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

[WishesQueen]

Happy Monday, ladies!

We went to Epcot on Saturday and had a great time! It was really crowded! We got in the park about 10:30 and headed over to get a Soaring FP and they were already at a return time of 8-9 pm! We had a great time a did a lot of things we have never done with the kids before! We did, Donald's boat ride in Mexico, Norway's boat ride, Living with the Land, Circle of life movie! We also did Nemo, Turtle talk, and Test Track! The crowds were higher than normal but we still manged to walk right on everything except Test Track but we had FP.

Our kids loved the F&G festival! They had the butterfly garden and a fun place for the kids climb and have fun! We had fun looking at all the different little flower "exhibits". We left at 4:30 and there was a long line for Space ship earth so we didn't get to do that, we ALWAYS do that ride, I just don't do lines with 4 kids. I have never seen a long line for that ride!

It so funny there has been talk about the passports and Kidcot stops. We have never done them before but we did the stops in Norway, Mexico, and China on Saturday. Also the stops in the Land and the Seas. We had Eight masks to drag around the park! Anyway, I think someone was asking about he passports, we did not get them but we did see some kids get them stamped and the people will write on them in the language and write the date! We are going to do them soon! We have studied China, France, and Germany in some of our units and we are going to make it part of the end of the year review. By the way, has anyone noticed how gorgeous the people in Norway are? I want to be from Norway!

Hey Mandy!!!

Lucky you that you get to pop over to EPCOT!!!

I have a few questions about the rides you mentioned, my DS is a chicken when it comes to rides, he heard that the Norway boat ride is scary and that Mission Space even the chicken side is scary!!

 

[WishesQueen]

I got my passports!!!!

 

[princessesrule4]

We did the passports thing in Epcot a couple of years ago. My youngest turned 3 that week, so we had everyone write Happy Birthday in their native languages. We'll have to think of a different message to write this time around. Since we're going in August, maybe we'll have everyone write "It's too @#$%^ hot" in their native languages.

Linda,

You're DD's are too cute!

I think we'll do a passport for DD in June. We have 500 masks too so this will be something new and SMALL to carry around!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

great pics linda!!
Anty still has the rash.

 

[praline3001]

Good morning everyone!

Today is a beautiful warm day. I am running around in shorts and a t shirt and plan on doing some gardening once the grass dries.

The VIP tour people called me this morning. I told them that I decided not to go with them. The current resort guest rate is $125 PLUS $120 for use of their car.

Savannah and I will just have to rough it

Hope everyone is having a good day!

 

[praline3001]

great pics linda!!
Anty still has the rash.

Kelly, I posted a few days back about using Murphey's oil soap on rashes. My mom told me about it and it sounded strange to me.... but Ryan was willing to give it a try. It actually WORKED on him!!! The rash didn't go completely away but the redness and angry look went WAY down and he said it felt sooooo much better.
Both my mom and dad swear by it so maybe if you have some in your cleaning supplies you can give it a try? It might give him a little relief and it can't hurt him.

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi guys...

Brook that VIP thing is way out there with the cost. Kinda crazy.

Kelly, bummer....what does that mean for you guys????? Is he uncomfortable??

Linda - cute pics. Your girls are cuties.

Annette, that is great

Mandy, you lucky ducky going to Epcot whenever you want! Sounds like a fun time. That is neat about the "Grande Floridian".....sounds like a great deal at 2.5 mil.... Did it LOOK like the GF that we all know and love??

 

[praline3001]

Hi guys...

Brook that VIP thing is way out there with the cost. Kinda crazy.

L

Yeah I quickly noticed how crazy it got. I mean I read where it was $90 an hour for resort guest and that wouldn't be TOO bad ... but the $125 an hour PLUS $120 for the car? PLUS you pay all meals for the guide?
They know how to stick it to those rich dummies
I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it or not.... I wasn't sure all it included. After researching it, it sounds rather dumb.

Seriously, for that kind of cash we could rent the limo, get private dining breakfast every morning (see room service queen posts), use cabs the entire week, bypassing the bus system completely and still have cash left over!

 

[princessesrule4]

great pics linda!!
Anty still has the rash.

