Top Secret Pixie Dust! A Surprise 13th Birthday PTR! NEW! TRIP REPORT LINK PAGE 220!

[Charleston Princess]

I'm so excited for Chelsea and can't wait to hear about her reaction!

Denise

It better be suitably excited.

So true about picking the right resort for each vacation! I have it in my head to stay at each resort too....which is making things hard for me because I'd like to maybe stay at CBR again (soonish) but I have so many other resorts to check off the list first. I really need to win the lotto!

I think the only resorts I might be okay with skipping are the three All-Stars. That leaves all the deluxe resorts for us which screams the need to win the lottery on our end as well. Unless Disney wants to keep sending me 40% codes each year -- then, I might be able to swing it.

Same experience here...our parents must have been related!

Not only did we ALWAYS stay off-site, we always left around dinner time, so we could eat off site as well! In fact, I didn't even know there were any night-time parades (Spectro) or firework shows until I went back as an adult!

I don't remember eating dinner at the parks very often -- I know it was always counter service though -- we had our favorites which are still our favorites -- the ones that are still around.

This is so funny...It makes me imagine all of ya'll sitting around in the GF's lobby, like the Beverly Hillbillies!

I'm sure you will have so much fun at the GF---Chelsea will be thrilled!

We could very well do just that.

I can't wait to hear about Chelsea's reaction when she finds out that her dream is coming true!!! What great parents you are!!!!

We try although there have been times when I wonder if we will make it to July with our sanity intact.

I've personally never been to interested to stay there but I've dined and shopped there. Yet, I could so see myself on that beach! I may have to double think my not staying there before. LOL!

Staying at the Grand is sure to be an experience for us. I never would have been able to really consider it without the pin code. Those room prices are a bit steep!

The GF is beautiful for sure. Chelsea will be over the moon when she finds out!
Here are a couple of pictures we took in June. I hope you don't mind!

A glimpse of the pool.

Oh, I love them!!! Thanks for posting them!

Your going to love staying at GF!

IMHO, it's more comfortably elegant then posh and snobby. We really enjoyed staying there and will stay there again in the future!

I found it to be very relaxing. I'm not sure why. But even now the second I walk into the lobby or come in off the monorail it gives me that warm fuzzy feeling!

I LOVE those paths! I love them even more in the evening! Ahhhhh We didn't really use the beach but my kids loved the pools! I love the quiet pool! First, it's HUGE! Second, it just so nice to sit there in a beautiful place, in relative quiet and enjoy yourself!

Are you a morning person? One of my favorite all time disney memories was getting up early (cause that's what I do) and sneaking out the room. I went and sat at one of the tables outside of Gasparilla's before sunrise and watched the castle change colors!

Your descriptions are great! Can't wait to be there experiencing it all. I am a morning person, so I will have to add early morning sunrise to the list of fun!

OMG! I have the same update written out for my PTR that I was going to post later on. We never ever ever stayed on site- it was almost taboo for my mom to pay those prices . Oh I was filled with resort envy and vowed that when I have a family, we will most definitely be staying on site!

Great update and beautiful pictures, the Grand Floridian is just so charming. We ate at Narcoossees on our last visit and it was too die for!

Did you have a great view at Narcoossees?

Oh and you can always practice your poshness skills when you visit the Princess Diana collection.

Yes, we will have to practice.

Chelsea is going to be over the moon! It really is a beautiful resort.

It just seems like the perfect summer resort for a birthday.

I agree...the GF will be a royal treat!

The few times we have eaten there or stopped in to look around it is beautiful

You are a great Mama!

Stardust...

Oh, well, if truth be told, if it was a resort I wasn't all that excited about, I don't know as if I would have been quite so eager to book there.

 

[jenniferkeala808]

i'm here!! those pictures of the GF are wonderful! can't wait to hear more!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Loved the pictures. We did a photo session there last year and it was just the most gorgeous place I'd ever seen. We aren't "posh" either as you said, but it will be fun to pretend. That's what Disney is all about, isn't it? I'm so looking forward to hearing all about this trip!

One of the reasons I love Disney as much as I do is because I can totally pretend the entire time we are there!

