17 Days of Wishes Come to Life- A Sept. 08 WDW and DCL Adventure 3/27 new link posted

[Spartangirl]

Jay........WOW! I am finally caught up! Once again, it sounds like you and your family experienced another fantastic trip to WDW!!! I know I'm backtracking a bit (Please forgive me! ), but I wanted to make a few comments.....Your Dream Day sounded spectacular! You truly are the master planner!!! From the private luncheon, Idaho Jones Adventure, the magical time with Mickey, to the yacht pulling up to the MK in style........WOW!!! I LOVED Stitches encounter with the Storm Trooper! That must have been so funny to see it first hand! AND.....I am so glad your family was picked to be the WL Flag Family! I really can't wait to hear all about it!!!

 

[jaycns]

I have mostly Princess ones. I also have a dumbo, tramp, Alice, and Winnie the Pooh. They have all been gifts from my Mom, usually in thanks for planning our WDW vacations.

Do you have a Belle one? I love her! I saw one with her on it. She almost came home with me, but I talked myself out of it. If you ever take any pictures, I would really enjoy seeing them!

OMG you got to ride with 2 storm troopers how fantastic is that and how cute is Stitch standing up to them oh and he looks as though he loved his Yoda backpacjk!

Sounds as though you had a lovely meal at HBD, I may have eaten there last week

Your vow renewal sounds fabulous I hope we're all invited

I love the animation studio and what a meanie for not posting your picture I bet Tink was very hard to draw though so I'll let you off OK just seen your second picture and I think it's pretty good, how unusual to get Tink at both sessions!

Wow Jay I'm very impressed about the double RnR ride, you're a great Mom!

I can't believe how many towel animals you got, you lucky things

What a fantastic firework view you had and how funny you didn't know!

OMG Gingy sounds hilarious, isn't it fun when kids believe

I cannot wait to hear about your meal at the HBD.

I know, I am really excited to start planning our vow renewal...but I will not let myself do it until I am done with this trip report. If I start in on that, I can see all of my attention and internet time being spent investigating possibilities.

That first Tink didn't even make it home, it was too ugly to even be funny (or maybe so funny looking it was ugly)!!

That double ride on RnRC was fun but scary for me. I am glad that I was able to overcome my fears during our second go round. I guess it was either that or pass out.

How blind am I? Those fireworks must have been there every night and we were missing them by minutes. Just goes to show that it pays to remember to slow down and relax.

Gingy is going to be caught in a trap they have set up tonight. I am excited to see their faces when they check the trap in the morning.

Awww, what generous and giving boys you have there! That's wonderful that they have it in their hearts to help out a family in need (and parents that teach them how to care for others . I can't believe that all the father wanted was some new socks; it just goes to show the sacrifices parents make for the sake of their kids.

Thanks for asking about my finals; I get super duper stressed at this time of year, but then I tell myself to take a deep breath, get lots of sleep, and calm down! I hope to become a teacher, so I will definitely empathize with my young students when I have to test them. . I haven't lost my marbles yet, though!

Oh, and I found the most adorable thing that I thought would be right up your family's alley, given your love of "surprises":

They are special coins that the Royal Canadian Mint is putting out this year (they range from about $25-$100 CDN). I'm not sure if the US Mint does the same thing, but it would be kind of neat to have Santa or another "Christmas Visitor" hide special coins around the house or in the boys' stockings. Hey, you could even throw a bit of education into the mix and hide coins from various countries around the world; then the boys could do a "Carmen Sandiego"- type mission and figure out where their surprise visitor is visiting from. I'm such a geek, but hopefully my future students will appreciate it!

It really does break my heart that all he wanted was a warm pair of socks. And even that was preceeded by a 'maybe'. I know I would rather have my kids taken care of. Of that I am 100% sure, but I have been blessed enough to never have had to go without anything for myself in order that my children have just a small bit. I am just very touched on a core level by this family.

