The New Lizard Lounge

[MinnieSummer]

I'm too lazy to go back through all the posts so I was wondering if any of you are going to be at WDW for Christmas. It would be wonderful if you were and I could get to meet some of the people who have given me so much support lately. I'm so looking forward to our trip. I'm even thinking of moving our reservation from BWI to GF -- I love the idea of the choir in the lobby on Christmas eve. Although I understand the Boardwalk has entertainment on Christmas Eve as well. Anyone know for sure?

Anyway, this board was very busy while I was away. A new baby coming, many trips to the world and elsewhere. It sounds like everyone is doing well. Pixie dust to all.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hi Minniesummer. No, I am going January 1st with my family. Christmas is lovely in Disney, though, and hope to see the decorations. Many years ago, when the kids were little, we surprised them with a Christmas trip. We were not able to stay in Disney (there was only MK and Epcot at the time) so we were in Daytona beach, and on to Disney for the New Year. The kids loved it, but DH and I were terribly homesick over the Holiday. Swore that we would stay home for the holiday after that year. I gotta tell you, though, for a few years, after the kids started dating, and some family traumas blossomed, we said that maybe we would flee the family for Christmas, and come home after it was all over!

I also would like to meet all the wonderful people here. What a way to make a vacation even more special.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Nancy: We made it a tradition four years ago and have never regretted it. My DD loves being there for Christmas and I find it so much easier. I ship a box of Santa presents before we leave and when she goes to sleep I go get them from the front desk, put them under the tree and we have a special Christmas. The best part is no cooking for me and no mess to clean up afterward. We also love seeing all the decorations and visiting with the characters in the holiday finery. Seeing Santa on Christmas Eve and the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Day makes it extra special.

 

[Steph H]

Hello, everyone! It's Wednesday, and we're a little more than halfway through our trip, and my DD and DH are napping before we go back to Magic Kingdom tonight for EMH, so I have a couple of hours to catch up on my email and begin writing out my trip report and organizing my pictures to post (and yes, there are a lot of them!).

First, I must apologize to Minniesota and Angel16--I am a terrible DIS'er in that I got so caught up with all the fun we were having her at WDW, I completely forgot to call either of you Monday to meet up. Please accept my sincere apologies for the oversight. I really was looking forward to meeting you both.

Second, I just want to say that...

I love the Sugar Loaf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Grand Floridian, of course, is magnificient, and I knew that having concierge service would be heavenly, but I'll admit to having been a little concerned about not getting the Royal Palm Club. I can honestly say I may NEVER try the RPC after the treatment I've received here at Sugar Loaf. The staff is amazing, our ROOM is fantastic, the food selections are excellent...I could go on and on and on (and probably will at some point ). I'll do a trip report of course, and include lots of pictures (my DH rolls his eyes at me on every vacation because I'm an incessant photographer, but this time I can at least say I had a reason!). But just suffice it to say right now that I am BEYOND impressed and am already thinking about what is the earliest age I can feasibly take the new baby on a vacation.

Minniesummer: I'm happy to see you again. I know that the trip to your parents' was probably tiring, but it sounds like you did SO much for them, and I know they appreciate it immensely. What a great daughter you are. {hug}

I'll check back in after I return (Saturday) and tell you how things went. So far, the trip has been perfect. I can highly recommend celebrating your birthday at Disneyworld, by the way. Oh, and wait until I tell you what my husband (that sly dog!), with the help of the fantastic Sugar Loaf staff, did for my birthday.

Hugs to all and much love and pixie dust to those who need it!

 

[minniesota]

Good evening, lizards!

I just posted to the GF board and am going to be lazy and copy and paste! I'll fill you in on a few more details later.

Steph - Please do not apologize! As you can see from my post below, I wasn't in the greatest shape. I wouldn't have even needed a goulish mask for MNSSHP!

Here's my "copy and paste":

I just got back last night and oh what a trip it was! First of all, the GF continues to amaze me. This was my 9th stay and the magic just keeps getting better for me.

I almost did not make the trip - had a terrible fall Friday night on my way to DD's dance team performance at the football game. Split my lip and broke 2 teeth. Three hours in emergency and the dentist chair and to bed by 1 a.m. with a wake-up call at 5. Got to the GF about 12:30 and looked like hell, but was so happy I didn't have to cancel!

