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

[maroo]

Has anyone done the photo shoot at the Grand Floridian? Wondering if it's worth it with photo pass.

Oh gosh...I know I saw a TR with that in there...somewhere. It was not a Wish Trip report, though. I will see if I can find it again and link it here.

Honestly...do you think you will go back to DW? If so, I would save that for next time?

If I could do our Wish Trip all over again...I would do more character lines (since we were able to bypass the lines...we would have met all of them! ) And made sure we got all of the rides in that we could. We spent a lot of time in shows that might have been better spent doing stuff that the button allows us to speed up the process. Especially if we had known we would try to go back.

I will try to find that TR...

 

[maroo]

Has anyone done the photo shoot at the Grand Floridian? Wondering if it's worth it with photo pass.

Ah ha! Found it...

Here is the specific post about the photo shoot...

Grand Floridian Photo Shoot - Stolen from a non-wish trip TR!

This is actually a pretty fun TR to read. You can access the whole TR here:

A good, non-wish trip, TR

Make sure you catch the pre-trip "lies" that were told to the whole disboards! Pretty funny!

I figured a TR that had over 80,000 views would be worth looking at. And I was not disappointed! It was a good one.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Can anyone give me the exact whereabout of the Wish Lounge and the other couple of places where Wish Kids are allowed to go for a rest?
I think one of them is near Test Track in Epcot one near Cinderella's Castle and another at Seimens, but I dont know where??.... I think there are 3 altogether.

Are there similar places at Universal Studios or Sea World?

I did write the info down as I came across it, but I seem to have misplaced my notes.

Mandy

Yes, the Bunny Book lists the lounges and the times. I didn't seem to process that some ( if not all) of the lounges close at 5:00pm so we didn't get to go to all of them. We did go to the one in MK and the one by Test Track. The one by Test Track was a little tricky to find. The CMs didn't seem to know what I was talking about. Finally they called someone to get info- it is actually the GM lounge. You get to push a button and they ask you if you are a GM employee- you just say, " we're on a wish trip" and you are buzzed in. It was very cool- you got to see the ride from the inside. Also, when you are leaving the lounge, they give you a VIP pass to go directly on the ride. We rode the ride before we went in the lounge - and was glad we did, then we could pinpoint what we were seeing from the lounge. Then we rode it again when we left the lounge. The boys felf very special going through doors that said, " for authorized personnel only".

The lounge that you have a "code" for is by Spaceship Earth in Epcot ( I'm pretty sure that is where it is- that's the big sphere, right?). We got there right as they were closing and the last people were coming out. They told us that you also got to go directly on the ride after the lounge. With limited time, Spaceship Earth was not a ride we felt the need to ride more than once. I would go to the lounge first and then go on the ride.

BTW, I think I had built up the lounges too much in my head. I can really see how they would be useful to many on a wish trip- but they weren't as "cool" as what I expected-except for Test Track- it was very cool to my kids to go directly on the ride. Well, I guess I can't speak for all the lounges since we only went to 2.

Carol

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Oh gosh...I know I saw a TR with that in there...somewhere. It was not a Wish Trip report, though. I will see if I can find it again and link it here.

Honestly...do you think you will go back to DW? If so, I would save that for next time?

If I could do our Wish Trip all over again...I would do more character lines (since we were able to bypass the lines...we would have met all of them! ) And made sure we got all of the rides in that we could. We spent a lot of time in shows that might have been better spent doing stuff that the button allows us to speed up the process. Especially if we had known we would try to go back.

I will try to find that TR...

I agree with this advice. If you think you might go back to WDW at some point, do the things that are special to a wish trip. My kids will never agree to wait to see characters, so I figured this was my one opportunity- and it really took very little time. I wish we had skipped more of the shows ( and we didn't go to many) and concentrated on rides. Of course, for some, the shows are a very big deal.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Sometimes I think I talk WAY too much!

That is interesting! Pooh is my favorite character! I am sometimes more like Eyeore... But I look more like Pooh. And I like Pooh!

His voice is so sweet...



It really depends on the CM. If they are aware of the GKTW button at the end of the ride (like if the end is the same place you "boarded")...then they may let you keep riding. They did let Lauren keep riding several times...but mainly because of her wheelchair status...to load her and unload her did not make sense...as long as people were not waiting. If people are waiting, then we did get off and if she wanted to ride again, we just went back to the beginning and did it again.

