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

[Monie3]

I did it! Sorry for the excitement but I am having trouble figuring everything out. This is us! Dad-David, Awesome Daughter-Elizabeth, Super Son-Phillip, Our Dreamer-Christopher and me, Monique.

 

[taliasmom]

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!

I can't guarantee anything, but while at the Disney parks the GAC worked better at character lines than in ride lines where it was basically a wheelchair access/fast pass (not generally front of the line, but close). We were escorted to each character as soon as we approached the line. Universal sets the gold standard (Disney is great, but IOA just outshined them on this level) for VIP treatment. Hint: don't miss suess's landing character meet and greet.

 

[Monie3]

I can't guarantee anything, but while at the Disney parks the GAC worked better at character lines than in ride lines where it was basically a wheelchair access/fast pass (not generally front of the line, but close). We were escorted to each character as soon as we approached the line. Universal sets the gold standard (Disney is great, but IOA just outshined them on this level) for VIP treatment. Hint: don't miss suess's landing character meet and greet.

Thank you for responding! How is Talia? I hope all is well and that she is feeling better. We are so excited and I am thrilled that Christopher will get to meet the characters at last!

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[taliasmom]

Thank you for responding! How is Talia? I hope all is well and that she is feeling better. We are so excited and I am thrilled that Christopher will get to meet the characters at last!

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We're still in the hospital, maybe tomorrow we'll go home. She's a little nauseated this morning, but doing well over all. The characters were really cool, I'm sure he will love them!

 

[Mizas1980]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and slightly overwhelmed... hope I am posting in the right spot and the right way? I'm Melissa mom to Sonya, 5 years (wish kid) and 2 older girls (8 & 12). We are headed to Disney World Sept. 28th for Sonya's wish! Background - Sonya has Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3 moderate - severe otherwise known as Brittle Bones Disease. She fractures frequently, has chronic pain, has had numerous surgeries and uses a wheelchair 50% of the time. Her wish is to meet Belle and see fireworks! We are pretty much in the dark about our trip and from what I gather MAW likes to keep things a secret and surprise you! We have 5 weeks until our trip. I know our dates, our flight time (but not our airline), that we are staying at GKTW and that we will have a rental van. I know we will have 3 day park hopper passes to Disney Parks and 2 day passes to Universal Studio and Seaworld. That is ALL I know. I'm a super organized planner and I know the intentions are for this to be a stress free no worries vacation but I am freaking out none the less over not knowing the details. We are super excited though!! I was last at Disney in 1986 as a child with my family and I remember how awesome it was then, I can only imagine the magnitude now! I have a thousand questions and I plan on reading more on here, but for now my huge concerns are...

1. Dinner reservations... I know we would love to eat at Be Our Guest and a few other places that reccommend reservations. I've seen it noted in planning books that people book reservations up to 180 day in advance! Yikes!! Is MAW handling this for us? Do I need to call and reserve? Do we just walk in? I don't want to waste precious time waiting for a table while we could be enjoying the parks!!

2. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - same concerns as dining... reservations?

3. Casts... because of my daughters condition, she is typically sporting a cast of some sort. Although she is currently cast free, there is no telling for how long and she could end up sporting one to Disney or getting one while at Disney. I'm a trained cast tech as well as being able to determine a fracture as she has had well over 65 major ones to date, so I'm not worried about ER's, Xrays and such. I am worried about acceptance on rides while sporting a cast. We have been to other local amusements and she has been denied access to a carousel because she had a leg cast. I will be soooo upset for her if her Disney experience is ruined by her fragile bones and I know she would be absolutely devastated too. Does anyone know what their protocol is for riders and casts? Do they let you ride? I hope!!

That's all for now! I'm sure I will have more!! For now I am hoping we will hear from our wish coordinator soon for more info! Thanks!!

 

[Monie3]

We are going the week after you! I wish I had some answers for you, but have a lot of questions as well! Happy Planning!

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[Monie3]

We're still in the hospital, maybe tomorrow we'll go home. She's a little nauseated this morning, but doing well over all. The characters were really cool, I'm sure he will love them!

Thoughts and prayers to you all

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[Jessicalynne]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and slightly overwhelmed... hope I am posting in the right spot and the right way? I'm Melissa mom to Sonya, 5 years (wish kid) and 2 older girls (8 & 12). We are headed to Disney World Sept. 28th for Sonya's wish! Background - Sonya has Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3 moderate - severe otherwise known as Brittle Bones Disease. She fractures frequently, has chronic pain, has had numerous surgeries and uses a wheelchair 50% of the time. Her wish is to meet Belle and see fireworks! We are pretty much in the dark about our trip and from what I gather MAW likes to keep things a secret and surprise you! We have 5 weeks until our trip. I know our dates, our flight time (but not our airline), that we are staying at GKTW and that we will have a rental van. I know we will have 3 day park hopper passes to Disney Parks and 2 day passes to Universal Studio and Seaworld. That is ALL I know. I'm a super organized planner and I know the intentions are for this to be a stress free no worries vacation but I am freaking out none the less over not knowing the details. We are super excited though!! I was last at Disney in 1986 as a child with my family and I remember how awesome it was then, I can only imagine the magnitude now! I have a thousand questions and I plan on reading more on here, but for now my huge concerns are...

