Trip Report A Poly Girl in a GF World *COMPLETED*

*Gasp!*

Is it true? Tuvalu, the die-hard Polynesian fan, spent 4 recent nights at a different deluxe resort? Didn't she already have three magical stays at the Poly this year? Didn't she take her name from her favorite longhouse at the Poly? Isn't this blasphemy? (Actually it isn't, but you get the point.)

Yep, it's true. Like many of you who have broken loyal ties to a political party (don't worry, I'm not gonna go there) Woody and I decided to try another option for our Food and Wine Festival excursion.

In anticipation of the question, "Why didn't you stay at an Epcot resort?" I will say, "Cause I like the MK resorts better."

Tuvalu and Woody taking a trip to WDW specifically for F&W is a bit ironic, since:
1) We are not foodies and
2) We are not big drinkers
But as we approach our sunset years, we are determined to keep ourselves open to new experiences and embrace change (even when we don't like it.)

And really, who doesn't like to eat?

Now back to the resort. The Grand Floridian. Disney's Flagship resort. The resort people call "too stuffy." Or "I could never be comfortable there." Or "The Four Seasons is a much better resort for the price."

Well, Woody and I were quite comfortable, despite a couple of irritating incidents to be revealed later. We had no problem walking around in our Target and Kohl's clothes. And we got a room rate that wouldn't have paid for the janitor's closet at the Four Seasons. (Okay, a slight exaggeration.)

The deets:
Dates: October 1-5, 2016
Cast: Tuvalu and Woody

Follow along to find out how we filled that "rumbly in our tumbly."

 

[21stamps]

@Tuvalu Quick question, I added 2 park days (evenings) and my trip is starting to get out of control. Considering downgrading to a lagoon view- yay or nay in your opinion? We will only be at the resort one night during wishes, and most of our mornings are rope drop days, so not much time to enjoy the view as we did last time. I feel like I can't justify the tpv at GF as much now like I could for Poly.

 

[MegRuss626]

We got the 25th Birthday Cake castle, wonder if they'll try that again?

The best part of the cake castle....my 10 year old self talking my 4 year old sister into licking it! "If it looks like cake, it must be cake!!"

 

[Tuvalu]

@Tuvalu Quick question, I added 2 park days (evenings) and my trip is starting to get out of control. Considering downgrading to a lagoon view- yay or nay in your opinion? We will only be at the resort one night during wishes, and most of our mornings are rope drop days, so not much time to enjoy the view as we did last time. I feel like I can't justify the tpv at GF as much now like I could for Poly.

Yay. Request Boca Chica. Our lagoon view room still had a partial MK view and we could watch Wishes from our balcony.

 

[Tuvalu]

The best part of the cake castle....my 10 year old self talking my 4 year old sister into licking it! "If it looks like cake, it must be cake!!"

Well this is simply adorable!

 

[Tuvalu]

Oh, you mean like the BAH?!

@MinnieM123, I never expected that acronym from you!

 

[epcotisbest]

@MinnieM123, I never expected that acronym from you!

Big Adorable Hat? Big Awesome Hat?

 

[MinnieM123]

Big Adorable Hat? Big Awesome Hat?

Nice try . . .

 

[Scoppin]

As we exited the Tomorrowland Light & Power Co., the sky was rumbling. The sun had disappeared and the big black cloud had taken over. It was time for us to leave MK anyway, since we had a dinner ADR back at the GF. We hoped to get to the monorail before the rain began, and purposefully began to power walk.

I nearly power-walked right into @Doc Disney!!
View attachment 172491

She wasn't paying any attention to her surroundings (she admitted as such in her TR) and did a double-take when I blocked her path. It was our second encounter at WDW in 5 months (see, I'm not the only one with an addiction problem!) The first time we did not get a picture together. This time Woody and @Doc Disney's mom Mary made sure it didn't happen again!

We chatted only briefly before a loud thunderclap startled all of us! We quickly parted ways, hoping to make it to our destinations before getting wet.

Woody and I hadn't even reached Main Street when the torrents began. Thanks a lot, weather app!

I know what you mean regarding depending upon weather reports. No rain forecasted for our first park day. But that didn't stop it from raining. Oh, did I say raining. It was like a mini hurricane. Umbrellas would not have worked as you may have became Mary Poppins and taken into another land. It came down hard and sideways. And of course, I didn't pack our rain jackets/ponchos. Perfect night for it to happen as well, our MNSSHP event. We continued on like the wet rats we were. I think our shoes were still wet the next day. Good thing I brought extra shoes for everyone. Also, didn't forget the rain jackets after that. Lesson learned.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Nice try . . .

