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

[LukenDC]

The Golden Ticket is beautiful. Big kudos to Jonathan for his amazing work!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

You take such lovely close-up pictures of Amber! I love the one you put in between the boat pictures.

I bet your parents were very excited to be greeted at the airport! I love doing that, it always makes the people you are meeting smile.

Saratoga Springs is very nice. My DH and I stayed there in 2009 in a one bedroom with a kitchen. It had a great spa tub and one of the most comfy beds I've slept in in WDW.

My DH and I are going to WDW for our tenth anniversary and we've got a reservation at Ranglan Road. I am glad you wrote about it, I'm very excited to eat here!

 

[Native NYer]

Love your tr!
The golden ticket idea is great.

 

[klacey1]

Hi, Sara! Just caught up with your last few updates! The kitten is adorable! We love going over to Sea World but haven't been in years. I remember really liking the Clyde and Seamore show, but if they haven't changed it, they definitely should! How boring!
That must have been so fun to surprise your parents. I love the picture of you, your mom, and Amber-- lovely!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

The Golden Ticket is beautiful. Big kudos to Jonathan for his amazing work!

Thanks - he is really clever like that - bless him!!

You take such lovely close-up pictures of Amber! I love the one you put in between the boat pictures.

I bet your parents were very excited to be greeted at the airport! I love doing that, it always makes the people you are meeting smile.

Saratoga Springs is very nice. My DH and I stayed there in 2009 in a one bedroom with a kitchen. It had a great spa tub and one of the most comfy beds I've slept in in WDW.

My DH and I are going to WDW for our tenth anniversary and we've got a reservation at Ranglan Road. I am glad you wrote about it, I'm very excited to eat here!

We have eaten at Raglan Road twice now and have had excellent meals on both occasions.

Can't wait to stay at Saratoga Springs - it is coming round so quickly!

Thanks about my pictures about Amber - I know I am biased but she is so adorable I cna't help but keep taking them!!

Love your tr!
The golden ticket idea is great.

Thank you - I was so pleased with it!

Hi, Sara! Just caught up with your last few updates! The kitten is adorable! We love going over to Sea World but haven't been in years. I remember really liking the Clyde and Seamore show, but if they haven't changed it, they definitely should! How boring!
That must have been so fun to surprise your parents. I love the picture of you, your mom, and Amber-- lovely!

Hi Kylie

I haven't been on here in ages - loads has been happening which I will explain in my next post!! The kitten is really growing!

Sara xx

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Hi All

I can't believe how long it has been since I have been on the DIS Boards!! So much has happened!!

I started my new job on 17th January so have been there a month now. I love it! The travelling every day hasn't even bothered me.

Trouble is I am so so busy! I just haven't had a chance to do anything else.

I go to Disneyland Paris next Sundya - that's just 6 days time! I haven't done a thing!

We go back to WDW in about 6 months time and I haven't even planned where we are going to eat let along booked ADR's. I am starting to get really panicky!

We are in the process of buying a new car as ours just isn't up to the run into the City every day so that has been taking some time.

I really need to get my head round an itinerary of some sort as well as work out a savings plan. When I think about how organised I was for last years holiday. This years just doesn't seem the same. i think it is because we were obviously only there 6 months ago where as last year we had a 3 year gap between visits.

I have been terrible with my TR. I WILL get it finished.

I hope everyone is keeping well - please bear with me - I will get the next day updated shortly.

Sara xx

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Hi All

I can't believe how long it has been since I have been on the DIS Boards!! So much has happened!!

I started my new job on 17th January so have been there a month now. I love it! The travelling every day hasn't even bothered me.

Trouble is I am so so busy! I just haven't had a chance to do anything else.

I go to Disneyland Paris next Sundya - that's just 6 days time! I haven't done a thing!

We go back to WDW in about 6 months time and I haven't even planned where we are going to eat let along booked ADR's. I am starting to get really panicky!

We are in the process of buying a new car as ours just isn't up to the run into the City every day so that has been taking some time.

I really need to get my head round an itinerary of some sort as well as work out a savings plan. When I think about how organised I was for last years holiday. This years just doesn't seem the same. i think it is because we were obviously only there 6 months ago where as last year we had a 3 year gap between visits.

I have been terrible with my TR. I WILL get it finished.

I hope everyone is keeping well - please bear with me - I will get the next day updated shortly.

Sara xx

You have had a busy month! I can't believe you are going to be at Disneyland Paris in less that a week, I am so jealous. I am sure you are going to have a great time . I went to Disneyland Paris in '97 when I was 13 years old, I loved it there. I had been to Disneyland in Anaheim earlier in the year. So it was a really good year for me . I haven't been back to any of the parks since (about 6 months until WDW ). Out of the two parks I liked Disneyland Paris the most. It was Christmas when we went and it was so beautiful and magical . It was also better because this trip was with both my Mum and Dad. Disneyland Anaheim was just me and Dad. It was good to have our entire family together (as small as it was).

