The Chalk & Cheese May 2014 Trip - Day 3 - Moving to the Grand Floridian

[Clare]

Today was moving day, as I’d quickly (and unexpectedly) fallen in love with Wilderness Lodge I had mixed emotions. I did however have to move as my UK package (tickets and dining plan) had been booked for my stay at the Grand Floridian, I had purchased a 1 day ticket to enter Epcot on my first day but after that I needed my UK tickets.

I also decided I now wanted to stay later than the 7 nights I’d originally booked (I have never felt this when I book a solo trip), I called Virgin Atlantic but unfortunately they had no available Upper Class seats available on the fare code I’d booked, unless I wanted to pay in excess of $3,000 for a one-way fare, I think you can guess the answer to that lol. They did advise I call back again just in case.

I took some time walking around the resort again and then sat in a comfortable rocking chair enjoying the relaxing atmosphere in the sun.











I was meeting Dibb pals for lunch at the Grand Floridian Café and as I was packed and ready to move it seemed the right time. So it was bye bye Wilderness Lodge and hello Grand Floridian. I caught a taxi from the Lodge over to the Grand Floridian, my taxi driver was the most rude individual I have ever met out there, he deposited me at the Grand Floridian and just ‘dumped’ my luggage on the pavement.

Thankfully a Grand Floridian CM greeter saw this happen and realised who I was (the security guard had called through advising her I was arriving), she was over to me quickly and escorted me right up to my room as it was ready there and then at 10.30 am to check in. This was all done within minutes, as soon as I went up in the golden club level elevator I knew everything was going to be great here at the Grand Floridian.

The rooms at the Grand Floridian are undergoing refurbishment and the new decor is gorgeous, unfortunately the main building club level rooms aren’t going to be done until July, but I still loved them. I had put in a request for a 4th floor room as this was the floor the lounge was on, this request was fulfilled. My room had a hospitality area (sink, mini bar, etc) and when I went out onto the balcony I loved the view – it was a panoramic view of the lagoon/Polynesian/Grand Floridian villas/pool and monorail, I couldn’t have asked for more.







It opened out onto the lobby, I could hear the piano and band playing which was wonderful:






I've come home with so many toiletries - I'd take the toiletries left out (the spa range) and every day they'd be replenished:


Every day my housekeeper would leave a fresh flower in the sink area:


It's the little things:


After unpacking I went downstairs to the Grand Floridian Café to meet fellow Dibbers for lunch, lots of talking ensued as well as eating. It was a lovely lunch.

I had the Grand Floridian burger, only half was eaten and none of the ‘chips’, it was way too much food for me:



After lunch I went back upstairs to the Royal Palm Club to enjoy the surroundings and change into my shorts as I was going to Epcot to meet friends for dinner at Teppan Edo.

Royal Palm Club lunchtime/early afternoons snacks:


The one negative for me with the Magic Kingdom resorts is you can’t walk to Epcot – I love staying at the Epcot resorts and strolling to and from Epcot and the Studios, any future trip will be a split stay so I can have the best of both worlds. I hopped on the monorail, which was crowded, over to the TTC, then another monorail to Epcot. It seemed to take forever which I think really is just down to me being spoilt with the Epcot resorts location.

It was however nice to enter Epcot from the main entrance and take time walking through Future World:


I strolled through Future World into World Showcase and went to France as I love the Impressions de France show, the music is beautiful. I could sit in there and watch/listen over and over again if I could.

Teppan Edo were running a little late but it was no problem, we watched Matsuriza, I’d never watched these guys properly before, amazing.

Right on cue our table was ready so upstairs we went. Why is it that people eat at Teppan Edo but don’t like sitting on a communal table? We had the most non talkative miserable people ever, one lady in particular didn’t like that I was gluten free and therefore my meal would be cooked first, if looks could kill. Despite our fellow table companions it was a lovely meal, entertaining chef and good food. I had opted for the steak and chicken, they have gluten free soy sauce and a gluten free dipping sauce, unfortunately they don’t offer rice noodles but I was very happy with just plain white rice.



Epcot was very busy, I thought it was busier than EMH, we all decided we wouldn’t stay for Illuminations – the thought of exiting after Illuminations with the size of the crowd there was not a pleasant one.

It was nice seeing the topiary lit up on the way out:

[Clare]

Even exiting early I wasn’t alone, the monorail back to the TTC was very busy, I then had to get the monorail back to the Grand Floridian. It was a slow painful process compared to what I was used to.

Back at the Grand Floridian the band was playing and I spent a little time sitting in the club level lounge taking in the atmosphere, totally different to the Wilderness Lodge but equally relaxing and enjoyable.

Time to call it a night, turndown service had been completed and my bed was calling me.



Grand Floridian slippers left at turndown:

[Ycryan]

Wow, that's amazing. What a view from your room. x

[Tartan Tigger]

The view from your balcony is great.

[KittyBlackDog]

It's a shame some people tarnish the happy place with their sour grapes attitude. The rest is beautiful and what a lovely view from your balcony. We love Teppan Edo too.

[mick]

What a lovely view from your room shame about the miserable person at Teppan Edo some people only think of themselves not others

Joan

[lovedisney89]

What an amazing view from your room. Another great day

[JoJo88]

Oh Wow Clare, totally in love with your room at GF!

What a shame about your miserable table guests at Teppan Edo, but I'm glad you had a good meal regardless. People can be so selfish and intolerant...

Looking forward to more of your report

[Clare]

Originally Posted by Ycryan

Wow, that's amazing. What a view from your room. x

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I think I struck it lucky re. room views this trip x

Originally Posted by Tartan Tigger

The view from your balcony is great.

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What was so nice was that there was comings and goings to see as well, not just the scenery.

Originally Posted by KittyBlackDog

It's a shame some people tarnish the happy place with their sour grapes attitude. The rest is beautiful and what a lovely view from your balcony. We love Teppan Edo too.

See more...

There's always someone isn't there lol

I wasn't sure what the view would be like from that side of the building but as soon as I went out onto the balcony I knew it was a good one

Originally Posted by mick

What a lovely view from your room shame about the miserable person at Teppan Edo some people only think of themselves not others

Joan

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Thanks Joan

Originally Posted by lovedisney89

What an amazing view from your room. Another great day

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Thanks, so far so good

Originally Posted by JoJo88

Oh Wow Clare, totally in love with your room at GF!

What a shame about your miserable table guests at Teppan Edo, but I'm glad you had a good meal regardless. People can be so selfish and intolerant...

Looking forward to more of your report

See more...

Thanks Jo, I think miserable people should be banned from Disney

The room had the most beautiful smell too, I'm not sure what they do to the rooms but apparently it wasn't just my room that smelt lovely as I was chatting to a young couple on honeymoon who loved it too.

[mossyflossy]

what a lovely day, and yay for shot of the twinkle toes on the balcony!

we always go overboard with planning when staying at an epcot hotel or a MK hotel and try to link parks and restaurants accordingly. It saves all the pfaff that you speak of and gives us more opportunity to enjoy the hotel as opposed to the transportation system getting from one to the other!