Make a Wish and hotel at WDW

[sacall]

A little background, my dd (13) who has CF, was granted a Wish through Make a Wish. She wants to go to WDW for her Wish. We just had our interview and they talked about us staying at GKTW. She really had her heart set on staying at either the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge.

My question, is it possible to do that or can you only stay at GKTW? We still need to talk to our Wish manager, but I thought I would ask and see what other people have done. We plan on going around mid August of this year and I know that would be off season. Can we pay for the additional expense of staying on site? She looked at the GKTW site and thought it was really young for her. Plus, in July she will be at UNC for testing so I really want to make up for the testing she has to have there! Thanks

Stacy

 

[Momofwishkid]

A little background, my dd (13) who has CF, was granted a Wish through Make a Wish. She wants to go to WDW for her Wish. We just had our interview and they talked about us staying at GKTW. She really had her heart set on staying at either the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge.

My question, is it possible to do that or can you only stay at GKTW? We still need to talk to our Wish manager, but I thought I would ask and see what other people have done. We plan on going around mid August of this year and I know that would be off season. Can we pay for the additional expense of staying on site? She looked at the GKTW site and thought it was really young for her. Plus, in July she will be at UNC for testing so I really want to make up for the testing she has to have there! Thanks

Stacy

Hi Stacy,
Im so happy your DD will be granted her wish. Im not positive on this but Ihave heard of others requesting to stay on site. Every chapter is different on the things will allow but It is definetley worth asking about. You should come over to the Wish Trippers thread. There are lots of us over there planning for wish trips and alot of ladies who have already been on their trips who are more than willing to answer any questions. Good luck with everything.

 

[thatkid]

Here's a link to the wish trippers thread if you haven't found it already:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356343

Some of the organizations will let you stay on-site at disney, not GKTW.
I am 18, and just returned from my wish trip- I stayed at GKTW and LOVED it. My brothers are 14, and they also loved it there.
The website really doesn't do it justice- it's amazing. I'd get your daughter to re-think her decision, because it truly is a once in a lifetime experience, to stay at GKTW.

However, if she really wants to stay in a disney hotel, just ask your wish granters. It all depends on what the rules are.

 

[sacall]

Thank you both for the info. I will take a look at the Wish thread - saw it, but wasn't sure what it was! I will wait until I hear from our Wish manager and see what she/he has to say.

I will also have my dd look again at GKTW again and see what she thinks, but I know she really wanted to stay either at the Poly or WL.

Stacy

 

[dclfun]

I have also read trip reports from families on a MAW trip and indeed it will depend on your chapter, but some do allow a family to stay on-site at WDW. The comp tickets from GKTW will also include admission to Universal and Sea World and from what I understand there is no way to extend the WDW tickets you'll be given, so for those parks you'd still have to drive there. I would have her really think about it, as staying at GKTW is ONLY available through her wish trip and if you have the means to return or if she'll be well enough to return you could then stay at the Poly or WL. If you have a choice though, to stay at WDW on-site, then in August I'd choose the Poly. Being on the monorail will be a real plus for you, esp. in the summer heat ( although don't forget the MAW lounge at MK). Happy planning, and good luck to your daughter during her testing in July.---Kathy

 

[kayrosek]

Another thought. I have read some MAW trip reports where the family extended their stay by a few days out of pocket. If you think you could swing a day or two at Poly or WL OOP (with the room only discount right now you could get a really good rate on a deluxe) then that may be a way that she can get the special experience of GKTW and get her resort wish as well. Again you'd have to check with your chapter to make sure their rules allowed this but it's another possibility.

 

[tinytreasures]

Glad she is going to get a wish

really think about staying at GKTW
my kids want to go back there over Disney world (did I just say that )
It is a magical place
read some of the trips reports and look at the pictures before you rule it out

 

[rcq925]

My daughter, Hayley, also has CF. She is 6 and has been granted her wish to Disney. We are going in November.

You might re-think an August trip to Disney. I say this because of her CF. It will be REALLY HOT and humid at any time in August, making it much more difficult for her to breath and enjoy herself! We went the first week of June in 2008 and it was so hot and humid, we were sweating after being out for like an hour at 9am in the morning I will never go in the middle of summer again!

You will be much happier, late fall or Spring with cooler temps! Just a suggestion to think about!

You should defintely read on the Wish Tripper thread and have your daughter read there too! I thought we would ask to stay on site as well until I read all about GKTW! Wow, what a magical place!!! And like another poster already said, this is her ONLY chance to stay at GKTW, you can always try to stay onsite at Disney on another trip. Also as another post suggested, maybe you could extend your trip a few days and stay on site as well. I know that also varies from MAW chapter to chapter!

Good luck with whatever you decide and please come join us on the Wish Tripper thread!

 

[sacall]

I had forgot about this thread, but thanks for the replies.

I will give an update:

She did get her wish, we are staying at the Poly in August. We were also able to extend our trip (with our own funds), so we are adding three days going to the Hard Rock at Universal.

As for going in August, we have been to Florida before in August, so we know it is hot. She is going into 9th grade next year and does not want to miss any school because she is worried about falling behind. Plus, she is in some honor classes and made the High School Dance company, so going in Fall or early spring is out. Being at the Poly, we plan on going early morning, coming back in the afternoon to swim and then going out at night. We did this before and it worked well.

Thanks for the replies, I need to add this to the Wish thread

Stacy

 

[casper_jj11]

Hi Stacy

Just wanted to wave hi. We'll be at the GF in August for DD's wish trip as well.

Joanne

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the update

hope your daughter's wish is magical