ANOTHER Adventure in Autism (4/15) A Taste of What's to Come...

[Yoda_K]

Hi Kathy, you don't belong so far down on the page. So I thought I would bump you up .

 

[jordanyosh]

Hi Kathy,

I hope everything is okay. Do we need to be praying? Hope all is well.

Jordan

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Kathy,

I hope everything is okay. Do we need to be praying? Hope all is well.

Jordan

Thanks, Jordan, and Everyone Else, too!

All is well, so far, thanks be to God!

Still waiting to get in to see a neurologist, but the doctor I work for did some research for me. He feels confident the absence seizure was a side effect of the medication Billy was taking to help his obsessive-compulsive symptoms. He is off the medication now, and has had no further "episodes."

We're off "Code Orange", I guess, and down to "Code Yellow". But please keep Billy in your prayers, anyway! Can never have to many of those! Thanks a bunch, I'll update soon!!


Kathy

 

[Montana Disney Fan]

Almost every time I look at Trey I think of you and Billy. Your family is definately in our thoughts.

Oh, and you should be receiving a post card from the WDW "Gang" soon.

 

[Goofster57]

Kathy,
Glad things are going good,

 

[jordanyosh]

Kathy,

Glad to hear things are okay.

How much more time for you??

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy,

Glad to hear things are okay.

How much more time for you??

Twenty-three long, lo-o-ng days!! Sigh.

Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Kathy! We just got back yesterday... and I haven't finished catching up on your report yet, but wanted to send you some pixie dust for Billy. I hope everything turns out to be ok with him. Zachary used to have seizures when he was younger. He hasn't had one in a year and a half. The last one was two weeks before our March 06 trip to WDW. They were just febrile seizures that I think he has outgrown, but very scary!

Love you pin collections. Zachary traded one pin while we were there. Alex wouldn't wear the lanyard and wasn't very interested. Zachary and I had some alone time and were able to move at a slower pace and he traded for a monorail pin. He was very cute. I'll post some pictures on my report, when I finally get around to it.

Hope you get in to see the doc before your trip!
Amy

 

[Hedy]

Thanks, Jordan, and Everyone Else, too!

All is well, so far, thanks be to God!

Still waiting to get in to see a neurologist, but the doctor I work for did some research for me. He feels confident the absence seizure was a side effect of the medication Billy was taking to help his obsessive-compulsive symptoms. He is off the medication now, and has had no further "episodes."

We're off "Code Orange", I guess, and down to "Code Yellow". But please keep Billy in your prayers, anyway! Can never have to many of those! Thanks a bunch, I'll update soon!!


Kathy

Yay! That's semi-goodnews!

 

[KathyRN137]

Pre-Trip # 34: The Bare Necessities:


I was at the Disney Store bright and early on the morning of October 2 so I could (1) pick up a couple of cute long-sleeved Disney shirts for the kids, and (2) finally get my hands on my copy of The Jungle Book DVD that I had pre-ordered about a month earlier!


I suppose that like most people, I really didn't start collecting Disney videos (and later, DVDs) until I had my kids... I think Cinderella was the first one I ever purchased; in fact, I remember watching it while rocking on a rocking chair in early labor with Tricia! (I knew I was having a little girl, you see!)

As of right now, we have most of the Disney animated movies; some on video and some on DVD (and some on both as they get re-released.) But, one that I never had the chance to pick up was The Jungle Book. It's one of my favorites, and I was so pleased to finally add it to our own family's Disney "vault"!

I love when Baloo sings, "The Bear Necessities," and I've been humming it all week! So, in honor of Baloo and The Jungle Book, I'm titling this post "The Bear Necessities" because its all about sharing our basic itinerary and plans for the week....all my touring necessities!!!

(Now, FYI: on Word this thing is all color-coded, bolded, italiced, and otherwise embellished... all the fancy stuff disappeared when it was copied and pasted! Anyhoo... you will get the idea, I'm sure!)

Here are our bare necessities.... so if any of you DISers out there are going to be in WDW the same time we are, come on up and say hello!!

