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

[StefaniLyn]

There are two studies one at NIH and one at Boston Children's. K didn't qualify for either because she is Neupogen dependent. The danazol worked great and then didn't I'm actually on the plane to MSP for a BMB and see Tolar on Friday.

We got our wish trip dates! WE go May 16-22. So excited. So they asked what K would want for her send off party.... I'm totally clueless as to what that is or what she would want. Please someone fill me in

I am sorry to hear that the danazol has stopped working Yea! for Wish Trip official dates!

As far as a send off party, the is no "standard". For Bella's send off, we went bowling with about 5 or 6 of her friends, had pizza and soda, and then the Wish Granter gave her some gifts and gave us the packet of information and other stuff. Others have had parties at home. It can be just your family or it can be your child's friends. Talk with your Wish Granter and see if they have any ideas, a budget, or other parameters and go from there.

I officially started our pre-trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3245917

Our wish grantors came to our house last night where Reese declared her wish to meet Mickey who lives in Disney World. Also the lizard from Tangled. (Not Tangled, just the lizard). She seriously LOVES Pascal, and there are VERY few things that have him on it. She also loves the Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins, and the 1940's version of the 3 Little Pigs. Definitely a unique soul she is

She's a DOLL! Although it's technically not "meeting" Pascal, in the Rapunzel Rest area (right next to ISAW), there is a Pascal Scavenger Hunt. About 10 or so Pascals are hidden among the landscape. It's also a great place to charge your cell phone and take a rest. You can read more about the rest area here: http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/articles/fantasylands-tangled-rest-area-elevates-theme-park-bathroom

Trading Pins question:

At what age do you recommend your kids start this?

I actually think Reese may like it. She loves talking about things that she was given in different places/different people. For example, any trinket/toy that grandparents/uncles/close friends have given her---she STILL talks about it 6 months later and mentions who bought it for her. So I can see her being really interested in someone giving her a trading pin in Disney. The only thing I am reluctant on is her actually GIVING them away. (However, if she doesn't care for a particular toy, etc--her line is "I can't LIKE it"--and she will give that "reject" toy away to anyone. So I was actually thinking about getting her some pins that I know she won't like at all--because I know she would never have a problem of giving those away.

So where do you get pins? How many should i get her? Do you think she is old enough?

Lots of questions I know.

I think 3 is definitely old enough to start pin trading. As long as your daughter isn't terribly shy and is willing to ask Cast Members to trade, she will have a blast trading. We always buy 20-30 pins for each of our girls off of ebay before we go. By the time we return, they have swapped the random ebay pins for Princesses, Tinkerbells, and Mickeys that they love.

Anyone familiar with GKTW enough to know when they tend to be completely booked? Sophie's MAW contacts will be visiting this Saturday and I understand that if she does ask to go to WDW, we'll be asked to give some dates.

My ONLY real desire is that Sophie have completed chemo before we go. She seems to be responding well to it and there is a good chance she SHOULD be done with maintenence sometime in June. At least, her oncologist seems to think that is still viable. I'd like her to have at LEAST a few weeks to recover and get some of her energy and stamina back as well, more the better.

Here's the other thing. Sophie REALLY wants to stay at GKTW. I think she's be really disappointed if, however generous it might be, to stay on property bc she really had her heart set on GKTW. I'm told they do get full and it's usually during the summer months for obvious reasons.

I'd rather the girls not miss school, especially since Savannah is starting middle school and had been signed up for accelerated math and language arts. But I don't want Sophie to miss out on what is part off her wish, either.

By any chance, does anyone have any advice or suggestions? Should I call GKTW? Seems like that might be presumptuous on my part before even meeting with MAW.

I would imagine that the busiest times for GKTW would be Spring Break, Summer, Thanksgiving break, and Christmas thru New Year. Anytime kids already have off of school, they probably fill up fast. However, if you don't mind your kids missing school, you should be fine. When we chose our dates for December 09, we selected them in May and had no problem getting in. Our dates were in the beginning of December and I can tell you there is no more magical time and place than Disney at Christmas. My suggestion/recommendation is the first or second week in Dec.

