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

Status
Not open for further replies.
Happy to have found you all and to have figured out how to register and subscribe to this forum! :yay:

I have had a lot of the same questions circling in my head about logistics from GTKW to the parks and fitting it all in. I haven't read the most recent posts in this thread, so forgive me if this is repetitive: How do you suggest splitting up the days in each park given the parks vs # days allotted by MAW/GTKW??

My daughter is the wish child, at 6 years old. Her brother is 10. This is our first trip to Disney. Our dates of travel are next month, June 6th - June 12th.

Welcome to the disboard!!
Honestly you can't do it all. Definitly do Universal Studios. We all had a great time their and in all actuality you can do almost both parks in one day. Now at Disney you actually need full days for each park. I would just choose three out of the the four. Its hard but i did the park hopper and we missed out on alot. Magic Kingdom you can do in one day and probably go back on a couple of rides that you like. I had BBB and PL appointments that day and dinner reservations and we did it all. Animal Kingdom we missed out on dino land and the lion king show because we split that day with Hollywood Studios. I did not know that Hollywood Studios consist of a lot of shows so we missed out on a lot because the time we got to the park after leaving Animal Kingdom we had 2 hours to get on rides and then we had dinner at 6pm and all of the final shows were at 530 pm. Then after dinner we hit like 2 more rides and then it was Fantasmic show. Which i suggest not missing it was better then the electric parade and fireworks at the magic kingdom. Also if you are going to see the parade, projection show, and fireworks at MG find a spot at least an hour before it starts because its hard to get a spot in front of the castle. We went to Epcot the kids were completely board except for talking turtle crush. My kids are 4 and 5 years old. So that might be a factor. And again its a park that you need a full day in. If i could do the trip all over i would of just done MK, AK, and HS. Thats why we are going back next years because we had a great time and knowing what we know now we are going to do alot of things differently. We only got to experiance two events at the village Candy Land night and Pirates and Princess Party. I really liked the Candy Land night but my kids weren't interested in the Pirate and Princess Party. I wished we had done the Christmas party but that was the night we were at the Ak and Hs and i wasn't going to miss out on Fantasmic show. We didn't even get a chance to do Sea World but the tickets that we got say they are good to the end of 2013 so if they are still good we probably do that next year. I hope this helps you out. I hope i wasn't to direct. I know its hard to pick and choose. And not everything goes according to plan. My husband got a foot blister the first day out and we had to slow down because he was in so much pain. I wish they could give us all additional two days so we could see all the parks.
 
We have dates! Our wish coordinator called me Friday and said she has a sponsor already and would like us to attend an event that the sponsor is holding in August. We will be there over Thanksgiving, and I have read varying reports on how busy to expect the parks to be. It really doesn't matter though...we are going that week, so we will deal with the crowds if we have to! We actually put this week as one of our choices so that I could minimize days off work. I am sure many of you can relate...when you have sick kids, the sick days are always at a premium! Well, I have not yet thought about any definite plans, just thought I would share that we have definite dates:goodvibes
 
We have dates! Our wish coordinator called me Friday and said she has a sponsor already and would like us to attend an event that the sponsor is holding in August. We will be there over Thanksgiving, and I have read varying reports on how busy to expect the parks to be. It really doesn't matter though...we are going that week, so we will deal with the crowds if we have to! We actually put this week as one of our choices so that I could minimize days off work. I am sure many of you can relate...when you have sick kids, the sick days are always at a premium! Well, I have not yet thought about any definite plans, just thought I would share that we have definite dates:goodvibes

SO glad to hear that you have dates !! :thumbsup2

Hey .. we went during spring break .. sure it was packed .. but no biggie .. we were having so much fun we didn't even notice ! :goodvibes
 

Hey all,

We are trying to figure out which party at GKTW to skip in lieu of the MVMCP. Monday night, they have the Halloween party and then Thursday is the Christmas deal.

My son will turn 4 in December (just a refresher, since I haven't put anything in my siggy yet- we are going November 10-16) so trying to figure out what he'll want to do is kind of hard. He loves Christmas and Christmas lights, etc- but he also dresses up as Woody or Buzz Lightyear about 4x a week...

