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

[JustBelieve6]

Good morning everyone! I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself and my family. Two nights ago, my daughter, Paige, was granted her wish to go to WDW and GKTW. We are leaving on sept 18. I have three ore children and a wonderful husband who are going AnD my parents ( who live with us) are going too, but they are staying in a local hotel, because there are too many of us to stay in a villa.

I've been lurking on this board for a few weeks now and I can't tell you how much more I feel ready for this trip. My only fear is money. ( it's always about money) I don't know how much to expect to spend for lunches at the parks. We don't have any of our own to spend and I'm scared to run out.

I hope to get to talk to some of you soon.

Tera

 

[21hearts]

Okay, so today is THE day. My MAW day! It's 6 am and we're getting ready! I'm eating breakfast LOL.....super nervous about the flight.

I know I'm a day late but have a great trip!

We are home from the most fabulous time on the Disney Dream! Give me a few days to get settled and I'll start our TR!

I hope your trip went well!

 

[mom2pixies]

Good morning everyone! I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself and my family. Two nights ago, my daughter, Paige, was granted her wish to go to WDW and GKTW. We are leaving on sept 18. I have three ore children and a wonderful husband who are going AnD my parents ( who live with us) are going too, but they are staying in a local hotel, because there are too many of us to stay in a villa.

I've been lurking on this board for a few weeks now and I can't tell you how much more I feel ready for this trip. My only fear is money. ( it's always about money) I don't know how much to expect to spend for lunches at the parks. We don't have any of our own to spend and I'm scared to run out.

I hope to get to talk to some of you soon.

Tera

Welcome aboard, Tera! Yeah for Paige getting her wish!! You guys will have an amazing time. Looks like we'll miss you just by a few days--we'll be leaving for home on the 16th!

From what I understand, every wish organization is a little bit different and each branch runs things slightly differently, but they usually take into consideration the entire family's needs and you should have enough in your expense cheque to cover the meals, souvenirs and little extras like ice creams and popcorn.

At the resort, I believe GKTW provides every family member with some sort of meal plan that allows them each to have three meals a day. So, if you eat breakfast at GKTW and come back to the resort for dinner, then you only have to worry about lunches at the parks. And, I hear that you can even use your additional 'lunch' credit at GKTW to have one of the restaurants there pack you the lunch and/or snacks in boxes to bring to the parks.

If you plan ahead and organize the lunches to go (probably wouldn't hurt to pack a cooler bag to bring the meals to the parks), then you shouldn't even have to dip into your own funds to eat lunch.

Be sure to pack lots of drinks and snacks (which can also be purchased at the big WalMart near GKTW) to curb having to spend $4 on a water bottle at the park. (Which, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, if you ask for a cup of water, they'll give it to you for free?) That way, the only real 'park' food you'll purchase are the ones you can't bring from GKTW (like the unavoidable Mickey-shaped ice creams).

Have an awesome trip!!

 

[mom2pixies]

Another visit by the Big Give Fairy this week....stop on by to enjoy the pics! Only 13 days to go before B's wish trip to meet Ariel.....Eek!!!

 

[disneymomma01]

First...I want to tell all of the East Coast Dis'ers...BE SAFE!!! Batton down the hatches!!

We had some major Big Give action at our house on Wednesday!! Stop by the pre-trippie to check out all of the new goodies!!

 

[Owensheart]

We have Dates!!! December 4-14th!!! To say we are excited is an understatment. You can read more of an update on Owen's PTR.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=42403434#post42403434

 

[sgarrity]

We have Dates!!! December 4-14th!!! To say we are excited is an understatment. You can read more of an update on Owen's PTR.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=42403434#post42403434

We also will be there in December. We leave the 20th!

 

[katieb4]

We are home from the most fabulous time on the Disney Dream! Give me a few days to get settled and I'll start our TR!

welcome back! can't to read your TR!

Preston has been having some problems with walking lately. His Physical Therapist really worked him over. The past week he has had pain walking. I hope this gets better before our trip so that he can walk and not have to be in a wheelchair. I mentioned the possibility of having to get one and he really let me know in a hurry he did not want one. Just thought I would give an update. Thanks! Synovial

I will say some prayers for him!

Good morning everyone! I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself and my family. Two nights ago, my daughter, Paige, was granted her wish to go to WDW and GKTW. We are leaving on sept 18. I have three ore children and a wonderful husband who are going AnD my parents ( who live with us) are going too, but they are staying in a local hotel, because there are too many of us to stay in a villa.


I've been lurking on this board for a few weeks now and I can't tell you how much more I feel ready for this trip. My only fear is money. ( it's always about money) I don't know how much to expect to spend for lunches at the parks. We don't have any of our own to spend and I'm scared to run out.

