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

[Mom2mitokids]

Suggesions please:

Our trip is not until the Dec 20th But I like to plan anyway. We did schedule a Lilo Breakfast on the 21st but that is all we have planned. We need to reserve the 2nd week where we will be staying. We are trying to decide if renting a house for the 2nd week might be a better option for our family of 6.

I have a few questions. We know we will bveling during a very busy time and want to make the most of our GKTW button to cut down on waiting. Also how difficult is it to get a GAC button and what benefits does it have? Does Universal Studios, Sea World or Diney respect the GKTW button during the 2nd week.

Any suggestions appreciated.

We stayed 4 extra days and we rented from Florida Fantasy Homes. We had a 3 bedroom-2 1/2 bath townhouse. Fit us perfectly. They even gave us a great deal since we were on a MAW trip.

For the magic buttons...I would do all the Disney parks while at GKTW. They do check the buttons especially during the busy times. Universal Studios and Island Of Adventure are easy. Just go to guest relations and they will extend the GAC. Not sure on Sea World.

 

[chelleydi77]

"Matching" mail today (aka Mickey Mail)!!! Walk on over!

 

[disneymomma01]

Just curious to see if anyone will be staying at GTKTW Oct 1-7? We will be there then & would love to meet up!!

We met with our Dream Factory contacts today & they talked to Katelyn to learn some more about her interests. We got the Disney planning book out & the official planning has begun!!

76 days & counting!! Join me in a happy dance, won't you!?!?!?!

 

[blessedmom4]

We stayed 4 extra days and we rented from Florida Fantasy Homes. We had a 3 bedroom-2 1/2 bath townhouse. Fit us perfectly. They even gave us a great deal since we were on a MAW trip.

Kris, Do you have a contact that helped you with this? I contacted them July 12 and a lady named Mari came back with this quote for us:

3 bdr. Condo with Community Pool the nightly rate will be $105 – 30% discount = $73.50 + 13%tax = $83.06 X 4 nights = $332.24 + $79.10 cleaning fee + $40 reservation fee = $451.34 all included.

3 bdr. Home with Private Pool the nightly rate will be $130 – 30% discount = $91 + 13%tax = $102.83 X 4 nights = $411.32 + $79.10 cleaning fee + $40 reservation fee = $530.42 all included.

She would not waive any of the fees. I know on one of your posts you said they gave you a great deal at $395. Was that with tax? How close were you to Disney and Universal. Do you remember the name of the community you stayed in?

For the magic buttons...I would do all the Disney parks while at GKTW. They do check the buttons especially during the busy times. Universal Studios and Island Of Adventure are easy. Just go to guest relations and they will extend the GAC. Not sure on Sea World.

When you went to Guest Relations, did you tell them you were extending your MAW trip? I know you had some problems with them wanting to take the GAC from MAW when you were at US. Just as you wanted to keep Korissa's for a souvenir, I want to keep Lisa's as well.

THANK YOU for giving those of us waiting to go the benefit of your experience. I know it can be hard to hang out here after the MAW trip is over. I am NOT looking forward to that feeling. The anticipation has gotten me though some truly tough days. The thought of it all being over and having nothing to look forward to makes me sad, especially after all of this time looking forward to it. Here are a few more hugs, as I sit here and think of you!

 

[blessedmom4]

This was amazing!! Still is!!

Thank you Maroo, and THANK YOU AGAIN for being excited for us!

If anyone missed our AMAZING NEWS, please stop by and read all about it.



I want to say a heartfelt To all of the New Wish Trip Families!!!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

When you went to Guest Relations, did you tell them you were extending your MAW trip? I know you had some problems with them wanting to take the GAC from MAW when you were at US. Just as you wanted to keep Korissa's for a souvenir, I want to keep Lisa's as well.

THANK YOU for giving those of us waiting to go the benefit of your experience. I know it can be hard to hang out here after the MAW trip is over. I am NOT looking forward to that feeling. The anticipation has gotten me though some truly tough days. The thought of it all being over and having nothing to look forward to makes me sad, especially after all of this time looking forward to it. Here are a few more hugs, as I sit here and think of you!

I will ask Scott who the person we spoke too at Florida Fantasy Homes. . I will also ask which community we stayed at. We paid $395 total. They waived all fees.

