Bella’s Very Merry WISH-mas Party ~ 10 Days of Dreams Come True MAW/GKTW Dec 3-10

[pacrosby]

Great px!!

Sadly we never did get to do Kim Possible.............I know Liv would've loved it. I'll make sure to get it in when we go this Spring.........just the girls

I can't believe they gave you such a hard time about the CP ticket at Nine Dragons. Now THAT doesn't sound very Disney-like. tsk tsk I'd have been fuming big time. Glad to hear they worked it out for you though (did you go back to that Manager/hostess and wave the ticket in their face)

 

[Momofwishkid]

Great update! That Kim Possible Mission looks fun. What exactly is kidcot??

 

[kayrosek]

Great update. We diden't enjoy our Kim Possible Mission that much but yours looks like alot of fun!

 

[StefaniLyn]

Another fabulous update! I am glad you were able to crop some of the photos and use them. I thought I had the cricket, but I must have missed him. We have never eaten at Nine Dragons and it is now not on the top of my list. We had several meals that I felt took entirely too long during our trip too. I am glad you were able to get right on Mission Space! I can't wait to hear what you and the girls thought about the Candlelight Processional!

The photos are so helpful. They will also be so wonderful to have when I scrapbook our trip. Do you think you have the cricket? And if so, could you possibly email it to me?
I am a fan of Chinese food and was looking forward to Nine Dragons but really sooooo disappointed with the service. It's possible that it was just a combination of a bad server (which has rarely happened to us) and the chaos of Candlelight Processional.
I love eating meals on property at Disney, especially character meals, but like you, I feel they take entirely too long. Our meal at Nine Dragons probably cost us 3-4 rides but we had to eat there to guarantee seats at the Candlelight Processional.

Crap, now you updated and that means I'm going to have to update mine.

You have been a busy bee with all of your updates and I'm very impressed (and motivated too - thanks!).

Great px!!

Sadly we never did get to do Kim Possible.............I know Liv would've loved it. I'll make sure to get it in when we go this Spring.........just the girls

I can't believe they gave you such a hard time about the CP ticket at Nine Dragons. Now THAT doesn't sound very Disney-like. tsk tsk I'd have been fuming big time. Glad to hear they worked it out for you though (did you go back to that Manager/hostess and wave the ticket in their face)

You'll have to do a KP mission this December when you return. It was one of our favorite parts of our day in Epcot!

The Nine Dragons service was disappointing, especially considering Bella's situation. We had reserved for 6 (so there would be enough seats for all of us) so I know they had enough tickets for our party. Did they really expect us to pay for food she couldn't possibly eat?

I contemplated the ticket wave, but we had already wasted enough time at that restaurant. We did, however, tell the people at Customer Service about our disappointment with the service at Nine Dragons. I hope that message was passed along!

Great update! That Kim Possible Mission looks fun. What exactly is kidcot??

KidCots are soooo much fun. In every country in Epcot, there is a little table or station set up that kids can go to and receive a KidCot. The first time, they will get a large paper mask attached to a stick (the stick kind of looks like a large paint stirring stick). At each KidCot station, a CM will attach a paper die cut that has something to do with the country to the mask with a thin zip tie. For example, Norway has a viking ship. They will also get a stamp that says the name of the country. It is a great way to get the kids excited about touring world showcase. Last time, we got KidCots in every country (they also have one in each of the Future World Pavillions) but we only made it to two on this trip.
Here is a wonderful website that will give you great details about KidCots.

Great update. We diden't enjoy our Kim Possible Mission that much but yours looks like alot of fun!

Which KP mission did you do? I'd love to try more on our next Disney trip. I previously considered Epcot a 1/2 day park (only did a full day this trip because of the Candlelight Processional) but between KidCots, KP Missions, and Innoventions, it has moved up to a full day park for our family.

 

[StefaniLyn]

I checked the time and realized it was nearly 4PM (see, I told you lunch took forever!) and remembered that the Visa Cardholders meet and greet closed at 4:30. Much to the dismay of the girls, we bypassed the games at the end of Spaceship Earth and scooted over to Innoventions West where I was surprised to find a lengthy line. I approached a CM with Visa in hand and asked if this was the line for Visa Cardholders.

“Yes, it is, but you can’t get in that line.”
Oh no! Were we too late because the line was so long?
“I'm a cardholder” I say, showing him my card.
“No,” he smirks “You are VIPs! And you won’t be waiting in any line today!” I was officially on thanks to Bella's GAC.
Crouching down by Bella the CM asked “I heard Mickey and Pluto have been waiting for you!”

As we were led directly into the next area where Mickey and Pluto were waiting, I tried to ignore the lady who was in the front of the line now complaining to another CM that ‘she had been waiting here for 30 minutes and it's not fair that THEY (meaning US!) just got to skip the line . . . ‘ We didn’t stay to see the outcome of that conversation but I hope she understood after it was explained that we were a Wish family.

