Nathan's Wish Trip Aug. 2008
- Thread starter Robin+5
- Start date
HeatherSue
Join Date: March 2004
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2007
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- 3,254
Welcome home, Robin! I hope you had a good nights rest. I can't wait to hear all about your trip!
mom2lilnick
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2008
- Messages
- 483
Welcome home! Looking forward to reading your trip report.
Well, we got picked up by a white limo at 7:45am. My husband in his infinite wisdom, yells out the "limo is here", so the kids yell out, "we are riding in a limo?". There went my surprise. Oh, well. They were so excited to ride in a limo.
inside the limo
we were 2 hours early..so we ate breakfast in the airport and I gave the kids the activity folders that I had been working on. There were excited to see everything in the folders.
We got the priority boarding and sat in the first row. The flight attendent asked Kim and Courtney if they would sit with a little girl that was traveling alone. We spent a lot of time talking with Georgette (flight attendent) at the end of the flight, she announced "We have a special guest on board. His name is Nathan and he is part of the MAW program and his wish has been granted and he is going to Disney. Please give a round of applause for Nathan and his family". Nathan was beaming and I was just about in tears.
We were met by Denise from GKTW. She was very sweet. She took us to get our bags and to Avis to get our van.
MAW rented us what we called a monster van. It was huge. It was a 12 passanger van. I made Ralph drive, I was not not driving that thing.
My best friend from high school lives in Florida and she met us with us at GKTW. It was so nice to see her and her family. It has been 3 years since we saw her. She was just as impressed with GKTW as we were. We missed lunch, because we were on the plane. So we went to the ice cream palace for lunch. Nathan asked if he could have a hot fudge sundae for lunch. I immediately said no and Ralph said why not, we are on vacation. So they had hot fudge sundaes for lunch. Ralph went to orientation at 4pm while we explored the village. Nathan loved playing air hockey with one of the volunteers and then his sisters. After orientation Nathan did his star. It took him a long time to decide what to put on it. He put his name, the Red Sox symbol and the word Red Sox all on that little star.
What a sight to see all those stars on the ceiling. Overwhelming
The kids played in the castle of miracles. The drawers and doors that made noises kept startling Nathan, but the kids all loved it and the wishing well that burped and echoed when coins were thrown in.
All the kids made pillows and played in the castle until dinner. Our friends bought "bunny bucks" and had dinner with us. The food was very good.
We left GKTW and went to Caribbean Beach Resort to check in. We were in the village of Martinque. The kids went into the pool and we got ready for the next day in MK
inside the limo
we were 2 hours early..so we ate breakfast in the airport and I gave the kids the activity folders that I had been working on. There were excited to see everything in the folders.
We got the priority boarding and sat in the first row. The flight attendent asked Kim and Courtney if they would sit with a little girl that was traveling alone. We spent a lot of time talking with Georgette (flight attendent) at the end of the flight, she announced "We have a special guest on board. His name is Nathan and he is part of the MAW program and his wish has been granted and he is going to Disney. Please give a round of applause for Nathan and his family". Nathan was beaming and I was just about in tears.
We were met by Denise from GKTW. She was very sweet. She took us to get our bags and to Avis to get our van.
MAW rented us what we called a monster van. It was huge. It was a 12 passanger van. I made Ralph drive, I was not not driving that thing.
My best friend from high school lives in Florida and she met us with us at GKTW. It was so nice to see her and her family. It has been 3 years since we saw her. She was just as impressed with GKTW as we were. We missed lunch, because we were on the plane. So we went to the ice cream palace for lunch. Nathan asked if he could have a hot fudge sundae for lunch. I immediately said no and Ralph said why not, we are on vacation. So they had hot fudge sundaes for lunch. Ralph went to orientation at 4pm while we explored the village. Nathan loved playing air hockey with one of the volunteers and then his sisters. After orientation Nathan did his star. It took him a long time to decide what to put on it. He put his name, the Red Sox symbol and the word Red Sox all on that little star.
What a sight to see all those stars on the ceiling. Overwhelming
The kids played in the castle of miracles. The drawers and doors that made noises kept startling Nathan, but the kids all loved it and the wishing well that burped and echoed when coins were thrown in.
