A WISH for Cold Tea? Ana's aMAWzing Disney Trip! 12/1-12/7 ~Last Entry~ p.127

[that's nice]

I wouldn't either... that's awesome. And that Candyland theme play area... nice. Of course I still love playing Candyland with my Annie.

Hey, you kept reading!

Juliana still likes Candyland but she doesn't seem to like Trouble too much.

What a nice looking place.

It was! I wouldn't mind a house that looked like that!

HOW AWESOME!! Very nice.

Kathy & Marv really took care of us.

What a great update... but still need to read more. I will catch up. I will catch up. I will catch up....

Take your time... FYI... there will be another update in a little while.

 

[stopher1]

My princesses.

Such an adorable little angel. My goodness. Sweetness.

Before I go any further, you should know that GKTW runs by donations from individuals as well as companies. In 2008, Hasbro introduced a My Little Pony called Twinkle Hope with all the proceeds going to GKTW. They also have donated money and toys to GKTW. You can read about the spa and Twinkle hope HERE. [/quote]

And such an amazing place it is. I've known of, and donated to them several times over the past few years, but never knew anyone who has stayed there. It is nice to read of your trip and be able to see it "second hand" like this. A co-worker out of our CA office in mid-2010 was raising funds for GKTW and wanted to present them with a check when he and his wife went to WDW this past October (normally he raises funds for the Children's Hospital of Orange County out there, but this time it was for GKTW). They don't have kids of their own, he just believes in what they do. They walked in on that trip and gave a check for $5,000 +/- just based on donations he raised throughout the summer. And of course the DDC had our own little fund raiser last year... how great to see. Thanks so much for sharing your trip this way.

If you look up inside the Gingerbread house, you will see thousands of dolls that were donated from Wish families back to GKTW. They line the entire ceiling.

What an amazing view. Now that's Nice!

 

[stopher1]

Well, when you spend every other week at WDW, it must be hard to keep up!

Actually you're forgetting about Disneyland too. DON'T leave out Disneyland!

 

[stopher1]

Hey, you kept reading!

Juliana still likes Candyland but she doesn't seem to like Trouble too much.

Yeah... just not as soon as I had hoped.

Sadly Annie has gotten bored with Candyland and the like, but we still play them "for daddy". She actually loves Scrabble Jr. and Blockus now - but will indulge me from time to time. But of course she then HAS to win. She still hates it if she gets stuck in the swamp, or goes all the way back to Mr. Mint.

 

[that's nice]

After spending the afternoon in Epcot, we were on the monorail on our way to the Magic Kingdom. I felt the anticipation building. There is something special when you walk onto Main St. and you see the castle for the first time.... (to me anyway). Maybe I look forward to that because when we went on our first trip, that was the moment when I was bitten by the Disney bug- just seeing the joy in Juliana's face was priceless.

Anyway, we were going to the Magic Kingdom this night for MVMCP!

We entered all the way to the right with our party ticket in hand to get our special bracelet for the party. Do you know what is on the other side of this train station?

This!

We stopped on Main St. for a few photopass pics.

It was about 5pm and since we didn't have lunch we figured it would be a good time to grab something to eat. Plus we wouldn't be wasting time at the party to eat. We started to make our way over to Cosmic Rays but we stopped for another PP picture. Hey, Squirt even made this picture!

We loved how the MK was decorated for Christmas.

I know I had a burger at Cosmic Ray's but I don't remember what Melody and Juliana had... well, I know Juliana had apple slices...

I was in contact with another DISer, Dave (DisDad'sClub member), who was in MK with his family that evening as well. He was heading over to Crystal Palace for dinner with his family before they left the park for the evening. He came to meet us at Cosmic Ray's with his daughter.

See, I told you Juliana had apple slices.....

We only talked for a few minutes because he had to get to his ADR but it was great meeting someone you 'see' around the boards.

We finished up dinner and headed over to the hub to see one of our 'must do's' of the trip- see the castle lighting.

While we were waiting....

At Christmas time there is a show every evening at 6:15pm to get the castle Christmas lights lit. This is Disney, you didn't think they would just flip a switch, did ya? (I have a short video of it that I will post later in this TR) As we watched the show, we were in awe of how beautiful the castle looked with the lights on. Pictures don't do it justice but this is the final product.

