A wish for a special little girl! Catherine's Make a Wish trip! May 17th-23rd, 2010

[wishin' on a star]

So, the other day we went to the nature center. The kids had fun, climbed a little and skipped some rocks. The worst part is it's downhill all the way to the creek, and uphill all the way back. Here's a pic of them at the bottom. Catherine has a hard time keeping up on the hike, but I just try to slow them all down to make it easier for her. John is a big collector, so he carried around his happy meal box and stopped every two steps to pick up a rock or a stick for his box.

Today we started our official countdown to Disney!! 40 days!! The girls made a countdown chain. I used the links from one of the DISigners, Mel. It came out really cute!! My printer ran out of paper and black ink, so they used construction paper for the second half. Maybe we'll be able to fix it tomorrow if I get to pick up a new cartridge.

They're getting ready to go play in the hose...it's in the 90's here today. It's going to be back in the 60's by Friday, so they better enjoy the warm weather while they can.

I've also asked for some really cute invitations that a couple of the DISigners do, for some of our dinners, CRT, and the BBB. The kids will love "getting mail" at GKTW when they wake up each morning!

I also hope to make them each an autograph book, so I had them go through a character list today and pick their favorites, and the ones they hope to see the most. I really want to make a cute personalized book. I'm not always the craftiest, but we'll see how this project goes!

 

[xanphylus]

So, the other day we went to the nature center. The kids had fun, climbed a little and skipped some rocks. The worst part is it's downhill all the way to the creek, and uphill all the way back. Here's a pic of them at the bottom. Catherine has a hard time keeping up on the hike, but I just try to slow them all down to make it easier for her. John is a big collector, so he carried around his happy meal box and stopped every two steps to pick up a rock or a stick for his box.

I also hope to make them each an autograph book, so I had them go through a character list today and pick their favorites, and the ones they hope to see the most. I really want to make a cute personalized book. I'm not always the craftiest, but we'll see how this project goes!

Cute chain! I love how John "collects" things too! That's funny. I need to take my kiddos to the nature center here. But it's supposed to rain tomorrow- so I gotta find something indoors to do.

As for the autograph books- there are lots of cool pages on here to find and just print, take them to staples or office depot and have them bound together and wa la! Just look around and print out the most likely to be seen characters and a few of their favorites- and be sure to print out some of the basic Disney pages, so if they meet other characters not on their lists, they have somewhere to sign!!

 

[pacrosby]

Love the px! Isn't the weather just crazy??? We were well into the 80's today too Got a great start on the winter clean-up in the gardens.

Nice to have a rough itinerary. I'll try and forgive you for leaving out Universal/IOA

The chain is the cutest!

I made personalized autograph books for the kids for our trip. It was alot of work but I don't regret it for a minute. You've got plenty of time to experiment

 

[yinyanggirls]

My 4 yr old collects "treasures" everywhere she goes. It drives me nuts sometimes.

Hurray for 40 days! Cute chain too. The kids will have fun watching it get shorter!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Oh I love pictures on rocks, fences all things outdoors . They look like they were enjoying the nature center

I really like your chain. 40 days huh??? We still need to work on ours. It's been a little crazy around here the last week. And Im trying to hold Ty off just a little longer

The weather has been crazy here too. Yesterday in the upper 70's today in the lower 50's. It should really make up its mind soon

Oh yes I have a collector too and it is getting really annoying

 

[jessica52877]

Cute pictures from your hike! I hope to find a place around here that would be a good hike for Dallas. Now that he is 7 I think he can do some of the bigger park ones and the smaller parks all seem to hike to nowhere (usually around a campground).

Check your PM's too!

 

[Mtopher4]

I Love all of your Pictures.. the Easter hunt looked like loads of fun Easter here was Beautiful as well. And the Nature place.. I need to make a link chain .. Tomorrow we have one month to go.. woo hooo

 

[TTomlinson]

I'm still in the middle of reading your PTR but wanted to say grats on the wish trip! We should be there sometime around then, possibly that week but we don't know our dates yet... I will update you when I know Our Tyler wish kid has cardiac issues too but as a result of his Friedrich's Ataxia. It would be so cool to meet some other families while we are down there! Are you staying at GKTW? Like I said I'm still reading...

Hugs,
Tami

 

[wishin' on a star]

Love the px! Isn't the weather just crazy??? We were well into the 80's today too Got a great start on the winter clean-up in the gardens.

