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

[Sweet Pea UK]

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a while - I hope you will all stay reading along.

The last few weeks have been manic! Amber is getting ready to be in the Christmas Circus so it has been one rehearsal after another. The post I do at work which is one of 3 in the County is reducing to one and I have to apply for it - not pleasant. I have the interview next Tuesday. I have a job if I don't get that one so what will be will be.

But ... Exciting news! We have got a kitten! It is a Maine Coon and we have called her Misty. She is gorgeous and providing us with loads of entertainment! It is Ambers kitten as it is her Christmas present from my brother. She had to have it early as they were ready but me and Jonathan love it when she is in bed so that we can have a little while along with it!!

I hope to get some more trip report on this week and I will also post some pictures of the kitten.

Sara x

 

[mickeystoontown]

It's okay that you haven't posted in a while. It seems that we all get that way when the holidays come around.

What exciting news about the kitten. I am sure that Amber is already totally in love with it.

 

[PirateKate]

I found your trip report and read it all just now. It is wonderful! Amber is very cute and photogenic.

 

[silver apple]

I've loved reading your report, can't wait for more though

 

[tinytreasures]

can't wait to see the new kitten and hear more updates when you get a chance

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

It's okay that you haven't posted in a while. It seems that we all get that way when the holidays come around.

What exciting news about the kitten. I am sure that Amber is already totally in love with it.

It has been crazy!! I am getting back to normal now. The kitten is a dream!

I found your trip report and read it all just now. It is wonderful! Amber is very cute and photogenic.

Thank you

I've loved reading your report, can't wait for more though

There is more on the way shortly!!

can't wait to see the new kitten and hear more updates when you get a chance

Pictures and updates on the way!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I'm Back!! It seems so long since I have had any time to spend on here and I have really missed writing up my trip report and checking what everyone else has been up to.

Here is a little bit of what I have been up to ...

I told you that Misty arrived at the end of November. Here she is!!

She has been a dream! We are all smitten with her and Amber idolises her!

We all had a great Christmas. Ambers present from us was a trip to Disneyland Paris in the February Half Term. We did a little treasure hunt with clues around my Mums house. It ended up with a Golden Ticket (Willy Wonka style) that Jonathan made. She was so pleased and excited!!

So then we had new year which went by in a whirl! Now it is all back to normal, back to school and back to work. I only have one more week in my present job and then I am pleased to say that I got the job I was going for in Norwich so now I will have more money for Disney holidays - yay!!!!!

I hope everyone had a really good Christmas and has a very happy Disney Filled 2011.

On with the trip report ......

Sara xx

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Sara!
I'm so glad that you posted! I was wondering if we were going to hear the end of your trip report or not! Congratulations on the kitty, DLP, AND a new job!

 

[disneybarbie]

Happy New Year Sara!

Love the idea of the 'golden ticket' for the DLRP trip!

And congratulations on the new job!! I got a promotion at work recently, start the new role next week... think 2011 is going to be a fantastic year!!


Emma x

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Friday 3rd September 2010 – Day 13

We were awake today at 8:15 and drove straight over to Seaworld. I wanted to get here early as the last couple of times we have been we have barely got everything done in the day!!

My plan worked and we were there for opening.

We went straight round to Kraken and Jonathan went on. There was no queue at all and before long Amber and I saw him whizzing past us!!

He and Amber then went on to Journey to Atlantis. I didn’t feel like getting wet that early and spend my time watching the shows all wet so they went on alone. I was the official photo taker!

It was then time for our first show – Blue Horizons! The first time I saw this back in 2005 I wasn’t impressed but each time I have seen it since I have enjoyed it more. It is so colourful and the music is perfect with it.

From there we went to Pets Ahoy. We love this little show, especially Amber who is pet mad!!

Now it was Clyde and Seamore. The most disappointing show of all. It really needs updating now – I have seen it so many times! I thought they changed it more often??

From here we went and had a drink and snack at the Waterfront. While we were sitting there I said I really fancied going up in the Skyride. Nobody else wanted to so I went alone. I loved it – I could see right over to our hotel!! Jonathan was really disappointed that he didn’t do it. He has a slight fear of heights but he would have been fine on it. It is on his list for next time!

Next up was the Believe show. It was very good but it isn’t the same now they don’t get in the water – even though I completely understand the reasons why.

We had a little while in the Shamu play area and Amber went up in the nets. We lost her for a bit which was worrying but it was just that we couldn’t see her! It was so hot here so we went in the underground shark area to try and cool off!

After this we went for lunch at the Voyager. Jonathan and I shared the BBQ sampler which was surprisingly good. Amber had …. You guessed it – another hot dog!!! I have the least fussy child in the whole world but it just seems to be mostly all they offer for children!

