"Mom, Dad, 3 Kids & a Gingerbread Boy" Matty's Wish Trip December 10-18, 2009

[Momofwishkid]

Ok I have to admit Im getting soo excited to do US/IOA (maybe as much as Disney) Your pics and reporting are so great!

 

[pacrosby]

He wrote some fantastic rhyming books:
Where the Sidewalk Ends
A Light in the Attic
and a lovely storybook:
The Giving Tree

Oh, here...just take a peek.
http://www.shelsilverstein.com/play.asp

I do remember reading some Dr Seuss and of course know the Grinch and the Cat in the Hat. Since Tessa is just starting to read I hadn't thought much about books for her. Better get on that.

ok.....I have heard of the Giving Tree (for whatever reason, never read it), the author's name was just unfamiliar.

Another awesome update!!

I did link your first 3 sections on the Wish Trippers thread and will go back and add this 4th one and maybe the next one.

This is a very detailed look at Universal for Wish Families - awesome job!

ooooh, I feel like we'll be famous now

More great photos and a fun report. Keep 'em coming!

Thanx for keeping up

Woohoo for another update! Thank you for going into so much detail about US/IOA, I think it's the first wish trip report I've seen with so many pics there and such a great description of what's available. You're really moving right along too, I love it..I'll have to follow your example when we get back

Yeah, people just seem to brush by it don't they? You obviously can tell I'm a big fan LOL I am trying to keep it moving along simply because there needs to be an end in sight After I'm done with this I still have scrapbooks and photobooks to make and THEN another PTR for our trip in the Spring

Donkey is awesome and spot-on. I could watch him for hours.

Isn't that Donkey hilarious???? I have a video of the encounter. If it's short enough I may go back and link it for anyone who might get a kick out of it.

Ok I have to admit Im getting soo excited to do US/IOA (maybe as much as Disney) Your pics and reporting are so great!

It WAS so much fun and we barely scraped the surface to be honest. Definately, if you think your family would enjoy it, I wouldn't suggest scrimping on the time you allot there.



Thanx for hanging in here with me everybody

Pamela

 

[pnutallergymom]

Hi Pamela,

I am LOVING your trip report!!! I've laughed and cried all at the same time!! You are a GREAT writer!!

My daughter, Brigitte, is a cardiac patient at CHB....we have spent waaaaay to many nights on 8south and 8east!!

Glad to hear that Matty is doing so well!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

 

[kayrosek]

It sounds like so much fun! A freind of mine from highschool wanted us to take the kids to US/IOA for a meet up but we decided to stay with Disney. I am so disapointed now. My son loves Shrek He would have loved seeing Donkey, and Seuss Landinng, oh my gosh he is a DR. Seuss fanatic. I can't believe we missed all that. Well I geuss that means we need another trip!

 

[pacrosby]

Now while it is true that Seuss Landing was tops on my list of must-dos at Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios had a must-see of its own. While scouring for information about the many WDW/IOA/US/SW holiday events we couldn't believe our eyes when we saw that US had it's own version of the Macy's Parade!!

Now for anyone who may be unaware I will share that New York has the original version, an annual staple appearing along the streets of the City every Thanksgiving Day. As I think I've already mentioned, we Crosby's are s@chers for a parade, ANY parade, and this particular parade is a famous favorite. I have many times confessed to my dh that going to NYC for Thanksgiving specifically to watch this parade in person will definately be in our future. So you can imagine how delighted I was to find that New York was coming to Florida and there would be Thanksgiving in December!!!!!!

The enormous balloons are truly something to see.............these have always been our favorite! Earlier in the day I had noticed that you could actually sign up to be a balloon handler! Talk about an experience! After alittle consideration however I realized that doing so would mean that dh or myself wouldn't be able to enjoy the parade with the children. Alright, so definately not a good plan for a Wish Trip. I'll be keeping that in mind for a future trip.

I hope you all enjoy the pictures:


here it comes.........

a mighty chubby santa

a marionette and her puppeteer

the BIG drummerboy

and some teddy bears

cousin of the pengujin at GKTW perhaps?

is it a jester or a clown?

a tribute to Mother Goose

and Santa's favorite treat!

look closely for Woody Woodpecker

it's BART SIMPSON!

CHECK THESE GUYS OUT!!!!

the Madagascar gang

well, hello there sexy!!

Scooby and the Mystery Machine

ATTTTTTTTENTION

candy stripers

where's Donkey????

Frosty the Snowman!

the Elf on the Shelf after a big dinner

ok....................I've more to add but no more room on this post. Hold your horses (and your replies) and I'll be back in a jiffy!!

 

[StefaniLyn]

Loving the Universal updates. Did you go back and use the 2nd day of your tickets? You accomplished so much in just one day!

I think the balloon handler thing was actually an American Express promotion. If you bought your tickets for US/IOA, you could be a balloon handler. We weren't eligibile, but my MIL bought her tix with AE and we considered signing up to do it as well. However, I'm glad we decided agains it because it was waaaaaaaayyyy more fun watching the parade and the handler's didn't look all that happy anyway!

