"Having a GRAND time - The Official GF Chat Thread"

[Lives4Disney]

I love CP's asiago cheese pasta!!! YUM!!! Lucy is Eeyore's NUMBER ONE FAN....that's her email addy and all kind of usernames, haha....and Jojo loves Piglet because he/she is pink. So CP is always on our must do list....sometimes several times a trip. We are avoiding Ohana this time....it was DISGUSTING in March....such a shame and such a disappointment.

Praline, ooh OK, well I guess you're right...have to look on the bright side. It's better to fill up on healthy food anyway. Have to keep that girlish figure.

Lindsay, any luck todya with the cake calls??

 

[praline3001]

I dont know about a girlish figure but it keeps me honest

The only bad thing is I have to be careful when I go out to eat... once a server (not at WDW) gave me a glass of tea (I asked for unsweet) and then I added splenda to the tea and took about 4 swigs and started feeling..well lets just say less then perfect in every way

I made it out to the car before the pain hit... we didnt even eat dinner DH went back in the place and fussed at the manager and then we had to go...ohhh that was a fun car ride home
I learned my lessen and I always have DH test my drink when we are eating out... or 1 of the kids.... I wonder if the VIP tour guide will test my drinks for me

 

[Tinkaroo]

But I can probably 1 up you...

See if we left for Disney instead of staying here for Xmas.. I would get a bawling crying MIL... and major guilt trip. My DH is her ONLY child... and my kids her ONLY grandkids... and she is a cancer survivor but we just dont know for how long she will still be with us (she has been cancer free for almost 20 years now...) and she is *sniff sniff* happy for us to get away and understands HOW important family is... because she LOVES her family so much... but she just doesn't know how she is going to live without seeing her grandbabies during Jesus' birthday

OMG!

My MIL (while a very nice woman - I honestly know I could have it a LOT worse - at least she lives 4 hours away! ) could medal in martyrdom if it were only an Olympic sport!

Of course, I have a bit of the opposite problem - I married her baby. DH is the youngest of 3 boys, and despite not being a momma's boy AT ALL, his mother PINES for attention from him, and throws herself all over him whenever we're in town. She can also cry at the drop of a hat. It's really quasi-weird/sad. I'm constantly telling myself to remain cognizant of this stuff so I am never one of THOSE MILs!

I've been working in this pharmacy for about 4 years and I've never seen so many patients die before (besides from illness, that is)
One guy just disaapeared, his friend told us they found people living in his apartment and said they just hadn't seen him latley.
One guy was actually pushed out a window. Many others have died from drug use. It is actually very sad more so than scary sometimes.

I have seen more police roped-off streets and crime scenes than I care to remember. Its like second nature to these people...and that is truly sad.

Mr. Mike - this sounds like such a hard environment. Lots of for you.

I booked my summer flights!!! I'm THERE!!

My good deal flight going into MCO was gone by the time I had the time to sit down and get it booked it went Poof! So, I changed it that we fly in a couple days earlier (yay!), but fly into Tampa for a good deal. My MIL (speaking of ILs ) lives in Clearwater, so I want to get a hotel on Clearwater Beach for that weekend before checking into the YC. Any suggestions??? We usually stay w/her when we go - needless to say, we haven't been in a couple yrs, haha - but it would be much more pleasant & relaxing to stay in a hotel so that is the plan....I am looking at the Sheraton Clearwater Beach Hotel....any yays or nays on it?? I have SPG points so that's why I went Sheraton route.....Suggestions welcome, though!

Thanks for the positives on Sears and Kenmore!!!

Great news about the flights!

Sorry, I've never been to the Clearwater area before, so I have no idea what to tell you (although every Sheraton I've stayed in I've hated, if that's worth anything - give me a Westin or a W any day!).

Just in the time. The author's wife of Pop=Walmart is on her way over to my house right now. I will have to definately let her see Disney on a dime!! That thread got way out of hand!! Don't know what you guys thought of it but I know he went a little overboard. I told him he would be banned from the DIS forever for his comments.

You know a DIS celebrity!

ok I seriously laughed outload at that remark.... yup Kristin is taking one for the team

We all have to go slumming sometime.

Boy...you sound like one of my other friends. She always tells me to "Take one for the home team" I am always complaining to her about those nights when I get in bed with the hubby and just feel like going right to sleep

Have a nice night ladies!! Happy Hour time!

