Me - obsessive Disney planner 44
Wife - 42 loved vacation no laundrey nor cooking
2 daughters 13 & 9 who didn't want to leave
Son 7 who wanted to buy a pin for every ride he rode.
We stayed at Grand Floridian Sago Cay 5250 12-17 through 12-27. This was our 9th straight December vacation and 7th year at GF. Originally had room at Conch Key (more below). Weather was good to us. Mid 60's during day and chill at night. More importantly no rain which is always good. Crowds were manageable until X-mas eve. Didn't get much in X-mas and day after. We did most things week prior.
Resort Highlights:
Great workout facility, convenience to bus stop from Sago Cay, good fast food at Gasparilla, pool facilities, overall beauty of landscaping. No problems with any transportation. Service whether housekeeping, pool lifeguard was impeccable.
Resort Lowlights:
I would encourage anybody to audit their final statement. We had mini-bar charges to our room and I requested and didn't even get a key to the bar when we checked in. Last year we had phone charges and didn't call anybody.
Food Highlights:
Best Character Breakfast - Ohana @ Polynesian. I think this is best buffet on property. Characters were great.
Best Non-Character Breakfast
Gasparilla Grill - convenient and quite good in my opinion
Best Character Lunch - Crystal Palace - always been our favorite although this year they had the pizza in the adult line which I think is a mistake. Adult line was slow because the little ones were trying to get their pizza.
Best non-character Lunch - Earl of Sandwich (healthy portions plus free re-fills on soft drinks)
Best Character Dinner - tie Chef Mickey's (first night) & Liberty Tree Tavern -X-mas evening.
Best Non-Character Dinner - Sci-Fi Diner.
Best thing we did - RocknRoll rollercoaster, Stunt show at MGM was good, MVMCP. Cookies much better this year and hot chocolate had tops to cups (good for kids)
Best thing we didn't do - For the umpteenth time tried to do Candlelight Processional. Walk up line was to Germany so we passed. Will have to get dinner package next time. I knew it was available but too expensive for five of us. Also couldn't eat at Le Cellier for dinner because too busy. Will try for next time.
Lowlights:
We originally had a room at Conch Key with one of those connecting doors which was paper thin and haven't had before. Our neighbors loved to talk (loudly) until midnight then awake at 6:00 am and start talking again. We requested and received a room at Sago Cay w/o a connecting door and moved everything. Much quieter and great neighbors.
A woman at the MGM parade put her 2 year on her shoulders and proceeded to inch her way where we were (and waited for 1/2 hour). The child had a mickey bar which found its way onto my wife's new Mickey sweatshirt and coat and didn't bother to tell us. Thank goodness for cold water.
A woman at Animal Kingdom practically ran my wife over with a double stroller from behind and when we told her to slow down and that we're all going to get to the Safari ride in the same time proceeded to call my wife the B word.
I'm not sure I'm sold on magical express. We didn't receive our luggage until 5 hours after we landed. That doesn't bother me. What concerns me is that if the airline damages your luggage you don't know about it until later in the day. MCO told us you have to file a claim within 15 minutes after landing. Next time I'll utilize magical express but handle my own luggage - this way I can inspect luggage upon arrival then when you get to resort have immediate access rather than wait a few hours. I know they were busier because of holidays but that seems to me the way to go.
Tips:
Photopass
Fast pass
Get to parks early take break in afternoon and enjoy Disney at night (I think this is best experience).
Acrobat show in China is excellent
Talk to people. 99% are interesting and I get kick out of passing along tips to newcomers.
As annual passholder purchased Disney Dining Experience card which saved me 20% off most meals - which basically covered tip.
Feel sorry for:
People who didn't have dining reservations.
People who try to do too much especially those with small kids.
People with maps tying to find where to go.
My prediction, if you want to call it that, for next technological item at Disney will be some type of GPS system that no matter where you are standing will help you, when you speak into it, find that attraction or restaurant, or theme park.
Overall it was another great Disney vacation. I continue to learn more each time we go. Sadly, my daughter will be going to college in 5 years - we'll see if she still wants to go - although she did tell me she wants to get married at Disney and have reception at GF. Oh boy. I wonder if there's a discount for AP holders for that?! If so, I'm sure I can get the answer here on the DIS. Happy to answer any questions anybody may have.
