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

[Cinderumbrella]

Good Morning all!!

Best of luck to all the new WW!! I am on day 4 of low carb and doing remarkably well this time. Usually I have 4-5 days of "crankiness" while my body adjusts but this time it has been smooth. Don't know if it's because I have really been watching my calories these past 3 months or the new trip is such a motivating factor!!

Amy, sorry to hear about the continued stress over the wedding. Channing is right, someone is ALWAYS mad about the details. Just remember that it is YOUR day (and DF's!), not your family's, not his family's!! I say let the mini golf/lunch thing continue and perhaps plan a brunch of something simple with his side as well (but inisist that DF come along!) Yes, you are joining his family, but he needs to help with the transition... did you throw him to the wolves when he was getting to know yours? Of course not, so he needs to extend the same courtesy to you. Also, since there is still so much time between now and the wedding- try to make the effort now to get to know his family (as best as possible) in the coming months so it doesn't feel as awkward then. I'm sure it will go better then you think. Its tough not to obsess about the details now when you are the bride (WE ALL DID IT!!!), but most family members don't want to give it a thought until a couple of weeks prior. And come vent to us any time you want!!!

Mandy- that is too funny about the pillowcase! My DH would be the same way about "old" vs "new" getting "ruined" I rented Sweeney Todd last night and he was a good boy! He let me watch it in peace while he watched the hockey game. He even asked me how it was (It was OUTSTANDING BTW I could listen to him sing for hours )

Grannyminnie- I expect a full report on how you made out with the bounceback offer when you return!!! Hopefully it is painless! As for your NON-DH, my DH is the one who started me on Disney (I never went as a child and he INSISTED we go on our honeymoon) so he is responsible for "the monster" he created Normally he doesn't care too much about the trip details until a couple of days before (usually because I am planning for at least 10 months or longer and doesn't want to hear it everyday!!) and this trip is no exception He did at least want to know where we were eating, but that was it. And he wanted to know who many nights MK is open late since we love to be there till park closing on those late nights. As for the rest, he won't care until the week before...

Kristin

 

[mandymommy4]

Golfing Goofy, we like to do an EPCOT / MK resort split stay as well. Disney makes it so convenient (we are so lazy we wouldn't do it otherwise ). I would love to do 10 days at the Grand too, though!

Well, I whined and got BF to agree that we should add two days to the beginning of our wedding trip, so we will have seven nights at Disney and then four nights on the Wonder. I am feeling much better now, as I thought five nights was not going to be enough, considering all of the activities we had planned, and I was getting VERY stressed over the whole thing.

I don't know BF's family very well, and I keep asking him questions like "would they like this" "they wouldn't do this, would they" and "They wouldn't think we should...". He told me that he thinks I hate his family !?! That is not true, I just want to make sure everyone is on the same page (ie, no one shows up to our wedding in shorts, crocs, or t-shirts; people understand we are not going to pay for all group meals, etc. ) All the guests on my side know what is expected on them (ie money, food, park time, wedding day attire, etc.) and I just want him to relay the same things to the guests from his side. I tried to explain to him that I DON'T KNOW THEM in more than a cursory manner so I don't know what they will or won't do in any situation but his family is a touchy subject for him I guess. It never has been before

I've already cancelled an event that I wanted to do on the day immediatly before the wedding with just the women I am close to on my side. I am not a partier, so I was going to do a sort of lunch/mini golf thing with my mom, my bridesmaids, and another woman I am VERY close with (one of those mom-like figures, KWIM) as a substitute for a bachelorette party. BF threw a fit because I didn't want to invite anyone from his side. He was also angry because he said I deliberatly picked an activity his mother wouldn't want to do! No, I just picked something my girls and I would think is fun! I really wasn't being rude, I don't think. I wanted to have a nice, relaxing day with my girls that I am closest to. I am uncomfortable with people I don't know well, and so are some of my girls. We have a dinner with EVERYONE that evening anyway, so I just didn't see where it was rude? . Maybe that is immature of me, but I thought that if I invited ONLY those I am very close to no one could really throw a fit. I just nixed the whole thing because I don't need the stress and the drama and I don't want to cause strife. My day won't be relaxing if I have to do two huge events, and it wasn't that important anyway, I guess, so I guess we will just do the dinner .

