Aidan's wish trip to Tink's home 3/1-3/7

[pacrosby]

Did you check with the airline specifically about the car seats? That just surprises me as all airlines I have flown allowed you to check car seats for free and it did not count against your allowance. I'd just double check.

And congrats on all the good news lately.



Pamela

Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

You have had lots of good news latelyIt is great to hear you will have your new stroller in time for your trip. Perfect timing. Humm coming to Cini in April. I will have to see when we will be there. If we are there at the same time we could do a meet up if you'd like Congratulations on the Big Give!

 

[mistymouse5001]

Okay, I've been promising what I've come up with so far on our itinerary, and until now, I haven't posted it. This is about my 6th draft, and it keeps changing. And honestly, it will probably continue to change until we are boarding the plane to head back home. But I'm trying.

Monday 3/1
Arrive in Orlando at about 11:30.
Check In at GKTW
Lunch at GKTW
Gatorland if we have time. If not, this will either be moved or dropped.
Dinner at GKTW
Orientation for me (?) while Chris and the boys explore GKTW

They will want your wish kid and the rest of the family to sit through orientation ...they treat it as "his" house "his everything

Tuesday 3/2
Islands of Adventure in the morning
Lunch at Circus McGurkus
SeaWorld in the afternoon / evening
Dinner in the Sharks Underwater Grill

Wednesday 3/3
Breakfast at GKTW
Explore GKTW in the morning
Lunch at GKTW
Universal Studios in the afternoon
Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe
*We have something special in the works for Wednesday night, but I can't share the plans just yet. I have to wait on some more information.

Thursday 3/4
Playhouse Disney Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine
Hollywood Studios during morning and afternoon
Not sure where we'll eat lunch yet.
Dinner and Christmas at GKTW in the evening
It's fine to skip ALL of the parties at GKTW you ARE NOT mising anything
Friday 3/5
Magic Kingdom
Lunch at Crystal Palace
* We plan to stay at Magic Kingdom all day this day.

Saturday 3/6
Animal Kingdom in the morning.
Lunch at Rainforest Cafe
Epcot in the afternoon/evening
Not sure on dinner yet.

Sunday 3/7
Pack and check out of GKTW in the morning.
Downtown Disney
Lunch somewhere
Head to airport in late afternoon.

Most of you are probably wondering why we are doing the Disney Parks during the last part of our trip. This is for a couple of reasons. 1) I don't want the kids to go to Magic Kingdom early in our trip and then feel disappointed the rest of the trip and 2) We are working on something for the 3rd, and I can't say how, but Universal Studios has a part in that. So, we're using our two Universal days for the 2nd and 3rd.

Any suggestions on the missing meals or something I might be forgetting? I'm open to tips from the pros.

We tried to stuff all seven parks in which is ok but you could really spend all of your time at Disney with your park hoppers and rest on days in between. Don't underestimate the power of GKTW ! Dylan did not want to leave !!!! Swimming and video games hooked him and reeled him in! BTW They have really good free pizza ! and I posted under each one of your thingies. Those GKTW parties are worth skipping. Remeber when you are reading trip reports that ppl gloss over stuff and say really nice stuff about everything! Those parties are not time well spent LOL!

 

[pacrosby]

Just to clarify: IDK when Mistymouse (above) went on her child's Wish trip but now only one parent attends the orientation and the rest of the family are free to do whatever. Children do not attend orientations.

And as far as whether the GKTW parties are a must-do or not.................I suppose that is just personal preference. I personally feel that the Thursday night Xmas party was a blast (and I would've felt that way even if Matty wasn't in the parade) and actually hope to return to enjoy it again this year as a visitor (so that should prove I'm not just saying that to be nice). The parties are really part of the whole GKTW experience so I would suggest planning on attending a couple anyway...................pick the brains of people who have already been to get a real feel for what each party was all about so you can decide what your kids would really enjoy.

