Anyone gone with Make-a-Wish or know lots about it?

[Zoie]

Hi,

I have friends who are going to Disney this fall with Make a Wish. I was asking them if they knew how meals were to be handled, and she said that they were told they would be fed at Perkins while staying at the Make a Wish village. I asked if that meant they wouldn't get to eat any meals in the park, because I figured they would get meal vouchers or something, and she said, Oh for in the parks I think we get vouchers, or money, or something, I don't really know. I said that if they got vouchers for any table service meal, they should make reservations NOW for character meals for the kids, unless Make a Wish was already taking care of that kind of thing, and she said oh yes, her daughter wants to eat with the princesses, etc., but they really don't know anything about how all that works, everything regarding the planning of this trip is a mystery to them.

So if anyone has been with Make a Wish, do you know how the meals work? Are families given vouchers for table service meals, and allowed to choose wherever they want to eat? I'm just concerned that if they don't make ressies NOW, they won't be able to get into any character meals once they get there, especially with princesses!!!

Thanks in advance!

 

[MidgeD79]

Have your friends contact Make a Wish and ask if they can speak with another family who went recently. We did that and the info was priceless! The basics should work like this: Perkins is open for breakfast and dinner within certain timeframes. It is served cafeteria style. each family is given 3 ( could have changed) 1 day non-hopper passes to WDW and passes to Seaworld and Universal Studios. We were given vouchers for lunch at SW and US. We were also given money based on the # of people in our family and our local chapter. we stayed at Kids World Village and were not able to make reservations in advance because we were not on-site. We did make reservations in the AM of the day we entered each park with no problems. These wish programs are evolving every day so your friends may want to make a list of questions (with your help) and ask the wish sponser liason the questions! I hope they have a blast. I just happened to watch michaels wish trip video yesterday and cryied all the way it. Michael died 2.10 years ago and his sister jessica 45 days ago. those trips are very meaningful for familes

 

[skoopman]

First of all, grrr, I just tried to post an answer and it got lost. Oh well.

I am in the midst of trying to plan my daughter WDW MAW trip. I talked to her Wish Coordinator last week. I was told that the trip would be as follows: transportation to and from home airport, 7 nights at Give Kids the World Village, 3 day park hopper pass to WDW, one day Sea World, one day Universal, rental car, money for meals (don't know how much), airfare.

They do not take care of any dining reservations or special meets with characters. If you want to make sure they see princesses, I recommend booking on your own. She did say GKTW would "help with reservations once at the Village" but I don't know if they have a special in or if they just try to get lucky. Personally I wouldn't chance it. I made reservations for CRT and the Princess Tea already.

Good luck!
Suzanne

 

[brandon1022]

We are leaving for our Make a Wish trip in 12 days! This kind of came together pretty quickly and so some of the details are not there. I know we are staying at GKTW and get tickets to all of the parks, but we still have some questions. Our wish volunteers are coming out in a few days to do our send off party. I am sure that we will be given much more information at that point. But in the meantime if anyone has anything else to add please share!

Thanks,

Alicia

 

[A-me]

I'd make ressie ASAP. My DD wish trip is this fall. I've already made ressie and most times were taken or totally full. Our MAW coorinator told us we would be getting money toward meals in the park and extras. I've also heard the food at GKTW is good. THe meals are scheduled at certain times and you can get pizza from 4 to 10:30. I know I've read the menu somewhere try the GKTW web site. Hope this helps.

 

[A-me]

Alicia- do a search for GKTW and MAW on the DIs boards. THere are lots of trip reports. THis is how I got most of my info. I've even asked some questions about their trips. All have been super nice and SO helpful!!! Can't wait to hear about your trip. Have a great time! Amy

 

[Megan's Mom]

We did a wish trip about 3 years ago now. We did eat some of our meals there at the Villiage but we also did Character meals at the parks as well. They give you plenty of money to take care of eatting in the parks. I know we ate with Pooh and seems like a couple of other meals as well. Some of the characters will come to the village in the mornings. Seems like it was Monday and Thursday for a special meet and greet. Universal characters came on Friday. There is an organizational meeting the night that you get there that explains everything to you and you get your tickets. If you want more tickets to Disney they will give them to you. Universal was great with these kids. Also more of their rides were wheelchair accessable.

 

[MarieS]

My boys had their Wish trip last November and it was fabulous! We stayed at Give Kids the World Village. All the volunteers there were wonderful. We received a three day pass for Disney(includes parking), and passes for Universal/Islands of Adventure and Sea World( with parking). They sometimes have passes for other attractions in the area as well.

The villas were wonderful--especially the accessible bathroom! You could have breakfast and dinner at the restaurant at the Village. Our local MAW gave us money for lunch which we used for character meals. I booked all of these myself from home. I would definitely make reservations for character meals now as they fill fast. My boys also liked the spiderman breakfast at IOA.

The village has so many wonderful things to do as well. My boys loved the accessible carousel and rode it many times. Everyday you will receive a newsletter with the menu and what activities are scheduled in the village. Be sure to check on when Mickey and friends will be there.
If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them.

