Make a Wish (and other organizations) ~ Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume FIVE!!

[melissa924]

wooohoooo!!!! Three more weeks!!!!

 

[krisalee78]

We just got our dates! We will be arriving at GKTW on October 26, 2012. That puts us there during Halloween- anyone know what GKTW does - if anything- for that Holiday?

We are all so excited, even though the date is so far away (by choice!). Jake's actual Wish was to go to Harry Potter World, and we just couldn't think of a better time to go then Halloween.

We are planning on staying an additional 8 days- it will truly be a trip of a lifetime! I think we've decided to stay at Bonnet Creek- the price can't be beat, and as we are only planning on doing to 1 Disney Park/Day after we leave GKTW, it didn't make a ton of sense to stay on site. During our time off of GKTW, we are planning on using two of the tickets we receive- one for Disney and one for Sea World. Also planning on hitting Kennedy Space Center, Clearwater Aquarium (my daughter loves dolphins, and especially Winter the Dolphin from Dolphin Tale), Weeki Wachee State Park (friends of ours went, and our kids now want to go), spend a day at Downtown Disney/Flea Markets, and we might possibly go to Busch Gardens or Gatorland.

Did I mention we are excited?!?!

 

[nesser1981]

Not sure about GKTW at Halloween. But you do you know you'll get 3 day park hopper to disney, 1 day to sea world, 2 days to universal. Plus we got some more info on GKTW today with our flight info. You can request tickets to the Kennedy Space Center and Busch Gardens (which is amazing, btw). Weeki Wachee is pretty cool. I'm from North Florida, we went there for our 3rd grade class trip. They have Mermaids. Silver Springs up in Ocala is pretty cool too. Lots of Florida wild life, but I'm not sure how pretty it'll be in late October.

We just got our dates! We will be arriving at GKTW on October 26, 2012. That puts us there during Halloween- anyone know what GKTW does - if anything- for that Holiday?

We are all so excited, even though the date is so far away (by choice!). Jake's actual Wish was to go to Harry Potter World, and we just couldn't think of a better time to go then Halloween.

We are planning on staying an additional 8 days- it will truly be a trip of a lifetime! I think we've decided to stay at Bonnet Creek- the price can't be beat, and as we are only planning on doing to 1 Disney Park/Day after we leave GKTW, it didn't make a ton of sense to stay on site. During our time off of GKTW, we are planning on using two of the tickets we receive- one for Disney and one for Sea World. Also planning on hitting Kennedy Space Center, Clearwater Aquarium (my daughter loves dolphins, and especially Winter the Dolphin from Dolphin Tale), Weeki Wachee State Park (friends of ours went, and our kids now want to go), spend a day at Downtown Disney/Flea Markets, and we might possibly go to Busch Gardens or Gatorland.

Did I mention we are excited?!?!

 

[Moodyzblu]

We just got our dates! We will be arriving at GKTW on October 26, 2012. That puts us there during Halloween- anyone know what GKTW does - if anything- for that Holiday?

We are all so excited, even though the date is so far away (by choice!). Jake's actual Wish was to go to Harry Potter World, and we just couldn't think of a better time to go then Halloween.

We are planning on staying an additional 8 days- it will truly be a trip of a lifetime! I think we've decided to stay at Bonnet Creek- the price can't be beat, and as we are only planning on doing to 1 Disney Park/Day after we leave GKTW, it didn't make a ton of sense to stay on site. During our time off of GKTW, we are planning on using two of the tickets we receive- one for Disney and one for Sea World. Also planning on hitting Kennedy Space Center, Clearwater Aquarium (my daughter loves dolphins, and especially Winter the Dolphin from Dolphin Tale), Weeki Wachee State Park (friends of ours went, and our kids now want to go), spend a day at Downtown Disney/Flea Markets, and we might possibly go to Busch Gardens or Gatorland.

Did I mention we are excited?!?!

Yay for dates !!
You should try to at least go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in Magic Kingdom .. it's an awesome party and fun experience.
Jaydens main "wish" is also Harry Potter World and our wish granter said they would be doing something special for him the day we go there so I would expect the same for you guys.
You're going to have a nice,long stay and sounds like you have lots of plans ! It all sounds SO exciting !

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you are stay an extra eight days, I would strongly suggest a day at Legoland. It just opened this past October and is aimed primarily for children. Here is a thread based on a couple of my trips there, especially looking for disabilities. You might check about tickets for there at GKTW also.

 

[krisalee78]

Can you get tickets for parks (Legoland, Kennedy Space Center) from GKtW for days you won't actually be staying at GKTW? I thought you could only buy tickets from them for days you are actually staying there.

 

[nesser1981]

Can you get tickets for parks (Legoland, Kennedy Space Center) from GKtW for days you won't actually be staying at GKTW? I thought you could only buy tickets from them for days you are actually staying there.

I don't know if they have legoland ones at GKTW yet, but in the information I got it said you can request tickets to Kennedy Space Center, Busch Gardens and water parks. You don't buy them, they give them to you if they have them.

 

[nesser1981]

Oh, the information I read too was that you just have to use the tickets within 2 weeks of getting them.

