Update! Post #61 - Wherein I compare Universal to Disney. Guess who wins!

[Love_Monkey]

My name is Danielle and my husband Tom and our two kids are going to Disney!!

My son Marc is 9 years old and my 6 year old Rachael was diagnosed with melanoma last year. You can read about how Rachael learned she would get to Make-A-Wish here:

http://iloveyoumorethanmost.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-wish-i-may-i-wish-i-might.html

We don't have long before we are going so I'm going to post our plans here and please let me know what sounds reasonable and what sounds crazy!

Friday we arrive at GKTW and are hoping we will get there early enough to go to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Friday night because what better way to start a trip than a nighttime visit to Magic Kingdom! We're waiting to hear back from our wish coordinators to see if we will get there in time.

Saturday we have been invited to American Airline's annual Wish Flight party so we plan to sleep in a little on Saturday morning (having been at MK until midnight!) and then go to Universal for a half-day. We'll come back early evening and enjoy the Wish Flight party and probably go to bed a little on the early side Saturday night (or at least before midnight).

The plan for Sunday is to arrive at Animal Kingdom at opening, go on the Safari, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur and Festival of the Lion King and then go to lunch at Tusker House (already have reservations). Then drive to Disney Hollywood Studios and spend the rest of the day there (ending with Fantasmic).

Monday we will go to Universal for a half day and spend the rest of the day enjoying GKTW and head to bed a little early.

Tuesday we plan to go to arrive at Epcot when they open! We could not get reservations at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall so I'll see if we can get those ahead of time. If I am not able to, the plan is to go first thing in the morning and see if we can get same-day reservations. If not we will shrug our shoulders and happily go on with our day but it would be very special if we can!

We will spend the day at Epcot but skip IllumiNations so we can get a decent night's rest. Before we leave though, we want to take the Monorail to the Contemporary to see if we can get reservations to Chef Mickey's for the next day (unless of course we were able to secure reservations ahead of time). Fingers crossed!

Wednesday will be Magic Kingdom! We want to get there when it opens and close the place down! Hopefully one of our meals can be at Chef Mickey's but if not, we'll enjoy a counter service somewhere in the Kingdom.

Thursday we will go home - hopefully a little later in the day so we can enjoy GKTW a little more.

We live in South Texas so do not plan on visiting Sea World as we get to visit San Antonio's Sea World.

So that's the plan for now.

Here are some other things we want to make sure we do:

• Have ice cream for breakfast as often as possible!
• Visit the Bippity Boppity Boutique
• Hit Wal-Mart for lanyards for my son so he can do pin trading.

Feedback is welcome!

 

[dlewish]

Hello. Congrats on the wish trip I'm sure you will have a great time. We arrive on the 3rd.

I'm no expert at disney but your plan looks good to me. The day you arrive you will need to attend an orientation to get your passes, GKTW button, etc. Not sure when that would be scheduled for you, but just keep that in mind. If you arrive early enough I think they have an afternoon orientation that you might be able to attend and then hopefully go to MNSSHP.

If you can't get Chef Mickey's for your MK day maybe try the crystal palace to see Pooh and friends (if that is something your kids would like).

Happy planning. I really need to get things organized myself. It is coming up fast!

 

[Love_Monkey]

Testing my sig...

 

[kissesbykim]

I think your trip sounds great! Have you been to DW before? I haven't been for 12 years and my boys have never been. We live in Cali so we usually go to DL about every 6 months but we haven't been for a little over a year now since my DS got sick. Do you know of any other good Character dining at DW? We will be arriving at GKTW the day before you leave so maybe we'll run into each other! Have so much fun!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

My name is Danielle and my husband Tom and our two kids are going to Disney!!

My son Marc is 9 years old and my 6 year old Rachael was diagnosed with melanoma last year. You can read about how Rachael learned she would get to Make-A-Wish here:

http://iloveyoumorethanmost.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-wish-i-may-i-wish-i-might.html

We don't have long before we are going so I'm going to post our plans here and please let me know what sounds reasonable and what sounds crazy!

Friday we arrive at GKTW and are hoping we will get there early enough to go to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Friday night because what better way to start a trip than a nighttime visit to Magic Kingdom! We're waiting to hear back from our wish coordinators to see if we will get there in time.

