TKers...8 is NOT enough!

[JOCAmom]

I don't actually get to make the ADR's until March or so. I'm just so excited about this trip. We haven't been to Disney since 2008 and it seems so long ago. And we are going with Curt's sister, husband and their daughter. None of them have every been there. And my niece is special needs so that just adds a whole new level of excitement to be able to experience this with her.

Looks like you'll be deal shopping with a possible trip next year. I'd love to go back to Universal too. Even though I haven't read all the HP books yet, I'd love to see for myself how Universal did the whole thing.

 

[MagiKitty]

I excited for Universal too. The author was on Oprah yesterday and she said she wouldn't have okayed the theme park unless it impressed her. So it must be amazing!

Oh, that's so exciting to be going with first-timers. And Disney is one of our faves because it addresses special needs so wonderfully. My godson has autism and went for the first time last year....and all the worries that my friends had were taken care of. They were really impressed.

In Kansas, we went to the mall and it was so not-accessible it drove me nuts! There were ramps, but they were zig-zagged, so you had to keep crossing back and forth to avoid the stairs. It made it so difficult! It really is frustrating going to new places and have to deal with unexpected issues like that. Disney really spoiled us with how well they take care of issues.

I'm excited for your trip too. And its never too early to start planning ADRs in my opinion. I must change my mind 100s of times before we actually get on property!

 

[JOCAmom]

I may be remembering wrong but wasn't she pretty involved with the whole planning process? And I honestly think she made a good choice with going with Universal. I love Disney but they would have wanted to Disney-fy the whole thing.

My niece has Autism and other disabilities. She is the sweetest girl and just filled with so much love for everybody. She's 17 and we have a standing playdate every Friday afternoon. She prefers to play with toddler toys and Livvie and Alexis with sit for hours with her playing. At least I know I did something right with them.

I've been trying to read some of the stuff on the disabilities board here to get some ideas on how to make this trip easier for her and her parents. They are really kind and compassionate over there.

I guess that would shock me to....about the places you visited in Kansas. Everything seems to easily accessible around here that I never really thought about places where it isn't like this.

 

[MagiKitty]

Yeah JK Rowling was really involved with the process. She said she would have wanted to visit if she was a fan of the books too, which makes me feel great about it.

You're such a good aunt and the girls are such good cousins! Yeah, the disabilities board is really friendly. I even met a lady on there with a BF with CP, and she was super helpful in our process.

Its amazing to think in this day and age that some places really just make life harder for others. But it makes me glad when some places do it so well.

 

[JOCAmom]

I'm hoping with my wealth of Disney knowledge and the help I can find here, we can make this really enjoyable for my niece. I've read about the Guest Assistance Cards but I'm hoping with some good planning towards her needs ahead of time, we can avoid getting one. At least, until late afternoon or so.

 

[D&DDisney]

Well the homecoming game was a lot of fun. We won 33-7 . Kids had a blast w/ friends (even though they didn't watch the game much) It was kind of cute to watch DS12 as some girls would come up and talk w/ him. Told DH that its just a matter of time now before we're dropping them off at these games and being told to drive away.

Today I took my mom to see her brother whom she hasn't seen in a while. It was nice to see my mom and uncle talking and reliving some old memories. He's kinda rough around the edges. Basically an old man who sits in his recliner all day with a beer in one hand cigarette in the other, watching Fox news and complaining about one thing or another But he has this wonderful heart of gold and made the kids laugh like crazy. They can't wait to go back again. It really brought some comfort to an otherwise crazy week.

LITC - on Walter saying "Mama". While its true that one day you'll loath your own name, it really is the sweetest word ever at this age.

Marie - Happy Anniversary to you and the hubby! Wish you many more wonderful years together.

JO & Kitty - I guess you never really realize how many things are not easily accessable to those with disabilities. I find myself becoming more and more aware of this now.

Now I'm dreaming of another Orlando vacation . Would love to find a good deal on Universal and take the kids there. I haven't been there since it was just one park - 1996 I think.

 

[Pikester]

Good morning!

Sun is out and I'm LOVIN it!

LITC: Yay! Walter said Mama! I'm with the other ladies that there does come a time when hearing mama, mom, momma, mummy will have you snarling at them WHAT!!!!

Kitty, D&D, JO: We'll be at Universal Feb 27th-March 2nd so come on down! Universal is running their Stay More, Save More promotion. The longer you stay the less you pay. You know you want too.

marie: Nice to see you. You better come back more often, ya hear!


Big HUGS to all my friends that need them. Heck big HUGS for everyone! I've got enough to go around. I'm such a gvier you know.

 

[MagiKitty]

Good morning ladies! Its a crisp fall morning here. Nice to wear a jacket to church, but it should warm up this afternoon. Church was dressed up all nice with fall colors and flowers.

D...DS is growing up! The pre-teen years are just so turbulent and dramatic. Is he interested in the ladies yet? Fall is about football, isn't it? I used to love sitting out in the stands with friends sipping hot chocolate. And yes, I made my parents drop me off!

You're so kind and generous to take your Mom to visit with her brother. What a gift to her and the kids.

oh, Pike, now you've put dates in my head! Hmm....

JO--my friends got the GAC and just used it a few times when necessary, often towards the end of the afternoon. It was good to have, but part of the joy of being together with the family was putting up with each other on line!

