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

[blessedmom4]

Hi, I'm Jessica. I'm wife to Vidal and mommy to Cristian, 11; Jaden, 7; and Logan, 4. Logan is our wish kiddo. He was born in renal failure but wasn't diagnosed until a month old. He started dialysis at 5 months and received a kidney from a deceased donor at 18 months. The best call of our lives. He will celebrate his 3rd kidney-versary September 4. He was approved for a MAW trip to DisneyWorld. . Right now we are scheduled at GKTW in Nov but my husband feels like we should wait another year so our son will remember it more. I'm feeling inpatient. .

And in other news, Karen (matthew's mom) is one of my best buddies.

Welcome to the DIS and the WISHTRIPPERS THREAD!!! You will have an amazing time planning your trip. I know the feeling of wanting to do the trip NOW; however, I agree with your husband. IF you can wait for Logan to be a bit older you can enjoy the anticipation of the trip even more, it goes SO quickly.

Welcome to all of the other new wish families! It sure is heartwarming to see Maroo's trademark signature so regularly again! Maroo, how was Lauren's first year of college?

I also want to share that my friend Madeline (redwaves) completed Mallory's Wish Trip Report!! It is awesome and proves it is NEVER too late to complete your story, you WILL have DISers eager to read! Why don't you drop by and read all about the fun!

 

[carebearkidney]

Karen, when Logan made his wish Jaden was there. They took them both into a room to pick out a toy and then said they could open them. Then one of the wish granters told Logan to come color and Jaden came with us to talk to the other wish granter. Jaden was so busy with his toy that he didn't really think much. Jaden seems to be oblivious a lot of the time though. A few times he has asked why Logan gets something (usually to drink whatever he wants-gotta keep that kidney hydrated) and I tell him that Logan earned it the hard way and that his struggles are not over. Logan always wants everything to be fair for his brothers though. When he gets stickers at the doctors he gets one for both of the brothers too and the other day he was asking when Jaden and Cristian would have their kidney-versary and I told him they didn't have one so he said, "that's not fair!". More than likely they will bring William a toy too but it might not hurt to have one on hand. Glad I read this before I sent out matthew's outfit. My kiddos were involved in asking Logan what he wanted as his wish and so I think they felt included.

Jess - you're here!!!
Slightly happy... (fyi - this is why I haven't been on fb as much)

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

Hello all! I am looking for some help. We would like Gavin to be able to attendthe Mickey's Not So scary Halloween Party when we are at Disney. We did not mention this to our volunteers whent hey came because we did not even think about it. Gavin has never really been trick or treating because when we tried to take him he would have fits wanting to go into people's houses and explore (even at trunk or treating he wants to sit in all the cars). So we thought this would be the perfect place/ oppurtunity for him to really trick or treat without that issue. So back to my point. The tickets are way too expensive for us to afford but I heard there are discount codes and stuff out there for them. Does anyone know about these or if GKTW supplies them?

 

[kritter47]

I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I do hope they acknowledge William in some small way too.

Most chapters (both that I've worked with and most I know of) bring at least a small gift for siblings under age 18 at the first meeting, and most also provide spending money for the parks for those children too. GKTW, to my knowledge, gives gifts to all children (more/bigger to the Wish kids), and there's only a very few things that are limited to the Wish kid only - off the top of my head, the star process comes to mind, but it's the only thing.

Whenever I've done wishes, I've always tried to get the siblings something when bringing over presents past the initial visit, though the Wish kid almost always gets bigger or more presents. They definitely don't want the siblings to feel resentful or left out, so it might be something you discuss with them on the phone when they call to set up the meeting.

How each set of Wish Granters handles siblings depends on their personalities, the family and a lot of other factors. Sometimes, if a sibling is far too helpful with suggestions (so the WGs don't feel like they're getting a good picture the child's one true wish), they'll try to divide and conquer or be a little more active in ignoring sibling help. Letting them be aware of the "jealousy" issues on the phone will also allow them to come in a little more prepared to make both boys feel special.

I always ask my families to please let me know your questions or concerns, whether it's family dynamics you need help dealing with or silly little detail questions that you feel like are too minor to ask about. If I don't know the answer, I can always ask, and the more information I have, the better I can tailor what I'm doing to your family. In this case, I might do my little extra things (from parties to presents to countdown calendars to whatever) differently if you have a sibling who doesn't understand why he doesn't get a wish in order to minimize that feeling, as opposed to a sibling who totally gets it or is super shy and doesn't want any attention at all from me.

 

[kritter47]

Also, hi!

