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

[newdrama12]

Sorry for so many questions, I promise last one for a bit. Em is tube fed and has only 3 safe food that don't make her sick. Grapes, Rice and Bananas. I know that they have the ice cream place at GKTW, can I bring Rice Cream for Em and they keep it there so she feels like she can have ice cream when ever she wants too?

mom to Emily (wish kiddo) and Abby!!

I believe that the Village has that brand in the ice cream palace. I will check for sure when I'm in the Village tomorrow to make sure. But if it is, you just have to ask for it and there is a separate scoop that is used to serve it. I will let you know tomorrow for sure though.

 

[maroo]

I have read that if you stay at Give Kids The World you get a button that gives you special privileges at Disney World. If you don't stay there, but have a make a wish trip and stay at Disney do you also get some kind of button or something showing that you are a wish tripper with Make A Wish and get the same privileges? Synovial

Are you going through GKTW for your wish?

There are two types of GKTW wishes...

One where you stay at GKTW. Your orientation is with GKTW and you sleep there. You have access to all of GKTW amenities including free food, activities, the pool, etc, etc. (this is what most of our DIS kids do.)

The other is where you stay on Disney property through GKTW. Which means you still have to go to GKTW to get your tickets and have orientation. You sleep at the Disney hotel, but you still have access to all GKTW amenities including free food, activities, the pool, etc. (This is a bit more rare...usually happens when GKTW is full...this happened to Lauren for her wish).

If you are doing one of these two wishes (which are for kids with life threatening illnesses only, not chronic illnesses) then you will get the "magic" button.


There is also a wish that some of our kids have received where they go with a different company - not affiliated with GKTW at all - some stay at the Dream Village and some stay on Disney Property...but this wish doesn't have the GKTW button. Usually this is through a different organization than Make a Wish (Dream Factory, Children's Wish Foundation, etc, etc)

BUT, these kids can get a GAC card based on their medical needs (just like any other family that goes to Disney) - which can act like a button...not quite the same, but the GAC can help. IF you are doing this type of wish, make sure you bring your paperwork so that you can show it to the people at Disney when you get your GAC - so that they will know this is a wish trip. They may or may not take that into account when they pick the "stamp" that goes on your GAC...depends on the CM that does it. PM me if you want more info on this. I don't want to type any more here.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

I have started my Pre-Trip Report!!!

I know it's a bit too early because we haven't even met with the wish granters( we are going to in a week)..but I just couldn't wait!
It's below in my signature but here it is: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=41479345#post41479345

 

[mom2pixies]

Hi everyone! An update about Brooke at the MAW Teddy Bear Picnic on our page: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41479896&postcount=174. Come check it out!

 

[Synovial]

Does anyone know if you stay on Disney grounds for your wish do you receive a make a wish button to receive the same kind of privileges as the kids who stay at Give Kids The World when you're at the Disney parks? Synovial

 

[blessedmom4]

I have read that if you stay at Give Kids The World you get a button that gives you special privileges at Disney World. If you don't stay there, but have a make a wish trip and stay at Disney do you also get some kind of button or something showing that you are a wish tripper with Make A Wish and get the same privileges? Synovial

Are you going through GKTW for your wish?

There are two types of GKTW wishes...

One where you stay at GKTW. Your orientation is with GKTW and you sleep there. You have access to all of GKTW amenities including free food, activities, the pool, etc, etc. (this is what most of our DIS kids do.)

The other is where you stay on Disney property through GKTW. Which means you still have to go to GKTW to get your tickets and have orientation. You sleep at the Disney hotel, but you still have access to all GKTW amenities including free food, activities, the pool, etc. (This is a bit more rare...usually happens when GKTW is full...this happened to Lauren for her wish).

If you are doing one of these two wishes (which are for kids with life threatening illnesses only, not chronic illnesses) then you will get the "magic" button.


There is also a wish that some of our kids have received where they go with a different company - not affiliated with GKTW at all - some stay at the Dream Village and some stay on Disney Property...but this wish doesn't have the GKTW button. Usually this is through a different organization than Make a Wish (Dream Factory, Children's Wish Foundation, etc, etc)

BUT, these kids can get a GAC card based on their medical needs (just like any other family that goes to Disney) - which can act like a button...not quite the same, but the GAC can help. IF you are doing this type of wish, make sure you bring your paperwork so that you can show it to the people at Disney when you get your GAC - so that they will know this is a wish trip. They may or may not take that into account when they pick the "stamp" that goes on your GAC...depends on the CM that does it. PM me if you want more info on this. I don't want to type any more here.