Got a beautiful LV room on the 3rd floor of Sago (right next to the Sanibel Suite) and had a perfect view of the castle. Room was in tip-top shape and those new beds are divine - slept like a baby! Mousekeeping and turndown were excellent and every CM we encountered was just wonderful. I really felt like the staff was going way out of their way to be excellent.

DH sent flowers and tuxedo strawberries the first night and when my sister and I returned to the room Sun. night, we found an incredible surprise! Set up on the table was a huge fruit, cheese and gourmet cracker basket - and a marble square platter adorned with a beautiful box made of chocolate (containing a dozen truffles) and set behind the box was a chocolate princess crown! The platter was decorated with chocolate swirls and sugar-spun roses. A note from the GF staff accompanied the surprise and it said something about "sorry for the inconvenience..." I figured there was some kind of mix-up so I called the front desk to tell them I thought they had the wrong room. The CM at the front desk paused a second and said, "No, they are for you and we just hope it adds some magic to your trip - we understand you had an emergency trip to the dentist before your arrival." I was floored. I had mentioned my fall to the check-in CM because I figured she was wondering what the heck happened to me!

Anyway, they have a lifelong customer in me (but, hey, they had me a long time ago!)

Sorry, StephH, that I didn't get to meet you or Angel. The trip just went too fast - 3 days is not enough!!! And I was slowed down somewhat by the accident. By Sunday, my whole upper body was really feeling the affects of the fall.

We had great meals, lots of other pixie dust I'll get to in another post and fun at F&W. We only ate at the GF Cafe (Lunch) and it was yummy, especially the garlic spinach dip. We also went to the spa. My sister was thrilled with her head, neck and shoulder massage. I had to switch to a tired leg massage because everything else hurt too much, but my therapist wore latex gloves!!! It was not a good experience and I did comment about it when I was paying. The woman at the front desk said the therapist may have had a cut and was trying to protect me but I don't buy that. ANyway, if you ever have the tired leg massage, make sure you ask for a glove-less treatment!

I've got lots to catch up on - DH and the kids missed me terribly! LOL Well, they missed my cooking, laundry services, procurement tasks and chauffering! If you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer.

By the way, I have a few photos but I'm a bit clueless on posting photos. If I can get DH or DD to help, I'll post the pics of my "amenities"!

*

 

[MinnieSummer]

StephH: My DD was three months old the first time she flew in a plane and 6 months old for her first trip to WDW -- that's the day judge made her adoption final and my whole family flew into WDW to help us celebrate. We drove up and everyone was at CSR to surprise us. That is an incredible memory. My opinion, it's never to early to introduce a child to pixie dust and disney magic.

Minniesota: I can't believe how your trip got started. From your post I would say that you still managed to enjoy it though so that's all that matters.

I have a question for anyone who has stayed at BWI. I'm really considering changing to GF. First there is no counter service restaurant to grab a quick breakfast and second I'm not so sure about the shopping -- I have to shop!!! Is there a typical Disney souvenir store on property? I know I could always go to DTD but I like to be able to run into the hotel store. I know there are some on the Boardwalk but they seem more upscale and not so character oriented. Can anyone reassure me that I am not maing a big mistake by staying here? Also, if I do stay at BWI what rooms have a view of Illuminations? I've read that some standard view rooms do and I've also read that it is only boardwalk views.

 

[minniesota]

MinnieSummer - Yes, I managed to have a great time despite the accident. The gift shop at BWI is very,very small - just a few toiletries, food items, candy, etc. but there is a large shop on the Boardwalk that has lots of character merchandise, clothing, etc. It's very close to BWI but you do have to go out on to the Boardwalk. There is tons of shopping if you stay at GF. They have a pretty decent shop for character merchandise called Mickey's Mercantile and a more upscale GF shop called Sandy Cove. Being on the monorail, though, you can shop at the Poly, Contemporary and on Main Street!

Can't really help you with the Illuminations view, though be aware you will only see the high fireworks from there. I know it's a tough decision - we've stayed at both and each has its own advantages. Good luck deciding!