My horses are being held . . . . for now. I don't know how much longer they can wait until the next update though!

 

[pacrosby]

continuing as promised:



check out the Popeye's muscles

Uncle Sam

ice skaters in Orlando?

now THAT's what I call a candy cane!

a walking christmas ornament?

and Jolly old St Nick himself

Now THAT's a parade don't you think???? Definately rates up there as one of the best I've ever seen. After vowing to catch it again on Sunday, the day we were due to come back, we realize it's already about 6:45. YIKES The park closes at 7 and we still need to visit the photography store at the entrance. GKTW, with it's unending generousity, provides all Wish families with a voucher for one free photo at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventures. Even though we only had one picture taken today we decide that we should at least go and view it to see if it meets "the criteria" (4 out of the 6 Crosbys must look 'pretty good'). Of course, on the way we are drawn in by the colorful neon signs beckoning us for one...last...ride. Ok, we figure, we do have five minutes to spare. Why not? Quickly we duck into

for one last laugh and then run to the photography store. The picture ends up being from our afternoon visit with Fiona and Donkey - how befitting! And, yup, 4/6 are A OK (of course, as per usual I am 1 of the remaining 2) We pick up our picture and head out. And finally, reluctantly, it's on to the walk to the van..................... the verrrrrrry looooooong waaaaaaaaaalk to the van (can you see us dragging?).




The ride back to GKTW is uneventful. The kids are beat. No surprise there. Friday night is the Pirates and Princesses Party at GKTW. I haven't heard too much about it so I don't know exactly what to expect. But it is getting kind of late; perhaps if we hurry we might be able to catch the tail end of it. We arrive back about 1/2 way through the festivities but it's really really chilly, misty, and the party, we find, is being held outside. Perhaps if it were a better night it might be fun to stay and enjoy the fun but.......................not tonight. We grab some Boston Market from Katie's Kitchen and off we go, back to the villa.




Back "home" we see that some presents have been left for the children

and gleefully discover a special guest we hadn't expected to see!!!

Why it's "Elfie" our Elf on the Shelf!!! The kids had been oh so concerned that he would be so lonely in our empty house this week only to find that he, somehow, magically, found his way to Florida!!!! To us!!!!



A quick meal, a quick change into pajamas and it was time for bed (at 9:30!).

Goodnight my little Gingerbread Man. I love you



Momma (Pamela)

 

[pacrosby]

Hi Pamela,

I am LOVING your trip report!!! I've laughed and cried all at the same time!! You are a GREAT writer!!

My daughter, Brigitte, is a cardiac patient at CHB....we have spent waaaaay to many nights on 8south and 8east!!

Glad to hear that Matty is doing so well!!

Can't wait to read more!!!

HI! I've lurked a bit on your PTR. Don't you have 4 kids too? About the same age as mine? I'll have to go back and reacquaint myself with your family/story. Nice to have you along!

It sounds like so much fun! A freind of mine from highschool wanted us to take the kids to US/IOA for a meet up but we decided to stay with Disney. I am so disapointed now. My son loves Shrek He would have loved seeing Donkey, and Seuss Landinng, oh my gosh he is a DR. Seuss fanatic. I can't believe we missed all that. Well I geuss that means we need another trip!

Yup....I agree. I'll go with you ok?

Loving the Universal updates. Did you go back and use the 2nd day of your tickets? You accomplished so much in just one day!

I think the balloon handler thing was actually an American Express promotion. If you bought your tickets for US/IOA, you could be a balloon handler. We weren't eligibile, but my MIL bought her tix with AE and we considered signing up to do it as well. However, I'm glad we decided agains it because it was waaaaaaaayyyy more fun watching the parade and the handler's didn't look all that happy anyway!

My horses are being held . . . . for now. I don't know how much longer they can wait until the next update though!

oh, ok on the balloon handlers. I would think they would do it again next year though since there's an awful lot of balloons! LOL on the mopey parade participants. I think that's partly self-concious adults though. If they could've gotten ALL their friends together to handle the same balloon?????? Now, then they would likely have been talking and laughing and having some fun.

We did go back for the second day, did alot of NEW things (as well as a repeat of a few of the old) and still didn't have time to do it all. And yes, in response to a previous question you had, it was me who saw two of your girls in Seuss Landing. They disappeared as quickly as they came into view though.

Pamela

 

[pipersmom]

Hooray for the parade! We love parades too. I'm glad Elfie was able to make an appearance, and Matty looks sooooo cute asleep with his mini-Murphy Did you guys skip a park to be able to hit US/IOA 2 days? I think I remember seeing that someone skipped SeaWorld, but can't remember if you was you guys or not. Also another quick question..I'm assuming one bedroom at the villa just has a queen size bed...does the kids room have bunk beds, or two twin beds, or? Thanks, Pamela!

