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

[Lcaemom]

We entered the lobby through the doors, underneath the grand staircase. The lobby is just breathtaking and this was one of my most favorite things about it. I wished that there was a picture that did it justice...I took many, many, many pictures of the girls on the stairs during the week and none of them really show just how beautiful it really is.

To the left of the staircase, after you come around it from outside, is the check in area...huge and beautiful...not much else to say. I'll always only remember our first encounter there...being upgraded!!!

We turned to the right and the tree was right in front of us. I could have just sat in the lobby, all day...there is so much to take in. The tree, however is at the center of it all...all covered in white lights, swans, birdcages...there are no words that could do the lobby justice...I think I'm repeating myself...can you tell I was in heaven?!?

I must have looked liked the typical tourist...snap, snap, snapping away...I guess I wanted to ensure that I would always be able to look back?!? I looked up and this was what I saw...if you can't tell...I'm very detail oriented!

Next...as we walked around the tree...was The Gingerbread House. This is what started this whole trip...I read about it last year...therefore, had to come over and see it...once, we got to the GF last year...I naturally, fell in love...thus, prompting our return in 2008. I know WDW started with a mouse...but, this vacation started with the Gingerbread House. It is so detailed, it smells so good...the whole lobby smelled like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, brown sugar...ahhhhh!!! I could have taken a hundred pictures of that and I would probably still miss something. Every time we walked by it, we had to stop and every time I noticed something that I hadn't noticed last time.

This is the back side...where they sell Gingerbread men, shingles, sugar cookies, lollipops...and the Gingerbread houses themselves. They were also giving away the recipe to make the gingerbread...which I have not had a chance to get to...yet!

This was my daughter's favorite window display...if you stop and really look at some of the displays...they are amazing!!! This one was outside of the Sandy Cove giftshop.
The trainsets were upstairs at the M. Mouse Mercantile. My middle daughter had wanted that trainset last year. Silly me, thought we could grab one at the Disney store here, at home. WRONG!!! We waited a year to come back and see if we could get...and yeah!!! They were still selling them! We waited to buy it however, until the last day of the trip.

We continued on, around the second floor balcony...overlooking the lobby! I didn't realize, until we were up there, that the Gingerbread House emits smoke out of it's chimney! My daughter was blocking her nose...to be funny. It smelled deliscious!!!

Just another great shot from the second floor...there are more to come...there was always something new going on throughout the week...this was just the beginning of my love affair with the lobby...lol!

Next up: As we walk back to the room...we're thinking "What are we going to find???" A sick sister...who can't leave the room...or the rest of the family raring to go?!?

 

[Lcaemom]

I've missed being here so much!

Carrie5317: Welcome...so glad to have you!

JasonDVC Ahhh!!! Thanks for your kind words! Glad to have you here!

Kristen: You're trip is getting CLOSER!!! Not to start wishing the summer away...again! But, it IS almost spring! Hope you are well! Looking forward to getting caught up on your report!

Thanks everyone for sticking around!!! Thank you also, for all of your kind words! Now I need to go back to my pictures and see where I've left off!

 

[Lcaemom]

So, of course, before I get us back to the room...we need to take a detour around the pool and the front of the Sugarloaf building...which of course, is breathtaking, as well...and so my love affair continues...
This is the back side of the main building and the front side of the Sugarloaf. Our room is right above the roofpeak of the entrance, on the third floor...what is lurking behind those blinds...

It was a little chilly...but, my daughter was thrilled to be standing in a pool in December...and it was heated so, it felt great...compared to the snowstorm that was going on here...in Mass, at the time...what wouldn't be great?!?

And around the pool we go...

The hot tub was behind the GF sign...

...and around...remember I like detail!

And now we'll turn around and look the other way...

...and now we'll look ahead and take a close up...we're almost done here...I promise...

And who might that be standing out on the balcony??? Not the sick child but, one who is showered and ready to go...YEAH!!! That's a good sign!!!

We went back up to the room...to find my DH and one DD showered and ready to go. My sick DD, was in the shower...she slept the whole time we were gone...which was only an hour! Kind of crazy that it has taken me a whole month to report about one hour!!! But, she was feeling much better...ate some more breakfast...and wanted to go out!!! We figured we'd take it slow...see how the day went but, we were on our way to Day #2!!!

