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

[Lives4Disney]

I watched it. The part with the fake parents got a little out of hand. I have watched on and off all season. Who is the blonde girl? Her dad looks like the guy on Bold and the Beautiful.

Shayne's dad is Lorenzo Lamas. He might be the guy on B & the B...I don't watch it so not sure...he is an actor. I remember him from the cheesiest show ever "Do you think I'm Sexy" or something like that, where the contestants strutted on stage for the judges in swimsuits etc. Lorenzo was kind of a jerky pig. I wasn't impressed with him. I missed last ngiht where he appeared in the restaurant! I was on the phone. It must have been touching though....Shayne was crying. Her mom looks ragged. Not sure who she is, if she is somebody special, but she looks like she is trying to be young and it's not working. Bare MInerals anyone?

I haven't watched The Bachelor lately but was flipping through and saw it - that guy is CUTE! Very charming and poised but he seems down to earth,too. I can't believe the one girl hired actors as her parents - too funny. When the "mom" was grabbing his chest in the previews - I thoought " well her chances are gone - she's going to kill her mom for ruining it with him!"
I wasn't sure how he( Matthew?) would take it but he seemed to admire her and like her even more for that prank!

Congrats on your weight loss!

Thanks!

OMG...those parents.....I couldn't believe it. I was glued to the tube thinking they were REAL until she said they were actors. Oh, ya..I was so surprised how gracious Matthew was toward them. He has class. I wasn't crazy about him before, but I think he earned points w/me last night. Very nice guy. I can't believe how he was amused by that stunt!! He is a GREAT sport! I like Amanda and Shayne....probably Shayne more...hope she wins him.

Channing

 

[Lives4Disney]

ok I am off to the doctor to make sure he is okay. He seems fine but I have to make sure.

Good luck!!!! I see a Disney trip in your near future!

 

[princessesrule4]

I watched it. The part with the fake parents got a little out of hand. I have watched on and off all season. Who is the blonde girl? Her dad looks like the guy on Bold and the Beautiful.

He was on "Falcon Crest" - now there's an oldie but goodie! Don't watch B&B anymore so don't know if he's on there?! He seemed like a good dad on there last night!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Good morning, GF gals!

Kelly - I hope Anty's rash continues to improve, and he gets the "all clear" from the doctor. How long will you guys be there? Will you be there through next week? (Remember, I arrive on the 30th. )

Grannyminnie - glad you had a good trip! Bummer about the bounceback. I have a feeling that will be what I run up against if we try to book anything next week - like your family, I'm pretty content with my ressies as is, and don't know that I'll be switching if they're not available!

Channing - yay for 3 lbs! That has to feel great! At that rate, you might waste away before July. Sorry to hear Lucy is home sick.

Kristin - happy b-day to your DH!

I haven't watched The Bachelor this season - I actually haven't watched it in quite some time, since it seems the girls got nuttier and nuttier. So someone hired people to act as her parents? Good grief, what must her real ones be like?

So, I'm waiting to see if I hear back from Linda in GF PD. I'm thinking of ordering a cake for my mom to complete the Mother's Day surprise, although she'll probably kill me since she's on a fat/calorie counting spree right now. She can't have chocolate, though, due to migraines, so that cuts out a lot of other little treats.

However, I was looking on the cake thread yesterday, and it seems like the cakes are getting more and more bleh. Some of them look like cakes you could easily pick up at the grocery store. That is NOT what I'm looking for - I want something cute and creative, but classy, too, like my mom. I e-mailed Linda and asked her what could be done, and if the cake could have some "dimension" to it - I don't want flat decor. We'll see if/when I hear back! Anyone got any bright ideas while I wait?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Good morning, GF gals!

Kelly - I hope Anty's rash continues to improve, and he gets the "all clear" from the doctor. How long will you guys be there? Will you be there through next week? (Remember, I arrive on the 30th. )

Grannyminnie - glad you had a good trip! Bummer about the bounceback. I have a feeling that will be what I run up against if we try to book anything next week - like your family, I'm pretty content with my ressies as is, and don't know that I'll be switching if they're not available!

Channing - yay for 3 lbs! That has to feel great! At that rate, you might waste away before July. Sorry to hear Lucy is home sick.

Kristin - happy b-day to your DH!

I haven't watched The Bachelor this season - I actually haven't watched it in quite some time, since it seems the girls got nuttier and nuttier. So someone hired people to act as her parents? Good grief, what must her real ones be like?

So, I'm waiting to see if I hear back from Linda in GF PD. I'm thinking of ordering a cake for my mom to complete the Mother's Day surprise, although she'll probably kill me since she's on a fat/calorie counting spree right now. She can't have chocolate, though, due to migraines, so that cuts out a lot of other little treats.

However, I was looking on the cake thread yesterday, and it seems like the cakes are getting more and more bleh. Some of them look like cakes you could easily pick up at the grocery store. That is NOT what I'm looking for - I want something cute and creative, but classy, too, like my mom. I e-mailed Linda and asked her what could be done, and if the cake could have some "dimension" to it - I don't want flat decor. We'll see if/when I hear back! Anyone got any bright ideas while I wait?

