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

[maroo]

Yes of course it would of been faster!

Maybe swirlie watch 2010 is gong to your head!!!

(j/k) of course.


Awesome GKTW video BTW... everyone looks like they are having a BLAST!

me? swirlie watch going to my head?

nah...





(For those of you guys not reading our eternal 3 thread long pre-trip report, "swirlie watch" is code for Hurricane Watch for my upcoming trip. We are watching for any new swirlies...and there are several of them. )

Thanks for the info on the GKTW schedule!!

Does GKTW send you a packet with some of that information before the trip? It is going to be very helpful to have that information ahead of time for planning purposes!

They do send a packet...but I have no idea what is in it.

We are getting the info from their website - which has a section for "families" but they do warn you that you may get some surprises spoiled by going there....

Coming from a small town in Alaska, I was sure there was no way either DH or I would drive in Florida, so we opted for the Mears bus. First off we waited 1 1/2 hours from when we got off the plane until the Mears shuttle took us to GKTW...we almost missed orientation b/c of it. Then the next morning we were scheduled for MK, and we were to meet the shuttle at the front office, I think it was at 10:30am. There were no more wheelchair spaces available, and we were about third in line, apparently they only have two..on a HUGE bus! So we had to carry James on board, and store his chair. By the time the bus takes off from GKTW it is a little after 11am, so we didn't get into MK until almost noon. We were told to call 2 hours before we wanted to be picked up. James was getting pretty exhausted by about 5pm so we called for a 7pm pick-up, but had to wait with an exhausted and cranky boy. Then the shuttle had a mix-up and wouldn't take us because he said he was there for another family of 8...UMMMM really? Finally he figured out that it was actually us and we got underway. That night DH said "call the wish granters, that was ridiculous!" My next morning was spent going to the airport, getting a rental and getting back to GKTW to pick up the family, to drive back to WDW, and even after all that, we still got there earlier than Mears would have had us there.
Our story may have been a fluke, but I wouldn't do it again for anything. Get the rental!!!
On a side note, I drove the next 5 days all over, in traffic, getting lost and even on a freeway for the first time, and I still preferred it over the shuttle!

Yes! This is the story I remember. Do you mind if I link this post on the 2nd post for future wish trippers? Who may be considering the shuttle vs rental car thoughts?


I will say this...Lauren's family rode the shuttle FROM the Airport TO GKTW - because I was driving their van, but it was full of luggage and they would not fit... and they didn't have any trouble being loaded and they arrived before I did, because I got lost. So...I know there are good experiences too... But this was just from the airport to GKTW.


My issue would be the scheduling of the shuttle - that would be hard to navigate, personally.

 

[jbrnhrt]

we are gonna have a rental car, but was curious about this, thought maybe for 1 or 2 days it might be nice to not have to drive, but it must be next to impossible getting everyone co ordinated for a shuttle. I think we'll stick to the rental car, then we can come and go as we please

 

[that's nice]

me? swirlie watch going to my head?

nah...





(For those of you guys not reading our eternal 3 thread long pre-trip report, "swirlie watch" is code for Hurricane Watch for my upcoming trip. We are watching for any new swirlies...and there are several of them. )

I guess I should of explained what I was talking about...

As long as Gaston doesn't come along, you should be looking good!

 

[jbrnhrt]

We are getting the info from their website - which has a section for "families" but they do warn you that you may get some surprises spoiled by going there....

would you mind posting a link for the "families" page? I can't find it, and I don't like surprises! lol. I'd rather know what's ahead of us so I can prepare, thanks!

 

[maroo]

I guess I should of explained what I was talking about...

As long as Gaston doesn't come along, you should be looking good!

You are totally fine! I just figured there may be some on here that were not used to my antics.

would you mind posting a link for the "families" page? I can't find it, and I don't like surprises! lol. I'd rather know what's ahead of us so I can prepare, thanks!

sure!



GKTW Page for Before you arrive...

GKTW Village Info from their website...

From there you can follow all kinds of links about the area around GKTW, things you can do while you are there, what is in a villa, religious services in the area and much, much more!

Most of the things on there have been talked about on this thread... (or Volumes I or II...but who has time to read all of that?!)

