trip report- your photos were all fantastic and throughout, it sounded like you were writing it with a smile on your face

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Uh oh....looks like someone exceeded their bandwidth for the month You have too many followers

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I really enjoyed reading your trip report- your photos were all fantastic and throughout, it sounded like you were writing it with a smile on your face

I certainly did - we also read it all back the other evening and smiled even more

Uh oh....looks like someone exceeded their bandwidth for the month You have too many followers

All sorted now!!

 

[Tinkerbell1989]

I know I'm joining the party a little late, but I loved reading your report! You have a beautiful family, and I was very jealous of your stay in GF!

Steffi xx

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I know I'm joining the party a little late, but I loved reading your report! You have a beautiful family, and I was very jealous of your stay in GF!

Steffi xx

Hi Steffi

Thanks for reading and your comments about my family

Sara xx

 

[klacey1]

Hi Sara!! Aww, I'm sad to see your TR end :-( I loved reading about your family's adventures and seeing your pictures!! Are you going to doing a PTR for your August trip?? (I think I'll start one myself this week)

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

So sad that your TR is over. I have enjoyed reading along with your adventures. Let us know if you start a TR for Paris Disney. Hope to read more in the future. Thanks for taking the time to write this one.

 

[JolllyHoliday]

Usually just lurk here, but just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your trip report. You have a beautiful family. Looking forward to reading about your next trip.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Hi Sara!! Aww, I'm sad to see your TR end :-( I loved reading about your family's adventures and seeing your pictures!! Are you going to doing a PTR for your August trip?? (I think I'll start one myself this week)

Hi Kylie!!

I am going to start a PTR - going to try and start it this week as Amber is away on a school trip for 4 days

We also have to see if any of our days clash so we can meet up.

Sara x

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

So sad that your TR is over. I have enjoyed reading along with your adventures. Let us know if you start a TR for Paris Disney. Hope to read more in the future. Thanks for taking the time to write this one.

I'm sad too I really enjoyed re-living it!! I don't think I will do a trip report for Paris Disney but will start a PTR for my trip that is in 11 weeks time

Usually just lurk here, but just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your trip report. You have a beautiful family. Looking forward to reading about your next trip.

Thank you for taking the time to post and for your kind comments - I hope to start a PTR this week so will post the link here.

Sara xx