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

[vbarry]

YAY!

I LOVED Tusker house! The food was so good, they have this stuff called Jungle Juice and it was delish...... We were on the DDP and did character breakfast every morning for a week and this was our FAV! They ahve a carving stationa nd the ham was to DIE for! I'm getting hungry thinking about it!

Here's our famliy pic at Tusker house (HInt: if you get the photo pass cd you can add this too it but you have to buy it first....)

Conner participating in the little Goofy parade:

Way to go! You'll have a blast and all the trying will be worth it!

We are thinking about this one for our trip. My oldest daughter is a huge fan of Pluto. Is he at the breakfast or is it just Donald, Daisy and Goofy?

 

[mandymommy4]

Vbarry Tusker house at breakfast is called Donald's safari breakfast. The only characters that wer at our breakfast were Mickey, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy. We saw Pluto at Chef Mickey's. HTH!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

OK, since I am the eternal optimist, I am hoping with all my heart that when we arrive (in 19 days ) that there will still be availability at the GF for our December trip. I started crucnching numbers and think that if we can get all the dates, we are going to go for 12/5-14, instead of 12/6-14.

(For those of you who need a refresher of my December drama, we got a 20%code that was only good starting on 12/7... we have a package deal for the 7-14th and a room only at the GF on the 6th.)

I have been religiously checking airfare and it appears it is going to be significantly cheaper to fly down Friday evening (the 5th) instead of Saturday AM. The original plan was to book one night at Pop and transfer to the GF on the 6th, hang at the pool etc and start the trip on Sunday the 7th with the parks, dining etc.

Now, I am thinking if I can get the 30% for the entire time, we will come in Friday night (5th), stay at the GF the whole trip, and be able to start our trip on Saturday!!! (Appears to be the same price as what I am paying now with the 20% for part of the trip and all these random room only ressies) PLUS, I get an extra day of tickets and 2 extra days of DxDDP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since we will have 27 TS meals to use over the course of 9 days (we won't use any the first day, since we won't make it to the GF until 8:30pm or so), here is what I am thinking:

Sat 12/6- Crystal Palace breakfast, LTT Lunch, Narcooses Dinner
Sun 12/7- Chef Mickey Breakfast, Biergarten Lunch, Teppan Edo Dinner
Mon 12/8- Play N Dine Breakfast, Sci Fi Lunch, Yachtsman Dinner
Tues 12/9- 1900 PF breakfast, CRT dinner (MVMCP)
Wed 12/10- Cape May Cafe Breakfast, Flying Fish Dinner
Thurs 12/11- Tusker House Breakfast, Yak and Yeti Lunch, Citricos Dinner
Fri 12/12- O'Hana Breakfast, Tutto Italia Candlelight Processional Dinner
Sat 12/13- GF Cafe Breakfast, Artist Point Dinner
Sun 12/14 GF Cafe Breakfast

Finally, I can do all the Signature Dinners that I have wanted to do for SO LONG!!

 

[mr.mike]

You've picked some great places to eat!
I also want to try the Candelight Processional for the first time and hope to get to eat at Tutto Italia with the package.

(i was one of the few who enjoyed Alfredos shhhhh)

 

[mandymommy4]

I LOVED the DxDDp! We also ate at 3 signature, and did the Hoop -Dee -Doo (good entertainment, eh food)

 

[Cinderumbrella]

You've picked some great places to eat!
I also want to try the Candelight Processional for the first time and hope to get to eat at Tutto Italia with the package.

(i was one of the few who enjoyed Alfredos shhhhh)

Me too!!!! We ate there last year on it's last night

Tutto is our first night dinner next month- I hope it is good!!!

Normally, we would pick Le Cellier for the CP, but since we are doing so much signature dining in December, I feel like we wouldn't think as highly of the food as we normally do, make sense?? Plus, even I (the low carb queen! ) can only eat so many filets!! I thought Teppan Edo and Tutto were a good way to mix it up a little.

