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

[kdzbear]

Hi All,

I was wondering what shoes to get and break in before our trip in six weeks. I am sure it is probaly on here somewhere. I have heard some good things about crocs, but have never owned a pair. I do have problems with my heels Planters Fasciitis. I was thinking of getting crocs for my kids good idea or not??

How can we prevent blisters also, any advice? What items to take for sore and tired feet?

Thanks,

I also love my Crocs. I have a traditional "Beach" pair, flip flops "Athens" and my favorite are "Scutes". The Scutes are similar to sliders that athletes wear prior to putting on their cleats. They have twice as much cushioning as the other Crocs. You can also go to crocs.com and they have an outlet area with inexpensive kid’s crocs right now. You can also find free shipping codes if you search the budget board of this site. My son was born with club feet and shoes do not fit him well. He asks to have his tennis shoes off within two hours of wearing them, but he lives in his Crocs. He has two pairs that he wears with and without socks. They dry quickly and are great for the theme parks. They do take about two weeks to break in, but then they are so comfortable.

 

[maroo]

*** Disclaimer...Now people are saying this is "not confirmed"... Maybe something to just keep an eye on??


ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eyewitness News has learned of Orlando's first confirmed case of swine flu. According to the chief medical officer for Adventist Health System, Loran Hauck, the case was diagnosed Tuesday morning.

"A case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit," Hauck wrote in an email obtained by Eyewitness News.

No further details have been released, but Eyewitness News is working to learn specifically what days the tourist was at the parks and which park the tourist went to.

Details about the tourist, beyond being from Mexico, have not been released.

Eyewitness News contacted the Orange County Health Department who was unable to confirm the report.


Here is the link.

http://www.wftv.com/news/19311020/detail.html


If you wash hands and lysol, etc...everyone should be good. But this gave me pause this AM. Not sure what parks this man visited or how long. But this hit my happy place today.

 

[maroo]

I have a concern, and it's been eating at me this past week...I would really like some advice here. Actually there are several concerns, any input would be greatly appreciated.

First, I haven't heard from our wish coordinator about anything, is that typical? Our trip is next week! Maybe I'm just nervous because I had called Make A Wish in early January and gave them the dates we'd like to go in Jan, Feb, March and April and they never got back to me. (Our wish had been granted last summer, they were just waiting for us to give them dates.) I called them in April and they had basically forgot about us and booked us right away for May. (Sorry for repeating that, just reminding everyone of our situation.) With that said, I am wondering if I should call them to touch bases? I did get an email forwarded to me from the wish coordinator with the flight info, actually the tickets basically, nothing else.

Secondly, and this is a tough one...I've been watching the weather for the dates we are going to be there, and it is supposed to be 88-90 degrees, plus humidity. We live in California where it gets hot, but not humid. One of the things we wanted to avoid is the heat because this is an issue for Azaria. She overheats very easily as she does not sweat due to her condition and medications. So we have to keep her cool. In the past when we've traveled to the east coast during the summer, she has gotten sick from the heat/humidity and we had to keep her in an air conditioned room or car. (Personally, I am not looking forward to the humidity either as I've been known to get sick myself, spent one summer in Virginia vomiting and nausea due to the humidity!) So, I've been checking the weather since I found out about the dates but that was quite a projection. Not until recently have I been able to see that it will actually be that hot.

I don't know what the policy of MAW is concerning changing your trip date, especially after it is booked. Not only that, I purchased my older son Christophers ticket out of pocket, which is non refundable. If we are allowed to change the date, I am willing to take that hit. I just don't want to make it hard for the MAW and GKTW people.

There are a few other issues that have me concerned about leaving next week, (my mom is ill-stage 4 cancer and not doing well, our finances have changed-taxes! So we don't have as much money as we thought we would to extend our trip, but we can make it work if we have to.)

I am just not sure what to do. I don't want to sound ungrateful at all, and I really want to go, but with all the above, I don't know how to make it work. I don't want MAW to take a hit either because we change dates. The weather is a real issue, I really didn't think when we were given those dates that it would be that hot already. The money situation, well that can be worked out.

So, any advice would be extremely helpful! I really feel I should make a decision today and I'm just making myself sick over it all. Part of me says to just go, but if we do and we are all miserable I will feel so bad for Azaria. I really want this to be a special trip for her. My friends daughter passed away two months after her MAW trip. That really made me want to stop procrastinating this and schedule it, which is what prompted me to called in January. Life is so precious and I don't want to put this off anymore but I am really conflicted.

Sorry to ramble on! I look forward to your advice.

Call me an alarmist. Call me crazy. But I would call your physician simply because of the swine flu case in Orlando.

We did not hear much from our MAW until the week or so before as well.

I don't think it is normally THIS hot this time of year...but certainly does look like it will be hot. Maybe they could move the trip to the fall?