 

[21stamps]

Yay. Request Boca Chica. Our lagoon view room still had a partial MK view and we could watch Wishes from our balcony.

Thank you. I'm going to make the switch today.

 

[Tuvalu]

Sunday October 2

Today was a great Disney day! I love the (pre-recorded) announcement at the end of the MK Welcome Show: "...and have a Disney Day!" Well, we sure did!

While Woody showered, I walked over to Gasparilla's to pick up breakfast. Again, I loved the convenience of being next to the main building. I stopped to take this picture, as the fog on the Seven Seas Lagoon looked cool. And hooray, the monorail appears to be operating!

See you soon, MK!!

There was no one in line for hot food, yet the CM seemed to struggle with getting my order correct. And she seemed perturbed that I asked for a small container of brown sugar for my oatmeal: "You don't want me to put the sugar on?"

No, actually I don't.

I was excited to get a 20% discount off breakfast, thanks to the new AP discounts which had kicked in the day before. Tables in Wonderland discounts do not apply at deluxe resort counter service locations, so the AP discount was a nice surprise.

This is the view that greeted me when I entered Sago Cay ~

The flower arrangement? Real flowers. All the GF building lobbies have a gorgeous floral centerpiece.

Looking up:

And looking back down:

Yes, I am happy here!

Woody had pulled out the desk table when I got to the room so we would have a place to eat.

Brown sugar my way

Waffles for Woody (syrup added later)

We finished breakfast in plenty of time to make it to MK for the Welcome Show.

Or so I thought.....

 

[Scoppin]

Don't tell me you were cursed with the mono rail again!

 

[Tiggerish]

Or so I thought.....

Ruh-roh...

 

[MinnieM123]

I love the photos of the GF. By the way, I had to shake my head about the CM's response to your simple request for brown sugar on the side. I've also encountered this phenomenon with wait staff in many places (not just Disney). Whenever I order salad, I always ask for the salad dressing on the side. I swear that half of the servers ask, "You don't want the salad dressing mixed in the salad?" (This isn't rocket science . . . I don't think . . . )

 

[Tuvalu]

I love the photos of the GF. By the way, I had to shake my head about the CM's response to your simple request for brown sugar on the side. I've also encountered this phenomenon with wait staff in many places (not just Disney). Whenever I order salad, I always ask for the salad dressing on the side. I swear that half of the servers ask, "You don't want the salad dressing mixed in the salad?" (This isn't rocket science . . . I don't think . . . )

I'm a dressing on the side gal too!

 

[MinnieM123]

I'm a dressing on the side gal too!

All we A-List chicks are!

 

[Tuvalu]

With the MK only one quick stop away, the monorail was our transport choice. After all, I had seen it gliding along the track on my way to breakfast...it had to be operating, right?

The large group of people on the monorail platform said otherwise. I glanced at Woody. We had approximately 20 minutes until showtime. Turning around and heading to the boat dock wasn't an option ~ we'd never make it. I took a deep breath and pretended it didn't matter if we missed the show.

But it really did.

Since we were at the back of the line, we never heard the reason for the delay. When the monorail finally pulled in, I didn't expect there would be room for us but we managed to squeeze ourselves onboard. The train immediately departed and a few moments later we were there. As Woody and I walked down the ramp we heard the familiar opening music. My heart sank. We still had to go through the security line and turnstiles.

"Give me your purse and go through the no bag entrance and I'll meet you on the other side," my sweet husband said. No argument here! I stood just outside the turnstiles and watched the countdown.

@epcotisbest, this is for you! And with the LIVE feature, I can watch the fireworks explode.

Woody found me and we went through the turnstiles together.

I wanted a close up of the anniversary banner.

I hope the banner returns after the Christmas season. I saw that holiday garland is now draped across that fence. Because November 2 screams "it's time for Christmas!"

On October 2 it was still fall in Town Square.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

"Give me your purse and go through the no bag entrance and I'll meet you on the other side," my sweet husband said. No argument here! I stood just outside the turnstiles and watched the countdown.

^^This. This is everything.

 

[Tuvalu]

^^This. This is everything.

I know!!

 

[sheriffwoody]

Woody is such a sweetheart! Major points to him for helping you get in quicker.