Having a GRAND time - The Official GF Chat Thread PART 2

[Maxie86]

I just booked RPC for our spring trip.
We are doing a BWI-GF split stay. Now I get to make a new ticker. I got a AAA rate at both.
Safe travels to everyone leaving soon.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I just booked RPC for our spring trip.
We are doing a BWI-GF split stay. Now I get to make a new ticker. I got a AAA rate at both.
Safe travels to everyone leaving soon.

Yay! How exciting! I think the new BWI rooms are gorgeous. I love doing an Epcot/MK resort split.

Annette, LOL,, I hear ya! To ME, I look the same now or even better. My kids were soo cute and they were so sweet. That's the sad thing. Now I have an 18 yr old butthead for a son and even he used to be so cute and nice. My daughters are still sweet but that preteen thing is hitting Lucy. It is just so sad. I want those days back again.

Lesley!! You leave soon!!!! Have a great time! Can't wait to hear about your trip and the Princess Suite vs the Grand Suite. My favorite is teh GF but I hope you love the Poly. It's very tropical and lush. Perfect for a summer vacation.

Oooh....today is Dawn's first day of student teaching...meetings etc though. I hope she does OK and isn't too scared. We're thinking of ya, Dawn!!!!!

Vanessa, how was the concert?? I haven't been to a concert since Peter Gabriel in the 90s!!!! Oh...maybe I saw Moody Blues AFTER Peter...not sure. But that was a LONG time ago either way. I hope it was fun!

OK...So M & P is on his way! And hopefully Shel will get there tonight without a hitch.

talk to ya all later,
Channing

 

[BlueSkies]

I just booked RPC for our spring trip.
We are doing a BWI-GF split stay. Now I get to make a new ticker. I got a AAA rate at both.
Safe travels to everyone leaving soon.

Maxie-congratulations! I saw pics of the new BWI rooms and I think they look great-also congrats on the AAA rate for both I have never done a split stay but have read alot about them here....Never stayed anywhere but monorail resorts,but I am thinking with 3 teens that they might really like the Boardwalk area...

To all who have done split stays how many days do you usually book at each resort??? Do you unpack at each resort...I am giving this serious consideration...Ofcourse GF would be 2nd half of trip. YC/BC look great also...

 

[BlueSkies]

M & P YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!! ENJOY!!!!!


OMG>>>this is so cute ....DH is converting our old VHS Disney vacation recordings into DVDs and I went on a front car monorail ride all around....saw the GF without the beach pool...(this was 1998) heard the whole monorail spiel and then went into Carousel of Progress...saw the whole show and now "The Time Keeper".....

OK...we are NOW at Epcot. There is no wand on Spaceship Earth. I am happy DH didn't listen to me and DID video our vacation!!!! Lucy is a 1.5 yr old baby and I am feeding her a Mickey bar!!!!! Aw....Lucy has a Minnie Mouse in the stroller with her!!! I am loving this!!! We were at Chef Mickey's and MIckey came over and spoon fed her some food. It was soo cute. And Lucy booped Mickey and Chip and Dale on the nose.....

OMG...Now we are in Spaceship Earth!!!! Very COOL!!!!! Sometimes Dh does GOOd things that surprise me!!!! (Sometimes!) I hope he got HOrizons on tape!!!!!

Makes me really miss WDW!! You all have a FANTABULOUS TIME!!!!!!

Chan

Channing-I would love if DH would transfer our VHSs over. We have so many....and it is so nice to see the kids when they were young( and sweet) Any time we do watch them everyone enjoys

I also love looking at WDW of years ago!! I remember when the GF was called the Grand Floridian Beach resort...
Time sure flies....

 

[WishesQueen]

Annette, LOL,, I hear ya! To ME, I look the same now or even better. My kids were soo cute and they were so sweet. That's the sad thing. Now I have an 18 yr old butthead for a son and even he used to be so cute and nice. My daughters are still sweet but that preteen thing is hitting Lucy. It is just so sad. I want those days back again.
Channing

Its so funny, I think that difference is now I have a little time to take care of myself. I looked so much worse then than I do now!!!

