Princess Sydney's Wish Trip PTR

[casper_jj11]

Melissa, how did it work when you extended your trip? Did you keep your rental, have to get a new one, or just return the one you had? And how about the GAC? Was it you that mentioned the extension to GKTW and they extended it? Did you mention it at orientation? So many logistics of this.

We plan on staying where we are for 4 extra days. Sydney's main wish is WDW and not really the other parks (other than seeing dolphins at sw) so 3 days there really wouldn't be enough so we're going to get extra park tickets for our additional days and then we can take it slower on the days we are there and really stop and smell the roses.

Tonya, I've tried to do a touring plan for US/IOA but basically, its just a circle. I've reviewed the height requirements on the rides and I have an idea as to who will do what. We'll have a few days in Disney first so I'll have an idea as to how daring Sydney is going to be this trip. She went on bigger rides last trip but once each was enough. She talking mroe about the big rides this year so she may want to do more at US too. We plan to do both parks in one day but I have 1/2 day at one place in the trip that we could go back to Epcot or do US again so we'll see what happens. If HP is the main thing Sierra wants, I really hope its really under control by the time you get there.

 

[xanphylus]

Ok! Just caught all back up again! Hurray for her scans coming back negative!!! That's great!

Hope your planning goes smoothly. I love that you get to extend your trip. That will make it all easier too. Have fun with the planning- that's one of my fav parts of the trip! lol

 

[jessica52877]

Hopping on board to follow along.

 

[casper_jj11]

Well, today was quite the day. We had a flippin' earthquake! 5.5 on the richter scale. Epicentre was about 60km from Ottawa. I was actually on the phone to home when it hit. I work in the downtown core and the whole building felt like it was going to collapse around me. They evacuated everyone and let us go back inside to get personal belongings and our car if we were parked in the subbasement. We were then all sent home so they could verify if there was any structural damage. I work in a high security area and quite honestly I first thought it was something more dangerous going off in the building until the kids caregiver said our home was shaking too (and that's about 30km away from my office). At least I knew right away they'd be somewhere safe. DH was on a flight home from San Francisco. His response to my email "Funny, there weren't any earthquakes in California"

The planning for the trip is going pretty well. Our ADRs are booked and I have most of our park days planned. I still need to get on the ball and contact special diets to get Sydney's peanut allergy added to the ADRs but quite honestly, I have too many booked and I don't want them to cancel any so I'm going to wait until I finalize our meals before I contact them.

 

[maroo]

I am behind on my pre-trippie's and found a few questions I had not answered...not sure if you ever got answers, so I will throw in my 5 cents.

LOL Thanks Teresa. He does need new shoes ...

Tonya, TSM is wonderful! And its fun for all ages, even DS2 who doesn't shoot the cannon. So much fun and our only chance really to do rides back to back even with FP because its so popular. I was trying to plan HS and go back a few times to TSM and then thought, why not just do the ride several times back to back and minimize the walking...I'm just not sure if the CMs would allow that.

You can definitely ride it over and over again! Of course, you will have to wait in the Fastpass line - it is not quite front of the line - you just get in the FP line and then most of your wait is with the other wheelchairs. It does take some time to load them on the special car. But on a wish trip - you can ride it all day long, if you want!

Melissa, how did it work when you extended your trip? Did you keep your rental, have to get a new one, or just return the one you had? And how about the GAC? Was it you that mentioned the extension to GKTW and they extended it? Did you mention it at orientation? So many logistics of this.

We plan on staying where we are for 4 extra days. Sydney's main wish is WDW and not really the other parks (other than seeing dolphins at sw) so 3 days there really wouldn't be enough so we're going to get extra park tickets for our additional days and then we can take it slower on the days we are there and really stop and smell the roses.

Tonya, I've tried to do a touring plan for US/IOA but basically, its just a circle. I've reviewed the height requirements on the rides and I have an idea as to who will do what. We'll have a few days in Disney first so I'll have an idea as to how daring Sydney is going to be this trip. She went on bigger rides last trip but once each was enough. She talking mroe about the big rides this year so she may want to do more at US too. We plan to do both parks in one day but I have 1/2 day at one place in the trip that we could go back to Epcot or do US again so we'll see what happens. If HP is the main thing Sierra wants, I really hope its really under control by the time you get there.

The rental will vary from chapter to chapter, but most families have turned in the first rental and then taken on their own reservation. Maybe the rental place will let you keep the car you have, though?