I always thought I was pretty sensitive to those with special needs, but until I started dating BF, I never really full grasped the vastness of issues in everyday life. It was one of my worries when we first got together--I was worried about being ignorant or insensitive to his issues. But we've been pretty open about it and its gotten so much easier, especially together. BF actually inspires me to be less lazy and enjoy life more, and I push him to get out of his comfort zone. At the very least, I've gotten pretty good about writing to companies/places and letting them know how we, as a special needs couple, found their accessibility issues while there.

No big plans here. Have a lot of reading to do, so will probably park myself by the window with a nice cuppa and try to get stuff accomplished. We'll see!

 

[JOCAmom]

Morning!

MK, that's kinda what I'm thinking about the GAC. We should be good in the morning if we get there for rope drop. I'm pretty sure standing in long lines will be hard for my niece. We are going to upgrade to the standard dining plan so we can do a bunch of character meals and can avoid those lines as well.

Pikester, so you are definitely going to Universal?! Woohoo! Which hotel are you staying at? Details woman, details!

D&D, sounds like you had a wonderful weekend so far.

 

[Pikester]

As definite as can be without actually having booked it. We will be driving and our start date is Feb 25th. We plan to stay somewhere that night, continue the drive on the 26th, hit Daytona maybe and then stay somewhere cheap that night. We'll check in to the Royal Pacific Resort on Sunday morning the 27th and spend 4 nights there (going to the parks too) checking out on Thursday March 3rd. We will then spend the 3rd either at the park again or checking out another part of Orlando and staying at a cheaper hotel for the next two nights before heading home on Saturday the 5th. We hope to fit a visit to SeaWorld in there too either March 3rd or 4th.

Those are the plans I've been discussing with DH. He hasn't said to book the RPR yet but I'm sure I'll nag him enough that it will be soon.

 

[DL55]

Good afternoon!
LITC Mama may come after dada but it will be the one he uses most.
JOCAmom sorry about your brother but try to stay impartial, they will try to get you on "their" side. It would be so nice if they act like adults and think of their child.
Pikester Only going to miss you in the Orlando area by 2 months. that's the closest I've come to matching anybodies dates. We must pick some real odd times.

I wish the storm the north half of the state had happened over our football game. Left at halftime 0-38 final score 0-59. At least we got to see the 3rd ranked team play.

 

[MagiKitty]

DL55...that is some painful final score. But good for them for playing a good game. They tried at least.

Pike, that sounds like a great plan! We've never stayed onsite at Universal, but would love to. The good thing about Orlando is that there are a plethora of cheapie hotels. I needed to stay one night before checking into the timeshare last year and I used hotwire. I ended up at the Holiday Inn on International for $59. It was fantastic.

Getting ready to coupon. Looks like a lot of good deals in grocery. You know that gets me excited.

Anyone watch Amazing Race? I think its going to be a good season. The groups are really varied but not very annoying except for one couple. He's very dominant and stupid at the same time. They very nearly came to being eliminated last week, but they lucked out at the last minute. Darn.

 

[DL55]

MagiKitty I didn't watch Amazing Race last season but I usually do watch it. If there is only one annoying couple I'll probably watch it again.

 

[MagiKitty]

There are a few teams that I can root for. There are two parent/child teams which I like, and a few women teams that I think are pretty good. My faves right now are college geeks who bring a little humanity to the race. But I think they'll be eliminated because they're too nice, they've been helping other teams out a little too much. But its nice to see.

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Hi everybody. Thanks for the well wishes on Walter bear! I am just overjoyed that he said it, finally! I know the time will come when it will get on my nerves, but right now - it's beautiful.

Kitty - I have not seen the race this year,since we got rid of cable. Do really like the show though.

JO - I would just get the GAC early on in your trip, since it is good for your entire stay, and that way you will have it when you need it. You won't have to go all the way back up to guest services like we did one year, for my little nephew who has a rare brain disorder.

 

[JOCAmom]

LITC, thanks for the info in the GAC. Somehow in all the info that I'm taking in, I must have missed that it's good for your entire trip. For some reason, I kept thinking you need a new one every day.

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Hey JO - they always ask how long your stay is and how many are in your party. We have had it for 7 people total. Don;t know if they put a cap on the people or not, but your party should be ok.

 

[JOCAmom]

There will be 8 in our party. I heard the cap is at 6 but sometimes they make exceptions.

From what I have discussed with my SIL, my niece would just need the GAC to not stand in long lines for the rides. Like most of us would wait in the line while one of the adults took her off to walk around until the others get to the front/ready to board. Once we do, she and the other adult could join us. We just don't think she would be able to wait in the standard line but the rest of us would wait for her. Does that make any sense?

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Sorry JO - Walter was stirring. Yes I understand what you are saying. We do that to sometimes. If your party is going to be staying together all the time,then I don't think you will have a problem.
Some of the rides, it helps you get to the "front of theline" some, it works like a fastpass, and some there are basically no advantages to having it at all. Like small world you stay in the normal line (unless you have a wheel chair) but then toy story mania, we got to go in the fast pass queue.

 

[D&DDisney]

Kitty, D&D, JO: We'll be at Universal Feb 27th-March 2nd so come on down! Universal is running their Stay More, Save More promotion. The longer you stay the less you pay. You know you want too.

You know...the kids have off Feb 24-25 and I was looking at airfare just for fun the other day. Then I heard the Space Shuttle is going off for the last time on Feb 27th or 28th I think, so that made me want to go even MORE. (That is one of the things I have on my bucket list and this will be my last chance you know) Now that I know you'll be there, we'll just have to go.