Lily's Wish Tripping (and Mama's PTR!) WDW/GKTW 2/6/11-2/12/11 UPDATED with new pics

[BigTex71]

Hollie, Wow... where do I start? I followed your link to your PTR from your reply on my PTR. We have a whole lot in common besides the things you mentioned on my PTR! Here are some (including some you mentioned):

1. Children close in ages (my DS is 10, DD will turn 4 just before our trip)
2. DS also has been diagnosed with ADD. Actually they call it some form of ADHD but it is the 'unfocused' version (what ADD used to be referred to as.)
3. My DW used to have seizures that started when she was a small child. They were grand maul seizures and it was diagnosed as just a form of epilepsy. She has been on Phenobarbital since she was a kid. They tried to take her off of it when she was about 18, but she had a small seizure a few days later. So now she still takes her medication every night.
4. We also stayed in CBR in the summer of 2009. But we were there in August (so I know exactly what you mean about the sweating early in the day.)

A few other things I noticed in your previous posts I wanted to touch on:

The 3 day tickets are good for up to 14 days from the first day you use them. So they don't have to be taken consecutively... just used within 14 days of the first day of use.

You mentioned HS stays open later than Epcot. I would double-check that. HS is open late a few times a week, usually. Be sure to double check the days/times each park will be open on each day you will be there.

I would also think about making the AK a half day instead of HS. AK can easily be toured in a half day if you plan any shows you want to attend accordingly - and it usually closes early anyway.

The last trip you said you didn't see too many characters. I have the answer for this trip - ADRs at character meals! This is how we get plenty of quality time with the characters. If you all are early risers, Crystal Palace (at MK) for an 8am ADR is awesome! MK opens at 9am, so if you have an ADR at CP prior to park opening, you get in the park with virtually no other guests! Granted, you can't ride any rides, but photos on Main Street and in front of the castle with virtually no one else around make perfect keepsakes!

Another great early ADR park is AK - Tusker House Donald's Safari Breakfast. We haven't done this one yet, but I have heard only great things about it.

If early mornings are not your thing - other great ADR to make for characters are: Chef Mickey's (fab 5), Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh and Friends), 1900 Park Fare (Alice, Mad Hatter, Drizzella and Anastasia), Cinderella's Royal Table (Princesses), Akershus Royal Buffet (Princesses).

On our last trip we set a dangerous precedence by doing the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique followed by dinner at CRT in the castle. Awesome memories - I highly recommend!

It is getting late and I need to get to bed, sorry for the dull post.

 

[Colleen27]

Wow, dealing with all you have on your plate and quitting smoking too? I'm impressed! I can't even imagine how scary it must be to be in unknown territory with Lily's health. I hope you have a happy, healthy, magical trip without any worries!

I love the CM appreciation cards, those are just so cute.

I agree with BigTex about checking the park hours for your half day plans. DHS has hours that vary seasonally while Epcot is always open until 9 or 9:30, so which park is open later will depend on your dates. We go at slow times of the year and Epcot is almost always the one open later, while DHS usually closes at 7 or 8.

And I love the mud fight pics, that so looks like something my kids would do!

 

[hollie1974]

Hollie, Wow... where do I start? I followed your link to your PTR from your reply on my PTR. We have a whole lot in common besides the things you mentioned on my PTR! Here are some (including some you mentioned):

1. Children close in ages (my DS is 10, DD will turn 4 just before our trip)
2. DS also has been diagnosed with ADD. Actually they call it some form of ADHD but it is the 'unfocused' version (what ADD used to be referred to as.)
3. My DW used to have seizures that started when she was a small child. They were grand maul seizures and it was diagnosed as just a form of epilepsy. She has been on Phenobarbital since she was a kid. They tried to take her off of it when she was about 18, but she had a small seizure a few days later. So now she still takes her medication every night.
4. We also stayed in CBR in the summer of 2009. But we were there in August (so I know exactly what you mean about the sweating early in the day.)

A few other things I noticed in your previous posts I wanted to touch on:

The 3 day tickets are good for up to 14 days from the first day you use them. So they don't have to be taken consecutively... just used within 14 days of the first day of use.

You mentioned HS stays open later than Epcot. I would double-check that. HS is open late a few times a week, usually. Be sure to double check the days/times each park will be open on each day you will be there.

I would also think about making the AK a half day instead of HS. AK can easily be toured in a half day if you plan any shows you want to attend accordingly - and it usually closes early anyway.

The last trip you said you didn't see too many characters. I have the answer for this trip - ADRs at character meals! This is how we get plenty of quality time with the characters. If you all are early risers, Crystal Palace (at MK) for an 8am ADR is awesome! MK opens at 9am, so if you have an ADR at CP prior to park opening, you get in the park with virtually no other guests! Granted, you can't ride any rides, but photos on Main Street and in front of the castle with virtually no one else around make perfect keepsakes!