We never went to guest relations. The line to get the GAC extended was really bad and we just said if we had issue we would go back. It was the very last ride that a CM(whatever they are called at US) said something. He just said to go to guest relations and they will just extend the GAC. We only had 45 min before the park was to close so we didn't go. He did at first take it away, but when we said we wanted to keep it..that's when he said to go get it extended.

It's hard to come back here, but also rewarding to be able to give advice.

 

[princessmamaof5]

I have no idea how it will fell after the experience, the anticipation to the buildup is whats keeping me going. Although my head is in the clouds as in cloud 9 im for some reason literally driving myself and im sure my husband crazy with outfit buying and packing then repacking and organizing for the big day. Im in search of the perfect sundresses and I will be happy. Did that happen to anyone else? Your life just gets totally consumed by Disney Wishing and you cannot function otherwise,I think thats why i went kinda psycho about the Big Give (sorry guys) My kids were like mommy when are we going school shopping and Im like school shopping what about Disney shopping!! But i suppose I better jump on the going back to school train too!!!!

 

[katieb4]

Yes, I thank you guys to for coming back and sharing your trip stories and offering tips. Disney dreaming beats the heck out of chemo treatments. I was thinking about this very issue myself the other day. The afterness will be a bit sad for sure.

I'm glad that Halloween is right after our trip, then the Holidays....that should help to keep the brain busy! Jan could be a little glum.

 

[angeque143]

Getting nervous...just 6 days till the BIG reveal.....ANy suggestions as towhat she should wear to the Princess tea party?!? Last minute of course because we were afraid to plan after the last fiasco!

 

[katieb4]

Getting nervous...just 6 days till the BIG reveal.....ANy suggestions as towhat she should wear to the Princess tea party?!? Last minute of course because we were afraid to plan after the last fiasco!

SPARKLE! anything you can find that swirls, twirls and sparkles! Have a blast!

 

[Owensheart]

Suggesions please:

Our trip is not until the Dec 20th But I like to plan anyway. We did schedule a Lilo Breakfast on the 21st but that is all we have planned. We need to reserve the 2nd week where we will be staying. We are trying to decide if renting a house for the 2nd week might be a better option for our family of 6.

I have a few questions. We know we will bveling during a very busy time and want to make the most of our GKTW button to cut down on waiting. Also how difficult is it to get a GAC button and what benefits does it have? Does Universal Studios, Sea World or Diney respect the GKTW button during the 2nd week.

Any suggestions appreciated.

We travel to Disneyland often and always get GAC for Owen. We tag his stroller as a wheelchair so he doesn't have to stand in long lines and he's on oxygen. If you need it, get it. It will allow you to access rides from the handicapped entrance, but it doesn't mean you get on the ride any quicker. If you dont' need the GAC and your make a wish week isu p... my best advice is to do all the rides with massive lines while you have the GKTW button and see all the characters you want to meet.

We are planning on extending for about 5 days as well and I'm not expecting the GKTW button to work any longer. We are staying on sight and are planning to take full advantage of magic morning and magic evening hours at the parks. We'll do lots of meals and soak in the holiday magic that only Disney can produce!!

During our "wish week" we'll be relaxing at GKTW, meeting all the characters and soaking up the pixie dust at the parks.

As far as hotel accomodations for six... I have no clue. I've been reading up on all the resorts at wdwinfo.com. I'm sure there is a hotel that accomodates that number of guests, but a house rental off site might be a better option. Good Luck!!

 

[kdzbear]

Suggesions please:

Our trip is not until the Dec 20th But I like to plan anyway. We did schedule a Lilo Breakfast on the 21st but that is all we have planned. We need to reserve the 2nd week where we will be staying. We are trying to decide if renting a house for the 2nd week might be a better option for our family of 6.

I have a few questions. We know we will bveling during a very busy time and want to make the most of our GKTW button to cut down on waiting. Also how difficult is it to get a GAC button and what benefits does it have? Does Universal Studios, Sea World or Diney respect the GKTW button during the 2nd week.

Any suggestions appreciated.

I think that everyone else has answered your GAC card questions. I will tell you that on a future trip I took my son's old GAC card just so I could remember what was stamped on it and they stamped a huge expired stamp on the front of it. I wanted to keep it for his scrap book too.

