Good morning fellow GF fans...
We recently had a wonderful stay at the GF
and I wanted to do a mini TR...sort of an update...
Arrival...We were actually greeted upon arrival and taken up stairs to check in...as you all know..this has been very spotty these days....and I'm guessing it still is...lol..same thing happened during our summer trip...but this winter..no greeter..had to check in at the front desk..and wait to be escorted to the room..even tho we assured them we knew where we were going and they had activated our MBs????..In any case..being greeted and escorted upstairs much a much nicer way to start the trip....
Room... We were assigned a room with a view that we requested..and it was ready at about 1pm...
..room looked great..clean and fresh ...as for the toiletries....here they stepped things up once again...last two trips there was a decrease in the variety, just soaps ( face and bath) shampoo, conditioner and body wash..and some hand cream..this time there were in addition to what I just listed.. a shower bonnet, sun screen, FOOT RUB ..yes its back...lol...tooth brushes, a vanity kit and a shaving kit ( aka a razor and a small shaving cream)..so really a lot more... I am going to attribute this to maybe the new GM...?? well whoever...good job...we really appreciated having such a nice variety of things...
and...since its always about the food....lol...
Lounge offerings...
Mornings seemed pretty much the same variety...( I will try and post pics...have been recently having difficulty with this for some reason...
) fresh cut up fruit including nice plump black berries, blueberries too..yogurt (2 varieties ..plain and strawberry I think?)..a nice granola mix ..orange, apple and cranberry juice..hot mini fritatas (some days with sun dried tomato and some with ham or cheese..)..and of course..the sinfully delicious pecan sticky buns...they are soooo delicious..and are now served warm..heavenly...lol...there were also deviled eggs..fresh turkey slices..ham too and prosciutto...cheddar and maybe swiss cheese..and croissant the usual variety of breakfast pastries
... also the toasting station ..with bagels..a few different selections of bread..along with butter and cream cheese....aaaannnddd...if that not enough...fresh made Mickey waffles..which I believe are now offered 4 days a week...definitely both Saturday and Sunday...and at least one other weekday....which you can top with the usual butter and syrup..and also a very nice strawberry compote and a cream topping too....
Afternoons...This has been the same for as long as I can remember....veggies...ranch dip..also both a tomato pesto and a spinach spread and a new cheese it was called St Pat nettle wrapped organic cheese ..some breads.. tomato salad with feta cheese and olives and those super delicious home made potato chips! .. and cookies... ( sugar and chocolate chip and coconut macaroons) (plenty for
Trishadono's cookie purse)..lol..
..gummy bears and gold fish..but...yes..there is something new!! Soup..every day..rotating between a tasty tomato bisque..served with croutons..of a New England clam chowder...we enjoyed them both! and it was nice to see something different...
.. don't want to forget the beverages...lemonade, unsweetened tea and that wonderful tropical juice...(which by the way..mixes very well with champagne...just saying....(thanks to
Dispro for that idea..lol..which she calls a grand splash! )
And let me not forget the scones...crumbly and delicious..served with clotted cream or a very nice jam..there was also banana bread...and some days mini red velvet cakes...didn't try them..but they looked good!
Evenings Ok..epic fail here for information
...we had some very wonderful dinner reservations (so many wonderful GF restaurants...but we enjoyed both the GF Cafe and Narcoosees this trip) ...which is why I'm not really sure what offerings there were...lol....but there is still a chef doing hot appetizers some of the evenings...ok..ok..thats the best I can do.....lol...
also later in the evening..desserts....nothing new that I noticed..the usual chocolate mousse cups,key lime tarts, fruit tarts and rice crispy treats...and some cookies too..along with coconut macaroons...
Cordials..I recall seeing Kahlua and Baileys ...
All day beverages..there were sodas in the lounge fridge..coke, diet coke, ginger ale, sprite diet sprite and water too.. coffee..regular and decaf in the urns and of course the machine..and there are flavorings too...usually 3 of 4 different ones...
Pools Both pools were open and the cabanas have been replaced at the at the beach pool...and while there are not any cabanas at the courtyard pool...there is now a "reserve" section..which is cordoned off and has a variety of seating..including a sun bed with an awning..and an umbrella table..this can be reserved for the day for $150.... Its an interesting little area..and a pool bargain at $150 for the day IMO...I never did find out if this also provides an attendant like at the cabanas????
The grounds were lovely as usual..and I did notice there were some new trees..and for those fans of SL who were not fans of the big tree in front of the wing closest to the main building..pool facing... that tree is gone.... and speaking of trees and views..those of you who have been in these rooms know....the infamous tree that blocked the view from the 01 and 02 rooms in RPC is also gone...not sure if this was a result of the hurricane..or not....
Last but not least..I know this is getting looooong...lol...
Transportation...We did use both the monorail and water launches with ease..no delays..no issues..no modified operating hours....and one evening returning from the MK they did change out the usual water launch for a large boat...it was not a Friendship...it was large with open sides..I've never seen one before
...but it made returning to the resort a whole lot quicker..and am glad someone thought to implement this at park closing time....
..We did not use the buses this trip although we do use them...and have almost always had a very positive experience...really like that they have the time board to keep you informed of the bus arrival times....but instead used Lyft...which was both not costly and very time efficient for our particular itinerary....due to the heat..and it was hot for May..we tended to do Epcot and DHS later in the day...and for shorter periods of time...also when staying CL its nice to be back at the resort some evening for desserts and fireworks!
Overall another Grand stay at a very grand resort!
For those of you with trips coming up....enjoy!!
Hope that you are all having a terrific Thursday....
PS..Pictures to follow...I hope!
ETA..The arcade is still there and operating....
!
I would prefer to be close to food and drink in making my room request.