Nice to have a rough itinerary. I'll try and forgive you for leaving out Universal/IOA

The chain is the cutest!

I made personalized autograph books for the kids for our trip. It was alot of work but I don't regret it for a minute. You've got plenty of time to experiment

I'm going to try to put together some cute autograph books for them. I've really been scoping out ideas on the Creative DISigns board, and there are some really cute ideas over there! I'm not really a scrapper kind of person, but I like to imagine that I have a little craftiness (is that a word?!) in me!

My 4 yr old collects "treasures" everywhere she goes. It drives me nuts sometimes.

Hurray for 40 days! Cute chain too. The kids will have fun watching it get shorter!

Thanks! They each wrote their names on links so they know who's turn it is to tear off a link!

Oh I love pictures on rocks, fences all things outdoors . They look like they were enjoying the nature center

I really like your chain. 40 days huh??? We still need to work on ours. It's been a little crazy around here the last week. And Im trying to hold Ty off just a little longer

The weather has been crazy here too. Yesterday in the upper 70's today in the lower 50's. It should really make up its mind soon

Oh yes I have a collector too and it is getting really annoying

Before you know it, you will be making the final countdown! We're torn between getting really excited and having the trip be here, and not wanting it to be over, so we don't even want to count down yet!

John comes home with a lunch box full of sticks, acorns and rocks every day!

Cute pictures from your hike! I hope to find a place around here that would be a good hike for Dallas. Now that he is 7 I think he can do some of the bigger park ones and the smaller parks all seem to hike to nowhere (usually around a campground).

Check your PM's too!

We LOVE to hike, and all of our kids think it's so much fun. I got the PM... I willl post more on that in a minute!

I Love all of your Pictures.. the Easter hunt looked like loads of fun Easter here was Beautiful as well. And the Nature place.. I need to make a link chain .. Tomorrow we have one month to go.. woo hooo

Thanks! You're time is ticking away quickly!!

I'm still in the middle of reading your PTR but wanted to say grats on the wish trip! We should be there sometime around then, possibly that week but we don't know our dates yet... I will update you when I know Our Tyler wish kid has cardiac issues too but as a result of his Friedrich's Ataxia. It would be so cool to meet some other families while we are down there! Are you staying at GKTW? Like I said I'm still reading...

Hugs,
Tami

Hi Tami,
It takes a long time to catch up! I keep finding PTR's that I need to catch up on...I don't think I will ever get there!! That would be cool if we were there at the same time. We are staying at GKTW. We know of one other family who will be there at the same time. Congrats on getting a wish!

 

[wishin' on a star]

I am so excited to post that I got a PM yesterday and we were asked if we'd like to participate in the BIG GIVE!!! I am so humbled, and grateful for the generosity of those who contribute to the BIG GIVE. We are thrilled and so fortunate to be a part of such an amazing group.

Thank you, SO MUCH!!!!

 

[cajunfan]

Whoo Hoo for the BIG GIVE!

I also wanted to put my 2 cents in on the Tusker House Breakfast...this is one of our favorite meals...there is the traditional fare and some really really good non-traditional breakfast food (LOVED the Mealie Pap!). It can be a little loud in there, so just make sure eveyone knows that. But we really really like this meal...we started going to it because Donald is my son's favorite character...and it is now a "must do" on our trips

Lynn

 

[kellyw8863]

Congrats on the Big Give! The folks who participate are so truly generous. Being a part of it has added so much to our trip experience.

 

[xanphylus]

Hurray for the Big Give!!! I hope I can do this one!!! Can't wait to see all the cool stuff you will get- the kids will have a BLAST!!!! I am so glad me and DD started doing this together!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Yay for the BIG GIVE I can't wait to see all goodies to make your trip extra special

 

[kdzbear]

One more recent one of all 3!

I just found your report and you already have 5 pages! I am so jealous that you can go to Orioles games! I am a 6 hour round trip drive from KC, which is the closest ballpark I can see them at when they come to town to play. I miss Camden Yards!

Monday, May 17th
We haven't been given any information about airport transportation yet, except that they usually provide that. I guess it will be early, but not middle of the night early!
Depart Baltimore 9:45
Arrive Orlando 12:00
Get checked in to our villa, lunch, and spend the afternoon exploring GKTW.
5:30 Dinner at Portobello's Downtown Disney with Catherine's godparents (It was hard to find a reservation for something for all 9 of us!)

