Give Kids The World Has anyone been ???

[buzz for boys]

Hi I am very new to this but feel this is probably the best way to get info I desperatly crave. My son will be turning four whilst we ar staying at GKTW and we were wondering what people who had stayed there thought about wether we are doing the right thing we are going from 1st march and are a bit worried that he will be disappointed by lack of presents on his birthday will they help us to arrange a cake or will we have to find out how to arrange one ?? Also can anyone tell us if the experience at GKTW was a little daunting I was told that they will bend over backwards to help you at every move but I am quite shy and am worried that we as a family may feel crowded by them. Any info on what to expect would be super.
Thanks x xx

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi and Welcome to the DIS

I haven't heard of GKTW myself but I hope someone will be able to help you

 

[buzz for boys]

Hi Thanks for your reply Give Kids The World is a village especially for children with a life threatening illness. So I am probably not going to get many people know what im talking about am I ?? But still thought it was worth a try. Thanks for replying its better no reply at all !!!

 

[KayleeUK]

Have you looked on the disABILITIES forum - they may be able to help

 

[Miffy2003]

I wanted to say welcome too but I'm afraid I can't help with your question.

 

[buzz for boys]

Hi,
Everyone on here seems so friendly as you cant help with GKTW can you please tell me where the best place is for celebrating my sons fourth birthday in the park ?? Any ideas on how to make it extra special ?? I have no idea what to expect from wdw and am a bit scared that it might all be a bit overwhelming for all 3 of my ds we really need this to be a special family memory.
Thanks xxx

 

[Peebee]

Hi there and welcome to the boards

Does your son have any favourites characters, or types of food that he really likes? Let us know and i'm sure you'll get some great recommendations to make it a special day

Paul

 

[buzz for boys]

Hi there ,
Yes my son just loves aladdin and the genie. Also very fond of Buzz and the Incredibles. Aladdin defo favorite though as he wants to go to wdw dressed as prince Ali. I am lead to believe that the only way you can meet Aladdin is at th eprincessses breakfast and I dont think my 6 yr old is going to be too impressed with that !! Thanks x xx

 

[Peebee]

You're probably right about the princess breakfast - i'm not sure Aladdin is always a definite for that anyway!

One good place for meeting him (and Jasmine) is in Morocco at Epcot. Although it's not part of a character meal as such you can get some photos and autographs. The Magic Carpet ride at the Magic Kingdom is also a good place to bump into Genie - I remember once we rode this and the Genie was in the carpet in front with a lucky parent and child Might be worth asking a cast member at the ride if this is a possibility for you?

While there have been some rumours of a Toy Story character meal, nothing exists at the moment. If he likes Pooh and friends at all then the Crystal Palace at MK is a nice place to go but can be busy at times. For something a little quieter it's worth trying the Cape May Cafe character breakfast at the Beach Club - we did this for my son's birthday last year and he had a great time meeting Minnie, Goofy, Chip and Dale. As it was a little less busy we had more time with the characters and they played with him for ages.

Hope these suggestions help a little - let me know if you need any others.

Paul

 

[buzz for boys]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for all the info we have heard a lot about the crystal palace but everyone agrees with you that it can get very busy and im not sure that my son would really like that. Will try the suggestion about Genie though that would really make his day !!!
Do disney print the times that genie is expected to be there or is it just luck on the day ???
Thanks very much Louise xx x

 

[KayleeUK]

You can always ask a Cast Member if Genie is going to appear. We saw him right at the entrance of the MK

Have you thought about breakfast at Chef Mickeys? You could always make a early or late PS so hopefully it wouldn't be too busy

 

[Peebee]

Hi Louise, glad you found the info useful.

As Kaylee says, Chef Mickey's is also a good option for breakfast - particularly if you go a little later in the morning, then you can go on to the Magic Kingdom afterwards. If you try the Cape May Cafe then both Epcot and MGM are within 10-15 minutes walking distance (or you can take the boats and travel in comfort ).

As for meeting Genie or the other characters, pop into City Hall at the front of Main Street when you arrive at the MK and the cast members there can let you know when characters are likely to be around and where to find them.

Paul

 

[Twinks]

Don't forget to ask at Guest Services for a special Disney Birthday badge, he will get lots of attention from all the Disney staff and characters

Have a wonderful time.

