Trip Report-Did You Know Orlando Is in Ohio???-A Surprise Trip In April!

[MomToAp1699]

LOL, I don't know how you are doin' it because the suspense is hard for me to wait and see what happens, and I don't even know you!!!

Lol! Glad to know your as anxious for it to happen as I am.. lol

 

[MomToAp1699]

I am now onto pondering the question of strollers, Last year we went to Hershey park and Alex barely made it through 2 hours in the park before we needed the stroller cause too many people where pushing in on him and he was feeling attacked. So. I have seen prices listed for strollers at the park and know they will run me about 80$ for the week if I pay by the week 90$ if I go day to day. My sister has 4 daily vouchers as they paid for the week and didn't use them, so I would really only need to pay for one day if I needed to.
BUT! The strollers at Disney are HUGE.. they are exactly from what I have seen the same ones we used at Hershey last year and they where rediculous to use. So now my question is do I buy one here. Gate check it at the airport and then use it in the park?? Makes more sense but the one I really want is online only and that puts a wrench in life cause I want to try the stroller out before buying.. So I guess I am going to have to run to the store this week and check them out myself. If I get a real cheap one that does the job I can probably pass it on to another family at the end of our trip.. if i get a more expensive one than obviously I will want to keep it for the cost... Decisions Decisions!

 

[MomToAp1699]

So, we have decided at least part of the surprise. It will involve giving Alex his Jiminy Journal with a note in the front of it that says this

Where’s a place where dreams come true if you just believe?

Where everyone can be a kid and never want to leave?

Eat your meals with creatures who came from distant worlds,

Come ride a ride where you can see that it really is a small world

Wake to the sounds of a mouse in your ear telling you your day has begun.

Inviting you to come on in, its time to have some fun.

Can you imagine all the things you can learn of other lands?

Just sit down to take a rest and watch the Main Street Band?

There is a place for dreams and laughter, a place where kids can just believe,

So get your things and pack your bags cause one day soon we will leave.

Now where you say can all these things possibly be found??

You say you’ve looked everywhere and see nothing like that around!

Well, maybe you should look once more to a place a bit further south,

a place where everyone can dream and it was all started by a MOUSE!

As far as how we will give the journal to him thats still in the works, I was thinking a scavenger hunt of sorts with the journal being the surprise at the end. We are working on small notes to leave him each day with a clue or something of that sort..

 

[KathyRN137]

So, we have decided at least part of the surprise. It will involve giving Alex his Jiminy Journal with a note in the front of it that says this

Where’s a place where dreams come true if you just believe?

Where everyone can be a kid and never want to leave?

Eat your meals with creatures who came from distant worlds,

Come ride a ride where you can see that it really is a small world

Wake to the sounds of a mouse in your ear telling you your day has begun.

Inviting you to come on in, its time to have some fun.

Can you imagine all the things you can learn of other lands?

Just sit down to take a rest and watch the Main Street Band?

There is a place for dreams and laughter, a place where kids can just believe,

So get your things and pack your bags cause one day soon we will leave.

Now where you say can all these things possibly be found??

You say you’ve looked everywhere and see nothing like that around!

Well, maybe you should look once more to a place a bit further south,

a place where everyone can dream and it was all started by a MOUSE!

As far as how we will give the journal to him thats still in the works, I was thinking a scavenger hunt of sorts with the journal being the surprise at the end. We are working on small notes to leave him each day with a clue or something of that sort..

Valerie, I LOVE this! Not much longer now (But everyday feels like an eternity, right?)

Have you considered bringing along a note from alex's MD so you can get a GAC? It will save you a lot of running around trying to get FPs...less stress on Alex...less stress on YOU!

Looking forward to your next post...

Kathy

 

[MomToAp1699]

Valerie, I LOVE this! Not much longer now (But everyday feels like an eternity, right?)

