Lexi's pre-trip report for Dream Factory wish trip! June 18-24, 2009

[sammie girl]

We recieved our first package today from the Big Give
I don't know if we are suppose to put names on the board so I will just say
THANK YOU and you know who you are. Of course the kids were wanting to open the package before I could get my camera out but they waited for me pretty patiently.

This is them waiting very patiently for mom

Team Work and w/o the fighting.

Soooo happy they both got something.

How happy he is. I think this is the first time he has ever gotten mail

He is already playing with the flashcards. His sister is helping him.

She was so surprised to see that it wasn't a book..... I wish I would have snapped a pic of her when she opened the book up.

And finally an official Thank You from the kids. They really love their things.

 

[sammie girl]

Is the BBB at the Magic Kingdom. Not to alarm you but you won't get your tickets to the parks until you've attended the orientation at GKTW. So you'll have to fit in your orientation before 4:30.

I also think that it is going to be un-doable to do the BBB and then leave immediately to go back to GKTW? Your kids aren't going to want to leave the park once you're there! You've got to consider walking time, driving time. You do need to realize, that it is IMPOSSIBLE to complete everything. We tried that, and you know what I ended up feeling? I feel like it's all a blur. I can't remember some of the things we did. We were constantly GO GO GO GO, and thinking about it, I really didn't stop and truly enjoy the moment. Think about that. I don't mean to sound like a Debbie Downer, but I don't want you to have any regrets.

We have made our decision and hopefully it will work out. I am still thinking it is pushing it a little but will explain.
We arrive at the airport at 10:45 am.
Head to GKTW, check in and eat lunch, visit the village until the 3:00 orientation. (I will attend this).
DH will take the kids to the playground while I am doing the orientation.
We have a reservation for the BBB in downtown disney for 4:30 p.m.
Hopefully orientation will be over by 4:10 or so. My husband will drop me and the kids off at the BBB, park and meet us inside.
They said it should only take about 1 1/2 hours at the bbb so we should be done by 6.
Back to the village by 6:30 in time for carriage rides and Christmas.
I think I have worked out our schedule so we will have alot more time at the village throughout the week.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[jessica52877]

I love the thank you note! What a cute way to express their thanks!

Fun stuff! I love the big castle fold out! Isn't it cute how much kids love getting mail!

 

[Matt1026]

Is the BBB at the Magic Kingdom. Not to alarm you but you won't get your tickets to the parks until you've attended the orientation at GKTW. So you'll have to fit in your orientation before 4:30.

I also think that it is going to be un-doable to do the BBB and then leave immediately to go back to GKTW? Your kids aren't going to want to leave the park once you're there! You've got to consider walking time, driving time. You do need to realize, that it is IMPOSSIBLE to complete everything. We tried that, and you know what I ended up feeling? I feel like it's all a blur. I can't remember some of the things we did. We were constantly GO GO GO GO, and thinking about it, I really didn't stop and truly enjoy the moment. Think about that. I don't mean to sound like a Debbie Downer, but I don't want you to have any regrets.

Thank you for sharing that. That is good advice.

 

[cajunfan]

I agree with TAKE YOUR TIME! Even with a non wish child and staying on Disney property and for extended stays (9-12 days) lots of time, I still have not done a lot of things! And it is a lot more fun to savor those special moments! So after your very busy 1st day, be sure to enjoy the VACATION!

Lynn

PS...thanks for sharing your pictures of the Big Give! There are more packages on the way!

 

[sammie girl]

I HAVE A SCHEDULE KINDA:

I know things never go as planned (at least not for me).

This is just an idea of what things the kids want to accomplish (the have to's) and what days we will be going to which park. If something comes up we are easy to switch but looked at the park hours and how long I think it will take us at each place and went from there. Here goes:

We arrive Thursday (6-18-09) at 10:45
Hoping to make it to GKTW by 1:00
Check out the village eat and such until orientation at 3:00
DH will take the kids and entertain (probably on the train for the umpteenth time)
After orientation we will go to BBB in downtown, if all else fails DH can drop us at the door and meet up with us inside.
Go back to the village for Christmas by 6:30
9:00 Bedtime........

Friday (day 2)
Up at 6:00 am for breakfast with the princesses at 7:45 at Epcot.
There are only 2 things the kids want to do at Epcot so we should be done there by 10'ish.
Head over to MK for the day (We will be taking 2 days here so we plan on taking our time and enjoying our day very slow paced.)

Saturday (day 3)
Universal (this shouldn't take us a full day)
Hoping to be back to the village around 5 for a nice quiet evening.

Sunday (day 4)
Sea World (agian not much for us except to feed the dolphins, pet the sting rays (I use to own a fresh water sting ray but the kids weren't here yet so they have always wanted to touch one) and see the big whale)
We will head over to IOA but again mainly for the characters.

Mon (day 5)
Hollywood
This might take us awhile because of the show lengths. My kids are excited to see some of these things so we may make a whole day of it but then again maybe not.

