Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[Bill_Lin]

Thanks to all for all the great advice!!

Bill, can you tell me how you spent your days while at GKTW? I read your TR, but refresh my memory please!

I think we will be able to use our last day at a park, because our flight is not scheduled to leave until 7pm. What do you think about that? Or is it too much running around for one day??

Also, the kids wanted to do a character meal....am I going to need to make ADR or will we be able to just walk-in? I'm still not sure which days we are going to each park, so this makes it hard to make reservations. Did you have everything planned out before you arrived, or did you just wing it?

Thanks!! You guys are great!

DHS is Disney Hollwood Studios, also known as HS. When we were there it was known as Disney MGM Studios.

I DO think you will have time for a half day or more at a park on your departure day. That would be a good 2nd day for IOA and Universal to catch the things you missed. Plus US is a lot closer to the airport than WDW.

The day of arrival at GKTW:

House of Hearts-We checked in at the House of Hearts. At the gated entrance, tell the person at the booth who you are. Park in the slips across from the House of Hearts. Inside, they will give you basic Village information and the schedule for the evening activities and review rules with you. There is a cool 3-D model of the Village for kids to look at. Lin was designated as the person to come back for orientation (only one person).

Villa-Lin, Kyle and Lysi hopped in a golf cart with our volunteer. I followed the cart as he led us to our villa. We spent a little time getting oriented to our villa and checking it out. We had to open our initial gift basket immediately of course.

Castle of Miracles- We went to the castle so Lyis could ride the carousel and so both kids could try the animation station. Lysi tried the dress up clothes and play area.

Gingerbread House- We each checked in with the volunteer at the Gingerbread House then lined up, cafeteria style, for our food. As we ate, we met Mayor Clayton and Miss Merry and looked at all the trucks and dolls.

Orientation- After Dinner, Lin went to orientation and got our tickets, parking pass for US, GKTW badge and tee shirts (or did we get the tee shirts at check in?).

Safari Theater- While Lin was in orientation, the kids and I went to Safari Double Dare where I got a cream pie in my face. That was the main idea behind the event. Needless to say, Lysi loved "getting" Daddo.

Pool- We took a quick dip in the pool and water play area.

Sleep....................................

Evenings at the Village

We had two evenings at the village. On the day of SW we went to the pool. On the day of AK (which closed at 5:00 and where we met LeeLee2U and her crew) we went to Christmas. On the day of US/IOA we went to the Pirates and Princesses Party then checked out the train station model train, RC boats and video games.

Day of Departure

On the final day, we discussed what to do and decided to catch whatever we had missed at the village then shop rather than try to use our last day at US/ IOA. We played mini golf, checked out the fishing dock, rode the train and played in the pool. We grabbed a final ice cream dish and sack lunches.

I should add that we had ICE CREAM whenever possible.

You really should make ADRs if you can. Keep trying if it is full. If you don't get an ADR then inquire the day "of" at Guest Relations. Check also at the Wish Lounge when in MK.

THE WISH LOUNGE IS BETWEEN CASEY'S CORNER AND THE CRYSTAL PALACE BY FIRST AID AND THE BABY STATION. GO INSIDE TO FIND IT. THERE IS NO OUTSIDE SIGN.

Bill

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We are still trying to figure out possible dates for our trip. Are GKTW trips typically on certain days- like fly in on Sunday, Mon-Fri in the parks and fly out on Sat?

How late do they serve dinner at GKTW?

 

[bex271]

We are still trying to figure out possible dates for our trip. Are GKTW trips typically on certain days- like fly in on Sunday, Mon-Fri in the parks and fly out on Sat?

How late do they serve dinner at GKTW?

Our MAW volunteer (wish granter) told up to pic dates that are not weekend to weekend but more like leave on tuesday and come back on monday. She did say though that if you need weekend to weekend that would be o.k. too.

becca

 

[bigdisgrandma]

We are still trying to figure out possible dates for our trip. Are GKTW trips typically on certain days- like fly in on Sunday, Mon-Fri in the parks and fly out on Sat?

How late do they serve dinner at GKTW?

Karlyn's trip is Wednesday thru Tuesday! I think people come each day of the week for their stay so families are coming and going every day!

Denise

 

[Bill_Lin]

Karlyn's trip is Wednesday thru Tuesday! I think people come each day of the week for their stay so families are coming and going every day!

Denise

That is right, there are people coming and leaving ever day.

*******EVERYONE CHECK OUT THE UPCOMING TRIP UPDATES*****

Pat has a TR now.

Bill

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I just talked to MAW and Nathan's trip is November 16-22!!! ACK! That is only 4 months away!

We are VERY excited but I am a compulsive planner! So much to do!

