"When you wish upon a star.........dreams CAN come true more than once!" Mar2011

[visitingapril09]

Well, I have never made a trip report report or pre trip report before so I am brand new to this!

Let me introduce you to my band of merry (well, sometimes not so merry, they are teens) men (and woman).

I am Alison 41 and incredibly proud mom to 4 amazing kids and wife of 22 years to Martin. I will share more about my family below.

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This is Matt (with mom), our eldest. He graduated in June. We could not be more proud. Matt is a fun loving, life living almost 18 year old.

Next is Melissa. She is 16 and the only princess in a family of princes (or frogs, as I am sure she would prefer to think of her brothers! ) Melissa is an amazing athlete and 4.0 student. Oh, and she has type 1 diabetes and is dependent on an insulin pump. She was diagnosed at 10.

Our next frog, oh, I mean prince!!! Is Aaron who is 14. He is the biggest, softest hearted 6'5" 14 year old you could meet.

Now, for the real prince of the family...... apart from Kody the dog! This is Andrew. Andrew is 12 12 is a wonderful number because Andrew has been fighting a critical illness since birth so each year is a wonderful event to celebrate. Andrew relies on multiple medical machines, oxygen, iv's etc. These are all part of his daily life yet Andrew has taught us all how to live every day to the fullest. Andrew is partially the reason that Disney is such a wonderful place for our family. In 2004, we had the amazing experience of taking a wish trip to Disneyworld through Make A Wish. At that time, we honestly thought that that might be the only opportunity we ever had to do this with Andrew. Fast forward 7 years and my trip title says it all............Sometimes Wishes can come true twice. We are over the moon, or over Cinderella's Castle, as we plan and dream our next trip to Disney WITH ANDREW!

More to come.........please join us as we plan our dream trip! The flights are booked, the townhouse has a deposit, the van rental is arranged, and the stay and fly is taken care of.............details to follow!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Well, I have never made a trip report report or pre trip report before so I am brand new to this!

Let me introduce you to my band of merry (well, sometimes not so merry, they are teens) men (and woman).

I am Alison 41 and incredibly proud mom to 4 amazing kids and wife of 22 years to Martin. I will share more about my family below.

[/IMG]

This is Matt (with mom), our eldest. He graduated in June. We could not be more proud. Matt is a fun loving, life living almost 18 year old.

Next is Melissa. She is 16 and the only princess in a family of princes (or frogs, as I am sure she would prefer to think of her brothers! ) Melissa is an amazing athlete and 4.0 student. Oh, and she has type 1 diabetes and is dependent on an insulin pump. She was diagnosed at 10.

Our next frog, oh, I mean prince!!! Is Aaron who is 14. He is the biggest, softest hearted 6'5" 14 year old you could meet.

Now, for the real prince of the family...... apart from Kody the dog! This is Andrew. Andrew is 12 12 is a wonderful number because Andrew has been fighting a critical illness since birth so each year is a wonderful event to celebrate. Andrew relies on multiple medical machines, oxygen, iv's etc. These are all part of his daily life yet Andrew has taught us all how to live every day to the fullest. Andrew is partially the reason that Disney is such a wonderful place for our family. In 2004, we had the amazing experience of taking a wish trip to Disneyworld through Make A Wish. At that time, we honestly thought that that might be the only opportunity we ever had to do this with Andrew. Fast forward 7 years and my trip title says it all............Sometimes Wishes can come true twice. We are over the moon, or over Cinderella's Castle, as we plan and dream our next trip to Disney WITH ANDREW!

More to come.........please join us as we plan our dream trip! The flights are booked, the townhouse has a deposit, the van rental is arranged, and the stay and fly is taken care of.............details to follow!

Hi Alison,

So glad you made a PTR. I'm so hoping we can meet some time during our vacation. Our dates are still not 100%, but MAW said they couldn't see why not. I just noticed that we have almost the same age children. I'm so glad you all get to do another trip as a family. Andrew is truly a miracle child.

 

[visitingapril09]

HI KRIS.

The kids are basically 18, 16, 14 and 12.........I really hope that your dates are what you think then we will have a little meet up somewhere. We also plan to come over and visit GKTW while we are in town.

 

[Glo's wish]

I'm subbing and cant wait to hear more! You have a beautiful family!!

 

[visitingapril09]

Hi Glo, thanks for joining in!

 

[maroo]

I am in!

 

[visitingapril09]

I am in!

yeah, Maroo, thanks for joining the fun!

 

[visitingapril09]

Super busy day today. I do have something exciting to share!!

Our school district holds a 'special' olympics type games day and Andrew was the bocce gold medal winner today!!!! How cute is that!! He was very excited that he was the 'champion of the world' as he called it.

Question: We aren't doing a lot of Disney dining as, for many reasons, we find it easiest to cook/eat at the condo. BUT. We do want to have one lunch or dinner in each park (maybe two?! )

So.........I want suggestions as we have never done any disney dining before. If you were to pick one restaurant in each of the 4 parks and one in DTD, that would suit 3 teens and a child, what would they be??!! No character meals though........my teens aren't so into that.