1. Dinner reservations... I know we would love to eat at Be Our Guest and a few other places that reccommend reservations. I've seen it noted in planning books that people book reservations up to 180 day in advance! Yikes!! Is MAW handling this for us? Do I need to call and reserve? Do we just walk in? I don't want to waste precious time waiting for a table while we could be enjoying the parks!!

2. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - same concerns as dining... reservations?

3. Casts... because of my daughters condition, she is typically sporting a cast of some sort. Although she is currently cast free, there is no telling for how long and she could end up sporting one to Disney or getting one while at Disney. I'm a trained cast tech as well as being able to determine a fracture as she has had well over 65 major ones to date, so I'm not worried about ER's, Xrays and such. I am worried about acceptance on rides while sporting a cast. We have been to other local amusements and she has been denied access to a carousel because she had a leg cast. I will be soooo upset for her if her Disney experience is ruined by her fragile bones and I know she would be absolutely devastated too. Does anyone know what their protocol is for riders and casts? Do they let you ride? I hope!!

That's all for now! I'm sure I will have more!! For now I am hoping we will hear from our wish coordinator soon for more info! Thanks!!

I think the reservations depend on your chapter of make a wish, but I know we have to make our own reservations, and I haven't been able to secure a place at BBB and we are going the next week after you... I am almost thinking maybe I could call MAW and have them work their magic to get her in... You may need to do the same thing. I would recommend you call your MAW chapter and see if you have to make your own reservations. I think the only way most do it for you is if it was a part of the wish.

Sorry, I am not much help, and I think I just rambled... Good luck figuring it all out! I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[Redwavess]

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!

To make the countdown calendar more fun my husband and I put our daughter's favorite treats on it!! So each day she pulled off a Kit Kat or a Rice Crispy Treat. Maybe your kids would like something like that!!

 

[Mizas1980]

Thanks for the input! I'll be calling our MAW coordinator tomorrow!

 

[Monie3]

To make the countdown calendar more fun my husband and I put our daughter's favorite treats on it!! So each day she pulled off a Kit Kat or a Rice Crispy Treat. Maybe your kids would like something like that!!

I loved yours and that is where I got the countdown idea. The only problem with it is that Christopher would not understand to only take one piece! He REALLY likes treats!! ALOT! Still trying to figure out something he would understand. Thank you so much, Madeline , for your input!

 

[Redwavess]

I loved yours and that is where I got the countdown idea. The only problem with it is that Christopher would not understand to only take one piece! He REALLY likes treats!! ALOT! Still trying to figure out something he would understand. Thank you so much, Madeline , for your input!

LOL!! I can see how that would be a problem for him. I know with some kids at the school I work at they use pictures to help. If you like the treat idea you could put a picture of a treat that he redeems for the actual treat (put up and out of sight) each day.

I think it's cute you are doing a calendar for each kid!!

Happy planning!!

Madeline

 

[Redwavess]

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

Aww I love the picture!! What a great family you have!!

Thanks for sharing!!

Madeline

 

[Redwavess]

Hi everyone! I'm new here and slightly overwhelmed... hope I am posting in the right spot and the right way? I'm Melissa mom to Sonya, 5 years (wish kid) and 2 older girls (8 & 12). We are headed to Disney World Sept. 28th for Sonya's wish! Background - Sonya has Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3 moderate - severe otherwise known as Brittle Bones Disease. She fractures frequently, has chronic pain, has had numerous surgeries and uses a wheelchair 50% of the time. Her wish is to meet Belle and see fireworks! We are pretty much in the dark about our trip and from what I gather MAW likes to keep things a secret and surprise you! We have 5 weeks until our trip. I know our dates, our flight time (but not our airline), that we are staying at GKTW and that we will have a rental van. I know we will have 3 day park hopper passes to Disney Parks and 2 day passes to Universal Studio and Seaworld. That is ALL I know. I'm a super organized planner and I know the intentions are for this to be a stress free no worries vacation but I am freaking out none the less over not knowing the details. We are super excited though!! I was last at Disney in 1986 as a child with my family and I remember how awesome it was then, I can only imagine the magnitude now! I have a thousand questions and I plan on reading more on here, but for now my huge concerns are...

1. Dinner reservations... I know we would love to eat at Be Our Guest and a few other places that reccommend reservations. I've seen it noted in planning books that people book reservations up to 180 day in advance! Yikes!! Is MAW handling this for us? Do I need to call and reserve? Do we just walk in? I don't want to waste precious time waiting for a table while we could be enjoying the parks!!

2. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - same concerns as dining... reservations?

3. Casts... because of my daughters condition, she is typically sporting a cast of some sort. Although she is currently cast free, there is no telling for how long and she could end up sporting one to Disney or getting one while at Disney. I'm a trained cast tech as well as being able to determine a fracture as she has had well over 65 major ones to date, so I'm not worried about ER's, Xrays and such. I am worried about acceptance on rides while sporting a cast. We have been to other local amusements and she has been denied access to a carousel because she had a leg cast. I will be soooo upset for her if her Disney experience is ruined by her fragile bones and I know she would be absolutely devastated too. Does anyone know what their protocol is for riders and casts? Do they let you ride? I hope!!

