The TRIP of all Trips... Ana's MAW PTR... *TR STARTED* Link- Post #1901 Pg. 127

[billwendy]

The GKTW Christmas party was busy, but not crowded. The longest wait was for Santa - we waited till after dinner to go and see him, but if we had gone before dinner, we wouldnt have had to wait very long at all. At the dinner they had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, salad, cole slaw, cranberry sauce, rolls....yummy!!!! lol

The kids also had fun horseback riding in the am! The playground is great too - as is the pool with the pirate ship (if its warm enough - in Florida, ya never know!).

We really felt special in the MK....it was just so cool!!!! Daniel wore his button proudly....did you know there are special places where you can take a break in MK and EPCOT?

 

[brookelizabeth]

That isn't hard... 1 cable DONE! Plus I read your DH uses macs.... even easier!

We get 1 day @SW and 2 days at US/IOA...
If we were able to extend, I think we would skip DHS on our arrival day. Sunday we would spend the day with Melody's family. Then on Tuesday & Wednesday do parks. But who knows if that is even an option.

I know, I know. It's really very simple to do...and even easier because our "TV" is a computer monitor. I don't have to try to guess what cord, or where it goes! L-a-z-y. Maybe tomorrow morning.

Ah, thanks for the reminder on the SW and US/IOA tickets. I sure hope you are somehow able to extend it. It would be nice to see the family and be able to cover a few more things. We'll see....!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Looks like a good schedule so far. One thing to keep in mind if you want to go to the morning character greets at GKTW - if there is a long line to get in the theatre (there was on the day we tried to meet MandM) skip it! You can meet those guys at MK (or any park right?) and get to the front of the line.

Picture me with horns, a tail and a pitchfork 'cause I'm gonna sit on your shoulder and whisper "skip Christmas, skip Christmas..." until you decide. Maroo can wear the halo and sit on your other shoulder. . We only caught the tail end of the Bday party, and the other two got cancelled for rain (pool party and Candyland) but from the pics I've seen and what I've read on the reports, all of the parties have the same basic stuff. Christmas has a unique theme, obviously, but you will likely be there at Cmas time where everything will have that theme and then maybe it won't be as special? Wouldn't it be more fun to play Candyland on the giant playground, or go to a surf shack in December? (If you only have time for one...) I'm really not trying to get you to skip it (despite what I just said) I just don't want you to feel guilty if it doesn't work out in the schedule for you to go. As was previously mentioned, you can always go back on a Thursday in the future and check it out (wouldn't it be fun to have a Cmas party in May???).

 

[that's nice]

That is OK since I'm dreaming and thinking about a trip and we don't even have confirmation of my dd getting a wish . Just really hoping that it happens for her.

Well I hope you get some news about your DD really soon from MAW (or other granter)

The GKTW Christmas party was busy, but not crowded. The longest wait was for Santa - we waited till after dinner to go and see him, but if we had gone before dinner, we wouldnt have had to wait very long at all. At the dinner they had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, salad, cole slaw, cranberry sauce, rolls....yummy!!!! lol

If we change to go to this party, our first order of business will be to see Santa.

Dinner sounds great!

The kids also had fun horseback riding in the am! The playground is great too - as is the pool with the pirate ship (if its warm enough - in Florida, ya never know!).

As much as Juliana would love to go horseback riding, we can't let her... doctors orders. Since she only has 1 kidney horseback riding is on the short list of activities she cannot participate in.

Hopefully we will have a couple warm days to go swimming!

We really felt special in the MK....it was just so cool!!!! Daniel wore his button proudly....did you know there are special places where you can take a break in MK and EPCOT?

I do know about the WISH lounges! That is really neat! We hope to be checking them out.

I know, I know. It's really very simple to do...and even easier because our "TV" is a computer monitor. I don't have to try to guess what cord, or where it goes! L-a-z-y. Maybe tomorrow morning.

Well put this on your to do list tomorrow!!!!

Ah, thanks for the reminder on the SW and US/IOA tickets. I sure hope you are somehow able to extend it. It would be nice to see the family and be able to cover a few more things. We'll see....!