All the kids made pillows and played in the castle until dinner. Our friends bought "bunny bucks" and had dinner with us. The food was very good.
We left GKTW and went to Caribbean Beach Resort to check in. We were in the village of Martinque. The kids went into the pool and we got ready for the next day in MK
Welcome home! And hooray, you've started your trip report!!! Reading these really helps the days fly by faster...but still many days until November 1st for us! It will be interesting to hear how your Disney property stay was.
Nathan already looks like he's having a blast!
Alison
Nathan already looks like he's having a blast!
Alison
Tnkrbelle565
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 14, 2004
- Messages
- 8,490
Great start!
bigdisgrandma
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 18, 2008
- Messages
- 373
Great start to your Trip Report. I think Hot Fudge Sundaes are the perfect lunch. Especially if they have a cherry on top. Then you get the Dairy family and the fruit family!
I can't wait to hear more.
Denise
I can't wait to hear more.
Denise
jessica52877
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2004
- Messages
- 6,518
What a great start to your trip! I can't wait to hear more. Them announcing on the airplane was wonderful! I can only imagine how big Nathan's smile probably was.
Robin -
Great start to the TR and what a terrific first day! Looking forward to hearing about your first MK day. Why is it I think that the airplane ride may not be the only time you tear up? I know I would be tearing up constantly while watching him after everything you've all been through.
Great start to the TR and what a terrific first day! Looking forward to hearing about your first MK day. Why is it I think that the airplane ride may not be the only time you tear up? I know I would be tearing up constantly while watching him after everything you've all been through.
I forgot to add to Day 1...
before we left GKTW they said stop by a pick up some t-shirts for the kids. We stopped by and not only did they have t-shirts, they had a GKTW duffle bag full of goodies for them They said that normally they leave a surprise in the villa every day for the kids staying on property, but for the people off property, they pack a bag and give it to the family after orientation. It had a game, about 10 movies, puzzle books, play-dough, 5 little Mayor Clayton's and a lot more.... and even laundry soap. Just before we left I was looking for the book about the founder of GKTW and I could not find it up here. Guess what else was in the bag....you guessed it..the book. I was so excited about that 
That place just never stops amazing me 
before we left GKTW they said stop by a pick up some t-shirts for the kids. We stopped by and not only did they have t-shirts, they had a GKTW duffle bag full of goodies for them
They said that normally they leave a surprise in the villa every day for the kids staying on property, but for the people off property, they pack a bag and give it to the family after orientation. It had a game, about 10 movies, puzzle books, play-dough, 5 little Mayor Clayton's and a lot more.... and even laundry soap. Just before we left I was looking for the book about the founder of GKTW and I could not find it up here. Guess what else was in the bag....you guessed it..the book. I was so excited about that That place just never stops amazing me The day was sunny and hot (do I sound like the begining of a novel 
). We ate breakfast at the food court at Caribbean Beach Resort. What a cool looking place. You feel like you are at in the islands.
Food court
looking at Old Port Royale (food court & gift shop)
Where he stayed, Martinque
We met up with my friend again and we all took the bus to MK. I was so excited to see the castle from the bus, I felt like a little kid in a candy store . My heart was a little heavy though, I was thinking about my dad, it was 1 year since he passed away 
. Denise, I was thinking of you too 
.