 

[krisalee78]

Oh, the information I read too was that you just have to use the tickets within 2 weeks of getting them.

Oh wow- that will save us a TON. Thanks so much for the info!!

 

[krisalee78]

Yay for dates !!
You should try to at least go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in Magic Kingdom .. it's an awesome party and fun experience.
Jaydens main "wish" is also Harry Potter World and our wish granter said they would be doing something special for him the day we go there so I would expect the same for you guys.
You're going to have a nice,long stay and sounds like you have lots of plans ! It all sounds SO exciting !

Oh wow- Jake would be so excited to have something even MORE special than this trip!

I thought about doing the MNSSHP, but wasn't sure if it was worth it (in regards to missing out on time at GKTW nightly partys- I think thats what they have?). Its worth it then? I will def check it out- thanks for the tip!

 

[krisalee78]

If you are stay an extra eight days, I would strongly suggest a day at Legoland. It just opened this past October and is aimed primarily for children. Here is a thread based on a couple of my trips there, especially looking for disabilities. You might check about tickets for there at GKTW also.

We were thinking about it! I heard though that its geared mostly for younger kids, and we have quite a few teens. (Our kids ages when we travel will be 17, 14, 13, 11, 8, 6, 4, and 2- Our wish kid, Jake- is the 14 year old). But Jake does LOVE Legos- maybe we could do a half day there!

 

[nesser1981]

Oh, I want to recommend this app to anyone that has an Ipad. They might have it on the iphone too, but we only have an ipad a friend of ours was kind enough to purchase for us when Keira got sick again.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disne...365817457?mt=8

It has all the wait times of attractions, maps of all the parks & downtown disney. As well as menus complete with prices for all the restaurants in the Disney Resort, hotels, parks, downtown Disney. I love it, been using it pretty much non stop since we got our dates

 

[ALLMama]

39 DAYS until Jacob's MAW trip!

So here are our plans but no firm days on which do them. Any suggestions on order?

We are going Feb 23 - Mar 4 with the last 4 days being on our dime. Going to book POR on Monday as soon as we have 100% confirmation with MAW.

2/23 - Th - Arrive GKTW - XMAS Party (firm)
2/24 - F
2/25 - S
2/26 - S
2/27 - M
2/28 - T
2/29 - W - Check out GKTW and into POR - LEAP DAY!!
3/1 - Th
3/2 - F
3/3 - S
3/4 - Sunday - Depart sometime

Must dos for Jacob:
LEGOLAND! Can't skip this as it's his #1 wish with WDW/Universal after that
Universal
Pirates' League
SeaWorld

So if we have 8 full days with 2 half days and possibly 1 morning (depart) day are the 3 day hopper passes from GKTW enough? Is it a sin that I am considering skipping Epcot altogether?

I'm thinking:
1 full day for each:
- LEGOLAND
- Universal
- SeaWorld
- AK
- DHS
- MK

That leaves us with still 2 full days plus the other half days.

We have no character meals booked as he isn't really into seeing characters or *GASP* Mickey. The only chacters he's interested in are Lego guys and Superheros.

We are also thinking of doing all the Disney parks in the last 3 days since we will be at POR and have no car. It doesn't make sense for us to try and do Lego, SW or Universal with no car right? Can he still use his MAW button on last 4 days of our trip even though we won't be staying at GKTW?

Also we have our DD who will be 3 in June. I'm wondering how she will do since she still naps and such. Maybe she will be so tired she naps in the stroller? I need to look into stroller options because Jacob can't walk long distances (like more than 10-15 min) and he is 54lbs. DD is 28 ish lbs and I would prefer a double stroller but we will probably have to have 2 strollers right? That will make it hard because if both adults are pushing strollers and then a child or 2 decides they don't want to ride for awhile and tries to run off.... Yikes! Suggestions on how to deal with 2 kids that can't walk long periods one of which is over the regular stroller limits for size and weight?

 

[melissa924]

We were thinking of going to Busch Gardens during Jo's trip.... Is it worth the drive to go??

 

[nesser1981]

We were thinking of going to Busch Gardens during Jo's trip.... Is it worth the drive to go??

I personally liked Busch Gardens more than I did Animal Kingdom, but keep in mind it has been 11 years since I've been to Busch Gardens & 10 since I've been to AK.

I thought you could view the animals a lot better @ BG.

 

[nesser1981]

We are going on my DD's MAW trip February 27-March 4! We will be at GKTW the same time you guys are!

This is what our days will look like.
2/27-Arrive, chill @ GKTW
2/28-MK, Character breakfast @ Crystal Palace, my non wish child is celebrating his 4th birthday, Lunch @ CRT, Dinner back @ GKTW
2/29-Hollywood Studios, Character Breakfast @ Hollywood & Vine, lunch @ Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney in the evening, Dinner @ Raglan Irish Pub
3/1-Breakfast @ GKTW, meet Mickey & Minnie @ GKTW, Seaworld, lunch there, Dinner & Christmas back @ GKTW
3/2-Breakfast @ GKTW, IOA, Dinner back @ GKTW
3/3-Character Breakfast @ Tusker House @ Animal Kingdom, Evening @ Epcot, dinner @ La Hacienda, hopefully Fireworks
3/4-Leave

39 DAYS until Jacob's MAW trip!

So here are our plans but no firm days on which do them. Any suggestions on order?