We waited just a moment for the previous family to finish up and then it was our turn to meet The Mouse!

At first AJ was a little apprehensive and didn’t want to meet Mickey but I talked her into going over for some pictures.

​

Bella was still getting used to giant costumed animals and a bit timid initially

But having sister Kennedy nearby helped her warm up to them quickly.

We’re so used to the typical greeting, pose for pictures, hug goodbye routine that the girls immediately started finding their photo positions but Mickey and Pluto would have none of it. They wanted to play!

Mickey wanted to know what rides the girls had been on so far today. He gestured the shape of a large ball to inquire as to whether we had been on Spaceship Earth yet? The girls enjoyed telling him all about their recent ride. They also told him all about Nemo and Test Track and Mickey responded by pretending to swim and then drive really fast. Then Pluto held out his ears as far as they would go and pretended to be flying. “SOARIN!” the girls scream out in unison! And then proceed to tell Mickey and Pluto all about Bella’s first ride on Soarin!

It had been several minutes and I worried that we were taking up too much of Mickey and Pluto’s time (and I felt kinda guilty about the family that was still waiting in the line) so I rounded up the girls and the photopass photographer took a whole bunch of pictures.

​

Then Mickey waved DH, DGma, and I over to join them in the photo.

​

We reluctantly said our goodbyes to Mickey and Pluto.

Bella had clearly warmed up to Pluto and Mickey.

Kennedy thought Pluto was a hoot and hugged him several times.

And then, a little more magic for Mommy as AJ, clearly having the time of her life, went in for an extra good-bye hug from Mickey.

The score for Future World was finalized after our visit with Mickey and Pluto. We didn't do too bad, completing well over half the items on our to do list. Future World Final score:
Innoventions East
Innoventions West
Great Piggy Bank Adventure
Club Cool
Plastics Council
Disney Visa Character Meet and Greet
Soarin’ (the ride)
Soarin' photopass special picture
Living with the Land
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Test Track
Talking Water Fountain
Upside Down Waterfall
Mission Space
Spaceship Earth
Journey Into the Imagination

Griggs Family - 11
Not Enough Time - 7

Act 3: Scene 5 - The Candlelight Processional Exceeds Expectations

 

[buzz for boys]

Fantastic update.
The characters are so fantastic with the maw kids.
I hope that you didnt let others complaining about you skipping line stop you enjoying the experience. Im sure they wouldnt like to swap places with you for the "perk" of not waiting in line !!
We experienced this quite a lot when we stayed at gktw and had the magic Gac especially as Cam doesnt look ill we even got asked how we managed to buy one !!

 

[StefaniLyn]

Fantastic update.
The characters are so fantastic with the maw kids.
I hope that you didnt let others complaining about you skipping line stop you enjoying the experience. Im sure they wouldnt like to swap places with you for the "perk" of not waiting in line !!
We experienced this quite a lot when we stayed at gktw and had the magic Gac especially as Cam doesnt look ill we even got asked how we managed to buy one !!

The characters were great! Soooo funny and attentive and did a great job giving the girls a chance to warm up to them first.

I am hoping the lady calmed down after the CM explained we were a "Wish" family. Maybe she just didn't see our GAC and Bella isn't in a wheelchair so she probably didn't 'get it'. I would give anything to trade places with a 'normal family!'

We experienced this a couple of times on our trip, but none of the occasions were bad enough to ruin our day.

I can't believe someone thought you bought the GAC!!!

 

[ladybugmom]

All caught up! I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience at Nine Dragons! I can't believe they made such a big deal about Bella not eating there--uggh!! Glad you were able to get the CP ticket for her! However, the Mickey and Pluto meet looks fabulous!! The girls look like they're on cloud 9! And you were able to get some great PP pics!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Sitting here a wee bit misty eyed tonight as I read this update. The girls are so obviously really enjoying their time with Mickey and his #1 pooch!

I'd say the 2 biggies that you missed, given the ages of the girls, were Turtle Talk and Figment. But, hey, there's always next time!!

 

[StefaniLyn]

All caught up! I'm so sorry that you had such a bad experience at Nine Dragons! I can't believe they made such a big deal about Bella not eating there--uggh!! Glad you were able to get the CP ticket for her! However, the Mickey and Pluto meet looks fabulous!! The girls look like they're on cloud 9! And you were able to get some great PP pics!!

We've never had an issue like that anywhere and I was surprised that it happened at Disney. Usually restaurants are very accommodating to her special dietary needs. And given that the CP ticket was officially 'free' I didn't see the problem.

Mickey and Pluto were great! They realized the girls apprehension at first and weren't too forward but then engaged them by asking about the rides and such. One of our best character interactions ever! The PPphotog got some great shots of almost everything. The only one I really miss from my lost photos was a picture of Pluto holding his ears out like he was Soarin.

