Finally getting back to post our next day. Wow, life really takes over at times. The weather was beautiful here this weekend and the kids spent loads of time outside which is nice considering its been -30 celcius for so long. Temps are supposed to drop again though later this week. We had a family superbowl party last night and the kids had a blast. I kept looking for Aaron Rogers to say he was going to DisneyWorld but never saw it.
Here's our next day!
Wednesday August 11: Magic Kingdom
This was truly one of the most memorable days of my life. They say, dont try and push the magic of a wish trip, it will happen and even though you may doubt it at first, its true. When I think of this day, my eyes just fill. Anyway, on to the details
We were finally up bright and early this morning. Sydney had an appointment for the BBB at 8:05 am! Everyone was carefully dressed in pink and burgundy today... not sure if I mentioned this before but I usually dress us all the same colours ... first it makes it so much easier to find the children if theyre lost (and yes, it has happened to us twice in all our trips) but second, and some may say most important of all, it looks wonderful in pictures! Anyway, we had an ADR for breakfast at the castle today and with the picture with Cinderella, I knew it would look great if we all matched. I was pretty sure that since Aurora had been Sydneys fav princess for years now, shed be dressed in pink so the girls dressed in pink this morning and the boys wore burgundy. We hopped on the monorail at the GF and were at the MK in minutes (my goodness thats so convenient! I dont know how well ever go to WDW again and not say here). We got in the line for early morning ADRs and were allowed to enter the park at around 7:45. Its so beautiful that time of day. Absolutely no one in the park! The photopass photographers were out so we had some pics taken in front of the castle with almost no one else around and then off we headed for Sydneys appointment. Weve never done this before and believe it or not, we got lost. I was sure it was over by Tinkerbelles Treasures and it wasnt until we asked that we realized that the entrance was actually in the walk through part of the castle! Because of this, we were a bit behind other girls so after we registered, we waited patiently for Sydneys name to be called. It really didnt take long but I started to question bringing the boys for this... they were more than a little antsy sitting and waiting but its not like there was somewhere else to go.... nothing was open yet. So they had no choice but to wait. After a short time, a fairy godmother in training came and introduced herself and brought Sydney to this amazing wardrobe of dresses and shoes. Sydney could choose whichever she wanted.... and whose dress did she choose .... TIANA! I couldnt believe it but that was the beginning of me going with the flow ... oh well... we wouldnt match but Sydney desperately wanted that dress so that was the one she got. There were no Tiana shoes so Sydney got to choose from several other pairs. She chose and adorable pair of gold flip flops, apparently belonging to Belles costume but they really were adorable with Tianas dress as well. And know what, she wore those shoes every day for the rest of the trip! She loves them and theyre apparently very comfortable. Who would have figured! Also, she didnt stumble in them like she does with all other flip flops she owns. Theyre great and I wouldnt hesitate buying another pair just like it next time we visit. Ok, time to stop getting sidetracked. Sydneys fairy godmother brought her inside and we entered the change room to try on her dress.... oh my she was beautiful! Her princess transformation took about 45minutes with hair, makeup and nails and Sydney was in seventh heaven the whole time. There is a photopass photographer there taking pics but I highly recommend taking your own as well. Once she was finished, we went directly in to Tinkerbelles Treasures where there is a photopass studio for those getting the castle package at BBB. They took an amazing amount of pictures and we got to choose a few for immediate printing. They were all placed on our photopass card so we got many more printed once we got home as well.
The park had just opened when we left the photo studio and Fairy Godmother was off to the side. We went to visit and have pics. She was so sweet to Sydney. We then headed to Cinderellas carrousel and then went to Toontown to visit the princesses and fairies. We had an ADR for 1030 or so and I really didnt want to be late but figured this was the best time to do Toontown as it had just opened. I was a bit surprised when we got there because they were telling us to go in the main line. I had heard so many things about the waits here and our ADR was coming quickly ... I didnt want to rush Sydney with the princesses so I pushed it a bit. I kept saying but I dont understand... I thought there was a special entrance for wish children. She kept saying that the line isnt that long (but really, thats relative right?). Anyway, I asked again and then asked a different person. The first wasnt pleased because apparently, its a paperwork issue... guess she wasnt having a magical day.... the other person happily brought us around to the other entrance and we entered the princess room right away. We met Aurora, Cindy and Belle. And then someone brought us the back way to meet the fairies. I expect you get a better view of pixie hollow from going the regular route and waiting in line but Sydney really didnt notice that. She was just in awe of meeting Fawn and Tink. We met Terrance as well but, well, hes a boy so while Sydney liked him, she wasnt too impressed. I had planned to go back another time to see if Vidia or Silver Mist was there but we never had a chance to return. We left Toontown as soon as we finished with the fairies and headed directly to the castle to check in for breakfast. I made a request for the main room, and hopefully a window seat but as always, nothing is guaranteed. We waited a short while and our name was called. We met Cindy again, informing her of course that we loved just seeing her in Toontown and she must have left the same time as us to get here this fast
. Because there were five of us in our party, they gave us two pictures: one of the family with Cindy and one with just Sydney and her. Theyre beautiful. They then escorted us upstairs. We didnt get a window seat but we were placed in the main room. The food was wonderful and plentiful. Our server insisted that we let him know the minute we wanted something else. Its family servings but all you can eat. We werent rushed at all which was very nice. We met Snow White, Belle and Ariel. As we were leaving, we noticed the flower from Sydneys dress on the floor. She was so disappointed that we went to BBB to ask them if they could fix it. They were wonderful. They got a brand new dress for Sydney and she changed there.
