Let the fun begin MAW/GKTW PTR Chase June 23-29-2010

[Momofwishkid]

Waiting for your dates is definetley the hardest part of the waiting. Hope you find out soon. Way to go on the weight loss!!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

WE GOT DATES!!!! I talked to my wish granter Erika today AND she told me to pencil in June 18th-24th!!! How cool is that. We will be there for Harry Potter!!! It doesn't matter that it won't be on the opening day, I'm fine with just being there and I KNOW that Chase will absolutely LOVE it!!She said that they still have all the plans to make but those dates are good! That means we will leave the day after Courtney's last day of school!! Now I may be able to make some plans...YIPEE!!! I guess I need to change my title now? Or don't I?? lol

Thank you very much for the info on the stuttering. I have noticed that it is slowing down some already but he is still doing it a good bit. I did notice that there are two boys in Selah's class that stutter also. They are around 4. Both of their mother's said that it just started out of the blue. I guess I will just be patient and wait it out. I was told by his teacher that if he is still stutterin by the end of the summer they will definitely do an evaluation and go from there. I am very satisfied with that.

In so many ways, I think that I could still have a lot of energy after 40. Quite honestly I have a lot more patience now than I did when my oldest daughter Courtney was little. And I have two little ones. And believe me they are both a handful plus some. As a matter of fact. We had Chase's develpmental/behavioral evaluation today and he has ADHD. I was pretty sure they would say that. He is definitely extremely hyperactive and impulsive. So we came up with some really good strategies, plans and goals. I'm happy with the outcome and also glad that I chose a great doctor who isn't MED happy. (not that there is anything wrong with meds when they are needed) but Chase is only three and I believe he has a long way to go before we even consider medication. Thankfully we live in a good county that offers a lot of helpful services. And I thank God every night that they have good medical coverage that covers so many of the sevices that they have needed.

Thanks for the encouragement on the weight loss. Today was a rest day for me so this is the first day in about two weeks that I did not workout. Plus I knew that I wasn't going to be able to follow my eating plan. So I've got a lot of work to do tomorrow. I've already got my days menu planned as well as my workout routine. Just want to make sure that I stick to it! I feel really good about what I've been doing. I know one thing, I am definitely sleeping a lot better and seem to have a lot more energy during the day! And I definitely need the energy!

Well I hope all of you guys are doing well. Thanks for hanging in there with me. It was so frustrating not having a date. But now I do! And the countdown begins. I guess I have sooo much to do to get ready. I'd love to get the kids some shirts made for our trip! I know they would love that. And I saw another poster that made little surprises for each day of the trip. I'm going to try that idea and see how creative I can be? That's going to take a lot of thought!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Congratulations on your dates!! It will be here before you know it!

 

[wishin' on a star]

Hooray for dates!!! June will be here before you know it!! Get to making those ADR's now!!

Sorry about the ADHD diagnosis, but I am with you on waiting for meds. I agree with trying all of the behavioral, diet, etc things first. Sounds like you have a good plan in place and lots of good resources.

I turn 40 on 5/5, and I am trying to find my "patient place" where my kids are concerned. It does seem to be getting better as I grow up!

Can't wait to follow along with more of your plans!!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Ut oh!!! So I get a package in the mail from GKTW...and it has a date on the front of 5/23/10 I'm not sure if that's the right date or not...but I sure hope not.

Chase has eye surgery schedule on the 26th and Courtney is in a play for school... I don't have the date yet but I will find out on Monday...Goodness gracious. I don't know if they've started the flight reservations yet but now I am panicking and stressing out.

I guess I just have to wait until Monday to find out anything I sure don't want to call the wish granter on the weekend...I'll feel bad.

 

[wishin' on a star]

Hmmmm, that's strange. I wonder if they initially booked you sooner, but then changed the dates. We don't go until 5/17 and I still haven't seen the package from GKTW...I wonder where our package is?!

I hope you get it straightened out!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

I was very shocked to get an envelope in the mail because we didn't get one last time I don't know what gives. The post date onthe envelope is April 21st.

I can't wait to get this all sorted out on Monday!!!

I had to hide the envelope, lol. I didn't want Courtney to see it!!!!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

That is quite a date difference. I hope you get it all sorted out next week

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Okay guys so here's what I found out! Courtney's play isn't until the first or second week of June.