Hopefully, adding these two days will give us more time for ourselves, which is my main concern. I thought with only five nights, we were packing so much into our limited time that we wouldn't have any time for ourselves until the cruise. Now, I hope more time will help alleviate this.

He is not trying to be pig headed, he just dosen't understand how much planning I do for these trips, and that is fine. I want him to think that everything just magically falls into place! . He loves Disney a lot, but he dosen't "get" it the way we on theses boards do. He thinks being alone on the cruise will be enough, where it was a terrible thought to me that we wouldn't get to share any time alone on the Disney portion of our Honeymoon.

Okay, rant and whining over. Sorry, I just needed to let it out!

Anyway, good luck to all who are doing WW!

Two things:
#1: I get that you want to relay a dress code. I think that you should mention to your BF that your not trying to be rude or show any dislike towards his family or friends, but it is something that concerns you. Express your desire to make everyone feel comfortable and prepared for the trip. May be you could have him casually mention the Wedding pavilion has a dress code. Mu husband has a large extended family and some people showed up in jeans and t-shirts and one guy even wore a foot ball jerseys and shorts. We even had a dress code listed on the invite and had family pass the word but some people do not care. People know that is not a reflection on you but on that person, if they don't have enough sense to dress nicely for a wedding then shame on them. Our caterer even tried to deny one of DH cousins from entering the reception and when we got there he complained to my DH. He said "well he was confused because your not dressed like you were invited to a wedding" I wish you could have seen the look on his face!

#2: I would not cancel your fun girls activity. I would just state that this is a bachelorette party and you would not invite your future MIL to a bachelorette party that would involve going to a club and dancing and your not going to invite her to a golf outing. However tame it may be it is still a celebration of your last day's as a single girl. Trust me even the best MIL can be a pain in the butt and you will have plenty of years to get to know her.

 

[WishesQueen]

OK!!! I need HELP!!

I totally planned my neighbors WDW vacation (first time), hotel (poly - could convince their DD to stay at the GF) and dinner reservations. I wanted to send something to their room, but with everything go on here and me never knowing the date (can't believe its April) never sent anything. They just called from the airport and they were so excited, but it reminded me that I forgot!!!

What could I send? Will they send something this late?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Jose really enjoyed Norway....most of all he loved being held by this ugly old troll and wearing this attractive female viking hat.

The girls had to fight the troll to get Jose back.....I think he would have just been happier to stay and hang with the troll.

 

[Lives4Disney]

OK!!! I need HELP!!

I totally planned my neighbors WDW vacation (first time), hotel (poly - could convince their DD to stay at the GF) and dinner reservations. I wanted to send something to their room, but with everything go on here and me never knowing the date (can't believe its April) never sent anything. They just called from the airport and they were so excited, but it reminded me that I forgot!!!

What could I send? Will they send something this late?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

You could call teh Disney florist. OR, call Poly private dining.....

That's so nice of you. I hope they have a great time! (but at the Poly...not so sure. haha )

 

[irisbud]

Thank you ladies! I am feeling much better now. I do see where it could come across as rude but I know my intentions are not. I guess other people can't "see" your intentions though . The funny thing is BF dosen't communicate with his family all that much (they talk like three times a year, maybe and see eachother at Christmas) that is why I am like about the whole thing And you are right, it seems like tomorrow to me (but that it will never come) but they are probably like "oh well, its almost a year away". Thanks for the advice!

Channing, the pictures of Jose are giving me a much needed LOL , I really love the one with your girls weilding axes at the troll

Have a great day everyone!

