Just Back! Tales and Tips to tell...

[mjsred]

Greetings! Just back and thanks to info I found here,all my "PS"reservations were perfect! They are NOT kidding:many people were trying to "fake it" as to their times/numbers but the CM's were "dead on"...many snippity people who tried to lie,lol!A few tips that may help someone:

"MNSSHParty" on Oct 8th was WAY "oversold"...packed to the max,dis-organized,hard to find "events" and there were MANY HUGE strollers being shoved around (does a 10 yr old really need to ride in one???) in the dark, causing some problems with traffic-flow and many bruised shins! Fireworks were great but VERY loud,scared my 7 yr old g-daughter to death.I'd never go again...

"Birthday Button" issued at Town Hall in MK was like a magic-charm! CM's made a BIG fuss over Hannah,we got VIP seating for parade,MANY cakes,perks,and goodies...if it IS someone's b-day(and they seem to know..l)GO FOR ONE and wear it!!!

"CRT" was fabulous(we did both) BUT,if you "can't get a PS",the "Storybook Breakfast" at Epcot was truly wonderful and I think the Princess's spent more time with the kids here.

We stayed at the "Floridian"...if you can "swing it",it IS the place:we were "upgraded" upon check-in(computer does random surprises for guests!)to a "Concierge" room...need I say more? Every night for three nights,there was a card/gift for Hannah when we got back to the room!!!Just the best staff and room!

"Cirque"is pricey BUT,I'd pay twice as much to see it again...truly an amazing show!!!Nothing else like it! And "Disney-Quest" next door to it is an incredible place to spend a few hours out of the heat/crowds!

"1300 Park Fare"(in Floridian)had a WONDERFUL breakfast with lots of fun and the characters spent a lot of time w/kids!Hannah was given a cake and a tiara at 8:00 am!
"Crystal Palace" food was VERY good as was Brown Derby,House of Blues,and Liberty Tavern! SciFi Diner was less than stellar...
Hope this will help "steer" someone as y'all helped me before we went!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Glad you had a great trip! What an awesome surprise to be upgraded to concierge!! Were you in the main building or the lodge? I have reservations for the RPC main building concierge over Thanksgiving. I am happy to hear you enjoyed it and the CMs were good to you! I have read some nasty reviews of the concierge staff there.

What is this Birthday Pin?? My daughter's birthday is a bit before we arrive. Do you need proof or anything??? Does it have to be the exact day?

Her birthday last year was such a bust it would be a thrill for her to have some special attention this year.

I am interested in more GF info if you could post it. How about the snacks, drinks, soda??, Could the staff help you with ps when you were there? Also, what was the theme of the room? I have heard possibly Alice in Wonderland? How are the beds? I heard pillowtop mattresses? Don't know if that's correct...

Thanks for the review!

 

[jennymouse]

Glad you had a good trip and thanks for the tips!

 

[HailToPitt]

mjsred

I was thinking of taking dd5 to 1900 Park Fare for Bfast and I was wondering which characters were there? Thanks

 

[mjsred]

Hi! Glad my info helped! The "room theme" at the GF was simply "BEAUTIFUL":fabulous colorful(blues,yellows,roses,greens) "disney toile"fabrics on beds(VERY comfy-flet like pillowtopsa were down or something else plush...) with loads of fancy,HUGE,coordinating pillows,faux-paintings on walls(geared towards Alice but Pooh in there too!) Beautiful wallpaper with Mick/Min topiairy print in bath area,fancy toiletries,...lush drapes over fancy lace curtains,couch,tables/chairs,...I have stayed in many "top" hotels and this was right up there with the BEST! The staff was delightful,VERY helpful(I was looking for a cookbook and they found it for me...)and did you say snacks? In the "lobby"(we were in the seperate "Sugar Loaf" building to the left of the main one...)there was an incredible breakfast selection of fruits,pastries,etc and then again in the afternoon for "tea" there was a lavish spread! Coffee,tea,juice,snacks,etc 24 hrs...I truly can't say enough about the place and how we were treated!I had already made like 9 PS's(thanks to info found here!)and din't need the Concierge to help...trust me:the PS places are BOOKED and it seemed to take a lot to get in if you didn't have one...I'd definately made before I went to avoid a hassle...

