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

[poohgirl6]

I am still so excited that I am practically shaking!!! (But come on, was there ever any doubt that I would get my way!!! )

Man, you are good, girl

You didn't have to agree to let MIL come along to get your way did you?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hey contrats that your going!!

A dear friend of mine will only stay at POP she just loves it there. Hopefully you will like it too.

We used to go all the week before Memorial Day, that's our anniversary! The crowds are really low (except for the holiday weekend) and the weather is perfect!

The Flower show is BEAUTIFUL! They just cover Epcot in flowers! We love all the topiaries! They had a really amazing one at the International Gateway with Mrs. Pots shooting steam, so cool!

We always got all our ADR at that time too. It's a perfect time to go.

Oh my friend said POP is closest to DHS. Many times, but she goes in Aug, it was faster for her to go to DHS and boat it over to Epcot. Just an idea.

Wonderful tips!!! Thanks!!

I am on hold with the Wis Dells resort to cancel that ressie since we are going to WDW instead. They charge a $20 cancellation fee eek: how'd we miss that!!) When I told DS that we were going to WDW instead of Wis Dells he stopped and got this big smile "Are you lying mama?" I told him it was true and he started jumping up and down. He is really excited about Pop too!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

During the flower show, the park has tons of gorgeous topiaries and plantings and they have special booths set up selling gardening items and some cute Disney garden things that are exclusive to the show. It is just a super pretty time to visit. They have concerts at the American Pavillion in the eves. Oldies like the Guess Who and David Cassidy, haha....they're cute though. Probably too old for you. They have one weekend called "characters in bloom" and the characters are supposed to be out in droves in cute outfits.....we were there during that last year and didn't see anything special so not sure what's up. When I do get my pics posted I have tons of the adorable topiaries. It seems to be a beach theme this year. Lots of cute stuff.

David Cassidy?? I think I love you, so what am I so afraid of...
Characters In Bloom?? have to check this out- that would be so great if it hits right!!

Man, you are good, girl

You didn't have to agree to let MIL come along to get your way did you?

We are seeing the IL's tomorrow for our Easter do-over from when DS was sick... I am sure DS will blurt it out as soon as we see them...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OK, so I checked out the Dis highlights of the festival and we get, are you ready

DAVY JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!!!)
and Jose Feliciano (Feliz Navidad!! )

We missed characters in bloom, but there is a garden party weekend with characters while we are there..

ETA: In all this excitement, I missed my 4000th post!! Man I have been chatty these past 3 years!!)

 

[WishesQueen]

HMeyer

My prayers are with you and your DS!!!

I really hope you guys have GREAT time!!

Kristen

I am so happy for you. I am hoping we great a code and my DH takes us back for the holidays. My DS and I have always wanted to see everything decorated for the holidays!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thanks!! We have a pin for mid December now, but am hoping for a good AP rate instead!!! It is so beautiful down there at Christmas!! I am so lucky that DH agrees with me so he doesn't try to back out on that trip!!!

I just saw on allearsnet we are there for the Teddy Bear weekend!! My brother's wife is going to be SO jealous!!

 

[minnie my my]

Hey guys,

Some of you know me from posting on the other GF board for several years but most of you are knew to me. I have been searching for this new board. I knew it had started but it took me forever to find it. I am so busy with my children that I only get to post at times but I love to take a quick read every chance I get. Anyway, I finally found it so maybe I will find the time to keep up with everyone.

Cinderumbrella, you are cracking me up. I to am trying desperately to throw in an unplaned trip. Because we live so close to Disney I go a lot. Much more than most of my friends understand but who cares. I want to go tomorrow for a night just to hang out and eat around the world. I am trying to convince my husband to go with me instead of us sitting around here doing nothing all day. I'm keeping my hopes up but it may not happen. He really does have a lot of work to do at the office and I completely understand that. It will always be there next weekend.

Channing, I'm so glad your back safely and had a pretty good trip. I'm sorry about your stay at the swan (or was it the dolphin). Anyway- We stayed there on a last minute trip back in the fall. That was my first experience with it but I have no desire to ever go back. It was dirty and did not have that "Disney Magic" that the Disney owned hotels do (the GF in particular) We were actually at the Dolphin. That was the only thing available because we decided on Friday to go except for a mega suite at the Yacht Club that was just too much money for a last minute weekend trip. Oh - I almost forgot. I love that pirate Minnie dress you posted the pictures of before your trip. That thing is adorable. If I could get away with it without looking like a dork I would want to.

Myra

 

[Lives4Disney]

Kristin - great about the doll and teddybear fest!! On Sunday (or whatever the last day is) the show is open to the general public. There are displays of teh bears and dolls and the artists taht created them are there. You can buy or just browse. It's neat. Lucy is a doll collector so it was fun for us.

Myra, HI! Glad you found this thread!

