A Wish to see Cinderella's Castle--DD's MAW trip

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

We headed back on the train and decided to eat at Pizzafari. Holy long line! MIL sat with the girls outside while DH and I go the food. MIL and I split a sandwich, it was big and good!! We wanted to catch the Lion King show but we just missed one when we got there, so we waited for the 2:00 show. We decided to see Mickey in his Safari outfit….

Minnie in hers……

And Donald in his ranger outfit….

Koryn was still asking me about Timon. So I went up to a CM outside the Lion King show and asked her if she knew if he was going to be out. CM’s can call a certain number and see if a particular character is going to be out. She didn’t know if he was going to be out or not. She noticed the Make-A-Wish button and asked if we were coming to the 2:00 show. I said we were so she told me to come back at 1:35 and she would take us in through the exit so we could be right up front!! We went and wandered around a little while we waited. I went to one of those carts that sell items and asked the CM there if she could call about Timon. She did and it was a no go, he was not going to be out that day. (I promised...remember) I told Koryn that he had the day off today, except for the show and the parade. She was ok with it. While we were looking the CM that told us to come back early found us and told me that she had a surprise for us after the show. What???? Ok….I didn’t know what it was, but ok!!!! We headed back over and made sure everyone had pottied before we went in to the show. We got to sit right up front. Koryn and myself sat in the first row, DH, MIL and Karmyn sat in the second row. The CM came over and told me that she had arranged for a private meet with Timon after the show!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!! I did not tell Koryn because I wanted it to be a surprise.

We were waiting for the show and some CM’s came over and asked the kids next to us if they wanted to help with the hand jive. They said no so they asked Koryn if she wanted to. She actually said yes! Granted, she couldn’t do it very well, but she still did it. She went around to all four sections with the CM’s and “taught” the audience how to do it.

She did very well and was very excited when she came back and sat down. The girls did ok during the show. Karmyn didn’t seem to be fazed by the loudness of it, Koryn on the other hand was. Throughout the show I had just Koryn on my lap, then both on my lap, then just Karmyn on my lap…talk about a three ring circus!! Right before all the floats were to head out a different CM came over and told us to follow her. Ok….so out we went into a little walkway area and were told to wait here. I still hadn’t told Koryn what we were doing. Out came Timon, and the first thing she said to me was…see he doesn’t have the day off mom!!! She was extremely excited to see Timon!!! Of course when it came to going up to him, I had to hold her, but that was ok. She got his autograph and we got to interact with him for probably a good five minutes. I thanked them profusely for what they did for Koryn. Again…she was smiling from ear to ear. My heart was just so full of the magic that Disney had just given my family.

Here are some pics…..

Blowing Timon a kiss....

We went and got our photopass picture taken in front of the tree on the way to find a spot for the parade. We found what I thought was a pretty good spot for the parade. MIL waited with the strollers while we went and found Pooh and friends….

When we got back, MIL did a little shopping until the parade was just about to start. I was sitting on the ground right next to Koryn (who was in the rented stroller) when a mother shoved her two boys right next to Koryn. There was NOT room for them…..but they made room. They stood up next to the rope and blocked pretty much any view Koryn would have had. I loudly told Koryn to scoot forward in her stroller…why she asked…so that you can see since these boys are blocking your view. Did the mother do anything…nope…the boys scooted forward. I even suggested to the boys that they could sit down. Nope….nothing. I don’t mind making room for other little ones, if the parents have politely asked if there is room, not if the kids get shoved up at the last minute when there is not any room in the first place. We ended up standing up and being able to see the parade ok. Ok…enough on that tangent.

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

We headed out of AK after the parade because I wanted to attend the nightly activities at GKTW. We arrived at GKTW around 5 to find more gifts waiting for the girls in the villa. Koryn wanted to find her star in the castle so that is where we headed. I actually did see where it was at. MIL and DH did not see it at that time, but I did point it out to them a different day. Koryn wanted to ride the carousel again.

