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

[llurgy]

Aw Shucks , thanks Mary

Love Mandy

For those of you guys that are new to this thread...I wanted to draw your attention to two of our families that have been having a rough time in the past month...all of our families are having some sort of issue, really...but these two stick out in my mind because they struggled so close to their special trips and are still needing support and prayers.


Becca: Becca is a precious 12-year-old and you can read all about her story in her pre-trip report:

Becca's Wish Trip Pre-Trip Report

Less than 2 weeks after returning from GKTW, she had to have what I believe was an emergency brain surgery. She had a very rough time for several weeks. She is doing MUCH better now, but I want to make sure we continue to follow her and pray for her and her family. Her road to recovery is going to be long.

To follow her story daily you can visit: www.schtabs.com


Another family I want to draw your attention to is Noah's family.

Here is their pre-trip report: Noah's Wish Trip Pre-Trip Report

Noah had a hard time in December and Jan/Feb and none of us were sure he would make it to his special trip. His family is from Canada and with the 4/3 deal and considering this is their one time special trip as a family, they opted to extend their trip at the Pop Century by a week.

Many of you know that Noah got sick during that last week and had to go back to Canada. He made it home (almost did not, evidently) and they are currently on Day 8 in the PICU. He seems to be sort of stable? But things change fast with Noah. I learned to pray for him even when I think he is doing well, because he can get very sick, very fast.

To follow daily updates on Noah you can visit: http://www.noahgrantjohn.blogspot.com/

For those of you that have already been on your trip, you know that coming home is tough. The trip is wonderful - regardless of illness or other circumstance - and getting back to the "real world" is hard.

This is particularly hard for both of these families...who essentially went from the GKTW high to an immediate down...

Anyway...just want to continue to pray with these families as they are struggling. I noticed their threads are not being posted on as often...although I know visit both each day and don't always post...I am hoping to generate some more outward support for both of these families.

I love this thread!! You guys inspire me.

Have an awesome day!!!!!!!

 

[Momto2redheads]

[ There are 7 in my family, and lunch at a counter service place was always knocking on the door of $100.

HOLY COW!!!

Thanks for all of the money saving tips and warnings. In order to make it work, I need to have us eat breakfast and dinner at GKTW and keep lunch/snacks around $50.00. (I know that will most likely mean making trips back to GKTW for lunch at least a couple of days.) If I can do that, we will be able to stretch our check to cover baggage and our gas. You are right, Maroo, I forgot about the fact that I won't have to buy groceries that week we are away, so that will free up some cash for souveniers.

We sure are getting excited around our house. We are down to 14 days!

Tammy B

 

[maroo]

Aw Shucks , thanks Mary

Love Mandy

You are welcome, my friend.

Do you know...with my iPhone...I, obviously accidentally, unsubscribed from your TR! Can you believe that! I was so upset! I have done that twice now with my iPhone...pushing the wrong button.

Anyway...still praying for Becca every single day!

Did she get my card?

Thanks for all of the money saving tips and warnings. In order to make it work, I need to have us eat breakfast and dinner at GKTW and keep lunch/snacks around $50.00. (I know that will most likely mean making trips back to GKTW for lunch at least a couple of days.) If I can do that, we will be able to stretch our check to cover baggage and our gas. You are right, Maroo, I forgot about the fact that I won't have to buy groceries that week we are away, so that will free up some cash for souveniers.

We sure are getting excited around our house. We are down to 14 days!

Tammy B

You should be able to do that...keep it around $50...I would think. I would think you could share a lot of the food at Disney. Counter service stuff. They have generous portions! And go by Walmart your first day and get snacks for the parks for cheap...or before you go?

 

[llurgy]

You are welcome, my friend.

Do you know...with my iPhone...I, obviously accidentally, unsubscribed from your TR! Can you believe that! I was so upset! I have done that twice now with my iPhone...pushing the wrong button.

Anyway...still praying for Becca every single day!

Did she get my card?

No, no card has arrived. We have received things and I have tried to thank everyone either by mail or via PM on here if I havent had a mailing address.
But no card has arrived, I am sorry because I just know how much trouble you went to to get those signatures

 

[maroo]

No, no card has arrived. We have received things and I have tried to thank everyone either by mail or via PM on here if I havent had a mailing address.
But no card has arrived, I am sorry because I just know how much trouble you went to to get those signatures

Really? Are you still at the RMH?



I sent it from work but put my home address on there and addressed it as Maroo... Boo!

That makes me SOOOOO sad!

And it had a gift card in there.

If someone stole from that baby...