From here we went to feed the dolphins but it is very different now and you have to queue up and pay separately so we had missed the present session and the queue was large for the next session. We promised her we were coming back when Nanny and Grandad arrived and that we would go there first.

It was so hot we felt we had to leave. We stopped off in the gift shop on the way out to add to our magnet collection!

I remembered on the way back to the hotel that I had read somewhere on here that you could get cheap pins to trade at the Disney outlet store so we went over there. It was baking! There were no cheap pins but I got a pack of 4 for about $20. Amber had wanted to get some Hi Top trainers and after wading through every sports shop in the complex we couldn’t find any! Amber then had a melt down!! I think it was a combination of disappointment, heat and tiredness but she ended up having her spending money taken off her for 2 days! She calmed down on the way back and was soon back to her old self! (Still didn’t give her her money back though!)

Once back at the hotel she did her first trade and she was really excited!

Jonathan and Amber then had a swim and I gave the room a sort out – it was full of old clothes and purchases!

We later got changed and went to Downtown Disney. We were going to go to Paradiso 37. It was packed – we couldn’t even find a parking space. We all felt a little tired and hungry so decided just to go to the Olive Garden. It was busy there too but we didn’t have to wait to long for a table.

Once seated we had the salad and bread sticks to start and then I had the chicken parmigana, Jonathan the meatballs and Amber the spaghetti bolognese. Our bill was $38!!! I was amazed!!!

As we had eaten so quickly we decided to try again for a space at Downtown Disney. We found one so went for a walk round and looked in the shops. It was really pleasant.

We went straight back to the hotel and were all asleep within about half an hour!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Sara!
I'm so glad that you posted! I was wondering if we were going to hear the end of your trip report or not! Congratulations on the kitty, DLP, AND a new job!

I'm pleased you have stuck around! I will definately be finishing it! I have just added day 13 and am half way through typing up Day 14 which I will post tomorrow. I am very excited about my new job!!

Happy New Year Sara!

Love the idea of the 'golden ticket' for the DLRP trip!

And congratulations on the new job!! I got a promotion at work recently, start the new role next week... think 2011 is going to be a fantastic year!!


Emma x

Happy New Year Emma!!! How have you been?? I am going to catch up tomorrow on your Wedding Journal! I feel like I am missing out!

I really must hear all about your New York and Disney trip too!

Thanks about the new job - you too! That is excellent news! 2011 is definately going to be your year!!!

Sara xxx

 

[scottny]

Found your report tonight and it is great. Love the pics and all that you have done.

Look forward to reading more.

 

[cajunbaby1]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post all your pics and trip report!! You have a beautiful family. I'm going do wdw at the end of Feb/1st part of march. This has totally gotten me in the mood for disney. Keep up the great work.

 

[kmrein]

Hi, Sara! I hope you don't mind me joining in a bit late. I am loving your report-thanks so much for sharing all this. You have such a lovely family-including your newest furry member!
Happy New Year, and looking forward to more!

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

It's great to hear from you. I am glad that you had a good time at Sea World, it is sad that I won't see the full believe show when we are there, but it is certainly better that the alternative (shudder). I can't believe from the Skyride you can see disney, I had no idea they were so close by to each other.

I can't wait to go to florida, I have just booked our holiday for September '11 I am so excited.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Saturday 4th September 2010 – Day 14

We were up really early today and were at the Hollywood Studios by 8am for EMH. Once inside Jonathan ran off with the tickets so that he could get us Toy Storia Mania Fastpasses. We had arranged to meet up at the Rock n Roller Coaster.

He was there pretty quickly and we had passes for later in the morning. We all went on the Rock n Roller Coaster. It was great as usual! Amber just loves it. Her and Jonathan went on again.

After this we went to Starring Rolls for a drink and a pastry. It was as delicious as always. I had an apple danish!!

We wandered around to TSM but were early so we went and queued up to see Woody and Buzz. It wasn’t open yet but once it opened the queue moved quickly. It had a nice queuing area.

It was now our time for Toy Story Mania!! We still had quite a long queue in the Fastpass line but it was great taking it all in. We absolutely loved the ride! It is fantastic! Easily my favourite new ride of the holiday.

From here we walked over to the Animation Courtyard and to see Lotso. We arrived early and were first in the queue. After a while he came out – he was adorable!!! So cuddly and he smelt of lovely strawberries.

After lots of cuddles we came out and left the park as we had done all we wanted to. We popped back to the Grand Floridian to pick up our mobile phone. Mum and Dad were arriving today so we needed to keep the phone with us.

We went to Downtown Disney and to the Earl of Sandwich where we had another delicious lunch!

