imbe@aol.com
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 22, 2001
- Messages
- 371
I accidentally left off part of Day 1! LOL I just saw it continued on another page!
When we got back to the room on Wednesday night, there was a big bouquet of dark pink roses in the room, along with a nice fruit arrangement on a really pretty cobalt blue platter. Now .. this stuff didn't have a card with it .. but I'm assuming it was from the concierge staff! LOL I also forget from earlier ... when we checked into the room, also in the room were the two gifts I ordered for the kids, and they did a great job with them. They were snack bags - these reusable, insulated bags with the WDW 2001 insignia on them, and filled with ALL sorts of snacks - chips, pretzels, candy bars, sodas, couple small toys and in Ev's, a stuffed Pluto and Alec's, a stuffed Mickey! I was really pleased with these!!
Day 2
I woke up around 6:15 a.m., and walked outside to see the sun just starting to rise, yet the lights were still on at the Poly, the wedding chapel, etc. ~ WHAT a way to start a day - and it being my birthday made it that much better! LOL I ran in and grabbed my good camera, and came back out, snapping away. I had to restrain myself though, because I can really get carried away taking multiple pictures! LOL and end up with a roll all of the same things, just different angles!
After sitting there just savoring the time for a bit, I came in and went to the concierge area to get coffee & juice, then, since everyone was still asleep, I went back outside to do some writing in my journal. Once they were all up, we ordered room service breakfast. I was a little disappointed that the Grand no longer offers their "Grand Break-Fizz", which was Steak & Eggs & strawberries and .. champagne! LOL Hey, I was on the Grand Plan so I figured .. why not! So, I just ordered it all separately. Everything was outstanding!! Evan & Alec got pancakes & bacon, which were also very tasty, and Dave got a bagel & a side of ham & side of hash browns - good too.
Evan, Alec & I headed off about 8:45 or so to make our golf lessons. We took a couple of private lessons last year, and really enjoyed (and benefitted from!) them, so I had them on the plan this year too. When playing golf there (or at least, when taking lessons) vouchers are provided for a taxi, and there was one there w/n 5 minutes. We signed in in the Pro Shop, then went across the way to get our shoes & clubs & cart. It was then that we were told we had Kip, our teacher from last year - that made me happy! He was GREAT, especially with Evan. And VERY patient with me!! LOL
Unfortunately (or fortunately I guess, if you live in FL and have experienced the drought ...) the course was VERY wet. We were still permitted to have the lessons, but BOY .. the mud was flying everywhere! LOL I suppose if one was a better player than me, and didn't keep missing the ball & hitting the ground instead, that might not happen! <g> Evan did terrific!! I REALLY need to make more of an effort to get out there with him more often & play! Alec did pretty well, but this was his first time ever, so he's got a way to go yet. Nevertheless, we ALL had a good time.
Oh, and there was a golf camp going on at the time, right next to where we were. They run 6 1 week sessions of this camp; it's from 9 - 4 every day, and includes lunch and swimming & indoor time too, for the kids. (I asked about the indoor time because it gets SO HOT there I couldn't imagine these kids being out ALL day in that sun, playing golf! LOL) Kip thinks very highly of it - in fact, his 12 yo son was in it!
We got back around 11:00 or so, after looking in the shop a bit, and Dave had just gotten back from his massage at the GF Spa (which he enjoyed VERY much - said it was the best he's ever had!) We rented some water mice for a bit and tooled around - I just love doing this!! LOL I only wish they went a little faster! <g>
After a half hour or so, it was time to bring them in & head to lunch at the Kona Cafe. We just decided to walk over since it really isn't that far at all. The ressie was for 12 and I believe they were just opening for lunch then, as it wasn't very crowded at all.
Once lunch was finished, we went our separate ways for the afternoon. The guys took the monorail over to the MK to play there for a while, and I walked back over to the Grand Spa for my mini half day of relaxation!
