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

[mommy2girlswv]

what time does GKTW start serving breakfast in the morning? I am an early bird and want to get the fam to the park early before the crowds.

Here is GKTW guidebook and list times

http://www.gktw.org/cc_eblast/winter10/2village_guide_marchapril_web10.pdf

 

[cmgsykes]

Try to book your character dining early! If you daughters like princesses you might want to look at Akerhaus (sp?), I think it is at Epcot, it is a major princess dining deal. We are doing Chef Mickey with our boys.

One thing you might want to look into for your son is the Pirate League at Magic Kingdom. They transform you into a pirate with makeup etc. Our entire group is doing this.

We go on our wish trip in three days. So any questions please ask. a good website for planning what parks on what days is easywdw.com. He has statistical calendars with what parts are going to be less crowded on what days. His info is free for public use unlike some other sites.

Thanks so much for the helpful advice!! The pirate league sounds like lots of fun and I know they would love that!! How exciting to be leaving in 3 days!! We were originally going December 28, but Griff got sick and was hospitalized over Christmas and we rescheduled for April. Although we were excited about being there New Year's, I'm looking forward to being there when it's warm, so we can hopefully enjoy the waterparks....which is another thing I need advice on!! Thanks again for your help and have fun on your trip!!!

 

[cmgsykes]

Very exciting stuff! There appear to be quite a few Character Dining options at the various parks. Most are at Disney, including several princess ones--Cinderella's Castle, Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare, My Perfect Princess Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare, as well as the one in Epcot that was already mentioned. There's also a Wonderland Tea (which I believe is free?) at 1900 Park Fare.

However, I have read that there is also a Character Dining at Universal Studios that features Spiderman. I have no idea whether or not it a good interaction and/or meal, but something to consider!

From what I understand, booking ahead of time is key for character dining (upwards of 180 days is recommended), but even if you are short on time, give them a call. You never know when a last-minute cancellation will open up!

Best of luck!

Thanks so much!! We are really excited and I'm so afraid I'm going to miss something!! Thanks for the info on Spiderman dining - I will look into that! I asked Make-a-Wish about the Character Dining and they did say it was up to us to plan it...do you know if I do that online or do I call them...I sure hope we can do it on such short notice. Thanks again!!

 

[cmgsykes]

I know EXACTLY how you feel!

I started mine right before we had our meeting with the grant volunteers! We still don't have confirmation of dates or anything, still waiting on Hannah's doc's approval.
I'm sorry to hear about your son, but I'm so thrilled that MAW is working so quickly for you? Do you know when in April you are going to go? Our tentative dates are the last week in April (second choice was first week in May).

Start a PTR so we can get to know Griff and your family!

Thanks so much!! We are leaving April 30!! We were originally going Dec 28, but Griff was hospitalized due to fever and high counts over Christmas but I'm excited about going when it's warmer, because all of the kids are excited about the waterparks!! What is a PTR? I'm still trying to figure everything out!!!

 

[MitoDadMO]

Here is the webpage for dining reservations

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/

Thanks so much!! We are really excited and I'm so afraid I'm going to miss something!! Thanks for the info on Spiderman dining - I will look into that! I asked Make-a-Wish about the Character Dining and they did say it was up to us to plan it...do you know if I do that online or do I call them...I sure hope we can do it on such short notice. Thanks again!!

 

[cmgsykes]

Thanks!! I'll check it out!! And I think I've figured out what a PTR is!!!

 

[Perrinsmommy]

We are having Perrin's meeting with the volunteers tomorrow!!!! It is starting to feel real! I am so nervous!

 

[HeatherSP]

A very busy post man! Today we got 4 Big gives!!! We have been hugely blessed!!! (is hugely a word? ) Stop by Lhea's PTR and see the wonderful gifts!

 

[LVMom23]

We are having Perrin's meeting with the volunteers tomorrow!!!! It is starting to feel real! I am so nervous!

How exciting!!! I can't wait to hear all about it

 

[Perrinsmommy]

How exciting!!! I can't wait to hear all about it

THANKS!!!! I will be posting pics and everything tomorrow night

 

[chelleydi77]

We are having Perrin's meeting with the volunteers tomorrow!!!! It is starting to feel real! I am so nervous!