Next up: MGM!!!

 

[A's Princess]

Great update! I can see how easily you can fall in love with the Grand Floridian!

 

[carri5317]

So glad your back! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Lcaemom]

My daughter got dressed, said she felt great...she was ready!!! I was relieved but, will admit that I was also very nervous...didn't want to get to the park and find out she really wasn't ok. So, we figured we'd take this day slowly...with no real plan in mind. The goals for MGM were: Fantasmic...with better seats than last year, Toy Story Mania, ToT, RRC, and the rest of attractions...thier names may not be as big...but, they were still important. Those were some of our goals but, it wasn't going to break my heart if we had to come back to the room. So, off we went!
First...of course, I had to take a pic of the lobby, as we exited the building, at the main entrance, to head for the busstop. So, this would be your first view of the lobby, if you came in through the main entrance...WOW!!! is all I can say.

Now, outside the buidling...it was just as beautiful. We had taken the monorail over...so, we missed the main entrance until this point.

The girls were very excited to climb up into the carriage...

...the old car...yes, I know there is probably a name for it...but, to me they are old cars...and it was beautiful

We are now headed toward the busstop...it was a very nice busstop. There was a tv...and a "busstop man." I'm not sure what the proper terminology would be...not a doorman, or a bellman...a busstopman?!?...and she was a woman! She was very nice...but, the bus came quickly...that day! We got to know her a little better, later on the week, when we sat with her for almost AN HOUR waiting for the AK bus! But, that was Thursday...still on Monday and so far, things are looking up!

We only had one bus picture, last year...and we spent alot of time on them so, that was another one of our goals - 'take more pictures of the mundane type things'...so here's the bus to DHS...which I still like to call MGM!

We have now arrived at MGM!!! I love all the trees that are at the entrances to the parks. They are all decorated according to the theme of the park...and this one of course is related to movies. My daughter actually took this picture...that was a sign to me that she was feeling better...she is a teenager and she was participating...that is a huge sign, as all of you who have teenagers know!

And here we are...at the gates to MGM!!! OK...I know it's DHS!!! Whatever you want to call it...it was a beautiful, perfect day...and we had arrived!!!

Next up: We're inside MGM with no plan do things work out...or do things fall apart?!?

 

[Lcaemom]

Once, inside the gates I immediately became overwhelmed...there are just so many 'things' to look at everywhere...and of course, I don't want to miss a picture...do I?!?
This was to the left of the entrance... .

...this is to the right...

...and this is straight ahead...

We of course, forgot to grab a map, when we walked in...I was thinking 'we need a plan,' my DH just does what I want...when it comes to Disney...so he is assuming we have a plan...my girls have three different ideas in mind...so needless to say...things did not start off so well that day...we don't look too confused...do we?!?

First order of business was to grab a photopass...I loved our photopass pictures from last year...so, that was a definate!!! It's also my proof that I actually came on the vacation...as I am no pictures, otherwise!?!

My daughter took this picture...she got some great shots...that I either didn't think of taking...or her's came out better. I happened to notice however, that the date on her camera was twelve hours behind...so, this pic says 12/7, even though it was taken on 12/8...this is going to drive me crazy, when it is time to scrapbook this trip...I am VERY chronological!!!

Our first goal was to find Toy Story Mania...without a map this was not easy! We kind of wandered around...without a clue...everyone following me, thinking that I had a clue...which I did not...until we stumbled upon it. We got our fastpasses...for 8pm!!! It was only 11:15am...oh boy!!! My Fantasmic plans were in jeaopardy...as the park closes right after the performance...I wanted good seats this year...now, the wheels are turning in my head, as to how we're going to do it all...as the girls are walking away and talking a mile a minute about "can we go_____next???" So, I put the fastpasses in my lanyard thingy...and we are right near the Walt Disney exhibit...this was NOT on their list of places they wanted to visit...it probably would have been their last choice. But, I am a huge WDW historian...I LOVE the history behind the area of land WDW was built on, how things came about, how the decisions were made...so, I am so excited to check that out...the exact name of this exhibit is escaping me because, I STILL don't have that brochure! I loved that exhibit!