At 1300 Park Fare,there was Alice,Mad-Hatter(wonderful and fun!)Pooh,Tigger,and then Mick/Min and Mary Poppins were in the lobby when we went out for pics/autographs!The food and selection was awesome...interior of restaurant has a carosal-horse and a HUGE clock! So neat inside...festive for sure!

The official "Birthday Button" was mentioned in some info I received from our travel-agent:you go to the "Town Hall" in MK and ask for one...white with castle on it ,says"Today is my Birthday!"We did let the hotel know it was Hannah's b-day and I think it's "made known..."sort of like magic,lol! We didn't need to show proof but she did have a tiara and all the trapping on,lol!(I design children's clothing...she had a "wardrobe to die for",LOL!)If you wear it more than one day,I think they pretty much would know you were "faking",as they all seem to be "looking out for it..."Each park has it's OWN B-day button so upon seeing hers from MK,she got one from Epcot and MGM that day as well...I see NO reason why your little one shouldn't have one for a day! Truly,they fussed over Hannah:VIP parade seating,little gifts and trinkets,she got to "open the door" at the "Living Seas",several cakes,cupcakes,and a cute tiara were brought over to her...and the hotel left fancy chocolates,cards,a Cinderella-doll,and announced it in the restaurant and everyone sang at 1300 PFare!!! It was magical...I believe! Best to all!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you so much for the GF details and the Bday pin info!!!

I appreciate it very much! I am really looking forward to this stay.

 

[mjsred]

You are SO welcome!!! I was also VERY excited prior to taking g-daughter last week and planned out as much as I could with the help of these forums! Not sure it would have been as easy otherwise,travel-agent only does "so much"...I had an incredible experience and hope you will as well! It truly is "THE place" to enjoy children but my husband and I had an amazing time as well...he was harder than the 7 yr. old to "keep in line" at times,LOL!...something else that came to mind:rather than buying Hannah lots of "junk" which can be found online or in Disney-Stores (although I just heard they may be bought out by "Children's Place" and have closed some...) I told Hannah to pick "one special b-day gift"...the GF has a couple of NICE gift-shops(one with some very unique Alice-themes items...)and one on the 2nd floor...she picked out a BEAUTIFUL sterling/crystal ring with a tiny mickey-head on it (very delicate and well-made...) and I didnt see it anywhere else! You might look there if you want a "special something"for a gift...bad grandmom:Iavoided the pins/lanyards (although we got two in our room...)I saw a LOT of little ones wearing them,tugging on them.pins popping off,banging around on them while on rides,etc ...they just didn't seem very comfortable lugging all those pins around no matter HOW cool they were lol! Have a BALL and let us know about it all!!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thanks much MJSRED!! I am really excited about it! I got reservations for the Disney Princess Party at the GF for myself and my 2 girls. I would like to try Park Fair but don't know when I can squeeze it in. I have the princess Bfast at Norway, though. I have a 14 year old son and can't have too much revolve around princesses!!! He puts up with a lot for the girls!

I am glad you had a wonderful time. That is so nice that you took your gdaughter!!
I know what you mean about the pins! My 8 yr old is on her second lanyard! They can be addictive! And they are heavy - half the time I am carrying the lanyard in my backpack. I know just the shop you mean (2nd flr) Thanks again!

 

[TammiMcMan]

What a magical vacation. We've stayed at the GF on numerous occassions and they never cease to amaze me. Just one question, how are you ever going to top that birthday gift .

This is one of the first times that I've read about Mickey and Minnie being at 1900 Park Faire. Normally it's only Mary Poppins who does the greeting in the doorway. We've never done dinner there, but I do think the breakfast buffet is very good.

Great report and so happy for your pixie dust.

Tammi

 

[Minniespal]

Great report ~ Thanx for sharing.