Happy New Year 2011! Emily's MAW/GKTW Trip - The Final Gives!

[Emilyswish]

Aww my little guy, Carter is a huge Thomas (and trains, cars, trucks, etc. in general) fan too!! choo choo treat is sooo cute! awww.

i'll definitely post some pics from halloween tomorrow

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

momtoalexnwilliam - which park do you think would be best to spend new year's eve and/or day in? are the crowds just ridiculously crazy?? i mean I know it's going to be very crowded but will it be shoulder to shoulder all day in the parks or bearable?

We've always gone a bit before Christmas Day so I don't have any first hand knowledge of the parks on the actual Holiday days. I have always heard the actual days are CROWDED!!! Maybe you could use that day for a day of rest? Just to avoid the massive crowds.

 

[fulseasmama]

Just found your PTR...what a beautiful family you have. I am so happy for you that Emily (and your family) will be getting such a lovely wish come true. Looking forward to following your PTR as you continue to plan.

Have a Happy Halloween!

 

[bushdianee]

It was several years ago and we didn't have kids with us, but we asked at the front desk which park would be the least crowded on NYE. The CM told us to go to EPCOT. It was still really crowded and full (closed) by about 3:00 WS was horrible- wall to wall people most of whom were drunk. We watched the first showing of Illuminations then headed back to the resort to beat the drunken rush to the buses. We then watched fireworks from the resort. I think we were at All Star Movies that year.

 

[Emilyswish]

Yikes, maybe we will only go to a park in the morning on NYE and hang at GKTW for the evening!

 

[disney*mom*82]

Your family is very cute! I hope you guys have a wonderful time at WDW! We will be there 12/21-1/3. This is our first Christmas at WDW and we cant wait!! Our plans for NYE is Epcot. Im a major planner and have all our days planned, ADRs, etc. It would probably be easier for your family to just go with the flow.
One of our favorite character meals is Chef Mickeys at Contemporary Resort, they have both breakfast or dinner, we like breakfast there better. (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto are the characters) It is a monorail resort so we usually go there the day we go to MK. Good luck with everything, ask all the questions you have here, Disboards are great!

 

[smileycrissy]

Hi there!! Just joining in. Your family is adorable! I love Drew's red hair.

I've never been to Disney on NYE (was debating doing it since my fiancee and I moved here this year, we're former Northern NJ'ers). I did go to Disney on July Fourth and boy was it bad. We showed up about 2 hrs before the fireworks were to begin and it was shoulder to shoulder on Main Street. By the time we made it to Tomorrowland, we heard on the walkies that Main Street was closed. I would aim to do one of the quieter parks, Epcot or Animal Kingdom in the morning, and maybe just relax at GKTW for the evening. I imagine they would be planning something special there for that day. And if not, just pick up a bottle of champagne and sparkling cider for the kiddo's, and celebrate in your room.

 

[Emilyswish]

Thanks everyone, i have a feeling GKTW will have something planned too for NYE. I think that is exactly what we'll do, go anywhere but MK during the day and chill at the village that night.

Halloween pics coming soon!

 

[Emilyswish]

Shhhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell my DH, but I just made reservations for a late breakfast (more like an early lunch for us) at Akershus on 12/29!!!

Yippee! I REALLY want the girls to have the princess experience so I hope dh can accept the cost of it as a once in a lifetime deal for us. To me the cost is well worth the smiles I know will be on all my kids' faces. But my dh is a true penny pincher, he does NOT like to spend. Sometimes, when it comes to his little Emily though . . .

I told Drew that if he meets any princesses in WDW they will probably kiss him and leave lipstick marks. He about fell over!

I alos talked to our coordinator today about a few things, like Carter having food allergies (peanut and egg ), getting a crib for Emily to sleep in at the villa since she can't sleep in a bed, getting a handicap placard for the rental van (we have plates on our van here) and she was very helpful with everything.

She did confirm that we will get tickets for 3 days WDW, 2 at Universal, and 1 at Seaworld.

So far I'm thinking:

Monday 12/27: Flight arrives a little after 2pm, head to GKTW, orientation, let the kids explore and settle in there for the night.

Tuesday 12/28: Magic Kingdom - I want this to be the first park they see and take our time.