We want to stay at all of the resorts someday. GF would be amazing. I can't wait to hear about your daughter's reaction.

GF is so pretty!

Chelsea will be so excited! I can't wait to see her reaction.

I've seen that look in my DD's eyes when we've been to the GF. I'm sure that's where she would pick too.

There is a certain gleam when they see the Grand, isn't there?

Love, love, love GF. I've never stayed there but have enjoyed V & A's, Narcoossees and Citricos.

I would like to try those restaurants someday. They always look so good!

The photos of the GF are just beautiful!
Chelsea is going to be so thrilled that her 13th birthday wish came true.
Any ideas how you're going to surprise her?

No ideas yet -- I probably won't really start planning in earnest until the weather gets warmer. July just seems so far away when it is so cold, rainy, and gloomy here all the time.

Uh oh, you saw us!

CP, I know you will have a lovely time at the Grand, dahling!
You'll all fit in quite well, I am sure, until Connor starts lining his Army men or little green aliens on the grand piano or something like that.

My crew would last about one day (or maybe a half) being all prim and proper, so whenever we stay there some year, it'll probably only be for one night. They are kind enough to put up with us for visits, pictures-taking, eating, playing in the sand, etc.

Chelsea is going to feel like a very special girl when you guys check in.

You know Connor is bound to put his own special touches on our Grand Floridian stay. He won't be able to help himself. He may not be quite as excited as us girls, but he will like being on the monorail, and he will love the pool.

I am SO excited for you! We will be trying to behave ourselves when we're there for 1900 PF. I can just picture my dad sitting in one of those nice chairs in the beautiful lobby, hands folded in his lap...wearing the glasses.

Oh my goodness, I so laughed out loud when I read this because I can so see your dad sitting there in the lobby with those glasses. You must get that picture!

such pretty pictures of the grand floridian! i'm excited for you guys. be sure to drool for me whenever you pass by narcoosee's on your way to the boat dock. i love that place!

I remember the great anniversary dinner you had there. Didn't you have a drink that you really liked there?

Here is a fashionable young man!

​

Poor guy. He needs a winter coat.

I'd love to know the demographics for people that stay at the GF. I bet it's not as richie rich as we think. I think many people want to stay there from all walks of life and perhaps just save to be able to stay there.

My goal is to stay at every resort too. I'm knocking another one off my list this trip. So far CBR, Pop, VWL, YC, BWV, BCV, and now AKV.

I would have to agree with you, Jordan. I have a feeling the guests will be just like us. I know they were at the Animal Kingdom Lodge when we were there.

You are doing a good job crossing off resorts. It's funny to think you are right there in the middle of all the fun while I am typing this.

 

[Charleston Princess]

GF is my dream resort as well You have one very lucky DD!

And I couldn't agree more about staying on-site. I've been lucky to be on-site during all of my trips and I just can't imagine it any other way. We always drive to the parks and I somehow manage to get turned around at least once every trip and end up on I-4. Even the brief moment outside of the World is too much for me!

Yes, I don't like returning to the real world outside the gates -- it is so jarring to me.

The GF is a gorgeous resort and I know you are going to love it! I can't wait to hear all about and see all your pictures! Every time I go to the GF (just to visit LOL) and I start humming the song Elegance from Hello Dolly because that's how I feel when I'm there LOL! (We've got Elegance...LOL)!!!

That used to be one of my favorite songs from Hello Dolly! I wanted a dress like Irene Malloy's in the movie every time I watched it.

I'm really excited that you will be staying at the Grand Floridian. It's going to be a birthday that Chelsea...or you for that matter....will never forget!

Let's just hope that there isn't as much drama on this summer trip as there was on the last one.

Yes, MeMom....I saw your bunch! I was the mama pulling her kid out from under the Christmas tree, where he thought it'd be fun to hide !!!

I just know my family will have stories like that when we return.

Such beautiful pictures of the GF....It is such a pretty resort...the white and red roof are such a nice contrast. And that bonus Basin inside! You are going to have such a wonderful time! Walking across that marble floor each night

Tracy

I love that Basin is right there onsite. I will probably do more damage than usual there. The marble floor is so pretty -- I can't wait to see it in person.

