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

[lovemy2boys]

Order has been restored to the universe. The red sox are back in 1st place.

Boo! Hiss!!! GO YANKEES!!!!

 

[arbonnette]

Lesley, you may want to ask your question on the theme park strageties board! The people over there may have some better ideas for you as well.

We tend to go for 10+ days, with a break from the parks every 3-4 days. On a 10 day trip, we have 2 rest days. I travel with my parents, myself, and my DD5. On these "off" days I schedule a kids activity for her at the GF (like the tea party or the Alice party. Your boys are too young for the pirate cruise though ... My parents have enjoyed the spa. Some days we just shop at the resorts/DTD.
Other than that, we do some mornings at the parks and some evenings. I vary the schedule and stay flexible.

 

[princessesrule4]

Welcome Back Chan! We've missed your chatting!

The weather around here has been pretty good...today is the best of the best..breezy and no humidity around 80 and sunny a perfect summer day!


I just made the first batch of fresh salsa for the summer...i bought some Kentucky tomatoes at a stand by our house. Ummmm good! I think pina coladas/margaritas are in order to with that salsa!


off to do errands, TTFN
dawn

Sounds yummy Dawn! I love homemade salsa and guacamole! And what's chips and salsa without a margarita, right?

 

[princessesrule4]

For those of you who spend a long time at Disney (say 7 nights or longer) do you go to the parks every day? What do you do while not at the parks? We are going for 10 nights in January and I'm trying to work out a general game plan for all of us. So what activities do you do or places do you go while at Disney? Should we do a park each day and sometimes go in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon/evening? Any ideas for a longer vacation?

When we go for 7 or 8 nights, we do the same as Arbonette- we spend at least one whole day shopping at DTD. The guys golf that day. DD does Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and we plan a nice dinner usually at California Grill that night. Our kids are older so we do 2 water park days and a day at the pool and renting searaycers for an hour. We also do mini golf and I could spend at least 3 or 4 hours just shopping at the GF!
Its tougher with little ones. We do parks in the morning and take a break at the pool, hang out in the lounge in the afternoon and then go back to the parks at night.

 

[lovemy2boys]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! It would be nice to plan a relaxing day, maybe do some shopping at DTD and have dinner out with all of us.

It sounds like a good idea to hit the parks first thing in the AM and then go back for naps and pool time and then head back to close it down (if they close around 7pm) that would be perfect!

Thanks for the suggestions.... keep em coming!!!!

 

[vbarry]

Good morning everyone! Channing I am so glad you made it back. Cannot wait t hear more about your trip.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Order has been restored to the universe. The red sox are back in 1st place.

 

[minniesota]

Order has been restored to the universe. The red sox are back in 1st place.

And I believe you have Minnesota to thank for that!!!

 

[minniesota]

Attention NYC people!

DH is leaving Friday for Cooperstown and NYC with DS15, DD17 and DN17. I naturally planned all the air, train, hotels, Yankees and Grease tix but now he's looking at me with desperation in his eyes! "WHat am I going to do with 3 teens in NYC, honey?"

Any ideas? They arrive in NYC Sunday at 2; tix to Grease that night at 7; tix to the Yankees Monday night; return home late on Tuesday. Your help would be most appreciated and you will be saving his sorry butt!

 

[sixisenough]

Good Morning!!!
Welcome Home Channing, can't wait to hear about your trip, especially your dining!! We leave in 10 days

Had a busy weekend, We took my son Connor to his first BB game at Wrigley Saturday. Even though I am not a die hard Cubs fan like my hubby, it is one of the neatest places. And I have to say Chicagoans ROCK!! We were amongst season ticket holders and when they found out it was my sons first trip to Wrigley, they were high fiving him and making him feel really cool. He told me his dream came true. That makes your heart melt!!! I have to say the have very good margaritas also, which made my day more fun

I am still trying to learn how to post a picture, does anyone know how I can use pictures from my snapfish account, and what the process is??

