Deyki's Make-A-Wish - 12/15 - Maybe not

[Tnkrbelle565]

Deyki is planning for his meeting with his Wish granters tomorrow. Today he asked, "Mommy, do you think they could help me be a pirate at Disneyworld?" He them asked me to help him remember to tell them all the different things he wants to do there - be a pirate, fight Darth Vadar, ride the Spiderman ride at Universal with Spidey, and take his sister to meet Belle. He is afraid he will get nervous talking to them tomorrow and forget all the things he wants to do.

I touched up all his dreadlocks today, so he is looking extra handsome if I do say so myself! As soon as I get my camera and computer to cooperate a little more, I will post new pics. His locks are now at least three times as long as they were in the picture with him and his sisters!

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures when he meets Tiffany and Jen from Make-A-Wish tomorrow!

Keeping my fingers crossed for a great Make-A-Wish visit!!!!

 

[myasma]

so cool when they are an age to get extra excited. I think I was more excited at Mya's meeting then she was. Hope everything goes well tommorrow.

 

[HeatherSue]

I can't wait to hear how the visit goes today!

I also want to know if that woman was ever able to capture Peety!
ETA: Sorry, I meant Tweety!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Deyki is planning for his meeting with his Wish granters tomorrow. Today he asked, "Mommy, do you think they could help me be a pirate at Disneyworld?" He them asked me to help him remember to tell them all the different things he wants to do there - be a pirate, fight Darth Vadar, ride the Spiderman ride at Universal with Spidey, and take his sister to meet Belle. He is afraid he will get nervous talking to them tomorrow and forget all the things he wants to do.

I touched up all his dreadlocks today, so he is looking extra handsome if I do say so myself! As soon as I get my camera and computer to cooperate a little more, I will post new pics. His locks are now at least three times as long as they were in the picture with him and his sisters!

I'll be sure to take lots of pictures when he meets Tiffany and Jen from Make-A-Wish tomorrow!

I can't wait to hear all about your meeting. I was kind of hoping that we would share at least one of our wish granters, but alas it wasn't ment to be. Be prepared to be treated like royalty, the magic starts right from the start. And don't forget to have that camera ready. There was so much going on and everything seemed to happen so fast that I forgot all about pictures until they were all ready gone. I called Iris later to laught about forgeting to take pictures, so we will have to do it later.

 

[MomTo4+more]

Now I feel like we have really started!

Jen and Tiffany came out today. Unfortunately, Deyki wasn't feeling the best, so he was very quiet and didn't have much energy. He had fallen asleep this afternoon and only woke up about 15 minutes before they came. He waited on the front porch with Chantae watching for them and came in to tell me when they arrived. He was outgoing for a minute or two, but then you could almost see exhaustion hit him and he wanted to be held. They could tell he wasn't feeling well, so they tried to make their visit short.

Deyki showed them the picture we had drawn together and told them the things he wants to do. We talked about the best dates. It looks like the first week in November is our most likely time! That's not too far away. In fact I am wondering if they will be able to pin down the dates in time for us to have 90 days to make reservations for things? I hope so. One of our wish granters is actually an employee of Make-A-Wish. She is a wish manager for counties outside of ours, but said she would have her team handle Deyki's wish because it would be simpler that way. They were both very sweet with all the children.

The children were very happy with the fun gifts they brought with - a Spiderman Story Pillow and Play Dough activity set for Deyki, a stuffed tiger for the baby, and lots of gel pens and High School Musical pens for the girls. That Spiderman pillow is the one thing helping Deyki through a rough night now. He has a headache that is only being helped a little with Tylenol #3. He looks good neurologically, so we are able to manage this at home for now.

(On another note, Tweety has not gone into her cage. I think she is having way too much fun! She is hanging with a group of finches in two yards full of birdfeeders, flowers, and trees. She is not about to trade all that for her cage. I guess I can't blame her.)

Hopefully we will make it through the week without the hospital and be able to enjoy planning our trip!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

That's coming up fast! I'm sorry to hear that Deyki was not feeling well, but hopefully this will get him excited.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

How exciting, now you can start planning even more. I hope Deyki is well this week.

And your parakeet looks just like our Chiclet. We love our bird dearly too and would be as devastated as you are if we lost him. I so hope he goes into the cage for you!

 

[maroo]

I am sorry to hear Deyki is not feeling well. I hope he is doing better today!

I would not worry too much about your ressies...We are usually able to get ressies for Wish Families, even at the good places, for some point during your trip.

Did you see the list of GKTW activities? You may want to do more lunches than anything else because most families tend to be at GKTW for most of their breakfasts and dinners.

You could go ahead and make reservations...you could always cancel them as time gets closer and you know dates and which park you plan to go to each day.

MAW may also make some of your ressies, too, if they are paying for a special meal or anything.

