MAW Trip of a Lifetime....1st time to WDW! -Beach Update!

[Redwavess]

4 MONTHS TO GO!

WoooHooo 4 months to go!!

What an amazing story!! I'm glad to hear that things are going so well post transplant!

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way for the whole family!!

Happy Planning!!

 

[brookerene]

My friend, and ultimate disney fan, Carole, sent us some pixie dust in anticipation of our MAW trip. She'll be joining us a couple of days during our trip!
She sent us these wonderful Disneyland carry-on bags!

 

[billwendy]

My friend, and ultimate disney fan, Carole, sent us some pixie dust in anticipation of our MAW trip. She'll be joining us a couple of days during our trip!
She sent us these wonderful Disneyland carry-on bags!

WOW they are VERY cool!!!!!

 

[brookerene]

As I sit here and the snow is flying, I have been wondering about a couple of things... first, are Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios a must do or if you have time do? Second, are there any of the parks that have a ferris wheel? I was glad CA Adventure got one, but since we aren't heading in that direction, I was wondering if the other direction had one? The kids are really wanting to ride one. We were going to ride one at the State fair, but for the same cost they cold ride the kiddie rides for an hour or so, so we went that route.
In regards to HS, I would love to do the Hollywood Tower of Terror....I missed going to that one in CA (got married and moved to NE just before it opened, then I was pegnant with my wish kid and couldn't go on it the folowing time!), does HS have a backlot tour, and do they really film anything there? Or is the US backlot tour better? I like the CA US backlot tour, there was always a chance someone was filming which made it more fun.
How long does it take to do AK? I would love to see this park , but if it came down to the kids wanting to spend an extra day at MK or Epcot, we might miss it. So I'm just trying to weigh in my options. I still have plenty of time, and I'm pretty flexible. I never had a plan when going to Disneyland, but then I never took 3 kids either! LOL!
I'm not sure we'll go to Sea World, I was never impressed with the San Diego one, and have no desire to go this time. I think the kids would like the penguins and dolphins but I don't know if it is worth going for just a few hours squeezed in there somewhere. I think the beach would be a better option and that's where we will head.
Unlike many families, I can almost guarantee we won't be back before the kids are grown and so I want to make sure we make the most of it without dying amongst the throngs of Easter week! I do hope to someday to get them out to CA for DL and to hop around SoCal.... but that's another PTR!
Take care.....

 

[hollie1974]

As I sit here and the snow is flying, I have been wondering about a couple of things... first, are Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios a must do or if you have time do? Second, are there any of the parks that have a ferris wheel? I was glad CA Adventure got one, but since we aren't heading in that direction, I was wondering if the other direction had one? The kids are really wanting to ride one. We were going to ride one at the State fair, but for the same cost they cold ride the kiddie rides for an hour or so, so we went that route.
In regards to HS, I would love to do the Hollywood Tower of Terror....I missed going to that one in CA (got married and moved to NE just before it opened, then I was pegnant with my wish kid and couldn't go on it the folowing time!), does HS have a backlot tour, and do they really film anything there? Or is the US backlot tour better? I like the CA US backlot tour, there was always a chance someone was filming which made it more fun.
How long does it take to do AK? I would love to see this park , but if it came down to the kids wanting to spend an extra day at MK or Epcot, we might miss it. So I'm just trying to weigh in my options. I still have plenty of time, and I'm pretty flexible. I never had a plan when going to Disneyland, but then I never took 3 kids either! LOL!
I'm not sure we'll go to Sea World, I was never impressed with the San Diego one, and have no desire to go this time. I think the kids would like the penguins and dolphins but I don't know if it is worth going for just a few hours squeezed in there somewhere. I think the beach would be a better option and that's where we will head.
Unlike many families, I can almost guarantee we won't be back before the kids are grown and so I want to make sure we make the most of it without dying amongst the throngs of Easter week! I do hope to someday to get them out to CA for DL and to hop around SoCal.... but that's another PTR!
Take care.....

I can't answer these questions, but they are good questions to ask! I am very interested in the answers as well.

 

[brookerene]

We just received our Disney Maps in the mail. They are really nice. I thought that I would show a couple of photos that I took of what I received. They are very nice....

 

[brookerene]

I was debating about whether or not to go to AK, but after reading some good TR's with AK in it, I think we will focus our trip on MK, Epcot, and AK.... If time permits, we'll try to hit HS for a couple of rides but I think it will only be if time permits. It's going to be a busy week and I know that trying to hit every park might be tough. So unless I get other info on how crowded the park is our tentative schedule is as follows

Monday: Arrive at GKTW, enjoy it, do Kaleb's star and pillows. Possible dinner at TRex at DTD with our friend Carole. This will depend on if we can get a res and if MAW provides enough of a budget for us.

DD's birthday.... would like to do some celebration for DD & DS's(the 16th) birthdays... Unsure yet....

