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

[tinytreasures]

Bill_Lin congrats on your training you will get wonderful

Mary I can't wait to read your updates

 

[chelleydi77]

I got a call from one of the MAW volunteers today. We got two sets of tentative dates! They are still waiting for Hannah's docs approval, but they wanted to make sure that there was room at GKTW since we wanted to go before summer.

Either the last week in April (first choice) or first week in May (second choice!)!

YAY!!!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Lhea's wish trip is just a little over a month away. I would love for her to have some sort of countdown calander. BUT I am the least creative and least crafty person on the earth . I am hoping someone has a link to something I could just print off from the internet. If you know of anything please send me the link.

I have seen a few suggestions, but here is another one (it is always nice to have choices)

When we went I used my Cricut to cut out mickey heads, put numbers on them, and rubber cemented them to a poster board (rubber cement is easy to pull off the board, I have also seen people use putty). That being said, not every one owns a cricut, Home Depot has paint chips with Mickey heads on them. You can also pick which ever colors you like best. I than had the kids pull off the mickey head for each day. It worked out great and we kept some of the mickey heads for our scrap books.

Very exciting that you have only a little over a month to do!!!

 

[maroo]

Yahoooo!!!!! I am not on facebook and wouldn't even begin to know how to twitter! Yes, I am old and technologically challenged! I hope you all have the most wonderful trip in the world, full of fun, sunshine and NO rain...and if you DO have rain, don't forget to dance in it! (as my new friend Lisa likes to remind us...and I have said it for years as well....)Praying for health and strength and LOW crowds!!!! I know I say it a lot but, I wish I had a Maroo in my life! Lauren and family are fortunate to have you...as I know you feel fortunate to have them...they truly are blessed to have you in their corner! I will be thinking about you!!! HAVE FUN!!!!

You are so sweet!!!! And those kind words hit me just at the right time tonight.

We are supposed to be leaving tomorrow and we are so far from ready...

I won't get into it - but I was so frustrated tonight and decided to hop on here one last time before I am out for a while - and there is your sweet note -

Thank you so much!!

 

[blessedmom4]

You are so sweet!!!! And those kind words hit me just at the right time tonight.

We are supposed to be leaving tomorrow and we are so far from ready...

I won't get into it - but I was so frustrated tonight and decided to hop on here one last time before I am out for a while - and there is your sweet note -

Thank you so much!!

I am happy I could give something back to YOU for a change! No need to share, just know I am praying for you and lifting you up. I hope and BELIEVE things will settle down and you will be on your way to a wonderful, magic-filled week. God is so good, He often gives me the words and the timing and for that I am grateful. HUGS!!! Safe Travels!!! And I will be thinking of you all!!!

 

[PenelopeL]

I hope it's okay to ask this in this thread. We are getting ready to go on My son's wish trip, and it just occurred to me that he has never been to the beach, but has always asked what it was. This would be the perfect opportunity to get a little beach time in, since I'm pretty sure it will be a few years before another opportunity to go to the beach comes along. With that in mind, can anyone recommend a nearby beach (or the closest possible one) that would be a good place to take the kids while we are in Florida?

 

[xanphylus]

I hope it's okay to ask this in this thread. We are getting ready to go on My son's wish trip, and it just occurred to me that he has never been to the beach, but has always asked what it was. This would be the perfect opportunity to get a little beach time in, since I'm pretty sure it will be a few years before another opportunity to go to the beach comes along. With that in mind, can anyone recommend a nearby beach (or the closest possible one) that would be a good place to take the kids while we are in Florida?

You can always ask any question! There are lots of beaches you can go to near GKTW. I am just not sure of which ones.... lol. I will let the FL natives and those who have been on trips answer that one!

 

[jj0plin]

I hope it's okay to ask this in this thread. We are getting ready to go on My son's wish trip, and it just occurred to me that he has never been to the beach, but has always asked what it was. This would be the perfect opportunity to get a little beach time in, since I'm pretty sure it will be a few years before another opportunity to go to the beach comes along. With that in mind, can anyone recommend a nearby beach (or the closest possible one) that would be a good place to take the kids while we are in Florida?

Copied from the Village Guide:
Cocoa beach 1 hour away
Melbourne beach 1 hour
Sarasota beach 2 hours (I love this area!)
Siesta Key 2 hours

 

[blessedmom4]

I have been to Daytona, Clearwater (in-laws used to have a condo there) and Cocoa Beach. (Also, West Palm Beach, see below).

My opinion, FWIW~

Daytona was fun but crowded with LOTS of high school and college students...definitely a party beach, but nice. You can drive onto the sand and it takes about 50 to 55 minutes from Disney.

I LOVE Clearwater Beach, the water was calm, as was the beach itself...quiet, family oriented...the drive from Disney was always a bear, IMO, average drive was 2.5 to 3 hours due to traffic/construction.

Cocoa Beach...Beautiful, pristine and quiet. It was about an hour drive from Disney and my biggest complaint was the tolls. I am from NC and I am not used to that.

I posted the above info several months ago, I hope it helps.

At that time I forgot to include I had also been to West Palm Beach when I was on the Flight Team...I have no idea how far it is from Orlando; but the area I was in was beautiful and VERY expensive! I hope this helps.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I hope it's okay to ask this in this thread. We are getting ready to go on My son's wish trip, and it just occurred to me that he has never been to the beach, but has always asked what it was. This would be the perfect opportunity to get a little beach time in, since I'm pretty sure it will be a few years before another opportunity to go to the beach comes along. With that in mind, can anyone recommend a nearby beach (or the closest possible one) that would be a good place to take the kids while we are in Florida?