Another great early ADR park is AK - Tusker House Donald's Safari Breakfast. We haven't done this one yet, but I have heard only great things about it.

If early mornings are not your thing - other great ADR to make for characters are: Chef Mickey's (fab 5), Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh and Friends), 1900 Park Fare (Alice, Mad Hatter, Drizzella and Anastasia), Cinderella's Royal Table (Princesses), Akershus Royal Buffet (Princesses).

On our last trip we set a dangerous precedence by doing the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique followed by dinner at CRT in the castle. Awesome memories - I highly recommend!

It is getting late and I need to get to bed, sorry for the dull post.

Get out! (No really...who let you in here? kidding, kidding) That's amazing!
And thank you for sharing about DW with me. It always does my heart good to hear of someone with seizures going on to lead a very productive life.

So where at CBR did you stay? We were in Aruba.

Totally going to re access our schedule. And i will probably do it several hundred times before we get there.

I don't think we are going to do any shows. Well, except for Jedi......thought we might I am so indecisive! No, I'm not. Yes I am.

I have been eyeballing Tusker (Lily LOVES donald) and one of the princess buffets...but can't decide. (see above)

I think that being in the park early would be cool but we are so not morning people. Too bad they didn't have an after hours character party! We would so be there!

Lily has an appointment at BBB Feb 7th at 11:00ish so I bet we could do CRT at maybe 1:30ish. Bet she would love that!

Hollie

 

[hollie1974]

Hey thanks for sharing all those GREAT pictures!! I agree the beach one is just beautiful!!

I'm with on taking LOTS of photos!! Look out photographers here WE COME!!

Oh and the cast member appreciation cards are AWESOME!! Great Job!! What a sweet idea!!

Madeline

Thank you!!

 

[hollie1974]

She is so sweet! I'm excited for you guys and hoping for a healthy trip.

Thank you!!

 

[hollie1974]

Wow, dealing with all you have on your plate and quitting smoking too? I'm impressed! I can't even imagine how scary it must be to be in unknown territory with Lily's health. I hope you have a happy, healthy, magical trip without any worries!

I love the CM appreciation cards, those are just so cute.

I agree with BigTex about checking the park hours for your half day plans. DHS has hours that vary seasonally while Epcot is always open until 9 or 9:30, so which park is open later will depend on your dates. We go at slow times of the year and Epcot is almost always the one open later, while DHS usually closes at 7 or 8.

And I love the mud fight pics, that so looks like something my kids would do!

Thank you!!
I will do that.

The mud fight was soooooo much fun but I still can't get over the bath tub! I am not sure what I was thinking would happen after we all took showers. Guess I was expecting a fairy to drop some pixie dust and make it all disappear!

It didn't happen however.....

Hollie

 

[brookerene]

OUR DATES ARE NOW OFFICIAL!!!!! Yay!
Feb 6-12 we is gonna be in GKTW/WDW Yay!!!

That sounds great! Yay! And as for the smoking.....keep it up! It can be done! Look forward to reading more!

 

[brookerene]

Our upcoming trip I will be taking A LOT more pics and certainly using the photo pass. I did on our last trip but we did see any pics that we liked so we didn't buy any. This time I plan on pre-purchasing the CD and then hunting down all the photo pass photographers I can find.

Actually I think you get a free photopass cd through gktw...check with Maroo, because I plan to put it to much use myself!

 

[Redwavess]

Lily has an appointment at BBB Feb 7th at 11:00ish so I bet we could do CRT at maybe 1:30ish. Bet she would love that!

That is SO cool!!

You must tell me your secrets. How did you manage to get off the phone with BBB without an ADR for CRT? The cast member we talked to really sold us on CRT while we were making our reservation for BBB. I was surprised at how excited Mallory was about it. She could hear the cast member telling us how wonderful it would be and how close MK BBB is to CRT.
The cast member even answered questions for Mallory and now everyone is excited!! (Note: they told us we had to prepay for CRT. The total was just a little over $200.00 )

Do you have reservations at Down Town Disney BBB or MK BBB?

This is the only reservations I am going to make for the trip. Like we discussed earlier I don't want to be to tied down to plans and rushing so much that we rush the fun right out of the trip...

We are getting so close now!! Time to do the happy dance!!

 

[hollie1974]

That sounds great! Yay! And as for the smoking.....keep it up! It can be done! Look forward to reading more!

Thank you! Imma gonna! The smell of my husband's cigarette turns my stomach now. I cannot get over how much that dulls the senses!

 

[hollie1974]

That is SO cool!!