 

[Viki]

StephH: My DD was three months old the first time she flew in a plane and 6 months old for her first trip to WDW -- that's the day judge made her adoption final and my whole family flew into WDW to help us celebrate. We drove up and everyone was at CSR to surprise us. That is an incredible memory. My opinion, it's never to early to introduce a child to pixie dust and disney magic.

Minniesota: I can't believe how your trip got started. From your post I would say that you still managed to enjoy it though so that's all that matters.

I have a question for anyone who has stayed at BWI. I'm really considering changing to GF. First there is no counter service restaurant to grab a quick breakfast and second I'm not so sure about the shopping -- I have to shop!!! Is there a typical Disney souvenir store on property? I know I could always go to DTD but I like to be able to run into the hotel store. I know there are some on the Boardwalk but they seem more upscale and not so character oriented. Can anyone reassure me that I am not maing a big mistake by staying here? Also, if I do stay at BWI what rooms have a view of Illuminations? I've read that some standard view rooms do and I've also read that it is only boardwalk views.

I haven't stayed at BWI, but I have stayed at BWV with my DVC points and while it's true that you have to walk out on to the boardwalk for food and shopping, that's really not a problem. You are on the BW!


As the poster above said, there is a large store - the General Store - right next to the BW that carries everything you could want and is very character oriented. And for breakfast, lunch, and dinner there is plenty of food right there for the grabbing at Spoodles window, the Bakery, and the ice cream shop - not to mention boardwalk fare in the evening.

As for additional shopping, there is, of course, Epcot - right out your back door, and one of our favorite places to shop - the store right at the International gate as you walk from the Epcot resorts into Epcot. It often carries character merchandise you won't see anywere else.

I'm not sure about the best room view for Illuminations, but what we always do if we're around at either BCV or BW is step outside, walk to the bridge, and have a spectatcular view. I've also read on these boards that the BWI's concierge room has a great view.

 

[Nancyg56]

Minniesota: What a way to begin a vacation! I am so sorry that you had the accident, but was happy to hear how nice your trip turned out, in spite of it. Your DH sounds so sweet. I love my DH, but he never thinks about the sending flowers or candy. He is an awesome husband, but just once I would love chocolates when I am away from home. (DOn't want to fall in order to get them.) Oh, well. The concierge left you a nice surprise also! Sounds like you had a nice trip. I enjoyed reading about it.

Now that you are home, are you feeling better?

 

[minniesota]

Nancyg56 - Yes, I'm feeling better and thanks for asking! I still have the stiches in my lip and the temporary tooth, but all in all, I really can't complain. It could have been a lot worse, and hey, I still got to go to Disney!
WHen I was lying in the dentist chair at 11 p.m., the reality set in and so did the tears. When my dr. asked if I was in pain, I said only if I can't get on that plane in the morning...They were terrific and patched me up so I could go. I'm still looking an periodontal surgery later this month but I should be good as new by Christmas!

I should clarify that my special surprise came from the GF staff, not concierge. I stayed in a LV non-concierge room this time so I was a regular guest. I still can't believe what a wonderful gesture it was.

We also scored excellent tables at Rose and Crown (watched Illuminations from our front row terrace table!) and at CG (a window seat the night of MNSSHP). We watched Hallowishes from the outdoor deck area and they were spectacular. The food was delicious too!

Another special GF moment: I stopped at the GF Cafe one morning and asked if they sell the little blue mints that are in a bowl on their check-in desk. It was the only thing my DD14 asked me to bring back! Beth, the CM there, said they weren't available to buy and then went to the back and brought me 2 take-out containers filled with the little mints! My DD was thrilled and I was given yet another reason to love that resort!

 

[Nancyg56]

Minniesota: The whole trip sounds as though people were going out of their way to treat you nicely! Makes the "Disney experience" even more magical! I think that the people who you ran into responded to you, and that speaks to the attitude that you must have displayed throughout your vivit.

We are stayong at the AKL, but I admit that I had thought about the GF, and while I am not sorry that we chose the AKL, as I think that it will suit our family, I am a tiny bit jealous that I won't enjoy the GF this visit. Okay a lot jealous. Keep us posted on the additional surgery.