Saturday we have been invited to American Airline's annual Wish Flight party so we plan to sleep in a little on Saturday morning (having been at MK until midnight!) and then go to Universal for a half-day. We'll come back early evening and enjoy the Wish Flight party and probably go to bed a little on the early side Saturday night (or at least before midnight).

The plan for Sunday is to arrive at Animal Kingdom at opening, go on the Safari, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur and Festival of the Lion King and then go to lunch at Tusker House (already have reservations). Then drive to Disney Hollywood Studios and spend the rest of the day there (ending with Fantasmic).

Monday we will go to Universal for a half day and spend the rest of the day enjoying GKTW and head to bed a little early.

Tuesday we plan to go to arrive at Epcot when they open! We could not get reservations at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall so I'll see if we can get those ahead of time. If I am not able to, the plan is to go first thing in the morning and see if we can get same-day reservations. If not we will shrug our shoulders and happily go on with our day but it would be very special if we can!

We will spend the day at Epcot but skip IllumiNations so we can get a decent night's rest. Before we leave though, we want to take the Monorail to the Contemporary to see if we can get reservations to Chef Mickey's for the next day (unless of course we were able to secure reservations ahead of time). Fingers crossed!

Wednesday will be Magic Kingdom! We want to get there when it opens and close the place down! Hopefully one of our meals can be at Chef Mickey's but if not, we'll enjoy a counter service somewhere in the Kingdom.

Thursday we will go home - hopefully a little later in the day so we can enjoy GKTW a little more.

We live in South Texas so do not plan on visiting Sea World as we get to visit San Antonio's Sea World.

So that's the plan for now.

Here are some other things we want to make sure we do:

• Have ice cream for breakfast as often as possible!
• Visit the Bippity Boppity Boutique
• Hit Wal-Mart for lanyards for my son so he can do pin trading.

Feedback is welcome!

Everything sound great. Just need to see when you fly in so you can do the orientation at GKTW. They usually have one at 3pm and 7:45pm.

 

[Love_Monkey]

I think your trip sounds great! Have you been to DW before? I haven't been for 12 years and my boys have never been. We live in Cali so we usually go to DL about every 6 months but we haven't been for a little over a year now since my DS got sick. Do you know of any other good Character dining at DW? We will be arriving at GKTW the day before you leave so maybe we'll run into each other! Have so much fun!

I took my kids last year but my husband did not get to join us. This is why when MAW came to visit us, my son was all, "LET'S GO LIVE AT DISNEY!" and Rachael (the wish child) wanted to go back. This trip will be so different though... very special. We are really excited!

I recommend Akershus Royal Ball in Norway at Epcot for their breakfast character meal. You could do Cinderella's castle too but it's more expensive, probably harder to get into (just assuming here, don't really know) and I didn't think the food was as good. Akershus is a buffet and it is REALLY good! It's Belle's castle so you get professional pictures with her as part of the price of the meal (a package is delivered to your table before the meal is over).

I hear Chef Mickey's is amazing which is why we are going to try to get in. Tusker House is in AK and we LOVED LOVED LOVED it last time but the character meal is only for breakfast and we went for lunch. We're going again for lunch this time because I cannot imagine the breakfast buffet beating the lunch buffet. Y.U.M.M.Y.

Maybe we'll run into each other on our last day because the day you arrive we will be tearing up the MK from sunup til sundown!

 

[maroo]

My name is Danielle and my husband Tom and our two kids are going to Disney!!

My son Marc is 9 years old and my 6 year old Rachael was diagnosed with melanoma last year. You can read about how Rachael learned she would get to Make-A-Wish here:

http://iloveyoumorethanmost.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-wish-i-may-i-wish-i-might.html

We don't have long before we are going so I'm going to post our plans here and please let me know what sounds reasonable and what sounds crazy!

Friday we arrive at GKTW and are hoping we will get there early enough to go to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Friday night because what better way to start a trip than a nighttime visit to Magic Kingdom! We're waiting to hear back from our wish coordinators to see if we will get there in time.

Saturday we have been invited to American Airline's annual Wish Flight party so we plan to sleep in a little on Saturday morning (having been at MK until midnight!) and then go to Universal for a half-day. We'll come back early evening and enjoy the Wish Flight party and probably go to bed a little on the early side Saturday night (or at least before midnight).