 

[ALLmom]

Here is the schedule:




SUNDAY

The World’s Largest Candy Land game from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Matthew’s Boundless Playground.
Twinkle Hope’s Tea Party from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Castle of Miracles.
Village After Dark teen party from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in Julie’s Safari Theatre

MONDAY

Disney Character Photos at Julie’s Safari Theatre from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Kids’ Night Out/Grown-ups’ Night Off from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Amberville Train Station
Discovery Cove Animal Exploration from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the Avenue of Angels
Safari Double Dare in Julie’s Safari Theatre from 8 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

TUESDAY
Nickelodeon Character Photos in the Castle of Miracles from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.
Family Fun Night begins at 7:30 p.m. in front of Julie’s Safari Theatre

WEDNESDAY
Horseback Riding from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Keaton’s Korral
Kids’ Night Out/Grown-ups’ Night Off from 5:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Amberville Train Station
Village Idol in Julie’s Safari Theatre from 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.

THURSDAY

Disney Character Photos in Julie’s Safari Theatre from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Winter Wonderland from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Avenue of Angels and the Castle of Miracles
Carriage Rides from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Winter Wonderland Parade at 7:45 p.m. on the Avenue of Angels
Santa Claus in Julie’s Safari Theatre from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

Universal Orlando Character Photos from 8:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the Castle of Miracles
Pirates and Princesses Party with Shamu and friends from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Avenue of Angels

SATURDAY

Horseback Riding from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Keaton’s Korral
The movie “The Big Surprise” at 7:30 p.m. in Julie’s Safari Theatre
Mayor Clayton’s Birthday Party from 7:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Avenue of Angels

Has anyone attended the Double Dare night or the Family Fun night? I don't recall reading anything about these nights so I am curious what to expect...

 

[Haybuggsmom]

Question form my mom:
Is there a gift shop at the village?
Or should she order form online?

 

[J'sMum]

Question form my mom:
Is there a gift shop at the village?
Or should she order form online?

This was a snip off google cashed web crawler when the online gift shop was down for upgrades, so my guess would be yes but again can not quote me cause i am going by what was cached' .. Can't beleive everything ya read either... LOl just trying to be helpful but as i see this isnt really so.. hahaha maybe maroo or someone whose already been will know

'We are sorry for any inconvenience but the Give Kids The World online store will be offline while we upgrade to a new website.

Guests of Give Kids The World will still be able to purchase gifts on property during their stay.'

 

[LindaBabe]

Thanks for the info on the GKTW schedule!!

Does GKTW send you a packet with some of that information before the trip? It is going to be very helpful to have that information ahead of time for planning purposes!

Yes, they do! Unfortunately, even though I have actually packed said packets, I have no memory of what is in them! Unfotunately, the old lady's brain is a sieve. I'm SURE, though, there are directions from the airport to GKTW and quite a few other things. You'll get it roughly 3-ish weeks before your trip.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Has anyone attended the Double Dare night or the Family Fun night? I don't recall reading anything about these nights so I am curious what to expect...

StefaniLyn's (Bella) family did one of those I believe. And Pamela (Matty) maybe? No, wait, Jennifer! Hmmm, not sure. Look at the list of TR's and check those out. I remember pies in the face and other games on the stage.

 

[Lindsey's Mom]

I'm sorry but I have no clue on where to go to start a Pre Trip Report, can someone please direct me. I see them all listed on this thread but I don't know where to go to start my own.

 

[yinyanggirls]

I'm sorry but I have no clue on where to go to start a Pre Trip Report, can someone please direct me. I see them all listed on this thread but I don't know where to go to start my own.

Look at the top of your current page. There is a list of sections showing "where" you currently are (Make a Wish blah blah blah). You can click on the Planning Forums link and then you will see a tab near the top that says start new thread. People from all over the boards will have a chance to see it, so choose a good title that will draw them in. Of course everyone here will check it out too. Also, you have to have 10 (or is it 20??) posts before it allows you to post pics so you can either leave lots of comments tonight on others' or find Maroo's shortcut on the first page of this forum.

 

[Glo's wish]

I'm with Lindsey's mom! I've tried starting a PTR but do not think I've done it right. I hate being computer illiterate!!

