Make a Wish (and other organizations!) - Wish Trippers...UNITE!! Volume 2!

[tastycollector]

Terry,

It does sound like we have a lot in common, I'll look forward to speaking with you when you get back from your trip.. (I know you're busy now getting ready.) I know you'll have a wonderful time. On a side note, Piper had her port placed almost a yr ago now, and I haven't regretted it for a single moment, it's made both of our lives soooo much easier. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have when you get back : )

Dev had his port from age 2 to age 7. He actually had 3 different ones. He out grew them! Yeah! We used them for IVIG and IV antibiotics. He misses it now that it is out.

 

[Terry718]

I am about to post this in about four places...

So if this is a duplicate, please disregard - or pray twice

Lauren - my dear friend with severe CP - has the swine flu. Despite our best efforts to prevent it.

I am very, very nervous about this. We have lost several kids in MS to this flu this year and with her underlying conditions, this can be very serious.

She started Tamiflu last night because William (her little brother) already has it...so that is good.

Please pray for them!!

Sending lots of prayers for Lauren (and William too!). Be warned, Tamiflu is pretty rough stuff. Both my kids took it in May when Katie came down with the flu two days after Richard came home from the hospital on IVs. It made them both vomit every time they took it. Even with all the vomitting, the doctors insisted they keep taking it and they both cried every time we had to give it to them. Apparently it can be really hard on the stomach. I will keep good thoughts for a speedy recovery!

 

[kdzbear]

Maroo,

I am sending more prayers for Lauren your way!

 

[HeatherSue]

I am about to post this in about four places...

So if this is a duplicate, please disregard - or pray twice

Lauren - my dear friend with severe CP - has the swine flu. Despite our best efforts to prevent it.

I am very, very nervous about this. We have lost several kids in MS to this flu this year and with her underlying conditions, this can be very serious.

She started Tamiflu last night because William (her little brother) already has it...so that is good.

Please pray for them!!

I'm praying for Lauren and William.

 

[pipersmom]

Maroo- Hoping Lauren and William are doing okay, they've been in my thoughts a lot. I got a call from Piper's school nurse Wed that a child from her class had been sent home with "flu-like" symptoms and that the child's sibling was at home with the same problems. Needless to say I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't race through her class now.


On the planning front, I finally got a call back from MAW today ( I was getting a bit worried about the lack of response we'd gotten --2 weeks--), but things are finally officially in the works, they'll contact her Dr at the beginning of the week and we'll go from there .

 

[SueM in MN]

Maroo,

I am sending more prayers for Lauren your way!

More prayers being sent for William and Lauren.

 

[2specialkids]

We've come up with the idea that we'll be eating breakfast and dinner at GKTW and lunch out. I made ADR's for Play-n-Dine since Boo LOVES JoJo. Mom, Dad and Nikolas will be staying at GKTW after dinner (most days) to play and explore since Boo and Mom both tire so easily. That means the evening are free for Mikayla and I to return to the parks and do things the others can't.

Here's my dilema....I want to surprise Mikayla with ADR's (I know it's late so they may not happen) but I'm not sure where? This is the one place a 13yr old can still act like a little kid and no one will really care. I want to try for character dining since the tea parties are all for 11 and younger.

I want this to be something special for her since she's had her life pretty much "on hold" since I got preggo with her brother in 2003.

I'd like to have some ideas for something extra special just for her one evening-even if it's not food related. TIA!!
Suzanne

 

[LindaBabe]

We've come up with the idea that we'll be eating breakfast and dinner at GKTW and lunch out. I made ADR's for Play-n-Dine since Boo LOVES JoJo. Mom, Dad and Nikolas will be staying at GKTW after dinner (most days) to play and explore since Boo and Mom both tire so easily. That means the evening are free for Mikayla and I to return to the parks and do things the others can't.

Here's my dilema....I want to surprise Mikayla with ADR's (I know it's late so they may not happen) but I'm not sure where? This is the one place a 13yr old can still act like a little kid and no one will really care. I want to try for character dining since the tea parties are all for 11 and younger.

