Ladies, are you EVER going to leave?? 10 days of Food & Wine fun! *NEW 1/29 PG 34*

[Charleston Princess]

I am a sucker for the Magic Kingdom's fall decorations. Well, actually I am a sucker for fall/Halloween decorations in general.

Well, at least we can say that Kim Possible was good for something. Speaking of which, your Grand Flo pictures have me seriously giddy! I haven't seen a lot of pictures of the grounds, so those were especially thrilling to me. I am hoping you took some food pics at your afternoon tea!

 

[goofy's_gurl]

i love the GF. i never really explored it because its so big and might never find your way out again. LOL. Cant wait to see more of the GF.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yes, I do plan to parasail in the future. I might do it up here though this summer. It all depends. I will do in Disney one day though.

I'm very intrigued by all of these covert missions!

 

[All7OfUs]

I think your pictures captured a lot of the resort's grandness. I like your angled shots that give a new perspective!

I'm not sure I've ever gone up to the train station on Mn. Str. either. I have at Front.L. but not there. Need to do that.

I"ve not seen either Fall or Holiday decorations, but am very excited to get to in Sept!! I never get tired of looking at other people's pictures, though! Thanks!

The lines for the characters that you see look pretty long!!

 

[jenjolt]

Another great update C!!!

I really enjoyed our morning breakfast at Chef Mickeys and that picture of you and Pluto is one of my faves!! You look so happy in that pic!!

What great Main St. pictures!! I love them!!!

OOOH...I can't wait for what's next and I was there LOL!!

 

[kschafer]

woweee! What great updates. Did you enjoy the Kim Possible mission with just adults? I'm not sure if I want to do one in May. I know the boys would love it but part of me fears it will disappear before they get to go back

CM looks like fun. That's another one Patrick really wants to do (he looked at food porn with me and is hooked!)

I love your Main Street pictures, they make me happy just looking at them

 

[2xcited2sleep]

okay okay I am staying tuned! BUT so far I have to say again that I just love your photos you manage to capture the park when it doesn't seem crowded even though it might be! Um, I don't think it is odd to say you like the fall decor vs. the Christmas holiday.. it is a tough call. DH and I were discussing this too -- I think I like fall best for many reasons, the weather is just perfect (but that can be unpredictable) and the temp is right for pool and play.. not humid as much, and the blue sky is very clear. With December I felt it was too cold generally speaking to do much else but go to the park, and wearing pants is weird... Christmas is so festive... but then there is the F & W... so I guess it is a hard decision to make ultimately! Which is why they getcha coming back for more!!! I only have to go for the floral show, then I will feel I have been to Disney in all seasons!

Okay, staying tuned for more!!! Spa and Tea!!?? sounds marvelous!

So glad to hear I'm not committing a DIS sin by declaring my love for the fall decor! F&W is most definitely my favorite time to visit!

I am a sucker for the Magic Kingdom's fall decorations. Well, actually I am a sucker for fall/Halloween decorations in general.

Well, at least we can say that Kim Possible was good for something. Speaking of which, your Grand Flo pictures have me seriously giddy! I haven't seen a lot of pictures of the grounds, so those were especially thrilling to me. I am hoping you took some food pics at your afternoon tea!

I agree, there is just something about Halloween decorations.

More pictures of the grounds coming and yes, I think I took pictures of tea!

i love the GF. i never really explored it because its so big and might never find your way out again. LOL. Cant wait to see more of the GF.

I can't wait to show you! The GF has never really appealed to me (too fancy/formal, I think) but the grounds are really lovely.

Yes, I do plan to parasail in the future. I might do it up here though this summer. It all depends. I will do in Disney one day though.

I'm very intrigued by all of these covert missions!

I can't wait to live vicariously b/c for sure I will never be parasailing myself!!

I think your pictures captured a lot of the resort's grandness. I like your angled shots that give a new perspective!

I'm not sure I've ever gone up to the train station on Mn. Str. either. I have at Front.L. but not there. Need to do that.

I"ve not seen either Fall or Holiday decorations, but am very excited to get to in Sept!! I never get tired of looking at other people's pictures, though! Thanks!

The lines for the characters that you see look pretty long!!

Thanks. You should definitely go up to the train station for a new perspective on Main St. I liked it!

The lines do seem long in the pics although I don't remember thinking it felt too terribly crowded.

Another great update C!!!

I really enjoyed our morning breakfast at Chef Mickeys and that picture of you and Pluto is one of my faves!! You look so happy in that pic!!

What great Main St. pictures!! I love them!!!

OOOH...I can't wait for what's next and I was there LOL!!