When we entered the park we saw Pluto and Chip and Dale. We were all wearing our MAW buttons and Nathan was wearing his GKTW button. As soon as the CM saw the button, he said come this way, you all are wearing the "magic button" and put Nathan and the girls right in front of the long line and let them see the characters. I had pre-ordered the photopass so I let them take all the pictures. I just enjoyed the moment and watched the characters interact with the kids. I will post them when I get it. We headed for Pirates of the Caribbean, the GAC is a wonderful thing. we got right in and only waited about 5 minutes
we went to Haunted Mansion, and then It's a Small World. I love that ride. I used to collect dolls, so to see all those dolls from across the world is just cool. My kids grin and bear it for me though As a joke, I put in Kim and Courtney's activity folders all the words to the song It's a Small World, just in case they wanted to sing along while we were on the ride. We went into Mickey's Philharmagic. We all loved that. Nathan leaned over and wispered to me during the show, "Mom, I remember parts of this from last year" We were hoping that this trip would bring back some memories. We did Peter Pan's Flight, and Winnie the Pooh (love that one too). We headed over to Splash Mountain. Ralph ducked during the ride and Courtney was right behind him and got soaked. He thought is was funny, she didn't think so. (Thought of you Denise) We did Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Ralph loves trains and he loves this ride. Ralph and the older girls were a couple of cars behind us so we met them at the exit. When they got off the ride, they were greated by CM's giving out lanyards with special pins on them that can't be bought in the stores. Part of the year of a million dreams give away. Ralph and the older girls gave them to Nathan, Morgan and Katelyn because they didn't get them. What great big sisters . We were all starving at this point and we went to Peco Bill's for lunch. Good chicken wraps. I forgot to say that we were celebrating Courtney's birthday that day. I made her a shirt that was Mickey ears and said It's my birthday with piglet in it and she had the birthday button. Everyone was wishing her a Happy Birthday all day long. This is where a mother gets to embarass their child. I told one of the wait staff that it was my daughters birthday and he asked her name. About 15 minutes later he stands across the crowded restaurant and calls her name. He has her stand up and serenades her with the Happy Birthday song in 3 different languages. Then everyone clapped and she was bright red and embarassed. 
. It's a birthday that she won't forget. The pictures are dark, hope you can see them.
(She still talks about it)
We saw Ariel. These characters really play the part. I was very impressed. She asked us where we were from and Katelyn said NH and she looked at her with a straight face and said, "your arms must be so tired from such a long swim" Katelyn just loved her.
Photopass has the rest of the pictures. Nathan was soaking up being called "prince Nathan" and having his picture taken with such a pretty girl. (He is 14 and into checking out the "hot" girls)
Have to go fix dinner, It's Morgan's birthday today, today was the first day of school for her and Nathan. They had a 1/2 day because they are moving up to a new school. Morgan to middle school
and Nathan to high school 
. I will post more later
). We ate breakfast at the food court at Caribbean Beach Resort. What a cool looking place. You feel like you are at in the islands.
Food court
looking at Old Port Royale (food court & gift shop)
Where he stayed, Martinque
We met up with my friend again and we all took the bus to MK. I was so excited to see the castle from the bus, I felt like a little kid in a candy store
. My heart was a little heavy though, I was thinking about my dad, it was 1 year since he passed away . Denise, I was thinking of you too .When we entered the park we saw Pluto and Chip and Dale. We were all wearing our MAW buttons and Nathan was wearing his GKTW button. As soon as the CM saw the button, he said come this way, you all are wearing the "magic button" and put Nathan and the girls right in front of the long line and let them see the characters. I had pre-ordered the photopass so I let them take all the pictures. I just enjoyed the moment and watched the characters interact with the kids. I will post them when I get it. We headed for Pirates of the Caribbean, the GAC is a wonderful thing. we got right in and only waited about 5 minutes
we went to Haunted Mansion, and then It's a Small World. I love that ride. I used to collect dolls, so to see all those dolls from across the world is just cool. My kids grin and bear it for me though As a joke, I put in Kim and Courtney's activity folders all the words to the song It's a Small World, just in case they wanted to sing along while we were on the ride. We went into Mickey's Philharmagic. We all loved that. Nathan leaned over and wispered to me during the show, "Mom, I remember parts of this from last year" We were hoping that this trip would bring back some memories. We did Peter Pan's Flight, and Winnie the Pooh (love that one too). We headed over to Splash Mountain. Ralph ducked during the ride and Courtney was right behind him and got soaked. He thought is was funny, she didn't think so. (Thought of you Denise) We did Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Ralph loves trains and he loves this ride. Ralph and the older girls were a couple of cars behind us so we met them at the exit. When they got off the ride, they were greated by CM's giving out lanyards with special pins on them that can't be bought in the stores. Part of the year of a million dreams give away. Ralph and the older girls gave them to Nathan, Morgan and Katelyn because they didn't get them. What great big sisters . We were all starving at this point and we went to Peco Bill's for lunch. Good chicken wraps. I forgot to say that we were celebrating Courtney's birthday that day. I made her a shirt that was Mickey ears and said It's my birthday with piglet in it and she had the birthday button. Everyone was wishing her a Happy Birthday all day long. This is where a mother gets to embarass their child. I told one of the wait staff that it was my daughters birthday and he asked her name. About 15 minutes later he stands across the crowded restaurant and calls her name. He has her stand up and serenades her with the Happy Birthday song in 3 different languages. Then everyone clapped and she was bright red and embarassed. . It's a birthday that she won't forget. The pictures are dark, hope you can see them.
