PTR for Noah's wish trip -MAW/GKTW- April 7th - 13th, 2010

[kellyw8863]

Just another New Englander stopping by to say hello. My husband is actually from RI. He grew up in Wakefield, and his parents are still there. His dad sails out of Wickford, and sometimes Jamestown depending on where they are racing. We are actually bringing them with us on Ali's wish trip.

At any rate, I look forward to following along!

Kelly

 

[noahsketomom]

Hi Kelly!
I'm so glad you did say hi! It looks like we're going around the same time too! Your family is beautiful!

We don't sail, but I really want my kids to learn the basics -- especially considering where we live! Someday, maybe!

Where are you guys???

 

[noahsketomom]

We just got our wish trip packet today! The kids had a great time watching the Disney DVD and after that, I might have a hard time keeping the little guys off some of the crazier rides!

I'm hoping to start planning some of the days soon -- what fun!!

I've also started trying to look at the GKTW website and the schedule there -- wow there's a lot of things! We really want to hit the fireworks at some of the Disney parks at night, but there are also so many cool things most nights at GKTW. Anybody have any suggestions as to what nights you really shouldn't miss? My kids tend to be on the shy side, so I know they wouldn't do Idol!

Also, I contacted the TSA about travelling with Noah's foods and I got a fairly impersonal letter back saying that I shouldn't have a problem bringing special dietary foods AND liquids on the plane. Has anybody had an experience like this? I'm bringing frozen foods, some thawed foods, and some liquid food. I would HATE to have our vacation delayed or for us to miss the plane because of something we could've resolved ahead of time.

Thanks again for ALL your input!!!

 

[Momofwishkid]

for the wish packet!! Is this the GKTW packet? Were only a little over 3 weeks out and still havent gotten ours. Hmmm.
As for the GKTW nights, for us Thur. Chritmas is the only absolute do. Then a few if we dont have to skip anything we will do like the pirate & princess party. If I remember right there was one night they didny have anything at night.

 

[pacrosby]

Hi Beth.......................I finally caught up with you!

I love Newport!!!!!!!!! Was hoping to hit the mansions at Christmas time this year but............well, ended up going on a Wish trip instead

That's quite a ride your little Noah's been on. So glad that the diet had such amazing positive results.

We only managed to fit in the Xmas party on Thursday night but I wish we had gone to 1 or 2 others..........just for the experience. The Candy Land party was clearly packed the week we were there (we got there as it was breaking up) so that might be a fun one. People say Mayor Clayton's Birthday party is supposed to be fun. IDK Then there are people who didn't like any of them so who knows Best bet is to try and see if you can find reviews in previous Wish trippers TR's or pick the brains of those of us who have already been on the Wish Trippers Unite Thread.

Happy planning!

 

[Thumper321]

for the wish packet!! Is this the GKTW packet? Were only a little over 3 weeks out and still havent gotten ours. Hmmm.
As for the GKTW nights, for us Thur. Chritmas is the only absolute do. Then a few if we dont have to skip anything we will do like the pirate & princess party. If I remember right there was one night they didny have anything at night.

We don't have our GKTW packet either. I was told it will probably be 1-2 weeks before our leave date. You and I seem to be running on about the same schedule, so maybe we'll get them soon!

 

[noahsketomom]

We don't have our GKTW packet either. I was told it will probably be 1-2 weeks before our leave date. You and I seem to be running on about the same schedule, so maybe we'll get them soon!

Sorry, guys! I misspoke This packet was from MAW. It had a few pages about GKTW, a guidebook on Disney and a DVD Vacation planner from Disney. I think you are right that the GKTW packet comes later? Maybe? I don't know. My mind is running in a MILLION different directions recently --- can anybody relate?

 

[Momofwishkid]

Thanks Beth, that's so cool. We didnt get a packet from MAW either. Lucky you and yes I can totally relate, I think the closer you get the more the mind starts going crazy.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

We recieved the GKTW packet about a week and half before we were to leave. We recieved the Disney Packet at our send off party.

