Koru Care Christchurch Trip to Disneyland

October 2008

After months and months of planning and preparation, the day had finally arrived. On a fine October day we all set off from Christchurch Airport, what fun, what an experience this was going to be for 24 fantastic Koru Care children. So many memories, where do we begin?

We had a fabulous send off at both Christchurch and Auckland Airports, at Christchurch it was good bye to the families and at Auckland Airport it was farewell from the Air New Zealand team. In Auckland there was time for lots of yummy food and a chance to get to know room mates. Then it was time, we all boarded the 747 bound for Los Angeles. The take off was magic and so was the flight. The children enjoyed having their own TV screens and controls. However, with such a long flight we were all very tired by the time the plane arrived in Los Angeles. It was great when all our bright green bags, wheelchairs, and everything else we had taken with us, turned up on the conveyor belt. Once we had all gathered our luggage and cleared US customs, it was time to board the bus for San Diego. Before very long, most of the group had nodded off to sleep.

Finally we arrived at our hotel, the rooms were sorted, our bags were unpacked and then the swimming pool beckoned. What a long, tiring day it had been, it was dinner, a swim and then bed. We were all looking forward to the next day, which was our visit to Sea World.

Sea World did not disappoint, many of the children saw dolphins and stingrays up close for the first time, and the shows were just fantastic. For some it was the first time they had been on any theme-park type rides, and there were two rides that were guaranteed to get you wet, and some kids got wet time and time again. For others it was the shark encounter that made their day and for others it was getting up close with polar bears, beluga whales and walruses. Others just loved the spectacular Shamu show, and yet others enjoyed ‘Pets Rule’ – there was something for everyone, it was a fantastic day.

The next day we went to the San Diego Zoo, what a treat that was too. There was so much to see, but I think that the chimpanzees and orangatans stole the day for mostly everyone. The Zoo is a fantastic place to visit and the children get to see so many animals that we never get the opportunity to see in New Zealand. Snakes, Panda Bears, Rhinos, and Hippos, you name them they were there.

In the evening, we had a beautiful chicken dinner at a fantastic restaurant called Hob Nob Hill, so much food, so much chicken, so many balloons, and so much fun. A night to remember.

Shopping was not forgotten and we spent some time at the outlet mall at San Ysidro, which is very close to the Mexican Border. How much fun was that? Lots of shops, and most of the children bought at least one pair of shoes, and lots and lots of other goodies too. Gap, Sketchers, Hello Kitty, Nike, Ralph Lauren, Guess, Old Navy, Adidas, yes the brands were all there!

Our last visit in San Diego was to the California Highway Patrol (CHIPS), what a great visit. We all learned so much about law enforcement in California, what a training those CHIPs Officers go through. There was time too, to try out the patrol cars and bikes, put the hand cuffs on, wear some of the gear and become junior CHIPs officers for the day. Thank you CHIPS for your fantastic support of Koru Care Christchurch.

The bus was loaded, and was already looking a whole lot fuller as our suitcases were starting to bulge! And the trip wasn’t even half way over. All aboard and we were off up to Los Angeles to the happiest kingdom of them all.

The children fell in love with our hotel - it was all decorated up for Halloween. The hotel is located right beside Knotts Berry Farm, Snoopy lives in our hotel and there is a fantastic swimming pool too.

In the evening we went to the Pirates Dinner Show, what a spectacle, sword fights and lots of drama, song and dance, trapeze artists, audience participation, (some of the Koru group went up on stage), gorgeous heros and heroines, meeting the cast after the show ... it was a night to remember.

We had 3 days in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and 1 day at California Adventureland, what fun that was. Mickey and Minnie were in Disneyland of course, and so too were all the other favourite characters. Indiana Jones was a favourite ride, as was the roller coaster in the dark ... Space Mountain, then there was Thunder Mountain and the Bob Sleds, and Finding Nemo, and Pirates of the Carribean, then there was the Haunted House and Splash Mountain, the list is endless.