The plan for Sunday is to arrive at Animal Kingdom at opening, go on the Safari, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur and Festival of the Lion King and then go to lunch at Tusker House (already have reservations). Then drive to Disney Hollywood Studios and spend the rest of the day there (ending with Fantasmic).

Monday we will go to Universal for a half day and spend the rest of the day enjoying GKTW and head to bed a little early.

Tuesday we plan to go to arrive at Epcot when they open! We could not get reservations at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall so I'll see if we can get those ahead of time. If I am not able to, the plan is to go first thing in the morning and see if we can get same-day reservations. If not we will shrug our shoulders and happily go on with our day but it would be very special if we can!

We will spend the day at Epcot but skip IllumiNations so we can get a decent night's rest. Before we leave though, we want to take the Monorail to the Contemporary to see if we can get reservations to Chef Mickey's for the next day (unless of course we were able to secure reservations ahead of time). Fingers crossed!

Wednesday will be Magic Kingdom! We want to get there when it opens and close the place down! Hopefully one of our meals can be at Chef Mickey's but if not, we'll enjoy a counter service somewhere in the Kingdom.

Thursday we will go home - hopefully a little later in the day so we can enjoy GKTW a little more.

We live in South Texas so do not plan on visiting Sea World as we get to visit San Antonio's Sea World.

So that's the plan for now.

Here are some other things we want to make sure we do:

• Have ice cream for breakfast as often as possible!
• Visit the Bippity Boppity Boutique
• Hit Wal-Mart for lanyards for my son so he can do pin trading.

Feedback is welcome!

Woo Hoo!!!!

This all sounds so great!

I will be in Disney some of this time!!

I am linking this on the wish trippers thread!

 

[maroo]

I am back...

Just read your blog...



You wrote this:

Ultimately though, I know He has a plan for her and that's what I tell her. That she's special. And that no matter what He loves her. And that despite anything hard we go through, this truth remains... God is good.

And I just wanted to say this...

 

[maroo]

me...again...

Are you guys officially part of Wish Flight? Or did they just kindly invite you to their party?

 

[Love_Monkey]

me...again...

Are you guys officially part of Wish Flight? Or did they just kindly invite you to their party?

There's a difference?

I honestly don't know!

And thank you for the hugs!

 

[Love_Monkey]

When we initially gave our dates it was for a few days after October 1st but our coordinator called us and asked if we would be willing to move the dates forward a few days so we could be be part of "this party that American Airline throws once a year". I know that we have to go to Houston and meet up with a whole bunch of others who are flying together.

Then on Saturday is the party.

Oh, and they asked us our T-shirt size. But I figured that was just standard.

I'm really wishing I had our itinerary in hand but we'll probably not see it until a few days beforehand.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

When we initially gave our dates it was for a few days after October 1st but our coordinator called us and asked if we would be willing to move the dates forward a few days so we could be be part of "this party that American Airline throws once a year". I know that we have to go to Houston and meet up with a whole bunch of others who are flying together.

Then on Saturday is the party.

Oh, and they asked us our T-shirt size. But I figured that was just standard.

I'm really wishing I had our itinerary in hand but we'll probably not see it until a few days beforehand.

Sounds like you will be on the Wish flight.

 

[maroo]

When we initially gave our dates it was for a few days after October 1st but our coordinator called us and asked if we would be willing to move the dates forward a few days so we could be be part of "this party that American Airline throws once a year". I know that we have to go to Houston and meet up with a whole bunch of others who are flying together.

Then on Saturday is the party.

Oh, and they asked us our T-shirt size. But I figured that was just standard.

I'm really wishing I had our itinerary in hand but we'll probably not see it until a few days beforehand.

You are totally on Wish Flight!!!!!!!

Woo Hoo!!!!!!!

Sounds like you will be on the Wish flight.

I totally agree!

 

[J'sMum]

Hiya ! we are a wishflight family too normally I am faster at posting but my kids and I have not felt very well in past week, But so,cool to see another family here going same dates

 

[Love_Monkey]

IT'S OFFICIAL!! Just got this in my inbox!

Just an update on the packages AA will be sending directly to your wish families. They should be shipped out later this week and will contain the following items. Please make sure to alert your families that these packages are coming and to ensure that they receive them before their departure.



