Hi! I just returned from a short 4 night trip with my husband, son, daughte-in-law and 3 grandchildren. We stayed at the Grand Floridian in 2 rooms in the Sugar Loaf building. The rooms were okay, good location and clean. The cast were all friendly and management was wonderful! I bought my young grandson a remote control monorail car that he wanted to play with. I needed batteries, AAA and AA. I also needed a small screw driver. Manager Scott managed to help us and get it running. He was awesome.
We arrived on the 25th at 11 am, waited about 15 before or ME bus let the airport going to Old Key West and Saratoga Springs before going to the Grand. Our rooms were ready and we put our luggage in the room then headed to Epcot. We activated Military Salute passes for everyone but me, I was using my cast Main Gate and comp passes this trip. Did a few minor rides and walked around. We headed to the Boardwalk to have dinner at Trattoria. Here we met our favorite chef, my granddaughter calls him her private chef, Reggie! He usually cooks up in the Innkeeper’s Club at the Boardwalk Inn, our favorite place to stay. Had a great dinner. My son and his oldest daughter went back to Epcot for a while, the rest of us went back to the hotel.
Day 2 VIP tour day! Up at 7 mobile order breakfast at Gasparillas and head to the MK to meet our guide on Main St. this is going to be a very busy day. My son decided to do this tour so his children could ride the rides they wanted. They are lucky their dad is able to do this for them, but it has really spoiled them! Nana and Pop have decided it is too much to do 4 parks in 7 hours, 2 parks would be fine.
Anyway, Jimmy gave the guide the list of rides in the MK they wanted to do, Sam, the guide explained the most efficient way to get things done. We started with Pirates, entering through a backstage area, we got right on. Next up, Splash, Thunder, Peter Pan, all done through fast pass lanes. Jim and I sat with the little one instead of going on splash, but I went on Thunder with him. Sam made sure to find us a place to sit and wait in the shade.
Next we went to the Mine Train, this is a favorite and was ridden twice before heading to Space where only 4 rode. We all then rode Buzz twice. After Buzz out the backstage and into a nice van and onto Animal Kingdom.
Arrived at Animal Kingdom and parked by Pandora. we all rode the river ride then 4 headed to the Avatar ride and rode twice. Back in the van to head to another part of the park. Kids were hungry so we mobile ordered from Restauasurus and cooled off. Last ride here was Dinosaur. Next up Hollywood Studios
Parked backstage and walked in behind RocknRoller Coaster. Went and did Rise in Star Wars and on to Toy Story. Did Slinky Dog, 3 times Alien, Buzz 2 times. On to Epcot! We ended the trip in Epcot because Jimmy and his family had dinner in Mexico. Sam asked Jim and I where we were eating. I told him I didn’t make any reservations. Sam told me he could get one wherever we wanted to go! If I weren’t so tired I would have taken him up on it.
Epcot, parked by Test Track and rode then parked backstage between China and Norway and rode Frozen 2 times, left and went and parked by Soarin, this is where Jim and I said our goodbyes to Sam and the family. We took our grandson and headed back to the resort. We logged 10.7 miles and these 68 and 70 year old grandparents were tired! My son ended his tour after Soarin and went to dinner.
Day 3 Mobile order breakfast head to MK. Did shopping at Emporium and kids decided they wanted to swim. About 1 we were on the bus to Epcot for lunch at Via Napoli. It was delicious, as always. Walked around a little, not very crowded at all. Went back to the resort. Waited for 40 minutes for a bus. Finally a plain white charter bus pulled up to take us to the Grand. The driver was a little rude and most of the people waiting were skeptical about getting on. My son and his family, except the youngest went into the MK that evening.
Day 4 My favorite day, Cabana Day! I reserved a cabana for the day at the beach pool. It was wonderful. It was so relaxing and the servers were great. We had a huge fruit platter, basket of snacks and a refrigerator full of water an soft drinks. These we replenished free throughout the day. We were here from 10-4 until we headed to shower for dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Dinner was very good.