Where you see "Marilyn & Co.", that refers to my DSis and her family!


November 2007 Itinerary:


Sat: 11/3: Overview: Travel /VWL / Lunch: Roaring Forks / Epcot / 5:30 Marrakesh / VWL

Details:
(7:30): LGA, Delta flight #_______
(10:15): Arrive MCO; Tiffany Towncar pick up
(~ 11:30) Pre-Check-in VWL (if room not ready, change, check bags w/ Bell Services)
(~ 12:00) Lunch: Roaring Forks (5 CS credits)
Explore resort lobby / *Sign up at Concierge for Flag Family /Settle into room, if ready / pick up Garden Groceries & Sundries Box

Epcot: (via bus) (arrive ~ 2:30) [hours, WS: 11a-9p] (p/u GAC, renew APs)
Future World: Soarin’
World Showcase: [F&WF]
Italy: Sergio (3:30)
America: Fife & Drum (4:00), VOL (4:15) The American Adventure Show (30 min)
Japan: Miyuki (5:05*) [If too late, go to restaurant.]
(5:30ADR #________) Restaurant Marrakesh (Show at 6:00) (5 TS Credits)
Return to resort immediately after dinner.

Return to VWL Resort (Pick up luggage/groceries/sundries box if needed)
*Turn clocks back one hour for Daylight Savings* (Get to bed early)

***************************************​

Sun. 11/4: Overview: Animal Kingdom / (CS) Lunch / VWL / Disney Studios (5:10) 50’s Prime Time Cafe / (7:00) Fantasmic!

Details:
Animal Kingdom: (via bus) (arrive 8:40) [hours: 9a-7p] *Bring earplugs*
Discovery Island: The Tree of Life / Discovery Island Trails
Camp Minnie-Mickey: (~9:20) Seats for FOTLK (9:40-10:05)
Asia: Expedition Everest (Ed/AR exit)
Dino Land: Triceratops Spin / Primeval Whirl / Dinosaur*
Lunch (~11:30) Restaurantosaurus (5 CS credits)
Dino Land: The Boneyard / Asia: Look for Divine (1:00-1:45)

(~1:30) Return to VWL (via bus) Rest / Relax / Swim

Disney Studios: (via bus) *Bring ear plugs* (arrive ~ 4:45p) [hours: 9a-8p]
Proceed directly to 50’s PTC.
(5:10 ADR #_______) Dinner: 50’s PTC (5 TS Credits)
Walk directly from restaurant to Fantasmic*; get seats.
(7:00) Fantasmic!

***************************************​

Mon. 11/5: Overview: EPCOT – FW / (11:30) Garden Grill / EPCOT / (5:50) Dinner at WCC / VWL

Details:
Epcot - FW: (via bus)(arrive 8:30) [hours: 9a-7p]
Imagination (Figment) / The Seas ~9:40 Turtle Talk (10:00) / Soarin’ / Living w the Land

(11:30 ADR #_______) Garden Grill (The Land) (5 TS Credits)

Test Track / Mission Space-Green (AR exit) / Space Base Playground / Universe of Energy / Innoventions West / 2nd Test Track or Soarin’ (if time)

(~ 4:45) Leave for VWL (via bus)

(5:50 ADR #_______) Whispering Canyon Café (VWL) (5 TS Credits)

VWL Resort- Relax/Swimming after dinner (9:35 Electric Water Pageant?)

***************************************​

Tues. 11/6: Overview: Breakfast at CP / Magic Kingdom / VWL (CS) Dinner

Details:
Magic Kingdom: (early bus) *Ponchos / Towel* (arrive 7:40) [hours: 9a-8p]

(8:05 ADR) Breakfast: Crystal Palace (ADR #______) (5 TS Credits)

Fantasy Land: Dumbo / Pooh / Snow White / Peter Pan / IASWA / PhilharMagic
Enter ToonTown Fair; take the WDW RR to:
Frontier Land: BTMRR (Ed/AR Country Bears) / (11:15) Woody’s Cowboy Camp

Rest / Grab some snacks (credits)

Adventure Land: (12:25) Pirate Tutorial / POC
Liberty Square: Haunted Mansion / (2:30) HOP (Mom save seats for Parade)
(3:00-3:30) Share a Dream Parade (Across from HOP) (w/ Marilyn & Co.)