Tuesday, May 18th
Breakfast at GKTW. Hopefully catch the characters at GKTW as well before we head out for the day.
Epcot today.
We don't have any lunch reservations, so something counter service. Dinner at either San Angel Inn or Marakesh. Any opinions? I've read that the mexican fare at San Angel is not necessarily "traditional" tacos that my kids would eat? We thought the experience at Marrakesh with the belly dancers might be fun?
We'll most likely hang around and watch Illuminations that evening.
My kids loved Marrakesh and the belly dancers. We have also dined at the counter service restaurant and it is also excellent and the plates have enough food on them for two people!
Wednesday, May 19th
This is our BIG DAY!!!
Early b-fast at GKTW.
Magic Kingdom!!!!
THe girls will do the whole shabang package at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, while John hits the Pirate's League with Daddy. The pirate experience is wonderful! My 4 year old son and my 9 year old daughter did this! There are pictures in my trip report!Then we are having lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table at 1:20.
We have an ADR for dinner at Tony's for 5:50, so we'll have to see if we use that one or just grab something faster, later since we'll have had a late lunch. We kinda figured we were better safe than sorry with more ADR's in case the kids really need a break to sit down somewhere cool and relax, rather than eating on the run. Of course, we'll stay for Wishes that night.
Then we'll head back to GKTW, and hopefully sleep very well that night!!

Thursday, May 20th
Hopefully sneak in a couple of character visits at GKTW at 8:00 am.
Animal Kingdom!!
9:25 Character b-fast at Tusker House...Catherine really wants to see Daisy, and I think this is one of the few choices for that. Daisy is often just past the pillars of pictures before you get to Spaceship Earth (big ball) in Epcot. She is also on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom alot. Just ask a cast member where she is and if they don't know they will find out for you!
I have a lunch ADR at Rainforest Cafe, but I think we'll end up cancelling this one.
Back to GKTW for dinner and Christmas!!!

Friday, May 21st
Breakfast, character greetings at GKTW.
Then, over to DHS!
It's a Star Wars weekend, and John and Dave are VERY EXCITED!! If anyone has experienced this, and can share with me what to expect, how we can get chosen for something cool, etc. I think the park will be crowded this day, but we are just going to go for it anyway. They are changing the way that kids are selected to fight Darth Vader and Darth Maul again. I do not know what the new process is, but you might ask if they know at GKTW. We were told that we were supposed to have a pass in our welcome packet for it, but we stayed on Disney property and not at GKTW.

12:30 50's Primetime Cafe This restaurant has great food. The portion sizes here are also large enough to share! I think the fried chicken platter came with 3 pieces of chicken.
Dinner, not sure. We have an ADR at Mama Melrose's for 7:15, but we want to do Fantasmic, and I think we will be done with dinner too late. Couldn't get one of the reservations for the combo deal where you can eat and then have guaranteed seating at Fantasmic. I think we will end up eating something quick, and making sure we get seats at Fantasmic. We had a package once and canceled it. Normally, they can fit you in without a problem. If you have a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) it should help too.

Saturday, May 22nd
We're not sure yet. I think the kids would like to do the horseback riding at GKTW. We may try to do Universal this day, but we really aren't sure. It's our last full day in Orlando. We may just plan for a relaxing day at GKTW, enjoy the pool, maybe go to the boardwalk or Downtown Disney. Mayor Clayton's b-day party is that evening, so we'll definitely be back for that.

Sunday, May 23rd
Departure day...
There's nothing on the GKTW schedule for that morning. I'm sure we'll be packing, etc.
Depart Orlando 2:55
Arrive Baltimore 5:15...home for a good night's rest, and back to school Monday!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Hurray for the Big Give! It will be so fun for the kids to get surprises in the mail!

 

[wishin' on a star]

Whoo Hoo for the BIG GIVE!

I also wanted to put my 2 cents in on the Tusker House Breakfast...this is one of our favorite meals...there is the traditional fare and some really really good non-traditional breakfast food (LOVED the Mealie Pap!). It can be a little loud in there, so just make sure eveyone knows that. But we really really like this meal...we started going to it because Donald is my son's favorite character...and it is now a "must do" on our trips

Lynn

Yay! I'm so glad to hear this. I think we are okay with loud. As Catherine has started school, some of her sensory issues have definitely improved, but thanks for the heads up. This is the only character breakfast we booked, and I'm really excited about it!

Congrats on the Big Give! The folks who participate are so truly generous. Being a part of it has added so much to our trip experience.

