disneybound05
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2005
- Messages
- 79
We arrived at the Grand Floridian and were pleasantly surprised with an upgrade to a lagoon view room in Boca Chica (#8427). The room was spacious and had a private balcony. We stepped outside and were ecstatic to see a perfect view of the castle. We also had a view of the Contemporary and Polynesian resorts. Every morning we heard the opening announcement of the Magic Kingdom. Every afternoon, between 3:30-4:00, we were able to hear the coronation of Cinderella. Every night we watched the fireworks, as well as the electric water pageant, from our balcony. The resort itself is beautiful. The beach, with its soft, white sand, is very relaxing. The main pool and the quiet pool, with waterfall and slide, are wonderful. The pool/beach were never over crowded and there were usually empty beach chairs during the morning/afternoon. We will definitely stay at the GF again. We can't image staying anywhere else.
I will list our food orders as follows: my husband, myself, 20 yr old daughter, and 9 yr old son. I will separate orders by semicolons. All prices are for food and drink only. Tips varied between 15-20%. You will notice that some days we skipped lunch or dinner. For some odd reason, we didn't have much of an appetite during our vacation. Not sure if it was due to the heat or just the fun we were having. We brought $2100 in cash, the majority of which went toward food/tips/cab ride. We only bought a few items 4 t-shirts, 2 inexpensive toys, 1 pooh bear, 1 mickey ring, 1 mug, 1 pirates of the Caribbean hat and sword, and a set of plates from china's Epcot.
Day 1- Lunch at the GF Café. We were seated right away. We ordered a round of sodas and an adult burger; asian salad; tilapia with veggies; kid's burger. The food was excellent, the service was excellent, and we would eat here again for lunch. (3 adults/1 child = $63)
Dinner at Narcoossee's at GF. We were seated within 5 mins. This restaurant is unbelievable. The atmosphere, the view, the quality and quantity of food won us over. We started with 2 alcoholic drinks, 2 shirley temples and an appetizer of mussels. This was followed by a filet mignon; grilled salmon; pasta diablo with lots of shrimp; kid's filet mignon. We finished our meal by sharing a cheesecake and 1 kid's dessert. This is our favorite restaurant. Excellent food and excellent service. (3 adults/1 child = $168)
Day 2 - Breakfast at the GF Café. We were seated right away. Although the restaurant was empty, service was a bit slow. We started with coffee and juice. Coffee could have been better. We ordered a western omelet; bowl of cereal; raisin toast; kid's french toast, which only came with ½ of a slice of bread. If I had known this, I would have ordered my 9 yr old the adult size meal. (3 adults/1 child = $37)
Lunch at Backlot Express in MK. I didn't like the cafeteria style set up or the McDonald's type ordering line but it was a quick and easy place to eat. Drinks included 3 sodas and 1 water. Cheeseburger; chicken salad; burger; hot dog. (3 adults/1 child = $33)
Dinner at Narcoossee's (again). Another perfect dinner. This time, my sister and her family joined us. Meals included chicken, steak, calamari and kid's salmon. No complaints. The 7 of us dined for about $170. A lot less expensive compared to the meal the 4 of us had the night before.
Day 3 - Character Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at GF. This was a buffet breakfast. Great place. Great food. Great characters. Each character stopped and talked to our son before taking pictures. We did not feel rushed. The characters took their time visiting each table. (3 adults/1 child = $70)
No lunch
Dinner at Hollywood & Vine followed by the Fantasmic show. We were seated 10 mins before our PS of 5:40pm. This was a buffet meal and what a selection of food! The line up was never ending. This was an awesome place to eat and the food was great. Well worth the money. We were a party of 7 and our bill, including lots of alcoholic drinks, came to $170.
