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

[LVMom23]

If we had the option to wait until the holidays, I would do it in a heartbeat! I have heard so many amazing things about the holidays at WDW. So if you can wait until then, I would definitely recommend doing it.

Unfortunately for us, we just don't know what Hannah's condition will be in 7 months so we want to get our trip in as soon as we can because she is safe enough where we can do it right now.

 

[mom2pixies]

Thanks...I so appreciate it...April 30 is when Eva is having her reveal party...
My mom is telling me to just keep moving forward and that he is just looking to spoil it (sour grapes) how sad is it that he would do this to Eva!! She also reminded me that the papers were signed already and that he cant possibly do anything to ruin it unless I let him! TRUE TRUE!!!

That's very unfortunate. I hope things work out! As your mom said, you can choose to let it bother you or just shrug it off your shoulders! Mother knows best! But, if you feel it isn't the right time for your family to take the trip, then I don't think MAW will have any problem postponing the trip. I think it's a pretty common occurence.

 

[mom2pixies]

We asked DS if he would rather go on his trip sooner or wait until Christmas when it's cooler out and see the decorations and he chose to wait. So we talked to MAW yesterday and she said early December wouldn't be a problem. So early December it is! I'm so excited. She said she will contact us in the middle of September to confirm and book our flights. Now hopefully whatever job DH gets will be cooperative.

That's so exciting! The only time I have ever been to WDW was pre-kids in early December and it was amazing---so festive! Everything is decorated, music just fills the air, seeing the Osborne lights and the Candlelight Processional--all really special things. And, we did some Christmas shopping in DTD and it was just so...quaint. We picked out souvenir Christmas ornaments and got a hot chocolate. Was a blast! You guys will love it!

 

[wishin' on a star]

oh dear...i feel really embarassed. it looks like i have not found exactly the right place to post about evan's trip..i did not realize that this thread was pretty specifically GKTW. but i really appreciate all you kind words and help. evan's condition is not life threatening. it is chronic, and difficult, but certainly not as tough as some of the things that folks on this thread are facing. i may try to start a sunshine foundation thread under disAbilities and for any of you who were reading our PRT and upcoming TR, i will keep posting there!

I'll echo what the others have said that there is nothing to be embarrassed about, but most importantly, don't leave! This thread is for disney wish trippers of all kinds...some stay at GKTW, some stay on property or elsewhere, some go on cruises. Some are make a wish, and many others are through other wish granting organizations. Evan's condition is real, and he is so very deserving of his wish!

I hope there has been nothing said that made you feel unwelcome. I know that many of us would love to share in your planning and hear about Evans amazing trip.

 

[brookerene]

I'll echo what the others have said that there is nothing to be embarrassed about, but most importantly, don't leave! This thread is for disney wish trippers of all kinds...some stay at GKTW, some stay on property or elsewhere, some go on cruises. Some are make a wish, and many others are through other wish granting organizations. Evan's condition is real, and he is so very deserving of his wish!

I hope there has been nothing said that made you feel unwelcome. I know that many of us would love to share in your planning and hear about Evans amazing trip.

I agree!!!! Don't go.... this thread is for you and Evan too!

 

[chelleydi77]

I'll be another one to say don't go! We're not going to Disney World and Madison's condition is no where near as detrimental as some others and I'm still here!!! So please stay!!!

 

[sgarrity]

if my daughter gets the disney cruise. Do we need passports?

2. IF she gets GKTW tickets can you save them and use them during the extra days that we would pay for? I do not want to over whelm her with a different park every day so we are thinkg about every other day do park and pay to stay extra days so she can have rest days.

Suggestions?

 

[angeque143]

if my daughter gets the disney cruise. Do we need passports?

2. IF she gets GKTW tickets can you save them and use them during the extra days that we would pay for? I do not want to over whelm her with a different park every day so we are thinkg about every other day do park and pay to stay extra days so she can have rest days.

Suggestions?

Yes as far as the passports.

I am unsure about the other answer...I believe the tickets are good 1 week from date of issue. Dont quote me on that though!!

 

[xanphylus]

PLEASE don't be embarrassed. I have to run, so this will be short but....FROM THE FIRST PAGE of this thread: This thread is devoted to families that are planning and going on Wish Trips! This thread is designed to be a place where you can ask questions about your wish trips, get some information about wish trips and gain general support from some Mom's and Dad's that really understand what life with a special needs child is like.
Chronic illness is HORRIBLE, I have that within our family as well...I for one, hope you stay and maybe other Sunshine Foundation members will come out from lurking. Special needs are difficult and I am THRILLED there is something for your family to look forward to. Evan IS going on a Wish Trip!

Agreed 110%!!! You ARE a wish family and you deserves to be here, just like everyone else!

 

[tinytreasures]

oh dear...i feel really embarassed. it looks like i have not found exactly the right place to post about evan's trip..i did not realize that this thread was pretty specifically GKTW. but i really appreciate all you kind words and help. evan's condition is not life threatening. it is chronic, and difficult, but certainly not as tough as some of the things that folks on this thread are facing. i may try to start a sunshine foundation thread under disAbilities and for any of you who were reading our PRT and upcoming TR, i will keep posting there!