 

[pacrosby]

Hooray for the parade! We love parades too. I'm glad Elfie was able to make an appearance, and Matty looks sooooo cute asleep with his mini-Murphy Did you guys skip a park to be able to hit US/IOA 2 days? I think I remember seeing that someone skipped SeaWorld, but can't remember if you was you guys or not. Also another quick question..I'm assuming one bedroom at the villa just has a queen size bed...does the kids room have bunk beds, or two twin beds, or? Thanks, Pamela!

Good morning Amanda. Hope Piper has a good day today. Nope we didn't skip anything (we were there a total of nine days). As far as the villa, it had one room with a king in it, a room with two twins and then the sofa bed in the living room (that ended up being mine together with whichever child got 'momma' that night)

Pamela

 

[yinyanggirls]

I love the sleeping photo too! So sweet.

 

[jenb1023]

Great updates once again! I love all of the detail and positive reviews of US/IOA. From your TR, it really seems like December is a great time to go.

I started laying the groundwork with DH last night for a maybe trip to US/IOA in December. Which of course to me means at least one day at WDW too. Which I did not tell him. (for those who don't know me - DH is not a Disney fanatic like DD and I. In fact on our most recent trip we went without him) Though everything depends on the house we bought recently and what it needs.

I think I just hijacked for a minute - sorry about that! Looking forward to the next update!

 

[Momofwishkid]

Yay!! The parade looks awesome. Do you know if they always have parades or if it was a Christmas thing?? Love the sleeping Matty pic. Soo cute!

 

[jessica52877]

I gotta say that US does the best parades! The Macy's is my most favorite but about 10 years ago we also caught the Mardi Gras and it was awesome! Something not to be missed!! Last year they handed us a paper about the parade and it asked for volunteers for the balloons. Of course they all looked like they were having fun so maybe they had to change things ups a bit.

I love Matty with the gingerbread man! So so cute! And glad to see Elfie found you'll. Hope he caused a little turmoil too!

Waiting for your next adventure!

 

[buzz for boys]

Phew been busy with snow for the last couple of days and ive finally caught up with your TR.
We too love IOA and the seussville !! We have never seen the grinch show - something we are desperate to see!! (not sure if its me or not but I couldnt get your video links to work ???)
Love the pic of matty asleep hugging the gingerbread man just too cute !!
Louise x

 

[pacrosby]

I love the sleeping photo too! So sweet.

Great updates once again! I love all of the detail and positive reviews of US/IOA. From your TR, it really seems like December is a great time to go.

I started laying the groundwork with DH last night for a maybe trip to US/IOA in December. Which of course to me means at least one day at WDW too. Which I did not tell him. (for those who don't know me - DH is not a Disney fanatic like DD and I. In fact on our most recent trip we went without him) Though everything depends on the house we bought recently and what it needs.

I think I just hijacked for a minute - sorry about that! Looking forward to the next update!

no apologies necessary. Seems as if they'll be a bunch of us there at the end of this year

Yay!! The parade looks awesome. Do you know if they always have parades or if it was a Christmas thing?? Love the sleeping Matty pic. Soo cute!

That parade is just a Christmas thing. Don't know about the rest of the year (someone here mentions Mardi Gras - that must be something to see!!). We love a great parade!!

I gotta say that US does the best parades! The Macy's is my most favorite but about 10 years ago we also caught the Mardi Gras and it was awesome! Something not to be missed!! Last year they handed us a paper about the parade and it asked for volunteers for the balloons. Of course they all looked like they were having fun so maybe they had to change things ups a bit.

I love Matty with the gingerbread man! So so cute! And glad to see Elfie found you'll. Hope he caused a little turmoil too!

Waiting for your next adventure!

Were there the enormous balloons at the Mardi Gras parade too? Our Elfie is a bit tame compared to some others. He just likes to play a good game of hide-and-seek every day. I've heard that others' elves get into the toothpaste and cereal Do you have one too????????

Phew been busy with snow for the last couple of days and ive finally caught up with your TR.
We too love IOA and the seussville !! We have never seen the grinch show - something we are desperate to see!! (not sure if its me or not but I couldnt get your video links to work ???)
Love the pic of matty asleep hugging the gingerbread man just too cute !!
Louise x

We've got snow too but I think I'm in the minority because I LOVE it!! The grinch show is definately a must see. I don't know.....do they do it every year???? I just checked and the links to the video work fine for me (albeit takes 15 seconds or so to get going). Do you have dial-up?

I could just eat him up in that picture. So sweet and innocent looking


Pamela

 

[ladybugmom]

Oh wow!! That parade looks AMAZING!!

 

[Momofwishkid]

I had almost forgotten about Mardi Gras! That will be on when we go
Now I have to go see if they have the concerts booked yet. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[princess.chell]

I love reading your updates! Mostly I've been reading from my iPhone at night after I'm done with my homework and it's been the perfect way to finish off a long day, with a smile.
Your kids are super adorable! I can't wait for the next update!

 

[kdzbear]

I love your parade photos. The photo of Matty sleeping with his gingerbread man is priceless. Great update!