And although I agree that time to 'hang' at GKTW is a must, I wouldn't suggest skipping US/IOA and/or SeaWorld entirely. In my opinion, they were no less fun then Disney. In fact we loved US/IOA as much as Disney (I'm bending down now to avoid the tomatos being thrown by all those Disney fanatics here on the DIS). Even if you just spend part of the day at the parks. But the tickets are free and you are there. Who knows when, if ever, you will return and be in the financial position to pay for US/IOA, Disney AND SW out of pocket. Those tickets are EXPENSIVE


Anyway......just my two cents



Pamela

Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

 

[Thumper321]

Hi, guys! Been pretty busy for the last few days, and I'm dealing with a stomach bug, so I apologize for not being around more. Although the rest of you seem pretty quiet too. I hope everybody is doing okay, and just staying busy!

So, everybody knows that we are leaving on March 1. You also know that we've been waiting on the date for our reveal party because we have to keep it a secret from the kids until the reveal party. Well, we talked with our wish coordinator on Thursday. They are doing his reveal party on Feb. 26! However, that means that we have to keep all of this a secret until 3 days before we leave! Please tell me how in the world I am going to get us all packed and ready to go without any of the kids knowing why?!?! I was hoping for a couple of weeks before we left, but I'm out of luck. Aidan's sponsor is ThyssenKrupp (the elevator maker people), and since a lot of their employees travel, they want to have it on a day when most of them are at the office. That's more than fair since these are the people that are paying for Aidan's wish, but it leaves us with very little time between the reveal party and catching our flight.

I also PM'ed HeatherSue with the Big Give, because this poses somewhat of a problem with the gifts that they are sending. The Big Givers have been so sweet to work with us on this! Normally, the kids open their Big Give gifts on the day that they are received, and pictures are posted to the PTR shortly after. It cannot work that way with us because of the secrecy part. What we have agreed to is a "Super Huge Big Give"! What the heck is that, you ask? Well, I am going to collect all of the Big Give packages that are delivered before Feb. 26. Then, the night of Feb. 26, all of the gifts will be opened at the same time, making for a Super Huge Big Give! Then, somehow, between all the packing and getting ready to leave, I'll post all of the pictures on here for everyone to see! It will be one chaotic and extremely exciting day/night!

I still have to talk to our medical suppliers about shipping some of our supplies to GKTW. I have already arranged some things, but there's still a lot more to be done. However, I'm not sure how many of you knew this, but I.V. poles are standard equipment at GKTW. All you have to do is request one in your villa, and they'll have it for you. But you do have to take your hardware for your pumps so that you can attach them.

We've decided on the car seat issue that we will make do with the seats that Avis provides us until we can get to the local WalMart. Then we are going to pick up a booster seat for Aidan and a car seat for Peyton. Keegan is 9, so I think we can get away without his booster for a week. Actually, I need to measure him and see if he's 4'9" yet. He might be able to graduate out of his all together. We are flying with Delta, and I don't know what their policy on checking car seats is. However, in our MAW packet, they told us not to take them. And later in the packet, it says not to request upgrades or special treatment because that might make the company less likely to work with them on future wishes. So, I think I'd rather just buy the seats in Orlando than to make things difficult for future wish kids.

As for the discussion above on whether or not to go to all parks and whether or not to attend GKTW parties. . . We have not been on a vacation since before Aidan was born. Actually, it's been about 8 years since we went on a vacation. I know that there is no requirement for us to see everything in one week, and that we couldn't see everything even if we wanted to. However, we feel that we need to try to experience as much as we can in the 7 days that we are given. We may not get another vacation for 8 more years, and even then, as much as I hate to admit this, we may not be the same complete family that we are now. So, we will be trying to cram in every little exciting thing that we can cram in. And the Christmas party is a must for us. We will be meeting several DISers at the Christmas party, and even if we weren't, Aidan has been in the hospital the week before or the week of Christmas every year for the past 6 years. Maybe, just maybe, this will be a Christmas that he can enjoy without being sick. Whatever the case, we want to leave Orlando with as many memories as our little brains can hold. We want hundreds of pictures, lots of autographs, stories to tell, friends to remember, and most of all, smiles. When things get tough again, I want to look at Aidan and say, "Hey, do you remember when we went on your wish trip and. . . " and I want to see his beautiful smile and that light in his eyes. In his world of so many bad memories, I want to add a lot more good ones.