My guess is, in most cases, I would expect to have to start over. If Jake has a hard time with the walking, etc...you could talk to a CM and see if they can make an exception or something. ??

Character lines, he should get moved to the front. Some wish families have waited because the CM did not see the GKTW button...so make sure the CM at the character line sees it.

He will be having so much fun...that he probably won't notice stuff like that. If he has to go back through. I would just present it as...you get to go in the front, again!

Once again, Maroo is right on. Both times we rode Goofy's Barnstormer ( a little roller coaster ) we got to ride multiple times. The first time, there was a line but they still asked us if we wanted to go again ( I felt very bad because the people behind us thought they were talking to them also and the CM explained it was a wish trip for us- I wish they had let our entire "train" stay on). The second time, the park wasn't very crowded. When our "train" got back they asked if we wanted to go again and, of course, we shouted "YEAH!" They let the party in our train go with us. It was uncrowded enough, that whatever people were waiting got to go on the next train. They let us ride 8x in a row! They would have let us ride more, but we finally decided to get off and ride something else-plus a line was starting to form. I'm sure the family that was with us was really wondering why they got to ride so many times in a row! Every time you go ask a CM a question, make sure your wish child is with you so they know it is a wish trip!

I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to remember all of this info. I think my brain will short circuit.

Your Bunny Book will have so mucn of this info for you. But some things they tell you at GKTW aren't actually how it is. For instance, they told us that you do not get to bypass the line for characters- but the CMs told us we did. They also told us they absolutely would not let you park in handicap without your card from home ( they said US/IOA might let you but Disney would not). We forgot our card at home and never said anything- we got there early so we didn't have that far to walk. But the second day, the parking attendant directed us to park at handicap ( and we did every day after that without a problem).

Before our trip, a very kind disboarder who had just returned from their wish trip, offered me her cell phone number if I should have any questions. I nearly called her when we weren't sure about skipping the character lines. In fact, I wish I had called her- it would have saved us some anxiety. I would like to make the same offer to anyone getting ready to go. PM me and I will send you my cell phone number so if you are there and can't remember something, you can give me a call. You can always go log onto disboards at GKTW ( can't remember if they have computers, but we had our laptop) and ask a question, but since internet wasn't in the room, we didn't find it very convenient. Plus, you might be at test track and the CM doesn't know where the wish lounge is and you can't remember it is the GM lounge- just give me a call and I will fill you in.

Carol

 

[llurgy]

Yes, the Bunny Book lists the lounges and the times. I didn't seem to process that some ( if not all) of the lounges close at 5:00pm so we didn't get to go to all of them. We did go to the one in MK and the one by Test Track. The one by Test Track was a little tricky to find. The CMs didn't seem to know what I was talking about. Finally they called someone to get info- it is actually the GM lounge. You get to push a button and they ask you if you are a GM employee- you just say, " we're on a wish trip" and you are buzzed in. It was very cool- you got to see the ride from the inside. Also, when you are leaving the lounge, they give you a VIP pass to go directly on the ride. We rode the ride before we went in the lounge - and was glad we did, then we could pinpoint what we were seeing from the lounge. Then we rode it again when we left the lounge. The boys felf very special going through doors that said, " for authorized personnel only".

The lounge that you have a "code" for is by Spaceship Earth in Epcot ( I'm pretty sure that is where it is- that's the big sphere, right?). We got there right as they were closing and the last people were coming out. They told us that you also got to go directly on the ride after the lounge. With limited time, Spaceship Earth was not a ride we felt the need to ride more than once. I would go to the lounge first and then go on the ride.

BTW, I think I had built up the lounges too much in my head. I can really see how they would be useful to many on a wish trip- but they weren't as "cool" as what I expected-except for Test Track- it was very cool to my kids to go directly on the ride. Well, I guess I can't speak for all the lounges since we only went to 2.

Carol

Thanks Carol! It's nice to know that everything is in the Bunny book.
We just want to know where we can go for a little R&R if needed.
Good to know that we should go into the GM lounge BEFORE going onto Test Track!

