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

[canadianjovigirl]

Hi all just wanted to let you know that your all still in our thoughts and prayers. We are in Florida, havent yet been to Disney but on Wednesday we were at Universal and there was a whole lot of Wish Flight guests there and i did recognize a few from pictures on here...............didnt get a chance to say hi to everyone, but my youngest was wearing a Lisa Simpson pink/yellow polka dot twirl dress and was busy smiling at all the kids to be watching the beetlejuice show lol....

She was disappointed that she didnt bring her little treats that she got to give out to wish kids as we were going to take them to Disney as she has been sooooooooo interested in following this thread and wanted to do something to bring a smile to the kids faces so she got sticket sheets, glo bracelets, rings, and trinkets to hand out to them if she sees them so hopefully she will get that chance in Disney as i was in the dog house over not taking them to Universal

 

[pacrosby]

ok.....it's morning and I've had a good night's sleep and perhaps I'll be able to figure this out alittle better LOL

I started a pre-trip report last night after alot of frustration (lost a good long detailed one first but managed to get in a quick replacement before I fell asleep). Amanda (Piper's mom) was quick to welcome me and let me know I wasn't as confused as I suspected (whether she was just trying to make me feel better is still a question). Thanx Amanda! She suggested I do alittle intro here as well; I suspect to let people know we've jumped on the bandwagon. So that I will do.....................

Hi, my name is Pamela and my 6 yr old son Matty was just officially granted a Wish yesterday morning. Woo Hoo! Matty has been living with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a congenital heart disease which essentially means he has half a heart (that now, after multiple open heart surgeries, looks and functions in a grossly differently manner than the norm). At this point in time he is doing quite well and doesn't have the appearance of being ill but the condition is such that with the alteration of the anatomy and physiology of his heart we live from year to year with fingers crossed. Matty is an incredible little boy (ok, I'm alittle biased). He's always happy, always smiling, always silly (downright goofy). He takes it all in stride. He grounds us when we start to forget what is really important.

The other cast of characters include Matty's 3 siblings...........nine year old Olivia (the typical tween drama queen), 8 year old Nicholas (a sweet and kind but oh so sensitive big brother) and 4 year old Brennan (who NEVER stops talking!!!!!). My husband Stephen (45) who works in insurance and myself (47................yikes....did I just admit that) a sahm who worked as a speech/language pathologist for 15 yrs before giving it up when my first son was born.

This whole Wish trip thing has been a whirlwind. I started the process late in September but didn't actually get the ball rolling until early October and less than 6 wks later I've gotten the approval! I resisted the temptation to apply for years because I didn't think we should (I knew we would qualify). I had the typical reaction many do.............it's really for terminally ill children and Matty's not 'terminal..................we shouldn't be looking for something 'free' when we have the means ourselves etc. etc. Anyway long story short early this summer I had the opportunity to learn more about the organization and the Wishes and how they changed people's lives and I started to change my mind. I didn't know 'when' but suddenly I felt like.....sure, maybe "someday" this would be something to seriously look into.

The actual decision to actually start the process in September was motivated by some experiences we had with Matty this summer. Just an incredible transformation that we witnessed when he was given some special opportunities that allowed him to be the star (he had always been very shy and self-concious around those he did not know). With him just starting school this year we felt that a strenghtened sense of self could make all the difference. Suddenly it seemed like a Wish trip was just what the doctor ordered (Dr. Mom that is). Suddenly that 'someday' seemed to be here.

Figuring out the Wish was pretty much a no-brainer for us. I know that it's supposed to solely come out of the child's mouth but at six what would come out of his mouth when asked that all important question would change every five minutes and basically consist of wishing to do all the things we do that he enjoys again. Seemed to me the Wish needed to be a bit bigger than that. We steered him towards Disney because he LOVES amusement parks with rides and characters and parades (Sesame Place has been the closest he's gotten because we can drive there and we get season's passes for not much more than the cost of a one-day ticket at Disney!). Christmas seemed like a perfect time since it is his favorite time of year and would make the experience even more magical...............something we wouldn't be able to do. I knew about GKTW and knew staying there would also make the trip a real fantasy trip for a 6 year old............rather than staying in a resort property (AKL might be MY wish LOL). And to try and make it even more personal he wished to be in one of the parades (specifically his wish was to be a gingerbread man in the MVMCP).