So, although my itinerary may seem packed, and although we may all be exhausted at the end of the week, I want this to be a trip to remember. For all 5 of us. Of course, we will not do more than any of us can handle physically, but we will do as much as we can.

Thank you all for your opinions. I know that what works for one family doesn't necessarily work for the next. But I value all of the different opinions, and it does help to see things from a different perspective. So, thank you.

 

[pacrosby]

hey...

seems like you've made a decision that works for you but for what it's worth...

I did check the Delta site for you and it specifically says

"child restraint seats will be checked for free and are not counted as part of the standard baggage allowance"

so MAW is mistaken (and, not trying to give a jab, but it isn't the first time)



Perhaps you'd rather just avoid having to lug your seats to the airport but if that's not an issue (and you'd like to save some money) I just wanted to make sure you knew what Delta's actual policy was.

And as an aside... MAW wouldn't get 'mad' at you for going to Delta for accurate info.................in fact they might like to be made aware of their mistake so that they don't mislead others in the future. Not everyone has the extra money to be buying car seats in Florida and, like you, may not be comfortable with the ones provided by the car rental company.




Good luck trying to keep your secret.................that'd be tough for me. It's going to be like Xmas in February!!!!!

 

[kellyw8863]

Hi, guys! Been pretty busy for the last few days, and I'm dealing with a stomach bug, so I apologize for not being around more. Although the rest of you seem pretty quiet too. I hope everybody is doing okay, and just staying busy!

So, everybody knows that we are leaving on March 1. You also know that we've been waiting on the date for our reveal party because we have to keep it a secret from the kids until the reveal party. Well, we talked with our wish coordinator on Thursday. They are doing his reveal party on Feb. 26! However, that means that we have to keep all of this a secret until 3 days before we leave! Please tell me how in the world I am going to get us all packed and ready to go without any of the kids knowing why?!?! I was hoping for a couple of weeks before we left, but I'm out of luck. Aidan's sponsor is ThyssenKrupp (the elevator maker people), and since a lot of their employees travel, they want to have it on a day when most of them are at the office. That's more than fair since these are the people that are paying for Aidan's wish, but it leaves us with very little time between the reveal party and catching our flight.

I also PM'ed HeatherSue with the Big Give, because this poses somewhat of a problem with the gifts that they are sending. The Big Givers have been so sweet to work with us on this! Normally, the kids open their Big Give gifts on the day that they are received, and pictures are posted to the PTR shortly after. It cannot work that way with us because of the secrecy part. What we have agreed to is a "Super Huge Big Give"! What the heck is that, you ask? Well, I am going to collect all of the Big Give packages that are delivered before Feb. 26. Then, the night of Feb. 26, all of the gifts will be opened at the same time, making for a Super Huge Big Give! Then, somehow, between all the packing and getting ready to leave, I'll post all of the pictures on here for everyone to see! It will be one chaotic and extremely exciting day/night!

I still have to talk to our medical suppliers about shipping some of our supplies to GKTW. I have already arranged some things, but there's still a lot more to be done. However, I'm not sure how many of you knew this, but I.V. poles are standard equipment at GKTW. All you have to do is request one in your villa, and they'll have it for you. But you do have to take your hardware for your pumps so that you can attach them.

