Our 2008 grand, GRAND FLORIDIAN Christmas trip 12/6-12/14

[Lcaemom]

SoonerGirl The beach really was heavenly...makes me reconsider using all of our vacation dollars at Disney. But, then again...I'm not ready to venture past Disney again, anytime soon...the next trip is in the works...in my thoughts anyways...nothing official. We will NOT be driving however, at least straight through, anyways!

acellison Thanks for joining...nice to have you!!!

Kristen I was hoping I had a decent picture of the Gasparilla Inn but, I didn't...it was so beautiful...very islandy...yet, not an island!
Erin loves her bracelet...she got a Minnie charm and three Sleeping Beauty...she wears it, as well as, all of her other jewelry everyday...she's a very girly girl.
I have NOT called on my PIN yet...at soccer yesterday there were two other friends who said that they would consider the same dates I'm thinking...I'm thinking I might be able to make reservations for them, with mine...
Not sure if I told you I got a number for a guy who rents DVC points...so, many options to consider...I'd really like to try to pull off another trip at Thanksgiving this year but, we'll see...it would need to be a REALLY good deal...as there are so many other things we need to focus on...but, I'll keep you posted...cross your fingers

 

[Lcaemom]

First...Belle...

...then Mary Poppins...she was really beautiful...completely into her character...very enjoyable to watch/listen her...

...Erin had her eyes on only one princess...Sleeping Beauty...she was watching her walk all over the dining area...and couldn't wait for her to get to our table...

...OMG...here she is... Erin had her autograph open and ready...open to the designated "Sleeping Beauty page." She told Sleeping Beauty that she sat in "her" chair at the BBB...she was too cute!!!

If the lunch had ended right then and there...Erin would not have even noticed...or cared! Sleeping Beauty was lovely...really made Erin's whole trip!!!

...we then met Snow White...

...we had a dessert...Erin's was an ice cream with a chocolate tiara...

...she looked beautiful...and really felt and looked like a princess...but, quickly reminded us that she is still only 7..."MOM...LOOK!"

...some more pictures of the castle...

Up next: A leisurely afternoon...before the MVMCP...

 

[onejellyshelly]

Would you do CRT again??? I am hoping to get an ADR in Sept.

 

[tinkgurl]

Wow CRT looks like it was fun. We are trying there for the first time in June!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great CRT pictures. You can tell how excited Erin was by the great big smile on her face, how fun! We ate there once for dinner, and we were like you - it was great to eat in the castle, but the food was just okay.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Erin was SO cute in all the pics!!! The other girls were too, but you know what I mean, she still has that innocence like that was really Sleeping Beauty and all.....adorable!!!! What a magical lunch!!!!! Especially after a stressful trip through IASW, you needed that!! LOL!!

Can't wait to hear what you find out with your pin! Would you travel with your friends too, as they part of your party? Like a Grand gathering? Or just book the same time? Still wish I knew how people get pins.....hmm.....guess I should stop booking trips and see if I get one!! LOL!!

Hope you had a nice weekend, saw the girls won their soccer game? Yay!!!!

 

[MagicShell]

It sounds like you had a fun short trip to WDW. A short trip is definitely better than no trip. We usually go at Christmas time as well. I haven't seen Disney World not decorated for Christmas since 1995. I would like to see the fall decorations. My birthday is Nov. 9 so maybe one day I can go for my birthday. I am glad that your daughters had fun at the castle.

 

[Melissa79]

Melissa79 How exciting to have you back!!! Congrats on your baby!!! I remember night sickness...ughhh...so, glad that you are feeling better!!! When are you due? How was your trip...did you love the WL? Can't wait to hear some details!!!

Thank you! I'm glad to be back! I'm due Sept 30th, I think it'll be a long summer! Anyway, loving your report as usual. Can't believe you fit in so much during your short trip and you drove?? Wow! Our trip was great, loved the WL Villas just as much as our past WL trips. We were at the far end of the building which could be a bit of a walk but we loved it because it was so quiet down there and we got to watch deer below our balcony! I've finally started my trip report if you are interested!

 

[khertz]

Love the CRT pictures. Your little princess looks like she was having the time of her life!

