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

[brookerene]

I've found out last week that i'm going to have my wish granted to go to WWOHP.

We are still in the early process, passport details etc.....but I CANT WAIT. We will most likely be going in October and I probably spend at least 2/3hrs on the internet a day just looking at florida related things.

Because me and my family will probs never do anything like this ever again we will get our own Disney Passes. Its too big of an opportunity to waste.

I have a heart condition but luckily I can go on big coasters Its been a turbulant few yrs lots of ops some with side affects. I have fluid in my stomach. I was told in September that I will eventually need a transplant. But hopefully that wont be anytime soon. Things are starting to get better now I had op in December which strangely (with my track record) went perfectly so to hear about the wish was the icing on top of the most delicious cake in the world.

Welcome to the boards Josh.... this is the place to learn and make friends... I'm glad that you are getting your wish....One of the places we want to see is the WWOHP too! I think it'll be a great trip for you and your family. Yes icing on the cake is good! Make sure you start a PTR (look for directions on post 2) and share your story! I hope that if you have to face a transplant that it will be as far away as possible. Although they are tough, the benefits are tremendous and I think worth it. A little boy here just went through a heart transplant and is doing very well. I think he is about a year or so old. My son had a kidney transplant and is doing very well.
I am glad that you can still go on roller coasters... some of the ones in FL are pretty good from what I hear (I've only been on ones in southern california! and they were good). Thanks for sharing!

 

[Leeds-Josh]

Welcome to the boards Josh.... this is the place to learn and make friends... I'm glad that you are getting your wish....One of the places we want to see is the WWOHP too! I think it'll be a great trip for you and your family. Yes icing on the cake is good! Make sure you start a PTR (look for directions on post 2) and share your story! I hope that if you have to face a transplant that it will be as far away as possible. Although they are tough, the benefits are tremendous and I think worth it. A little boy here just went through a heart transplant and is doing very well. I think he is about a year or so old. My son had a kidney transplant and is doing very well.
I am glad that you can still go on roller coasters... some of the ones in FL are pretty good from what I hear (I've only been on ones in southern california! and they were good). Thanks for sharing!

Thanks.
Glad to hear your son is doing well. I'm 16 so i'm used to going through big procedures. Although you can never come to terms with having a transplant until after you've had it. For the time being i just look at the positives, especially the transplant games.

 

[casper_jj11]

I've found out last week that i'm going to have my wish granted to go to WWOHP.

We are still in the early process, passport details etc.....but I CANT WAIT. We will most likely be going in October and I probably spend at least 2/3hrs on the internet a day just looking at florida related things.

Because me and my family will probs never do anything like this ever again we will get our own Disney Passes. Its too big of an opportunity to waste.

I have a heart condition but luckily I can go on big coasters Its been a turbulant few yrs lots of ops some with side affects. I have fluid in my stomach. I was told in September that I will eventually need a transplant. But hopefully that wont be anytime soon. Things are starting to get better now I had op in December which strangely (with my track record) went perfectly so to hear about the wish was the icing on top of the most delicious cake in the world.

Welcome to the group! Do you know if you'll be staying at GKTW? My reason for asking is that along with tix for Universal and Islands of Adventure (where WWOHP is), you also get tix for Disney and Seaworld. We visited WWOHP when we were on dd's wish trip last August and it was truly amazing. You're going to have a wonderful trip. I've started our trip report and I've done our first day of Universal so click on the trip report link in my signature if you want an idea of Universal for wish kids.

 

[jj0plin]

Anyone ever call GKTW in advance of your trip? I read about the Cessna flights offered to wish families and it is something my husband really wants to do. I'd like to schedule it for the Saturday after we arrive (we arrive Thursday late afternoon) but I remember reading that they are only done during certain days of the week. Should I just wait to see if it's available when we get there?

