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

[NEmel]

Originally Posted by lakinbum93

We are here and just finished our first day in the parks and Mayor Clayton's birthday! Let me just say, no matter how much you are prepared, you can't even imagine how awesome this place is....how awesome Disney is! Favorite at Animal Kingdom was Lion King-I was in tears (could be because we had "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" at our wedding over 15 yrs ago!) and Hollywood Studios was Star Tours but we did not get to finish that park-maybe another day.
GKTW...there are no words to describe how awesome this place is. And happy. Exhausted but tired and ready for day #2 at Universal. My kids want to move here so they can volunteer here forever. And my 13 yr old asked if she could volunteer while we were staying here! Blessed more than I could have ever imagined!

So glad you are enjoying your trip, it sounds amazing!!! Hope the rest of the trip goes well!

[camidges]

Sadly, we just recently found out that Ryan's wish trip to Orlando will not be happening after all... We had gotten our dates and sent in the paper work for GKTW, when it became apparent to our wish planners that it wasn't really going to work for Ryan to fly. Too many near-impossibilities to work out.

Sooo.... We are sad, but we are now going to make plans to go to Disneyland instead. Guess it will all be OK, and we will make the best of it! Now to find out all about Disneyland wish trips~

Thanks for your help, and all of the info that I have gotten off of this board!

[angcmom]

Hi All! It has been a little over a year since Abigail's wish trip and we have talked off and on this entire year about going back to GKTW to volunteer. It looks like things are going to work out for us to do just that in January! The trip will be a surprise for the kids...they have no idea and will find out on Christmas Day.

We will also be going to Disney while there and attending Homeschool Day at HS which the kids will love.

Prior to the wish trip, we had been to Disney twice. I had never even heard of a GAC until our MAW trip and still am not sure of how to request one. I do know that the GAC for a wish trip is completely different than what the general public receives but I'm wondering if I should request one for this trip...or if Abigail even "qualifies" for one.

Her medical condition is thoracic insufficiency caused by congenital scoliosis. One lung is about 3/4 of the size of the other and she currently has a device that is expanding her ribcage so her lung isn't crushed. She does not require an oxygen tank and if you didn't look really close you wouldn't think there was anything wrong. She has surgery every six months and just had #11 about 6 weeks ago. She is completely mobile and does not use a wheelchair. She does get tired but probably not too much more than other kids her age. She has had more pain since this last surgery but who knows how she will be doing two months from now.

I guess my question is what are your thoughts on getting a GAC based on the above information?

Thanks!

[angel's momma]

lakinbum93 - Glad you are having a wonderful time. So wonderful that your kids want to volunteer.

camidges - So sorry Ryan can't go after all. I hope you have a wonderful time at Disneyland.

angcmom - So wonderful that you are going to volunteer at GKTW What a wonderful Christmas surprise I hope you have a great trip.

[Nevada Jen]

Lakinbum, It sounds like you are having an absolutely awesome time! I will be interested to hear whether you can do Magic Kingdom in a day with the Wish Trip GAC.

camidges, that really sucks. Hope I am allowed to say that word. Disneyland will still be great but just not the same. Maybe they can arrange a special meet and greet or something there for you to make it extra special.

Angcmom, I think you will want the GAC if you are going to use a wheelchair but otherwise, in January, I doubt it will make much of a difference. It would be different if it was super hot while you were there. It should be s fun trip!

I think I am more excited for our MAW trip than my wish kid! Perhaps that is because I am usually the one who has to find the money to pay for these elaborate trips! I cannot WAIT to be on vacation!

[carebearkidney]

Originally Posted by lakinbum93

We are here and just finished our first day in the parks and Mayor Clayton's birthday! Let me just say, no matter how much you are prepared, you can't even imagine how awesome this place is....how awesome Disney is! Favorite at Animal Kingdom was Lion King-I was in tears (could be because we had "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" at our wedding over 15 yrs ago!) and Hollywood Studios was Star Tours but we did not get to finish that park-maybe another day.
GKTW...there are no words to describe how awesome this place is. And happy. Exhausted but tired and ready for day #2 at Universal. My kids want to move here so they can volunteer here forever. And my 13 yr old asked if she could volunteer while we were staying here! Blessed more than I could have ever imagined!

Totally awesome! So glad y'all are having a wonderful time. And your daughter - wow.

[carebearkidney]

Originally Posted by camidges

Sadly, we just recently found out that Ryan's wish trip to Orlando will not be happening after all... We had gotten our dates and sent in the paper work for GKTW, when it became apparent to our wish planners that it wasn't really going to work for Ryan to fly. Too many near-impossibilities to work out.

Sooo.... We are sad, but we are now going to make plans to go to Disneyland instead. Guess it will all be OK, and we will make the best of it! Now to find out all about Disneyland wish trips~

Thanks for your help, and all of the info that I have gotten off of this board!

I'm sorry that Disney World did not work out. We would like to eventually make it over to Disneyland ourselves, but that flight would have been too much on Matthew. I'm sure it will still be filled with Disney magic and I can't wait to see the photos!

[kalimom6]

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

[KaylaM]

Originally Posted by kalimom6

Those of you who have just returned from Orlando, or have traveled there at this time of year, what do I pack? I talked to my nephews mom, who lives 2 hours from there, she said he wears shorts during the day and jeans at night if they go anywhere.

A little bit of everything... We wore shorts, pants, long sleeve, short sleeves, jacket, sweatshirts, daughter wore a hat at night, ugg boots and thick socks. Crazy weather and you just don't know. Warm days and cold days.. The wind seem to be cold and went right through you at times.

[NEmel]

Originally Posted by kalimom6

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

How exciting!! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

[newdrama12]

Originally Posted by angcmom

Her medical condition is thoracic insufficiency caused by congenital scoliosis. One lung is about 3/4 of the size of the other and she currently has a device that is expanding her ribcage so her lung isn't crushed. She does not require an oxygen tank and if you didn't look really close you wouldn't think there was anything wrong. She has surgery every six months and just had #11 about 6 weeks ago. She is completely mobile and does not use a wheelchair. She does get tired but probably not too much more than other kids her age. She has had more pain since this last surgery but who knows how she will be doing two months from now.

I guess my question is what are your thoughts on getting a GAC based on the above information?

Thanks!

For the GAC, the cast members will need to know what accommodations you will need. Specific medical conditions won't help in getting one since the cast member probably will have no idea what that is. To request one, you will just go to Guest Services and tell them what is needed and they will do their best.

[angel's momma]

Sarah - So glad Elsa had such a special reveal Hope you have a fantastic trip!

[DelanaAndKyra]

Tonight is the Christmas party, some of my family is off at animal kingdom but Kyra and I stayed back as she is getting exhausted and needs a bit of a break before we do sea world tomorrow. Everything is so overwhelming and amazing! Words will never explain it! Kyra had her wish day on Tuesday and had a private meet and greet with Belle. She was so in total awe! I also did extra and went to the bibbidi bobbidi boutique and she had the full makeover and photo shoot. She LOVED being pampered! Only a couple more sleeps then we go home boo!

[OhanaDreams]

Originally Posted by kalimom6

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

Good job Elsa! Have a wonderful time.

[carebearkidney]

Originally Posted by kalimom6

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

That sounds awesome! I hope you took pics to share and remember the moment! It's almost time!!!