 

[noahsketomom]

Hi everybody,

Sorry it's been a while. I'm trying to keep my cool since it's still over 6 weeks until we leave. Not soon enough according to most of us around here!

So we're trying to do a little scheduling....to pass the time!! I'm also trying to plan out meals, find a cooler, and contact anybody who will listen (TSA, Southwest) about what we will need to bring on board the plane. I just want all the i's dotted/t's crossed before we show up at 5 in the morning and somebody tells me to throw out all my keto food, which has probably taken me 3 days to make, or not go to Disney! That would make me CRAZY!!! Trying to avoid that at all cost!

So, my big question is --- is it possible to visit a park on the day you arrive?

We originally thought we would spend the day at GKTW, but the fact is that we're only there 7 days and with 6 day passes, one of the travel days will have to be a park day. We have a 7am direct flight down, which puts us at the airport (Lord willing) around 10am. So we really will have more time that day than the day we leave.

So is it possible to check into GKTW, then go to (probably) Unversal or Sea World? When do you get the tickets for the park? Would I have to wait for orientation?

These questions sound silly, I admit, but planning for Disney is keeping us out of the winter duldrums around here!!! (which we all have a case of, I'm afraid)

On a SUPER AWESOME note, the med wean is going well!! Better than even expected --- in addition to no seizures (Praise GOD), he actually has had a LOT more energy! I am so happy because I was really starting to worry about how he would manage the energy levels at the parks. The kid fell asleep in my arms when his wish granters came to interview him! But getting off this med seems to be upping his energy --- something which all us moms can agree that can be a good or bad thing!

I'm waiting to hear back from the neuro as to how much more we want to wean before the trip. We want to go VERY conservative here, so that we don't end up back where we were 6 months ago! That, and of course, I'm thinking --- we can't cancel Disney TWICE in a year! So we don't want to do anything too close to the trip either.

Okay, I'm babbling now...time for coffee!

 

[pacrosby]

Hi Beth,

We had a 7 am direct flight from Logan also and although we got into MCO at just after 10 by the time we got our luggage and rental car and made a really quick stop at Walmart (which you may or may not plan to do, it's on the corner as you turn into the street for GKTW) we didn't actually get to the village until noon. Then you'll need to check-in and sit with a volunteer for another 15 minutes for a quick review. So best case scenario, I'd say, would get you to a park by early-mid-afternoon, maybe 2 or 3 o'clock. Not that you couldn't hit a park that's open late (you could check the schedule), but you might just want to plan that first day as an 'explore the village' day. Keep in mind also that there are parks that typically close early (Animal Kingdom and SeaWorld) so on those days your kids will have the whole evening to enjoy GKTW (unless you are planning to go to a dinner show or do something else off-site).

When we were there the orientations were typically scheduled once in the evening at 7:45 and once in the morning at 9:00. That's when you will get all of your tickets. You CAN arrange a private orientation if either of those times don't work for you (they don't encourage it for obvious reasons but if you have other plans don't hesitiate to tell them; they WILL accomodate you).

for all the good news!!!!

 

[Thumper321]

Hi everybody,

Sorry it's been a while. I'm trying to keep my cool since it's still over 6 weeks until we leave. Not soon enough according to most of us around here!

So we're trying to do a little scheduling....to pass the time!! I'm also trying to plan out meals, find a cooler, and contact anybody who will listen (TSA, Southwest) about what we will need to bring on board the plane. I just want all the i's dotted/t's crossed before we show up at 5 in the morning and somebody tells me to throw out all my keto food, which has probably taken me 3 days to make, or not go to Disney! That would make me CRAZY!!! Trying to avoid that at all cost!

So, my big question is --- is it possible to visit a park on the day you arrive?

We originally thought we would spend the day at GKTW, but the fact is that we're only there 7 days and with 6 day passes, one of the travel days will have to be a park day. We have a 7am direct flight down, which puts us at the airport (Lord willing) around 10am. So we really will have more time that day than the day we leave.

So is it possible to check into GKTW, then go to (probably) Unversal or Sea World? When do you get the tickets for the park? Would I have to wait for orientation?