I love the idea of the coins. How neat! And the kids who will one day sit in a classroom of yours will be very lucky indeed! The imagination and energy and desire to bring those into the classroom will really be special gifts for the kids you will teach.

I love the idea of hiding coins from around the world. I think we might just have to use that idea. It's a great one! THANKS!

 

[jaycns]

Finally, I'm all caught up!

It's hilarious you have put hats on the Little Prince before but he has such a disliking for Mickey ears!

How amazing you got to ride Star Tours with the Storm Troopers! How lucky! I also had no idea that was a dream you could win! That must be one of your boys favorite memories! And Stitch is too cute with that Yoda backpack

The Hollywood Brown Derby is one of the main restaurants I am DYING to try and we haven't yet. Next trip, for sure! I've read their menu so many times and so much of it sounds delicious, especially all the desserts! I'm glad everybody enjoyed it so much. I would have ordered the same dessert you did, just reading the description made my mouth water.

Your Tinkerbell was not bad at all! I can't even draw a decent circle!

We felt the same way you did about Block Party Bash It was very disappointing, not a parade at all, and not up to Disney's standards.

It's funny you mention seeing Wilderness Lodge at sunset. That is exactly when DM and I visited that gorgeous resort on our recent trip and fell so in love with it, I don't think we wanted to leave! We want to stay here to badly! As far as themeing goes, I think it's my favorite resort on property

Ooo and now the cruise!! Can't wait, Jay!

I read about your Gingy surprise and it is wonderful!
And how fabulous the boys wanted to pitch in with their own money! They are sweethearts!

It's so nice to have you back! The WL is so very well themed. It really feels like you are a hundred miles from everything. I am so happy that you were able to see the lodge at sunset. I think that time of day really brings out the beauty of the lodge.

The cruise is coming shortly!

I love the Gingy idea! My kids are too old (12 & 17) but I will remember it for my grandchildren (many years from now!!!)
We participate in the Angel Tree at our church and love helping out. So sweet of your guys to want to give a warm meal to the family you picked. It feels good to give back.

It feels great, doesn't it? I think giving to others is the greatest gift you can give yourself.

That is so sweet that the boys wanted to chip in and help out a family in need. You are doing a great job of raising wonderful boys.

I love the Gingy story! That is so cute and funny. I can just picture them looking in every nook and cranny for that darn Gingy!

They have looked EVERYWHERE. Stitch even cleaned out under his bed and the bottom of his closet!

Jay........WOW! I am finally caught up! Once again, it sounds like you and your family experienced another fantastic trip to WDW!!! I know I'm backtracking a bit (Please forgive me! ), but I wanted to make a few comments.....Your Dream Day sounded spectacular! You truly are the master planner!!! From the private luncheon, Idaho Jones Adventure, the magical time with Mickey, to the yacht pulling up to the MK in style........WOW!!! I LOVED Stitches encounter with the Storm Trooper! That must have been so funny to see it first hand! AND.....I am so glad your family was picked to be the WL Flag Family! I really can't wait to hear all about it!!!

Up next...our last morning at WL.

I loved our dream day. Every second of it. I especially loved our time on the yacht (all of it from the desserts to being dropped off at MK) and Idaho Jones.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Do you have a Belle one? I love her! I saw one with her on it. She almost came home with me, but I talked myself out of it. If you ever take any pictures, I would really enjoy seeing them!

Yep, I have two with Belle. One is of her reading and has a rose and the other one is a Christmas themed one.

 

[jaycns]

Day 9...A Morning to Remember

I woke to the sound of silence. Not a very usual thing for the mother of four young boys. Knowing it was my last morning at the WL, I wanted to take advantage of this small gift that I had been given. In order to do so, I threw on a sweatshirt, grabbed my camera, crept past five sleeping boys (dh was still asleep as well) and made my way to the larger of our room's two balconies.