Not that now is great.....its just better!!!

Robert and Natalie are both at that age....I used to know everything....now I know nothing!!!!

Dawn - Hoping your first day was great!!! I am assuming that there are no kids in class yet!!!

 

[Maxie86]

Yay! How exciting! I think the new BWI rooms are gorgeous. I love doing an Epcot/MK resort split.
Channing

We did a YC-GF split last year and we really liked that. Nothing like being able to walk to your resort after Illuminations. We are trying BWI CL, it seems to get much better reviews. I also like the look of the new rooms. We are staying CL at both to make up for our budget December trip Have you ever stayed CL at the BWI?

 

[Maxie86]

Maxie-congratulations! I saw pics of the new BWI rooms and I think they look great-also congrats on the AAA rate for both I have never done a split stay but have read alot about them here....Never stayed anywhere but monorail resorts,but I am thinking with 3 teens that they might really like the Boardwalk area...

To all who have done split stays how many days do you usually book at each resort??? Do you unpack at each resort...I am giving this serious consideration...Ofcourse GF would be 2nd half of trip. YC/BC look great also...

Thanks, I think the new rooms look great too. I love doing split stays. It is like 2 vacations in one. Never thought of a split stay before the Dis, but now that we tried it we will probably always do it. That way we can try something new and still stay in our favs. We did 2 so far. One was 2 and 3, the other was 5 and 2. In Dec we are doing another 3 and 2. The May trip willl be 3 and 3. On the shorter trip we didn't unpack much, just hung up some things, on the longer one we partially unpacked. Have a wonderful trip. Hope Fay doesn't alter your plans. One of these days I am going to learn to multi quote.

 

[irisbud]

Maxie-congratulations! I saw pics of the new BWI rooms and I think they look great-also congrats on the AAA rate for both I have never done a split stay but have read alot about them here....Never stayed anywhere but monorail resorts,but I am thinking with 3 teens that they might really like the Boardwalk area...

To all who have done split stays how many days do you usually book at each resort??? Do you unpack at each resort...I am giving this serious consideration...Ofcourse GF would be 2nd half of trip. YC/BC look great also...

Hi BlueSkies,

We only do split stays. Our favorites if to GF/BW area. Doing a split stay at Disney is super easy. Just tell bell services where your luggage needs to go, and they will get it there for you!

We usually have beel services pick up our bags, pack a park bag with any essentials, etc., hit a park, then head to our second resort at midday to check in. Usually our bags are there, but if not we have never waited long for them.

We usually do about 3 nights per resort. It is just my fiancee and I right now, but generally we take two suitcases: the first has everything clothes wise we need for the first half of the trip, the second bag has all the clothes we need for the second half. That way we can put all the dirties in one bag, too, and keep them seperate from the cleans. We aren't huge on unpacking anyway, but this works really well for us. We also think that an added bonus of packing this way would be that if your luggage should be lost, you might at least get one bag, and that bag would have something for everyone in it.

It really is very easy and lots of fun, like two vacations in one! You should try it sometime! If it isn't for you, then you'll know and you don't have to do it again!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We did a YC-GF split last year and we really liked that. Nothing like being able to walk to your resort after Illuminations. We are trying BWI CL, it seems to get much better reviews. I also like the look of the new rooms. We are staying CL at both to make up for our budget December trip Have you ever stayed CL at the BWI?