Tue (day 6)
AK ( just doing the everest and safari ride here)
Then back to MK. We will do whatever the kids want at MK no hurry but it is their favorite place to be.

Wed (day 7)
Our last day
The flight out leaves at 7:00 p.m. so we want to do the horses in the morning and swim and relax at the village, up to the very LAST minute. They may have to take us out kicking and screaming Just kidding but I will be sad to leave.

That is it but I do have one more question.
I thought it was mentioned that the very cool lounge at Epcot was closed. Anyone know about this or if it will be opened by the 19th? I would love to see it. The hospital my dd goes to has a ceiling that changes colors at the touch of a button. My kids are mesmerized by it and will stare at it for hours. It is the only thing I have ever seen that keeps them sooooo quite for any length of time.

 

[sammie girl]

Please keep my ds in your prayers. We just got a call about his blood work and it looks like he has anemia. Two diagnosis for him in the last few weeks, first asthma and now anemia. I am really being put to the test but I also know that things could be so much worse. I have to remind myself of this alot lately It is what keeps me going. Thanks for all of you who have been praying already.

 

[maroo]

I will be praying for your son. Please keep us posted. Hopefully it is nothing serious!

There are 2 Lounges in Epcot...the Siemens lounge that is part of Spaceship Earth and the GM Lounge that is part of Test Track. The GM Lounge is closed. I doubt it will open by June 19th...but you could check back. The Siemens Lounge, though, is the "cool" one. At least from what I have seen in pics!

Your plans look great!!!

 

[jessica52877]

Please keep my ds in your prayers. We just got a call about his blood work and it looks like he has anemia. Two diagnosis for him in the last few weeks, first asthma and now anemia. I am really being put to the test but I also know that things could be so much worse. I have to remind myself of this alot lately It is what keeps me going. Thanks for all of you who have been praying already.

I'll be praying for him! Hopefully that will be an easy fix!

We recieved our welcome package from GKTW today also. My dd started dancing around. It is so neat to see her this excited. (of course my dd and my ds argued over who was going to open it so I had to intervene and open it for them.)

It is becoming so real now and I think I am getting more excited than my kids even.

Should my ds bring his darth vader outfit for the Jedi thingy? He has always loved star wars and I know he isn't the wish child but would love for him to have a good chance at being picked for the training. Would a darth vader t-shirt be better?

I am not sure about this because your son is so young. I don't have alot of real experience at WDW with it but we have done it at DL 2x. Both times my son has worn a jedi mickey shirt and been chosen almost first. There they choose kids with star wars t's or outfits first usually and comment on them as they pick them. But I have never seen a child younger then about 5 picked. Dallas was 5 both times he was picked. A child had on a darth vader costume and he was picked 1st. I have never seen a costume at WDW though.

I have only seen probably 2 shows live there while my DH and DS were on the ride. I have seen lots of pictures though and still never seen a costume. Maybe with SWW there were some? I have known several kids picked that wore jedi mickey shirts so assume they kind of do it the same.

Alot of the kids are too scared to go up even though they love star wars. Darth Vader is HUGE and pretty scary looking. Usually that is the only one they have at WDW during off season. So I am not sure if Darth Maul will be there but he is one SCARY dude! I'll have to find my pictures!

 

[jessica52877]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4840756&l=08c6b2b78e&id=575830326

Hopefully that link will take you to a picture. It has an adorable boy in a darth vader costume. He was picked first. I am not sure if you'll be able to see more in the album or not but I don't have any pictures of Darth Maul in there anyways. It is all on video.

 

[sammie girl]

I'll be praying for him! Hopefully that will be an easy fix!




Alot of the kids are too scared to go up even though they love star wars. Darth Vader is HUGE and pretty scary looking. Usually that is the only one they have at WDW during off season. So I am not sure if Darth Maul will be there but he is one SCARY dude! I'll have to find my pictures!

I would love to see your pics if you find them. I don't think my son would be scared so hopefully he will get picked. If not I think he will be in awe just to meet Darth Vader. He has loved him since he was hardly walking and has a ton of Darth Vader stuff (banks figures swords etc.) and costumes(between the family he ended up with 3).

There was an adult dressed as Darth Vader at a Halloween event last year and my ds just wanted to follow him around every where. It was really cute and noone could believe how he wasn't scared.

 

[sammie girl]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4840756&l=08c6b2b78e&id=575830326

Hopefully that link will take you to a picture. It has an adorable boy in a darth vader costume. He was picked first. I am not sure if you'll be able to see more in the album or not but I don't have any pictures of Darth Maul in there anyways. It is all on video.

Thanks Jessica. I am heading there now to look.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Signing on for your trip report. Sorry to hear about your son. Hopefully they will get everything sorted out soon.

 

[cajunfan]

Did you all receive some packages today?banana:


Lynn

PS...I love delivery confirmation!