Frontier Land: BTMRR (encore) / Splash Mt* (Ed/AR: Riverboat) / HOP??
Castle Stage: Share a Dream Come True (4:40)
Dinner (~5:00) Pecos Bill’s (5 CS Credits)

VWL- Relax/Swimming (*DIS-Meet w/ Tracy & Bill)
(9:35 Electric Water Pageant?)

***************************************​

Wed. 11/7: Overview: MK / (CS) Lunch / MK / (4:30) LTT (w/ Marilyn & Co.) / VWL

Details:
Magic Kingdom: (via Boat) *Ponchos for Splash (Arrive 8:20) [hours: 9a-8p]
Magic Kingdom Welcome (8:45)
Tomorrow Land: Speedway / Buzz / Space Mt (x2)(Ed/AR: TTA) / Laugh Floor/ Teacups

Lunch (~11:30) (CS) Cosmic Ray’s (5 credits)

Tomorrow Land: Look for PUSH (12:40-1:00) / COP (Stitch: Ed / Billy)
Fantasy Land: PhilharMagic
Liberty Square: Haunted Mansion / Shadow pictures

Adventure Land (*Arrive well before 3:00 parade*)
*During the Parade: Adventure Land: POC / Jungle Cruise / Carpets / Tiki Room

(4:30 ADR #______) Liberty Tree Tavern (w/ Marilyn & Co.)(5TS Credits)
Something in Fantasy Land w/ the cousins. Stay as long as everyone feels good!

VWL: (via boat) Relax/swimming, or perhaps Downtown Disney?

***************************************​

Thurs. 11/8: Overview: MGM/DS / (11:40) Play & Dine (w/Marilyn & Co.) (CS) Dinner / VWL Resort

Details:
Disney Studios: (via bus)(arrive 8:30) [hours: 9a-8p]
Sunset Blvd: R&RC (Ed/AR Exit) / TOT (Ed/AR/Tricia Exit) / Great Movie Ride
Echo Lake: Muppet Vision 3D / Star Tours (Ed/AR Sounds Dangerous) / Jedi Academy? (Check times)

(11:40 ADR #_______) Play & Dine (w/ Marilyn & Co.) (5 TS Credits)
Mickey Ave: Little Mermaid*(if time)
Sunset Blvd: ~ 1:15 ~ Arrive at B&TB (1:30-2:15)(w/ Marilyn & Co.)
Echo Lake: (3:00-3:30) Stars & Motor Cars Parade / (4:00-4:30) Indiana Jones
Mickey Ave: Magic of Animation or *Little Mermaid / *(5:15) Playhouse Disney

Dinner (5:45): Backlot Express (5 CS Credits) (or dinner at DD-see below)

Return to VWL: Rest/Relax ~ or ~ Downtown Disney
Dinner: WPE (5 CS Credits)

***************************************​

Fri. 11/9: Overview: Animal Kingdom / (CS) Lunch / AK / (CS) Dinner (AR/kids) (TS – Mom & Dad) VWL / Mom & Dad: Pleasure Island

Details:
Animal Kingdom:(via bus)(Arrive 8:30) [hours: 9a-6p] *Ponchos / Towel*

Asia: Expedition Everest (Ed/AR exit) / MJT / Kali River Rapids* (AR: exit)
Tree of Life: ITTBAB
Lunch (~11:30) Flame Tree BBQ (5 CS credits)

DinoLand: (~ 12:40) arrive for Finding Nemo (1:00-1:30)
Africa: Kilimanjaro Safari / Karuka Acrobats (2:30 or 3:10)
Jammin’ Jungle Parade (4:00-4:30) (~ 3:40 Harambe area) / PF Trail