Tuesday: Epcot... No ADR's, we'll just go with the flow...

Wednesday: MK 8:20 ADR at CRT... This is set in stone if none of our other plans or ADRs are, since it is already paid for.
We do plan to visit the wish lounge after the noon hour.
We also have a Crystal Palace ADR that evening, but this is still dependent on our MAW budget.

Thursday: Island of Adenture
GKTW Christmas Party...A must do for us!

Friday: AK and possible another park?
Or pirates and princess party?

Saturday: Cocoa Beach.... gotta see the ocean since we're from NE the most land-locked state in the union! Possibly the Space Center.
Mayor Clayton's Birthday party!

Sunday: Easter....& DH's birthday! Enjoy GKTW and fly home....


Since we still have over 3 months, things can change but I'm pretty sure this is the framework we'll be following.....
I think I would love a way to celebrate the three birthday's and Wish that'll we'll be having! Any creative ideas?


Also, I know they show movies in the theater and give Popcorn and sodas etc free..... is that everyday or certain days?



PS Kaleb's labs are looking great, we have been so blessed.... there is always that worry of the recurrance of the disease or rejection, and so far God is holding him up!

 

[hollie1974]

We just received our Disney Maps in the mail. They are really nice. I thought that I would show a couple of photos that I took of what I received. They are very nice....

Thanks for sharing these pics! They look awesome......how long did they take to arrive? I ordered ours about a week ago and can't wait till we get 'em!

 

[hollie1974]

I was debating about whether or not to go to AK, but after reading some good TR's with AK in it, I think we will focus our trip on MK, Epcot, and AK.... If time permits, we'll try to hit HS for a couple of rides but I think it will only be if time permits. It's going to be a busy week and I know that trying to hit every park might be tough. So unless I get other info on how crowded the park is our tentative schedule is as follows

Monday: Arrive at GKTW, enjoy it, do Kaleb's star and pillows. Possible dinner at TRex at DTD with our friend Carole. This will depend on if we can get a res and if MAW provides enough of a budget for us.

DD's birthday.... would like to do some celebration for DD & DS's(the 16th) birthdays... Unsure yet....

Tuesday: Epcot... No ADR's, we'll just go with the flow...

Wednesday: MK 8:20 ADR at CRT... This is set in stone if none of our other plans or ADRs are, since it is already paid for.
We do plan to visit the wish lounge after the noon hour.
We also have a Crystal Palace ADR that evening, but this is still dependent on our MAW budget.

Thursday: Island of Adenture
GKTW Christmas Party...A must do for us!

Friday: AK and possible another park?
Or pirates and princess party?

Saturday: Cocoa Beach.... gotta see the ocean since we're from NE the most land-locked state in the union! Possibly the Space Center.
Mayor Clayton's Birthday party!

Sunday: Easter....& DH's birthday! Enjoy GKTW and fly home....


Since we still have over 3 months, things can change but I'm pretty sure this is the framework we'll be following.....
I think I would love a way to celebrate the three birthday's and Wish that'll we'll be having! Any creative ideas?


Also, I know they show movies in the theater and give Popcorn and sodas etc free..... is that everyday or certain days?



PS Kaleb's labs are looking great, we have been so blessed.... there is always that worry of the recurrance of the disease or rejection, and so far God is holding him up!

Looks like a great plan!

 

[brookerene]

Thanks for sharing these pics! They look awesome......how long did they take to arrive? I ordered ours about a week ago and can't wait till we get 'em!

It wasn't extremely long.... about two weeks or a little more...so yours shouldn't be too much longer

 

[brookerene]

I was trying and trying to get an ADR at DTD disney for T-rex or Rainforest Cafe... then I had problems with getting them at a later time as to make sure we see GKTW, do the orientation, etc....then when I went to call (twice) they couldn's hear me on the other end of the line.... so I emailed my friend Carole to see if she could call but she went online and got a 4 PM ADR which I'm thinking might be too early because I don't know our flight times yet. I know they will be early, but I think not early enough.... So... to T-rex or not to T-rex that is the question..... should I have Carole cancel? Should we hold on to this ADR? or should I try to call, hope they can hear me, and make a new ADR.... or maybe I should wait until I have further details for the trip....hmmmmm.... what to do.....
One other option I have considered would be to pick up Carole at All Star Movies after the airport, then head to GKTW, enjoy the afternoon there, take Carole back to Disney, see some DTD, go home and go to bed.........

I do like this option but wonder how much extra time that would take..she does have the complimentary transportation to and from the airport but I wonder if it's only one trip back and forth or could she use it to go to the airport to meet us and still use it to get there to go home.....

 

[wishin' on a star]

Hi! I'm not sure if I've posted on your PTR before, but if not...here I am now!