 

[tholczer]

Chromium and Selenium are minerals so you can pick them up at any vitamin store.

Good luck!

Tracy

 

[marcij]

DH and I are both trying to loose weight. He is riding 8 miles every day and loosing like crazy. I'm another story! I am thinking about joining WW because I think the accountability is what I need. I have an elliptical and as long as I spent time on it every day I was able to maintain a 12 and eat what ever I wanted. Now we are home schooling and I have no time to be on the elliptical because HS requires a lot of time and the kids have gotten older and the oldest 2 have given up naps. I just got on the scale this morning and I am at my all time high ( not counting pregnancy highs) I am now a 14 pushing 16. Some of my friends think that size is not big but I have a tiny frame and that is huge for me, I was a 4 until I got pregnant. 4 pregnancies in a row have not been kind to my body and my doctor thinks I will need a tummy tuck to get rid of excess skin and tighten my abdominal wall. I honestly can't blame my weight on my baby's, it's the chocolate. I think if I eat right and get up early enough to work out I could eventually get back to a single digit again. I have no desire to be a 4 again but 8 would be nice! You know it's bad when you are watching Biggest Looser and don't even feel guilty about eating ice cream right from the tub. Sorry for the long post but I am so sick of being a fat @ss and needed to rant!

Rant or vent anytime! There are a number of us on here trying to lose weight. I've gained 8 pounds since January! I think it was a combination of getting my appetite back (I lost my Mom in Dec. of 06 and instead of stress eating and gaining, I actually lost weight while she was in the hospital and afterwards) and bad habits acquired from our beloved GF -- picking up food as we walked through the lounge was WAY too easy!

I also have an elliptical at home, but have a hard time making time for it. I leave my house by 5:45 and don't usually get home until 5 or so (commute and work long hours) and then my boys are both playing soccer, both playing rec baseball and Andrew, my oldest, is on a select baseball team. I've been walking during their practices when the weather is nice and doing elliptical on Wednesday's (only day with no practices or games) and that has helped. I've also started making sure that if I snack, it's something healthy and low in points. All of that has helped me lose 3 of the pounds. Now, I just need to keep doing it and not get lazy because we are so busy. Good luck to you!

Getting older does stink. It is very hard to lose weight and I am SICK of it! I think you should try WW. I never had to really work that hard at losing weight but after 2 kids and turning 35 it seems very hard to lose the weight. This is my fourth day but I like the accountability. My life is crazy with two girls and the oldest being involved in just about everything! My biggest problem is trying to focus on watching what I eat. This way I have to count the points and it is easy. I joined online for a free 7 day trial. You can record your points on there. I eat something and put it in the computer. I know it sounds like work, but it has been kind of fun and I am definatley watching what I put in my mouth.

I am heading for the elliptical now! Good luck!

I agree -- WW has really helped me live a healthier lifestyle, learning more about nutrition, exercise etc. It's been a lifestyle change for me. Keep up the good work!

Morning all...good to know I can come to a place and express my excitement (without rolling eyes) that two weeks from today, I leave for the happiest place on earth!!!
My non-DH just doesn't get it..

Very exciting!

Golfing Goofy, we like to do an EPCOT / MK resort split stay as well. Disney makes it so convenient (we are so lazy we wouldn't do it otherwise ). I would love to do 10 days at the Grand too, though!

Well, I whined and got BF to agree that we should add two days to the beginning of our wedding trip, so we will have seven nights at Disney and then four nights on the Wonder. I am feeling much better now, as I thought five nights was not going to be enough, considering all of the activities we had planned, and I was getting VERY stressed over the whole thing.