Sorry to hear that - what does the DR. say? Does it at least look better?
My DS had one about a month ago. We kept putting Cortaid and gave him Zyrtec. It slowly went away - like after about 10 or 12 days! The Dr. thought it was something from some new sod that we put down in the yard!
I guess it's the season for rashes. Hope it goes away soon!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Yeah I quickly noticed how crazy it got. I mean I read where it was $90 an hour for resort guest and that wouldn't be TOO bad ... but the $125 an hour PLUS $120 for the car? PLUS you pay all meals for the guide?
They know how to stick it to those rich dummies
I wasn't sure if I wanted to do it or not.... I wasn't sure all it included. After researching it, it sounds rather dumb.

AND I am sure you'd be expected to tip at least 20%!!!

You're right...that's just what I was thinking - they stick it to the rich dumbos that don't care what they do w/their money....and maybe it's their one and only family WDW trip.....

OH!! My cute guy Craig Ferguson was on the VIEW today!!! I love that guy. (I know, I'm probaby a total dork) He's cute, smart, funny, and that accent.......

So....I am still on my great WW plan...and walking etc...I am definitely doing this for myself and my reward is my summer WDW trip.....anybody going to be at the GF July 6 and on??? I have YC from June 30- July 6 and then GF July 6-10....that is all flexible, though.

 

[praline3001]

AND I am sure you'd be expected to tip at least 20%!!!

You're right...that's just what I was thinking - they stick it to the rich dumbos that don't care what they do w/their money....and maybe it's their one and only family WDW trip.....

OH!! My cute guy Craig Ferguson was on the VIEW today!!! I love that guy. (I know, I'm probaby a total dork) He's cute, smart, funny, and that accent.......

I had edited my post but will repeat haha
For the 1,000 bucks I could rent SE limo service, use cabs the entire week and continue my thrown of Room service queen the entire week
HMM lets see a VIP tour guide for the day or room service all week.....

 

[praline3001]

Channing you need to change your dates to be there when we are going to be there
That way I can pay Lucy to take Savannah on the tea cups for me and I won't throw up

 

[Tinkaroo]

Happy Monday, GF gals!

Well, I can testify to being one of those "dummies" that did the VIP thing. We reserved a guide for our day at the MK for my big family trip back in December, and IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY.

Half of our group (including my 2 nieces, 5 and 4) had never been to WDW before. They all arrived on a Sunday, and we had the tour scheduled for Wednesday. I had heard about some people's experiences here on the DIS, and my family was willing to try it, since we could split it 3 ways. They had raised the price for resort guests to $125/hour by the time we booked - when I initially began researching it, it was at the $90-95 rate. In working with the VIP Tour office, they tell you repeatedly that this does not guarantee front-of-the-line access. However, from talking to 2 other DIS'ers, that didn't seem to be the case, so we just went with it.

Honestly, by the time that Wednesday rolled aroudn of our trip, I was so READY to have someone do the thinking/planning for me. Dragging my family around (when they won't keep up the pace! ) had me about at my wit's end, and I was willing to eat the entire cost just to have someone else do all the running around for one day.

I had a couple of recommendations for tour guides from DIS'ers, and got one of them (knew this in advance). She was a delight - not overly cheesy, very warm, super sweet personality, very efficient and "in control". My family took to her immediately - we hadn't made it half way down Main St. before my youngest niece had a hold of her hand and wanted her to ride the 1st ride with her. She just so easily became part of our group.

In 6 hours, here is what we did (in order) with a party of 8 (including 2 small children):

Dumbo
Meet & greet with Ariel
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Meet & greet with Mickey in the Judge's Tent
Barnstormer (twice in a row)
Meet & greet with Alice and the Mad Hatter
Tea Cups
Tomorrowland Speedway (bypassed line)
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (bypassed line)
Mickey's PhilarMagic
Peter Pan (bypassed line)
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain (had FastPasses)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (had FastPasses)
Crystal Palace for lunch (at a leisurely pace)
Meet & greet with Rafiki & Timon
Disney Dreams Come True Parade

We would have done the Jungle Cruise right after lunch with FP's, but both lines were backed up, due to a lot of disabled guests, so we just took our time getting in place for the parade. Our guide gave me the FP's to use on our own, after the tour. She also gave me the FP's she'd gotten us for Space Mtn. to use after the tour as well. We did both once she left us, as well as met Wendy & Peter Pan (again, at her suggestion, since she knew what time they were coming out).

