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

[NEmel]

We are here and just finished our first day in the parks and Mayor Clayton's birthday! Let me just say, no matter how much you are prepared, you can't even imagine how awesome this place is....how awesome Disney is! Favorite at Animal Kingdom was Lion King-I was in tears (could be because we had "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" at our wedding over 15 yrs ago!) and Hollywood Studios was Star Tours but we did not get to finish that park-maybe another day.
GKTW...there are no words to describe how awesome this place is. And happy. Exhausted but tired and ready for day #2 at Universal. My kids want to move here so they can volunteer here forever. And my 13 yr old asked if she could volunteer while we were staying here! Blessed more than I could have ever imagined!

So glad you are enjoying your trip, it sounds amazing!!! Hope the rest of the trip goes well!

 

[camidges]

Sadly, we just recently found out that Ryan's wish trip to Orlando will not be happening after all... We had gotten our dates and sent in the paper work for GKTW, when it became apparent to our wish planners that it wasn't really going to work for Ryan to fly. Too many near-impossibilities to work out.

Sooo.... We are sad, but we are now going to make plans to go to Disneyland instead. Guess it will all be OK, and we will make the best of it! Now to find out all about Disneyland wish trips~

Thanks for your help, and all of the info that I have gotten off of this board!

 

[angcmom]

Hi All! It has been a little over a year since Abigail's wish trip and we have talked off and on this entire year about going back to GKTW to volunteer. It looks like things are going to work out for us to do just that in January! The trip will be a surprise for the kids...they have no idea and will find out on Christmas Day.

We will also be going to Disney while there and attending Homeschool Day at HS which the kids will love.

Prior to the wish trip, we had been to Disney twice. I had never even heard of a GAC until our MAW trip and still am not sure of how to request one. I do know that the GAC for a wish trip is completely different than what the general public receives but I'm wondering if I should request one for this trip...or if Abigail even "qualifies" for one.

Her medical condition is thoracic insufficiency caused by congenital scoliosis. One lung is about 3/4 of the size of the other and she currently has a device that is expanding her ribcage so her lung isn't crushed. She does not require an oxygen tank and if you didn't look really close you wouldn't think there was anything wrong. She has surgery every six months and just had #11 about 6 weeks ago. She is completely mobile and does not use a wheelchair. She does get tired but probably not too much more than other kids her age. She has had more pain since this last surgery but who knows how she will be doing two months from now.

I guess my question is what are your thoughts on getting a GAC based on the above information?

Thanks!

 

[angel's momma]

lakinbum93 - Glad you are having a wonderful time. So wonderful that your kids want to volunteer.

camidges - So sorry Ryan can't go after all. I hope you have a wonderful time at Disneyland.

angcmom - So wonderful that you are going to volunteer at GKTW What a wonderful Christmas surprise I hope you have a great trip.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Lakinbum, It sounds like you are having an absolutely awesome time! I will be interested to hear whether you can do Magic Kingdom in a day with the Wish Trip GAC.

camidges, that really sucks. Hope I am allowed to say that word. Disneyland will still be great but just not the same. Maybe they can arrange a special meet and greet or something there for you to make it extra special.

Angcmom, I think you will want the GAC if you are going to use a wheelchair but otherwise, in January, I doubt it will make much of a difference. It would be different if it was super hot while you were there. It should be s fun trip!

I think I am more excited for our MAW trip than my wish kid! Perhaps that is because I am usually the one who has to find the money to pay for these elaborate trips! I cannot WAIT to be on vacation!

 

[carebearkidney]

We are here and just finished our first day in the parks and Mayor Clayton's birthday! Let me just say, no matter how much you are prepared, you can't even imagine how awesome this place is....how awesome Disney is! Favorite at Animal Kingdom was Lion King-I was in tears (could be because we had "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" at our wedding over 15 yrs ago!) and Hollywood Studios was Star Tours but we did not get to finish that park-maybe another day.
GKTW...there are no words to describe how awesome this place is. And happy. Exhausted but tired and ready for day #2 at Universal. My kids want to move here so they can volunteer here forever. And my 13 yr old asked if she could volunteer while we were staying here! Blessed more than I could have ever imagined!

Totally awesome! So glad y'all are having a wonderful time. And your daughter - wow.

 

[carebearkidney]

Sadly, we just recently found out that Ryan's wish trip to Orlando will not be happening after all... We had gotten our dates and sent in the paper work for GKTW, when it became apparent to our wish planners that it wasn't really going to work for Ryan to fly. Too many near-impossibilities to work out.

Sooo.... We are sad, but we are now going to make plans to go to Disneyland instead. Guess it will all be OK, and we will make the best of it! Now to find out all about Disneyland wish trips~

Thanks for your help, and all of the info that I have gotten off of this board!

I'm sorry that Disney World did not work out. We would like to eventually make it over to Disneyland ourselves, but that flight would have been too much on Matthew. I'm sure it will still be filled with Disney magic and I can't wait to see the photos!

 

[kalimom6]

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

 

[KaylaM]

Those of you who have just returned from Orlando, or have traveled there at this time of year, what do I pack? I talked to my nephews mom, who lives 2 hours from there, she said he wears shorts during the day and jeans at night if they go anywhere.