As for hotels that will allow 6 at Disney, there are several choices. You can stay at the suites at All Star Music, the cabins at Fort Wilderness or there are several villas in the deluxe hotels. The Music Suites would be the cheapest. The advantage to staying on property would be the extra magic hours. You could stay off property much cheaper, but they you would need a rental car. Good luck with your choice and congrats on your Wish!

 

[IrishIz]

We have been to Disney in the past...headed on a Wish trip soon.

We have always requested a pass when we get there.

We also have my daughter's special needs stroller tagged that it's to be used as a wheelchair.

We have never had a problem...well one but once we talked to guest services they were quick to fix it.

I have a son with Aspergers and lines can be an issue for him so it helps with him. My daughter (wish child) has cerebral palsy and Ehler Danlos and that can make lines and heat an issue for her. I have an older son with Ehler Danlos but he's pretty okay with lines and such. Now as he's getting older he's having more problems so I'm not so sure that lines aren't going to become an issue for him.

Disney has always been VERY accommodating to our needs. We have gone to buffets and explained that the 1 child has a feeding tube and eats about as much as a 1 year old. They have always let her eat free. I hated the idea of paying so much for food for her when she night eat a few bites. They just have always been understanding.

So for those going the first time it really is a wonderful place to go when you have special needs.

We are looking forward to my daughter's MAW trip because she is so excited to go to Give Kids the World.

 

[maroo]

I think that everyone else has answered your GAC card questions. I will tell you that on a future trip I took my son's old GAC card just so I could remember what was stamped on it and they stamped a huge expired stamp on the front of it. I wanted to keep it for his scrap book too.

As for hotels that will allow 6 at Disney, there are several choices. You can stay at the suites at All Star Music, the cabins at Fort Wilderness or there are several villas in the deluxe hotels. The Music Suites would be the cheapest. The advantage to staying on property would be the extra magic hours. You could stay off property much cheaper, but they you would need a rental car. Good luck with your choice and congrats on your Wish!

I was at a store after our trip with Lauren - her GAC card was folded in my lanyard that was hanging around my neck with all of my money in it (and keys, tickets, etc, etc) and someone in line saw the GAC. He offered me a large amount of money for it. And it was not even a wish trip GAC. It was a regular one...I say that just to sort of explain why Disney is doing that with old GAC's - people are buying them and selling them on the black market. It makes me SICK to think that there are people out there pretending to be wish families or pretending to need a regular GAC either - but someone is buying these from them, or they would not be trying so hard to buy them.

Of course, I told that guy to shove it. I was so mad!

 

[danut]

I was at a store after our trip with Lauren - her GAC card was folded in my lanyard that was hanging around my neck with all of my money in it (and keys, tickets, etc, etc) and someone in line saw the GAC. He offered me a large amount of money for it. And it was not even a wish trip GAC. It was a regular one...I say that just to sort of explain why Disney is doing that with old GAC's - people are buying them and selling them on the black market. It makes me SICK to think that there are people out there pretending to be wish families or pretending to need a regular GAC either - but someone is buying these from them, or they would not be trying so hard to buy them.

Of course, I told that guy to shove it. I was so mad!

That is unbelievable. I would stand 2 hours in every line to have a typical child. People can be so selfish. It makes me so sad.

 

[starienite]

I am think that he Wish is getting close to being approved. My dad wants to go and is paying his own way. They sent us the GKTW world papers to sign and told us to have my dad sign as well and that there are some other forms he needs to fill out. Haven't told Dev my suspicions, but I am thinking that they wouldn't bother having someone extra sign forms if they weren't sure about ours, but WDW is a pretty common wish so I can imangine they would say no to that anyway. But I am happy progress is being made.

 

[katieb4]

wow! It never occured to me that people would try to sell used GAC cards?? that is so sad!! I think I'm rather nieve sometimes.



Starienite hooray!!


I have two questions I'm hoping some recent goers might have answers for

1. I've read somewhere on Dis that GKTW sometimes has orientations in the afternoons....does anyone know if they are currently? We are coming in on a Friday and I'd hate to miss the pirates and Princess party for it, but if it needs to be done then we'll do it!

