Mallory Magical Wish to DisneyWorld & GKTW! UPDATED 8/1/13 -- Updated pictures!!

[blessedmom4]

Oh I no!! It was crazy!! Thank you for the prayers and the well wishes!! I know they worked because we had a WONDERFUL time!!!
I KNEW you would, can't wait to read more and I LOVE that dress on Mallory...it is AMAZING!!!


You are right on the day we got home. You are also right on needing time to recuperate. I think I need a vacation from my vacation!!! Thanks for popping in!! You are an awesome Dis friend!!

Thank you!
You DO need a vacation from the vacation...it is hard work getting ready to go, then having all that fun takes energy!

 

[brookerene]

Welcome Home and thanks for posting photos! and I hve to rpeat that Dubo dress is wonderful! It's something you an keep for years to come and look back and remember!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

HOME!!!!

Great pictures so far.

 

[smileycrissy]

I just noticed she doesn't have her usual big smile in some these!! Well I guess after taking 978 pictures you get sick of smiling!! Rest assured she was her happy self and had a WONDERFUL time!!!!

Stay Tuned!!! More MAGIC coming up!! I'll be back on Sunday!!

Welcome Home!! I'm partially glad you are back (the other half wishes you were still there having fun) I can't wait to hear all about it.

Even though she isn't doing her big smile in this pic, it is beautiful! She looks so adorable in that Dumbo outfit. You should take her to get some professional shots of her in that outfit.

 

[Redwavess]

Welcome home! Those pictures are wonderful, cannot wait to see the rest!

Thanks!! It was nice to get so many Welcome Home messages. It was hard to be back, but your sweet messages made it easier!!

Welcome Home!!! From your sneak peek pics it looks like you all had a lovely time. I can't wait to hear more about your trip. I'm so hoping Mallory had a magical time

Hi!! Thanks for peeking in on us!! The Minnie skirt and matching jewelry was a HUGE hit!! Thanks so much!!! Mallory did have a MAGICAL time!! I'm going to start the trip report tonight!!

You ARE back! I love the pictures and appreciate your time in posting them, I know you have a lot to accomplish having been gone for a week, so THANK YOU! Looking forward to seeing/reading more when you have the time!

Aww you are SO sweet!! I'm glad you liked the pictures so far!! More coming up tonight.

Thank you!
You DO need a vacation from the vacation...it is hard work getting ready to go, then having all that fun takes energy!

I appreciate the understanding!!! I'm back now!! (I just finished posting final grades!!! ) And I am ready to share our wonderful trip!!

Welcome Home and thanks for posting photos! and I have to repeat that Dumbo dress is wonderful! It's something you an keep for years to come and look back and remember!

I agree!!! The Dumbo dress is a show stopper!! She is going to wear it next week for picture day. She also is going to wear it to church. Oh and of course when we go to Disneyland. Thanks for the welcome home message and for stopping by to see us.

HOME!!!!

Great pictures so far.

Thanks!! Thanks for stopping in!! We so love all the welcome home messages!!

Welcome Home!! I'm partially glad you are back (the other half wishes you were still there having fun) I can't wait to hear all about it.

Even though she isn't doing her big smile in this pic, it is beautiful! She looks so adorable in that Dumbo outfit. You should take her to get some professional shots of her in that outfit.

Thanks for the welcome home wishes!! Great idea to take pictures in that fabulous Dumbo outfit!! We are going to do it!! She wore the PJ's you got her for her Miss Mary bedtime tuck in. I can't wait to show you the pictures!! It was too cute!! Stay tuned for that!!!

 

[Emilyswish]

Welcome home! I can't wait to see more pics and hear about the whole trip!

 

[Redwavess]

Welcome home! I can't wait to see more pics and hear about the whole trip!

Aww thanks so much for the welcome home!! I love the picture of you and your family with Minnie and Mickey and all those polka dots!! How cute!! Looks like you guys had a great time too!!

I'm off to post day 1!!

 

[Redwavess]

Okay let's start by reviewing the trip plans...

I'll note in blue if we followed the plans for the day or not!!

Drum roll please....

Here we have the long awaited trip plans:

Warning I got tired just writing these down. I may have over done it!!

Saturday February 19th
- Arrive at Give Kids the World (GKTW) -- No... We were in New Orleans
- 7:30 pm Mayor Clayton's Birthday Party at GKTW! --No (see above )

Sunday February 20th
- 9:00 am Disney's Hollywood Studios --No
- 1:00 pm EPCOT --No
- 7:30 pm The World's Largest Candyland Game at GKTW -- Yes!!! Yay!! Our 1st Yes!!

Monday February 21st
- 9:00 am Universal Studios --Yes!!!
- 5:45 pm Kid's Night Out at GKTW --YES!!
- 8:00 pm Safari Double Dare at GKTW --Yes!!

