Elliot's Wish Trip... Video of our entire trip posted! (post 492)

[that's nice]

How do I decide which parks to do on which days?!?!

Tough question.....

We will be arriving at GKTW on a Thursday, which is awesome because we can start the week off with Christmas! The only downside is that we won't land until 3:10 (still haven't gotten confirmed times but that's what I was told) so I will have to go to the 7:45 orientation, which means I'll miss some of Christmas. I wish I could send dh to the orientation, but he'd forget what they tell him before he even walked out!

I think you will be able to enjoy most of the Christmas festivities before you have to head to the orientation.

Now for planning... how in the world do I decide which parks to do first, in which order?? Since we are starting out on a weekend, should we avoid MK until Monday or later to have less of a crowd?

MK USUALLY isn't too busy on a Friday.. As far as choosing what parks- keep in mind you will have the button which will help you bypass most lines so even on a busy day you should be able to accomplish a lot.

I am not really interested in going around to all the countries in Epcot, but would like to still go for the popular rides and attractions. Could these be done in a partial day? Are we missing out on too much by skipping the World Showcase? Do you end up meeting a lot of characters going through?

There are characters in the WS but on a tight schedule you can skip the WS and just concentrate on FutureWorld. You should be able to hit most rides and check out some exhibits in a 1/2 day.

I really can't decide what to do about character dining. I see so many posts about it and I feel like we are going to be missing out on something if we don't try it, but I have no idea what we'd want to do and if it would really be worth it. I know I don't want princess dining, and would prefer lunch over breakfast but that's all I know. Any suggestions??

Crystal Palace in the MK has Pooh & friends and the food is always good. (from my experience) What characters do your kids like?

 

[blessedmom4]

Just wanted to let you know I was here, thinking about you and appreciate your support. Our 60 degree weather of today WILL be short lived, unfortunately (Yesterday was low 40's, Tomorrow back to the 30's)...although I am SO happy we have it today, even if the wind is blowing horribly. I will take that over what many of our friends are facing today!

Hoping you are having a great day. I think of you every time I post a link, Thanks again!

 

[blessedmom4]

Hi computer friend , thinking of you.

 

[jj0plin]

Aww Thank you so much, you are so sweet!

It's been a wild, crazy busy week! It's my craziest week of the year actually! Trevor's 15th birthday was Wednesday of last week, mine was Friday, my anniversary was Sunday, and my dh's birthday was this Wednesday. We had a couple dinner celebrations with family, and dh and I went out to celebrate Saturday night.

Even more exciting than all of that... Elliot decided to begin potty training this week and has been doing great with it! We started on Monday and he hasn't had an accident since then! Last Thursday Elliot's MAW coordinator had called to see if we'd need diapers or pull-ups to be in our room when we got to Disney... I told her that I really hoped he'd be potty trained by then. We decided a few pull-ups would be ordered just to be safe. When we were hanging up, she said to tell Elliot that Mickey hopes he is using the potty when he comes down. That's about all it took! Monday he started wearing undies and had 4 accidents. Since then he has used the potty perfectly!! I am beyond impressed because I've tried to convince him to try it for months but he just wasn't interested... guess it's true that they will get it when they are ready. He's told me several times "Me go potty, Mickey will be so happy!"

 

[jj0plin]

There are characters in the WS but on a tight schedule you can skip the WS and just concentrate on FutureWorld. You should be able to hit most rides and check out some exhibits in a 1/2 day.

That sounds like the best plan. I hear Animal Kingdom is a 1/2 day adventure too, and that the animals were better to see in the am, but then I hear that Soarin and such is crazy busy and better to do first thing. I know we will have that button and I probably need to believe in the magic of it, but I still feel nervous about huge crowds because my dh becomes a grouch when places are too crowded Would you do Epcot or AK first?

Crystal Palace in the MK has Pooh & friends and the food is always good. (from my experience) What characters do your kids like?

The characters they are least interested in are Pooh and friends, which is funny because it's what Addison picked out for me to decorate their room when she was 2 1/2 (now it's just Elliot's room). I am thinking one meal at Hollywood and Vine will be enough... though you all sure made Chef Mickey look awesome!

 

[blessedmom4]

Would you do Epcot or AK first?

My two cents (which is exactly what it is worth )...AK first (we have a few favorites here), get all that you want to do done ASAP and DASH to Epcot (we love Epcot).