I want this to be something special for her since she's had her life pretty much "on hold" since I got preggo with her brother in 2003.

I'd like to have some ideas for something extra special just for her one evening-even if it's not food related. TIA!!
Suzanne

Would she like bibbity bobbity boutique to get all dolled up? Or, if that's not in the budget, She might enjoy the character dinner at the Grand Floridian - Park Faire, I think it's called?

When are you going? If there's a special party on, maybe she'd enjoy going to that - The halloween party between now and Halloween, Mickey's very merry Christmas party or the Pirate and Princess Party?

Supper and sundaes at the Plaza restaurant?

Dinner at Crystal Palace with Pooh and the Gang?

Good luck at finding just the perfect thing for your !

 

[2specialkids]

We're going 11/2-11/8 and she's a big fan of Jasmine, Tink, and most of the princesses. We did Park Faire when she was 9 so I was thinking of something else but I just don't know what. (We may end up there again-food's really good and I can't find other princesses to eat with)

She and I are probably doing 1 day of Universal alone since my parents don't want to do them & there is very little for DS in either park. I just really wanted to try for character ADR's for her but she's too old for the tea parties, my first choice, and I can't find anything that has princesses for dinner. (My brain is overworked right now-both kids are ) I just know if I don't book in the next week we aren't gettin' any.

Are any of the princess dinners slower to book?

 

[mom2lilnick]

I am about to post this in about four places...

So if this is a duplicate, please disregard - or pray twice

Lauren - my dear friend with severe CP - has the swine flu. Despite our best efforts to prevent it.


Please pray for them!!

Praying. I got H1N1 a couple weeks back and I was sooooo miserable. Nick was started on Tamiflu the day I came down with a fever. He hasn't gotten it and didn't have any issues with the meds.

I hope she does okay, praying for them both. It really hits hard and fast.

 

[MomTo4+more]

We've come up with the idea that we'll be eating breakfast and dinner at GKTW and lunch out. I made ADR's for Play-n-Dine since Boo LOVES JoJo. Mom, Dad and Nikolas will be staying at GKTW after dinner (most days) to play and explore since Boo and Mom both tire so easily. That means the evening are free for Mikayla and I to return to the parks and do things the others can't.

Here's my dilema....I want to surprise Mikayla with ADR's (I know it's late so they may not happen) but I'm not sure where? This is the one place a 13yr old can still act like a little kid and no one will really care. I want to try for character dining since the tea parties are all for 11 and younger.

I want this to be something special for her since she's had her life pretty much "on hold" since I got preggo with her brother in 2003.

I'd like to have some ideas for something extra special just for her one evening-even if it's not food related. TIA!!
Suzanne

Our girls definitely need to meet while we are there. Nidra is 11 and knows too well what it is like as the healthy sibling. We are there 11/1 - 11/7.

 

[mommy_lisa]

I have been checking in daily but never had the time to start a pre trip report. We are now 17 days out ( technicaly 18 but it will be sunday in a few hours), so I think I will just write a trip report once we return.

Lucas (3) is our wish kid and loves any ride, as long as it is not scary. Kayla (10) loves all rides, especially roller coasters. Was wondering what you guys thought about Universal Studios and IOA. When we enter the park should we try to hit the larger roller coaster first to try to beat the lines and then head to the kid rides, or head to the kid rides and hopefully get Lucas on each of them a couple of times and then head to the roller coasters and use the MAW button so we don't have to wait. Universal/IOA is our first park during our trip, and I am really not comfortable right now using the MAW button. I don't know how comfortable I will be, so I would like to know what the best route would be hoping not to use it much the first day.

