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

[blessedmom4]

Which is a lot different from last Monday when we had 9 medical/dental appointments. I only have three to reschedule from today's bad weather. The good news is, I have time to actually post the MANY questions I have. If anyone has a moment to visit Lisa's PTR and provide some advice, I would be so thankful!

 

[blessedmom4]

Anybody been to GKTW mid-Ocotber? Did you swim? Was it cold? Thank you for any answers!

 

[LindaBabe]

Fairy Grandma is now sailing west from Aruba, toward the Panama Canal. Yesterday, I found the missing postcards and will mail them to the kids from DISNEYLAND, on the 22nd. SO worry for the delay!

 

[maroo]

I hope I am posting this in the right place! I had the pleasure of being one of the members of the very first wish trip threads back in 2007- (Eeyore's mom) and our family took a MAW trip in Jan. of 2008. I have not been back on Disboards in a very long time (years). Recently my best friend found out her 8 year old daughter has a non-operative brain tumor and the prognosis is grim. They have been granted a MAW trip and will be traveling to WDW in a just a few weeks (almost 3 years to the date that we were there). I love that I have the experience to draw on and share with her some of the highlights and don't miss things but in all honesty I know things have probably changed a lot in 3 years. I was also traveling with 3 boys and she just has the 1 daughter and her desires are different. One of her request is to dine with the princesses - I know this can be done at the magic kingdom and I think at Epcot but I would love some advice on what you all would recommend. This was such an awesome source of advice and friendship for our trip and I am so thankful that this DIS community still exsists.

Welcome back!! I saw that you got lots of good answers...so I will just say... back!!!

we are trying to figure out budget for our trip. does anyone know how much money MAW sends for expenses etc? We are more than willing to pay our own way but would like to budget as tight as possible.

To tell the truth.. from what i've read ... every MAW chapter is different... and depending on the number of people....one family of three said they got $825 some have said 1500... so I think it can be anywhere.... I think the best bet is to call your wish granter and ask.....I would budget for a lower amount and if you get more then great! That's what I am planning to do... budget for the least amount I'll need and then if it's more then go from there...

This is exactly right. And I have heard from families that got LESS and those that got twice as much...so it really, really varies.

I tell the families to plan 3 budgets...

One that is very tight and has no extras, one that has has EVERYTHING you want to do if you had all the money in the world, and one that is in between...so that you have a good idea of how you want to spread it out.

Don't forget gas and such.

Anybody been to GKTW mid-Ocotber? Did you swim? Was it cold? Thank you for any answers!

We were there Oct 3-9, 2008 and we swam. I know the Disney resort pools are heated...but not sure about GKTW pools. (We were staying on property since GKTW was full).

I think the weather varies that time of year, but it is usually pretty warm and good weather to swim.

Fairy Grandma is now sailing west from Aruba, toward the Panama Canal. Yesterday, I found the missing postcards and will mail them to the kids from DISNEYLAND, on the 22nd. SO worry for the delay!

woo hoo!!!!!

 

[blessedmom4]

We were there Oct 3-9, 2008 and we swam. I know the Disney resort pools are heated...but not sure about GKTW pools. (We were staying on property since GKTW was full).

I think the weather varies that time of year, but it is usually pretty warm and good weather to swim.

THANK YOU SO MUCH MAROO!!! Lisa REALLY wants to swim at GKTW. I know families are able to go back to visit GKTW in the future if they ever get to go back to Florida on their own. Do you know if they able to swim on those return trips?

I have quite a few more questions posted on Lisa's PTR, should I post them here instead? I didn't know if it was better to ask on our thread or here...I welcome any and all responses, Thank you

 

[syammt]

Anybody been to GKTW mid-Ocotber? Did you swim? Was it cold? Thank you for any answers!

We were there this past Oct at the end of the month and it was absolutly hot enough to swim. We were in shorts the whole time. Hope this helps.

 

[luvmygrlz3]

Definitely. The emh are almost always the busiest park of the day. Crowds will be much lower in other parks.

I'm glad you asked this brookerene...I was thinking EMH would just give us more time at the parks, but I think I'd rather avoid the crowds. When are you guys going again? (I saw it on another thread but I can't remember at the moment...)

 

[luvmygrlz3]

Hello! I actually searched "most romantic restaurants in WDW" for a lark, and found this:

The Disney Sweetheart Dinner for Two

Disney even has a special Sweetheart Dinner for Two package. Included is a 3 course fixed price meal at a Signature Dining Restaurant. The meal includes an appetizer, entrée and a shared celebratory dessert. You’ll also appreciate a specially selected beverage in 2 commemorative etched champagne flutes which are yours to keep as a commemoration of your special dinner.