We are going Feb 23 - Mar 4 with the last 4 days being on our dime. Going to book POR on Monday as soon as we have 100% confirmation with MAW.

2/23 - Th - Arrive GKTW - XMAS Party (firm)
2/24 - F
2/25 - S
2/26 - S
2/27 - M
2/28 - T
2/29 - W - Check out GKTW and into POR - LEAP DAY!!
3/1 - Th
3/2 - F
3/3 - S
3/4 - Sunday - Depart sometime

Must dos for Jacob:
LEGOLAND! Can't skip this as it's his #1 wish with WDW/Universal after that
Universal
Pirates' League
SeaWorld

So if we have 8 full days with 2 half days and possibly 1 morning (depart) day are the 3 day hopper passes from GKTW enough? Is it a sin that I am considering skipping Epcot altogether?

I'm thinking:
1 full day for each:
- LEGOLAND
- Universal
- SeaWorld
- AK
- DHS
- MK

That leaves us with still 2 full days plus the other half days.

We have no character meals booked as he isn't really into seeing characters or *GASP* Mickey. The only chacters he's interested in are Lego guys and Superheros.

We are also thinking of doing all the Disney parks in the last 3 days since we will be at POR and have no car. It doesn't make sense for us to try and do Lego, SW or Universal with no car right? Can he still use his MAW button on last 4 days of our trip even though we won't be staying at GKTW?

Also we have our DD who will be 3 in June. I'm wondering how she will do since she still naps and such. Maybe she will be so tired she naps in the stroller? I need to look into stroller options because Jacob can't walk long distances (like more than 10-15 min) and he is 54lbs. DD is 28 ish lbs and I would prefer a double stroller but we will probably have to have 2 strollers right? That will make it hard because if both adults are pushing strollers and then a child or 2 decides they don't want to ride for awhile and tries to run off.... Yikes! Suggestions on how to deal with 2 kids that can't walk long periods one of which is over the regular stroller limits for size and weight?

 

[ALLMama]

We are going on my DD's MAW trip February 27-March 4! We will be at GKTW the same time you guys are!

This is what our days will look like.
2/27-Arrive, chill @ GKTW
2/28-MK, Character breakfast @ Crystal Palace, my non wish child is celebrating his 4th birthday, Lunch @ CRT, Dinner back @ GKTW
2/29-Hollywood Studios, Character Breakfast @ Hollywood & Vine, lunch @ Hollywood Studios, Downtown Disney in the evening, Dinner @ Raglan Irish Pub
3/1-Breakfast @ GKTW, meet Mickey & Minnie @ GKTW, Seaworld, lunch there, Dinner & Christmas back @ GKTW
3/2-Breakfast @ GKTW, IOA, Dinner back @ GKTW
3/3-Character Breakfast @ Tusker House @ Animal Kingdom, Evening @ Epcot, dinner @ La Hacienda, hopefully Fireworks
3/4-Leave

Yay!! You are much more on the ball with planning than me. Ok so I looked into it more. We watched some of the Netflix videos and he has decided he does want to eat with Mickey and also Jake.

These are the things I think we are going to try and do:
Character Breakfast at Chef Mickey
Character Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine
Mickey's Backyard BBQ - only available on 3/1 or 3/2 so need to book tomorrow once I get 100% confirmation on dates

Now about the fireworks shows.... I need to look into them.
So they are at MK, Epcot and Fantasmic? Am I missing anything?

 

[nesser1981]

Yay!! You are much more on the ball with planning than me. Ok so I looked into it more. We watched some of the Netflix videos and he has decided he does want to eat with Mickey and also Jake.

These are the things I think we are going to try and do:
Character Breakfast at Chef Mickey
Character Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine
Mickey's Backyard BBQ - only available on 3/1 or 3/2 so need to book tomorrow once I get 100% confirmation on dates

Now about the fireworks shows.... I need to look into them.
So they are at MK, Epcot and Fantasmic? Am I missing anything?

I don't think so. If you go with seeing them at MK, don't forget they have the Electric Parade. We're choosing Epcot for fireworks only because we're parking hopping w/ Epcot & AK, so I thought that would work best.

I'd love to do Mickey's Backyard BBQ, but since we're doing CRT I decided to skip it.

You can make the reservations all online too, did you know that?

Oh, and we're also doing the Pirate Makeovers @ the Pirate League in the MK. You have to call for those, but its $30 a child, not bad at all.

 

[Moodyzblu]

I have a question for those that have extended their stay but didn't keep the car .. how do I get the car back ? Do I have to drive it back to the airport and then find a way back to my resort ? Is there any other way ?

 

[nesser1981]

I have a question for those that have extended their stay but didn't keep the car .. how do I get the car back ? Do I have to drive it back to the airport and then find a way back to my resort ? Is there any other way ?

I'd think either that, or if you signed up for transportation from Disney since you're staying on property, they probably have a shuttle you can take.