That's all for now! I'm sure I will have more!! For now I am hoping we will hear from our wish coordinator soon for more info! Thanks!!

Welcome!! I'm so excited for you and your family!! Magic here you come!!

I have heard some people say that it has worked to try calling each day to get dinner reservations and reservations for BBB as you can never tell when people might cancel. In our case Make-A-Wish did not make any reservations for us. I think it is good you are calling the MAW coordinator to check on this.

I think most of us on here are Uber planners. What helped me to plan was reading trip reports and asking questions!!! Like you I didn't get a lot of information from MAW before hand!!

About casts did you check the DISabilities threads. I saw a post that said temporary and permanent disability first time visitors frequently asked questions that might help.

Happy planning!!!

Madeline

 

[4pmama]

SO many new families! I haven't posted in a couple weeks. Welcome to everyone!

My daughter Ramona's trip to WDW is scheduled for Nov 11. We still don't have official wish approval, either that or her wish granters are just slow at getting back to me. Last I heard, we had budget approval and they were expecting full approval any day!

Anyway, welcome everyone! I love all the questions, they answer many of my own. So many helpful people here.

 

[4pmama]

REDWAVESS:

I can't reply on you TR but I wanted to say-BEST TR EVER!!!! SO many great pictures! Beautiful outfits and just plain awesomesauce!

 

[Monie3]

LOL!! I can see how that would be a problem for him. I know with some kids at the school I work at they use pictures to help. If you like the treat idea you could put a picture of a treat that he redeems for the actual treat (put up and out of sight) each day.

I think it's cute you are doing a calendar for each kid!!

Happy planning!!

Madeline

The vice-principal at the school I work at has taken on Christopher's calendar! Our school's theme this yearns, Where Dreams Come True, so everything is Disney ( very interested to see everyone's take on the theme). We were talking about the trip and she wanted to do this. I am so blessed with the people I work with! Now to do something for Elizabeth and Phillip!

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[4pmama]

So, we got our flight info in the mail yesterday, totally unexpected as our trip is in November! But I was happy to get it, obviously! Now I can make reservations, and resume planning.

Families who went on trips with a sibling under two: did you get a seat for your child, or did they book him/her as a lap child? I really want a seat for Ezra, even though I'll be holding him a lot, I think we'll all be more comfortable with the extra seat available as needed. On the travel summary form, I did indicate that we will be bringing his own carseat for use on the plane and rental car, so...

My mom and MIL are coming with us, not as part of the wish, and are staying offisite at Happimag Lake Berkley. I'm pretty sure we will be getting a minivan as requested, but wondering if they should rent their own car. We could *probably* cram into the van with all our luggage for the trips from/to the airport, but it will be seriously snug with Ramona's wheelchair, Ezra's stroller...Idk. What have others done for family off site? Taking a cab is almost as much, so not a great solution.

How long did it take you to get to GKTW and into your villa after your flight landed? Trying to see what we can plan for the arrival evening, if anything. We get in around 7pm.

 

[Redwavess]

The vice-principal at the school I work at has taken on Christopher's calendar! Our school's theme this yearns, Where Dreams Come True, so everything is Disney ( very interested to see everyone's take on the theme). We were talking about the trip and she wanted to do this. I am so blessed with the people I work with! Now to do something for Elizabeth and Phillip!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

That is so awesome!! What a blessing to have great people to work with!!! I'm excited to see what you come up with for Elizabeth and Phillip!!

Don't forget to post pictures of the countdown calendar for us to see if you get time!!

Madeline

 

[Redwavess]

So, we got our flight info in the mail yesterday, totally unexpected as our trip is in November! But I was happy to get it, obviously! Now I can make reservations, and resume planning.

Families who went on trips with a sibling under two: did you get a seat for your child, or did they book him/her as a lap child? I really want a seat for Ezra, even though I'll be holding him a lot, I think we'll all be more comfortable with the extra seat available as needed. On the travel summary form, I did indicate that we will be bringing his own carseat for use on the plane and rental car, so...

My mom and MIL are coming with us, not as part of the wish, and are staying offisite at Happimag Lake Berkley. I'm pretty sure we will be getting a minivan as requested, but wondering if they should rent their own car. We could *probably* cram into the van with all our luggage for the trips from/to the airport, but it will be seriously snug with Ramona's wheelchair, Ezra's stroller...Idk. What have others done for family off site? Taking a cab is almost as much, so not a great solution.

How long did it take you to get to GKTW and into your villa after your flight landed? Trying to see what we can plan for the arrival evening, if anything. We get in around 7pm.

Hooray for flight info!!

I didn't travel with anyone under 2 or anyone staying offsite so I can't help with those questions. I seems like I remember getting preferred parking at some of the parks, so being in 1 vehicle would help with that. Maybe it would help you to decide after you get van to see if it is possible.

I believe it took over an hour to get from the airport and settled in our Villa. Exploring GKTW might be a fun way to send that 1st night!!!

Happy planning!!!

Madeline