These questions sound silly, I admit, but planning for Disney is keeping us out of the winter duldrums around here!!! (which we all have a case of, I'm afraid)

On a SUPER AWESOME note, the med wean is going well!! Better than even expected --- in addition to no seizures (Praise GOD), he actually has had a LOT more energy! I am so happy because I was really starting to worry about how he would manage the energy levels at the parks. The kid fell asleep in my arms when his wish granters came to interview him! But getting off this med seems to be upping his energy --- something which all us moms can agree that can be a good or bad thing!

I'm waiting to hear back from the neuro as to how much more we want to wean before the trip. We want to go VERY conservative here, so that we don't end up back where we were 6 months ago! That, and of course, I'm thinking --- we can't cancel Disney TWICE in a year! So we don't want to do anything too close to the trip either.

Okay, I'm babbling now...time for coffee!

Have you considered combining two parks in one day instead of trying to cram it in on your first day? For instance, take two of the parks that you think you'll spend the least time at and spend half a day at each. You could do Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in the same day or Animal Kingdom and Epcot? There are a bunch of combinations, but we plan on fitting two parks in on one of our days, too. We may still do something our first day, but it will be something brief like Gatorland. Just something to consider.

 

[pnutallergymom]

Hi Beth,

I agree with what the other girls said. We plan on our first day as our check in, exploring, hitting Wal-Mart...I'll go to orientation probably at 7:45 and have Bryan take the kids to Mayor Claytons Bday party. Then I am planning for early to bed...and hitting AK the first day on Sunday. We'll probably head back to AKL early do dinner and let the kids sleep for a bit. MK is open until 2am that Sunday night!!! We have never really seen it in the dark...and the kids think it is so cool to be able to stay up late..Then the next day we plan for a pool day and maybe doing US/IOA that afternoon and evening. If you plan on doing a power tour, you can probably squeeze in those two parks together. I agree with Miranda, that you could probably double up EP and DHS if your not into doing to much in the World Showcase... I would probably do DHS first and then stay at EP for the night so you can see illuminations......but (see, there is always a but!!) I have heard Fantasmic at DHS is great too!! We actually haven't seen it.

 

[noahsketomom]

Gosh, I almost knew before the question that I might be squeezing in too much. The problem has come up because I had my mom and sister buy the same passes that we will be getting (3 days disney, 2 days universal, 1 day seaworld) So even though we will probably do 2 disney parks in one day, I feel like we have to use my mom/sis' passes. Know what I mean? I don't know.

We will have two rental cars, so they could always head over to one of the universal parks and we could always play our family's role by ear. Does that make sense? Then they wouldn't have to come with us to check in and hit Walmart, stow away all of Noah's frozen food, settle in, etc.? If we are up for meeting up with them, great. Otherwise we could meet them back with us at GKTW. Oh, geez, I need to really start putting some brainwork into it.

Bummer today though that we couldn't get a Chef Mickey's res for the day we hope to go to MK. Noah's not been to particular about many things, but he wants to eat with Mickey! So I made a dinner one at the Garden Grill at Epcot -- supposedly it has Mickey and Chip and Dale. I show him the picture and he says, "Ok, if I can't eat with Mickey, I want to eat with Alvin and the Chipmunks!" Who really needs to tell Chip and Dale, right?

Much more questions and crazy plans (that will probably be tossed out the window eventually) to come...

 

[maroo]

Bless your heart! Trying to fit everyone else in and you guys!

First of all...Please PM me - if you want - your information for a Chef Mickey's reservation. I will see what I can do to get one for you. We have a little "behind the scenes" team that tries to call for reservations for wish families, and since this one is not one you have to pay for or guarantee with a credit card - it should be fairly easy to try to get for you guys.

I will just need the date you are shooting for and approx time - and then how many adults and children and the kids ages. Then I can see if we can find one for ya.

We have been fairly successful, even with some hard ones - so it is worth a shot.