Well no surprise that they nixed the parade part of his wish (a logistical nightmare for Disney if they started allowing things like that) but the rest seems to be a go. We thought me might try to tie in the gingerbread man wish by buying him a gingerbread costume (there's one online for kids...the guy from Shrek) and have him wear it to the parade. He loves that idea! I was wondering if perhaps I might be able to entice some nice CM to let him meet the gingerbread men before or after the parade (in his costume of course). If anyone has any ideas about how I might accomplish that I'd be all ears (no pun intended). I realize it's a long shot but a momma's just gotta try!!!

Well so that's us in a nutshell (sorry it was such a big nut). I'm really looking forward to participating here with you all. The next month is going to be utter craziness but I'm up for the challenge. Wish me luck!

Pamela


Matty's Wish Trip http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607

 

[teresajoy]

I just wanted to welcome Ana (we met on Etsy!)

and

Pamela!

 

[Savannah's Mami]

Oh...I am so excited!! Now that the trip is only a month away it is starting to become so real! It has been a long few years since the birth of my little Warrior Princess and one thing we have learned in our journey is not to look to far in the future for we just don't know what is around the corner....with that said...I just can't help but think about this trip everyday! Savannah gets SOOOOO excited simply walking into the Disney Store! And not the excited of I want every toy in the store she simply LOVES to be in the store. So can you just imagine how I feel

 

[Savannah's Mami]

Glad you found us. Another LF family too!!!

Okay...I am addicted to the LF (Liver Families) board and now I have found this board....oh my addiction is growing

 

[CrystalSnow]

Sooo...less than 24 hours until we leave. Still not packed! Is everyone getting a nervous tummy just hearing about my disorginization?? I should win some kind of "Fly by the seat of your pants" wish trip award!

We are so excited. And we found out Melia gets to meet Tigger at 10 am on Monday. Does anyone have any tips for how to keep her from freaking out when she sees a giant tiger bouncing toward her. I have no idea how she will react.

p.s. HI ANA!

 

[maroo]

oh my

apparently I'm doing something wrong but I don't know what and don't know how to find out. I registered..........did my 10 posts and got the 'ok' so to speak to post.................started a new thread and wrote out a lengthy into and now I'm told it can't be processed. ???????? I'm going to cry LOL

I'm logged in. It says I 'can' start a new thread? Any ideas?????

ok.....so I still don't know what I did wrong initially but an abbreviated version of my initial intro post posted. I posted it in the 'pre-trip' area (so sorry my lingo is limited LOL) but I noticed it shows up in the general area not here in the 'wish trippers' area. Should I have done something differently or does it get moved by a moderator at some later date???? OH....I'm so confused! Gee, I don't even know if it's appropriate for me to be posting about my confusion on 'this' thread'.

Please help LOL

Pamela

ok.....it's morning and I've had a good night's sleep and perhaps I'll be able to figure this out alittle better LOL

I started a pre-trip report last night after alot of frustration (lost a good long detailed one first but managed to get in a quick replacement before I fell asleep). Amanda (Piper's mom) was quick to welcome me and let me know I wasn't as confused as I suspected (whether she was just trying to make me feel better is still a question). Thanx Amanda! She suggested I do alittle intro here as well; I suspect to let people know we've jumped on the bandwagon. So that I will do.....................