First things first-I am thinking we want to do the Very Merry Christmas Party. I realize we will probably have to buy the tickets ourselves- that is fine. Do you think it is too late for us to get tickets?

The kids aren't interested in Sea World- so I think we'll skip that. We went to US/IOA and they think we can do that in 1 day ( my kids are commando style theme park kids). We were then going to buy 1 day ticket to WDW ourselves. But maybe instead we will do US/IOA in 1 1/2 days ( be a little more leisurely) and buy the tickets to the Christmas thing instead ( we can enter MK at 4:00pm, right?).

For our 3 other days at WDW- we thought 1 day MK, 1 day Hollywood studios, and split the other between AK and Epcot. Any suggestions on which days to do what?

I thought I'd make ADRs for lunch the 3 days at WDW ( one at MK, one at Hollywood and 1 at Epcot). For Hollywood, I was thinking Prime Time Cafe and Epcot I thought Biergarten. Any suggestions for MK? My kids aren't interested in eating at Cinderella's Castle. They love Goofy's kitchen at Disneyland. I think it is more about the buffet than the characters. They aren't THAT into the characters. Keep in mind they are all boys and will be 10, 12, 13 and 16.

What time is the Christmas party at GKTW on Thursday? How late do they serve dinner? What all hours do they have pizza and ice cream?

Thanks for all the help. I have done all this research on a wish cruise and I just found out a couple of days ago that it will be WDW. Plus, I thought we weren't going until March!

 

[bigdisgrandma]

Wow, you will really get your disney fix this year! That will be such fun.

I think I would recommend Liberty Tree Tavern at MK. It is not a buffet but is all you can eat. Check out the menu on the disboards. Our kids (adults now) really love it and we are going there the night we go to the Halloween party for Karlyn's wish trip. There are characters but the food is wonderful. We love Biergarten and are going there for our trip as well. We also like Hollywood and Vine at Hollywood Studios, another buffet. My kids are not big on the Prime Time cafe as they don't like to run the risk of being embarassed, especially the boys. Outside the parks, we love Boma's at AKL.

The info I have is that the GKTW Christmas party starts around 7 on Thursdays. We are doing SeaWorld as we will finish there early and then can be back at GKTW for the Christmas things.

If the Mickey's very merry christmas party is the same as the MNSSHP, you can enter the park at 4 and not use a day of your passes. I got our tickets on the Disney website and even using the snail mail method of delivery, they came in about 6 days. By doing it on the website, I was able to see if my dates worked with theirs.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We ate at Whispering Creek Canyon ( I think that is the name) last summer and the boys liked it. While they don't like being embarrassed- they LOVE seeing a brother embarrassed! Is Prime Time Cafe similar to that?

Also, we don't get Magic Mornings ( or early entry- whatever it is called) when we stay at GKTW, do we?

 

[bex271]

I just talked to MAW and Nathan's trip is November 16-22!!! ACK! That is only 4 months away!

We are VERY excited but I am a compulsive planner! So much to do!

First things first-I am thinking we want to do the Very Merry Christmas Party. I realize we will probably have to buy the tickets ourselves- that is fine. Do you think it is too late for us to get tickets?

The kids aren't interested in Sea World- so I think we'll skip that. We went to US/IOA and they think we can do that in 1 day ( my kids are commando style theme park kids). We were then going to buy 1 day ticket to WDW ourselves. But maybe instead we will do US/IOA in 1 1/2 days ( be a little more leisurely) and buy the tickets to the Christmas thing instead ( we can enter MK at 4:00pm, right?).

For our 3 other days at WDW- we thought 1 day MK, 1 day Hollywood studios, and split the other between AK and Epcot. Any suggestions on which days to do what?

I thought I'd make ADRs for lunch the 3 days at WDW ( one at MK, one at Hollywood and 1 at Epcot). For Hollywood, I was thinking Prime Time Cafe and Epcot I thought Biergarten. Any suggestions for MK? My kids aren't interested in eating at Cinderella's Castle. They love Goofy's kitchen at Disneyland. I think it is more about the buffet than the characters. They aren't THAT into the characters. Keep in mind they are all boys and will be 10, 12, 13 and 16.

What time is the Christmas party at GKTW on Thursday? How late do they serve dinner? What all hours do they have pizza and ice cream?

Thanks for all the help. I have done all this research on a wish cruise and I just found out a couple of days ago that it will be WDW. Plus, I thought we weren't going until March!

Our trips are going to over lap by a few days. We are getting in on Nov 22 and leaving Nov 26.

We have already bought our tickets for MVMCP on Nov 21. You can go in at 4 on that ticket. I haven't seen anything where any of the days are sold out yet.
GKTW This is the Give Kids the World website it has all the information on times of the parties they have and the restaurant times.

becca

 

[5dwarves]

We ate at Whispering Creek Canyon ( I think that is the name) last summer and the boys liked it. While they don't like being embarrassed- they LOVE seeing a brother embarrassed! Is Prime Time Cafe similar to that?