Wednesday 12/29: Epcot in the morning, 10:35 ADR at Akershus with the princesses!! Hollywood Studios for the afternoon/evening

Thursday 12/30: Animal Kingdom/Universal
Friday 12/31: Seaworld/GKTW
Saturday 1/1: Universal
Sunday 1/2: Late flight out so probaly hang at GKTW and maybe to Downtown Disney, the boys would freak over the Lego store!

I also want to make sure we get to do the Pirates and Princesses party at GKTW and Christmas ( if the y have it that week since it'll be so close to the real Christmas)

So, maybe too ambitious, but it's just a general idea for now.


Up next, Halloween pics!

 

[Emilyswish]

All the kids ready for trick or treating last night - from left to right - Cowgirl Brenna, Cowboy Carter, Ninja Turtle Drew, and Cowgirl Emily

Em and Brenna ready to ToT at Em's school

Emily at storytime after ToT at school

Brenna's Halloween party at Gymnastics school

Carter with DH looking a little cautious before joing in the fun

Drew on the trampoline

Emily log rolling down the wedge mat!

Cowgirl Emily close up

Cowgirl Emily out and about Halloween night

Good night all!

 

[billwendy]

All the kids ready for trick or treating last night - from left to right - Cowgirl Brenna, Cowboy Carter, Ninja Turtle Drew, and Cowgirl Emily

Em and Brenna ready to ToT at Em's school

Emily at storytime after ToT at school

Brenna's Halloween party at Gymnastics school

Carter with DH looking a little cautious before joing in the fun

Drew on the trampoline

Emily log rolling down the wedge mat!

Cowgirl Emily close up

Cowgirl Emily out and about Halloween night

Good night all!

How adorable are they!!!????!!!!! They all have such beautiful styles!!! Congrads on your ressies!!! That will be so fun!!! I think your plan looks like fun - and remember at EPCOT and the MK there is a special rest area for MAW families if Emily needed to nap or something while you were there.

 

[Emilyswish]

I just changed the title so it says MAW and GKTW in the title! I hope everyone who was following our ptr can find us again!

 

[that's nice]

Which park do you think would be best to spend new year's eve and/or day in? are the crowds just ridiculously crazy?? i mean I know it's going to be very crowded but will it be shoulder to shoulder all day in the parks or bearable?

Ive only been to the MK on NYE - and its shoulder to shoulder, traffic going one way kind of crowded. They have actually closed the park to more people coming in at times!!! I think it'd be hard to get a wheelchair and stoller through!!!! lol

Anyone know bout the other parks?

HI!

I followed you over from my PTR. Your kids are so cute and I love their Halloween pics!

We have never been to Disney during Christmas but the week you are going is going to be very busy. The good thing is that with the GAC you will be able to bypass most of the lines for rides. I read some of the other responses and I think everyone has good ideas.

MK on NYE is going to be nuts. Everyone will be there early because in the past, the park has been closed to any other guests coming into the park once they hit capacity.
Epcot will be busy as well. As a PP said, I'm sure there will be quite a few drinkers there that day.

I'm not sure how the other 2 parks would be but I would go to either DHS or AK at rope drop and stay for the AM/early afternoon then either try to get a dinner at a resort or go back to GKTW and have a nice dinner there. I'm not sure if GKTW will have any special activities going on that night... (i would think they would)

I'm not sure how Sea World or US would be on NYE. I can see US being nuts and maybe SW being less crazy? I'm not even sure if you were planning on going to either of these parks.

I'll follow along and try to help out if I can!

 

[Emilyswish]

How adorable are they!!!????!!!!! They all have such beautiful styles!!! Congrads on your ressies!!! That will be so fun!!! I think your plan looks like fun - and remember at EPCOT and the MK there is a special rest area for MAW families if Emily needed to nap or something while you were there.

Thanks, I have already noted the rest areas while reading other TRs. I think they will come in very handy for us, especially since I hope to do a long day at MK.


HI!

I followed you over from my PTR. Your kids are so cute and I love their Halloween pics!

We have never been to Disney during Christmas but the week you are going is going to be very busy. The good thing is that with the GAC you will be able to bypass most of the lines for rides. I read some of the other responses and I think everyone has good ideas.