It was almost noon when we finished and we had the full day ahead. We headed to Tomorrowland. The kiddos love the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Im pretty sure Lucas and John headed to Space Mountain while we were on the train. We then all headed to Buzz Lightyear ride and when we came out, there he was! Buzz! We also met Chip and Dale in their space outfits. Very very cute!
Around 2:30pm we headed to find Tiana. It had started to mist and when we arrived, the CM was closing the line so that Tiana and Prince Naveen could leave. When he noticed Sydneys badge, he called us over. The Prince and Princess were just wonderful. We didnt have near as much time with them as Sydney would have liked but they were amazing. The photopass photographer took some amazing pictures but my one regret was that I didnt ask for a picture of Sydney with just Tiana. She isnt a fan of the princes so I ended up playing with the pics afterwards trying to edit it so that there was at least one pic with just Tiana and Sydney.
It was still raining and the kids needed a break at this point so we headed to the wish lounge. Its so nice there. For all those going on wish trips, plan a bit of time to spend there... even if just for a little bit.
Next, we decided that it was time to meet Ariel. We planned to be there at the very beginning of the time stated in the Times Guide to ensure she was there but of course, we had gotten delayed. We thought wed try anyway. As we entered Adventureland, Ariel and Eric were walking away from us. They were on their way to a break. Its amazing how attentive the CMs really are ... she looked my way and I raised very discretely the GAC and she saw it, even at a bit of a distance ... she spoke to Ariel and Ariel turned around and walked directly to us. We were just in the middle of a the road in Adventureland... not even in a place for meet and greets. She came directly to us, squat down and spoke to Sydney. She took Sydneys hand and walked, swinging hands back to the gazebo where she and Eric have their meet and greet. One of my regrets is that this happened so fast that I have no pictures or video of it. There is truly nothing more amazing than seeing the look on your little girls face when shes walking hand in hand with a princess, completely unscripted. They could have kept going and said theyd be back... but they didnt. They actually spent an incredible amount of time with Sydney and the boys. They had Flounder there (stuffie) and played with him with the kids. They posed for pictures. It was incredible.
As we were walking out of Adventureland, we noticed the muppets coming down main street and I assumed we had missed the mid day parade. I figured they were at the end because there was no one behind them. We watched from the path for a bit and then wandered to main street and realized that the parade actually hadnt started. We didnt plan to stop and watch it honestly but the kids wanted to so we did. Because it hadnt been planned, it was really hard to find a place where the kids could see. I stopped a CM and told him Sydney was a wish child and asked if there was a place that she could watch the parade. I really didnt expect much but thought it was worth asking. He gave us a big smile and said there certainly was. He told us to follow him. He brought us directly to the circle in front of the castle. There was a roped off area there and he spoke with the gentleman in charge. He wasnt quite a magical but nice all the same. We were told this was the disabled area and if someone came in a wheelchair, wed have to move but until then, the children could stay at the rope and we could watch the parade from there. Sydney and Lucas stayed at the rope. Caiden was quite tired so he stayed in the stroller with DH, in the back by the planters so they didnt block anyones view. I squat behind the kids just so they werent alone. And then the parade started. It was incredible the attention that my kiddos received in this location. All of the walking characters came over to shake Lucas and Sydneys hands. Then the floats started to arrive with all the characters that we had seen that morning. Fairy Godmother was first and she recognized Sydney. She shaped a heart with her hand, pointed at her and blew a kiss. A similar things happened with each princess and prince that we met that day. They actually remembered her and noticed her. Theyd point, and wave and blow a kiss directly at her. The prince or princess would tap the other and theyd turn around to wave and blow kisses to her as well. I was simply in awe. Sydney just beamed, and waved back, not truly realizing that this doesnt happen for everyone. As the parade ended, I had tears streaming down my face. I tried all I could to stop so Sydney couldnt see. John saw me though and just smiled. He had been watching Caiden so didnt really notice the interaction between Sydney and the characters during the parade. But as I was trying to stop the tears, the parade was over and Sydney was picking up confetti from the road. I asked her what it was for .... she told me, her memory box.
