Make a Wish (and other organizations) - Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume SIX!

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Thank you so much for responding. We are very excited. So far our plans are to arrive on Sunday and enjoy GKTW. Christopher truly LOVES the MK, so Monday we will have to stop there first and of course enjoy the fireworks that evening. Our other children are 20 and 14 so I want to make this special for them as well. Christopher will ride Small World over and over again so their past trips tend to be limited. He will ride the bigger rides so hopefully we can expand his horizons on this trip! The only other set plans we have are to go to Sea World on Thursday to enjoy Christmas at the village. Grandpa and Grandma will be joining us on that day. We are very open to any and all suggestions. He does love Barney and Dr. Seuss so I hope Universal will be positive. Jessica, we will be there at the same time. I am having so much trouble containing my excitement. I talk about this trip a lot! I am assuming many on here understand. Madeline (redwavess) helped me to understand that it is common.

My son went on his Wish trip in July 2010. I totally understand the excitement in planning the trip. It is extremely hard to contain oneself. (just ask my family) It is ALL I talked about. Don't get me wrong they did too but momma did just a wee bit more! I believe it is because we are so used to talking "medical" so much that a trip of a lifetime is beyond what we could ever comprehend and honestly focusing on the trip takes away some of the medical stress for us moms (and dads). Our trip did not disappoint and I hope your sons is the trip of his life too! Much hugs to all of the current Wish trippers

 

[Monie3]

Thank you so much everyone! It is so nice to have this gift to talk about our trip to people who completely understand! The family is excited, but have the ability to put it aside. This is the trip where I can put worries away for a while. I think that is what I am most excited about. Time to spend with all the children without worrying about getting someone somewhere and making doctor appointments (which I need to do today!). Reality will be hitting as school starts next week and work starts up, so I am taking advantage of the time to read everyone's posts. I only wish I had found this earlier in the summer!
Now, on to planning! Christopher loves Mickey and Pooh so meeting them is a must. We have been to Disney several times (it is my happy place and we only live a few hours away), however they tend to be day trips. We have never been able to do more. Character meetings have not been an option because of the long lines. Christopher does not do well in the heat or waiting too long. We have generally been able to get a guest assistance pass but those do not include character lines. I am told that this will not be a problem on this trip! We tried to take him to AK once and that was mostly unsuccessful, I think because he did not understand that it was "Disney". I am going to make sure we see characters in each park, so that perhaps, he will understand. (Christopher is mostly non-verbal, so sometimes understanding what is going on in his handsome head can be challenging). I know that several of the characters will be at GKTW, so that is a must. Does anyone have any suggestions about meeting characters in the other parks? Universal?
Thank you again for any and all advice!

 

[pimaprincess84]

Hi all,

I understand that we get a photo pass cd for Disney, but does anyone know if you can upgrade that to the photo pass plus and just pay the difference? Thanks.

 

[Jessicalynne]

I saw a picture on the GKTW website that had a My Little Pony that visited. My daughter LOVES My Little Ponies, and I was wondering if anyone who has stayed at GKTW has seen a pony character, or if that is just a one time for that one picture they have on their site type of thing?

 

[livndisney]

I saw a picture on the GKTW website that had a My Little Pony that visited. My daughter LOVES My Little Ponies, and I was wondering if anyone who has stayed at GKTW has seen a pony character, or if that is just a one time for that one picture they have on their site type of thing?

I found this:
"Earlier this year, Hasbro also officially brought Twinkle Hope to life at the Village. Each Sunday, a larger-than-life Twinkle Hope invites Wish children to Twinkle Hope’s Tea Party in the La Ti Da Spa for tea, desserts and fun, MY LITTLE PONY style."

http://www.gktw.org/heroes/bio/hasbro.php

 

[blessedmom4]

I saw a picture on the GKTW website that had a My Little Pony that visited. My daughter LOVES My Little Ponies, and I was wondering if anyone who has stayed at GKTW has seen a pony character, or if that is just a one time for that one picture they have on their site type of thing?