Also our tentative plans depending on how Luca holds up are
Wednesday
Arrive at noon
Orientation
Hang out at GKTW or go to downtown disney

Thursday
Disney characters and breakfast at GKTW
Universal Studios, IOA or US not sure yet
Christmas party at GKTW

Friday
Breakfast at GKTW
Animal Kingdom
Head over to Epcot
ADR Biergarten at 245pm
Illuminations at 9pm

Saturday
ADR Cinderallas Royal Table 825am
Magic Kingdom all day, breaks at the wish lounge
Dream Come True Parade at 3pm
ADR Crystal Palace 435pm
Spectromagic 8pm
Wishes 9pm

Sunday
Breakfast at GKTW
Sea World???
Head off to a beach for the day

Monday
Breakfast and disney characters at GKTW
Disney Hollywood Studios
ADR Hollywood and Vine 115pm
Blockparty bash 3pm
Head back to GKTW or stay for fantasmic 730pm

Tuesday
Breakfast and Nick characters at GKTW
Check out of GKTW and hang out for awhile or head to downtown disney
Check into Nick hotel and swim for a couple hours
BBB for my daughter at 3pm (thinking I might cancel this)
MNSSHP

Wednesday
ADR Nick Character meal at the hotel at 8am
Universal Studios (IOA/US depending on where we went on thursday)
Or go to Sea World
Swim at the hotel ofr the afternoon and evening

Thursday
ADR Chef Mickey's 810am
Head to the airport, leave at noon


Should I have a plan of attack for the parks or just go with the flow?
Praying the kids don't get sick before we leave. Luca started preschool and a lot of kids are out in both of their classes.

Thanks

 

[kdzbear]

We've come up with the idea that we'll be eating breakfast and dinner at GKTW and lunch out. I made ADR's for Play-n-Dine since Boo LOVES JoJo. Mom, Dad and Nikolas will be staying at GKTW after dinner (most days) to play and explore since Boo and Mom both tire so easily. That means the evening are free for Mikayla and I to return to the parks and do things the others can't.

Here's my dilema....I want to surprise Mikayla with ADR's (I know it's late so they may not happen) but I'm not sure where? This is the one place a 13yr old can still act like a little kid and no one will really care. I want to try for character dining since the tea parties are all for 11 and younger.

I want this to be something special for her since she's had her life pretty much "on hold" since I got preggo with her brother in 2003.

I'd like to have some ideas for something extra special just for her one evening-even if it's not food related. TIA!!
Suzanne

My nine year old daughter suggests the Crystal Palace with Tigger, Pooh, Eyeore and Piglet. I would suggest Chef Mickeys. I don't think that 13 is too old to eat with characters. My first trip to Disney was with my best friend when I was 14 and we took pictures with every character we could find. Good luck with the reservations!

 

[kdzbear]

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/myaroseharris

Maroo normally posts these updates, but I had not seen one in awhile so I thought I would steal her job. Mya is still in the hospital. Please keep praying for her and feel free to visit her mom's blog.

 

[maroo]

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/myaroseharris

Maroo normally posts these updates, but I had not seen one in awhile so I thought I would steal her job. Mya is still in the hospital. Please keep praying for her and feel free to visit her mom's blog.

Thank you for posting that.

Please, please, everyone...

Please pray for Mya and her Mom. And please post to their page!! There are just a few of us that are posting and I would love to see dozens every day!

 

[maroo]

I have been checking in daily but never had the time to start a pre trip report. We are now 17 days out ( technicaly 18 but it will be sunday in a few hours), so I think I will just write a trip report once we return.

That is ok! Life is really, really busy!

Lucas (3) is our wish kid and loves any ride, as long as it is not scary. Kayla (10) loves all rides, especially roller coasters. Was wondering what you guys thought about Universal Studios and IOA. When we enter the park should we try to hit the larger roller coaster first to try to beat the lines and then head to the kid rides, or head to the kid rides and hopefully get Lucas on each of them a couple of times and then head to the roller coasters and use the MAW button so we don't have to wait. Universal/IOA is our first park during our trip, and I am really not comfortable right now using the MAW button. I don't know how comfortable I will be, so I would like to know what the best route would be hoping not to use it much the first day.

I hope that we can somehow encourage you to use the button!

Just put it on his shirt and don't worry about "using" really...just let the magic happen...how about that!

(Hopefully several CM's and families there will encourage you to "use it" so you can get the most of the trip for Lucas.

Otherwise...honestly...I have no idea about Universal. I would say just go around the park in order and hit the rides as you come to them - if that would be easiest on Lucas to get the most out of your time?

