Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho. It's off to the Grand Floridian We Go! June 2014 (Update: Video)

[MarbleBob]

Day 4 - Friday the 6th - Part 3 - Room with a view

We opened up the door and were pretty much like, "Oh, yeah!"

The bellhop dropped off our luggage and then I tried to get a few photos before we trashed the place with all of our stuff. LOL.





It's hard to get a good perspective on the room, so I grabbed the fisheye lens for my camera.





And the bathroom area...



Strange that this is worth pointing out, but it's the small things, right? The room temperature was perfect when we arrived. So often, one of the first things you have to do when checking into a room is turn down the thermostat

This was by far the nicest room we've ever had at WDW. It's going to be hard to stay anywhere else at WDW after this! Thanks mom and dad!!!

Stepping out onto the balcony...



Looking to the left



And then looking to the right, you could just make out the lagoon.



Pretty cool to have a mix between a pool view and a lagoon view. The others had a better pool view from their rooms, but I thought it was cool to be able to see a bit of the lagoon too.

I took a panoramic photo with my phone



The kids had fun exploring our room and then roaming between the others. I found them down the hall in my sister's room a little later.

Selfie time...



They had a more direct view of the pool.



So, after everyone was all settled in, it was about 3:30pm and time to head down to the pool! We decided to start at the beach bool (with the waterside and play area... next to the, um, beach ), but here are a couple photos of the larger pool on the way over.

The following photo is from the corner closest to the main building.



And this one is from the other side, looking directly at our building. Our room was on the third floor, third balcony on the left of the big turret. The others were a couple rooms to the right of the turret.



And we made our way over to the beach pool. Awesome! Water slide on the left, bar on the right, monorail track off in the background, and the lagoon beach directly behind. So cool!!



The kids hopped right in the water and had a blast.



Sometime between 4 and 4:30 we were hungry, so we decided to look at our options. The pool bar had burgers, chicken, salads, etc. That sounded fine, but we decided to head over to Gasparilla Grill (the quick service restaurant.) We explored our options and decided we just wanted to grab some sushi, so we got the pre-prepared sushi and re-fillable mugs and headed back to the pool. We arrived to find Uncle Steve and Aunt Denise and Beth and her kids. Beth's husband was arriving on a later flight and hadn't gotten in yet. After visiting with everyone for a while, we ate our food, finished up at the pool, freshened up in our room, and got ready to head to the Magic Kingdom! (Heigh-ho, heigh-ho...)



.

 

[KelleyK75]

The resort is so beautiful! Definitely on my bucket list to stay there some day! It looks like your trip is starting off really nice.

 

[kgoodb00]

Great updates!! That room is beautiful. Someday I will stay there...even if it is for a night. Can't wait to hear all about your evening at MK!

 

[disnemimi]

I am so thrilled with your trip report Matt. And yes, thank you for taking so many pictures. I never once looked up at that beautiful ceiling in the main lobby, so glad to see your picture. I was bummed to not have our rooms together, but it was more important to me to be closer to the pools and lobby. I thought it was definitely "pixie dust" that we arrived at the Grand Floridian together. Love our electronics!! I always loved The Polynesian, but I am here to say, The Grand might have taken it's place as favorite resort. Can't wait to read more.
Mimi

 

[SusieBea]

You know, when we stayed there, they still had the Alice in Wonderland theming in the rooms. That was the only thing I didn't like at the time. I like the refurbished rooms so much better. Thanks for the pics.

 

[HumblePie]

Sounds like quite the trip! Looking forward to reading along!

 

[annegirl]

SO beautiful! I would love to stay there someday- definitely my dream resort. I love Victorian things so I fell in love with it when we visited it for our meals. Your room is just gorgeous.

 

[PrncessA]

What a wonderful view and start to your trip! I am glad that they were able to move things around and get you all closer to the main building and keep you together.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I must say that I don't think I would pick to stay at the GF - just feel I am not "fancy enough" or that I would be afraid my kids would break everything ... but it really is pretty and your room is lovely (maybe I just don't want to be surrounded by things that are "pretty" and "lovely" )

That beach pool looks really fun - and how may places can you say you swim with a view of a lagoon on one side and a monorail on the other?

 

[annie170]

Joining in, Matt! My husband and I have talked about taking all three daughters, spouses and grandkids to Disney one day, so I'm interested to hear how a trip with such a large group worked out.

I like how you took your time getting there and found plenty to do along the way. That's how you do a road trip!

Grand Floridian is so beautiful! I just love balconies with rooms and what great views you had!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

So glad everything was sorted out with the rooms. A little pixie dust never hurts. The Grand Floridian looks gorgeous! What a great way to start your Disney Vacation in that beautiful pool.