It would make our trip much more relaxing if we were able to extend it. I hope it works out

Looks like a good schedule so far. One thing to keep in mind if you want to go to the morning character greets at GKTW - if there is a long line to get in the theatre (there was on the day we tried to meet MandM) skip it! You can meet those guys at MK (or any park right?) and get to the front of the line.

Oh really? I didn't know with the button you get front of line access to characters. So you just walk up to CMs and show them?

Picture me with horns, a tail and a pitchfork 'cause I'm gonna sit on your shoulder and whisper "skip Christmas, skip Christmas..." until you decide. Maroo can wear the halo and sit on your other shoulder. . We only caught the tail end of the Bday party, and the other two got cancelled for rain (pool party and Candyland) but from the pics I've seen and what I've read on the reports, all of the parties have the same basic stuff. Christmas has a unique theme, obviously, but you will likely be there at Cmas time where everything will have that theme and then maybe it won't be as special? Wouldn't it be more fun to play Candyland on the giant playground, or go to a surf shack in December? (If you only have time for one...) I'm really not trying to get you to skip it (despite what I just said) I just don't want you to feel guilty if it doesn't work out in the schedule for you to go. As was previously mentioned, you can always go back on a Thursday in the future and check it out (wouldn't it be fun to have a Cmas party in May???).

I know your feelings.... did you guys get to eat dinner during the party?

I do realize that we can go back and experience some of the magic the GKTW has to offer. Even if we weren't going back to Disney we have ties (family) in the area that we have to visit from time to time. You know how us DISers are.... sometimes the planning turns into over planning. I just want to get the most out of our time and I want Juliana to have the best trip possible.

 

[that's nice]

Maroo....

Thanks for the pink writing!!!!

If our trip isn't extended I think we would use a Disney day Wednesday night to check out the Osbourn lights. If I am able to add a few days we will probably just hang out at GKTW and get settled in.

Our day on Thursday does seem busy. If we are going to do MVMCP, what should we do in the morning? I guess hang out at the village. Or I guess I could book a breakfast ADR (not in a park) I know if we hang out on Wednesday night we will be itching to do something Thursday morning.

Friday morning, after MVMCP the night before, we will probably sleep till 9ish (yea right... Juliana is usually up so early) then head over to the GF.

I know Monday is a definite Disney day... This is the only day that we would be able to see Wishes. The MVMCP Wishes are different right? Maybe hit Epcot early then goto the MK.. or just hang in MK all day.

We will be eating at Kona at some point during this trip!


Also... Melody told me tonight that she wanted Juliana to goto BBB again... UGH... there just isn't enough time to fit in everything.

 

[Believeinfairytales]

Maroo....

Thanks for the pink writing!!!!

If our trip isn't extended I think we would use a Disney day Wednesday night to check out the Osbourn lights. If I am able to add a few days we will probably just hang out at GKTW and get settled in.

Our day on Thursday does seem busy. If we are going to do MVMCP, what should we do in the morning? I guess hang out at the village. Or I guess I could book a breakfast ADR (not in a park) I know if we hang out on Wednesday night we will be itching to do something Thursday morning.

Friday morning, after MVMCP the night before, we will probably sleep till 9ish (yea right... Juliana is usually up so early) then head over to the GF.

I know Monday is a definite Disney day... This is the only day that we would be able to see Wishes. The MVMCP Wishes are different right? Maybe hit Epcot early then goto the MK.. or just hang in MK all day.

We will be eating at Kona at some point during this trip!


Also... Melody told me tonight that she wanted Juliana to goto BBB again... UGH... there just isn't enough time to fit in everything.

Wow - there is a lot to fit in! I feel for you trying to plan all of this. I just know that whatever you all end up doing, it is going to be a magical trip for Juliana, so don't stress over it! It's going to be fun, no matter what!

 

[maroo]

Hmm...

Not sure what to do the morning of MVMCP...? I guess it just depends on what you guys have in mind as far as how late you plan to stay. If you are planning on doing the late parade and you know you will be out late....then maybe hang out at GKTW that morning? And just plan to head to the MK to be there and ready to go at 4:00?

Osbourne lights are definitely a don't miss!

I think you have your philosophy on this trip exactly right...to do the things you can do on the wish trip primarily and focus on those...taking advantage of the GKTW pass in the parks and such.

I hate to see you guys "waste" - which probably is not a good word...I guess "spend" the time doing the BBB when you could be in the parks jumping all the lines , but I guess it depends on what Juliana wants to do. And Mel!