Also our tentative plans depending on how Luca holds up are
Wednesday
Arrive at noon
Orientation
Hang out at GKTW or go to downtown disney

Thursday
Disney characters and breakfast at GKTW
Universal Studios, IOA or US not sure yet
Christmas party at GKTW

Friday
Breakfast at GKTW
Animal Kingdom
Head over to Epcot
ADR Biergarten at 245pm
Illuminations at 9pm

Saturday
ADR Cinderallas Royal Table 825am
Magic Kingdom all day, breaks at the wish lounge
Dream Come True Parade at 3pm
ADR Crystal Palace 435pm
Spectromagic 8pm
Wishes 9pm

Sunday
Breakfast at GKTW
Sea World???
Head off to a beach for the day

Monday
Breakfast and disney characters at GKTW
Disney Hollywood Studios
ADR Hollywood and Vine 115pm
Blockparty bash 3pm
Head back to GKTW or stay for fantasmic 730pm

Tuesday
Breakfast and Nick characters at GKTW
Check out of GKTW and hang out for awhile or head to downtown disney
Check into Nick hotel and swim for a couple hours
BBB for my daughter at 3pm (thinking I might cancel this)
MNSSHP

Wednesday
ADR Nick Character meal at the hotel at 8am
Universal Studios (IOA/US depending on where we went on thursday)
Or go to Sea World
Swim at the hotel ofr the afternoon and evening

Thursday
ADR Chef Mickey's 810am
Head to the airport, leave at noon


Should I have a plan of attack for the parks or just go with the flow?
Praying the kids don't get sick before we leave. Luca started preschool and a lot of kids are out in both of their classes.

Thanks

You got some GREAT ressies!!!! And these plans look wonderful!

Soak up the magic.

Allow yourself to be pampered a little bit. You certainly deserve it!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

I have been checking in daily but never had the time to start a pre trip report. We are now 17 days out ( technicaly 18 but it will be sunday in a few hours), so I think I will just write a trip report once we return.

Tuesday
Breakfast and Nick characters at GKTW
Check out of GKTW and hang out for awhile or head to downtown disney
Check into Nick hotel and swim for a couple hours
BBB for my daughter at 3pm (thinking I might cancel this)
MNSSHP

Wednesday
ADR Nick Character meal at the hotel at 8am
Universal Studios (IOA/US depending on where we went on thursday)
Or go to Sea World
Swim at the hotel ofr the afternoon and evening

Thanks

Hi there, I'm new to the boards, just started researching this week as my daughter officially made her wish. I'll introduce our family later tonight, as hungry tummies await their dinner.
I wanted to ask if GKTW told you a schedule of characters that are coming to their village? I mentioned my daughter loves Blue's Clues to her wish granter and they replied that maybe they could set up a meet at the Nick hotel. I checked it out online and don't think there is much to do there for my wish daughter, besides meet Blue. I have seen some pics of people meeting Blue at GKTW and thought that would be so much simpler. So, I'm curious how much info you got and from whom? I also noted that you are going to the hotel for a character meal, and wondered if you plan to do any other activities while you are there. I only glanced at their website but it looked like great fun for older kids. Anyway, I'll be anxiously awaiting your TR and pics.

 

[mommy_lisa]

I wanted to ask if GKTW told you a schedule of characters that are coming to their village? I mentioned my daughter loves Blue's Clues to her wish granter and they replied that maybe they could set up a meet at the Nick hotel. I checked it out online and don't think there is much to do there for my wish daughter, besides meet Blue. I have seen some pics of people meeting Blue at GKTW and thought that would be so much simpler. So, I'm curious how much info you got and from whom? I also noted that you are going to the hotel for a character meal, and wondered if you plan to do any other activities while you are there. I only glanced at their website but it looked like great fun for older kids. Anyway, I'll be anxiously awaiting your TR and pics.

