What is your favorite part of the Grand Floridian Resort?
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While I would like to think I will offer the best and most up to date information that is out there about Disney, it simply cannot be true. There are too many amazing blogs out there that already do that. And to be honest, I just don't have the time! However, I will offer my honest opinions and experiences as frequently as possible. This blog is simply a way to document my experiences and collect my thoughts while talking about the love of my life, Walt Disney World and Disney in general. Thanks for reading!
I've talked about resort hopping before and I will talk about it again. Let's face it. I'm probably not going to be able to afford any room (for any length of time anyway) at the Grand Floridian ever! So what better way to experience the finer things in life then to resort hop and check it all out? We've made this a stop on many of our past WDW vacations. We've experienced some of the restaurants, did some shopping, did some lounging - just like we were real life resort guests. It really is a beautiful resort. For my money, it is not really my style, but I can appreciate the beauty and grandeur of it from afar (as I stay at the less expensive but not any less charming Port Orleans Riverside). I will say that the Grand Floridian is home to one of my favorite hidden gems restaurants, the Grand Floridian Cafe. Ok, it's not really hidden...but I think it is often overlooked due to some of the more popular restaurants at this resort like Citricos and Narcoossee's. The Grand Floridian Cafe actually has some amazing food and I would put it on par with some of the signature dining. Best part is, it's less expensive or less credits on the dining plan. Forget the dining for a second, this resort has some beautiful grounds and great views of the Magic Kingdom and the Seven Seas Lagoon. Making it overall an amazing stop while resort hopping. Perhaps one day I'll get to stay there, or at least make a visit to the spa. A girl can dream right?
What is your favorite part of the Grand Floridian Resort?
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The other night on Twitter I was discussing some different restaurant choices with @jamboeveryone (Jambo Everyone) and @fantasyfaire (The Ink and Paint Blog). Man, do Disney fans ever love talking about food! It really got me thinking about the restaurants I ended up choosing for our upcoming trip and why I chose them. I've been to the world a fair amount of times in my life and just about five or so years ago I started actually making advanced dining reservations and really started paying attention to the different table service offerings. So when discussing with my family where we should eat this year, I made a decision. I only get to go to Walt Disney World once a year on average and yes I could continue repeating some of my favorites like Grand Floridian Cafe or Kouzzina. Places I know we love and most likely won't go wrong with. However when I began this blog, it was all about completing some "to dos" at Walt Disney World that we have never done before. So it was for this reason that I decided we would eat at all new table service restaurants (only two repeats but a different type of experience as you will read below). Some of my choices I am stoked about, others are a little scary mainly from negative feedback/reviews. But alas, I will never really know for sure if I don't experience it at least once for myself. Here is my attempt to justify my decisions. Keep in mind that I was only interested in choosing one credit locations in order to maximize the number of locations. Our ADRs for this year's December trip are as follows. Tony's Town Square (Magic Kingdom): - Dinner Day #1: I'm missing the Food and Wine Festival, which is one of my absolute favorite times of year. I chose the Christmas season for our upcoming travel this year for a variety of reasons. But it's sort of like choosing your favorite child. I love love love WDW in October, but I also love love love WDW in December. I was just looking back on some photos from past Food and Wine's and decided that the decor and theming of 2010's celebration would have to be my favorite so far. It was the 15th annual festival and I have to say everything from the merchandise to the signage/displays were some of the better that I've seen. I totally dig the use of maps and the mainly pink shades. Judge for yourself but I think 2010 blows this year out of the water! Fo sho!
Welcome back to "Where in Walt Disney World?" The rules are simple. I post a photo and ask you, the readers, to tell me where that photo was taken. Maybe it's part of an attraction, at a resort, inside a restaurant, the options are endless. So let's get ready to play... Where in Walt Disney World would you find the below photo? Take your best guess in the comments below and stay tuned to see if you guessed correctly.