MAW trips get rescheduled all the time. And I am sure the next few weeks will bring lots of cancellations.

You can certainly cancel for a medical reason. I would call the physician that signed the forms and see what they say. And let us know how it worked out. I am sorry you are so worried!!

 

[WishMom09]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Eyewitness News has learned of Orlando's first confirmed case of swine flu. According to the chief medical officer for Adventist Health System, Loran Hauck, the case was diagnosed Tuesday morning.

"A case was diagnosed here in Orlando today on a tourist from Mexico who came to Disney attractions two days ago to visit," Hauck wrote in an email obtained by Eyewitness News.

No further details have been released, but Eyewitness News is working to learn specifically what days the tourist was at the parks and which park the tourist went to.

Details about the tourist, beyond being from Mexico, have not been released.

Eyewitness News contacted the Orange County Health Department who was unable to confirm the report.


Here is the link.

http://www.wftv.com/news/19311020/detail.html


If you wash hands and lysol, etc...everyone should be good. But this gave me pause this AM. Not sure what parks this man visited or how long. But this hit my happy place today.

OH NO!! I was so hoping this would just go away...especially with our trip in 11 days!!
I told my kids to wash their hands every chance they get! Just hoping we don't get this!!

 

[maroo]

OH NO!! I was so hoping this would just go away...especially with our trip in 11 days!!
I told my kids to wash their hands every chance they get! Just hoping we don't get this!!

Evidently this news source has a reputation for being a little inflammatory...

I am keeping a close eye on this...I am very interested to see where this is going...But not sure that all of that is true at this moment.

However....I can assure you that you will have some lower crowds!!

 

[ahkeela]

Thanks, I wish I wasn't so worried about something so wonderful! This was supposed to be stress free and leave it to me to find things to worry about.

And now the swine flu??? My husband has been concerned about taking the kids an airplane, across the country, with that flu going around. Azaria does not tolerate any kind of illness, the common cold sends her to the hospital! She is very delicate when it comes to respiratory diseases.

I really wouldn't mind if we had to wait until October, but if it's just as hot then too, we might as well go now and take our chances.

I seriously keep going back and forth! Yes-we just go, No-we wait.

I'm going to call our wish coordinator right now. I just got a packet from GKTW, it was sent to the wrong city/address. Don't know how I ended up getting it (correct name and zip code), but it looks like it was opened and closed again, and it is not in the best condition (crinkled up). There is a welcome letter and map of the village. It has our names but they didn't include my oldest son Christopher. It also says transportation provided by "Mears". I thought we were getting a rental car... I'm going to call MAW now and hopefully will have a decision to report back soon.

Thanks for the help, support and understanding!
Debi

 

[maroo]

The swine flu case in Orlando is suspected and NOT confirmed by the CDC yet. Despite the reports in the news. Which is deplorable!

It was a case that the physician at the hospital felt compelled to give to the news...but it is not confirmed.

I am not sure how fast the lab is...but it looks like they sent off the test on Monday night. Hopefully they will know something concrete soon!!

Sorry if I alarmed anyone!

 

[ahkeela]

Just got off the phone with our MAW coordinator. I very timidly asked what would happen if we needed to change dates, she said, depends on why were changing? I gave her the summary, first the heat, and second our finances. She brought up the swine flu and I told her that was also a concern, as well as my mothers illness. She said with all that, if we needed to reschedule MAW would probably pay the $100 fee to change the tickets as that all sounds understandable. I said I would call her this afternoon with a decision so that GKTW can release our room to someone else, if needed.

After talking it out, and writing it all out here, I feel a lot better and not quite as stressed. I am still not sure what to do though. As far as the heat and humidity, we can deal with that with fans, cold compresses, staying indoors, etc. As far as finances, she could not help me with my sons tickets (and we can not imagine going without him). She gave me the amount of our spending allowance, which helps to know. (I don't plan on using that to pay for my older son if it's meant for the other kids, I have some savings I may be able to dip into if necessary.)

And now about that swine flu...I think and I am hoping it might be ok by the time we are ready to go. My husbands biggest concern is the swine flu, and his opinion is we can make the plans to go and if the flu gets worse, we cancel even though it might be last minute. If the flu gets that bad, I'm sure it would be understandable for us to cancel.

I am thinking if we get Azaria a mask to wear in the airport (don't know if that would help on the plane?), and if we wash, wash, wash our hands, carry sanitizer, and anti-bacterial wipes, which we do already, we might be able to avoid getting sick.

So decisions, decisions... I'm leaning towards going. My husband is leaving it up to me to decide. Need to think about it a little more.

Thanks again for your support, understanding and kindness! It really helps to have a place to sort out my thoughts in safe and supportive place.

Debi

 

[kdzbear]

So decisions, decisions... I'm leaning towards going. My husband is leaving it up to me to decide. Need to think about it a little more.