The spa was really busy this time! It turns out that there was a bridal party there, all getting "pre wedding" things done, and it was just fun watching all of their excitement! The funny thing was, the bride was the calmest of all of them! LOL
I had the Grand Floridian Deluxe Facial this time again, and as always, it was fantastic!! My person was Jennifer, from just outside London, and she was SO good! Next was a Marine Algae Body Wrap, and that was, without a doubt, THE BEST body treatment I have EVER had ANYWHERE!! First you're dry brushed over your whole body ... then an aromatherapy oil of your choice is applied everywhere too .. and THEN you're "painted" with a marine algae based product, and wrapped up in plastics & foils, lying on a heated table to aid in the absorbtion. While this is happening, you receive a head, neck & shoulders .. as well as hand massage. Ahhhhhhhhh! After about .. I guess 25 min or so, you're unwrapped, and then you step into a waiting, filled, deep tub .. and you're bathed! LOL Yes, they remove the product with a soft brush for you!! (OK, NO, not everywhere!! LOL
) You can't be shy to have this done, for sure .. but it's so worth it if you can work up the nerve - it's the closest I'LL probably ever come to feeling like some Roman goddess!! LOL
I oozed out of the spa after this, and made my way back to the room, stopping at the concierge area for some wine & cheese & fruit (yes Wendy, I DID have the choc covered strawberry for you!! LOL) on the way. No one else was back yet, so the serenity could continue for just a BIT longer! <g> I got ready for dinner, and they barreled back in about an hour or so later. Then it was time to hop on the monorail and head to the California Grill for dinner!
Our ressies were for 8, and we got there about 7:45 or so. We actually could have been seated immediately, but I was waiting on some friends so I opted to sit at the bar a while so I could see the door, and spent the time chatting with the bartender there. She's from MD also, and I've seen & spoken to her there numerous times. I sampled several wines while waiting (well .. it WAS my birthday! LOL
Due to an unfortunate series of events, my friends didn't make it, so I finally just went back to the hostess stand and we got seated right away.
I even lucked out again and had a window table!!
Dinner was perfect food wise, and wine wise, and I toasted Wendy, far away, who shares my birthday, and wished ALL of my friends could be there with me! ... and "dessert" was the fireworks from the MK!! The waiter brought out a small cake for me, and everyone sang Happy Birthday
After dinner, we went back to the hotel, where the concierge had also left a cake, character signed card and a bouquet of balloons - nice touches, and much appreciated. Even though I'd really done nothing at all today that was strenous! LOL I fell into bed and immediately went to sleep!
When we got back to the room on Wednesday night, there was a big bouquet of dark pink roses in the room, along with a nice fruit arrangement on a really pretty cobalt blue platter. Now .. this stuff didn't have a card with it .. but I'm assuming it was from the concierge staff! LOL I also forget from earlier ... when we checked into the room, also in the room were the two gifts I ordered for the kids, and they did a great job with them. They were snack bags - these reusable, insulated bags with the WDW 2001 insignia on them, and filled with ALL sorts of snacks - chips, pretzels, candy bars, sodas, couple small toys and in Ev's, a stuffed Pluto and Alec's, a stuffed Mickey! I was really pleased with these!!
Day 2
I woke up around 6:15 a.m., and walked outside to see the sun just starting to rise, yet the lights were still on at the Poly, the wedding chapel, etc. ~ WHAT a way to start a day - and it being my birthday made it that much better! LOL I ran in and grabbed my good camera, and came back out, snapping away. I had to restrain myself though, because I can really get carried away taking multiple pictures! LOL and end up with a roll all of the same things, just different angles!
After sitting there just savoring the time for a bit, I came in and went to the concierge area to get coffee & juice, then, since everyone was still asleep, I went back outside to do some writing in my journal. Once they were all up, we ordered room service breakfast. I was a little disappointed that the Grand no longer offers their "Grand Break-Fizz", which was Steak & Eggs & strawberries and .. champagne! LOL Hey, I was on the Grand Plan so I figured .. why not! So, I just ordered it all separately. Everything was outstanding!! Evan & Alec got pancakes & bacon, which were also very tasty, and Dave got a bagel & a side of ham & side of hash browns - good too.