We had a really good trip, actually - I guess it's my stuffy head coming thru and it seems like it was just soso, but it was great.....I just feel so unfulfilled due to the crowds and we just started it off really overtired so we weren't ourselves. We didn't make it back to any parks in evenings ever - and that is when we usually have the most fun and luck w/low lines etc. We didn't even see Spectromagic, which we all love. We saw Wishes from our balcony and the music was piped in below and it was perfect. We were in our lucky room 4405 - had Xmas in that room, too, and it has the most beautiful direct MK castle view. We have decided the GF is our "Holiday Inn"....(love that old movie ) becasue we seem to go there on holidays and enjoy it so much. It feels like family. I just can't say enough wonderful things about the concierge CMs, Vonnie, Joe, and Mejay, too.....the lounge ladies Patty, Lauretta, Mina, and Marie, and our sweet housekeepers that welcomed us and thanked us for our stay. We met Vaughan a CM manager in the Mercantile, Adele a concierge CM, and Abby too - who we've met before and she's fun. It was just a terrific time at the GF & I can't wait to go back. Not sure I can hold out til October....maybe have to sneak a short July stay in.

We stayed at the Swan this time....stayed one night last Thanksgivign in the Dolphin and I wouldn't stay THERE again. I agree with all you thought about it. I have no problem with the Swan (rooms are redone and it's smaller and more manageable IMO) except their lame-o housekeeping. I just knkow to bring extra toiletries from home - knew that from our last stay in May 07. I get a kick out of all the S/D fans raving how the S/D are TRUE deluxe resorts yada yada and bashing the WDW resorts. So untrue. I like the BW area and it's fun over there w/walking b/f to Epcot and MGM, but the only WDW resort I like in that area is the YC and only pay that rate if it's swimming weather. Otherwise it's Swan for us. We were daytime park marathoners while staying there anyway.....we really slowed down once we were GF guests.

Trying to remember more details, but it was pretty much a nice uneventful stay. Everything good and the same.

Myra, I hope you get to go this weekend, although it might still be horribly crowded....the lines for counterservice, snack food in Epcot were deep. We wound up eating at the American pavillion (I know, pathetic, haha) because the lines for everything else yummy were incredible.

We didn't get a bill on our door at checkout! Anybody else?? I thought DH picked it up as he was up first, but he didn't.......maybe it means iour stay was free! I can wish.....

Channing

 

[vbarry]

Congrats Kristan! I just read this and I was laughing so hard. I did not know it would be that easy! So how long will it take you to throw in the moderate is only $200 more thing? I am sure we will see your ticker changing. Have a great time. I went a few years ago in May and it was lovely weather.

Lives4Disney- I have a question. Kelly stated you may have done some private dining on one of the specialty cruises. I am trying to plan something special for my Anniversary but we will have our kids with us unless I am able to get enough nerve up to hire someone to come and watch them in the room. Did you have dinner or a cake? Any ideas? Thanks so much- Vanessa

 

[minnie my my]

I'm glad you really did have a great trip. I'm not able to do the Swan because we always have all three of our children with us and they want book it for a family of five. I also love just hanging out in the lounge at the GF. It is so nice (in the RPC of course). I love meeting all of the cm's. They really are the best. I figured it would be pretty crowded but I really need my fix even if I don't even get to do anything. That is pathetic isn't it. The only thing that is available for tomorrow night is POR but that is better than not being there at all. Of all the moderates that is my favorite so I'm glad it is the one that's available.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Congrats Kristan! I just read this and I was laughing so hard. I did not know it would be that easy! So how long will it take you to throw in the moderate is only $200 more thing? I am sure we will see your ticker changing. Have a great time. I went a few years ago in May and it was lovely weather.

Lives4Disney- I have a question. Kelly stated you may have done some private dining on one of the specialty cruises. I am trying to plan something special for my Anniversary but we will have our kids with us unless I am able to get enough nerve up to hire someone to come and watch them in the room. Did you have dinner or a cake? Any ideas? Thanks so much- Vanessa

Vanessa, we did some special things for my 40th bday....started with dinner at Citricos which was lovely. We had fabulous service and delicious food....we received a personalized menu and then a surprise neato bday dessert with "Happy 40th Birthday Channing" written in chocolate around the plate rim. Then we had a bit of time to go back to our room and refresh....went out to the Grand 1 and they were getting it all ready for our Wishes cruise. I ordered a bday cake and champagne and lemonade. Private dining was there, setting everything up and it was wonderful. I am happy we didn't order a whole meal because that would have taken time away from sitting out on the front of the yacht, watching the scenery and fireworks. We did that, and then went below to celebrate with cake - we had popped the champagne right away. It was so nice and a super way to celebrate....It was my best bday ever because I planned it!!