You will love staying at the GF and don't worry that you won't be posh enough honestly it's really laid back and relaxed and not stuffy at all

Oh, good! I just hope Connor or Charles doesn't pitch one of their infamous fits.

The pictures of GF are really pretty. Chelsea will be so excited.

She better be.

Sounds like a fun mom/daughter day planned with Chelsea. I'm doing that with my girls too. Amy I'm taking to work with and then the mall on Saturday and Emily we're going to go see Dear Jon and go to Ruby's Tuesdays next weekend.
The GF is gorgeous! You all are going to feel like royalty there! I'm sutr you'll fit in just fine. As long as there is no taking pictures of soda machines.
Who am I kidding I know I want to see the GF soda machine!

Oh, I had forgotten that the soda machines are no doubt themed. You know I won't be able to help myself and will have to take pictures of them.

It's so exciting you will be bringing your to the palace of GF! I have always loved it, but felt somehow "unworthy" of staying there. When we visit there, I always feel like someone is going to jump out and shout, "POSERS! POSERS OVER THERE!" while pointing us out! I picture us grabbing our Piggly Wiggly grocery bags and running out the door before anyone can catch us! Seriously, I do know others who are not rich who stay there with codes, etc. so it can be done by us "regular folk."

Here in our corner of Georgia, we use Walmart bags.

Hey CP.....

I've gotten so far behind on so many TR's, but I am all caught up. I love your pictures of the GF. They are so beautiful....especially the beach scene. It makes me want to head there right now, especially as the very first flakes of our much anticipated blizzard start to fall.

Hi, Mary Ellen! I have been watching all the coverage of the snowstorm you are all getting! It's craziness! I hope your power stays on, and you are able to dig out of the mess soon! I would imagine all of you being cooped up together will give a whole new meaning to family time this weekend!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Have fun this weekend seeing the Princess Di exhibit! Can't wait for the report!

I am looking forward to it. I feel a bit like Cinderella. I need to grocery shop, do laundry, and clean the house today, so I can enjoy tomorrow without anything hanging over me. Do you have basketball games today?

And that could have been my guys out there fishing in the big cement pond.


CP, make sure Chelsea is nowhere around.
Pictures ahead!

















From a summer walk around the lovely Grand Floridian Resort. This was shortly before my camera gave it up, so I apologize for the poor quality.

Choose a sitting area.

Possibly this one.

You can listen to lovely music here.

I bet the kids would love it if you rented these!

For a short time, this place will be your ....

Picture yourself hanging out here.

Family fun.

One of the cement ponds.

I love Grand Floridian pictures, MeMom! Thank you for sharing those. I know the kids are going to love the "big cement pond," and I hope they are doing the movies and smores while we are there. That would be a nice way to spend an evening.

Memom you are quite the "Picture Fairy" I love it!

I can totally see CP and her gang hanging out in all the great places you photographed ahhhhhhh this resort is looking dreamier and dreamier!

Oh, you know we will be all over the resort!!!

i'm here!! those pictures of the GF are wonderful! can't wait to hear more!

There will be LOTS more to come, I promise!

 

[MEK]

Hi, Mary Ellen! I have been watching all the coverage of the snowstorm you are all getting! It's craziness! I hope your power stays on, and you are able to dig out of the mess soon! I would imagine all of you being cooped up together will give a whole new meaning to family time this weekend!

Haha......Its just me and Denny. The boys elected to spend the night at a friend's house. We may not see them again until Monday....wink wink

We have all the laptops charging at once, incase we do lose power, but then I guess we will lose the internet, too. doh! Trying to get in all my Dis'ing now!

Denny keeps telling me to go outside on my cross country skies, but it is snowing way too hard right now.

 

[micandminforever]

I love all the pictures of the GF that everyone is sharing. I know you must be counting down the days until you are there, especially in this cold wet weather. I keeping dreaming and wishing for the 40% code myself.

I look forward to reading all about your adventure with Princess Di tomorrow.

 

[Happydog]

Hope you have a wonderful time at the exhibit tomorrow!

 

[Native NYer]

Have a great time at the exhibit.

The King Tut exhibit will be in NYC in April/May until the end of December/beginning of January. Can't wait to go to that.