Hi, my name is Pamela and my 6 yr old son Matty was just officially granted a Wish yesterday morning. Woo Hoo! Matty has been living with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a congenital heart disease which essentially means he has half a heart (that now, after multiple open heart surgeries, looks and functions in a grossly differently manner than the norm). At this point in time he is doing quite well and doesn't have the appearance of being ill but the condition is such that with the alteration of the anatomy and physiology of his heart we live from year to year with fingers crossed. Matty is an incredible little boy (ok, I'm alittle biased). He's always happy, always smiling, always silly (downright goofy). He takes it all in stride. He grounds us when we start to forget what is really important.

The other cast of characters include Matty's 3 siblings...........nine year old Olivia (the typical tween drama queen), 8 year old Nicholas (a sweet and kind but oh so sensitive big brother) and 4 year old Brennan (who NEVER stops talking!!!!!). My husband Stephen (45) who works in insurance and myself (47................yikes....did I just admit that) a sahm who worked as a speech/language pathologist for 15 yrs before giving it up when my first son was born.

This whole Wish trip thing has been a whirlwind. I started the process late in September but didn't actually get the ball rolling until early October and less than 6 wks later I've gotten the approval! I resisted the temptation to apply for years because I didn't think we should (I knew we would qualify). I had the typical reaction many do.............it's really for terminally ill children and Matty's not 'terminal..................we shouldn't be looking for something 'free' when we have the means ourselves etc. etc. Anyway long story short early this summer I had the opportunity to learn more about the organization and the Wishes and how they changed people's lives and I started to change my mind. I didn't know 'when' but suddenly I felt like.....sure, maybe "someday" this would be something to seriously look into.

The actual decision to actually start the process in September was motivated by some experiences we had with Matty this summer. Just an incredible transformation that we witnessed when he was given some special opportunities that allowed him to be the star (he had always been very shy and self-concious around those he did not know). With him just starting school this year we felt that a strenghtened sense of self could make all the difference. Suddenly it seemed like a Wish trip was just what the doctor ordered (Dr. Mom that is). Suddenly that 'someday' seemed to be here.

Figuring out the Wish was pretty much a no-brainer for us. I know that it's supposed to solely come out of the child's mouth but at six what would come out of his mouth when asked that all important question would change every five minutes and basically consist of wishing to do all the things we do that he enjoys again. Seemed to me the Wish needed to be a bit bigger than that. We steered him towards Disney because he LOVES amusement parks with rides and characters and parades (Sesame Place has been the closest he's gotten because we can drive there and we get season's passes for not much more than the cost of a one-day ticket at Disney!). Christmas seemed like a perfect time since it is his favorite time of year and would make the experience even more magical...............something we wouldn't be able to do. I knew about GKTW and knew staying there would also make the trip a real fantasy trip for a 6 year old............rather than staying in a resort property (AKL might be MY wish LOL). And to try and make it even more personal he wished to be in one of the parades (specifically his wish was to be a gingerbread man in the MVMCP).

Well no surprise that they nixed the parade part of his wish (a logistical nightmare for Disney if they started allowing things like that) but the rest seems to be a go. We thought me might try to tie in the gingerbread man wish by buying him a gingerbread costume (there's one online for kids...the guy from Shrek) and have him wear it to the parade. He loves that idea! I was wondering if perhaps I might be able to entice some nice CM to let him meet the gingerbread men before or after the parade (in his costume of course). If anyone has any ideas about how I might accomplish that I'd be all ears (no pun intended). I realize it's a long shot but a momma's just gotta try!!!

Well so that's us in a nutshell (sorry it was such a big nut). I'm really looking forward to participating here with you all. The next month is going to be utter craziness but I'm up for the challenge. Wish me luck!

Pamela

Wow!

I miss this thread for one day and it explodes with new people!! Woo Hoo!!

again to the Wish Trippers thread!

I will try to go find your pre-trippie so I can link it here!

Do you have dates?

 

[maroo]

Okay, so I've been dutifully reading the guide books, browsing every blog and TR I come across, and waiting (not-so) patiently for the Wish Granter to call me back about the dates. (She just emailed me an apology as she has H1N1. I guess I can forgive her!) In the meantime I have a list of questions growing in my head and I thought I'd unload some of them now.

