Live Trip Report: The go home part (Sept 8, 2016)

Favorite Disney Resort? Easily the Grand Floridian. The room is a nice size, it looks fancy, and it's just my kinda thing. I've been here all of a handful of minutes and I'm absolutely digging it.

The check in went nice. Normally I leave all of my crap in the car and check in, just in case the room isn't ready. This time, I just took all of my stuff with me. It's a fair hike from the car to the room, so I was willing to risk it. If nothing else, I could check my bags and go play around at Disney until the room is ready. Fortunately, that wasn't necessary. My room was immediately available! Yes! As I finished checking in, the wonderful CM said something along the lines of "oh, and you have a nice view too!", which I didn't fully register until halfway to the building that I'm in (Sago Cay). What is a nice view to her? Pool? Garden? Pavillion? Something else along those lines? Who knows. Would it matter to me? Not at all. I've seen construction, pool, and parking lot so far in my Resort adventures. There's really no "good view" or tremendously "bad view". It's just a window.

Ok, I'm wrong. But we'll get to that in a moment.

Upon opening the room, I was greeted with this site:
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Very nice and roomy. There's a nice couch and desk in here, but it still feels nice and spread out and not piled on top of each other.

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Nice bed too! I could get used to this. Unfortunately, this may be a one and done thing due to costs. We'll strike that idea from my mind for now though.

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The bathroom is nice, though I think I prefer the one in Bay Hill a bit more. It's slightly larger, and no tub. Still, in terms of bathrooms, this one is second for Disney Resorts I've stayed at. Poly was nicer.

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Look! Robes! I've gone from not having them before to having them at two places in a row. Maybe this is a sign.
 
So, about that view...


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Score! I can see the castle from my room! I know people tend to pay more for this upgrade. I lucked into getting it by chance. Ok, maybe there is a "good view" after all! As the picture also shows, there's a touch of dark clouds coming in. I hope it stays away. I have a fast pass for 7DMT at around 3!

I think I'm going to relax and unload a bit and take in this room and view. This kicks all kinds of rear end!
 

Minor delay on park time. It looks like yuck is coming in quick. I may try to wait it out just a bit. Luckily, I can peak out the window and see what things look like over by the park. This is awesome!
 
Caught up and joining in. Hoping the yuck passes quickly :)
Thank you for joining! I hope it passes too, but I could do way worse than wandering around GF while it rains.
Love the view :love: You not only scored...you hit a homerun.
I agree. I don't think there's a closer view of the park, except maybe at the Contemporary. Totally made out like a bandit!
 
Holy moly, Batman!! Nice view! One day maybe I'll stay at the GF but for the time being will "settle" for BWV Boardwalk views :)
 
Still raining, though not bad. Wandering around the resort. If you'll pardon the pun, it really is a grand resort. There's a definite atmosphere that didn't exist at the other resorts I've been to. It's almost anti-Disney, but not in a bad way. I don't know if that makes sense. It lacks some of the kitche and accepted tackiness that comes along with some of the other resorts. I think I understand why some people are disappointed in this resort (and Contemporary as well) as it's light on obvious Disney theming. It's all around, sure, but it's far more subtle. Since I'm a single man without kids, I think I appreciate that far more than getting hammered with more obvious Disney theming. I think that's one of my biggest issues with the values. They really clobber you with huge and tacky decorations both outside and inside. It's a visual that's almost overwhelming. This has a much cleaner aesthetic that appeals to me far more. It's more exciting, to me at least, to catch the subtle stuff peripherally, rather than be assaulted with it directly.
 
On the boat to the Magic Kingdom! Still sprinkling, but I've got fast passes!
 
I'm surprised there aren't any boats that look like the steamboat from Steamboat Willie. Seems like an obvious thing to do.
 
7DMT is fun. 70 minutes stand by fun? No. Luckily I had a fast pass.
 
Cool upgrade, what kind of room did you book? Of all the MK resorts GF is my favorite, I'm an Epcot/HS kind of gal so I stay at BC/YC now but have stayed at all the MK resorts in the past. Love your view. Is a show getting ready to start.
 
Love the view... One day we will stay at GF one day... Yea it's not worth waiting 70 min for. Thanks goodness for fast passes. Hope the weather holds out!!!!
 
20 minute standby for little mermaid is strictly the time it takes to traverse the ridiculously long queue.
 














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