Ferb, I know What We're Going to Do Today! - Updated 9/30

[MRYPPNS]

Nice.

 

[micandminforever]

Wonderful day so far, we need to all remember to pamper ourselves occasionally.

 

[If U Had Wings]

What a great day! That spa sounds fantastic. I definitely want to do something at one of the spas in October...you have convinced me!

You definitely should. It was wonderful.

Divine. Absolutely divine. Brings back memories of my own spa experience in September, just lovely.

What a wonderful, relaxing afternoon. Good for you!

I loved having some quiet peaceful time to myself. So relaxing!

Nice.

I can't wait to do it again.

Wonderful day so far, we need to all remember to pamper ourselves occasionally.

That's what I was thinking while I was getting the massage. I need to treat myself more often.

 

[All7OfUs]

Man!! That sounds positively decadent!!! And I mean it!

Right now the plans are to do this, but I may have to be forced to forego depending on the cashola. We'll see.

 

[dawnbu40]

Sounds like a wonderful,relaxing day!

And your pictures are lovely!

 

[Flossbolna]

Your writing really shows how much you enjoyed that day! Thanks for the in-depth description of what goes on at the spa. I have never been to one and I think this would really help with feeling more secure about what I was doing if I ever went. The massage sounds wonderful!

May I just ask one possibly rather strange question? Here in Germany when you are told to get undressed, they mean that. We might be a bit less modest about nudity here. For example nobody wears a swim suit in a sauna. I gather that's not the case in the US... So for the massage did you keep your underwear on? I hope this question does not come across too strange!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Your writing really shows how much you enjoyed that day! Thanks for the in-depth description of what goes on at the spa. I have never been to one and I think this would really help with feeling more secure about what I was doing if I ever went. The massage sounds wonderful!

May I just ask one possibly rather strange question? Here in Germany when you are told to get undressed, they mean that. We might be a bit less modest about nudity here. For example nobody wears a swim suit in a sauna. I gather that's not the case in the US... So for the massage did you keep your underwear on? I hope this question does not come across too strange!!

Thank you so much for asking this. I would like to know also! You're not strange at all; and I would feel uncomfortable not knowing too.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Man!! That sounds positively decadent!!! And I mean it!

Right now the plans are to do this, but I may have to be forced to forego depending on the cashola. We'll see.

I understand what you mean about the cash. Disney loves charging top dollar for the treatments. I'm sure even a manicure or pedicure would be wonderful there too. I think TK has had one done there.

I really want to have something done this trip too. I wish I had the money to do a whole day of treatments!

Sounds like a wonderful,relaxing day!

And your pictures are lovely!

It was a great day, really what I had been hoping the entire trip would have been like. I'm glad that I got to have at least one day like that.

Your writing really shows how much you enjoyed that day! Thanks for the in-depth description of what goes on at the spa. I have never been to one and I think this would really help with feeling more secure about what I was doing if I ever went. The massage sounds wonderful!

May I just ask one possibly rather strange question? Here in Germany when you are told to get undressed, they mean that. We might be a bit less modest about nudity here. For example nobody wears a swim suit in a sauna. I gather that's not the case in the US... So for the massage did you keep your underwear on? I hope this question does not come across too strange!!

I felt the same way before I went, having never been to one before. The only massage I ever had before was the brief shoulder massage they give me after I have my nails done and I'm sitting drying my nails. I was driving myself nuts before this massage over the unknown.

For the massage you could go as nude as you wanted. I don't usually think of myself as too paranoid about nudity, at least on my top half. My botton though I was not too anxious to have exposed. I actually left on my underwear, mainly as a kind of security blanket, during the massage. If I ever go back again my next trip I wouldn't have any qualms about going without them. The massuse was completely professional. I was kept fully covered by a sheet and blanket most of the time. They would expose only the part of my body that they were working on and then cover it up before moving on to the next part.

I can't really say about the spa/sauna/steam room. I was the only person using those facilities and had the entire area to myself. If I was only using the sauna and steamroom I may have done so wearing a towel (If they were a bit bigger. The ones they had were a bit small to cover my body - they weren't really appropriate for a plus sized person). Since I was using the hot tub I wanted my swim suit though. I would find it a bit too icky to sit naked where other mysterious unknown people had been sitting naked.

Like I said though I was the only person in there, so I really don't know what usually happens. It probably wouldn't hurt to have a swimsuit just in case.

Thank you so much for asking this. I would like to know also! You're not strange at all; and I would feel uncomfortable not knowing too.

I agree. These were the things I was curious about before I went too. Hopefully this will help someone else out.