Of course, he has no idea what he will be missing if we don't make either of the parties. I just wish we could do it all!!! :sad:

We also need to do some ADRs. I've been told that Chef Mickey is a must. I'm also curious about Ohana. Other than that, we're pretty open. I still need to figure out what parks to hit on what days. Oy veh...:faint:
 
We have are dates . Oct 1-7 . We know we are flying out of Philadelphia Pa.

It looks like time for us to make the pre trip report . It will be at are link soon . Working out some small things yet since we do not know what time we will fly out . We are also doing mickeys not so scarey Halloween party . We do not know what day there are 2 different it could be ..

For any make a wish familey . Did you get a call or any mail from GKTW before your trip ?
 
We have are dates . Oct 1-7 . We know we are flying out of Philadelphia Pa.

It looks like time for us to make the pre trip report . It will be at are link soon . Working out some small things yet since we do not know what time we will fly out . We are also doing mickeys not so scarey Halloween party . We do not know what day there are 2 different it could be ..

For any make a wish familey . Did you get a call or any mail from GKTW before your trip ?

We got a "see ya soon" packet from GKTW ... I don't really remember what was in it though. I think just. A letter saying that they are expecting us and some phone numbers.

I will check out your report ! :thumbsup2
 
We have are dates . Oct 1-7 . We know we are flying out of Philadelphia Pa.

It looks like time for us to make the pre trip report . It will be at are link soon . Working out some small things yet since we do not know what time we will fly out . We are also doing mickeys not so scarey Halloween party . We do not know what day there are 2 different it could be ..

For any make a wish familey . Did you get a call or any mail from GKTW before your trip ?

We just received a personalized brochure in the mail. Our trip is week after next.
 
We are home! So happy to be home yet sad such a special time is over. It was such a roller coaster. Of course I will start working on a TR when I get mt photos back!
 
Hey all,

We are trying to figure out which party at GKTW to skip in lieu of the MVMCP. Monday night, they have the Halloween party and then Thursday is the Christmas deal.

Of course, he has no idea what he will be missing if we don't make either of the parties. I just wish we could do it all!!! :sad:

We also need to do some ADRs. I've been told that Chef Mickey is a must. I'm also curious about Ohana. Other than that, we're pretty open. I still need to figure out what parks to hit on what days. Oy veh...:faint:


I would say Christmas should be on the top of your to do list, there are a lot of activities going on during the party and Santa was wonderful with Ona when she was being crabby. We did not do the Halloween party at the village so I can't give my opinion on that.

Just as you said your child will have no idea what is missed unless you tell them!

Unfortunately there is no possible way to do everything in the time frame. I would suggest you continue to do some looking around and prioritize those things your son will enjoy most, if there is extra time you will have plenty of options! Same with the ADR's pick the ones with the characters your son likes the most, don't over do it. It can be stressful trying to be here and there at certain times.

One more thing, keep in mind things & events have changed over the years at GKTW, US, SW & Disney, many are simply improvements, some of those special little things are not options any more (you can no longer ride in the drivers area of the monorail)

It's a lot but keep asking questions :upsidedow
 
I would say Christmas should be on the top of your to do list, there are a lot of activities going on during the party and Santa was wonderful with Ona when she was being crabby. We did not do the Halloween party at the village so I can't give my opinion on that.

Just as you said your child will have no idea what is missed unless you tell them!

Unfortunately there is no possible way to do everything in the time frame. I would suggest you continue to do some looking around and prioritize those things your son will enjoy most, if there is extra time you will have plenty of options! Same with the ADR's pick the ones with the characters your son likes the most, don't over do it. It can be stressful trying to be here and there at certain times.

One more thing, keep in mind things & events have changed over the years at GKTW, US, SW & Disney, many are simply improvements, some of those special little things are not options any more (you can no longer ride in the drivers area of the monorail)

It's a lot but keep asking questions :upsidedow

Thank you and WELCOME BACK!! I can't wait to read about your trip!! :thumbsup2
 
Thanks every one for the info . My only down side right now is not knowing what time we will fly out on 10/1 lol its like 3 1/2 to 4 hrs to the air port ...
 