As for food costs - I had heard you were responsible for their meals, and we were all prepared to split her meal cost at the CP. Well, she insisted (and had a mgr. from the CP come over to reassure us!) that Disney took care of her meals while she was on a tour, and she would just charge her meal to the little card she had (which she did). They're also not allowed to accept tips. However, we had planned on doing something for her anyways, and after the day we had with her, we uppped the ante a bit (we got her home address, and sent her flowers and an AmEx gift card a week or two after we got home).

The best endorsement - my dad, who has been touring the parks since they opened - gave her a huge hug when she left us, and with tears in his eyes, told her she had just given him the best day he had ever spent in the Magic Kingdom.

It won't be something we'll do every trip, but that experience made a believer out of me!!!!

 

[mandymommy4]

Hey Mandy!!!

Lucky you that you get to pop over to EPCOT!!!

I have a few questions about the rides you mentioned, my DS is a chicken when it comes to rides, he heard that the Norway boat ride is scary and that Mission Space even the chicken side is scary!!

The Norway boat ride is not scary. If he has done POTC then he can do this. It has some trolls that aren't scary and some big polar bears but thats it. My son was a little nervous and whimpered a little but once he was on it he was fine. If he is going to pitch a fit then it's not worth the stress.

Mission Space is not scary, it's intense, you sit in a thing in groups of 4 and look at monitors in front of you. What is scary is that they give you this card to carry through the line telling you of all the health hazards. It's intense, you feel the pressure of what taking off into space would feel like. I feel my face tightening up and a lot of pressure on my chest. I have been on it twice and the first time I was fine but the second time I had had a few pomegranate martinis and felt a little nauseas during and after. You can also feel claustrophobic because it gets tight. I've done it twice and I think thats all I will do. Remember a few people have died on this ride, both had heart conditions, but I don't want to take the chance with my kids.

I have never been on the "chicken side" but I think every thing is the same except they don't spin you so you don't get the pressure and nauseousness.

I LOVE the area at the end of the ride, all kind of interactive things to do and a play area with the tube for the kids to play in.

HTH!

MAndy

 

[mandymommy4]

Happy Monday, GF gals!

Well, I can testify to being one of those "dummies" that did the VIP thing. We reserved a guide for our day at the MK for my big family trip back in December, and IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY.

Half of our group (including my 2 nieces, 5 and 4) had never been to WDW before. They all arrived on a Sunday, and we had the tour scheduled for Wednesday. I had heard about some people's experiences here on the DIS, and my family was willing to try it, since we could split it 3 ways. They had raised the price for resort guests to $125/hour by the time we booked - when I initially began researching it, it was at the $90-95 rate. In working with the VIP Tour office, they tell you repeatedly that this does not guarantee front-of-the-line access. However, from talking to 2 other DIS'ers, that didn't seem to be the case, so we just went with it.

Honestly, by the time that Wednesday rolled aroudn of our trip, I was so READY to have someone do the thinking/planning for me. Dragging my family around (when they won't keep up the pace! ) had me about at my wit's end, and I was willing to eat the entire cost just to have someone else do all the running around for one day.

I had a couple of recommendations for tour guides from DIS'ers, and got one of them (knew this in advance). She was a delight - not overly cheesy, very warm, super sweet personality, very efficient and "in control". My family took to her immediately - we hadn't made it half way down Main St. before my youngest niece had a hold of her hand and wanted her to ride the 1st ride with her. She just so easily became part of our group.

In 6 hours, here is what we did (in order) with a party of 8 (including 2 small children):

Dumbo
Meet & greet with Ariel
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Meet & greet with Mickey in the Judge's Tent
Barnstormer (twice in a row)
Meet & greet with Alice and the Mad Hatter
Tea Cups
Tomorrowland Speedway (bypassed line)
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (bypassed line)
Mickey's PhilarMagic
Peter Pan (bypassed line)
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain (had FastPasses)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (had FastPasses)
Crystal Palace for lunch (at a leisurely pace)
Meet & greet with Rafiki & Timon
Disney Dreams Come True Parade

We would have done the Jungle Cruise right after lunch with FP's, but both lines were backed up, due to a lot of disabled guests, so we just took our time getting in place for the parade. Our guide gave me the FP's to use on our own, after the tour. She also gave me the FP's she'd gotten us for Space Mtn. to use after the tour as well. We did both once she left us, as well as met Wendy & Peter Pan (again, at her suggestion, since she knew what time they were coming out).

