Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[bigdisgrandma]

Hello everybody- we are back from our family vacation at Disneyland! We had such a great time but now I have so much to catch up on!

Mskanga- I'm glad you had a great time. We saw several families with MAW buttons. My sister saw a family on the tram with a MAW button and they were not having a good time- I think there had been all sorts of problems with equiptment. I sure hope that wasn't you ( and if you had a great time it probably wasn't- plus if you were staying at Paradise Pier, you probably wouldn't be on the tram.). Did Disney do all sorts of special things for you?

Amber, when we got home, the boys had a big package of pixie magic waiting for them- Thank you so much. They loved all the stuff.

Also, right now we have ADRs for 4:05 pm on the day we go to MVMCP ( we do not have tickets to get in the park before that) but I read somewhere that you should go eat at one of the resorts ( where a ticket was not required) so that we don't "waste" any of our MVMCP time eating. What do you think? If we can still get an ADR, where do people suggest?

Welcome back. I have been wondering how your trip went. We would love details. Hope all is well with your family now that they have that slight bit of Disney withdrawl until you get to go to the other side of the country and "Disney" all over again!
Denise

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I bet that was you because my sister did mention a wheelchair being lost and a scooter dying. I am glad to hear that things got better. It was breaking our hearts thinking of someone not having a good time on their MAW trip!

 

[bigdisgrandma]

MsKanga,
Welcome!!
So sorry you had to struggle with that scooter. Nothing can ruin your fun more quickly than "technical difficulties" that you have no control over. Way to go by focusing on the positive. I love the statement that the worst day at Disney easily beats a good day at a lot of other places! Would love to hear about some of your good times!
Denise

 

[Mskanga]

I bet that was you because my sister did mention a wheelchair being lost and a scooter dying. I am glad to hear that things got better. It was breaking our hearts thinking of someone not having a good time on their MAW trip!

Yep that was me then .....I could have burned the darn thing , the day after I pushed it I could not walk because my lower back was killing me but the most frustrating part is that the company that MAW rented it from does not have an emergency number for situations like that and the last day after the big death I told MAW that they should really consider asking for an emergency number. They said this was the first time they rented a scooter ( they always rent manual and power wheelchairs but not scooters ) and somehow I have a hard time believing that one.
Other than that we had a blast , we met with the Disneyland Ambassador David Gill , he is super nice and a lot of fun , they came out with video cameras and photographers. The resort also had a lot of nice things for the girls , small tokens but definitely something that made them feel special.
We want to go back.....

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Welcome back. I have been wondering how your trip went. We would love details. Hope all is well with your family now that they have that slight bit of Disney withdrawl until you get to go to the other side of the country and "Disney" all over again!
Denise

We had such a wonderful time- I didn't think the crowds were that bad at all and most of the time Nathan did okay with the heat. We ended up having to rent a wheelchair for Sam ( he's the one that broke his leg in March)- we tried to go without it the first day but his ankle was so swollen by the end of the day. Nathan loved the new ride in DCA ( Toy Story Midway Mania). The only thing that made leaving not so sad was knowing that we were going on Nathan's wish trip in 3 months!

 

[LindaBabe]

Also, right now we have ADRs for 4:05 pm on the day we go to MVMCP ( we do not have tickets to get in the park before that) but I read somewhere that you should go eat at one of the resorts ( where a ticket was not required) so that we don't "waste" any of our MVMCP time eating. What do you think? If we can still get an ADR, where do people suggest?

MVMCP does not technically start until 7 pm, so if your ADR is at 4:05, you will not only *not* waste MVMCP time, but you will probably finish early. Generally they herd all the people for MVMCP over into tomorrowland whilst they clear the park of everybody else. If you "linger" over dinner, you may even avoid being 'herded', lol. That's always been our strategy.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

MVMCP does not technically start until 7 pm, so if your ADR is at 4:05, you will not only *not* waste MVMCP time, but you will probably finish early. Generally they herd all the people for MVMCP over into tomorrowland whilst they clear the park of everybody else. If you "linger" over dinner, you may even avoid being 'herded', lol. That's always been our strategy.

Thanks for the info. If we aren't able to get into the park until 4:00, do you think we will be able to make it to our ADRs by 4:05? Will it be okay if we are a few minutes late?

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

Everywhere I look it says that the villas are 2bdrm with a king size bed in one room and two twins in the other. That only allows sleeping for 4 maybe five of us and we're a family of 7. Does anyone know if they have some larger villas?

 

[GoofyDoo]

Everywhere I look it says that the villas are 2bdrm with a king size bed in one room and two twins in the other. That only allows sleeping for 4 maybe five of us and we're a family of 7. Does anyone know if they have some larger villas?

They have another single in the closet that can be unfolded, and the living room couch makes into a double or queen (not sure which), so that's how the villas sleep seven. The hideaway couch bed wasn't very comfortable, though, so you'd probably want to put the youngest two there. We ended up not using it and letting the twins sleep together in a twin. We have six in our family.

 

[LindaBabe]

Thanks for the info. If we aren't able to get into the park until 4:00, do you think we will be able to make it to our ADRs by 4:05? Will it be okay if we are a few minutes late?

You'll be fine. THere'll be one side of the turnstyles for MVMCP ticket holders, when they let you in, there will be people right there to give you your wristbands, and then you can head to your restaurant.

ADRs are NOT hard reservations but only guarantee you the first available table for your party size, and nobody's gonna punish you for being a few minutes late.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

You'll be fine. THere'll be one side of the turnstyles for MVMCP ticket holders, when they let you in, there will be people right there to give you your wristbands, and then you can head to your restaurant.

ADRs are NOT hard reservations but only guarantee you the first available table for your party size, and nobody's gonna punish you for being a few minutes late.