I am sure you will get everything organised in time for your next WDW trip, so don't worry.

Please update us on how Disneyland Paris went, I would love to see the pictures.

Can't wait for the next update, but understand at the moment if you are a little snowed under

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Sara!
Glad to hear the new job is going well... very exciting your DLRP trip is coming up so soon!


Emma x

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Found this TR last night and read the whole thing! Can't wait for the next week's worth of stories and pictures!

 

[frzndaqiri]

Also popped in after the title caught my eye last night. Great TR so far! I love the perspective of someone outside the US (and the different slang).

I had to google Chamilia beads - aren't those the cutest? I love that they're just slider beads as I don't like the stretchy ones you usually see (they pinch my skin too much). I just might have to start a collection.

 

[pdxJolene]

I just got caught up and wanted to comment & say that I am really enjoying your TR! Amber is too cute!

 

[TXdisney]

Your TR is great! I found your TR yesterday and all caught! You have a very lovely family! Can't wait to read more of your TR!

 

[mrmdisneyfl]

Hi Sara!

Came across your trip report today, love it! I look forward more.

Great report!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

You have had a busy month! I can't believe you are going to be at Disneyland Paris in less that a week, I am so jealous. I am sure you are going to have a great time . I went to Disneyland Paris in '97 when I was 13 years old, I loved it there. I had been to Disneyland in Anaheim earlier in the year. So it was a really good year for me . I haven't been back to any of the parks since (about 6 months until WDW ). Out of the two parks I liked Disneyland Paris the most. It was Christmas when we went and it was so beautiful and magical . It was also better because this trip was with both my Mum and Dad. Disneyland Anaheim was just me and Dad. It was good to have our entire family together (as small as it was).

I am sure you will get everything organised in time for your next WDW trip, so don't worry.

Please update us on how Disneyland Paris went, I would love to see the pictures.

Can't wait for the next update, but understand at the moment if you are a little snowed under

Disney planning is going well. ADR's are booked. DLRP was great fun so I will update about that later. Going to finish this TR first!!

Hi Sara!
Glad to hear the new job is going well... very exciting your DLRP trip is coming up so soon!


Emma x

Hi Emma - new job going great although I worked 53 hours this week! With the 6 hours travelling on top I am worn out!! Overtime is helping pay for the Disney trip though so can't complain! How is everything going?

Found this TR last night and read the whole thing! Can't wait for the next week's worth of stories and pictures!

Coming up very soon ....

Also popped in after the title caught my eye last night. Great TR so far! I love the perspective of someone outside the US (and the different slang).

I had to google Chamilia beads - aren't those the cutest? I love that they're just slider beads as I don't like the stretchy ones you usually see (they pinch my skin too much). I just might have to start a collection.

You won't regret it - I love mine - particularly because you can get Disney Beads!!

I just got caught up and wanted to comment & say that I am really enjoying your TR! Amber is too cute!

She is the best!!

Your TR is great! I found your TR yesterday and all caught! You have a very lovely family! Can't wait to read more of your TR!

Thank you xx

Hi Sara!

Came across your trip report today, love it! I look forward more.

Great report!

Thank you - hope not to keep you waiting to much longer!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Sunday 5th September 2010

Today was our earliest rise yet! We had to get up at 6am!!! We all got ready and drove to the Buena Vista Palace to get Mum and Dad. They were waiting in their car (they had a 7 seater People Carrier) so we parked up Hannibal and jumped in with them.

We got to Islands of Adventure for 7:00am and waited outside.

After a few minutes a Virgin Representative appeared and we showed our special invitations to Harry Potter. Mine, Jonathan and Ambers tickets had the 24th August on as you are supposed to go the day after you arrive. We explained that we had waited for Mum and Dad to get there and they were fine. At 7:15 we got taken straight through to the 3 Broomsticks. Nothing like the mad scrum we had experienced earlier in the holiday! It was great to see my Dad’s face as we walked through – he couldn’t believe it!!

Once at the 3 Broomsticks we were given our free breakfast. It was as you would except but perfectly edible. Juice coffee, toast and pastries. We were also given a free poncho.

I went into the toilets and managed to hear Moaning Myrtle – the themeing there is just incredible!!

At 8am we made our way up to the Forbidden Journey. Guess what – broken again!

We decided to quickly queue up for Ollivanders. We managed to get to the front. I overheard someone saying at Fantasmic that if you acted really over the top they picked you for the wand. I told Amber to do that but she wouldn’t so …. Yep you guessed it – I had to. When we walked in I started to act really over the top saying things like “Oh My God, I can’t believe I’m in here – its just like in the film” and jumping up and down slightly. Once they shut the doors I got called forward! I had to hold a wand and cast spells to see if the wand was suitable for me. 3 caused bad things to happen but on the 4th a light shone and music started to play. It was a great experience. I was then ushered into another room and told if I wanted to buy the wand I should take it to the cash register! Magic over! As it was only about $30 we decided to buy it!

