Mikaela Makes A Wish -- Oct 10 - 16 2009

[MomTo4+more]

I am struggling in the patience area too, and I haven't even been waiting very long! I hope you hear back very soon!

 

[wkualum]

I still haven't heard on our dates. Supposedly 3 weeks ago, they were getting in contact with GKTW. Not sure how long that takes but now I can't even get a return email.

I'm losing excitment now...*sigh*

 

[wkualum]

We FINALLY have dates -- 10/10 - 10/16!!! now the real planning can begin.

I am going to sit down with Ms Barbie (lady who is going with us) and we're going to first decide what parks on what days so we can get some dining reservations. Hopefully we're able to get where we want.

Yipppppeeeee. I'm so excited!!!

 

[MomTo4+more]

I hope you get the places you want! Hurray for dates! Have fun planning!

 

[Matt1026]

Congrats!!! On your dates!!! Have fun with all of the planning.

Looking forward to reading your plans and following along.

 

[wkualum]

Last night, Ms Barbie and I had a Disney planning session to figure out which parks on which days and where we'd like to eat. I wanted to get this out of the way so that I could see about getting us some dining reservations before places got filled up. Here's what we've come up with so far -- of course subject to change! Most days, we plan to eat breakfast and dinner at the Village.

Saturday -- Arrival in Orlando. Depending on the time we arrive, we'll hang out at GKTW and possibly head over to Downtown Disney.

Sunday -- Hollywood Studios. Our first park day, we thought it would be best to keep it 'light' and ease into the bigger parks. I've made a late breakfast reservation at Hollywood and Vine. You can't beat a good breakfast buffet, right? At HS, they have a Playhouse Disney live show featurning Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and My Friends Tigger and Pooh. I think Mik will LOVE this. I hope we can get up close enough for Mik to really see the characters.

Monday -- Sea World. I really want to Dine With Shamu. You get to eat while you watch Shamu and his trainers working. You also get VIP passes to one of Shamu's shows and a picture with the big guy! I'm going to talk to our Wish Volunteer to see if she can get it arranged. If she can't then I'll go ahead and make the reservations and just pay out of my pocket. I LOVE Sea World and I think Mikaela really will also. I've taken her to the Newport Aquarium and she loved watching the fish and stuff.

Tuesday -- Epcot. There are a few things at Epcot I think Mik will like -- especially the Nemo stuff. I've made a lunch reservation at Biergarten The food here sounds really good and the atmosphere seems really fun. Mik will love the polka band!

Wednesday -- Magic Kingdom. This will be our longest day! I think Mikaela will love all of the attractions, people for watching, characters and fireworks. We made reserevations at Crystal Palace for lunch. Mik will freak out when she sees Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet. We'll be having dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern before the fireworks to end the night.

Thursday -- Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. Our last full day in Florida will be spent at US/IOA. I haven't read a whole lot about these parks so not sure what they have. I know they have a Dr Seuss Landing area for kiddos so I'm sure Mik will like that.

Again, this is all greatly tentative. And as I read more about the parks/dining options I may just decide to change my mind -- 'cause I can!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I just started reading your report and your daughter is so precious. And it seems like you have a great trip planned out for her! I see that you mentioned the Newport Aquarium that is right by me, I live in Cincinnati! I look forward to reading more about your trip!

 

[bettyann29]

Hello there.. I just came across your PTR.. Your daughter is so precious!! I just wanted to tell you that just because she may not fully understand this trip right now does not make her or you, any less deserving of this trip.. I bet this may be just what both of you need right now.. I am now remarried but I was a single mom of 3 and my youngest has multiple health issues.. so I do understand somewhat how much it takes out of you physically and mentally and this will definitely help you recharge and have some wonderful quality time with your little girl..

go and have a great time!! Im looking forward to hearing about the rest of your plans..

 

[wkualum]

I just started reading your report and your daughter is so precious. And it seems like you have a great trip planned out for her! I see that you mentioned the Newport Aquarium that is right by me, I live in Cincinnati! I look forward to reading more about your trip!

If you're in Cincinnati then we're mighty close then. It's neat to see other from my area on here. Matt1096 (I think that's her name) lives in Kentucky also!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

If you're in Cincinnati then we're mighty close then. It's neat to see other from my area on here. Matt1096 (I think that's her name) lives in Kentucky also!