Lindsey~

Peggy was looking around and found this cute Mary Poppins cake... she said she could ask around to see if a bakery makes it.... I told her I wasn't sure if you would think it was childish or if it was the style of mary poppins cake you liked... I think it is ADORABLE!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/studiocake/1466335326/

Oh gosh - that IS adorable!!! It just might be a little too "kiddie" for my mom. How wonderful are all of those cakes, though - THAT'S WHAT THE GF SHOULD BE DOING!!!!!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I dont know about a girlish figure but it keeps me honest

The only bad thing is I have to be careful when I go out to eat... once a server (not at WDW) gave me a glass of tea (I asked for unsweet) and then I added splenda to the tea and took about 4 swigs and started feeling..well lets just say less then perfect in every way

I made it out to the car before the pain hit... we didnt even eat dinner DH went back in the place and fussed at the manager and then we had to go...ohhh that was a fun car ride home
I learned my lessen and I always have DH test my drink when we are eating out... or 1 of the kids.... I wonder if the VIP tour guide will test my drinks for me

For what you're paying her/him they should eat or drink anything you wnat them to!

Once when Zack was really little a server brought him out a Sprite, but he took a sip and made a yuck face....said it tasted funny...I tried it and it was a gin and tonic. Good thing my little ZackMan didn't think it was too tasty or we could have had some big time trouble.

Yep, I'd have that renta CM test your food and drinks. And Savannah's too!

 

[Lives4Disney]

OMG!








Great news about the flights!

Sorry, I've never been to the Clearwater area before, so I have no idea what to tell you (although every Sheraton I've stayed in I've hated, if that's worth anything - give me a Westin or a W any day!).

!

Uh oh!! Thanks a lot....but the thing is all those properties are owned by Starwood.... You know the Dolphin is Sheraton and the Swan is Westin...I totally prefer the Swan, but they are basically the same. The SHeraton is on Sand Key and it looks gorgeous but I have been fooled by web pics before. It's expensive..... They don't have a Westin in Clearwater, only Tampa and Tampa's a cruise from where DH's mom lives so it has to be Clearwater.

Hmmm.....I am going to wait for DH to come home from Clearwater and see what he thinks. I was looking on Travelocity and hotels.com for other ideas, too and the Sheraton on Sand Key is highly rated so it might be the thing for me.

My other issue is the rental car.....OMG...for a minivan or SUV for my time period I have checked SEVERAL agencies thru Costco and it's about $800!! Isn't that a bit unreal?? So what I did was get a minivan for the weekend before we check into YC and it's $200...and that is basically a Saturday to MOnday rental that's it...so $100/day. That stinks. I figured we'd dump it at the Dolphin and then limo to MCO from the GF rather than keep the car that whole time....but still $100/day for a weekend?!?!?!?!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Channing~ Peggy sent me that link. I have no idea where they are located. I told her about our cake issues so she read the thread about the cakes and I am guessing googled for a mary poppins cake for Lindsey.

She emailed me with the pic and said she could check around at the local bakeries to see if they could make something similar. When I saw the cake I quickly checked out the other cakes from the same bakery and they were to DIE FOR!!!! I was over here just drooling!!!!

Did you see that pillow princess cake?!?! OMG that would have been soooo adorable for Savannah in cinderella blue!!!!

What a sweetie! Maybe I will e-mail her tomorrow and see what she's found. Seriously, the woman could make a killing if she could find us a kick-butt bakery!

Yeah the bad part is I wouldn't be able to get my lips anywhere near it or I would be barfing for days...

I forgot to tell you when you asked... the sugar thing is NOT a choice.... I become violently ill whenever I eat more than 5-6 grams of sugar. We are talking fetal position screaming ...labor pain type ill.... along with tons and tons of dry heaving!!!!! RNY patients can't really throw up... we just suffer and dry heave

Is this a bad side effect of the surgery? IT DEPENDS on how you look at it..... I can promise you it curbed my addiction to sugar and all it took was 1 time and I was cured for life

I have another DIS friend that deals with this, too - I've never heard the science behind it, so thinks for explaining.

I'm glad you're both healthy, and know how to take care of yourselves. I can only imagine that pain! I have bad enough GI problems without something like that.

 

[praline3001]

Tinkaroo~ I sent you a pm with Peggy's email ~ give her a shout out and maybe she can come up with something for you from a local bakery....