Myra I hope you get to go!!!! Enjoy if you do! About the Swan and family of 5.....I have booked it for our family of 5. They let us. I said I have stayed there before and acted all naive about the room occupancy change because it DID change... So, they let me...no questions asked. Not sure what gives with that deal. The Swan is much nicer than the Dolphin. Dolphin has the convenient food options & bigger lobby, but Swan is nicer over all.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Channing, I really hope you feel better soon!! DS was sick while you were gone and he was miserable! I can only imagine what it must be like to get sick in WDW I always manage to wait until I am home before it hits!!! I have to PM you about the Bare M thing in April- I got more scoop on what it is!!

vbarry- he really did cave quicker than I thought, but we are going to stay put at Pop. POR wasn't available, only CBR, and DS doesn't want to stay there AAARRR you kidding? Guess he won't fulfill my pirate fantasies.... I almost had him pinned down to AKL since it was such a great rate, but he wanted me to trade down the GF in December scared1: sacreligious!!!) to compensate. Besdies, DS is excited about Pop, he can't wait to see the Big Wheel!!! And I am NOT giving up my beloved GF

 

[goofygal531]

I just reserved my GF Cabana

I had to get it for the full day since we have a 9:30 am 1900 Park Fare breakfast. I have a feeling we won't be making the parks that day. DH still wants to dine at Il Mulino, even after all the negative reviews. It's Father's Day, so I'm not going to argue with him. I'm just happy to be spending the day at the cabana with the boys. They are going to get such a kick watching their cartoons outside!

I've been reading the dining reviews for Narcoossees and everyone keeps mentioning this almond encrusted cheesecake! I'm so looking forward to trying it I'll probably wear capris and DH will most likely wear casual dress shorts with a golf shirt. I'm not going to make a big deal out of dressing up if it's not a fancy shmancy place

Speaking of restaurants, anyone try Yak and Yeti? We have a ADR for lunch. The food looked good in the photos on the DIS review. Can't be any worse than Nine Dragons!

Cinderumbrella: If your son loves the theme pools, do not switch to CBR, the main pool is under construction until the end of the year. I heard POPs pools are fun. I'd stay there, especially knowing you'll be back again in Dec at the GF.

 

[DeborahB]

Hi everybody!
Well, I found you all over here! I was wondering where everyone was on the GF thread.
I've read a lot of this thread but still have a way to go to catch up.

Channing Welcome back! Glad you had a great trip and sorry you don't feel well. Also glad to hear RPC was wonderful. Any tidbits you'd like to share about Club Level, I'm all ears.
I am telling you I am SO ready to get out of MA, it rained/snowed here today and I've just had it with this never ending winter.

Kristin I've got Davy Jones too! hey,hey we're the Monkees.... How cool that you got yourself an interim trip. When do you arrive? I'll be there May 7-10 at Poly then 10-16 at GF. I Love the Flower and Garden Festival, it is absolutely my favorite time of year to go. The theme this year is "Fun In The Sun". Epcot is usually so beautiful with all the plants in bloom and special things. Congrats on your 4000th post! I've been here a long time, mostly lurking, but I've set a new goal for myself, to get to 500 posts before I leave. I'm sure now that I've found this thread it'll be possible.

I'm leaving for California 2 weeks from tomorrow for my nephew's wedding (my brother's only child) so we're going to visit for 8 days. My family (DH, 2 sons) are coming too. Should be a good time. I was out today shopping for some capri pants since none of my last year's stuff fits. So disappointing!
I'm a WW lifetime member who has gotten way off track and now trying to lose 10 lbs. in 2 weeks. I can dream, can't I? I lost 3 lbs. this week.

 

[DeborahB]

I've been reading the dining reviews for Narcoossees and everyone keeps mentioning this almond encrusted cheesecake! I'm so looking forward to trying it I'll probably wear capris and DH will most likely wear casual dress shorts with a golf shirt. I'm not going to make a big deal out of dressing up if it's not a fancy shmancy place

goofygal Narcoosees was by far the best meal my DH and I had during our trip last August. I got the almond crusted cheesecake for dessert and it was terrific. It's not a fancy place although I have seen all different levels of dress there. I wore capri pants with a blouse and dressy sandals. It was fine.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

 

[tinklvr64]

Tears!! No, DS's bday is a couple of weeks after and we were going to go up to Wis Dells for a couple of days for that. This ended up being much cheaper than I thought (R/T nonstop airfare for all 3 of us for $500 on United) that we couldn't resist. OK, DH could resist, but I won out in the end!

Yeah, I was laughing at the new tickers...$500 RT from ORD on United??? Thats a crime Way to Go!!!
One summer we had planned to go to Wis Dells and DH came home and said "lets go to Disney instead it will cost us about the same" True because it is so NOT cheap up there. Thats the summer we got a great rate at BWI and were upgraded to conceirge ...also 5 of us on ATA (remember them??) for$600...that was the days, now I can hardly find any good airfares

Channing~hope you feel better soon...

