Make a Wish (and other organizations) ~ Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume FIVE!!

[newdrama12]

Give Kids The World has posted 8 pre arrival videos on youtube that show you some of the village and shows you some of what to expect. Just head over to youtube and search for Give Kids the World pre arrival. The videos star Bailee Madison, who you and/or your kids may recognize from "Letters to God" or Wizards of Waverly Place.

Just thought that I would share in case anyone is interested in seeing them if you haven't already.

 

[aym4Him]

Thank you!!!

 

[Amerch]

Ok so there are 6 of us dose this meen we would have to pay the 18% gratuity ?

Are boys are all mst 3 and 4 and the girls are 5 and 7 so they dont eat much..

 

[jmerchlinsky]

Hello everyone, Our tickets are booked for the flights and I was wondering if

1. Anyone has flown Southwest and how was the experience?

2. If you flew out of Philadelphia, how was the experience?

and

3. How was Orlando International?

We have four little ones, Ages 7-3 so we are hoping for any tips for a smooth flight, airport experience.

Thank You

 

[Teamtori]

1. Anyone has flown Southwest and how was the experience?

I have always had good experience on Southwest flights.

2. If you flew out of Philadelphia, how was the experience?

Never have.

3. How was Orlando International?

Orlando is a big airport. Are you staying at GKTW? If so, they have greeters that meet you and will help you. There is a good video on Youtube about it.

 

[jmerchlinsky]

1. Anyone has flown Southwest and how was the experience?

I have always had good experience on Southwest flights.

2. If you flew out of Philadelphia, how was the experience?

Never have.

3. How was Orlando International?

Orlando is a big airport. Are you staying at GKTW? If so, they have greeters that meet you and will help you. There is a good video on Youtube about it.

Thank you for the information, we are staying at GKTW, so I assume that will make things a little easier for us.

 

[Teamtori]

Thank you for the information, we are staying at GKTW, so I assume that will make things a little easier for us.

Yes, they meet you in the baggage area, help you get your bags, escort you to the rental car place and give you directions on how to get there! So if you can get on the plane, you should be ok!

 

[blessedmom4]

Hello everyone, Our tickets are booked for the flights and I was wondering if
CONGRATULATIONS!!!


2. If you flew out of Philadelphia, how was the experience?
I have. We had a newborn who just had her second open heart surgery...the experience was easy airport wise, it was just big...

3. How was Orlando International?
SIMPLE and easy! Rode the little "monorail" over and was greeted by the GKTW volunteer who knew EXACTLY where to go and what to do! He was awesome!!
We have four little ones, Ages 7-3 so we are hoping for any tips for a smooth flight, airport experience.
STROLLERS!!!! Or tip the people who drive you to your gate...
Thank You

Ok so there are 6 of us dose this meen we would have to pay the 18% gratuity ?
An automatic 18% gratuity charge will be added to your bill for parties of 6 or more.
I think yes if there are 6 of you, even if they are children... The servers work hard (typically) and deserve a good tip. If you eat counter service you don't have to worry about it.

Are boys are all mst 3 and 4 and the girls are 5 and 7 so they dont eat much..

Counter service might work better?? Then you could split meals...and save money.

 

[livndisney]

It has been awhile, so I thought I would pop in and say "Welcome" to all the families planning their child's Wish Trip.

I know there have been some questions about the Big Give and what it is, so I thought I would share some info posted in the ton of info in the sticky.

I would like to let everyone know that the Big Gives are not something you can "sign up" for.

We are volunteers who sew for Wish kids as time and money allow. We are not part of MAW and don't get funding. We are Moms and Grandmas, who work, manage our families, attend school, homeschool and sew when we have spare time.

Please don't message members asking for your child to be included. Asking puts us in a postion of having to say no. We really don't want to do that. Posting on other threads does not increase your child's chances. The way the Big Give works is we find you. There is not anything for you to do to make it happen. The planners of the Big Give are in contact with each other and planning Gives months in advance. The Gives are a gift, it's not something to ask for or strongly hint at. If you are chosen for a Give, you will be notified. We are fairly persistent if we don't get an answer the first time we PM too!


Even without a Big Give, EVERY child will have a special and magical trip!

To all of those getting ready for your trip Have Fun and enjoy a magical week with your child. For those still waiting for dates, hang in there-magic is around the corner!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Ok so there are 6 of us dose this meen we would have to pay the 18% gratuity ?

