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

[sueh]

I am really enjoying your trip report.

All the pictures are wonderul and now I am more excited about my trip this December!

 

[whogirl'smom]

I like your idea of watching the parade from the top of the train station--you got some awesome pictures! The Grand Floridian is just beautiful.

 

[DisBride2009]

I think that it was pretty neat how you got upgraded from POR to GF. The room was very nice and I love the pictures you took. I can't wait to see more

 

[Dis-Wiz]

First of all, your trip report is awesome! I usually don't have the patience to fully read trip reports, but I became hooked to yours right away for some reason. I think it's because we had an almost IDENTICAL trip so far! (only, we went in the summer instead of christmas time).

Similarities I have noticed:

Area: We're from MA, travel to Orlando from Logan Airport. I see you're from Boston, do you use Logan?

Earliness: We left our house around 4:30 too, for our 7:00 flight.

Bonus 1st day: We also added another day to the beginning of our trip that wasn't part of our DP.

POR: we stayed at POR for our 'unofficial' first day.

DTD: Went to DTD on '1st' day.

GF: transfered to the GF early the next morning!

Upgrade: We, too, were upgraded to Sugarloaf! (what an exciting surprise!!)

MK: Made it in time for rope drop.

We had a very similar balcony view as well:

I can't wait to read more about your trip! It really hits home with our trips, and has gotten me extremely excited for our upcoming trip in 161 days!!!

 

[Melissa79]

Hi! I just found your trip report and I'm so excited! I hope you guys had a great time. I was thinking of you the morning of Dec 6 when we got to Logan and was looking for your luggage that you said would stand out! Haha We hung out in the GF lobby a couple of evenings before dinner and I was wondering if you were around! Anyway, I wanted to say hi, now I've got to go to the beginning and get caught up.

 

[siestakeys04]

I am really enjoying your tr and can't wait to read the rest. Great planning!!!

 

[toodycat]

Subscribing! I'm loving this report and the great photos. I've been debating where to say when we return to WDW this summer...GF, AKL or Ritz Carlton. This report is definitely making me think GF. We, too, were upgraded to Sugarloaf once and it is so lovely. Can't wait to read more...

 

[Lcaemom]

Kristen Yes, the girls did have a great time...although, we did hit a bump in the road, as you all will see...coming up. I'll try to PM you back today...finally have a day off.

Lisa That is so strange that you were there at the same time and can even see your room. I wonder how many times we passed each other?!? I ended up having some unexpected time on my hands, coming up...so, I took advantage of that and took TONS of pictures of the GF...maybe you'll find yourself. Let me know if you do.

Dan Great to have you. Just saw your GF pics, in your report. It was so beautiful...more pics coming up!

sueh Glad to have you!!! I think you will love WDW in December...everything is so beautiful. I don't know if I could go to WDW at any other time of year. Ask away, if you have any questions.

whogirl'smom Try the parade from up there, sometime...it really was a great view...and no lines to get out!

Disbride2009 Are you getting married there, this year? Let's hear some details! We were actually already booked at the GF...we added an extra night to our trip, and stayed just that night at POR. Our upgrade was from a Garden view room to concierge level...that was amazing...as you will see...coming up!

Diz-Wiz That is CRAZY how identical our trips were!!! Yes, we flew out of Boston...on Airtran, at 7:10am. UGHHH!!! But, were there by lunch time, so that was great. It looks like you were in room 6317? We were in 6316 and were on the other side of the roof, that overhung the entrance...I recognize that view. Wow, so glad to have you...we'll have lots of notes to compare!

Melissa So, excited to have you here!!! Great to hear from you. How was your trip? I was looking for someone who I thought looked like you all week. If you were at the GF at dinner time, we must have passed each other without realizing it. I did meet two Dis board members while there...one in the lobby of the GF, and one on the flight home...she is from Plymouth, too. Can't wait to hear about your trip!!!

siestakeys04 Great to have you here!!! Are you from Siesta Key? Must be pretty special to you...it is beautiful there. We've been there a couple of times...might be going in April...crossing my fingers!

toodycat Glad to have you join in. I'll always be partial to the GF...it is so beautiful!!! Hope I'm able to help you out with your decision, if you need some reminders.

 

[bellasmommy0]

All caught up, I have been so busy I havent been able to keep up on the threads I am reading!! I am ready to hear more!!

 

[Disneylover0216]

Your report has made me determined to spend next Christmas in Disney!

 

[AGPrincess]

Loving your trippie so far! The grand looks very grand indeed! Great pics too!

 

[Lcaemom]

At 5 o'clock on the dot, we headed downstairs...hordeurves were not in the plans (we had an ADR at the Rose and Crown) but, were also certainly not going to be missed. We came out of the elevator and were absolutely shocked! This was not just cheese and crackers...there were four or five hot hordeurves, fruit, cheese and crackers, mini plates of caesar salad...and a large assortment of beer, wine and champagne. DH and I looked at each other and just could not believe our eyes. I of course, start to take pictures to show all of you, of course. DH could have shot daggers out of his eyes, with the look he gave me. So, I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked...I went back, late at night for the menu! But, did manage to take some 'of the children.' We were not the first ones there, by any means...there were people already...some could have stocked their own fridges by the amount of beer and food they were walking out with. We sat and had a glass of wine...and a plate of food...ok, two. It was all deliscious! Of course, now we were full...and still had an ADR for dinner. Reason number...whatever, the DDP did not work out for us. We were always full when we had ADRs.

