Dreams come true...WDW 8/30-9/16

[LindaBabe]

Oh, WHAT a wonderful surprise! It's a good thing you thought about the guard, although that would have been a surprise in itself.

I'll bet the lady who brought you the package had long blonde hair and a French accent . . .

 

[kaysmommie]

The boys must have been so surprised and thrilled to get another week at GF. There is no way I would be able to keep that a secret .

 

[SkyGirl]

Absolutely gorgeous!

How cool of them to send the champagne and chocolate. Love that extra Disney magical touch!

 

[jaycns]

The GF really is a lovely resort. I am glad that your lucky streak followed you over to the new hotel and you were able to get the room you requested.

I was so excited when I saw that we had a lodge tower room. They are only available by request (because there are so few) at Sugarloaf...so I was beyond excited when I saw we actually had one!

Oh, WHAT a wonderful surprise! It's a good thing you thought about the guard, although that would have been a surprise in itself.

I'll bet the lady who brought you the package had long blonde hair and a French accent . . .

YES and YES!! She must have been the one you spoke to? How dense am I? I just kept thinking, wow, not only is she extra friendly to the guests but she really likes the other CMs too! BUT, all is well that ends well, and thanks to "Aladdin" paying more attention then myself (I think I was wrapped up in the "I have to leave AKL" haze) we didn't just shove it down in some crevice of the packed up van and forget about it for another week.

And once again (but I am sure not for the last time) let me say THANK YOU LINDA!!

Dh gets all of the credit for thinking about the guard, I somehow didn't think of that at all! It was such a great moment for us as parents...to give them something that big and that unexpected, it was a really good feeling for both dh and myself. Especially on the tail end of what had been a very stressful month with the baby and their grandpa.

The boys must have been so surprised and thrilled to get another week at GF. There is no way I would be able to keep that a secret .

Oh it's easy, just bite your tongue when you feel like telling. You will only have one or two small holes all of the way through before you finally get to tell them. I don't know how on earth I did it. I am TERRIBLE with stuff like that. Thankfully, having the week before at WDW sort of covered for all of the things I let slip.

Absolutely gorgeous!

How cool of them to send the champagne and chocolate. Love that extra Disney magical touch!

It was magical! When we walked back in and saw that, I knew that we were amazingly lucky! Sometimes the Disney magic just pours out of the pixie dust sprinkler...this was one of those times!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

So happy you got the room you wanted! What a wonderful surprise for the boys and your conversation breaking the news to them was too cute!

Looking forward to hearing about your dinner at Kona, that's another one of my favorite Disney restaurants!

 

[momoftriplets]

LOVED the big reveal to the boys. Sounds a lot like how my DH & I would do it.

Great pictures of GF.

B

 

[Spartangirl]

GF looks lovely! What a wonderful surprise!!! I love all the little touches....the rose and your tower room! Wow! Can't wait to hear about Kona....yum!

 

[Jeanine3kids]

Not Only did you make me want to stay at AKL now I want to stay at the GF to you are an amazing writer.

 

[PrincessAlways]

The Grand Floridian is certainly a beautiful resort. How cool that a personal greeter is assigned to you & shows you to your room!! The rose for the women is just a wonderful touch of class & elegance! Wonderful!

 

[jaycns]

As I sat down to write the next portion of my trip report, I wanted to throw this in...before we left, I have read a lot of posts about the "stuffy" feeling at the Grand Floridian. How people thought that if they stayed there, they would feel strange or looked down upon. I wasn't really worried about that, I was however worried that dh might think it was too stuffy and not enjoy himself. He likes to relax on vacation, not dress to impress or maintain any sort of image. He has a high stress job, so he likes his downtime to really be downtime. Know what I mean?

Well, that worry was silly. The Grand Floridian is themed to be an elegant turn of the century resort...but it's also warm and welcoming. We flopped around in our t-shirts, Crocs and shorts without ever feeling as if we didn't belong. Every single CM we ran across in the resorts public areas was kind, helpful and friendly.

The other guests were no less friendly then at any other resort we have stayed at. In fact, we had a few great conversations in elevators and in the concierge lounge.

Like every Disney resort, the Grand Floridian does have a theme. This theme may or may not appeal to any one person. BUT, in general, it's not a scary, stuffy, snooty place. At least that's my impression of it.

It's not my favorite Disney resort, but not because it is not a very nice place to be...I just have a personal preference for two other resorts. And in all honesty, the Grand Floridian does make my "top 3" list.

Just thought I would throw that "out there" since I had worried about that beforehand. Hope that helps someone else!!