Are boys are all mst 3 and 4 and the girls are 5 and 7 so they dont eat much..

Disney's rule is that for any group of six or more, even with separate checks, at any table service dining an 18% gratuity will be added. You will have the option to give an additional tip if you feel like it. (and with four small children, possibly the tip should be higher if they create a mess.

And this applies both in the Parks and the Resorts.

 

[jmerchlinsky]

It has been awhile, so I thought I would pop in and say "Welcome" to all the families planning their child's Wish Trip.

I know there have been some questions about the Big Give and what it is, so I thought I would share some info posted in the ton of info in the sticky.

I would like to let everyone know that the Big Gives are not something you can "sign up" for.

We are volunteers who sew for Wish kids as time and money allow. We are not part of MAW and don't get funding. We are Moms and Grandmas, who work, manage our families, attend school, homeschool and sew when we have spare time.

Please don't message members asking for your child to be included. Asking puts us in a postion of having to say no. We really don't want to do that. Posting on other threads does not increase your child's chances. The way the Big Give works is we find you. There is not anything for you to do to make it happen. The planners of the Big Give are in contact with each other and planning Gives months in advance. The Gives are a gift, it's not something to ask for or strongly hint at. If you are chosen for a Give, you will be notified. We are fairly persistent if we don't get an answer the first time we PM too!


Even without a Big Give, EVERY child will have a special and magical trip!

To all of those getting ready for your trip Have Fun and enjoy a magical week with your child. For those still waiting for dates, hang in there-magic is around the corner!

Livindisney, thank you for your reply it certainly enlightened me as to what the Big Give was, as I was not sure I just saw it in several of the Pre trip reports I read, I don't think anyone was asking to be included or "strongly hinting" at that, but curious as to how they could help out as well. I know our son is going to have a wonderful time no matter what, and that is what is important to me. But thank you again for clearing things up.

 

[livndisney]

Livindisney, thank you for your reply it certainly enlightened me as to what the Big Give was, as I was not sure I just saw it in several of the Pre trip reports I read, I don't think anyone was asking to be included or "strongly hinting" at that, but curious as to how they could help out as well. I know our son is going to have a wonderful time no matter what, and that is what is important to me. But thank you again for clearing things up.

We have had people get really creative about asking to be included, some even after being told no several times. That is why we had to create the info I posted. We are starting to see quite a few more "hinters" (and some just come right out and ask), and since this thread is where most Wish families "connect", it was time for a gentle "reminder".

For anyone that wants to help give to a BIG GIVE (We would love to have you).

http://www.disbiggive.com

 

[Amerch]

We have had people get really creative about asking to be included, some even after being told no several times. That is why we had to create the info I posted. We are starting to see quite a few more "hinters" (and some just come right out and ask), and since this thread is where most Wish families "connect", it was time for a gentle "reminder".

For anyone that wants to help give to a BIG GIVE (We would love to have you).

http://www.disbiggive.com

Thank you so much for the quick replies .
We woud love to help out at some point but not sure what we can do to help outhers . We will talk about it and let you know . May be a few months off but we will let u know .

 

[Teamtori]

We have had people get really creative about asking to be included, some even after being told no several times. That is why we had to create the info I posted. We are starting to see quite a few more "hinters" (and some just come right out and ask), and since this thread is where most Wish families "connect", it was time for a gentle "reminder".

For anyone that wants to help give to a BIG GIVE (We would love to have you).

http://www.disbiggive.com

I signed up for the Big Give that is going on now. I'm so excited to take part in it! I hope they like what I make (pjs)!!

 

[livndisney]

I signed up for the Big Give that is going on now. I'm so excited to take part in it! I hope they like what I make (pjs)!!

I am sure they will love your work! I have seen the pics of stuff you are making-it is AWESOME!!!!!

 

[sarsop524]

We got travel dates for Sarah's wish trip, we will be traveling the week of November 28-24. I am wondering if anyone has experience with the parks on a major holiday like that? I have looked at some of the sites that tell which days are the busiest, and that info varies! Just wondering if we should avoid Magic Kingdom that day, or is not typically packed?? I really haven't started mapping out a plan, but I will do that soon Any suggestions for that week would be appreciated

 

[Mama2Josh]

Hi!

