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

[Lcaemom]

We walked back through the GF lobby when we got back and stopped to take in some of the festivities going on in the lobby. There was a group of Red Hat Society ladies having tea...hoping that that will be me...someday!

More lobby scenery....

The girls in front of the giant bird cage...

Erin and the giant Christmas tree...it was trimmed in everything white and gold...swans, angels, birdcages, gold bows, white lights...it was quite elegant...

Actually, everything in the lobby was elegant...we stayed for a bit to watch and listen to the piano player...

I asked the piano player if he wouldn't mind if I took his picture...if you notice the woman in the background, with the blond hair...on the other side of the wall...there is a story about her...
We saw her that day sitting in the lobby...she was sitting with a few suitcases and a what looked like a baby in a pink blanket...we thought nothing of her...until we saw her everyday from that point on, sitting in the same seat, with the same luggage, in the same clothes...apparently, she does this everyday. I had found information about a woman who does this on other threads on this board before our trip. After seeing her several days in a row I realized that, that was her. The threads that mention her state that she and her husband used to come to the GF years ago...he has passed away, and she now comes everyday and just sits...and then goes home at night. In some ways it was sad to see her sitting there everyday but, she appeared to be pleasant and happy...we couldn't help but wonder what her story really was.

I could have sat in the lobby and just relaxed for the day...the piano player was fantastic but, they also had bell chiors, an orchestra, and several chiors scheduled to perform at various times...there was always something going on. But, the girls were getting restless and silly so, we decided they needed some fresh air...so, out to the beach we went for them to run around. It was a beautiful evening...we passed an outdoor wedding reception...there was always something to see no matter where we went.

After the girls released some of their energy we decided that we would head into our building for cocktail hour and then get ready to go back to the MK for the MVMCP. On the nights that we were in the building during cocktail hour, I would have a glass of wine, DH would have a beer, we would all have hordeurves...which were plenty to keep us not hungry until late into the night. I would definatley not recommend the meal plan if you stay at Concierge Level...I was never hungry. If we went to cocktail hour, on a night that we had dinner reservation...no one was hungry for dinner. The hordeurves were too tasty to miss...so, if we tried to save our appetites for dinner, we were never very successful.
On the way out, we would grab a coffee for the trip to the parks. This was taken just outside the lobby of our building...before we were on our way.

After cocktail hour, we made our way back out through the lobby...another place I could not make it through without taking at least one picture...

The girls got to sit in the cockpit of the monorail...and we were off to the MVMCP!

NEXT UP: MVMCP!!!

 

[jelloarms]

Hi, I've been lurking here for quite a while now but I decided to come out of lurking to say I love your TR! The picture of your and your daughter's face at BBB was priceless. I hope one day my mom, sister and I get to go to WDW during the holidays, it looks beautiful!

 

[Lcaemom]

OK...one more quick post before we actually get to the MVMCP...lol...the ride over on the monorail. I LOVE the monorail. My ringtone is "Please stand clear of the doors...Por favor montangase alejadro de las puertas." So, I'll just post this really quickly...

We should have known from the crowds pouring into MK that it was going to be a crazy night...the crowds were insane!!!!

Of course, we were on the PINK monorail...

YEAH!!! We're here!!!

NEXT UP: The shows, the parade...and the crowds!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Great update, love the pics of the girls and hearing about the conceirge cocktail hours!! I can't believe the crowds on the night of the party for you!!!! I think we really lucked out a couple of days later....looking forward to hearing/seeing more!!!

 

[MagicShell]

I enjoyed your update. When I saw your pictures of the monorail, I realized that we never rode it on our last trip. My son really wanted to, so I don't know how that happened. Oh well, I will have to make sure we do next time.

 

[wide receiver]

Love your TR and your pictures! The picture of the tree in the lobby makes me think I need (yes need) to see the Grand Floridian at Christmas!

But here is my question....what did the lobby lady have wrapped in the pink blanket?

 

[khertz]

The pictures of the GF lobby are gorgeous! I can't wait to see it in person this year. And I'm very much looking forward to the pics of the MVMCP. We just got our tickets in the mail!