As for food costs - I had heard you were responsible for their meals, and we were all prepared to split her meal cost at the CP. Well, she insisted (and had a mgr. from the CP come over to reassure us!) that Disney took care of her meals while she was on a tour, and she would just charge her meal to the little card she had (which she did). They're also not allowed to accept tips. However, we had planned on doing something for her anyways, and after the day we had with her, we uppped the ante a bit (we got her home address, and sent her flowers and an AmEx gift card a week or two after we got home).

The best endorsement - my dad, who has been touring the parks since they opened - gave her a huge hug when she left us, and with tears in his eyes, told her she had just given him the best day he had ever spent in the Magic Kingdom.

It won't be something we'll do every trip, but that experience made a believer out of me!!!!

That's the key to the VIP tours, split it with another family! I agree with you that sounds like a great time and you did do a LOT in just six hours! I was wondering when in December that was? I think $250 would be so worth it if you were visiting the MK for the first time or were visiting during a busy time!

DH and I watched the Splurge and he said that is what I should do! He's ready to send me to work for Disney I Would LOVE to but I doubt you can walk in and apply for that job, you probably have to start small and this girls ain't about to sell ginormous turkey legs in Frontier Land!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Lindsay...ok so not all the VIP users are dumbos. Lucy and I DID see some VIP parties go to the front of the lines, so I don't get what they're talking about when they say they can't do that - they do it. That would be a big draw to potential customers if they'd just advertise it. Glad you had a nice experience....I am sure they do a great job because they're probably the cream of the crop WDW employees, but it's not for us though. I need the freedom to be crabby and quiet. I'd feel like I have to make small talk and be UP & friendly all day.....I can't always be Suzy Sunshine.

Mission Space......
DS17 does the real side of MS, DH does, too sometimes, but the girls & I do teh chicken side. It's ok and as Mandy said can get claustrophobic - Don't put that shoulder harness down too far because it will STAY THERE!!!! I did it and couldn't breathe!!! That was nasty. DS can get off and get back into the single rider line, but DH does it once a trip or so. The chicken side is just sitting, watching a screen with some neat space pics on it, and you kind of jostle around a bit. Nothing big....Star Tours is more rough.

 

[vbarry]

Well- I must admit I am still thinking about this for our December trip also. We will be by ourselves until 12/28. We then have friends and family joining us. 3 have not been to Disney before and this will probably be their first and only trip for awhile. It is one of our good friends who just got divorced and he is taking his two boys ages 8 and 13. We will also have dd 4 and dd 8 and then my SIL, BIL and their son.

The one thing I am worried about is that the older boys will probably want to do more grown up things while my girls are still into the younger aged activities.

I am going to call and talk to their office and see what they think.

December is such a busy time of year and I am already a little overwhelmed by how I am going to make this a special trip for everyone involved. They all know we have been several times and will be counting on me to guide the way.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi!

Ya'll were a chatty group these past couple of days!!!

Sorry I made so many of you order pizza!! (It was SO-O-O good though!!)

We had a crazy busy weekend, but the weather was so beautiful that I didn't care! I still need to go out back later today and finish fertilizing the rest of my bushes/trees (Our landscaping is only 2 years old so I still "pamper" it!!)

Let's see what I remember:

I liked the Friday WDW special, but it wasn't anything new. Looking forward to seeing Disney on a Dime... maybe they can explain the $1600 Even DH, who is not savvy on WDW pricing like I am, laughs at that commercial. Sure, $1600 for tickets and lodging, but you haven't eaten, and how did you get there- walk??

Linda- great idea about the Happy Birthday in the native language in the passport. I want to give DS something else to do besides the Mask on his bday trip- and this is perfect!

Rock of Love Reunion was hilarious!!! I loved it when Daisy called Heather Stevie Nicks!! I didn't think it was possible for Kristy Jo to come off any worse than she did on the show- but I was wrong!!! What a trainwreck!! Ambre looked better- I only like her hair straight...

Sorry about all the sick/itchy kiddos!! DS has allergy induced asthma so a whole weekend of outside activities has made it interesting to say the least!!

Sorry about everything else I am forgetting!
Kristin

 

[Tinkaroo]

That's the key to the VIP tours, split it with another family! I agree with you that sounds like a great time and you did do a LOT in just six hours! I was wondering when in December that was? I think $250 would be so worth it if you were visiting the MK for the first time or were visiting during a busy time!

