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

[Somer]

I ended up buying Jake a MAW t-shirt ( our chapter does not give out t-shirts) and than I also bought 6 of the MAW buttons for each one of us to wear including Jake. We were told that Jake is the only one that wears the GKTW button, so I just to be on the safe side, I was told to make sure you wear your button cause the CM can see that button from far way, and than they will be sure to look for the GKTW button. I assume anyone can go to the park with a MAW button if they really wanted too, but at least they will get a heads up to look for the GKTW button. I just worry so I made sure we were all covered...

Thanks so much, that's a good idea.

 

[teresajoy]

Yep! And you can't get back in until you finish your TR!!!!



Just kidding! But maybe we should tell them to make that a rule. !

I like that idea Maroo!!!

We live for pictures! And picture of kids in the parks are so nice to see!

Thanks for the update on Noah Mary!

Did everyone see the adorable pictures of Becca the other day? She has sparkle in her eyes! BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

[5dwarves]

I do have a question. My mother-in-law is going to go with us, but she dosn't want to go if she dosn't get a button. She just dosn't want to feel like the third wheel. Does anyone know if other family members will also get buttons?

Hey Somer:

When you arrive at GKTW there are child size tables in the lobby. You will sit at the table with some one from guest services, and they will have all kinds of things for you. You will receive GKTW t shirts for all the children that are in your party (info that was given to GKTW earlier by your wish agency). The wish child is the only one who receives a button. The button has the child's name on it and the dates of your visit (so it can't be used again at a later date). Everyone in our party also received a purple lanyard with GKTW on it. The guest services person will take you to your villa and show you around. Later, at orientation you will watch an informational video and receive a large manilla envelope. There is a "bunny book" with all kinds of info in it about local stores, directions, eateries, etc. You will also receive tickets to the parks and a GAC (Guest Assitance Card), and I think it came with a plastic pouch that hangs on the lanyard. I wore the lanyard with the GAC and GKTW button because my son also has autism and would have obsessed over it and eventually put holes in all his shirts or destroyed the button. The kids wore the tshirts on one of the days, but truly the GAC and the button were always immediately noticed by the CSM's at Disney. The people at Universal always had to radio someone and it took longer, but Disney knew how to help us right away. We even had food servers bring us complimentary desserts at MK.

Your mother in law won't have to worry about not having a button, because no one else but the wish child will either. That button is also used to get free parking when you are at Disney. Yet another reason why I hung on to all of the credentials.

GKTW sells tshirts and polo shirts on their website, if your wish agency does not. Those are just as recognizeable as the wish shirts. Many of the Disney employees volunteer at GKTW. You will see them in the Gingerbread house, serving and cleaning up.

Make sure your wish agency knows that your mother in law is accompanying you. GKTW is very specific about who can and cannot stay there. It is normally only for the family members who reside with the wish child, although many families have to have other family members come with them in order to maneuver the parks. GKTW needs to know she is coming before you get there so they have her tickets and accomodate her for meals.

Hope this helps.

~Elisa

 

[muttshouse]

Thanks so much, that's a good idea.

I like that idea Maroo!!!

We live for pictures! And picture of kids in the parks are so nice to see!

Thanks for the update on Noah Mary!

Did everyone see the adorable pictures of Becca the other day? She has sparkle in her eyes! BEAUTIFUL!!!