 

[dpndka]

Great TR Lcaemom! We'll be at GF 1st week of DEC this year. Can hardly wait. Look forward to reading more about the MVMCP. I'm trying to decide if we should do that or skip it. We did the MNSSHP last year and my boys had a great time.

 

[Melissa79]

Hello. I hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend! I just got caught up, I was a few updates behind in your TR. Funny that you pointed out the lady that sits in the GF lobby because I just saw her last week and I was thinking that I'd seen her on past trips but thought I might be making that up. Well, I guess not! One of my favorite things about staying at the GF is that you can hop right on the monorail...I love it! I can just imagine not being hungry after stopping by concierge...Nick says he would never book a concierge room because we would always be grabbing food from there and we love to go out for dinner and that would always get ruined because we wouldn't be hungry! But, if we got an upgrade I certainly wouldn't turn it down I don't think we'll really have to worry about that because hopefully we'll use the DVC for most of our future trips. I do want to stay at the GF again, not sure if we'd pay cash or save up the points because it costs a ton of points. Can't wait to hear about your evening at Magic Kingdom!

 

[thegreggersmom]

The story about the "Lobby Lady" caught my attention so I did some searching. Sorry, don't know how to post a link but there is an explanation from her sister at:

"The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com > Just for Fun > Community Board > Mystery Woman w/Teddy Bears at Grand Floridian Mystery Solved!! "


Here is what she said:


"The lady who is always at the Grand Floridian Hotel is my sister, Lynn, who lives near there and is definitely Not homeless.

Her late Husband, Bruce, used to be there often, too, but would often go off and do other things while Lynn listened to the music.

She takes her bags of teddy bears with her everywhere and has for many many years.

Lynn has a terrific sense of humor, but she does hear the beat to a different drummer, as the old saying goes.

Bruce suddenly passed away from a brain aneurysm October of 2007, which was a shock to all of us. He had a fantastic sense of humor as well, and the two of them couldn't have been more perfectly matched.

Lynn will be 67 in March, so she isn't as old as some thought. I am 65, and at times, websites like this one are somewhat of a struggle for me to figure out how to use, so I hope you will be patient with me.

Even as a child Lynn was rather overly imaginative. I remember when one night she got me to drag her into our closet so she could pretend she was a doll and 'catch' all of the toys come 'alive' when the rest of us were asleep. She was probably around 7 or 8 at the time. She was dissappointed the next morning that none had come to life, but she reasoned it all out that the toys must have realized that she was really a human and not a real toy.

So, Lynn is not homeless, but she is OCD. One day she will no doubt tire of going to the GF and go off into something else.

She and Bruce used to love to hand out teddy bears to children, but only after asking the children's parent's permission first. They have been going to Disney since it opened, and have spent a small fortune there, taking 4 kids there very often, spending almost more time in the place where people camp than at their own home, renting golf carts. So, if anyone thinks either of them were or are freeloaders, they are very wrong.

The person who wrote #43 on the original site about my sister needs to learn compassion for those less fortunate than she is. With the way the world is today, she could be homeless right now. I hope that is NOT the case, but if it is, I can't help but wonder if she would even give a thought to what she wrote about homeless people when many thought Lynn might be, and she really didn't like the idea of Lynn being in the hotel if she was homeless. I seem to remember that she didn't even want Lynn there if she wasn't a guest at the hotel. My goodness, don't you think there are literally thousands of people that go into these hotels to eat in the restaurants, or listen to the music, etc. It is a public place.

Lynn has a LOT of friends at the hotel, as well as a few like the above person, who resent her being there daily.

Who is she hurting? No one.

At any rate, I hope this satisfies everyone's curiosity. Thanks to all of you who were kind in your remarks about her.

Lynn's Sister,
Tracy Joan
Nashville, TN "

 

[Lcaemom]

tinkgurl I hope you enjoy your dinner!

Kristen I think we just had bad luck regarding the crowds. Also, I have to admit that I picked one of the discounted tickets nights...which I'm sure was approximately 30,000 others' idea, as well. Lesson learned: do not pick a discounted ticket night...you may save a little $$$ but, you will pay for it in crowds!