Have a great day!!! Evie

 

[vbarry]

Hi E! What are you doing awake???

 

[sixisenough]

I need some opinions from the GF girls, my daughter, Jaiden is turning 8 on July 30th while we are in Disney. That day I am surprising her with a pirate cruise at YC and then we have an early dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Should I order her a cake or a glass slipper to be delivered? I have read a lot of negative reviews from the cake quality lately. Or do you feel the desserts there are more than enough, and just have them sing Happy B-day? What other touches does anyone recomend?? Thanks for any input.

 

[sixisenough]

Hi E! What are you doing awake???

I am on my way to slumberland, you know I have to undwind with the DIS!!

 

[vbarry]

Evie- Maybe Kelly or Channing will chime in since they just had a deal over a cake delivery.

I would call and just order and see what happens. I would do the slipper or mini castle unless you want something to treat everyone then I would go with some type of cake.

I think Brook just used Peggy for a cake delivery. You could have her deliver a cake and a small gift basket to the restaurant.

Jaiden did say that she is getting a surprise on her Bday so I know she is counting on something!

 

[lovemy2boys]

Attention NYC people!

DH is leaving Friday for Cooperstown and NYC with DS15, DD17 and DN17. I naturally planned all the air, train, hotels, Yankees and Grease tix but now he's looking at me with desperation in his eyes! "WHat am I going to do with 3 teens in NYC, honey?"

Any ideas? They arrive in NYC Sunday at 2; tix to Grease that night at 7; tix to the Yankees Monday night; return home late on Tuesday. Your help would be most appreciated and you will be saving his sorry butt!

Before Grease tell him to take them to John's Pizzeria. It is on 44th in between 7th and 8th. It is a sit down place and their pizza is THE BEST!!!!!! The kids will love it!

 

[WishesQueen]

Attention NYC people!

DH is leaving Friday for Cooperstown and NYC with DS15, DD17 and DN17. I naturally planned all the air, train, hotels, Yankees and Grease tix but now he's looking at me with desperation in his eyes! "WHat am I going to do with 3 teens in NYC, honey?"

Any ideas? They arrive in NYC Sunday at 2; tix to Grease that night at 7; tix to the Yankees Monday night; return home late on Tuesday. Your help would be most appreciated and you will be saving his sorry butt!

Hey There!!

I am from NY and there are so many things you can do!! I don't know exactly what your time line is in the afternoons, so here are few quick and a few longer things to do.

John's Pizza is great, its a converted church so it kind of cool in the inside. The menu gives you the history.

There is Madame Tussauds located at 234 West 42nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues) in the heart of Times Square.

The Central Park Zoo is small but great!! Besides the Park is beautiful just to walk around, but crowded this time of year.

There is the NBA Store that believe it or not my son can spend at least an hour or two in.

The Musuem of Natural History, the NY Planetarium are AWESOME!!!

I can probably think of much more but this is just off the top of my head. The city is an endless place of possiblities. Its just difficult to walk with no planned distination so keep that in mind.

If you need ANYTHING else just let me know!!

Annette

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! It would be nice to plan a relaxing day, maybe do some shopping at DTD and have dinner out with all of us.

It sounds like a good idea to hit the parks first thing in the AM and then go back for naps and pool time and then head back to close it down (if they close around 7pm) that would be perfect!

Thanks for the suggestions.... keep em coming!!!!

January weather can vary drastically. We've been there Jan/Feb two years in a row. One year, it was rainy and cool the entire 8 days. I wouldn't take my son in the pool (even though its heated) he was just too young (11 months old) and it was really cool out. We needed jackets and jeans the entire week.

The next year the weather was really wacky. In the am there would be frost on the ground. By noon it would hit 80 degrees then by 5pm it would be freezing! We all caught colds that trip! The weather was really extreme.