· T-shirts

· Personalized luggage tags

· Personalized VIP name buttons

· AA amenity kits with art supplies

· Sealed envelope containing:

· Welcome Letter from the Something mAAgic Executive Director

· WishFlight letter from myself – with tips about airport security, what to expect at each city, etc.

· Travel Checklist

· Facebook instructions for family and friends to sign up and follow their progress on WishFlight day

· $50 Disney gift card

Here's a question... We REALLY want to go to MNSSHP on Friday but it starts at 7. I know we can get there later but with children, the earlier the better. Do you think we'd be able to get an orientation done around 5-ish at GKTW? Should I call them ahead of time to request that due to our flight arrival time and our evening plans?

The next day we want to sleep in a bit and go to Universal... probably arriving around 11. Would another option be to go to orientation and get our park tickets in the morning?

Thanks!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

IT'S OFFICIAL!! Just got this in my inbox!

Just an update on the packages AA will be sending directly to your wish families. They should be shipped out later this week and will contain the following items. Please make sure to alert your families that these packages are coming and to ensure that they receive them before their departure.



· T-shirts

· Personalized luggage tags

· Personalized VIP name buttons

· AA amenity kits with art supplies

· Sealed envelope containing:

· Welcome Letter from the Something mAAgic Executive Director

· WishFlight letter from myself – with tips about airport security, what to expect at each city, etc.

· Travel Checklist

· Facebook instructions for family and friends to sign up and follow their progress on WishFlight day

· $50 Disney gift card

Here's a question... We REALLY want to go to MNSSHP on Friday but it starts at 7. I know we can get there later but with children, the earlier the better. Do you think we'd be able to get an orientation done around 5-ish at GKTW? Should I call them ahead of time to request that due to our flight arrival time and our evening plans?

The next day we want to sleep in a bit and go to Universal... probably arriving around 11. Would another option be to go to orientation and get our park tickets in the morning?

Thanks!

How exciting!!! Can't wait to hear more. Sorry...I have no advice on the MNSSHP. You can do the orientation in the morning. I believe they have a 9am one. I would call GKTW and ask. I believe they do have a 9am orientation.

 

[Love_Monkey]

I just found out that another family I have been in contact with is scheduled for their Make-A-Wish trip the same week we are! The significance of this is that I personally only know four other children who have been diagnosed with melanoma and these folks live on the west coast. We would have NEVER gotten to meet otherwise.

Our first bit of "magic"!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I just found out that another family I have been in contact with is scheduled for their Make-A-Wish trip the same week we are! The significance of this is that I personally only know four other children who have been diagnosed with melanoma and these folks live on the west coast. We would have NEVER gotten to meet otherwise.

Our first bit of "magic"!

That is awesome news.

 

[Love_Monkey]

Okay... fleshed out a few details and am getting TRULY excited for the first time!

It has felt surreal and distant up to this point and now it feels REAL and ALMOST HERE! And I pretty much want to jump up and down and share the excitement with everyone around me but no one is as excited as I feel they should be.

Please be excited for us!

Unable to procure reservations to two of the restaurants we wanted online, I called Disney Dining to see what could be done. The woman said she had a 7:30 dinner reservation to 1900 Park Fair at the Grand Floridian on our Epcot day. I took it and then went about researching it.

My personal "Disney Expert", a.k.a. The Best Friend Who Loves Disney More Than Anyone I Know, a.k.a. Amanda said that it was one of the places they always wanted to go eat at but had never been able to get a reservation. She said we will love it and so I'm all happy dance, happy dance!

We're not going to bother trying to get other reservations. We'll save our time and likely disappointment and are just thrilled, THRILLED I SAY, that we got into Tusker House - which was a fantastic memory from last time and the restaurant that I knew my husband would enjoy the most (he couldn't come last time). And now we got a character meal too. Yee-haw!

So I'm eating lunch yesterday with Amanda and told her that we are going to do the Bippity Boppity Boutique and she says, "Oh, when are your reservations?" and I'm all, "We need reservations?" and she looks crestfallen. She says, "You're not trying to get into there for the MNSSHP are you? Because the whole world wants in those days. Me: "Oh no. Of course not! (That was a lie.) I just want to get her in on our Magic Kingdom day." She says, "You need to call today. You might not be able to get in at all."

So I called yesterday and I'm all, "I have a question that is going to make you laugh at me but I'll ask it anyway. What are my chances of getting into BBB on October 1st , early on during MNSSHP?"