Please stay and help us understand SF. It is new to me. I can't wait to hear all about the trip

 

[Perrinsmommy]

I am looking at getting a cooling vest for Perrin for his wish trip. The StaCool one I REALLY want is way out of our price range and his insurance will not cover it with all the budget cuts. Has anyone had experience with this one? http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/shop/vest/Special_Order_POV.html

Its seems like a feasible amount of money with in our price range.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MitoDadMO]

I am looking at getting a cooling vest for Perrin for his wish trip. The StaCool one I REALLY want is way out of our price range and his insurance will not cover it with all the budget cuts. Has anyone had experience with this one? http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/shop/vest/Special_Order_POV.html

Its seems like a feasible amount of money with in our price range.

Thanks in advance!

our son does not sweat due to meds he is on. we took a frogtogg with us (you can buy one on amazon or a sporting goods store). it is a shammy looking piece of fabric that you wet and will stay damp for 12hrs and as long as it stays damp it is COLD. We use it for kade during the summer and used it on our trip

 

[MitoDadMO]

if my daughter gets the disney cruise. Do we need passports?

2. IF she gets GKTW tickets can you save them and use them during the extra days that we would pay for? I do not want to over whelm her with a different park every day so we are thinkg about every other day do park and pay to stay extra days so she can have rest days.

Suggestions?

the tickets you get from GKTW are good for three days in the parks, and they are park hopper tickets. it was explained to us that they are good for 2 weeks from the date they are initaly used. So if you start using them on the 12th of the month you have until the 26th to use your three days in the parks.

However the GKTW button and the GAC do have specific dates on them so you may want to check about having that extended.

 

[evsmama30]

thanks guys...i was just worried i was intruding on the "wrong" place. but i would love to stick around and hear about all your trips and share evan's too. thanks again for your kindness. i think i will keep my questions about specifics on our PRT, so not to get mixed up. and as i learn more about sunshine foundations trips, iwill let you know. thanks so much

 

[brookerene]

A new Big Give has come our way.....I would love for you to visit!

 

[PenelopeL]

Just wanted to answer a few of these real quick:

Morning all!

Now that we are just a few weeks away, my mind is going crazy with questions!

1. Hannah sleeps in a regular bed with about 5 or 6 pillows around her (too big for a crib) and a bed rail. Can we request that at GKTW or should we let our MAW coordinator know?

GKTW can provide a bed rail for you (I think Maroo already answered that one, but just in case). They also have two or three extra pillows for each room in the top of the closets, and if you need more you can just call the front desk and they can bring some by.

2. I posted a question on the main DISabilities board regarding leaving diaper bags and bringing suction bags on rides if you can help me out (here it is).

For the first two days (MK and AK), we brought a messenger bag of about the same size as your measurements to the park and took it on all the rides with us. No one had a problem with it. The only problem we had was finding a place to stash it by our legs while on the rides. I wouldn't recommend leaving it on your stroller though, even in the handicap areas. Most of them were pretty open and anyone could walk in or out without the CMs noticing.

Also, we did get frustrated with the bag by the third day and ended up stashing it in either the car or a cheap locker (Universal's lockers are only 8.00) for the rest of the trip. By that time, we knew exactly what we would need throughout the day and were able to fit it all into a smaller bag to take with us. That may not work for you at all, but it's just a thought.

4. We are going to request a letter/rx from our pediatrician listing all of Hannah's meds for the flight (since they are all liquid). Do I need to have her add that we need to have an ice pack as well since one of them are medicated and we have to put it in a little cooler?

I think whether you need it or not depends on who is working at the security point when you go through. I would have your doctor put a list of everything you plan to take on the plane on the note, just to be sure. We needed the full list when we left from our airport, and they checked that each item was on the list. But coming home through the Florida airport, they didn't even care what was in the three bags of liquids and thickening packets I pulled out. The security guy had me put them all through the scanner without a second glance, and told me he didn't need the doctor note.

6. Has anyone else's brain gone into super planning overdrive with amazing enthusiastic excitement this far out before the trip? Is there a recovery program for after we return?

Hahahaha. I totally know how you feel! I did way too much planning due to my excitement, and ended up using only about half the plans I made. They did make things a lot easier though.

 

[HeatherSP]

Guess what we got?
And what else?
And what else?

Come by and see our new HUGE Gives on Lhea's PTR

 

[mommy2girlswv]

Guess what we got?
And what else?
And what else?

Come by and see our new HUGE Gives on Lhea's PTR

I can't wait to see....Where is she?

 

[mommy2girlswv]

Come Rocket over and see what in the boxes.. Great Big Give to see...

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I am looking at getting a cooling vest for Perrin for his wish trip. The StaCool one I REALLY want is way out of our price range and his insurance will not cover it with all the budget cuts. Has anyone had experience with this one? http://www.silvereagleoutfitters.com/shop/vest/Special_Order_POV.html

Its seems like a feasible amount of money with in our price range.

Thanks in advance!

My daughter doesn't sweat and we have the Sliver Eagle Cooling vest. We love it, but we also live in a dry climate. I have heard they don'T work will in humid climates. We just back from my other daughters MAW trip and everyday we were on the verge of using her cooling vest(she needs it at 80 degrees), but I didn't want to cover her beautiful dresses she was wearing so we just kept wetting her down and keeping her in the shade, so I have no clue if it works well in Florida or not.