We walked back up to the Forbidden Journey but as it was still broken they said we could walk round and do the castle tour. They did advise us to use the lockers for any carry ons and cameras etc so we were hopeful that it may start working.

We walked round and the queue started in the Herbology room. We waited in here for about 20 minutes and it started going again – yay!!!!!

Amber agreed to do it again even though she wasn’t keen the first time round. I really enjoyed it – I saw so much more this time. Fantastic ride!! We had a good look round the shop when we came out. Jonathan and Amber went on the Hippogriff.

Jonathan, Dad and I then did went on Duelling Dragons. The queue only said 5 minutes but it must have taken at least 30 minutes! Great ride though! Mum and Amber went on the Trolley Ride in the Sky while they waited.

We then went round to Toon Lagoon, all of us except Jonathan went on Popeye. We got absolutely soaked!! Mum, Dad and Amber then went on Dudley Do Rights and they got even more soaked.

We had a go in the Electric dryers which helped a little.

We walked back to the entrance and got a cake and a drink in the Moon Café place.

We walked round to Universal Studios. All of us except Mum went on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. That ride is so good. We all love it. Amber looks so tiny on it! We really enjoyed watching the videos back after as well.

We had a walk around and Mum, Dad and Amber went on the Simpsons. Jonathan and I rushed round to go on the Mummy. We went in the Single Rider queue and managed to get on the same ride one behind the other. It was great.

We walked round and met Mum, Dad and Amber. We had our picture with Homer while we waited.

We decided to leave and went and had lunch in Bubba Gumps. It was really good. I had the fish and chips. We all really liked it.

We drove to Downtown Disney and were going to get a boat out. They were all booked up. It was so so hot! We decided to get an ice cream sundae from Ghiaradelli’s. We got a table outside. The ice creams took ages to come but they were worth the wait!!

We went with Mum and Dad back to their hotel and we went back to our pool. It was so hot we just wanted to cool off! After a quick swim it started to rain so we went back up to the room.

Mum and Dad rang about 6:30 and said they were going to get a taxi over to the hotel and then we could decide what we were going to do. In hindsight we all should have had an early night but keen to make the most of every minute, after we had shown them round our room and hotel, which they loved we went over to the Magic Kingdom!! Big Mistake!!!!

It was absolutely packed – the busiest I have ever seen it.

We even had to queue to get on the people mover but just needed somewhere to sit down and decide a plan of action. Amber was complaining she had a blister – Mum and Dad were tired. Jonathan needed to eat and was hungry! We went over to Cosmic Rays. There were queues everywhere, everyone was tired and hungry so we decided to get out and leave the park. Not an easy task. There were people and pushchairs everywhere, I started to feel really trapped but we got out eventually. We left Mum and Dad to get the bus back and we hopped on the boat. We got back within 5 minutes and stopped by Gasparillas and got some hot dogs and I had some soup.

I sent Mum and Dad a message later on to see if they had got home. They did – one and a half hours later!!! Their bus broke down!

Bit of a nightmare end to a wonderful day!!!

 

[21hearts]

What a great trip report. I'm a bit late joining in but I'm loving it so far. I can't wait for the rest of your updates.

 

[disneybarbie]

Hi Sara,

lovely update!

I must admit.. I've never been in to Harry Potter so the whole thing goes right over my head about WWoH ... but that ride & the area does look very fun!


Lol Amber's face is just how mine was after Dudley Doo Right's... I got too wet!! that combined with Popeye's ride & Jurassic Park, I was completely soaked through when we went in 2009

love the photopass picture of all the family in MK


hope you are all well.. new job sounds good but you are doing a lot of hours!!



Emma x

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Glad to see you back. I am glad that you had such a fun day. I can't believe how soaked everyone got on that ride. I think when we go we should take a change of clothes, go on all the water rides at once and then get changed into dry clothes so we aren't uncomfortable for the rest of the day.

How exciting that you got to pick the wand at Olivanders. I didn't know that they ever picked adults, now I know that I have a chance I will make sure I am as overexcited as possible so that I get picked. I will have no shame , that wand is mine .

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Great update! You really packed a lot into one day!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hi Sara!!

I'm so glad you made it back! I'm sure that with everything going on, it's been so busy for you! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter looks fantastic! I'm glad you got picked for the wand bit, but boo on having to pay $30 for the wand. Does Amber get to play with it at home?

Getting wet on those rides probably felt good in the hot sun. Amber doesn't look pleased in that one picture!

Sorry for the bad luck in the Magic Kingdom. I think we've all been there!

Ghiradelli always hits the spot. It does seem to take forever though.