I have a totally weird question, cause I know each chapter is different, but how soon before your trip did your wish granters contact you and come give you the tickets and such?
We have only seen our granters once, and been in contact here and there thru email regarding going to the Red Sox game, but that is it. We are a little more than 2 weeks before our trip and I have not heard from them or our MAW chapter...
Is this typically the norm?
Yes, that is the norm! I wish they would sort of tell us, though.
We got our check on Monday night and we were leaving on Friday (I actually left on Thursday).
I've been reading some of the posts that I have missed the past week or so ago. Someone asked if transportation was provided both ways. I don't think anyone has answered this. My apologies if this is a repeat...
When we received our travel packet this Friday, we were specifically told how to find the limo upon our return (where to locate the booth in the airport). If it isn't mentioned when your travel packet is dropped off, I would definitely ask.
Before I type this next thing, I want to make it perfectly clear that I am so appreciative of everything MAW has done for us. We absolutely would not be able to take my daughter on this trip without them.
Okay here goes...We received our expense check with the travel packet on Friday and, (again I'm so thankful for what we received), I'm worried things are going to be a bit tight. Times are tough...I very sure they did the best they could do. My question is this...what did you find that you spent the most on and would you do it differently? I'm hoping that I will be pleasantly surprised that the check will go further than I think, since the norm is that you pay for everything on a typical trip. If I find that most people spend the most money on souveniers, then I think that will be a bit of a relief, since I can control that.
Tammy B.
I agree with everything everyone said. I don't remember your specific plans...honestly...but here are some things I have noticed on these boards...
- Eat at GKTW for all of the meals you can. If you are planning to go back for an afternoon nap, plan to eat at GKTW (they have sandwiches at the Ice Cream place and a new place that serves lunch, too!) Fill up at GKTW so that you spend less on food in the parks.
- Drink lots of water! This keeps you feeling good anyway and keeps you feeling full. The ice water is FREE in the parks. Just go to any counter service restaurant to get some. This will save you on drinks and that gets costly.
- Bring snacks to the parks and the airport! Peanuts, granola bars, gum, etc...that will keep you satisfied till you eat a good meal. Try not to buy food in the airport.
- Give your kids souvie money in advance and "junk money" for food junk or drinks each day, if possible.
- Check your menu before you go out to eat (
www.allears.net) and you can plan your budget well.
- Share meals at counter service. The portions are BIG! Order from the kids menu, even as an adult. Split meals.
-
Walmart is right down the street if you forgot something.
One thing that I had to remind myself was that I did eat at home...so that money could go towards Disney, too.
Hopefully you will have more money than you think...you don't have to pay for breakfast and dinner and even lunch if you will be at GKTW. Snacks there are free, too, if you go to the Ice Cream place or theatre. You don't pay for parking.
Basically your money covers lunch, souvies, snacks, drinks in the parks, gas for driving around Orlando...so a lot of the normal things you pay for are covered.