Make a Wish (and other organizations) - Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume THREE! :)

[xanphylus]

Woo hoo for your 500th post!!! Thanks for all you do for all the Wish Trippers!!

Yeah!!!! Congrats!!!!! Can't wait to see you hit 1,000

Thanks!! I know I will hit 1,000 too. I have been a Wish Trip junkie since about last summer, and it shows no signs of stopping! I love getting my kiddos involved in it too.

 

[Haybuggsmom]

MAROO:

This is soooo exciting for Lauren and all of you. We are planning with Amber too and it's such and exciting time.

She is so blessed to have you in her life!!!

I have been off for a bit with planning but thought I'd catch up...
We were asked to be a part of the Big Give which I can not even begin to think about without tears in my eyes...

It's been a busy time with the kids changing Amber's senior year schedule (school starts in a month)
Haylee goes to middle school and they still have not assigned her a teacher. This is soooo frustrating as she had a bad teacher last year (part of which made her homebound after springbreak)

The trip planns are in fullswing though!!! We are all getting so excited!!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Popping in to say hello to all the newbies. I know there are some I haven't gotten around to reading and replying to but I will soon

Congratulations to all of the Big Give kids and families! They do an AMAZING job and the smiles they bring are so awsome!!

We are still around and I do read a bit but starting today Ty begins some tests and apts. Things aren't going too well right now of course just before school starts. But we continue to talk about his Wish trip. We are still in awe of his trip and constantly talk about it. And reading all of the PTRS and TRS really help to keep it going. It is so great to be on the side of already going because I say I remember feeling like that!! And it brings it all back all over again. Anyways we are off to Childrens for a few hours but wanted to stop in and say I'm still here and reading along. Hugs to all!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Popping in to say hello to all the newbies. I know there are some I haven't gotten around to reading and replying to but I will soon

Congratulations to all of the Big Give kids and families! They do an AMAZING job and the smiles they bring are so awsome!!

We are still around and I do read a bit but starting today Ty begins some tests and apts. Things aren't going too well right now of course just before school starts. But we continue to talk about his Wish trip. We are still in awe of his trip and constantly talk about it. And reading all of the PTRS and TRS really help to keep it going. It is so great to be on the side of already going because I say I remember feeling like that!! And it brings it all back all over again. Anyways we are off to Childrens for a few hours but wanted to stop in and say I'm still here and reading along. Hugs to all!

Tonya...Please keep us updated on Ty. I will also be looking on P2P. Thoughts and prayers.

 

[jbrnhrt]

ok, so DH has it in his head that while we're at WDW all we have to do is show our GKTW pin and we'll get anything we want for free...food, souvenirs, etc. i told him he's out of his mind and setting him self up for disapointment

 

[rcq925]

Popping in to say hello to all the newbies. I know there are some I haven't gotten around to reading and replying to but I will soon

Congratulations to all of the Big Give kids and families! They do an AMAZING job and the smiles they bring are so awsome!!

We are still around and I do read a bit but starting today Ty begins some tests and apts. Things aren't going too well right now of course just before school starts. But we continue to talk about his Wish trip. We are still in awe of his trip and constantly talk about it. And reading all of the PTRS and TRS really help to keep it going. It is so great to be on the side of already going because I say I remember feeling like that!! And it brings it all back all over again. Anyways we are off to Childrens for a few hours but wanted to stop in and say I'm still here and reading along. Hugs to all!

Please keep us update on Ty and how he and your family are doing! I loved reading your PTR and TR. Thank you so much for sharing your family and your trip!!

 

[wishin' on a star]

ok, so DH has it in his head that while we're at WDW all we have to do is show our GKTW pin and we'll get anything we want for free...food, souvenirs, etc. i told him he's out of his mind and setting him self up for disapointment

Wouldn't that be great! No, at WDW, you still have to pay for everything. You can get free water at any counter service restaurant, though. Everything at GKTW is free though!

Your GKTW button and GAC will get you access to characters, better access to the rides-- front of the line in some instances, and maybe extra smiles, pixie dust, and attention from characters in parades or at shows. I can't think of a single thing we should have paid for that we got for free at WDW though.

 

[balloondoggle]

we are going on our WT sometime from middle of sept to end of oct. How much planning did you do for working your way around the parks? i see on other boards people using touringplans.com, but us wish trippers don't have to use FP, we go straight to the front of the lines, so I imagine that means we can get more in? We know our "must sees", is that all the planning we need to do? I don't want to be commando because my son gets tired fast, and he's one who likes to take his time and soak it all in. But I want him to have the best experience possible. I guess I"m answering my own question!

For our part, the planning is pretty much what you have here. A few things we each want to do, more ideas than days. We plan to take it day by day and wing it. Mostly, I don't want to waste the opportunity that GKTW is, so we expect to spend most evenings there. Probably passed out on the couch while the kids amuse themselves!

 

[balloondoggle]

Hey everyone!

