Yup.....we really ARE going.......and SOON! - Matty's Wish Trip December 12-18, 2009

[pacrosby]

oh yeah....I'm still confused about this Block Party Bash. You can't see the whole thing? How do you know where to stand if you don't know where to stand How can you see who you want to see if you don't know where they will be Does it cover a large area? And going back to my original question is it short enough that there will be enough time for us to get back to Sci-Fi Drive-In by 3:35? Is the place where the 'Bash' is far from the 'Drive-In'? Maybe there's a forum somewhere on here just for DHS events. I know many of you reading this are as clueless as I am

If I get answers to my questions somewhere else I'll make sure I come back here and let YOU know!

Pamela

 

[kdzbear]

oh yeah....I'm still confused about this Block Party Bash. You can't see the whole thing? How do you know where to stand if you don't know where to stand How can you see who you want to see if you don't know where they will be Does it cover a large area? And going back to my original question is it short enough that there will be enough time for us to get back to Sci-Fi Drive-In by 3:35? Is the place where the 'Bash' is far from the 'Drive-In'? Maybe there's a forum somewhere on here just for DHS events. I know many of you reading this are as clueless as I am

If I get answers to my questions somewhere else I'll make sure I come back here and let YOU know!

Pamela

It stretches the length of I would say 4-5 city blocks. You will only see whatever act is right in front of you. After the act, you can watch the other closed up floats go by, but there will be no interaction and they will move quickly. Look at my Sept. trip report and see if there is a particular character your child wants to see and then ask the cast members where to sit to see that character. You will have time to make it to the Sci-Fi Drive In. It is not that far from the parade. I also learned that Disney never cancels your reservations if you are late. I was very late to Goofy's Kitchen once. I arrived in tears to find out that they would not cancel my reservation. I used to love the actual parade at this park, but the block party was not so impressive since you only got to see the block that was parked in front of you. I hope this helps a little more.

 

[pacrosby]

thanx kdzbear. That's frustrating info to hear Just our luck we'll be somewhere other than where the characters we like are! In the px I've seen it looked like Sully and Mike from Monsters Inc were riding in a car.....that's why I thought it was a parade. Perhaps that was from another year.


I won't even tell you what time I was up til last night but....I did get a good nights sleep since dh let me sleep in until noon What a guy Had a very productive night! Managed to get reservations for the Port Orleans French Quarter for the final two nights of our trip and then added in a few dining reservations (gotta spend that expense check somehow).....one for T-Rex (in DTD during the extended portion of our trip) and one for Rainforest in Animal Kingdom. I was looking for themed restaurants that my kids would really enjoy. So that makes Sci-Fi Drive-In, Supercalfragilistic Breakfast, Grinch Character Breakfast, T-Rex and Rainforest. A couple of counter type restaurants like the Monsters Cafe and Circus McGurkus during our 2 days in Universal/IOA and catch as catch-can while we're in MK and Epcot and Seaworld (unless someone knows about some really fun/cute family type eatery I have yet to discover) should round things out.

I've happened upon some really great threads re: tips/tricks and must-do's in each of the WDW parks. I'll get the links and post here after. Does anyone know anywhere that I can insider info (like is available here for WDW) for Univeral and SeaWorld? I could use some hints for there as well.

I finally got a fairy godmailer too Such a cute idea! I hope I get the opportunity to pay it back.


Pamela

Olivia (9), Nicholas (8), Matty (6), and Brennan (4)

Matty's Wish Trip http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607 (you know you're in trouble when you can type out this link from memory)

 

[pacrosby]

ok.....here are some links for anyone who's following along (and for my own furture reference)




Tips/Tricks and Must-Do's for:


Animal Kingdom: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2158273

Epcot: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2165142

MK: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2162490

DHS: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2159097



and for anyone going in December a similar type thread for

MVMCP: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2236819

 

[Momofwishkid]

Thanks for the links Pamela! It sounds to me like you have some really great plans for dining. Cant wait to hear about them when you return,will definetley hep when Im planning.