 

[disneyfreak74]

This may be very TACKY but does anyone know how much money they give you for the trip? My cousin and her family are going in Sept. They are a family of 5 (2 adults, 11 y/o, 8 y/o, and 6 y/o BOYS) My Sunday school class was wondering if we should take up a love offering or if they would have enough money for the dining they want to do. WE (my family) have the FREE dining and they are planning to eat with us a few times and I want to be sure that everything is covered.

 

[SueM in MN]

This may be very TACKY but does anyone know how much money they give you for the trip?

From what I have gathered by reading trip reports and posts (which did not give dollar amounts usually), the exact dollar amount may vary from organization to organization or state to state.
Most felt they had enough.
Someone who has been there can give you a better answer, but I believe the "on site" MAW/GKTW volunteers can sometimes get reservations for you (if any are left).

 

[disneyfreak74]

I made my cousins reservations for dining yesterday!! They are finally soooo excited!! Donovan has only 1 yes I said 1 more week of chemo!!! He's been "clear" for 4 months but the doctor wanted to complete the chemo!!!

 

[PammyPoppins]

I Hope Donovan and all of you have a great trip. I am glad heis doing well.
PammyPoppins

 

[TaylorsDad]

We are a family a 3 and We went with make a wish last year. They provided about a weeks stay at Nick hotel, hopper passes for 3 or 4 days at disney, passes for universal/ioa and passes for Seaworld. We were provided with parking permits and free stroller rental for the week since DD8 cannot walk. They base the money given on expenses necessary. Although not excessive it was still sufficient. We had no waiting in lines they took us to the front of the line. At Universal we went to Barney in the Park( My daughters a huge fan.) After the show she was asked to stay behind and meet Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop. Went back last week and the lady helping with the show remembered her from last year and let her stay back again. They treated her like the little princess she is.

 

[disneyfreak74]

We are a family a 3 and We went with make a wish last year. They provided about a weeks stay at Nick hotel, hopper passes for 3 or 4 days at disney, passes for universal/ioa and passes for Seaworld. We were provided with parking permits and free stroller rental for the week since DD8 cannot walk. They base the money given on expenses necessary. Although not excessive it was still sufficient. We had no waiting in lines they took us to the front of the line. At Universal we went to Barney in the Park( My daughters a huge fan.) After the show she was asked to stay behind and meet Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop. Went back last week and the lady helping with the show remembered her from last year and let her stay back again. They treated her like the little princess she is.

That is so WONDERFUL!!!! See there are good people out there somewhere!!!! They only want 3 character meals--so it's nothing excessive that they want---they will have a WONDERFUL trip!!!!

 

[princess jasmine27]

my son and our family of 5 went on his make a wish trip last jan. our family had planned a 30 person reunion at dw and we were able to attend both disney and that! they gave us about 2500.00-3000.00 for a family of 5 to spend on everything from food to tips to souveneirs. we stayed at the all star movies to be closer to everyone in the group and they paid for it. universal was the easiest to navigate and get on rides and meet characters. by the way we live in ma if it makes a difference at all with the amounts they give you to spend. we also recieved 4 day base tickets not hoppers, a day to sea world and a day to universal. i guess this varies also. hope this info helps!

 

[Lizzy2]

Does anyone know of a MAW for grownups? My BFF has cancer and I would love to help get something special planned for her but funds are limited- If I had the $ I would just pay for it myself-Any ideas?

 

[Dancin Desert]

As the parent of a "wish child" who went to GKTW, GKTW is absolutely the most magical place on earth ... even putting WDW to shame. A place where the disABLEd are treated like stars ... that's what I think of GKTW. The friendliness of everyone who is there ... be they volunteer OR employee, is second to none.

More to the point ... we all loved the food. There is something for everyone at GKTW with Perkins. If you want a more "quiet" spot with the family, sit toward the back of the facility. We actually sat at the same table for EACH meal the whole week.

Enjoy yourselves ... and relax. You've earned it "in spades". Take care.

 

[TumFamily]

My daughter, Tara, made her wish in 2000. We stayed at GKTW. It is truly magical and I recommend everyone stay there.

Whenever, we go to Orlando we go back to visit. We just got back on Tuesday and on Monday night we went to visit. I had a stone made with Tara's name and date of visit. We found her stone and took pictures. Then we went into the castle where there were games going on. We had ice cream and then walked around. We were also invited to dinner but had already eaten. We also revisited the church.

It is so peaceful there. You get a feeling like you are walking in heaven. Because, all of the beautiful children who suffer so sadly each day are happy and carefree during their visit. Each one of them (and their siblings who suffer in silence) are treated like royalty.

It is an amazing and memorable experience!!

 

[princess mom of 4]

Does anybody know of a family who has taken a "wish cruise"? Also, if Orlando is your child's wish, can you stay onsite at WDW?

 

[Purple Princess]

My daughter has her MAW trip this November and we are very excited. We will be staying at GKTW and from all I have heard and seen it looks like a wonderful place.

She is in a wheelchair so this will be the first time she has been able to 'swim' in years. They have well thought out everything for those like her. With all her medical problems we have never been on a vacation so this is our very 1st and probably last. She is 20 years old so it's been a looong time coming. She has major issues with sleeping especially somewhere that isn't home so everyone say a prayer for us. I very much hope to make precious memories of our trip.

I am always seeking info on what to expect on our trip at the parks and at GKTW so if anyone would like to share their experiences with me please email me or add a reply here. Thanks so much!