MK on NYE is going to be nuts. Everyone will be there early because in the past, the park has been closed to any other guests coming into the park once they hit capacity.
Epcot will be busy as well. As a PP said, I'm sure there will be quite a few drinkers there that day.

I'm not sure how the other 2 parks would be but I would go to either DHS or AK at rope drop and stay for the AM/early afternoon then either try to get a dinner at a resort or go back to GKTW and have a nice dinner there. I'm not sure if GKTW will have any special activities going on that night... (i would think they would)

I'm not sure how Sea World or US would be on NYE. I can see US being nuts and maybe SW being less crazy? I'm not even sure if you were planning on going to either of these parks.

I'll follow along and try to help out if I can!

Thanks Tim (I had to check your ptr for your name)
I'm leaning more and more towards SeaWorld on NYE day and GKTW for NYE night. I appreciate any help I can get! The last time I went to Disney was on mt senior class trip in 1995 and I didn't do any planning for that one, so this is all a bit overwhelming!

 

[Emilyswish]

Before I started my PTR, I had been researching all of the attractions at the four Disney Parks to help narrow down what I think we will be able to do and what will be best to get Emily on.

Our main hope is that we can see at least one great fireworks show, and many of the indoor shows that are mostly dark but have lots of lights for Emily to "see". She is legally blind, but has visual awareness of lights and really responds to bright lights in the dark. Daytime shows will be harder for her to see anything at all. She seems only to be able to focus on objects that are within 6 inches or so from her face during the daytime. And of course, I'd like to get her on a few rides too.

So here are my lists of top attractions and shows -

Magic Kingdom:
Space Ranger Spin
Monster Inc. laugh floor
Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise
Cinderella's Castle (walk through)
Carousel
Dumbo
It's a Small World (this is the one ride that I want to get Em on more than any other and I'm soooo relieved to hear it is open again!!!)
Winnie the Pooh
Aladdin's Magic Carpets
Peter Pan
Tomorrowland Speedway

Mickey's Philharmagic
Country Bear Jamboree

Main Street Electrical Parade
A Dream Come True Parade
Wishes

We also have to meet the Princesses and the Fairies and as many other characters as possible

We will probably need to do a day and a half at MK - I wish we got a fourth day!!

Animal Kingdom
Boneyard
Triceratop Spin
Finding Nemo the Musical
Festival of the Lion King

Camp Minnie-Mickey
Jammin Jungle Parade

Hollywood Studios
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
PlayHouse Disney Live on Stage
Toy Story Mania
Beauty and the Beast show
Star Wars Jedi Training (Drew)

Block Party Bash

Epcot
Breakfast ADR at Akershus 12/29
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Journey into Imagination with Figment

Universal/IOA
The Cat in the Hat
Caro-Seuss-el
One Fish, Two Fish

Play Areas:
If I Ran the Zoo, Me Ship The Olive, Curious George, Fievel's Playground

Shows:
Animal Actor's Show
Grinchmas Holiday Show
Macy's Holiday Parade
Universal 360 Cinesphere Spectacular

At least walk through The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and go to Ollivander's (wand shop)!! (Drew)

 

[kailatilear]

I too am new to this board. Our wish volunteers just came on 10/25 and we are waiting to hear some news. I know that all areas are different, however, just out of curiosity, I was wondering how long the whole process took for you.

I am so glad Emily is getting a wish and will follow along your PTR.

 

[billwendy]

Before I started my PTR, I had been researching all of the attractions at the four Disney Parks to help narrow down what I think we will be able to do and what will be best to get Emily on.

Our main hope is that we can see at least one great fireworks show, and many of the indoor shows that are mostly dark but have lots of lights for Emily to "see". She is legally blind, but has visual awareness of lights and really responds to bright lights in the dark. Daytime shows will be harder for her to see anything at all. She seems only to be able to focus on objects that are within 6 inches or so from her face during the daytime. And of course, I'd like to get her on a few rides too.

