Make a Wish (and other organizations) ~ Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume FIVE!!

[KaylaM]

Oh that's right! Thanks for reminding me, maybe now I'll feel comfortable making a reservation

I felt overwhelmed after making our reservation because of being tied down, but when it was a day or two before, I was looking forward to it.

Don't forget to go to Hollywood Studios to see the Osborne Family Spectacular of Lights!! It is AMAZING and worth the evening out. We only went in the evening just for that (Animal Kingdom during day), and I only wished we had another free evening to do it again when there because it was just AMAZING!! My daughter loved the lights and music. I could of sat there all night watching it (we stayed two hours just as it was)... That was one of the top highlights of our week...

 

[onceagain1]

I felt overwhelmed after making our reservation because of being tied down, but when it was a day or two before, I was looking forward to it.

Don't forget to go to Hollywood Studios to see the Osborne Family Spectacular of Lights!! It is AMAZING and worth the evening out. We only went in the evening just for that (Animal Kingdom during day), and I only wished we had another free evening to do it again when there because it was just AMAZING!! My daughter loved the lights and music. I could of sat there all night watching it (we stayed two hours just as it was)... That was one of the top highlights of our week...

Oh yes, the osbourne lights are definately on the list! Debating buying tickets for the mickeys very merry Xmas party. Using it as an extra day as you can get in at 4pm. Not sure yet though. Also, have you gone to see the Ice Age (or is it Shrek?) ice sculpture display at the Gaylord Palms hotel? Looks amazing and shows on GKTW website as giving free tickets to wish families. I'm hoping to find time to see them.

 

[KaylaM]

Oh yes, the osbourne lights are definately on the list! Debating buying tickets for the mickeys very merry Xmas party. Using it as an extra day as you can get in at 4pm. Not sure yet though. Also, have you gone to see the Ice Age (or is it Shrek?) ice sculpture display at the Gaylord Palms hotel? Looks amazing and shows on GKTW website as giving free tickets to wish families. I'm hoping to find time to see them.

I really wanted to take my daughter to see the Ice show (whichever one its called), but the theater/arena is 9 degrees and even though they give out parka jackets (you bring everything else to keep warm), there is no way my daughter would of enjoyed or stayed healthy in that kind of environment. I was so disappointed as she would of enjoyed seeing it if they had a "warm" area for kids like her. I would of enjoyed it too. However, it turns out, even if we wanted to, there was no time.

 

[MOPNB]

Anybody going on their Wish Trip during the dates of September 22 to September 29? We have the pleasure of volunteering at GKTW (the ENTIRE FAMILY) on September 23 and while we will not be able to afford Disney Parks, we plan to take full advantage of our Alumni Status while we are in Kissimmee.

So this is my first post. I'm a newbie here.

What does this mean "alumni status?" My kiddo's wish trip was in 2006. We are going back to Disney World next fall.

I'd like to go back to GKTW just for a look around. Anybody ever wear or make a Wish Alumni shirt or something like that to wear to the parks? Is that weird?

This is such a cool place!

 

[KaylaM]

So this is my first post. I'm a newbie here.

What does this mean "alumni status?" My kiddo's wish trip was in 2006. We are going back to Disney World next fall.

I'd like to go back to GKTW just for a look around. Anybody ever wear or make a Wish Alumni shirt or something like that to wear to the parks? Is that weird?

This is such a cool place!

I love that idea.. We just went over Thanksgiving week - my daughters wish trip, and plan to go back next year over Christmas. Would love to wear a Wish Alumni shirt! I saw lots of people wearing wish shirts in Florida, but not Alumni. I didn't even know about the wish shirts until I saw people wearing them in Florida.

 

[MOPNB]

You can get the MAW shirts at Make a Wish's online store. Then I was thinking of having a friend add the word "Alumni" in rhinestones to my daughter's shirt.

 

[onceagain1]

I really wanted to take my daughter to see the Ice show (whichever one its called), but the theater/arena is 9 degrees and even though they give out parka jackets (you bring everything else to keep warm), there is no way my daughter would of enjoyed or stayed healthy in that kind of environment. I was so disappointed as she would of enjoyed seeing it if they had a "warm" area for kids like her. I would of enjoyed it too. However, it turns out, even if we wanted to, there was no time.

Oh that's a good point, hmmmm...more for me to consider, I'm not sure our kids would last long either....

 

[angel's momma]

Well we're home from the most amazing trip ever! Words will never describe how great it was and how tired we all are lol the week went by so fast! Now we're home and right back to our normal...Kyra has a really swollen throat so instead of school or her scheduled neurology appointment tomorrow we are off to the doctors to have her checked out as she had a fever too.

So glad she got her special wish. Sounds like a fantastic time

At sea world we had a special meet and greet with the dolphins and their trainers, that was Elsa's wish. Then, we sat front row in front of platform for shamu show. The gktw button gets you the spot. Although it is a major splash zone, we barely got wet and were able to be just feet away from the killer whales. AWESOME DAY. Meltdowns galore. And we are looking forward to our ritual of ice cream

So glad she got her special wish. Sounds like a fantastic time.