Also, we don't get Magic Mornings ( or early entry- whatever it is called) when we stay at GKTW, do we?

I think they are called extra magic hours or something like that, and no, they are suppossedly only for people staying on property, although other wish trippers have been allowed in early. When we went, we had to split two parks in one day and ended up splitting AK and the park formerly known as MGM...(I forget the new name...Disney Hollywood Studios I think???). I just don't think you can do any of the parks justice in 1/2 a day, even with a GAC. We felt like we didn't adequately address either one. If you can, I would purchase another Disney day. Hope this helps.

~Elisa

 

[special-angel]

I just talked to MAW and Nathan's trip is November 16-22!!! ACK! That is only 4 months away!

We are VERY excited but I am a compulsive planner! So much to do!

First things first-I am thinking we want to do the Very Merry Christmas Party. I realize we will probably have to buy the tickets ourselves- that is fine. Do you think it is too late for us to get tickets?

The kids aren't interested in Sea World- so I think we'll skip that. We went to US/IOA and they think we can do that in 1 day ( my kids are commando style theme park kids). We were then going to buy 1 day ticket to WDW ourselves. But maybe instead we will do US/IOA in 1 1/2 days ( be a little more leisurely) and buy the tickets to the Christmas thing instead ( we can enter MK at 4:00pm, right?).

For our 3 other days at WDW- we thought 1 day MK, 1 day Hollywood studios, and split the other between AK and Epcot. Any suggestions on which days to do what?

I thought I'd make ADRs for lunch the 3 days at WDW ( one at MK, one at Hollywood and 1 at Epcot). For Hollywood, I was thinking Prime Time Cafe and Epcot I thought Biergarten. Any suggestions for MK? My kids aren't interested in eating at Cinderella's Castle. They love Goofy's kitchen at Disneyland. I think it is more about the buffet than the characters. They aren't THAT into the characters. Keep in mind they are all boys and will be 10, 12, 13 and 16.

What time is the Christmas party at GKTW on Thursday? How late do they serve dinner? What all hours do they have pizza and ice cream?

Thanks for all the help. I have done all this research on a wish cruise and I just found out a couple of days ago that it will be WDW. Plus, I thought we weren't going until March!

Dinner is served from 6-8pm.Pizza deliveries -4-10:30 pm & icecream is available from 7:30 am -9:30 pm
Hot breakfast in the Gingerbread House is served from 8-10am.Continental breakfast items at the Gingerbread House are available from 7-10:30 am.You can also call for the breakfast cart with continental items to come to your villa from 7-10:30 am
I'm glad I kept my "Bunny Book " as a souvineer !

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Thank you everybody- I knew you would help!

Here are my plans so far-let me know if you see any problems.

Arrive- Sunday Nov.16
Monday Nov. 17- MK
Tuesday Nov. 18-Hollywood studios ( or whatever it is called)
Wednesday Nov. 19 AK in the morning/Epcot afternoon ( these are the 2 parks my kids are least interested in)
Thursday Nov. 20- US/IOA ( be back to GKTW for Christmas Party)
Friday Nov. 21 -either go to US/IOA again or go to Sea World then get into MK at 4:00pm with our MVMCP tickets
Fly home on Saturday Nov. 22

How does that sound?
Carol

 

[Bill_Lin]

I just talked to MAW and Nathan's trip is November 16-22!!! ACK! That is only 4 months away!

We are VERY excited but I am a compulsive planner! So much to do!

First things first-I am thinking we want to do the Very Merry Christmas Party. I realize we will probably have to buy the tickets ourselves- that is fine. Do you think it is too late for us to get tickets?

The kids aren't interested in Sea World- so I think we'll skip that. We went to US/IOA and they think we can do that in 1 day ( my kids are commando style theme park kids). We were then going to buy 1 day ticket to WDW ourselves. But maybe instead we will do US/IOA in 1 1/2 days ( be a little more leisurely) and buy the tickets to the Christmas thing instead ( we can enter MK at 4:00pm, right?).

For our 3 other days at WDW- we thought 1 day MK, 1 day Hollywood studios, and split the other between AK and Epcot. Any suggestions on which days to do what?

I thought I'd make ADRs for lunch the 3 days at WDW ( one at MK, one at Hollywood and 1 at Epcot). For Hollywood, I was thinking Prime Time Cafe and Epcot I thought Biergarten. Any suggestions for MK? My kids aren't interested in eating at Cinderella's Castle. They love Goofy's kitchen at Disneyland. I think it is more about the buffet than the characters. They aren't THAT into the characters. Keep in mind they are all boys and will be 10, 12, 13 and 16.

