Goodbye Ms. Merry and Mayor Clayton

We checked out of GKTW and received a farewell package which included a World Passport.  Our family will receive complimentary admission for the next year to various amusement parks in the country.  The package also included a printed picture of our family with Mickey Mouse, a CD of the pictures taken of us at GKTW and a voucher for Janelle to order a poster of her favorite picture.  We left the office and walked to Katie's Kitchen.  We ate lunch outside.  Then we walked to Amberville.  The three of us rode the train and then played a final round of golf at Marc's Dino-Putt Miniature Golf Course.  Then we left GKTW and drove to the airport.

Matthew's Boundless Playground

We left the korral and walked to the playground called Matthew's Boundless Playground.  I sat on the swings while Janelle played.  She found a few friends to play with.

Janelle enjoyed her last moments at GKTW.  We left the playground and walked back to our villa to get our luggage.  

Riding a Horse at Keaton's Korral

We left the Gingerbread House after eating part 2 of our breakfast and walked behind it to Keaton's Korral.  Volunteers were there helping kids ride a horse.   

Ice Cream for Breakfast

Ice cream for breakfast is a popular idea at GKTW.  The Ice Cream Palace was open early enough for breakfast until after Janelle's bed time.  All three of us ate ice cream for breakfast on our last morning at GKTW.  

Janelle picked a chocolate ice cream cone with sprinkles on top.

We followed it with some protein at the Gingerbread House.

Ol' Elmer

Ol' Elmer is a snoring tree at GKTW.  We walked by him whenever we left our villa on the way to the Castle of Miracles, the Gingerbread House, Amberville and others.  He usually became the topic of our conversation each time we saw him. 

Presenting the Pirates and Princesses

The pirates and princesses lined up in front of the Serendipity Stage. 

Each of the princesses were presented on stage and given a princess wand.  The pirates were given a sword.

Janelle took the role of being presented as a princess very seriously.

All of the pirates and princesses piled up on the stage.

The party was over and it was time for Janelle to get ready for bed.

Meet Shamu and Dolly the Dolphin

Shamu and Dolly the Dolphin were guests at the Pirates and Princesses Party.

Janelle with Dolly the Dolphin.

Janelle with Shamu.

Pirates and Princesses Party

Janelle left the Castle of Miracles and walked to the Serendipity Stage.  The Pirates and Princesses Party was just starting.  Janelle was given a flower as she arrived.

Janelle found a pirate to talk to.  He was also the host of the party.

The pirates and princesses played with a large parachute.

They also danced in a circle together.

The line dancing began as it was getting dark.

Janelle danced with Ms. Merry.

Ms. Merry's Enchanted Tea Party

We walked away from the carousel to the Castle of Miracles where Ms. Merry was hosting a tea party.  

Janelle was wearing a tiara that the GKTW Gift Fairy left for her in the villa that day.  Janelle walked in and started with a craft.  She decorated a blank My Little Pony with purple glitter and ribbon.  She moved to another craft table to make a hat.  It was made out of two plates.  She used red crayon and red ribbon to decorate it.  

Janelle found the puppets and enjoyed watching them.  I found a craft near the puppets where girls were making bracelets and necklaces.  I made a red and white necklace for Janelle.  Janelle left the puppets and made one for the volunteer working the table.

Then we walked over to the tea party table and sat with some other kids.

 

Janelle posed with the GKTW princesses and Ms. Merry.  Each of them signed Janelle's autograph book.

The tea party was announced as being complete and the kids were sent over to the Serendipity Stage for the Pirates and Princesses Party.

Our Last Night at GKTW

We said goodbye to Twinkle Hope and went to The Enchanted Carousel.  I rode it with Janelle this time while Andy took pictures.

Janelle and a Real Live My Little Pony

This event all started with a pic on GKTW's website.  Janelle noticed a pic of a girl standing next to a life size My Little Pony.  I emailed GKTW to find out if this pony would be at GKTW during our stay.  I was informed that the pony does not make regular visits but that they could possibly set something up for Janelle. An invitation to meet the pony named Twinkle Hope was given to us during our check-in at GKTW.  It was scheduled for our last night in Orlando.

We left Disney World for the last time and drove toward GKTW.  Janelle fell asleep during the ride.  We decided to pick up dinner from Steak 'n Shake and take it back to our villa.  We ate our burgers and fries and then walked to the Castle of Miracles to meet Twinkle Hope.  The volunteer working the castle did not have a clue about Janelle's invitation.  I was confused and not sure what to do.  We walked around the castle for a few minutes before someone informed us that Twinkle Hope would be out soon.  

Janelle met and spent a few minutes with Twinkle Hope outside.  This meeting was a surprise for Janelle until they met.  

A beautiful princess joined Twinkle Hope.  She taught Janelle how to make a wish on Twinkle Hope's star.

They had a conversation.  Twinkle Hope blinked her eyes to give her answers.  A real live My Little Pony!

Janelle showed her some love.

Janelle liked Tinkle Hope's tail.

The princess taught Janelle how to feed her some sugar cubes.

Twinkle Hope must have liked them.  She blinked!

We had our family pic taken with Twinkle Hope and the princess.

Then we posed for a pic with Twinkle Hope to remember this special occasion.

Janelle made one last wish before saying goodbye.

Janelle was very sad to say goodbye to Twinkle Hope.

She left her with a sweet hug.

Twinkle Hope's Story

In 2008, as part of the 25th birthday celebration of the beloved MY LITTLE PONY brand, Hasbro announced the MY LITTLE PONY Project: 25 Ponies for 25 Years. The program invited international celebrities to design a collection of 25 one-of-a-kind 18-inch MY LITTLE PONY figures that were auctioned off to benefit GKTW. As part of the celebration, Hasbro also debuted Twinkle Hope, GKTW’s very own MY LITTLE PONY. Twinkle Hope was sold during the holiday season at Walmart and was given to Village Wish children.

Hasbro also officially brought Twinkle Hope to life.  Twinkle Hope arrived at GKTW to join in a tea party at  the spa named Twinkle Hope's La Ti Da Royal Spa.  I am not sure why but the tea party event was moved to the Castle of Miracles and is now hosted by Ms. Merry.

The partnership between GKTW and Hasbro, Inc. remains one of the Village’s most special – and most fun-filled. Hasbro continues to create innovative strategies for supporting the mission of GKTW inviting everyone to help inspire hope through the "power of play!"

Janelle's Out of this World Friend

The three of us walked to nearby Tomorrowland.  We went on the ride called Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.  Andy and Janelle were in a car together.  I was in my own car.  Most of the cars would spin around in both directions using a joystick.  Mine only went one direction.  The ride was a laser shooting gallery game.  Each cannon scored points by firing lasers at the targets.  With each “Z” insignia hit, we were rewarded with beeping sounds, flashing lights and points. The tallied score was shown on the car's dashboard.  I liked the Toy Story ride at Hollywood Studios much better.

Janelle saw Buzz Lightyear's post as she left the ride.  The cast member noticed her Make A Wish button and let her know Buzz would be returning in a few minutes.  She was allowed to wait in a special spot.  The first family waiting was allowed to meet Buzz and then it was Janelle's turn.  

As mentioned in an earlier post about Woody and Jessie; watching Janelle meet a character from Toy Story hit a special place with me.  I was so glad she had a great time with Buzz Lightyear.

We walked away from Buzz Lightyear and toward the exit of Magic Kingdom.  They were Janelle's last moments at Disney World.  We were close to Cinderella Castle and turned to say goodbye.  We walked closer to the exit and turned to say goodbye to Cinderella Castle one last time.