The Sweetheart Dinner for 2 is available at Citricos, Narcoossee’s, California Grill, Jiko, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Flying Fish, Artist Point, and Hollywood Brown Derby.

The price is $150 for all participating Signature Dining locations except California Grill; $170 at California Grill. Tax and Gratuity are extra.


Here's a link to info on the WDW website: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/sweetheart-dinner-for-two/

We've eaten at Cali Grill, Narcoossee's, Citrico's and Artist Point. All were delicious. The reason I recommend the first two are that there are lots of kids at both (Artist Point OK too, fewer at Citrico's). Cali Grill & Narcoossee's are not terribly quiet - a good or bad thing depending on what you are looking for. We were concerned about our boys being a bit loud when we first went (they are twins and they were 8 at the time). Both have kids menu's beyond the usual mac & cheese (like steak, salmon, grilled chicken, as well as the mac & cheese which seems to be everywhere!). Cali Grill features sushi among lots of other things and has the cutest dessert for the kids: dessert sushi made with rice krispie squares shaped like sushi -uses fruit gummies for the "fish", fruit roll-ups for "seaweed" and chocolate sauce for the "soy" sauce. The boys have put Cali Grill on the top of their list for each of our 2 other trips and are bummed we won't get there when we are at WDW for 2 nights pre-cruise in March.

The other appeal for these restaurants is fireworks viewing if you can manage. If need be, call and explain about the Wish Trip (they "pixie-dusted" our table and made sure we had a window seat at Cali Grill). Cali Grill is on the 15th (16th?) floor at the COntemporary, and has an observation deck with a unique view of the MK. It's a fabulous view of the Wishes fireworks, music piped in...has been a special moment of our trips. Narcoossee's is at the ferry dock at the Grand Floridian - a lovely boat ride away from MK. For Wishes, restaurant patrons are invited to step outside to a private deck to watch Wishes, music piped in etc.

In both cases, they lower the lights and pipe the music inside as well, I think...but we always want to be outside!

I am sure there are romantic options at Epcot, but our better meals there have been at Coral Reef (not romantic to me, but maybe being with 3 guys affects this!), Rose & Crown (I won't do a pub for an anniversary, but it's good) and TeppenEdo (yummy, but you'll be seated at a teppan/Cooking table with a total of up to 8. When we were there we helped a mother celebrate her birthday which was fun, but not necessarily romantic.

We love Cali Grill and Narcoossee's for "nicer but not stuffy and it is kid-friendly" atmospheres, the wider range of kids options yet still very kid appropriate menus - while we get delicious options on the main menus...and fantastic firworks options!

I'd take a look at the menu's and see what you think - and who knows...maybe this Sweetheart deal is for you...or do your own thing but make sure they know this is your own celebration within the Wish celebration. We did something special for one meal during Mark's Wish Trip - celebrating Douglas being such a great brother. There were some unique things that Coral Reef used to be able to do with menu and the divers, together with great seating and extra special attention to the "non-Wish" child. It helped Doulgas understand that while this was Mark's Wish Trip, he is very special too...helped a lot given that they are twins.

Happy deciding!
Alison

That is some AWESOME information!

 

[brookerene]

I'm glad you asked this brookerene...I was thinking EMH would just give us more time at the parks, but I think I'd rather avoid the crowds. When are you guys going again? (I saw it on another thread but I can't remember at the moment...)

April 18th - 24th barring any unforseen circumstances!

 

[luvmygrlz3]

April 18th - 24th barring any unforseen circumstances!

Oh wow! You will be there during my birthday!! (April 23)...I'll keep my fingers, toes, and anything else that can be crossed for you guys! I bet that time of year will be beautiful! We go the first week of March. I've been trying to find on here those who have been around that time of year to see if it's very rainy, cold, HOT, etc. I have found the Disney sites that tell you there "typical" weather but I like to read others opinions too. LOL...

 

[brookerene]

I was wondering if any of you have taken an SLR to DW....I'm planning on taking mine..but I have been debating on saving for a P&S, I just hate the shutter lag on P&S......also...how are memory Cards on with the airport security? Do you have them check the camera by hand or send it through the machine? I would hate to have something happen to my memory cards/photos....or camera (I make part of our income with that camera!)