Hey Somer:

When you arrive at GKTW there are child size tables in the lobby. You will sit at the table with some one from guest services, and they will have all kinds of things for you. You will receive GKTW t shirts for all the children that are in your party (info that was given to GKTW earlier by your wish agency). The wish child is the only one who receives a button. The button has the child's name on it and the dates of your visit (so it can't be used again at a later date). Everyone in our party also received a purple lanyard with GKTW on it. The guest services person will take you to your villa and show you around. Later, at orientation you will watch an informational video and receive a large manilla envelope. There is a "bunny book" with all kinds of info in it about local stores, directions, eateries, etc. You will also receive tickets to the parks and a GAC (Guest Assitance Card), and I think it came with a plastic pouch that hangs on the lanyard. I wore the lanyard with the GAC and GKTW button because my son also has autism and would have obsessed over it and eventually put holes in all his shirts or destroyed the button. The kids wore the tshirts on one of the days, but truly the GAC and the button were always immediately noticed by the CSM's at Disney. The people at Universal always had to radio someone and it took longer, but Disney knew how to help us right away. We even had food servers bring us complimentary desserts at MK.

Your mother in law won't have to worry about not having a button, because no one else but the wish child will either. That button is also used to get free parking when you are at Disney. Yet another reason why I hung on to all of the credentials.

GKTW sells tshirts and polo shirts on their website, if your wish agency does not. Those are just as recognizeable as the wish shirts. Many of the Disney employees volunteer at GKTW. You will see them in the Gingerbread house, serving and cleaning up.

Make sure your wish agency knows that your mother in law is accompanying you. GKTW is very specific about who can and cannot stay there. It is normally only for the family members who reside with the wish child, although many families have to have other family members come with them in order to maneuver the parks. GKTW needs to know she is coming before you get there so they have her tickets and accomodate her for meals.

Hope this helps.

~Elisa

I LOVE the MAW button idea! It'll let DS feel important too.

I'd second the TR requirement, but I'm afraid I might be one of the slow pokes!

Elisa - thanks for the detail info on GKTW orientation. That helps alot! I won't need to pack so much now. I just have to find a second and third bag . . .

As per your advice, DH will definitely have the button on his lanyard!

Maroo- thanks for the update on Noah. I hope things get better for him soon.

 

[5dwarves]

Elisa - thanks for the detail info on GKTW orientation. That helps alot! I won't need to pack so much now. I just have to find a second and third bag . . .

As per your advice, DH will definitely have the button on his lanyard!

Hey Muttshouse:

I have a bad habit of over packing. I really tried not to overdo it when we went to GKTW, but it is hard not to. There is a washer and dryer in the villa, so you will have easy access to laundry, which means you don't have to pack quite as much. BTW You have to wash your own towels while you are there...no housekeeping services who come in and replenish your supply.

We drove to WDW from Alabama. If you are flying you have another packing challenge on your way home. Wish children and siblings receive several gifts at GKTW. There are stuffed animals, a board game, and other various smaller gifts. The hardest thing to pack when you are flying is the cowboy hat you get at GKTW when you go on the horseback ride. You might want to make sure you have space to bring it back. All the wish agencies I am familiar with make sure to give the wish child some spending money. My son used his at Universal to add to his Spiderman collection. Make sure you leave space for that stuff too it really starts to add up.

I went to ebay before we left and got some Disney pins. Adam received an Universal Studios ET pin as one of his gifts from GKTW. The pins on ebay seem to be a little cheaper, and your wish child may enjoy wearing a lanyard with some "bling". I also got one of the Pal Mickey's on ebay, but he was difficult to hear in the park. Still, he is fun and cheaper online than at the parks.

~Elisa

 

[maroo]

Hey Muttshouse:

I have a bad habit of over packing. I really tried not to overdo it when we went to GKTW, but it is hard not to. There is a washer and dryer in the villa, so you will have easy access to laundry, which means you don't have to pack quite as much. BTW You have to wash your own towels while you are there...no housekeeping services who come in and replenish your supply.

We drove to WDW from Alabama. If you are flying you have another packing challenge on your way home. Wish children and siblings receive several gifts at GKTW. There are stuffed animals, a board game, and other various smaller gifts. The hardest thing to pack when you are flying is the cowboy hat you get at GKTW when you go on the horseback ride. You might want to make sure you have space to bring it back. All the wish agencies I am familiar with make sure to give the wish child some spending money. My son used his at Universal to add to his Spiderman collection. Make sure you leave space for that stuff too it really starts to add up.