You must tell me your secrets. How did you manage to get off the phone with BBB without an ADR for CRT? The cast member we talked to really sold us on CRT while we were making our reservation for BBB. I was surprised at how excited Mallory was about it. She could hear the cast member telling us how wonderful it would be and how close MK BBB is to CRT.
The cast member even answered questions for Mallory and now everyone is excited!! (Note: they told us we had to prepay for CRT. The total was just a little over $200.00 )

Do you have reservations at Down Town Disney BBB or MK BBB?

This is the only reservations I am going to make for the trip. Like we discussed earlier I don't want to be to tied down to plans and rushing so much that we rush the fun right out of the trip...

We are getting so close now!! Time to do the happy dance!!

Ok I'll tell ya the secret..............I had my husband call and make the ressie for BBB....hehe.....he's cheap!

MK BBB........what about you?

Oh Madeline, Madeline, Madeline.....what are we gonna do with me? I did it.....I couldn't take it anymore......*sigh*

I made ADR's.....only two but still made them. However, I think I am going to have to change them! I am going to have to change them based on a couple things....one the GKTW character schedule (some characters are going to be at GKTW during our ADR's that I know the kids will want to see) and 2 I am thinking I am going to change the order that we are visiting the parks, except for MK which will be Monday for sure. *sigh* I need to sit down with the parks hours in Feb and the GKTW schedule and figure it all out.

But what I have decided for sure is since we are not doing CRT we are going to do Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot for the Princesses and Tusker's for the Ducks (thank you BigTex71 for suggesting both!). Lily LOVES Donald and Daisy.

Ok back to planning!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Hi Hollie!! Thanks for joining my TR, now I'm joining your PTR!!!

Just thought I would throw in some thoughts after reading!

I worked at BBB for the college program (and LOVED IT!). The whole process might take an hour but that's only if she is getting the Castle Package ( that's everything!) and they are on a wait. It will take longer if she's getting a dress and shoes because of sizing, waiting for dressing room, etc. As soon as she's in the chair, it shouldn't take more than a 1/2 hour. If you are worried about her, you can request that they have a FGIT that is quick and affectionate..a manager will know what FGIT to pick for you!

Like a poster said above, you might want to check DHS hours again. DHS normally will close before Epcot which is always 9pm, or 12am on Fridays for EMH. DHS normal closing is 7 or 8, maybe 9 so unless you are going on one of their PM EMH days, it will always close before Epcot. Based on your AK schedule, I'd split AK and do it in a 1/2 day and then go back to another park that you need more time in or think you want more time in. I was also HAPPY to see that you put the KDClubs on your list for AK! Not many people know about them or stumble upon them! I worked at the clubs too as an internship! They are fun to do!!!

I don't know this for sure but from what I've seen MAW children do not wait in the standby line for characters. Any MAW children I've seen may have to wait a family or two but then are taken right to the characters so you by-pass the wait (kind of like a direct fastpass!). I think that's one of the special perks you get as a MAW child. That's just something to keep in mind..the time you set aside for the characters will be little to no waits!

I'm also pretty much 100% sure that as a MAW child, they don't wait in the ride lines either. I think you go straight to the end of the line or go in the fastpass line if there is one. Like I said, I'm not 100% sure on that but from what I've seen in the past, that's another great perk they give you!

You also commented on the strobe lights. I would stop at Guest Relations on your way in and they should be able to provide you a list or write down the rides that DD would not be able to ride that have strobe lights!

Well, that's it from me! Happy planning!!

 

[Redwavess]

I made ADR's.....only two but still made them.

But what I have decided for sure is since we are not doing CRT we are going to do Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot for the Princesses and Tusker's for the Ducks (thank you BigTex71 for suggesting both!). Lily LOVES Donald and Daisy.

Ok back to planning!

2 ADRs seems GREAT to me!! It's enough to get you the character interactions the kids will love, without overdoing it so you have to plan your trip around ADRs.

We are going to BBB at the MK too!!

Happy continued planning!!!

 

[hollie1974]

NEW plan of attack! lol Look it over and let me know what you all think.
I originally had an ADR at Tusker's but there was too much going on in the mornings at GKTW that a we wanted to do so I tried to make a lunch ADR but there are no characters at lunch and dinner so Tusker's is out for this trip.

Sunday
Arrive and check everything out.
Twinkle Hope's Tea Party 2:00-3:00pm
Worlds largest Candy Land game 7:30-8:30

Monday
Disney Characters at GKTW 8-8:30
MK and BBB


Tuesday
Nick Characters at GKTW 8:30-9:15
AK
HS


Wednesday
Epcot
Lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at 1:25 with the Princesses
and maybe back to HS
Village idol 7:45-9:00 GKTW


Thursday
US/IOA
Christmas at GKTW 6:30-8:30

Friday
US Characters at GKTW 8:30-9:15
Seaworld
Pirates and princess Party at GKTW 7:30-8:30pm


Saturday
Horseback riding
Leave

 

[hollie1974]

Hi Hollie!! Thanks for joining my TR, now I'm joining your PTR!!!