I am getting excited for you guys! I am sorry that the bird has not come back...but I guess it would be pretty cool to see the bird out in the wild with his friends, too.

 

[MomTo4+more]

Deyki is feeling better today. Thanks for all the well wishes. He had a blast at daycamp at our church this week. Today they came up with a great idea! Instead of a sending off party before our trip, we are having a welcome home party the Wednesday we get back at Awana (a children's ministry at our church). They want to put togeher a video/slide show of Deyki's trip and celebrate his return. I think that will be a great way to keep the magic going after Disney is over.

Deyki told his wish granters that his favorite music is Rob Biagi - a family performer. We just happen to be bringing him to our church in September for a concert. Hopefully we will be able to have Make A Wish at the concert. My friend is coordinating the event. She said we can plug MAW from the stage and let families at the concert know mpre about it. I left oour wish granter a message about it today. Anyone near the Chicago area would be more than welcome to join us September 18th!

As for the Desiney trip - Deyki has decided he wants the pirate maeover and the Pirates and Pals cruise. He also wants to go to Cinderella's Royal Table "for his sisters". He asked me, "Do you think the princesses will give me a kiss?" I asked him if he wanted them to. He wouldn't answer, but his face said it all. He blushed and grinned and shook his head. I can't wait to see how he reacts when he sees them!

Thanks for sharing our ptr! It's awfully fun to plan!

 

[Corrine 1973]

I am so glad that Deyki is feeling better and I think that your idea for an after party is great.

To bad we wont be around on September 18th, that would have been fun. But I guess we will have a good excuse since we will be in Disney that day.

No, thank you for sharing your PTR with us, it has been a joy getting to know you and you lovely family.

 

[MomTo4+more]

Corrinne - Being at Disney is a great reason not to be in IL in September! I thought it would be fun to have the boys meet sometime after their trips and relive the fun with each other. You know, September is going to be here sooner than you can imagine. The Disney themed dinner nights are certainly helping time go faster as we wait for November.

 

[MomTo4+more]

I had a great find at the resale shop tonight. Ten Disney videos for $1 each! I was hoping to find a few particular ones, and we found those and more. We are set for our Disney family Fun nights!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Corrinne - Being at Disney is a great reason not to be in IL in September! I thought it would be fun to have the boys meet sometime after their trips and relive the fun with each other. You know, September is going to be here sooner than you can imagine. The Disney themed dinner nights are certainly helping time go faster as we wait for November.

That's a great idea, gives us something to look forward to after our trip.

 

[MomTo4+more]

Deyki packed his bag for Disney! He was quietly playing upstairs. Then he came bounding downstairs with a Spiderman backpack on and announced - "I am all packed for Disney. Don't worry, I know it's not today, but I'm ready!" So what did he pack? Lots of toys - matchbox cars, Spidey and Batman, a frisbee, goggles. Two shorts outfits and swim trunks - he even remembered underwear! Then his treasured flashlight - "So I can explore even when it gets dark!"

His mind is so focused on this trip. He said, "Wow! Dr. Uma is very nice to get me a Make-A-Wish!" I think he will even be happy to see her at his clinic appointment in August.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Deyki packed his bag for Disney! He was quietly playing upstairs. Then he came bounding downstairs with a Spiderman backpack on and announced - "I am all packed for Disney. Don't worry, I know it's not today, but I'm ready!" So what did he pack? Lots of toys - matchbox cars, Spidey and Batman, a frisbee, goggles. Two shorts outfits and swim trunks - he even remembered underwear! Then his treasured flashlight - "So I can explore even when it gets dark!"

His mind is so focused on this trip. He said, "Wow! Dr. Uma is very nice to get me a Make-A-Wish!" I think he will even be happy to see her at his clinic appointment in August.

LOVE it...how sweet!!!

 

[MomTo4+more]

I spoke with our wish coordinator, Tiffany, today. They are only waiting on the medical approval to okay our dates the first week in November! We are at the hospital tomorrow for chemo labs, so I will mention it to his doctor when I see her. Tiffany said they are working on details for Deyki's meet and greet with Spiderman at Universal. She also said they will get us booked at Cinderella's Royal Table for lunch!

As if we won't have enough fun planned, I am also thinking about the Pirate's League and the Pirate and Pals Fireworks Cruise. Have any of you done either of those? How hard are they to book? Would they both be a hit with a little boy who will have just turned 6? If you had to choose one over the other, which would it be? Talk to me about it. I need all the info I can get!

I feel like we will be packing a lot into just a week. Never thought a week long vacation would seem short at all! But with all there is to do at Disney. . . I guess this means we will have to plan a return trip in a couple years to experience what we will miss this time around.

Okay, it's your turn. Talk to me about the piratey life at Disney!

 

[maroo]

First...I think the party at the church when you come back is a fantastic idea!!!!

I hope you will post that on the Wish Trippers Unite thread....it is such a good idea!