~D

 

[tinklvr64]

Oldies like the Guess Who and David Cassidy, haha....they're cute though. Probably too old for you.

Oh no not me...I used to dream about marrying David Cassidy ...my mom took me downtown Chi one time to see him in concert..I was truly in love
I LOVED Partridge Family and used to beg my mom to buy Tiger Beat magazine for me to read about DC I never really like Bobby Sherman~oh yeah I did like Donny Osmond (or does he go by Don Osmond these days)
Is my age showing????????

 

[Tinkaroo]

Kristin - You crack me up - way to live the dream! If you go in with the correct expectations of Pop, then I think you guys will enjoy it. I stayed there with some girlfriends last October, and it was fine. Most importantly, it was clean and relatively quiet, which are my highest expectations of the values. I lucked out and got an end room that didn't have a connecting door to the room next door. That really helped with the noise issues you hear about with Pop (loud neighbors, turbo toilets, etc.). DH and I stayed at Pop for 1 night one time when we were arriving REALLY late and didn't want to pay deluxe prices for a few hours of sleep, and we had the noise issues. I've also heard if you get a room with a connecting door to roll up a bathroom towel and place it on the floor between the two doors - supposed to help reduce the sound.

May is a great time to go! We've been a couple of times, and it's good. It can start getting warm, but usually nothing like August. The F&GF at Epcot is usually stunning.

Myra - good luck with your trip! I hope you get to go grab a bit of Disney magic. I've never stayed at POR, but the grounds look beautiful from what I've seen. We stayed at POFQ once, and I was not impressed - and so many on these boards just rave about it. Our room was dirty though, so that definitely didn't go far with me.

Deborah - congrats on finding the thread! Your upcoming trip in May sounds lovely! We'll just miss each other - I'll be there 4/30-5/5 at the GF! Good luck with those 10 lbs.

Mare - sounds like your dining plans are coming together nicely. I've heard good things about Y&Y, and definitely want to try it. I'll have to wait until this summer or December, though, because my mom is not an adventurous eater - I'll have to do it with DH. Good call on the CBR advice for Kristin - CBR is my fave moderate.

Channing - good luck dodging that GF bill!

 

[vbarry]

Vanessa, we did some special things for my 40th bday....started with dinner at Citricos which was lovely. We had fabulous service and delicious food....we received a personalized menu and then a surprise neato bday dessert with "Happy 40th Birthday Channing" written in chocolate around the plate rim. Then we had a bit of time to go back to our room and refresh....went out to the Grand 1 and they were getting it all ready for our Wishes cruise. I ordered a bday cake and champagne and lemonade. Private dining was there, setting everything up and it was wonderful. I am happy we didn't order a whole meal because that would have taken time away from sitting out on the front of the yacht, watching the scenery and fireworks. We did that, and then went below to celebrate with cake - we had popped the champagne right away. It was so nice and a super way to celebrate....It was my best bday ever because I planned it!!

Thank you so much. I am going to look into this. I saw the rental for the Grand 1 was about $400 for the hour. Is this correct and are they real strict about an hour? Did you find that was enough time or did you rent longer than that. I am going to email IPO about this today and see what they say. Thanks a lot! Vanessa

 

[vbarry]

Yeah, I was laughing at the new tickers...$500 RT from ORD on United??? Thats a crime Way to Go!!!
One summer we had planned to go to Wis Dells and DH came home and said "lets go to Disney instead it will cost us about the same" True because it is so NOT cheap up there. Thats the summer we got a great rate at BWI and were upgraded to conceirge ...also 5 of us on ATA (remember them??) for$600...that was the days, now I can hardly find any good airfares

I have to agree on you with this. We go to the Dells every summer and stay at the Wilderness Resort and we spend just as much money there as we do at Disney for a week. I am giving that trip up this summer in order to go all out for the X-mas trip.

Last night my hubby and I were have drinks with friends and we just took the Eastern Cruise on the Magic in February. He was telling them how much he enjoyed it because we were taken care of so well by the staff. (which is very true) I was just surprised to hear him say that because I did not think he really cared about things like that or at least not like I do. I went on to tell him that is why I decided to book the Sugar Loaf for Christmas. I felt like we would get taken care of a little better than in a standard room at one of the resorts. Heck ...after hearing his comments I think I should upgrade to RPC...I would just never tell him it is $950 per night !! I wish they would not make all the good things at Disney so darn expensive!

By the way Kelly...I know you are shaking your head right now wondering if I will ever make up my mind!

Off to get ready for the day. We are seeing High School Musical on Ice today. The girls are very excited. My little one has been running around singing FABULOUS all morning and I have not even had a full cup of coffee yet. Hope everyone has a good day!