Tuesday February 22nd
- 9:00 am Island of Adventure --No
- 7:30 pm Family Fun Night at GKTW --????

Wednesday February 23rd
- 9:00 am Animal Kingdom No
- 12:30 Magic Kingdom YES!!
- 1:00 pm Biddidi Bobbidi Boutique Makeover --YES!!!
- 2:40 pm Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table --YES AGAIN!!

Thursday February 24th
- 9:00 am Sea World --YES!!
- 6:30 pm Christmas Party at GKTW --YES!!

Friday February 25th
- Departure day --No!! We got to stay an extra day!!

Whew... and it's done!!

Stay Tuned for...

And a height update... Will Mallory make it to 40 inches (she is super close ) Will she get to ride; Soarin’, Dinosaur, Test Track, Big Thunder Railroad, Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Simpson’s Ride, Jimmy Neutron’s Blast, and the Amazing Adventures of Spider-man (all of which have a 40 inch height requirement)? --Stay Tuned for the height update!! Did Mallory make it to 40 inches... Did she get to ride any or all of these rides?!?

We went to 7 Theme Parks in 6 days!!! And I have tons of Magical Pictures to share!!

Day 1

The day started early...

Let's be honest... I hardly slept at all I was so excited!!

Here is Mike and Mallory leaving the house at 5:15 am!! Yes it was early, but when you are leaving for a Disney Wish Trip it doesn't matter!!

The whole family by the super shuttle. We wore our Make A Wish shirts from Nancy D. and Family!! It was so fun to have these special shirts for our special trip!!

Mallory's 1st souvenir of the trip. He's a fox she named Todd (Just like the Fox on the Hound All the Disney movies we watched lately are already paying off!!

Here's our gate!!

Right before we are about to board our flight they make an announcement that our plane is having mechanical issues and will not be flying.

Mallory passing time while SouthWest figures out how to get us to Orlando.

Instead of Orlando we make it to...

SouthWest decided to fly us into New Orleans for the night. They paid for the Hotel and then tomorrow we would be on our way to Orlando. I was SAD and SHOCKED at 1st, but Make-A-Wish and Give Kids the World were great!! We got our first bit of magic when they told us we could stay an extra day to make up for the day we missed!!

Once we landed in New Orleans we called the Comfort Inn that SouthWest had given us vouchers for only to learn they gave our rooms away!! So it was back to the SouthWest counter, where they called lots of other hotels. Since it was the first day of Mardi Gras it was tough to find a hotel with rooms, but finally they found us a room at the Ramada Inn. We had a fabulous New Orleans style dinner, a super rest, and it was on to day 2!! I wish I had taken pictures of the New Orleans hotel room and dinner to share, but alas I think I was too tired to remember. I do have pictures from check out I'll share. Where we got more magic in the morning.

Stay Tuned for Day 2... Did we finally make it to Orlando? Was there fun to be had on Day 2??? I'll give you a hint. We had a WILD time!!

I'll be back tomorrow to share more fun, photos and MAGIC!!!

 

[jj0plin]

Yay, you've started!!! Can't wait for more!!

 

[PrincessLeighsDaddy]

So glad you had a great time! I am looking forward to your trip report!

 

[blessedmom4]

You have STARTED!!!! Loving it! Can't wait to see/read more...so many cliff hangers and nail biters...Don't leave us waiting TOOOOOO long...PLEASE! (Okay, lets be realistic, you hve been gone a long time, planned even longer and reality has crashed in....I think you need a week, tucked in a hotel with room service so you can give us our fix....instead, you have real life to deal with...so I PROMISE to be patient)!!! Love the smiles on all of your faces!

 

[tinytreasures]

you started

 

[billwendy]

Wow what a start!! Makes the trip even more memorable??? lol....Glad they found you a hotel room!!!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

for day One!!

love the happy faces on the kids!

can't wait for more updates

 

[Emilyswish]

WOW, they were really happy for 5:15 am!!

Looks like after your first few bumps in the road it went well!

 

[smileycrissy]

Yay, you started!!!

Can't wait to hear/see more.

 

[Redwavess]

Yay, you've started!!! Can't wait for more!!

Yes I'm out of the gate and off and running!! Thanks for noticing. You have to say that like Eeyore would.

So glad you had a great time! I am looking forward to your trip report!

Awww!! Thanks!!! I'm glad you are joining us!!!! As you can see all ready the Dumbo dress was a HUGE hit!! She is even going to wear it tomorrow for picture day. We love it to pieces and so did everyone we ran into.

You have STARTED!!!! Loving it! Can't wait to see/read more...so many cliff hangers and nail biters...Don't leave us waiting TOOOOOO long...PLEASE! (Okay, lets be realistic, you have been gone a long time, planned even longer and reality has crashed in....I think you need a week, tucked in a hotel with room service so you can give us our fix....instead, you have real life to deal with...so I PROMISE to be patient)!!! Love the smiles on all of your faces!

