Two Alices Fall Down The Rabbit Hole and Land On Their Feet in WondORLANDO. Updated 11/6 with more food About This Page:

[Cam22]

My Disney Kid Wish -- To go at least once a year because as I watched the Wonderful World of Disney each week, I saw so many things I wanted to experience myself -- the castle, the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain. All were at DisneyLand, but I knew from an uncle who worked construction on WDW that these would be there, too. And I wanted to feel rich like those folks had to be who actually got to go.

In 1997 when we were riding a Disney bus from Blizzard Beach to MK, it made a stop at WL to pick up more guests. I looked over and wondered what it would be like to stay there. Luke saw my expression and whisper to me "Some day." I got all teary eyed, but didn't believe that wish would ever come true.

In 2003, Disney offered some incredible deals that were advertised in our local paper. Luke decided that it was time to go again. He suggested WL, but after some research, I decided on AKL as I love animals. We couldn't afford a savannah view, but I knew there were look out points I could use. There was no DME then, so we hired a Tiffany Towncar to drive us from the airport to the resort. When we pulled up under the front port and bell hops quickly advanced to haul our luggage inside for us, I did get all choked up because I truly felt blessed, and even for a moment rich. Then we got a surprise upgrade to a savannah view at no extra charge. When the bell hop who took our luggage to the room accidentally burst a couple of our Dr. Pepper cans, I didn't even feel a tinge of frustration. I was home.

During this trip, Stefanie watch the DVC channel over and over, but neither Luke nor I mentioned it as we both knew it was out of our means. Over the next 6 months Luke worked hard to get our debt down and figured out a way to purchase our first DVC points at SSR. In April 2004 he surprised Stefanie and I with the news. In addition, he announced our first trip home would be to VWL. Some day had come! And now Stefanie and I both get to live our Disney Kid Wish every year when we travel back !

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by mcneal

My parents took me in 72 or 73 for one day. I loved it! Sad thing was that I lost my camera the next day so I have no photos. For years I dreamed of returning. My dad sad he was not going back...we had an amusement park right here in Houston! Finally when my DD was almost 5 I got to return. My dear friend and her 3 yr DD spent 4 days at a tropical themed hotel in Kissimmee. We had a blast. I was a single mom with a very limited income and not much vacation time so no matter how much I wanted to go back it just wasn't going to happen. A six years later, I met and married DH and added 3 more children. I finally got to return when those 4 kids were on their own and we only had #5 who was 4 yo. Since then I am always trying to figure out how to get back. DH enjoys trips to the world but he says mostly because they make me so happy! I read this trip reports almost daily and fantasize about being able to go a couple times a year. Like so many others, I would love to make a solo trip.

Thanks so much for that story! Do you know that you can "visit" by watching the videos of attractions on utube? OK, so it isn't quite the same, but it is a great way to get a quick fix.

[mojjo]

My Kids Wish....I figure it's probably one most parents have. I remember going with my mom and dad, although not together because they were divorced. Mom's vacation was a barely afford, stay outside the park, eat at a counter service and maybe one souvie. Dad's trip was off property because although he had the money he thought it cost too much. All CS meals for the same reason and one souvie so we didn't get spoiled. And when I say one souvie...we're talking about maybe a t-shirt from one park. No character meets, no autographs, no nothing.

I decided I wanted to take my kids to the park and "do it right": character meals, staying on property, Dole Whips, the whole nine yards. This last trip with the boys DH and I did just that. And I remember walking back to the room at CBR one night and telling DH how grateful I was to him for helping me make that come true.

Now, having created two boys that LOVE WDW it's my dream to nurture that and continue making those incredibly happy memories for them to pass on to their kids.