Thanks, Jen! I like the picture with Pluto too. Took me right back to being a little girl.

woweee! What great updates. Did you enjoy the Kim Possible mission with just adults? I'm not sure if I want to do one in May. I know the boys would love it but part of me fears it will disappear before they get to go back

CM looks like fun. That's another one Patrick really wants to do (he looked at food porn with me and is hooked!)

I love your Main Street pictures, they make me happy just looking at them

Thanks, Katie. I did like the KP mission with adults. We could take it as seriously as we wanted (or not). One was definitely enough but it was cool. It's free after all so what do you have to lose? If you dont' like it just turn in your kimmunicator.

Your son looked at porn with you? Poor kid will be scarred for life.

Nothing like Main Street USA.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I was so deep under cover that I am only just now realize that I was taking reconnaisssance photos for Operation Pixie Dust (see CP's PTR for more details). As some of you know, I've never really heard the Grand Flo "calling to me." I still think the lobby is a bit fancy for my simple tastes but the grounds are just exquisite.

Looking across to the Poly

The Wedding Pavilion

Wouldn't you just love to relax here one afternoon????

More of the lagoon

I have never stayed at a monorail resort... that must be pretty cool!

Arriving at our destination.

No photos from inside the spa... sorry. So what did I think of the spa? Well... I think it is absolutely lovely to take time out from a busy WDW vacation to pamper yourself. So I enjoyed that, certainly. I'm a bit of a spa snob so I should caution you here. But overall I thought it was ok. Just ok. I'm not sure I'll go back. Will try Saratoga and Mandara first before returning to Grand Flo. Ladies lounge was nice with couches and some water/tea. We had the option to change into nice fluffy robes but I declined. Just getting a pedi and too lazy to change.

We met the lovely TarzansKat and her mom in the ladies lounge. TK is just as nice as she seems on the boards. A little odd to meet people in the restroom in your robe, I'm sure but it was still fun. And we knew we'd be seeing eachother a bit later at tea as well. I think TK and her mom also had massages... that may be the way to go.

The pedicure room has three of the massaging chairs so all three of us were able to go in together. Although the whirring of the whirlpool tubs on each chair were loud and I just ended up closing my eyes and enjoying the pampering. I was definitely not impressed with the choice of nail polish. I'm an OPI girl (mostly I just like looking at the names they give the polishes); there seemed to be only a few choices here.

The pedi was a standard spa pedicure. Got to keep your nail file and heel thing (whatever that is called). I thought it was fine... but I can get a better one at home in CT for a better price. WDW is tough on your feet though so I liked the pampering. I think next time I'm going to try Mandara at Swan/Dolphin and may do a massage too.

After the pedi, I wasn't done with landscape shots yet. I think my lady was speedy b/c I was done first and had some time to explore.

cont'd next post

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Looking back at the GF from the spa.

And over to the Contemporary

The Wedding Pavilion. I'm not sure what I think about a Disney wedding. I suppose I should meet the groom first.

Can you see the entwined wedding rings as the door handles? And Franck... how I loved the Father of the Bride movie!

And the Mickey cupid on the weathervane?

I think the Poly is next on my resort wish list... if I can tear myself away from the Beach Club...

Heading back.

So then we headed inside to the lovely GF lobby. It is SO grand and impressive. I think we saw TK and her mom right away and had a great time chit chatting and catching up. TK brought a lovely gift bag with a tie dyed Mickey head on the bag and some lovely treats and a bendy straw inside. I am such a sucker for the bendy straw! Seriously... such a nerd! If memory serves I was dealing with a work crisis by blackberry during this meet so I feel like I didn't get to chat as much as I wanted to.

Before too long it was time to check in for tea.

We were seated at a lovely little seating area on couches with a coffee table between us.. I think. Might have been a regular height table but more comfortable than a regular restaurant table. I think I ordered the Grand Tea.

The Grand Tea - The classic English tradition of Afternoon Tea, Grand Floridian style. We offer you a variety of tea sandwiches, scones and jam tarts, followed by your choice of our freshly baked tea pastries or English trifle, accompanied by a glass of Domaine Ste.-Michelle sparkling wine and your choice of tea. $25.50 per guest

Hmmmm.. wonder what convinced me to order this? I believe I had the lemon verbana tea.

I had to ask for my sparkling wine, which was disappointing, but there was NO way I was leaving without it!!

I am very glad we tried tea. I thought it was a delightful break from the "stress" (relatively speaking) of the parks. Would be a lovely mother/daughter experience. I would go back just for the strawberries 'n cream and sparkling wine.