I sat, in silence and watched the day break. It was a very peaceful time of solitude and I am very happy to have been able to enjoy it.

Here are some pictures I took of the new morning. It was truly a stunning vista that was spread out before me. I especially enjoyed the birds. They were the icing on the cake.

A few minutes after I had finished up snapping my pictures, I heard the door open and Goofy came out to join me for an early morning cuddle. It was a great mom moment.

After Goofy gave me that cuddle, he repeated a question asked by millions of children almost every morning, "Mom, what do we have to eat?" HA HA HA.

That and the rustle of other little feet drew me in from the balcony. It was time for me to place our last room service order. That's right...we each had two meal credits left after our food fest over the past 8 days and it was time to use those up!

To be continued in the next post.

 

[jaycns]

Day 9...A Morning to Remember (Part 2)

Our room service breakfast was delicious. Everything was piping hot (if it was supposed to be) and tasty as could be. Here's a picture of what the three oldest boys had. Each of them chose the same drink (apple juice). Our family chose to split three orders of the fruit and yogurt plate to start off our meal. The fruit was very fresh and crisp. SO GOOD!

(From the left): Goofy chose to have the kid's pancakes with bacon. He loved the warm real maple syrup that came with his meal!

Aladdin ordered off of the adult menu and picked the Eggs Your Way dish. He chose to have his eggs scrambled, bacon and potato wedges. Before eating it he slathered his entire plate in ketchup. To each his own.

Stitch ordered the kid's waffle plate with bacon on the side. Another hit. How cute are those tiny Mickey waffles!

Dh went with the adult waffle and sausage meal. He said it was very good. Simple, but delicious. He had coffee, orange juice and water to drink.

I picked the same thing that Aladdin did. I however chose to have this dish served a bit differently. I had my eggs fried hard and had sausage instead of bacon. It was a very filling and delectable meal. I had iced tea and orange juice to drink.

After eating our last WL meal, throwing a few final things in our carry on bags and snapping two last pictures. The first was of a hidden Mickey on the shade of a wall lamp.

And the last picture I snapped before we headed out for our final WL adventure was one of Aladdin holding our Little Prince. While it's blurry, you can see just how happy we were all feeling.

We made our way down to the front desk and showed the CM behind the desk the invitation that had been left in our room the night before. She motioned to Ranger Don (the CM who would be taking us up to the roof) and he greeted us like old friends. What a sweet man!

We took the elevator back up and headed to the club level floor. From there it was up, up, up to the roof of the Wilderness Lodge! What a treat it was climb that last step and walk out on to the roof. The view was beyond explanation. I was awe struck and without words for the first minute or so. I didn't know what to look at...I felt like I was on top of the world...and I was very literally on top of the WDWorld!

As Ranger Don got a few things in order, we all just stood taking in the beauty of the view. We were so excited that I was worried one (or maybe all) of us might start to float right off of the roof.

The first order of business was the raising of the American flag. Aladdin had the honor of helping to raise our nation's flag. It was very fitting that he was the one chosen to help with that particular flag since he is a very patriotic young man. As he helped Ranger Don raise the flag, they discussed what they loved about America. I was very proud of his answers. He said he loved freedom, how all different kinds of people can live together as one and the great colors on the flag (I had a good chuckle over his last reason). I love these pictures of him.

Once Aladdin had raised the flag to it's rightful place, Ranger Don took over and secured it. Once the flag was secured, we all stood together and recited the pledge of allegiance. It was a very special moment for all of us. I felt very proud of my country and my family. It was a touching moment for me because of my father as well. He was supposed to have come with us (as I mentioned in an earlier installment) but was unable to join us because of a heart attack and subsequent stroke he had the year before. He would have loved this moment. He served in the army for 25 years before retiring. He fought for his country and has always been a very patriotic man. As we said the pledge, my eyes welled up with tears. I couldn't stop thinking of how much this moment would have meant to my father as well. I really wish that I could have shared that moment with him as well as my husband and children. Upon our return, the time we spent as the WL flag family was my favorite vacation memory to share with my dad.