There were prototypes of many of the attractions...and/or the park themselves...I found it fascinating!

This is a replica of Walt pitching his "Florida Project." Did you know that the location for WDW was decided on the day that JFK was asassinated? Walt was touring the east coast and had to stop to refuel...they heard about JFK and decided right then and there that WDW would be built in FLorida...his feelings were that the world needed a magical place like WDW to escape some of the reality of the world. Imagine?!?

Ok..so, that is our history lesson for the day! After listening to my girls whine..."can we go now?!?" about a thousand times...we left that exhibit. We had just got our fastpasses so, we had awhile before we could anymore. We made our way over to ToT and RRC...where the wait times were both an hour or more...

...and now I was getting hungry! Of course, just me and DD#1...the one who is sick...who eats all day long, if allowed but, no one else is...because while I was up playing nurse, and GF tour guide with DD#3, DH and DD#2 were still sleeping. They didn't eat breakfast until right before I came back from my GF tour. So, half of us were hungry and the other half was not. We didn't have an ADR because I was planning on a CS meal and I didn't check my notes about where we should eat...we still didn't have map...so, we started to walk into random places, some of which I knew I didn't want to eat at but, just to check for a table...we started to strike out on that...now, we had no map, no plan, fastpasses that were 8 hours away...and half of family that was starving...or so we said! AND...It was 12noon...on the dot! Timing is everything! Somehow, we were able to walk into the PrimeTime 50s Cafe...and get seats at the bar. We had to use TS credits...another big reason why I would not do the DDP again...we were not looking for a huge meal. It was good...the bartender was very nice...very informative...told us this was the busiest he has ever seen WDW during the beginning of December...almost as busy as Christmas week!!! It sure felt like it, at that point. I had to take a pic in the living room...it was cute and so realistic...but, by the time we sat at the bar...that whole living room was PACKED with people...so, in our case...timing was everything because we really lucked out!!!

Don't we look like a happy family?!?

We were now well fed...the bartender gave us a map...we made ourselves some semblance of a plan...or so we thought! So, off we went...to the left, to the left...we started at the Star Wars attraction...again, I'm at a loss for the exact name.

We walked out of there...feeling very sick...not the ride to try out on a full stomach! We decided to just walk...walk and browse...and to make our way to Lights, Motors, Action. We now were what felt like in the middle of nowhere...I don't know if we made our way to behind a set...but, we are near nothing...and DD#1 says "I don't feel good." But, now it's her stomach...and we need to find a bathroom!!! We backtracked ALL the way back to the PrimeTime 50s cafe...the rest of us waited and waited...DH says he will wait with DD#1...I take the other two window shopping...the other two are bored with that so, I am now sitting on a curb...waiting and waiting...we had been at MGM for 2-3 hours and it felt like we had done nothing!!! I was so aggravated...we had officially become the Griswolds...in Wallyworld! DD#1 comes bouncing around the corner...she now feels great...and we're on our way to Light, Motors, Action...but, it has already started and now DH is so mad!!!...and guess what??? THERE IS A BATHROOM RIGHT NEXT TO THE ENTRANCE!!! So, we make our way up to our seats...and we all sit there...not speaking because we are so miserable at the happiest place on earth!

Next up: Do we continue on as The Griswolds?!?

 

[Lcaemom]

So, our GRAND vacation wasn't always so grand...every family has their moments! Did ours continue??? Yes...sad to say...we walked out of Lights, Motors, Action...with what seemed like a million other people...who all seemed to go in the same direction as we were headed.

Every book I've ever read about WDW says, never to get in line at the Backlot Tour when Lights, Motors, Action lets out...and that is exactly what we did. We were certainly not helping ourselves out of a bad situation...we waited an hour for the Backlot Tour. But, I promise eventually we do redeem ourselves!!!

This is an icon that I did not get a picture of last year...so, here is this years'. I was very happy that I was able to get that.

My daughter took a great picture of the costume department...

She also thought to take a picture of the Herbie car...I did not so, I was glad she got that!