LOL...after I typed my reply I better preface it with...THIS WAS THREE YEARS AGO....so as not to scare you. I am just being honest....I love the new rooms though and I am slightly tempted but .....


well....I did ...we stayed in 4227 (I think) it was a deluxe concierge room over looking the boardwalk with a gorgeous view and it was a large spacious room. BUT the stay was a big disappointment. We had a lot of service issues.....lots of garbage and lies from management, even, regarding how they were going to work out the issues..lied, passed the buck, made promises that things would get done then left for the night without any notations for the next on duty - lots of aggravation to keep having to repeat the story and what the previous manager "promised" us he'd do...housekeeping stunk, my son couldn't sleep on the sofa bed (it was OLD and mangy and he actually preferred the floor) he slept on the FLOOR for $650/nt....they couldn't get us a rollaway til 2nd night and it was disgusting so he continued to sleep on the floor - and even they admitted that it was disgusting but that's all they could scrape up....PLUS I had to keep explaining why I had 5 in that room...they kept telling me I should only have been able to book it for FOUR..(really it sleeps 6) they'd never leave enough towels..kept taking the extra bedding my son used......I could go on & on. We still laugh about that place and how it was run. This was 3 yrs ago but nobody in my family wants to go back and stay there again. We always stay YC or Swan over there now. I had a Swan ressie at that time for about $180/nt and I was thrilled to be able to try the BWI and I was KICKING MYSELF the whole time I was at the BWI paying that much money for shoddy room and crappy service and lots of aggravation...I was WISHING I hadn't canceled the Swan for the BWI. This was over Thanksgiving - a couple days prior and then after and I called CRO OFTEN to try and move but there was NOTHING available. After those 4 nts we moved to the GF RPC and lived it up. I won't travel w/out the aero anymore after that rollaway debacle. Again...it was three years ago...I bet things have changed.

We just stayed YC CL this past July and while it was fine, i have no problem with YC standard or water view. I'd most likely book one of those next time. Their CL didn't WOW me.

Blue SKies...we usually do at least a 4/4 split..last month we did a 5/7...but the girls and I are going in October and most likely do the first night at the Swan as we arrive about 5:30 pm and then either just not unpack and move to the GF the next morning OR stay Swan 2 nights and enjoy that area and move to the GF for the next few. As of now with my Monday to Sat flight, I just have 5 nights total at hotels. So it's either a 1/4 split or a 2/3 split. Unless I get a better rate on SWA flying home Sunday vs Saturday....I am very unsure. We pretty much live out of our luggage anyway...i only unpack the toiletries.

Happy planning,

Lives4Disney

 

[tinklvr64]

Hey Gals...whew back from a really looooonggggg seminar...overwhelming!
Well tomorrow my college supervisor and cooperating teacher gave me the day off....but Wed Thurs Fri its all business! Then MONDAY HERE COMES THE KIDS! OOOOHHHH IM NERVOUS!!!!
thanks Chan and Annette for the good vibes...keep them coming for the week!

Hopefully while im writing this M&P will be having a fluffy drink and Shel will be on the way to the airport! and Kelly will be kicked back and relaxed with her fam

I think im going to take a nap! Im pooped!
dawn

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi gals!!!

I apologize in advance if I am MIA for the next week or so- so much to do before school starts!

I just wanted to come on to wish all our August trippers Happy (and safe) Travels. I have been watching some of the hurricane stuff and I feel HORRIBLE for all of you that have to deal with that (Extra horrible for Mandy who lives with these!!!!)

Also wanted to check in on Dawn- glad the first day went well!! Enjoy that day off!!

I will be back to regular chatter soon- I promise!!!

Kristin

 

[mickeynut1]

Hey Gals...whew back from a really looooonggggg seminar...overwhelming!
Well tomorrow my college supervisor and cooperating teacher gave me the day off....but Wed Thurs Fri its all business! Then MONDAY HERE COMES THE KIDS! OOOOHHHH IM NERVOUS!!!!
thanks Chan and Annette for the good vibes...keep them coming for the week!

Hopefully while im writing this M&P will be having a fluffy drink and Shel will be on the way to the airport! and Kelly will be kicked back and relaxed with her fam

I think im going to take a nap! Im pooped!
dawn

CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK ON MONDAY . I'm sure you'll do just great .

Also.....what is this "fluffy drink" I've been reading about in these posts ??? Please....do tell . I have about 11 months before I get to the GF and I must know all there is to know before I get there .