I went to ebay before we left and got some Disney pins. Adam received an Universal Studios ET pin as one of his gifts from GKTW. The pins on ebay seem to be a little cheaper, and your wish child may enjoy wearing a lanyard with some "bling". I also got one of the Pal Mickey's on ebay, but he was difficult to hear in the park. Still, he is fun and cheaper online than at the parks.

~Elisa

These are great tips!! I would literally plan on a complete extra suitcase for everything you bring back! And pack light so that you don't end up with fees coming back because you brought home 50 pounds more worth of stuff.

Also...with the pin trading. mcntosh has some information about that...but I can't remember if he posted it or not? Maybe he will get on here and tell us.

 

[macntosh]

That I do, but first everyone must check out the updates to Mya's trip report...












Just kidding, you don't have to read the report to get the info. Just send me a PM with your link to a pre-trip report and we will talk after that.

 

[maroo]

That I do, but first everyone must check out the updates to Mya's trip report...












Just kidding, you don't have to read the report to get the info. Just send me a PM with your link to a pre-trip report and we will talk after that.

Your TR is awesome! You will see me rant and rave over there...but I failed to subscribe and have missed the updates. But I am on board now...

 

[dmbfan]

Make sure your wish agency knows that your mother in law is accompanying you. GKTW is very specific about who can and cannot stay there. It is normally only for the family members who reside with the wish child, although many families have to have other family members come with them in order to maneuver the parks. GKTW needs to know she is coming before you get there so they have her tickets and accomodate her for meals.

Elisa, maybe you can help me on this one. My sister any our oldest son will be coming with us on Jake's trip. MAW is not paying for either, but both my sister and my son's mother had to sign paperwork from MAW, and we were told that both of them can stay with us at GKTW. Now all the paperwork I have got, just has our names on it, not my sister or my son. So should I call GKTW and double check with them about my sister and son, or should I call my MAW office and make sure all is set?

Also will they be able to tell us the first day we get their, how much my sister and son need to pay for meals and Ice cream when we are the village?

 

[Bill_Lin]

Elisa, maybe you can help me on this one. My sister any our oldest son will be coming with us on Jake's trip. MAW is not paying for either, but both my sister and my son's mother had to sign paperwork from MAW, and we were told that both of them can stay with us at GKTW. Now all the paperwork I have got, just has our names on it, not my sister or my son. So should I call GKTW and double check with them about my sister and son, or should I call my MAW office and make sure all is set?

Also will they be able to tell us the first day we get their, how much my sister and son need to pay for meals and Ice cream when we are the village?

I would contact both MAW and GKTW about this issue. GKTW takes a while to respond because they are incredibly BUSY. I had an issue like this that I handled over email to GKTW and over the phone with MAW. Wish agencies sometimes take the approach of saying "Hey, just trust us and we will take care of everything." An obsessive over planner like me needed more certainty. What can I say?

Bill

 

[Bill_Lin]

These are great tips!! I would literally plan on a complete extra suitcase for everything you bring back! And pack light so that you don't end up with fees coming back because you brought home 50 pounds more worth of stuff.

Also...with the pin trading. mcntosh has some information about that...but I can't remember if he posted it or not? Maybe he will get on here and tell us.

Our GKTW lanyard was a bit small and thin, so we bought a bigger one at Wal-Mart just down the street from GKTW. I also ran down there (well actually took the car) to get some Disney surprises for the kids and to buy over the counter meds we needed.

There are MANY threads here with information about buying and trading pins. Just do a search on "pin trading" and you will find a wealth of information. Apparently, there are genuine pins and fake pins on line. Some of the pins I saw there were from international Disney parks.

I just found a Facebook group for those who have stayed at Give Kids the World Village. The name is
I've been to Give Kids the World Village

Enter this in a search on Facebook and you can join the group to connect with former Wish Trippers there. I have found two families there and shared wish trip stories and pictures.