I hope to get to talk to some of you soon.

Tera

Welcome! I am a little nervous about the money too, I've made two special lunch reservations and BBB appointments....I figure I can cancel them later if it doesn't work out. Meanwhile, I am determined to focus on the fun parts and not let money rule the day here! So much fun awaits us!

We have Dates!!! December 4-14th!!! To say we are excited is an understatment. You can read more of an update on Owen's PTR.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=42403434#post42403434

Congrats!!!!


48 more days until we leave for Gabbie's magical wish trip!!

 

[starienite]

Got a call from MAW on Thursday and got really excited, but didn't last long.
When our wish grantors came to for the initial visit. They forgot the form for GKTW. So they mailed it out to us and mailed all the forms to my dad for him to go with us. And we gave my dad the form to finish filling out and he mailed it all back together. So they mailed a new one out and we got is yesterday and are mailing it back on Monday. So after they get this form back we can go the next stage.

 

[disneymomma01]

Hope all of the East Coast Dis'ers are safe & sound!!

Had a wonderful day at Six Flags today!! AND a BIG GIVE too!!! Stop by the pre-trip & see what today's package held!!

 

[rayleechristian]

Hope all are well today! Living on the gulf coast we have experienced many hurricanes. So we know what you are going through. Come check out Christian's page! We have been very busy this summer and only have a few days to go before the trip!! :

 

[angcmom]

Is there anyone who has stayed at GKTW recently that can tell me about using park tickets after you have checked out of the village?

We are planning to extend our trip by 3 nights. I have read conflicting information regarding this....some say you can't use the tix after checking out, but the GKTW village guide says that Seaworld tix and US tix are good for 2 weeks from the date of issuance.

Thanks!
Terri

 

[Owensheart]

Is there anyone who has stayed at GKTW recently that can tell me about using park tickets after you have checked out of the village?

We are planning to extend our trip by 3 nights. I have read conflicting information regarding this....some say you can't use the tix after checking out, but the GKTW village guide says that Seaworld tix and US tix are good for 2 weeks from the date of issuance.

Thanks!
Terri

I am curious too! I have read trip reports where they have used their tickets after leaving GKTW during their extended portion. I think the only downside is that you lose the "magic button." Other than that.. I'm sure the admission to the park is fine. Can't wait to hear what people say that have already gone on their trip. You can always call GKTW and double check too!

 

[mysevendwarfs]

I am curious too! I have read trip reports where they have used their tickets after leaving GKTW during their extended portion. I think the only downside is that you lose the "magic button." Other than that.. I'm sure the admission to the park is fine. Can't wait to hear what people say that have already gone on their trip. You can always call GKTW and double check too!

We just returned from GKTW in July. I did call GKTW before with the same question and they told me 2 weeks from the first use. We too extended our trip and I was worried that we would lose our admission. If you don't activate them with a park entrance they are good for even longer, but this depends on the actual ticket you are given and shouldn't be relied on.

The button and GAC technically expire. We had good luck having Disney extend our GAC as I asked at Guest Relations early in our visit. If your child has special needs that qualify for a GAC anyway there would definately be no problem. The button alerts cast members that you are on a special trip, but also qualifies you for free parking at Sea World, free food to feed the dolphins etc. We used our Sea World and Universal portions while still at GKTW so I don't know how they treat an extension. They do check the dates on these for the free stuff though. Have a great trip!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Is there anyone who has stayed at GKTW recently that can tell me about using park tickets after you have checked out of the village?

We are planning to extend our trip by 3 nights. I have read conflicting information regarding this....some say you can't use the tix after checking out, but the GKTW village guide says that Seaworld tix and US tix are good for 2 weeks from the date of issuance.

Thanks!
Terri

We stayed 4 extra days. Disney is a hit and miss as to who you talk with. We had a lot of CM look at the GKTW button ( the dates on the button CAN NOT be changed). We didn't want to take a chance not getting the VIP at the Disney parks, so we did all of those while staying at GKTW. When we asked at guest relation the first day..they said we can still go through the fast pass line with the GAC(this is the line you will be going in), but seeing characters we may have to stand in line instead of getting front of line privileges. Again..it depends on the CM if he or she are in a good mood. We just didn't want to take the chance. Universal and Island of Adventure are really good about extending the GAC. Just make sure you go to guest relation in the beginning. We made this mistake. Sea World...I have no clue. besides the free fish, we really didn't see any special treatment. All tickets are good for 2weeks after the first use.

