[jking84772]

Valentine's Day we left home and arrived at the Grand Floridian gate a little before 3pm. The guard greeted us and told us they would be waiting for us at the main entrance. Sure enough just when the bell person asked if we had any bags along came a man in a suit who introduced himself as Frank and he would be escorting us to the private check in desk on the Concierge floor. Man is that hotel beautiful! We walked a short ways into the huge lobby and Frank directed us to the private elevator bank for concierge level guests. He informed us that we would have to use our room key to activate the elevator after we checked in. We arrived on the third floor and the door opened to a pair of desks where Joe introduced himself, congratulated us on our 10th anniversary and asked us if we would like a glass of champagne while we checked in. We declined and so on went the check in process, gave them a credit card, they gave us some little Valentines day cards and our check in packet. Joe asked if we had checked in any bags with the bell service so I gave him our ticket and he called down to have them delivered to our room. After he made sure there was nothing else we needed like dinner reservations or park tickets, Joe escorted us down a lovely hallway to our room, 4306. The bags were right behind us. While Joe and Rose (DW) talked, our bellman unloaded our bags and got us some ice. He had on a nametag with Tampa as his home town. He mentioned that Tony Dungy and his family had stayed there about a week ago and Tony had noticed that he was from Tampa. Now I felt a bit in over my head…LOL.

Rose and I went to the second floor and out to the monorail. Unlike the Contemporary, the monorail passes through the hotel parking lot above the main entrance. We rode the monorail to the Magic Kingdom with the intent of activating our annual passes. Since getting the passes only took a couple of minutes, we decided to take a leisurely stroll down Main Street to check out all of the shops you just don't seem to ever have time to see. I have to say, without the girls (5 year old twin DD's) and with that annual pass in my pocket, the sense of urgency faded away and I really enjoyed picking up stuff for the girls at the shops. We were probably there about an hour or so and then took the monorail back to the hotel, too cold to ride the water shuttle. We got dressed for our Narcoossee's dinner at 7 but arrived at the restaurant at 6 for a couple of beverages before dinner. On the way, we stopped at the concierge desk and asked about availability of any backstage tours for Thursday. It is something I had always wanted to do and Rose even expressed some interest. Thursday was pretty much booked but we managed to get in to the 8:30am Friday tour called Keys to the Kingdom, the one I have been wanting to take. They said we could drop off our bags at the bell desk on the way to the tour and then just pick up our bags and car after it was done. Sweet deal and unexpected.

When we got to the bar, the bartender handed us a menu to look over while we relaxed and since we both decided on the Filet Mignon, I ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir and gave Rose her Anniversary present. We each had a couple of glasses of wine, spent a little time on their deck so Rose could light up a couple and ordered a second bottle just before our 7pm reservations. Our table had a great view of the castle so I was looking forward to the 8pm fireworks. We had an appetizer, Rose had five cheese onion soup and I had the crab cakes, very tasty. They brought us a special appetizer, reserved for Grand Floridian guests only, but I honestly can't remember what it was…something with lobster I believe, but it was tasty as well. Then our steaks arrived and they were excellent, given this was the hotel's signature seafood restaurant. After dinner, just before 8, Rose went back outside for a smoke and I stayed at the table, was getting really comfortable after that second bottle of wine. Sure enough, right at 8, the lights dimmed in the restaurant and they replaced the soft music that had been playing with the presentation that accompanies the fireworks. The view was awesome. I kept thinking how much fun that would be one year after the girls get a little older and could enjoy a slow meal. Right after the fireworks ended, Rose came back in and we ordered desert. I had the Key Lime Crème Brulee with a glass of recommended after dinner ice wine (the only yucky thing I had all trip was that glass of wine, not my bag I guess) and Rose had a cognac with her coffee. We finished and took a slow stroll back to the room. Our beds had been turned down, of course, with chocolates laid out on the pillows, but on the table was a chilling little bottle of champagne, two glasses, a long stemmed Rose and a card…an autographed picture of Prince Charming and Cinderella congratulating us on our 10th anniversary. Now I know why folks spend all that money for that level of service…LOL. We each had a glass then Rose raided the mini-bar for a mini-bottle of wine and went down to the patio for a night cap and smoke, I chilled in the bed watching old Disney cartoons.

Anniversary day next post....