I personally think that Wish Kids and their families should get some special arrangements since you don't know your dates 6 months out like the rest of us planners. So I will do everything in my power to see if we can get you the reservation that your wish child really wants.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Unless your mom and sister don't want to hang out with you guys every day or you want a break from them at some point, I would just have them go where you go. I believe GKTW allows you to bring guests on to the property, so they might really enjoy seeing the kids explore such an amazing place. I would ask what they want to do, I guess.

 

[pipersmom]

It is hard trying to fit everything into basically 5 days. We're doubling up AK/DHS and US/IOA. I'm sure I'll have lots to say about it when we get back, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask! I'm still trying to figure out where to fit in Gatorland..we went when I was a kid, and it was so cheesy/campy..we LOVED it! Might have to do a quickie stop on the way to the airport : Of course, then again..we might be collapsed in exhaustion by then! At any rate, I would just explain the situation to your mom and go from there, I'm sure she'll understand.

 

[The Lurker]

As a volunteer at GKTW, one thing I have noticed is that many families (adults more so than children) are exhausted from the hastles of the flight. For many, a stop at the Ice Cream Palace is a great place to relax and begin to take it all in. The trip, the village, etc. can be a bit overwhelming. Remember there is absolutely no way you can do everything and see everything. One "complaint" I hear from families getting ready to check out is that they tried to do too much. Remember, the main thing is to have fun.

See you soon.

Katie

 

[pipersmom]

As a volunteer at GKTW, one thing I have noticed is that many families (adults more so than children) are exhausted from the hastles of the flight. For many, a stop at the Ice Cream Palace is a great place to relax and begin to take it all in. The trip, the village, etc. can be a bit overwhelming. Remember there is absolutely no way you can do everything and see everything. One "complaint" I hear from families getting ready to check out is that they tried to do too much. Remember, the main thing is to have fun.

See you soon.

Katie

Thanks for the reminder, Katie! We had already planned to just hang out the day we get there, and I'm keeping in mind that if we don't get to do something we have planned, Piper won't miss it since she hasn't been there! Sorry for the hi-jack, Beth!

 

[noahsketomom]

Okay, I've listened!! THANK YOU, ladies, for slapping some sense into me!!! Our flight is at 7, airport is 45 min away, so I'm guessing we'll be getting up sometime around 4 to get moving. I think having a low key day for arrival day might be in order!!

So here is a revised and BAREBONED plan:

Wed 4/7 - arrive, get settled, hang out at GKTW, maybe go to Downtown Disney to check out the LEGO store!!! (All my kids are LEGO crazy!)

Thurs 4/8 - Probably seaworld, with GKTW Christmas at night

Fri 4/9 - Magic Kingdom all day (maybe?? Chef Mickey's -- if something opens up, thank you, Maroo!) My brother and his girlfriend will be joining us this day -- yay! We will be quite the crew!

Sat 4/10 - Universal Studios -- maybe IOE if time

Sun 4/11 - Hollywood Studios -- hopefully catching Fantasmic at night.

Mon 4/12 - Animal Kingdom in AM -- Epcot in PM/Evening. Currently have res at Garden Grill (with Mickey and Chip and Dale -- aka the Chipmunks if you are Noah!)

Tues 4/13 -- Departure day -- already NOT looking forward to it! Our flight isn't until 6pm, so not sure what we'll do this day --- hang out at GKTW and pack, use the 2nd day of the Universal pass, Gatorland, Downtown Disney.... Up for suggestions, for sure!!


Please feel free to comment or let me know if I botched something!! The only park we don't want to spend a ton of time at is AK. We went there for a day a few years ago, so we really just want to do a few rides and maybe see Nemo? And we will stay AWAY from "Dinosaur", which gave John and Abby (then 6 and 4) nightmares for weeks! Note to self : read the ride warnings next time!

My mom and sis will be following us around and are happy to just do that. My hubby has fond memories of Epcot World Showcase so he's excited about that. My kids are most excited about DHS, US and MK. Me? I just want the kiddos to have a great time! Happy kids = Happy mom!

Okay, time to get this crew moving this morning.......