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

[Mickydees]

Saw an update on facebook from GKTW about the new pool area: "Give Kids The World A generous gift from Vortex, the new water garden splash pad will open in six weeks at Give Kids The World Village."
We are three weeks from our trip so we will be there before the new pool will be open. My question: is there another pool at the village? We were really hoping it would be open for our visit but I'm sure we'll have plenty to do. If anyone knows if there is another pool there please advise so we'll know whether to take swim suits or not. Everyone here is so helpful. BTW there is an update on Collin (he is in a flare up with his disease ) on our PTR thread.

 

[Matt1026]

Saw an update on facebook from GKTW about the new pool area: "Give Kids The World A generous gift from Vortex, the new water garden splash pad will open in six weeks at Give Kids The World Village."
We are three weeks from our trip so we will be there before the new pool will be open. My question: is there another pool at the village? We were really hoping it would be open for our visit but I'm sure we'll have plenty to do. If anyone knows if there is another pool there please advise so we'll know whether to take swim suits or not. Everyone here is so helpful. BTW there is an update on Collin (he is in a flare up with his disease ) on our PTR thread.

We were there last week and yes there was another pool. It was a round pool with the deepest part being in the center. It was around 4 1/2 feet in the center. Hope that helps.

 

[Terry718]

I can't believe we are leaving next week! Our wonderful MAW granters came by Monday with our tickets and documents. I made a cake, we had a small party and now it feels real! So with the excitement also comes some anxiety...

I know I mentioned Richard's 4 year old sister has severe autism and my parents/sister are joining us to help with her so we can show Richard the time of his life. Anyway, I had asked MAW if Katie is having a rough time at the parks, can my parents or sister bring her back to GKTW and spend time there with her so we can stay with Richard at the park. The MAW coordinator said she didn't think so because they (my parents/sister) are not guests at GKTW and Katie is not the wish child. MAW suggested I talk to GKTW at orientation and see what their policy is.

So now I'm really nervous. Mom & Dad have said they can just take Katie back to the Polynesian where they are staying but that presents more confusion - packing extra clothes, bathing suits, etc. each day in case she needs to leave and making arrangements to pick her up and bring her back to GKTW. I will do whatever it takes, and I will never begrudge any policy that keeps our wish kids happy and safe. I'm just wondering if anyone has come across this kind of thing?

 

[maroo]

I can't believe we are leaving next week! Our wonderful MAW granters came by Monday with our tickets and documents. I made a cake, we had a small party and now it feels real! So with the excitement also comes some anxiety...

I know I mentioned Richard's 4 year old sister has severe autism and my parents/sister are joining us to help with her so we can show Richard the time of his life. Anyway, I had asked MAW if Katie is having a rough time at the parks, can my parents or sister bring her back to GKTW and spend time there with her so we can stay with Richard at the park. The MAW coordinator said she didn't think so because they (my parents/sister) are not guests at GKTW and Katie is not the wish child. MAW suggested I talk to GKTW at orientation and see what their policy is.

So now I'm really nervous. Mom & Dad have said they can just take Katie back to the Polynesian where they are staying but that presents more confusion - packing extra clothes, bathing suits, etc. each day in case she needs to leave and making arrangements to pick her up and bring her back to GKTW. I will do whatever it takes, and I will never begrudge any policy that keeps our wish kids happy and safe. I'm just wondering if anyone has come across this kind of thing?

I would not worry about this too much.

They have a security gate, but if you say the wish child's full name - and they are staying there onsite - they have usually let me in - at least to the main area where you can check in.

If they have a key to the villa, there really should be no problem.

I would not worry about it too much.

I would bring your parents with you when you check in to GKTW. It is highly possible that they will actually allow them to stay in your villa, if you have room for them. And that would provide them free meals and lodging for the week. This would help to have them be guests on paper. They can't add them in for tickets (I don't think)...but several of our families have come back saying that GKTW allowed their in-laws or parents to stay with them and they were able to cancel other accommodations they had planned for them.

Of course, they can still keep their room at the Poly. But it would give them "rights" to come back with your DD anytime they wanted to...and even have a meal with you guys.

Worst case senario, they would be guests of yours and would have to pay $1.00 per meal.

I really don't think it will be a problem, though.

 

[LindaBabe]

Terry, remember you also have access to the wish lounges at the parks where your child can rest.

It's a pretty long drive out to GKTW, whereas the poly is a short ferry ride away. The Poly has a great pool - why not give an extra bathing suit to your parents in case they want to take her back to swim. When you're ready to leave the park, if you are parked in the TTC lot, they can WALK over there to meet you when you come off the monorail. It's very close.

Please keep little Mya (and her mama) in your prayers. The docs are running out of options, according to her care page update, and the mom is understandably upset.

