Jacob's Wish Trip! Leaving Feb 23rd

[ALLMama]

Ok I know I'm late to the game but I thought I would start a PTR to gather thoughts and plan!

First about us:
I'm Katie and my DH and I have two awesome kiddos! Jacob will be 6 in March (or 5 and 3/4s as he likes to say) and Gracie is 2.5 years. Jacob was diagnosed with Leukemia (ALL - hence my user ID ) July 28th 2010 a day that is forever seared in my brain. He is doing really well for the most part but has some issues related to his treatment. He is scheduled to complete chemotherapy in Oct 2013, 21 months from now.

I'm not sure what all we should include in a PTR but so far our plans are:

2/23 - Arrive GKTW - hang out and then XMAS party
2/24
2/25 - Harmony Barbershop for DD and Pirates League for DS
2/26
2/28
2/29 - Check out of GKTW and into BC
3/1
3/2 - Mickey's BBQ
3/3
3/4 - Depart BC flight around 6:30pm

So as you can see we still have a lot of planning left to do!

We are thinking:
1 day Legoland (this is an absolute MUST for Jacob)
1-2 days Universal and ISO
1 day SeaWorld
2 days left on GKTW park hoppers and considering purchasing 1-2 additional days

For meals, Mickey's BBQ is booked and I'm planning on booking CM for a breakfast and H&V for a lunch or breakfast. Maybe considering Wishes desert party but not firm on that.

I'm open to all suggestions and ideas!

We are thinking of saving the rest of the Disney park days for when we are at BC as we won't have a car and we will when at GKTW so it makes more sense to do non-Disney while there.

Oh, our local MAW chapter is also working on a send off party for Jacob. We don't know all the details (Jacob doesn't know any!!) but they are trying to do it at our local Legoland (indoor small place). So fingers crossed that they can work it out but even so I'm sure it will be a great time anywhere.

Looking forward to planning and obsessing the next 30+ days!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Joining in !

We're going to be there from April 4th - April 15th. We're checking out of GKTW on the 10th and into Disney's POP Century.
I plan on doing the 3 Disney days and 2 universal while at GKTW and then I have 4 day Disney park tickets for when we leave GKTW. My boys have NO interest in going to Sea World so I guess we're going to skip it.
I have ADR's for Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness resort and Sci Fi diner at DHS .. but that's it so far.

Mickey's BBQ sounds like a lot of fun !
My guys also want to do the Pirates League .. they LOVE Jack Sparrow.

Looking forward to hearing more about your plans !

Are you planning on keeping the rental car for your entire stay ? Ohh .. never mind .. just saw that you aren't !! Do you have to bring your car back to the airport ? I'm still trying to figure that one out !

 

[ALLMama]

Thanks! I don't know what we have to do with the rental car yet. I need to make a to do list.

I haven't planned or looked at much today but I need to start making more plans. Someone posted on the Wish thread I think about eating at TRex. I'm going to look into that it sounds cool!

I'm going to check out your PTR this afternoon after I pick up DS from school. We have a parent teacher conf to discuss how he is doing in school (good ) and talk about where he should go next year. He's in a private church kindy and they don't go past kindy so we have to figure out where is best for him. Tomorrow he has pulmonolgy to follow up on his asthma and croup he has a week ago.

I'm starting to get paranoid about germs at Disney. I was reading on another board about how someone always gets sick everytime they go. Yikes! I'm trying so hard to keep Jacob well and it's making me nervous because a bug or virus can get very serious in him.

 

[Moodyzblu]

T-Rex is great .. we're planning on eating there as well !!

I'm not sure what you can do about the germs .. it's a LOT of people. Hopefully everything will be fine.

 

[ALLMama]

T-Rex is great .. we're planning on eating there as well !!

I'm not sure what you can do about the germs .. it's a LOT of people. Hopefully everything will be fine.

Thanks!!

I'm going to look at T-Rex today and also try and book H&V and CM.

No other big plans yet. I've been in contact with his Wish Granters and they are working on a Send Off Party. They tried to get our local Legoland (small indoor one) to host but were unable to. Now they are reaching out to CiCi's Pizza and ChuckECheese. Jacob's very favorite food is pizza. I already talked to the woman that has made birthday cakes for us for the last 2 years and she is going to do a Lego cake or cupcakes for the party. Right now the plan is to have it the Sunday before we leave!