GRRRRRRR....

Maroo is MAD!

 

[nyveggie]

These are GREAT!!!!!!

If you don't mind, I will also post these on Page 2 once I can get a chance to copy them, etc...is that ok?

Those are awesome!!!

Great links!!!!

 

[Bill_Lin]

Okay, this is funny ... last night, I had a NIGHTMARE about our Wish Trip!

I dreamed that plans suddenly changed and POW, we had to go on our trip with little warning! In my dream, we were there without things we needed, without my outline of plans, etc. Oh, and I hadn't signed up for the photopass, so I was looking around all over for the place to sign up there.

Think that's my conscience telling me to step it up?

We have this living room closet that last summer we designated the "hospital closet." It is still filled with the suitcases and such that we hauled back and forth to the hospital while Renn was in treatment. Yes, she's been off-chemo since November!

Well, it looks like it's going to be a rainy day today. The perfect day to clean out "the hospital closet" and turn it into the "vacation closet," right?

I can totally relate to your nightmare. Just remember your trip will be a dream.

 

[Bill_Lin]

Great advice on costs and strategies to make the most of whatever funds you have available!

Re: Orlando Airport - I discovered that we did not have any of the all important gum for chewing for ears that are feeling the pressure. To my horror, I learned that GUM IS NOT SOLD IN THE ORLANDO AIRPORT!!! Apparently, no one wants to clean up the mess. Perhaps things have changed, but why take a chance?

Alison

We got so LOST at the airport when we took our rental back. Be sure to hire a Sherpa or other guide to help you through the concourse jungle.

Just kidding.

 

[Bill_Lin]

No problem...I relied heavily on them and on the Dis and Tour Guide Mike. If you want a confession on how OCD I was, I also made folders for each park (color coded of course), and put tabs in them for menus, character locations, and the suggested order of attack on attractions from TGM. I took the maps that were at the Gingerbread house at GKTW and put them in the pocket of the folder. I even made labels for the 3 prong folders that had disney clip art on it...yes, I am seriously troubled . I would tuck the folder in the back pocket of the stroller, and when things got a little crazy with crowds or the weather or the kids, I was able to refer back to my "plan" and make quick decisions about "what to do next." When we were at breakfast at GKTW on the first day, one of the retiree volunteers who had been at GKTW for over 10 years asked me if I needed any info on the park we were going to that day, and I told her I thought I was okay with my folder. I showed it to her and she laughed and said, could I show this to someone...she took it over to all the other volunteers who said they were amazed that I was so ready. I told them about the Dis, and how the Disboards were the reason I was so prepared. They were all very nice, but I think they wanted to tell me there were qualified professionals who could help me with my neurosis but I happen to like my neurosis, thank you very much!.

I never thought I would say this, but you have outdone me. I bow to you as the new champion over planner. Ain't it just fun?

 

[LindaBabe]

Comment on photopass - if you don't get around to signing up for the prepaid cd before you go, it's ok. Just sign up, pay for it, and THEN after you get your code, upload your photopass numbers! The system doesn't know you've traveled until you do that.

Comment on food in the parks - counter service meals are pretty large - if your family aren't huge eaters, very often two or more can share a meal. I do it with my girlfriends all the time. My hubby always wants his own, so I wind up throwing part of mine away.

You can save money on meals that don't include drinks by asking for a cup of ice water. Drinks are disproportionately expensive. Kids meals include a drink. I've been known to eat a kids meal, myself.

 

[LeeLee2U]

No problem...I relied heavily on them and on the Dis and Tour Guide Mike. If you want a confession on how OCD I was, I also made folders for each park (color coded of course), and put tabs in them for menus, character locations, and the suggested order of attack on attractions from TGM. I took the maps that were at the Gingerbread house at GKTW and put them in the pocket of the folder. I even made labels for the 3 prong folders that had disney clip art on it...yes, I am seriously troubled . I would tuck the folder in the back pocket of the stroller, and when things got a little crazy with crowds or the weather or the kids, I was able to refer back to my "plan" and make quick decisions about "what to do next." When we were at breakfast at GKTW on the first day, one of the retiree volunteers who had been at GKTW for over 10 years asked me if I needed any info on the park we were going to that day, and I told her I thought I was okay with my folder. I showed it to her and she laughed and said, could I show this to someone...she took it over to all the other volunteers who said they were amazed that I was so ready. I told them about the Dis, and how the Disboards were the reason I was so prepared. They were all very nice, but I think they wanted to tell me there were qualified professionals who could help me with my neurosis but I happen to like my neurosis, thank you very much!.