Just tell the folks at GKTW when you check out that you are staying and they will extend her GAC card. If you forget, you can always tell the people at the Magic Kingdom. The CM's are not really likely to even check the dates that closely, but in case they do, I would get it updated.

Well, today was quite the day. We had a flippin' earthquake! 5.5 on the richter scale. Epicentre was about 60km from Ottawa. I was actually on the phone to home when it hit. I work in the downtown core and the whole building felt like it was going to collapse around me. They evacuated everyone and let us go back inside to get personal belongings and our car if we were parked in the subbasement. We were then all sent home so they could verify if there was any structural damage. I work in a high security area and quite honestly I first thought it was something more dangerous going off in the building until the kids caregiver said our home was shaking too (and that's about 30km away from my office). At least I knew right away they'd be somewhere safe. DH was on a flight home from San Francisco. His response to my email "Funny, there weren't any earthquakes in California"

The planning for the trip is going pretty well. Our ADRs are booked and I have most of our park days planned. I still need to get on the ball and contact special diets to get Sydney's peanut allergy added to the ADRs but quite honestly, I have too many booked and I don't want them to cancel any so I'm going to wait until I finalize our meals before I contact them.

Wow!!!!! I wondered if any of our families were close to that! How scary!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Wow. I'm so glad you are all ok. How scary

 

[casper_jj11]

You know, it was pretty scary at the time. Because there was no damage done, most people have moved on to discuss the tornado that hit a few hours from here last night (great to live there, earthquake and tornado in the same day). Sydney's having problem with it though. She was really upset going to bed last night and won't go anywhere in the house by herself today. She says she's not afraid but won't leave an adults side. Hopefully it passes in a day or so.

 

[MaeB]

I'm in Ottawa, too! That earthquake was freaky, eh? I was at work, too (in Nepean) and at first I thought it was just a strong wind...then I saw some stuff fall from the ceiling. We were all saying "Wait, was that an earthquake? No, maybe there was an implosion in the area today." We couldn't imagine it would be an earthquake!

I'm glad there wasn't too much damage in the area, just a bit in Quebec closer to the centre. Wild that it was felt all the way in Toronto and Boston!

Glad you and your family are ok. I've been following your trip report - what a beautiful family you have. I hope you have a great WISH trip!

 

[casper_jj11]

Wow! Its strange to 'meet' someone so close to home. We live in Nepean!

You're so right about the lack of damage. For the shaking that happened, its amazing really. A friend of ours had a tree fall on their boat but no damage. Crazy.

 

[MaeB]

Wow! Its strange to 'meet' someone so close to home. We live in Nepean!

You're so right about the lack of damage. For the shaking that happened, its amazing really. A friend of ours had a tree fall on their boat but no damage. Crazy.

Get out! I live in Nepean, too! (Yep, live and work here...also went to school here!) You're right, it's strange to "meet" someone so close! Maybe we've run into each other!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Hey Joanne! We just got back from our wish trip and it was awesome!!! We did two full days at Universal. We did the WWOHP twice They were really good to us there. We got to ride all of the rides like three times The flight of the hippogriths *sp was a ride that we all rode together. I have a three and a five year old and they both made it on just fine!

The first day we got there we did not have to wait in line to get in the WWOHP at all. We just walked in! The lines for the stores are crazy and we were not able to use our button for them or the butterbeer. However, they got wise and set up little buying cart stations and openened up another little area and we were able to try the drinks there without waiting in the long line! Delicious!!!

The second day there was a HUGE line but we met a cm who walked us all the way into WWOHP a 5 minute walk and then took us to an AWESOME CM who took us inside of the forbidden journey through the back and stayed with my mom and the little ones in the child swap and then walked with us over to Dueling dragons and waited with her again while I rode on the Turquoise dragon and then waited with me while My oldest daughter and my mom rode on the orangy colored dragon!!! They really really made our day!!!

I wish we would have went back to Hogsmeade at night time because I heard it is awesome!!!

 

[casper_jj11]

Hi Leah! I've been wondering how your trip was. I'm so glad to hear it went well! What an amazing TM you had! I so hope we meet someone as helpful when we go in August. I was hoping we may get special access into the stores as well but if not, I'm sure we'll be back when the kids are a bit older. And who knows, DH may stand in line with Lucas so at least he gets a chance to see the wand 'ceremony'. I can't wait to see your pics!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Stopping by to say hello Sounds like there might be hope for WWOHP I hope you all meet a great tm that helps you get in too.August will be here before you know it! I am so hopeful for our trip. Leah that is great to hear. It sounds like you all had a great trip.