(She still talks about it)
We saw Ariel. These characters really play the part. I was very impressed. She asked us where we were from and Katelyn said NH and she looked at her with a straight face and said, "your arms must be so tired from such a long swim" Katelyn just loved her.
Photopass has the rest of the pictures. Nathan was soaking up being called "prince Nathan" and having his picture taken with such a pretty girl. (He is 14 and into checking out the "hot" girls)
Have to go fix dinner, It's Morgan's birthday today, today was the first day of school for her and Nathan. They had a 1/2 day because they are moving up to a new school. Morgan to middle school
and Nathan to high school . I will post more laterWe went into Toontown Fair to the the Hall of Fame tent. We knew that we see some characters there, and with the magic buttons......Ralph and my girlfriends husband had no desire to see characters. so they went on the train ride around MK. They both love train and it was nice for them to sit for a while. We saw 3 princeses. Belle, Cinderella and Aurora. Wait till you see the photopass pictures. We got a picture with Nathan and all 3 princesses together. He was beaming. He had a princess on each arm. They kept calling him "prince Nathan" and the girls princesses and they called me "her majesty" Belle asked all of Nathan's sister "do you mind if I borrow your prince for a minute" They would gladly give him up for a while. After that we saw Goofy, pluto and Donald. All the characters were great. The guys ended up going on the train ride twice while we were in Toontown tent. The kids saw the barnstormers ride and wanted to go on. This is the only place that we ran into a grouchy CM. She gave the kids a hard time with the GAC. Kimberly marched up there and straightened her out pretty quick. 
The kids were hot so we went back to CBR to cool off and swim. We ordered pizza and ate in the room. We decided to go to HS for the Fantasmic show. My girlfriend and her family hadn't seen the show in years. It was an awsome show. The kids did Tower of Terror after the show and then we went back to CBR. My friend and her family didn't leave until midnight. They had a 2 1/2 hour ride home and the kids were supposed to start school the next day. They didn't go. It was nice to see her. I told her we can't wait for 3 years again. All the kids got along great.
Boat at end of Fantasmic
After that we saw Goofy, pluto and Donald. All the characters were great. The guys ended up going on the train ride twice while we were in Toontown tent. The kids saw the barnstormers ride and wanted to go on. This is the only place that we ran into a grouchy CM. She gave the kids a hard time with the GAC. Kimberly marched up there and straightened her out pretty quick. The kids were hot so we went back to CBR to cool off and swim. We ordered pizza and ate in the room. We decided to go to HS for the Fantasmic show. My girlfriend and her family hadn't seen the show in years. It was an awsome show. The kids did Tower of Terror after the show and then we went back to CBR. My friend and her family didn't leave until midnight. They had a 2 1/2 hour ride home and the kids were supposed to start school the next day. They didn't go. It was nice to see her. I told her we can't wait for 3 years again. All the kids got along great.Boat at end of Fantasmic
Tnkrbelle565
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 14, 2004
- Messages
- 8,490
Oh I'm so glad that you got to see your friend. That's great!
Nathan is quite the ladies man huh???
Nathan is quite the ladies man huh???
bigdisgrandma
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 18, 2008
- Messages
- 373
What a great start to the day. I read the report out loud to my husband and Kaylee and Mason, our son Ryan's kids. When I explained that your kid's grandpa died the same date as their dad they asked me if I thought that the grandpa and their daddy were together in Heaven. You know I told them that I am pretty sure they are both watching their families and smiling at the good things they do. One of those Pollyanna sad/glad moments.
Anyway, we all loved the report. Your family all look like they are having a wonderful time. How nice that they shared the lanyards and pins. I am so glad that Nathan was able to remember something from your trip last year!
Can't wait to hear more.
Denise
Anyway, we all loved the report. Your family all look like they are having a wonderful time. How nice that they shared the lanyards and pins. I am so glad that Nathan was able to remember something from your trip last year!
Can't wait to hear more.
Denise
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