Channing~ Knowing my luck she would backwash in it
That is sad about Zach!!!! MAN O MAN though.... I bet you he would have slept GOOD that night okay that was bad... funny but bad...

 

[praline3001]

What a sweetie! Maybe I will e-mail her tomorrow and see what she's found. Seriously, the woman could make a killing if she could find us a kick-butt bakery!



I have another DIS friend that deals with this, too - I've never heard the science behind it, so thinks for explaining.

I'm glad you're both healthy, and know how to take care of yourselves. I can only imagine that pain! I have bad enough GI problems without something like that.

Oh they make sure your educated when it comes to this lifestyle... at least my doc did!!!
The hardest part is the most simplest... remembering to take your vitamins every single day without fail!!!
I have to take 2 special multi's, 1 iron (different time than the multi) and 2 huge calcium chews (different time from multi and iron due to absorbtion) and then once a week I have to put a B12 under my tongue.... this from the woman who has TWO birth control children
I have the kids remind me ... and if they catch me and I have forgotten i have to pay them a $1... It keeps me from forgetting and makes them rich

 

[Tinkaroo]

Okay, so here's the latest on the cake saga...

I called the GF PD line this afternoon (I thought I had a direct line to the bakery, but it ended up that I didn't ). The first person that answered was the unhelpful, clueless girl from yesterday. I know it sounds childish, but I acted like a 12 year old, and hung up the phone! But, I figured it would have been absolutely pointless to talk to her again!

So, I gave it about 10 minutes, and called back. I did get a different CM this time, who was more helpful. I told her a bit of what I was looking for, and when I mentioned that I needed a cake that didn't have any milk chocolate or dark chocolate due to health reasons, she got very concerned and said she needed to talk to her manager or the chef. Before I could stop her, I was put on hold for about 5 mins.

She came back, apologized, but said if anyone has dietary restrictions, they have to speak to the chef to make sure everything is handled properly. I assured her this wasn't one of those deathly food allergies and my mom just can't have normal chocolate because it triggers her migraines. She calmed down a bit, said let's talk about what you're trying to do, but I am going to have the chef or my mgr. call you back today or tomorrow to discuss (I'm thinking that's fine - maybe I can talk to someone that actually knows what's going on, and might have a creative bone in their body!).

So, we start talking about my ideas for the cake. Lo and behold, they can do an 8" yellow cake with strawberry/custard filling; they could do a buttercream layer between the cake and a white chocolate ganache icing. I then asked about decoration - could we do a Minnie topper? - yes. Could it be tipped in gold? - sure. Could I have one of those edible scrolls wishing a happy mother's day? - absolutely. Then she asks about color for the cake, since everything is pretty much ivory at this point - what about colors, how could we accent it - I ask about pinks, greens, something Victorian, and "Mary Poppins-ish" in style, but still adult. She takes all this down, and says she's confident they can do something great with this, and will have the chef or manager call me. Of course, I haven't gotten a call back yet, though.

So, I don't know what to think. If they call back tomorrow, and can assure me they have some good ideas and can deliver, etc., and it won't cost me a day's salary - fine, I'll let them have a shot at it. However, if I don't hear from them tomorrow, I'll probably send Peggy an e-mail and see if she's had any luck with research. I didn't have time to do any of my own today.

Phew - that just exhausted me. The lengths I will go to for a good cake. Chat with you guys tomorrow!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lindsay!!! I think you scored!! If you can get the chef to call you, you are good to go. When I read that the CM suggested that, I perked up and thought YAY!!!! They can do anything...they are sooo talented. We met one of the chefs a couple years ago. She was awesome. It is shameful they have L answering the phones & turning people off.

Good luck!! I think you're home free though at this point...I think it was your lucky break that L is on her "vacation".

Talk to ya all later -

going to bed now...Jojo has an early soccer game tomorrow morn!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Uh oh!! Thanks a lot....but the thing is all those properties are owned by Starwood.... You know the Dolphin is Sheraton and the Swan is Westin...I totally prefer the Swan, but they are basically the same. The SHeraton is on Sand Key and it looks gorgeous but I have been fooled by web pics before. It's expensive..... They don't have a Westin in Clearwater, only Tampa and Tampa's a cruise from where DH's mom lives so it has to be Clearwater.

Hmmm.....I am going to wait for DH to come home from Clearwater and see what he thinks. I was looking on Travelocity and hotels.com for other ideas, too and the Sheraton on Sand Key is highly rated so it might be the thing for me.