Day 4 - Breakfast at Gasparilla Grill at GF. Good place for a quick, inexpensive breakfast. There's an array of choices to please everyone. (3 adults/1 child = $25)
No lunch
Dinner at Citricos at GF. Not as good as I expected. Not many food choices and the portions were just okay. We started with 2 drinks and 2 shirley temples. 2 filet mignons; roasted chicken; kid's fishplate, which only came with 3 small fish nuggets. My son was still hungry after eating his meal. We finished with 1 desert and 1 kid's ice cream. Not sure if I would dine here again. It wasn't horrible it just wasn't for me. (3 adults/1 child = $150)
Day 5 - Breakfast at Boma at AKL. This was a buffet. Our PS was for 7:30 and that is the time Boma opened. We took a cab to Boma because the monorail and buses don't start operating until 7:30. Before I get to the food part AKL is a private lodge. Therefore, be prepared to show your resort key card and driver's license. We had to show our resort key before the cab was allowed through the gates. My sister, who met us there, was asked for her driver's license. Not thinking that she would need it, she had left it at the resort. The guard would not allow her into the AKL. The cab had to drive her back to the Coronado Springs so that she could get her license, and then drive her back to AKL. The cab ride alone cost her $30. Not sure why she was required to show her license. Maybe because she was alone???? The food was pretty good. There were a wide variety of choices and their house juice was excellent. The banana macadamia bread was yummy and the omelets were perfect. (4 adults/1 child = $70)
Late lunch at the Rainforest Café. This is a favorite back home so we felt "safe" eating here. (3 adults/1 child = $60)
No dinner
Day 6 - Breakfast at GF café. A bit pricey for the amount of food you get. I didn't try the stuffed french toast and now regret it. We started with coffee and juice. 2 orders of waffles; pancakes; kid's pancake. (3 adults/1 child = $50)
Lunch at Gasparilla Grill. This place has awesome chicken fingers. We split the chicken fingers and a southwest chicken sandwich. Soda all around. (3 adults/1 child = $27)
No dinner
Day 7 - Breakfast at Gasparilla Grill. A bit of everything. (3 adults/1 child = $20)
No lunch
Dinner at Concourse Steakhouse. Seated right away. Not as good as I had expected. You get a lot of food for the money but it wasn't very tasty. The seasonings were a bit off. We were a party of 7 and the bill came to $205, including lots of alcoholic drinks.
Day 8 - Breakfast at Gasparilla Grill.
GF offers an express airport check in service. We were able to check our bags right outside the resort and get our boarding passes 6 hours before our flight. Because GF delivered our bags to the airport, we were able to avoid the long lines.
If I had to change anything about our trip it would be our dining. I would skip all buffets (except Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic show) because I feel they are not worth it. Especially the breakfast buffets. I don't eat much more than toast or a waffle with a cup of coffee. I can't justify $20 for a breakfast when I can have a slice of toast and cup of coffee for under $5. I would take advantage of the Gasparilla Grill for breakfast and would be happy having dinner every night at Narcoossee's. I also like the idea of staying close to the resort at night. The day seems to catch up with you once you're sitting down at dinner. It's nice to know that your room is a short distance away.
I also took time to visit both the Polynesian and Coronado Springs resorts during our trip. The Polynesian was our original resort choice, but after reading many bad reviews, we made a last minute change to the GF. I'm glad we did. The Polynesian did not impress me at all. The lobby smelled of dirty water. The halls were dingy looking and the rooms were not what I had expected. The 2nd floor area reminded me of a mall food court. The downstairs hall reminded me of a local Chinese restaurant, Kowloons. Those from the north shore Mass area will know the place. I was truly disappointed since the Polynesian has always been my "want to stay at" resort. The Coronado Springs is where my sister stayed. The grounds are beautiful and the resort itself is massive. The rooms, however, are very small and cramped. My sister and her family loved it and will stay there again next year. They also loved the Maya Grill and Pepper Market both for the quantity and quality of food.
I will list our food orders as follows: my husband, myself, 20 yr old daughter, and 9 yr old son. I will separate orders by semicolons. All prices are for food and drink only. Tips varied between 15-20%. You will notice that some days we skipped lunch or dinner. For some odd reason, we didn't have much of an appetite during our vacation. Not sure if it was due to the heat or just the fun we were having. We brought $2100 in cash, the majority of which went toward food/tips/cab ride. We only bought a few items 4 t-shirts, 2 inexpensive toys, 1 pooh bear, 1 mickey ring, 1 mug, 1 pirates of the Caribbean hat and sword, and a set of plates from china's Epcot.
Day 1- Lunch at the GF Café. We were seated right away. We ordered a round of sodas and an adult burger; asian salad; tilapia with veggies; kid's burger. The food was excellent, the service was excellent, and we would eat here again for lunch. (3 adults/1 child = $63)
Dinner at Narcoossee's at GF. We were seated within 5 mins. This restaurant is unbelievable. The atmosphere, the view, the quality and quantity of food won us over. We started with 2 alcoholic drinks, 2 shirley temples and an appetizer of mussels. This was followed by a filet mignon; grilled salmon; pasta diablo with lots of shrimp; kid's filet mignon. We finished our meal by sharing a cheesecake and 1 kid's dessert. This is our favorite restaurant. Excellent food and excellent service. (3 adults/1 child = $168)
Day 2 - Breakfast at the GF Café. We were seated right away. Although the restaurant was empty, service was a bit slow. We started with coffee and juice. Coffee could have been better. We ordered a western omelet; bowl of cereal; raisin toast; kid's french toast, which only came with ½ of a slice of bread. If I had known this, I would have ordered my 9 yr old the adult size meal. (3 adults/1 child = $37)
Lunch at Backlot Express in MK. I didn't like the cafeteria style set up or the McDonald's type ordering line but it was a quick and easy place to eat. Drinks included 3 sodas and 1 water. Cheeseburger; chicken salad; burger; hot dog. (3 adults/1 child = $33)
Dinner at Narcoossee's (again). Another perfect dinner. This time, my sister and her family joined us. Meals included chicken, steak, calamari and kid's salmon. No complaints. The 7 of us dined for about $170. A lot less expensive compared to the meal the 4 of us had the night before.
