Grandbabies? Yes, I will take them to Disney....
Mar 6, 2023 15:08:47 GMT -5
littlelulu01 likes this
Post by henrycpa on Mar 6, 2023 15:08:47 GMT -5
Scenario... I have a conference in FL this time every year in the Clearwater area (usually two although sometimes there is a week in between). Also my buddies and I got a golf package at Pinehurst that included a round on #2. So, I left Thursday Feb 9 and drove to Pinehurst. 2 days of Golf and then drive to Jacksonville to stay with my sons family and have some Grandbaby time. On Tuesday I took my 8 year old DGD8 to DHS and my wife and daughter joined us for a single night stay at the Riviera in a PFD View Studio. We then transferred to a PFD View STudio at VGF for the next 5 nights departing on Monday Feb 27 to drive to the SandPearl Resort in Clearwater.
My son and the rest of his family joined us on Wed and Thursday the 22nd/23rd with the rest of his family (DDIL30, DGD2, and DGS1).
So, by day at Disney
Day 1 - Drive from Jacksonville to DHS with DGD8 for just a full day with PAPS and her. Dinner at Topolino with DW that night whild DD15 and DGD8 went to Epcot. Check in Riveria
Day 2- MK all Day and fireworks with DW, DD15, DGD8, DGD2, DGS1, and DS29 and DDIL30), TSF to VGF
Day 3 - Epcot All day
Day 4 - DHS all Day
Day 5 - DAK all Day, Dinner at Sanaa
Day 6 - VGF pool day, EPCOT evening for Space 220 Dinner (picked it up Sunday Morning!!)
Day 7 - Check out
Some General thoughts and impressions on where the resorts and parks are at from the impression of our family:
1. Grandkids are awesome but exhausting.
2. The ride siduation in the parks, especially on busy days, is not anywhere near as fun and accomodating as it was before without paying more $$ on top of your tickets.
3. The Resorts still have some issues from a quality standpoint.
4. Riveria is BEAUTIFUL. If it had a better point use efficiency I would consider owning.
5. Topolinos continues to be a good quality restaurant with good service.
6. Via Napoli Picante was not as flavorful as in past (Sausage not as spicy) but still a fun meal
7. VGF update is beautiful. I worry the light carpets will show wear too soon but it is really nice.
8. They tried to give us a Kureig Coffie maker but we bring our own grind so asked for a swap out. Brought is a Kureig that does both ground coffee and kcup but it would not work. Finally just got a cheapo Mr. Coffee (I swear, at the SandPearl they have Nespresso machines and I may be hooked...)
9. The TV's in the mirrors are gone at VGF.
10. I swear both rooms may have had some of the best views I have ever had. Our Riveria balcony let us watch the Epcot Fireworks. Our VGF was right by Wedding PAvillion and we had a lake and Monorail view.
11. I cannot stress enough how parks just not as fun. I know they are trying to "load balance" rides but a 50 minute wait for Nemo is just not right. It was like this in every park.
12. Space 220 was just ok for me. Food was ok. Experience was ok. not sure the experience is worth the $$ premium for the generally table service quality of food.
13. Sanaa is great as always. Bread Service rocks. They did change the menu so look at it before you go.
14. Just a general observation with little scientific evidence behind it...the new FL AP situation may mean that weekends are less busy than in the past. We noted an EMPTY Epcot on Sunday. Soarin was basically walk on.
15. The Sand Pearl Resort is basically same price range as GF and other Deluxe Resorts. There is no comparison. the SandPearl is a true Deluxe.
If you have any questions please ask away.
My son and the rest of his family joined us on Wed and Thursday the 22nd/23rd with the rest of his family (DDIL30, DGD2, and DGS1).
So, by day at Disney
Day 1 - Drive from Jacksonville to DHS with DGD8 for just a full day with PAPS and her. Dinner at Topolino with DW that night whild DD15 and DGD8 went to Epcot. Check in Riveria
Day 2- MK all Day and fireworks with DW, DD15, DGD8, DGD2, DGS1, and DS29 and DDIL30), TSF to VGF
Day 3 - Epcot All day
Day 4 - DHS all Day
Day 5 - DAK all Day, Dinner at Sanaa
Day 6 - VGF pool day, EPCOT evening for Space 220 Dinner (picked it up Sunday Morning!!)
Day 7 - Check out
Some General thoughts and impressions on where the resorts and parks are at from the impression of our family:
1. Grandkids are awesome but exhausting.
2. The ride siduation in the parks, especially on busy days, is not anywhere near as fun and accomodating as it was before without paying more $$ on top of your tickets.
3. The Resorts still have some issues from a quality standpoint.
4. Riveria is BEAUTIFUL. If it had a better point use efficiency I would consider owning.
5. Topolinos continues to be a good quality restaurant with good service.
6. Via Napoli Picante was not as flavorful as in past (Sausage not as spicy) but still a fun meal
7. VGF update is beautiful. I worry the light carpets will show wear too soon but it is really nice.
8. They tried to give us a Kureig Coffie maker but we bring our own grind so asked for a swap out. Brought is a Kureig that does both ground coffee and kcup but it would not work. Finally just got a cheapo Mr. Coffee (I swear, at the SandPearl they have Nespresso machines and I may be hooked...)
9. The TV's in the mirrors are gone at VGF.
10. I swear both rooms may have had some of the best views I have ever had. Our Riveria balcony let us watch the Epcot Fireworks. Our VGF was right by Wedding PAvillion and we had a lake and Monorail view.
11. I cannot stress enough how parks just not as fun. I know they are trying to "load balance" rides but a 50 minute wait for Nemo is just not right. It was like this in every park.
12. Space 220 was just ok for me. Food was ok. Experience was ok. not sure the experience is worth the $$ premium for the generally table service quality of food.
13. Sanaa is great as always. Bread Service rocks. They did change the menu so look at it before you go.
14. Just a general observation with little scientific evidence behind it...the new FL AP situation may mean that weekends are less busy than in the past. We noted an EMPTY Epcot on Sunday. Soarin was basically walk on.
15. The Sand Pearl Resort is basically same price range as GF and other Deluxe Resorts. There is no comparison. the SandPearl is a true Deluxe.
If you have any questions please ask away.