We've decided on the car seat issue that we will make do with the seats that Avis provides us until we can get to the local WalMart. Then we are going to pick up a booster seat for Aidan and a car seat for Peyton. Keegan is 9, so I think we can get away without his booster for a week. Actually, I need to measure him and see if he's 4'9" yet. He might be able to graduate out of his all together. We are flying with Delta, and I don't know what their policy on checking car seats is. However, in our MAW packet, they told us not to take them. And later in the packet, it says not to request upgrades or special treatment because that might make the company less likely to work with them on future wishes. So, I think I'd rather just buy the seats in Orlando than to make things difficult for future wish kids.

As for the discussion above on whether or not to go to all parks and whether or not to attend GKTW parties. . . We have not been on a vacation since before Aidan was born. Actually, it's been about 8 years since we went on a vacation. I know that there is no requirement for us to see everything in one week, and that we couldn't see everything even if we wanted to. However, we feel that we need to try to experience as much as we can in the 7 days that we are given. We may not get another vacation for 8 more years, and even then, as much as I hate to admit this, we may not be the same complete family that we are now. So, we will be trying to cram in every little exciting thing that we can cram in. And the Christmas party is a must for us. We will be meeting several DISers at the Christmas party, and even if we weren't, Aidan has been in the hospital the week before or the week of Christmas every year for the past 6 years. Maybe, just maybe, this will be a Christmas that he can enjoy without being sick. Whatever the case, we want to leave Orlando with as many memories as our little brains can hold. We want hundreds of pictures, lots of autographs, stories to tell, friends to remember, and most of all, smiles. When things get tough again, I want to look at Aidan and say, "Hey, do you remember when we went on your wish trip and. . . " and I want to see his beautiful smile and that light in his eyes. In his world of so many bad memories, I want to add a lot more good ones.

So, although my itinerary may seem packed, and although we may all be exhausted at the end of the week, I want this to be a trip to remember. For all 5 of us. Of course, we will not do more than any of us can handle physically, but we will do as much as we can.

Thank you all for your opinions. I know that what works for one family doesn't necessarily work for the next. But I value all of the different opinions, and it does help to see things from a different perspective. So, thank you.

Just had to say, your post brought tears to my eyes...

 

[Momofwishkid]

Hi, guys! Been pretty busy for the last few days, and I'm dealing with a stomach bug, so I apologize for not being around more. Although the rest of you seem pretty quiet too. I hope everybody is doing okay, and just staying busy!

So, everybody knows that we are leaving on March 1. You also know that we've been waiting on the date for our reveal party because we have to keep it a secret from the kids until the reveal party. Well, we talked with our wish coordinator on Thursday. They are doing his reveal party on Feb. 26! However, that means that we have to keep all of this a secret until 3 days before we leave! Please tell me how in the world I am going to get us all packed and ready to go without any of the kids knowing why?!?! I was hoping for a couple of weeks before we left, but I'm out of luck. Aidan's sponsor is ThyssenKrupp (the elevator maker people), and since a lot of their employees travel, they want to have it on a day when most of them are at the office. That's more than fair since these are the people that are paying for Aidan's wish, but it leaves us with very little time between the reveal party and catching our flight.

I also PM'ed HeatherSue with the Big Give, because this poses somewhat of a problem with the gifts that they are sending. The Big Givers have been so sweet to work with us on this! Normally, the kids open their Big Give gifts on the day that they are received, and pictures are posted to the PTR shortly after. It cannot work that way with us because of the secrecy part. What we have agreed to is a "Super Huge Big Give"! What the heck is that, you ask? Well, I am going to collect all of the Big Give packages that are delivered before Feb. 26. Then, the night of Feb. 26, all of the gifts will be opened at the same time, making for a Super Huge Big Give! Then, somehow, between all the packing and getting ready to leave, I'll post all of the pictures on here for everyone to see! It will be one chaotic and extremely exciting day/night!

I still have to talk to our medical suppliers about shipping some of our supplies to GKTW. I have already arranged some things, but there's still a lot more to be done. However, I'm not sure how many of you knew this, but I.V. poles are standard equipment at GKTW. All you have to do is request one in your villa, and they'll have it for you. But you do have to take your hardware for your pumps so that you can attach them.