We met with MAW 6 weeks ago and we haven't heard anything back. That part I'm okay with. We sent an email to our wish granter 3 days ago and we haven't heard from them. It would be nice If they would just send an email back saying "haven't heard anything yet". Takes 1 minute. but maybe they don't live on email like we do in our family. I'm not really complaining, I know it is a volunteer organization and these are gifts. We are great-full.

Has anyone on the board become a wish granter or volunteer for MAW after being on the receiving side.? We are thinking about it.
 
We met with MAW 6 weeks ago and we haven't heard anything back. That part I'm okay with. We sent an email to our wish granter 3 days ago and we haven't heard from them. It would be nice If they would just send an email back saying "haven't heard anything yet". Takes 1 minute. but maybe they don't live on email like we do in our family. I'm not really complaining, I know it is a volunteer organization and these are gifts. We are great-full.

Has anyone on the board become a wish granter or volunteer for MAW after being on the receiving side.? We are thinking about it.

Awww, I'm sorry you haven't heard anything. I :lmao: at the living on email comment- as I definitely do! I'm fortunate that Ethan's wish granter's are pretty good at returning my emails, even if they don't know the answer right away. I totally understand about how nice it would be if people would just let you know they don't know the answer- at least you don't feel like you're talking to a wall! Did they also give you their phone number? E's wish granters are a husband and wife team and, when we met with them, they gave us a sheet with their phone numbers and email addresses. If you have the phone number, I'd go ahead and give them a lil ringy-dingy. Good luck!
 
Awww, I'm sorry you haven't heard anything. I :lmao: at the living on email comment- as I definitely do! I'm fortunate that Ethan's wish granter's are pretty good at returning my emails, even if they don't know the answer right away. I totally understand about how nice it would be if people would just let you know they don't know the answer- at least you don't feel like you're talking to a wall! Did they also give you their phone number? E's wish granters are a husband and wife team and, when we met with them, they gave us a sheet with their phone numbers and email addresses. If you have the phone number, I'd go ahead and give them a lil ringy-dingy. Good luck!

Well MAW must have been reading this board. Our wish granters called this morning to inform us that our wish has been granted on Wednesday. My wife has to call to get more on the details before we tell the family or anyone.

Still no email though:rotfl2:
 
We had a short but sweet email this am ..

It was this

I have the flights booked and am sending out a short itinerary to John's attention.




Now that we know times of things we can finish up are pre trip report ...:beach:
 
Monday Oct 1
? Ride to Philly
930 am depart to Orlando
12:00Arrive in Orlando ?
12:30 Check in at GKTW
Orientation
Please choose one of several options to join us:
• Every morning at 9 a.m.
• Each afternoon (check with Guest Services for the time that day)
• Every evening at 7:45 p.m.
Ice Cream Palace
? Food brake settles in to the villa
? Johns Star
Magic Pillow can be made from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Castle of Miracles for every child in your
family. Please remember to bring the Magic Pillow Certificate given to your family at Orientation.
?
7:30pm-8:30pm GKTW Mayor Clayton’s Hare-Raising Halloween Party
On the Avenue of Angels!
Katies Kitchen Dinner or Gingerbread House


Tuesday Oct 2nd
Wake Up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
9:00 am Leave for Disney Magic Kindom

Wednesday Oct 3rd
Wake up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
9:00 am Leave for Disney Animal kingdom & Disney Hollywood

Kids night out Sign-up in advance by dialing “4322” from any Village phone

Thursday Oct 4th
Wake up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
8:00am - 8:30am GKTW Disney Character Photos In Julie’s Safari Theatre
9:00 am Sea World or universal



6:30pm - 8:30pm GKTH Winter Wonderland Festivities Along the Avenue!
Santa Claus, carriage rides and even a parade!( Gktw Christmas Party)
7pm-12Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Parade at 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm, Fireworks at 9:30 pm

Friday Oct 5th
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
8:30 - 9:15am GKTW Universal Character Photos In the Castle of Miracles!
930 In Car head to Universal

7:30pm - 8:30pm GKTW Pirates and Princesses Party With Shamu at the Serendipity Stage!
7pm-12 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Parade at 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm, Fireworks at 9:30 pm




Sat Oct 6th
Wake up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
Leave for Disney Epcot


Sunday Oct 7th
8:00 am Gingerbread House from GKTW
Ice Cream Palace

11:00 am Vila Check out Can stay in GKTW for the day
Depart 1:50pm from Orlando
Arrive Philly 4:10
 
Well MAW must have been reading this board. Our wish granters called this morning to inform us that our wish has been granted on Wednesday. My wife has to call to get more on the details before we tell the family or anyone.