 

[Flossbolna]

I felt the same way before I went, having never been to one before. The only massage I ever had before was the brief shoulder massage they give me after I have my nails done and I'm sitting drying my nails. I was driving myself nuts before this massage over the unknown.

For the massage you could go as nude as you wanted. I don't usually think of myself as too paranoid about nudity, at least on my top half. My botton though I was not too anxious to have exposed. I actually left on my underwear, mainly as a kind of security blanket, during the massage. If I ever go back again my next trip I wouldn't have any qualms about going without them. The massuse was completely professional. I was kept fully covered by a sheet and blanket most of the time. They would expose only the part of my body that they were working on and then cover it up before moving on to the next part.

I can't really say about the spa/sauna/steam room. I was the only person using those facilities and had the entire area to myself. If I was only using the sauna and steamroom I may have done so wearing a towel (If they were a bit bigger. The ones they had were a bit small to cover my body - they weren't really appropriate for a plus sized person). Since I was using the hot tub I wanted my swim suit though. I would find it a bit too icky to sit naked where other mysterious unknown people had been sitting naked.

Like I said though I was the only person in there, so I really don't know what usually happens. It probably wouldn't hurt to have a swimsuit just in case.



I agree. These were the things I was curious about before I went too. Hopefully this will help someone else out.

Thanks for the explanation!! It's just that different countries seem to have different attitudes about nudity and modesty. And I did not want to come across like a stupid foreigner like those people wearing speedos in the US: These are absolutely common and acceptable swim attire in most of Europe for men of all shape. If you grew up with it, it really isn't anything extraordinary. But if in Rome do as the Romans do...

 

[If U Had Wings]

Thanks for the explanation!! It's just that different countries seem to have different attitudes about nudity and modesty. And I did not want to come across like a stupid foreigner like those people wearing speedos in the US: These are absolutely common and acceptable swim attire in most of Europe for men of all shape. If you grew up with it, it really isn't anything extraordinary. But if in Rome do as the Romans do...

I've always seen those differences when on cruises. I definitely noticed alot more Europeans wearing speedos and bikinis in all shapes and sizes. I remember being in the sauna once chatting with a woman from Canada and she suddenly shed her towel and was sitting there nude. I was a bit surprised, and had no clue where to look while chatting with her.

 

[If U Had Wings]

Fully relaxed, and hoping to avoid sunburn, I headed into the lobby of the Grand Floridian. The Christmas decorations were absolutely stunning, and the lobby was hoping with activity. I walked around for awhile enjoying all the details and taking photos then I sat down to people watch until my 2 o'clock ADR. In hindsight I probably should have scheduled my spa treatment a bit later as I had more free time than I really needed, but there are much worse ways to blow a morning than relaxing at the GF.

I loved the balconies lining the lobby of the GF.

The holiday tree was beautiful. Even in the middle of the afternoon there seemed to be a line of people waiting to get their picture taken in front of it.

Loved the stairwells as well! It made me think of making a dramatic entrance like Scarlett O'Hara at Twelve Oaks.

Beautiful decorations abounded all over the lobby.

I don't know what I loved most of all though. The lobby stained glass ceiling -

Or the Gingerbread house -

They were giving demonstrations on making your own gingerbread house while I was watching. They made it look so easy. When I've done it at home I never get the icing consistency to be just right and it's always drying out too fast. I'm just glad I didn't have to do all that baking!

I particularly loved the windows with all the flower box details.

The time flew and before I knew it, I was heading in for tea at Garden Tea room. The Garden tea room is a small area at the rear of the GF lobby, not terribly big at all. I can see how it can fill up quickly. Before I was seated, there was a group of about 6-8 Red Hat Society women going in for their afternoon tea. They looked like they were having so much fun. They were all fully decked out in bright purple suits and dresses, heels and fancy red hats. I am so in for being a Red Hat Society girl when I'm older. I wish I could have taken a picture of them.

This was my one solo ADR, and really it was the perfect place for it. If anyone was worried about feeling out of place eating solo, I'd recommend trying it out at the tea room. While I was there, there were more tables than not with solo diners. Sitting at the table next to me, was an older gentleman enjoying a grand tea all by himself. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all sitting there enjoying my tea

I knew I was having a bigger dinner later that night so I didn't want to go overboard at tea, plus I really hate mayonaise so I was a bit iffy on some of the sandwiches. I went with the Sally Lunn tea. It consisted of Sally Lunn bread, lightly toasted and spread with apricot preserves, a pot of tea, and either strawberries and cream or english trifle for desert. I forgot to take a picture of the bread, but it was delicious. It was the perfect light meal, and the preserves were delicious on it, and I don't normally eat apricots. For my tea I had one of the GF custom teas - the princess breakfast tea. Per the allears description - a sweet custom blend of South African organic rooibos flavored with vanilla bean and a hint of strawberries. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and naturally decaffeinated. It was delicious. The only reason I regretted getting it was that it didn't come in a regular teapot with a tea cozy. My tea came in a glass press pot instead.
I was really torn on the dessert, but went with the trifle. Again delicious! Everything about it tasted so fresh - from the cake to the berries to the whipped cream.

