What an amazing week we have had on Brianne’s Make A Wish Trip. Her wish was to go to Disneyworld!
On Sunday morning we were picked up by an Excursion Limo to take us to the airport. Brianne thought all of the color changing lights were really neat inside of the car. We were met by Christie, one of Brianne’s Wish Granters who took us through ticketing, which is where we met Bonnie. Bonnie was our personal airport helper. She took us through security, to get food, and to our gate. She walked us on the plane before it was time to board so Brianne could meet the pilots and sit in their seat. We were met in Florida by Jojo from Give Kids the World. She made sure we had our rental car and bags and sent us on our way to the Village. We had a late dinner from Katie’s Kitchen and settled into our villa.
Monday morning Brianne was up early and ready to go. We were able to explore the Village a little before going to breakfast. We ate breakfast in the Gingerbread House every morning thanks to Perkins Restaurant and a lot of volunteers. We were not even aloud to carry our own trays, there were volunteers for everything. Brianne was able to meet Pluto, Goofy, and Mickey at the Village after breakfast. She brought her Mickey stuffed animal that was given to her the night before to have it autographed. Brianne and Charlie played in Amberville (an arcade) while I went to orientation to pick up all of our tickets. Brianne chose to go to The Magic Kingdom first. We spent half of the day riding a lot of rides including Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, etc. Brianne’s favorite ride by far was Thunder Mountain Railroad. We rode it over and over. Thanks to the Fast Passes we did not have to wait long to get on any ride. Brianne was so excited to go swimming at the Village that we left early to spend time at the pool. It was too cold for me, but Charlie and Brianne had a great time swimming. There is a party every night at Give Kids the World. Monday was Halloween. Brianne picked out a Cinderella dress to wear. The kids trick or treated, played games, and made crafts.
Tuesday Brianne woke up early and wanted to make her pillow at the Pillow Tree. The tree gave her a blue pillow with an owl design. After a big breakfast we headed out the Animal Kingdom. We rode a safari truck where we were shown a lot of animals. Brianne was our sections mascot in the Lion King show. She had to pretend to be a giraffe and danced around with the monkeys. There was a fun river ride that got Charlie really wet. She was also brave enough to ride Everest. She only rode it once though, she was not too excited about the Yeti chasing us or the backward drop. Charlie won a huge dragon in one of the carnival games, but it was too big to take home so we donated it to the Gingerbread House. Tuesday night was Mayor Clayton’s Birthday Party, which meant more games, crafts, cake and ice cream. After the birthday party we went with our friends, The Wards, to the park with the worlds largest Candy Land game. I am so glad we were able to meet The Wards. I had talked with Vanessa for a whole year online in a group of moms with children with ALL. Brianne had so much fun with Kayley and Erin.
Wednesday we decided it would be our "long" day at the parks. Before breakfast we stopped at Keaton’s Korral and rode horses. We wanted to see a light parade or fireworks show. The day started off at Hollywood Studios. Brianne was excited to ride the Toy Store ride that involved shooting at targets. She was able to take pictures with Phineas and Ferb, Buzz and Woody, and lots of other characters. Brianne wanted to take a drawing class. The class chose Snow White to draw. We ate lunch at the 50's Prime Time CafĂ© where you get a dessert if you are part of the clean plate club. We played in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. After we were done with Hollywood Studios we went back to the Magic Kingdom to ride Brianne’s favorite rides again. They parade was not happening that night so we went back to Hollywood Studios for the Fantasmic Show. The characters were all on boats and images from movies were projected on a wall of water. Brianne was exhausted by the end of the day.
Thursday we went to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The two parks are within walking distance of each other with a shopping complex in between. At Universal Studios we were turned into Minions in a 4D Despicable Me ride and we watched a 4D Shrek movie. There was a playground with a very small water slide for the kids to ride. Brianne thought Charlie and I should take turns going with her. The small slide got us very wet! We rode the ET ride before we moved on to Islands of Adventure. There was a Seussland with all Dr. Seuss themed buildings, carousel, and rides. Brianne had her face painted while we were there. We also rode the Harry Potter and Jurassic Park rides while we were there. Thursday night was Christmas at the Village and it snowed! All the kids were able to take their pictures with Santa and then pick out a present. Brianne picked the game of Life. We ended the night with a trip to the ice cream shop and a trip to the park.
Friday morning Brianne decorated her star for the Castle of Miracles. Every wish child receives a star that is placed on the ceiling. There are so many stars! What a perfect day to make a wish on a star, it was Brianne’s one year diagnosaversary. After breakfast we left for Sea World. We started our day at the Shamu Show. We sat at the top of the Splash Zone, but did not get wet. We found out that all Wish Kids get to feed all of the animals, so Brianne was able to feed the Sea Lions, sharks, stingrays, and the dolphins. She would put her hand under the dolphins chin to say thank you and throw fish in their mouth. She tried to feed more than one dolphin, but one followed her everywhere. To thank her, it soaked her when she ran out of food. There was also a fun log ride called Atlantis there. Charlie rode the Manta, which is a roller coaster that you ride on your stomach. She had a caraccture done while we were there. We made a stop at the LaTiDa Spa at the Village for nails and airbrush tattoos. Friday night was the Pirates and Princesses Party with Shamu. The kids danced, had make up put on, did crafts, and officially crowned princesses. Brianne decided at 8:30 that she was tired and needed to go to bed.
Saturday came way too soon. We decided we would spend the day exploring the Village before we had to catch our plane. We played DinoPut and the games at Amberville. On the way to the airport we stopped at Downtown Disney for souvenirs. Brianne wanted a Minnie Mouse pencil box and a baby Dumbo.
Our trip went by way too fast, but that is what happens when you are having fun 24/7. We are planning on going back in a few years to volunteer at GKTW. We could not have imagined in our wildest dreams a trip so amazing. I know I left out so many details including the all day long ice cream parlor, unlimited carousel rides, and special presents that were left in our villa everyday. We are truly blessed.