Jackie & Family - November 2007

Magical Express:

We arrived at Orlando International on Tuesday, November 27 at 12:40 in the afternoon with Air Canada non-stop from Toronto, at gate 22. Upon completing our automated shuttle ride to the main terminal, level two, we knew that we had to proceed to side A, level one for the Magical Express service to the resorts.

DH sat in the waiting area with the kids, while I went to check in at the Magical Express desk, whereupon we were directed to line up for our bus ride to the Grand Floridian. The wait took about fifteen minutes after which we were directed to a Disney Cruise Line motor coach along with guests staying at the Polynesian and the Wilderness Lodge. They amalgamated those guests on the bus to the Grand Floridian because we were told there weren't that many people. We were luckily dropped off first at around 2:00 p.m. Our luggage arrived in our room at 4:00, while we were visiting Magic Kingdom.

Grand Floridian Resort:

This was our second visit to this glorious resort and we were awestruck with the beautiful Christmas decorations. The Gingerbread House was stunning and the aroma permeated throughout the entire lobby. The garlands were rich and abundant and they were just about everywhere the eye could see. The HUGE Christmas Tree was stunning and breathtaking and real eye candy. They had a Photopass person there most of the time. Gingerbread shingles were $6 and a Gingerbread House was $40.

Check in at 2:00 was smooth, as I had made our special room requests at the time of booking and they had everything in their system. Our room was ready and we were assigned room 9441, a corner, dormer room that had recently undergone renovations including a plasma television, in the Big Pine Key building. We had a great view of Cinderella's Castle and enjoyed the nightly fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant every night.

We found a coffee maker and fridge in the room and asked for a microwave, which they brought up quickly. There were bedding and towel changes daily as well as daily fresh supplies of shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion from H20 in 3.4 oz bottles, full size body soaps from H20, and two full size hand soaps from H20. That is a very good product line and they also have it available for purchase in the gift shops. We also had nightly turn down service with chocolates on the pillows and a towel animal. That was a real treat. :)

On Wednesday morning, we asked for a ride out to Orlando's Premium Outlet Mall off Vineland Road and the Concierge arranged for a driver to take us to the mall and then to pick us up when we were done. It was free each way but we gave the driver a tip each way. He was very courteous, informative and prompt.

Dining:

For this part of the trip we weren't on the Dining Plan and I can honestly say that we won't do that again. Definitely the Dining Plan. For us, eating three meals a day including dinner at a full table service restaurant/character restaurant cost us approximately $220 a day for five days. We had breakfast at Gasparilla's Grill and Games, lunch at the parks, and dinner at the following: Boma's, 'Ohana's, Crystal Palace twice, and Chef Mickey's before boarding the Disney Wonder on Sunday.

Trip reports on the theme parks, the back to back Disney Wonder cruises and the BoardWalk Villas to follow......