I found this:
"Earlier this year, Hasbro also officially brought Twinkle Hope to life at the Village. Each Sunday, a larger-than-life Twinkle Hope invites Wish children to Twinkle Hope’s Tea Party in the La Ti Da Spa for tea, desserts and fun, MY LITTLE PONY style."

http://www.gktw.org/heroes/bio/hasbro.php

I would hate for anyone to be disappointed by old info. This is a recent blog post (June 30, 2013) about meeting Twinkle Hope. Calling GKTW is often the best way to get the most up-to-date info on new or less reported on activities. I don't know which is correct, I would LOVE it if Twinkle Hope was there for all of the children! Please let us know if you find out the answer.

 

[PunchkinPatrol]

Hi everyone! Holden's mommy here. We leave for our MAW trip this Sunday!! I can't believe it is finally here!!! And Holden potty trained in two weeks so he's all ready to go!!! he is so excited!

We got Pirate costumes for all the kids - Holden will be Captain Hook! We have a Dolphin Encounter in Nassau and my oldest and my husband will go parasailing in Castaway.

This Saturday we are hosting some friends over to have a "Bon Voyage" party for Holdie. Our Wish "volunteers" stopped by the house two weekends ago to drop off the check. They brought Holdie a MaW t-shirt but it was an adult XL!!!! I don't think he'll fit!!! Thankfully Ana~n~Joseph surprised us with a purchase from the MaW store and they bought all of us a t-shirt. We'll be wearing them on Sunday!!

Flight leaves at 7:05am so it will be a very early morning. We have to drive ourselves (don't know anyone with a big enough car to take us) so we'll be leaving the house at 4:30 I'm making the kids go to bed at 8pm on Saturday

 

[PunchkinPatrol]

We just made it home from our trip. Wow!! It was simply magical!!!

Kristy

How was Ava's trip!?

 

[Jessicalynne]

I can't remember and can't seem to find how to post a new thread... Any help would be great! I am wanting to get tips on beaches and such. We extended our trip and are thinking of going to clearwater beach and going to a state park somewhere close to there to see the mermaid show, and just wanted tips and to hear people's experiences, if anyone has done this. I am feeling silly that I can't figure out how to start a new thread because I have done it before with no problem...

 

[Jessicalynne]

We are also trying to decide if it is worth doing the air boat rides and going to Gatorland on our extension or possibly the week of Jordyn's wish trip. Has anyone on here done that, and was it a lot of fun?

 

[livndisney]

I would hate for anyone to be disappointed by old info. This is a recent blog post (June 30, 2013) about meeting Twinkle Hope. Calling GKTW is often the best way to get the most up-to-date info on new or less reported on activities. I don't know which is correct, I would LOVE it if Twinkle Hope was there for all of the children! Please let us know if you find out the answer.

Yes, please call-you never know I could be the one answering the phone

 

[blessedmom4]

Yes, please call-you never know I could be the one answering the phone

That is fabulous news! So what time can we see Twinkle Hope at GKTW?

 

[livndisney]

We are also trying to decide if it is worth doing the air boat rides and going to Gatorland on our extension or possibly the week of Jordyn's wish trip. Has anyone on here done that, and was it a lot of fun?

One thing to remember about Gatorland in the summer early/fall it can be HOT. There is very little a/c (almost none). The train is fun and there is a little splash park. The gator wrestling show is somewhat shaded. The rest of the park is in the sun. Walking through the marsh is neat as you are surrounded by huge alligators. You can also feed the alligators and flamingos

 

[blessedmom4]

I can't remember and can't seem to find how to post a new thread... Any help would be great! I am wanting to get tips on beaches and such. We extended our trip and are thinking of going to clearwater beach and going to a state park somewhere close to there to see the mermaid show, and just wanted tips and to hear people's experiences, if anyone has done this. I am feeling silly that I can't figure out how to start a new thread because I have done it before with no problem...

I have done the same thing before. Go to the main page of whatever forum board you want to post on and look on the top left corner above the posts and see the button that says "new thread."