Just thought I would throw in some thoughts after reading!

I worked at BBB for the college program (and LOVED IT!). The whole process might take an hour but that's only if she is getting the Castle Package ( that's everything!) and they are on a wait. It will take longer if she's getting a dress and shoes because of sizing, waiting for dressing room, etc. As soon as she's in the chair, it shouldn't take more than a 1/2 hour. If you are worried about her, you can request that they have a FGIT that is quick and affectionate..a manager will know what FGIT to pick for you!

Like a poster said above, you might want to check DHS hours again. DHS normally will close before Epcot which is always 9pm, or 12am on Fridays for EMH. DHS normal closing is 7 or 8, maybe 9 so unless you are going on one of their PM EMH days, it will always close before Epcot. Based on your AK schedule, I'd split AK and do it in a 1/2 day and then go back to another park that you need more time in or think you want more time in. I was also HAPPY to see that you put the KDClubs on your list for AK! Not many people know about them or stumble upon them! I worked at the clubs too as an internship! They are fun to do!!!

I don't know this for sure but from what I've seen MAW children do not wait in the standby line for characters. Any MAW children I've seen may have to wait a family or two but then are taken right to the characters so you by-pass the wait (kind of like a direct fastpass!). I think that's one of the special perks you get as a MAW child. That's just something to keep in mind..the time you set aside for the characters will be little to no waits!

I'm also pretty much 100% sure that as a MAW child, they don't wait in the ride lines either. I think you go straight to the end of the line or go in the fastpass line if there is one. Like I said, I'm not 100% sure on that but from what I've seen in the past, that's another great perk they give you!

You also commented on the strobe lights. I would stop at Guest Relations on your way in and they should be able to provide you a list or write down the rides that DD would not be able to ride that have strobe lights!

Well, that's it from me! Happy planning!!

Thank you for joining! And Thanks so much for the tips! I changed our schedule around a bit and I think this one might be better.

 

[hollie1974]

2 ADRs seems GREAT to me!! It's enough to get you the character interactions the kids will love, without overdoing it so you have to plan your trip around ADRs.

We are going to BBB at the MK too!!

Happy continued planning!!!

Down to one now!

We shall see if it stays that way!

 

[Colleen27]

But what I have decided for sure is since we are not doing CRT we are going to do Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot for the Princesses and Tusker's for the Ducks (thank you BigTex71 for suggesting both!). Lily LOVES Donald and Daisy.

That sounds like a great plan. We always like to have one princess meal and one Mickey & friends meal so we're sure to hit the must-see characters even if the in-park lines are too long for us to bother with. Besides, Daisy can be harder to find in the parks; we're doing Tusker House on our next trip too just to make sure DD2 gets to see her.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Hi Hollie.. Sorry I haven't been on your PTR in awhile. Lots haven been happening. First..congrats on the no smoking. That is great. Second..congrats on getting dates. Third..Yeah on getting ADR and BBB. Kylee is going to do the BBB too. I'm so glad Drache gets to go too. Do you have to pay for airfare and theme tickets for him? I need to call MAW tomorrow and see if they have our flight info yet. Your plans sound great. I need to post our plans soon too.

 

[hollie1974]

That sounds like a great plan. We always like to have one princess meal and one Mickey & friends meal so we're sure to hit the must-see characters even if the in-park lines are too long for us to bother with. Besides, Daisy can be harder to find in the parks; we're doing Tusker House on our next trip too just to make sure DD2 gets to see her.

Yup we are going to wait and do Tusker on our next trip too. It's funny because I never thought there would be a next trip after Lily's MAW because i didn't think we could afford it. But NOW that I have been reading the boards....hehe I think we may be able to swing another trip sometime soon.

 

[hollie1974]

Hi Hollie.. Sorry I haven't been on your PTR in awhile. Lots haven been happening. First..congrats on the no smoking. That is great. Second..congrats on getting dates. Third..Yeah on getting ADR and BBB. Kylee is going to do the BBB too. I'm so glad Drache gets to go too. Do you have to pay for airfare and theme tickets for him? I need to call MAW tomorrow and see if they have our flight info yet. Your plans sound great. I need to post our plans soon too.

Hey, it's no problem. I am glad you guys are home now!! How's she feeling?

No airfare because we are driving but his parents have to pay for his theme park tickets. Not a big deal though. We are all going to chip in so he can go.