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

[Alicnwondrln]

Good Morning Ladies !

 

[Alicnwondrln]

anyone for some tea?

 

[grannyminnie]

Ah Kelly! What a nice way to start my morning....

 

[SleepingUgly]

Are those RPC offerings in the morning, Kelly?

I had trouble sleeping last night as well. Just tons of work stuff going through my mind, I think. I've been working 8 am -7 pm almost everyday since January, and it doesn't look like it's going to let up soon. I am SO ready for a vacation! August cannot come soon enough for me!

Happy Friday, everyone!

Linda

 

[Alicnwondrln]

those are from the TEA at the Garden View Lounge in the lobby. Its fabulous!

 

[WishesQueen]

mandymommy4

I just read your blog!!! Its great, you really write well and your family is beautiful. I can't imagine just getting in my car and being at the GF like that!!!

 

[WishesQueen]

BTW - My family and I agree, although we have never tried the RPC yet!!! We love the Big Pine Key and outer rooms. I thought it was VERY close to very too!!

 

[marcij]

Marci, the GCH does have nice restaurants....A very nice expensive one and another moderate one...we were going to do the Chip and Dale bfast there, but didn't make it, and then supposedly a very nice grab and go, too. The GCH is RIGHT at their DTD so you walk out and have a lot of choices...You won't believe how near everything is. ESPECIALLY compared to WDW, but DL is so convenient and manageable. Too bad your boys aren't coming, but I bet you'll want to take them back for vacation. The rides at DL are so much more detailed and longer than WDW's...and the lines seem to move faster, haah...they realy do! You HAVE to ride Pirates, Peter Pan, Small World (yes, you do...just for comparison) and Indiana Jones, the Tiki Room - it's the original and SO CUTE and retro, Pinochio (because it's something different) and even Snow White....when you're in line for SW, look up toward the castle window....you might see the Wicked Queen. There is so many special and charming things about DL that WDW doesn't have.....it's Vonnie's FAVORITE BTW.

Golfing Goofy, usually at CP you see Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger....sometimes only three - many time Pooh stays near the entryway...this past time the character interaction was kind of lame....we only saw two & FAST. At the Minnie bfast, there were probably 6 characters. The funny thing was Jojo lost a front tooth THAT morning and she didn't have the other either so she looked just like Dale and Dale had a ball with it once Jo pointed it out to him. The character interaction was topnotch there. I thought it was a cute place. CP is kind of the same but I was surprised at the Minnie one that you are sort of served at the buffet...that was different but kind of nice - you don't have all the grubby hands touching the serving spoons.

We did the Goofy's Kitchen bfast and had a ball - WOW what a spread of food....and we did the Lilo and Stitch one and had a nice time too. We just really loved DL. It was so nostalgic and magical.

Mandy, thanks for the link - I am sure we'd all enjoy reading it!! Not boring!!!! Have a great night!

Thanks so much for the info! I didn't know that it is V's favorite... very interesting!

OK ladies, now you know that I've also found your fun chat thread! I just found you the other day and to be honest, I wanted to stay around to hear how Channing's trip was!

Our family (DH and twin boys age 9) went to DL in December. We had a good time, but I think the boys still prefer WDW. My DH and I have things we love about each. One of our sons is physically disabled and so getting around can be a challenge. We stayed at the Grand Californian (spoiled ourselves with concierge 'cuz we can't do otherwise since our only WDW stay was at the GF RPC!) and it was terrific to jump between parks, dash back to the hotel etc. Our son's w/c had a flat and he was even able to do the parks in his walker one day! NOT possible at WDW.

I agree with everything that has been said so far. Let me add a little about the food. We found greater variety of good restaurants at WDW (we had loved CG, Citrico's, Narcoossee's, Artist's Point) and found less variety at DL. That being said, my husband and I had a spectacular meal at the Napa Rose. We sat at the Chef's Table, shared our courses and ended up with a bezillion different tastes. The Chef's Table (actually at the counter beside the open kitchen was busy, loud (but not overwhelming) and a really fun and unique experience. We were able to give some direction on our tastes/needs (I am lactose intolerant) and it was great! We enjoyed it so much that we went back with the boys a few nights later. We sat in the lounge, where they will serve the full menu (I think). Our little guy with a disability is a very adventurous eater, so he enjoyed sharing our scallops, duck, foie gras and so on.

We also had a good meal at Storytellers, but it's so totally different than Napa Rose. Lots of families, lots of groups, and most people select the buffet. My husband is a big eater, but generally doesn't enjoy buffet - but he enjoyed this one. I had some lovely soup and a quesedilla (fell off the lactose wagon for a night!) - yummy, but not Napa Rose.

I don't know what kind of rides you like, buy my DH and I benefitted from the single rider lines at DCA, especially California Screamin'. What a ride! We loved it! As many say, we agree that Space Mtn, Haunted Mansion (holiday version), Pirates are better at DL, but Test TRack and Mission:Space were solely missed by my guys.

And, speaking of travelling with 3 boys (!), I was voted down and we never saw Alladin. I gather from others that this was a serious obmission and shouldn't be missed - be sure to check it out when you're travelling solo and can do exactly what you want!

Let me know if you have other questions - I hope I can answer!

Thank you so much for the information! I haven't done much research at all so all of these tips are helping a lot.

A DIS friend I met on our cruise and cruise thread is going to meet me for dinner one night, and I'm really looking forward to seeing her again.

We were going to try to get back to WDW this fall, but the dates of MNSSHP don't jive with the long weekend the boys have, so I'll have to wait until December. I was so spoiled by multiple trips last year.