 

[wide receiver]

Yeah Hurray I caught up with you!
Your TR is so much fun! You have given me a new perspective on how to "do" the world! Our last two trips we have done commado style, fun but I am ready to slow it down and smell the roses! Also I realized now that I need to take WAY more pictures....I love your photos, they tell a stroy all by themselves. Thank you and keep writing who knows what other ways you may enlighten us all.

 

[Lcaemom]

Thanks to everyone who is reading along...I know there are more of you out there, than are posting here...so, thanks!!! Knowing you're all reading makes this so worth writing.

Onejellyshelly Thanks for joining in!!! Would I do it again...DEFINATELY not. It am very happy that we were able to get a reservation...with very little conceding, as to what I really wanted; I wanted lunch. I was set on lunch because I felt that the breakfast was overpriced...not much less $$$ and a plated breakfast/no options...everyone gets the same plate...and dinner was just as limited, regarding the menu but, with also fewer princesses...or so that was my reasoning...I could be wrong on that. Things may have changed since then. Definately check, if you're considering breakfast or dinner. Getting back to lunch, I felt that it was waaaay overpriced, the menu was very limited. The price does include two portraits...well, it's based on paying adults...so, we got two. However, I was able to take the EXACT same portraits...for NOTHING/FREE. I just didn't feel I needed those. The castle was beautiful...but, so is the Akerhaus in Norway, in Epcot. We ate at the princess dinner, in 07. It was the only ressie I could get for a princess meal...and I was VERY leery of the online menu. I really considered cancelling it. I was so glad I didn't. That castle is beautiful, we saw our favorite, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Jasmine, Belle and Ariel and the food was GREAT!!! I would definately consider doing that again...much easier ressie to get. I am glad we did once...as you can see my DD LOVED it...but, for us it was a one-time thing.

tinkgurl I hope you love it! Which meal are you doing?

Soonergirl Thank you! Yes, Erin loved every minute!! I think CRT is the kind of thing you just have to do yourself...once, you do...you don't need to do it again.

Kristen I'm so glad we were able to pull off CRT, when we did...the magic was still there. She informed me on this past trip...that in the 4 months that have elapsed since we've been there...that "1st graders don't like princesses anymore..." Wow, how quickly things have changed! So, I'm glad we did it when we did it. I think she still WANTS to believe that Sleeping Beauty is really Sleeping Beauty...but, she is starting to reason in her mind...and is listening to her peers. I'm just dreading the day...her mind wraps itself around the whole Santa thing...
Hope you're resting those shins!!! Have a great weekend...and Mother's Day, if I don't chat with you...somewhere.

Magicshell We were at WDW...before 07...in March 2001...I have no recollection of the decorations. Now, that we've gone twice at Christmastime...I couldn't imagine WDW any other way. I thought that I would feel like something was missing...like all the 5 story Christmas trees...that are everywhere. While it definately seemed different...I still loved it!!! And yes, definately...a short trip is better than no trip!!! I would take WDW any day, and time of the year. I too, would love to be there in the fall. I think that would be a great time to go.

Melissa79 We did fit in alot...I didn't want to waste one minute...and we didn't!
I am loving your TR...can't wait to hear more about the WL. We walked through one night while we were there...it was so beautiful...I could have snuggled up in one of the rocking chairs in front of the fire with a book...I would really love to stay there someday...and maybe buy some time...aghhh...decisions!!

khertz Aaahhh, thanks!!! Yes, she really did! We sat together last night and she looked at what I posted and read our story...you could just tell that even reminiscing about it, that it made her so happy!

widereceiver Your words are so kind...thank you, thank you!!! We've done the world, as you've mentioned...doing WDW any old way is great but, to do it the way we did it this time...I'd never go back to the other way! There are so many little things to see at WDW...that I'd never noticed before, until we "stopped to smell the roses." I took so many pictures because I didn't want to forget anything...I may have a small problem, in that way. I told myself before this trip that were specific things I wanted to take pictures of...that I had missed before...but, would definately not need to take as many pictures as before. I ended up taking more on this trip...oh well! When are you going back to "smell the roses?"

 

[Lcaemom]

So, out into the beautiful day we went. As we came out of CRT, noticed that people were coming and going through the castle. We had never walked through the castle...I didn't even think they still allowed that anymore.