Have you considered bringing along a note from alex's MD so you can get a GAC? It will save you a lot of running around trying to get FPs...less stress on Alex...less stress on YOU!
Looking forward to your next post...
Kathy

Thanks, I tried to make it obvious enough that he would get it.. And he brought home a Disney book from school so he has ready the line a few times about it All being started by a mouse.. so hopefully that will click it for him..

It is getting so close but seems soo far away too.. About a month ago I had the dr right a note for me. I know they said we don't NEED one. but he wrote one anyway basically saying he has a hard time waiting and being in crowds and asking for accomadtions that would eliminate some of the stress and trauma however possible

 

[MomToAp1699]

Since it is now April 2nd it is officially our vacation month. I am so excited. Watched the Travel Channel Marathon of Disney yesterday. Through tears and giggles and secret smiles.. Can't wait. Thankfully no plans have been changed since my last pre-trip post. The suitcases are almost done being packed. I am waiting for a few more things to arrive. A waist pack for Alex and some things that are on Jasons list of things to gather.

Pre-Trip Prepations: So I went out this week and go an ID tag for Alex. Its not an official childs ID tag, rather it came from the pet store. Its not a dog bone though, even though thats what Alex wanted. The only blue ones they had are dog bones and he is obsesssed with the color blue. Its just round and has his name and that he has Autism and then mine and my husbands cell phone numbers on it as well. Seemed silly to put our home phone number on it seeing as when we are out and about with him we are never home to answer the phone anyway.

I am hoping his teacher will send home his vacation work soon, I would like him to be able to get a head start on it so we are not worrying about it on vacation. He has the weekend before we leave to work on it as well, but he will know about the trip by then so I doubt much work will get done in a appropriate manner.. Better to work on as much as we can while he can still focus on letters and numbers.

I have printed out all my papers, ADR numbers, Travel information to get from one place to the next. Travel Agent is awaiting final documents and then they will be out as well. Other than that, All my lime green is ready to go. I am debating some last minute packing things.. Do I take sneakers in case my crocs get ruined, lost etc.. or do I take cheap shoes and buy new Crocs down there.. Seems like the best choice to me is to take the cheap ones that I can pitch on the way home if I want.. Cause for me my regular shoes would hurt my feet just as badly as new shoes where.. So not much of a diffrence. In a perfect world my crocs will have no issues, I will wear them all through the park and be a happy gal. ... BUT! God forbid some shoe monster should suck them away or loose them or break them etc and leave me footware less.. ..

Next Installment: Finishing up plans for the big reveal.

 

[MomToAp1699]

Change In Plans!

I had been debating back and forth about one of the character meals we had scheduled. It was a breakfast ( we aren't big breakfast people). It wasn't with characters that Alex would care really one way or the other if he ate with.. AND! The big one.. it was a hinderance to our plans for that day..

So, I called this evening and cancelled our April 18th 10:30 ADR at 1900 park fare.. Hopefully someone else will enjoy it more

This isn't the first change in plans so far so, Will update the ADR's a bit here.

As Follows
4/17 Ohana Breakfast
Whispering Canyon Cafe ( Changed From Hollywood and Vine)
4/18 Cancelled 1900 Park Fare
Garden Grill Dinner
4/19 Rainforest Cafe Lunch
Crystal Palace Lunch
4/20 Chef Mickey Dinner

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi Valerie

It's a good idea to have the Dr.'s note, anyway, for your son's first GAC. This way the CMs know exactly how to word it.

I'm excited for you! Can't wait to hear how the big reveal goes....

Try to take some notes so you can do a report when you get back, okay?? I would love to read it!

Kathy

 

[MomToAp1699]

It's a good idea to have the Dr.'s note, anyway, for your son's first GAC. This way the CMs know exactly how to word it.

Thats what I figured, they where really helpful about giving me one. No issue. Its in the Passporter waiting for us to leave! Yay..

