July 2-11th Grand Floridian Concierge with pics

[Alicnwondrln]

Hi everyone I always read the TRs but never write any. I never use spell check and always make lots of errors so this will take me forever as I plan to take my time. I tons of pics I will be adding.

This trip was booked for months. We had planned on staying at the Poly but there was no concierge and Sugar loaf was available at the GF. We have stayed at the WL, BWI, BC, and GF in the last year or so all concierge. Its true what they say, once you stay concierge level you cant go back! I love the club level service and have had some truly magical trips.

Our Cast of characters:

Me: Alice 32 disney freak 25 plus trip
DH 31 likes disney and tries to act like he doesnt
ds8 6th trip loves going and staying conceirge
ds3 4th trip is really getting into everything now

to stay at the GF concierge for 9 nights, I had made all the dining reservations and a game plan. I used touring plans and tour guide mike.

SIDETRACK TO FAMILY DRAMA


Well we had some losses in the months before, both of my DHs grandparents passed away within 6 weeks of each other. These were his dads parents. My dhs mom lives in FL and doesnt have any $ ( cuz she doesnt work and lives off social security) so she wasnt able to pay for the tickets to come home. She was close to her in laws before her DH died. They were going to cost over $2000 bucks for all 4 of them to fly back to MA and we wernt paying for it. Dh has 3 younger brothers the youngest is 15 the other 2 are over 21. These people need to save $ and get jobs. I even had a thread about it on the CB, I was so mad about her telling me it was job to get them home.

This was hard for me, we have never been close and when we refused to buy the 4 of the flights to MA she didnt talk to DH for over a week. I just dont like the games she plays and we limit her interaction with the kids. RANT OVER

She went into this whole things about never seeing the kids and DH felt awful. We ending up adding her to the trip, we of course had to pay for everything she did and even her train ticket to met up in Orlando. It was very stressful figuring it all out. My Dhs dad passed away 8 years ago and they no longer speak with anyone is his family. It was bad people.

Anyway she was added to the room and dining plans were changed. We had a car service pick us up at the house and take us to logan airport.
We were taking Jetblue to Orlando on the 2nd and arriving around 1150am, we were then picking up our car rental at Alamo and then picking MIL up at the train station.

I dont have alot of train experience and wasnt hearing good things. We had already bought the flights to orlando so we had to find away to get MIL up to Orlando. She doesnt drive or have a car so the train seemed the best option. We bought her a ticket and mailed her the paperwork. For weeks before hand I had told DH we would check on the status of her train and if it was late go would right to the GF. Well he thought that was dumb and was sure there would be no delay. We all know what happened here, her train was delayed, by 8 hours. There was an accident, a trailer tried to out run the train and hit it.

I called Amtrak on our way to the station they confirmed a 3 hour delay at that time. We stopped at Target as I forgot to pack Dh socks and then went off to the GF.

I was met my Hannah at the front of the resort and taken right to my room 6220 in the Sugar Loaf concierge buidling. It was a tower room with extra sitting area that had a pull out couch and TV and balcony. The room was amazing. I love the GF its just a great place to stay. Here are some pics of the resort and our room.

From the balcony

We decided to take some pics and unpack. Dh took the boys down to the lounge to grab some cold drinks and a few extra sodas for the room. I called and ordered a fridge, unpakced and hung up our nice clothes as we were eating at Yachtsmen Steakhouse and Artist Point during the trip.

We kept checking on the train and it kept getting delayed longer and longer.
We finally took the kids over the Gasparillas Grille and got some real food.
Mil calls and shes still on the train but they are moving soon and will be at the train station by 530pm. DH and DS8 decide to drive back to the train station as it takes 40 minutes and I take ds3 over to MK to pick up our park tickets, 9 day myw park hoppers and fun passes.

DS3 loves the monorail so we do this and come back to the GF and have them added to the room key by Robert who was amazing. I also have to give a shout out to Calvin the preplanner at the GF, I cant thank him enough for everything he did for my family. He came thru on so much stuff.

DS3 and I hang out and I take pics. I ended up cancelling our dinner at the GF Cafe because now its after 6pm. Dh never got back with her til after 8pm. I felt bad for her, the first time she goes out in 8 years and this happens. She was pretty shaken up, I thought was she gonna take a panic attack. She takes tons of meds everyday I couldnt believe them all.

The plan was to get up and go to MK the next day. Then have dinner and watch the fireworks from the MK as they do the 4th of July show on the 3rd as well.

Do you think any of that happened?

 

[Busymom85]

What a lovely room. Hope your MIL trip gets better. Sounds like she needs a vacation. Cute kids. Can't wait for more.

 

[kaysmommie]

Subscribing! I subscribed to TGM too and can't wait to see how it worked for you. Ive never stayed at GF but we really love the Poly. I'm surprised you stayed in Sugar loaf again, I thought you were not too happy with it last time? That room looks really nice.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Ok the next day no one wanted to get up early after all the train drama the night before. We decided to go over to Ecpot. We had a blast. It was alot of fun. We did a bunch of rides and it was not that crowded. We decided to have a sit down lunch at Alfredos and it was really good. This is when DS8 decides he doesnt want the kids meal that comes and he and his brother take over my lasanga and I eat the kids meal. It was the grilled chicken he thought it was chicken fingers. I told him I was right but he didnt listen.

I also called Channing ( lives4 disney) and we chatted and made a plan to meet up. She was staying RPC with her family, and we are always chatting on the GF thread.

SIDETRACK**********

If you love the GF or are thinking of staying there, check out the FAQ GF thread. It is a great resource and place to chat about the GF and the goings on.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=513609

*****************************

We then went back to the room and cleaned up had a snack in the lounge and chilled out. The lounge was great this year, so much more food and snacks and it was filled better this year as well.