Well friends, I want to update you on our plans. First, my family thinks that I have lost my mind. I have tried to plan,without sticking to a formal plan, so far it looks good. We did get all of our requests for ADR's. My DD said that this alone was worth the price for Concierge. We have had to make changes already, as I heard the Fantasmic can be a bit scary for little ones, and Kady tends to have nihtmares if she sees villians. Added another character breakfast, as my DH freaked out when I could not guarantee that she would meet Pluto. We are SO over our TS on the dining plan.

I will need help for at least one meal, as my Sister in law is celebrating her Bday on Jan 5th. She is the sister of my first husband, who passed away when the kids were little. My DH is awesome, as he feels so strongly that our DGD needs to be around my inlaws, so we have been very close. Anyway, she has lost both brothers and her sister and Dad. Birthdays and holidays are rough. One evening we want to surprise her with my DS and DDil, along with a niece and nephew for a special meal. We will need to add onto our PS, as I do not know when they can make it. If you were celebrating would you celebrate at the Concourse Steak House, or the Whispering Canyou cafe? I do not want to do this at the character meals, as I think that DSIL will not be the center of our attention.

I have booked:
Chef Mickey's.......1/1/06 ........5:40 pm
Cinderella's Royal Table Character Lunch.....1/3/06.... 1:15 pm
Concourse Steakhouse....1/4/06....... 6:00 pm
Sunrise Safari................1/5/06...........7:00 am
Whispering canyon Cafe.......1/5/06............7:30 pm
Crystal Palace.........1/6/06..........5:30 pm
Princess Storybook Breakfast........1/7/06........10:30 am
California Grill...........1/7/06.........6:00 pm
Donalds Breakfastosauraus 1/8/06

No meal yet for Monday. I want her to have fun for her special day.

Any suggestions? I have nothing in Epcot for dinner, and would love to see Illuminations, but would prefer to avoid the rest of the family having to purchase tickets if this is not in their plans. My DS will not know until the last minute which days he can spend with us, but my niece and nephew liv ein Orlando, so are open anytime.

Thanks for your help...I really think I need it.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Nancyg: Would you consider Ohana's? The food is great the atmosphere is festive and, if you time it right, you can watch wishes and hear the musical score as it is piped in. You could also do that from -- drawing a blank -- the restaurant at the top of Contemporary. I can't think of the name of it but I'm sure you know which one I mean. I don't think many kids like eating there but it is wonderful, from the menu to the service. Don't forget to order a cake ahead of time. They'll put anything you want on it.

You really have a special DH. It's rare that a man understands how important it is to keep in touch with family from all sides. Congratulate him for me.

Thanks for everyones help with my BWI issues. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do. I'm still holding out the hope that my father is well and I can bring them down for December. If that's the case I may let my parents decide where to stay but I think my dad would like BWI -- he could sit and people watch and he could go to Epcot and MGM very easily. For now I'll just leave well enough alone.

 

[minniesota]

Nancyg - You are so thoughtful and so is your DH. What about the Yachtman's Steakhouse at the YC or something on the Boardwalk like Spoodles or Flying Fish? If you timed it right, you could watch Illuminations from the bridge that connects the BC/YC area to Boardwalk. You would just see the higher fireworks but would not have to pay admission to Epcot. I've had dinner at Spoodles and FF and loved both. I have not eaten at the Yachtsman but have heard rave reviews. Another option is the Cape May but that is a buffet - also very good. Have fun deciding!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you, ladies for your help. We had just been talking about O'hanas, and adding it to our plan. I never thought about Spoodles, but salivate over the pic's that I have seen.

I am so lucky that my DH understands the family connection. My in-laws love him, also. He has been a wonderful father to my kids, has shown my sons how to be men, and has shown my DD how to become spoiled! Now he is the best "Pa" to our little princess. She is the reason that I was able to talk him into this vacation. Kady told him that she wants to visit her friends in WDW, and will not consider going with anyone else. "Pa is the funnest."

Anyway, My DSIL has always been good to my family, and they love her, and she is all the our niece and nephew have left since their Mom passed. She kind of stepped in for her sister to look in on them, (even adults need to know someone cares enough to pry a bit).
I know they will come, and hopefully it will be on the same day that my DS and DDIL can join us. '


Thanks for the cake reminder....I forgot! Can the IPO order this for me?