MagicShell Definately have to ride the monorail...to me that's just as important as Splash Mountain. You may already know this but, if not...your son can sit in the cockpit and "help" drive it...and then get his co-pilot's license. Cute!!!

wide receiver For sure, you need to see that tree...it is soooo grand!!! I think the woman in the lobby had teddy bears or some kind of stuffed animal. There is a post below that tells her story in detail. thegreggersmom Thank you for finding and posting her story. Sadly, I read before our trip, that many people wrote on another thread that they were bothered by her presence. She in no way bothered anyone. In my opinion, just having read about her prior to the trip and then to have seen in person, added some mystery. She appears to be enjoying herself...I hope that she is...what is not to enjoy about sitting in the GF lobby?!?

khertz I'm hoping to get to those pictures soon...if not tonight. You just got yours??? I'm so, so, so jealous!!!


dpndka Thank you for joining!!! I'm so jealous that you will be there, then...I was...well, still am...hoping beyond hope, that we can return but, it's not looking too promising. Do you have a PTR? I would definately experience the MVMCP, just once. In 2007, it was great...busy but, definately manageable. Last year was insanely busy but, like I said above I picked our night based on discounted tickets...and now wish I hadn't tried to save the $$$. I've talked to many people who had great luck on the non-discounted, less busy nights...same parade and shows...just much smaller crowds...so, I guess I got what I paid for! Lesson learned here, for sure!!!

melissa79 Agreed!! I would never turn down an upgrade either but, we were never hungry. You plan your meals months in advance so, you want to look forward to them! We had some great meals but, I probably would have enjoyed them much more if I had been hungry enough to eat them.

Hoping to post MVMCP soon...if not tonight!!! Thanks for sticking with me!

 

[Lcaemom]

We arrived back at the MK...and now this is going to sound crazy but, I said "Oh yeah!!! The tree is here"...well, it was there that morning when we came running in to get to the BBB...and I didn't even see it!!!Imagine?!? So, I had to run up to the train station to of course, get a picture!

Then I ran through to the other side to get a picture of Bay Lake and the monorails passing by.

The goal that night was to get a good spot for the castle lighting ceremony. This is a story about why, I LOVE these boards. Last year, we saw the castle and oohed and aahed...and when we got home, I read in someone else's TR that there was a whole production surrounding the castle lighting. I didn't know anything about until after we got home. So, this year, I was determined not to miss this.

Cinderella makes a wish to the Fairy Godmother that she wishes her castle was covered in icicles...sorry, I'm not the best story-teller.

The Fairy Godmother waves her wand and the castle begins to light up section by section. As I was snapping pictures of the castle being lit...I didn't realize that I was getting some great pictures of Minnie and Mickey during the lighting. They were soooooo cute!!!

I don't think that there is a more beautiful site!!!

NEXT UP: The MVMCP parade!!! My favorite part of the whole trip...I have many favorites but, this is at the TOP of the list!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

tinkgurl I hope you enjoy your dinner!

Kristen I think we just had bad luck regarding the crowds. Also, I have to admit that I picked one of the discounted tickets nights...which I'm sure was approximately 30,000 others' idea, as well. Lesson learned: do not pick a discounted ticket night...you may save a little $$$ but, you will pay for it in crowds!

MagicShell Definately have to ride the monorail...to me that's just as important as Splash Mountain. You may already know this but, if not...your son can sit in the cockpit and "help" drive it...and then get his co-pilot's license. Cute!!!

wide receiver For sure, you need to see that tree...it is soooo grand!!! I think the woman in the lobby had teddy bears or some kind of stuffed animal. There is a post below that tells her story in detail. thegreggersmom Thank you for finding and posting her story. Sadly, I read before our trip, that many people wrote on another thread that they were bothered by her presence. She in no way bothered anyone. In my opinion, just having read about her prior to the trip and then to have seen in person, added some mystery. She appears to be enjoying herself...I hope that she is...what is not to enjoy about sitting in the GF lobby?!?