 

[Owensheart]

We just returned from GKTW in July. I did call GKTW before with the same question and they told me 2 weeks from the first use. We too extended our trip and I was worried that we would lose our admission. If you don't activate them with a park entrance they are good for even longer, but this depends on the actual ticket you are given and shouldn't be relied on.

The button and GAC technically expire. We had good luck having Disney extend our GAC as I asked at Guest Relations early in our visit. If your child has special needs that qualify for a GAC anyway there would definately be no problem. The button alerts cast members that you are on a special trip, but also qualifies you for free parking at Sea World, free food to feed the dolphins etc. We used our Sea World and Universal portions while still at GKTW so I don't know how they treat an extension. They do check the dates on these for the free stuff though. Have a great trip!

We are planning on using up our Universal tickets while we are GKTW and two of our Disney days. I really want to relax and enjoy GKTW Village while we are there and not be rushed. The rest of our trip we are moving to a Disney Resort hotel and will enjoy lots of character meals and Early magic Hours at the Disney parks.

We stayed 4 extra days. Disney is a hit and miss as to who you talk with. We had a lot of CM look at the GKTW button ( the dates on the button CAN NOT be changed). We didn't want to take a chance not getting the VIP at the Disney parks, so we did all of those while staying at GKTW. When we asked at guest relation the first day..they said we can still go through the fast pass line with the GAC(this is the line you will be going in), but seeing characters we may have to stand in line instead of getting front of line privileges. Again..it depends on the CM if he or she are in a good mood. We just didn't want to take the chance. Universal and Island of Adventure are really good about extending the GAC. Just make sure you go to guest relation in the beginning. We made this mistake. Sea World...I have no clue. besides the free fish, we really didn't see any special treatment. All tickets are good for 2weeks after the first use.

We'll have GAC with Owen's oxygen and stroller so I think we'll be fine as far rides. Owen should see enough characters at the character dining and during our MAW week. Thanks for all the info ladies!!

 

[Owensheart]

SWEET!! I was working on a tentative itinerary for our trip. It turns out the exact four days we are planning to extend falls smack dab in the middle of Disney's FREE DINING package. So tempting!!

I'm trying to decide between a Deluxe resort with the big discount or staying at a Moderate resort with FREE dining. Hmmmm...

Also.. I've made dining reservations at all the restaurants because with Free dining offered, I figured things will get booked fast! I have no idea where to eat, but am just going off of other's trip reports and reading the boards for reviews. I've checked out allears.net and found all the menus too. '

When I asked Owen what character dining he wanted to experience, he said "I want to eat with Mister Incredible, Buzz Woody, AND Mickey Mouse." It's not happening. Which brings up a good question.. why does Disney not have a Pixar Character meal? Bummer.

Anyway.. if anyone has suggestions on dining, hotels, or any MUST SEE shows.. I'm all ears!!!

 

[katieb4]

I think my kiddos are officially ready for school next week!

this means....

DISNEY PLANNING can commence again!! :

2 questions popped in my brain in the past week

1. Do the villa's have blow dryers? rincess:

2. The Walmart......do they carry Disney lanyards and autograph books? How about costumes?

Thanks! :

 

[livndisney]

We just returned from GKTW in July. I did call GKTW before with the same question and they told me 2 weeks from the first use. We too extended our trip and I was worried that we would lose our admission. If you don't activate them with a park entrance they are good for even longer, but this depends on the actual ticket you are given and shouldn't be relied on.

The button and GAC technically expire. We had good luck having Disney extend our GAC as I asked at Guest Relations early in our visit. If your child has special needs that qualify for a GAC anyway there would definately be no problem. The button alerts cast members that you are on a special trip, but also qualifies you for free parking at Sea World, free food to feed the dolphins etc. We used our Sea World and Universal portions while still at GKTW so I don't know how they treat an extension. They do check the dates on these for the free stuff though. Have a great trip!

Just to clarify-
A GAC and the MAW GAC are two different things. MAW/GKTW GAC is FOTL. The "regular" GAC is need based and is not FOTL.

So if you are extending a MAW trip and your MAW GAC expires and you have needs, you can still get a GAC. It will just not be the FOTL.

 

[livndisney]

I think my kiddos are officially ready for school next week!

this means....

DISNEY PLANNING can commence again!! :

2 questions popped in my brain in the past week

1. Do the villa's have blow dryers? rincess:

2. The Walmart......do they carry Disney lanyards and autograph books? How about costumes?

Thanks! :

Walmart-there is a Walmart right near GKTW (I don't recommend going there at night). Yes, they sell lanyards and autograph books. And they will also have Halloween Costumes in Oct.

Can you send me a PM next week to remind me to send you some info (please)?