 

[greenjellybean]

I am impressed StephaniLyn! You got this covered! Lots of great info! Thanks for all the tips! Starearedkid is who I think suggested I contact GKTW (if not, sorry) so I sent an email and they were quick to respond. Said that their quietest times are January, February, September and most of October. I did try to talk Sophie into going around Christmas but she wasn't having any of that . Too far away, maybe?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Hi. I hope I'm welcome in here. One of my dearest friends is taking her son on a Wish trip in about a week. She's been less than impressed with her Wish Grantor, who hasn't been especially helpful with this Wish trip, so she has lots of questions that she's asking me (as a Disney vet), but I've never been on a Wish trip, so I want to make sure I'm giving her valid information. I'm going to try to get her on a park schedule to go to the least crowded park each day of their trip, but I don't think we have to worry about FP+, correct? I'm under the impression that they'll be given automatic admission to the FP+ line...is that correct? What about at Universal and Seaworld?

Her son is recovering from a stem cell transplant and while it's been over a year (WOOT WOOT!) he still tires easily so they're renting a stroller. Will the red stroller tags be available at GKTW, or does that have to be done at the park? Where (specifically) do they go to get the tag?

Do kids who stay at GKTW get MBs?

Sorry if these questions are really basic, but I'm out of my element here.

Thanks for your help.

 

[alexwick]

He guys, i got the info in another thread that they would not have buttons at give kids the world anymore but, some kind of card...

can someone else confirm or deny?

Unless the have changed things in the last 4 months, it is no longer a button.
In a October 2013, they changed to a laminated cutout of the Genie from Aladdin that can be worn on a lanyard.
If you choose also to wear some kind of special shirt is up to you. Some people use their Wish shirts as kind of a celebration, others don't enjoy the extra attention that special shirts might bring over and above the Genie.
So, it's up to you. As someone else said, don't wear special shirts for others, wear them for you.

As was mentioned, you will be told to approach a CM at each attraction, let them know that you are on a Wish trip, and ask how to access the attraction. In most cases, there is a Fastpass line and you will be directed to go into that line.
....

 

[alexwick]

also i was wondering about the difference in experience from the character meets at GKTW to the regular meets at WDW / US?


this is also a question since rapunzel and frozen characters seem to have a very long wait at WDW and per gktw guide the "button" officially only helps by rides not character greets...
now with the new changes on fastpass it seems that everybody having a ticket will be able to use fastpass on greets and atractions up to 30 days in advance see here

meaning that fastpasses for those might be maxed out... heard frozen lines go up to several hours!

who will be at GKTW ? only the classics like mickey and minney or also rapunzel and frozen charcters? and how will those meetups hold up against the WDW ones? besides the obvious shorter waits...

what are your take on this?

 

[StefaniLyn]

I am impressed StephaniLyn! You got this covered! Lots of great info! Thanks for all the tips! Starearedkid is who I think suggested I contact GKTW (if not, sorry) so I sent an email and they were quick to respond. Said that their quietest times are January, February, September and most of October. I did try to talk Sophie into going around Christmas but she wasn't having any of that . Too far away, maybe?

I'm so glad you have an accurate answer! Definitely a good idea to go to the source. October is a pretty fabulous time too with MNSSHP! September is still quite warm/hot in our opinion. Bella practically melted! LOL

Hi. I hope I'm welcome in here. One of my dearest friends is taking her son on a Wish trip in about a week. She's been less than impressed with her Wish Grantor, who hasn't been especially helpful with this Wish trip, so she has lots of questions that she's asking me (as a Disney vet), but I've never been on a Wish trip, so I want to make sure I'm giving her valid information. I'm going to try to get her on a park schedule to go to the least crowded park each day of their trip, but I don't think we have to worry about FP+, correct? I'm under the impression that they'll be given automatic admission to the FP+ line...is that correct? What about at Universal and Seaworld?

Her son is recovering from a stem cell transplant and while it's been over a year (WOOT WOOT!) he still tires easily so they're renting a stroller. Will the red stroller tags be available at GKTW, or does that have to be done at the park? Where (specifically) do they go to get the tag?

Do kids who stay at GKTW get MBs?

Sorry if these questions are really basic, but I'm out of my element here.

Thanks for your help.

First, of course you are welcome! Now to answer the questions.
FP: No need to worry about FP, the Genie lanyard is the FASTER than the fast pass. They simply need to go up to a CM at each ride entrance and show them the Genie. It works like Magic. US and SW are similar, but it's the MAW button or GKTW button that gets them in at those parks I believe.
Stroller: DO NOT rent one. They have some at GKTW for families and at the parks, Wish families get a free stroller rental. I suggest getting the double to have extra space.
MB: No MBs for GKTW families

I am more than happy to answer other questions. We are a former Wish Family in 09 and just recently spent some time with friends of ours who were on a Wish trip in Feb of this year. Send me a PM and I can send you my name to find me on Facebook. And I would definitely suggest reading pre trip reports to your friend if she has time before the trip. It's so nice of you to help her get more information and I hope it's a magical trip!

