Vicksterp33
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2009
- Messages
- 92
Just wanted to stop by and let folks know the wonderful time we had at Disney! I took my Mom to celebrate her 77th birthday (it was June 28) and to also celebrate that she is thriving after recovering from a couple of heart attacks, 2 hospital stays, having a stent put in her heart, and having me take care of her for the last 2 ½ months. 
We had a fantastic trip! We arrived along with Tropical Storm Debby and it was crazy that first couple of days. We got our rental car, drove to Summer Bay Villas and checked in, then booked it to SuperTarget for groceries. We also ate at Sweet Tomatoes right next to SuperTarget on Hwy 192. We got back to the resort just in time for the rain to really hit and the tornado watch to go into effect. Pretty much stayed in for the first couple of days only to venture out to SuperTarget again to look at the Disney shop inside and to get some dvds since we were going bonkers being inside.
We visited Hollywood studios on the 3rd day as they have a number of inside things to do and we had a great time. On Thursday we went to Seaworld.
On Friday, we checked into the Grand Floridian and the vacation REALLY began!! From the moment we pulled into the gate, it was so magical. The staff greeted us by name, knew it was Moms birthday, unloaded our car and packages, whisked away the car to park it, and walked us to the desk. I had done the online check in and all of our things were ready to go. We were escorted by the bellman outside the side door and hopped on a golf cart. He brought us to the Boca Chica building and we went up to the 2nd floor. We walked into the room and it took by breath away. They had given us an amazing upgrade to a turret room that had a separate sitting room with a daybed, chair and footstool, another tv, coffee table, and a side door to the balcony. The bathroom was gigantic with a roll in shower since Mom needs to sit down while bathing, and a giant walk in closet. The H2O products were awesome! It was salt soap, lotion, etc. and was so creamy, we loved it. We left to go to tea at the Garden View tea room that afternoon and, as usual, it was fantastic! When we got back to the room, there was a black cloth with colorful Mickey sprinkles, a beautiful card from the entire staff at GF wishing Mom a Happy 77th Birthday, and a gorgeous box of chocolates. It was great!
We loved the turn down service at night with the chocolates and the ice delivery. The entire staff was so wonderful to us. It was indeed MAGICAL!
We enjoyed it so much that I called on Saturday to change our flights to Tuesday instead of Sunday. Then called the GF front desk and asked if we could extend. They were able to do it and we stayed in our gorgeous room for 2 more days! (They even gave me the Magical express phone number and I was able to drive my rental car back to the airport, return it a day early, and ride the Magical Express back to the Grand Floridian). We were so glad to be doing the Magical Express on our check out day as they did our baggage and we got our boarding passes.
GF is simply stunning. We had an amazing time and I booked the bounce offer for late November to Dec 1. Ive never done that before but it was 35% off! I originally booked a Beach Club villa but just now I called back and booked the GF Club level. I feel its worth it and we are going to now Celebrate Mom getting even better!!
We rented a wheelchair from K&M rentals for the week and it was awesome to have it at the resort and just take it to the parks. We loved riding the monorail to MK and also going in the boats!! It was HOT the last few days but we took it easy and enjoyed going out earlier in the day and then at night.
We resort hopped to Wilderness Lodge for lunch and shopping, then Poly for dinner and shopping one day and just really relaxed. We didnt do any reservations ahead of time and just called day of and booked on what we felt like doing that day. We didnt go with a plan and ended up going to MK 3 times and Hollywood studios 1 time. This is the first time we had ever not had a plan and it was great!
One afternoon we just sat in the GF lobby for about 45 minutes and listened to the pianist and the band. It was wonderful!
We CAN NOT wait to go back in November. Now we are trying to convince my sister to come with us. Well see if we can get her to join in on the fun. This next time we arent doing park tickets with the exception of Mickeys Christmas Party, and we are going to enjoy the resort, resort hopping for meals and shops, and Downtown Disney. So looking forward to it!!
On our flight back, Delta upgraded us to the economy comfort seats so that Mom wouldnt have to walk too far. They were amazing! The flight was good and we were so sad to come home!!
Im in LOVE with the Grand!!