We probably rode a couple times at least. We went and ate a very good supper at the GH and then headed back to the castle for Christmas!! Every Thursday night is Christmas at GKTW. Outside there are volunteers handing out bears to every child. In the castle, Santa was there visiting. Koryn wanted nothing to do with him. They also have gifts in the castle that the kids get to choose from. Karmyn picked out a baby and Koryn picked out a kitty. There were a couple things that I saw that I really wanted Koryn to pick out…but of course they were for the older kids (that includes me right???).

I was really hoping to find Kirsten (Momto2wCF) at the party, but we never did find her. We went on the sleigh ride around the village and then went to have ice cream. Yummy!!! We met a family with a daughter close to Koryn’s age on the sleigh ride, we ended up seeing them again while we were eating our ice cream in the big bowls outside. We watched the little parade that they have and then Koryn and the other little girl hit it off and played for awhile.

After the Christmas party we headed back to the villa. The girls had baths and I soaked in the Jacuzzi tub for awhile. Do you think I could have 15 minutes of peace and quiet while I bathed? No, of course not. Jeez, you think DH and MIL could have occupied them for at least that long!! Then it was off to bed!

Where to tomorrow????…..EPCOT!!

 

[DL55]

What an exciting day! You saw so many characters. The meet with Timon was a wonderful example of Disney magic. Of course you can't get through a trip (or sometimes even a day) without some rude people.
Enjoying your pictures.

 

[DisneyLaura]

Let me tell you, I tear up everytime I read on of your posts. I love that your DD got to meet Timon. How wonderful. I also have one question, where is the place you are staying at? I forgot the name of it but I know you do initials, forgot them too. Must be my age

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

What an exciting day! You saw so many characters. The meet with Timon was a wonderful example of Disney magic. Of course you can't get through a trip (or sometimes even a day) without some rude people.
Enjoying your pictures.

The meet with Timon was very cool. Koryn enjoyed it tremendously!

Let me tell you, I tear up everytime I read on of your posts. I love that your DD got to meet Timon. How wonderful. I also have one question, where is the place you are staying at? I forgot the name of it but I know you do initials, forgot them too. Must be my age

GKTW=Give Kids the World VERY cool place to stay. Check out www.gktw.org It is a place just for wish families to stay. When we first started the Wish process, I had wanted to stay on Disney property. After talking to other wish trip families and reading about GKTW, I changed my mind. And, boy, am I glad I did!!!!!!!

 

[DisneyLaura]

That place sure looks great, I checked out the site and from the pictures you have posted looks beautiful.

 

[snowwhite325]

I just found your TR and wanted to let you know that it brings tears to my eyes I am so glad your DD was able to get her wish

 

[5dwarves]

From what I can see, I think your MIL has a thing for Goofy. How awesome that you had such a magical time with Timon. I am also very impressed with the large number of characters a little girl who is afraid of characters took pictures with. Very cool!

 

[Iowaswete]

Hiya from a fellow Iowan (W'loo area). Love your TR so far. Cant wait to read more.

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

That place sure looks great, I checked out the site and from the pictures you have posted looks beautiful.

It is a very beautiful place. There was magic all around! All the workers and volunteers were great. GKTW relys mainly on volunteers to help run it every day. Just amazing.

I just found your TR and wanted to let you know that it brings tears to my eyes I am so glad your DD was able to get her wish

and thank you

From what I can see, I think your MIL has a thing for Goofy. How awesome that you had such a magical time with Timon. I am also very impressed with the large number of characters a little girl who is afraid of characters took pictures with. Very cool!

I agree Goofy and MIL do have something going on!! Just wait...there are more characters comin'!!

Hiya from a fellow Iowan (W'loo area). Love your TR so far. Cant wait to read more.

Hi Neighbor!!!! I am only about 1.5 hrs away from ya! I went to UNI and Happywife grew up there. I have family in the area also. Oh and I'l be shopping there next Friday!!!

Just to let you know....I am working on the next installment. However, I have been trying to clean my house because I have almost 40 people coming to my house Sunday for my nephew's baptism!! Hopefully tomorrow or Fri! Thanks for hanging in there!!