Wife - 42 loved vacation no laundrey nor cooking
2 daughters 13 & 9 who didn't want to leave
Son 7 who wanted to buy a pin for every ride he rode.
We stayed at Grand Floridian Sago Cay 5250 12-17 through 12-27. This was our 9th straight December vacation and 7th year at GF. Originally had room at Conch Key (more below). Weather was good to us. Mid 60's during day and chill at night. More importantly no rain which is always good. Crowds were manageable until X-mas eve. Didn't get much in X-mas and day after. We did most things week prior.
Resort Highlights:
Great workout facility, convenience to bus stop from Sago Cay, good fast food at Gasparilla, pool facilities, overall beauty of landscaping. No problems with any transportation. Service whether housekeeping, pool lifeguard was impeccable.
Resort Lowlights:
I would encourage anybody to audit their final statement. We had mini-bar charges to our room and I requested and didn't even get a key to the bar when we checked in. Last year we had phone charges and didn't call anybody.
Food Highlights:
Best Character Breakfast - Ohana @ Polynesian. I think this is best buffet on property. Characters were great.
Best Non-Character Breakfast
Gasparilla Grill - convenient and quite good in my opinion
Best Character Lunch - Crystal Palace - always been our favorite although this year they had the pizza in the adult line which I think is a mistake. Adult line was slow because the little ones were trying to get their pizza.
Best non-character Lunch - Earl of Sandwich (healthy portions plus free re-fills on soft drinks)
Best Character Dinner - tie Chef Mickey's (first night) & Liberty Tree Tavern -X-mas evening.
Best Non-Character Dinner - Sci-Fi Diner.
Best thing we did - RocknRoll rollercoaster, Stunt show at MGM was good, MVMCP. Cookies much better this year and hot chocolate had tops to cups (good for kids)
Best thing we didn't do - For the umpteenth time tried to do Candlelight Processional. Walk up line was to Germany so we passed. Will have to get dinner package next time. I knew it was available but too expensive for five of us. Also couldn't eat at Le Cellier for dinner because too busy. Will try for next time.
Lowlights:
We originally had a room at Conch Key with one of those connecting doors which was paper thin and haven't had before. Our neighbors loved to talk (loudly) until midnight then awake at 6:00 am and start talking again. We requested and received a room at Sago Cay w/o a connecting door and moved everything. Much quieter and great neighbors.
A woman at the MGM parade put her 2 year on her shoulders and proceeded to inch her way where we were (and waited for 1/2 hour). The child had a mickey bar which found its way onto my wife's new Mickey sweatshirt and coat and didn't bother to tell us. Thank goodness for cold water.
A woman at Animal Kingdom practically ran my wife over with a double stroller from behind and when we told her to slow down and that we're all going to get to the Safari ride in the same time proceeded to call my wife the B word.
I'm not sure I'm sold on magical express. We didn't receive our luggage until 5 hours after we landed. That doesn't bother me. What concerns me is that if the airline damages your luggage you don't know about it until later in the day. MCO told us you have to file a claim within 15 minutes after landing. Next time I'll utilize magical express but handle my own luggage - this way I can inspect luggage upon arrival then when you get to resort have immediate access rather than wait a few hours. I know they were busier because of holidays but that seems to me the way to go.
Tips:
Photopass
Fast pass
Get to parks early take break in afternoon and enjoy Disney at night (I think this is best experience).
Acrobat show in China is excellent
Talk to people. 99% are interesting and I get kick out of passing along tips to newcomers.
As annual passholder purchased Disney Dining Experience card which saved me 20% off most meals - which basically covered tip.
Feel sorry for:
People who didn't have dining reservations.
People who try to do too much especially those with small kids.
People with maps tying to find where to go.
My prediction, if you want to call it that, for next technological item at Disney will be some type of GPS system that no matter where you are standing will help you, when you speak into it, find that attraction or restaurant, or theme park.
Overall it was another great Disney vacation. I continue to learn more each time we go. Sadly, my daughter will be going to college in 5 years - we'll see if she still wants to go - although she did tell me she wants to get married at Disney and have reception at GF. Oh boy. I wonder if there's a discount for AP holders for that?! If so, I'm sure I can get the answer here on the DIS. Happy to answer any questions anybody may have.