 

[The Lurker]

I am sorry for the late response but I am have not been able to keep up. As to the Shuttle Launch. Depending on the cloud cover (according to the weather reports it should not be a problem on Thursday), The launch will be visible from anywhere in the Orlando area - just look directly east. It is best to have access to a radio or tv as the launch is frequently delayed and it helps to know when it actually takes off. It will take a minute or two from the actual launch to see it (you know the time for light to travel stuff - it is 45 miles away). If you want to see it, just go to some place without many trees (like a parking lot) and look east for the bright light and vapor trail. It is an amazing sight and well worth stopping and looking at. Also if you are in a public area you will probably see the locals come out and look east. Many of us never tire of the sight.

The shuttle has just launched but I am sorry to say it very cloudy, and for a good view you needed to be within 15 miles - and with the traffic, you might not have wanted to be that close. To be that close means you are willing to spend several hours (literally) in traffic. I got about a 2 second view of the trailing vapor and that was only because I knew exactly where to look.

 

[Glo's wish]

I have a quick question for those of you who have gone on your trips already. I am trying to keep the Wish expense money completely seperate from my household checking account. Have any of you done the prepaid debit cards, traveler's checks, or anything else?? What works the best????
Thanks for the help!!!

 

[brookerene]

good question

 

[Bill_Lin]

I have a quick question for those of you who have gone on your trips already. I am trying to keep the Wish expense money completely seperate from my household checking account. Have any of you done the prepaid debit cards, traveler's checks, or anything else?? What works the best????
Thanks for the help!!!

I had the same concern so we bought two prepaid debit cards to split the money. There was a fee involved, but it seemed worth it. However one our first day, when we got to SeaWorld one of the cards did not work. I was told it had expired. Needless to say, I was upset and called the company. I got a person who barely spoke English and would not transfer me. That evening, I finally reached an English speaking agent, who apologized profusely, activated the card and then waived the initial fees. My advice is that, if you get a prepaid card or cards, test them before the trip to be sure they work.

The nice thing about travellers checks is replacement if they are stolen.

 

[Bill_Lin]

Anyone ever call GKTW in advance of your trip? I read about the Cessna flights offered to wish families and it is something my husband really wants to do. I'd like to schedule it for the Saturday after we arrive (we arrive Thursday late afternoon) but I remember reading that they are only done during certain days of the week. Should I just wait to see if it's available when we get there?

It is really hard to reach the Village staff as they are so tied up focusing on serving the families who are there, but you can always try. I have never heard about the Cessna Flights before, so I can't help you there. Maybe Maroo knows something. She is very knowledgeable.

 

[Glo's wish]

I had the same concern so we bought two prepaid debit cards to split the money. There was a fee involved, but it seemed worth it. However one our first day, when we got to SeaWorld one of the cards did not work. I was told it had expired. Needless to say, I was upset and called the company. I got a person who barely spoke English and would not transfer me. That evening, I finally reached an English speaking agent, who apologized profusely, activated the card and then waived the initial fees. My advice is that, if you get a prepaid card or cards, test them before the trip to be sure they work.

The nice thing about travellers checks is replacement if they are stolen.

Thanks Bill!!!! I will absolutely test before we leave if we go the card route! If I'm reading their website correctly than American Express debit cards are replacable if lost or stolen. As for their Traveler's checks do you know if we would have trouble cashing them at Disney?
Thanks again, I really appreciate the advice!
Only 2 1/2 days to go!!!!!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Anyone ever call GKTW in advance of your trip? I read about the Cessna flights offered to wish families and it is something my husband really wants to do. I'd like to schedule it for the Saturday after we arrive (we arrive Thursday late afternoon) but I remember reading that they are only done during certain days of the week. Should I just wait to see if it's available when we get there?

I have called a few times and never had a problem. I need to call tomorrow and tell them I need an IV pole and my 02 needs.

 

[Bill_Lin]

Thanks Bill!!!! I will absolutely test before we leave if we go the card route! If I'm reading their website correctly than American Express debit cards are replacable if lost or stolen. As for their Traveler's checks do you know if we would have trouble cashing them at Disney?
Thanks again, I really appreciate the advice!
Only 2 1/2 days to go!!!!!

I would check with Disney, Universal and Sea World to be sure they take American Express. Try guest services.

 

[newdrama12]

Anyone ever call GKTW in advance of your trip? I read about the Cessna flights offered to wish families and it is something my husband really wants to do. I'd like to schedule it for the Saturday after we arrive (we arrive Thursday late afternoon) but I remember reading that they are only done during certain days of the week. Should I just wait to see if it's available when we get there?