 

[LeeLee2U]

O.k. I'm bawling. First because of what that Cm Did with Timon was just so sweet and 2nd because I'm reliving all the feelings I had during our trip. It's magical enough when it happens to anybody, but when it's one of our WISH kids I just can't explain. All of you WISH tripper parents know what I mean. I'm crying in happiness for ya'll and how awesome your DD did with all the characters. We didn't get any pics with any characters our day at AK! Didn't get any photopass either that day. I don't know what was wrong with us!!! But we did get to meet another WISH family and that was cool!!
Can't wait for your next update!!! And good luck with all those people in your house!!!!!!

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

O.k. I'm bawling. First because of what that Cm Did with Timon was just so sweet and 2nd because I'm reliving all the feelings I had during our trip. It's magical enough when it happens to anybody, but when it's one of our WISH kids I just can't explain. All of you WISH tripper parents know what I mean. I'm crying in happiness for ya'll and how awesome your DD did with all the characters. We didn't get any pics with any characters our day at AK! Didn't get any photopass either that day. I don't know what was wrong with us!!! But we did get to meet another WISH family and that was cool!!
Can't wait for your next update!!! And good luck with all those people in your house!!!!!!

Thanks Leah!! Timon was great! I am just about ready for company. There are a few things I won't be able to do until right before everyone comes. Update coming up........

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Everyone was up early again today. Gotta like those early risers!! We headed to breakfast at 8 and of course had to ride the carousel again after we ate. I think it was three times this morning. We mailed postcards at the House of Hearts that we had bought yesterday at AK. Koryn was excited to tell everyone at home what we had been doing so the postcards were the way to go. She thought they were so cool. Then we were off to EPCOT.

We got our stroller and headed in. The first stop we made was at guest relations. DH and I were planning on using leftover days on our old passes for the extra two days that we were going to be there on this trip. I thought we had two days each left on our passes. Lo and behold we had four!!! Woohoo!! Talk about a bonus!! Then we headed towards Nemo!! Koryn likes this movie, but for some reason she always cries at the end. Not happy tears…sad ones…..who knows why. We all hopped on the ride and loved it!! Koryn kept going…where’s Nemo??? Over and over again. We went and looked around after the ride and found the fish tanks. Of course we HAD to find Nemo. I wanted to see Turtle Talk with Crush. The last time DH and I were there we never made it there. DH decided to take Karmyn outside because she was getting tired. So, Koryn, MIL and myself went in. It was very good!!! What technology!!! The interaction with the audience was great.

We found DH and Karmyn outside, Karmyn had fallen asleep. So, MIL, Koryn and I went to The Land. I thought MIL would enjoy the Living with the Land ride so we headed there. Koryn likes the whole boat ride aspect of these rides. She did think the Mickey head pumpkins were pretty cool. I really wanted MIL to experience Soarin’. With DH being outside with Karmyn, I knew we were going to have to do a swap with Koryn since she is not tall enough to ride. (I wanted to ride it too) We went and talked to the CM. For us to do the swap, it was basically going to be a half hour each for us to do it….so an hour to keep Koryn entertained and make DH wait….we decided not to ride. I was kind of bummed but oh well.

(just realized that the next set of photos are all photopass...so I will post them when I get them)

We made a detour through Character Connection and Koryn saw Mickey & Minnie….


Pluto and Goofy


And Chip & Dale….C & D thought Koryn was pretty funny because she started dancing to the music playing before she got up to them to get their autograph. So they started dancing with her!!!


As soon as we were out, Koryn asked where Donald was. Oy! Now we had to find him.

We headed to the world showcase next. We paused in Mexico but didn’t go in. Karmyn was still sleeping and DH & MIL decided they didn’t need to go in. I knew Donald Duck showed up here in his Mexican attire so I asked a CM and found out that he would be out in around 30 minutes. So we headed to Norway. We are of Norwegian decent and our town has a Scandinavian fest every summer. We decided to get some pastries for lunch. My DH tends to go overboard, so trust me when I say it was enough for us to eat for lunch. After we ate, we headed in to the ride. We did bypass the movie on the way out. I didn’t think the girls would sit through that.