After this we decided to get a boat out. We opted for a 21’ Pontoon Boat so that we had a bit of room. This was the first time we had done this and we absolutely loved it! It was a gloriously hot day so I got to lay out at the front and soak up some sun.

We each took a turn in driving the boat and we get amazing views of Saratoga Springs as we went past which is where we are staying on our next holiday (which is now this year!) I also got to see Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside which I had never seen before.

The 45 minutes flew by and before we knew it it was time to go back.

We had decided that we would go and surprise Mum and Dad at the airport so we still had a bit of time to kill. We went for a drive down the 192 and looked for a villa which is owned by a friend of ours. We couldn’t find it as Jonathan wasn’t entirely sure of the address!!

Seeing as we were still looking for the High Tops for Amber we went over to the Florida Mall.

We didn’t have any success with the trainers but I managed to get 4 Chamilia beads for the price of 3 which I was really pleased about – my bracelet is filling up nicely!!

Now we had left it a bit tight to get to the Airport so we dashed over and parked. We raced in and caught the monorail over to the Terminal. Jonathan had to run straight to the toilet and me and Amber hid. We saw them coming and jumped out! They were so pleased to see us! Jonathan arrived from the toilet – too late!!

We helped them sort their Hire Car and then Amber went back with them to their hotel and we went back to ours.

We got changed and then went back to their Hotel which was the Buena Vista Palace opposite Downtown Disney. They had a newly decorated room which was very nice.

We all got in Hannibal and drove over to Downtown Disney. We had to park right over at the far end of West Side. It was so busy again. It was Labour Day weekend after all.

Luckily we had reservations at Raglan Road so weren’t concerned about trying to get a table anywhere.

We were seated quickly in a booth. It was very dark and a struggle to read the menu.

The food was great though. Jonathan and I shared the pate to start and Mum and Dad shared the Tempura Shrimp. Amber had fish and chips for the main course, I had the pork, Jonathan bangers and mash, Mum a salad and Dad some sort of Pie. It was all lovely. It was Mum and Dads first visit and they were very impressed. Nobody wanted a dessert so we left.

We dropped Mum and Dad back at their hotel and headed back to ours for bed. It was so lovely knowing that Mum and Dad were nearby and we looked forward to enjoying the last week of our holiday with them.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post all your pics and trip report!! You have a beautiful family. I'm going do wdw at the end of Feb/1st part of march. This has totally gotten me in the mood for disney. Keep up the great work.

Thank you. You must be getting very excited! I am off to Disneyland Paris for a few days roughly the same time and it can't come quick enough!!

It's great to hear from you. I am glad that you had a good time at Sea World, it is sad that I won't see the full believe show when we are there, but it is certainly better that the alternative (shudder). I can't believe from the Skyride you can see disney, I had no idea they were so close by to each other.

I can't wait to go to florida, I have just booked our holiday for September '11 I am so excited.

I couldn't believe how far you could see from the Skyride. I would definately do it again. We will be there to in September 2011. Where are you staying?

Found your report tonight and it is great. Love the pics and all that you have done.

Look forward to reading more.

Thanks. I am enjoying writing it.

Hi, Sara! I hope you don't mind me joining in a bit late. I am loving your report-thanks so much for sharing all this. You have such a lovely family-including your newest furry member!
Happy New Year, and looking forward to more!

I don't mind you joining in late at all - the more the merrier!

Thank you for your kind words about my family. My newest furry member is asleep on my lap right now - it is very uncomfortable to type but she is too cosy to move

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

I couldn't believe how far you could see from the Skyride. I would definately do it again. We will be there to in September 2011. Where are you staying?

We are staying 9 nights at POR at 3 nights at AKV-Kidani Village. Feel free to check out my PTR (the link is in the sig) There is not much too it at the moment, but that will change as I get more things planned.

 

[AGPrincess]

I'm not all caught up yet, but just had to post to say subbing! Love your TR so far -- your and your DD's outfits are so cute! I love Disney/vacation wardrobes. It's so interesting to hear about Universal. My family's never been, but the Wizarding World looks pretty cool!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

We are staying 9 nights at POR at 3 nights at AKV-Kidani Village. Feel free to check out my PTR (the link is in the sig) There is not much too it at the moment, but that will change as I get more things planned.

I am on my way to check it out

I'm not all caught up yet, but just had to post to say subbing! Love your TR so far -- your and your DD's outfits are so cute! I love Disney/vacation wardrobes. It's so interesting to hear about Universal. My family's never been, but the Wizarding World looks pretty cool!

Thank you - That is one of my favourite parts - planning our wardrobes

The Wizarding World really is something else! Stay tuned as we are going back in the next installment!