DisneyLAND Make a Wish trip

[PatMcDuck]

Because there seems to be less posting about DL Make a Wish trips, compared to WDW, I was asked to post here about our upcoming MKAW trip in August. It will be me (MOM), DD age 16, and her 17 year old friend.

Just a quick post, we got our dates for the DL Make a Wish trip. Our flights are booked, Newark (NJ) to John Wayne Airport. Aug 11-17th. Woo-hoo. The flights were booked by my local office in NJ, I think. But from there, they contact the office in CA to book the hotel and rental car.

They offered us passes to Knotts Berry Farm, and Medieval Times. I declined the Medieval Times, DD has been there on a class trip here in NJ and it was not really her "thing". I asked about Universal tickets, they said they would try, but Universal is located in a different Make a Wish territory from the DL one, and reminded me it was a distance away from DL. (I said, I will drive there no problem, I drive everywhere) So, they would request it. I am not concerned, we can still go and buy our own tickets, if we feel like going there.

I am excited to hear what hotel they put us in, they said it could be a Disney one, or an off site one close enough to walk to the park (I am hoping for that, so we can take a break from the heat easily).

I will post when I find out more info.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I am going to post a link to this on another board which is fairly heavy with staff of many parks, including KBF. I will ask them to look at this and comment. That board is currently down for maintenance, so it may not be until tomorrow that I can post to it.

 

[dclfun]

A friend whose daughter had a MAW trip to Disneyland last year said they were placed in a Renaissance resort close to the parks where there was MAW staff located and other wish families. She did say they gave out all the tickets there for the parks plus the staff was there to help with any issues. They felt that DL didn't treat them as "special" as DW- they had a bit of trouble with their SD and w/c access at DL but overall they had a wonderful trip. Hope it goes well for Bridget- I know she must be really looking forward to finally getting her trip and feeling well enough to enjoy it!---Kathy

 

[PatMcDuck]

We may do ok, because Bridget is older. And hopefully will be fairly ok health wise when we go. (will likely need a wheelchair in park)

 

[dclfun]

Her daughter was 19 when they went- actually she'd passed the age limit but an exception was made since they applied when she was younger but couldn't schedule the trip. I think you'll have a great time at DL.---Kathy

 

[Mskanga]

May I ask when did you start to process all this ? We are still waiting to hear when we are going .....we should know something next week.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

So far I have gotten one response from the other board. The poster is a former employee of KBF.

Okay, I read the thread, this lady should NOT go to Knott's. 1.) the rides are falling apart, especially Log Ride, though I understand Mine Ride has issues as well; 2.) the food sucks, and the place can't pass a health inspection unless they pay bribes to the inspectors; 3.) there have been reports of less than sanitary conditions in the KBF Hotel, which is why Radisson pulled their name off of it. Also, you should check www.themeparkinsider.com; there is a report/complaint by a lady whose autistic son was not allowed on rides, they got the runaround from management and staff, and are really pissed at Knott's right now, as well they should. I hope this lady on DISboards gets to go to Universal. Because if she goes to Knott's, she will regret it.

The board is primarily people who work (or have worked) at theme parks nationwide. I would say the response is typical, most of the posts I have seen by people who work(ed) at KBF seem to be of the opinion that the entire park is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Wow, that was some response on Knotts! Well, I could take it or leave it I guess.

I think I would rather take a day and go to the beach (DD wants to dip her toe in the Pacific Ocean/ we live 20 minutes from the Atlantic here). Also I would love to go see that Disney theatre that has the ice cream parlor. El Capitan. And I will buy passes to Universal if they donot provide them. I am just happy to GO, I have no complaints.

Oh, to answer another post, we applied in October, and heard back in December that the wish was granted. We asked for August because DD had double hip surgery in October and double knee in December (avascular necrosis from steroids). We wanted her recovered as much as possible, and to avoid missing school days.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://disney.go.com/DisneyPictures/el_capitan/

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/soda_fountain/lookinside.html

They are a fun place to visit and do not take up too much time in the day. They are wheelchair acessible.

Before Every 10am show, come to Disney's Soda Fountain & Studio Store for breakfast where you can meet and get your picture taken with a special Disney Character. Reserve your spot at breakfast today! Seating is limited.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/el_capitan/popups/littlemermaid/
This is a sample of what goes on. August will be Wall.E about robots, methinks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Capitan_Theatre
for the history

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gsb8CTcDTBk&feature=related
that was the exhibit for Enchanted
==============================
I would love to do Universal Studios and think that would be a fun choice.
It depends on what the kid likes to do. Santa Monica has a fun zone also. Aquarium of the Pacific is a nice disabled friendly museum and Cabrillo museum/whatever is nice and small.

I have not been back to Knott's since the Cinco de Mayo riots when they gave admission for $5. Every kind of scum, trash, low life came to Knott's and there was snarled traffic, not parking or admission and there was fights.

Knott's was built when I was a kid. Some things are totally not disabled friendly like the Stagecoach. It was a fun place until they started firing the Native Americans and changed to Cedar Fair.

Universal has the tram ride and lots of shows. It started with no rides at all and still is show oriented. I used to have fun back when it was no rides and no arcades just ride the tram, walk around, take pictures and see shows. sigh those were the good old days my friend. Been about 10 or more years, hoping this year, and back then it was disabled friendly. I did see a show in the park ampitheatre that was disabled friendly, very nice people there.

 

[tink2dw]

We went to Universal in 2003 and they were fixing things to be more handicap accessible. Instead of the cliff side walkway and the elevator. They had Vehicles that drove us to the bottom area of Universal. However there wasn't alot down there, 3 shows a walk thru tribute to Lucille Ball. A kiosk that put your pic into a scene on a shirt. Dh and Dd did a Star Wars shirt.

We loved the shows on the entrance level, our favorite was the Blues Bothers. But they have Sherk, and a Animal show and several more!