SEVEN-THIRTY RESERVATIONS BABY! AN S TO THE SEVEN 3-0 TO THE THIRTY! (I realize that makes no sense. Pay no attention.)

Not only that but "Sure we have room for your son as well!"

Rachael is getting the Castle Package on the night of the party and she is going to be in pure pampered heaven! I'm so happy. The lady on the phone said I should play the lottery. She was really shocked they had an opening.

We got our first swag from American Airlines. Four Wish Flight t-shirts so we can be all cute and matchy-matchy on our travels. And of course a much appreciated Disney gift card!

This is going to be incredible.

 

[J'sMum]

Okay... fleshed out a few details and am getting TRULY excited for the first time!

It has felt surreal and distant up to this point and now it feels REAL and ALMOST HERE! And I pretty much want to jump up and down and share the excitement with everyone around me but no one is as excited as I feel they should be.

Please be excited for us!

Unable to procure reservations to two of the restaurants we wanted online, I called Disney Dining to see what could be done. The woman said she had a 7:30 dinner reservation to 1900 Park Fair at the Grand Floridian on our Epcot day. I took it and then went about researching it.

My personal "Disney Expert", a.k.a. The Best Friend Who Loves Disney More Than Anyone I Know, a.k.a. Amanda said that it was one of the places they always wanted to go eat at but had never been able to get a reservation. She said we will love it and so I'm all happy dance, happy dance!

We're not going to bother trying to get other reservations. We'll save our time and likely dissappointment and are just thrilled, THRILLED I SAY, that we got into Tusker House - which was a fantastic memory from last time and the restaurant that I knew my husband would enjoy the most (he couldn't come last time). And now we got a character meal too. Yee-haw!

So I'm eating lunch yesterday with Amanda and told her that we are going to do the Bippity Boppity Boutique and she says, "Oh, when are your reservations?" and I'm all, "We need reservations?" and she looks crestfallen. She says, "You're not trying to get into there for the MNSSHP are you? Because they whole world wants in those days. Me: "Oh no. Of course not! (That was a lie.) I just want to get her in on our Magic Kingdom day." She says, "You need to call today. You might be able to get in at all."

So I called yesterday and I'm all, "I have a question that is going to make you laugh at me but I'll ask it anyway. What are my chances of getting into BBB on October 1st , early on during MHSSHP?"

SEVEN-THIRTY RESERVATIONS BABY! AN S TO THE SEVEN 3-0 TO THE THIRTY! (I realize that makes no sense. Pay no attention.)

Not only that but "Sure we have room for your son as well!"

Rachael is getting the Castle Package on the night of the party and she is going to be in pure pampered heaven! I'm so happy. The lady on the phone said I should play the lottery. She was really shocked they had an opening.

We got our first swag from American Airlines. Four Wish Flight t-shirts so we can be all cute and matchy-matchy on our travels. And of course a much appreciated Disney gift card!

This is going to be incredible.

How awesome you got those reservations! sounds like you have some pixie dust moments already happening !!! I hope you do a TR because your writing style is just too cute and had me just a giggling this morning ! LOL you know I know this trip is just about to happen but it still feels soo far away to us. maybe after treatment today and that is off our mind LOL but really truley this is all so surreal ! I hope we get a chance to meet at some point ! lol you will know what we look like from our ptr but we have no idea what you look like so if we bump into each other and you happen to recognise just say ya disname hehehe arew those shirts just not too cute? and me personally I am all excited to have moments to match with my family atm we have the AA something maagic shirts, 2 matching shirts from the Big Give and Dream Factory t-shirts lol so I get to be all silly mum and beg my family pleaseee pleaseee lets match again !

not so sure how far in TR's and Ptr's that you have gotten but one of the tips i find priceless so far on this board is packing outfits in gallon size baggies
1. will make it easier to grab an outfit and go in morning 2. it will keep clothes clean and dry 3. easy to grab a spare outfit for the parks (even mum n dad will need the spare outfit specially if you do some of the rides that have water. 4 i dunno just too perfect of an idea ! Soooo glad you had someone close to you that is a Disney Fan !!!! and Very excited for you and your family that you have also been blessed with this trip and opportunity to be part of wishflght ! No matter the illness it's so trying on our kids and this opportunity is so amazing that words just do it no justice !!! Countdown time !!!!!!!