I think I would pretty much ask her what she wants to do...

I have a feeling that she will really enjoy hanging out with the characters on Thursday morning and ride the carousel over and over and eat a YUMMY breakfast in the Gingerbread House - and maybe you can do your star and other GKTW activities that day - she can hang out there (and maybe the pool, if it happens to be warm enough?) and really spend a lot of time there. ]

There is a RUMOR that the parties are not going to allow folks to get in at 4:00 any more. They say the rumor comes out every year...but I don't remember the rumor last year? And if that were true...then I might be more inclined to do something else that morning because then you would be pushed back to 7:00 before you could get to the MK.

But...I also hope that you are able to do Universal/Sea World, too - since you have the tickets.

I hope you can extend...but if you can't - you will have a great time anyway!

 

[KatMark]

Also... Melody told me tonight that she wanted Juliana to goto BBB again... UGH... there just isn't enough time to fit in everything.

If Mel wants Ana to go to BBB again, then Ana goes to BBB again. Do NOT argue with Melody. You'll find a spot for it -- I have every confidence in you.

 

[petals]

Aw bless your little one has been through so much and still smiling!

 

[englishrose47]

Tim we had some Lightening but nothing bad !!!
I have to get to work , laundry is folded dishes done and supper cooked for the Troops who are going to a FREE concert tonight !!!!While I am slaving away!!!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Your plans look great to me. I love the extra activities GKTW has planned for you guys. Sounds like so much fun.

 

[that's nice]

Wow - there is a lot to fit in! I feel for you trying to plan all of this. I just know that whatever you all end up doing, it is going to be a magical trip for Juliana, so don't stress over it! It's going to be fun, no matter what!

I know we will have a great time no matter what. It is stressful trying to fit so much into so little time. I can't really plan anything on our arrival/departure days till I find out our flight times- which won't be till OCTOBER! Hopefully we will find out something sooner.

If Mel wants Ana to go to BBB again, then Ana goes to BBB again. Do NOT argue with Melody. You'll find a spot for it -- I have every confidence in you.

Yes Auntie!!!

I see us hitting up BBB again.

Aw bless your little one has been through so much and still smiling!

Thanks for stopping by!

Juliana is really a very vibrant and happy girl.

Tim we had some Lightening but nothing bad !!!
I have to get to work , laundry is folded dishes done and supper cooked for the Troops who are going to a FREE concert tonight !!!!While I am slaving away!!!

Glad to hear the storms weren't bad.

Hopefully you got to have some quiet time while everyone was away!

Your plans look great to me. I love the extra activities GKTW has planned for you guys. Sounds like so much fun.

Don't worry... I'm sure our plans will change a few times!

There is so much to do at GKTW that you could spend a week there and never goto a park! LOL

 

[that's nice]

Hmm...

Not sure what to do the morning of MVMCP...? I guess it just depends on what you guys have in mind as far as how late you plan to stay. If you are planning on doing the late parade and you know you will be out late....then maybe hang out at GKTW that morning? And just plan to head to the MK to be there and ready to go at 4:00?

I know.. this morning is a tough one to plan. I would think we would only be staying till 10:30 or so. With the 30 minute drive back and getting out of the park we probably wouldn't get back to GKTW till 11:30.

Osbourne lights are definitely a don't miss!

I know... we have to fit this in at some point.

I think you have your philosophy on this trip exactly right...to do the things you can do on the wish trip primarily and focus on those...taking advantage of the GKTW pass in the parks and such.

Thanks... I keep telling myself the same that. I just hope it works out like that.

I hate to see you guys "waste" - which probably is not a good word...I guess "spend" the time doing the BBB when you could be in the parks jumping all the lines , but I guess it depends on what Juliana wants to do. And Mel!

I think I would pretty much ask her what she wants to do...

1 good thing was that when Juliana did the BBB in March it only took about 45 minutes from the time we arrived till the time she was done, so it did go fairly quickly.

I have a feeling that she will really enjoy hanging out with the characters on Thursday morning and ride the carousel over and over and eat a YUMMY breakfast in the Gingerbread House - and maybe you can do your star and other GKTW activities that day - she can hang out there (and maybe the pool, if it happens to be warm enough?) and really spend a lot of time there.

