The girls (and Steve) slept in until almost 9am today, so we had a much later start than usual (although Winnie did say we needed to have a word with mouse-keeping about making the curtains darker as the light bothered her in the night!) Luckily we had no real plans today as I always leave one day completely free to give us time to do things we may have missed if plans go awry (just call me back-up plan Mel!) However, we’ve managed to do everything we wanted and more, and as we weren’t bothered about another water park we decided to grab some breakfast then head out to the hotel pool.
In club level you get different food/ drinks put out during the day. The breakfast is pretty much a full continental breakfast with cereal, fruit, pastries and muffins, bread, bagels, cheese, ham, juices etc (I felt daft taking photos but believe me, it was a good spread!) There were also a few warm items (I had a mini quiche type thing that was lovely). There was more than enough to fill us up, and enough tables to sit at to eat. We could have taken the food back to the room, but I’d specifically requested a room far away from the atrium so that the noise didn’t disturb the girls (and Steve!!) so it was easier to eat there.
When our bellies were full we went to the pool. We spent the morning having a lovely time chilling out and playing in the pool. I even got a bit of reading in although I can’t find my kindle since moving so had to snaffle Steve’s (he uses my account, so my books were there. Don’t think I could have faced one of his ‘fact’ books!!). Hopefully it’s stuffed in a case somewhere, but I’ve filled a lost item report in just in case. After lunch (we ate a quick service sandwich we bought with remaining credits yesterday along with a club level free beer), the girls played a few pool games before a storm came in and shut things down.
We decided to head back to EPcot as Polly wanted to do Soarin’ one last time. She also loved the fish and chips we had last time and requested them again. The only Disney transport you can use for EPcot from The Grand Floridian is the monorail, and you have to change onto a different monorail track at the Ticket & Transportation Centre. It makes for a very long journey indeed. Still, we arrived to minimal bag queue (bonus!) but then got held up because Steve’s magic band did something very strange and had to be completely reset!
We were going to start with Test Track but when we got there it was down (big shock!) so we all decided we weren’t that bothered and set off for Soarin’. We got the wonky Eiffel Tower seats which the girls found most amusing, but it’s still a lovely ride (we love the smell of the Taj Mahal). We then went to watch the Pixar Shorts one last time as Steve missed out last time, and here some actual real-life Disney magic happened. He stayed awake for the whole show!! The girls genuinely couldn’t believe it. The girls then spent 10 minutes playing with the jumping water. I told them not to get wet as a storm was looming, at which point Steve decided to be clever and guide the water through his arms and promptly got soaked! Mind you, Polly was still drenched from having a drink at the water fountain, so he wasn’t alone.
EPcot was really quiet today so we got our fish and chips quickly and sat down with no wait for a table. That may well have been because 2 minutes later it started to pour with rain. Still, with some strategic positioning of chairs we managed to remain largely dry.
Winnie had asked for an ice cream from the Boardwalk, but I suggested trying L’Artisan des Glaces instead seeing as we were practically next door. Polly’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw cinnamon apple crumble flavour which is her absolute favourite. The ice-creams were lovely, but the servers weren’t the friendliest of folk!!
By now it was a full-on storm, so we decided to forget the walk all the way back to the entrance for the monorail, and instead nipped out of the International Gateway and grabbed a Lyft back to our hotel which was $7.50 well spent in my eyes.
Back at the hotel the girls got straight into bed for a movie night with the sweets Steve bought with our remaining snack credits. After eating about half the candy floss Winnie declared that she wasn’t eating any more as it was pure sugar and not good for her, so she was going to eat some sweets instead!! Steve and I took turns to go and grab food from the offerings downstairs (along with the odd glass of wine or two!!) Its mainly desserts at this time but there is also biscuits and cheese which I stocked up on! Steve samples most of the desserts and declared them all delicious. It cost us £50 extra per night for club level (less if you take into account the cash back) and we’ve certainly had our money’s worth with breakfast and alcohol alone (I’m not a big drinker. I’m keeping quiet regarding my husband!)
The Grand Floridian is stunning, and we are enjoying it here, but I think Polly hit the nail on the head when she said that it’s almost too posh. I asked what she meant, and she said that at the Yacht Club it is posh but homely, whereas here it’s just posh. I know exactly what she means, although I’d happily stay here again!
Off for a bath now as the smell of wet dogs emitting from my feet is a bit too much to take (even the stilton I ate didn’t mask it!) Oh, and in case you’re now wondering about Winnie’s sugar level, fear not! She ate a bowl of grapes, so she is apparently now really healthy!
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 