 

[disney meema]

Great first afternoon at the pool ... Nothing like food by the Floridian pool : )

 

[maryj11]

Awesome photo's ! The pool looks so refreshing

 

[MarbleBob]

The resort is so beautiful! Definitely on my bucket list to stay there some day! It looks like your trip is starting off really nice.

This was on my bucket list too. A couple other resorts that we want to try next, but I hope to come back some day!

Great updates!! That room is beautiful. Someday I will stay there...even if it is for a night. Can't wait to hear all about your evening at MK!

Yeah, I hear you, even a night would be nice at the Grand Floridian.

I am so thrilled with your trip report Matt. And yes, thank you for taking so many pictures. I never once looked up at that beautiful ceiling in the main lobby, so glad to see your picture. I was bummed to not have our rooms together, but it was more important to me to be closer to the pools and lobby. I thought it was definitely "pixie dust" that we arrived at the Grand Floridian together. Love our electronics!! I always loved The Polynesian, but I am here to say, The Grand might have taken it's place as favorite resort. Can't wait to read more.
Mimi

Ah shucks! Thanks Mom. You truly are the best, and a great role model for our family!!!

You know, when we stayed there, they still had the Alice in Wonderland theming in the rooms. That was the only thing I didn't like at the time. I like the refurbished rooms so much better. Thanks for the pics.

We were happy to have a newly renovated room. It would have been nice to have stayed in the older ones for comparison, but I imagine these are much nicer and more elegant.

Sounds like quite the trip! Looking forward to reading along!

Hello, and thanks!

SO beautiful! I would love to stay there someday- definitely my dream resort. I love Victorian things so I fell in love with it when we visited it for our meals. Your room is just gorgeous.

I recall on your PTR that your screen name was from Anne of Green Gables, right? I can imagine Anne here in a fancy dress. Maybe sipping a little too much red current wine with her bosom friend. Seriously, this place was really nice

What a wonderful view and start to your trip! I am glad that they were able to move things around and get you all closer to the main building and keep you together.

Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks PrncessA. Next post will be in a few minutes.

I must say that I don't think I would pick to stay at the GF - just feel I am not "fancy enough" or that I would be afraid my kids would break everything ... but it really is pretty and your room is lovely (maybe I just don't want to be surrounded by things that are "pretty" and "lovely" )

That beach pool looks really fun - and how may places can you say you swim with a view of a lagoon on one side and a monorail on the other?

You know Phil, I thought the same thing before. It was on my bucket list, because it's "the" WDW resort, but I'm not really into fancy stuff either. I was concerned that I'd be surrounded by stuck up golf dudes in polo shirts smoking cigars with their collars turned up. The place certainly was fancy, but it was more casual and than I would have thought throughout the day. Later in the evenings, the atmosphere would get more sophisticated. But all in all, it was very comfortable and inviting

Joining in, Matt! My husband and I have talked about taking all three daughters, spouses and grandkids to Disney one day, so I'm interested to hear how a trip with such a large group worked out.

I like how you took your time getting there and found plenty to do along the way. That's how you do a road trip!

Grand Floridian is so beautiful! I just love balconies with rooms and what great views you had!

Welcome Annie! We had a lovely time with such a big group. I think it helped that we only planned a few meals and excursions for the entire group, and then just leave the rest to chance. We spent a lot of time together, but it was usually at the pool or touch and go in the parks. Otherwise, trying to coordinate FP+'s every day for the entire group would have been just too much

So glad everything was sorted out with the rooms. A little pixie dust never hurts. The Grand Floridian looks gorgeous! What a great way to start your Disney Vacation in that beautiful pool.

Yes indeed. Glad there was pixie to be had on our check in!

Great first afternoon at the pool ... Nothing like food by the Floridian pool : )

Amen!!

Awesome photo's ! The pool looks so refreshing

Thanks Maryj. Yes, pool was awesome, even if I couldn't enjoy it completely due to my cast. I sure wouldn't mind relaxing in it right now! It's hot back here in Missouri

 

[MarbleBob]

Day 4 - Friday the 6th - Part 4 - Magic Kingdom!

OK. We left off with dinner and visiting with everyone down at the pool before heading back to the room before an evening at the Magic Kingdom.

It was now 6pm and we had FP+'s for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train from around 6 to 7pm, so we didn't dilly dally. We hopped on the monorail and headed straight to MK. My sister and her crew planned to arrive a little later after Randy arrived. And then everyone else opted to relax at the hotel for the rest of the evening.

Snapped a couple photos of the resort from the monorail. See you a little later Grand Floridian



And Seven Seas Lagoon



We walked straight to the turnstiles. Or, um, Fast Pass+ thingies? This was our first time using the magic bands. I didn't grab any photos, but it was really nice. In the past, Stephanie was the keeper of the park tickets. She'd hand them out to everyone before we passed through the gate and then we'd hand them back to her afterwards (for safe keeping and collecting old school fast pass tickets.) It was nice that everyone could just wave their band and walk through. We didn't have any issues with getting in the parks all week. I think this was one of the better parts of the magic bands.

