Little Warrior's Wish Come True -- Marenna's Trip Report

[teresajoy]

The part about the cheerleaders had me laughing so hard!!!

Ehh, (shrug) ... it was free, you know? I hate to complain, looking a gift horse in the mouth. But it was very helpful for me when other MAW-ers told the fabulous and the not as fabulous so that I was better prepared for our trip.

It's the code.

Now, by the same token ... that was just us. I know there are others who had fabulous trips to Sea World.

I'm sorry you felt that way about Sea World, I would love to go there again some day, we just haven't been able to afford it for awhile. We have always had a great time there when we've been.

A brief announcement:

I haven't posted lately because I was out of town. Got back this week, and Marenna had scans today.

NED - No Evidence of Disease!

Posting to resume ...

YEAH!!!!

 

[jenb1023]

Glad to hear you had a good day at AK. Love the Pocahontas interaction and glad to see your GAC and Wish pin did the trick today. Love the interaction with Pooh and the gang but was sorry to see Piglet did not get to see his beautiful dress. Not to question a CM but I am pretty sure I saw Piglet in the UK but I could be wrong. Looking forward to the Epcot update!

 

[littlewarriorsmom]

So, we left Animal Kingdom and got on a bus to get to Epcot. Other than the Chai freeze, we hadn't had anything to eat. I knew there was tons of good stuff at Epcot! In retrospect, probably should have taken some granola bars. Everyone was really starving.

We got to Epcot -- food, food! I had my list of "must try" things. Even though we live in Texas, we were so starving that we stopped in Mexico for some nachos, churros and of course ... free ice tap water!

After that, we went to Norway for sweet pretzels, school bread, and lefse. We got a couple of each and cut them up for sampling.

Why do I have no pictures? I don't know! Too hungry, I guess!

We headed back up to the front for some rides, like Spaceship Earth. After that, the older kids had things they wanted to do. We headed over to Mission Space. Little Warrior and I waited outside for them, taking pictures of each other.

And waited. And waited.

Even with the GAC, it took a long time. It was at this point that I said, Okay, this isn't fair to Marenna. We're spending a lot of time waiting for you guys to go on rides. Plus, the non-world showcase part was going to be closing at 7. So, we started doing things that she could go on -- like the Nemo ride and the Turtle talk show with Crush.

And I got to go on the only ride I felt strongly about -- Soarin'! I wish they'd lower the height restrictions for that.

In our walking around, we found the Coke pavilion. Of COURSE I directed my 13 year old to try Beverly!

There is this giant fountain towards the front of Epcot. A few times a day, music comes on, and there's a "show" with giant spurts of water timed to the music. Very pretty. Well, we were walking past it, and this giant gust of wind came from nowhere!

Completely, utterly, all the way to our undies SOAKED! We just looked at each other in shock and laughed. It was so focused, the water, that we were the only people to get wet. People around us were laughing sympathetically. Poor Kaziah and Marenna -- they were in the stroller, so had no idea what was coming.

I went in to the store right there to see about getting a tshirt. The prices were so high, I decided to just suffer.

Now that we're freezing and wet, time to eat! We headed back to the International side to go down my list of must-eats. Hmm ... Japan -- Kaki gori. A snowcone. And we were freezing. No thanks! Italy -- Bellini. Ditto! Okay, on to France and the Boulangerie Patisserie.

We went through and just got an assortment of stuff, like in Norway, sliced them up and shared. Ham and cheese croissants, apple tart, napoleons, chocolate mousse ...

YUM! It was SOOO good. We went back through the line and everyone got to choose one thing to have for breakfast. Even amongst the kids, the ham and cheese croissant was the most popular.

It was getting dark now. We wandered around the other "countries," stopping to watch the fireworks.

Thoroughly worn-out, we headed for "home."

 

[jessica52877]

Burrr! That would be chilly if all that water splattered on you! I love watching the fountains *dance* as I like to call it.

 

[jham]

Thoroughly worn-out, we headed for "home."

I love this photo, so sweet! I just love Marenna in that dress! It makes me happy I didn't know that about piglet either! Once I waited and waited out side Mission Space for DH and the big kids for what seemed like forever! Then it was my turn to ride and as I exited the ride but before hitting the dump shop I found DH with the Littles happily enjoying an indoor playground! Now we know to just walk in through the exit to the playground waiting area, much better! I can't believe you got so soaked! I've never watched that fountain show. Maybe that's a good thing!

 

[teresajoy]

Oh, sorry you got so soaked!!!

Last year when we were at AK, they had Piglet down there with the other characters. I'm sorry you didn't get to see him!

I love that last picture of Marenna!! She looks so adorable!

 

[LilAnn]

Hi, I just stumbled upon your TR and have loved reading it. I think I alternate between laughing and crying. You are a funny writer! And the pictures and memories are just melting my heart. That's great news about the NED! I'm a pedi nurse and we see our fair share of Wilm's tumors where I am, so it was great to read about your trip. I can't wait for more!

 

[tinkerbells mum]

the picture of pooh holding the children's hands is priceless xx

 

[littlewarriorsmom]

Everything others have said about Universal Studios parks treating you like royalty – very true. The vast majority treated us as special, treasured guests.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, we went over to the GKTW theatre to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

After a quick change for Marenna and Lilyanne, it was off to Universal!

We went to Universal Studios first. Met Shaggy and Scooby (the kids were all excited that Shaggy knew how to pronounce Kaziah’s name -- he read it off her tshirt), in front of their mystery van. The handler instantly saw Marenna’s pin and pulled us to the front. After that, it was Woody and Curious George.