My other issue is the rental car.....OMG...for a minivan or SUV for my time period I have checked SEVERAL agencies thru Costco and it's about $800!! Isn't that a bit unreal?? So what I did was get a minivan for the weekend before we check into YC and it's $200...and that is basically a Saturday to MOnday rental that's it...so $100/day. That stinks. I figured we'd dump it at the Dolphin and then limo to MCO from the GF rather than keep the car that whole time....but still $100/day for a weekend?!?!?!?!

I know - I'm sorry! But friends don't let friends stay in the Sheraton!

I've only stayed at 2 for a night or 2 at a time (NYC and Kauai) but they were both really gross - dirty, dumpy, and WAY overpriced for what you get. I'm sure all Sheratons can't be like that, but those experiences have me wary! I wish there were more Westins around - love those!

I will ask my dad. He used to have to go to Clearwater a lot for business (we were actually going to relocate there once for his job), so maybe he's had some good experiences. He stays at a lot of Marriott's, though, so that will probably be mainly his experience.

Those rental prices are insane! I bet they will come down, though! When I first started checking prices for 5 days (week) next week, it was well over $250 for a midsize car (with discounts and coupons). I just occasionally play around with the codes and stuff on Mousesavers, and have gotten the price down to about $90. Much better. Keep trying!

Thanks for the e-mail address, Brook! Now I don't have to go digging for it tomorrow. Thanks for being proactive in asking Peggy about this - I will let you know what happens tomorrow!

Tinkaroo~ I sent you a pm with Peggy's email ~ give her a shout out and maybe she can come up with something for you from a local bakery....


Channing~ Knowing my luck she would backwash in it
That is sad about Zach!!!! MAN O MAN though.... I bet you he would have slept GOOD that night okay that was bad... funny but bad...

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lindsay!!! I think you scored!! If you can get the chef to call you, you are good to go. When I read that the CM suggested that, I perked up and thought YAY!!!! They can do anything...they are sooo talented. We met one of the chefs a couple years ago. She was awesome. It is shameful they have L answering the phones & turning people off.

Good luck!! I think you're home free though at this point...I think it was your lucky break that L is on her "vacation".

Talk to ya all later -

going to bed now...Jojo has an early soccer game tomorrow morn!

That was kind of my thought, too. If I can just talk to someone that actually gets their hands dirty with this stuff, I will be in much better shape - not just someone who's answering a phone. We'll see who I get.

Good luck to Jojo!

Okay, really going to bed now. Night night!

 

[praline3001]

Here is my GF question for the day...

We are landing at MCO around 10 am and taking DME to the GF. I am thinking it will take an hour to get to the GF check in. What are my chances of our room being ready at 11-12?
I thought the conceirge rooms were generally ready earlier than the regular rooms? What has been your experience?

I am hoping the room will be ready so I can make a quick trip to the room and drop off a few things before hitting the parks... but I am not sure how much I should count on this perfect plan

 

[magical4us4]

It can go either way. Last year in June our room wasn't ready until after 5:00pm, but it was worth the wait since we got a castle view!

Bell services can hold your luggage for you and you can go to the parks. This way you won't have to wait around if your room isn't ready.

Good luck!

p.s. we were staying in RPC.

 

[lovemy2boys]

Hi everyone! I am new to these boards. Brook was kind enough to respond to another post of mine and direct me over here. My name is Lesley and I am married with three boys (ages 8, 2.75, and 18 mo). My husband and I have been to Disney before when we lived in Orlando (before kids) but this will be the kids first time there. We are going in June and staying at the Grand Floridian for 7 nights. We are staying in a Grand Suite. This is all new to me since we have never stayed on property but I am trying to get as much info as I can on the Grand Floridian and their Grand Suites in particular. If anyone has any info on it, I would love to hear it. Pictures would be great too! I started reading the all ab out the GF thread but am only on page 5 or so! I don't know if I'll be able to get through it by June! LOL!

Anyway I look forward to chatting with you all!

 

[magical4us4]

Hi everyone! I am new to these boards. Brook was kind enough to respond to another post of mine and direct me over here. My name is Lesley and I am married with three boys (ages 8, 2.75, and 18 mo). My husband and I have been to Disney before when we lived in Orlando (before kids) but this will be the kids first time there. We are going in June and staying at the Grand Floridian for 7 nights. We are staying in a Grand Suite. This is all new to me since we have never stayed on property but I am trying to get as much info as I can on the Grand Floridian and their Grand Suites in particular. If anyone has any info on it, I would love to hear it. Pictures would be great too! I started reading the all ab out the GF thread but am only on page 5 or so! I don't know if I'll be able to get through it by June! LOL!