Evan, Alec & I headed off about 8:45 or so to make our golf lessons. We took a couple of private lessons last year, and really enjoyed (and benefitted from!) them, so I had them on the plan this year too. When playing golf there (or at least, when taking lessons) vouchers are provided for a taxi, and there was one there w/n 5 minutes. We signed in in the Pro Shop, then went across the way to get our shoes & clubs & cart. It was then that we were told we had Kip, our teacher from last year - that made me happy! He was GREAT, especially with Evan. And VERY patient with me!! LOL
Unfortunately (or fortunately I guess, if you live in FL and have experienced the drought ...) the course was VERY wet. We were still permitted to have the lessons, but BOY .. the mud was flying everywhere! LOL I suppose if one was a better player than me, and didn't keep missing the ball & hitting the ground instead, that might not happen! <g> Evan did terrific!! I REALLY need to make more of an effort to get out there with him more often & play! Alec did pretty well, but this was his first time ever, so he's got a way to go yet. Nevertheless, we ALL had a good time.
Oh, and there was a golf camp going on at the time, right next to where we were. They run 6 1 week sessions of this camp; it's from 9 - 4 every day, and includes lunch and swimming & indoor time too, for the kids. (I asked about the indoor time because it gets SO HOT there I couldn't imagine these kids being out ALL day in that sun, playing golf! LOL) Kip thinks very highly of it - in fact, his 12 yo son was in it!
We got back around 11:00 or so, after looking in the shop a bit, and Dave had just gotten back from his massage at the GF Spa (which he enjoyed VERY much - said it was the best he's ever had!) We rented some water mice for a bit and tooled around - I just love doing this!! LOL I only wish they went a little faster! <g>
After a half hour or so, it was time to bring them in & head to lunch at the Kona Cafe. We just decided to walk over since it really isn't that far at all. The ressie was for 12 and I believe they were just opening for lunch then, as it wasn't very crowded at all.
Once lunch was finished, we went our separate ways for the afternoon. The guys took the monorail over to the MK to play there for a while, and I walked back over to the Grand Spa for my mini half day of relaxation!
The spa was really busy this time! It turns out that there was a bridal party there, all getting "pre wedding" things done, and it was just fun watching all of their excitement! The funny thing was, the bride was the calmest of all of them! LOL
I had the Grand Floridian Deluxe Facial this time again, and as always, it was fantastic!! My person was Jennifer, from just outside London, and she was SO good! Next was a Marine Algae Body Wrap, and that was, without a doubt, THE BEST body treatment I have EVER had ANYWHERE!! First you're dry brushed over your whole body ... then an aromatherapy oil of your choice is applied everywhere too .. and THEN you're "painted" with a marine algae based product, and wrapped up in plastics & foils, lying on a heated table to aid in the absorbtion. While this is happening, you receive a head, neck & shoulders .. as well as hand massage. Ahhhhhhhhh! After about .. I guess 25 min or so, you're unwrapped, and then you step into a waiting, filled, deep tub .. and you're bathed! LOL Yes, they remove the product with a soft brush for you!! (OK, NO, not everywhere!! LOL
) You can't be shy to have this done, for sure .. but it's so worth it if you can work up the nerve - it's the closest I'LL probably ever come to feeling like some Roman goddess!! LOL I oozed out of the spa after this, and made my way back to the room, stopping at the concierge area for some wine & cheese & fruit (yes Wendy, I DID have the choc covered strawberry for you!! LOL) on the way. No one else was back yet, so the serenity could continue for just a BIT longer! <g> I got ready for dinner, and they barreled back in about an hour or so later. Then it was time to hop on the monorail and head to the California Grill for dinner!
Our ressies were for 8, and we got there about 7:45 or so. We actually could have been seated immediately, but I was waiting on some friends so I opted to sit at the bar a while so I could see the door, and spent the time chatting with the bartender there. She's from MD also, and I've seen & spoken to her there numerous times. I sampled several wines while waiting (well .. it WAS my birthday! LOL
Due to an unfortunate series of events, my friends didn't make it, so I finally just went back to the hostess stand and we got seated right away.I even lucked out again and had a window table!!
Dinner was perfect food wise, and wine wise, and I toasted Wendy, far away, who shares my birthday, and wished ALL of my friends could be there with me! ... and "dessert" was the fireworks from the MK!! The waiter brought out a small cake for me, and everyone sang Happy Birthday
After dinner, we went back to the hotel, where the concierge had also left a cake, character signed card and a bouquet of balloons - nice touches, and much appreciated. Even though I'd really done nothing at all today that was strenous! LOL I fell into bed and immediately went to sleep!
