"Hello everyone! I am new to this and I hope I am posting this in the right spot (I am a little confused by this site). Anyway, I am a mommy to 2 kiddos Cami (age 5), Caden (age 2). My daughter Cami (5 Years) was diagnosed with leukemia on 7/10/10. She made her wish at MAW and wished to have a tea party with the princesses. We were just told that we will be going on her wish trip 2/28/11-3/9/11 (we are extending our trip a few days as some of our cancer friends have recommended extra time for fatigue).
We have never been to Disney World or Florida for that matter and while we are SO SO SO excited, we have no idea what to expect or what to plan for. That is what brings me here. I need all your expert opinions. Thanks in advance for helping out a new-timer.
First off, we booked a room at the AKL. We are a family of 4 (we are also bringing my mom along to help, she lives with us and knows the ins and outs of Cami's medical needs). So there will be 5 of us, 3 adults and 2 kids. The standard room was all we could afford if we want to stay at a Disney Resort. Lets just say it is going to be TIGHT sleeping quarters for a few days. The other option we have been looking into is staying off property at the Sheraton Safari. We are SPG gold members and get automatic upgrades and we can use our points toward the rooms. If we stayed at the Sheraton we could get 2 rooms that would most likely be upgraded to suites. I know this hotel is pretty dated, but from what I read has a good location and a great staff. This is a MUCH cheaper option and honestly we really cant afford the AKL, but we are willing to try and make it work as we know that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, we really want to make it special. I guess my question here is... is is worth all that extra money to be on property when you are out at the parks most of the time anyway? Would it be more important to have comfortable hotel space than being on property? Are the Disney resorts compassionate toward MAW kids (even though her wish will be officially over at this point)? Would they possibly upgrade us at AKL after finding out it is her wish trip? Has anyone found hotels that make the extended wish trips extra special?"
Hello - and welcome! We enjoyed our son's Wish Trip in Nov 2008, but I still pop in here from time to time, especially when we are planning a WDW trip (we are going a few weeks after you, for a 4 night
Disney cruise with a couple of nights either side). We also extended our trip, as our son has serious stamina issues. First, we absolutely loved our time at GKTW - such a special place. I knew from my time on these boards that this would be the case, and really wanted to try to keep up the magic when we extended. We did stay on property, but that was because a) I really wanted to stay where we had stayed before. I knew it would be wonderful and wanted to guarantee it! and b) staying on property, and in our case, at a monorail resort, made transportation with a wheelchair that much easier. That being said, being off-property was just fine (i.e. when we were at GKTW). It didn't detract from the magic.
If you have SPG status, have you considered the SPG properties at Downtown Disney (I believe they get access to Disney transportation?) - there's the Swan and the Dolphin. I know they'll be more expensive than the other SPG option you were considering, but likely less than AKL. I agree that checking out the moderate and value options is also a good idea.
I'm sure you'll hear other ideas too!
Wow what great updates and photos!
Looking forward to seeing what other have to say about this great question.
I have never stayed on or off property so I have no idea if it is really a big deal or not. 
I guess my last bit of advice is that if AKL is really just too expensive go with what your family can afford. I found the extra tickets we are having to buy, the cost of food and some ADR's we wanted to try while staying at Disney from my research can really add up fast. We are very lucky that we have gotten some help from my parents to extend the trip which is really the only way it is possible for us to extend. I am so glad you get to extend your trip and I hope you find a great plan that works for your family. I look forward to seeing you around the Dis...Happy trip planning.
here. The last time we had to spend $200 roundtrip on baggage fees. That could be food money. We don't have enough carryon luggage, so we would have to buy some..so we might as will check them in. Will cost the same. Unless my friend has some we can barrow. 