 

[maroo]

I'm sorry but I have no clue on where to go to start a Pre Trip Report, can someone please direct me. I see them all listed on this thread but I don't know where to go to start my own.

You can click on Disney Trip Reports - on the main site...

Then click on "PreTrip Reports and Plans"

and go to "New Thread"...

You can give it a title and start writing!

You may want to look at the others to get an idea of what sort of things most people include, but there is really no prescribed way to do it.

We love pictures on them, if you want to include them.

Have you checked out the 2nd post of this thread? down past the thread titles there is a second post filled with FAQs that has info about how to post pictures and how to write a pre-trip report and many other tidbits of info.

 

[billwendy]

Yes, they do! Unfortunately, even though I have actually packed said packets, I have no memory of what is in them! Unfotunately, the old lady's brain is a sieve. I'm SURE, though, there are directions from the airport to GKTW and quite a few other things. You'll get it roughly 3-ish weeks before your trip.

You do! ours was a folder and it had a booklet about GKTW - the special things you can do there etc....at the airport, our greeter had a sign with Dan's name on it, and on the back were the directions and a map to the GKTW village!!

Its so nice to have a rental car to run to the walmart for snacks and drinks too! Really, the drive from GKTW isnt bad at all!!

 

[jbrnhrt]

You are totally fine! I just figured there may be some on here that were not used to my antics.



sure!



GKTW Page for Before you arrive...

GKTW Village Info from their website...

From there you can follow all kinds of links about the area around GKTW, things you can do while you are there, what is in a villa, religious services in the area and much, much more!

Most of the things on there have been talked about on this thread... (or Volumes I or II...but who has time to read all of that?!)

thanks! there's some great info on there! It makes me even more excited! I'm more excited than ds, and it's his wish trip! But he's 6, and he doesn't yet understand what "22 days" means, it's like saying christmas is in 4 months, it might as well be in 4 years as far as he's concerned. lol. He's silly He just keeps saying " I will see Mickey's house when I get there"

 

[yinyanggirls]

Just a quick note to the people who are going on trips soon - I just saw an announcement that GKTW has car magnets now, so I went to the gift shop website to take a peek and when I priced out a $25 order it was $17 to ship! They only use UPS and there is no cheaper option. I had heard complaints about the shipping before, but this is really bad. I was planning to get a few things for Christmas presents, but now maybe I'll wait and see if we can't plan a return trip and get things in person. When we were checking out I remember the lady telling me we could purchase something now or just get it from the website when we get home. That sounded like a good option, but I didn't know the shipping would be 60 cents for every dollar spent! So, STOCK UP ON GIFTS WHEN YOU ARE THERE!!!

 

[Haybuggsmom]

Just a quick note to the people who are going on trips soon - I just saw an announcement that GKTW has car magnets now, so I went to the gift shop website to take a peek and when I priced out a $25 order it was $17 to ship! They only use UPS and there is no cheaper option. I had heard complaints about the shipping before, but this is really bad. I was planning to get a few things for Christmas presents, but now maybe I'll wait and see if we can't plan a return trip and get things in person. When we were checking out I remember the lady telling me we could purchase something now or just get it from the website when we get home. That sounded like a good option, but I didn't know the shipping would be 60 cents for every dollar spent! So, STOCK UP ON GIFTS WHEN YOU ARE THERE!!!

Good advice and you answered our question. My mom has been on the website making her list.

 

[jen-y]

I did not even think about hurricanes. Guess I should start following the FL weather. Since it rained so bad on our last trip, I am hoping that just my odds are we would not get rained out twice.

On another note, can anyone recomend a "fun" restaurant at US or IOA?
and if so, do I need ADR's for there? I just thought I would try and line up places to eat there (instead of winging it) if they have someplace fun.

Supposed to go to a Make a Wish fundraiser on Sunday, if we feel better
Nicky and I both have pretty bad colds, and Nicky has some kind of rash that the doctores think is an allergic reaction, but I don't know what to
All I can do is give him Benedryl.

 

[maroo]

On my iPhone.... But if u guys want something from GKTW PM me and I can get it and ship cheaper. Also... If u r a past wish family, u may get free shipping... Check your bunny book. Or u can call GKTW and they may be able to help with that. I love my GKTW magnet!