Thanks for the info. Is all of MK open to us from 4:00-7:00 when our tickets are just for the MVMCP? Also, what rides are open during MVMCP?

 

[toodygoodshoes]

Bill,

I am a volunteer at GKTW. Two mornings a week I am the "catcher" at the Safari Theater where the families get their pictures taken with Mickey and Minnie. My job is to stand at the foot of the stage and make sure no little ones (or big ones) fall off (or jump off) the stage. I've been doing this for about three years. Prior to that I drove the Breakfast Cart three mornings a week.

I recently signed up as a DisBoutiquer, but so far I haven't been able to participate. I'm a scrapper (I don't sew!) and would love to get involved making autograph books (especially since I work closely with M&M).

I've made very simple autograph books on my computer for the kids who come to the photo-op with no books of their own. Obviously, I can't possibly make enough more elaborate, personalized books for every child who visits GKTW, which is why I joined DISBoutiquers.

Please send me a private email and tell me if I can choose from the famllies on your list who are coming to GKTW in the future and make some books for them.

Sharon
Kissimmee, FL

 

[toodygoodshoes]

Everywhere I look it says that the villas are 2bdrm with a king size bed in one room and two twins in the other. That only allows sleeping for 4 maybe five of us and we're a family of 7. Does anyone know if they have some larger villas?

I am a GKTW volunteer. The villas are built in pairs, side by side, with a connecting wall (like a duplex). In many of the buildings, there is a connecting door. These can be used as a "double villa" for larger families, who then occupy both villas. I'm sure they do something similar if you must stay off property in a hotel.

 

[Lambflock]

Started my trip report and wanted to let you all know!!

Here is the linky: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=26894514&posted=1#post26894514

Not sure how else to post it!!! Hope this works!!!

 

[LindaBabe]

Bill,

I recently signed up as a DisBoutiquer, but so far I haven't been able to participate. I'm a scrapper (I don't sew!) and would love to get involved making autograph books (especially since I work closely with M&M).

I've made very simple autograph books on my computer for the kids who come to the photo-op with no books of their own. Obviously, I can't possibly make enough more elaborate, personalized books for every child who visits GKTW, which is why I joined DISBoutiquers.

Please send me a private email and tell me if I can choose from the famllies on your list who are coming to GKTW in the future and make some books for them.

Sharon
Kissimmee, FL

TGoodShoes, Check out the thread on the scrapbook board on this topic

Momof4 - yes. Off hand, the only ride I really remember not running was the riverboat, but if you CAN do rides at other times, the real things not to be missed during MVMCP are the parade and the special Holiday shows. There's a good parade viewing spot for people with Disabilities right near the liberty bell. I *think* allearsnet dot com has old programs from previous years MVMCP. And, the characters will all be in their holiday finest.

 

[Lambflock]

Has anyone done the dining with Shamu?

Hank wants to do it but because you can't pick your seat I am worried that we will be in the back row. What do you all know about it? Is it to late to make a ressie and get a good table?

I don't like the fact that you have to pre-pay too. What happens if Hank isn't doing well?

 

[mistymouse5001]

Has anyone done the dining with Shamu?

Hank wants to do it but because you can't pick your seat I am worried that we will be in the back row. What do you all know about it? Is it to late to make a ressie and get a good table?

I don't like the fact that you have to pre-pay too. What happens if Hank isn't doing well?

You know they have that place where you can eat with the sharks swimming over you?
You dont have to prepay, you can star making afternoon ressies at 10:30 am
at the podium!

 

[Lambflock]

You know they have that place where you can eat with the sharks swimming over you?
You dont have to prepay, you can star making afternoon ressies at 10:30 am
at the podium!

That would be cool. I will need to check with Hank to see if he would be interested in that!!!

 

[HeatherN]

Just to give you a heads up: If you are talking about Sharks underwater grill at Sea World...we went there last week.It was the place I wanted to eat at the most.It turned out to be the most dissapointing.Don't get me wrong, I am still glad we ate there but I was a little dissapointed.if you don't get a table next to the shark tank it really just isn't the same experience.The food was ok-not outstanding by any means.Paul ordered some kind of seafood in a marinara sauce and he said it was ok. I ordered a BBQ chicken and it was rather small in portion.The kids had chicken strips and fries.The meal came to just under $100.00 for lunch and we had no alcohol.I guess this is average for a table service resturant but overall it was a little dissapointing.We had a much better meal,(and more fun-and cheaper!) at the Rain Forest Cafe at Down town disney.I am glad we experienced it but next time would try somewhere else.If you want to see pictures check out the link on page one of my trip report.

 

[Lambflock]

Just to give you a heads up: If you are talking about Sharks underwater grill at Sea World...we went there last week.It was the place I wanted to eat at the most.It turned out to be the most dissapointing.Don't get me wrong, I am still glad we ate there but I was a little dissapointed.if you don't get a table next to the shark tank it really just isn't the same experience.The food was ok-not outstanding by any means.Paul ordered some kind of seafood in a marinara sauce and he said it was ok. I ordered a BBQ chicken and it was rather small in portion.The kids had chicken strips and fries.The meal came to just under $100.00 for lunch and we had no alcohol.I guess this is average for a table service resturant but overall it was a little dissapointing.We had a much better meal,(and more fun-and cheaper!) at the Rain Forest Cafe at Down town disney.I am glad we experienced it but next time would try somewhere else.If you want to see pictures check out the link on page one of my trip report.

Thanks for the heads up!! Do you know how to make sure you get a table by the tank? That is one of the reasons I am worried about making the dining with Shamu thing. I want a table by the tank not in the back and you don't get to pick your table when you make the ressie.