I talked to the actual lady at our Wish office who does the reservations on the Pittsburgh end and she said that 5-23 was an old date. She called down to GKTW and 6-18 is all booked. She told me that I could have that date as a tentative date and if someone cancels I'm in or I could pick a different date.

We chose 6-23-6-29! Now my mom is complaining but guess what??? I'm keeping it. I did tell them that if someone cancels on 6-18 we will take it though. lol.

So now that I have my date, I can start trying to make an ADR or two. After reading a lot of reviews and thinking a lot I have decided NOT to make many at all. We've already had the experience with the princesses and we will see the characters at the village each morning for breakfast so I will try to make one or two but that's about it.

I think my mom really wanted to go in May but I'd rather wait. I'd really like for the kids to see the HP attraction and that gives me more time to work on my weight loss goal, Plus none of the kids will miss school but Courtney will miss the first two days of camp. I will have to check and see if that is okay or not. And if not I will have to find a different camp for her to attend.

So I guess we are good now...but sort of still in limbo!! The lady at the MAW office said that she is going to keep her eye on our date over the next two weeks and see if anything changes. I REALLY liked 6-18!!!

Anyway, just wanted to keep you guys posted!

It's rainy and dreary here and I feel like sleeping but still have so much work to do today. I volunteer at a food pantry in our area once each month and today was the day. It's an all day thing and usually leaves me absolutely exhausted but today things went smoothly and we actually finished up early. Now I'm on to a monthly meeting this evening. When we get back home I have to finish Selah's hair. I usually put beads in her hair. But I ran out of time today. So I braided it...but I didn't have time to put the beads on! It's going to be such a long evening! By the time the kids finally go to bed, I may just need a glass of wine to relax! (I say that now but by the time 9:30 rolls around I will probably be passed out! )

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Aw Im glad you have your dates worked out "sort of". I hope it works out for you

 

[Momofwishkid]

So glad you got the dates. Hope you can get the 18th though. Enjoy that glass of wine. Sounds like you deserve one.

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

I forgot to say that I never did make it long enough to have that wine! lol I figured I wouldn't!

I finally made some ADR's but I'm going to have to wait until the kids go to bed to post them. Plus I realized that I should have looked at the itinerary for GKTW. There are two events that are a must for our family in the evening! One is the winter wonderland! The kids had a great time there and the other is Village Idol. My little Courtney is a young performer and she sang last year and has been talking about it ever since. So now I'm going to have to match our ADR's up against the events and pray I did good!

 

[wishin' on a star]

It's a rare night when I don't have time for my glass of wine to relax before bed! Good news that you were able to get some ADRs! I hope they fit into the schedule!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

I know what you mean about the wine! I think after this week, by Friday I will definitely need a glass! So I've just finished working on everything and here is what I have so far. Now of course this is all subject to change if we end up getting the 18th! And I'm not sure if MAW is going to do anything special for Chase. When Selah went they reserved the princess lunch at epcott for her...but I have NO idea what they would/could do for a boy.

Wed 6/23
Check in Explore the village
7:45-9 p.m. Village Idol at GKTW

Thurs 6/24

Breakfast at GKTW-Disney Characters
Universal Day (Both parks if possible)
Hopefully back at GKTW by 7 for Winter Wonderland/Carriage rides up until 8 p.m. and Santa up until 8:30

Friday 6/25 -

Breakfast at GKTW Disney Characters
Animal Kingdom and possibly Wet N Wild or Blizzard Beach
1900 Park Fare for dinner at 7:25 (This gives us time to go back to GKTW and change)

Sat 6/26 -
Ohana's Breakfast at 9 a.m.
Epcott Day!!
Garden Grill for dinner at 7:25 p.m.

Sun 6/27 -

Hollywood and vine Breakfast at 9:40 a.m.
Disney Hollywood Studios/Seaworld
Back to the village for Teen party 9-10:30 p.m.

Mon 6/28 -
Disney Characters for Breakfast (We may skip this)
Magic Kingdom until we DROP!!!
Crystal Palace 1:00 p.m. Lunch!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

I have to say that I'm pretty excited about the itinerary so far! And I can't believe that I actually got good reservations! I thought I was going to have a very hard time getting ADR's but it was quite simple and there was a good bit of stuff available!

