Visiting the Grand Floridian

DrummerAlly

DrummerAlly

Well-Known Member
We're heading to WDW 11/29-12/3 and planning a day to just check out the Christmas decorations at the resorts and relax. We have dinner reservations at 1900 Park Fare for 7pm and would like to go there, check out the decorations and gingerbread house, and just enjoy the resort (no, we will not be pool hopping).

My question is about the orchestra in the lobby - does anyone know the days/times when they are there playing? We caught this by accident two years ago before our dinner reservation and could have sat there all afternoon listening to them. They were alternating with a pianist, who was also excellent.

I'm assuming the gingerbread house and Christmas decorations will be up by this time, am I correct? Any suggestions for photography and visiting the monorail resorts around Christmas time?
 
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disneygirl76

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
DrummerAlly said:
We're heading to WDW 11/29-12/3 and planning a day to just check out the Christmas decorations at the resorts and relax. We have dinner reservations at 1900 Park Fare for 7pm and would like to go there, check out the decorations and gingerbread house, and just enjoy the resort (no, we will not be pool hopping).

My question is about the orchestra in the lobby - does anyone know the days/times when they are there playing? We caught this by accident two years ago before our dinner reservation and could have sat there all afternoon listening to them. They were alternating with a pianist, who was also excellent.

I'm assuming the gingerbread house and Christmas decorations will be up by this time, am I correct? Any suggestions for photography and visiting the monorail resorts around Christmas time?
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The do have a pianist. He plays off and on all day. Then at 4 pm, they alternate in half hour shifts. You will love it! GF if our fave resort! There is a photopass photographer upstairs that will take your family photo by the way. It goes onto your photopass card. They took one once right there by their desk and overlooking the balcony, at the entrance of the monorail with the big ornate chandelier in the back ground and down the stair case that has garland and in front of the tree. It was really nice. They said they usually "don't go downstairs and do it b/c it can get busy. But then one year, there was a photopass photographer stationed down there. Either way, you should get a family photo. :)
 
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dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
The resorts should be decorated by then. See here -> http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/dis...he-2011-grand-floridian-gingerbread-house.htm for info on last years gingerbread house. Personally, I would almost skip the Contemporary, and go to WL instead. Contemporary is nice, but it's Christmas decorations just don't seem to have the same oommph that the others do. Especially if you want to take pictures, WL is a much more scenic setup than the Contemporary. If you have the time, do both. If not, pick WL. I'd rank the deluxes GF, WL, AK, Boardwalk, Poly, Beach/Yacht, Contemporary. If you are really doing the whole day, I would suggest doing lunch at an Epcot resort, and hitting up that loop and then heading to the MK at like 3:30-4 to do those.
 
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DrummerAlly

DrummerAlly

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
disneygirl76 said:
The do have a pianist. He plays off and on all day. Then at 4 pm, they alternate in half hour shifts. You will love it! GF if our fave resort! There is a photopass photographer upstairs that will take your family photo by the way. It goes onto your photopass card. They took one once right there by their desk and overlooking the balcony, at the entrance of the monorail with the big ornate chandelier in the back ground and down the stair case that has garland and in front of the tree. It was really nice. They said they usually "don't go downstairs and do it b/c it can get busy. But then one year, there was a photopass photographer stationed down there. Either way, you should get a family photo. :)
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That's great to know! Thank you!
 
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DrummerAlly

DrummerAlly

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
dreamfinder said:
The resorts should be decorated by then. See here -> http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/dis...he-2011-grand-floridian-gingerbread-house.htm for info on last years gingerbread house. Personally, I would almost skip the Contemporary, and go to WL instead. Contemporary is nice, but it's Christmas decorations just don't seem to have the same oommph that the others do. Especially if you want to take pictures, WL is a much more scenic setup than the Contemporary. If you have the time, do both. If not, pick WL. I'd rank the deluxes GF, WL, AK, Boardwalk, Poly, Beach/Yacht, Contemporary. If you are really doing the whole day, I would suggest doing lunch at an Epcot resort, and hitting up that loop and then heading to the MK at like 3:30-4 to do those.
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Excellent! We were planning on heading to the Wilderness Lodge at some point. It's the next resort we want to stay at so its high on the priority list. We're going to have a 3 month old in tow who will decide how many resorts we get to see - I hope she's a Disney baby!
 
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DrummerAlly

DrummerAlly

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
righttrack said:
I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this. I'm not a fan of the GF. To me it feels like what the ultimate "old folks home" would be like.
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Haha I can absolutely understand what you're saying. The decor is certainly a throwback... but that's part of the draw I suppose. For us, the major draw to visiting the GF is actually the orchestra in the afternoon. My husband had to quite literally, drag me away from the comfy couches and the orchestra playing songs from the little mermaid to get to our dining reservation.
 
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disney magic 06

disney magic 06

Well-Known Member
righttrack said:
I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this. I'm not a fan of the GF. To me it feels like what the ultimate "old folks home" would be like.
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I find it strange. I do think the decor is lovely but just like the 'feel' of it, I would never consider staying there. It doesn't have a holiday feel to me (as in vacation, sorry)
 
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W

wiigirl

Well-Known Member
righttrack said:
I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for saying this. I'm not a fan of the GF. To me it feels like what the ultimate "old folks home" would be like.
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:eek::eek::eek:
75.gif
 
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