Last month’s challenge photo is below. Congratulations to Nora for guessing correctly! The below photo can be found inside of the Writer's Stop at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I will never forget this particular day at Animal Kingdom when I saw one of the most magnificent animals I've ever encountered in a theme park and/or zoo. We had made our way through the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and saw a large crowd hovering around one of the glass windows. Upon closer inspection we found that they were all staring at a small gorilla laying with his back to the glass. Since we couldn't push our way to the front we decided to bypass the crowd and go on our merry way. As we rounded the corner towards the bridge we came into contact with the most glorious sight. Right across from us, perched on a rock was the largest, most amazing gorilla I had ever seen in my life. I mean he was massive! No crowds, no window blocking us, nothing but Mr. Gorilla and us. It appeared as if he could jump right over the embankment and onto the bridge if he really wanted to. I almost thought he might. But he remained sitting there, having a snack, and staring at us. I couldn't believe that the crowd was still behind us trying to get a glimpse of the other gorilla who was obviously trying to rest. We watched him for what seemed like an hour and he let us. I will never forget that moment when I set eyes on him. It remains to this day one of the most magical experiences I have had at the Animal Kingdom, and is one of the MANY reasons why I love this park so much.
Have you ever had an amazing animal encounter at Disney's Animal Kingdom? It seems as if I have been reading about the My Magic Plus changes for years now on Twitter although it's only been a few months. I kept reading and wondering, when will I get my chance? I was waiting to get word from my travel agent until I read a comment on Facebook the other day from someone who said their TA did not have word yet, but they checked the My Disney Experience App and they were able to customize their options. I logged on immediately! And what do you know? There were my My Magic Bands just waiting to be customized. I decided to call the other guests in my party and give them dibs on color choices. I thought it would be fun and less confusing if we all chose a different color. So a couple of phone calls later, we settled on blue, green, and pink. My mom stole green which would have been my top choice, but I will live with pink! The bands part was pretty simple and straight forward. It was never the bands that I was upset about anyways when it comes to the new changes. I get the ease (hopefully) of using these bands for park entry, dining plans, room keys, charging etc. It sounds easier and I am hoping we don't encounter any issues with the system while there. If we have a flawless vacation with the bands, then I will be a fan for life! Plus, it is quite a nice souvenir. Now on to fast passes. I didn't do them right away. I really needed to get my plans out in front of me and try to maneuver the best time parks/times for each day. Plus the fact that the people I am traveling with do not live in my household and therefore need to be contacted to discuss would make it a little more difficult. I've basically planned our whole trip, neither of them care what we do and completely trust that I will plan the best vacation for us. But that doesn't stop me from feeling a little bit like I need to consult them and make sure they are happy with my choices. So this would be the part of the new changes that I am not particularly thrilled about. A couple of years ago, this would have been right up my alley. I was the type of WDW visitor that planned every moment of our vacation, stuck to a strict schedule, and basically irritated everyone I was traveling with due to my OCD. Now however, things have changed a bit. In fact since this trip came to fruition, all we have been talking about is how we don't want any set plans as far as park touring goes (we do have ADRS booked), and we want to leave plenty of time for resting and pretty much just fly by the seat of our pants. Maybe it's because I had a kid and now realize that relaxation is precious or maybe it is because I've seen and done most things in WDW and realize I don't have to pack it all in each time. So basically having to know what park we want to be at and what time frame we want to ride certain attractions is REALLY messing with those plans. So you might be saying to yourself, just don't make fast pass reservations and go ahead and fly by the seat of your pants. I've considered that, but then again I hesitate to not make them and then possibly miss a couple of must do attractions due to the very long waits. I agonized....and agonized.... Laid out our trip in front of me and chose what parks I thought we would want to be at each day. I made fast pass reservations with enough time to spare to get to our dinner reservations, and I am done. I left our last day blank and figured I would just try to make the fast pass reservations for that day on the day before when we have a better grasp on our plans. I did all of this through the app and very much hope that it can be changed with ease while we are in WDW if our plans suddenly