Still no email though:rotfl2:

Hahaha! Well, I'm glad you heard something, at least!

We took our son to tour the Wishing Place this afternoon after his cardiology appointment (which he ROCKED!). Everyone was super-sweet and we met his wish manager. Unfortunately, we found out she won't be booking flights until September :worried: so I guess there won't be much in the way of hard core planning until then. We were thinking about extending our trip (just b/c GKTW looks so fantastic that we feel like Ethan will absolutely love it, in and of itself and then we can see a couple of parks during our extended time), but I guess I can't check out ressies or anything until I know if we can either go down a few days early or stay a few days later (at an off-site location- probably a WDW resort if we can swing it). Oh well. Flying by the seat of my pants is more my nature and, if we don't find out til September, I'm thinking we probably won't be extending b/c I'm not sure what prices will be like at that time.

Amerch, your itinerary looks good!! :thumbsup2 I'm a rookie, though :p
 
Monday Oct 1
? Ride to Philly
930 am depart to Orlando
12:00Arrive in Orlando ?
12:30 Check in at GKTW
Orientation
Please choose one of several options to join us:
• Every morning at 9 a.m.
• Each afternoon (check with Guest Services for the time that day)
• Every evening at 7:45 p.m.
Ice Cream Palace
? Food brake settles in to the villa
? Johns Star
Magic Pillow can be made from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Castle of Miracles for every child in your
family. Please remember to bring the Magic Pillow Certificate given to your family at Orientation.
?
7:30pm-8:30pm GKTW Mayor Clayton’s Hare-Raising Halloween Party
On the Avenue of Angels!
Katies Kitchen Dinner or Gingerbread House


Tuesday Oct 2nd
Wake Up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
9:00 am Leave for Disney Magic Kindom

Wednesday Oct 3rd
Wake up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
9:00 am Leave for Disney Animal kingdom & Disney Hollywood

Kids night out Sign-up in advance by dialing “4322” from any Village phone

Thursday Oct 4th
Wake up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
8:00am - 8:30am GKTW Disney Character Photos In Julie’s Safari Theatre
9:00 am Sea World or universal



6:30pm - 8:30pm GKTH Winter Wonderland Festivities Along the Avenue!
Santa Claus, carriage rides and even a parade!( Gktw Christmas Party)
7pm-12Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Parade at 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm, Fireworks at 9:30 pm

Friday Oct 5th
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
8:30 - 9:15am GKTW Universal Character Photos In the Castle of Miracles!
930 In Car head to Universal

7:30pm - 8:30pm GKTW Pirates and Princesses Party With Shamu at the Serendipity Stage!
7pm-12 Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Parade at 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm, Fireworks at 9:30 pm




Sat Oct 6th
Wake up
7:45 a.m Express Start Breakfast in the Ice Cream Palace
Leave for Disney Epcot


Sunday Oct 7th
8:00 am Gingerbread House from GKTW
Ice Cream Palace

11:00 am Vila Check out Can stay in GKTW for the day
Depart 1:50pm from Orlando
Arrive Philly 4:10


Orientations is either at 11 am or 7:45 pm. It about a 45 minute orientation. One parents must go will the other joins the kids with activities around the village. You can't do your pillow or star until you get the package at orientation. It has the star in the package and your voucher for the pillow. I made that mistake thinking i can walk into the castle of miracle and have matthew do is star and pillow. My mistake and i was trying to do it when my husband was at orientations. Everything sounds great. Oh if you want at Magic Kingdom at 9:30 am they have a morning celabration at the front enterance but i would leave real early because you have to park, get on monorail, ticket turnstile, and security before even entering into the park. Its a lot of getting through things to get into the parks. Exspecially with Magic Kingdom and both universal studios a lot of walking to get to the enterance to the parks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.















Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE







New Posts







DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter

Back
Top