---
Health news: Jacob is doing fantastic!! He has some sniffles but his asthma is under control now thank goodness! He will be getting IVIg infusion on 2/10 as well as an LP (spinal tap) and IV chemo (Vincristine). He was supposed to have the LP last time but had croup so they wouldn't do it because of the anesthesia risks. We will talk with his oncologist about any prep and precautions we need to take at Disney. Praying that he continues to do well and all illnesses stay far away!

 

[ALLMama]

Ok... I also need to start a To Do sort of list.

1. Find out about transportation to and from airport
2. Double check stroller reservation and see if we can extend it
3. Find out about baggage fees
4. Get DD a good pair of walking shoes (hers are getting too small)
5. Make sure all needed meds are filled
6. Make list of questions to ask doctor
7. Get address info for kids Jacob wants at Send Off Party
8. Make packing list
9. Think about airplane activities for both kids
10. Borrow booster seat for Jacob
11. Make ressies for resturants
12. Call Harmony Barbershop to change ressie to 1st haircut for DD!
13. Determine if we can return rental car somewhere other than airport

24 days and counting!!

Any ideas how to get the kids excited leading up to the trip? My sister says we should do a countdown. I'm thinking of a small gift (ie stickers or something) each day for the last 7 days. Thoughts?

 

[nesser1981]

We arrive to GKTW a couple days before you leave. February 27th-March 4th.

T-Rex is great, my kids loved it on our little quick trip to Disney we did a couple years ago. It is loud and not cheap, but its fun. My kids got Build a Dinos there too.

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on your plans! We have 28 days and I'm so ready.

 

[Moodyzblu]

MAW is sending us in a limo to and from the airport so I don't have to worry about that part of it. We live just about an hour from the airport. Our plane leaves at 8 am so that will be an EARLY morning for us !

I was wondering about returning the rental when we leave GKTW. I'm hoping we don't have to go back to the airport. I read that there's a hotel that has an Avis dealer right across from DTD so I'm hoping I can return it there ! (our wish coordinator told me it was Avis).

T-Rex is in our plans as well .. That place is awesome !

I also need a double stroller but haven't figured out where we are going to rent one. I have one here but I don't want to lug it to FL.

SO much to think about !

 

[ALLMama]

We arrive to GKTW a couple days before you leave. February 27th-March 4th.

T-Rex is great, my kids loved it on our little quick trip to Disney we did a couple years ago. It is loud and not cheap, but its fun. My kids got Build a Dinos there too.

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on your plans! We have 28 days and I'm so ready.

Yay! Maybe we will bump into each other at GKTW! 22 days for us. I kind of have a handle on the plans. More about that in a minute. LOL!

MAW is sending us in a limo to and from the airport so I don't have to worry about that part of it. We live just about an hour from the airport. Our plane leaves at 8 am so that will be an EARLY morning for us !

I was wondering about returning the rental when we leave GKTW. I'm hoping we don't have to go back to the airport. I read that there's a hotel that has an Avis dealer right across from DTD so I'm hoping I can return it there ! (our wish coordinator told me it was Avis).

T-Rex is in our plans as well .. That place is awesome !

I also need a double stroller but haven't figured out where we are going to rent one. I have one here but I don't want to lug it to FL.

SO much to think about !

Yes so much to plan and think about. I need to email our Wish Granters tonight to ask my questions. Going to try and book the last of our ressies tonight. I need to find our CCard though! Yikes! It's here but I'm not sure where DH put it. Awesome you guys have a limo!!

 

[ALLMama]

Ok need to work on plans! I waited too long to book CM so that's a no go I think for breakfast on the 25th.... Hmmm.... Well at least I know they can meet the characters at GKTW....

2/23 - Arrive GKTW - hang out and then XMAS party
2/24 - Universal Characters @ GKTW then on to Universal? Pirates & Princess Party @ GKTW?
2/25 - Harmony Barbershop for DD and Pirates League for DS, MK day Mayor Clayton's B-Day @GKTW
2/26 - Legoland? Candyland Party @ GKTW
2/27 - Disney Character's @ GKTW then SeaWorld? Halloween Party @ GKTW
2/28 - Nickelodeon Characters @ GKTW then Universal again or AK/Epcot/DHS? Pool party @ GKTW?
2/29 - Check out of GKTW and into BC GKTW horseback riding the in AM? while one parent is loading up? T-Rex @3:30? No availablilty for dinner May be nice for late lunch?
3/1 - AK day? then Epcot?
3/2 - Mickey's BBQ DHS?
3/3 - MK? then Epcot?
3/4 - Depart BC flight around 6:30pm - Stick around BC maybe go to Downtown Disney?