I have been MIA since Aidan's wish in December, I wish I had more time to stay on top of all the wonderful wish trips. With moving and 2 rambunctious kids, I don't have much time to myself! I was talking to a wish family that hasn't gone yet and wanted to make sure I told them correctly about Universal. Disney gives you 3 day with Park Hopper, Sea World gives 1 day with free animal feedings, and Universal gives 2 days with a "hopper". Is that correct? We didn't do Universal so I was a little fuzzy on that one. TIA for refreshing my memory! I have decided that kids drain your memory!

Per the GKTW mailer we got just today, families receive:

3 days at WDW, park hopper
2 days at Universal Studios, park hopper
1 day at Sea World Orlando

Looks like you nailed it.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

ok, so DH has it in his head that while we're at WDW all we have to do is show our GKTW pin and we'll get anything we want for free...food, souvenirs, etc. i told him he's out of his mind and setting him self up for disapointment

The only free things is at GKTW. Everything you get at WDW you pay. Now...you do get spending money from MAW, so if you are good at money...you shouldn't pay anything out of pocket. We always ate Breakfast and dinner at GKTW. Only ate lunch out and go cheap on the souvenirs.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Per the GKTW mailer we got just today, families receive:

3 days at WDW, park hopper
2 days at Universal Studios, park hopper
1 day at Sea World Orlando

Looks like you nailed it.

Ok...stupied question...the 3 day hopper pass. Does it matter how many times you go to a park? I have read some TR that they go to DW 3 times, but also go to the other WD parks. Example..can you go to WDW and Epcot one day than the next day go to WDW and Animal Kingdom..then next day do WDW and then Disney MGM. The last time we were there...we went to 1 park a day. We did WDW, Animal Kingdom, and MGM. This time..we want to do those parks, but do a half day at AK and then go to Epcot since we didn't do that last time.

 

[blessedmom4]

Ok...stupied question...the 3 day hopper pass. Does it matter how many times you go to a park? I have read some TR that they go to DW 3 times, but also go to the other WD parks. Example..can you go to WDW and Epcot one day than the next day go to WDW and Animal Kingdom..then next day do WDW and then Disney MGM. The last time we were there...we went to 1 park a day. We did WDW, Animal Kingdom, and MGM. This time..we want to do those parks, but do a half day at AK and then go to Epcot since we didn't do that last time.

With Park hoppers you can do as many parks in the same day as you wish...Technically you could do Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios and AK all in one day, for all three days that you have tickets...but that would be a LOT of moving from place to place....

 

[kayrason333]

Ok...stupied question...the 3 day hopper pass. Does it matter how many times you go to a park? I have read some TR that they go to DW 3 times, but also go to the other WD parks. Example..can you go to WDW and Epcot one day than the next day go to WDW and Animal Kingdom..then next day do WDW and then Disney MGM. The last time we were there...we went to 1 park a day. We did WDW, Animal Kingdom, and MGM. This time..we want to do those parks, but do a half day at AK and then go to Epcot since we didn't do that last time.

You can go to multiple parks on one day. I think we are planning on doing a park in the morning and then a different park in the evening to break it up a little.

 

[J'sMum]

For our part, the planning is pretty much what you have here. A few things we each want to do, more ideas than days. We plan to take it day by day and wing it. Mostly, I don't want to waste the opportunity that GKTW is, so we expect to spend most evenings there. Probably passed out on the couch while the kids amuse themselves!

I have been at your blog a few times to check out your PTR, Love your writing style and your princesses are definatly cuties MY DH lovesss your idea about spending evenings on the couch

 

[jbrnhrt]

we're planning to spend our first day in fl at gktw. so we're wondering if they supply pool towels or do we have to bring our own?

 

[maroo]

I know when we were there in 08..it was 3 WDW passes, 1 day Sea World with fee dolphin feedings, 1 day Universal, and 1 day IOA. I think the Universal and IOA has changed to the hopper passes though...from what I heard on here.

It is two days of Universal now....

And sorry I missed this post the other day....???

Ok! I just had to come over here to the Wish Thread for my little celebration- it wouldn't do to have it on any other thread- it's my 500th post!!!!

Sorry- I had to! I feel like half my family is on this thread- soI just had to do this post over here, with you guys.... yes, I am a cheese ball & I you all!

Awesome on the big 500!!!!!

Before long you will be posting your thousandth!

thanks Maroo. I PM'd you. Our dates are in my little sig



Thank you. I guess maybe it won't be too bad

I really think you will be ok.

One thing that amazes me is how FAST Disney can move a crowd of people - even if it seems horrible (and it will be crowded) - it does move fast.

I just hang back and stroll around and enjoy the evening.

MAROO:

This is soooo exciting for Lauren and all of you. We are planning with Amber too and it's such and exciting time.

She is so blessed to have you in her life!!!

I have been off for a bit with planning but thought I'd catch up...
We were asked to be a part of the Big Give which I can not even begin to think about without tears in my eyes...

It's been a busy time with the kids changing Amber's senior year schedule (school starts in a month)
Haylee goes to middle school and they still have not assigned her a teacher. This is soooo frustrating as she had a bad teacher last year (part of which made her homebound after springbreak)

The trip planns are in fullswing though!!! We are all getting so excited!!