I can't wait for suggestions. My dates for booking dining are coming up daily now and I don't know what to reserve!!!

 

[maroo]

hmm...

Do they have to be IN the parks??

I will give a few suggestions...


MK - My favorite here is the Crystal Palace. They do have characters, but it is also a buffet, which makes everyone happy on the food side. And who doesn't like Pooh??

If you really are steering completely clear of character meals, then you could do Liberty Tree Tavern - but I don't like that one as much.

You could also easily get on the resort monorail and go to one of the resorts on the monorail system? Or hop on the boat and go to the Wilderness Lodge.


AK - My favorite IN the park is Rainforest Cafe - fun for all. I have never eaten at Tusker House, but hear it is good, too, but I think it has characters.
However, my ALL TIME FAVORITE is Boma, which is at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Their breakfast is fantastic and dinner is great too.


DHS - 50's Prime Time Cafe is fun and has great food. Sci Fi Dine In may be fun for the teenagers, though.


Epcot - TONS of great choices here...just depends on what type of food you want to eat. Personally think that Coral Reef is a great atmosphere, but not the best food. Biergarten is German Food and is very fun place to eat. I also like Teppan Edo, although it is not awesome food.


The best place I have found to look at menus is www.allears.net - I just think they are better organized there to see your options at each park and resort. And everyone can look at the menu.

 

[visitingapril09]

Thanks! I have made scifi reservations and need to make the 50's diner ones. The other parks I am still working on!!

 

[visitingapril09]

I haven't updated over the last few days as my father is having some scary health issues that I am trying to help my Mom and him get to the bottom of. I fight all the time for health answers for my son and, now, it looks like I need to do it for my Dad too...............

Anyhow, I am falling behind in making reservations etc as my mind has been a bit distracted.

Tonight I will sit down with the laptop and make some more ressies I hope. Thanks guys for following along on my slow start! It shows you that even Disney dreams can't eliminate real life sometimes.

 

[aksunshine]

Alison!!! I just saw you finally started your PTR! AWESOME!!!!! Your family is beautiful!

 

[aksunshine]

Super busy day today. I do have something exciting to share!!

Our school district holds a 'special' olympics type games day and Andrew was the bocce gold medal winner today!!!! How cute is that!! He was very excited that he was the 'champion of the world' as he called it.

Question: We aren't doing a lot of Disney dining as, for many reasons, we find it easiest to cook/eat at the condo. BUT. We do want to have one lunch or dinner in each park (maybe two?! )

So.........I want suggestions as we have never done any disney dining before. If you were to pick one restaurant in each of the 4 parks and one in DTD, that would suit 3 teens and a child, what would they be??!! No character meals though........my teens aren't so into that.

I can't wait for suggestions. My dates for booking dining are coming up daily now and I don't know what to reserve!!!

That is an awesome win for Andrew!!! Did you get your ressies figured out? Here are my opinions-

MK- Crystal Palace, yes it is character, but the food is yummy! If not,hop on the monorail and go to Ohana or the boat to Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Epcot- This is where you have to decide what your family likes. A few of our favorites are Coral Reef, Le Cellier, and Rose and Crown.

DHS- Food choices kinda suck here, Sc-Fi is pretty good though, you'll have fun!

AK- Not a lot to choose from. Tusker House would probably be my pick though.

I haven't updated over the last few days as my father is having some scary health issues that I am trying to help my Mom and him get to the bottom of. I fight all the time for health answers for my son and, now, it looks like I need to do it for my Dad too...............

Anyhow, I am falling behind in making reservations etc as my mind has been a bit distracted.

Tonight I will sit down with the laptop and make some more ressies I hope. Thanks guys for following along on my slow start! It shows you that even Disney dreams can't eliminate real life sometimes.

How is your dad? I understand all too well about life showing its true colors. Much love and prayers, Sweetie.

 

[visitingapril09]

That is an awesome win for Andrew!!! Did you get your ressies figured out? Here are my opinions-

MK- Crystal Palace, yes it is character, but the food is yummy! If not,hop on the monorail and go to Ohana or the boat to Whispering Canyon Cafe.

Epcot- This is where you have to decide what your family likes. A few of our favorites are Coral Reef, Le Cellier, and Rose and Crown.

DHS- Food choices kinda suck here, Sc-Fi is pretty good though, you'll have fun!

AK- Not a lot to choose from. Tusker House would probably be my pick though.





How is your dad? I understand all too well about life showing its true colors. Much love and prayers, Sweetie.

Alicia, I need to read your latest trip report. I am attached to the couch for a couple of days this week due to a medical issue so I will be sure to read it tonight or tomorrow.

Dad is ok but not great. Suffering from some depression really at the thought of what has taken place.

I am going to look at Coral Reef tonight. We find that the buffet restaurants where you pay per person, and not by meal are harder for us. Andrew is 90% tube fed so won't eat anywhere near $30 worth of food! The Whispering Canyon sounds intriguing and I am off to look it up right now!

I will update much more as the time comes closer!