Can't believe we leave in just 10 days!!

Now it's just a week



MOPNB

 

[blessedmom4]

So this is my first post. I'm a newbie here.

What does this mean "alumni status?" My kiddo's wish trip was in 2006. We are going back to Disney World next fall.

I'd like to go back to GKTW just for a look around. Anybody ever wear or make a Wish Alumni shirt or something like that to wear to the parks? Is that weird?

This is such a cool place!

To the DIS!

Anyone who has been on a Wish Trip are ALUMNI! For many, when they return from Disney there is a bit of a letdown feeling and it seems to be magnified after Wish Trips. I never experienced that feeling and I think it is due in part to

1) I am too busy
2) I try to stay active on the DIS so I can always feel that excitement of Disney Magic~ I am genuinely happy for others good fortune.
3) We have stayed connected to GKTW, even here in town volunteering to speak about GKTW at local Fundraisers.

We DID have a blessing that popped up in September to go to Kissimmee and took the opportunity to volunteer at GKTW...it was FABULOUS fun! We also went to a party and hung out at the Village having a blast. I felt like I was home.

The GKTW Store has these shirts for Alumni. If I was crafty, I would ABSOLUTELY make shirts!

This is the Alumni Site for those who haven't seen it.

I hope this info might help someone. We LOVE staying connected and being involved!

 

[Lilfoot93]

One of my twins is going in for surgery next Friday and her twin is upset about the fact that she doesn't get a surgery. (Trevor has had 6 and this is Kara's first). I'm not exactly sure how to handle it. Part of me wants to tell her that surgery is NO fun and not something you really want to have to do. But I really can't do that as Trevor will have more surgeries in the future and Kara will now too. Anyone gone through this with their kids? How did you handle it? It was never an issue when it was only Trevor having surgeries but now that her sister "gets" to have one too she wants in on the action!

Kara will be having a tumor like growth removed from her ear next Friday. We will stay in the hospital overnight. We are praying she does not have hearing loss but we know that it is a very real possibility. Most likely the growth has gone into her ear bones and she will need another surgery to reconstruct her ear so she can hear. But that will be sometime during the summer. Please keep my sweet baby girl in your prayers.

Trevor goes in the following week for his cardiologist appt. We are praying he does not need surgery this year and he can wait a couple more years before getting a pulmonary valve and conduit.

Thanks!
Jackie

 

[blessedmom4]

One of my twins is going in for surgery next Friday and her twin is upset about the fact that she doesn't get a surgery. (Trevor has had 6 and this is Kara's first). I'm not exactly sure how to handle it. Part of me wants to tell her that surgery is NO fun and not something you really want to have to do. But I really can't do that as Trevor will have more surgeries in the future and Kara will now too. Anyone gone through this with their kids? How did you handle it? It was never an issue when it was only Trevor having surgeries but now that her sister "gets" to have one too she wants in on the action!

Kara will be having a tumor like growth removed from her ear next Friday. We will stay in the hospital overnight. We are praying she does not have hearing loss but we know that it is a very real possibility. Most likely the growth has gone into her ear bones and she will need another surgery to reconstruct her ear so she can hear. But that will be sometime during the summer. Please keep my sweet baby girl in your prayers.

Trevor goes in the following week for his cardiologist appt. We are praying he does not need surgery this year and he can wait a couple more years before getting a pulmonary valve and conduit.

Thanks!
Jackie

No advice, other than make her feel EXTRA special while her twin is inpatient. Who will she be staying with? You can make a big deal of what she gets to do (privately to her of course) while her twin has surgery, a special goody bag, etc. And LOTS of prayers coming your way, it is hard to have more than one ill.

 

[blessedmom4]

It only took me 14 months; however, I have FINALLY posted the part of Lisa's Wish Trip where she BECAME FAMOUS at Disney!

The link to the page it is posted on is here in 7 posts because of all of the pics:
Lisa is FINALLY FAMOUS Post 3198 to 3204!

 

[onceagain1]

For those that have been at GKTW, do the girls tend to dress up in princess dresses when attending the Pirates & Princess tea party, or whatever it is called. I'm out and about right now so don't have the info in front of me. But toys r us has dresses on sale now so I would buy one if I thought it might be used for this event.
Thanks.

 

[Lilfoot93]

No advice, other than make her feel EXTRA special while her twin is inpatient. Who will she be staying with? You can make a big deal of what she gets to do (privately to her of course) while her twin has surgery, a special goody bag, etc. And LOTS of prayers coming your way, it is hard to have more than one ill.

Thanks for the prayers! Allie and Trevor will be staying the night at a friends house since we will be leaving early in the morning to get to the hospital. I have been telling Allie how much fun she gets to have without her sister and of course she tells Kara all about it... and visa versa... 4 year olds Trevor is old enough to know to keep it to himself what he gets to do while Kara is at the hospital and shortly after for recovery so that is helpful!