I'm coming at this thread from a little different perspective - I'm a volunteer with MaW and have been with several chapters over several years. I've done a ton of Disney wishes as well as others and can answer questions you guys might have about some of the behind the scenes type questions.

Plus I love reading all the stories, since I send all my families off and get to see the pictures but usually don't get quite the detailed recaps that you guys have here on the trip threads!

 

[connie005]

Hello all! I am looking for some help. We would like Gavin to be able to attendthe Mickey's Not So scary Halloween Party when we are at Disney. We did not mention this to our volunteers whent hey came because we did not even think about it. Gavin has never really been trick or treating because when we tried to take him he would have fits wanting to go into people's houses and explore (even at trunk or treating he wants to sit in all the cars). So we thought this would be the perfect place/ oppurtunity for him to really trick or treat without that issue. So back to my point. The tickets are way too expensive for us to afford but I heard there are discount codes and stuff out there for them. Does anyone know about these or if GKTW supplies them?

When Amandas volunteers visited she wished for disneyworld but a week after she was looking at the disney site and saw mnsshp and she asked me to call our volunteers back and see if we could go to that (because the previous year she missed halloween) after a week they came back to us with dates for our trip and advised us that we were also granted mnsshp.

so my advice is call them back and ask

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

When Amandas volunteers visited she wished for disneyworld but a week after she was looking at the disney site and saw mnsshp and she asked me to call our volunteers back and see if we could go to that (because the previous year she missed halloween) after a week they came back to us with dates for our trip and advised us that we were also granted mnsshp.

so my advice is call them back and ask

Awesome! Our volunteers are on vacation for the next two weeks but I did email the wish coordinator for our area on Thursday to see if it would be possible. I guess we will se Glad your little girl got her wish

 

[newdrama12]

Hello all! I am looking for some help. We would like Gavin to be able to attendthe Mickey's Not So scary Halloween Party when we are at Disney. We did not mention this to our volunteers whent hey came because we did not even think about it. Gavin has never really been trick or treating because when we tried to take him he would have fits wanting to go into people's houses and explore (even at trunk or treating he wants to sit in all the cars). So we thought this would be the perfect place/ oppurtunity for him to really trick or treat without that issue. So back to my point. The tickets are way too expensive for us to afford but I heard there are discount codes and stuff out there for them. Does anyone know about these or if GKTW supplies them?

Depends on your arrival/departure day, there will also be trick or treating at GKTW as well on Monday night. Lots of candy stations and crafts. It is a lot of fun and anyone can wear a costume if they want to. GKTW normally doesn't have tickets to MNSSHP.

 

[maroo]

Hi, I'm Jessica. I'm wife to Vidal and mommy to Cristian, 11; Jaden, 7; and Logan, 4. Logan is our wish kiddo. He was born in renal failure but wasn't diagnosed until a month old. He started dialysis at 5 months and received a kidney from a deceased donor at 18 months. The best call of our lives. He will celebrate his 3rd kidney-versary September 4. He was approved for a MAW trip to DisneyWorld. . Right now we are scheduled at GKTW in Nov but my husband feels like we should wait another year so our son will remember it more. I'm feeling inpatient. .

And in other news, Karen (matthew's mom) is one of my best buddies.

I am so glad you guys are going to Disney on a Wish Trip!! You will have such an amazing time!

That will be hard to decide - waiting or not!

Hello all! I am looking for some help. We would like Gavin to be able to attend the Mickey's Not So scary Halloween Party when we are at Disney. We did not mention this to our volunteers when they came because we did not even think about it. Gavin has never really been trick or treating because when we tried to take him he would have fits wanting to go into people's houses and explore (even at trunk or treating he wants to sit in all the cars). So we thought this would be the perfect place/ oppurtunity for him to really trick or treat without that issue. So back to my point. The tickets are way too expensive for us to afford but I heard there are discount codes and stuff out there for them. Does anyone know about these or if GKTW supplies them?

GKTW does not supply them.

They DO have a Halloween party at GKTW, though - where he could go trick or treating and some may say it is pretty awesome and may even be the better thing to do, if you can't get tickets.

Most MAW chapters will add one special "event" to your trip - for some girls it is BBB makeover or Pirate makeover or a special meal - but MNSSHP would be a great way for the MAW chapter to add something special to your trip!

Also, hi!

I'm coming at this thread from a little different perspective - I'm a volunteer with MaW and have been with several chapters over several years. I've done a ton of Disney wishes as well as others and can answer questions you guys might have about some of the behind the scenes type questions.