 

[blessedmom4]

Happy Birthday to TREVOR, CHRISTY and CRAIG!! (I hope I didn't miss anyone!)


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!


CONGRATULATIONS ELLIOT!!! (AND MOM)!!!

 

[jj0plin]

Thank you so much!! You are too sweet!!

 

[jj0plin]

I have narrowed down my plans but I need to decide between Plan A and Plan B. I might have to get hubby's opinion at this point LOL I hope I am not trying to do too much... I want to be able to do it all, but I want it to still feel like a vacation somewhat! I have been looking at crowd levels on touringplan.com because we are going so close to Spring Break and I am worried about the crowds.
__________________________________________________

Thursday 31
Arrive at Give Kids the World around 4 ?
* Get Settled, Explore, Have Dinner
Christmas
* Winter Wonderland from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm
* Santa Claus in Julie’s Safari Theatre from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm
* Carriage Rides from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m
* Winter Wonderland Parade at 7:45 p.m. on the Avenue of Angels
Orientation 7:45pm
__________________________________________________

Friday 1
Breakfast
Universal Characters - Photos from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the Castle of Miracles
Sea World 9am – 9pm
Dinner @ GKTW
Pirates and Princesses Party with Shamu and friends from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
__________________________________________________

Saturday 2
Touring Plan Crowd predictions: 6 out of 10 / MK, AK / HS

Breakfast
? Horseback Riding - from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Keaton’s Korral
Animal Kingdom 9am-6pm
* Jammin' Jungle Parade 3:45pm
Epcot 9am-9pm
* Dinner
? * Illuminations 9pm
__________________________________________________

Sunday 3
Touring Plan Crowd predictions: 7 out of 10 / EP / MK

A)Breakfast
Spend time at GKTW
Schedule Cessna, Indoor Skydive, etc
? Twinkle Hope’s Tea Party from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Castle of Miracles
Candy Land Game from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Playground
? Village after Dark Teen Party from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in Julie’s Safari Theatre

B)Breakfast
? Revisit Epcot if something was missed
Hollywood Studios 9am-8:30pm
* Reservations at Hollywood and Vine
* Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! 3pm
* Fantasmic 8:30pm
__________________________________________________

Monday 4
Touring Plan Crowd predictions: 7 out of 10 / EP, HS / AK

A)Breakfast
Disney Character Photos from 8-8:30am
Magic Kingdom
* Disney Wishes 10pm
* A Dream Come True Parade 3pm
* Main Street Electrical Parade 9pm

B)Breakfast
Disney Character Photos from 8-8:30am
Schedule Cessna, Indoor Skydive, etc
? Kids’ Night Out/Grown-ups’ Night Off from 5:45-9 p.m. at Amberville Train
? Discovery Cove Animal Exploration from 6:45-7:30 p.m.
? Safari Double Dare in Julie’s Safari Theatre from 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
__________________________________________________

Tuesday 5
Touring Plan Crowd predictions: 6 out of 10 / MK, AK / EP

A)Breakfast
Nickelodeon Character Photos in the Castle of Miracles from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m
? Revisit Epcot if something was missed
Hollywood Studios 9am-8:30pm
* Reservations at Hollywood and Vine
* Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun! 3pm
* Fantasmic 8:30pm

B)Breakfast
Nickelodeon Character Photos in the Castle of Miracles from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m
Magic Kingdom
* Disney Wishes 10pm
* A Dream Come True Parade 3pm
* Main Street Electrical Parade 9pm
__________________________________________________

Wednesday 6
Breakfast
Hang at GKTW
? Horseback riding from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Keaton’s Korral
Check out; Go to new hotel (possibly Universal with Transportation)
Return car (rent another?)
? Spend evening at Universal 9am-7pm or IOA 9am-8pm
__________________________________________________

Thursday 7
IOA 9am-8pm
Universal 9am-7pm
__________________________________________________

Friday 8
Check out of hotel
? Downtown Disney
? Airport at 1, 3:30 flight ?
__________________________________________________

 

[mommy2mrb]

Hi Christy...been lurking here and finally want to say Hi!!

your family is beautiful, Elliot's smiles sure does light up the room! So happy you are getting Elliot's wish granted!

we will be at WDW around the same time as you 3/29 - 4/9, so maybe we can say Hi there!