(~5:00) Return to VWL (via bus)
Dinner (~5:45) Roaring Forks: (Take-out: AR/kids) (3 CS credits)
(6:30ADR #_____): Artist’s Point (Mom& Dad) (OOP*)
Pleasure Island (Adventurer’s Club, Comedy Warehouse) (AR stays w/ kids at VWL)

***************************************​

Sat. 11/10: Overview: Sleep-in / VWL Resort Time / (5:00) `Ohana (The Polynesian) / Magic Kingdom / Wishes & SpectroMagic

Details:
Sleep-in morning / Packing / Relax at VWL
(Rent surrey bikes; explore Fort Wilderness, swim, rent boat at marina, etc.)
Lunch: Open (CS?) (5 CS credits?) Or, late breakfast and later use snack credits?

Relax at VWL (leave for the Polynesian Resort by ~ 3:45)

(5:00 ADR#______) `Ohana (The Poly) (5 TS Credits)

Magic Kingdom: (Monorail) (arrive ~ 6:30) [hours: 9a-12a] *Bring earplugs*

TL/FL: Buzz / Laugh Floor / Space Mt. / Pooh / Teacups
(~ 8:30) Find places for:
(9:00) Wishes*
Walk through FantasyLand to FrontierLand. Find spots for parade.
(10:00) SpectroMagic Parade
(MK closes at midnight) Favorites: BTMRR / HM / Fantasy Land

***************************************​

Sun 11/11: Check-out / VWL / Travel

Details:
Sleep in a bit.
Finish Packing / Finish Crying / Luggage to Bell Services/ Mail sundries box.

Open Morning:
Relax at VWL or FW (Swim, boat, surrey bike, etc)
Lunch (CS) (~11:45) Roaring Forks (2CS, 3 OOP*)
(*Unless not used Fri.)

Or: Downtown Disney / Lunch (CS)

Procure luggage from Bell Services
1:00 Tiffany Towncar pick-up

3:00 MCO Delta flight #______
5:55 Arrive LGA, Riviera pick-up

**Go home and start planning the next trip!!**

______________________________________________________

DDP Meals = 5 people X 8 nights (40 credits)

CS Meals = 40 credits, 3 OOP Meals

TS Meals = 40 credits, 2 OOP Meals (Artist’s Point)

______________________________________________________



Hmmmm. Oh well, my Bare Necessities may not exactly be "simple", but I hope that they will be a blueprint for another great WDW trip!!


Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

Kathy,

First of all....Binder!!!!!!!! Niiiiiiiccccccccceeee!!!!!

Of course anytime anyone posts an itinerary, I start foaming at the mouth. Get a muzzle quick.

Plans look good.

I think we may order from Garden Grocer. How early do we need to place an order?

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy,

I think we may order from Garden Grocer. How early do we need to place an order?

We used them for the first time last November and it worked out great!

Here is some info from the website:





· FAQ - Residential Customer » FAQ - Resort & Hotel Guests


Q. When should I place my grocery order?
A. We highly reccommend 72 hours or more, in advance of your arrival to secure your preferred delivery date and time. Thanks to repeat customers and referrals, our delivery dates and times fill up fast. As we continue to increase our staff to accomodate the demand for our service, our goal of 100% on time, direct to your room deliveries is our first priority for our Loyal Customers.


Q. Is there a minimum order amount?
A. Yes, $40 on food/drink items.


Q. Is there a delivery charge?
A. Yes, but it's only $12.00! No charge on orders over $200, however.


Q. Do you deliver to ALL Orlando area Resorts and Hotels?
A. Yes, including Disney & Universal! Deliveries are made between the hours of 8:00 am and 9:00 pm, 7 days a week.


Q. Are my groceries delivered directly to my hotel room?
A. In most instances, we can deliver your groceries directly to your room if you will be in the room during the two (2) hour delivery window. Call us with your room number and our driver will do their best to coordinate delivery directly to your room.