There are a few days I'm not sure of yet. Our Animal Kingdom/wet n wild day is may be kind of hard. We've never been to Animal Kingdom so I'm not sure how that will go. I may check their hours and then switch and do the water park first if Animal Kingdom is open late? Let me go check and see now, lol.

Hmmm...it says that it closes at 6? I wonder if that's all year or just now. In that case we may go ahead and keep it the way I planned initially.

Also I got another packet in the mail today from MAW! It's our flight itinerary! This whole process is going a lot differently from Selah's wish trip. Not complaining at all. It's been great and all of the people that I've been working with have been absolutely awesome!

Anyway our flight isn't until 1 p.m. On 6/23. I was kind of hoping that we would leave early in the morning like last time. But now that I think about it, I'm sure this is going to work out waaaay better!

Because now, I can let the kids wake themselves up when they are ready. None of them sleep past 8:30 anyway, lol. Even that's a push. So we can get up and start getting dressed like normal and then when my mom comes with her luggage SUPRISE!!!!!

I see that no matter how hard we try we still aren't going to get a lot of time to hang around the village. I'm guessing the day we check in we should just really try and do as much exploring as possible.

I think that our Epcott Day and MK day are going to be our long ones for the kids. On Sunday when Courtney has the teen party I can always stay with the little ones and get them situated for bed so that doesn't have to be a long day for them.

The only problem I think I may have is that Chase still naps. Selah has never been a napper and can honestly survive off of little to NO sleep. Seriously. She has sleep issues (actually takes medication) but in the past she has been known to stay up for THREE days at a time So I'm actually not worried about her. My mom may get tired, but I've already told her not to worry. She can rest in the Wish Lounge...or if it gets bad she can go back to the villa and nap and join us after her nap

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Oh yeah, and our flight doesn't leave orlando on June 29th until 2 in the afternoon! That's awesome because at least we won't be rushing through breakfast. And the kids should be able to take one last carousel/train ride and get their last scoops of ice cream in!!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Today was a great day! Chase didn't have school today so we hung around the house practicing letters and then played in the park for a while.

Tonight I took the kids to see Stars on Ice with all of the Olympic skaters and it was soo nice! They all had a great time. I'm so happy that they are getting old enough to enjoy things like this! It gets a little tough sometimes because eventually Chase starts getting restless (Thank God for intermission!) But all and all we had a great time!

I am hoping for some good weather this weekend. I would really like to do something outdoors with the kids but I see that there is rain in the forecast. Maybe....just maybe it will hold off? I sure hope so!

Hope everyone is doing well! I am getting so excited about our trip! Moreso now that I have made some plans. I was thinking about changing a few things around. I'll play around with a few things tomorrow and see what I come up with. My friend was telling me that they really LOVE Animal Kingdom and that we should consider spending the whole day there instead of epcott? Hmmm...when I thought about it, I think that Epcott was the park that we didn't stay at too long last year. I think there wasn't a lot that we wanted to see?? I wish I could ask Courtney, lol she has THE BEST memory!!!!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Oh yeah on my itinerary I made a mistake. Friday is Universal Characters. Not Disney Characters!

 

[kellyw8863]

We chose 6-23-6-29! Now my mom is complaining but guess what??? I'm keeping it. I did tell them that if someone cancels on 6-18 we will take it though. lol.

So now that I have my date, I can start trying to make an ADR or two. After reading a lot of reviews and thinking a lot I have decided NOT to make many at all. We've already had the experience with the princesses and we will see the characters at the village each morning for breakfast so I will try to make one or two but that's about it.

Congrats on dates!!!! I initially made tons of ADRs and then scaled back to only a couple, which was definitely a good way to go. As good of a time as we had, it was torturous to get ready to head back out after relaxing in the pool, or what have you.

Wed 6/23
Check in Explore the village
7:45-9 p.m. Village Idol at GKTW

Thurs 6/24

Breakfast at GKTW-Disney Characters
Universal Day (Both parks if possible)
Hopefully back at GKTW by 7 for Winter Wonderland/Carriage rides up until 8 p.m. and Santa up until 8:30

Friday 6/25 -

Breakfast at GKTW Disney Characters
Animal Kingdom and possibly Wet N Wild or Blizzard Beach
1900 Park Fare for dinner at 7:25 (This gives us time to go back to GKTW and change)

Sat 6/26 -
Ohana's Breakfast at 9 a.m.
Epcott Day!!
Garden Grill for dinner at 7:25 p.m.