Your plans look good, we love AK and Epcot (my DD will be 11 on our first day) WS is a lot of fun for kids, looking through all the countries and seeing the cultural parts....AK is great for the shows, The Lion King and Nemo shows are great and of course seeing all the animals is a lot of fun.

Chef Mickeys and 1900 Park Fare at the Grand FL are both fav's of ours, dinner at GF has Cinderella, Prince Charming, Step mother and sisters...breakfast is Mary Poppins, Alice, Mad Hatter, Pooh and Tigger, so depending on what characters your kids like both are fun options and the GF is a nice break from the parks too!

Look forward to hearing more about your trip....

Happy belated Birthdays and Anniversary to you all!

Blessings,
Lisa

 

[miprender]

Just read through all your PTR. Your family is beautiful. We have some children the same age. My youngest DS just turned 3 at the end of December and we are trying to potty train him too. Maybe I will have to pull out the Mickey card. I also have a 5 yr old son and a 7 yr old daughter.

Yeah for getting dates we just love Disney in April

 

[jj0plin]

Hi Christy...been lurking here and finally want to say Hi!!
Hi!

your family is beautiful, Elliot's smiles sure does light up the room! So happy you are getting Elliot's wish granted!



we will be at WDW around the same time as you 3/29 - 4/9, so maybe we can say Hi there!
that would be awesome!

Your plans look good, we love AK and Epcot (my DD will be 11 on our first day) WS is a lot of fun for kids, looking through all the countries and seeing the cultural parts....AK is great for the shows, The Lion King and Nemo shows are great and of course seeing all the animals is a lot of fun.

I went to WS once, when I was 17 and I thought it was cool then but I really don't think my little ones would be interested for too long. I won't completely write it off... we will do all we want in FW, then will probably venture over to Norway and Mexico and see how it goes from there. I'd like to stay for Illuminations, but will base that on the energy level left in dh and they little ones... I know Trevor and I could keep going all night My dd is OBSESSED with animals and we will probably have to drag her out of there!

Chef Mickeys and 1900 Park Fare at the Grand FL are both fav's of ours, dinner at GF has Cinderella, Prince Charming, Step mother and sisters...breakfast is Mary Poppins, Alice, Mad Hatter, Pooh and Tigger, so depending on what characters your kids like both are fun options and the GF is a nice break from the parks too!

Thank you for the suggestions! I thought about dinner at Akershus but I am not sure how much money we have to spend. Chef Mickey sounds great but I am not sure about all the time lost in the parks to go elsewhere for food (plus we get free breakfast at GKTW), but I will discuss that with dh. For now we do have plans for Hollywood and Vine since Elliot loves Oso.

Look forward to hearing more about your trip....

Happy belated Birthdays and Anniversary to you all!

Thanks!

Blessings,
Lisa

Just read through all your PTR. Your family is beautiful. We have some children the same age. My youngest DS just turned 3 at the end of December and we are trying to potty train him too. Maybe I will have to pull out the Mickey card. I also have a 5 yr old son and a 7 yr old daughter.

Yeah for getting dates we just love Disney in April

Thank you Definitely pull the Mickey card , you never know what will work!Pez (candy) helped a lot too!

 

[blessedmom4]

Thank you so much!! You are too sweet!!

Awwww, Thank you.

I LOVE your plans, they are AWESOME!! I confess, we LOVE LOVE LOVE Epcot! It just seems like magic happens there around every corner and when you least expect it! I honestly think I could spend an entire month in Epcot and never see/do everything! You definitely need to hit Mexico and Norway...SOOOOOOO Much fun. As you can tell by the pictures I have been posting, there are some cool things to see and do and the character interactions have been priceless there as well. I also LOVE the FOTLK at AK. Nemo was good too and we can't miss the Animal Safari...I love getting up close and personal with the animals when they will cooperate! I admit it, I am aslo a sucker for It's a Bug's Life...too fun!

 

[mommy2mrb]

I forgot to tell you our Mickey story...

Megan was a big challenge with potty training, we had moved from NC to CA when she was 3 and I told her CA didn't sell diapers for 3 yr old so she needed to learn to use the potty....we will worked on it all summer and early fall with some success, but plently of accidents, very stubbor girl I have...

we had planned a trip to DLR for Thanksgiving to surprise her, my DH asked her the beginning of Nov if she got potty trained where did she want to go for Thanksgiving, she said DisneyLand!!! from that day on she went every time in the potty, no more accidents!

fast forward one year, we moved to South CA from North CA and an hour away from DLR, Megan was still sucking her thumb a bit and we were trying hard to break the habit....she wanted to go back to DLR, but DH told her Mickey didn't allow 4 yr old in the park who sucked her thumb...voila thumb sucking stopped....we took a trip, did a tour and at the end our tour leader told Mickey in private that we were there because she had stopped....Mickey made such a big deal ....Megan was so surprised that Mickey "knew"!!