What time is the Christmas party at GKTW on Thursday? How late do they serve dinner? What all hours do they have pizza and ice cream?

Thanks for all the help. I have done all this research on a wish cruise and I just found out a couple of days ago that it will be WDW. Plus, I thought we weren't going until March!

Carol,

I am glad to see that most of your questions have been answered. You will find that the GKTW web site has most of the information you will need about the village, though not all (that is why we have Wish Trippers Unite!).

I had to chuckle when you said the trip is scheduled only 4 months in advance. Most of us don't get our dates that far out. You will have plenty of time to plan and get your questions answered right here.

If your kids liked Goofy's kitchen, perhaps they would like Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort (on the monorail track) or the Crystal Palace at MK.

As far as which days to do what, I relied on Birnbaum's and online research for that. There are certain days of the week that are more busy at each park. I would avoid going to parks that have extra magic hours that day, as that tends to increase crowds. Apparently weekends and Mondays are busy at MK. On the other hand weekends are good days to go to Epcot. Try this link for specific dates or this one for a discussion of why .

Bill

 

[angie1445]

Well it is only about 3 weeks until our trip. I am getting a bit nervous as I dont have this trip planned nearly as well as I did for our trip over Christmas. When we went Christmas week last year I had touring plans for each park and I did alot of running around collecting fast passes. Do you think it is necessary for this trip? I know that Justin will have a GAC but what about rides he doesnt want to go on. Should I be getting fast passes for those rides?

Angie

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Thanks for the touringplans link, Bill. Based on the information there, I have changed Hollywood studios to Monday, MK to Tuesday, US/IOA to Wednesday, Epcot and AK to Thursday, keeping MVMCP on Friday. I suppose I can change all of those around-except for the Christmas Party. I want to go ahead and order those tickets. I guess I need to decide before I make ADRs.

We went to Chef Mickey's last summer before our cruise. My kids liked it but this time we don't want to take the time to get to one of the resorts. I was wondering about Crystal Palace. I might check into that.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

As a former cast member who worked MVMCP (I was in Celebrate the Season- best show ever), I can tell you that the likelihood of them selling out even the day of is very low. If you get your tickets now it should be more than okay. It only starts selling out early around Thanksgiving and the couple of weeks before Christmas. Definitely see Celebrate the Season, the castle stage show, it's awesome! (I admit, I am biased!)

Crystal Palace is my all time favorite eating place, of course, if you look at my user name you should see why . The food is wonderful. That was another place I worked in entertainment, and it was actually one of my favorite places to work (although most people in entertainment hate it). They have a little "parade" they do once a set (so approx. every 45 minutes) where they take the kids around the restaurant, it is adorable. For special families we have been known to get all the characters together for a group picture. It is easier to do this at the very beginning or end of the meal shift.

Angie: I probably shouldn't tell you this, but the majority of CMs don't care if your child is not with you. The way I looked at it, the family deserves some magic. Only once during my time in attractions did I see a family get turned away because the wish child didn't want to ride, and most of us didn't agree with the decision. However, if you are in the area to get fastpasses, it's not a bad idea. What you might consider doing is going up to the greeter and explaining that you are on a wish trip and the wish child does not want to ride, but you don't want to separate for a long time. I'm willing to bet that 9 times out of 10 they will let you on. (You didn't hear it from me).

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

How often does the orientation happen at GKTW? We fly in at around 8pm so I am guessing that we won't get to the villa till about 10pm. We want to try and go to the park close to opening in the morning so I hope that we can get to go. Should I tell my wish team our plans or GKTW? Thanks

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Hmm, I don't remember. You might want to try e-mailing GKTW. I will warn you: If you are getting in so late, making the parks for opening is going to be a long shot. You are going to be exhausted, and this is if the flight was on time. You may just want to take a leisurely day around the resort, there is quite a bit to do and make your first park day the second day since you are arriving so late- and that is if you flight is on time!

 

[special-angel]

How often does the orientation happen at GKTW? We fly in at around 8pm so I am guessing that we won't get to the villa till about 10pm. We want to try and go to the park close to opening in the morning so I hope that we can get to go. Should I tell my wish team our plans or GKTW? Thanks

Quoting from the "Bunny Book"-We have several options for you to join us for orientation:each morning at 9,each afternoon (check with guest services for the time that day )& each evening at 7:45.You are free to choose which one to attend

 

[special-angel]

How often does the orientation happen at GKTW? We fly in at around 8pm so I am guessing that we won't get to the villa till about 10pm. We want to try and go to the park close to opening in the morning so I hope that we can get to go. Should I tell my wish team our plans or GKTW? Thanks

If I remember correctly,orientation lasted about an hour.You should be able to get to a park by noon.Maybe that day you could go to a park that you're not planning on spending alot of time in .