I wanted a picture of Walt's plane...not sure if it was THE plane...maybe he had more than one?!? But, that is also an icon...in my opinion!

Next, we ended up on the live set...where they were shooting a movie with a canyon scene...hmmmm, they were shooting the same scene last year!?!

We knew what was happening but, my DD#3, age 7, was still scared when the bridge started to shake, and then the fire, and then all the water came down...but, the two little kids in front thought it was all real...and they SCREAMED through the whole thing!!!

Next, we made our way over to the ToT...we stopped at the Movie Ride...didn't take pictures...took lots last year so, I didn't think we needed any this year. That is a great ride!

Once, we got over to the ToT/RRC area...we grabbed fastpasses for the RRC...I thought to grab five, even though my youngest was refusing to do it! We had two hours to kill...until then. So, my DH took the older two on the ToT...and I took my youngest shopping. We bought her new Hannah Montana flip flops, we did some window shopping and watched a skit in the street. This was her favorite window display...she had to stop and take it all in.

The other three made it on and off ToT in record time...so, my DH then took my little one and I went on ToT with the two older girls. We laughed and screamed so loud...that was the family's redeeming moment. We just needed to have a good laugh! There were two elderly ladies in front of us...who laughed and screamed so loudly...you couldn't help but, to laugh along with them....it was contagious...and they were hilarious. We ended up buying the picture of ourselves...and them, when it was over.

Next Up: Our ToT picture and...does the 7yo do RRC???

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I still have to work up my will to do TOT!!!

Great updates- keep it coming!

 

[loralie]

I am loving your TR. I love all the pic of the GF. I can't wait to get there in May. You are trying to convince your 7 year old to ride Rock N Roller Coaster...I a trying to convince my 11 and 13 year old boys to ride it! They are chickens when it comes to rides.

Can't wait to read the rest.

Loralie

 

[A's Princess]

I still can't get DHS into my brain too - MGM flows so much better!

Glad you weren't the Griswolds the entire day! Looking forward to reading how things turned around.

Thanks for the great update - I needed to be transported someplace warm and fun this cold Feb vacation morning. You are so convincing me we need to stay at GF next trip!

 

[princess&her4princes]

WOW, great updates!! And what a beautiful family!! So good to have you back and updating, I missed you!!

You got some GREAT pictures at GF, thanks for sharing them! We were only in the lobby with the gingerbread house and it was time to leave so we didn't get to explore much. It was SO nice to be able to see everything. Loved the pics of the girls in the carriage and the 'old car', very pretty!!

So glad to hear that DD#1 was feeling better so you could make your way over to MGM. Sorry to hear though it started off Griswald style!! I think every family has those moments, for sure!! But glad to hear all you needed was a good laugh to make things better...can't wait to hear if DD#3 road TOT, my oldest wanted to do it, but there is NO way I would have let him...I'm too scared myself to do it!!

Can't wait to hear the next update!!

 

[whogirl'smom]

Great update! MGM is just an angst-producing park in my opinion! It took us three trips to have a good day there. At least you had a good excuse for taking your time for a sick dd---we had no excuse (except my PMS!)

I really enjoyed One Man's Dream, too.

 

[Lcaemom]

Thank you everyone for sticking with me!!!

A's Princess: So, I've made it clear then, that I love, love, love the GF...oh good!!! I do, I could just sit anywhere within the resort and just marvel at it's beauty...ok, I'll stop...for now. And yes, MGM will always be MGM...

Carrie5317: I'm so glad, that you're glad I'm back! It wouldn't be as much fun to write this, if there was no one here to read it. So, thank you!!! I'm glad that you're here!

ProudMommyof2: You just have to get on and do it!!! You'll be so proud of yourself if you do! I swore I wouldn't do...I was fine to sit out with my little one...but, when the big girls came out...so excited...and said there was no line...I felt like I had no choice. I was really glad I did it!!! Thank you also, to you for sticking around!

Loralie: There is no convincing my daughter...she has her mind set that she will or she won't. The only thing that SOMETIMES changes her mind is the fact that she has two older sisters...and her need to feel as big as they are. I'm not sure why I got her a fastpass...I really, in a million years...NEVER thought we would need it...uh oh!!! Did I give it away?!? Thanks for reading...love having you here!