So here are my lists of top attractions and shows -

Magic Kingdom:
Ariel's Grotto
Space Ranger Spin
Monster Inc. laugh floor
Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise
Cinderella's Castle (walk through)
Carousel
Dumbo
It's a Small World (this is the one ride that I want to get Em on more than any other and I'm soooo relieved to hear it is open again!!!)
Winnie the Pooh
Aladdin's Magic Carpets
Tomorrowland Speedway

Mickey's Philharmagic
Country Bear Jamboree

Main Street Electrical Parade
A Dream Come True Parade
Wishes

We also have to meet the Princesses and the Fairies and as many other characters as possible

We will probably need to do a day and a half at MK - I wish we got a fourth day!!

Animal Kingdom
Boneyard
Triceratop Spin
Finding Nemo the Musical
Festival of the Lion King
Pocohontas show

Camp Minnie-Mickey
Jammin Jungle Parade

Hollywood Studios
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
PlayHouse Disney Live on Stage
Toy Story Mania
Beauty and the Beast show

Block Party Bash

Epcot
Breakfast ADR at Akershus 12/29
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush
Journey into Imagination with Figment

Illuminations?

Many of the rides you will be able to just roll Em on in her Kidkart! What about Peter Pan????? Thats one of my favorites - the cool thing inside is that it has a lot of black light so it kind of makes the paint glow?? And sometimes your clothes too!!!

When we went with Daniel, he was able to sit in the handicapped area for the parade - there may have been an area for fireworks too, but he was too exhausted to stay for them!!! lol.....we so should have taken him over to the break area in the middle of the day!!!!!

A cool thing about the fireworks shows at disney is that the sound track is loud and clear - does she enjoy music? Im hoping some of the characters get nice and close to her face so she can see them - especially tigger and pooh because they are yellow and orange!! Both the LK and Nemo shows are AWESOME!!!!!!!!! The voyage of the LM and Buzz have a lot of black light too I think!!!!

I am soo excited for you guys!!!!!! Do you have the planning DVD from Disney for the kids to watch?

 

[Emilyswish]

I too am new to this board. Our wish volunteers just came on 10/25 and we are waiting to hear some news. I know that all areas are different, however, just out of curiosity, I was wondering how long the whole process took for you.

I am so glad Emily is getting a wish and will follow along your PTR.

Hi!

Our wish volunteers came on 9/8 and we got our flight info and GKTW confirmation letter on 10/7! It was fast for us!

I hope you get your news soon.

 

[Emilyswish]

Many of the rides you will be able to just roll Em on in her Kidkart! What about Peter Pan????? Thats one of my favorites - the cool thing inside is that it has a lot of black light so it kind of makes the paint glow?? And sometimes your clothes too!!!

When we went with Daniel, he was able to sit in the handicapped area for the parade - there may have been an area for fireworks too, but he was too exhausted to stay for them!!! lol.....we so should have taken him over to the break area in the middle of the day!!!!!

A cool thing about the fireworks shows at disney is that the sound track is loud and clear - does she enjoy music? Im hoping some of the characters get nice and close to her face so she can see them - especially tigger and pooh because they are yellow and orange!! Both the LK and Nemo shows are AWESOME!!!!!!!!! The voyage of the LM and Buzz have a lot of black light too I think!!!!

I am soo excited for you guys!!!!!! Do you have the planning DVD from Disney for the kids to watch?

I might have ordered the planning DVD, but now in all the excitement I can't remember!


MUSIC - Yes, that's her other love! She loves music. Her hearing is normal, thank God!

I'm nervous about Peter Pan because of the moving loading area and the part where you have to look down. Carter might freak out, he is sensitive to "heights". But it is on my maybe list for sure. Might have to just take Drew and Brenna on that one!

 

[billwendy]

I might have ordered the planning DVD, but now in all the excitement I can't remember!


MUSIC - Yes, that's her other love! She loves music. Her hearing is normal, thank God!

I'm nervous about Peter Pan because of the moving loading area and the part where you have to look down. Carter might freak out, he is sensitive to "heights". But it is on my maybe list for sure. Might have to just take Drew and Brenna on that one!

Thats awesome that she can hear!!! She will love hearing everything at Disney!! Does she get overwhelmed or the more the merrier????

I have carried my 3yo neice on PP without any problem at all. You do definately look down at things though!!! Poor Carter!! Its like watching the story - an old classic!