 

[casper_jj11]

Ahhhh! I'm so excited!
We got our first Big Give today!
I'm working at home today and when the door bell rang, the kids all raced out. It was FedEx with a priority envelope. I was so confused. We ripped it open and found a Disney Gift Card for $100! Thanks so much to the Laxton Family! The kids are over the moon! I'll post a pic in a little bit.

 

[xanphylus]

WoW! The Big Give begins!!! That was a great way to start it off too!!! The kiddos can have lots of fun with that great gift!

I wanna go to the WWOHP too! I need to change my siggy- we have changed our trip again..... No longer doing to Disney this year - BUT, we are taking DD for her 10th birthday to Universal!!!! BIG Potter fan!!!! Wahhoooooooo!! (can you tell I am too? ) Maybe we will try to sneak in a day at Disney too..... hmmmm....

Can't wait to see more Big Gives!!!

 

[llaxton]

I am so glad they like it! There is a package coming for Sydney too but I figured you could use the card for anything you needed (or wanted) while you were there.

 

[rcq925]

Yeah, the Big Give begins! I am always excited to see the pictures of everything that wonderful group of people does for the wish kids!! You are awesome Big Givers!!

Wow a $100 Disney Card, I am sure that will come in handy! You can use it for souvenirs or a nice sit down restaurant or about anything you want!! You guys are getting so close and I am so jealous! We still have just over 4 months to wait!

 

[casper_jj11]

WoW! The Big Give begins!!! That was a great way to start it off too!!! The kiddos can have lots of fun with that great gift!

I wanna go to the WWOHP too! I need to change my siggy- we have changed our trip again..... No longer doing to Disney this year - BUT, we are taking DD for her 10th birthday to Universal!!!! BIG Potter fan!!!! Wahhoooooooo!! (can you tell I am too? ) Maybe we will try to sneak in a day at Disney too..... hmmmm....

Can't wait to see more Big Gives!!!

I think part of the reason we're so excited about Universal is HP. DH and I are huge fans and Lucas is really getting into it. I'm hoping Sydney and Caiden will have fun with all the 'magical' things there along with the Hippogrith ride.

I am so glad they like it! There is a package coming for Sydney too but I figured you could use the card for anything you needed (or wanted) while you were there.

You are so generous! The kids are still a little confused about just getting something from someone they don't know in the mail. I'm sure they'll get used to the idea and understand a bit better as we get closer to our trip. Lucas 'gets it' best and has already started thinking about what he's going to do with it. DH is away on business (getting back tonight) so he doens't know about it yet but I've decided to let the kids buy something that they really want while there, whether its a stuffy, light up toy, other toy, tshirt, whatever. I'll make sure to let you know what they decide!

Yeah, the Big Give begins! I am always excited to see the pictures of everything that wonderful group of people does for the wish kids!! You are awesome Big Givers!!

Wow a $100 Disney Card, I am sure that will come in handy! You can use it for souvenirs or a nice sit down restaurant or about anything you want!! You guys are getting so close and I am so jealous! We still have just over 4 months to wait!

I'm a little amazed at how fast time is flying. It really hit me yesterday... just one month left! So, I ordered the silicone wristbands with our cell number and email on it. DH's blackberry never leaves his side so I figured both would be a good idea. I'm also looking for pins. I figure Lucas and Sydney are old enough to have fun with it this year. I found a seller on ebay (recommended by some from another disney site) and I'm just waiting til I get clarification if she's sending singles or doubles. That'll be another thing off my list. Oh, and I bought some bristol board today for the kids Countdown to Disney calendar! I'm going to do it while they're in bed tonight and have it on the wall for when they wake up. Its all getting even more real.

If only it would cool down a little. We're 4 days into a crazy heatwave. Its 47 degrees celcius here today ... that's 111 degrees Farenheit. I know its prepping us for Disney but its never this hot here. Its crazy!

 

[tricia]

So happy your packages are starting to arrive. This is the most fun part of the pre trip report.

 

[J'sMum]

how sweet @ the big give and I am loving the ptr , closer time gets the more excited I get for you