OK, so we got in and started heading towards SDMT. I tried to grab a few photos as we walked...



Gotta love the train station!



We kept trucking right down Main Street



And we had to stop for a picture with one of the PhotoPass photographers. We got a couple keepers! (My mom purchased the Memory Maker package for our group, so you'll see a lot of photo pass pictures throughout the trip report )



And then we passed through the castle and entered the new Fantasyland for the first time. Wow!!! This is pretty amazing! We didn't waste any time getting in line for SDMT.



Stephanie waving her magic band.



Check out the cottage!



Even better, check out the line that we didn't have to wait in



Even with FP+, we still had to wait a few minutes, so we grabbed a few more photos.

One of the kids got this one of us.



Hi Buddy!



Hi Princess!



And our little Pickle too!



So then we got to experience the ride itself. Everyone loved it. It's quite short, but they pack a lot of fun into it. Wether or not it's waiting a couple hour for? Probably not to me, but it's DEFINITELY worth getting a couple of Fast Passes for

We had about an hour until our next FP+ for Peter Pan, so we decided to explore the new Fantasyland for a little while. Stephanie went to grab the stroller (which she parked closer to the Winnie the Pooh ride) so we waited by the gates to new Fantasyland for a minute. Of course, Pickle doesn't need a stroller, but we figured that with so much walking it would be nice to have anyway. And it's a great way to carry water bottles, rain ponchos, souvenirs, etc.

Pickle played with her Duffy while we waited.



And then we moved on. Hello Be Our Guest restaurant. We'll be seeing you in more detail on Monday.



And another shot of SDMT



Hey, it's Gaston's Tavern, let's go check it out!



"Gaston is the best and the rest is all drips" Hehe



We decided to go inside and take a look around.

 

[MarbleBob]

Day 4 - Friday the 6th - Part 5 - More Magic Kingdom!

We looked around and the theming of the little restaurant was really cool! Hmm... No one was hungry enough for a pork shank, but Princess decided that she wanted to try some LeFou's Brew.



She and I waited in line while the others headed outside for other snacks.

A couple minutes later and voila!



The brew, "a no-sugar added frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow, topped with all-natural passion fruit-mango foam", was actually quite tasty. So much so, that I went back in to get a cup of my own!

In the meantime, Stephanie found herself a chocolate covered frozen banana. Buddy had a Mickey ice cream bar. And Pickle had cotton candy.

We found a shady spot outside to enjoy our treats. What a view!!! I love how you really feel like you are in the realms of a true fantasy land with Cinderella's Castle off in the distance! Disney did a great job here!



I checked the wait times app and Dumbo had a 20 minute wait, so we decided to hop on it before heading over to Peter Pan. We passed the Little Mermaid Ride on the way.



Wow, the new Storybook Circus area is awesome! Lots of vibrant colors. Another great job, Disney!!



I didn't realize that they had a playground inside the queueing area. The line was short enough that they bypassed us. But it was fun looking at it anyway. It's like an attraction within an attraction.



We made it through the line and then it was our turn. Had to grab some photos fast before I got harassed by a ride attendant. Haha.







Steph got a photo of Pickle too



The ride itself didn't seem too much different than the old one that we knew and loved. It was cool to see the tandem Dumbo's though.

Well, that was fun. See you later Timothy Mouse :good vibes



After that, we headed over and used our FP+'s for Peter Pan. Always a classic too! We hopped on so fast, that I didn't really have time for any photos. But that's not a bad thing

Cool. Now we have another hour until Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Let's ride It's a Small World? OK!!!



Hello Stephanie!!!



On our boat and ready to go!



The Happiest Cruise that Ever Sailed!









And "Adios Amigos"!



Stay tuned for the rest of our evening

 

[annegirl]

I recall on your PTR that your screen name was from Anne of Green Gables, right? I can imagine Anne here in a fancy dress. Maybe sipping a little too much red current wine with her bosom friend. Seriously, this place was really nice

Yes! Eating some ice cream and drinking raspberry cordial. She would fit right in.

I love the pictures of new Fantasyland! I am SO excited to see it for the first time!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

glad you enjoyed the Mine Train - and enjoyed bypassing that line!

They did do a great job with the themeing of that area. Also, not sure if you got to see it but Dumbo looks great at night with all the lights shining on the water

 

[disney meema]

Great evening at the park ... I'm excited to ride the mine train and taste the the brew! I can't wait to read more of your first evening at GF and MK

 

[KelleyK75]

What a fun evening so far! I'm glad you enjoyed Mine Train. I can't wait to try it out. The brew looks great, too!