GKTW just sent us the email with a link to the current schedule at GKTW. I think everything matched up with the schedule Maroo told me a few months ago. It does not say what characters will be there and I think it is totally dependent just from a day to day basis as to who shows up, but I am not sure. I suppose you could call GKTW and ask who normally shows up. I didnt because besides Lightning mcqueen and Mater who lucas ABSOLUTELY LOVES , he just has and overall love for the rest of the characters. And I knew that they didn't visit, so I never asked.
As far as the Nick hotel, both of my kids love swimming so I figured we would go swimming and kind of have some relaxing hours. If we see something the kids want to do, we will but I am trying not to overplan (which is very hard for me). I tried to make it so we would get in what I think the kids would love but leave some downtime, to just do whatever. We didn't actually end up with that much downtime though.
I wonder if Blue is out at any of the Universal parks. I will definitely let you know if we see any of the Blues clues characters

 

[yinyanggirls]

Hello everyone, my name is Melissa (30ish), husband is Tim (aka MacGyver), (2 months younger and likes to rub it in), DD#1 (wish child) is Princess Phoebe (8 yrs), and DD#2 is Hurricane Tessa (3.10 yrs). I found this board as I was trying to get as much info as possible on other families' Wish Trips. We met with Phoebe's Wish Granter last weekend and couldn't decide on a wish. After googling blogs and reading TR's on this board we decided to go with the GKTW trip. I say "we" because Phoebe is non-verbal and severely delayed. It was easy to come up with a list of things she likes and enjoys but difficult to translate that into the wish of a lifetime.

So, as an introduction, maybe I should start at the beginning? Tim and I have been married for over 14 years. After several years of trying to conceive we felt like adoption was the right way for us to build our family. We were chosen by Phoebe's birthmom right away and met her before the birth. We felt an immediate bond and somehow *knew* that this baby was meant to be with us. There were no known complications and she did have prenatal care. The obgyn was unsure of the exact due date and neither was she, but based on the baby's size they induced her. She was 7,14 at birth, so probably right on time. Almost immediately, there were concerns but never any answers. She wasn't eating and her blood sugar was low. They observed her overnight in the nursery and then admitted her to the NICU in the AM when things were not improving. She stayed "only" about two weeks but those were the most emotional weeks of my life. Her birthmom felt obligated to visit and keep informed but that made the hospital treat us like mere visitors. She never wavered and always told them to tell us everything and ask us for permission but they didn't. To add to the stress, 8 Septembers ago was 9/11. Phoebe was born just days before that and it was difficult to deal with an adoption, medical questions and the country being attacked by terrorists! The NICU stay involved lots of tests, some treatments and some screw ups. One day we showed up and there was a bandage on her heel. They said she had a wound but didn't know what it was from (it was right where they were doing heel sticks to check her blood sugar). She then developed an infection and the wound became so severe they had a plastic surgeon consult on the possibility of doing a skin graft. We were so frustrated with them, and their lack of communicating with us, we couldn't wait to get her home. She came home with a mushy heel and burn cream (took about a month to heal, still has a scar), an apnea monitor, caffeine citrate Rx and bili-lights. We also had to wake her every 2 hours to eat because she always stopped drinking at a certain amount and every 2 hrs was the interval needed to get the right total for the day. I realize now that she simply had low muscle tone and got tired. If the hospital understood this as the reason for her not eating they never shared it with us. I look back on this time as being so stressful. We had no idea why all the problems or what to expect in the future. Other than a scary bout with RSV (hospitalized one week) her medical issues resolved over the first year. Her development was another story. At six months I was concerned because she was still basically a rag doll. At 9 months she began therapy and testing, and by 12 months reality set in. This is who she is, we're not going to fix it or change it, but hopefully we will help her reach her potential and be happy. The tests never revealed anything (we've done MRIs, EEGs and lots of blood work for chromosome studies) but the consensus among her neuros and geneticists is that she probably has a chromosomal abnormality (a random genetic "syndrome"). The more people I meet in the world of special needs and the more syndromes I read about, I tend to agree.