Day 3 - Character Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at GF. This was a buffet breakfast. Great place. Great food. Great characters. Each character stopped and talked to our son before taking pictures. We did not feel rushed. The characters took their time visiting each table. (3 adults/1 child = $70)
No lunch
Dinner at Hollywood & Vine followed by the Fantasmic show. We were seated 10 mins before our PS of 5:40pm. This was a buffet meal and what a selection of food! The line up was never ending. This was an awesome place to eat and the food was great. Well worth the money. We were a party of 7 and our bill, including lots of alcoholic drinks, came to $170.
Day 4 - Breakfast at Gasparilla Grill at GF. Good place for a quick, inexpensive breakfast. There's an array of choices to please everyone. (3 adults/1 child = $25)
No lunch
Dinner at Citricos at GF. Not as good as I expected. Not many food choices and the portions were just okay. We started with 2 drinks and 2 shirley temples. 2 filet mignons; roasted chicken; kid's fishplate, which only came with 3 small fish nuggets. My son was still hungry after eating his meal. We finished with 1 desert and 1 kid's ice cream. Not sure if I would dine here again. It wasn't horrible it just wasn't for me. (3 adults/1 child = $150)
Day 5 - Breakfast at Boma at AKL. This was a buffet. Our PS was for 7:30 and that is the time Boma opened. We took a cab to Boma because the monorail and buses don't start operating until 7:30. Before I get to the food part AKL is a private lodge. Therefore, be prepared to show your resort key card and driver's license. We had to show our resort key before the cab was allowed through the gates. My sister, who met us there, was asked for her driver's license. Not thinking that she would need it, she had left it at the resort. The guard would not allow her into the AKL. The cab had to drive her back to the Coronado Springs so that she could get her license, and then drive her back to AKL. The cab ride alone cost her $30. Not sure why she was required to show her license. Maybe because she was alone???? The food was pretty good. There were a wide variety of choices and their house juice was excellent. The banana macadamia bread was yummy and the omelets were perfect. (4 adults/1 child = $70)
Late lunch at the Rainforest Café. This is a favorite back home so we felt "safe" eating here. (3 adults/1 child = $60)
No dinner
Day 6 - Breakfast at GF café. A bit pricey for the amount of food you get. I didn't try the stuffed french toast and now regret it. We started with coffee and juice. 2 orders of waffles; pancakes; kid's pancake. (3 adults/1 child = $50)
Lunch at Gasparilla Grill. This place has awesome chicken fingers. We split the chicken fingers and a southwest chicken sandwich. Soda all around. (3 adults/1 child = $27)
No dinner
Day 7 - Breakfast at Gasparilla Grill. A bit of everything. (3 adults/1 child = $20)
No lunch
Dinner at Concourse Steakhouse. Seated right away. Not as good as I had expected. You get a lot of food for the money but it wasn't very tasty. The seasonings were a bit off. We were a party of 7 and the bill came to $205, including lots of alcoholic drinks.
Day 8 - Breakfast at Gasparilla Grill.
GF offers an express airport check in service. We were able to check our bags right outside the resort and get our boarding passes 6 hours before our flight. Because GF delivered our bags to the airport, we were able to avoid the long lines.
If I had to change anything about our trip it would be our dining. I would skip all buffets (except Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic show) because I feel they are not worth it. Especially the breakfast buffets. I don't eat much more than toast or a waffle with a cup of coffee. I can't justify $20 for a breakfast when I can have a slice of toast and cup of coffee for under $5. I would take advantage of the Gasparilla Grill for breakfast and would be happy having dinner every night at Narcoossee's. I also like the idea of staying close to the resort at night. The day seems to catch up with you once you're sitting down at dinner. It's nice to know that your room is a short distance away.
I also took time to visit both the Polynesian and Coronado Springs resorts during our trip. The Polynesian was our original resort choice, but after reading many bad reviews, we made a last minute change to the GF. I'm glad we did. The Polynesian did not impress me at all. The lobby smelled of dirty water. The halls were dingy looking and the rooms were not what I had expected. The 2nd floor area reminded me of a mall food court. The downstairs hall reminded me of a local Chinese restaurant, Kowloons. Those from the north shore Mass area will know the place. I was truly disappointed since the Polynesian has always been my "want to stay at" resort. The Coronado Springs is where my sister stayed. The grounds are beautiful and the resort itself is massive. The rooms, however, are very small and cramped. My sister and her family loved it and will stay there again next year. They also loved the Maya Grill and Pepper Market both for the quantity and quality of food.
I just found that interesting.