Bold are firm and already booked/planned

So I think we will need to purchase 1 day passes for the parks in addition to the 3 they give us. Maybe 2 day passes? We can play it by ear though since we don't need to purchase until we get there.

Thoughts? Probably going to skip Chef Mickey since we can meet him at GKTW. Still going to see about H&V... Maybe T-Rex would be better to save until our last day??

 

[ALLMama]

I'm going to post the park hours so that will help in planning:

2/24 - MK 8-1, EP 9-12, DHS 9-7, AK 9-8
2/25 - MK 8-1, EP 9-9, DHS 8-9, AK 9-8
2/26 - MK 9-9, EP 9-9, DHS 9-10, AK 9-6
2/27 - MK 9-12, EP 9-9, DHS 9-7, AK 8-5
2/28 - MK 8-8, EP 9-9, DHS 9-7, AK 9-5
2/29 - MK 6-6, EP 9-9, DHS 8-7, AK 9-5
3/1 - MK 9-8, EP 9-9, DHS 9-7, AK 9-5
3/2 - MK 9-8, EP 9-12, DHS 9-7, AK 9-5
3/3 - MK 9-11, EP 9-9, DHS 9-7, AK 8-7

IOA - 2/23-2/25 9a-8p 2/26, 2/28-2/29 - 9a-7p, 2/27 - 9a-6p
Universal - 2/23-2/24 9a-7p, 2/25 9a-8p, 2/26-2/29 - 9a-6p
LEGOLAND - 2/23-2/27 - 10a-5p, CLOSED 2/28-2/29
SeaWorld - 9a-7p daily

 

[newdrama12]

Ok need to work on plans! I waited too long to book CM so that's a no go I think for breakfast on the 25th.... Hmmm.... Well at least I know they can meet the characters at GKTW....

2/23 - Arrive GKTW - hang out and then XMAS party
2/24 - Universal Characters @ GKTW then on to Universal? Pirates & Princess Party @ GKTW?
2/25 - Harmony Barbershop for DD and Pirates League for DS, MK day Mayor Clayton's B-Day @GKTW
2/26 - Legoland? Candyland Party @ GKTW
2/27 - Disney Character's @ GKTW then SeaWorld? Halloween Party @ GKTW
2/28 - Nickelodeon Characters @ GKTW then Universal again or AK/Epcot/DHS? Pool party @ GKTW?
2/29 - Check out of GKTW and into BC GKTW horseback riding the in AM? while one parent is loading up? T-Rex @3:30? No availablilty for dinner May be nice for late lunch?
3/1 - AK day? then Epcot?
3/2 - Mickey's BBQ DHS?
3/3 - MK? then Epcot?
3/4 - Depart BC flight around 6:30pm - Stick around BC maybe go to Downtown Disney?

Bold are firm and already booked/planned

So I think we will need to purchase 1 day passes for the parks in addition to the 3 they give us. Maybe 2 day passes? We can play it by ear though since we don't need to purchase until we get there.

Thoughts? Probably going to skip Chef Mickey since we can meet him at GKTW. Still going to see about H&V... Maybe T-Rex would be better to save until our last day??

There is also Horseback riding on Saturday morning as well. So depending on what time you want to be in the MK, you could do horseback riding then.

 

[ALLMama]

There is also Horseback riding on Saturday morning as well. So depending on what time you want to be in the MK, you could do horseback riding then.

Thanks! I did see that but MAW booked Pirate's League for Jacob at 10 and we have a ressie for Barbershop for Gracie for 9am for her 1st haircut! I think it will actually be good because one of us can go to the horseback riding with the kids and the other can do the checking out.

 

[newdrama12]

Thanks! I did see that but MAW booked Pirate's League for Jacob at 10 and we have a ressie for Barbershop for Gracie for 9am for her 1st haircut! I think it will actually be good because one of us can go to the horseback riding with the kids and the other can do the checking out.

No prob! Your plan will work better than. Maybe I will be able to meet all of you in the Village one night while you will be here.

 

[lorasmom]

I'm starting to get paranoid about germs at Disney. I was reading on another board about how someone always gets sick everytime they go. Yikes! I'm trying so hard to keep Jacob well and it's making me nervous because a bug or virus can get very serious in him.

Hi there! My wish kid is also an ALL-er - we were diagnosed 1/1/11.

Bring your hand sanitizer. I use ours pretty religiously, in addition to general hand washing after using the restroom, before eating, etc. Be aware of what's around you - if you see/hear someone close by sneezing/coughing/otherwise displaying funk, don't be afraid to move to a "safer" spot.