The lunch places I picked are strictly for atmosphere. I doubt I will eat much of anything at the Biergarten (aside from some streudel and a wine flight!!) or at the Sci Fi (except a milk shake). Still not sure about LTT. I prefer Tony's Town Square for lunch, but the day we are at MK should be parade taping day, so I think I want to steer clear of Main Street if I can And Yak and Yeti we have never tried so we figured we would give it a go for lunch.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I LOVED the DxDDp! We also ate at 3 signature, and did the Hoop -Dee -Doo (good entertainment, eh food)

We did HDDR in 2006 during our Grand Gathering. The show was a hoot but the food was horrible!! We won't go back any time soon (unless they change the show)

 

[praline3001]

Hmmmm :::looking around all inncocent hands behind my back::::: zit is gone (dont that look like a zit smilie)

I have a loop extractor and got the nerve to use it.

Kristin~ nice dining choices!
I loved Yak and Yeti's but we like chinese food ... if you like chinese food you will like Yak and Yeti's. Their egg rolls were REALLY GOOD!

LTT ... you know I liked this place the last couple of times we have gone. I am one of the FEW who really HATES CP so we opt for LTTT. The green beans are to DIE for..love love love 'em!
I have never done the candlelight thing.

I love good food BUT since I am from the city of some of the best food in the WORLD... whenever I go to Disney I do lower my standards on the food

I was really impressed with Jiko's the one time I ate there. That food was to die for!!!!!! YUMMY!!!! Have you ever tried Jikos?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hmmmm :::looking around all inncocent hands behind my back::::: zit is gone (dont that look like a zit smilie)

I have a loop extractor and got the nerve to use it.

Kristin~ nice dining choices!
I loved Yak and Yeti's but we like chinese food ... if you like chinese food you will like Yak and Yeti's. Their egg rolls were REALLY GOOD!

LTT ... you know I liked this place the last couple of times we have gone. I am one of the FEW who really HATES CP so we opt for LTTT. The green beans are to DIE for..love love love 'em!
I have never done the candlelight thing.

I love good food BUT since I am from the city of some of the best food in the WORLD... whenever I go to Disney I do lower my standards on the food

I was really impressed with Jiko's the one time I ate there. That food was to die for!!!!!! YUMMY!!!! Have you ever tried Jikos?

We do enjoy Chinese food, but my standards aren't that high, so I am sure we will like it! If not, it's just lunch, we'll be eating again later anyway

We only eat at CP for breakfast. I will NOT do anymore character lunches/dinners. I hate buffet food PERIOD, but can stomach it for breakfast at WDW (and only cuz there are characters there!!) We ate at LTT for dinner in 2006 before MVMCP and it was blah... the lunch menu looks interesting, but I LOVE that panini at Tony's Maybe we can jsut take the train to Main Street and sneak into Tony's that way

We have never tried Jikos. When we stayed at AKL we ate at Boma and the Mara. I will check out the menu since I am not 100% sold on Flying Fish (or Citrico's for that matter)

 

[praline3001]

Yeah I am not big on character meals myself but my kids LOVE 'em.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Yeah I am not big on character meals myself but my kids LOVE 'em.

I figure if we see enough characters at breakfast, that is one less line I need to wait in when we are in the parks

 

[praline3001]

I figure if we see enough characters at breakfast, that is one less line I need to wait in when we are in the parks

EXACTLY!

Savannah wanted to eat at Norway again and I put my foot down on that request EWWWWWWWWWWWW

 

[vbarry]

We also do a lot of character meals because of the kids. Not the best food but it keeps them happy and then we do not have to wait in line at the parks.

We may have to arrive on Christmas day due to family issues. We will only have 3 nights at the GF and then we move over to the BCV to meet family and friends. I am either thinking 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's or a nicer dinner at Narocees for Xmas night. I know the girls will be tired from the travel and extra excited. What do you guys think? I was going to do a fireworks cruise that night but I am too worried it is going to be cold out there on the water. We may then go over and do a sleigh ride at the WL.

Any thoughts?

 

[vbarry]

EXACTLY!

Savannah wanted to eat at Norway again and I put my foot down on that request EWWWWWWWWWWWW

This is my daughter's favorite for the character interaction but the food was GROSS! I did not even know what some of it was and refused to try it!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

EXACTLY!

Savannah wanted to eat at Norway again and I put my foot down on that request EWWWWWWWWWWWW

In 2006, the rest of the Grand Gathering went, but we skipped it (DS isn't THAT into the princesses- unless they are in the castle ). I am glad I did- they all HATED the food.