Wandering around, we found Donkey and Shrek. The handler looked right at Marenna's pin, but didn't say anything. No biggie, the line wasn't too long. Well, the handler might not have "seen" the pin, but Donkey sure did! When we were in front of him, he called out for Shrek to come join him with us. Pretty cool.

We went down to "Woody’s Place" … nope, not open til 11. We wandered around a little, getting a Starbucks for me (which Marenna proceeded to drink) and putting the older kids and Tom on The Mummy, which they loved. We were headed back to the Woody zone, when we came across Doc and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Well, Jackson was thrilled since he’s seen all three Back to the Future movies. “Doc” had tamed a squirrel and was feeding it when we walked up.

He spotted the GKTW pin right away and said, Oh, let’s have a really good picture. He reached into his pocket and pulled out car keys! He opened up the DeLorean and Jackson got to sit inside for the picture. He was so thrilled! (And there were some grown up men behind us that were completely jealous!)

Okay, so over to Woody’s place. We went on the roller coaster – Marenna’s first. She was so thrilled with it, shrieking and giggling the whole way. When it ended, she went over to the CM … “Can I go again?” We had to wait one go-round (some sort of policy), but then got back on. Did some of the other rides, then it was off to see Barney. We got to meet Barney ahead of the show. I considered thanking Barney for giving me so many showers through the years (by keeping little ones occupied so I could take a shower) but figured it might be misconstrued.

After that, we got directed to a special place to stand to wait for the show. (The show starts outside the theatre.)

We were seated in the front row and then the professor character told us to wait after the show. There was one other wish family with us, and we got to have more time with Barney. He won’t admit it, but I think even my almost-13 year old was happy. He grew up with Barney!

After that, back out to Barney's play area to romp around. Anyone who tells you Universal is mostly for older kids -- nuh-uh! There are tons of cool play areas. More than Disney, I think.

We did some more rides here and there (including another Woody's roller coaster ride) and stopped by to see SpongeBob before we left.

Lunch time! ...

 

[jessica52877]

Barney is my favorite!! I just love it when they do the show. I agree, Universal is great for the younger bunch. Alot of the rides aren't for them but it all very nice to take them to.

 

[maroo]

Oh my gosh!!!!

How cool!!!

That car is so fantastic! I, too, am jealous! How cool was that?

Sounds like you guys did get treated like royalty! Universal just keeps getting brownie points from the Wish Trippers. Awesome!

I am loving your TR!!!

 

[teresajoy]

Cool that they got to go right into the car! I'd be jealous too!

LOL! showers and Barney!

Is that play area as filthy as it looks in the picture?

 

[littlewarriorsmom]

Is that play area as filthy as it looks in the picture?

No ... I think it was just shadows or something.

 

[littlewarriorsmom]

We left Universal Studios and went to Margaritaville for lunch. It was okay.

After lunch, we went to Islands of Adventure. We all fell in love with Seuss Landing, going on all the rides. Then, I took Kaziah, Marenna and Lilyanne and we went to the wet playground called If I Ran the Zoo, while Tom took Jackson on some big roller coasters.

If I Ran the Zoo was so fun. It was a warm day and even I slipped off my shoes and waded in. Marenna carefully rolled up her leggings ... and then got completely, completely soaked. After a while, Tom and Jackson came back and they joined in playing with us. Honestly, all the rides and meeting characters, and this is probably my favorite memory. We just had so much fun playing and being with each other.

Okay, now are you ready for some MAGIC?

Really, you're ready???

Okay!

After our playtime in the water, we meandered toward the exit. We saw a sign for Spiderman and headed that way. A CM saw Marenna's pin from several yards away and came over to us. “Going to see Spiderman?” Yup. “Have you seen the other characters?” Ehh, no, she doesn’t really know them. “Well, if you can wait about 7 minutes, you can meet ALL of them, together!

The CM led us around the corner and had us stand back. In just a few minutes, here they came, whizzing around the corner!

(Marenna likes Spiderman, but Wolverine had just gently patted her on the head, and those claws were too much for her. She stayed right by me for the rest of the meet.)

How wonderful is Universal!!!!

On weekdays, Universal doesn't stay open late, so we headed home for a quiet evening in. First, we went and picked out some DVDs from the GKTW library to watch. Then, we went by the theatre and picked up some concessions to take back to our room -- sodas, popcorn, and that candy powder stuff. Then back to our villa, where we ordered pizza. Fun! Last, Mayor Clayton came and did the tuck in. All four kids, even my eldest, were excited about the tuck in. My camera battery died in the middle, but on one of the disposable cameras, I have more pics. Note to self: get film developed.

Next up: an intermission from the trip report to post some Photopass pictures.

 

[maroo]

oh, I love it, love it, love it!

I love that you guys just spent time together playing!! And the character meet - how AWESOME!!!!! Universal has stepped up! I love it.

And movies...pizza...hanging out at the villa...what an awesome night!

Great update! Loving your TR! Can't wait for that intermission!

 

[jessica52877]

What a fun update! I love the play area! I have never seen it with that much water but then again I think it has always been December lately!

The kids look like they had a blast and I love the fun evening together in the villa! A perfect ending for the day!

 

[littlewarriorsmom]

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[littlewarriorsmom]

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[p00h4me]

I've been following your trip report and I had to finally post. I'm so glad that your family had this time to spend together at GKTW and enjoying the different parks. The pictures reflect the great time you all had together. Great photo pass pictures from WDW too! Can't wait to continue reading about the rest of your trip report.

 

[Corrine 1973]

The Photopass pictures are great!!!!! LOVE 'EM!!!!!

Anyone who has any doubts about buying the photo pass needs to just come on over here and take a look, I am sure these adorable shots will change their minds.