Emily’s Smiles through Difficult Trials

I’m so excited!!! Been on the phone with Eddie & Dawn for over an hour hearing all about Emily & Trey’s Disney adventures. Now I really wish I were there too!!! They are all having the time of their lives and I will do my best to relay as many details as I could write quickly!!! Don’t fret if some of the timing/names are a little incorrect! First let me tell you that all your prayers are being answered. Emily is feeling well and other than getting cold easily is holding her own and spending all day in the parks!! OK, here we go!

They left Wilmington airport a little late on Sunday so upon arriving in Charlotte they had to scoot quickly to their connecting flight. When they arrived in Orlando they couldn’t find the Wish Greeter & that person couldn’t find the Hollis family (quite a bit larger airport than our one room ILM). After proceeding to baggage claim they called the special phone # and were united with the Greeter whom got them into their car and gave directions onto their accommodations. They drove through McDonald’s (I think) because they were starving, and then checked into the Make a Wish property “Kids World” around 10:30 p.m. A very tired family! Oh, Trey LOVED flying and Emily is getting to be a pro at it!!! The car provided to them also allows them to venture out on their own and see other sites and shop as they so desire.

Their 2 BR Villa offers all the comforts of home, right down to having a washer/dryer! At the Gingerbread House there is a buffet for all meals, pizza delivery to your villa, breakfast can be delivered too and they love the breakfast buffet! Here’s the best “scoop”, the ice cream store OPENS at 7:30 a.m. and doesn’t close until 9:00 p.m. How many ice creams can they eat in a week? Anyone want to guess? Onsite there also is a gameroom, playground, pool, interactive activities, gym, train, putt putt and the list just goes on. Each morning there is a gift on the table for the kids along with the “Village Voice”, a paper detailing the daily onsite activities. Thursday the Disney Characters will be there for “Hugs & Smiles & Pics” of the kids and the picture will be in their check-out package. THEN guess who’s visiting???? SANTA CLAUS & his Elves!!!!! They are going to have a Winter Wonderland Parade, cookie decorating and many other Santa activities. Christmas all over again, how exciting!!! Oh, in playing video games with the kids Dawn found she can still play Ms. Pacman and had the all time highest score! Eddie said she should be ashamed trying to beat the children’s scores!

Monday they spent the day at Magic Kingdom taking in as many rides and shows as the day allowed. Emily loved Frontierland and guess what she rode? BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN ROLLER COASTER!!! She loved it! Haunted Mansion didn’t scare her one bit and the parade was fantastic! AND no waiting in lines for her, how’s that for service? Emily has been taking pics with her cameras she received and getting autographs. When she doesn’t feel like doing the autograph thing, Trey isn’t missing a one!

Tuesday was an even bigger day at Animal Kingdom. They really enjoyed the musical “Finding Nemo” and the animal safari. Didn’t get to see the Lion King show due to the timing, BUT Emily & Trey tricked Mommy & Daddy into riding the “Expedition Everest”, which appeared to be a “train ride” and ended up being a HIGH SPEED TRAIN ROLLER COASTER. That’s right, another roller coaster. I bet Dr. G is shaking his head when he reads about all this!!! Emily is our local daredevil these days!! Guess what happened in the evening???? A prime rib buffet dinner at the Grand Floridian with: CINDERELLA & PRINCE CHARMING, the step sisters & stepmother. Is that cool or what????? WOW!!!

Wednesday has been the best day to date. They opened Sea World and closed it down. When they got back to the Villa the kids were so tired they crashed but on the phone at 11:30 p.m. Eddie & Dawn were still wide open. They are having as much fun as the children and so enjoying this quality time with them. Today the weather was warm and 70 degrees and perfect for Trey to wear flip flops and stand by the Shamu tank and get drenched while Emily watched and laughed! Her day was filled with laughter and glee as she fed the dolphins and went to the 3 main animal shows: Dolphins, Sea Lions, & of course Shamu.

Thursday, after the Kids World visits from Disney characters & Santa, they plan to go to Downtown Disney. Trey is excited to be visiting Legoland there but Emily is most excited about her “appointment” there. She gets to visit “Bippity Boppity Boo” (or is that doo?). Translated means she gets her hair, makeup, & nails done and gets a Disney sash. Talk about pampering! She’ll be the Belle of the Ball!

Friday’s schedule will lead them to Universal Studios and then probably back to one of the Disney parks to see if there is anything they missed. Then they’ll return to their Villa and enjoy more onsite activities and dinner before thinking about packing to get ready for their flight home on Saturday. Until then they are living in a Magical Place in a Magical City where Dreams & Wishes really do come true!

Love,
Stephanie