Plus I love reading all the stories, since I send all my families off and get to see the pictures but usually don't get quite the detailed recaps that you guys have here on the trip threads!

I am SOOOO glad you are here!!! It would be GREAT to have someone from a more inside prespective! So glad you are here!!

 

[Lilfoot93]

Trevor is wanting to do his wish over Star Wars Weekend. Since I have never been to Star Wars Weekend let alone Disney World I was wondering if this is something that could be done in a day? Or to do everything do you need to be there all 3 days? I want to start planning now but it seems so far away I'm not sure how much I should really discuss with Trevor yet. That seems like an even longer time to a 7 year old!

Jackie

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

We received notification that Gavin's dates were approved. So we will be going on October 14th. They did ask us since his wish is to meet Lightning McQueen, if he woudl rather go to Disneyland to CarsLand because Lightning talks there. Any opinions? I thought the talking might actually scare him some because it looks like it can be kind of loud. Also he has mentioned zebras and fish a couple of times so I was thinking he would like Animal Kingdom. The volunteers said it was our decision. They also said that he could do the MNSSHP They said they would add it to his paperwork... so now to find him a costume....

 

[Moodyzblu]

Trevor is wanting to do his wish over Star Wars Weekend. Since I have never been to Star Wars Weekend let alone Disney World I was wondering if this is something that could be done in a day? Or to do everything do you need to be there all 3 days? I want to start planning now but it seems so far away I'm not sure how much I should really discuss with Trevor yet. That seems like an even longer time to a 7 year old!

Jackie

We just happened to be there during SWW a few years ago so I hadn't planned anything and unless he wants to try to meet each character it won't take more than a few hours. I think the most time consuming part is waiting around to meet certain characters. I'm not sure if the GKTW button will work to your advantage with these particular characters .. but it might. I believe you'll be able to access a time schedule as the SWW's get closer and you can look to see who will be there at what time. There's also shows and stuff too at certain times. This is a link to last years schedule of each weekends events to give you an idea of how you might want to plan .. http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/

You're going to have a great time !

 

[Moodyzblu]

We received notification that Gavin's dates were approved. So we will be going on October 14th. They did ask us since his wish is to meet Lightning McQueen, if he woudl rather go to Disneyland to CarsLand because Lightning talks there. Any opinions? I thought the talking might actually scare him some because it looks like it can be kind of loud. Also he has mentioned zebras and fish a couple of times so I was thinking he would like Animal Kingdom. The volunteers said it was our decision. They also said that he could do the MNSSHP They said they would add it to his paperwork... so now to find him a costume....

I think it's hard to compare the 2 Disney parks .. each one is SO unique ! WDW has a lot to offer as far as parks and activities. Plus you get to stay at GKTW, which is an experience in itself ! BUT .. there's a lot to be said about Disneyland as well, especially with the addition of Cars Land. We are planning a trip there in October because Jayden really want's to see Cars Land .. but we've done WDW enough not to feel like we are missing out on anything.
It's a tough decision .. but either way, it's Disney and you will all have a great time !

 

[Lilfoot93]

We just happened to be there during SWW a few years ago so I hadn't planned anything and unless he wants to try to meet each character it won't take more than a few hours. I think the most time consuming part is waiting around to meet certain characters. I'm not sure if the GKTW button will work to your advantage with these particular characters .. but it might. I believe you'll be able to access a time schedule as the SWW's get closer and you can look to see who will be there at what time. There's also shows and stuff too at certain times. This is a link to last years schedule of each weekends events to give you an idea of how you might want to plan .. http://sww.studioscentral.com/main/

You're going to have a great time !

Thanks for the info! I hadn't really looked into it before. It looks like there isn't a whole lot of stuff going on. I know Trev wants to meet some of the characters. Hopefully the button would work for us I know he really wants to do the Jedi training and trivia. I told Trev we would wait until the flyer came out for the 2013 Star Wars Weekend and then he can decide exactly what he wants to do. Just in case anything changes

Thanks!
Jackie

 

[livndisney]

Awesome! Our volunteers are on vacation for the next two weeks but I did email the wish coordinator for our area on Thursday to see if it would be possible. I guess we will se Glad your little girl got her wish

Have you considered Sea World? They have Spooktacular on the weekends in October. It is during the day and included in the price of admission. And they have trick or treating.

 

[maroo]

Trevor is wanting to do his wish over Star Wars Weekend. Since I have never been to Star Wars Weekend let alone Disney World I was wondering if this is something that could be done in a day? Or to do everything do you need to be there all 3 days? I want to start planning now but it seems so far away I'm not sure how much I should really discuss with Trevor yet. That seems like an even longer time to a 7 year old!