do not mesh with what I had originally thought. I also need to HOPE that there are attractions that we want still available last minute for changes. I guess we shall see... As far as the experience with actually booking the reservations, I found it to be pretty simple and easy to use through the app. The only complaint I will mention is that the app forced me to make three reservations when I only wanted one. For example, our first day we will not be getting in until 3:00 and we have a later dinner planned at the Magic Kingdom that evening. I wanted to throw one fast pass in there before dinner. Since we only have time for one, I only wanted to make one. The system forced me to make three, two of which I will not be able to make therefore will go unused and most likely take from someone else. When I went back into the system to see if I could cancel those other two, if I cancelled one, it cancelled the entire day. I did not like that at all and now have two fast passes wasted. So in a very long drawn out nutshell....I am not sold on fast pass plus. I feel like the fact that I am a Disney nerd makes it not as difficult. With that being said, I just cannot see first time families or people who think WDW and Universal are the same park understanding this process or even realizing it is there for their use. Not to mention these first timers would never know where they want to be at what time months ahead of their vacation. Regardless, I am just happy I finally got my chance to experience the changes. Hope to report on our experience when we return! So just last night via the Twitter, I discovered a brand new Disney podcast. Currently, I listen to three podcasts only. That might not seem like a lot but I am the type of person who likes to stay dedicated to something, and having only three ensures that I can listen to each one and stay caught up! I absolutely hate getting behind. Not to mention one of those podcasts now has three amazing shows a week. I am a busy girl! Something came over me last night however and I felt it in my heart that I needed to give this new show a shot. So I added a fourth podcast to my roster and I am SO glad that I did. It's called The Enchanted Tiki Talk Podcast and it's hosted by three awesome guys: Sean, Alan, and Keith. The first episode was a great intro and let us get to know the hosts a little better. However the second episode is the one that stood out to me and made me decide that I will indeed subscribe and keep downloading. Reason being, is that they played a little game called "40 Disney Dollars a Day." It was such a fun game that I decided I wanted to give it a try here on the blog and so I stole their idea for my own gain.....Just kidding....I asked Alan and he said he didn't mind if I gave it a shot. The game is simple. You have $40 to spend in one day at Walt Disney World on your food items and you must dine at one counter service location, one table service location with 18% gratuity, and have on snack item. All items should be something you'd really like to eat while at the parks. Sales tax is not counted. The location chosen is Disney's Hollywood Studios. So first for lunch I head over to the Backlot Express. This has got to be my favorite counter service location at DHS and the one I frequent the most so it is only fitting to begin here. I am going to order the Grilled Turkey and Cheese served with french fries or carrot sticks for $8.99. It's hot out so I will also need a large bottle of Dasani Water to stay hydrated which comes in at $2.50 Lunch Total: $11.49 For dinner I will be stopping at the 50's Prime Time Cafe. It's one of the only table service restaurants in DHS that I have been to recently so I feel most confident about my judgement of the food. I'm going with Cousin Ann's Traditional Meatloaf for $15.99 which comes with green beans and mashed potatoes. Not only is it one of the cheaper options, I happen to think it is delicious. With my savings I can go ahead and splurge on the All Natural Lemonade with Wildberry Foam for $4.19. Dinner Total: $20.18 with a gratuity of $3.63 makes $23.81 Lastly, the snack item choice. I'm craving ice cream on this warm evening, so I am heading over to Hollywood Scoops to get an Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich on a Fresh Baked Cookie for $4.19. Snack Total: $4.19 For a grand total of $39.49! So how much fun was that?????? I agree with you, it was a TON of fun!!!!! Don't forget to download and subscribe to The Enchanted Tiki Talk Podcast. You can find all of the information about the show and how to listen here. Also make sure to follow Sean, Alan, and Keith on Twitter to join in on more great Disney fun. They can be found @1MinDisneyDream @NORMNB8S @dolewhipdaily Thanks again to these three for the inspiration today! Can't wait to hear all that they have in store on The Enchanted Tiki Talk Podcast! This week's Wordless Wednesday theme is the Disney Inspired Letter "P" and really this could not be a more perfect theme for my little blog. What else could I be thinking of but the sole inspiration for my blog and one of my favorite places in all of Walt Disney World? It's PORT ORLEANS! Thank you to Deb at Focused on the Magic for hosting this week's blog hop. Please make sure to visit her page and to join in on the fun.