I think we stood in the hub for 5 minutes just staring at the castle. It was that good. I had no plan for the evening besides watching the parade and to be back in the hub to watch Holiday Wishes. I asked Juliana what she wanted to do and she said 'The Pirates Ride' That sounded good to me! We walked through Adventureland and went on a quest to see if indeed Jack Sparrow would end up with the treasure.

Up next... The Party, Characters, we aren't leaving early... are we?

 

[that's nice]

Such an adorable little angel. My goodness. Sweetness.

Thank you!

And such an amazing place it is. I've known of, and donated to them several times over the past few years, but never knew anyone who has stayed there. It is nice to read of your trip and be able to see it "second hand" like this. A co-worker out of our CA office in mid-2010 was raising funds for GKTW and wanted to present them with a check when he and his wife went to WDW this past October (normally he raises funds for the Children's Hospital of Orange County out there, but this time it was for GKTW). They don't have kids of their own, he just believes in what they do. They walked in on that trip and gave a check for $5,000 +/- just based on donations he raised throughout the summer. And of course the DDC had our own little fund raiser last year... how great to see. Thanks so much for sharing your trip this way.

Wow... what a great way to donate a check. GKTW is a worthwhile organization. I think they told us that there are only 15 full time payroll workers. The rest of the staff are all volunteers. What they do for each family is amazing and they have about 175 villas that are full most of the time. I hope we can get another DDC fundraiser together for GKTW. Plus have you seen the DIS has joined the fundraising effort to raise 1 million dollars?

http://www.powerof10.us/

What an amazing view. Now that's Nice!

Yes, it is NICE!

Actually you're forgetting about Disneyland too. DON'T leave out Disneyland!

Sorry about that... I have an East Coast mind.

Sadly Annie has gotten bored with Candyland and the like, but we still play them "for daddy". She actually loves Scrabble Jr. and Blockus now - but will indulge me from time to time. But of course she then HAS to win. She still hates it if she gets stuck in the swamp, or goes all the way back to Mr. Mint.

The most important time is spending the time with her no matter what game you play.

 

[All7OfUs]

I like just hanging around the castle too, just because. Do we need any other reason?? Just because it feels good and we enjoy it- and maybe more importantly because our kids love it!

Throw in a DISMeet and a Pirates ride, well, hey, don't get ANY better than that!!!!

I have a good feeling there's a whole lot more fun on its way!!!

 

[dizneeat]

There isn't anything better than Disney at Christmas time and the castle all lit up!!

Hey, and what better way to start off the party than with a DISmeet and Pirates .............

and I hope you stayed until the VERY end of the party! It is so much fun! Did you get cookies and hot chocolate?

Memories, memories, memories ..............

 

[marvali]

An update!!! Now if we can only get Marv to post one........

After spending the afternoon in Epcot, we were on the monorail on our way to the Magic Kingdom. I felt the anticipation building. There is something special when you walk onto Main St. and you see the castle for the first time....

Totally agree! MK is the first place we headed on our recent trip, and the castle, especially at night, is a thing of beauty even after seeing it so many times! I still love to stand and watch the lights change color, and then the fireworks and music that goes along with it!!! You may get to read my thoughts when we were there in my TR hopefully before March rolls around......

Anyway, we were going to the Magic Kingdom this night for MVMCP!

Would love to do this sometime, but it is usually gone by the time we make it there after Christmas.

We stopped on Main St. for a few photopass pics.

Great pictures! Juliana looks so beautiful and Christmasie in her dress. I can't believe any of those other people in the background didn't dress for the occasion like she did!!!

We loved how the MK was decorated for Christmas.

I think WDW is an even MORE magical place with all of the Christmas decorations and lights!!!

I don't remember what Melody and Juliana had... well, I know Juliana had apple slices...

I was in contact with another DISer, Dave (DisDad'sClub member), who was in MK with his family that evening as well. He was heading over to Crystal Palace for dinner with his family before they left the park for the evening. He came to meet us at Cosmic Ray's with his daughter.