Thanks again for your support, understanding and kindness! It really helps to have a place to sort out my thoughts in safe and supportive place.

Debi

I have been in May and October. It is still very hot in October. You can visit the Wish lounges or go back to GKTW during the hotest parts of the day. I do not know what to say about the swine flu. As for your daughter's trip, I would probably still go knowing that you can take in a show such as the Hall of Presidents or the Country Bears during the hotest part of the day. I know that this must be a hard decision to make. Good luck, I know you will pick the right choice!

 

[maroo]

Just got off the phone with our MAW coordinator. I very timidly asked what would happen if we needed to change dates, she said, depends on why were changing? I gave her the summary, first the heat, and second our finances. She brought up the swine flu and I told her that was also a concern, as well as my mothers illness. She said with all that, if we needed to reschedule MAW would probably pay the $100 fee to change the tickets as that all sounds understandable. I said I would call her this afternoon with a decision so that GKTW can release our room to someone else, if needed.

After talking it out, and writing it all out here, I feel a lot better and not quite as stressed. I am still not sure what to do though. As far as the heat and humidity, we can deal with that with fans, cold compresses, staying indoors, etc. As far as finances, she could not help me with my sons tickets (and we can not imagine going without him). She gave me the amount of our spending allowance, which helps to know. (I don't plan on using that to pay for my older son if it's meant for the other kids, I have some savings I may be able to dip into if necessary.)

And now about that swine flu...I think and I am hoping it might be ok by the time we are ready to go. My husbands biggest concern is the swine flu, and his opinion is we can make the plans to go and if the flu gets worse, we cancel even though it might be last minute. If the flu gets that bad, I'm sure it would be understandable for us to cancel.

I am thinking if we get Azaria a mask to wear in the airport (don't know if that would help on the plane?), and if we wash, wash, wash our hands, carry sanitizer, and anti-bacterial wipes, which we do already, we might be able to avoid getting sick.

So decisions, decisions... I'm leaning towards going. My husband is leaving it up to me to decide. Need to think about it a little more.

Thanks again for your support, understanding and kindness! It really helps to have a place to sort out my thoughts in safe and supportive place.

Debi

Sounds like the MAW coordinator was very understanding! I am so glad!

Has Azaria's doctor weighed in yet? I wonder what they would say? (Not about the finances part, just the heat and swine flu stuff.)

 

[5dwarves]

Hey guys....I have been paranoid about the swine flu too...more so in the schools than at Disney though. If you are still going to be there, make sure you have hand sanitizer with you and use it as frequently as Monk on the TV show. A little OCD never hurt anyone! I am making sure that my kids are getting enough rest and taking their vitamins as well. My daughter leaves for WDW tomorrow for a band trip. I got her one of those travel bottles of sanitizer to have with her at all times. After rides, before meals...etc. You can't be too careful.

As far as the shoe issue goes...we had good luck with our crocs. No blisters on any of the 7 of us. The crocs were nice, because if they got wet, they dried out quickly. There is also another brand of comfy shoe called Montrail. The model for the flip flop is Molokini. You stand on them when they are new, your foot makes an imprint on the foam, then you bake them in the oven. The oven seals in the shape and you have custom fitted soles on your shoes. I have not owned a pair, but I have heard raves from people who do. They are pricey though...in the $50's for flip flops. Here is a link to Zappos.... http://www.zappos.com/search/brand/559/filter/categoryFacet/"Sandals"/gender/"Womens"


~Elisa

 

[BeckySob]

I see all this commotion about the swine flu....it is a scary thing, but just please make sure you practice good hand washing!!!! Wipe them handles on the grocery carts with a sanitized cloth!! ew.. Please all who are going, be extra cautious.

HINT....
At the Siemens Wish Lounge at the Epcot park, they give away a small spray hand sanitizer. Grab a few of those when you're there, they can hang from your lanyard, so it's always right where you need it!

 

[BeckySob]

Oops! I posted twice on accident, not sure how to delete it, so I just deleted the text.

Maroo is right, call your doctor and see what he says.

I hope that whatever you choose to do, works out for the best!

 

[teresajoy]

One thing I have to share that cracked me up yesterday, the wish coordinator asked Lexi if she could do one thing............Lexi responded she wanted to meet a real mermaid that had to stay in the water. I don't know how I held in laughter from the look on the wish granter's face. She did good and told Lexi that mermaids had to stay way out at the ocean and couldn't come to see people because they weren't allowed to come to the surface when humans were around. She then told Lexi that because Ariel was part human now she would try to arrange a meet for them.
Thanks again.

There are "real" mermaids at Weeki Wachee!!
http://weekiwachee.com/main/
The website shows some pictures of the mermaids out of the water, but I don't think they usually are.