Wow, what a chance to thank the folks who volunteer at Give Kids the World. I found another link on Facebook for Give Kids the World Angels. It is for those who volunteer there.


Bill

P.S. PLEASE read my links from my signature.

 

[Bill_Lin]

I would like to create and keep current at this point for all recent and upcoming wish trips. Please PM me your information, Child's first name, Main Wish, GKTW or Disney Resort, TR link, and dates and I will post them on this post and link to my signature so others can read up.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[5dwarves]

Elisa, maybe you can help me on this one. My sister any our oldest son will be coming with us on Jake's trip. MAW is not paying for either, but both my sister and my son's mother had to sign paperwork from MAW, and we were told that both of them can stay with us at GKTW. Now all the paperwork I have got, just has our names on it, not my sister or my son. So should I call GKTW and double check with them about my sister and son, or should I call my MAW office and make sure all is set?

Also will they be able to tell us the first day we get their, how much my sister and son need to pay for meals and Ice cream when we are the village?

Hey DMB

It is so fun to live vicariously through new wish families! How exciting. I am with Bill...definitely call GKTW and MAW.

Remember that wish families arrive all day long at GKTW from all over the world, everyone has to check out by the same time though (regardless of flight times) so that the villa can be prepared for the next family. I would avoid calling GKTW between 11:00 and 1:30 when they are checking out families. Check out isn't quick...not just drop off the keys. GKTW has more goodies for you as you leave. Prepare for 20 minutes or so. Also, don't worry if your flight home is later than check out time...you can still stay at the village, eat ice cream, play golf...etc., and they have places to put all your things; they just need to clean and resupply the villa quickly so new families can move in.

There was a family while I was there that had Nana with them. Their wish agency knew that she was coming, but neglected to convey that info to GKTW. It was one extra detail they had to deal with there, rather than just kicking back and enjoying themselves. I would definitely double check both places before you go. As wonderful as the wish agencies are, most of them are volunteers and not all of them are fully trained for all the minute details. The staff people at GKTW have dealt with absolutely any issue that may arise for you and are an invaluable resource. Even some of the volunteers there have been with GKTW for 10, 15 20 years, and are very qualified. Some even go to the parks with families (especially when there is a single parent involved) to help them get around. If you need that kind of help, let GKTW know ahead of time that you would appreciate a volunteer going to the parks with you. They all have season passes. Let the staff at GKTW know that your wish agency approved your other family members coming, and ask what the fee is. There isn't a cash register in the ice cream palace or the Gingerbread House, so I would imagine that GKTW will charge a daily rate, but I don't know for sure. My "bunny book" is in storage, but I will see if I can't dig it out in the next day or two and see if there is any info in it about this. Since you already know they aren't getting comp'ed tickets, I would suggest they start looking for deals now. There are discount codes and things that are sometimes mentioned on threads here at the DIS, AAA has (I think) a standing 10% off, and I believe the Disney store sells them for less than you will pay at a ticket booth. Universal sells tickets for less online as well. Once you are there, you run your credit card in their ATM like machine, they recognize the magentic strip and print out the prepaid tickets.

All the villas have two bedrooms and a fold down couch. I think my TR has photos of the inside of the villa, but it has been a while. If it doesn't, I'll post my villa photos here. The GKTW website has been updated, and I didn't see the virtual tour of the villas that they had 2 years ago.

One bedroom has a king sized bed, the other has two twins. The fold out is a queen size, and there is also a roll away. My family is 7 strong, and we all had a "real" mattress to sleep on.

Hope this helps....

~Elisa

 

[keetmommy]

I would like to create and keep current at this point for all recent and upcoming wish trips. Please PM me your information, Child's first name, Main Wish, GKTW or Disney Resort, TR link, and dates and I will post them on this post and link to my signature so others can read up.