The girls were in heaven...a fridge, fully stocked with Sprite!!!

My little one had chairs and table, just her size...The Disney Channel...hot chocolate and all the cupcakes and brownies she could eat!

Next we were off to change...into warm clothes. It was pretty chilly at night. My plan was to make a late ADR at the Rose and Crown and request seating out on the patio for Illuminations. Well, it wasn't exactly patio weather...we were pretty full so, we decided we'd play the ressie by ear. We arrived at Epcot, with plenty of time to kill...our ADR was not until 8:40pm. Our first mission was Spaceship Earth. We walked by that countless times last year without ever making the time to do that ride. There was no line, so, we walked right in. Got right on...I sat with my little one...didn't realize that we were having our picture taken was we went by ourselves..."Oh, look there we are I said," up on the screen. We loved that ride!!! Until we got stuck...coming down the hill with all the little star lights around us, and that music...that slowly but, surely will make you CRAZY!!! We were stuck for about 20-30 minutes...once, it took off again the screen came on, in our car/seat and our people looked RIDICULOUS...which made us laugh and we were fine again, once we got off. However, we were now out of 'time to kill' and had to head straight over to the RandC. We were a few minutes early and I noticed that there were heaters over the patio so, I did end up asking for patio seating. They said they could not guarantee it but, that we could go out on the patio when Illuminations started. They gave us our buzzer and we headed over to the perfume store. Last year, I tried out several Burberry samples and lost track of which one I liked...this year, I was determined to figure out which one that was and buy it. So, we smelled them all...and sprayed only the ones we thougt were the right one...and then our buzzer went off and it was time for dinner. I thought, 'I'll come back after dinner.' So, off we went...WE WERE LED STRAIGHT TO THE PATIO!!! We had the most perfect seats for Illuminations...I knew that once it started but, all through dinner I was obsessed with trying to locate 'the ball' and whether or not we truly had good seats. I was also, constantly smelling my right and left wrists and my DDs, as we were all covered in Burberry perfume...and we finally narrowed it down to Burberry Weekend.
We were still not really hungry but, had the DDP so, we ordered away. I got the Bangers and Mash...as did my DD, DH had the fish and chips and my other DD had ?the roasted chicken. Our favorite was DH's fish and chips. The bangers and mashed potatoes were good but, waaaay too many sausages for one meal...couldn't have finished, even if I didn't start off full. We got the toffee pudding, chocolate cake, and ice creams for dessert. All in all, it was great! Then Illuminations started...OMG!!! We scored huge!!! We couldn't have had better seats...it was so beautiful...saw it last year from under a tree...definately, don't recommend doing that. It ends with Let There Be Peace on Earth...it brought a tear to my eye!!! It was just a perfect night.

I don't take very good pictures of fireworks so, I didn't even try...this was one of the ones my DD took with her camera...the only one that came out somewhat good.

So, we rolled out of the Rose and Crown and made our way back to the monorail. We were exhausted!!! Everything went according to plan, there were many, many extras that were not planned but, were so above and beyond anything we could have planned. It was the most perfect way to start our vacation!
We arrived back at our room...to find the beds had been turned down and all the animals arranged. My little one's 'Lambie' was arranged with chocolate around him...that just made my DD's whole night. She LOVES her Lambie!!! She has slept with him every night, since she was one. We had a message on our phone...it was the Concierge desk man...with tomorrow's forecast and park hours...so many unexpected surprises!!!

We all hopped into bed...and put on...of course, STACY!!! Every time we watch her, we really feel like we're in WDW...and since we were all asleep within minutes, of putting her on, we really don't end up seeing much of her.

I was awoken however, before morning by oldest DD...coughing...not just a little cough but, a congested, croupy cough...around 5 or 6, she woke up...crying!!! I jumped out of bed and felt her...she was burning up!!!

Up next: A sick kid at WDW...

 

[whogirl'smom]

What a great installment (until the end, anyway )! I loved the Rose and Crown two years ago, but they went and changed the menu and took off the yummy cottage pie! Your dd's look very happy in the lounge with all the surprise goodies. You can't beat all the hot cocoa and brownies you can eat!

You guys did have great seats for Illuminations--we were on the terrace, but against the wall, so we couldn't see for the awning. We moved over to the roped off viewing area, which was very squished!

I hate that your dd woke up so sick!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Great update and what a view you had of the fireworks!! Someday I'll need to stay at the GF, it sounds just perfect!!! You're such a good writer that I feel like I was there with you.

Oh no!! So sorry to hear you DD was sick, I hope it was short lived!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

PS-- love the new ticker!!

 

[bellasmommy0]

Oh NO!! Poor kid!! Hope she got to feeling better

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Oh No!!! A sick kid is my Disney Anxiety Dream!

 

[angelmav]

Well Im officially hooked! Cant wait for more and hope your DD got over this quickly!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

fab report, just enthralling.................................................such a dream vacation at the GH, lucky girls u are!

 

[Disney 'Ohana]

Great TR Beautiful family!

One of my favorite times to go.