[lazanya]

My DisneyKid Wish- growing up I loved watching the Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights and would dream how awesome it would be to go visit the Magic Kingdom. My parents were not Disney fans and didn't do a lot of traveling. So it was kinda a pipe dream for me if I would ever get to experience DL or WDW. But I never gave up hope that someday I would see the Magic Kingdom. My dream actually came true during my senior year in high school. My HS band and choir (I was in the choir) were chosen to perform at the Magic Kingdom at WDW during our spring break in March 1988. It was the most wonderful experience for me! I couldn't wait to get another chance to go back! Again still holding out for hope!

I didn't make it back to WDW until December 1996. This time I was newly married to my DH Tim. We both agreed the perfect place for us both to honeymoon was WDW. We enjoyed taking in all the holiday decorations at the parks and resorts. We had a wonderful and magical time. And we both said to each other that the next time we come back to WDW, we will get the chance to experience it through the eyes of our children.

Well almost 10 yrs later, we took our daughter Brianna for her very first WDW trip. The trip had a few bumps in the planning and we weren't sure we could even swing the cost of it even though we were planning on staying in a value resort, Pop during June. But, someone was looking out for us as I got a pin code for an upgrade to stay at either SSR or OKW in August and get free dining. Now here's the kicker: Tim had to check his work schedule and the only week we could go to take advantage of this pin code was the week of Aug. 14th - Aug. 21st. We call WDW Travel and with fingers crossed and holding our breath we ask what's still available for the pin code. We're put on hold while they check availabilty which felt like forever. They come back on the line and tell us, "well we only have the week of Aug. 14th - Aug 21st at OKW available." It was like all the stars lined up. (could it get any better?) OMG! We're both like, "Yes, Yes, Yes, we'll take that week!!!" We then pushed our vacation back from June to Aug. Since free dining was included we ended up saving around $500 and got to enjoy staying in a studio at OKW. I also didn't have any problems changing our dining ressies to August. That vacation was one of the best for us! We had so much fun! Tim and I then decided that we needed to start thinking about becoming DVC members. We vacationing at WDW. It's our happy place. But life and bills get in the way, so that DVC dream is just that...........until.........


........with lots of faith, trust and pixie dust, currently we are in the process of fulfilling our DVC dream as we are finalizing all the paperwork to become DVC members with our home resort of OKW!!!!!

So I guess dreams do come true. They may not happen right away, but they do happen. And never give up hope on your dreams. You might be pleasantly surprised as we have! Faith, Trust, Pixie Dust!

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

My Disney Kid Wish - we never took vacations when I was a child. We never flew on airplanes or stayed in hotels. For our honeymoon DH and I did a Disney/Big Red Boat trip. I was in total awe the entire time. On the way to Florida they upgraded us to first class in the plane and offered us champagne. It was like an out of body experience. The whole trip was amazing. I truly feel so blessed that we have been so fortunate and that we have been able to provide our children with so many opportunities that we didn't have.

[OhToodles!]

All these wishes are making me all teary-eyed!!

In a way I guess I was lucky - I did get to see Disneyland at 8 years old as we visited my aunt and her family in CA and we got to go to WDW when I was 14 and stayed at the Poly. I never knew how much planning my mom did for that trip though - I'm finding out more and more as we talk about it now. I'm truly grateful that I was given the opportunity to go those times. I guess my 'wish' is to someday stay at the Poly again since that's where we stayed on my first trip.
DH has been even luckier as he's been going since he was 8 or 9 andthe best is that I think he loves it just as much now as he did then - maybe more.
I feel blessed that we are DVC members and are able to take DS (and DS-to-be) often plus extended family. I look forward to showing all the magic to my boys through the years and hope they will continue the love of Disney.

[Sandra Bostwick]

I am really enjoying all these kid wishes!

Still no one able to identify the mystery photos? Here is a hint. These two are at the same attraction!

[bitterchickey]

BTMRR???

[JoJayMom]

Just got "hooked" on this TR!!! Such fun!! I too remember as a child the Contemporary Resort while we went through it - I thought "Wow, you must be rich to stay there!" It has always amazed me - still does. I couldn't wait for my kids to ride the monorail and go through the resort!! **** Is the pic from POTC??

