Suprising the College Aged Daughters - quick trip once in a lifetime

[ckb_nc]

We were there in 2014 - first day Mine Train was open and no FP! We met the Frozen ladies at 4am - still a highlight

 

[sdd1841]

Last Hurrah - evening at MK with a slice of GF

The plan was a late afternoon at MK with dinner now at the Grand Floridian. DD2, who is the trip planner, got us a 7:10 ADR at the Grand Floridian Cafe. My family had been anti-GF for years. Well that has changed. My wife, DS and I did a one night stay as part of three night three DVC tour President Days weekend and we really liked GF. Plus GF has Mr Pibb Extra. Why is this important - everyone in my family except me loves Dr Pepper. Which you can not find at WDW. However, GF has Mr Pibb Extra, Coke's Dr Pepper substitute. Big win there for GF.

The girls vote to park at GF and head to MK from there - which was probably not the best decision. One plus is with handicap valet is FREE. Winner winner chicken dinner. Managed to catch the monorail to MK and make our way in. Yeah it was packed. Oh well. Off to Thunder for a Fastpass. We also got a return time for later that night (see the post above for an explanation). Great ride but better in the night. From here we headed towards Mine Train for next FP but Dole whips were on our minds. Quick Dole whip break - the line was pretty long for a late day snack but good as ever. Off to Mine Train - this is the first time I can ever remember such long lines for FP - usually FP is not big deal but we are seeing 20 to 50 deep outside to get in FP. I technically did not have FP, just the girls but the CM let us in. Enjoyed the ride but would never wait 2 hours for this one.

Notice the little kids - they claim they snuck in somehow. Oh well - great fun. It was time for dinner. And the challenges start. We made our way to the monorail platform and just missed it. Literally the second party on the platform not on the monorail. The monorail just sat there - and the other one was stuck at TTC. We decide to take the boat. And Disney puts another boat from WL in service for Poly and GF. We heard from an other party that the other monorail could not park at TTC and they literally had to climb over seats to get out. The monorail at MK left as our boat did but the resort monorail was an ongoing no-go both days.

With the delay we made over GF just in time. I was not sure about this place - little unknown but here is what we had.

First our server Shawn was on point. Really nice guy who was super busy. We started with the Cheese plate - it was good plate and we enjoyed it as shared appetizer. DD1 and I both got the Kobe beef cheeseburger - it was really good. DD2 went with the steak which a very good choice. Both entrees were really good. The bread was really good as well. Finally we got the dessert sampler which we shared. Our favorites were the cheesecake and the tart but all the desserts were good. We enjoyed this restaurant and would come back again. I guess it compares to Captains Table at Yacht and Beach but is so much better.

Now for the last little hurrah at MK

We are considering GFC for dinner and then watching the fireworks and water parade - did you do that?

 

[ckb_nc]

We are considering GFC for dinner and then watching the fireworks and water parade - did you do that?

We did not watch the fireworks or water parade from GF; we certainly could have from the dock. Previous trip my wife and I had dinner at Narcoose's (total recommendation) and watched fireworks from their porch; saw buch of folks on the dock watching fireworks. Great spot

 

[DeterminedOne]

Great report! Had me teary eyed from the moment you knocked on the door at SSR. Thanks for sharing.