Sitting here a wee bit misty eyed tonight as I read this update. The girls are so obviously really enjoying their time with Mickey and his #1 pooch!

I'd say the 2 biggies that you missed, given the ages of the girls, were Turtle Talk and Figment. But, hey, there's always next time!!

We have been on Figment before and the girls honestly weren't too eager to ride it again. It was a last minute add on to our to do list because I happen to have very fond memories of it as a kid. Turtle Talk on the other hand will be at the top of our list for the next trip. Must. See. Crush!

 

[All7OfUs]

Well then, sounds like you only missed a couple of "biggies". I'd say you packed a WHOLE LOT IN!! And you still have the CP to come- the creme de la creme!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Stinky service at Nine Dragons. Weird. Good to know about the Kim Possible missions. Can you choose what countries you might want to play in, or is it random?

 

[that's nice]

I can't believe what happened at Nine Dragons. But I'm glad everything got cleared up for you.

Did Bella understand the KP Mission or was it a little over her head? I'm trying to figure out if we should be trying to fit one in on our Epcot day.

How awesome about getting to see the characters! The girls look like they were having a blast! I love Mickey & Pluto! Glad you got and your DH to be in a pic too!!

 

[StefaniLyn]

Well then, sounds like you only missed a couple of "biggies". I'd say you packed a WHOLE LOT IN!! And you still have the CP to come- the creme de la creme!!

And those biggies weren't a big deal either. Journey into the Imagination was a last minute add on only because I loved it so much as a kid. The girls were actually bored last time. And Turtle Talk will just go to the top of our list for next time. I wish we had gone when the line was short, but oh well!

Stinky service at Nine Dragons. Weird. Good to know about the Kim Possible missions. Can you choose what countries you might want to play in, or is it random?

At first, we were just given a random start place, time, and country but when we mentioned our plans for the day, the CM adjusted it all to our schedule. You can select which country you begin in (I think there are 3 choices) as well as where you want to end your mission. Just tell the CM at the kiosk when you sign up. We were also able to select our time and I'm sure the earlier you get there the more selection you will have.

I can't believe what happened at Nine Dragons. But I'm glad everything got cleared up for you.

Did Bella understand the KP Mission or was it a little over her head? I'm trying to figure out if we should be trying to fit one in on our Epcot day.

How awesome about getting to see the characters! The girls look like they were having a blast! I love Mickey & Pluto! Glad you got and your DH to be in a pic too!!

I think Juliana would enjoy the KP Mission. Bella definitely enjoyed it, especially holding the Kimmunicator. She needed help finding the clues of course but overall did quite well with it. You should try and squeeze at least one into your Epcot day. Pick a country you'd particularily like to visit and see if there is a mission there. Ours took about 45 minutes, but we could have done it faster if we didn't stop for KidCots, Mulan, and photos.

DH and I being in photos is my favorite part of Photopass. If we didn't have photopass, you'd think I sent my girls on vacation all by themselves because there are hardly every any adults in the photos!

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

We really loved the Kim Possible Missions too! We did three countries (Mexico, Germany, and United Kingdom) and next time we go back we will definitely do more. We didn't do China it looks like fun

 

[pipersmom]

Hey hon, just got all caught up. I'm sorry you all have been having to deal with so much lately and hope revisiting your trip is helping at least a little bit. I was just telling Pamela on her thread that reading your TRs is really amping up the excitement for Piper and I. It looks like you had a great day at Epcot..I hadn't decided for sure on whether to do Kim Possible, but I think we will do at least one! Maybe set it up to end in Norway in time for our Princess lunch ADR. Hoping everything is going well for you this weekend, and looking forward to keeping up more now that we're home!

 

[nittanyliongirl02]

Hi Stephanie!

I am really enjoying reading your trip report. My DH and I were at WDW at pretty much the same time as your family. Your girls are gorgeous! It's great that Bella and your family had such a wonderful time despite the ups and downs and feeding issues. My cousin (who is now 17), had the similar esphogeal issues. Due to her poor nutritional intake, she has always been on the smaller side, and has had to take growth hormones. However, in her older age, she has grown (well not much in height! ), to do very well. She grew to like gymnastics, and is now probably much stronger then me (I'm 13 years older!). So hang in there, and I hope that your Bella will do just as well!

Can't wait to see more of your trip!
P.S.....wasn't Kim Possible awesome? My DH and I did several "missions" in England prior to our dinner at Rose and Crown. I want to go back and do all the countries, ha ha!

 

[Chelley00]

Checking in for an update (gentle nudge )

 

[All7OfUs]

Missing you, sweetie!! Everythign ok?

 

[kimmylaj]

just popping in to say i am thinking about you