Hurray for the Big Give!!! I hope I can do this one!!! Can't wait to see all the cool stuff you will get- the kids will have a BLAST!!!! I am so glad me and DD started doing this together!

Yay for the BIG GIVE I can't wait to see all goodies to make your trip extra special

Yes, we can't wait either!!! What a generous group of people!!

I just found your report and you already have 5 pages! I am so jealous that you can go to Orioles games! I am a 6 hour round trip drive from KC, which is the closest ballpark I can see them at when they come to town to play. I miss Camden Yards!

THanks for coming over and checking out my PTR!! I started reading your reports this morning, too.

DH and I actually just went to Opening Day at Camden Yards on Friday! The kids spent the day with grandma and grandpa while we watched the O's lose. Hubby is a big baseball fan, so it was a great treat for him...even though they lost!

You gave me some great advice on our itinerary! I'm glad for the good report on Marrakesh! DH and I are hoping it will be fun for the kids! Ooooh, and finding Daisy will be a big hit for Catherine!

You mentioned that you miss Camden Yards. Did you live in the area? My brother actually lives in KC! I LOVE it there!

 

[wishin' on a star]

Okay, so like everyone else, it seems like you hear a lot of things from your wish granter early on, get dates, and then they leave you wondering for a while about what comes next.

We were told that they "usually" take care of airport transportation, so not to worry about that. So, I'm not making any plans for that.

Part of Catherine's wish was to meet Sleeping Beauty. We have no idea if they will have something in store for that, but we booked BBB and CRT on our own. We have to make plans, right? We book all of these ADR's based on certain days at each park, but we'll just be flexible if they do arrange something special for us.

BUT...I am hopeful that maybe we will have news sooner rather than later for our trip!! Our wish granter sent me an e-mail asking if we were free on the April 23 for a wish party. Sure, we're free!

But... Just us? Are others invited? It's less than two weeks away, and my parents will be out of town then. If others are invited and Grandma and Grandpa have to miss it, Catherine will be sad (so will they!).

Has anyone else had a wish party, and what did it entail? I know every chapter is different, so I guess I'm just curious. I'm wondering if maybe it's just our family and our wish granters. I sent her another e-mail asking these questions, so we'll see what she says.

Have a great day. All of the spring sports started this weekend...Soccer and t-ball yesterday, DH is playing in his "old man" baseball league this morning, and Carmella and John have another soccer game this afternoon. Ahhhh, the joys of a busy spring!

 

[kellyw8863]

Okay, so like everyone else, it seems like you hear a lot of things from your wish granter early on, get dates, and then they leave you wondering for a while about what comes next.

We were told that they "usually" take care of airport transportation, so not to worry about that. So, I'm not making any plans for that.

Part of Catherine's wish was to meet Sleeping Beauty. We have no idea if they will have something in store for that, but we booked BBB and CRT on our own. We have to make plans, right? We book all of these ADR's based on certain days at each park, but we'll just be flexible if they do arrange something special for us.

BUT...I am hopeful that maybe we will have news sooner rather than later for our trip!! Our wish granter sent me an e-mail asking if we were free on the April 23 for a wish party. Sure, we're free!

But... Just us? Are others invited? It's less than two weeks away, and my parents will be out of town then. If others are invited and Grandma and Grandpa have to miss it, Catherine will be sad (so will they!).

Has anyone else had a wish party, and what did it entail? I know every chapter is different, so I guess I'm just curious. I'm wondering if maybe it's just our family and our wish granters. I sent her another e-mail asking these questions, so we'll see what she says.

Have a great day. All of the spring sports started this weekend...Soccer and t-ball yesterday, DH is playing in his "old man" baseball league this morning, and Carmella and John have another soccer game this afternoon. Ahhhh, the joys of a busy spring!

For us, what started as a wish party with cake and all turned into dropping off all the information on the fly, so I really can't help you there, but I know there are people on here from other chapters that do the party and hopefully will chime in. How exciting that things are moving forward!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Hello! My daughter Selah got her wish to go to WDW last year. I'm not sure if our chapter does wish parties either. But our wish granters came to our house last year with a very cute little princess back pack that has a handle and is on wheels! Perfect carry on for her on the plane. They came with balloons and cookies/cupcakes! So that may be how they do things here in PA? I'm not sure if that's how the chapter does it or if it was just our wish granters. Now my son Chase is getting a wish! We haven't got our dates yet but I know they did tell him that they are coming back to visit him before he goes away on his big trip!

I'd like to hear about the wish parties too! Sounds like a great idea!