TO BE CONTINUED.

 

[jaycns]

Day 9...A Morning to Remember (Part 3)

Next up Goofy had his turn at raising a flag. The flag that he was honored to raise was the flag of the good state of Florida. Ahhh...what a wonderful state...Mickey Mouse, the ocean, oranges. Lots of good stuff!

Stitch was chosen to do the job that I would have loved to have done...raise the Disney flag! What a cool thing!

And then it was my turn! I got to raise one of the Wilderness Lodge flags!
**How adorable is Ranger Don?!**

Dh raised the very last flag, the second WL flag.

And then we were done with the flag raising ceremony part of our experience. Ranger Don told us to take a few minutes to take it all in and take as many pictures as we liked. He said he was available for any questions we might have and that he would give us a short 'tour' of the view after we were done.

Here are some of the many pictures I took. I will let them do their own talking. Some things don't need words.

These are two of my favorite shots (I am a CR lover)!

The boys looking out over all of WDW.

Dh asking, the very helpful, Ranger Don a question.

To be continued...

 

[jaycns]

A few more of the shots are below. I will continue the update very soon...but right about now, my pillow is screaming my name.

TO BE CONTINUED!!

 

[disneydusted]

You guys had such a special morning on the FW roof! The weather was great for the flag raising. The picture of Stitch walking with Ranger Don made me smile... I saw that Yoda made the flag raising too!
Your quiet morning on the balcony brought back the same memories of a morning I had. I was on our balcony at BWV looking over towards the Swan and Dolphin. The Friendship boats were going down the canal, birds were chattering, the air was warm, the sun was gentle and I had that great feeling that it was another day at Disney... so many things to, places to go, characters to meet... and it was the relaxed, contented feeling that you get at Disney. Thanks for reminding me of that moment!

 

[29apr00]

WOW What great views from the top of WL!! How excited to be able to raise all those flags! I'm sure the boys were very excited!!

 

[SkyGirl]

It was all just beautiful from the early morning relaxation to the flag raising. It made me think of my dad, too. He was in WWII, very patriotic, and I was very proud of him. I'm so glad your boys got to do that.

And the food pictures were yummy! I especially like all the legs and feet around the boys dishes -- some tummies were rumblies!!!

 

[Figment's Friend]

Someday I will have to take advantage of an early morning like that at Disney, your pictures were beautiful! The Flag Family experience sounds just great, so glad all of you got that opportunity! And what a view from the top!

 

[jessily]

I've been reading through your trip reports on and off all weekend and I love them! Your family seems to genuinely enjoy spending time together and so appreciative of everything you get to do. The boys are adorable! I read a few mentions of you loving the rice candy that they sell in Japan. Me too! I actually saw it at Walmart (our Walmart has a grocery store) this weekend with the international foods. Dangerous to know that I can now get it whenever I want...

Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip

 

[kaysmommie]

OMG those pics are amazing! So cool that your family got to be flag family. I never thought this would be a must do for us but after seeing your pics hopefully we will be able to do this on our WL stay in the fall. The kids and I would love this.

 

[k_reile]

I found your report and I swear it took me a week to read! What an awesome trip so far. You have such good eaters...there is no way I would even try some the foods that your kids ate so I am pretty impressed (course I am just really picky ) I just Little Princes cheeks...he is too cute. He reminds me of my DS (will be 3 mos on the 25th) when he gets all smiley...it about makes your heart melt. I just got such a huge smile on my face of the pics of your little guy smiling. I can't wait til Caleb is all smiley all the time.
My DH would have walked out of the DVC presentation too. The day of your DVC presentation the shirt little prince was wearing DS has it too although it will not fit yet. MY aunt and uncle brought it back from their Disney Vacation/cruise in Oct. My little cousins 8 and 5 had such a good time picking out something for Caleb (he also got a cruise ship captains Mickey and Minnie...which mommy loves...
Can't wait to hear about the cruise. My aunt and uncle just loved their cruise which makes me want to try it someday.

