Disneyworld

Well, we're back.  What a week!!  We were treated like royalty the entire week.  Give kids the world was amazing.  Just to warn you, there isn't much for Katha's symptoms in this one, this is simply a run down of Katha's wish coming true and then some.  It was an incredible week.  Please, don't feel bad if you don't read this one, it's mainly just me reminding my future self of everything I can think of.

May 4th:

We landed at the airport and after meeting Roger from Give Kids the World, we started off for the resort.  When we got there we were all very tired and hungry.  So, we were sent to breakfast.  I've got to say, I've never been so pampered in my life. 

They treat you so well at Give Kids the World.  They cook, they clean, and they see to your every wish.  It was truly touching that everyone who works there (both employees and volunteers) top concern was our comfort and happiness.

The place was amazing!  We stayed in a two bedroom, two bathroom villa.  Even with 7 of us, it was more than enough space.  Once we were settled in we decided to have a quiet day at the resort.  They were having horseback rides when we got there.  But, by the time we were ready to go, they were over.  It was SO hot and muggy!

The kids and I decided to go for a walk and get to know the area.  We found Amberville.  It had a massive train set and  you could push buttons to make trains go, or buildings light up.  We sat there and played with that train set for probably 30 minutes.  Then we played in the arcade with all of the old video games.  We could have spent all day just in Amberville.  There were also boats in a real moat outside that had the remote controls to inside, so you could race the boats.

We also went to see the ice cream palace that served ice cream from 7 AM to 9:30 PM.  They even had lactose free ice cream for Katha!  She was in seventh heaven!  They also had a huge water park with a swimming pool and a mini-golf course.  However, the kids really enjoyed the park that had a life-sized Candyland board in it.  Katha immediately jumped up and ran the entire board.  In fact, we had quite a time keeping her in her wheelchair all week.  It was great to see considering in November she rarely left her wheelchair in Disneyland.

We were all still so tired that night that we ordered supper in and went to sleep.


May 5th:

We went to Universal Studios' Adventure Island.  We started off with Dr. Seuss.  Katha loved 1 fish, 2 fish, red fish, blue fish.  It was a ride just like Dumbo only there was fish on the sides that sprayed water on everyone.  Katha thought it was hilarious to get Mommy all wet.  Every time we went through a sprinkler I kept covering up Katha so she wouldn't get wet.  When I realised she was trying to get me wet I thought I should let her get wet, but it was natural instinct to cover her. 

We also went on the Cat in the Hat ride.  It spun around and Dominik HATED it.  In fact, he was done with Seuss Landing altogether.  But, we talked him into going on the little train through the rest of the island.

Then we walked through another island, but there wasn't anything we wanted to see there.  We did end up stopping for a magic show that turned out to be a very long commercial for some Magic kits.

Then we got to the Magical World of Harry Potter.  Anyone who knows me knows what I was like here.  We went into a couple stores.  I took more time taking pictures of everything than buying anything.  I ended up getting a chocolate frog and some Bertie's every flavoured beans.  Then we stopped at the 3 broomsticks for lunch.  I tried butterbeer, which I expected to be disgusting but it was delicious.  Even Mom liked it!

Then I bought some shirts for me and a friend who is just as obsessed with Harry Potter as I am, if not more, then we moved onto Hogwarts.  Amory and I took a ride through Hogwarts and it was really good!  Amory wanted to go back, but because of the type of ride it was, I wasn't feeling very good after that.

The rest of the family went on a Spider-man ride then we actually met Spider-man.  He was awesome, in fact when we saw him a little while later, he remember Katha's name and told her to always be amazing.

It was very crowded at Universal and Katha and I  weren't feeling that well, so we decided to call it a day after that.


May 6th:

We went to the Magic Kingdom.  We headed straight for Dumbo, Goofy's roller coaster, Tomorrowland's Speed way, then the Ariel ride. We soon realised just how fearless Jay is.  We could take him on any ride he is tall enough for.  We got Katha a stuffed Dumbo that turns into a pillow.  The way she latched onto that thing, it was the best thing we may have ever bought her.  We stopped at Story time with Belle where kids act out the story with Belle.  Katha got to be Maurice, Dom was silverware and Jay got to be the Beast.

Then we stopped for lunch, then proceeded to the Pirates of the Caribbean, Country Bears, Mickey's Philharmagic, Aladdin's Magic carpets, the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Buzz's ride, Astro Orbiter, Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, and the Carousel.  We also went on Stitch's ride, Dom got so mad at that ride he was near tears.  We also stopped for a Dole Whip because I had read on several blogs that they are the must have food of Disney world.  We had to wait over an hour in line for them.  So, they weren't all they were cracked up to be.

Then we headed back over to Dumbo and the Speedway.  Then we got on the train, went to the front of the park and watched the electrical parade.  By that time it was pretty late so we went home.


May 7th:

Katha had her makeover at 1 so we slept in a little.  We went to downtown Disney, got Katha's makeover where she was the "window princess".  She got her makeover done right in the window of the store.  It was pretty cool.  She was originally going to be Princess Aurora (sleeping beauty) but they didn't have a dress in her size.  So, she decided to Merida (Brave).  I was glad because she looked awesome in the Merida dress.