 

[taliasmom]

Just got back yesterday, so much to write! Talia had a blast! But picked up an extra souvenir we hadn't approved of, we weren't home two hours and had to get her to the hospital, pneumonia, hopefully home in a few days.

 

[NEmel]

Just got back yesterday, so much to write! Talia had a blast! But picked up an extra souvenir we hadn't approved of, we weren't home two hours and had to get her to the hospital, pneumonia, hopefully home in a few days.

Oh no!! Hope she is ok and doing better quick. Glad to hear you had a fun time, can't wait to hear more!

 

[Redwavess]

Just got back yesterday, so much to write! Talia had a blast! But picked up an extra souvenir we hadn't approved of, we weren't home two hours and had to get her to the hospital, pneumonia, hopefully home in a few days.

So glad to hear that Talia had an awesome time!! Sorry to hear that she got sick, I hope she feels better in no time.

I hope the unpacking and getting back in to the swing of things goes well!! Let us know when you start your trip report!!

Madeline

 

[Monie3]

Thank you so much everyone! It is so nice to have this gift to talk about our trip to people who completely understand! The family is excited, but have the ability to put it aside. This is the trip where I can put worries away for a while. I think that is what I am most excited about. Time to spend with all the children without worrying about getting someone somewhere and making doctor appointments (which I need to do today!). Reality will be hitting as school starts next week and work starts up, so I am taking advantage of the time to read everyone's posts. I only wish I had found this earlier in the summer!
Now, on to planning! Christopher loves Mickey and Pooh so meeting them is a must. We have been to Disney several times (it is my happy place and we only live a few hours away), however they tend to be day trips. We have never been able to do more. Character meetings have not been an option because of the long lines. Christopher does not do well in the heat or waiting too long. We have generally been able to get a guest assistance pass but those do not include character lines. I am told that this will not be a problem on this trip! We tried to take him to AK once and that was mostly unsuccessful, I think because he did not understand that it was "Disney". I am going to make sure we see characters in each park, so that perhaps, he will understand. (Christopher is mostly non-verbal, so sometimes understanding what is going on in his handsome head can be challenging). I know that several of the characters will be at GKTW, so that is a must. Does anyone have any suggestions about meeting characters in the other parks? Universal?
Thank you again for any and all advice!

Okay, new question! I would like to make count down calendars for each of the children using their favorite attraction or park. Christopher is fairly easy. Mickey Mouse or Pooh or anything Disney. I found some cute ideas on Pinterest. Elizabeth is excited about Harry Potter. I found one cute idea, but am open. Phillip is excited about Jurassic Park. Help! As for planning, I am getting them to start picking favorite places to eat. I am trying to post more pictures. We took a fun, last weekend before school starts day trip to Jekyll Island and St. Simons, Ga. yesterday. Such beautiful and peaceful places!

 

[Monie3]

I can't remember and can't seem to find how to post a new thread... Any help would be great! I am wanting to get tips on beaches and such. We extended our trip and are thinking of going to clearwater beach and going to a state park somewhere close to there to see the mermaid show, and just wanted tips and to hear people's experiences, if anyone has done this. I am feeling silly that I can't figure out how to start a new thread because I have done it before with no problem...

We live in northern Florida so I can tell you a little bit about this, but I've never been to Clearwater. I have heard it is quite beautiful. I can tell you that St. Augustine has beautiful beaches and a little history, if that interests you. They tend to be somewhat secluded in areas if privacy is important. Anastasia State Park is a wonderful place.

 

[Monie3]

Okay, new question! I would like to make count down calendars for each of the children using their favorite attraction or park. Christopher is fairly easy. Mickey Mouse or Pooh or anything Disney. I found some cute ideas on Pinterest. Elizabeth is excited about Harry Potter. I found one cute idea, but am open. Phillip is excited about Jurassic Park. Help! As for planning, I am getting them to start picking favorite places to eat. I am trying to post more pictures. We took a fun, last weekend before school starts day trip to Jekyll Island and St. Simons, Ga. yesterday. Such beautiful and peaceful places!

Let's see if this works. If it does, this is our family on Jekyll Island.