DH and I watched the Splurge and he said that is what I should do! He's ready to send me to work for Disney I Would LOVE to but I doubt you can walk in and apply for that job, you probably have to start small and this girls ain't about to sell ginormous turkey legs in Frontier Land!

We did this on Wed., 12/5. Not a hugely busy time of year, but the night before at the MVMCP, the place was PACKED. I have never seen the MK look like that, particularly on a party night. I had to resort to wielding an empty Coke bottle above my head to guide my family through the crowds - it was NOT pretty. All we accomplished that night (other than the 1st parade and fireworks) was the TTA, Buzz Lightyear, and IASW. Then the majority of the family bailed to go back to the resort (amateurs!) - my parents and I stayed and did a couple of the shows, walked around, shopped, etc.

I think I might have broken out in hives if I had had to face the MK the next day "on my own". Everyone had such high expectations traveling with me and DH, and it was just so exhausting after a while. To get to just enjoy my nieces' reactions to everything and not have to worry about FP return times, standby lines, when does this character come out/when, was just fabulous for a day.

I can't remember where our guide started out (although she originally did the college program). She was fantastic, and very much an asset to the Disney company. Marci from this thread has also used her, and might be able to offer some insight into how she got started - but yes, I don't think you can just be hired straight into Guest Relations!

Lindsay...ok so not all the VIP users are dumbos. Lucy and I DID see some VIP parties go to the front of the lines, so I don't get what they're talking about when they say they can't do that - they do it. That would be a big draw to potential customers if they'd just advertise it. Glad you had a nice experience....I am sure they do a great job because they're probably the cream of the crop WDW employees, but it's not for us though. I need the freedom to be crabby and quiet. I'd feel like I have to make small talk and be UP & friendly all day.....I can't always be Suzy Sunshine.

Mission Space......
DS17 does the real side of MS, DH does, too sometimes, but the girls & I do teh chicken side. It's ok and as Mandy said can get claustrophobic - Don't put that shoulder harness down too far because it will STAY THERE!!!! I did it and couldn't breathe!!! That was nasty. DS can get off and get back into the single rider line, but DH does it once a trip or so. The chicken side is just sitting, watching a screen with some neat space pics on it, and you kind of jostle around a bit. Nothing big....Star Tours is more rough.

I just wanted to give a perspective of someone who's actually done it. I know you guys wouldn't think I'm a dummy, and even so, it was worth every penny to me and my family, so that's all that matters in the end!

I don't think they advertise or guarantee any FOTL access, due to potential crowd levels - I think it does depend some on that. It's easiest on FP attractions, because we'd just enter the FP line with our guide. The only non-FP attraction we walked right on to was the Tomorrowland Speedway (thank God for that!), and she had arranged some "PD" for that to happen.

The other neat thing was the character interaction - we got some great extended time with Mickey and Ariel, and she knew right when Alice and the Mad Hatter were coming out near the tea cups, and we have the cutest pic of my niece walking between the 2 of them, holding their hands, while they all talked nonsense to each other! They easily spent a good 5+ mins with just my 2 nieces, talking to them on their level, posing for pics, etc.

And the parade viewing was the best. You're in a roped off spot just as the parade passes over the bridge between Liberty Square and FL - and since there's no one else on the other side of the parade route, they totally play to your group - all the characters came by and interacted with my nieces, blew kisses, talked to them, etc. Very cool.

Well- I must admit I am still thinking about this for our December trip also. We will be by ourselves until 12/28. We then have friends and family joining us. 3 have not been to Disney before and this will probably be their first and only trip for awhile. It is one of our good friends who just got divorced and he is taking his two boys ages 8 and 13. We will also have dd 4 and dd 8 and then my SIL, BIL and their son.

The one thing I am worried about is that the older boys will probably want to do more grown up things while my girls are still into the younger aged activities.

I am going to call and talk to their office and see what they think.

December is such a busy time of year and I am already a little overwhelmed by how I am going to make this a special trip for everyone involved. They all know we have been several times and will be counting on me to guide the way.

I think, if you can swing it $$, this would be a prime time to do the guide. Marci might be able to come along and testify to this - she used a guide around that time last year.

How many are in your group? If you have more than 10 people, you need 2 guides (doubly expensive, but you could split up at times, and have the older kids go one way, while the young ones go another).

 

[WishesQueen]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!