So the power of the mouse is great and almighty in our house...hope it works for you too!

 

[that's nice]

That sounds like the best plan. I hear Animal Kingdom is a 1/2 day adventure too, and that the animals were better to see in the am, but then I hear that Soarin and such is crazy busy and better to do first thing. I know we will have that button and I probably need to believe in the magic of it, but I still feel nervous about huge crowds because my dh becomes a grouch when places are too crowded Would you do Epcot or AK first?

Hit AK first, because you will want to get on the safari first think in the AM. You have to remember... the button/GAC will get you in very quickly, most times through the FP line. It is like having a FP to all the rides. Plus at the character meets, most of the time, you get to move up to the front. That will help you move through the park quickly.

The characters they are least interested in are Pooh and friends, which is funny because it's what Addison picked out for me to decorate their room when she was 2 1/2 (now it's just Elliot's room). I am thinking one meal at Hollywood and Vine will be enough... though you all sure made Chef Mickey look awesome!

Well, you know your kids... If you are able to eat most meals at GKTW, it will cost you nothing!

I must add...... CM is a great time!

 

[jj0plin]

Hit AK first, because you will want to get on the safari first think in the AM. You have to remember... the button/GAC will get you in very quickly, most times through the FP line. It is like having a FP to all the rides. Plus at the character meets, most of the time, you get to move up to the front. That will help you move through the park quickly.

Well, you know your kids... If you are able to eat most meals at GKTW, it will cost you nothing!

I must add...... CM is a great time!

LOL I know we will do breakfast at GKTW, but the rest will be in the parks (most of the time). You convinced me to look for CM but I didn't see any availability I am considering more dining now though... I think all this planning has become a major addiction! I am about to sit down to discuss stuff with dh so we'll see where I end up afterwards

 

[jj0plin]

I forgot to tell you our Mickey story...

Megan was a big challenge with potty training, we had moved from NC to CA when she was 3 and I told her CA didn't sell diapers for 3 yr old so she needed to learn to use the potty....we will worked on it all summer and early fall with some success, but plently of accidents, very stubbor girl I have...

we had planned a trip to DLR for Thanksgiving to surprise her, my DH asked her the beginning of Nov if she got potty trained where did she want to go for Thanksgiving, she said DisneyLand!!! from that day on she went every time in the potty, no more accidents!

fast forward one year, we moved to South CA from North CA and an hour away from DLR, Megan was still sucking her thumb a bit and we were trying hard to break the habit....she wanted to go back to DLR, but DH told her Mickey didn't allow 4 yr old in the park who sucked her thumb...voila thumb sucking stopped....we took a trip, did a tour and at the end our tour leader told Mickey in private that we were there because she had stopped....Mickey made such a big deal ....Megan was so surprised that Mickey "knew"!!

So the power of the mouse is great and almighty in our house...hope it works for you too!

Wow... amazing!! I may have to try another one to get rid of the binky once the potty training is old news Thanks for the story!

 

[jj0plin]

Elliot and I are making the most of a rainy day... we went to the library and picked up a Little Einsteins DVD and a Classic Winnie the Pooh DVD. I figured it wouldn't hurt for the kids to know where some of the characters came from I am loving the Pooh and the Honey Tree episode already

 

[mommy2mrb]

Elliot and I are making the most of a rainy day... we went to the library and picked up a Little Einsteins DVD and a Classic Winnie the Pooh DVD. I figured it wouldn't hurt for the kids to know where some of the characters came from I am loving the Pooh and the Honey Tree episode already

enjoy your rainy day with your sweet boy! Megan loved watching those when she was little!
Pooh makes every day a little brighter

 

[jj0plin]

The rain has now turned to some really huge snowflakes... looks like we will be getting 1-3 inches today... booo!!! I am already tired of snow and it's only the middle of winter! Elliot gave up on Pooh and is now playing with Addie's Littlest Pet Shop stuff while she isn't here to stop him LOL