Q. Do I have to be present in my room for the delivery?
A. For most hotel & resort guests, you DO NOT have to be in your room at the time of delivery, unless it is a COD order. Your groceries will be waiting for you at the "bell services/luggage room". Just call bell services and they will deliver them to your room when you arrive.


Q. Will my cold and frozen items (perishables) be in the same condition when I
receive them?
A. Yes, most hotels have a refrigerator and freezer to store your perishables. They will be logged-in under your last name at bell services/luggage room. Just stop by or call bell services when you arrive, and they will arrange the delivery to your room. If you are not staying in a Disney hotel, we recommend calling your hotel in advance to discuss and understand their delivery policies, procedures and to find out if they have a refrigerator/ freezer to store your perishables.
NOTE: All Disney Resorts have refrigerators and freezers in their luggage rooms to store your perishables until you arrive. The "Value" and "Moderate" resorts typically have small refrigerators (1.7 cu. ft.) for your room use, therefore we recommend 1/2 gallons of milk versus 1 gallon containers. Sizes of refrigerator/freezers vary by "Deluxe" resort. We recommend calling the resort for details on the available size for your room. Disney Vacation Club Villas (1, 2 and 3 bedroom units) have full size refrigerators and freezers. Feel free to order all the perishables needed for your family's stay.



Q. How much info do I need to provide on the order to make sure it arrives at
my hotel?
A. Please include as much information about the exact location as possible. For example:
Jane Doe, Guest
Disney's Beach Club Villas
4600 N. World Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32820

*Including your cell phone number is also HIGHLY recommended.



Q. How can I reach you?
A. You can reach us by email or phone just about any time! Our email address is info@gardengrocer.com and our toll free phone number is: 866.855.4350.




~ Hope this helps!! ~


Kathy

 

[jcc0621]

Looks great.

Love the earplugs notes! THey were alife saver for this last rip with Jimmy. Since he had tubes put in he is very sensitive to loud noises

 

[MRYPPNS]

(10:15): Arrive MCO; Tiffany Towncar pick up

(2:30) HOP (Mom save seats for Parade)

Finish Packing / Finish Crying / Luggage to Bell Services/ Mail sundries box.

Q1 : Why do you choose to use a Towncar instead of ME since you aren't renting a car?

C1: I just thought it was funny that you skip HOP to save seats. I think I'd rather wait in line for a bathroom then have to watch HOP ever again.

Q2: How do you send back your box of sundries? I know how to get it to the hotel but I don't know how to get UPS or FedEx to pick up.

Thanks for the great update. I broke the news to my husband the other night that I want to go to Disney next fall. I thought I had mentioned it to him already but I guess I only wrote about it on the dis. oops. So to celebrate I ordered the passporter delux and the open mouse book today.

 

[blue_river]

First I want to say that I though I was an overplanner

You definately have me beat

I was at the Disney Store bright and early on the morning of October 2 so I could (1) pick up a couple of cute long-sleeved Disney shirts for the kids, and (2) finally get my hands on my copy of The Jungle Book DVD that I had pre-ordered about a month earlier!

You should know better than not including any pictures after posting about Disney purchase! We want pics...we want pics

I suppose that like most people, I really didn't start collecting Disney videos (and later, DVDs) until I had my kids... I think Cinderella was the first one I ever purchased; in fact, I remember watching it while rocking on a rocking chair in early labor with Tricia! (I knew I was having a little girl, you see!)

Ugh...we have two huge boxes full of VHS Disney tapes

The boxes have been sitting in my back hall waiting to be brought to the "trade-in" place.

 

[mrsksomeday]

***************************************

Tues. 11/6: Overview: Breakfast at CP / Magic Kingdom / VWL (CS) Dinner

Details:
Magic Kingdom: (early bus) *Ponchos / Towel* (arrive 7:40) [hours: 9a-8p]

(8:05 ADR) Breakfast: Crystal Palace (ADR #______) (5 TS Credits)

Fantasy Land: Dumbo / Pooh / Snow White / Peter Pan / IASWA / PhilharMagic
Enter ToonTown Fair; take the WDW RR to:
Frontier Land: BTMRR (Ed/AR Country Bears) / (11:15) Woody’s Cowboy Camp

Rest / Grab some snacks (credits)

Adventure Land: (12:25) Pirate Tutorial / POC
Liberty Square: Haunted Mansion / (2:30) HOP (Mom save seats for Parade)
(3:00-3:30) Share a Dream Parade (Across from HOP) (w/ Marilyn & Co.)