I can't believe this exists. I had no idea and I don't think that the wish makers know either or surely they would have told me about it. I don't know that we will have time to do it this trip but we are going to save our money to try to go back next year. This will be a definite and I am not telling Lexi until we get there. She will be so psyched. THANK YOU so much for the info....

Thank you Heather!! SammieGirl, I was expecting you to say that the Wish Granter arranged for you to go to Weeki Wachee, I was shocked when she didnt' seem to know about it!! We are going to Weeki Wachee this year, and the girls are SOOO excited!!! I loved it there when I was a little girl. I hope you make it there on your next trip.

Hi all!!! Remember me?? Probably not. I was active here last summer when we went on our daughter Hannah's wish trip(see link in siggy)We were the first Make a wish family chosen for the Big Give. I was unpacking summer clothing yesterday and brought out all the beautiful clothing and it got me reminiscing about our trip. The kids got so excited to see the clothing and we are happy to report that they still fit and we will be able to use them this summer also.

Of COURSE we remember you!!!! How cool that the Big Give clothes still fit and they can wear them this year too!!!

Yes I was there when the Challenger crashed. It was not a good day for either of us. I can remember being so excited to see a shuttle launch. I loved space and anything to do with it (I still do) and was excited when my dad came home and told us we were going to see it. Imagine my surprise when a few days later we're at the launch site and bam, everything explodes. My sisters and I were devastated. After that point, it was hard for us to say goodbye to our father, who was a naval aviator, 'cause we were always scared he'd crash.

Anyway, onto happier topics...
anyone know if GKTW kids can go to Extra Magic Hours?

Wow, that had to be so horrible.

*** Disclaimer...Now people are saying this is "not confirmed"... Maybe something to just keep an eye on??



If you wash hands and lysol, etc...everyone should be good. But this gave me pause this AM. Not sure what parks this man visited or how long. But this hit my happy place today.

I think we need to stock up on hand sanitizer before our trip.

The swine flu case in Orlando is suspected and NOT confirmed by the CDC yet. Despite the reports in the news. Which is deplorable!

It was a case that the physician at the hospital felt compelled to give to the news...but it is not confirmed.

I am not sure how fast the lab is...but it looks like they sent off the test on Monday night. Hopefully they will know something concrete soon!!

Sorry if I alarmed anyone!

No need to apologize Mary! I'm glad to have the information!

 

[josabbimommy]

So I'm ordering Crocs for myself and my little ones (husband said no way).
My DD is only 2.5 and it doesn't look like they have a size made for her. She still wears little kids shoes. Her shoe size is 8. I measured her foot on the Crocs scale and it doesn't even register, so what size do I get her? They are having a half price sale and I want to get them while there on sale. Please let me know what everyone thinks.....I really want to get them.
THanks,
Amberleigh.

 

[maroo]

So I'm ordering Crocs for myself and my little ones (husband said no way).
My DD is only 2.5 and it doesn't look like they have a size made for her. She still wears little kids shoes. Her shoe size is 8. I measured her foot on the Crocs scale and it doesn't even register, so what size do I get her? They are having a half price sale and I want to get them while there on sale. Please let me know what everyone thinks.....I really want to get them.
THanks,
Amberleigh.

Your DD will be in a stroller most of the time, right? I would not worry too much about getting her Crocs if they don't fit. I would just use her most comfy shoes that can get a little dirty.

 

[5dwarves]

So I'm ordering Crocs for myself and my little ones (husband said no way).
My DD is only 2.5 and it doesn't look like they have a size made for her. She still wears little kids shoes. Her shoe size is 8. I measured her foot on the Crocs scale and it doesn't even register, so what size do I get her? They are having a half price sale and I want to get them while there on sale. Please let me know what everyone thinks.....I really want to get them.
THanks,
Amberleigh.

That really surprises me. I have seen teeny crocs around. My DH wears a 15, and we found brand name crocs for him, but they aren't listed on the crocs website. They do have a child size 10/11 in several things...that would be one size up. Maybe you should take her and try some on in a store, and see if they would work.

 

[jessica52877]

They make an 8/9. They probably are just out of the kiddie sizes. They go all the way down to super small. I am thinking though that a 6/7 might fit her better. They are generously sized usually. Some little ones don't do good in crocs. They kind of trip over them (not sure I explained that well). Also watch her getting on and off the rides because of the escalator type moving sidewalks.

 

[maroo]

Some little ones don't do good in crocs. They kind of trip over them (not sure I explained that well). Also watch her getting on and off the rides because of the escalator type moving sidewalks.

I know exactly what you mean! I am always tripping over mine. They sorta stick to the ground and if you don't pick your foot up enough, it is easy to trip over them.

 

[jessica52877]

I know exactly what you mean! I am always tripping over mine. They sorta stick to the ground and if you don't pick your foot up enough, it is easy to trip over them.

Uh, that is me too! I LOVE my crocs! but I do trip over them from time to time!