Glad she didn't come to visit you when she had H1N1!

Does GKTW offer any form of web access? I have not given in to the urge to have mobile web access yet and was wondering if it will be possible to check weather, hotels etc for the extension of our trip once we are there. Not to mention the possibility of a live TR.

GKTW has limited internet access. There isn't like a major wireless connection.

They do have what I believe is DSL, but you have to be connected through a cable. I also think they have wireless through the main areas, so you could take a laptop there and get on.

I would really encourage you NOT to do a live TR. While it sounds fun...it would be really hard to actually do. And I would not want you to take one second away from the magical trip!

Just take lots of good notes...pictures of EVERYTHING...and write a journal each day. More for yourself than for us...but we get to benefit when you write your TR. And then you get to have your TR forever!

Has anyone been to Busch Gardens in Tampa? It looks like it's mostly for big kids but they are adding a whole Sesame Street section next spring. We are extending our trip so time will not be an issue, but I'm wondering if the drive will be worth it? It's about 100 miles from GKTW.

Never been...??? Not sure on that one.

The tickets that give you are 3 days at WDW, 2 at Univ, and 1 at SW. Right?
Can you separate the days? Or do they have to be consecutive?

You can definitely separate the days! I would highly encourage you to separate them.

Do you have dates? I can help you with a planner...but help me remember to do it...(I like to do it about 4-5 weeks before you leave, because the park hours and crowd calendar change continually till then.)

Are the tickets transferable? Since SW and Univ have more than one location, could you use the tickets at another location at another time? Also, if we ended up not using a ticket, could we donate it to another wish family? If they are still giving out those tickets to the parks around the country, could we give those to someone else? I'm just thinking if there is a park in Minnesota, there's not a chance we'll get there within the year. I'm sure they cover this, and it's really not that important but I can't stop my brain from running over all of this stuff.

They expire after 14 days of the first use. You can't donate them to another wish family. It is possible...as a former wish family...that you will actually get discounts or even free admission to certain parks...you will get that information when you check out of GKTW.

Do they have Wall-E anywhere in the Kingdom? Is Dorothy at Univ?

I have heard Wall-E is hard to find...?? No clue on Dorothy?

Oh, yeah, one more question. Where is the VIP lounge or whatever they call it, where you can rest if you need to? I wanted to put it on my map, and I'm guessing they don't show it on the normal park maps. (Yes, yes, I know they will tell me when I get there, but that's 6 months from now. How will I sleep at night, not knowing where it is????)

Right now there are 2 VIP lounges...I think. One is at the First Aid station at the Magic Kingdom. The other is at the ride Spaceship Earth at Epcot. There was one at Test Track...but not sure if it is open now that Test Track has had issues with its sponsorship?

You will get special pass codes to get into those lounges at your orientation at Give Kids the World.

 

[Momofwishkid]

I got my pre-trip report started!! Im so excited this makes it seem even more real. We will be going to Disney!!! So I hope you guys will come and follow along.

 

[maroo]

Hi all just wanted to let you know that your all still in our thoughts and prayers. We are in Florida, havent yet been to Disney but on Wednesday we were at Universal and there was a whole lot of Wish Flight guests there and i did recognize a few from pictures on here...............didnt get a chance to say hi to everyone, but my youngest was wearing a Lisa Simpson pink/yellow polka dot twirl dress and was busy smiling at all the kids to be watching the beetlejuice show lol....

She was disappointed that she didnt bring her little treats that she got to give out to wish kids as we were going to take them to Disney as she has been sooooooooo interested in following this thread and wanted to do something to bring a smile to the kids faces so she got sticket sheets, glo bracelets, rings, and trinkets to hand out to them if she sees them so hopefully she will get that chance in Disney as i was in the dog house over not taking them to Universal

It sounds like you may want to sign up for The Big Give? Where you can send Pixie Dust (That is what we call things like this...stickers, etc) to the families about to leave on trips?