That's really cool! I like this part of the country! So many things to do within a few hours drive!

 

[wkualum]

Not much of an update, but today while I was shopping at the outlet mall, I bought myself a Travelon cross body bag/purse to wear in the parks. It'll be nice for quick access to the camera/money and stuff. For everything else that I won't need quick access for, I'll put in her backpack that hangs from the back of her wheelchair.

I also found Mikaela a CUTE pair of pink and turquoise Mickey Mouse Crocs and the Crocs outlet. I've not seen that color combo before so I snatched them up -- only pair was her size so it was meant to be, right? She has the red with black strap Mickey ones but we're saving both pair for our trip so they don't get messed up before. Because she knee walks so much she drags her feet. Her shoes get flat spots on them very quickly and they look old and icky. She can have shoes for a week and they looks years old because of how her feet drag. So her Mickey crocs are saved for the trip!

 

[wkualum]

2 months from today we are Orlando Bound!!!

 

[Matt1026]

2 months from today we are Orlando Bound!!!

I want to join the celebration and dance with ya!!! It is so exciting!!!

 

[2specialkids]

She is absolutely adorable! Funny, I almost spelled my Mikayla's name with an "e" but at the last minute decided on the "y".
Glad you finally got your dates and can get everything settled. It's sooo hard to wait for ours. Now I'm getting so impatient, not like I've ever been patient, but this is killing me!
I don't know how you can take it...I'm such a "planner". Maybe because dd has aspergers so I've always had to & now with ds I have to be sure we have all the loot packed for however many days we'll be where ever...you know how that goes.
Off to plan, plan, plan....hehehe....

 

[wkualum]

Ms Barbie (she's going with Mik and I on our trip) talked to our wish coordinator today at work. They work for the same company but Ms Barbie works here and Brittney works in Lexington. Anyway, Brittney told Ms Barbie that our send off party will be on 10/4. So that's a good date and all of my out of town family (parents and siblings) should be able to make it.

But one bummer about it being on 10/4 is that Chick Fil A won't be able to cater it since CFA is closed. UGH. Mikaela loves CFA so I was hoping for that. But that's ok. No biggie. I just want to see everyone get together and celebrate Mikaela!

So I guess I'll wait for the official word when Brittney calls me to tell me. Not sure Ms Barbie was supposed to

 

[cajunfan]

Mikaela is absolutely ADORABLE!!! That smile is so big!

I hope they can work something out for Chickfila for the party.

Lynn

 

[CrystalSnow]

Just wanted to say hello. I'm finally figuring out how to do things, like subscribe to threads, so I'm stopping by to do just that...

Hope all is well!

 

[Hallowishes]

just started reading your PTR! Your daughter is so cute and as other posters have said, she has a terrific smile! i think this trip is going to be great for her! i like the plans you have made so far and i think i will work out well for you. you picked out somje great restaurants too! i think your daughter will definitely enjoy crystal palace the best since it is homet o her favorite characters!

 

[wkualum]

Not much going on here really. I have been looking up some of the different rides on YouTube to see if I think Mikaela would like to go on them. I'd love to take her on Soarin', but not sure how she'd do. She's tall enough but I honestly don't know how she'd do with the sense of heights. It's really neat to search for the rides on YouTube. Thanks to those folks who video taped their experiences on the rides

I've also been thinking of redoing my ADRs to see what's still available. I've changed them from when I posted them way back when we first got our dates. We are now doing Hollywood and Vine for a late breakfast (instead of lunch) and doing Garden Grill instead of Biergarten at Epcot. Anyone been to Garden Grill? I selfishly picked this one for myself since I love Chip 'n' Dale And I think the menu looks yummy!

Our send off party will be on 10/4 so that's exciting. We're just over a month away from our trip and getting really excited!! I really guess I should start to think about what to bring. I know the clothes, medicines, etc...but the 'other' type stuff like ponchos and stuff.

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!!!

 

[wkualum]

Mikaela was chosen to be a Big Give recipient!! We are so incredibly blessed for sure! I have seen some of the items this great group spends their time on and WOW is all I can say.

I look forward to receiving and sharing the items with you through pictures.

oh, and...
ONE MONTH FROM TOMORROW!!!!