Getting MAW to book CRT is a great idea, too! I hope you take pictures of his face when he sees those princesses! Gotta love that!

I actually don't remember much from my trips to Disney as a child...but I DO remember the Pirates Cruise my brother and I went on. I remember that being a BLAST! I remember searching for and finding "real" treasure! It was pretty darn cool.

I don't think you will have too much trouble booking it. Just book it during the 90 day window...as soon as your date comes open and you shouldn't have any trouble.

The main party days at GKTW is Thursday night (Christmas) and Sunday night (Candyland party) and there is a Pirate and Princess Party on Friday nights. Of course, you may miss one of those since it will be a 6 night stay. But if you can, try to schedule the Pirate Cruise on one of the other nights. And maybe on a "non Disney" day....

You only get three days of admission to Disney parks. Of course, you will need to use admission to get in for your special Cinderella lunch, but if you can put your cruise on another day, then that would save your "Disney" time. ?? Am I making sense on that? The Cruise takes off from the resorts, usually, so you don't have to have park admission to take part in that.

Your trip does sound full! Which is great! But I am glad you are planning a trip back in a couple of years, because it is impossible to do it all on a wish trip!

 

[MomTo4+more]

My post right before this one gives you the background info you need.


WARNING - This is a rant from an angry, frustrated mom! I may need to edit it later if it sounds too harsh when I calm down. Don't read it if you only want happy, cheerful trip report info!!




I am so very aggravated right now! Part of my son's Make-A-Wish is to be a pirate at Disneyworld. We found fireworks cruise he wants to go on called the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Cruise. I called today to get information about it and found that among the many, many different snacks they serve on it - they have bagged peanuts! I asked them if they would consider not serving the peanuts for the one cruise my son would be on for his Make-A-Wish trip. They said that I should just have him eat other things. I explained that he reacts to the touch and smell of peanuts and that a small boat full of peanuts would be life-threatening to him. They said, "Well there are a lot of children who like to eat peanuts." Okay, that's true. But really, would it hurt them to be without peanuts for an hour or two? It would hurt my son to be around it. "It wouldn't be fair to the parents paying all that money for their child to be denied peanuts," he says. "Really? And I suppose it's perfectly fair to pay for our trip and have my son end up with an Epi shot, ambulance ride, and ER visit or worse!!" I said. The man replies that I could watch him carefully. My response was, "Watching him carefully won't keep him from dropping dead on the floor of your boat if there are peanuts on it." Did I already mention - this is his special Make-A-Wish trip?! Arghh!

So, Make-A-Wish is looking into the possibility of getting them to have one peanut-free. But as I think about it, I worry that the boat would already be contaminated from the other nights. Again, arghh!


Okay. I'm done. I just feel so sad that he may not get to do something he was really excited about. I know in the grand scheme of things, this really isn't a big deal. But right now, it feels like it. I want this trip to be tru;ly magical for him. Yet it seems like, already, his medical issues are causing disappointment. I guess even a Make-A-Wish can't change everything. Thanks for being a virtual shoulder and set of ears!

 

[maroo]

I won't quote your post... in case you do want to edit it later...although it seems perfectly good to me!

?? This must be something different than what I did as a child? I thought parents were allowed on the one that I did? I am sorta confused.

How many are in your party? For the cruise?

It looks like it only holds 10 adults and 2 children or 10 adults...so you guys almost have the whole boat? I wonder if we could find another DIS family going the same time as you guys that would not be opposed to having no peanuts? (I mean, really?!?!?!) They shouldn't be serving peanuts anyway...too many people allergic to be out on a boat like that, IMO. It will only take one person being quite allergic to have an issue and on a boat would probably not be the best place to figure that out.

If others have dropped peanuts on the ground or seats, is that going to be an issue for him?

 

[MomTo4+more]

The one we are looking at is the Pirates and Pals Fireworks cruise. I have no idea how big it is or how many participate. I was just truly shocked at the response I got from the man at reservations! I have heard so many great things about DW and food allergies. I guess I just assumed they would have a plan in place. I am sure my son can't be the only child with peanut allergies who would like to participate. Maybe they haven't had this particular experience open to the general public long enough to have encountered this issue. You raise a good point thought about peanuts being dropped on the seats. I wonder. I guess if they use the same boats for the other events with children that involve peanut butter there would be residue on the boat even if they don't serve it while we are there. That would make it too risky for my son and definitely out of my comfort zone.

I did a search for Orlando and pirates. I came up with the Pirate Adventure Dinner Show. Does anyone know anything about it? I gave them a call, and they said they could accomodate him. The reviews I have found about it are very mixed, so I am hoping for feedback from people I "know." (Even though I don't technically know any of you, I think there are plenty of opinions here I would trust and respect.)

The Pirate's League still looks like a good option.

Are they still doing the Pirates and Princesses Party at GKTW? That would give him something else to look forward to.