 

[StefaniLyn]

ok.....here are some links for anyone who's following along (and for my own furture reference)




Tips/Tricks and Must-Do's for:


Animal Kingdom: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2158273

Epcot: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2165142

MK: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2162490

DHS: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2159097



and for anyone going in December a similar type thread for

MVMCP: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2236819

Those links are awesome! Thanks!!!!

 

[pipersmom]

You're doing such a great job planning! Will definitely have to visit some of those links

 

[MomTo4+more]

Regarding the Block Party and knowing where to sit - ask the cast members at the American Idol attraction. They were a wealth of information about which characters to see at what part of the parade.

 

[pacrosby]

To Jennifer, StefaniLyn and Amanda....

Happy to help There's just soooo much information to try and keep track of. It's so exciting to find a thread that answers so many of my questions without my actually having to ask any LOL

And to Momto4+More....

Thanx for the tip! I appreciate it. I'll have to check out your trip report.

Pamela

 

[maroo]

Finally got dh's computer. What nerve of him, making me wait so long

I spent this morning trying to iron out some of the details on my tentative schedule; flipped a few things. Of course I came up with more questions! Here goes.......

Re: rope drops: I've heard alot about them. Are they worth it? What time would we have to leave GKTW to make it (let's say, for example, park opens at 9:00). Is it worth missing a character photo op at GKTW (since that is generally what it would mean). Are we just as likely to see the characters and get good interaction/photo ops in the parks?

Rope Drop really just means you are there when the park opens. If your kids are into running to a ride to be the first to ride, then this would be your thing! The MK and AK have actual "shows" of sorts that happen before the park opens. I have only seen MK's (from the front and being IN the show! ) You can see bunches of pictures of that from the "Magical" TR in my siggie.

I would do things at GKTW rather than rope drop. The character interaction is just different at GKTW. You have more time.

Re: Nick Character photo ops: Anyone know who the characters are? I greatly limit my kids' time spent in front of that channel. I think the only characters they are intimately familiar with are the kooks from Fairly Oddparents and that ridiculous SpongeBob nut and his pals I actually HATE that SpongeBob show but find the manner in which they have configured the characters to be rather hilarious. I mean a talking sponge with appendages???? Who EVER thought of that?

I think they were...uh...maybe taking non prescription medications. Anyway...The characters vary...And hopefully someone else will answer this one...

Anyone know the true drive time between GKTW and parks (from door to turnstile)? Is it reasonable to even consider coming back to GKTW for a lunch break or is likely to eat up too much time? Did I read that you can get a boxed lunch to take with you for the day? Could you take such a thing into the park?

Totally depends. Personally...when I go to Disney. I really enjoy getting to the parks early...staying till about 1 PM...then leaving for a few hours - go back to the room, take a shower, rest...and then go back to a different park that night. But that is just me. Probably also depends on your finances. Lunch is provided at GKTW...but not in the parks. Also...how much energy do your kids have?

I read that somewhere, too. That would be a good idea. In the MK and Epcot there are rooms that you can rest in. And you can always lay down at any First Aid to take a break.

Yes...you can take any food item you want into the parks. Except Alcohol.

Is actual Park Hopping within a single day worth it? How much time is it likely to take to go from one park to another? I know the monorail goes btw MK and Epcot but btw the others you have to drive don't you? Seeing that operating hours are reduced at this time of year would too much time be lost?

Totally depends on the park. I had no trouble going from AK to DHS to Epcot one day. We did the thrill rides at each park and it was fun. But...if you are going to "enjoy" the park and do lots of stuff...then it may not make sense. Epcot/MK are close. Epcot and DHS are also close. AK is pretty far from everything, but I almost always split that day wiht another park because it closes so early.

I think "hopping" to see a special parade or Fantasmic is a good idea. Because you avoid some crowd that say.

It is true that your hours a less...so you might want to take full advantage and go all day and retire early.