Have a good day everyone.

 

[mandymommy4]

anyone for some tea?

Your Killing me...... I just sat down at my deak with my bowl of heathy mushy oatmel.......

 

[mandymommy4]

It is 12:30 am and I too am having some restlessness....I should have taken my melatonin when I went to bed the first time.

We are trying to decide if this is the time to put our house on the market.... When the house gets quiet my mind goes crazy thinking about getting our house ready to sell and thinking about everything I want to do to the new house.

Good Morning Ladies !

Happy, Friday to you!

mandymommy4

I just read your blog!!! Its great, you really write well and your family is beautiful. I can't imagine just getting in my car and being at the GF like that!!!

Thank you! I have had a writing block lately so I don't elaborate as much as normal. I'm trying to get back in the groove. As for living so close to WDW we are a good hour away. It's nice but it also is hard to justify staying at Disney. This was the first time we stayed at Disney ever! I have dreamed of not having to leave the Disney bubble for years and we finally did it My husband has promised we can do a GF stay every few years but we are defiantly going to be going to the values until then!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi, Dawn! Glad you're back. Oddly enough you are the second person I've heard say those things about Las Vegas this week. I haven't been since i was 12 and we visited family friends that moved out there. It was OK then I guess. I don't remember whole lot but we did go to Circus Circus.....kind of weird is how I remember the whole thing. I have NO desire to go back. I know lots from here do for quickie weekends etc and enjoy it, but it's not my bag.

Marci, I guess I meant about food variety at DL vs WDW is that the COUNTER service options are so much better at DL. (maybe I was misunderstood) we didn't even bother with "fine" dining at DL ...we were with our girls and met friends from AZ with their kids, too....it was a FUN trip. DL fast food is not just the same old burger/nuggets like at WDW......much more options that way and a lot less planning needed - you don't need to worry about where your next meal is coming from at DL. There is a lot more flexibility. Yep it's her favorite...she is dying to go back.

Suzy...I am so sorry to hear about your trip w/your three boys....but I am relieved, too. I HEAR YA. It has to be a phase, right? DS17.5 was raised on WDW.....I am so bummed that it's so been tehre done that for him. Hopefully he'll come around. Your DS18 sounds a lot like my DS. (sorry, ) Great on the WW!!....a chicken breast - I think is about 3 pts....the rice - I always eat brown and brown pasta, too, when I do, but the rice is 3 pts a serving....I thought that was a lot, but it is and it adds up fast. I am having a hungry morning....already up to 4 pts. I am still scared to even step on the scale and face reality!!! I need to wait until next Wednesday.....that will be 2 wks since returned from WDW and Wed was always my favorite weigh day. I will commit to it for then.

Kelly, looks yummy! I do recognize the scone and the little cookie thingy from RPC. I have never done that tea....is it a little foofooy??

I really wish I could get over my thing for club level at the GF.....I just can't give it up. I gave up CL at the CR, and BWI and Poly and don't care to even try BC or YC's. I don't even feel the pull to... I feel so at home at the GF in RPC and the housekeepers, lounge staff, and concierge staff make it feel that way. I think I'd miss that so much if I didn't stay there. If my favorites didn't work there in RPC I wouldn't stay there though. I'd definitely try a GV.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I agree if the CMs that are there now werent there I wouldnt pay for the main building. I would pay for sugar load as they have a couple that rock but same thing if they werent there I wouldnt go.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

This is for all of you in Chicago, I may have some bad news for you. I'm in Iowa and our weather happens about a half day before you get it. We were supposed to have heavy rain today, but it is all SNOW . I have gotten about an inch in the past 45 min. and it is still just snowing as heavy. It is the big wet snowflakes. Now tomorrow it is supposed to be sunny and sixty. I don't think spring is ever going to get here.

IT IS NOT GOING TO SNOW!! I AM GETTING MY FENCE TODAY!!!!

They are saying mid 60's this weekend I have been using my Jergens Natural Glow for about 2 weeks so I "feel tan"... I may pull out some shorts this weekend!!!!!


to all the newbies!! We aren't so scary!! Keep posting!!!

Hi to everyone else! Not sure how much I will be on between now and Monday, so just in case, have a great weekend and be good on your diets!!!!!!!!!

Kristin

 

[princessesrule4]

Welcome Suzy,
I hear you about the teenagers! We have left DS 13 home with the granparents twice. It worked out well for everyone. No guilt from anyone either. Now, this summer he is going with us ,but we are going with family and friends and giving the teenagers some roaming freedom. I'll let you all know how that works out when we get back!

I did a girls trip for the first time last December and we had so much fun that we are going back this December!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I am dreading the teen years. My boys are 8 and 4. They are cuties though.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Awwww.......CUTE pic, Kelly. I remember those days. *sigh*

They look like adorable little puppies.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

they are so cute I just wanna squeeze those cheeks

See the dino we go NOWHERE without it. His name is DINY and guess what he also makes a roaring noise that was once cute but now highly annoying.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Did oyu guys see the new prices for STROLLERS! OMG!!
Whatever that is crazy!!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Did oyu guys see the new prices for STROLLERS! OMG!!
Whatever that is crazy!!

What was the former price? It did look high to me!

I also saw that ECV rentals have gone up $15 per day. This doesn't bother me so much, as it seems like there are a LOT of people using those that probably don't need them. Maybe it will make the paths a bit less crowded.

But strollers - those are more essential!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I hear ya ! I remember a few years ago I thought they were like 10 or 9 bucks. I remember the first time we took shawn parking 7 bucks.
Disney is getting crazy!!