 

[CoP Luv]

How awesome! What a great way to end your trip!!! Now it's onto the ship! Can't wait to see what's in store!

 

[SoonerGirl]

GREAT views from the WL roof! What a neat thing to get to do. I don't blame you one bit for getting teary eyed. I have a lot of military history in my family as well and things like that always well me up too.


Looking forward to the cruise portion of your trip!!

 

[jaycns]

You guys had such a special morning on the FW roof! The weather was great for the flag raising. The picture of Stitch walking with Ranger Don made me smile... I saw that Yoda made the flag raising too!
Your quiet morning on the balcony brought back the same memories of a morning I had. I was on our balcony at BWV looking over towards the Swan and Dolphin. The Friendship boats were going down the canal, birds were chattering, the air was warm, the sun was gentle and I had that great feeling that it was another day at Disney... so many things to, places to go, characters to meet... and it was the relaxed, contented feeling that you get at Disney. Thanks for reminding me of that moment!

Your moment at BWV sounds great! Those special moments really keep you going between vacations when you think of them, don't they? Yoda was the seventh member of our travel party from the moment he was purchased until we walked into our own home over a week later.

Ranger Don was a sweetheart. I enjoyed getting to spend a bit of time with him. He was a fascinating person to talk with.

WOW What great views from the top of WL!! How excited to be able to raise all those flags! I'm sure the boys were very excited!!

The boys were excited. I was excited. I think even dh was excited. It was a great treat for all of us!

It was all just beautiful from the early morning relaxation to the flag raising. It made me think of my dad, too. He was in WWII, very patriotic, and I was very proud of him. I'm so glad your boys got to do that.

And the food pictures were yummy! I especially like all the legs and feet around the boys dishes -- some tummies were rumblies!!!

You noticed the hungry legs coming ever closer. HA...I had to warn them not to touch the food for just a minute to give me a chance to snap a quick picture. The groans of agony while waiting just long enough for me to set out three plates next to each other, turn on the camera and snap ONE little tiny picture (way under two minutes for sure) were so funny. You would have thought I asked them to wait an hour before dining on food...or that one of the very last things they did before bed was not to gorge on another in room meal. I guess little boys and hungry wild beasts share a few traits in common.

Someday I will have to take advantage of an early morning like that at Disney, your pictures were beautiful! The Flag Family experience sounds just great, so glad all of you got that opportunity! And what a view from the top!

One day I hope to make a coffee table book for our home featuring all of the early morning shots taken from the various rooms we have stayed in. I would love to have that book to page through at the end of a long stressful day. I think it would soothe better than even Calgon could! I think my favorite WDW morning pictures are those from our stay at the CR or AKL...I cannot bring myself to chose between the two. I really treasure all of them.

I've been reading through your trip reports on and off all weekend and I love them! Your family seems to genuinely enjoy spending time together and so appreciative of everything you get to do. The boys are adorable! I read a few mentions of you loving the rice candy that they sell in Japan. Me too! I actually saw it at Walmart (our Walmart has a grocery store) this weekend with the international foods. Dangerous to know that I can now get it whenever I want...

Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip

WALMART?! Okay, now I have a new reason to check more carefully in the international foods section. THANK YOU for letting me know this. If I can track some down it will make for great stocking stuffers! THANK YOU SO MUCH! And I cannot believe you read all of that in one weekend! You must be a fast reader.

I know I am one very lucky lady because our family does really enjoy our time together. To often, in 'real life' we are pulled in all different directions. With all of the things we have on our plate (even though we really do enjoy most of the activities and commitments that fill our lives)we are often running so hard that we don't have much time to just 'be' together. Sure, we make time for each other every day, but we very rarely ever get the luxery of spending an entire day together doing nothing more than having fun with each other. To be blessed with day after day after day of that special time on a vacation really makes it easy to be appreciative.