I don't know BF's family very well, and I keep asking him questions like "would they like this" "they wouldn't do this, would they" and "They wouldn't think we should...". He told me that he thinks I hate his family !?! That is not true, I just want to make sure everyone is on the same page (ie, no one shows up to our wedding in shorts, crocs, or t-shirts; people understand we are not going to pay for all group meals, etc. ) All the guests on my side know what is expected on them (ie money, food, park time, wedding day attire, etc.) and I just want him to relay the same things to the guests from his side. I tried to explain to him that I DON'T KNOW THEM in more than a cursory manner so I don't know what they will or won't do in any situation but his family is a touchy subject for him I guess. It never has been before

I've already cancelled an event that I wanted to do on the day immediatly before the wedding with just the women I am close to on my side. I am not a partier, so I was going to do a sort of lunch/mini golf thing with my mom, my bridesmaids, and another woman I am VERY close with (one of those mom-like figures, KWIM) as a substitute for a bachelorette party. BF threw a fit because I didn't want to invite anyone from his side. He was also angry because he said I deliberatly picked an activity his mother wouldn't want to do! No, I just picked something my girls and I would think is fun! I really wasn't being rude, I don't think. I wanted to have a nice, relaxing day with my girls that I am closest to. I am uncomfortable with people I don't know well, and so are some of my girls. We have a dinner with EVERYONE that evening anyway, so I just didn't see where it was rude? . Maybe that is immature of me, but I thought that if I invited ONLY those I am very close to no one could really throw a fit. I just nixed the whole thing because I don't need the stress and the drama and I don't want to cause strife. My day won't be relaxing if I have to do two huge events, and it wasn't that important anyway, I guess, so I guess we will just do the dinner .

Hopefully, adding these two days will give us more time for ourselves, which is my main concern. I thought with only five nights, we were packing so much into our limited time that we wouldn't have any time for ourselves until the cruise. Now, I hope more time will help alleviate this.

He is not trying to be pig headed, he just dosen't understand how much planning I do for these trips, and that is fine. I want him to think that everything just magically falls into place! . He loves Disney a lot, but he dosen't "get" it the way we on theses boards do. He thinks being alone on the cruise will be enough, where it was a terrible thought to me that we wouldn't get to share any time alone on the Disney portion of our Honeymoon.

Okay, rant and whining over. Sorry, I just needed to let it out!

Anyway, good luck to all who are doing WW!

Congrats on adding two days! Hang in there -- planning a wedding is a very emotional event, when even the most laid back people can get wound up. I wouldn't change my event if I were you... you have a group event that evening and that should be good enough.

OK!!! I need HELP!!

I totally planned my neighbors WDW vacation (first time), hotel (poly - could convince their DD to stay at the GF) and dinner reservations. I wanted to send something to their room, but with everything go on here and me never knowing the date (can't believe its April) never sent anything. They just called from the airport and they were so excited, but it reminded me that I forgot!!!

What could I send? Will they send something this late?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I agree with Channing's ideas. The florist might be quicker, as sometimes it is difficult to get ahold of the right person in private dining. Good luck!

Welcome to Linda -- you have a beautiful family!

Have any of you been to the Grand Californian? I have a work-related trip in a few weeks, and while I'm glad it is at DL if it can't be at WDW again (was there last year) I'm worried it will be a let down after staying at the GF. Any restaurant suggestions for DL?

 

[WishesQueen]

You could call teh Disney florist. OR, call Poly private dining.....

That's so nice of you. I hope they have a great time! (but at the Poly...not so sure. haha )

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

 

[tinklvr64]

Hi GF Gals....just back from Las Vegas and let me tell you it aint no Disney!!!! Had to visit husbands fam there and played a little roulette (broke even) I still cant get the smoke smell out of my nose though!!! Yuck...In the past I always liked going for a couple of days, see shows, play roulette, hang at pool, BUT this time all I saw were drunk kids walking around yelling acting like a-holes. I will not be going back for a LONG time. I told Dh if he wants to go thats fine but not me. I'd rather spend my money at Dis and have a relaxing time, and my boys totally agreed. Vegas is NOT for families anymore like they used to claim...if it wasn't for visiting fam there is no way I would bring my kids. Sorry for the rant!!! (and I didn't even include my inlaws thats a whole other story!)