My DD name is Emma and we are going through Make a Wish and staying at GTKW, from June 15-21, here is the link to her trip report
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=30700268

Amie

 

[maroo]

I would like to create and keep current at this point for all recent and upcoming wish trips. Please PM me your information, Child's first name, Main Wish, GKTW or Disney Resort, TR link, and dates and I will post them on this post and link to my signature so others can read up.

Thanks,

Bill

This should be up to date on Page 1 of this thread. I try to catch any new ones and post them there with dates, etc. If you see any that aren't, please PM me, too, and I can add them to page 1!

 

[Bill_Lin]

This should be up to date on Page 1 of this thread. I try to catch any new ones and post them there with dates, etc. If you see any that aren't, please PM me, too, and I can add them to page 1!

BLESS YOU! I am so glad someone is doing this. It would be good for folks to add that link to their signatures to make it easier for people navigating the threads to learn what is going on.

Bill

 

[Bill_Lin]

This is Volume 2 of the Wish Trippers Community Thread!


The original thread can be found here: Wish Trippers...Unite! VOLUME ONE

Wendygrace started this thread concept in 2007 to serve as a place where families planning Make-A-Wish trips could come and share stories, pictures, information, and just life! Thank you so much, Wendygrace, because many of us have become friends through your original thread!

So...let's keep the thread going...


Many of these families have chosen to write a trip report and you can find the links to ALL of the Wish Trip Reports right here: (This list includes many of the trips linked in Volume One!)


WE are HOME! Trip Reports!!

2004
Amazing Grace's Wish Trip (links)-MAW/GKTW-Late June 04

2007
Wendygrace's Wish Trip - MAW/GKTW - Late June 07 Great pictures, magical moments! The founder of this thread wrote this one!

5dwarves' Wish Trip - Magic Moments/GKTW-August 07 Uber planner! Live report from Disney! Followed by a day by day report with pictures!

LeeLee2U's Wish Trip - Texas Wishing Well/Beach Club - September 07 Note they stayed at the Beach Club (Texas Wishing Well Funded Trip). This trip report includes hints for wheelchairs (manual push chair)

Bill Lin's Wish Trip - MAW/GKTW - September 07 Good index! Has a wealth of advice for Wish Trippers that has been linked on this Wish Trippers Unite thread!

Who'syourMickey's Wish Trip-Dream Factory/GKTW - September 07 Dream Factory trip. Good index! Great allergies information! Good info re: GKTW villas. TR is unfinished, though.


iluvmickeymouse!'s Wish Trip-MAW/GKTW-Oct.23-31, 2007 Great TR! Lots of pics. Very detailed. Lots of character interaction. Complete with Photopass pics!



2008
Eeyore's Mom's Wish Trip - MAW/GKTW - Jan 18-25, 2008

Queenie122's Wish Trip-MAW/GKTW-May10-20, 2008

lotferg's Wish Trip-MAW/GKTW-May 19-24, 2008

GoofyDoo's Wish Trip MAW/GKTW July 29-Aug 4, 08

PatMcDuck's Wish Trip - DISNEYLAND - Aug 08

HeatherN's Wish Trip August 2-8, 2008

Robin+5's Wish Trip August 16-23

laurenmama's Wish Trip Aug 19-25, 08

mistymouse5001's Trip Report MAW/GKTW Sept 5-11, 08

bigdisgrandma's Grandparent Trip Report Sept 10-16, 08 MAW/GKTW Extended Family Sept 10-16

NicoleDisneyFan's Wish Trip Sept. 22-27, 08

Maroo (Lauren) Wish Trip Report! Oct 3-9, 08 MAW/Contemproary Resort

hogansteph (Keyan) Wish Trip - Oct 15 - 20, 08 MAW/GKTW (Disboards thread) (See BLOG link below for Trip Report!)
hogansteph (Keyan) Wish Trip BLOG! Trip Starts Posting in October!