Lindsay, good luck with the cake.....my cakes have been about $70 and they've had some dimension but I know what you mean....they weren't even as spectacular as they could have been....I would have paid a bit more, but they did what they did and charged whtat they charged....they didn't offer a whole lot of room for ideas or suggestions from me. I think a lot of it is who you talk to to place the order.

I looked on that thread for a cute springy Eastery cake and found what I liked but the new rate for a cute 3D cake was too much for my taste. It was going to be almost $250 for an 8 - 10 inch round cake! We usually wind up tossing & or sharing 3/4 of the cake, so I figured we could live without it. They have the creativity - those pastry chefs are fabulously talented, I think they are overwhelmed with this sudden upsurge of orders and people are just accepting and thrilled to get a "custom" Disney cake so they take these crank them off the assembly line regular old cakes.

Jojo had an adorable 3D puppy cake (two of them - they were sister puppies) a couple years ago. She had a puppy themed party and it was sooo fun. The bakery here in this podunk town makes beautful things so I expected more out of Disney...and for their prices.

Puppy sister cakes.....I LOVED these & want the girls to choose them every year, haha....they always want different stuff.... OK, my boredom is showing...lol...need to do my housework. See ya all later!

 

[vbarry]

Cute cakes!

That guy is off the B&B!! He used to date Taylor! I knew he looked familiar. I used to watch this show all the time.

Well-called the private tour line. They were super nice! $150 an hour over the week of Christmas YIKES! I talked to the friends we are going with. He is a single dad (recently divorced) and this is a special trip for him and his boys. He thought the tickets for a week were $700 a piece or $2100 dollars for all of them...so when I told him they were only $700 he said well then let's book the private guide! This has taken a lot of pressure off of me. I have decided to give up the Grand 1 and book the pontoon fireworks cruise which we will split and possibly give up my tree and order one from Peggy's Sweet Treats.

I know I have plenty of time to change my mind...which I will but I will sleep better knowing that this trip is not all on my shoulders!

Have a nice day! Off to walk!

 

[irisbud]

Oh my gosh, those puppy cakes are adorable! They look almost too cute to eat!

 

[PrincessPaczki]

channing - OMGosh!! Those cakes are so adorable!!! I have been on the cake thread today also (my mouth watering!!!) I am trying to pick out the perfect, yummy cake for our trip. So many choices! I just wish there would be some new pictures.

 

[princessesrule4]

Channing - those puppy cakes are adorable! Love them!

Yeah- Disney really needs to kick it up a notch with their fun, themed kids cakes. I feel like there is so much more they could do, but just don't!
Mabye they're just overwhelmed with weddings,grown up events,etc. I have to say that we haven't had the most fresh tasting cakes so far. 2 out of 3 have tasted like they were left in the freezer too long! Not fresh at all!

We've been doing the white chocolate Mickey plates for birthdays lately and for my b-day at the Cali Grill the last 2 years, we just got everybody their own piece of chocolate cake (and one "lava" dessert as DD calls it,because we can't pass it up!) and they stick a candle in my cake. They still sing "Happy Birthday" to you. Not quite as frilly as a cake but since the cakes taste like cardboard, this works better for us. We got tired of wasting all that $$ on cakes! DH still got the white chocolate Mickey plate for me which was waiting in the room when we got back from the parks that day!

 

[praline3001]

Adorable cakes Channing!!!

Have fun on your trip Kelly~

GOOD TIP~ slather Anty in that pink stuff ...all over his face, arms, neck and then while in line loudly say "I sure hope chicken pox aren't too catchy.."
The line will clear out QUICK

 

[Alicnwondrln]

ok we are back from the docs and anty has hives
we are still going the car service picks us up at 6pm
talk to everyone next tuesday

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Did Kelly leave???????????????????????? I had Scarlett Fever when I was 9- it was no fun (but by the time the rash showed up, the worst of it was over!!!)

The Bachelor last night was HILARIOUS!!! But I am really surprised that he picked Amanda over Noelle- I thought that stunt REALLY hurt her chances. I think he is going to pick Shayne...

Not happy that it is raining out Where'd my sunshine go????

Grannyminnie- what a bummer about bounceback What dates were
you trying for?? I guess I may just have to be happy with my 20%...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

ok we are back from the docs and anty has hives
we are still going the car service picks us up at 6pm
talk to everyone next tuesday

Woohoo!!! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I love those puppy cakes. They were the cutest cakes we've ever had anywhere. And they were delicious! If I am home for MY bday I am ording myself one. They also do a gorgeous tiered Disney princess castle cake...maybe I should get that instead.

Princesses, we've only had one yucky cake from WDW and that was the Minnie head cake we had at 1900 PF....totally disgustingly gross - and ya, it had been in the freezer...there were still ice chips inside the cake and some was watery melty in the cake....totally nasty.

Kelly, have a great time! Hope Anty's hives go away SOON. Do the kids know they're going to WDW yet???