Thanks again for that tip about the rice candy...I will be checking the international foods section much more closely during my next shopping trip!

OMG those pics are amazing! So cool that your family got to be flag family. I never thought this would be a must do for us but after seeing your pics hopefully we will be able to do this on our WL stay in the fall. The kids and I would love it.

Even with all of the magical events and surpries, this stands out as one of the trip's highlights for each of us. If you have the chance, I wouldn't pass it up! It was a great way to start a Disney day!

I found your report and I swear it took me a week to read! What an awesome trip so far. You have such good eaters...there is no way I would even try some the foods that your kids ate so I am pretty impressed (course I am just really picky ) I just Little Princes cheeks...he is too cute. He reminds me of my DS (will be 3 mos on the 25th) when he gets all smiley...it about makes your heart melt. I just got such a huge smile on my face of the pics of your little guy smiling. I can't wait til Caleb is all smiley all the time.
My DH would have walked out of the DVC presentation too. The day of your DVC presentation the shirt little prince was wearing DS has it too although it will not fit yet. MY aunt and uncle brought it back from their Disney Vacation/cruise in Oct. My little cousins 8 and 5 had such a good time picking out something for Caleb (he also got a cruise ship captains Mickey and Minnie...which mommy loves...
Can't wait to hear about the cruise. My aunt and uncle just loved their cruise which makes me want to try it someday.

The boys are (for the most part) fairly good about trying new things. Goofy is an incredible eater with very varied tastes. His favorite foods are fish, oysters, pizza, calamari (this might be his very favorite), lobster, shrimp,crab, pumpkin, hot dogs, spinich, ice cream, oranges, berries, potatoes, turkey, chicken, squash, grapes, tomatoes, tacos, cookies, cereal, pretzels, corn, celery and apples. A very mixed up list (typed word for word when I asked him what his favorite foods were).

I bet it won't be long now before Caleb is smiling all of the time! Enjoy every nano second of him being a baby...I swear time goes by so fast and before you can even blink, the precious toothless baby smile is replaced by a handsome almost teen one!

The cruise part is coming up soon!

How awesome! What a great way to end your trip!!! Now it's onto the ship! Can't wait to see what's in store!

Thanks for sticking with me! We had a TON of fun on the cruise portion of our trip as well! More to come soon!

 

[DisneyJo]

Love your early morning photos, funny that all kids always think about their tummies first

Wow the flag raising ceremony looks a great thing to do, the views are just amazing, I love how Yoda helped too

 

[Tatania]

Sure, feel free to use the picture. I would love it if you posted a link or the actual recipe itself here. I love Disney recipes!

I love making Disney recipes and made the best "Hermits" last night from the Cooking with Mickey cookbook. Also made the Sauerbraten and Red Cabbage from the Biergarten. You can find the Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower recipe on this page: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1575103&page=171 and if you feel like collecting new recipes next time in Disney World and adding them to the thread that would be fabulous. Our index is: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1777635

Putting out shoes on Dec. 6th is a very European thing - actually more Dutch than anything. We used to do it a few times when I was a kid and my son - always one for finding an angle to get more presents - loved the custom because it meant some small presents in advance of Christmas.

Your Gingy Man ideas are again, so wonderfully creative and I'm in awe of everything you do. You could definitely have a career at Disney being one of those "Event Planners".

I was also very touched with the story of the single Dad and it brought back the disturbing story broadcast about a month ago on CNN about the single Dad in Arizona who was laid off from his trucking job and had no choice but to beg for money at the side of a busy road with his two sons. The boys had signs hanging around their necks and their heads were bowed with embarrassment and the whole thing was so heartbreaking that I was crying. With the money they collected they had their first meal in two days. It just boggles my mind that in a country as wealthy as America children can end up begging on the streets.