Then it was back to Mexico and Donald….

Koryn was very excited to have found him!!!

We headed to China next. Koryn and daddy did a Kidcot connection mask while we waited for Mulan and Mushu. Mulan came out first and she spent quite a few minutes with Koryn………

Mushu came out about 15 minutes later…..

We headed over to Germany and Koryn loved to look at the model train set. DH got his second, or was it third, beer here. He didn’t get one at each stop…but he did well…good thing I was driving! We headed to Morocco in hopes of catching Aladdin and Jasmine…another of Koryn’s favorites. Luckily we found them!

We were heading back to Future World when we ran across Kenai and Koda at Canada….

We looked around in both Innoventions East and West and then did a little shopping. We headed back to GKTW around 4:30. I had to go to the House of Hearts to get a new GAC for Koryn. I had lost our first one somewhere around China. I just happened to stop by for ice cream on the way back to the villa. We decided to order pizza tonight since catfish (blech) was on the menu. The pizza was pretty good!! Then we all rested before the Pirate and Princess Party. Karmyn and DH stayed at the villa so that DH could put Karmyn to bed at a decent time. Koryn, MIL, & I were early for the party so Koryn wanted to ride the carousel, again! Then we went in to the castle so that I could show MIL where Koryn’s star was.

At the Pirate and Princess Party, the girls all get to become princesses and the boys all become pirates. They have face painting, pirated goody bags to fill, and other stations. Koryn did not want to wear her Cinderella dress to the party, which was ok, she wasn’t the only one not dressed up. They did give out tiaras to all the girls becoming princesses.

We wandered into the Amberville Train Station while the party was going on. Koryn walked around and pushed all the buttons to get everything going. It was a very neat set-up.

Then she noticed the train that we could ride, so we went for a ride. She didn’t want to sit in the engine. She wanted to sit by herself and told mommy, I be ok. I sat in front of her and MIL was in the back. Koryn had to turn around once during the ride and ask grandma if she was doing ok!

We came back in and played with the train set again. When we went outside, Shamu was out there, so we got our pic taken with him……

It started to sprinkle, so they started the coronation of the princesses and pirates early. I videotaped it, so I do not have many photos. I have the end photo of when they were trying to get a group photo…that was a task and I don’t think any one got a good pic.

After it was all done, Koryn was all excited because she was a princess now! We stopped for ice cream on the way back to the villa. Yummy!!!

We all got to bed at a decent time, which was good because we all needed a good nights sleep!!

Where to tomorrow? Seaworld!!!!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Great update. You saw a lot of characters in EPCOT. I only saw Belle and The Beast in France and Winnie and friends in UK. Very cool.

 

[LeeLee2U]

Another GREAT update!!!! And SO many characters!!! How many Akutograph books did you use??
Your pics are priceless! Sorry you didn't get to ride Soarin though. I think that was one of Braetons favorites. He still talks about how he was able to "fly". Oh Well maybe next time. See that gives you a reason to have to have another trip!!!!
I love these updates! You are doing such a great job!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

What a wonderful trip report! Your kids are just so adoreable!!

Karin

 

[DL55]

Your children must be character magnets!

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Great update. You saw a lot of characters in EPCOT. I only saw Belle and The Beast in France and Winnie and friends in UK. Very cool.

We did!!! I looked for Rabbit in UK...saw him there the last time my DH and I were there....he wasn't out. I forgot to look for Marie also. oh well..next time!!

Another GREAT update!!!! And SO many characters!!! How many Akutograph books did you use??
Your pics are priceless! Sorry you didn't get to ride Soarin though. I think that was one of Braetons favorites. He still talks about how he was able to "fly". Oh Well maybe next time. See that gives you a reason to have to have another trip!!!!
I love these updates! You are doing such a great job!!!!

I love characters so I am glad Koryn decided to warm up to them. I didn't use autograph books. I made a clipboard and tags, for the characters to sign. I will post a pic of them when I get a chance. They turned out really neat so I am hoping it will look awesome when I finally put them in a scrapbook!

Having an "excuse" to go back sounds good to me!!!