Anywho glad to be back chatting with all of you, still catching up on all the chatting!! Hi to all of the newones!! The more the merrier!

check with ya later, Dawn

Yikes where is my ticker??????

 

[SleepingUgly]

You know what sucks about losing weight as you get older? The weight falls off from the wrong places. My collar bone sticks out so much I look like Celine Dion up there, but then my gut still resembles Pooh. A very flabby Pooh. Oh, to have even distribution of body fat once again!

Linda

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Thanks everyone with your advice about a split stay. It sounds like it won't be too hard to handle!!

Have any of you been to the Grand Californian? I have a work-related trip in a few weeks, and while I'm glad it is at DL if it can't be at WDW again (was there last year) I'm worried it will be a let down after staying at the GF. Any restaurant suggestions for DL?

We go to the GCH about 3 times a year. We feel that it is a much nicer than any of the other DLR Hotels but I don't think it is anywhere as nice as the GF. I don't know since I have never been to WDW, but it just seems like WDW is more of a resort destination and offers a few more perks.

The lobby is neat and we have always had great CMs, great housekeeping and room service. They have the park view of DCA, the DTD view and the monorail view (courtyard view). In my opinion, the worst rooms are the ones on the end of the far wing, just because they seem sooo far away (those are the 400 numbered rooms). I like being in the area overlooking the lobby and the noise from the lobby never bothers me. They have a piano player during the days in the lobby.

The great thing about DL is that you really don't need to make any plans, hahahaha, and that works great for us free spirits Really the only reservations you need are for the Blue Bayou, Napa Rose and Carnation Cafe and any of the character breakfasts - unless of course, you are going on a holiday. At lot less work than WDW.

Another nice thing about the GCH is that you walk right out to DTD and just a little farther away is the front gate to DL. No transportation needed. Also, the gate to DCA is in the hotel. A little tip, you can get into DCA about 30 minutes earlier if you go through the Hotel entrance, just show them your hotel slip. Only guests of the resorts can enter that way in the mornings and they do not advertise it.

 

[mandymommy4]

Thanks everyone with your advice about a split stay. It sounds like it won't be too hard to handle!!




We go to the GCH about 3 times a year. We feel that it is a much nicer than any of the other DLR Hotels but I don't think it is anywhere as nice as the GF. I don't know since I have never been to WDW, but it just seems like WDW is more of a resort destination and offers a few more perks.

The lobby is neat and we have always had great CMs, great housekeeping and room service. They have the park view of DCA, the DTD view and the monorail view (courtyard view). In my opinion, the worst rooms are the ones on the end of the far wing, just because they seem sooo far away (those are the 400 numbered rooms). I like being in the area overlooking the lobby and the noise from the lobby never bothers me. They have a piano player during the days in the lobby.

The great thing about DL is that you really don't need to make any plans, hahahaha, and that works great for us free spirits Really the only reservations you need are for the Blue Bayou, Napa Rose and Carnation Cafe and any of the character breakfasts - unless of course, you are going on a holiday. At lot less work than WDW.

Another nice thing about the GCH is that you walk right out to DTD and just a little farther away is the front gate to DL. No transportation needed. Also, the gate to DCA is in the hotel. A little tip, you can get into DCA about 30 minutes earlier if you go through the Hotel entrance, just show them your hotel slip. Only guests of the resorts can enter that way in the mornings and they do not advertise it.

That's interesting! I really want to visit DL, mainly because I am a huge fan of Walt Disney. I would love to visit all the parks around the world but to see his original would be a dream! I like the idea of everything being so much closer and less spread out than WDW.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Welcome!! I have a DS13 and he loves to golf with his DH!! You will love the courses at WDW.