khertz I'm hoping to get to those pictures soon...if not tonight. You just got yours??? I'm so, so, so jealous!!!


dpndka Thank you for joining!!! I'm so jealous that you will be there, then...I was...well, still am...hoping beyond hope, that we can return but, it's not looking too promising. Do you have a PTR? I would definately experience the MVMCP, just once. In 2007, it was great...busy but, definately manageable. Last year was insanely busy but, like I said above I picked our night based on discounted tickets...and now wish I hadn't tried to save the $$$. I've talked to many people who had great luck on the non-discounted, less busy nights...same parade and shows...just much smaller crowds...so, I guess I got what I paid for! Lesson learned here, for sure!!!

melissa79 Agreed!! I would never turn down an upgrade either but, we were never hungry. You plan your meals months in advance so, you want to look forward to them! We had some great meals but, I probably would have enjoyed them much more if I had been hungry enough to eat them.

Hoping to post MVMCP soon...if not tonight!!! Thanks for sticking with me!

Hi Leighan,
I think you're on to something about the discounted night, we didn't go on one of those nights and we really lucked out!! It was the slowest night of the week, accordring to the CM's, we had no problem seeing any of the shows up close and personal, walked on all rides, walked down Main Street with freedom and not bumping into anyone....it was such a MAGICAL night for us!!! So if anyone is booking MVMCP this December, you may want to do this and not book on a discounted night like Leighan says.....good tip!

 

[princess&her4princes]

You got BEAUTIFUL pics of the castle!!!!!!! I love the one with Mickey and Minnie standing in front of it especially, nice job!!!!!!! You're too funny about seeing the tree!!!

 

[dpndka]

Lcaemom, That's a good tip about picking a non-discounted party night.

I don't have a PTR yet, but maybe I will start one in the fall. I can't believe I planned my trip 12 months in advance.

 

[MagicShell]

Your castle pictures are great. We got to see it all lit up as well, but we were too far away from the show to really hear what was going on. It definitely is a beautiful sight.

 

[thegreggersmom]

Hi Leighan,

It was my pleasure to post (and learn more about!) the GF lady. I can't think of a lovelier way to pass a day than soaking up that ambience and people watching all those Disney travelers. We'll be there in December and I hope to say hello to her when we do our hotel tour.

Am really enjoying your report! Your family is gorgeous and I love that you all seemed to roll with the punches and just enjoy your trip. This will be our first time visiting at the holidays and your trip is definitely adding to the excitement we're already feeling!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Your castle pictures are so beautiful! I can't wait to see it in person!!!!!

 

[Carol17]

I have enjoyed reading this TR! However, I see the last post was a month ago. Did I miss something? Is it posted elsewhere? I would love to read more!

 

[Lcaemom]

OK...I think I am the worst DISer ever!!! Every time that I think that my life will calm down enough for me to continue with the TR, regularly...it actually ends up getting busier! How does this happen?!?
Then a week or so ago...I attempted to restart and it had been so long, since I had been away, that my TR had been moved and I couldn't post at all. So, I politely asked for it to be returned to this board so, that I could continue...and my wish was granted.
So, I will attempt to continue...once again! Thank you so much for sticking with me. I think part of me needs to continue this because I am having huge WDW withdrawls...no trips in the works for 2009.

Kristen I think you got the nights right! Next time...and that may be in 2010...I will go with a non-discounted night.

dpndkaI would love to follow along with your PTR...when you are ready. Getting closer...

MagicShell That happened to us in 2007...which was fine...we didn't know what we were missing until we got home...and I read about on these boards. Any view of the castle is just beautiful!!!

thegreggorsmomThank you for all your kind words! I am looking forward to hearing about your trip...and to hearing about your meeting with the GF lady. I would have loved to have said hello...not sure why I did not. I'm sure she would have been lovely to talk with.

SoonerGirl Thank you! Your trip is getting closer!!!

Carol17 Thanks for joining. No you have not missed anything...just me trying to squeeze too much into my crazy life. It did get moved to the Finished TR board...they graciously put it back...as it is not done...not even half way!

Thanks again...for putting up with me...

Next Up: The MVMCP Parade....