After that we headed back to Universal Studios.  We got there and went to the Despicable Me ride first thing.  All 3 of the kids loved it.  Dom and Jarrome loved the actual ride and Katha loved the dance party afterwards.  Then we went on the Shrek ride.  Then back on the Despicable Me ride where we saw someone else from Give Kids the World.  Dom had watch E.T. at school so we went on that ride.  We talked Dom onto the Woody the Woodpecker roller coaster.  He was not Daddy's biggest fan after that.  Barney was closed and we tried to go see the Blue Man Group but we would have had to pay extra for that.  So, instead mom and dad took the kids back to the Despicable Me ride while Amory and I went on the Mummy ride twice because it was so much fun.  I was so glad we did this because we seriously thought about skipping the Universal Park altogether.


May 8th:

We had the character lunch.  We got to Epcot first thing and took the Test Track.  Dom actually liked this ride which was a miracle all in itself.  Then we headed over to the restaurant. We had to wait so we went on Maelstrom because it was right beside the restaurant.  Katha got to meet Snow White, Ariel, Aurora and Cinderella.  All the kids got to do a Conga line through the restaurant with the princesses.  Katha wore her Merida dress and all 4 princesses commented on how much she looks like Merida.

Then we went to Soarin', the Nemo ride, Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth.  We tried to go on the 3 Caballeros ride but we couldn't find the entrance.  Dad and Amory went on Mission: Space.  They both seemed to like it.

Then we headed over to Hollywood Studios.  We had a whole bunch planned but everything was closing or closed by the time we got there.  So, we went on just the rides but not most of the shows.  We went on the Toy story ride, saw Ariel's show, Star tours, the Muppet Show (we saw Phineas and Ferb but they took a break just as we got into line), and went to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground which all three of the kids loved!

By that time we were all wiped and went home.

May 9th:

We went to the ocean.  To Cocoa Beach to be exact.  The kids were in their element.  We pushed the wheelchair out onto the beach but because it wasn't built for the beach that was a BIG mistake.  Amory had to practically pick it up and carry it out to where we were sitting.  When we left Give Kids the World it was 94 degrees and muggy.  When we got to the ocean it was only 87 with a beautiful wind.  We swam, we collected shells, it was perfect.  The kids didn't want to leave but I was worried about being out in the heat too much with my little red-heads.

After that we went to a pirate dinner show.  The show wasn't too bad.  It was loud, overly expensive, and the service was horrible.  However, the kids really liked it so it was definitely worth it.


May 10th:

We went back to Hollywood studios and went on all the things we couldn't a couple of nights before.  This included the Beauty and the Beast show, the Indiana Jones show, the Lightening McQueen stunt show, the Toy Story ride again, Disney Junior Live on Stage.  We also went back to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground.

After that it was so hot we decided to go home and take a swim.  Once the sun set and because it was Friday, and the park was open later, we decided to go back to the Magic Kingdom.  This was one of the best decisions we ever made.

We walked into the park just before the parade started and it was wall to wall people.  We cringed and talked about turning around and going home.  As soon as we turned the corner to Adventureland it was clear of people.  We got on all the rides we wanted to do again.  We even got to go on Dumbo twice without even having to get back in line.


May 11th:

We had to be out of our Villa by 11 AM.  It was also another horseback riding day.  Everyday at Give Kids the World, while we were out at the parks a gift fairy would come in and leave the kids gifts.  They left so much that we had to go out and buy 2 more suitcases to be able to get all of our stuff home.   So, while Amory was buying suitcases, I took the kids on horseback rides.  All three of them like it a lot.  Also, they gave them cowboy hats which hardly came off for the rest of the day.

Once we checked out Amory went mini-golfing with the boys and Katha and I played some video games at Amberville.  Then we all went mini-golfing (on their really cool, dinosaur themed, interactive mini-golf course), and then for ice cream. 

After that we went swimming one last time then headed for the airport.

This has been just a not-so-quick review of some of the things we did for our week.  Other things worth mentioning, Katha was constantly dancing and running.  Every time we were in the car she made sure we were either playing I spy, thinking of words that began with certain letters, telling jokes or guessing who each other were (mostly we were Disney princesses).  It was amazing to watch her try to keep her brain active. 

When we went to Disneyland in November Katha was all smiles, but that was about it.  This time, this trip, she was the life of the party.  At least 5 times a day I would have to remind her to sit down.  She would laugh with everyone else when we were making fun of Amory's navigating skills (he would get us lost every time he sat in front).  I posted SO many photos and videos on facebook because I never want to forget this week.  This blessed week that will leave me with so many memories for so long.

Every time I was holding Katha and thinking "just close your eyes and remember this moment with everything you have" she would feel me getting emotional and crack some kind of joke.  It was awesome.  I thank God for giving me this week, it was so much more than I could have ever expected or prayed for.

If you've stuck with me for this long, thank you.  I can't believe you read this entire blog that is pretty much a list of rides!  If you are ever looking for a charity to give to I highly recommend Give Kids the World and Make a wish.  They both really go above and beyond!