 

[mickeynut1]

To all who have done split stays how many days do you usually book at each resort??? Do you unpack at each resort...I am giving this serious consideration...Ofcourse GF would be 2nd half of trip. YC/BC look great also...

It's funny you mention a split between the GF and YC/BC because I was thinking the same thing for our July trip. But after ALOT of thought, we decided to go the whole week at the GF since we have never stayed there before. We stayed at the BC in December 2003 but it was so cold that besides the day of our arrival, the pool was closed the entire week....so we didn't get the chance to experience SAB . I always thought doing a split stay would be too much trouble and would waste a day due to checking out/in . So I'm curious as well what other's thoughts are on splits???

 

[mickeynut1]

Hey Gals...whew back from a really looooonggggg seminar...overwhelming!
Well tomorrow my college supervisor and cooperating teacher gave me the day off....but Wed Thurs Fri its all business! Then MONDAY HERE COMES THE KIDS! OOOOHHHH IM NERVOUS!!!!
thanks Chan and Annette for the good vibes...keep them coming for the week!

Hopefully while im writing this M&P will be having a fluffy drink and Shel will be on the way to the airport! and Kelly will be kicked back and relaxed with her fam

I think im going to take a nap! Im pooped!
dawn

CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK ON MONDAY . I'm sure you'll do just great .

Also.....what is this "fluffy drink" I've been reading about in these posts ??? Please....do tell . I have about 11 months before I get to the GF and I must know all there is to know before I get there .

 

[vbarry]

Good afternoon girls!

Channing~ I forgot to tell you guys about the concert. It was ok...not all that great for me but the girls loved it. It was at the IL State Fair. We actually left after Vanessa was done and went and bought the $35.00 tshirts, $20 bags and $10 posters. Boy...concerts are expensive when you have two little girls. There were only a few songs I knew but the girls knew a lot of them and we took a lot of pictures. (if I could ever figure out how to post them!!) They talked about it all day yesterday so at least they had fun!

Dawn~ Good luck next week. I am sure you will be great!

Kristin~ Good luck with the little guy starting school.

Mandy~ Hope you are doing ok down there. The company I work for already put us all on notice about possible storm duty. They are sending two teams down tomorrow.

We start school on Friday so I am going to spend the next few days trying to spend some time with the girls.

I did get all my Xmas ADR's figured out and switched BBB to downtown on Xmas day instead of the castle.

By the way I love the MK/Boardwalk resort split. We do it every time. I always say I am going to stay in the same place and NEVER end up doing it. It is the best of both worlds and of course Disney makes it easy to move your luggage etc!

Tomorrow I can call DVC and make ressies for July 2009 trip! WOOHOO!

Have a great night!

 

[irisbud]

Congratulations Dawn! you're going to be wonderful!

 

[irisbud]

Maxie, please feel free to laugh at me if this is stupid, but is that your dog (what a cutie!) and does his/her nose REALLY look like a hidden Mickey or is it photoshopped?

 

[BlueSkies]

Thanks everyone for all of the split stay info It sounds wonderful...Why didnt I ever think of it I like the idea of it feeling like 2 trips in one...Now for the planning....

 

[tinklvr64]

Amy~you are right! That is funny about maxie's dog

Alright K thanks for the encouragement....and here is encouragement back~all moms cry on their kids first day of school...its okay! He will do great cause he's had a good start already! KWIM????

I dont know about you all...but i cant wait for my teens to go back...they need to do something constructive! I know you feel the same..admit it!

Mandy whats the update on the weather???? Give it to us Meterologist Mandy...OMG how fitting M&M!! ilove m&m's@!@@

PS fluffy drinks are pina coladas, pink squirrels, grasshoppers..LMAO do they make them anymore..OMG im showing my age!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Maxie, please feel free to laugh at me if this is stupid, but is that your dog (what a cutie!) and does his/her nose REALLY look like a hidden Mickey or is it photoshopped?

WHOA I didn't notice that! HOW COOL?!?!?!