We've decided on the car seat issue that we will make do with the seats that Avis provides us until we can get to the local WalMart. Then we are going to pick up a booster seat for Aidan and a car seat for Peyton. Keegan is 9, so I think we can get away without his booster for a week. Actually, I need to measure him and see if he's 4'9" yet. He might be able to graduate out of his all together. We are flying with Delta, and I don't know what their policy on checking car seats is. However, in our MAW packet, they told us not to take them. And later in the packet, it says not to request upgrades or special treatment because that might make the company less likely to work with them on future wishes. So, I think I'd rather just buy the seats in Orlando than to make things difficult for future wish kids.

As for the discussion above on whether or not to go to all parks and whether or not to attend GKTW parties. . . We have not been on a vacation since before Aidan was born. Actually, it's been about 8 years since we went on a vacation. I know that there is no requirement for us to see everything in one week, and that we couldn't see everything even if we wanted to. However, we feel that we need to try to experience as much as we can in the 7 days that we are given. We may not get another vacation for 8 more years, and even then, as much as I hate to admit this, we may not be the same complete family that we are now. So, we will be trying to cram in every little exciting thing that we can cram in. And the Christmas party is a must for us. We will be meeting several DISers at the Christmas party, and even if we weren't, Aidan has been in the hospital the week before or the week of Christmas every year for the past 6 years. Maybe, just maybe, this will be a Christmas that he can enjoy without being sick. Whatever the case, we want to leave Orlando with as many memories as our little brains can hold. We want hundreds of pictures, lots of autographs, stories to tell, friends to remember, and most of all, smiles. When things get tough again, I want to look at Aidan and say, "Hey, do you remember when we went on your wish trip and. . . " and I want to see his beautiful smile and that light in his eyes. In his world of so many bad memories, I want to add a lot more good ones.

So, although my itinerary may seem packed, and although we may all be exhausted at the end of the week, I want this to be a trip to remember. For all 5 of us. Of course, we will not do more than any of us can handle physically, but we will do as much as we can.

Thank you all for your opinions. I know that what works for one family doesn't necessarily work for the next. But I value all of the different opinions, and it does help to see things from a different perspective. So, thank you.

I hope the stomach bug is gone and your feeling better.
Im so glad you finally know when your reveal party is going to be! I cant imagine having to keep it a secret for that long but hey at least the kids will only have a short wait. The Super Big Give Day is going to be so cool. It really will be like Christmas in Feb. The kids are going to love it.
I am feeling the same way as you regarding squeezing in as much as we can. I know this will probrably be our one and only chance to take a family vacation and want to make the most of it. I think we all know where your coming from.

 

[pnutallergymom]

Hey Miranda!!!

I hope you are feeling better!!!

You are going to be one busy lady, huh!!! Can't wait to see all of the pics!!

I am so excited to hear about your reveal party too!!!

Trust me, you'll do fine with keeping the secret. When we went last year, it was a total surprise for my kids. We didn't tell them until we were at the airport....the entire time, we just told them we were going skiing in No. Conway for school vacation. I had the suitcases packed and waiting in the basement...same place I hide the Christmas Gifts!! It was AWESOME!!! The kids were totally freaking out!!

Good Luck!!!!

 

[Thumper321]

So, I can't post pictures yet or tell you the boys' reactions, but we got 2 Big Give packages in the mail today! I'm so excited! I can't wait until the 26th so that they can open them! This is going to be the longest 2 1/2 weeks of my life!

 

[cajunfan]

So are you guys getting a lot of snow today? I saw the pictures of west TN thins morning...we are only going to get rain!

Did the boys see the packages? Will they think anything of them is they do see some?

I don't know if I could do that!!!