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OK, Channing, spill the beans on this bakery... we are debating between a Cold Stone Ice Cream cake for Mothers Day (when the whole clan comes over) or from a bakery. I am a MASTER BAKER rotfl: in my mind that is) but refuse to cook/bake for Mothers Day (I am a mom too, dang it!)

 

[Lives4Disney]

OK, Channing, spill the beans on this bakery... we are debating between a Cold Stone Ice Cream cake for Mothers Day (when the whole clan comes over) or from a bakery. I am a MASTER BAKER rotfl: in my mind that is) but refuse to cook/bake for Mothers Day (I am a mom too, dang it!)

It's my little secret....shhh..it's Around the Clock!!! They can do ANYTHING you want. They made a GORGEOUS Hannah Montana cake for Jo this year. And their cakes are delish. I always get the 10 inch because most generic bakeries will not do a 10 inch round so it looks huge and spectacular.

Ok...quick question....so, over on the GF thread people are debating Narcoosees vs Citricos. I said our last Citricos experience was less than good. Somebody else posted something to the tune of "You have to lower expectations on holiday dining" type thing....I don't agree. If they are charging PREMIUM HIGHER than normal costs for "holiday season" dining, they need to use that money to improve service by staffing more CMs and maybe paying them HOLIDAY pay so they are happy shiny CMs and not crabby to be stuck working a holiday etc. They don't do anything different or special with the food..it should be the service that is upped IMO. Disney KNOWS they will be booking crowded full restaurants...there is no excuse and no reason a guest should automatically lower expectations when the prices are higher.

 

[irisbud]

Ok...quick question....so, over on the GF thread people are debating Narcoosees vs Citricos. I said our last Citricos experience was less than good. Somebody else posted something to the tune of "You have to lower expectations on holiday dining" type thing....I don't agree. If they are charging PREMIUM HIGHER than normal costs for "holiday season" dining, they need to use that money to improve service by staffing more CMs and maybe paying them HOLIDAY pay so they are happy shiny CMs and not crabby to be stuck working a holiday etc. They don't do anything different or special with the food..it should be the service that is upped IMO. Disney KNOWS they will be booking crowded full restaurants...there is no excuse and no reason a guest should automatically lower expectations when the prices are higher.

I have to agree with you on this. I think it is assinine that Disney charges higher prices at this time of year anyway. If the food is the same, then the price should remain the same. Raising the price because of increased demand makes little sense to me. If the restaurants are full to capacity, they will be making tons of money anyway.

If I have to pay a premium for the SAME PRODUCT that I can get for a lower price just a few weeks earlier or later, then I expect the service to be, at a minimum, the same. IMHO, it should be better. Why pay more to get the same or to get even less?

Sometimes I think people get sucked in by Disney and believe that the company can do no wrong. I am guilty of this as well. I think everyone here has, from time to time, justified something rediculous for our love of Disney, something that we would NEVER justify in the "real world". This is one of those things that Disney does that I simply cannot justify, however. To me, it is simply greed. There is no way that anyone should have to pay more and expect less just because it's busy. They KNOW it is busy, so take care of it. Do your job.

Okay, off of my soapbox now.

 

[praline3001]

I completely agree with you Channing. Paying more for worse?

Holiday or no holiday when have those particular places NOT been full to the hilt during dinner? They are slam packed EVERY night.... so if they are going to charge more for holiday times then you should have the same if not better service.
The whole "its too crowded" doesn't fly with me. If that were the case they would be "too crowded" every night of the year

 

[princessesrule4]

It's my little secret....shhh..it's Around the Clock!!! They can do ANYTHING you want. They made a GORGEOUS Hannah Montana cake for Jo this year. And their cakes are delish. I always get the 10 inch because most generic bakeries will not do a 10 inch round so it looks huge and spectacular.

Ok...quick question....so, over on the GF thread people are debating Narcoosees vs Citricos. I said our last Citricos experience was less than good. Somebody else posted something to the tune of "You have to lower expectations on holiday dining" type thing....I don't agree. If they are charging PREMIUM HIGHER than normal costs for "holiday season" dining, they need to use that money to improve service by staffing more CMs and maybe paying them HOLIDAY pay so they are happy shiny CMs and not crabby to be stuck working a holiday etc. They don't do anything different or special with the food..it should be the service that is upped IMO. Disney KNOWS they will be booking crowded full restaurants...there is no excuse and no reason a guest should automatically lower expectations when the prices are higher.

I hear you Lives and Irisbud,

It's crazy that they increase the prices for holidays. Like you said, its a holiday, Disney knows they will be swamped - BE PROACTIVE AND PREPARE FOR IT! Thank goodness for the lounge food to supplement a bad meal!

Speaking of Holiday pricing, we keep saying we are going to go for NYE and DS's b-day but I just can't pay 800+/night when we can pay $200 less/night and go a week and a half earlier!

 

[SleepingUgly]

If I have to pay a premium for the SAME PRODUCT that I can get for a lower price just a few weeks earlier or later, then I expect the service to be, at a minimum, the same. IMHO, it should be better. Why pay more to get the same or to get even less?

I could not agree with this more.

Linda