He guys, i got the info in another thread that they would not have buttons at give kids the world anymore but, some kind of card...

can someone else confirm or deny?

I spent time with friends of ours who were on a Wish trip last month (Feb 14) and I can CONFIRM that it is now a laminated Genie Card rather than a GKTW button.

also i was wondering about the difference in experience from the character meets at GKTW to the regular meets at WDW / US?


this is also a question since rapunzel and frozen characters seem to have a very long wait at WDW and per gktw guide the "button" officially only helps by rides not character greets...
now with the new changes on fastpass it seems that everybody having a ticket will be able to use fastpass on greets and atractions up to 30 days in advance see here

meaning that fastpasses for those might be maxed out... heard frozen lines go up to several hours!

who will be at GKTW ? only the classics like mickey and minney or also rapunzel and frozen charcters? and how will those meetups hold up against the WDW ones? besides the obvious shorter waits...

what are your take on this?

Speaking from our experience, it's hard to know well in advance who will be at GKTW. There is also something a bit more special in my opinion about meeting the characters in their "element" at the parks. The theming, the surroundings....it just makes them seem more real to me. However, it has also been our experience that the Wish/Genie lanyard WILL get you into the shorter wait lines for characters. In fact, we were 'scolded' (in a laughing manner) by CMs for trying to get in a regular line the first time we did a character meet.

Last month, friends of ours on a Wish Trip wanted to meet Anna and Elsa at Epcot. The line was 3 hours long, but they were promptly escorted to the front of the line, waited about 10 minutes, and met the princesses. In fact, because we were not a Wish Family at the time and didn't want to wait 3 hours, they took video of Anna and Elsa saying HI to my Princess, which absolutely made her day! I hope this helps!

 

[Diegosmom]

I havent been on in a while but we received work that Diego's wish to see batman and robin at Legoland has been granted...thus getting us Disney and Universal. We requested 3 separate weeks. 1st week Dec., 2nd week Dec and last week Nov. Diego has been having trouble catching up in school and so we didnt not want him to miss anymore. He also only gets 5 weeks in the summer and will be likely still catching up (and I refuse to go in the summer again lol).

I asked if we would be able to add a few days at our expense and was told only if we drive. Its a 10 hour drive so we might just do that.

Guess I need to start a PTR (oh btw Diego turns 7 next week and is currently in remission for a wilms tumor).

 

[Diegosmom]

We just got our dates Dec 7-13...Can not wait

 

[greenjellybean]

We just got our dates Dec 7-13...Can not wait

Congratulations!

 

[Marsone1]

I'm so glad you have an accurate answer! Definitely a good idea to go to the source. October is a pretty fabulous time too with MNSSHP! September is still quite warm/hot in our opinion. Bella practically melted! LOL

First, of course you are welcome! Now to answer the questions.
FP: No need to worry about FP, the Genie lanyard is the FASTER than the fast pass. They simply need to go up to a CM at each ride entrance and show them the Genie. It works like Magic. US and SW are similar, but it's the MAW button or GKTW button that gets them in at those parks I believe.
Stroller: DO NOT rent one. They have some at GKTW for families and at the parks, Wish families get a free stroller rental. I suggest getting the double to have extra space.
MB: No MBs for GKTW families

I am more than happy to answer other questions. We are a former Wish Family in 09 and just recently spent some time with friends of ours who were on a Wish trip in Feb of this year. Send me a PM and I can send you my name to find me on Facebook. And I would definitely suggest reading pre trip reports to your friend if she has time before the trip. It's so nice of you to help her get more information and I hope it's a magical trip!

I spent time with friends of ours who were on a Wish trip last month (Feb 14) and I can CONFIRM that it is now a laminated Genie Card rather than a GKTW button.

Speaking from our experience, it's hard to know well in advance who will be at GKTW. There is also something a bit more special in my opinion about meeting the characters in their "element" at the parks. The theming, the surroundings....it just makes them seem more real to me. However, it has also been our experience that the Wish/Genie lanyard WILL get you into the shorter wait lines for characters. In fact, we were 'scolded' (in a laughing manner) by CMs for trying to get in a regular line the first time we did a character meet.

Last month, friends of ours on a Wish Trip wanted to meet Anna and Elsa at Epcot. The line was 3 hours long, but they were promptly escorted to the front of the line, waited about 10 minutes, and met the princesses. In fact, because we were not a Wish Family at the time and didn't want to wait 3 hours, they took video of Anna and Elsa saying HI to my Princess, which absolutely made her day! I hope this helps!