duquette (Ethan) Wish Trip - Nov 1 - 7, 08 MAW/GKTW

Lambflock's Wish Trip - Nov. 6-12 MAW/GKTW

oklamomof4boys' Wish Trip MAW Nov. 16-22, 08

bex271 (Jonah) MAW/GKTW Nov 20-26, 08

zeppy68 (Ian) Wish Trip Nov 23-29, 08 MAW/GKTW

twinmum's (Mark) Trip Report Starlight Starbright Foundation of CANADA/GKTW Nov 08

khalana (Lydia) Wish Trip - Dec 5 - 12, 08 Rainbow Society of Canada/GKTW

AmberGreenawalt (Sebastian) Wish Trip - Dec 6-14, 08 MAW/GKTW

hotmamac's Wish Trip MAW/GKTW Dec.13-19,08

LuvGoing2Disney7's Wish Trip - Dec.17-23,08 MAW/GKTW

OneBlessedFamily (Samuel) Wish Trip - Dec 17 - Jan 3 (08-09) MAW/GKTW


2009

munch704 (Morgan) Wish Trip Jan 1 - 7, 09 Starlight/Embassy Suites!

iu97alum (Emily) Wish Trip - Jan 18 - 22, 09 MAW/CRUISE!

mom2lilnick (Nick) Wish Trip MAW/GKTW Jan 19-25, 09

llurgy (Becca) Wish Trip Jan 21 - 27, 09 MAW/GKTW

camarks1234 (AJ) Wish Trip - Feb 1 - 5, 09 MAW/CRUISE!

mindymouse1 (Clint) Wish Trip Feb 9 - Feb 15, 2009 MAW/GKTW

macntosh (Mya) Wish Trip - Feb 21 - 28, 09 MAW/GKTW

tinytreasures (Jason) Wish Trip - Feb 22 - 28, 09 MAW/GKTW
Trip Report Link: Jason's Wish Trip - the Trip Report!

LoveTheseKids (Kate) Wish Trip - Last week in Feb MAW/GKTW

ndloewen (Noah) Wish Trip End Feb - early March, 2009 Children's Wish Foundation
Noah's Blog for Updates on Noah: http://www.noahgrantjohn.blogspot.com/




We are GOING and PLANNING! Come help us plan!


Muttshouse (Elsa) Wish Trip March 24 - 29 MAW/GKTW

dmbfan (Jakob) Wish Trip March 28 - April 3, 2009 MAW/GKTW

Tamraj (Jessica) Wish Trip March 31 - April 5, 2009

LittleWarriorsMom (Marenna) Wish Trip - April 23 - April 29, 2009 MAW/GKTW

WishMom09 (Caleb) Wish Trip - May 9 - May 15, 2009

keetmommy (Emma) Wish Trip - June 15 - 21, 2009

Somer (Jozlynn) Wish Trip - October 2009






For other links, hints, trip report information...check post 2!










.

This is just plain awesome. I am impressed as I know how much work this takes. Thanks.

 

[LindaBabe]

The gingerbread house and ice cream parlor do not take cash, they take coupons, which can be purchased - you'll be told when where and how much when you check in or at your briefing meeting.

 

[5dwarves]

The gingerbread house and ice cream parlor do not take cash, they take coupons, which can be purchased - you'll be told when where and how much when you check in or at your briefing meeting.

Hey Linda:

It is cool to see some of the same names here that were on the Disboards two years ago when I was planning. You were a tremendous amount of help to me, answering questions on threads, when I was planning, and I am so glad to see you are still involved. Thanks!

~Elisa

 

[Bill_Lin]

Hey Linda:

It is cool to see some of the same names here that were on the Disboards two years ago when I was planning. You were a tremendous amount of help to me, answering questions on threads, when I was planning, and I am so glad to see you are still involved. Thanks!

~Elisa

I second that!