Kristen: No, DD#3 did not ride ToT...it was RRC!!! Shhhh...don't give it away. There was NOOOO way she was getting on ToT. My older two are the crazy ones...they dragged me on...against my will. But, I was glad I did it when it was over.

WhoGirl'smom: Thanks for concurring with me on the angst!!! Angst is the perfect word! I was never sure where we were...I always felt like we were behind something...like we were never quite sure if we were "in" the park or backstage...I have a feeling that is the "beauty/nature" of that park...but, it was not my favorite for that reason. Thank you also..."One Man's Dream" I could not remember that!

OK...so, I think the Griswolds left for Wallyworld...and we stayed in WDW...whew!!! That was a trying 1/2 day...it gets better...I promise!

 

[Lcaemom]

This is our photopass picture...aren't the two women in the right front row hilarious??? We were behind them. Not my best picture with my three chins...we were freefalling and laughing hystericaly...which explains why it was so unflattering...oh well, it was so funny...we laughed so hard...at the fact that I was even on the ride? the women in front of us? Not sure what it was but, that was the one moment that seemed to turn the day around.

I may have already included a similiar picture...I guess once you actually do this ride...it becomes a source of pride...and then you take too many pictures of it...

I think part of the atmosphere of being in the parks is all the things that are around to look...balloons are everywhere and they make it so festive. I had no intention of buying one but, I love this picture...the balloons add so much to the scenery.

I don't remember taking this picture, at this point in the day...I think this is from the beginning of the day and it just got out of order...Being such a chronological person...I feel the need to mention that. and since, I'm in so few pictures...I'll stick it in here. When we were told to point...we didn't know what we were pointing at...they add the cartoon character to the picture, which you don't get to see until you view them online...thank God for that!!! My DD#3 would have been climbing up the side of me had she thought for even a second that Stitch was at her feet...she is SOOOOOO afraid of him.

We had some time to kill until our RRC fastpasses came due so, we did some more shopping and just took in the all the sites. More window scenes...the first one is the Mickey snowman...decorated with Mickey snowman decorations. The second is giant Mickey head, dancing ornaments. They were so cute!!!

Night was starting to fall...all the lights started to come on. I just loved the stars on all of the lampposts. It was nice to start moving at a leisurely pace...everyone was feeling fine...no one was starving...everyone had been in and out of the bathrooms...we had a good laugh...all was now good! It was a perfect evening...weather was gorgeous...not too warm, definately not cold. And as we made our was back to RRC...my little one says "I think I want to try RRC." My DH turns to her and says "you should have told us...we don't have enough fastpasses." I said "Yes, we do!!!" Why I got her one...I'll never know. But, so, glad I did!!!

As, we get in line...DD#3 starts asking a million questions..."is it scary?" "will I fall out?" "does it go really fast?" "does it go upsidedown?" The truthful answers are "yes," "no...I hope not...as long as you don't try to climb out...which she has been known to try!?!," "yes," and "yes!" So, I move to the back of our group and push her ahead to my DH...there is NOOOO way I can do this with her!!! We all keep telling her "Look for the donut!" That makes it kind of/sort of sweet and yummy...OMG...What are we thinking?!? I was 1000% sure we were going to need to find the chicken door...right up until the last second...3...2...1...!!!

...AND SHE'S OFF!!! OMG! She actually did it!!! I was shocked!!! In case anyone needs clarification...she is the one in the front with her face plastered to the seat...that photo is priceless!!! She never saw the donut...neither did I. We got off and she was laughing this really giddy, nervous laugh...we got in line to buy the picture...and by the time we got to the register I was needing to sit her down on the floor...she was so dizzy...she thought she was going to get sick...but, she was still laughing!

Up next: Toy Story Mania...Osborne Lights...do we make it to Fantasmic?!?

 

[whogirl'smom]

The woman in front of you on ToT cracks me up! I've never gotten the picture because dh and I have to take turns riding alone till dd7 gets up the nerve to try it. I'm hoping she will in Dec. b/c it's so much fun!