I will be in the Village on Saturday night, so I will ask them about it and let you know.

 

[jj0plin]

I will be in the Village on Saturday night, so I will ask them about it and let you know.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[newdrama12]

Awesome, thank you!

No prob. Glad to help anyway that I can.

 

[blessedmom4]

Anyone ever call GKTW in advance of your trip? I read about the Cessna flights offered to wish families and it is something my husband really wants to do. I'd like to schedule it for the Saturday after we arrive (we arrive Thursday late afternoon) but I remember reading that they are only done during certain days of the week. Should I just wait to see if it's available when we get there?

This is something we are interested in as well. This is the info I have on it.

Make The Adventure of Flight Part of Your Next GKTW Wish!
Starting this month Give Kids The World will offer an amazing air adventure to our Wish families. Wish families will be given the opportunity to fly high above Central Florida’s best-loved attractions including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and, of course, Give Kids The World Village. These personal air tours, provided by Mauiva Air Tours, will be 45 minutes to an hour long.
This unique opportunity gives Wish families an aerial view from beautiful Cessna planes which will seat the pilot, the Wish child and two additional guests, one of which must be an adult. The families depart from Kissimmee Gateway Airport and will receive a DVD of their flight experience to take home.
Because of the high demand, this experience should be booked before Wish families’ arrival to Give Kids The World. Please note because of the nature of this activity, some restrictions may apply. Contact your Village Vacation Planning agent to sign your families up for this amazing opportunity.

 

[jj0plin]

This is something we are interested in as well. This is the info I have on it.

Make The Adventure of Flight Part of Your Next GKTW Wish!
Starting this month Give Kids The World will offer an amazing air adventure to our Wish families. Wish families will be given the opportunity to fly high above Central Florida’s best-loved attractions including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and, of course, Give Kids The World Village. These personal air tours, provided by Mauiva Air Tours, will be 45 minutes to an hour long.
This unique opportunity gives Wish families an aerial view from beautiful Cessna planes which will seat the pilot, the Wish child and two additional guests, one of which must be an adult. The families depart from Kissimmee Gateway Airport and will receive a DVD of their flight experience to take home.
Because of the high demand, this experience should be booked before Wish families’ arrival to Give Kids The World. Please note because of the nature of this activity, some restrictions may apply. Contact your Village Vacation Planning agent to sign your families up for this amazing opportunity.

Wow, great info!! Thanks!

 

[wishin' on a star]

I have a quick question for those of you who have gone on your trips already. I am trying to keep the Wish expense money completely seperate from my household checking account. Have any of you done the prepaid debit cards, traveler's checks, or anything else?? What works the best????
Thanks for the help!!!

Hi Jeannie! OUr chapter gave us an envelope full of travellers cheques for our expense money. I know they are all different. We had absolutely no trouble cashing them anywhere, even the smaller food carts and counter service restaurants at Disney. DH and I each signed some of them beforehand, so if we split up, either one of us would have the ability to spend them. We made sure to bring our ID with us to the park, but no one ever really asked for it, or watched us sign them in their presence. If you have $100 travellers cheques, once you break them, then you have the cash in hand to give to whoever is buying. It was a great way to go, IMO.

 

[brookerene]

Disney accepts AMEX trav checks... and card... at least they did when I worked at DL and I'm sure they still do.....I've been debating on whether or not to do Travellers checks. I was thinking that the prepaid debit cards might have some additional fees on them and it's hard to know how much is left on them too. Altyposo been trying to figure how much to take with us and how much to leave at GKTW. I bought my husband a little pouch to carry money under his shirt because I don't know how much is stolen or lost there by people!

 

[Mom2Miracles]

I have called a few times and never had a problem. I need to call tomorrow and tell them I need an IV pole and my 02 needs.

Wouldn't you arrange that through your Wish co-ordinator? I know our Wish co-ordinator asked us what, if any, medical supplies we needed.

I have some questions on my PTR about booking Character meals, if some of you can pop over and offer an opinion, i'd appreciate it.