We did T-Rex on our arrival day when we went on our MAW trip in May. Although they appeared totally booked and I was not able to get an ADR there prior to our trip, we were able to walk right up and get a table for 9 (we had friends who were there at the same time) without any wait at around 6:00. The kids LOVED it...it's loud and lots to look at.

The day we arrived, they had an orientation at 3:00, so we did that, and then headed to DTD. In hindsight, I wish we would have just spent that day at the village, doing Catherine's star, pillows, and just exploring. After that first day, we got so caught up in the parks and the rest of our itinerary, we made very little time for GKTW. I wish we would have spent more time there.

 

[brookerene]

Thank you..... I'm leaning towards just staying at GKTW and trying to get my friend Carole there for the afternoon I think she would adore the place., They do let visitors come and pay for their dinner...... she sent my son a bear from GKTW and I think she would have a blast volunteering there too.....since she goes to DW a lot....

 

[that's nice]

As I sit here and the snow is flying, I have been wondering about a couple of things... first, are Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios a must do or if you have time do?

I think you can skip one or the other. We skipped AK on Juliana's Wish Trip.

Second, are there any of the parks that have a ferris wheel? I was glad CA Adventure got one, but since we aren't heading in that direction, I was wondering if the other direction had one? The kids are really wanting to ride one. We were going to ride one at the State fair, but for the same cost they cold ride the kiddie rides for an hour or so, so we went that route.

I know there isn't one in WDW or SW. I'm not sure about US. BUT on 192 about 1-2 miles from GKTW they have one in a small amusement park on the side of the road. You will pass this numerous times heading to and from Disney so maybe you could stop one night and ride it?

In regards to HS, I would love to do the Hollywood Tower of Terror....I missed going to that one in CA (got married and moved to NE just before it opened, then I was pegnant with my wish kid and couldn't go on it the folowing time!), does HS have a backlot tour, and do they really film anything there? Or is the US backlot tour better?

Don't know about US backlot tour but I'm pretty sure there is nothing taped at the DHS backlot tour.

How long does it take to do AK? I would love to see this park , but if it came down to the kids wanting to spend an extra day at MK or Epcot, we might miss it. So I'm just trying to weigh in my options. I still have plenty of time, and I'm pretty flexible. I never had a plan when going to Disneyland, but then I never took 3 kids either! LOL!

If you do AK decide on one show (either Nemo or Lion King) then base your day off of that. You should also try to hit the safari first thing in the am. The animals are more active then. You can be out of AK by 2ish if you get there early.

I'm not sure we'll go to Sea World, I was never impressed with the San Diego one, and have no desire to go this time. I think the kids would like the penguins and dolphins but I don't know if it is worth going for just a few hours squeezed in there somewhere. I think the beach would be a better option and that's where we will head.

We had a great, RELAXING time at SW. The shows were great, there was a kiddie ride area, and we even got to feed the dolphins! I am so glad we did go to SW.

 

[brookerene]

First, thank you for the informative reply That'sNice..(sorry I don't remember your first name) I will consider all that you have said!

I was wondering if any of you have spent Easter at GKTW. Easter is when we leave but I think we will have enough time to enjoy the morning and early afternoon before having to leave. I was trying to figure out if GKTW had an egg hunt or maybe I could arrange one for the kids. Most of our Easters are cold and I would hate to miss having an egg hunt in warm weather and at a place like GKTW.....

Thanks

 

[that's nice]

First, thank you for the informative reply That'sNice..(sorry I don't remember your first name) I will consider all that you have said!

No problem... (and I'm Tim!)



Can't help you on Easter but I would think that GKTW would have some special activities going on.

 

[mjarecki]

Hi. I just wanted to let you know that I work at The Nebraska Medical Center. Glad to hear that Kaleb's transplant went well here. If you're ever here for a checkup let me know.

 

[brookerene]

Got some great news today.... we get to reduce Kaleb's prednisone from 5mg to 2.5! I'm hoping this will helpkeep him from gaining more weight. We are still waiting for it to be GONE! And we get to reduce his prograf from 5 mg to 4... this is always back and forth so I pray it stays there. Kaleb is such a trooper taking all the meds... I'm greatful he takes all pills and not liquids...and we rarely have any trouble. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

What wonderful news on the reduced meds. I love when we get to do that. What's your secret on getting kids to swallow a pill? Thankfully Kylee has a G tube, but would love it she could swallow some so we don't have to crush and melt.

 

[brookerene]

What wonderful news on the reduced meds. I love when we get to do that. What's your secret on getting kids to swallow a pill? Thankfully Kylee has a G tube, but would love it she could swallow some so we don't have to crush and melt.

I wish I had a secret trick... but he never liked liquids and it was a fight on a daily basis to get him to take things... so we added pills and he just took to them.....once he learned to swallow one....the rest just followed.... We started with the small one and told him to stick it on his tongue and swallow it with the water...that's not to say at first he didn't fight some...but once he realized we were serious, he did okay the rest of the time.