Sun 6/27 -

Hollywood and vine Breakfast at 9:40 a.m.
Disney Hollywood Studios/Seaworld
Back to the village for Teen party 9-10:30 p.m.

Mon 6/28 -
Disney Characters for Breakfast (We may skip this)
Magic Kingdom until we DROP!!!
Crystal Palace 1:00 p.m. Lunch!

I think your itinerary looks great! I wish that we could have kept Ali going so that we could have seen more. Oh well! I hope you have a great time!

I have to say that I'm pretty excited about the itinerary so far! And I can't believe that I actually got good reservations! I thought I was going to have a very hard time getting ADR's but it was quite simple and there was a good bit of stuff available!

There are a few days I'm not sure of yet. Our Animal Kingdom/wet n wild day is may be kind of hard. We've never been to Animal Kingdom so I'm not sure how that will go. I may check their hours and then switch and do the water park first if Animal Kingdom is open late? Let me go check and see now, lol.

Hmmm...it says that it closes at 6? I wonder if that's all year or just now. In that case we may go ahead and keep it the way I planned initially.

Also I got another packet in the mail today from MAW! It's our flight itinerary! This whole process is going a lot differently from Selah's wish trip. Not complaining at all. It's been great and all of the people that I've been working with have been absolutely awesome!

Anyway our flight isn't until 1 p.m. On 6/23. I was kind of hoping that we would leave early in the morning like last time. But now that I think about it, I'm sure this is going to work out waaaay better!

Because now, I can let the kids wake themselves up when they are ready. None of them sleep past 8:30 anyway, lol. Even that's a push. So we can get up and start getting dressed like normal and then when my mom comes with her luggage SUPRISE!!!!!

I see that no matter how hard we try we still aren't going to get a lot of time to hang around the village. I'm guessing the day we check in we should just really try and do as much exploring as possible.

I think that our Epcott Day and MK day are going to be our long ones for the kids. On Sunday when Courtney has the teen party I can always stay with the little ones and get them situated for bed so that doesn't have to be a long day for them.

The only problem I think I may have is that Chase still naps. Selah has never been a napper and can honestly survive off of little to NO sleep. Seriously. She has sleep issues (actually takes medication) but in the past she has been known to stay up for THREE days at a time So I'm actually not worried about her. My mom may get tired, but I've already told her not to worry. She can rest in the Wish Lounge...or if it gets bad she can go back to the villa and nap and join us after her nap

We loved, loved, loved Animal Kingdom - it was definitely our favorite park! The girls were truly treated like royalty there, and the grounds are just beautiful. I would give yourselves some time. We spent almost an entire day there and still didn't see everything that we could have seen. I think we got there around 9:30am and left about 4:30pm. I'm so excited for you - you're going to have such a great time!

Kelly

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

What a busy couple of days. I am exhausted. Both of the little ones have been sick. Selah's allergies are getting out of control. She is miserable. Had to take Chase the ER, he was having a lot of trouble breathing and has a horrible cough. So I haven't been getting much sleep because I've been up in the middle of the night each night with both of them. I'm so sleepy I am delirious! Hopefully tonight will be a much better night!

The weather was so beautiful yesterday I did manage to get out for a couple of hours to do some grocery shopping and run a few errands. I picked up a few things for the trip for the little ones. I got them Mickey and Minnie mouse tennis shoes! I hope they can still fit them when we go away This week I will make my list of what to pack so that I can see what I need to buy.

I am still very excited for our trip and I still haven't said anything to Courtney! I am praying it can stay a secret!! I am hoping that this monthy goes by quickly. We have a lot of appointments and things. Chase's eye surgery is at the end of the month. Selah has her kindergarten screening coming up too!

Kelly I am sooo happy that you guys had a wonderful time! And I am really looking forward to going to Animal Kingdom!

I wasn't going to do a lot of ADR's either but when I called there was so much available I just couldn't help myself.

I've been looking over on the dining board and I am wondering if I should try to get Ohana's for dinenr??? Also there is this Luau place that looks absolutely awesome. I need to take a lot at that again and see if we could possible get that in on our first night there maybe?