Postcards for your kids - I'm going to Florida for a month in November and again in January. (Also, I have a network of other FairyGrandmas) If you would like post cards sent to your children please PM your children's names, ages, date of your wish trip past or future, fav character for the wish child and SNAIL ADDY to me and I will do my best to send to all. (IF you want to check me out before sending info, my references are Maroo, WendyGrace, and AmberGreenwalt)

 

[MomTo4+more]

Another GKTW question - I am a single mom, and I am not bringing another adult with me. What are the chances they would have a volunteer available to occupy my children while I go to the orientation?

 

[Somer]

Jozlynn is 5 today and Ariana is 3 today

I just added a LOT more from the BIG GIVE (WOW, when they say big give...they REALLY mean BIG give!!)

 

[tastycollector]

Jozlynn is 5 today and Ariana is 3 today

I just added a LOT more from the BIG GIVE (WOW, when they say big give...they REALLY mean BIG give!!)

Happy Birthday!

 

[CrystalSnow]

Deyki's mom: I don't know the answer, but I have to imagine they have help or exceptions for single parents. I would just call them, though. I've already called at least 5 times with different, random questions.

 

[maroo]

Another GKTW question - I am a single mom, and I am not bringing another adult with me. What are the chances they would have a volunteer available to occupy my children while I go to the orientation?

I would think they have plenty of adults...But I am not sure what liability they would have if they were taking care of your kids? Not sure how that works.

But I would call them...

If you get someone that sounds timid about the answer - ask for the "Manager on Duty" - sometimes the person answering the phone is a new volunteer and they may not really know.

The number is 800-995-KIDS.

And let us know what they say. I should sticky this answer on the 2nd post...as I am sure you are not the only one needing that assistance!

Jozlynn is 5 today and Ariana is 3 today

I just added a LOT more from the BIG GIVE (WOW, when they say big give...they REALLY mean BIG give!!)

Happy Birthday!!!!!

Yeah...The Big Give people don't play!

Deyki's mom: I don't know the answer, but I have to imagine they have help or exceptions for single parents. I would just call them, though. I've already called at least 5 times with different, random questions.

Woo Hoo! My answer exactly!

 

[maroo]

Terry, remember you also have access to the wish lounges at the parks where your child can rest.

It's a pretty long drive out to GKTW, whereas the poly is a short ferry ride away. The Poly has a great pool - why not give an extra bathing suit to your parents in case they want to take her back to swim. When you're ready to leave the park, if you are parked in the TTC lot, they can WALK over there to meet you when you come off the monorail. It's very close.

Please keep little Mya (and her mama) in your prayers. The docs are running out of options, according to her care page update, and the mom is understandably upset.

Postcards for your kids - I'm going to Florida for a month in November and again in January. (Also, I have a network of other FairyGrandmas) If you would like post cards sent to your children please PM your children's names, ages, date of your wish trip past or future, fav character for the wish child and SNAIL ADDY to me and I will do my best to send to all. (IF you want to check me out before sending info, my references are Maroo, WendyGrace, and AmberGreenwalt)

This is a good idea! To let her go swimming!

YES...

Please...everyone...keep Mya in your prayers....

http://www.caringbridge.com/visit/myaroseharris

and her sweet Momma!

And I do vouch for LindaBabe!

 

[wkualum]

Oh I'm so sad to hear about Mya. What a blessing it was that they got to go to Disney early. I think I remember they were supposed to go around this time of year. I will pray that her new treatments begin to shrink the tumor.

Shari

 

[pipersmom]

Hello all
I guess I should start with an introduction of some sort, so here goes..my name is Amanda, and I've been lurking around the boards for about a week now. I've just recently started the process for my 8 yr old daughter Piper (who henceforth will be the star of my posts) to make her wish. Our clinic social worker first mentioned MAW about 3 yrs ago, but I really wanted her to be old enough to make a good decision about what she would like.

Piper was diagnosed with CF (Cystic Fibrosis) when she was about four months old. At the time she was diagnosed she had pneumonia and a partially collapsed lung (that's a looooong story, suffice it to say we switched Peds after that happened!). Once she was diagnosed a lot of things I hadn't thought tooo much about made a lot of sense (slow weight gain, extremely ermm..pungent..lol.. bowel movements, etc.) For a while she did reasonably well, having visits to "club med" (the hospital) about twice a year for IV antibiotics. The last few years have been a lot harder, last year she missed about four months of school between being in the hospital, and doing IVs at home. She did finally have a port "installed" and that has made life somewhat easier, though she still completely panics when she knows it's time to access it. (We started at 3 adults to keep her still and get accessed, and we're down to two, so I guess I should be happy..lol)

I submitted her nomination ppwk last week, and am waiting to hear back from the state chapter. She knows all about MAW, but I've always told her we would wait until she was ten...with the year she's had though, I decided the time was right. She has no idea I've submitted the ppwk early, and I'm hoping it will surprise her. WDW is the only wish she has ever talked about, so I'm 99.9% sure that's what she'll ask for. This is going to literally be a one shot deal for us unless I hit the lotto (goodness forbid, the meds would drain the fund within 3 yrs..lol) so I want to make sure we plan everything well, get whatever hints we can, etc.
So, not quite ready to start a pre-trip yet, but wanted to at least poke my head in and say hello, and that we're (well, I'm..for the moment) looking forward to getting to know everyone. *I just realized how long this was when I hit preview..hmm..and I wonder why Piper talks so much....*

 

[maroo]

Amanda!!