I'm excited for you! Can't wait to hear how the big reveal goes....
Try to take some notes so you can do a report when you get back, okay?? I would love to read it!
Kathy

I am actually taking the laptop with me so I will try to make notes each night on it. We won't be connecting to the internet unless we need to cause we don't want to pay the extra daily fee.. lol.. but will definatly keep notes..

 

[MomToAp1699]

On the way to take Jason to work today my mind was Disney wandering and trying to think of the best most exciting way to tell Alex. Then it dawned on me.

In our spare time for the last two years Jason and I have run a web design business from home. We recently stopped doing it as a business due to time constraints but that doesn't mean we don't still know how to. So I decided that I would make a strictly bare bones web site with links and text to tell Alex about the trip.. Using the poem I worked on and a few Disney pictures that I just LOVE! So here is the link. Also... this is in no means an example of the work we can do in either graphic design ( as none of the graphics where made by me) or web design. I just wanted something easy for Alex to read. ..

http://members.aol.com/momtoap1699/surprise/

 

[MomToAp1699]

Its too funny in my house this week, Alex still has no clue he is going, but... The Disney fever is spreading to him. Then there are the random things he has started doing that just pop out of nowhere and are hysterical.

1. A few days ago on the way to school he started singing "When You Wish Upon A Star" in the back of the van. Too Cute!

2. In Library at School He Checked out a HUGE Disney book he had been waiting to have come in at the Library.

3. He turned to my Mother in Law in a restaurant on Wednesday. Pointed to his Eyes and Said "I've Got My Eye On You" It was hysterical given all the The Focker Watch stuff on the boards. Now that isn't where he got it from. BUT.. At least I have no need to be worried he won't be willing to do that.. lol..

Now, to finish up Easter Plans. Then off we head to the last week before Vacation. His teacher contacted me to let me know she will be giving him his homework on the last Day he has school before we leave as its just review work @@ .. Oh well.. I guess she doesn't understand the desire to let him get started early. Oh well. We will work on it that weekend and the weekend when we get back.

 

[medicgirl911]

I LOVED THE WEBSITE!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait to hear how the big reveal goes, you better be taking some pics of it, I want to see. I love your updated pics, he is such a cutie!!!!

I don't blame you for cancelling 1900 Park Fare, what is most important is how it flows with your itineray, no one thing is worth messing up the whole day!

Can'[t wait to hear more!!!

 

[dddisrunner]

I just found your Pre TR and love it! I have 2 nephews with autism, and it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful these boys are, your son included. They have the most angelic faces! I loved the website and your plans for the reveal! We will just miss each other at the world as we arrive on the 24th. I can't wait to read more and hear all about your trip

 

[MomToAp1699]

I just found your Pre TR and love it! I have 2 nephews with autism, and it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful these boys are, your son included.

Thank You Your nephews are lucky to have someone who sees the beauty where so many people look and see something broken..

Enjoy your trip to Disney. We will check it all out and make sure its in good working order for your visit

 

[KathyRN137]

Valerie,

The website is just too cute for words...Alex will love it, I'm sure!

Kathy

 

[MomToAp1699]

Valerie,
The website is just too cute for words...Alex will love it, I'm sure!
Kathy

Thanks, I have been doing more work on it along the way. Changed the text and colors on the pages and then made it so the last page also plays "When you wish upon a star" when it opens.. He is going to be sooo excited..


SIDE NOTE:
Alex's friend had a birthday party today. During the party the grandfather almost spilled the beans about our trip. Thankfully I covered and he caught on. Not before me wanting to smack him though.

 

[mystikgarden]

I'm up late here and catching up on all of the pre-trippies. I love the website Great idea! I can't wait to read more

 

[KathyRN137]

Just stopping by....

Kathy

 

[MomToAp1699]

Just stopping by....

Kathy

Thanks, Two more days til the big reveal.. 4 between today and leaving day!

 

[dddisrunner]

You def. have to post about the reveal! Can't wait to read how it goes! Good Luck