TigrLvsPooh
Travel Channel's Ultimate Disney Fan
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2001
- Messages
- 12,074
Ringing in the New Year at the Grand Floridian!!! 
January 1st-8th, 2012
January 1st-8th, 2012
I think this photo is the most beautiful picture I've found online of the Grand Floridian.
I made it my desktop background last week so every time I sit down at my computer I instantly smile. Can you guys believe it is time for another one of my LIVE trip reports??? I feel like I have barely unpacked from the last one! 
This trip was sort of a surprise, we wanted to get away over the Christmas break because the kids are out of school and DH's office is closed but we had no idea what we were going to do until a couple of weeks ago! It started as a split stay between Portofino/Universal and Poly/WDW... then slowly we began to realize we really just wanted to focus on WDW (big shock I know) because DH is doing the mini marathon and we really wanted to see the Osborne lights. So after deliberating we decided it would be easier and MORE RELAXING to just focus on ONE hotel... that way we can unpack, relax, and not worry about going anywhere else for the week. I have to say I am really looking forward to this trip. I feel like I don't even care what we do or if we even ride a ride, I just want to lay in bed and watch the fireworks. 
I won't even bother boring you with introductions, family of 4, kids are 12 and 10, my Mom is coming along with us, so we have a standard room at the GF booked with a PIN code, room only. No dining plan. Mom sleeping on the daybed, kids sleeping together, which should prove to be INTERESTING
I have made a few ADRs. Teppen Edo, Coral Reef, Hacienda, Via Napoli, and LTT. We don't have much of an agenda except fun and relaxation. Is anyone else up for that???? 
Here is our last trip report from October 2011: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2821830
Inside that report you can find links to our other live reports. Before October at the Poly it was March at the Beach Club and January at Kidani. I can't believe we were able to squeeze 3 trips in for 2011, that isn't the norm for us. Usually we can barely get two trips in a year, but who's complaining???
Next week you can follow my tweets live: @Erika_Murphy
And I've started WDW boards on Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/erikacullen
I am frantically trying to take down all the Christmas decorations before we leave. Tomorrow is my last day to finish everything, pack, and be ready to leave early Saturday morning. It's torture but I know I don't want to come home January 8th to all the decorations still up.
So I must press on! If anyone has any questions about the GF, something they want me to investigate or look for just let me know. I'm excited to have you guys along with us once again. These live reports are so much fun, I wish more people would do them!
There is just something magical about seeing things happen day to day as they happen instead of reading about them months later, don't you think??? Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, I am DYING TO KNOW what this big announcement is on 12/31???? If it has something to do with free park days or free extra hotel days, etc, I am going to be majorly bummed since our airfare is already booked and I can't change it. But I guess we can always use whatever this special thing is for our next trip.
I love surprises!!!! 
At least I get to read along with yours. We have 2 boys also ages 13, 11. They have grown up with Disney every year, looking back at those pictures from way back...ah memories! Carry on