Way to go for your littlest dd on RnRC--my favorite! I'm glad her little head is plastered back since that's the secret I've found to not getting your head smacked around! That and keeping your feet pushed into the ground. I'll tell you a secret--I've been afraid to let dd on this b/c of the fast launch and afraid she'd forever hate roller coasters after it. I'm waiting till she asks (begs!) to try. I need to get over that!

I vote that your Stitch photopass pic was taken before ToT, too. Know why? Because your hair is too neat!

 

[mrskckitty]

I am really enjoying your trip report. I've only been to WDW for one day at Christmas time. Because of your beautiful pictures, I'm going to have to make it a point to go back to check out all the parks and resorts with all their Christmas decorations. Can't wait to read more on your trip.

 

[Lcaemom]

I know that I have been horrible about updating...trying to get last year's trip scrapbooked...and I'm so close to being done!!! I did get to spend last Saturday at a scrap....8 hours of bliss, I mean scrapbooking!!! AHHHHH...heaven! But, that did mean that I couldn't spend much more time on Disney trip pictures...sorry...hope you'll all forgive me...
Anyways, So, we walked out the area where the RRC is at, we were refreshed...our negativity had wained..thank goodness. It was almost time for Toy Story Mania. The crowds had already started forming for Fantasmic and my feeling was that if we tried to get back and forth to TSM that we'd end up rushing and end up with horrible seats for Fantasmic...again. Our other option was walk leisurely over to TSM...then make our way to the Osborne Lights and then go back to the GF...for a swim and the Electric Water Parade...Electric Light Parade...I've heard it called both. So, we went with option number two. I was really sad to miss Fantasmic but, we had had a chaotic day and I was resigned to take in the rest of it without rushing.
We got in line for TSM...with our fastpasses and still had a pretty long wait...at least twenty minutes. To mean that is long with a FP. But, it was worth every minutes!Every bit of TSM was so cute...so much detail...so much to look at everywhere you looked! Highly recommend not passing this up!

We didn't realize it was 3-D...it was so much fun. It was a huge variety of carnival type games. You had to shoot moving targets, and throw rings at things...it was so much fun!!! If the waits weren't so insane, we would have loved to have done it again. It became one of our favorites...I know, another one!?!

We came out...and the first thing we noticed was the giant Scrabble board with the GI Joe men scaling the building across the street. We also noticed that it was now dark...which meant it was already time for...

...The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights!!!

It was one of "those" moments...it was magical!!! The lights were blinking to the music...the snow was falling...the weather was perfect. We took our time...and walked through the crowds. I think everyone had the same feeling...everyone was smiling and laughing...we were all singing...there was no rudeness...no one was bumping into each other...it was amazing!!!

It was SOOOOO magical that my daughters were hugging each other...it doesn't get more magical than that!?!

This was so beautiful...I tried to take a million pictures of this to capture it...none of them did it justice...here is the best one...

This is the beginning of the street...the end for us, as we came in from the other side of the street...this is facing the "New York Skyline."

Up next: Our Osborne Photopass pics...not sure where they went...I'll need to upload them to Photobucket...and the Electric Water Parade...

Thank you...all of you for sticking with me and thank you, mrskckitty for joining me...great to have you!!!

 

[whogirl'smom]

You are totally forgiven for going off the scrap! I just started last year and am going to my first weekend event next month with one of my good friends! It's very addictive and relaxing, isn't it? I've done our 2007 trip and I'm working on my parents' 50th anniversary album now. The 2008 pictures will have to wait a while.

We loved TSM, too! That was a cute picture of your girls in their 3-D glasses--looking forward to seeing the photopass pics!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Yay you getting your last years trip scrapbooked!! I'm so jealous, not sure that will ever happen here!!!

The pic on ToT was hysterical! That lady in front of you made me laugh outloud!!! LOL! SOudns like it was a great turn around point to your day and what you needed! And good for littlest DD for going on Aerosmith roller coaster, that thing is FAST...not sure I would of let my littlest one go on!!! I"m impressed!

Loved the Osborne light pics, especially since we never made it, cause of my watch!!

Can't wait to hear the rest!! BTW, can you believe we're getting MORE snow?!!! Just when we saw our lawns again...ugh!!