Lynn

 

[Thumper321]

So are you guys getting a lot of snow today? I saw the pictures of west TN thins morning...we are only going to get rain!

Did the boys see the packages? Will they think anything of them is they do see some?

I don't know if I could do that!!!

Lynn

We got a few inches earlier. Now it has pretty much tapered off. But we're supposed to get another 2-3 inches tonight, I think. The boys are out of school though, so they're enjoying it.

They boys did see the Big Give packages, but that's not such a big deal. We get packages all the time from our medical suppliers, special pharmacies, etc. So I just told them that the two packages were medical supplies. Now the packages are sitting on the top shelf in my laundry room just waiting for the 26th. I think I might just be able to pull this whole secrecy thing off.

 

[Momofwishkid]

for Big give packages!! I cant wait to see what they got. I dont know if I would be able to keep this secret.

 

[pacrosby]

I just stumbled upon something I wanted to share with you (given your tinkerbell theme)

Photopass offers these things called Magic Shots where they pose people in such a way that they can then add certain characters after the fact. With Tink they have two options (she ends up appearing in the subject's hands). It's really cute. There are other options with Captain Hook, Stitch and Mickey and Minnie. Take a look at this link if your interested. Scroll down for the info on the "Magic Shots"


http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/



I wish I had known about it before we left. I'll be seeking it out for our next trip.

 

[Thumper321]

I just stumbled upon something I wanted to share with you (given your tinkerbell theme)

Photopass offers these things called Magic Shots where they pose people in such a way that they can then add certain characters after the fact. With Tink they have two options (she ends up appearing in the subject's hands). It's really cute. There are other options with Captain Hook, Stitch and Mickey and Minnie. Take a look at this link if your interested. Scroll down for the info on the "Magic Shots"


http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disneysphotopass/



I wish I had known about it before we left. I'll be seeking it out for our next trip.

Thanks, Pamela! I LOVE these!

 

[Thumper321]

We got another Big Give package today from Wendy in PA! Do you guys have any idea how badly I want to peek in these packages?!?! I won't, of course, but I'm tempted. Thanks, Wendy! Pictures to follow in about 17 days. . .

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Bless your heart for keeping this secrete for so long! Its great that you were able to pass the packages off as something elseI cannot wait to see pictures of the big reveal. Oh the looks on thier faces Looking forward to seeing all the great things that they have recieved from the "big Give"!

I hope you are feeling better today. I would be happy to send a little more snow down your way if you would likeThis is a little too much for me. lol

 

[Momofwishkid]

More Big Give packages!! Your a better woman than I am. There is no way I could not keep from peeking. I'd be in the bedroom opening them and the taping the package back up

 

[Thumper321]

Bless your heart for keeping this secrete for so long! Its great that you were able to pass the packages off as something elseI cannot wait to see pictures of the big reveal. Oh the looks on thier faces Looking forward to seeing all the great things that they have recieved from the "big Give"!

I hope you are feeling better today. I would be happy to send a little more snow down your way if you would likeThis is a little too much for me. lol

Please no more snow! I absolutely love the snow, and the kids do, too, but one more snow day from school, and all of my gray hair is going to be pulled out! How much did you northerners end up getting?

More Big Give packages!! Your a better woman than I am. There is no way I could not keep from peeking. I'd be in the bedroom opening them and the taping the package back up

Hey, now, there's an idea! Wondering if I have enough tape around here to tape them back up? No, seriously, it would help to know what's in them since I am trying to plan who wears which clothes which days on our trip. But I really don't want to ruin the surprise of it. I want to see them for the first time at the same time that the kids do.

Geez, this is getting so tough! I have never been good at surprises, and now I'm being forced to keep our DISNEY trip a surprise! Between the snow, the reveal party secret, and the Big Give secret, I am going to be a crazy woman before March 1!

 

[Thumper321]

The kids went back to school today! We have used up all of our snow days already, plus we have 3 from this week that will have to be made up at the end of the year. This is completely unheard of for our area! We usually have unused snow days, not all of them used plus a few. And it's only the middle of February! Anyway, time for a quick update!