As I have navigated through the Disney blogosphere the last couple of months, I've been utilizing my "notes" app on my phone and making sure to jot down any new and interesting ideas, foods, drinks, experiences, etc that I've come into contact with. The list is getting quite long and is going to serve as my mini bucket list if you will for our upcoming WDW adventures. I call it mini because all of these things are completely doable given enough time and energy (not to mention enough alcohol tolerance). I've limited the list to food and drink and here is what I've come up with. It's things like this that help me keep the dream alive while I sit here patiently waiting for the month of December to be upon us. *sigh* -Tusker Lager at Sanaa: This idea came courtesy of Safari Mike at Jambo Everyone. Now I'm not a big beer drinker, but my mother is so I am going to try it and most likely let her finish it.
-Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich at Sleepy Hollow: I don't even need to limit myself to the ice cream cookie sandwich. I just need to visit Sleepy Hollow in general. I am actually ashamed to call myself a WDW fan when I'll admit I've never even stopped here! -Tutto Gusto: Not much more to say about this one. I love wine and I love Italy. I'm totally there. -Truffle Mac n Cheese Hot Dog at Fairfax Fare: Truffle was all I really needed to hear in order to be convinced. It seems I'm always searching to find something good to eat while at the Studios. I plan to give this bad boy a try! -Lapu Lapu at the Tambu Lounge: I will thank Rhiannon from My Disney Addiction for adding this little gem to her trip report thus making me add it to my list. -Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich at Dino Bites: Is this the same ice cream sandwich that can be found at Sleepy Hollow? If so, don't judge, because I will eat another one. Courtesy of Dave at Jambo Everyone. -Sugar Cane Mojito at Dawa Bar: Once again I've never been to the Dawa Bar and if they close this bitch before I get there, I am going to be upset. -Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary: I haven't looked as far into this to decide just what I'd like to try, but I've been wanting to try some new counter service experiences and I have heard great reviews about this one. -Avocado Margarita at La Cava: Margaritas are my drink of choice. Looking forward to trying some new flavors and see if I end up preferring the traditional. -Citrus Swirl at Sunshine Tree Terrace: I've been in the loop with the whole Dole Whip craze. I admit I enjoy them but they don't send me running to Aloha Isle. I heard a rumor that the Citrus Swirl is just as delicious and will probably present less crowded lines. I think I'm going to test that theory. -Cream Cheese Pretzel at Fife and Drum: A pretzel...with cream cheese...sounds like my kind of snack. -Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge: Once again, looking for new counter service experiences. Do you have food and drink ideas that I just have to try? Please comment and let me know so I can add them to my food and drink mini bucket list. Man I have been slacking on this blog lately.
I'll be honest...I began this blog with the intention of putting up meaningful and thoughtful posts daily or at least every other day. I've failed miserably. It's not for lack of trying. Life gets busy sometimes and I just don't always feel like I have much to contribute in the large world of Disney blogs. I never wanted to be someone who regurgitates information that everyone already knew about yesterday. That would be too hard to keep up with. Yet, my love for Disney is so strong I just wanted to share it with the world. However when I began I guess I wasn't really sure what direction I'd like to head with it. It's clear now that I am using this blog more as a diary of sorts for my own personal use regarding mainly Walt Disney World vacations but of course anything else interesting that comes along. I tried my hand at scrapbooking our trips year ago. I wasn't nearly talented enough or had enough spare time (or spare cash, that scrapbooking shit is expensive!). I've tried filling out Passporter guide book pages. I'd find that I would either forget to fill it out in time to actually have legitimate documentation, or I just didn't want 50 guide books laying around the house to forget about. I'm no expert and I don't live in Florida, therefore my contribution is largely based on when I can get to WDW again and actually have some experiences to talk about. So here I am world. My Disney bucket list is formed and I am more than ready to knock some things off the list this December. Regardless, I've made some amazing friends. Well more like I've followed some amazing people who may or may not take the time to talk to little ole me. They may not know me or really care, but this Disney community is such an amazing one. It's nice sometimes to converse with people who just get me. I don't find many of those out in the real world. In the meantime, I'll just keep swimming and try to make my place within the big blue world of Disney blogs! |
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