Frontier Land: BTMRR (encore) / Splash Mt** (Ed/AR: Riverboat) / HOP??
Castle Stage: Share a Dream Come True (4:40)
Dinner (~5:00) Pecos Bill’s (5 CS Credits)

VWL- Relax/Swimming (*DIS-Meet w/ Tracy & Bill)
(9:35 Electric Water Pageant?)

***************************************​

WOW, we got a mention in your itinerary!!! I feel so honored.

I haven't posted that part of our itinerary yet, but your name is on it, now I am going to look like I copied . I think I might have something about crying when we are leaving too.

That is a great binder. I am with blue_river. You make Disney purchases and no pics ? What is up with that?

 

[KathyRN137]

Q1 : Why do you choose to use a Towncar instead of ME since you aren't renting a car?

C1: I just thought it was funny that you skip HOP to save seats. I think I'd rather wait in line for a bathroom then have to watch HOP ever again.

Q2: How do you send back your box of sundries? I know how to get it to the hotel but I don't know how to get UPS or FedEx to pick up.

Hi!

Well, the town car question is a good one. We used Mears shuttle service on our first trip to WDW in 2003 (before ME) and we found that it was difficult for our autistic son to handle after having been confined in an airplane seat for three hours. Perhaps it was the crowd, perhaps it was that we had to wait for about 45 minutes for the shuttle to fill up before leaving the airport, perhaps it was that we stopped at about four different resorts and had to wait for the passengers to offload before we could get going again.... perhaps it was the combination of all of these.... but we swore we would never use a shuttle service if we ever came back to WDW!!

For our family, it is worth the extra expense for the car service. Billy gets to sit in a quiet environment with just family.... he can decompress a bit after the busy airport scene. We go immediately from point A to point B. He just seemed so much calmer after we used it that we never went back, even when free Magical Express came out. Another plus is that we keep all our luggage with us and never have to risk not getting it for several hours, which I have read can sometimes happen with ME.

As far as the Hall of Presidents attraction goes, I actually do like it! I'm fascinated by the audioanimatronics and the fact that Mr. Lincoln was Disney's first audioanimatronic human, created for the 1964 New York World's Fair. It's kind of a nostalgic "classic Walt" kind of attraction that appeals to the WDW nerd in me! I'm only thinking that if we squeeze it in before the parade, we won't be able to get a good viewing place for the parade, so I'm volunteering myself to go save a place for everyone!!

Now, your last question is easy to answer! Just save the box you originally mailed to yourself at the resort and fill it with whatever you want to mail back home. Bring it to the concierge desk on check-out day and they will tape it back up for you and help you label it for whatever carrier you wish to use. Easy-Peasy.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy your new reading material!

Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

That is a great binder. I am with blue_river. You make Disney purchases and no pics ? What is up with that?

Originally posted by blue river:
You should know better than not including any pictures after posting about Disney purchase! We want pics...we want pics


Yes, yes, I fully intend to take some pictures of my loot... I also need to take pix of my birthday presents from Ed. (Hint Hint: Mickey and Minnie!) I am sorry, but you will all just need to wait and see!

Bwahahaha!!


Kathy

 

[blue_river]

Yes, yes, I fully intend to take some pictures of my loot... I also need to take pix of my birthday presents from Ed. (Hint Hint: Mickey and Minnie!) I am sorry, but you will all just need to wait and see!

Bwahahaha!!


Kathy

UGH!!! I need a "disney purchase" fix. Linnie didn't post any pictures of her loot either

OMG - it was your birthday?????

I'm so sorry - I didn't know

Forgive me

Happy Birthday Kathy!

 

[mrsksomeday]