We are going to the Daytona Beach..which is about a 1 hour drive. The only reason why we are going here is that I want take a tour of the Daytona Speedway. I heard Coco(I think thats the name) beach was really nice. I think it's about a 1 hour 15 min drive. These both are on the Atlantic Ocean. I heard the Gulf shore was a little bit nicer. Clear Water Was really nice, but it's about a 2 hour drive.
We live 1 hour from the Pacific Ocean, so we need to see the Alantic.

 

[mommy2girlswv]

I have decided I am going to do a LIVE Trip Report for this upcoming trip!

We leave tomorrow (Friday the 11th) and will be in the parks on Sunday through Friday.

My plan (and this is the first time I have attempted this!) is to have simultaneous updates on my Twitter account and FB account.

I have an iPhone app that will let me upload a picture and short status at one time to both. These will show up as a short comment and a link to a picture. Unfortunately, you will have to click on the link to the picture - even on the FB statuses.

At the end of each day, I hope to upload all of the pics from that day to my FB (album called Disney Spring Break 2011) so that you can see them all without clicking a bunch of links.

Of course, I will be taking more "real" pictures with the camera and such that I will post later on some sort of TR, too!


If you want to follow my Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/maroo268

If you want to follow my FB: http://www.facebook.com/maroo - Please, on all friend requests, put your user name so that I know who I am friending.

We are hoping to have a great time!!

Have a safe trip and have fun!!!

 

[jj0plin]

I just posted two more awesome Big Gives, please come check them out!

 

[brookerene]

I just found out about a photography mission that provides portraiture for families with children or others who are fighting illness or have overcome them, etc.... it is www.themapleleafmission.com. They are a Canadian group that also has photographers in the states.... I recommend checking it out.

 

[HeatherSP]

Come on over to Lhea's PTR and see what is in the box

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Should we bring heavy jackets with us or is light jackets ok? So far I see all high 70s and low 80s during the day, but nights looks a little chilly. I hate to drag big jackets.

 

[blessedmom4]

Should we bring heavy jackets with us or is light jackets ok? So far I see all high 70s and low 80s during the day, but nights looks a little chilly. I hate to drag big jackets.

Are you used to warmer weather where you live? Could you layer, with light jackets? I personally would bring gloves! (Voice of experience here).

 

[blessedmom4]

Come on over to Lhea's PTR and see what is in the box

How cute she looks, that box is as big as her!

 

[blessedmom4]

I just posted two more awesome Big Gives, please come check them out!

Can't wait to see them!

I just found out about a photography mission that provides portraiture for families with children or others who are fighting illness or have overcome them, etc.... it is www.themapleleafmission.com. They are a Canadian group that also has photographers in the states.... I recommend checking it out.

Thank you for sharing Brooke!

Have a safe trip and have fun!!!

I clicked on Maroo's link on Christian's FB account and could see her wall...in case there are any other's that don't facebook...

 

[wbh1964]

Just curious, how long does it take "usually" between when a child is referred for Make a Wish and when the wish is granted? I know there is probably a huge variation but just curious how long in general. I am referring my 15 yr old dd but I am not telling her until I hear back from MAW...I don't want to get her hopes up in case she is turned down
Thanks!

 

[PenelopeL]

Copied from the Village Guide:
Cocoa beach 1 hour away
Melbourne beach 1 hour
Sarasota beach 2 hours (I love this area!)
Siesta Key 2 hours

I have been to Daytona, Clearwater (in-laws used to have a condo there) and Cocoa Beach. (Also, West Palm Beach, see below).

My opinion, FWIW~

Daytona was fun but crowded with LOTS of high school and college students...definitely a party beach, but nice. You can drive onto the sand and it takes about 50 to 55 minutes from Disney.

I LOVE Clearwater Beach, the water was calm, as was the beach itself...quiet, family oriented...the drive from Disney was always a bear, IMO, average drive was 2.5 to 3 hours due to traffic/construction.

Cocoa Beach...Beautiful, pristine and quiet. It was about an hour drive from Disney and my biggest complaint was the tolls. I am from NC and I am not used to that.

I posted the above info several months ago, I hope it helps.

At that time I forgot to include I had also been to West Palm Beach when I was on the Flight Team...I have no idea how far it is from Orlando; but the area I was in was beautiful and VERY expensive! I hope this helps.

We are going to the Daytona Beach..which is about a 1 hour drive. The only reason why we are going here is that I want take a tour of the Daytona Speedway. I heard Coco(I think thats the name) beach was really nice. I think it's about a 1 hour 15 min drive. These both are on the Atlantic Ocean. I heard the Gulf shore was a little bit nicer. Clear Water Was really nice, but it's about a 2 hour drive.
We live 1 hour from the Pacific Ocean, so we need to see the Alantic.

jj0plin, blessedmom4, and Mom2mitokids: thank you so much for all your input! It looks like we will most likely be going to Cocoa Beach. I'm not really a fan of high school and college crowds (ironic, I know), and everything else is just a little too far away for our schedule. If we get there though, and decide to take extra time off for the beach, Clearwater Beach sounds like it would be perfect, so I'll petition for that. Thanks again!