I just wanted to introduce our MAW family. I'm Tara (Mom). I have a wonderful fiance, Eric. My son Joshua is our wish kid, and Eric's daughter Lexi rounds out the family. Josh and Lexi are both 8 (2 months apart).
Josh was born with a congenital heart defect and had emergency surgery as soon as he was born. He has had numerous surgeries (both for his heart and other issues) and just went through his most recent open heart surgery to have his pulmonary valve replaced last month. The day we got home from the hospital, we found a letter from MAW saying he had been approved to have a wish granted. How cool is that?!?!
Joshua is a huge Harry Potter fan and Disney fan, so he is wishing to go to WWHP and WDW. He's also a lover of Legos, but we kept Legoland off his wishlist cause we didn't think he would enjoy it as much as WDW.
We've met with his Wish team once, and are waiting to hear when we will be going. We are all very excited - this will be the first trip to WDW for Josh, Eric and Lexi, and I haven't been there in over 20 years.
Well, I guess that's enough of an intro. I'm so happy I've found this forum. Any guidance regarding these boards or WWHP or WDW or MAW is greatly appreciated!

Tara

 

[Nanookz]

We got travel dates for Sarah's wish trip, we will be traveling the week of November 28-24. I am wondering if anyone has experience with the parks on a major holiday like that? I have looked at some of the sites that tell which days are the busiest, and that info varies! Just wondering if we should avoid Magic Kingdom that day, or is not typically packed?? I really haven't started mapping out a plan, but I will do that soon Any suggestions for that week would be appreciated

We went to Disney world during thanksgiving two years ago. Starting with Friday before the parks get busier everyday until the Sunday after thanksgiving. For thanksgiving day we went o Epcot because of the size and just wondered around the world showcase and hit a couple of rides with fast passes. On a scale of 1-10 thanksgiving day will be a 9 or 10. If you can be there at opening and try to follow a touring plan from touringplans.com. The MAW pass will probably make things easier for you. We generally go first thing then take a break around one then come back about four but we have have small kids that needed a nap. There will be a lot of people but it is still Disney world.

 

[jenb1023]

Hello everyone, Our tickets are booked for the flights and I was wondering if

1. Anyone has flown Southwest and how was the experience?

2. If you flew out of Philadelphia, how was the experience?

and

3. How was Orlando International?

We have four little ones, Ages 7-3 so we are hoping for any tips for a smooth flight, airport experience.

Thank You

Hi there! I see you live in sunbury - I live right outside of harrisburg in camp hill. I would check to see if you can fly out of Harrisburg airport - much smaller and easier to handle than philly. Frontier has direct flights to Orlando from Harrisburg several days a week so the flight only takes a little over two hours and no plane changes.

***oops just saw that the tickets are already booked.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Hi!

I just wanted to introduce our MAW family. I'm Tara (Mom). I have a wonderful fiance, Eric. My son Joshua is our wish kid, and Eric's daughter Lexi rounds out the family. Josh and Lexi are both 8 (2 months apart).
Josh was born with a congenital heart defect and had emergency surgery as soon as he was born. He has had numerous surgeries (both for his heart and other issues) and just went through his most recent open heart surgery to have his pulmonary valve replaced last month. The day we got home from the hospital, we found a letter from MAW saying he had been approved to have a wish granted. How cool is that?!?!
Joshua is a huge Harry Potter fan and Disney fan, so he is wishing to go to WWHP and WDW. He's also a lover of Legos, but we kept Legoland off his wishlist cause we didn't think he would enjoy it as
much as WDW.
We've met with his Wish team once, and are waiting to hear when we will be
going. We are all very excited - this will be the first trip to WDW for Josh, Eric and Lexi, and I haven't been there in over 20 years.
Well, I guess that's enough of an intro. I'm so happy I've found this forum.
Any guidance regarding these boards or WWHP or WDW or MAW is greatly
appreciated!

Tara

Wow .. Your intro sound a lot like mine ! My son is almost 8 and was born with a CHD and had OHS when he was 12 weeks old. He is still absent a pulmonary valve ( not sure when it will need to be fixed ) and his wish was to go to Harry Potter world !

I'm in the process of writing our trip report now since went last month if you want to check it out. (
the link is in my siggie) If you have any other specific questions you can ask me as well. It was an
awesome trip !!