Check out the second post on this thread (on the first page)...

It should give you some hints on doing some "fake" posts to get your count to 10 so you can send PM's (Private Messages) and post pictures when you are ready to start a pre-trip report!

Do you have an idea of what time you guys think you might want to go?

and glad to have you!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Welcome Amanda.

Can't wait to hear some more. My son also has CF.



We are back. It was a great, sometimes upsetting (lost camera on first day), but still magical trip. Hope to start TR soon, but I have to down load pics from GKTW, and get others from brother. (Thank goodness he had his camera) I also need to start Photopass.

Going to bed now, talk to you all soon.

 

[cajunfan]

Yay you all are back! Can't wait to hear about it Corrine!

 

[maroo]

We are back. It was a great, sometimes upsetting (lost camera on first day), but still magical trip. Hope to start TR soon, but I have to down load pics from GKTW, and get others from brother. (Thank goodness he had his camera) I also need to start Photopass.

Going to bed now, talk to you all soon.

Welcome home!!

I am so, so sorry you lost your camera! That is horrible! It was my biggest fear on my last trip. I even uploaded my pics every day just in case.

PM me if you have any questions on the photopass

 

[pipersmom]

Amanda!!

Check out the second post on this thread (on the first page)...

It should give you some hints on doing some "fake" posts to get your count to 10 so you can send PM's (Private Messages) and post pictures when you are ready to start a pre-trip report!

Do you have an idea of what time you guys think you might want to go?

and glad to have you!

Maroo, I was originally thinking Feb or Mar, but with what I've read about the weather, I think I'm going to switch to Mar for sure, Piper will def want to be able to swim...of course it depends on the logisitics here, I have no idea what to expect as far as a time frame from our chapter.... I've read some of your pre-trips and trip reports and def appreciate what you do for the parents and kids, it's not a common thing to find someone so willing to get involved when they don't have a stake or ulterior motive...

Liam's Mom (lol..sorry..I need to figure out this multiquote thing, I couldn't remember how you spelled your name, but could remember his..I read your pre-trip report, and Liam having CF already gave us something in common) Thank you for the welcome, it's always nice meeting other CF parents since normally I don't get to very often.

 

[maroo]

Maroo, I was originally thinking Feb or Mar, but with what I've read about the weather, I think I'm going to switch to Mar for sure, Piper will def want to be able to swim...of course it depends on the logisitics here, I have no idea what to expect as far as a time frame from our chapter.... I've read some of your pre-trips and trip reports and def appreciate what you do for the parents and kids, it's not a common thing to find someone so willing to get involved when they don't have a stake or ulterior motive...

Liam's Mom (lol..sorry..I need to figure out this multiquote thing, I couldn't remember how you spelled your name, but could remember his..I read your pre-trip report, and Liam having CF already gave us something in common) Thank you for the welcome, it's always nice meeting other CF parents since normally I don't get to very often.

If you do March...let me give you some good dates.

You may want to sorta steer clear of the large Spring Break crowds. So normally early March is better. Of course...it can be cool in March. But it is hot enough in FL sometimes to swim. Especially if you are from further North.

Isn't VA the south? I can't ever remember if you guys WANT to be called Southern or want to be called Northern?

I absolutely love hanging on the wish trippers thread! These families are awesome and I have made several friends that I believe I will have for LIFE!

The thing I love about this thread...even more than planning the Disney stuff...is the life stuff we all get to share. It is very nice to find people you can relate to!

 

[celerystalker]

Hey all! I've been reading some wish trip reports to get me in the spirit for volunteering at GKTW on the 29th.
When I volunteered in 2007, I spread it over two days (which means I got to help in lots of different areas!) - and I had my own transportation.
this time I don't have transportation, I'm only volunteering one day, I have to bring my sister with me because she had a seizure recently and I've been having really bad dizzy spells.
we're gonna be a mess!
But we'll be at the La Ti Da Spa from 7:45 to 11 AM and at the ice cream palace from 3 to 6:30. We don't have an official assignment from 11 to 3, so we'll lend a hand whereever needed.
Come say hi, if you're around!

And thanks to GKTW - not just for accomadating wish families, but for accomadating volunteers as well. I'd already made arrangements to have one of the coordinators pick me up at my hotel - she didn't bat an eye when I explained my sister's medical problems and the change in schedule.