Grand One Booked!!!

[PRaffen]

Just received confirmation from AKL concierge today that the Grand one fireworks cruise is booked. I'm so excited!

Now if I can just keep it a secret from my DH (we're celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and this is my gift to him).

Thanks to all who helped by sending pictures and information.

 

[luckywife]

How exciting! Have fun and congrats on your upcoming 30th anniversary!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Congratulations!!!!!!


On both accomplishments...

Have fun!

 

[webray]

Wow, that should be a blast...congrats and enjoy!

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

Congratulations! I posted a few days ago with some questions about the Grand 1. Would you or anyone else mind if I ask a few questions? Do you have a meal being prepared for you and dh? We are having a family reunion in Feb 2005, I was thinking about having a small get together with a few of my cousins, something extra special while the kids are at the Neverland Club. Is the Grand 1 fireworks cruise any different than the other firework cruises? How much does it cost, are you charged by the hour or by the cruise? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ducklite]

Congratulations! You will LOVE IT!!!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by WANNABE@WDW
Is the Grand 1 fireworks cruise any different than the other firework cruises? How much does it cost, are you charged by the hour or by the cruise? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

The Grand One is a 42 foot motor yacht. The other fireworks cruises are on pontoon bots (unless you score Breathless).

The Grand One has two heads (bathrooms), three bedrooms, a salon with a galley, a fully enclosable bridge. She is gorgeous and amazing. Complete comfort and luxury.

You are charged by the hour, $350. On certain holidays there is a two hour minimum. It's also customary to tip the captain and first mate. You may order food and beverage from the GF Private Dining. Anything from a couple of sodas to a full dinner served by a private butler can be provided.

There are photo's of the inside and outside on my web site, click the link below.

Let me know if you ahve other questions.

Anne

 

[PRaffen]

Just an update - the cost is now $375/hour. But from everything Anne and others have said about it, it will be wonderful and one of those once in a lifetime splurges.

Also, a new boat recently replaced the previous Grand One yacht. It’s a 48-foot-long, 48-motor Sea Ray.

Just a note - the concierge at AKL (Don and Andrea) have been absolutely wonderful. Just about the time I start to think, I wonder if such and such has been done - there's an e-mail from them. I'm so impressed and I haven't even set foot on the property yet!

 

[ducklite]

I stand corrected, it is a new boat. I've been on her twice, soon to be a third time

Anne

 

[Uncle Scar]

Congratulations on your 30 years together!!!

I've done the pontoon cruise and it was fun. It gives a different perspective of the fireworks.

I'm excited because we are doing it again this year for the new show Wishes.

Have fun on your trip and here's to another 30+ years......

 

[Bracho]

Grand 1 is a beautiful ride and a wonderful way to enjoy a Disney evening!!

CONGRATS!! and Enjoy

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by ducklite
The Grand One is a 42 foot motor yacht. The other fireworks cruises are on pontoon bots (unless you score Breathless).

The Grand One has two heads (bathrooms), three bedrooms, a salon with a galley, a fully enclosable bridge. She is gorgeous and amazing. Complete comfort and luxury.

You are charged by the hour, $350. On certain holidays there is a two hour minimum. It's also customary to tip the captain and first mate. You may order food and beverage from the GF Private Dining. Anything from a couple of sodas to a full dinner served by a private butler can be provided.

There are photo's of the inside and outside on my web site, click the link below.

Let me know if you ahve other questions.

Anne

$350 an hour? I wonder if Disney would mind me bringing our own personal Grand to rent out? Beats the WDW one by a mile and I'll only charge you half! LOL!

 

[bridegirl]

It's actually a new boat every year - once a year. It's a promotional deal with the manufacturer of the boats.

We've taken it out every year for eight years now. It is always a lovely boat - but because it is so expensive, I will make one point for people who don't want to pay that much.

If you plan to order a full dinner and pay extra for on board service, the waiter has no way to keep the food hot. It just comes from private dining in hot boxes and they serve it to you. If you want to all sit together at a table, you have to sit downstairs and then you are missing the view.

I find the grand one better suited for snacks or choc strawberries and champagne, cheese and crackers, etc.

One year we took out a pontoon boat for the MK fireworks and hubby arranged thru Disney entertainment for a violinist on board! For about the same price as the Grand One, the pontoon with our own private disney love songs violin concert was amazingly romantic!

In terms of the fireworks watching experience, the pontoon boat also provides an excellent viewing spot - and for much less money.

Don't get me wrong - I love the grand one - I just think the less expensive option is also a very good option.

Susy

 

[ducklite]

As an FYI, there is a microwave oven in the galley.

We ate dinner onboard the last time we were on her. It wasn't planned that way, but it happened. We had plenty of time to eat downstairs in the salon and dining area, and then go upstairs for the show.

Anne

 

[bridegirl]

The butler told us that he couldn't put the GF china in the microwave, so we ate some semi-warm food, which was fine.

We have opted in years since then to just to have a lovely dinner at the GF and then stock the boat with hot cocoa and cookies and snacks.

All the boat drivers are so nice and friendly!

Susy

 

[PRaffen]

Bridegirl and Anne: what did you tip?

Thanks.

Pat

 

[ducklite]

The last time we did it it was two hours, I think we gave the Captain $90 and the First Mate $60, or it might have been $100 to the Captain and $50 to the First Mate. Either way it was $150 between them.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

BTW--Just heard today that they are working on getting the soundtrack to WISHES so it can be broadcast over the stereo system on the Grand 1. They're going to call me back and let me know about when this should happen.

Anne

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by skiwee1
$350 an hour? I wonder if Disney would mind me bringing our own personal Grand to rent out? Beats the WDW one by a mile and I'll only charge you half! LOL!

LOL!~We were down at the Marina (Del Ray) three weeks ago...and went out on our friends yacht. It would easily rent for a few "G" per hour (or more)! It's a rare beauty. F.F. Coppola borrowed it for a private party recently. It's a D~R~E~A~M vessel. Sounds as if yours is comparable. They are perfect, if you live on/close to the water.

 

[GoofyJoofy]

Originally posted by PRaffen
Just received confirmation from AKL concierge today that the Grand one fireworks cruise is booked. we're celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and this is my gift to him.

PRaffen - That sounds so wonderful. Congratulations! on 30 years! And congrats on getting the Grand 1 to celebrate sounds like a really nice surprise.