 

[JenAusty]

Thanks for sharing your memories.. I have never stayed at Contemporary although I would really loovveee to. Especially because the transportation is a monorail inside the resort- thats amazing. I wish my family could of went to disney more than once when I was growing up. They just couldn't afford it after that- we moved, bought a new house, new vehicles, my dad got his dream boat, and many other things and then it never happened. We also stayed off-site. It was great because I love Florida but I'm glad that I finally talked my parents into taking a disney trip and staying onsite. Because like you, I like the feeling of being totally immersed into the theme of disney world. Its one of the best parts, because when you leave the park. Its not like you are leaving the magic- you are like permanetly stuck into "disney" magic world.. and its truly feels like a vacation. I love it.

 

[Megablocks]

Oh my goodness, I so laughed out loud when I read this because I can so see your dad sitting there in the lobby with those glasses. You must get that picture!

Oh, we definitely will! I'll probably end up taking a picture of it on my phone, too, and sending it to Facebook. No one else besides my DIS friends will understand why it's so funny.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Haha......Its just me and Denny. The boys elected to spend the night at a friend's house. We may not see them again until Monday....wink wink

Now that's the way to be snowed in!

We have all the laptops charging at once, incase we do lose power, but then I guess we will lose the internet, too. doh! Trying to get in all my Dis'ing now!

I hope you don't lose power! That would stink!

Denny keeps telling me to go outside on my cross country skies, but it is snowing way too hard right now.

That's one of the many things I like about you, Mary Ellen! Only you would even consider exercising in the snow!

I love all the pictures of the GF that everyone is sharing. I know you must be counting down the days until you are there, especially in this cold wet weather. I keeping dreaming and wishing for the 40% code myself.

I look forward to reading all about your adventure with Princess Di tomorrow.

This weather is killing me! I need some sun! I can tell I am ready for warmer weather because I keep saying I want to move to Key West -- something I do every year around this time!

Hope you have a wonderful time at the exhibit tomorrow!

Today's the day! I didn't get all my chores done yesterday, but, unlike Cinderella, I still get to go even though I didn't vacuum or clean the bathrooms.

Have a great time at the exhibit.

The King Tut exhibit will be in NYC in April/May until the end of December/beginning of January. Can't wait to go to that.

Oh, you must go! It's such a neat exhibit! Where is it being held?

Thanks for sharing your memories.. I have never stayed at Contemporary although I would really loovveee to. Especially because the transportation is a monorail inside the resort- thats amazing. I wish my family could of went to disney more than once when I was growing up. They just couldn't afford it after that- we moved, bought a new house, new vehicles, my dad got his dream boat, and many other things and then it never happened. We also stayed off-site. It was great because I love Florida but I'm glad that I finally talked my parents into taking a disney trip and staying onsite. Because like you, I like the feeling of being totally immersed into the theme of disney world. Its one of the best parts, because when you leave the park. Its not like you are leaving the magic- you are like permanetly stuck into "disney" magic world.. and its truly feels like a vacation. I love it.

Staying at the Contemporary is one of my favorite childhood memories! I remember thinking we were such hot stuff! One night my dad and I headed to the Magic Kingdom, just the two of us, and I remember riding the submarines and eating root beer floats.

Oh, we definitely will! I'll probably end up taking a picture of it on my phone, too, and sending it to Facebook. No one else besides my DIS friends will understand why it's so funny.

Oh, I will be keeping an eye out for that Facebook post!

 

[MeMom]

I know you guys will have an awesome time on your outing today.

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it this evening.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I know you guys will have an awesome time on your outing today.

I'm looking forward to hearing all about it this evening.

We did, MeMom, and I am all ready to share it with you!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Today was the day Chelsea, my parents, and I headed to Atlanta to see the Princess Diana exhibit.

Chelsea and I breakfasted on cream horns and coffee (well, I had coffee, Chelsea had milk) and left Charles and Connor to a morning of boy things which in their case was playing an online video game.

The exhibit is at the Atlanta Civic Center -- the same place where we went to the King Tut exhibit last February.

Before heading in, we needed to take a few pictures.

I wore my pearls for the occasion, but you can’t see them.