School can be such a booger!! And who your teacher is makes such a huge difference!

Lauren is pretty snowed already and she has only been back to school for three days. She went to bed last night at 8:00 PM and woke up at 11 AM. Poor thing - so tired!

ok, so DH has it in his head that while we're at WDW all we have to do is show our GKTW pin and we'll get anything we want for free...food, souvenirs, etc. i told him he's out of his mind and setting him self up for disapointment

EEK!

GKTW is that way...but not Disney.

You will get spending money - but it really varies by chapter widely.

Wouldn't that be great! No, at WDW, you still have to pay for everything. You can get free water at any counter service restaurant, though. Everything at GKTW is free though!

Your GKTW button and GAC will get you access to characters, better access to the rides-- front of the line in some instances, and maybe extra smiles, pixie dust, and attention from characters in parades or at shows. I can't think of a single thing we should have paid for that we got for free at WDW though.

This is totally true! You get what you can't possibly pay for!

For our part, the planning is pretty much what you have here. A few things we each want to do, more ideas than days. We plan to take it day by day and wing it. Mostly, I don't want to waste the opportunity that GKTW is, so we expect to spend most evenings there. Probably passed out on the couch while the kids amuse themselves!

GKTW is a destination all by itself!

The only free things is at GKTW. Everything you get at WDW you pay. Now...you do get spending money from MAW, so if you are good at money...you shouldn't pay anything out of pocket. We always ate Breakfast and dinner at GKTW. Only ate lunch out and go cheap on the souvenirs.

Totally true...I just want to add this for anyone reading out there....

We have had lots of families say that they didn't have any expenses if they watched what they spent carefully...but we have had a few here and there from various chapters that did have to pay some - some chapters have more money than others and are able to give more spending money and some less...so plan on less and if you get more it will be a great bonus!

Ok...stupied question...the 3 day hopper pass. Does it matter how many times you go to a park? I have read some TR that they go to DW 3 times, but also go to the other WD parks. Example..can you go to WDW and Epcot one day than the next day go to WDW and Animal Kingdom..then next day do WDW and then Disney MGM. The last time we were there...we went to 1 park a day. We did WDW, Animal Kingdom, and MGM. This time..we want to do those parks, but do a half day at AK and then go to Epcot since we didn't do that last time.

I can personally vouch that you CAN go to all four parks in one day if you want!

With Park hoppers you can do as many parks in the same day as you wish...Technically you could do Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Studios and AK all in one day, for all three days that you have tickets...but that would be a LOT of moving from place to place....

True! And it is a LOT of moving around!

we're planning to spend our first day in fl at gktw. so we're wondering if they supply pool towels or do we have to bring our own?

Hmm.... I have no idea. But I think I would plan to bring a set of towels or two...I think they have some in the villa, but I would bring some just in case.

I don't know what your situation is there...but giving Lauren a shower takes about 4 towels...so we always bring extra. And swimming takes about 3 or 4 because we cover her wheelchair and such...so even if they have towels, you may need some extras if they run out or something?

 

[kiwigirl]

Hello I just love this thread and forgive me if I am jumping right in, but I was wondering if there were any families from Australia on these posts who have applied for the MAW/GKTW. There are none from New Zealand, Ihave already determined that we will be the first to apply but I think we will have some big hurdles to overcome to get to disneyworld. If there are any who have some tips on how to approach our MAW then I would appreciate it. I know the rules are no overseas wishes until over 8 (mine is almost 4) and not further than Australia for us. But hey if Lara's dream is to meet princesses and go to disney world then who am I to argue, I would give her the world if I could for what she has been through.

Thanking in advance for any advice

 

[Cheshire Figment]

One thing that amazes me is how FAST Disney can move a crowd of people - even if it seems horrible (and it will be crowded) - it does move fast.

Ultimate capacity of the theater for Indiana Jones is slightly over 2,300. Normally when at full capacity the theater clears in less than eight minutes from the time the show ends. (And we don't even have to use whips or cattle prods.)

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Posted some pictures of todays fun with the Starlight Foundation on Korissa's PTR.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Hello I just love this thread and forgive me if I am jumping right in, but I was wondering if there were any families from Australia on these posts who have applied for the MAW/GKTW. There are none from New Zealand, Ihave already determined that we will be the first to apply but I think we will have some big hurdles to overcome to get to disneyworld. If there are any who have some tips on how to approach our MAW then I would appreciate it. I know the rules are no overseas wishes until over 8 (mine is almost 4) and not further than Australia for us. But hey if Lara's dream is to meet princesses and go to disney world then who am I to argue, I would give her the world if I could for what she has been through.

Thanking in advance for any advice

I know we can do oversea wishes and I don't think theirs an age limit, but the wish child has to write to the wish granter why he or she wants to go overseas. If it wasn't for mommies fear of flying..my daughter wanted to go to Australia or Japan...lol Bad enough that I'm getting on a plane for 4 hours.
I wish I can help you on the other. I will be hoping and praying they let her go to DisneyWorld.