Short of her wedding, theres going to be very little in life that tops that moment in time for me. After all shes been through, this day represents what her wish was all about. Its about her being a little girl. About her being truly happy. Having memories that money just simply cant ever buy. The magic that was there that day will sit with me always. Through this trip report, I hope it stays with her too. I know shes too young to truly remember it much, although we talk about it often. But having it in writing will help remind her, hopefully, of that point in time where everything was ok and there were no worries. And here I am, crying again. Ok, on to the rest of our day.
After the parade, we decided it was time to take a break. I had another ADR made for 1900 Park Fare at 5pm that evening so we decided to head back to the resort to rest for a bit.We took the boat back to GF and headed to the room to relax. We didnt have much time and the boys and I needed to change. Incredibly enough, even though Sydney loved her dress, she wanted to wear her Belle dress given to her by the Big Give to dinner. I was a bit concerned that it would get dirty before her breakfast at Akershus but she wanted to wear it so she did ... notice the control freak in me leaving bit by bit LOL
I have to say, there are many wonderful stories about 1900 Park Fare but for us, it wasnt all that. The food was alright and the interaction with Cinderella, Prince Charming and the sisters was ok but it wasnt magical... maybe thats because of the day we had already had. And honestly, we were all tired. It just seemed that, for the cost, the castle was just so much more. Anyway, I have to say my favourite interaction was with the stepsisters, not because they were nasty, but because Anastasia was so amazing with Caiden. He had taken off his shoes at one point and wanted a picture with the stepmother but didnt want to do it without his shoes (he was 2 remember!) and Anastasia heard me talking with him and asking that he hurry... she stopped with another family, came over and started helping him with his shoes. She told her mother that she would simply have to wait. She gave Caiden the biggest kiss on his forehead that he wore for the rest of the night ... and he loved it. She was so sweet and gentle. I suspect it was highly out of character but we loved her.
We had thought we may head back to MK later that evening to watch the fireworks but we knew that would be pushing it. John said he needed to run out for a bit so I brought the kids around the resort to collect pressed pennies. Goodness they love those pennies! They also started pin trading this trip so we dropped into a few of the stores to talk with the CMs. We headed back to the room to get ready for bed. Strangely, John wasnt back yet. It was my birthday the next day so I figured he went out to get flowers (he doesnt do any planning so I knew he didnt realize he could just call the front desk to arrange that with Disney florists) ... but he was gone a very long time. By the time he came back the kiddos were ready for bed. He pulled out a very crudely wrapped parcel from a bag and gave it to me.... apparently not wanting to wait til tomorrow. The kids were pretty excited as was I... remember, I expected flowers. Low and behold, John had went out in search of a
Best Buy. He got me a new DSLR camera! I was floored. Now, I had no idea how to use this and in retrospect, I should have tried to figure it out but I didnt so it stayed in the box til we got home. But boy, I love that camera now. And I cant believe that my hubbie went of search of it while on vacation.
Next day: Hollywood Studios and GKTW Christmas Party!
We then did the Cat in the Hat ride and headed to the tram ride. Its amazing the route they take wish kids through there. Rather than front of the line entrance for guests, they bring you through the back and up a staff elevator. Amazing! Incredibly, I think this was one of Lucas favourite rides LOL. By now it was about 1145am and we had ressies at Mythos for noon so we headed there. They handled Sydneys peanut allergy wonderfully and everyone enjoyed their meal. We still had a bit of a wait even though we had a reservation though so I highly recommend having one. 
I honestly thought I had posted about your US/IOA fun...I can't WAIT to see HP and I LOVE hearing about all of the special ways they made your trip happy! 
There are two wish lounges in WDW. Its a place that wish children can go to unwind a bit during the day. In MK, its actually owned/sponsored by GKTW. Its beautiful and just amazing. Just like you'd imagine Genie's home in the bottle (remember the old I Dream of Jeannie series... or am I just showing my age?!). REmember, Genie is the granter of wishes. 
Thank you for sharing that with us all...the day was PRICELESS! I Love it!!!