Yesterday, we got another Big Give package! This one is from Jamie in MS! Thank you, Jamie! We can't wait to open it! I should also mention that the first two packages that we got were from "DisneyKings" in FL and the Vanderbilts in MI! I didn't put who they were from in the first Big Give post. Thought you guys might want to know that the packages made it here safely, and also wanted to say Thank You to you as well! Of course, we still have two weeks before we can open them and post pictures! Thanks for being patient with me.

Aidan's stroller has not arrived as of yet, and I'm starting to get worried about it. We were supposed to have it by Wednesday. I called our mobility specialist, and she said that she knows it was shipped and will track it today for me. We NEED the stroller before the trip. Of course, we do still have a couple of weeks, so no major problems yet. Keep your xxxFingersCrossedxxx that it gets here soon.

We still have not gotten our GKTW packet, although I did get an email from them confirming our dates and telling Aidan that they are looking forward to his visit. So, that was kinda nice. Wish I could've shared it with Aidan. But I have printed it so that we can share it with him later. I've also heard you guys talking about a Disney packet, but we haven't gotten that either. Think this is something we'll get at the reveal party? The only thing we have gotten is our MAW packet with flight itinerary, budget, rental car info., etc.

Somehow, someway, we got a last minute ADR for dinner at 'Ohana! I have debated on this one because it is so expensive, there are no character interactions at dinner, and because there are some not so good reviews out there. However, I love Polynesian food! I've also read about the coconut races and such for the kids, and I think they might enjoy it as well. DH is pretty easy to please, as long as the food is decent and he leaves with a full belly, he'll be fine! So, anyway, we surprisingly got an ADR! The downside is that it is at 8:25 p.m., and I think that is going to overlap with Wishes at MK. Does anybody know exactly when Wishes will be for 3/5? We're also considering trying to do wishes on 3/6 after Animal Kingdom and Epcot. What are your thoughts on this? Should we keep the 'Ohana ADR? Cancel it? Reschedule Wishes for 3/6? I'm really not sure what to do on this one. 3/5 is our MK day, but at the same time, it might be nice to finish off our week on Saturday with the fireworks.

Also, what is the best way to get to 'Ohana from the Magic Kingdom. We will have the rental van, but should we drive? Take a Disney bus? Is there another way to get there that I don't know about? Remember, we are first time Disney travelers, so we don't really know our way around.

We have also decided that we might have to write off Gatorland. As much as I want to do this with the boys, I think we might be pushing it. We're still going to wait and see what happens when we get there, but we get to Orlando at about 11:45. We then have to get our rental van, stop by WalMart, check-in at GKTW, and have lunch. Then, we are planning to have dinner at GKTW and orientation is at 7:45. Do you think we can fit Gatorland between lunch and dinner? It's supposedly only a 15 minute drive, but I'm wondering if we'll be cramming too much into one day. I'm guessing we could get to Gatorland by about 2:00 or so, and they are open until 5:00. Has anybody been to Gatorland? Is it worth doing? Will 2-3 hrs. be enough to cover it? I need input on this one! I'm debating really hard on whether to just spend the afternoon at GKTW or still try to fit in Gatorland. The boys would love either, I'm sure. I just don't want to make the wrong choice.

We will be doing SW on 3/2 in the afternoon. I wanted Aidan to be able to eat at Sharks Underwater Grill, but they don't make reservations until 10:00 in the morning the day of the reservation. And you have to make them at the host stand. What are the chances that we will be able to get a reservation if we don't go until the afternoon? Has anybody eaten at Sharks UG? How's the food? What's the price range? What are other alternatives in the area food-wise if we can't / don't eat at Sharks?

Okay, so this is more of a question post than an update post, but I'm starting to confuse myself the closer we get. As usual, any and all input is appreciated.