Does anyone know if you stay on Disney grounds for your wish do you receive a make a wish button to receive the same kind of privileges as the kids who stay at Give Kids The World when you're at the Disney parks? Synovial

HI! I know you are related to Jenn and I have been meaning to say WELCOME!!! Maroo answered this for you, you might not have seen it. I quoted it for you above. PM Maroo if you have more questions about the Wish button. I hope you start a Pre Trip Report so we can all get to know you!

 

[nuts4wdw]

Ok, I know I said I wouldn't post anymore, but I wanted to let everyone know what I found out. My son was the one that was denied a wish by his physician because there were stars and arrows coming from the MAW pointing to decline the wish, according to our doctor. Anyway, I received a letter from MAW confirming the denial. So I waited and called the company because I was heart broken to think that MAW kids were being denied without being given a chance. So I talked to the CEO of our MAW and she said that this was definately not the way it was to be interpreted. She said that stars and arrows were added to the section where the physician could say yes or no to the wish because some of the doctors were having trouble finding the lines to sign. Anyway, then I informed her of his "death date" reference and she said that that was not MAW's policy she said it only had to be a life-threatening illness and not a particular diagnosis. Anyway, it made me feel better to know that MAW wasn't denying kids right out of the chute. I don't know what I will do now as far as my son. I could go to one of his specialists and ask if they would sign, but is that wrong? He has over 12 specialists, so if I don't ask first that is alot of calls to MAW. I feel like a child that has been told no by one parent, so I'm going to the other in hopes of getting my way. LOL Anyway, I feel better about MAW and just wanted to clear it up, that they did not deny him (although, I think they oughtta get rid of the stars and arrows). Thanks, all! Have fun planning your trips!

 

[chelleydi77]

We received some more Big Give mail today! Come take a peek!

 

[Synovial]

Preston's wish granters are coming this Saturday to get his wish. Do they automatically tell us where we will be staying or do we have to tell them. Also is there anything we need to know to prepare ourselves for them coming? Other than a lot of paper work what is to be expected Saturday? Synovial

 

[maroo]

Ok, I know I said I wouldn't post anymore, but I wanted to let everyone know what I found out. My son was the one that was denied a wish by his physician because there were stars and arrows coming from the MAW pointing to decline the wish, according to our doctor. Anyway, I received a letter from MAW confirming the denial. So I waited and called the company because I was heart broken to think that MAW kids were being denied without being given a chance. So I talked to the CEO of our MAW and she said that this was definately not the way it was to be interpreted. She said that stars and arrows were added to the section where the physician could say yes or no to the wish because some of the doctors were having trouble finding the lines to sign. Anyway, then I informed her of his "death date" reference and she said that that was not MAW's policy she said it only had to be a life-threatening illness and not a particular diagnosis. Anyway, it made me feel better to know that MAW wasn't denying kids right out of the chute. I don't know what I will do now as far as my son. I could go to one of his specialists and ask if they would sign, but is that wrong? He has over 12 specialists, so if I don't ask first that is alot of calls to MAW. I feel like a child that has been told no by one parent, so I'm going to the other in hopes of getting my way. LOL Anyway, I feel better about MAW and just wanted to clear it up, that they did not deny him (although, I think they oughtta get rid of the stars and arrows). Thanks, all! Have fun planning your trips!

Thank you so much for the update! This makes a lot more sense!

I don't think it is wrong to ask another doctor... The child qualifies if they have just one diagnosis that is life threatening - and sometimes one doctor is treating the child and what they are mostly treating is not life threatening and another doctor may be treating a different diagnosis that is considered life threatening...so asking another doctor, probably the doctor that is treating your son for the most serious of his diagnoses, would be appropriate, in my opinion. Especially if the first doctor said he would sign it, but that he felt like MAW didn't want him to...if he got that impression, then he misunderstood and this would give your son a fair chance at the wish.

A wish is a special thing...whether a child picks Disney or not...a wish trip (where a child is treated like a king and feels so special) is something that no money can buy. I have known several of our DIS children that gained confidence, a will to live, new lease on life, and just general happiness that was better than their family ever thought possible.