 

[Steph H]

Hello everyone! We're back from the GF, and let me tell you, the service and everything about our trip was as perfect as it could be. My DH isn't what I'd call "hard to please," but he's very laid back and doesn't get excited about much. (Which seems like a fault, but it's very helpful in times of crisis, as he is able to respond without panicking! I guess that's what makes him a good paramedic.) Because of this, I really wasn't sure if he enjoyed the stay at the GF concierge or not, or even if he liked the idea of a Disney vacation. Then, the day before we left, he suddenly said, "You know, the only thing that will make this trip better next time is if we can convince Amy and Jay (our best friends) to come with us and get a 2-room suite!" I almost passed out! Of course, he didn't realize at the time how much a two-room suite would cost ( ), but even after I told him, he still liked the idea of coming back with our friends (who have a daughter near my son's age, and are also expecting a baby next year) and he DEFINITELY thinks we have to stay at the GF Sugar Loaf next time. He even mentioned that he wants to come back before the youngest kid turns two, so we can get him in the park for free.

I have written out a whole trip report, which I plan to put on my website and then post links in my siggy and in the trip reports forum, but I want to add pictures first. In the meantime, I did a short page of pictures with captions that you might be interested in (including the treats my DH got me for my birthday). You can find it here:

http://www.thehawkinsfamily.org/THF/2005_pictures_disney.htm

Being back to "real life" kind of stinks, but since I took 650 pictures during the trip ( ), I have a lot to remember it by. Plus all the fun things like my new lanyard with B&B pins (bought by my DH for my birthday), and so much more.

Minniesota: You have my utmost sympathy after your accident. Hope you're feeling better. What a wonderful treat you received from the GF staff. It had to have acted somewhat as a "pain killer."

Hugs to all!! I'll be back later, but for now, they actually expect me to--ugh!--work!!

PS: Someone mentioned O'hana's a few posts ago. All I can say is..wow!!! Food was delicious, but the dessert...oh, the dessert!!! Pineapple bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream, topped with a bananas foster sauce. I've never really been a big fan of bananas, but WOW!!!! That dessert made me a convert. It was by far my favorite dessert of the whole trip. And being pregnant, I ate PLENTY of dessert while we were there.

Edited because I forgot to add a great big THANK YOU to all the folks on this board who helped me plan the best vacation I've ever had. There is so much I would have missed out on if not for all of you!

 

[Viki]

Great photos, Steph! Thank you. It was like a little shot of WDW in a day when I've had two doctor's appointments. A much needed respite!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Steph-Great photos! And you look great! Don't tell your DH if you really want to go before the baby is 2 but they are actually free until 3. That is how I got my DH to agree to Jan 04 trip for DS's 3rd birthday and then we said we'd go again before the baby turned 3. Turns out we didn't really love going in January so we chose Oct and then I somehow convinved him that we NEEDED to purchase AP's and got last Oct before my oldest (then in Kindergarten) stopped believing the characters were real. So now we are getting our 2nd trip on those AP's [my DS & I are getting 3rd because we went for 3 nights in Aug ] and we are taking our "last trip before we have to pay for the baby" trip. I'm taking the oldest 2 nights early and she's now 6 1/2 and in 1st grade and I think she still believes they are real. Hope her friends don't tease her about that when we get home.

I am so excited for my longest trip ever-9 nights and it looks like concierge at the Polynesian should be back open.

 

[Nancyg56]

Steph: What a nice family you have! I enjoyed your pictures. A special thank you for the pics of the goodies. I'm glad that you had a wonderful time.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Not sure if anyone has noticed this before or not, but I was looking at the Wilderness Lodge concierge info on Disney.com and they mention that you can sign-up to go on the AKL Sunrise Safari as a guest of the WL concierge. Pretty neat! Not sureif all the resort concierge are now offering this? We reslly enjoyed the sunrise safari when we stayed at AKL in Feb. Anyway, just an FYI.

 

[MinnieSummer]

That safari is now available to anyone staying concierge at a WDW resort.