I was so relaxed and enjoying myself that I almost lost track of time. Luckily with the monorail I made it over to meet my friend at the Magic Kingdom after her tour. She loved the Keys to the Kingdom tour. This is however when I was beginning to lose my patience a bit, and my tension level was starting to rise. It seems that her tour had been done for awhile, and instead of enjoying her free time, she had sat at the town hall waiting for me, even though we had planned that I wouldn't be there until 3:30. I have no idea why.

Just after I got there the afternoon parade started so we hung out long enough to watch the parade, before heading over to check in to our new resort (my dream resort!) The Boardwalk Inn.

 

[praisehisname]

Your day sounds heavenly so far! The breakfast looked wonderful, and the time at the spa...aaaaahhhhh! Can't wait to hear about your tea!

 

[praisehisname]

I was posting my previous reply at the same time you posted about the tea! Wow, I would love to do that sometime! What a great little treat for after your massage!

 

[Flossbolna]

This was my one solo ADR, and really it was the perfect place for it. If anyone was worried about feeling out of place eating solo, I'd recommend trying it out at the tea room. While I was there, there were more tables than not with solo diners. Sitting at the table next to me, was an older gentleman enjoying a grand tea all by himself. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all sitting there enjoying my tea

I absolutely agree. I have something about this in my notes about the GF Tea as well. We saw a lot of single diners and while I had the perfect company for this with my sister, I thought that it would a wonderful thing to do on your own as well!

I knew I was having a bigger dinner later that night so I didn't want to go overboard at tea, plus I really hate mayonaise so I was a bit iffy on some of the sandwiches.

I don't want to take away too much from my upcoming dining review, but I loved the sandwiches. I thought there wasn't too much mayonaise on them at all. It was actually very little mayonaise, just enough to keep it moist. But then I like mayonaise, so what was right for me might still be too much for your.

It seems that her tour had been done for awhile, and instead of enjoying her free time, she had sat at the town hall waiting for me, even though we had planned that I wouldn't be there until 3:30. I have no idea why.

How strange... I can understand that this made you upset.

 

[All7OfUs]

WOW! You have no idea how much more excited this makes me about our tea date!! So elegant- EVERYTHING! The room, the resort, the china, the ambiance!! I can't wait!

So, here's where things start to go downhill. It is so odd that even though you set this up as a mostly solo day, she's waiting around for you?? I just don't get that!

 

[aprilisis]

I may have to try the GF tea after hearing that description!! It sounds like you had a great morning. The GF is really pretty- and the gingerbread house is one of the coolest things I have seen yet! I can't wait to see your photos of the Boardwalk!

 

[If U Had Wings]

Your day sounds heavenly so far! The breakfast looked wonderful, and the time at the spa...aaaaahhhhh! Can't wait to hear about your tea!

I was posting my previous reply at the same time you posted about the tea! Wow, I would love to do that sometime! What a great little treat for after your massage!

It was a wonderful morning. It just kept getting better and better. I don't know when I've had a more relaxing morning.

I absolutely agree. I have something about this in my notes about the GF Tea as well. We saw a lot of single diners and while I had the perfect company for this with my sister, I thought that it would a wonderful thing to do on your own as well!

It was the perfect place for me to try out eating out at a nicer place. The fact that there were other singles around made me feel very comfortable. It really seemed to be a place where other women were slipping away for a little quiet down time.

I don't want to take away too much from my upcoming dining review, but I loved the sandwiches. I thought there wasn't too much mayonaise on them at all. It was actually very little mayonaise, just enough to keep it moist. But then I like mayonaise, so what was right for me might still be too much for your.

That's good to know. I can eat it if it's just a little bit like that. I just hate it when they really soak the mayo in and it's really drippy. Eek! It turns my stomach. I'm not really a big fan of condiments overall. A little to moisten it I can handle.

How strange... I can understand that this made you upset.

It was just so odd. I could see if she just wanted to sit and relax, but to say she sat around waiting for me was weird.

WOW! You have no idea how much more excited this makes me about our tea date!! So elegant- EVERYTHING! The room, the resort, the china, the ambiance!! I can't wait!

You guys are going to have so much fun there. It's definitely a girly place. I can't wait to do it again. I would have liked to have gone last week, but my father would have hated it and we couldn't very well ditch him for an hour or so.