2. Seaworld, do they have a show or a something about Sesame Street right now? And if they do, and you saw it, was Grover or even better, Super Grover part of it?? Gabbie loves Super Grover, he got some of the best laughs this past winter when she was feeling really yuck. I love him just for that!

 

[maroo]

My doctor has consulted an Infertility specialist and has agreed to do a laparoscopy in partnership with another doctor. Right now, there are no instruments to do a laparoscopy for the pediatric population. There is another girl in the island, same age as me who also needs a laparoscopy. With two cases now, maybe the people will buy the instruments. My sister will maybe also need surgery and will be having a sonogram today.

My doctor says it is most likely Endometriosis. I want to be able to have kids so I want this to be treat as soon as possible. I'll update as soon as I get more info. Thanks for the prayers!

I hope they are able to get the equipment in there soon to do a Lap for peds! Please keep us posted!

We are settling in after Bridget's amazing wish trip. Somehow coming back home is just not as fun!

I have finished up all the Big Gives in our PTR and will be starting our trip report soon!

I know all of you planning trips are going to have a fabulous time. GKTW is the most amazing place and whereever we went the button brought magic. God bless all of you and your wish kiddos!

I can't wait to read your report!! Please come over here and let us know when you start it and I will put a link on the first page for us to follow!

Suggesions please:

Our trip is not until the Dec 20th But I like to plan anyway. We did schedule a Lilo Breakfast on the 21st but that is all we have planned. We need to reserve the 2nd week where we will be staying. We are trying to decide if renting a house for the 2nd week might be a better option for our family of 6.

I have a few questions. We know we will bveling during a very busy time and want to make the most of our GKTW button to cut down on waiting. Also how difficult is it to get a GAC button and what benefits does it have? Does Universal Studios, Sea World or Diney respect the GKTW button during the 2nd week.

Any suggestions appreciated.

The GAC card is already pre-issued by GKTW - so you don't have to ask for one at all! It will have a very special stamp that indicates you are a wish family.

Are you asking for the part where you are extending? I think the other posts answer that question... but I was not sure if you knew that you don't have to ask for a GAC at first...

The only you may have to ask for at Disney is a Stroller as a Wheelchair tag - if you need one! And this can be VERY useful if you use a stroller for any of your kiddos that can't walk long distances - the lines at Disney can be long, even if you are not standing in it...you still gotta walk through it.

I have no idea how it will fell after the experience, the anticipation to the buildup is whats keeping me going. Although my head is in the clouds as in cloud 9 im for some reason literally driving myself and im sure my husband crazy with outfit buying and packing then repacking and organizing for the big day. Im in search of the perfect sundresses and I will be happy. Did that happen to anyone else? Your life just gets totally consumed by Disney Wishing and you cannot function otherwise,I think thats why i went kinda psycho about the Big Give (sorry guys) My kids were like mommy when are we going school shopping and Im like school shopping what about Disney shopping!! But i suppose I better jump on the going back to school train too!!!!

YES! This happens to all of us!

It seems to me to be completely natural, as a parent of a special needs child - especially one going on a wish trip - to be looking out for your child and wanting to capture every bit of magic you can for your kids. Getting all the right stuff together, etc, is completely natural, if you ask me! (But I am not a Mom, so I could be totally wrong )

Countless people here have asked me how to sign up for The Big Give - we get asked so often that we put it on that first page...but there is a LOT to read when you get to the DISboards and I remember that feeling - like I was NEVER ever going to find my way around it - so I understand why most people don't see it until after they have asked around about it.

Plus...I don't know any parents of special needs kiddos that are not CRAZY busy! So there is precious little time to spend reading, too.

No worries!

 

[newdrama12]

1. I believe that they do. I think that it is in somewhere between 3 and 4 PM

2. SeaWorld currently has a Sesame Street show, but it is a seasonal show so it may not be performing when you are down here. It is during the summer and the holiday season. I haven't seen it, but their website just mentions Grover.

 

[livndisney]

2. Seaworld, do they have a show or a something about Sesame Street right now? And if they do, and you saw it, was Grover or even better, Super Grover part of it?? Gabbie loves Super Grover, he got some of the best laughs this past winter when she was feeling really yuck. I love him just for that!

Sea World does have a seasonal Sesame Show. Super Grover no longer appears, but Grover does. If you send me a pm with your dates, I might be able to help you a little more.