 

[jaycns]

Sorry for the double post.

 

[jaycns]

Tonight was to be our first dinner at the Kona Cafe. I was really looking forward to it. I had heard rave reviews and I couldn't wait to get a taste for myself!


Before we starting getting ready for dinner, we took the VERY SLOW elevator (I think we got spoiled by the super fast ones at AKL the week before) down to the lounge and grabbed a few tidbits to munch on while we spiffied up a bit.

Once we were ready we headed out of Sugarloaf and turned left and headed to the boat docks instead of going right to the monorail. We waited less then five minutes before a boat arrived. The short ride over to the Polynesian was a beautiful one! I took these pictures as we floated along.
Looking over to one of my very favorite places...the Contemporary:

And looking back at the Grand Floridian:

The boys all got their captain's license and they also each got a full set (three cards each) of the WDW fleet. They love those cards!!

Once we got to the Poly we took the time to take a stroll around the grounds. We have some very nice memories from our stay here last year with our friends.

I saw an idea I now have filed away for one of our next trips! Check out the birthday cruise boat!

We saw several boats all decked out and ready for a party. How much fun would it be to book one of those?! That is if dh's stomach can handle it.

After our stroll we made our way up to Kona and checked in. We waited about ten minutes and then we were shown to our table. This dinner was OFF THE CHARTS GREAT!

The open layout is wonderful. We liked being able to watch the world (or at least those in the Poly) walk by. The boys were also happy with the little umbrellas they got in their drinks!

We started with the two little guys ordering chicken noodle soup. I chose the lump crab cakes. They were SO amazingly good! I could happily have dined on them for both my appetizer and main course! "Aladdin" ordered the Kona Seafood Chowder. It's a seafood bisque with shrimp, fish, lobster and crab meat. He loved it. I had to fight for a taste (and I would have loved more after I got one bite!). Dh chose the Sticky Chicken Wings. They were topped with a tangy mustard drizzle and toasted sesame seeds. Dh finished the entire plate and then licked his fingers!

Our main course was so predictable it hurt for our two younger boys...HOT DOGS (of course). "Aladdin" chose the Pan-Asian Noodles with Shrimp. They were tossed with veggies and stir fry sauce. He LOVED them. Dh and I both chose the Slow Roasted Prime Rib. TRIPLE THUMBS UP!! This cut of meat melted in your mouth and was so delicious that I am drooling while typing this. It was a GREAT dinner!

And it didn't stop there. We had dessert on top of all of that! Dessert was ice cream sundaes for the younger two and Kona Kones for the rest of us.

Too much sugar maybe? HA HA HA

The Kona Kone before:

The Kona Kone after:

This meal was TOPS in our books! We will be back for another meal...and another...and another!

Next up, a snag in the best laid plans.
TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[jaycns]

So happy you got the room you wanted! What a wonderful surprise for the boys and your conversation breaking the news to them was too cute!

Looking forward to hearing about your dinner at Kona, that's another one of my favorite Disney restaurants!

Kona rocks! I just didn't know how much until we finally had dinner there! OH YUM!

LOVED the big reveal to the boys. Sounds a lot like how my DH & I would do it.

Great pictures of GF.

B

Any plans for another Disney trip anytime soon? I am so glad it didn't get spoiled at the guarded gate...although it would have just been a surprise of a different kind then!

GF looks lovely! What a wonderful surprise!!! I love all the little touches....the rose and your tower room! Wow! Can't wait to hear about Kona....yum!

The little touches really made our stay. The attention to detail was amazing.

Not Only did you make me want to stay at AKL now I want to stay at the GF to you are an amazing writer.

thanks. I am making myself want to go back too! I don't think it's hard to make someone want to go to WDW!! I think the subject sells itself, despite the writer!

The Grand Floridian is certainly a beautiful resort. How cool that a personal greeter is assigned to you & shows you to your room!! The rose for the women is just a wonderful touch of class & elegance! Wonderful!

I loved pulling up and having our very own guide over to the Sugarloaf Lodge. It was concierge service at it's finest! And the rose...that was so unexpected and so sweet because of it's unexpectedness. Sitting in the main lobby was great. We spent many relaxing moments listening to the piano player and the band. It was such a light and airy place. Next time we stay at the GF, I want to make sure we stay in the main lodge. I think we would have liked the atmosphere in that concierge lounge a bit more. I guess I am more of an "open, light and airy" lounge sort of a person then a "snug, compact, intimate" lounge person. Neither is bad. In any case, I think the whole resort did ooze elegance.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Glad to hear that the GF did not feel stuffy for your family.