Do we need a whole day to tour AK? A 1/2 day? 3/4 of a day? 1/3? 2/3? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh you get the idea


Totally depends on what you want to see. If you want to do Safari, Lion King Show and Nemo that the least amount of time you can spend there is around 1 or 2. And you really have to plan well to see the shows early. If you do everything else and then try to see the shows, you end up having to pick or end up being there all day long.

Sample touring plan for me would be: Safari first, then Lion King Show, then rides, then eat, then Finding Nemo Show last. But that is just a sample and has you doing some criss crossing of the park.

There are good meet and greets there, too.
I'll be back!

Pamela

here ya go!!

Sooooo sorry I missed all of those!

 

[pacrosby]

YAY Thanx Maroo!

Pamela

 

[CrystalSnow]

I'm so excited for you! Also wanted to let you know that I was just looking through pictures of my husband hugging a gingerbread man at GKTW. It was on Sunday--Candyland night. They were so wonderful there and I'm sure if you called them you could make something happen. I think the Gingerbread man took the train from the main area to the Candyland Playground and I bet you could find a way to join him!

Anyway...let me know if you have any questions about anything. It's still fresh in my mind--but I'm sure it won't be for long! ;D

 

[Sandy321]

How exciting - Disneyworld at Christmas!!

Glad you got the Grand Floridian breakfast - did you hear about their Gingerbread House? They sell gingerbread shingles - dipped in chocolate for around $5 - $12 (I've never been, I just read trip reports!! One day perhaps I'll be able to go!!)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1264623
Post 17 has pictures of the Grand Floridian!
(and I just went to youtube - there is a long 8 min video - several 2 min videos - but the 8 min one shoes a demonstration of making a gingerbread house!!)

Maroo's the font of information - but I'll try and help also -

I do believe if you have a digital camera, somewhere you should have a cord that will hook from your camera to the computer - oh, and a computer disk that you install the software - that way you can take the pictures from your camera to your computer - then use photobucket.com -

then its very easy to copy and paste the link from photobucket to here!!

Thanks for sharing your adventure!!

 

[pacrosby]

I'm so excited for you! Also wanted to let you know that I was just looking through pictures of my husband hugging a gingerbread man at GKTW. It was on Sunday--Candyland night. They were so wonderful there and I'm sure if you called them you could make something happen. I think the Gingerbread man took the train from the main area to the Candyland Playground and I bet you could find a way to join him!

Anyway...let me know if you have any questions about anything. It's still fresh in my mind--but I'm sure it won't be for long! ;D

Hi Crystal!!!

It so exciting to hear from someone who has just returned. I DO have lots of questions, particularly about GKTW. I can't wait to see your photos and start to read your trip report. Get crackin' girl!

I keep hearing alot about that gingerbread fellow at the Candyland party. Matty will be thrilled.

Pamela

 

[pacrosby]

How exciting - Disneyworld at Christmas!!

Glad you got the Grand Floridian breakfast - did you hear about their Gingerbread House? They sell gingerbread shingles - dipped in chocolate for around $5 - $12 (I've never been, I just read trip reports!! One day perhaps I'll be able to go!!)


Thanks for sharing your adventure!!

right back atcha!!

Yes I'm so excited about the 1900 Park Fare. And I do know about the Gingerbread House. I remember seeing the Travel Channel specials on WDW at Xmas back years ago and the Gingerbread House at the GF was a highlight. And to think I can even EAT chocolate-dipped gingerbread shingles?????? Sign me up!

I do appreciate all the photo tips. Sadly, I'm still pretty clueless

Thanx for reading! I'd get lonely here all by myself

Pamela

 

[pacrosby]

Just got the Wish Kit in the mail!!!! (yes, dh did just go to the mailbox, at midnight...............he was already out assembling the trash for tomorrow's pick-up and taking pur puppy out for her nightly constitutional so she won't pee in my bed)

Oh so excited!!!! Just makes it all seem so much more real. Anyway, promptly ripped it open only to find it contains all the information I am already well aware of.........in fact I probably could've written the welcome package It also included a copy of Birnbaum Guides 2009 WDW! Terrific..........................except I already bought Birnbaum's 2010 Guide this past weekend Anybody want a book (of course, you've got to come get it)?