Well O.k. you put us all to shame with your plan within a plan!! But i for one was very gratefull. With all of your advice and yours and Wendys TRs I really felt like I had some experienced wisdom to lean on. And then of course the TRs that weren't wish trips but had great advice. I know our trip was so succesfull despite Braeton being sick almost the whole time because of the DIS boards.
And because of all the great PMs and post back and forth with you sharing tidbits. I won't ever forget and want you to know how much I appreciate you!!!!

 

[5dwarves]

We spent the most money on food for lunch. Drinks and snacks are very expensive in the parks (and the wish agencies know that so they try and allow for it.) There are 7 in my family, and lunch at a counter service place was always knocking on the door of $100. Hope this helps.

HOLY COW!!!

I never thought I would say this, but you have outdone me. I bow to you as the new champion over planner. Ain't it just fun?

Comment on photopass - if you don't get around to signing up for the prepaid cd before you go, it's ok. Just sign up, pay for it, and THEN after you get your code, upload your photopass numbers! The system doesn't know you've traveled until you do that.

Well O.k. you put us all to shame with your plan within a plan!! But i for one was very gratefull. With all of your advice and yours and Wendys TRs I really felt like I had some experienced wisdom to lean on. And then of course the TRs that weren't wish trips but had great advice. I know our trip was so succesfull despite Braeton being sick almost the whole time because of the DIS boards.
And because of all the great PMs and post back and forth with you sharing tidbits. I won't ever forget and want you to know how much I appreciate you!!!!

Momto2redheads... I guess I should have said that of the 7 in my family, 5 of them are male...DH is 6'5" and my oldest DS is a teenager and is 6'3". Even though DS Connor is skinny, he eats like there is no tomorrow. We ate fish and chips in England at Epcot (7 orders) but then we did have dessert in France . We ate BBQ at flametree in AK and then had something to cool us off at a stucco restaurant on the way to the safari ...can't remember the name. Linda is right...drinks are extremely expensive. If you are having to buy drinks 2 times a day and the small/medium is $4.00 then you multiply that by 7 people...well, you can do the math. At Hollywood Studios we ate lunch at Pizza Planet, and I remember it was not quite as bad cost wise...they had combo deals there, it was pretty decent for amusement park pizza, and I got a salad with my combo We found that some of the snacks were enormous so the kids were able to share them...like the Mickey Pretzels. They were practically dinner plate sized and I could get one for every 2 kids. We ate at Harbor House at MK (I think that is the name...New England counterservice by the Presidents attraction) and that was about $80 (and also air conditioned)...they were VERY nice to us, brought us free dessert because the CM who was at the register saw the GKTW button. There are some decent deals there though. When a sugar snack was in order, I bought one of the balloon cluster looking things of mickey head lollipops. It was about $4.00 I think, and you get a bunch of small lollipops. Good for multiple days, one at a time.

Bill_Lin - Thank you ????? I still have my folders...I love my folders

LeeLee - Thank you for your kind words...We are leaving for TX on Sunday...I'll give you a call when we get there...time for some Bodacious BBQ! We can meet at the restaurant...I know that your boys aren't on spring break right now like my kids, so think of an evening that will be best for you. DH has to stay behind because of work issues, but we will be there with the rest of the crew. Looking forward to meeting you and your family in person!

LindaBabe - LOVE the tip on the Photopass. I bought mine when we got back. I entered my photo pass codes first though to see the pics. I could have saved money! Excellent tip!

 

[Soon2B4]

We ate at Harbor House at MK (I think that is the name...New England counterservice by the Presidents attraction) and that was about $80 (and also air conditioned)...they were VERY nice to us, brought us free dessert because the CM who was at the register saw the GKTW button. There are some decent deals there though.

It is Harbor House at MK. My DH likes to eat there and it isn't really ever busy. The other place to eat at AK is Pizzafari. It is nice and big inside and they have some different things on the menu than some of the other quick service restaurants. We took Aidan in Sept '08 during free dining and actually ate both breakfast and lunch (another day) at Pizzafari. For lunch they had pizza (of course) and chicken parm sandwiches. As far as drinks, the water fountain by It's a Small World is pretty cold. We would buy one bottle of water in the morning each and fill it up all day at the fountains. If staying at GKTW, I would buy a case of water from Wal-Mart and you could always fill up your bottle so you don't have to carry enough water for everyone all day.

If you really want to treat yourself, the Dole Whips are great! The stuffed pretzels can easily be shared as can the turkey legs. We actually also tried a caramel apple and split one apple between the 3 of us. Can you tell I am 32 weeks pregnant? Once you get me on the topic of food....I could go one forever!