 

[kimmylaj]

praying for your son. i hope that they can get it all straightened out and everyone is feeling great for your trip. it is getting so close now you can almost hear the monorail.

 

[bellairisa]

Your family will be in our prayers. I hope everything gets a little more settled for you guys before your trip.

I would def. agree to wear something Star Wars related, at DL all the shows that I have seen, the kids wearing Star Wars clothing definately has an edge to getting picked, my dd Malia has a jedi mickey shirt that she's going to be wearing to help her out lol

 

[sammie girl]

Did you all receive some packages today?banana:


Lynn

PS...I love delivery confirmation!

Yes we did

I posted on the board about it. We had a crazy day yesterday with recitals and ballgames but I am getting ready to post the pics now and describe the events. Wait till you read it.

 

[cajunfan]

I just read about your DS...I hope everything turns out well! We will keep him in our prayers. (Sorry about not posting this yesterday...I did a "drive-by posting" yesterday in between shifts at the store.


Can't wait to see pictures of the kids (and adults!)

lynn

 

[sammie girl]

O.K. Yes, we did recieve 3 packages yesterday!

They were from Lynn Cajunfan. Also want to thank Danyl for the previous package (the first package) I didn't post her name but Thank You Danyl!

The kids were waiting for the mail. Now they have a reason to wait and fight over it.

The mail truck pulled up and both kids darted out to meet her. She got in the back of the truck and the kids were waiting for her. DD said I know we got something because she is in the back of the truck.

She hands the packages over and off we go to the house. I had my camera out and ready this time.

Like I said there were 3 packages. One for DD one for DS and one for Mom and Dad.

The kids started opening the packages up and were quite amazed to see all the stuff they recieved (DD stated that she doesn't even get this much at Christmas). While they are going through their things I notice my DD's hands shaking so I ask if she is o.k. She stated that she was so excited she thought she was low. We stopped to check her BG and sure enough she was low. (Quite funny because right before the mail truck she was a little high). We treat the low and back to going through their things. They were super excited to have their names on their clothes and put those on right away. I had to fight them to take them off and hope I can keep them out of reach until Disney......

Then we open mom n dad's package. There were rain ponchos, glow sticks and matching shirts. Yeah, we have never had matching clothes before.

We were all super excited and couldn't believe the genourosity of the people on this board. Not only do they spend time on a wealth of information to make our trip more easy and enjoyable they also go to great lengths to make trips extra special for us. Once again my DD reminded me I couldn't cry So I held back the tears and really enjoyed the moment with them. (o.k. maybe I sniffled a little).

Here are the pics I didn't write everything down because there was sooooo much, the pics will show what we got.

I don't have a pic of the matching shirts yet as I want one of us all and noone is here to take the pic so we will have to wait until tomorrow, but I will post those as well......They are super cool and also have our names on them.

Here are the pics.

Opening the package

Modeling there new clothes.....DD hadn't found her crown yet but it is in the final pic

O.K. the pics didn't do the items justice. The kids recieved a beach towel dd's ariel and ds pirates. Super excited and want to take them to the pool tomorrow.
DD got a super cute ariel outfit with hand sewing on it. (I am jealous because I can't sew and I just love this. This is her first ever hand made outfit.) Ariel crown to match. Princess stampers, colors, notebook, frisbee, pen, beach ball, pencils and I know I am forgetting stuff. It was really alot and we are so thankful.
DS recieved 2 shirts with his name pirates and peter pan (his fav.)(he thinks that is so cool). Pair of matching shorts, parachute people, pencils, notebooks, a night light (which we had to try out last night), stickers and I know I am forgetting some stuff, this is off the top of my head.

We recieved a really cute bag from the movie UP. My kids want to take this as their pool bag. We recieved rain ponchos, glow sticks and thank you for the extra transfers I have never done that before but I think I may try it out. And the matching Dream Factory shirts with our last names on them all. Pics will be here I promise.

Thank you again for those reading through all of this I hope I didn't bore you to much! And thanks again to Danyl and Cajunfan.

 

[sammie girl]

I just read about your DS...I hope everything turns out well! We will keep him in our prayers. (Sorry about not posting this yesterday...I did a "drive-by posting" yesterday in between shifts at the store.


Can't wait to see pictures of the kids (and adults!)

lynn

We are hoping everything is o.k. with him. We won't know for sure for a few days. (more testing etc.). We are hoping it is just iron defficiency.

Sorry about not getting the pics up yesterday but we were really super busy I am posting some pics of their recital. I am soooooooo proud of them as they both worked really hard at this and my DD didn't feel good through the actual recital. (these pics are of the practice 2 days prior.) During the actual recital my dd worked herself up into a pile of nerves and about passed out on stage. She did really good making it through the performance but once backstage had to sit down immediately and regain her nerves, correct her high and calm down. Like I said this was a big thing for her and I am very proud of them both.

Thanks for the prayers and I will post as soon as we get the results.....Here are some of the pics.