See, I told you Juliana had apple slices.....

for a DISmeet, and I think it is really cool how Princess Juliana knew you wouldn't remember everything about the trip and took the opportunity to stage this little reminder for you!!!

At Christmas time there is a show every evening at 6:15pm to get the castle Christmas lights lit. This is Disney, you didn't think they would just flip a switch, did ya? (I have a short video of it that I will post later in this TR) As we watched the show, we were in awe of how beautiful the castle looked with the lights on. Pictures don't do it justice but this is the final product.

It is definitely a spectacular sight!!!

I think we stood in the hub for 5 minutes just staring at the castle. It was that good. I had no plan for the evening besides watching the parade and to be back in the hub to watch Holiday Wishes. I asked Juliana what she wanted to do and she said 'The Pirates Ride' That sounded good to me!

The kid has good taste! She must take after Mel.......

 

[lovealldisney]

This picture is so adorable! I have been lurking and enjoying thanks for sharing. I have been so touched by Juliana and her story. I work in Radiation and Oncology it just breaks my heart when they bring the little ones here for treatment. We have only one doctor here that will treat children and he is so amazing with the kids and their families. I give him so much credit because I don't think I would be able to do what he does. Thanks for sharing this incredable trip.

 

[carissanboys]

While I'm glad I got to see some holiday decorations during my trip, I still want to see the castle covered in lights one day.

Cool that you were able to sneak in a short Dis meet.

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Don't you just love it when kids are in their happy place?

Hey, Squirt even made this picture!

I love me some squirt!

See, I told you Juliana had apple slices.....

We only talked for a few minutes because he had to get to his ADR but it was great meeting someone you 'see' around the boards.
I can't wait to have my first DIS meet!

Up next... The Party, Characters, we aren't leaving early... are we?

Duh duh duh......you are the king of cliffhangers, aren't you?? I think Glen or Marv should give this title to you.

 

[dvczerfs]

nice update tim! i love the pics of juliana!what a ham!! that was a good idea, getting the eating part out of the way. again, sorry i wasnt feeling to well that night, i dont even remember eating at the cp that night. im sure we will be down there again at the same time and we will have to hang out longer. briana thought juliana was adorable and with everthing that was going on, i forgot to tell briana juliana story. i filled her in the next day.shes glad juliana is doing better! it was great meeting up with you guys and for you readers, if you never met tim and his family, they are very nice people and it was a pleasure meeting them. cant wait to read how the party went!

 

[LilAnn]

Juliana just takes the cutest pics! I love that we are getting to see some of the Big Give outfits "in action." I hope to see the castle all lit up one day, it looks amazing!

I love the Pirates ride, but alas, my DD was traumatized by the little drop last year (she's only 3 now). Such a great ride!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Do you know what is on the other side of this train station?

Probably just some Florida swampland. Looks like it's in the middle of nowhere.

This!

Wow! I never would have guessed! What'd you say the name of this place is?

Love this shot! Everyone looks great.

Wow...I have GOT to get down there for Christmas one of these years.

Glad you and Dave got to meet up!

 

[jenseib]

You guys got some great photopass pictures

 

[jj0plin]

Great update! Love the pictures, especially the family ones in front of the castle!

 

[smileycrissy]

I love her solo picture in front of the castle she is so adorable. And you guys have some beautiful family shots too.

Doesn't your mouth drop when you see the castle with the icicle lights on the castle. It is sooo beautiful.

Did you guys (Tim and all your fans ) see the new promo for Memories (or Let the Memories begin or whatever they are calling it) with the castle? Someone posted a you tube video on the Theme parks board. It is amazing and so impressive! I told DF we NEED to see this in person asap. LOL.

 

[TarzansKat]

The Pirates Ride! A girl after my own heart.

I don't know if someone has asked this already, but what were the temps like that day? I see you in short sleeves and the ladies in long sleeves, so I'm just curious.

Trust me, you're not the only one who gets "that" feeling when you walk onto Main Street and see the castle for the first time. No matter how many times I've seen it, I still get that feeling, and it's wonderful. It's magic.

 

[mommy2mrb]

love the castle lights and the princess! she looked so cute in her holiday dress!

our dream is to be in the world someday for Christmas, did DLR twice, but need to get to the world too!