Up next: MNSSHP

 

[jenjolt]

Another amazing update C!! I'm having so much fun reading your report!!
I have to agree the area surrounding the Grand Floridian is just amazing! Such a gorgeous day we had!!

I really liked the tea! I think my favorite part was the strawberries and cream...they were amazing!!

 

[Happydog]

Oh I am so envious of this how wonderful! I think your posts are great! Love all the landscape photos and the up close of the grounds, especially the wedding pavillion, how fun! Of course the tea sounds great -- I would be worried about a spa treatment at Disney not living up to my expectations... but maybe it was the actual spa. No matter your afternoon sounds lovely, and devine! really looking forward to MNSSHP!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

See, everything happens for a reason -- you just didn't realize all the photo-taking and exploring was for Chelsea's trip.

Charles and I stayed at the Polynesian and while I love the theming, it always seems so busy to me when we are there. The grounds are quieter though, I am sure.

Yeay for tea pictures!!! I think it will make a lovely mother/daughter outing, too.

 

[Lady Lallie]

The tea looks so posh and fancy...I fear I would feel out of place.

You took some lovely photos of Grand Floridian. (I can't call it Grand Flo, gives me the heebie jeebies )

That's sad about the pedicure...they are quite expensive and I have a hard time spending that type of money when I get one at home for 1/2 the price.

 

[manntra]

I love the cabanas on the beach....do they come with a cabana boy?
I am an OPI girl too...my manicurist really puts up with me....I usually pick about 4 different colors and think about them the whole time I'm in the chair!
The tea sounds like a really nice break in the day....especially with the sparkling wine

Tracy

 

[MeMom]

I am a sucker for the Magic Kingdom's fall decorations. Well, actually I am a sucker for fall/Halloween decorations in general.

Me, too. They are so cool and give Magic Kingdom a whole different feel.
But, like you, I like all Magic Kingdom decorations every day - Fourth of July, Christmas, Halloween, Easter, St. Patrick's Day, Take Your Daughter to Work Day.....






Nice pictures at GF and Poly. I want to stay at Poly sometime. I love visiting and taking pictures and borrowing the beach to watch fireworks.

Oh, and eating at Kona!

 

[Circusgirl]

Wow, Heather, that is some kind of cool! Haven't seen much of you lately. Are you still going to write on your thread(s)??

Hey there! I will be back to my writing, hopefully soon. I've had complicated times with family illness so have not had the physical or emotional moments available that I usually spend on the DIS and my own TR. I've been trying to keep up with everybody a little bit but have been short of time recently. I am toying with the idea of a "Best Of" report on all my favorite moments of last year's trips...

 

[ILuvCrush]

I know a groom who was checking out the wedding pavillion....I think he's still in search of a bride too....

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Paula

 

[Circusgirl]

Thanks for the review of the spa. I've always wanted to get the scoop on the spa, and your experience confirmed what I've gleaned from reading other threads. Although it is super convenient if you're staying in the vicinity, the services don't seem to live up to what we'd hope for for the price, and for a Disney moment. I've heard some good things about Mandara, and I look forward to learning more when you go there on a future trip!
The tea tradition is delightful, and carries some of that sense of luxury that seemed to be missing from the spa...
I flirt with the idea of staying at the GF (especially during the Christmas season) but I love the grounds and tropical feel of the Poly so much that I'm not sure I'll ever break away. Now if somebody wanted to offer me the opportunity of RPC at Christmas...

I know a groom who was checking out the wedding pavillion....I think he's still in search of a bride too....

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Paula

Thanks for a great moment Paula! Hilarious! And I love the way his hat echoes the roof peaks of the pavilion - you are a fabulous art director as well as photographer.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hey there! I will be back to my writing, hopefully soon. I've had complicated times with family illness so have not had the physical or emotional moments available that I usually spend on the DIS and my own TR. I've been trying to keep up with everybody a little bit but have been short of time recently. I am toying with the idea of a "Best Of" report on all my favorite moments of last year's trips...

Been a tough 6 months for our family too. I lost both grandparents within the last 6 months, and my MIL this week. Too much in too short of time.

Heather, I'm really sorry, it's been hard. Sounds like it's been draining a lot of your joy off too! Hope things get back to great very soon.

 

[Circusgirl]

Been a tough 6 months for our family too. I lost both grandparents within the last 6 months, and my MIL this week. Too much in too short of time.

Heather, I'm really sorry, it's been hard. Sounds like it's been draining a lot of your joy off too! Hope things get back to great very soon.

Here are all good thoughts back to you! Even though we know they are dancing to their heart's content at the best party ever, it is very hard to lose our dear ones. It's such a shift in our place in the world to be here without them...