To sign up go to www.disbiggive.com!

Oh...I am so excited!! Now that the trip is only a month away it is starting to become so real! It has been a long few years since the birth of my little Warrior Princess and one thing we have learned in our journey is not to look to far in the future for we just don't know what is around the corner....with that said...I just can't help but think about this trip everyday! Savannah gets SOOOOO excited simply walking into the Disney Store! And not the excited of I want every toy in the store she simply LOVES to be in the store. So can you just imagine how I feel

Woo Hoo! A month away!

What are your dates? I will be there the 15-19 (leaving the 20th) and would love to keep an eye out for you guys if you are going to be there that same time!

I will have someone in a wheelchair with us, so we will be fairly easy to spot.

 

[maroo]

Sooo...less than 24 hours until we leave. Still not packed! Is everyone getting a nervous tummy just hearing about my disorginization?? I should win some kind of "Fly by the seat of your pants" wish trip award!

We are so excited. And we found out Melia gets to meet Tigger at 10 am on Monday. Does anyone have any tips for how to keep her from freaking out when she sees a giant tiger bouncing toward her. I have no idea how she will react.

p.s. HI ANA!

Woo Hoo!!!! Have a BLAST!!!!

I got my pre-trip report started!! Im so excited this makes it seem even more real. We will be going to Disney!!! So I hope you guys will come and follow along.

Awesome!!


I will go find this one and the other one...and will come back and give everyone links to them!

 

[maroo]

WOW!

We have....

not one....

not two...

But THREE new Wish Trips to follow!

Woo Hoo!!!!

Here are the links:

Gavin's Wish Trip


Matty's Wish Trip


Savannah's Wish Trip


Let's all post over there and help these folks feel welcome! And let's get to planning!! Woo HOO!

 

[teresajoy]

WOW!

We have....

not one....

not two...

But THREE new Wish Trips to follow!

Woo Hoo!!!!

Here are the links:

Gavin's Wish Trip


Matty's Wish Trip


Savannah's Wish Trip


Let's all post over there and help these folks feel welcome! And let's get to planning!! Woo HOO!

Thanks for the links Maroo!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Thanks Maroo! I should probably just get your email, snail mail, cell phone and work address, since you are the fountain of knowledge I need right now. Just kidding! I won't start stalking you until we are much closer! I suppose other people who have already been on their trips don't check in as often.

We do not have our dates yet. She was approved in July, we met her Wish Granter in September, and last week we were told to choose new dates because Feb/Mar was full (for our chapter I guess). I emailed her a request for some April dates a few days ago and now we are just waiting, waiting, waiting. Maybe we will know before New Years?!? I don't know if I will survive. (I'm not usually a drama queen, but this is intense!)

Oh, and I have already checked out TouringPlans.com as I am currently reading the Unofficial Guide right now. I would love to have you look it over once I make one. If yours is different, I'll take that too!

 

[pacrosby]

hey all....quick question.

If I have specific questions r/t Wish trip should I post them here, on my pre-trip report or somewhere else???????? (I love those smilies)

I posted a bunch of questions on my pre-trip report but then realized fthat that may limit the number of people who will actually see them there (unless I can hurry up and up my fan base LOL)

Pamela (I've decided that smiley is just perfect for our trip!)


Matty's Wish trip http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607

 

[maroo]

Thanks Maroo! I should probably just get your email, snail mail, cell phone and work address, since you are the fountain of knowledge I need right now. Just kidding! I won't start stalking you until we are much closer! I suppose other people who have already been on their trips don't check in as often.

We do not have our dates yet. She was approved in July, we met her Wish Granter in September, and last week we were told to choose new dates because Feb/Mar was full (for our chapter I guess). I emailed her a request for some April dates a few days ago and now we are just waiting, waiting, waiting. Maybe we will know before New Years?!? I don't know if I will survive. (I'm not usually a drama queen, but this is intense!)