 

[luvmygrlz3]

I was wondering if any of you have taken an SLR to DW....I'm planning on taking mine..but I have been debating on saving for a P&S, I just hate the shutter lag on P&S......also...how are memory Cards on with the airport security? Do you have them check the camera by hand or send it through the machine? I would hate to have something happen to my memory cards/photos....or camera (I make part of our income with that camera!)

I don't think I'm going to be much help, but I do know that I sent my camera through the scanner and my memory card was fine. I didn't have any problems. But I also have an older Olympus camera. We plan to get a nicer P&S before our trip. I would love opinions on really good "easy to use" cameras if you have any!

 

[that's nice]

Anybody been to GKTW mid-Ocotber? Did you swim? Was it cold? Thank you for any answers!

We've been in Florida in October and I would say it is definitely warm enough to swim. The pool at GKTW is heated too.

This is exactly right. And I have heard from families that got LESS and those that got twice as much...so it really, really varies.

I tell the families to plan 3 budgets...

One that is very tight and has no extras, one that has has EVERYTHING you want to do if you had all the money in the world, and one that is in between...so that you have a good idea of how you want to spread it out.

Don't forget gas and such.

We got less but we also had the princess tea at the GF booked though MAW. I'm not sure if that was part of spending money or not? If you eat breakfast (or any meal) at GKTW that will save you lots of money. Also if you are eating CS meals at Disney they are big enough to split. So you shouldn't need 4 meals.... you can probably order 2 or 3 meals and save some money there.(this answer is mostly directed at the OP not you Mary! LOL)

We were there Oct 3-9, 2008 and we swam. I know the Disney resort pools are heated...but not sure about GKTW pools. (We were staying on property since GKTW was full).

If I can swim in the pool at GKTW when it is 65 degrees out in December, they can swim in October.

I was wondering if any of you have taken an SLR to DW....I'm planning on taking mine..but I have been debating on saving for a P&S, I just hate the shutter lag on P&S......also...how are memory Cards on with the airport security? Do you have them check the camera by hand or send it through the machine? I would hate to have something happen to my memory cards/photos....or camera (I make part of our income with that camera!)

Your bag does through the metal detector but your cards are fine. My cards (and camera) have gone through numerous times with no problems. I don't bring a DSLR because I don't want to carry it around all day but every other person has a DSLR so you wouldn't be the only one.

 

[brookerene]

I don't think I'm going to be much help, but I do know that I sent my camera through the scanner and my memory card was fine. I didn't have any problems. But I also have an older Olympus camera. We plan to get a nicer P&S before our trip. I would love opinions on really good "easy to use" cameras if you have any!

I recommend doing some research when looking into a new camera. A camera is an important investment in memories...I often go to BHPhotovideo.com and look at their P&S or SLR cams and read the reviews on the cameras... I look at people's comments about low light....what they thought the pros and cons are....if the review says poor low light performance...then I'll avoid that model...or if it mentions bad shutter lag.. I'll avoid that one...sometimes I'll even look at other forums that review cameras...but it's been a while so I can't recommend any of those... I also, when possible, like to try them out. Although where I live, it is rare that I can. I would recommend not buying the first one that you can afford...if you can save a little to get a better one... then do it... to tell the truth you will not find a good camera for under 150-200....also don't base a purchase on how many megapixels it has...just because one has 12 and the other has 8 doesn't make them better megapixels.... for most people 8 does great. It's the quality of the chips that matter.

Ooops I'm ranting... LOL!

 

[jj0plin]

I posted this in my PTR but thought I'd post it here too, in case people who aren't reading there have answers to my questions

I just received a packet from Make A Wish! It really makes this seem a little more real In the packet was a parents guide that explained how wishes go, info on what I need to provide, plus had the contact info of our Wish Granting Volunteers. It also had a wooden star in it for Elliot to decorate. It said he can "either decorate the star prior to meeting with the wish granters or for that special day when they visit you so they and your child can design the star." It went on to say that the star will be used to thank volunteers, donors and special friends of the foundation.

Anyone else ever get the wooden star in advance to decorate?

Did you have your child do it before, or with the wish granters?

 

[blessedmom4]

We were there this past Oct at the end of the month and it was absolutly hot enough to swim. We were in shorts the whole time. Hope this helps.

This helps a great deal, THANK YOU! It is good to have some idea how warm it might be from someone who has experienced it.

We've been in Florida in October and I would say it is definitely warm enough to swim. The pool at GKTW is heated too.