What it did include that I'm interested in was a DVD on WDW. The kids will enjoy watching that. And "Wish-exclusive" Genie stickers (????). They write "........for your wish child to wear so our Cast Members can be aware of your visit. Each family member is welcome to wear the stickers." Do these stickers take the place of the buttons I've heard others talk about? Hmmmmmmm What happens when we change our clothes

And what else came in the mail that caused a bit of a hoot and holler???? Why, the MVMCP tickets of course

Movin' right along here............

Pamela

 

[chrissid7]

SA_WEEEEETTTT!!!!! That is so exciting!!!

Now 1 question before I go beating down my mail lady lol. Did you get yours in the mail because you are not having a send off party?

Nobody ever mentioned to me to be looking in the mail, but we are supposed to have aour granters come out on Dec 1 for our send off. They just said theat they would be bringing food for dinner and our tickets. They are bringing pizza for everyone except Alyssa and I because we have wheat allergies so we are getting Wendy's baked potatoes ( I just tried to make it easy for them).

Right now the odds are they may have to bring our send off to the hospital because I think she is going to be admitted .

At least she would have that to look forward too.

Since we are going on the same dates Im just wondering how different our chapters are?

SO THRILLED!!! NOW WE HAVE TO PICK A TIME TO MEET AND SAY HELLO!!! Im going to go back and look at your schedule and see what days we might be at the same places.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Very exciting mail night. GKTW welcome kit and MVMCP tickets all at once. I know you were dancing around the house. I would have been.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Just got the Wish Kit in the mail!!!! (yes, dh did just go to the mailbox, at midnight..............

And "Wish-exclusive" Genie stickers (????). They write "........for your wish child to wear so our Cast Members can be aware of your visit. Each family member is welcome to wear the stickers." Do these stickers take the place of the buttons I've heard others talk about? Hmmmmmmm What happens when we change our clothes

Pamela

You guys are worse night-owls than me! But what a pleasant midnight surprise!

Take this with a large grain, since we haven't been yet, but my understanding is that the stickers are in addition to the the button. I remember reading one mom's blog who took the stickers to an office supply place and had them turned into buttons as well. If things play out in a similar timeline for us that is what I plan to do also, since both of my girls would have theirs in shreds within the first hour.

 

[maroo]

Just got the Wish Kit in the mail!!!! (yes, dh did just go to the mailbox, at midnight...............he was already out assembling the trash for tomorrow's pick-up and taking pur puppy out for her nightly constitutional so she won't pee in my bed)

Oh so excited!!!! Just makes it all seem so much more real. Anyway, promptly ripped it open only to find it contains all the information I am already well aware of.........in fact I probably could've written the welcome package It also included a copy of Birnbaum Guides 2009 WDW! Terrific..........................except I already bought Birnbaum's 2010 Guide this past weekend Anybody want a book (of course, you've got to come get it)?

What it did include that I'm interested in was a DVD on WDW. The kids will enjoy watching that. And "Wish-exclusive" Genie stickers (????). They write "........for your wish child to wear so our Cast Members can be aware of your visit. Each family member is welcome to wear the stickers." Do these stickers take the place of the buttons I've heard others talk about? Hmmmmmmm What happens when we change our clothes

And what else came in the mail that caused a bit of a hoot and holler???? Why, the MVMCP tickets of course

Movin' right along here............

Pamela

Those stickers will NOT replace the button.

Honestly...until about 3 weeks ago...I had NO idea that anyone would recognize those stickers at all.

But when I was talking to the Marketing person for PhotoPass, she mentioned that they use the "Genie" to alert CM's about a Wish Family. I told her that we never did know what to do with the stickers.

You will still get the magic button...and you will still get a GAC card issued by GKTW...but, heck, I would wear the stickers, too! Can't hurt!

We got our packet when they came to give us our itenarary (how on earth do you spell that?!?!?)...