With Kara's upcoming surgery I have forgotten to think about Trev's upcoming cardiology appt. which is great because I always worry when it gets close to his appts!


Jackie

 

[kalimom6]

For those that have been at GKTW, do the girls tend to dress up in princess dresses when attending the Pirates & Princess tea party, or whatever it is called. I'm out and about right now so don't have the info in front of me. But toys r us has dresses on sale now so I would buy one if I thought it might be used for this event.
Thanks.

We weren't there for that party but I seen a lot of kids dressed up at other parties.

 

[angel's momma]

It only took me 14 months; however, I have FINALLY posted the part of Lisa's Wish Trip where she BECAME FAMOUS at Disney!

The link to the page it is posted on is here in 7 posts because of all of the pics:
Lisa is FINALLY FAMOUS Post 3198 to 3204!

Judy, that was absolutely amazing!

 

[kalimom6]

We got back on Saturday (12/8) and it's been non stop. Before I do a full TR I thought I would do a quick one here.
Saturday- 12/1 Got to GKTW, ate hamburgers/hot dogs at Gingerbread house and all were sleeping by the time I got back from orientation at 830!
Sunday- 12/2 Did Elsa's star, got pillows, headed the 2+ hours to the Gulf of Mexico and Siesta Key (#1 beach in USA). That was way to packed for us so we headed a few miles south. Then met my 10 year old nephew for dinner in Venice, Florida. Got back just in time for the tail end of the Candy Land game. The kids loved it.
Monday- 12/3 Got to the Ice Cream Palace for quick breakfast at 745, then went to the theater and were first in line for Mickey Mouse. He signed Elsa's mickey mouse that GKTW gave. Then Pluto signed the hand. We got to Sea World at 9. We decided not to do the dolphin feeding as they surprsed us with a meet and greet after the first dolphin show. They fed the dolphin then. We got a family picture with the dolphin jumping behind us! It was awesome! Continued....

 

[kalimom6]

Sea World- we spent all day there, we went to the last One Ocean show. We got the reserved section in front of the platform and only got a few drops wet! We all were tired, got back to GKTW, ordered Katies Kitchen, went to bed early.
Tuesday- 12/4 We ate breakfast at Gingerbread house, we got to Animal Kingdom around 1030am. We lasted only 3 hours. The kids wanted to go back to GKTW. The olders swam while the youngers napped. Went to Mayor Claytons birthday party. The kids loved it.
Wednesday- 12/5 We did the horse back riding, then went to a mall for me to do some shopping then headed to Cocoa Beach (Atlantic Coast). WE LOVED IT!! We could have stayed there all day. We had to be back at GKTW for kids night out that started at 6. We all loved it, a break for us, and the kids having organized play. Then Mayor Clayton tuck-in. They thought that was great.
Thursday- 12/6 Legoland. We got there at opening (10) and it was dead all day. No lines. The only thing that is that there isn't much shade. So we were glad it wasn't packed! Continued...

 

[kalimom6]

The kids loved Legoland. We headed back to GKTW and got ready for the Christmas party. We ate a big dinner, then went to see santa. The kids were pumped with their presents. We stayed for the parade then headed back to the villa for bed.
Friday- 12/7 Last day. We had planned to do Gatorland after checking out but we did a low key day at the village then headed to the airport.

We got SO MUCH stuff at the village that we filled the extra large duffel we brought and had to go buy another bag! Sea World over loaded us with souvies. Then the surprises at the village. At the airport the kids reminded us that they never bought a souvie. So we went to the Sea World store there and they picked something out.
We got stranded in Salt Lake City friday night after circling our destination airport a few times before closing the airport. Stranded without luggage with 6 kids! Fun Fun.
Well, as soon as I get all my things together I will post my trip report with pictures.

 

[onceagain1]

The kids loved Legoland. We headed back to GKTW and got ready for the Christmas party. We ate a big dinner, then went to see santa. The kids were pumped with their presents. We stayed for the parade then headed back to the villa for bed.
Friday- 12/7 Last day. We had planned to do Gatorland after checking out but we did a low key day at the village then headed to the airport.

We got SO MUCH stuff at the village that we filled the extra large duffel we brought and had to go buy another bag! Sea World over loaded us with souvies. Then the surprises at the village. At the airport the kids reminded us that they never bought a souvie. So we went to the Sea World store there and they picked something out.
We got stranded in Salt Lake City friday night after circling our destination airport a few times before closing the airport. Stranded without luggage with 6 kids! Fun Fun.
Well, as soon as I get all my things together I will post my trip report with pictures.

Love LOVE your mini trip report - thanks!!! We're leaving on Thursday, it's getting close for us. Sounds like GKTW is fabulous, as everyone says! We're going to SeaWorld too (along with Disney and Univeral), it sounds wonderful!!

...however, so sorry about the airport business with all the kids....I hope we don't have that happen....I'm scared!!