How exciting!!!!

 

[Perrinsmommy]

How exciting!!!!

THANKS!!! He wants to go to WDW for Star Wars weekend in June, so hopefully that can be done! Fingers crossed!

 

[Tonyababyrn]

We are having Perrin's meeting with the volunteers tomorrow!!!! It is starting to feel real! I am so nervous!

Don't be nervous! Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[Tonyababyrn]

THANKS!!! He wants to go to WDW for Star Wars weekend in June, so hopefully that can be done! Fingers crossed!

That's when we are planning too--the weekend of June 10-12. Maybe we will be there at the same time.

 

[Perrinsmommy]

That's when we are planning too--the weekend of June 10-12. Maybe we will be there at the same time.

That would be AWESOME! He loves to hang out with fellow star wars fans!

 

[Bill_Lin]

I Have a question about the GAC and our group. How will the GAC work with rides that Kade would not normally be able to ride, like Rock 'n Rollercoaster? Will we be allowed to jump the line even if he does not ride a ride?

Although the official policy (which thread officials are required to let you know about) is that the GAC/ GAP is only for the wish child. In the experience of many of us, Cast or Team members are very likely to allow the extra magic to fall in this way. At the very least, you will find fast pass to be a big help. You can also check out wdwinfo.com and other websites to figure out the best time for high demand thrill rides (like during fireworks shows, parades and meal times). There are free sites where you can have line wait times sent to your cell phone in real time.

 

[Bill_Lin]

Hi everyone! I am not sure if I'm posting in the right spot?! My little boy Griff has been granted a Wish trip to Disney World in April and we are all beyond excited!! Griff is 5 years old and was diagnosed with Leukemia last March. We also have two little girls (who love princesses) Addison, 4, and, Ansley, 2. Griff is most excited about meeting his favorite superhero, Spiderman, at Universal Studios. Any help in planning our trip is most appreciated, especially in scheduling Character Dining. Thanks so much!!!

We all look forward to helping you out with planning. WELCOME!

For character meals, you will likely need to make reservations yourself.... the sooner the better.

 

[Bill_Lin]

Now I'm wondering, should I be making reservations for character dining too then now if we are tentatively going the end of April? For some reason, I thought MAW was able to do that for us. (If they don't, I'm glad to find out now!)

Yes.... make reservations right away. Many of these fill up fast. If they are full try another one. If that does not work, call Guest Services. We even asked the day we arrived at MK and got in. Check out my wish trip.

 

[Bill_Lin]

I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. My name is Rachel..married to a wonderful man Tom and we have 3 girls. Taylor is 15 and is healthy, Olivia (our wish tripper) 8, and Sydney 7 (healthy). Olivia has been sick since birth with chronic GI issues which lead to multiple GI surgeries and then a G tube being placed. When she turned 2 we discovered an Immune Deficiency, then she started in with blood glucose issues (very highs and very lows) along with tiring quickly and muscle pains. Last year our wonderful Neuro (who we had met only once) put it all together and though she had Mito. We just got our diagnosis a few months ago...Mitochondrial Disease Complex V. Olivia was given a Make A Wish application 2 years ago (by a NP in Immunology) for her Immune Deficiency, but her Immunologist wouldn't sign the paper since she could not say what kind of Immune Deficiency she had (needless to say there were a few unhappy people). Her ped and I were talking and was decided we should try send in an application and here we are. We have our dates and we will be going April 27th - May 3rd.

I have been lurking for a few days just reading and I'm so overwhelmed in trying to plan this trip...given that we have so little time to plan. I hope to get some great info from this board. I'm still a little unsure how it all works, so it may take time to get it all figured out.

You may want to read the post links in my signature for help in planning and other information.

 

[Bill_Lin]

what time does GKTW start serving breakfast in the morning? I am an early bird and want to get the fam to the park early before the crowds.

I had the same idea for our trip. However, I found that the slow paced morning with strawberry waffles at the Gingerbread House, characters that visit the village most mornings, and conserving our energy was a better choice. The crowds don't interfere much with wish families. It is also impossible to keep up a pace of long days throughout the trip. You will all become exhausted.