A little bit of everything... We wore shorts, pants, long sleeve, short sleeves, jacket, sweatshirts, daughter wore a hat at night, ugg boots and thick socks. Crazy weather and you just don't know. Warm days and cold days.. The wind seem to be cold and went right through you at times.

 

[NEmel]

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

How exciting!! Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[newdrama12]

Her medical condition is thoracic insufficiency caused by congenital scoliosis. One lung is about 3/4 of the size of the other and she currently has a device that is expanding her ribcage so her lung isn't crushed. She does not require an oxygen tank and if you didn't look really close you wouldn't think there was anything wrong. She has surgery every six months and just had #11 about 6 weeks ago. She is completely mobile and does not use a wheelchair. She does get tired but probably not too much more than other kids her age. She has had more pain since this last surgery but who knows how she will be doing two months from now.

I guess my question is what are your thoughts on getting a GAC based on the above information?

Thanks!

For the GAC, the cast members will need to know what accommodations you will need. Specific medical conditions won't help in getting one since the cast member probably will have no idea what that is. To request one, you will just go to Guest Services and tell them what is needed and they will do their best.

 

[angel's momma]

Sarah - So glad Elsa had such a special reveal Hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[DelanaAndKyra]

Tonight is the Christmas party, some of my family is off at animal kingdom but Kyra and I stayed back as she is getting exhausted and needs a bit of a break before we do sea world tomorrow. Everything is so overwhelming and amazing! Words will never explain it! Kyra had her wish day on Tuesday and had a private meet and greet with Belle. She was so in total awe! I also did extra and went to the bibbidi bobbidi boutique and she had the full makeover and photo shoot. She LOVED being pampered! Only a couple more sleeps then we go home boo!

 

[OhanaDreams]

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

Good job Elsa! Have a wonderful time.

 

[carebearkidney]

So we had our reveal today. The kids had no idea about any of this. The wish grantors are Montana highway patrolman. They are the ones who run the organization. We pulled up to pizza hut and the kids were excited to see the patrol cars there. We got out of the car and I asked the kids if they wanted to go say hi. They all said a big no. Except for Elsa, my wish kid.
We walked over to them and the sargeant asked if they wanted to eat lunch with them. Elsa's face lit up and she ran to him and held his hand. The other kids were not so enthused. We had a nice lunch. They gave all the kids a badge to wear plus stuffed animals, yo-yos, pens, coloring pages. Elsa got the only bear that had an actual Montana highway patrol badge on it. Also a camera, SD card, and case, plus an exspense check. 2

2 more days until we leave!!!

That sounds awesome! I hope you took pics to share and remember the moment! It's almost time!!!

 

[angel's momma]

Angel's wish granters called yesterday If all goes well, they plan to meet her 12/8.

Tonight is the Christmas party, some of my family is off at animal kingdom but Kyra and I stayed back as she is getting exhausted and needs a bit of a break before we do sea world tomorrow. Everything is so overwhelming and amazing! Words will never explain it! Kyra had her wish day on Tuesday and had a private meet and greet with Belle. She was so in total awe! I also did extra and went to the bibbidi bobbidi boutique and she had the full makeover and photo shoot. She LOVED being pampered! Only a couple more sleeps then we go home boo!

Yay that you're having an amazing time. So glad she was so pampered, and met Belle. Sorry it's going by so fast. Enjoy the party tonight, and Sea World tomorrow.

 

[KaylaM]

I just came across a surprise.. Well a surprise because I didn't see it until just now. When we went to the Tusker House Restaurant in Animal Kingdom for the character breakfast on our trip, they had Donald outside in back of the restaurant on patio for photos. Typical greet and meet type photo. Well, while eating breakfast, one of the photo assistants brought us my daughters' photo (an 8x10 in cardboard type frame) of her and Donald thirty minutes earlier. I thought that was so nice. I looked at the front (photo) and then the back as it felt weird. There was some kind of frame stand back there or something. Anyway, just now, I took it out of the bag it was in and put it on our counter when I noticed there was a white clear bag inside of the frame on the back with more photos in it. There were 10 additional 4x6 prints with three of them having the text on it saying "Where Dreams Come True". Wow, that was so sweet of them to do that.

 

[NEmel]

Christi~ YEA so exciting!!!

Talked with Carter's wish granter today and it looks like we won't know anything until the end of December. Wishes for cruises take longer to approve. Oh well I guess I will just have to work on my patience, or lack of patience!

 

[KaylaM]

Christi~ YEA so exciting!!!

Talked with Carter's wish granter today and it looks like we won't know anything until the end of December. Wishes for cruises take longer to approve. Oh well I guess I will just have to work on my patience, or lack of patience!

Well, hang in there. The day will be here sooner than you think and it WILL be good news!! So excited for you guys... Fingers crossed for good news!!

 

[Cassondra]

Talked with Carter's wish granter today and it looks like we won't know anything until the end of December. Wishes for cruises take longer to approve. Oh well I guess I will just have to work on my patience, or lack of patience! [/QUOTE]

Well hang in there. It took a while for ours to be approved. Our wish granter told us that each cruise only allows a certain number of "wish" trips. It took a while for them to get back to us just because they were waiting for verification that we could get on the cruise in the time frame we were looking at.