Twinks

 

[tartangirl]

Hi

We met Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie and Jafar in Adventureland just across from the Swiss Family treehouse. There's a small covered area where they were meeting people.

We had spotted them a few times but the queues were quite long but as we headed out they were just arriving so we got to meet them straight away.

We also met the Genie at the world showcase beside Morocco and Japan

The only place we saw Buzz was at the theatre beside the exit to Buzz's space rangers spin - I'm pretty sure the times he was around were printed on the park map.

I'm afraid I cant help you with GKTW.

I hope you have a trully wonderful time

 

[buzz for boys]

Hi,
You posted about a birthday badge do you know if we can wear it with the special badge we get that enables us to jump the ques or is it one or the other ??

I am quite worried that my son will think we have forrgotten his birthday as we are planning on leaving his pressies here for on our return and it would be nice for him to be wished a happy birthday from cms but obviously the que beating badge is a better option if we have to pick one or the other.

Sorry if this sounds as though I am being really greedy but for my son this will be trip of a lifetime and it is unlikely we will repeat it with him and I would love to make it as special as pos without it being too intense.

Also does the magic carpet ride spin very fast or is quite a gentle ride I have a guide book that says it is reccomended age 5+ ???

Thanks everyone xxx

 

[Miffy2003]

The birthday badge is different and I feel sure (though I haven't had the special card to get to the front of the q's - is that the GAC card?) that you could have both.

Birthday badge is available to anyone - if you are at MK go to City Hall and ask for one there

 

[slinky101]

Hi, the magic carpet rides just goes around and the cars raise up and down, if you know what I mean, I wouldn't say it was at all scarey, and probably is only 5+ because it goes up quite high. Its just like dumbo, if you have seen that.
We saw aladin, genie and jasmine at MGM, throughout the day there are character meets around the sorcere mickey hat, but usually with long queues. also at MGM near to the muppets 3D show, is Al's Toy Barn, woody buzz and jessie seem to be there nearly all day, we went once and jessie was just hanging about waiting for people to meet her, they have oversized models of Buzz space ship box etc, its a great area for anyone who loves toy story, as i do, sorry i mean as my kids do!
You are not being greedy, everyone wants florida to be a special holiday for their families and, you have more reason than most, have a great trip.

 

[buzz for boys]

I know what you mean I think I am more excited than the kids My kids are only really into Disney because from an early age I rammed it down there throats .
Whenever my kids draw a picture they will draw a disney character my 2 yr old will run round the room shouting BEYOND with one arm in the air. Its GREAT !!!
I see you have been to Florida loads of times does the experience get better each time you go ???
Thanks for your advice XXX

 

[buzz for boys]

The birthday badge is different and I feel sure (though I haven't had the special card to get to the front of the q's - is that the GAC card?) that you could have both.

Birthday badge is available to anyone - if you are at MK go to City Hall and ask for one there

Im not sure if the q jumper is the same as a GAC I just know that you get it from GKTW and it enables you noyt to wait in q . I will defo go to city hall and ask about birthday badge anyway worst they can say is No. I read somewhere that a lady dressed her child in birthday banners and the cms loved it and that little girl got loads of attenetion but im not sure that that my ds would like that much attention a few happy birthdays would be lovely but he can become very overwhelmed quite quickly and that might scare him .

Ill post all about our trip when we return exactly 3 weeks to go today HURRAY !!!

 

[slinky101]

Hi, have only been to florida once and disney paris once, its an amazing place and I don't think the magic would die however many times you go, especially when going with kids.
Last time we went my parents joined us for the second week to surprise the kids, as it grew nearer my parents really didnt fancy it and kept saying they had booked it in a moment of madness, my mum does not like thje rides and swears she hates americans, does not even like it when they tell her to have a nice day in the disney store in cardiff!: when they arrived they said they would never ever fly for that length of time and this was a once only trip, by day two we were planning to come back, there really is nowhere else like it,and this year they are coming with us and we have draggerd my brother and family with us.
You really do need to plan, there is so much to do, you really need a basic (at least) idea of what you want to do, mine is a military operation with printed out planner, but not everyone is as obsessed as me!
Have you got a copy of the brits guide? its the best book on florida and would be a great start to reading up on whats there. Its got a mini planner section in the back and info on busy and quiet days?