When we were at the village, they had mickey, goofy, bell, pluto, mary poppins. The characters varies they say. The most we waited to see rapunzel and anna & elsa was 5 minutes or less. Just go up to the cast member and show them your genie pass. We noticed that if we wore our MAW shirt, it was easier for them to to spot us as a wish family. Be aware though that while we were there some cast member didn't know what the genie pass or the button is.

 

[alexwick]

StefaniLyn

First, of course you are welcome! Now to answer the questions.
FP: No need to worry about FP, the Genie lanyard is the FASTER than the fast pass. They simply need to go up to a CM at each ride entrance and show them the Genie. It works like Magic. US and SW are similar, but it's the MAW button or GKTW button that gets them in at those parks I believe.

So you are positiv that its not just get u in the FP+ line?

Also the wish child does not have to be with everybody the whole time OR?

lets say she lays down for nap at GKTW but my 2 other kids stay in the park with me...
I understand we all get a button / lanyard / OR??

Any recent (or older) experiences with it from families...??

 

[Adee369]

What a awesome thread, I can't wait to pick through it!! Our sons wish trip (Disney cruise) is in a little over two weeks! Our entire family is super excited

 

[alexwick]

So you are positiv that its not just get u in the FP+ line?

Also the wish child does not have to be with everybody the whole time OR?

lets say she lays down for nap at GKTW but my 2 other kids stay in the park with me...
I understand we all get a button / lanyard / OR??

Any recent (or older) experiences with it from families...??

Someone must know if everyone gets a button / lanyard or only the wish child...
As well as if the wish child has to be with you The whole time to use fol access?

 

[icecreamforbreakfast]

Someone must know if everyone gets a button / lanyard or only the wish child...
As well as if the wish child has to be with you The whole time to use fol access?

When we went in 2010 only the wish child got a button from GKTW and we got one fol pass which said it was good for 6 people (our family). The rest of us were easily able to use it for rides he wasn't tall enough for / didn't want to ride. He was always nearby (not always in sight though), but we were never questioned when we showed the pass to cast members. It wasn't very often we got absolutely front of the line access (sometimes we just were able to join the fastpass line), but we definitely didn't wait very long for any rides.

Don't know if anything has changed since then, but felt like you needed a response :good vibes

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[alexwick]

ok, guys.... here is a little argument me and my wife have...
she thinks i am crazy for doing all the reading and research on forums and on the web.
She believes everything is planned from the wish granting organisation... and it would be personalized for each kid going there...

Now whoever has been on a wishtrip can chime in here I guess

The way I understand this works is that it will be personalized to a certain degree... Like what surprise gifts you might get or you get your own personal star...
BUT i understand you can plan yourself when you visit what park... i.e. if or to which evening events you want to go...

The most of the planning they do is set the framework... Like provide breakfast lunch dinner and the evening events... at least that is how i understand the villa guide....
can someone confirm this, or did anyone have a different experience?

Is it different depending on the wish organisation?
The way I understand is that the wish organisation just lets you go to GKTW, but then the stay is pretty much the same no matter what wish granting organisation you go with, OR?

#rantmode ON#
Also my wish granting person is really discouraging me to do any research (what gets on my nerves big time).
Don't get me wrong I am very grateful they allow for us to do the trip (but so far I am not a big fan of our wish person)!
For example I asked about using FP+ for Parades or fireworks, since the lanyard or button should not work for any preferred treatment there. The answer I got was along the lines... dont worry about it. You can see the fireworks from everywhere in the park. Which believe might be true. BUT I am sure there is a different quality depending where you are. Also she did not answer my actual question about using FP+. I understand that she does not want me to worry about anything. But still.
#rantmode OFF"


Very happy to go in about 3 weeks...
Just ordered custom print shirts for all of us

 

[icecreamforbreakfast]

ok, guys.... here is a little argument me and my wife have...
she thinks i am crazy for doing all the reading and research on forums and on the web.
She believes everything is planned from the wish granting organisation... and it would be personalized for each kid going there...

Now whoever has been on a wishtrip can chime in here I guess

The way I understand this works is that it will be personalized to a certain degree... Like what surprise gifts you might get or you get your own personal star...
BUT i understand you can plan yourself when you visit what park... i.e. if or to which evening events you want to go...

The most of the planning they do is set the framework... Like provide breakfast lunch dinner and the evening events... at least that is how i understand the villa guide....
can someone confirm this, or did anyone have a different experience?

Is it different depending on the wish organisation?
The way I understand is that the wish organisation just lets you go to GKTW, but then the stay is pretty much the same no matter what wish granting organisation you go with, OR?