I can see Ana riding that carousel too.... I hope it is warm enough to swim. I can see her making me swim no matter what the temperature!

There is a RUMOR that the parties are not going to allow folks to get in at 4:00 any more. They say the rumor comes out every year...but I don't remember the rumor last year? And if that were true...then I might be more inclined to do something else that morning because then you would be pushed back to 7:00 before you could get to the MK.

I read a few threads about that too. If they didn't let people in till 7pm, that could turn into a logistical nightmare for Disney. If they did that then I guess we could do 2 WDW parks that day like DHS & MK or something like that.

But...I also hope that you are able to do Universal/Sea World, too - since you have the tickets.

I think we will definitely do SW and probably do at least 1 day at US.

I hope you can extend...but if you can't - you will have a great time anyway!

I know we will! I can see these 7 days flying by!

 

[that's nice]

On Friday (8/13) we went to see the Jonas Brothers play in a softball game verses some TV personalities from ESPN. We got the tickets for free from CCMC (CT Children's Medical Center- Juliana's hospital) and I didn't realize that all the proceeds (and donations during the game) went to CCMC to raise money for their new cancer wing. Here are some pics from the game...

Walking in to the stadium..

The JoBros bus

The lineup for the game

We took our god-daughters with us.

The Jonas Brothers arriving at the park (they were in NYC in the morning doing a concert and they had another concert in CT that night... ahhhh the life of a star!)

The Girls

The game was supposed to start at 12 but since the JoBros had the cncert in NYC in the morning for Good Morning America, they arrived about 12. Then they had to get changed, do interviews, and get warmed up.

Sitting just 2 rows down from us was Alyson Stoner(on the right) from Camp Rock. Melody has a picture of the girls with her on her camera (yea I bought her another camera) I'll post them once I DL them off of there.

She didn't stay there long because once the kids in the stands realized that Alyson was there they started swarming her. Police came and moved her to a skybox.

The game finally started 1:20 late! UGH!

JoBros must love D&D! They stopped the D&D mascots to take a picture with them.

More pics of the girls

On the way out... One more bus pic!

We left in the top of the 7th inning with the ROAD DOGS winning 3-0. I had to get out of there because I had to get the girls home and I had to get ready to go to work. We had a great time at the ballpark!

 

[LilAnn]

Those are some great pictures. It looks like it was a nice day for it too. I don't know if I would have recognized that girl from Camp Rock if people hadn't pointed her out. That's too bad that she couldn't just sit and enjoy the game with everyone else.

 

[onelilspark]

Our local BBall team here in Rochester is the Triple A Affiliates of the Minnesota Twins! Woah.

 

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Great JoBro pics! Can't wait to see the one of Alyson Stoner with the girls. Did you know she's the voice of Candice on Phineas and Ferb?

 

[jenseib]

No Ashley Tidsdale is the voice of Candace. Stoner is Isabella.

 

[jenseib]

Wow, I was just looking at Stoners profile on Wikipedia and she is from Toledo OH!. I live near there and went to highschool in Toledo. I actually was in the same class as Katie Holmes Sister, Holly. I wonder why I never hear of Alyson before being from here?

 

[that's nice]

Those are some great pictures. It looks like it was a nice day for it too. I don't know if I would have recognized that girl from Camp Rock if people hadn't pointed her out. That's too bad that she couldn't just sit and enjoy the game with everyone else.

It was cloudy at the beginning, which was really nice but then the sun came out and really heated it up!

I wouldn't know who she was either if it wasn't for my god-daughter!

Our local BBall team here in Rochester is the Triple A Affiliates of the Minnesota Twins! Woah.

That is cool! I've actually never been to a RockCats game... but they have a great deals to go. I really need to get to a game.

Great JoBro pics! Can't wait to see the one of Alyson Stoner with the girls. Did you know she's the voice of Candice on Phineas and Ferb?

Thanks!

I'm having problems with your TR... for some reason when I try to read it my browser just shuts down. It has never done that before? Maybe I need to restart my computer or something. I was trying to finally get to reading it last night and it happened 3 times.

No Ashley Tidsdale is the voice of Candace. Stoner is Isabella.

Thanks for the info! I wouldn't know the difference!