We have travel to WDW both ways with splits and without and loved it both ways. Just one tip, be very organized when you pack. I packed 4 luggages for 4 people approximately 9 days not counting a huge duffle on wheels for shoes (I also have a DD) and 2 carry ons. Anyway, we used 2 luggages for one hotel and 2 luggages for the next and it went real smoothly. We didn't waste too much time unpacking and repacking!!

Thanks for the packing tip. Yeah, organization is not my strongest trait. This whole planning for vacation thing is turning me into a new woman.

So, what is your DS's favorite course? Does he just rent his clubs. We just returned from a golf vacation last week and I just hate lugging all those clubs (plus all of our bags) to and from the airport. I feel like a total dork, tripping over everything and lugging those big long bags. It is such a pain. We are one of those silly looking families you see on the Candid Camera TV shows trying to drag everything around. It is pathetic.

I know DH would never rent, but the kids...well, . Have you golfed at the WDW courses too?

 

[Golfing Goofy]

That's interesting! I really want to visit DL, mainly because I am a huge fan of Walt Disney. I would love to visit all the parks around the world but to see his original would be a dream! I like the idea of everything being so much closer and less spread out than WDW.

It is really neat to see where his apartment is and they keep the light on. People always say that Sleeping Beauty's Castle is just so small compared to Cindy's Castle, it is like a doll house . But, we love it. When you get into the park, you would never know you are right in the middle of a city. You can go back and forth between the parks and DTD during the day, everything is so compact.

The DL Hotel is neat too, it is just old and we prefer GCH. DLH has tons of photos of all the stars with Walt. It is really a cool thing. Hope you can go sometime soon.

 

[WishesQueen]

Thanks for the packing tip. Yeah, organization is not my strongest trait. This whole planning for vacation thing is turning me into a new woman.

So, what is your DS's favorite course? Does he just rent his clubs. We just returned from a golf vacation last week and I just hate lugging all those clubs (plus all of our bags) to and from the airport. I feel like a total dork, tripping over everything and lugging those big long bags. It is such a pain. We are one of those silly looking families you see on the Candid Camera TV shows trying to drag everything around. It is pathetic.

I know DH would never rent, but the kids...well, . Have you golfed at the WDW courses too?

I am not sure which is there favorite, but I believe one of them has Junior Rates and others do not. They rent there clubs, I have enough luggage!! We always travel in July and pretty hot, so they also usually just do 9 holes at a time.

NO NO NO!!! I don't golf! I don't think I could do anything that takes 5 hours to complete!! Not even shop!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

We LOVED Disneyland. We just made our first trip last March for spring break...did a San Diego/DL split. We were mad we wasted the first half of our trip in SD. Once we got to DL we were so suprisingly thrilled with the place. It was JAM PACKED but it was sooo clean, great CMs, and even nice uncrabby, not pushy guests!!!! Big difference there from our WDW experiences.

We stayed at the DLR because honestly the GCH just doen'st do it for me stylewise and otherwise.....we had a GCH concierge room booked and it was about $800/nt and they couldn't guarantee a bed for my son!!!! Totally wrong IMO....they tried to make it seem like it would be "fun" for him to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor, haha....you know - in tune with the wilderness theme... SORRY, but for that much money, everybody in the party should have a BED. Give me a break....so after much thought we switched to the DLH and were very happy there - except the bathroom was kind of OLD and rundown, the room was nice & def larger than the GC would have been.

Marci, are you going alone or with your family?? We were so in love with DL we definitely want to return asap...maybe this January..... The DTD area is nice and has so much to offer - shopping wise (I think nicer than WDW's and foodwise ) If going with family we really liked Blue Bayou and the restaurant (help me Golfing Goofy) with the Minnie Mouse character bfast in the MK. So many more characters than at WDW restaurants. There are even much more decent counter service options than WDW has....more different variety. Plus I agree with GG you don't have to stress over the stupid 180 day ADR thing....I hate that 180 day thing. You will LOVE DL.. We had a fantastic trip. My only regret was that I didn't look forward to that trip the way I do a WDW trip...I didn't know all I was in for. DLR is terrific. I hope you enjoy yourself!!!!

