What to do at GF while ds is on pirate cruise?

[Snoopymom]

We're staying at the WL. The cruise is from 9:30 to 11:30. Is the GF close to the Boardwalk. Is there shopping and places to eat breakfast there. I was also thinking that I'd like to check out AKL to see if we'd like to stay there sometime and maybe try Boma for breakfast, but i'm not sure if there's time? Two hours to ourselves...I sure don't want to waste it, LOL! I'd love any suggestions! Thanks!!!

 

[ducklite]

The GF is no where near the BW or AKL. I do'nt think there's really time to go to either unless you've got wheels, and even then, it won't allow all that much time.

I'd have breakfast at either the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian or the GF Cafe, the shop at the stores in those two resorts.

Anne

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

Or you could get a couples massage in the GF spa.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

you won't be able to do that. Shop at the GF and have a lite snack as I did once or boogie over to the spa and get a pedicure as I also did once. Both work out good time wise.

 

[Snoopymom]

oops, forgot to mention that we'll have our car.

(I thought we could take the boat to CR and then the monorail to GF, but the travel calculator here says it would take 90 minutes which made me laugh...I'll put up with 90 minutes in Atlanta traffic, but never at Disney, LOL!)

It sounds like even with a car, we'd have to rush to go anywhere, so a nice long quiet "adult" breakfast at the GF Cafe actually sounds wonderful. Maybe I'll order a Mimosa, LOL! I just checked out the menus and the Tonga toast at the Kona sounds awesome too...another decision, LOL! Do we need a PS for either of these?


gosh, you all have no idea how much nicer, cheaper and stress free you're making our trip! Can't thank you enough!

(actually no, it's more expensive...I've been converted to on site, and then deluxe and I've added the pirate crusise, and more resort restaurants, LOL)

 

[rob'n]

Let us know how the pirate cruise goes..DS is doing this in Oct...we are taking DS2 and DD10 to Kona Cafe while he onhis adventure. We made ps's for 10 am.

Have a great trip!

 

[Snoopymom]

Rob'n

I will definitely give a report. I've heard nothing but good things about the cruise...funny how it's hard to get any info since most kids aren't real good about describing the details when they get back! Looks like I better decide on which restaurant and make a PS. Thanks for the 10:00 suggestion!

 

[AJA55]

If you are there on a Thursday they have a garden tour. I found the info at Deb’s “allearsnet” site on the GF page. The time is stated as 9:00 – 9:30 and you have to sign up the day before. No, I have never been but we are staying there in October and we will be trying to fit this into our schedule.

 

[GeekChic]

personally i'd want to stick close by and not leave the resort if my kid was out there on a boat! as others have said BW is nowhere near GF.

But don't worry, you wont be bored at GF! You can sit on the beach and take in the view, just walking the grounds is fabulous it's so pretty, you can get a quick bite at Gasparillas or if you want a sit down breakfast, you can go to the Grand Floridian Cafe, the food is wonderful! They have wonderful shops too that you can easily spend 2 hours in (well i can anyway LOL)

The spa is an option too but I would be mindful of the time, when I went they ran behind and started my massage late, I wouldn't want your son to be waiting on the dock for you after his cruise if the spa got behind!

have a WONDERFUL trip! You'll love WL, and GF is just amazing.

geek

 

[gigi1313]

ds7 is registered for the pirate adventure when we are there, but there was no space left for dd9... so, i'm thinking of taking her to the spa for child's facial/manicure/pedicure (or some combination of the above)... and letting dh sleep in! does this sound do-able?

also, when i called for his ressie, i was told to have him there by 9am, wearing socks and sneakers/tennis shoes, so i would think if you were making a ps for breakfast, you could easily get away w/a 9:40, as opposed to a 10am, giving more time to relax and enjoy the meal...

 

[Toesmom1]

My DD4 & DS8 just did Pirate Cruise few weeks when we were there. They loved it. DS got there didn't want to go but he loved it. By time you stay watch boat leave you have less than 2 hours. We were going to go to Kona Cafe but decided not to cause we wanted to get back to Marina early to watch boat come in which is a must. Don't leave GF. Our DD2 was with us & we were going to eat at the Cafe but she spotted Pooh at 1900 Park Fare. We got in right away without PS then walked around shops. They will give you a beeper in case there is an emergency. We didn't go to Poly cause of travel time & earlier that week we were on monorail & had to stop going into Poly cause the monorail at the Poly having difficulities & sat there over 15 min. & what if that happened again. You'll enjoy walking around GF.

 

[Snoopymom]

Thanks for all the info! Yes, I definitely want to see the boat leave and return, so we'll stick around the resort. I had no idea the resorts were so far apart.

 

[Charleston Zurg]

I am going to start something and suggest that you check out the pool and swim if you want to. We did.

 

[cindy_k]

My son went on the Pirate Cruise twice.

The first time we had a car and went over to the Board Walk and took the DVC tour.

The second time, my mother and I hoped on the monorail and went shopping in MK. Its nice to be able to wander all the shops on Main Street without the kids trying to pulling you along.

Both times I was there to see the boat leave and return.
Have a good time.

Cindy in NY

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by Charleston Zurg
I am going to start something and suggest that you check out the pool and swim if you want to. We did.

Bad, bad, bad Zurg. Pool hopping is not allowed unless you are a DVC member staying on points and have requested access at the resort, plus pool hopping is not forbidden to even DVC members.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Originally posted by cindy_k
My son went on the Pirate Cruise twice.

The first time we had a car and went over to the Board Walk and took the DVC tour.

...

Cindy in NY

You'd have to go over to Saratoga Springs to do the DVC tour now.

 

[DVC-Don]

A few years ago our kids did the cruise. DW and I took the launch to the MK, rode HM and walked around Main Street holding hands. It really felt nice to do that without trying to keep an eye on the kids. Then we took the launch back to the GF and got a coffee and sat by the dock and saw their return.

 

[Janet2k]

Originally posted by Snoopymom
...funny how it's hard to get any info since most kids aren't real good about describing the details when they get back!

Boy, ain't that the truth! My daughter has done the Pirates Cruise for years and finally last Fall I got her to describe it to me. I wrote it up in my trip report -- click here to view it (just look for the post entitled "Grand Floridian Day Three, Part 1" on that page). I have links to photos of the event in that thread.

My daughter did the cruise again in June. She loves it (and the other two GF children's activities).

 

[lyncruiser]

While the kids are on their boat adventure, I'd take out water sprites or a pontoon boat from the boat dock at Grand Floridian. You can have a fun/fast or romantic tour of the lake and be back before the kids are. You could even pick up some snacks at the Grand Floridian snack bar/game room before you go.

 

[Snoopymom]

Janet2k

Thanks so much for that link to the Pirate Adventure report. Great details, LOL! Glad to hear that there are 3 guides. Ds is going to LOVE it!

Still not sure what to do. DH didn't sound too excited when I read him the breakfast menu, so maybe we'll hop on the monorail and wing it.

Thanks!!!