IMBE's final thoughts - Grand Plan

[imbe@aol.com]

This was the second time for me doing the Grand Plan. While I enjoyed it immensely, I really don't think I'll do it again.

Now, that's not to say that I would dissuade anyone from trying it!! If you can, go for it! LOL It's wonderful! BUT .. you've GOT to really make a concerted effort to get your money's worth, and honestly? This year, I'm not so sure I did. Last year, definitely! But it was hotter this year, I had other things going on too, and I doubt I came out ahead. I'm not sorry we did it though! LOL

I know that it probably sounded like we did NOTHING but eat! LOL and .. we did eat a lot! But there comes a time when you don't even want to LOOK at food after being on this a while! LOL Perhaps what I should've done was done the GP for say .. the first week of the stay, then gone off it for the remaining time. Oh well, lesson learned there.

The fact remains that as far as the dinners go, I would've eaten like this regardless of whether I was on the GP or not - I love good food both at home and away. As far as the lunches & breakfasts? No, I wouldn't have gone to such excess with them! LOL because at home, I RARELY even eat lunch, and only once in a while do I have such big breakfasts. The snacks throughout the park days? Yeah .. I would've had those anyway too! LOL

I forgot to mention at the start, about the Grand Plan gift for this year - I'll get a picture of it up soon. It was a little sculpture thing .. on a heavy wooden base, about .. 6" long, maybe 3 1/2" wide. It's the Clock & Candlestick from "Beauty & the Beast", and the Clock is holding a small crank turned music box that plays "Be our Guest". It's cute .. but personallly, I liked the clock from last year better.

I can't think of anything else, so if there are questions about the Grand Plan, feel free to ask, and I'll try to answer.

Judi

 

[pumba]

do the GP....but we ate well.......and I was sometimes not really hungry when we did another restaurant at the evening hour.....thanks for the reflections of your food fest......

 

[nutz4dzny]

I really enjoyed reading ALL your trip reports! I know you took a lot of time doing them and I appreciated them. Especially because you were on the GP and I love hearing all about the "special" activities and the Wonderful restaurants!!! Thanks again for sharing!

 

[Janet2k]

I completely understand!! Our very first WDW stay was at the GF in a main building concierge room with the Grand Plan package on top of it. We couldn't stand the sight of food after about day three (that did not stop us from eating, however). The next time we stayed at the GF we were in a two-bedroom suite in Conch Key. Again, under the Grand Plan. We went to Victoria & Albert's a couple times during that stay, and once just for dessert (we were tired of eating but couldn't pass up our favorite soufflés at Victoria & Albert's). We have our third Grand Plan stay booked already. I would only suggest someone doing the Grand Plan if they are planning an active stay. If someone just wants to lull around and not do much, then I would tell them to not book the package (unless they really wanted the convenience of the Grand Plan, then I would not talk them out of it). It sounds like you and I agree on this. But the Grand Plan is such a wonderful package, isn't it? I would love to see your Grand Plan gift (so I know what to expect on my upcoming vacation).

It sounds like you had a wonderful vacation! Welcome home. Now get planning your next one so as to beat your post-vacation blues!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I loved reading them!

We did the Deluxe Magic plan on our first trip and I know what you mean about all that food. I wouldn't do it again right now with the kids -- because all of that eating really cuts into your park time. I would consider booking it for 3 or 4 days for an "adults only" trip...then I would book the rest of the vacation as room only.

Well -- it sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for Sharing!!!!

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Thanks everyone, for your nice comments!

Janet, I've already got one future trip planned, for November! LOL Now I need to get a few MORE trips planned, and THEN I'll be happy again!

I do have a few pictures of the 2001 Grand Plan gift .. and I would post them here, but I don't know how to do that! LOL If someone could help me out, I'll be happy to do it ..otherwise, if you want to email me, I can send them that way.

I also have SOME pictures up thus far, on www.photopoint.com If you look under IMBE@aol.com, they're categorized under "AKL" "July, 2001 ..." and there are a few new ones so far under "GF" also. More photos coming as soon as I get them finished.

 

[Janet2k]

Thanks for the laugh! I know EXACTLY what you mean! I have three trips planned right now: one single one (just my immediate family) that is turning out to potentially be a group one (I've got my fingers crossed that it turns out to be a group one since I love vacationing with others), another single one, followed by a group one. Planning the WDW trips (single or group) is time consuming but it does keep me from getting sad because I know that within a few months I'll be back at my favorite place again.