Preston's wish granters are coming this Saturday to get his wish. Do they automatically tell us where we will be staying or do we have to tell them. Also is there anything we need to know to prepare ourselves for them coming? Other than a lot of paper work what is to be expected Saturday? Synovial

? I am a little confused, I think. What is your child's wish? Is your child wishing to stay somewhere special? Or just to go to Disney?

 

[xanphylus]

We have just received our appointment date and time for our wish granters to come to our house! They are coming next Saturday at 2:00. Preston is very excited!!!! Synovial

How cool!!! You will have to call me and let me know how it goes!!!

 

[xanphylus]

Preston's wish granters are coming this Saturday to get his wish. Do they automatically tell us where we will be staying or do we have to tell them. Also is there anything we need to know to prepare ourselves for them coming? Other than a lot of paper work what is to be expected Saturday? Synovial

They should tell you about GKTW while they are there unless you are requesting to stay elsewhere.

But are the trips shorter if you stay outside of GKTW Maroo? As in, if it is a request, not due to overflow or something?


DS2 wanted these on here... lol

 

[newdrama12]

Sorry for so many questions, I promise last one for a bit. Em is tube fed and has only 3 safe food that don't make her sick. Grapes, Rice and Bananas. I know that they have the ice cream place at GKTW, can I bring Rice Cream for Em and they keep it there so she feels like she can have ice cream when ever she wants too?

mom to Emily (wish kiddo) and Abby!!

I was in the Ice Crea Palace this morning. They do have Rice Dream ice cream. It is in its own freezer with its oen ice cream scoop, so you just have to ask for it. At the moment, there is only one flavor but they did say that they are getting more in the next week or so.

 

[mysevendwarfs]

I was in the Ice Crea Palace this morning. They do have Rice Dream ice cream. It is in its own freezer with its oen ice cream scoop, so you just have to ask for it. At the moment, there is only one flavor but they did say that they are getting more in the next week or so.

This reminded me of my peanut/nuts question. Do they have ice cream for those who have to avoid nut cross contamination? Ice Cream parlors are often dangerous because they dip the scoop from gallon to gallon. DS and I both have life threatening nut allergy.

Also, do you think I need to notify GKTW. I figured with all the kids with special needs they probably have to deal with this often. Thanks!

 

[Happy Dreams1]

Do MAW or GKTW provide transportation from the airport to GKTW and from GKTEW to Disneyworld that's NOT a rental car? As in a shuttle perhaps?

 

[newdrama12]

This reminded me of my peanut/nuts question. Do they have ice cream for those who have to avoid nut cross contamination? Ice Cream parlors are often dangerous because they dip the scoop from gallon to gallon. DS and I both have life threatening nut allergy.

Also, do you think I need to notify GKTW. I figured with all the kids with special needs they probably have to deal with this often. Thanks!

Yes, they do have ice cream for those who have to avoid nut cross contamination and no you don't need to notify GKTW.

 

[maroo]

Do MAW or GKTW provide transportation from the airport to GKTW and from GKTEW to Disneyworld that's NOT a rental car? As in a shuttle perhaps?

yes!

Lauren rode the shuttle from the airport to GKTW and I know of a few families that have used the GKTW shuttle...

But...you don't get as much freedom if you use it, because it runs at certain times to certain parks.

 

[Em'swish]

I was in the Ice Crea Palace this morning. They do have Rice Dream ice cream. It is in its own freezer with its oen ice cream scoop, so you just have to ask for it. At the moment, there is only one flavor but they did say that they are getting more in the next week or so.

Woo Hoo!!Thanks so much for the info. Really made me happy. She gets to act like a typical kid and that make me so happy!!!! So I am getting so happy reading all the Trip reports, but and not sure how to start one, or is it to early, since Em's wish granters are not even coming until Wednesday? I know that she has to ask for other wish's but if Disne is her firs will she for sure get it?

Thanks
Melissa
Mom to Emily (wish kiddo) and Abby!

 

[Happy Dreams1]

yes!

Lauren rode the shuttle from the airport to GKTW and I know of a few families that have used the GKTW shuttle...

But...you don't get as much freedom if you use it, because it runs at certain times to certain parks.

Thank you so much! My mom is just panicking about the driving over there and she wanted to know this! How do we go about arranging this? Should my mom just tell MAW and they handle it?

 

[Synovial]

My son Preston is 12 years old and he has Synovial Cell Sarcoma. He really wants to go to Disney for his Make a Wish. He would really like to stay at the Contemporary at Disney, but I don't know if that is possible. Synovial