Try not to worry about it too much - do what you can to prevent it, but don't let the worry overshadow the magic, y'know?

Do you have a case worker that you can speak to as well? Ours has been great - she understands our desire to keep Gab's life as normal as possible, and gives us tons of tips on how to let Gab do all the things other kids do, and keep our lives pretty unrestricted. .

 

[ALLMama]

Hi there! My wish kid is also an ALL-er - we were diagnosed 1/1/11.

Bring your hand sanitizer. I use ours pretty religiously, in addition to general hand washing after using the restroom, before eating, etc. Be aware of what's around you - if you see/hear someone close by sneezing/coughing/otherwise displaying funk, don't be afraid to move to a "safer" spot.

Try not to worry about it too much - do what you can to prevent it, but don't let the worry overshadow the magic, y'know?

Do you have a case worker that you can speak to as well? Ours has been great - she understands our desire to keep Gab's life as normal as possible, and gives us tons of tips on how to let Gab do all the things other kids do, and keep our lives pretty unrestricted. .

Hi! Yes, I'm always using sanitzer when we are out of the house and not near a bathroom. Every time he gets done doing something we sanitize. I also move him and us if there is anyone near us sneezing or coughing. I'm sure people probably think we are nuts when I do this because Jacob doesn't really look sick. You would never know unless he or I told you. That's a good thing for the most part but sometimes even when people do know they don't quite understand because he looks just like any other kid.

We don't have a case worker but we do have a social worker. We don't talk to her much because she's super overworked in our clinic. She mostly only talks with and helps the families that need financial help for treatments. Since we don't need help and have good insurance we don't really see her much. She doesn't have the time to do other things unless there is a bad situation. We do have child life too and they love Jacob but they are also spread very thin.

 

[ALLMama]

Reworking plans....



2/23 - Arrive GKTW - hang out and then XMAS party
2/24 - Universal Characters @ GKTW then on to Universal? Pirates & Princess Party @ GKTW?
2/25 - Harmony Barbershop for DD and Pirates League for DS, MK day Mayor Clayton's B-Day @GKTW
2/26 - Legoland? Candyland Party @ GKTW
2/27 - Disney Character's @ GKTW then SeaWorld? Halloween Party @ GKTW
2/28 - Nickelodeon Characters @ GKTW then Universal again or AK/Epcot/DHS? Pool party @ GKTW?
2/29 - Check out of GKTW and into BC GKTW horseback riding the in AM? while one parent is loading up? T-Rex?
3/1 - DHS, then Epcot?
3/2 - Mickey's BBQ MK day
3/3 - AK - extra magic hour, then Epcot?
3/4 - Depart BC flight around 6:30pm - Stick around BC maybe go to Downtown Disney?

 

[nesser1981]

It all looks great!

Reworking plans....



2/23 - Arrive GKTW - hang out and then XMAS party
2/24 - Universal Characters @ GKTW then on to Universal? Pirates & Princess Party @ GKTW?
2/25 - Harmony Barbershop for DD and Pirates League for DS, MK day Mayor Clayton's B-Day @GKTW
2/26 - Legoland? Candyland Party @ GKTW
2/27 - Disney Character's @ GKTW then SeaWorld? Halloween Party @ GKTW This is the day we arrive, we're planning on doing the Halloween Party too, maybe we'll see each other.
2/28 - Nickelodeon Characters @ GKTW then Universal again or AK/Epcot/DHS? Pool party @ GKTW? Do Islands of Adventure this day.
2/29 - Check out of GKTW and into BC GKTW horseback riding the in AM? while one parent is loading up? T-Rex?
3/1 - DHS, then Epcot?
3/2 - Mickey's BBQ MK day
3/3 - AK - extra magic hour, then Epcot?
3/4 - Depart BC flight around 6:30pm - Stick around BC maybe go to Downtown Disney?

 

[ALLMama]

It all looks great!

Yay! I hope we run into each other at the party! I was also thinking IOA that day as well.

I'm booking T-Rex today as well as Hollywood & Vine. I just need to decide for T-Rex if we do it the day we change hotels or the day we head home. I'm thinking head home day because it will be one last fun thing to do since we won't have park tickets that day. For H&V I need to figure out if we should do breakfast or lunch. Jacob wants to do Jedi Training (has been talking about it for days and making me show him You Tube videos all morning so it's a must do.) I just don't know which time is better to do with Jedi Training and H&V the same day.

 

[blessedmom4]

Have an AMAZING TRIP!!!

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