[PamelaK]

I remember that number! It is from EE. Sooooooo the nest must be somewhere in the queue for EE.

I'm really enjoying your TR Sandy.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by PamelaK

I remember that number! It is from EE. Sooooooo the nest must be somewhere in the queue for EE.

I'm really enjoying your TR Sandy.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! You got it!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Well, we waited a long time for our luggage to come up with our park tix. (Take note: If you plan to check your luggage, take your park tix with you!)

At least we got to see the sun set from our balcony while we waited.
















Finally our tickets came and we were ready to go to Epcot.



This is Brandy, Tara, and some random guy waiting for the monorail.

Now, let me tell you a little about Brandy. She is an Army OT who lives in Honolulu. She showed us photos of her place in Honolulu, complete with balcony and stunning view, and I just had to feel sorry for her. I mean, really, where can someone like her go on vacation?

So, we took the monorail to Epcot, and before we knew it, we were inside!

We went straight in for Mission Space, and took the Intense ride. It was SO MUCH fun!


Next was test track, which was a pretty long wait, even in the single rider line. Long waits are not magical!

Then we ran too see Illuminations.


Here's Tara and Brandy having fun in Epcot. (I'm the one behind the camera.)


After illuminations, we boarded the boat for Boardwalk. I looked across the aisle and recognized my co-guide, iamgrumpy, AKA Amy. I am wearing the orange and Amy is wearing the green. This was the first time I'd ever met Amy in real time, and it is kind-of amazing that we bumped into each other that way!


Now, don't ask me how this happened, but somehow Tara and I forgot to eat all day...I mean ALL DAY! We'd had several cups of coffee, but here we were looking at 10:00 in the evening and we had not eaten all day.

We waved good-bye to the boat captain at the Boardwalk dock, and the smells of all the foods from bakery goods to hot dogs to fine dining almost made us pass out. We practically ran to ESPN, where we ordered food as quick as we could and managed to eat before perishing.

Then we got on a freezer-on-wheels disguised as a bus. I'm not kidding. Everyone on this vehicle looked like they were about to chip teeth from all the chattering!

After a bit of a ride, we finally made it back to The Contemporary.

I have to say that, as tired as I was, I was really sad to say good-bye to Brandy. I have hopes to work on a project together, but even if that comes to be, it will be online, and I wondered if I would ever see her again in real-time. I deeply regret that I did not think to take a photo with her, but maybe one day I'll get another chance.

There are people we meet who instantly feel like friends, and she is one of them.

Tara and I dragged ourselves back to the room and found the sheets turned down and mints on the pillow.


I walked out onto the balcony and breathed in the air. Bay Lake just glittered like gold in the dark sky. Then I turned around and learned something just as important as not forgetting to eat all day.

Don't leave your door open or you will be visited by many critters, namely the mosquitos. I always thought they were the NJ state bird, but I guess they are just as popular in Florida.

Tara and I spend the next half-hour or so climbing on furniture and swatting the mosquitos. Actually, it was a pretty fun time, and we looked pretty silly.

We both collapsed from the day and the mosquito hunt.

The beds are just like flopping on a fluffy cloud! There are more pillows that anyone could ever want, and the sheets and comfortors are pure white.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! And THAT ends our first night with the mouse. (Or the mouse-skeetos)

[Cam22]

Absolutely beautiful sunset! Epcot looks like it was loads of fun! We've met Amy in real time, too and she is a sweetheart. In fact, we're looking forward to spending time with her again this trip. I wish you had pictures of the two of you swatting the mosquitos!

[GoofEme]

Hahahahahaaaahhahhaaa I am stuck with the scene in my head of you and Tara bouncing on the beds, swatting at huge mosquitoes. Great TR Sandy I'll have to come back and see what happens next.

[Colexis Mom]

Great night and pictures!