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

[vbarry]

We would have 10 people. I am just going to call and see what they say and talk to everyone about it. We would be splitting it 3 ways so the price is not that bad.

I tried to do a search but the search is not working for me today.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OK, so I am back after doing a quick "tour" of the boards

Kelly, did you see that the FAQ is up to 242 pages That was fast!!!

Does anyone know if CRT is open during MVMCP?? In the past we were able to make ADR's for restaurants open during the party when tickets went on sale and I am hoping that CRT is NOT open. I know tickets are supposed to go on sale May 1 for the party, but I want to wait until we get back from our May trip (and have successfully booked my bounceback) before I buy tickets. I am worried that there will be a rush on CRT ressies prior to the 180 day window and we REALLY want to eat there that night....

When does GrannyMinnie come back?? I want to hear all the juicy details!!

I almost forgot, 23 days!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

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

Kristin,,I thought she called her "Skeevie Nicks" I thought that was more appropriate....that Heather is a dirtbag. The passport thing is cute - something different. You get lucky if you wind up with friendly CMs doing it, too.

We would have 10 people. I am just going to call and see what they say and talk to everyone about it. We would be splitting it 3 ways so the price is not that bad.

I tried to do a search but the search is not working for me today.

Yes if it were a large group and I was splitting the bill even I would consider it. It might be a treat actually because you know Disney is going to treat you right (you're paying to be a VIP ). My satisfation threshold is a lot differnt if I am paying $300 vs $900....Large group = less money out & large group = more shiny happy people to chit chat with teh CM. My family even gets "weird" and oddly quiet when the room service delivery person shows up. Is that normal?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hey- where's my ticker go?????????????????

 

[Tinkaroo]

OK, so I am back after doing a quick "tour" of the boards

Kelly, did you see that the FAQ is up to 242 pages That was fast!!!

Does anyone know if CRT is open during MVMCP?? In the past we were able to make ADR's for restaurants open during the party when tickets went on sale and I am hoping that CRT is NOT open. I know tickets are supposed to go on sale May 1 for the party, but I want to wait until we get back from our May trip (and have successfully booked my bounceback) before I buy tickets. I am worried that there will be a rush on CRT ressies prior to the 180 day window and we REALLY want to eat there that night....

When does GrannyMinnie come back?? I want to hear all the juicy details!!

I almost forgot, 23 days!!!

Kristin, I don't believe CRT is one of the restaurants that is officially "open" during the party - i.e., they'll book seating times right up to the party's start, but not after. I believe CP, LTT and Tony's are the only MK restaurants that still hold that distinction.

I had to try 3 different CM's before someone would book my LTT reservation last year the day tix were released. Hope they're still doing it this year!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Can we talk for a moment about that $1600 trip? I think that my "extras" might just add up close to that. Not including all the souveniers the kids are sure to talk us into. Sure it could be done for less, but what's the fun in that?

Here's the current "extras" :
Limo: $300
Taxi estimate: $200
Gift baskets: $200
Wishes Cruise: $300+
B-day cake for Emily: $100 (Custom princess [ie: obsessive mom] cake)
B-day cake for Alex: $25 (he doesn't want a cake at all! but he's getting one anyway.)
Room service not covered by ddp: $200
Chocolate mickey with strawberries : $75 (for hubby...we are married today because of a plate of chocolate strawberries.)
Slipper desserts: $25 (yes 2 of them, I need one at CRT and one at GF...they're different you know. )
Afternoon Tea: $75

I just wouldn't trade all of that for one day or even two of a personal tour guide. It sounds great, amazing even, but with so many other amazing things to do it just doesn't fit for us.
What hubby doesn't know won't hurt him.

I only got to $1500...guess I'm not trying hard enough!!! I could, maybe have a good disney vacation for a lot less, but I seriously doubt, even without the "extras," I could get anywhere near $1600...I will not sleep in a double bed, I will not try to squish 6 of us into a value room (even without the "rules"), and I will not take busses everywhere...I just hate busses.

Oh, heck, the budget was blown before we got there...plane tix for 6 from Maine were just over $1600.