You just can't rely on pool days in the winter. On rainy/cold days we did Epcot World Showcase, watched all the movies. Oh, good day to do Ellen's Energy thing (45 boring mins indoors!). But my son was only 23 months at the time.

For long trips in general, we just break up the parks with DTD and going to other resorts. My DS4 loves the arcade in the CR. We usually spend an evening walking around the Boardwalk. The kids love the carnival games and we usually rent a bicycle.

The theme park or family boards might have more unique ideas.

Oh, in the winter months, we never took midday breaks since the parks closed early. We'd stay out all day. This trip was the kids first trip to WDW in the summer, so we took a pool break everyday. We were never able to plan that in winter months. If the weather was hot and nice, we'd just change our plans. That's what happen last Nov. Our first nice hot afternoon, we changed our whole day to make it a pool day.

 

[goofygal531]

Attention NYC people!

DH is leaving Friday for Cooperstown and NYC with DS15, DD17 and DN17. I naturally planned all the air, train, hotels, Yankees and Grease tix but now he's looking at me with desperation in his eyes! "WHat am I going to do with 3 teens in NYC, honey?"

Any ideas? They arrive in NYC Sunday at 2; tix to Grease that night at 7; tix to the Yankees Monday night; return home late on Tuesday. Your help would be most appreciated and you will be saving his sorry butt!

Okay, let me think..... How about ESPN Zone in Times Square? My DH loves it there. Down the block is Toys R Us, I know they're teenages but they have a video zone in the ground floor they could play some games and maybe ride the indoor Ferris Wheel (it's HUGE!). Ummm, The Nintendo store is very popular in Rockefeller Center. I went there to buy our Wii and it's always crowded.

They might like Jekyll & Hyde for a meal. It's a strange theme restaurant right off 6th Ave and 57th St. DH has taken me to the Village location. Good food strange haunted place. (6th Ave is also known as Avenue of the Americas - but only tourist refer to the new name. To us NYers, it's 6th Avenue)

http://www.jekyllandhydeclub.com/home.htm

 

[Lives4Disney]

I need some opinions from the GF girls, my daughter, Jaiden is turning 8 on July 30th while we are in Disney. That day I am surprising her with a pirate cruise at YC and then we have an early dinner at 1900 Park Fare. Should I order her a cake or a glass slipper to be delivered? I have read a lot of negative reviews from the cake quality lately. Or do you feel the desserts there are more than enough, and just have them sing Happy B-day? What other touches does anyone recomend?? Thanks for any input.

Hi, Evie!!

OMG...1900 park faire's desserts are MEGA!! They have better desserts than real food!!!! Lucy and I wentlight on dinner so we could save room for the desserts. Also...1900 park faire is one of the cutest places to have a little girl's bday. Are you staying concierge? If so have them put it on the ressie comments. (and hopefully they will do the balloon & character pic in the room for you too!)..but at 1900 pf they give the bday princess a crown, fluffy cupcake w/candle and sing and usually a souvenier placemat too. It's cute and fun. I hid my bday this time around haha...because last year they tortured ME with that bday stuff. My kids got a kick out of it though.

If you order a cake etc...have it delivered to the room as a surprise. I have done both the room delivery and restaurant and definitely prefer the room. If you do order a cake, you better know WHAT you want because they are lame oh when it comes to suggestions as far as decoration etc. check out the thread for pics and maybe even email a pic to them.

WEll...guys...it's business as usual. I am back to a dirty house and a green pool. ALready ran Lucy to band camp and have to pick her up soon. I cannot believe i left my house in this state!!! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?!?!?!?! ugh. It's a wreck and a drag to come back to. I guess we werehaving too much summer fun and outside and then I put off packing too long and had to concentrate on that.

I wll try and get some pics up later today after I start going thru the luggage. I haven't touched it yet. It's on my "to do" list.

It feels good though to be back her in IL with sunny blue skies and no humidity!!!!

Chan

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Channing, welcome back! (I can't believe that your trip is over already!) I can't wait to see your pictures.