We had a fantastic trip! We arrived along with Tropical Storm Debby and it was crazy that first couple of days. We got our rental car, drove to Summer Bay Villas and checked in, then booked it to SuperTarget for groceries. We also ate at Sweet Tomatoes right next to SuperTarget on Hwy 192. We got back to the resort just in time for the rain to really hit and the tornado watch to go into effect. Pretty much stayed in for the first couple of days only to venture out to SuperTarget again to look at the Disney shop inside and to get some dvds since we were going bonkers being inside.
We visited Hollywood studios on the 3rd day as they have a number of inside things to do and we had a great time. On Thursday we went to Seaworld.
On Friday, we checked into the Grand Floridian and the vacation REALLY began!! From the moment we pulled into the gate, it was so magical. The staff greeted us by name, knew it was Moms birthday, unloaded our car and packages, whisked away the car to park it, and walked us to the desk. I had done the online check in and all of our things were ready to go. We were escorted by the bellman outside the side door and hopped on a golf cart. He brought us to the Boca Chica building and we went up to the 2nd floor. We walked into the room and it took by breath away. They had given us an amazing upgrade to a turret room that had a separate sitting room with a daybed, chair and footstool, another tv, coffee table, and a side door to the balcony. The bathroom was gigantic with a roll in shower since Mom needs to sit down while bathing, and a giant walk in closet. The H2O products were awesome! It was salt soap, lotion, etc. and was so creamy, we loved it. We left to go to tea at the Garden View tea room that afternoon and, as usual, it was fantastic! When we got back to the room, there was a black cloth with colorful Mickey sprinkles, a beautiful card from the entire staff at GF wishing Mom a Happy 77th Birthday, and a gorgeous box of chocolates. It was great!
We loved the turn down service at night with the chocolates and the ice delivery. The entire staff was so wonderful to us. It was indeed MAGICAL!
We enjoyed it so much that I called on Saturday to change our flights to Tuesday instead of Sunday. Then called the GF front desk and asked if we could extend. They were able to do it and we stayed in our gorgeous room for 2 more days! (They even gave me the Magical express phone number and I was able to drive my rental car back to the airport, return it a day early, and ride the Magical Express back to the Grand Floridian). We were so glad to be doing the Magical Express on our check out day as they did our baggage and we got our boarding passes.
GF is simply stunning. We had an amazing time and I booked the bounce offer for late November to Dec 1. Ive never done that before but it was 35% off! I originally booked a Beach Club villa but just now I called back and booked the GF Club level. I feel its worth it and we are going to now Celebrate Mom getting even better!!
We rented a wheelchair from K&M rentals for the week and it was awesome to have it at the resort and just take it to the parks. We loved riding the monorail to MK and also going in the boats!! It was HOT the last few days but we took it easy and enjoyed going out earlier in the day and then at night.
We resort hopped to Wilderness Lodge for lunch and shopping, then Poly for dinner and shopping one day and just really relaxed. We didnt do any reservations ahead of time and just called day of and booked on what we felt like doing that day. We didnt go with a plan and ended up going to MK 3 times and Hollywood studios 1 time. This is the first time we had ever not had a plan and it was great!
One afternoon we just sat in the GF lobby for about 45 minutes and listened to the pianist and the band. It was wonderful!
We CAN NOT wait to go back in November. Now we are trying to convince my sister to come with us. Well see if we can get her to join in on the fun. This next time we arent doing park tickets with the exception of Mickeys Christmas Party, and we are going to enjoy the resort, resort hopping for meals and shops, and Downtown Disney. So looking forward to it!!
On our flight back, Delta upgraded us to the economy comfort seats so that Mom wouldnt have to walk too far. They were amazing! The flight was good and we were so sad to come home!!
Im in LOVE with the Grand!!
Hey I just like sitting in the lobby and listening to the band play!
By the way, your mom and I share the same birthday! June 28
Thanks for the review!!! The GF is most likely where I'll be staying next year!!! 
I stayed in Boca Chica when I was there for a bachelorette party and the staff was more than wonderful. I think it's almost everyone's "dream" resort.