I think I'll go call the florist...maybe they are working today and I can get the baskets ordered.
Sheli
​

 

[praline3001]

I guess what Sheli is saying is what I meant ...she just said it better. I dont think only dumb people use the VIP tours... heck I was seriously thinking about it myself

There is so many ways that Disney grabs your cash... so many extras and so many little frills you can't keep up with them all. For Savannah and I, getting private dining every day, a limo to and from the airport and taking cabs instead of the buses would be more magical to us than having the VIP tour guide with us for 1 day. Someone else might find doing Richard Petty's driving thing more worth it than the VIP tour. I for 1 think driving in circles is dumb but I am sure DH would love to do it

Some people think staying GF conceirge is dumb.
In that case sign me up on the dummy list
Getting a VIP tour guide would be dumb for Savannah and I. I have been to Disney several times and we were just there in Feb.

 

[WishesQueen]

When does GrannyMinnie come back?? I want to hear all the juicy details!!

I almost forgot, 23 days!!!

I was thinking the same thing!!!

I am dying to know if she liked Narcoossee's, although that review Goofygal sent me was great!! I am not going to change it, I am going to give it a try its one of the few signatures we haven't tried yet.

I am contemplating doing the DDDP next year just for the signatures, it depends if the dining plan changes for next year. Wouldn't it be nice if they let you intertwine the two plans.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Someone else might find doing Richard Petty's driving thing more worth it than the VIP tour. I for 1 think driving in circles is dumb but I am sure DH would love to do it

Praline, Hubby did the Petty driving thing last time we went. It was the highlight of his trip (being somewhat less Mickey focused than the rest of the family.) He would far rather drive those circles daily than see another mouse...too bad for him! No driving this trip at all.

He's such a good sport!

He even just approved the final version of the gift baskets for the kids (I pretend he has a say in it and he pretends he cares!!!)
Sheli

 

[goofygal531]

Can we talk for a moment about that $1600 trip? I think that my "extras" might just add up close to that. Not including all the souveniers the kids are sure to talk us into. Sure it could be done for less, but what's the fun in that?

Here's the current "extras" :
Limo: $300
Taxi estimate: $200
Gift baskets: $200
Wishes Cruise: $300+
B-day cake for Emily: $100 (Custom princess [ie: obsessive mom] cake)
B-day cake for Alex: $25 (he doesn't want a cake at all! but he's getting one anyway.)
Room service not covered by ddp: $200
Chocolate mickey with strawberries : $75 (for hubby...we are married today because of a plate of chocolate strawberries.)
Slipper desserts: $25 (yes 2 of them, I need one at CRT and one at GF...they're different you know. )
Afternoon Tea: $75
etc...
​

I said the same thing the other day on the GF thread!

I've added so many things to our vacation that I'm hoping DH won't stop and add things up

Limo $250
Spa treatment $280
Richard Petty Rookie Experience $450
Tuxedo Strawberries w/chocolate Mickey $75
Segway Tour $85
Cabana $110
Kid's Nite Out $100
Wishes Cruise $275

I made DSs gift bags that I'm shipping down, along with my box of misc necessecities and a case of water.

That's $1,650 just right there in extras. NOT including we're not on a dining plan and we'll be dining at TS meals twice a day, DH's already saying we'll do PD for breakfast some days, cabs to AK, etc.....

I could NEVER do WDW on $1,600. I'm sorry to me that's just unrealistic. It wouldn't be a vacation.​

 

[goofygal531]

Someone else might find doing Richard Petty's driving thing more worth it than the VIP tour. I for 1 think driving in circles is dumb but I am sure DH would love to do it

DH is looking forward to driving in circles!

I'm looking forward to the three hours he'll be gone while I relax at the cabana with the boys.

 

[johnsonet]

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.

OMG - that brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful endorsement!
I am so glad you posted your experience b/c it sounds FABULOUS!

 

[johnsonet]

...getting private dining every day, a limo to and from the airport and taking cabs instead of the buses would be more magical to us than having the VIP tour guide with us for 1 day.

I don't want to be nosy, but although I am very in favor of taking a cab from the GF to DTD and AKL for dinner - things like that - I hope you don't think that taking the busses to the parks is awful! Maybe at the end of the day when you're exhausted and don't want to wait on the bus or make the stops at CR and Poly...BUT
In general it is very nice and easy. And the cabs drop you off in particular areas that are NOT that convenient! maybe in depends upon the driver but I've taken a cab to MGM before and had quite a hike to the park entrance

 

[vbarry]

Well...I have given a lot of thought to the private tour guide thing today and did find some posts etc.