If I can swim in the pool at GKTW when it is 65 degrees out in December, they can swim in October.

Special Thanks to you as well Tim, it is wonderful to hear the pool at GKTW is heated! Three of my four children have major medical issues and, unfortunately, temperature (hot and cold) can cause issues. A warm pool will make a huge difference if they can swim or not, especially for my sweet Wish Princess .

SIXTY FIVE DEGREES and outside swimming??? Not me, that sounds like torture.

I still have more questions posted on Lisa's PTR...should I post them here as well? Thanks everyone! I know we have been hanging around off and on for a long time trying to get to this wish trip...trust me when I say, no one wants us to be gone more than me!

 

[MitoDadMO]

I was wondering if any of you have taken an SLR to DW....I'm planning on taking mine..but I have been debating on saving for a P&S, I just hate the shutter lag on P&S......also...how are memory Cards on with the airport security? Do you have them check the camera by hand or send it through the machine? I would hate to have something happen to my memory cards/photos....or camera (I make part of our income with that camera!)

I totally plan on taking my SLR plus a P&S and a HD Video cam.

 

[luvmygrlz3]

I posted this on my page but figured I'd post it here as well to get as much advice/answers as possible. Thank you in advance!!!

1. As far as packing goes, I am trying to travel with the least amount of stuff as possible. Khelsey IS in diapers and needs wipes too. I am worried about the "weight" limit on luggage if we were to pack her diapers...I was thinking about shipping her diapers but how far in advance should we ship them? Would you ship or just pack them in her suitcase?

2. Anyone wanna share their favs at Seaworld? We have YET to even look into things to do...we've been concentrating on MK and the others! I KNOW Khelsey will love Seaworld...she loves aquariums, fish, etc. I have no idea what to expect there.

3. Which nightime firework display is your favorite and why? My DH and I are so overwhelmed with all that there is to do at the parks and we have no idea what is a "must do" or "must see". I'd love to hear your opinions. We are doing some booking and planning tonight! YAY!!!

4. With Akershus dining- do you recommend breakfast, lunch or dinner? Is there a difference in time with the princesses? Is there any way to guarantee Cinderella being there at any particular time? (Kaylie's fav)...What other Character dining do you recommend, maybe for the classic characters?

5. Also, BBB for the little girls...have any of you guys done this? What is the best way to go? I just want to do all that is possible but I don't want to overbook...so any advice on any of this is SOOOO welcomed.
Thank you!

 

[kailatilear]

2. Anyone wanna share their favs at Seaworld? We have YET to even look into things to do...we've been concentrating on MK and the others! I KNOW Khelsey will love Seaworld...she loves aquariums, fish, etc. I have no idea what to expect there.

3. Which nightime firework display is your favorite and why? My DH and I are so overwhelmed with all that there is to do at the parks and we have no idea what is a "must do" or "must see". I'd love to hear your opinions. We are doing some booking and planning tonight! YAY!!!

I just want to do all that is possible but I don't want to overbook...so any advice on any of this is SOOOO welcomed.
Thank you!

I am watching the answers to these too, as I was having some of the same questions.

 

[blessedmom4]

I posted this on my page but figured I'd post it here as well to get as much advice/answers as possible. Thank you in advance!!!


4. With Akershus dining- do you recommend breakfast, lunch or dinner? Is there a difference in time with the princesses? Is there any way to guarantee Cinderella being there at any particular time? (Kaylie's fav)...What other Character dining do you recommend, maybe for the classic characters?

I am looking forward to the answers to the other questions; however, I wanted to jump in here on this one. We were fortunate to dine at Akerhus back in 2007 (so things DEFINITELY may have changed); however, we LOVED their breakfast. We picked that meal because we felt the children would be more inclined to eat the breakfast foods, vs the foods we saw that were listed served for lunch and dinner...my guys would enjoy that type of food, none of the girls (Myself included) would have. Also, we had Ressies before the park opened and that was SO COOL to be able to enter early! Just our experience...

We saw Jasmine, Snow White and Belle later in the day and they remembered meeting us at the restauant earlier...that made MY Princesses smile We were told the Princesses were hit or miss if they would be there when we dined...we especially "needed" to meet Belle for Lisa. This is what we were told about Cinderella:

Cinderella makes occasional appearances. Your best chance for seeing Cinderella is at Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast held each morning in Magic Kingdom or Cinderella's Gala Feast each evening at the Grand Floridian.