#rantmode ON#
Also my wish granting person is really discouraging me to do any research (what gets on my nerves big time).
Don't get me wrong I am very grateful they allow for us to do the trip (but so far I am not a big fan of our wish person)!
For example I asked about using FP+ for Parades or fireworks, since the lanyard or button should not work for any preferred treatment there. The answer I got was along the lines... dont worry about it. You can see the fireworks from everywhere in the park. Which believe might be true. BUT I am sure there is a different quality depending where you are. Also she did not answer my actual question about using FP+. I understand that she does not want me to worry about anything. But still.
#rantmode OFF"


Very happy to go in about 3 weeks...
Just ordered custom print shirts for all of us

As I mentioned before we went in 2010, so I don't know if anything has changed, but for us nothing was planned aside from flights. There was no itinerary provided, we were free to do whatever we wanted whenever. We did not get special access to parades or fireworks, but that was before fp+ offered that as a selection, so can't help you there.

As far as I know and heard from others travelling at around the same time, all the wish granting organizations are pretty much the same, they get you to GKTW then you are on your own to plan your days as you please. The only exception I have seen to this is if the wish was more "complex" and included something specific like a certain character meal or event or something, then that specific item was scheduled in for you.

The gifts given at the villa are exactly the same for each unit (it seemed that way while we were there anyway as we saw other kids carrying around the same stuff we got). I think it depends what kind of donations GKTW have received. We got some pretty "unusual" stuff (Betty Boop Christmas decoration & small Betty Boop bag for one ) Also, every child receives the same blank star to write their name on &/or personalize as they please, it is then added to the massive collection on the walls & ceiling.

So I guess to summarize, from our experience anyways, nothing was planned or personalized for our child. But, that didn't stop us from having a fabulous trip anyway!

 

[Marsone1]

When we went in 2010 only the wish child got a button from GKTW and we got one fol pass which said it was good for 6 people (our family). The rest of us were easily able to use it for rides he wasn't tall enough for / didn't want to ride. He was always nearby (not always in sight though), but we were never questioned when we showed the pass to cast members. It wasn't very often we got absolutely front of the line access (sometimes we just were able to join the fastpass line), but we definitely didn't wait very long for any rides.

Don't know if anything has changed since then, but felt like you needed a response :good vibes

Have a great trip!!!!

We went this Feb. My son got the button and we got a landyard which had a picture of the genie from alladin. The genie pass has the number of people in your party. They dont really need to see the gktw button for the ride. You just show them the genie pass and you get access to the fast pass line. The genie pass is your fast past ticket.

 

[alexwick]

icecreamforbreakfast
Marsone1
thanks for your replies!!!

we just had our dream party at bolles private school! it was great... Maddy was a bit shy. No wonder with 40 5th graders around. But she still loved it! And got TONS of presents ( I mean christmas * x)

check out instagram for some photos (link in Signature)

http://instagram.com/p/nN9Do8Id6M/

to the last post!

Marsone: Does everybody get a lanyard with the genie?

our wish coordinator told me that the genie was DISNEY only. Is that correct?

Also I was right about 95% of the Information i was given from her... actually felt more like i knew more about the trip then she did. Anyways.

SHE told me that the button / lanyard only helps if the wish child is in the party riding! Which I dont believe is true from what i have read here.

anyways. would be great if i got some more feedback on that from some more recent families, which might have actually split the party up... I might just book fast passes the night before for 2-3 rides like space mountain etc. which Maddi wont go on? DOES that make SENSE?

 

[MrsMeow]

Hi all! My 5 year-old son is making his wish this Thursday, and unless something drastically changes, he's going to be wishing to go to Disney World (he's been talking about Disney for MONTHS, so it's not likely...)! I look forward to combing this forum for information...I've already starting researching like crazy to learn all I can. I'll be honest, I've never really wanted to go to Disney, but since it's his wish, I'm going to do all I can to be prepared and make it awesome!!

 

[alexwick]

Hi all! My 5 year-old son is making his wish this Thursday, and unless something drastically changes, he's going to be wishing to go to Disney World (he's been talking about Disney for MONTHS, so it's not likely...)! I look forward to combing this forum for information...I've already starting researching like crazy to learn all I can. I'll be honest, I've never really wanted to go to Disney, but since it's his wish, I'm going to do all I can to be prepared and make it awesome!!

Hey Mrs Meow,
welcome in the forum! Mu daughter is nearly four. and we are leaving for our wishtrip in about 2 weeks Let me know if i can help...!