I think I am going to give up the Grand 1, book a general fireworks cruise and then split the guide for a day at MK with my friends/family. My husband is not a fan of MK because he hates waiting in lines and it always seems too crowded. He loves AK and Epcot (Epcot being the #1 favorite). The quicker he can get through things at MK the better it will be. I probably would not ever think of spending this kind of money if it were not for it being the week before Xmas-New Years which scares me death!

I am calling this my Merry Christmas to Me trip!! I keep adding more things and I just keep thinking "oh well...it is Christmas!" That is what always gets me into trouble around the holidays.

Anyway- hope everyone has a good night. It is beautiful today so I need to get outside and get something done (like watching my grass grow!)

Have a good night!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

OOOPS! I thought I was at $1500 in extras...then I remembered the segway tour for me and the pirate cruise for the 8yo and the boat rentals for dad and the teens....forget it...I can't even keep the "extras" below $1600...

I can't wait to see the disney on a dime show and do my own math on them...I bet they include nothing.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

I can't wait to see Disney on a dime also. It just wouldn't be the same without all of the extras! How far in advance do I need to book the Keys to the Kingdom tour and order tux. strawberries for our room? thanks!

 

[grannyminnie]

Hey ladies and other people! I'm back, and reality is a bummer...the trip was great, but of course, way too short, as mine usually are.
No dreams this time; not even small ones, but we did meet and chat with a couple of great CMs in EPCOT.
Narcoosee's was a treat. We got a window seat, and had the vegetable entree (so I could totally enjoy that cheescake you guys had told me about). I was in love with that dessert!! It, and a pasta dish at the GF cafe, were my two favorite dishes. I would order that cheesecake if it cost $10 instead of 8!
The weather was great..we were able to get in the pool, no prob. And the crowds were doable, I thought.
I hate coming home; such a downer. Gotta focus on the next vacation ticker now. Speaking of...I see you have two of 'em, Channing.
You guys have sure been busy chatting since I've been gone..and I wasn't even gone that long.
Oh yeah, at the GF, I saw the lady in the lobby (the one with the bag of stuffed animals) and I did see a couple of "tangled sweaters" too!!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I ordered my strawberries about 10 days before I arrived

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hey ladies and other people! I'm back, and reality is a bummer...the trip was great, but of course, way too short, as mine usually are.
No dreams this time; not even small ones, but we did meet and chat with a couple of great CMs in EPCOT.
Narcoosee's was a treat. We got a window seat, and had the vegetable entree (so I could totally enjoy that cheescake you guys had told me about). I was in love with that dessert!! It, and a pasta dish at the GF cafe, were my two favorite dishes. I would order that cheesecake if it cost $10 instead of 8!
The weather was great..we were able to get in the pool, no prob. And the crowds were doable, I thought.
I hate coming home; such a downer. Gotta focus on the next vacation ticker now. Speaking of...I see you have two of 'em, Channing.
You guys have sure been busy chatting since I've been gone..and I wasn't even gone that long.
Oh yeah, at the GF, I saw the lady in the lobby (the one with the bag of stuffed animals) and I did see a couple of "tangled sweaters" too!!

Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I take it by the ticker comment that bounceback was successful
As for "the other people" I guess that means us wenches???

 

[tinklvr64]

Hey ladies and other people! I'm back, and reality is a bummer...the trip was great, but of course, way too short, as mine usually are.
No dreams this time; not even small ones, but we did meet and chat with a couple of great CMs in EPCOT.
Narcoosee's was a treat. We got a window seat, and had the vegetable entree (so I could totally enjoy that cheescake you guys had told me about). I was in love with that dessert!! It, and a pasta dish at the GF cafe, were my two favorite dishes. I would order that cheesecake if it cost $10 instead of 8!
The weather was great..we were able to get in the pool, no prob. And the crowds were doable, I thought.
I hate coming home; such a downer. Gotta focus on the next vacation ticker now. Speaking of...I see you have two of 'em, Channing.
You guys have sure been busy chatting since I've been gone..and I wasn't even gone that long.
Oh yeah, at the GF, I saw the lady in the lobby (the one with the bag of stuffed animals) and I did see a couple of "tangled sweaters" too!!

Welcome back....I cant wait to go and see if I can see the lady in the lobby and tangled sweaters