 

[Soon2B4]

.

 

[Momto2redheads]

Momto2redheads... I guess I should have said that of the 7 in my family, 5 of them are male...DH is 6'5" and my oldest DS is a teenager and is 6'3".

Oh my...I know you love 'em, but I would hate to have your grocery bill. This actually makes me feel better though about what our cost might be.
At Hollywood Studios we ate lunch at Pizza Planet, and I remember it was not quite as bad cost wise...they had combo deals there, it was pretty decent for amusement park pizza, and I got a salad with my combo

I've already been told by my Toy-Story-Loving little princess pea that we HAVE to eat at Pizza Planet. I'm glad it shouldn't be too bad.

As far as drinks, the water fountain by It's a Small World is pretty cold. We would buy one bottle of water in the morning each and fill it up all day at the fountains. If staying at GKTW, I would buy a case of water from Wal-Mart and you could always fill up your bottle so you don't have to carry enough water for everyone all day.

Sounds like a good plan to me. We are planning a Walmart stop as soon as we get registered in at GKTW.If you really want to treat yourself, the Dole Whips are great! The stuffed pretzels can easily be shared as can the turkey legs. We actually also tried a caramel apple and split one apple between the 3 of us. Can you tell I am 32 weeks pregnant? Once you get me on the topic of food....I could go one forever! [/QUOTE]


Yummm...Dole Whip. I don't know what it is, but it sounds good. It sounds fruity and frothy. I'm going to have to hunt one of those babies down.



Tammy B

 

[Soon2B4]

Yummm...Dole Whip. I don't know what it is, but it sounds good. It sounds fruity and frothy. I'm going to have to hunt one of those babies down.



Tammy B[/QUOTE]

It is pineapple juice with a pineapple soft serve on top. It is in the MK in Adventure Land. If you go over the bridge coming from the main part of the park (hope that makes sense) it is on your right hand side. I looked it up on Allears.net and it is called the Aloha Isle. The cost is $2.89. NOW I WANT ONE!!

 

[Ppufi]

Has anyone been to the new La Ti Da Spa at GKTW? I'm just curious as Twinkle Hope the My Little Pony is on the spa sign.

 

[LeeLee2U]

LeeLee - Thank you for your kind words...We are leaving for TX on Sunday...I'll give you a call when we get there...time for some Bodacious BBQ! We can meet at the restaurant...I know that your boys aren't on spring break right now like my kids, so think of an evening that will be best for you. DH has to stay behind because of work issues, but we will be there with the rest of the crew. Looking forward to meeting you and your family in person!

Guess What??? we are on spring break all next week!! I'm so excited to get see ya'll!! If I can just keep us out of the Hospitals next week then we will be all set!!

For those that don't know My oldest son Tyler is going in the Hospial Tues for test. They believe he has a blockage in his stomach/intestine area but aren't for sure. They are going to do a scope and then go from there.
Tyler is our "healthy" child not our WISH child. In Nov he was diagnosed with Facial Cellulitos and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) it was believed that all his stomach issues were because of all the High powered antibioticas and meds he was on. But now things aren't getting better in fact they are worse. Anyway I am glad we are finally getting test done and not just MORE meds prescribed. I know we have a lot to pray for right now but if ya'll could just breathe a little prayer for him I sure would appreciate it!! I try to act like it's no big deal but I'm scared. I didn't realize how much I realied on Tylers wellness if that makes sense!!!
If my husband or Braeton got sick I just went with the flow. I expect them to have problems. This thing with Tyler has got me all out of wack.

Sorry to ramble on. I just needed to vent I guess!! i know it will work out one way or the other. God has never failed to give us the strength we need to carry on and know that he will not stop now!!

 

[5dwarves]

There is dining forum on the disboard with reviews and pictures of various things. One of the threads has a picture of a dole whip float...here is the link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1712222&page=8

It is entry # 107. There are actually 3 threads with food pics now and two with birthday/anniversary/wedding cake pics...I realize some one is pregnant so proceed with caution...temptation ahead!

 

[5dwarves]

Has anyone been to the new La Ti Da Spa at GKTW? I'm just curious as Twinkle Hope the My Little Pony is on the spa sign.

That is new since we were there. I know that in the last couple of days I saw something about it, not sure if it was here on the DIS or on the GKTW site, but I can't find it. From what I read you can get a manicure and some tatoos there. The pics I saw showed 3 stylists and a large Twinkle Hope. I am sorry though, I can't find them again.