 

[mr.mike]

We ate at LTT for dinner in 2006 before MVMCP and it was blah... the lunch menu looks interesting, but I LOVE that panini at Tony's

Holy crinkles, I love LTT!! I've always had a good time there. I LOVE the salad and that sweet butter and everything else.

The salad is so good I kept asking for more and the server said 'how about i bring out the main dshes and if you still want more sald i'll bring it out after'
uhhh no. Bring me more salad NOW!!! i said with a smile.

 

[praline3001]

This is my daughter's favorite for the character interaction but the food was GROSS! I did not even know what some of it was and refused to try it!

The characters were rude when we were there.... so they weren't even worth braving the bad food

I have heard the breakfast is much better but I am not running all the way to Norway that early in the morning to find out

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We also do a lot of character meals because of the kids. Not the best food but it keeps them happy and then we do not have to wait in line at the parks.

We may have to arrive on Christmas day due to family issues. We will only have 3 nights at the GF and then we move over to the BCV to meet family and friends. I am either thinking 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey's or a nicer dinner at Narocees for Xmas night. I know the girls will be tired from the travel and extra excited. What do you guys think? I was going to do a fireworks cruise that night but I am too worried it is going to be cold out there on the water. We may then go over and do a sleigh ride at the WL.

Any thoughts?

I vote for 1900 PF so the girls can see Cinderella right away! I have never been Christmas week, so I can't comment on the water. I just know those sleigh rides book FAST, so if you want one, book it as soon as they are available!!!

 

[vbarry]

OK, since I am the eternal optimist, I am hoping with all my heart that when we arrive (in 19 days ) that there will still be availability at the GF for our December trip. I started crucnching numbers and think that if we can get all the dates, we are going to go for 12/5-14, instead of 12/6-14.

(For those of you who need a refresher of my December drama, we got a 20%code that was only good starting on 12/7... we have a package deal for the 7-14th and a room only at the GF on the 6th.)

I have been religiously checking airfare and it appears it is going to be significantly cheaper to fly down Friday evening (the 5th) instead of Saturday AM. The original plan was to book one night at Pop and transfer to the GF on the 6th, hang at the pool etc and start the trip on Sunday the 7th with the parks, dining etc.

Now, I am thinking if I can get the 30% for the entire time, we will come in Friday night (5th), stay at the GF the whole trip, and be able to start our trip on Saturday!!! (Appears to be the same price as what I am paying now with the 20% for part of the trip and all these random room only ressies) PLUS, I get an extra day of tickets and 2 extra days of DxDDP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since we will have 27 TS meals to use over the course of 9 days (we won't use any the first day, since we won't make it to the GF until 8:30pm or so), here is what I am thinking:

Sat 12/6- Crystal Palace breakfast, LTT Lunch, Narcooses Dinner
Sun 12/7- Chef Mickey Breakfast, Biergarten Lunch, Teppan Edo Dinner
Mon 12/8- Play N Dine Breakfast, Sci Fi Lunch, Yachtsman Dinner
Tues 12/9- 1900 PF breakfast, CRT dinner (MVMCP)
Wed 12/10- Cape May Cafe Breakfast, Flying Fish Dinner
Thurs 12/11- Tusker House Breakfast, Yak and Yeti Lunch, Citricos Dinner
Fri 12/12- O'Hana Breakfast, Tutto Italia Candlelight Processional Dinner
Sat 12/13- GF Cafe Breakfast, Artist Point Dinner
Sun 12/14 GF Cafe Breakfast

Finally, I can do all the Signature Dinners that I have wanted to do for SO LONG!!

Where is Yak and Yeti at?

Looks good to me. You have got a lot of great places. I am going back and forth on which plan to do. Are you doing the dining plan in May?

Have you done the Candlelight Processional before?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

The characters were rude when we were there.... so they weren't even worth braving the bad food

I have heard the breakfast is much better but I am not running all the way to Norway that early in the morning to find out

too funny!!! We ALWAYS go to Chef Mickey's on our Epcot day (I guess my logic is that we have to drive through the CR to get to the TTC so we might as well stop and eat!)