Well, that is the end of my trip. It certainly was different. Not sure I will be back soon, I have a trip booked in November, but will probably cancel it. they need to open more resorts and restaurants before I go back. I am not a huge ride person. I enjoy the sights and sounds. My husband and I like sitting and people watching. That is difficult to do in these times.
We arrived on the 25th at 11 am, waited about 15 before or ME bus let the airport going to Old Key West and Saratoga Springs before going to the Grand. Our rooms were ready and we put our luggage in the room then headed to Epcot. We activated Military Salute passes for everyone but me, I was using my cast Main Gate and comp passes this trip. Did a few minor rides and walked around. We headed to the Boardwalk to have dinner at Trattoria. Here we met our favorite chef, my granddaughter calls him her private chef, Reggie! He usually cooks up in the Innkeeper’s Club at the Boardwalk Inn, our favorite place to stay. Had a great dinner. My son and his oldest daughter went back to Epcot for a while, the rest of us went back to the hotel.
Day 2 VIP tour day! Up at 7 mobile order breakfast at Gasparillas and head to the MK to meet our guide on Main St. this is going to be a very busy day. My son decided to do this tour so his children could ride the rides they wanted. They are lucky their dad is able to do this for them, but it has really spoiled them! Nana and Pop have decided it is too much to do 4 parks in 7 hours, 2 parks would be fine.
Anyway, Jimmy gave the guide the list of rides in the MK they wanted to do, Sam, the guide explained the most efficient way to get things done. We started with Pirates, entering through a backstage area, we got right on. Next up, Splash, Thunder, Peter Pan, all done through fast pass lanes. Jim and I sat with the little one instead of going on splash, but I went on Thunder with him. Sam made sure to find us a place to sit and wait in the shade.
Next we went to the Mine Train, this is a favorite and was ridden twice before heading to Space where only 4 rode. We all then rode Buzz twice. After Buzz out the backstage and into a nice van and onto Animal Kingdom.
Arrived at Animal Kingdom and parked by Pandora. we all rode the river ride then 4 headed to the Avatar ride and rode twice. Back in the van to head to another part of the park. Kids were hungry so we mobile ordered from Restauasurus and cooled off. Last ride here was Dinosaur. Next up Hollywood Studios
Parked backstage and walked in behind RocknRoller Coaster. Went and did Rise in Star Wars and on to Toy Story. Did Slinky Dog, 3 times Alien, Buzz 2 times. On to Epcot! We ended the trip in Epcot because Jimmy and his family had dinner in Mexico. Sam asked Jim and I where we were eating. I told him I didn’t make any reservations. Sam told me he could get one wherever we wanted to go! If I weren’t so tired I would have taken him up on it.
Epcot, parked by Test Track and rode then parked backstage between China and Norway and rode Frozen 2 times, left and went and parked by Soarin, this is where Jim and I said our goodbyes to Sam and the family. We took our grandson and headed back to the resort. We logged 10.7 miles and these 68 and 70 year old grandparents were tired! My son ended his tour after Soarin and went to dinner.
Day 3 Mobile order breakfast head to MK. Did shopping at Emporium and kids decided they wanted to swim. About 1 we were on the bus to Epcot for lunch at Via Napoli. It was delicious, as always. Walked around a little, not very crowded at all. Went back to the resort. Waited for 40 minutes for a bus. Finally a plain white charter bus pulled up to take us to the Grand. The driver was a little rude and most of the people waiting were skeptical about getting on. My son and his family, except the youngest went into the MK that evening.
Day 4 My favorite day, Cabana Day! I reserved a cabana for the day at the beach pool. It was wonderful. It was so relaxing and the servers were great. We had a huge fruit platter, basket of snacks and a refrigerator full of water an soft drinks. These we replenished free throughout the day. We were here from 10-4 until we headed to shower for dinner at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Dinner was very good.
Well, that is the end of my trip. It certainly was different. Not sure I will be back soon, I have a trip booked in November, but will probably cancel it. they need to open more resorts and restaurants before I go back. I am not a huge ride person. I enjoy the sights and sounds. My husband and I like sitting and people watching. That is difficult to do in these times.