There were shows and parades, and lots and lots of rides. There were rides and adventures for everyone. Many of the children enjoyed rides on Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Buzz Lightyear, the Tea Cups, the Wind in the Willows, Dumbo and Roger Rabbit’s Wild ride too. They also enjoyed meeting the Disney Characters, and Pooh and Tigger and the Princesses, and also driving the Autopia cars.

We also went to a fabulous Disneyland Fireworks display one evening, and we enjoyed a really yummy meal at the Rain Forest Cafe too. In California Adventureland the roller coasters were the rage and also the Tower of Terror, however many of the children also enjoyed the 4D movies such as a Bugs Life and getting wet on the White Water rafts. ‘Soaring over California’ was a treat for everyone.

We had a great day at Knotts Berry Farm, this was roller coaster heaven, so many rides, what a treat. I think the Silver Bullet, the Perilous Plunge and the Supreme Scream were firm favourites amongst the ‘big riders’ and the White Water Rapids and Camp Snoopy amongst the favourites for those not partaking in the really big rides.

On this trip, with special thanks to Air New Zealand, we went to an Ice Hockey game, the Los Angeles Kings were playing the Carolina Hurricanes. One of the LA Kings players is Jarret Stol (Rachael Hunter’s fiancé). The Kings won, yeah and we got to meet up with Rachael Hunter, her daughter Renee and Jarret after the game. As you can imagine there were lots of photos taken and lots of autographs signed. Special thanks to Rachael, Renee and Jarret for spending time with us, we did so appreciate it, it was a fantastic night, and every photo album has some absolutely gorgeous photos of the children with Rachael.

Build a Bear and Halloween Haunting – one evening the older Koru Kids went to the Halloween Haunt at Knotts Berry Farm, with a group of carers. The younger children and those who did not want to do the Haunt went to ‘Build a Bear’. What a fantastic time both groups had. The tales from the Haunt were ghostly and spooooooky! And the build a bear evening was a real treat too. So everyone went to bed very happy.

Universal Studios was another fun day out for everyone, there was so much to see and do, there was the Back Lot tour, the Simpsons ride, the revenge of the Mummy, the Water World Show, Jurassic Park, the Terminator, Shrek 4D, and on and on. The day was filled completely. Once the final photos had been taken with the children’s favourite characters from the world of movies and the last ride had been finished for the day it was time to leave the park. In the evening we all went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner, what a treat that was too. Then it was back on the bus and home to sleep.

On our last evening in Los Angeles we went and had Dinner with the Disney Characters – what a fun time, lots and lots of food and meeting up with all the characters. Aladdin and Jasmine, Chip and Dale, Goofy and Pluto, Mickey and Minnie they were all there, and it was a great opportunity for the children to get their last autographs and photos with the characters and of course to say goodbye to them.

We had a fantastic time, the weather was beautiful, and there was just so much to see and do each day, the smiles were everlasting. What a great time was had by all, such memories the children bring home with them. Memories, learning and experiences to treasure; that is what Koru Care Christchurch is all about.

A big, big thank you to all the Koru Care Christchurch supporters, from all the children who were on the 2008 trip to Disneyland, you helped to make their dreams come true.

Janetta Skiba,
Medical Coordinator – Koru Care Christchurch


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Darfield property auction benefits Koru Care's children!

A brand new four-bedroom executive home in Darfield went under the auctioneer’s hammer to help make dreams come true for a group of children who deserve a break.

PGG Wrightson Real Estate marketed the property, and the real estate commision was kindly donated to Koru Care.

 

Koru Care Charity Auction 2008

Koru Care Christchurch Charity Auction 2008 raised a fantastic, whopping $170,000.00 all on one night! The evening was full of magic and wonderful prizes! Koru Care Christchurch wish to thank ALL the people who helped make a few more hundred smiles.....we will be thinking of everyone who is flying out on the next Koru Care Christchurch trip to Disneyland in October 2008! Bon voyage.....