Oh, and I have already checked out TouringPlans.com as I am currently reading the Unofficial Guide right now. I would love to have you look it over once I make one. If yours is different, I'll take that too!

Well...you would not be the first person with my email address and cell phone number.

But I am easier to reach on here than email. I check the DIS several times a day and email only once or so.

I will definitely be glad to help you plan...but it sounds like you have all of the right tools!

hey all....quick question.

If I have specific questions r/t Wish trip should I post them here, on my pre-trip report or somewhere else???????? (I love those smilies)

I posted a bunch of questions on my pre-trip report but then realized fthat that may limit the number of people who will actually see them there (unless I can hurry up and up my fan base LOL)

Pamela (I've decided that smiley is just perfect for our trip!)

Well...I would say both.

I am "subscribed" to all of the Wish Trips and a bunch of other threads...I try really hard to make sure I address any questions that I see...but I do end up missing threads sometimes...so please don't feel bad if I miss one. And if no one replies to your pre-trip, it could be that they didn't see it... So feel free to "bump" it by asking another question or posting about whatever.

That being said...I would post them on your pre-trippie and then you are always welcome to post here, too.

I love the smileys! You can totally tell what I am thinking with these! It is so much easier to communicate!

 

[Savannah's Mami]

[/QUOTE]Woo Hoo! A month away!

What are your dates? I will be there the 15-19 (leaving the 20th) and would love to keep an eye out for you guys if you are going to be there that same time!

I will have someone in a wheelchair with us, so we will be fairly easy to spot.[/QUOTE]

We are arriving on December 8th....this will be super cool since the 5th is Savannah's 3rd birthday....it feels like we will be celebrated the whole week! We will be there for 6 nights and 7 days. Other then learning our flight leaves at 11:20 am --- I know nothing. I was told we would get some sort of report/itinerary in the middle of November....we are soooo excited!!

 

[Savannah's Mami]

Sooo...less than 24 hours until we leave. Still not packed! Is everyone getting a nervous tummy just hearing about my disorginization?? I should win some kind of "Fly by the seat of your pants" wish trip award!

We are so excited. And we found out Melia gets to meet Tigger at 10 am on Monday. Does anyone have any tips for how to keep her from freaking out when she sees a giant tiger bouncing toward her. I have no idea how she will react.

p.s. HI ANA!

WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

So has everyone read the GKTW update? Here is the link if you're not already a fan of their Facebook page...
http://www.gktw.org/newsletter/october09_web.html
If you don't have time to read the whole newsletter, here are the highlights for us wish families...

They are offering a 45 minute Cessna (airplane) ride over Central FL for the wish kid and two add'l passengers. Contracted with Mauiva Air Tours.

They have an Express Start breakfast option available at the Ice Cream Palace, through Holiday Inn. Cinnamon rolls and omelets are the highlights.

The new pool and water garden areas are open, since Oct 24. The pool is a zero-entry pool good for access by those who have trouble with steps.

I haven't even been yet, and I'm already in love with GKTW!!!

 

[StefaniLyn]

So has everyone read the GKTW update? Here is the link if you're not already a fan of their Facebook page...
http://www.gktw.org/newsletter/october09_web.html
If you don't have time to read the whole newsletter, here are the highlights for us wish families...

They are offering a 45 minute Cessna (airplane) ride over Central FL for the wish kid and two add'l passengers. Contracted with Mauiva Air Tours.

They have an Express Start breakfast option available at the Ice Cream Palace, through Holiday Inn. Cinnamon rolls and omelets are the highlights.

The new pool and water garden areas are open, since Oct 24. The pool is a zero-entry pool good for access by those who have trouble with steps.

I haven't even been yet, and I'm already in love with GKTW!!!

I am speechless! An airplane ride ?!?!?! for real????? thanks for sharing!