You are SO sweet!! I loved your message. You really summed it up... reality came crashing in. I'm just now starting to feel "normal" whatever that is!! I love your idea... A week in a hotel with room service sounds perfect. I could post all 978 pictures and do the best ever trip report if I had that!! I'm going to do day two tonight!! I'll be back!!

you started

Yes, we are up and running with the trip report. Glad you are following along with us!!

Wow what a start!! Makes the trip even more memorable??? lol....Glad they found you a hotel room!!!!

I agree... day 1 definitely was memorable!! I know what you mean about finding us a hotel room we were so glad too!! We were getting worried. At one point I thought we might be sleeping in the airport.

As a little sneak peek I will tell you the Rudolph outfit was a huge hit. One of the moms asked how did we know to pack that for Christmas night and I thought my Dis friends knew!!! You all had us ready for everything!!

for day One!!

love the happy faces on the kids!

can't wait for more updates

Aww thanks!! Glad to have you following along!!

WOW, they were really happy for 5:15 am!!

Looks like after your first few bumps in the road it went well!

Great point!! They do look happy for 5:15 am!! But hey when you are going on a wish trip happy is just how it should be right!!! Thanks for the reply message!!

Oh and I have to tell you Mallory wanted to take some special toys with her to GKTW and the Clarice you sent her was one of those special toys!! Thanks SO much!!

Yay, you started!!!

Can't wait to hear/see more.

Aww thanks!! And thanks for popping in on us. More of Mallory's Magical Wish coming right up!!

 

[Redwavess]

Day 2

We are still on our way to Orlando...

Here is the lobby of the Ramada in. These two pictures were taken the night of day 1. I can tell by the clothes Michael and Mallory are wearing.

Day 2 was another early day. We woke up at 5:00 am again so we could head for the New Orleans airport for an 8:00 am flight to Orlando.

Day 2 brought some magic!!! First, there were 3 other people who were also trying to get to Orlando, so we all hung out together. Well one of them, Brad went to Mardi Gras and brought me and Mallory tons of beads back. So Mallory and I wore our Mardi Gras beads all day!! Our second bit of magic happened when a new line opened for us at security and we ended up being at the front of the new line!! This gave us time to enjoy our airport breakfast!!



The New Orleans Airport!! No that's not a Christmas Tree... It's a Mardi Gras tree!! We were in New Orleans for the 1st night of Mardi Gras!!

Finally on the last leg of our trip!!

A HUGE thanks to everyone who sent the kids stuff to do on the plane!! This came in extra handy with the long delay!!

The safety instructions according to Mallory...

Mallory says, "There is an X on the boat in the water because planes do not belong in the water. And the people in the bottom row are all praying."

We finally made. Here we are on the airport monorail to go get our luggage. Our new family joke is How long does it take to fly from California to Orlando. And the punch line is 29 hours!! Yikes!!

Our Give Kids the World Greeter!!!

Our rental care and the guy who helped us. More magic!! He let Mallory pick which car she wanted!!

Arriving at Give Kids the World!!! Here is our Villa!!

Here is Mallory walking in...

Mallory and Richard. He is the volunteer that checked us in and showed us around the Village. He was so super nice to us. Mallory got a Mickey Mouse and Michael got a Shamu!! And we got more magic at check in, but I'll save that for tomorrow.

Finally, here is our Villa...

The Dining Room

The Kitchen

The Living Room

The Kids Room

The Kids Bath. Oh La La!!

Mallory loved playing in the over-sized bath tub and shower!!!

Mom and Dad's Room

And there you have the final leg of our trip and our arrival at Give Kids the World!!

But what did we do on Day 2?!? Stay tuned tomorrow to find out!!

 

[blessedmom4]

TWENTY NINE HOURS?!? YIKES!!!!!!

What I love about you is how you are finding the magic in ALL that is happening and are so appreciative of each and every detail...I love the photos and I am so happy you posted more pics of the inside of the villas, I never get tired of those, they are so exciting to see! I love to see the different angles/perspectives! I can only imagine how exhausted you must have been and even though Disney was at the end of the journey, you must have been weary. Looking forward to more of the story and the close to one thousand photos (and I am certain that total doesn't include the Photopass...how exciting)!!!

I can't wait to see what other Pixie Dust is sprinkled on you!

And I wondered, do the airlines give you tickets for a future trip to make up for the hassle and delays??? Could another trip to Disney be in your future? Think October if that is true...around the middle of the month, that is when I am hoping and praying we FINALLY get to take Lisa's MAW trip...how I would LOVE to meet you in person! I feel we are Kindred spirits!

LOVE the update, Thanks for posting...and so quickly!!!!

 

[VBAndrea]

It looks like the magic is really beginning now! I'm so glad you posted photos from GKTW. I had no idea you got a villa -- I thought they were just typical hotel rooms. It's really awesome! I can't wait to read more.