Mandy

 

[OrangeRabbit]

Hello Again, thanks for the replies a little while back. Just figured out the counter thing and felt like when I realised there is a little over a week until we go!!! MAW really got things together fast for us to go at a time of year where there is less sun.

I really need to make some sort of plan here for Disney World . I've cut and pasted info from the Wish Trip Thread, I just need to organise it into something useful for us. I've been ordering more UV protective clothes for dd, so we're fairly covered medically, but I suppose I ought to plan for fun too. Instead I'll be spending tomorrow talking to insurance who oh so helpfully is trying not to cover meds we'll need to be bringing along with us. Um - this is not really the time for that fun insurance game

I did make countdown teacups for dd's however. Guess I have to wait to put on the link until 10 posts.

Does anyone know if you can bring food to eat into the MAW lounge? It would be some good down time and would be a great way to stay out of the sun mid-day for one of us to bring some food back to the lounge for dd's.

Also, is the Mad Tea Party Covered?

 

[OrangeRabbit]

Maroo, dd's love the video of Laurens Wish Trip - it's been great to show them GKTW. They were a bit worried about the dinosaur and Lauren being on the train tracks.

 

[OrangeRabbit]

Great to see the info on multiple rides. Do you think I should mention to the CM that dd is limited in the times of day she can go on the out door rides (like Dumbo) and ask about multiple rides?

 

[OrangeRabbit]

Oh - and we finally got final doctor approval and know exactly when our flights are. We couldn't ask for more perfect flights

We have an 8:40 am flight out on Sun Feb 1. We'll pack up the limo and install the car seats while they are still asleep, then carry them down in thier jammies and get dressed at the airport. Then we'll have a good portion of the day at GKTW to get settled. Praying for warm winter temps and no snow that morning.

Our return flight is 7:30pm on Sat Feb 7th. Plenty of time to play and pack before going home. A relaxed departure day instead of rushed.

 

[OrangeRabbit]

babble, babble, babble - 6

 

[OrangeRabbit]

You see, I'm trying to get to 10 so I can post the link to the tea cup countdown.

 

[mindymouse1]

this is great... I don't even have to ask any questions!!! Everyone is giving such great info -- on stuff I never would have thought of!! Thanks to all of you!!!

 

[OrangeRabbit]

This will be my first trip to Disney World (and therefore dd's too). My dh has been many times as a kid. He wants mickey ice creams.

 

[OrangeRabbit]

this is great... I don't even have to ask any questions!!! Everyone is giving such great info -- on stuff I never would have thought of!! Thanks to all of you!!!

Welcome to the middle of my get-to-ten-posts-marathon!!!

 

[OrangeRabbit]

this is great... I don't even have to ask any questions!!! Everyone is giving such great info -- on stuff I never would have thought of!! Thanks to all of you!!!

And I completely agree!!!!

 

[OrangeRabbit]

Thank you for putting up with my rambling

Here is the link to our countdown tea cups!!!!!!!!
http://orangerabbitbasket.blogspot.com/2009/01/count-down-to-disney-world.html

 

[chcmama]

Thank you for putting up with my rambling

Here is the link to our countdown tea cups!!!!!!!!
http://orangerabbitbasket.blogspot.com/2009/01/count-down-to-disney-world.html

Very cute, you are going to have such a great time. I hear you about insurance, I am so tired of having to call them about things. I hope it all gets worked out for you so you don't have to worry about anything and can just focus on getting ready for your trip.

 

[dmbfan]

Has anyone shipped down to GKTW a box of medical supply before they got there? I know our HHC company will be sending all of his TPN and IV meds, but I was thinking of shipping down a box of items I will need, such as dressing kits, gauze, IV supplies and his diapers and so on.

I want to really limit what I travel with on the plan, and just with the supplies alone would be an extra bag, therefore an extra cost. I will be cheaper for me to mail it down rather than taking it on the plane.

Any ideas?

 

[ndloewen]

Christine, is your company shipping your TPN directly to GKTW?? Our company will not do that, but I'm guessing it's because we are in Canada and they probably can't ship it into another country?? So we are going to have to take all our TPN in coolers onto the plane (yikes!!).

I was wondering the same thing about shipping our supplies down. But I don't think you should have to pay for an extra bag on the plane if it is just full of medical supplies. I'm pretty sure that medical supplies are free. You may want to check into that with your airline.