What a wonderful trip report! Your kids are just so adoreable!!

Karin

Welcome and thanks!!!

Your children must be character magnets!

It helps that mommy is a character seeker. If they are out...I will find them!! I just love the interaction that they provide, whether it be with kids or adults (like myself ).




Thanks for staying with me... I may not get an update up until later this week, or early next week. Hope every one has a safe holiday weekend....and don't eat too much!!!

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

sorry for the delay....I think I have too many things on my plate I will try and do better in the future. Here is SeaWorld.....

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

We were all up early again and at the Gingerbread House by 8:00 for breakfast. I was really getting used to these nice big filling breakfasts!!! I was going to be so sad going back to my lonely sad bowl of cereal each morning!!! Koryn rode the carousel a couple more times before we headed out. (see a pattern here…eat, ride…eat, ride) We were at Seaworld by 9. Koryn’s GKTW button got us in to the handicapped parking area. We got a REALLY good parking spot!! We headed toward the stingrays first. Koryn loved looking at these. She wouldn’t touch one though.

Then we headed over to the dolphins. They have changed this since the last time we were there. They now have it roped off so that those who are willing to pay for food have a separate area away from just the onlookers. This way there is more interaction with those feeding than with those just watching. The SeaWorld worker (what do I call them…I’m so used to CM!!!) saw us and walked us around to the exit and told us that since we were with MAW, we got one free dish of fish. We decided to buy one also. DH held Koryn and DMIL had Karmyn. I decided to videotape this because the interaction with the dolphins is so much fun!! Koryn would not feed any of the fish to the dolphins, DH fed them. She wouldn’t touch these either. That’s ok…it took me until this trip to touch them myself!!!! We were all done feeding the dolphins and just basically enjoying them when one of the trainers came over and had one of the dolphins interact with Koryn and DH. He had the dolphin talk, answer yes, and wave its fin. Koryn loved it! (so did the rest of us!) I am glad I got it on video!! Here is the one picture that I did get of a dolphin.

Of course, me being the videotaper, I am the only one that got wet when one of the dolphins decided to splash as it left. Figures.

Then we walked around and saw the manatees, alligators, and penguins. Koryn saw the baby alligators and had to get down to “their” level and talk to them.

Then we went and fed the sea lions. DH and I love the sea lions! I could stand there and watch them for a long time. They are a hoot. Again, Koryn would not touch the fish, so DH fed them. But, she did tell daddy which ones to feed!!!

After that we went to the Clyde and Seamore show. LOVE this show. It is so cute. We got there in plenty of time so we were able to watch the mime ahead of time. He is VERY entertaining!! (I am not going to tell you what he does…don’t want to spoil it for those of you who may see him in the future!)

We headed to Captain Pete’s to eat lunch and then headed off to the Trick-or-Treat Trail. I love visiting the parks this time of year!!! Koryn was worried about not being able to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween (we weren’t getting home until late on the 31st…shd had nothing to worry about!!) Along the trail there are stations where they handed out candy to anyone who has a bag. We all got candy….and applesauce…and nuts…yummy! I think we hit about 70% of the stations and that was plenty!!

Koryn with a whale statue....

We headed to the Shamu Believe show. We all enjoyed it tremendously. I was happy that MIL was along to get to experience these things. She is not one to travel so these were probably once in a lifetime things for her to see. Karmyn did well during the show also as long as we had snacks for her!!

We went to see the Clydesdales and DH got his free beer. We headed back towards the dolphins to pass the time until the Blue Horizons Dolphin show. They had also changed this since the last time we were there. It has more of a story line to it now. I really liked it. The incorporation of the acrobats/swimmers and birds added a lot. I would have like to have seen more dolphins doing tricks though. My camera acted up about now, so I took pics with Koryn’s princess camera…if I get them scanned, I will add them sometime.

While we were in the show, it decided to downpour. It had been kind of a rainy, dreary day all day anyway, so that just kind of topped it off. We had decided that we would leave after the dolphin show because the girls were tired. I would have liked to stay for the Shamu Rocks show, but oh well, maybe next time. Hey another reason to go back!!!