 

[Golfing Goofy]

I don't think I could do anything that takes 5 hours to complete!! Not even shop!!!

I hear you. But, in my case, it began as a case of if you can't beat them, join them. Crazy as it seems, I am now almost as addicted as they are...although, I really don't want to leave WDW to go golfing...that just seems wrong

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I love all these DL tips!! DH and I have been saying for awhile that one of these years when he is WDW'ed out we will go to DL. I daytripped there in 1989 but really liked it. I just got a Visa code for there.....

 

[marcij]

Thanks everyone with your advice about a split stay. It sounds like it won't be too hard to handle!!




We go to the GCH about 3 times a year. We feel that it is a much nicer than any of the other DLR Hotels but I don't think it is anywhere as nice as the GF. I don't know since I have never been to WDW, but it just seems like WDW is more of a resort destination and offers a few more perks.

The lobby is neat and we have always had great CMs, great housekeeping and room service. They have the park view of DCA, the DTD view and the monorail view (courtyard view). In my opinion, the worst rooms are the ones on the end of the far wing, just because they seem sooo far away (those are the 400 numbered rooms). I like being in the area overlooking the lobby and the noise from the lobby never bothers me. They have a piano player during the days in the lobby.

The great thing about DL is that you really don't need to make any plans, hahahaha, and that works great for us free spirits Really the only reservations you need are for the Blue Bayou, Napa Rose and Carnation Cafe and any of the character breakfasts - unless of course, you are going on a holiday. At lot less work than WDW.

Another nice thing about the GCH is that you walk right out to DTD and just a little farther away is the front gate to DL. No transportation needed. Also, the gate to DCA is in the hotel. A little tip, you can get into DCA about 30 minutes earlier if you go through the Hotel entrance, just show them your hotel slip. Only guests of the resorts can enter that way in the mornings and they do not advertise it.

We LOVED Disneyland. We just made our first trip last March for spring break...did a San Diego/DL split. We were mad we wasted the first half of our trip in SD. Once we got to DL we were so suprisingly thrilled with the place. It was JAM PACKED but it was sooo clean, great CMs, and even nice uncrabby, not pushy guests!!!! Big difference there from our WDW experiences.

We stayed at the DLR because honestly the GCH just doen'st do it for me stylewise and otherwise.....we had a GCH concierge room booked and it was about $800/nt and they couldn't guarantee a bed for my son!!!! Totally wrong IMO....they tried to make it seem like it would be "fun" for him to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor, haha....you know - in tune with the wilderness theme... SORRY, but for that much money, everybody in the party should have a BED. Give me a break....so after much thought we switched to the DLH and were very happy there - except the bathroom was kind of OLD and rundown, the room was nice & def larger than the GC would have been.

Marci, are you going alone or with your family?? We were so in love with DL we definitely want to return asap...maybe this January..... The DTD area is nice and has so much to offer - shopping wise (I think nicer than WDW's and foodwise ) If going with family we really liked Blue Bayou and the restaurant (help me Golfing Goofy) with the Minnie Mouse character bfast in the MK. So many more characters than at WDW restaurants. There are even much more decent counter service options than WDW has....more different variety. Plus I agree with GG you don't have to stress over the stupid 180 day ADR thing....I hate that 180 day thing. You will LOVE DL.. We had a fantastic trip. My only regret was that I didn't look forward to that trip the way I do a WDW trip...I didn't know all I was in for. DLR is terrific. I hope you enjoy yourself!!!!

Thanks for the tips! Unfortunately, I'll be by myself. The boys don't like to miss school, plus with DH starting a new job he won't want to take time off. I'm going to the GSA Expo, so I'll have some time to play the day I arrive and most of the next day, but then the following day is back-to-back meetings. Still, I can't complain -- it's a pretty good setting to work. What about restaurants in the GCH? Anyone have experience there?