We walked right through and realized we right up on stage...and what a view!!! I wish my camera could do it justice...the view looking up Main St. And then, to turn around and look up at the castle...wow!!!

This was a picture I did NOT want to miss this time. The one with the castle in the background and the girls sitting in front of Walt and Mickey. It took 8 tries to get this picture...I think I drove everyone around us nuts, trying to get this picture...word of advice to anyone who thinks they may want to capture this moment...do it in the morning!!! The sun was in the girls eyes...in every single picture...except this one...one of them had their eyes closed and/or their hand in front of their face...AGGHHH!!! This was one of those moments when I was gritting my teeth and screaming...under my breath..."JUST SMILE!!!" I really wanted this picture...but, so did about 100 other people who were waiting for us to get out of the way! Ahhhh...good times!

We made our way down Main St...it is very hard for me to walk down Main St...without taking a picture...it is also very hard for me to leave Main St. I could have been very happy to stay there until MVMCP...and stay til the end of that...the family however, could not do that...

We took the boat back to the GF...

Next Up: The afternoon continues at the GF...sorry for a short update but, we have a soccer game to be at in an hour...

 

[tinkerbells mum]

the photo of the girls with Walt and Mcikey is fantastic and well worth the stress of getting it!!!! loving the updates xx

 

[princess&her4princes]

Aww, you got it, GREAT pic of the girls with the castle, Walt and Mickey!! We have one from Photopass, not sure if you remember it or not from my TR, but my boys faces were HORRIBLE in the afternoon sun too, oh well, we tried!!! Maybe next time......

Hope the soccer game was a success and that you have a great weekend, too! Happy Mother's day, doing anything special tomorrow? We're off to Boston, we went to the gardens last year and did the Duck boat ride, so we're going to do that again tomorrow. I can't wait!!!!

ttys!!!!
Kristen

 

[onejellyshelly]

Thanks so such for the advice! Now I won't be so bumed if we do not get our ressie.

 

[wide receiver]

"I told myself before this trip that were specific things I wanted to take pictures of...that I had missed before...but, would definately not need to take as many pictures as before. I ended up taking more on this trip...oh well! When are you going back to "smell the roses?"[/QUOTE


We will be going once or twice over the next 12 months, here are our choices
Halloween for a quick trip probably three park days
Christmas depends on childrens school calendar
Winter break (Feb)
Spring break

We have done spring break twice, crowds don't scare us We enjoy people watching. I would like to see WDW at a different time of year. Your trip report is getting me thinking about how nice Christmas could be.

 

[MagicShell]

I LOVE your pictures of the castle and Main Street.

 

[khertz]

This was a picture I did NOT want to miss this time. The one with the castle in the background and the girls sitting in front of Walt and Mickey. It took 8 tries to get this picture...I think I drove everyone around us nuts, trying to get this picture...word of advice to anyone who thinks they may want to capture this moment...do it in the morning!!! The sun was in the girls eyes...in every single picture...except this one...one of them had their eyes closed and/or their hand in front of their face...AGGHHH!!! This was one of those moments when I was gritting my teeth and screaming...under my breath..."JUST SMILE!!!" I really wanted this picture...but, so did about 100 other people who were waiting for us to get out of the way! Ahhhh...good times!

What a GREAT picture!! Frame that up & hang it in your house (especially after all the hard work it took to get it taken! )!

 

[Lcaemom]

tinkerbells mum Thank you! Yes, it was worth the stress...I really do love that picture...it is one of my favorites!

Kristen Exactly...next time!!! Lol...STILL do not know when that will be...

Onejellyshelly Most definately...I would not be bummed...the Akershaus is a GREAT...and in my honest opionion, a better alternative...and it costs alot less!

wide receiver Of course, WDW is a great any time of year...but, I have to say that my most favorite time is still Christmas...not actual Christmas but, between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have not been in the fall so, I can't give an opinion on that...although, from pictures, it certainly seems like it would be a great time to go. But, if I HAD to pick just one...it would have to be Christmas!

magicshell Thank you...I just can't walk down Main St and not take them...

kertz LOL...one of these days I will get to the framing of pictures...we haven't even gotten to our GF Photoshoot pics...THOSE are amazing!!! But, they aren't framed on the wall yet, either...I'm not a procrastinator or anything, though!

 

[tinkgurl]

We are doing dinner.