Jackie

I think it can definitely be done in a day!

I went to Star Wars weekend with two friends in May one year and we had a blast!

There are a lot of awesome characters there - I loved seeing the Ewoks and would have loved to "meet" them!

We received notification that Gavin's dates were approved. So we will be going on October 14th. They did ask us since his wish is to meet Lightning McQueen, if he woudl rather go to Disneyland to CarsLand because Lightning talks there. Any opinions? I thought the talking might actually scare him some because it looks like it can be kind of loud. Also he has mentioned zebras and fish a couple of times so I was thinking he would like Animal Kingdom. The volunteers said it was our decision. They also said that he could do the MNSSHP They said they would add it to his paperwork... so now to find him a costume....

Are you guys staying at Give Kids the World? If are staying there - then that alone is worth going to Disney World rather than Disneyland.

I think he may need some "preparation" that Lightning McQueen is sick or something and can't talk - ?? I don't know... because I would not want him to meet him and be upset that he didn't say anything??

Have you considered Sea World? They have Spooktacular on the weekends in October. It is during the day and included in the price of admission. And they have trick or treating.

That is a good idea!!

I should probably link to some pictures of that on here....??

 

[taliasmom]

I feel like I've been neglectful for not being more active on here. My oldest is on a three week break from us (he deserves it) out of state, and between work and Talia's needs, there is just no time. That boy calls to check on his sister every day though, couldn't have asked for a better son. So anyway, still waiting impatiently on our dates, but it's only been a month. I do have a question though, let's say Talia's on a feeding break for an hour and a half or so, can the boys still get front of the line action while she and I are taking care of business? Just curious.

 

[Moodyzblu]

So anyway, still waiting impatiently on our dates, but it's only been a month. I do have a question though, let's say Talia's on a feeding break for an hour and a half or so, can the boys still get front of the line action while she and I are taking care of business? Just curious.

Hope you hear soon !

As far as using the GAC card without Talia, it depends on the CM. Some ask who the person on the card is.

 

[GavandGraciesMommy]

Oh here I am again with more questions.... We were wondering, I heard there are "wish lounges" in some of the parks for the wish families to take breaks. Is this true? And if so would this be a good place for the kids to take a short nap if tired?

 

[maroo]

I feel like I've been neglectful for not being more active on here. My oldest is on a three week break from us (he deserves it) out of state, and between work and Talia's needs, there is just no time. That boy calls to check on his sister every day though, couldn't have asked for a better son. So anyway, still waiting impatiently on our dates, but it's only been a month. I do have a question though, let's say Talia's on a feeding break for an hour and a half or so, can the boys still get front of the line action while she and I are taking care of business? Just curious.

Hello!!!

So sweet of your son to check to her sister!

Where are you guys staying? Are you staying at GKTW?

Usually - on a wish trip - CM's will let siblings use a GAC. Wish Trip GAC's have a special symbol that means something to the CM's and they are issued by GKTW, which is also marked on the GAC.

In 2008 - when we went - we sometimes split up and took Lauren to take care of her needs and sent her Dad and little brother to ride some rides. I think *once* they were told they couldn't. Every time William said, "My sister is on a wish trip, can I use this?" to the CM and every time they said YES!

Of all of the TR's I have read - a very few have said that it would not work on a ride - but most said it worked most of the time they split up!

I don't recommend "pretending" it belongs to someone else - be honest with the CM and they usually will a wish family get through the queue as quickly as possible. Generally speaking, Disney does not want the family of a wish child to stand in line for an hour and make the wish child wait - that is just as bad as making them wait in line.

Hope you hear soon !

As far as using the GAC card without Talia, it depends on the CM. Some ask who the person on the card is.

I will add, too - that "regular" GAC's usually do not transfer - so it has to be the special wish trip GAC to "work" this way...usually.

Oh here I am again with more questions.... We were wondering, I heard there are "wish lounges" in some of the parks for the wish families to take breaks. Is this true? And if so would this be a good place for the kids to take a short nap if tired?

YES!

There is one in the Magic Kingdom...I am going to ask "Robo" to make us a map!!

The one in Magic Kingdom is right next to the First Aid station, which is next to Casey's and near Crystal Palace. There are RED umbrellas over near the First Aid station and the Wish Lounge is close by.


There WAS one in Epcot...two, actually...the one in Test Track closed (I *think*) - but there is still one in Spaceship Earth.

You will get the "codes" you need to enter these VIP lounges in your GKTW information that you get at Orientation. And I think they will have a map.