Kona sounds wonderful, those ice cream cones are huge!

I have Kona marked down as a place to try and my next trip and your review just added to my desire to eat there.

 

[Pirate Me]

wow...I am trying to keep up with this awesome TR!!! If I remember correctly, you started out at the Contemporary, did the Disney Cruise, back to the AKL and now the GF? What a lucky famiily! This was done all on Free Dining? The cost of this whole trip must have been enormous. Gotta run this by my parents sometime ! Keep up the excellent TR!

 

[momoftriplets]

The boys were also happy with the little umbrellas they got in their drinks!

What is it about those umbrellas that the kids like so much???? Mine are the same way.......

Still hoping for another trip. Maybe in the spring.....

Loving the report, as always!
B

 

[jaycns]

Glad to hear that the GF did not feel stuffy for your family.

Kona sounds wonderful, those ice cream cones are huge!

I have Kona marked down as a place to try and my next trip and your review just added to my desire to eat there.

Kona is a place where you can find some really good eats! I am very happy with the new restaurants we tried on this trip. Almost all of them were added to our "must do" list. Kona was really relaxed, fun and tasty! And YES those ice cream cones were HUGE. Even bigger then they look in the picture. I couldn't eat even 1/2 of the ice cream in that thing. I did, however, finish all of my cotton candy. That was such a fun dessert.

wow...I am trying to keep up with this awesome TR!!! If I remember correctly, you started out at the Contemporary, did the Disney Cruise, back to the AKL and now the GF? What a lucky famiily! This was done all on Free Dining? The cost of this whole trip must have been enormous. Gotta run this by my parents sometime ! Keep up the excellent TR!

I only wish! We did the Contemporary for 8 days followed by 1 week on the DCL's Magic and then another 4 days at the Polynesian last year. We had a lot of fun...but I couldn't have milked even an extra hour of Disney time out of dh!

This year we did AKL followed by the GF. No cruise in sight. And yes, we had free dining on all portions of both of those stays (except for the days we were at AKL, it wasn't available during our time there that I was ever able to find). The year before we did free dining at All Stars Movies (we have a HUGE Buzz Lightyear fan and that huge Buzz Lightyear in the courtyard was calling his name). So we have scored at least one week of free dining every year for the past three years.

When part of your obsession is finding Disney discounts (I need a 12 step program to help me out with my severe obsession) things don't cost as much as they could. If dh loves anything about my Disney obsession, that is it. I love ferreting out deals.

What is it about those umbrellas that the kids like so much???? Mine are the same way.......

Still hoping for another trip. Maybe in the spring.....

Loving the report, as always!
B

I don't know. I must admit, I like those umbrellas too. HA HA HA. Then again, as previously discussed, I am also a sucker for glowing things. Like I said, I think I was deprived growing up. And I am using my adult years to make up for missed paper umbrellas, glowing things of all sorts and also, sparklers. I love those things! I must admit, I even got one of those paper umbrellas at Kona. I was asking the boys to play with their umbrellas when our server overheard and asked if I would like one too...so I happily said YES! I guess I am just a great big kid.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

OK, since it's like you guys had two trips in one, and I'm so far behind, I'm just going to jump in here and start with your arrival at the Grand. I'll backtrack and catch up with the AKL part of your trip and then PM you with my comments & questions. (I'm sure I'll have more than a few! I love AKL and want any advice and wisdom that you can share!)

I love how you surprised the boys at check-in! How wonderful! You can just see the excitement in their eyes. I'm so happy you got your dormer room. It looks amazing. I'll wait to ask you which resort you loved more until the end of your TR... but I HAVE to know. LOL!

Isn't Kona Cafe soooo goood??? We eat there every trip... sometimes multiple times a trip. Even on this last short trip we went there twice! In fact, I'll be posting pictures of the crab cakes & prime rib in my next installment! I was drooling this morning when I was editing the pictures!

I can't wait to read more. Jay, you've really outdone yourself with this trip and trip report! I'm so happy you had this magical of a vacation. If anyone deseves it, you do, my friend.

Take care,
Michelle

 

[SkyGirl]

Thanks to your pictures, my daughter and I are now drooling for Kona for the cones!! However, I REFUSE to make any more changes to our ADR's!! Next time!!

Also, because of you -- I am considering writing a trip report when we get back. EEKKK!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Another great update! DH and I have only tried Kona for breakfast in the past. I'm so glad to hear that you LOVED your dinner there. We're headed back to WDW in Dec. and we have Kona booked for both breakfast and dinner. I can't wait! Those Kona cones look wonderful!