Suzanne was in the lounge and I remembered her from my NOV 2006 visit. We chatted a bit as the the kids got drinks. The GF makes this pink lemonade which is soo good. They only put it out during the day, I was always taking a cup up to the room and putting it in the fridge for later.

We went over to the MK and did a bunch of rides we really used fast pass as much as we good. It was getting busier as the time neared for the fireworks.

Pics from MK on the 3rd

I forgot to add the first night after MIL joined us that went over to MK that night and everything was a walk on. BTMRR, SM, Pirates, TTA, BUZZ. It was great so we werent really rushing around on the 3rd. It was hot but not that bad and we were taking our time.

I have never seen more CMs and people were already staking out spots for the fireworks and stuff. We usually like to stand by the poohs ride and playground and face the castle.

Everything was going great til around 845pm when I heard my cell ringing. It was DHs brothers. They called to talk to their mom as they were fighting over food. I am not kidding, she left $ to go grocery shopping when she was gone and the 29 year old and 21 year old were fighting over ribs.
I hate to say it but this happened several more times during the trip. I just stopped answering the phone, if they left a message she called back.

MIL decides to get on the phone and fight with them. I just walked away she was yelling at the them into the phone. I was mortified. Now she decides she doesnt feel good and wants to leave, but she cant get back to the GF herself. I was like you walk to out and take a boat that says GF in huge letters or go 3 stops on the monorail. Nope she wouldnt go alone so DH leaves to take her back to the room. It was 850pm now and even though I told them they would never get out they wouldnt listen. It was like having an extra kid to watch not an adult with us.

The kids and I watched the show and it was great. Fireworks all around us where ever I looked. By 910 Dh and MIL were back I was right they couldnt get thru. I was less than impressed with her at this point but said nothing.
We decided to go on pooh and a few other small rides with the kids and then we left.

We went back to the room and decided to go to Blizzard Beach the next morning. I had gotten some sodas and a bottle of water earlier and put them in the fridge. There was a plate of cookies and treats on our table for us and the room was filled with ballons welcoming MIL. I had been chatting with Robert about her awful train journey and he set it up for us. It was very cute and she was surprised.

So far nothing was on schedule and I hate that but we were still doing stuff and having fun so I let it go.

I got the kids ready for bed. Turndown had been done and they brought up some extra pillows and blankets. I keep the AC on full blast and DH and DS8 thought the room was cold. It wasnt I was fine as was ds3 and MIL.

Everyone got to bed and I set a wake up call from the next morning.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Subscribing! I subscribed to TGM too and can't wait to see how it worked for you. Ive never stayed at GF but we really love the Poly. I'm surprised you stayed in Sugar loaf again, I thought you were not too happy with it last time? That room looks really nice.

Your right I wasnt. I was nervous about it, but Calvin was so great at the IPO. We really wanted club level though. Its funny DH always says he doesnt care where we stay but his second question after what resort is
"is it concierge"?
We actually thought about switching to SSR to a 2 bedroom villa for the space or a cabin at fort wilderness.

But we felt like we were losing something by moving so we stayed with the GF.

It all worked out great. I was really impressed with the staff Robert, Misty, Karen, Suzanne, Jeff.
The room was in excellent shape and the mouse keeping was wonderful.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

What a lovely room. Hope your MIL trip gets better. Sounds like she needs a vacation. Cute kids. Can't wait for more.

She did need a vacation her older sons are ridiculous. Thats the nicest thing I can say. But she allows it so....

 

[kindakrazy2]

Loving the trip report! Keep it coming!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Here are some pics one of the mornings I took the kids to the pool. It was emoty every day til 9am. I usually brought the kids out early and took a swim with them. DH doesnt like to go to the pool as he has to take his glasses off.

We also rented a cabana one morning, I will post those pics and a review of it later in the trip.

 

[VanniGirl]

Great start - looking forward to the rest. I hope your MIL can enjoy!

 

[celerystalker]

I love the pics! I've always wanted to stay at the GF.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

The next day we got up and went to blizzard Beach in the a.m.
It wasnt that busy. It was nice and we did team boat spprings as a family and then DH and ds8 went to his area and did stuff. We did the lazy river more than once and then decided to leave.

Dh and I had argued in the a.m because I wanted to use the rent a car and he didnt. Well I am happy to report I was right again and the buses were packed there and back. I love being right.

We grabbed some snacks and headed back to the room. I cleaned up the kids and hung up the suits in the bathroom.

We chilled out in the room and then headed over to Epcot for dinner at Alfredos. We had a very nice meal and the waiter was great.
We walked around world showcase as we had planned to stay for the fireworks. DS3 was very tired from playing all day and hes almost off naps.
People were already staking out places for the fireworks and it was not even 7pm yet. It wasnt crazy with people but I didnt know if the kids would make it. We decided to head back to the GF and then go from there.

We grabbed some beers from the lounge and headed up to the room. DS8 wanted to go out and so did DH and they went over to the MK to do rides and stuff. I decided to do some laundry and watcht he fireworks from the GF. There was a crowd out at gasparillas so I headed up to the building in front of sugar loaf and there were benches there to. I got a spot for me and DS3 and watched the fireworks. The music piped in and it was amazing.
I finished off the laundry after and then got ds3 ready for bed. The turn down was done when I got back and the candy was so good.

MIL was out smoking at one of the DSA and I got ds3 and then took a shower and went to bed. DH and DS8 roolled in after 1am.

I decided to be nice and cancelled the wake up call for the next day. We were planning on AK and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe at AK.

 

[thptrek]

Really enjoying your pictures. Go Sox!!!

 

[mlill]

Hi Kelly! I'm so happy to see that you are writing a TR!!! Great job so far! I can't wait to read all about your vacation!

Take care,
-Michelle