GF on points for 10th anniversary?

[lenshanem]

Hubby and I are thinking about staying a couple nights at GF without kids (OH MY!!! ) for our 10th anniversary next use year. We ahve never stayed there. We obviously have soem time to paln, but I'm just curious as to how far out we woudl need to book this. (Thsi woudl be for early February 2005.) It says it woudl eb value season, but woudl thsi be hard to get through DVC with our points?
Is there anything I need to know? (Like cancellation policies, etc.)
Shoudl I ask them to put on our ressie that it is for our 10th anniversary? Or can DVC even put requests on there since they are booking a nonDVC resort?
We wodul only ahve enough extra poinst for a garden view, is there anything i shoudl request if I can?
I thought it might be fun to be able to go to the parsk and ride all the rides we can't normally do togther since our kids are so small, plsu we can have soem nice dinners! Any suggestions for that, too?
Just don't know how I coudl tell my gilrs we were going to WDw withot them! Might actually be kinda sad...
Still ahven't left my youngest, too. Guess I ahve awhiel to prepare! LOL
Thanks!

 

[klcason]

I would like to hear any suggestions as well. We will celebrate our 10th in November 04 and would love to take a solo trip. I understand the problem of telling your kids, my daughter would be furious, she is 4 and we just got home from our 1st trip with her. I bet the GF is wonderful!! Happy early anniversary!!

Kayla

 

[natt]

I don't really have advise as far as booking goes, but as far as going without the kids, I say GO FOR IT!

DH and I used our first chunk of points for the 4-day Disney Cruise. We had been on the 3-day with our DD's 2-years prior.
It was the first REAL (non-business) vacation we've had without kids in almost 13 years! We had so much fun just staying in the "adult" areas of the ship and one of the best parts was watching the other stressted parents deal with cranky kids!

I think you can and will enjoy yourselves without the little ones, especially at the GF! Natt

 

[RichAyers]

My wife and I were married in Disney 10 years ago in the gazebo at the Yacht Club. We just bought BCV this summer as a present to ourselves .

I would definitely make a note of it on your reservations...I've heard of quite a few nice stories: flowers in your room at check-in or maybe a basket of some kind...etc, etc.

I am actually planning a surprise dinner for my wife. I am working with the Private Dining group at the Yacht Club to actually have dinner in the gazebo (cute little table for 2 fits perfectly) on our anniversary. They have special desserts (glass slipper, etc) as well. They said they will even have some champagne and rose petals put in the room while we are having dinner (surprise when we get back). I am trying to sneak in a Illuminations cruise after dinner too....I'm working on that one though........

If you are staying at a specific resort, see if they have a "special events" or "private dining" group and see what magic they can perform! Never hurts to ask.....

This trip is sans kids, but we are going again in Jan for our DD's 5th b-day. And yes, I already have it noted on the ressie....hope to do some cool things that she will never forget (at least that "I'll" never forget! )
Rich

 

[threeprincesses]

We are planning a tenth anniversary trip for next year as well. We are going on the three day cruise without kids and hoping to stay the night before somewhere on DVC points. We are hoping to go to Pleasure Island and the Adventurers Club since we are always wishing we could go when we have our three princesses with us!!

 

[lenshanem]

Gosh, we are like the 10 year club! Course, it feels like 20...

I guess I should book a dinner in the castle. That is where he asked me to marry him.

So none of us know the policies on ressies at non DVC resorts like GF with our points?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Gosh, we are like the 10 year club! Course, it feels like 20...

LOL, we've been married 23 now. When anyone asks how long we've been married I usually say 5 of the happiest years of my life, double the actual number of years or say "too long". Of course it usually gets me a bruise on my arm. You guys know the backhand fist to the arm technique I'm sure. If I wasn't being a little mischievous, she'd wonder what I was up to.

 

[Buzzro]

We stayed at the GF for our 23rd back in 2000. It was our 1st year as members. I had always wanted to stay at the GF so on our 1st trip on points to WDW ( we did a weekend at HH 1st) I booked 2 nights at the GF and 3 in a 1bdrm at BWV. We had a beautiful view of the Magic Kingdom, 1st floor right on the lake. On our 1st night (our anniversary) we sat on our porch drinking champagne an watching the fireworks. It was great. I am really glad we got to experience that. But as nice as the rooms were they don't compare with a 1 bdrm. at a DVC resort. I now have that GF desire fulfilled and would never want to waste points on anything less than the accomodations available to us as DVC members. Have fun and enjoy your trip and anniversary.

 

[ZerasPride]

We originally were going on the 4 night Disney cruise but now we'll be going to Hilton Head instead. I was very bummed out at first that DH didn't want to celebrate on the Wonder but I've been in touch with Chef Gordon and we'll be celebrating our anniversary overlooking the Atlantic Ocean enjoying A Private Affair. Chef Gordon has been wonderful in helping me plan the perfect meal. We do plan on trying out the 3 or 4 night cruise next year.

Now that we have reservations points out there to be used, we'll be using them to book 4 nights at the Grand Floridian. This will be our second stay at the Grand.

Congratulations to all those celebrating anniversaries soon!

 

[jaysue]

Shan, hope this is right - it is from the member guidebook members only site:

Walt Disney World® Resort

Confirmed by DVC Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside and French Quarter
Disney's Yacht Club Resort

Booking Window From 11 months to 2 days in advance

Cancellation Policy 6 or more days before check-in, all Reservation Points will be restored to your account*
5 or less days before check-in, all Reservation Points will be forfeited

Restrictions Maximum room occupancy is 4 or 5, depending on the resort and room category

All reservations are subject to availability.
A $75 nonrefundable transaction fee applies to Disney Cruise Line® bookings only. (The fee does not apply to Disney Vacation Club and Disney Resorts.)
A change to a reservation is considered a cancellation and rebooking, and will require an additional $75 nonrefundable transaction fee.
If payment of fees is not received at the time of confirmation, we reserve the right to cancel the reservation.
You cannot book and travel on a Member Getaways vacation within the last 60 days of your Use Year. See the 60-day rule for more information.
Some Reservation Points Charts may not be available at the 11-month window.
*Restored Reservation Points may not be used for Disney Vacation Club Resorts or Interval International® exchanges, and will expire at the end of the Use Year.

 

[lenshanem]

Thansk jaysue. I had gone to DVc's website, but obviosly I didn't look hard enough!
Hope all si well.