At 8 years old Phoebe is infantile in communication (she laughs, cries, whines, but no sounds, pointing, signing) and somewhere around 1-2 years in other areas. She wears AFOs to help prevent hyperextension when she walks, which is not very far and only with maximum support. We are close to getting her a walker and hope that she will learn to rely on it for support rather than us. She has phases of seizure-like activity but we have yet to get them diagnosed. She is legally blind due to optic nerve atrophy, exotropia as well as cortical vision impairment. She had eye surgery but it overcorrected and didn't end up helping. She has a movement disorder so her arms flail when she is anxious or happy and she has low tone. She has sensory issues (what kid doesn't?) and is willing to poop on the potty but not pee (probably can't feel it) so she wears pull ups. She's been tested for Angelmans, Prader-Willi, and Retts, as well as some general tests. Her current geneticist really feels like she is linked to Retts and has tested her for CDKL5 and waiting for approval to test for FoxG1 both of which are related to Retts. At this point we don't really care about naming "it" anymore. For insurance and such we can use the labels legally blind and CP. But those are the technical words to describe Phoebe. She is so sweet and loving. She lights up when she sees or hears a favorite person come in the room, and she has lots of favorites because she really bonds with people. She likes to cuddle and touch us. She is quick to smile or laugh. She loves children's songs. The two things guaranteed to make her hyperventilate are horses and grandma. She will explore your face with her hands or grab your hands for patty cake but she is never intentionally rough. She is just an angel and so loving and we feel very humbled and blessed that she is in our lives.

Phew! So about 4 years after Phoebe came along we felt ready to add another child to our family and decided to try foster/adoption through our state (TX at the time). We only had one other placement (a very short term sibling group) and a dozen phone calls that wouldn't work for one reason or another (out of town, etc) before we got the call about Tessa. That and other things convince me that she was also "meant to be" with us. Of course, being in foster care meant we didn't know if she would stay until she'd already been with us a while. She came to us 4 days old from the hospital and we were able to finalize her adoption on Nat'l Adoption Day, about 2 weeks before her 1st bday. For foster/adopt we "got lucky" but it was still pretty emotional. I also feel badly for Tessa because she never had visits with her birthmom or any family and has very little info on them at all. Hopefully in the future we'll find something. It's so ironic because Tessa is opposite of Phoebe in almost every way. (I call them my yin yang girls) Tessa is a handful and has her own "special needs". She was born with polydactyly (extra digits) which worried me at first, thinking it was part of a syndrome, but it is also a fairly common genetic trait, especially in African descendants, which we assume she is based on her great tan and gorgeous curls. After tests and exams we were told the extra digits didn't have growth plates so they would likely remain small while her other fingers grew. She already had minimal control over them (even though they looked totally normal, people never noticed) so we decided to have them surgically removed while she was still young. It is never easy to watch your child endure surgery! After one day, though, she was bouncing off the walls again and doing anything she wanted to do even with oven mitt sized casts on. She hit every milestone early and continues to amaze me. She is spelling all kinds of words and writing her name. She's so intelligent. She's also easily bored and into trouble all day long. I could tell stories for hours, but I won't. It's been a challenge to have one child who can't move around on her own and be independent and another who won't stop moving and thinks she can do everything on her own! But they are the two most gorgeous girls on the planet. And since I didn't contribute my DNA to them my opinion is not in the least bit biased. They are the light of our lives. And, oh yeah, we're done adding children to the family.

My husband is in law enforcement and I was a portrait photographer B.C. (before children). I hope to get going in photography again once Tessa is in kinder. Because of my husband's work and holiday/Tessa's bday plans we requested to go on the trip after the first of the year. I'm not going to officially start planning until we get our dates. So I can spend the next 3 months or so learning from all of you.

I've already learned quite a bit just from lurking and exploring this past week. I look forward to getting to know other families and reading some great TR's in the next few months.
~ Melissa

I was going to post some pics but I guess I have to post about 8 more times first.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Lisa, thanks for keeping your eyes open for Blue. I'm not sure if we want to make a special trip out of it because of Phoebe's vision. Without the voice of Blue, or the music, she may not "get it". But it would be nice to know for sure when and where Blue might be in case we want to try it. Your plans sound well-thought out and I understand trying not to overplan. My husband says "oh no, you're going to spend more hours planning this than we will even there". But for me it's fun to plan. I'm excited for you guys. You're so close!
~ Melissa