So, here's where things start to go downhill. It is so odd that even though you set this up as a mostly solo day, she's waiting around for you?? I just don't get that!

We had set the time to meet up before hand. We had to go to check in to the Boardwalk together, because she needed to pay off the balance. (I had already paid my 1/2 of the balance beforehand). I just thought she would have taken the chance to enjoy her free time a bit.

I may have to try the GF tea after hearing that description!! It sounds like you had a great morning. The GF is really pretty- and the gingerbread house is one of the coolest things I have seen yet! I can't wait to see your photos of the Boardwalk!

It was lovely. Maybe we could meet up there in Oct. It's a great spot, I would have never known about without the Dis boards.

 

[Flossbolna]

You know, perhaps she was just too tired after the KTTK tour. I remember it to be very exhausting. You are mainly on your feet for five hours wiht only a short 20 min break or so for lunch. Possibly she was really happy to just be able to sit and wait and did not even have the energy to look for a nicer waiting spot?

 

[If U Had Wings]

You know, perhaps she was just too tired after the KTTK tour. I remember it to be very exhausting. You are mainly on your feet for five hours wiht only a short 20 min break or so for lunch. Possibly she was really happy to just be able to sit and wait and did not even have the energy to look for a nicer waiting spot?

I hope so. I hate to think of her sitting around waiting for me, not enjoying herself.

 

[If U Had Wings]

I think the two of us were really anxious about checking in to the Boardwalk. All Star Sports had been nice, but we were both looking forward to the deluxe part of our stay. I, in particular, had been dreaming about staying there for so long, I was a bit afraid that it wasn't going to live up to my expectations.

I had upgraded our room to a conceige room before we had left, because of a fantastic deal they were offering on a room only rate. I had long had dreams about sitting out on my balcony watching the world go by along the Boardwalk. When I had checked to see how much it would be to upgrade to a water view, I was shocked and amazed that it was cheaper to upgrade to a standard concierge room than a standard water view room.

We arrived at the Boardwalk to find it fairly quiet. We were able to walk right up to the reception desk. The CM there greated us and then escorted us up to the Inkeeper's Lounge to the concierge level desk were they would handle our check in.

The CM at the concierge desk was Pete, and he was absolutely wonderful during our entire stay. Everytime he was working and we'd come through the Innkeeper's door he was always there with a smile and friendly greeting. We even brought him back some cookies from the Christmas party.

We did have a small glitch during our check in however. Before we had even checked in they had charged the remaining balance for our stay to my credit card. It took a bit of time to fix the problem and have them bill us in the way we wanted (a small portion to my gift card and the rest of the stay to my friend's cc). After finally getting everything straight and charged to the right cards he gave us our spiffy gold room keys and directed us to our room.

As we walked down the hallway I was getting really excited that I was going to have my water view room. Booking a standard concierge room a water view is a possibility, but not guaranteed, you need to book a deluxe concierge room to guarantee a water view. I was convinced that the way we were walking I was going to be chilling and watching the boardwalk in no time.

One thing about the hallways at the Boardwalk - they are very long!

Our room was located right next to the concierge lounge. Very convenient. I'd often run over just to grab a couple of sodas so we could have them when we got back to the room at night.

Alas, the room didn't face the Boardwalk, but a courtyard and the quiet pool. For the entire trip I remained baffled about how our room ended up facing that direction, because as you walked to the room you'd swear you'd end up facing the Boardwalk. I wasn't able to figure out where the turn was to have us face the other way the entire trip. The X on the map marks where our room location.

The boardwalk view would have been nice, but our room was beautiful anyways. It lived up to all my expectations and then some. I love the refurbishment they've done on these rooms. I love the look of the duvets. Very classy and modern looking, while still very much in keeping with the 1940's boardwalk theme. The room decorations were completely and utterly me. I keep thinking now that I want my condo to look like these rooms. They were elegant yet cozy.

I have to say too that I loved all the extras the deluxes give you in the bathroom too. At AsSp all we got was a bar of soap. At the Boardwalk we got both facial and bath soap, lotion, aloe, shampoo, conditioner, and a toothbrush and toothpaste. Even better they give you a real hairdryer to use instead of those wall units. Had I known I would have brought my diffuser attachment so my hair could have actually looked okay. At least I'll know for my next trip.

No towel animals, but this little box was waiting for us on the armoire.

Mmmmm…

Our view, while not a water view was pretty nice. The courtyard/quiet pool area was very peaceful and quiet (especially as it was pretty cold most of the trip) and to our left we had a view of Epcot. You could see the Eiffel tower from the balcony.

We still had time to go before we had to head out for our evening plans so we headed out for a walk to explore the resort.