Photography and cell phones (Chelsea rolled her eyes when I told her to stop texting and put her phone away) were strictly prohibited in the galleries, but I did snag some pictures from the AJC article I read a couple of weeks ago.

The first gallery was filled with jewelry from the Spencer family. There were some mouth-watering pieces in there including a diamond necklace that made my neck hurt just looking at it.

Being me, upon seeing this beauty in person, I turned to my mom and said, “I guess those aren’t rhinestones.”

The next galleries included home movies and items from Diana’s childhood including one of her report cards. It made me laugh to see that there weren’t any real grades on it. Just comments like, “Good,” “Very good,” “Needs more work.” The state of record keeping for teachers has certainly increased since the 1960s.

The next gallery documented her life in London and her eventual engagement to Prince Charles. Diana must have kept everything -- she even had a menu from some sort of dinner where she wrote, “Sat next to Prince Charles. Wore a new gown and a necklace with diamonds and rubies.”

Rounding a corner, I will admit that my breath caught in my throat and my eyes might have gotten a bit misty. It was the wedding gallery with her dress, wedding memorabilia, and clips from the wedding playing.

I spent the longest time in this gallery and made several circuits of the dress admiring the beauty of it and trying so hard to sear every detail into my brain. It was breathtaking to behold.

The other galleries documented her charity work, her funeral, and several of her dresses. It was an amazing experience to see all of it firsthand.

My only complaint was the souvenir shop. Talk about pricey souvenirs!!! I am the type that likes to come home with the cheap stuff -- a magnet, postcards, and a coffee mug. No such things here. There was lots of beautiful items had I unlimited funds. Alas, I do not. However, we did come home with a couple of gems.

My souvenir was nestled into this little blue bag. Althorp is the name of Diana’s family’s estate.

Chelsea’s souvenir earned a Diana shopping bag.

So, what did we choose? The least expensive items for sale.

I opted for the ornament shaped and beaded like one of Diana’s wedding shoes. (Of course, since I love everything about her royal wedding.) $25.

Chelsea went with her typical souvenir theme. A mug. $25.

We had a lovely morning celebrating the life of a truly wonderful woman.

 

[andrews1ma]

Wow! I am at a loss for words! I cant imagine seeing all of her personal items up close, especially her wedding dress. I would have been welling up myself. Your souvenir choices were beautiful, I especially love Chelsea's mug.

I did see people in the pics snapping photos with their cell phones, but those were not pictures that you took? So were photos allowed to be taken at other exhibits then? If so, then no fair.

Oh and I giggled when you mentioned you wore your pearls ..very appropriate. Even if you cant see them, they still make you feel all "fancy".

Thank you for sharing and glad you all had a nice day- that will make for a nice memory for Chelsea.

 

[disneylovin24]

That's so nice that you were able to see the wedding dress you remember so much about

 

[carissanboys]

Looks like a lovely time! Were you allowed to take photos in the gallery where the dress was? The dress looks gorgeous enough in the pictures - I can only imagine in person.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow... It looks like it was an amazing exhibit!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow! I am at a loss for words! I cant imagine seeing all of her personal items up close, especially her wedding dress. I would have been welling up myself. Your souvenir choices were beautiful, I especially love Chelsea's mug.

It was such an experience!

I did see people in the pics snapping photos with their cell phones, but those were not pictures that you took? So were photos allowed to be taken at other exhibits then? If so, then no fair.

Those were pictures from the Atlanta paper, so I am wondering if maybe it was a press event and those are other journalists...maybe?

Oh and I giggled when you mentioned you wore your pearls ..very appropriate. Even if you cant see them, they still make you feel all "fancy".

Thank you for sharing and glad you all had a nice day- that will make for a nice memory for Chelsea.

Yes, I had to wear my pearls and an amethyst bracelet today! Of course, I paired them with a purple hoodie, but it was rather chilly here today.

That's so nice that you were able to see the wedding dress you remember so much about

It was very neat to actually see the dress.

Looks like a lovely time! Were you allowed to take photos in the gallery where the dress was? The dress looks gorgeous enough in the pictures - I can only imagine in person.

No, those are photos from an online article the Atlanta paper did. There was NO photography allowed while I was there.