Anyway I look forward to chatting with you all!

Welcome! You will love the GF!!! We have stayed in the Roy Disney Suite which was located in the main building. It was extremely roomy and beautiful. We had two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, two full baths and a powder room, oh and a beautiful foyer. The main bedroom had a king and the other room had two twin beds. The living room had a sofa bed.

I don't have any pictures, but I think Lives4disney does on the main GF thread of the Walt Disney Suite, which is a twin of the Roy Disney Suite, just decorated differently.

Hope this helps.

Magical

 

[praline3001]

Hi everyone! I am new to these boards. Brook was kind enough to respond to another post of mine and direct me over here. My name is Lesley and I am married with three boys (ages 8, 2.75, and 18 mo). My husband and I have been to Disney before when we lived in Orlando (before kids) but this will be the kids first time there. We are going in June and staying at the Grand Floridian for 7 nights. We are staying in a Grand Suite. This is all new to me since we have never stayed on property but I am trying to get as much info as I can on the Grand Floridian and their Grand Suites in particular. If anyone has any info on it, I would love to hear it. Pictures would be great too! I started reading the all ab out the GF thread but am only on page 5 or so! I don't know if I'll be able to get through it by June! LOL!

Anyway I look forward to chatting with you all!

:::sliding over next to my NEW best friend::::
Hiya Lesley so when in June are you going to be there?
Only kidding (sort of..)
My DD6 and I are doing an all girl trip June 14-21. We are staying conceirge but NOT the grand suite
Mare is also going to be there at the same time. I think we are going to try and meet up at the pool with the kids one afternoon but we have yet to iron out the details.
You will LOVE the GF!!! We stayed there for the first time in Feb and we are already going back.
There is a lot of great info on the FAQ thread! We are all just waiting for Kelly to return from Disney so she can start a new one. We use this thread for general chatting and gossip along with cute little dresses and cakes and little things to make our trip more special.
WELCOME
:::: passing a cup of java and a scone over to my new best friend::::

 

[WishesQueen]

I got the cabana day 2!!! I woke with my alarm clock and this time the girl was aware of her ability to book cabanas!!!!

Anyway, Disney on a Dime to me was terrible. I am so tired of see the AK or the AKL!!! Sorry, my family and I just don't go there, the trip is too long from the GF and we are not total animal lovers. Although there are few good rides, we decided its just not worth trip by bus or cab!! Sorry if anyone doesn't feel that way just our opinion.

On to the positive, I just love seeing WDW!!! It got me so excited!!! I can't wait to go. At least now DH will stop making fun of me and commercial. You can go for $1,600 for 3 nights and at a value hotel.

I was also interested to see what Fort Wilderness looked like, when we used to stay at WL we used to share a boat ride to MK with that resort and you can't see anything through the trees.

Looking forward to next Friday!!! Love the Disney specials even if there is nothing to learn!!

 

[tinklvr64]

Morning GF Gals...yesterday it was HOT and HUMID here in Chicago and I woke up to FREEZING, WINDY..it will be a cold baseball game tonight
I watched Disney on a Dime and didn't even finish it...DUMB and very disappointed. Our boards are WAY better!
Brook~Do you ever have chocolate cravings?? If you do, how do you deal with them? I had my gallbladder out about a year ago and I have MAJOR stomach issues now. No popcorn, cinnamon, fatty foods for me...sometimes I cant even make it through a whole meal without going to the bathroom I know gross.. Oh by the way when we stayed at SL in Sept we were able to check into our room at 11am!

I am still on the hunt for my airfare in Nov...no luck prices just keep going up,up up

Have a good day gals, I am off to take a test on Europe Geography
DAwn

 

[praline3001]

I actually special order my chocolate. There is a wonderful company in spain (I dont order it from spain, its imported) called Valor and they make the BEST DANG chocolate EVER...and its sugar free my fav is the dark chocolate with almonds! I swear I am like Charlie and the chocolate factory with it... 1 bite a day
It cost a bit more than regular chocolate but when it comes down to
kill the kids... eat chocolate... kill the kids or eat chocolate it sure is cheaper than bail