Yes they do! Thankfully it was towards the end of the day (and close the end of the week)! John didn't think it was much of a "celebration" to be at Florida Hospital Celebration getting 10 stitches in the middle of his sister's MAW trip though!
I totally remember this feeling.... "Celebration?!?!?" Nope! So glad everyone is ok!!
I think the more I read on these boards the more I forget and all of the talk about extending GAC's has me confused. I extended our MAW trip by two days and I was assuming we could use the Universal Studios passes at that time or can we only use the various park passes only during our official MAW trip days?
For the passes...most expire about 14 days after you get them...so they should all be good for the extension part.
The magic button and GAC will be "expired" dates - but don't worry about that - most CM's aren't going to stare at your dates - they just want to help you have a magical time.
You should be able to use the Universal passes for those two days with no problem at all.
It sure sounds like we will need an extra duffle bag like everyone is saying to bring home all the extra goodies Madison will be getting. Glad you had a good day at Animal Kingdom. That is Madison's favorite park because od all the animals.
YES! You definitely will need an extra bag...all of you guys will.
I would bring TWO extra bags.
Yes...I'm back. Nine days in the hospital with no WiFi wasn't fun. I hope I can now catch up on everything.
Oh no!!! What happened? I totally missed this while I was gone!

Thanks! That's my Emergency Clown Nose (real product, I kid you not) and this pic was at an ENT appointment. "Doc, my nose feels funny!"
Ok...that is hilarious!
I really enjoyed your blog and can't believe we didn't run into each other!!
does any one have any info on these 2 gktw activities. in our info from maw it just says "casting for catfish" is on tue and fri nights, and only mentions the pool party. neither of these are listed on gktw website, so i'm guessing they're pretty new. also on gktw website (and on this thread) i've seen mention of a gktw info packet, is this sent to your home? the only info we received from maw about gktw is about our airport greeter, some activities, and very vague info about the villas and meals. a lot of the info we were given contradicts what's on gktw website. it's not really a big deal, i know it will all be explained at orientation, it just makes it difficult to plan our days if I don't know what's going on at gktw.

oh well, we leave in 8 days...and we're so excited!!!
You guys are going to have such a great time!!
We are going for our wish trip to Disney and will be staying at GKTW. We are wondering if anyone else has gone on a wish trip and extended it to stay extra days in Orlando and paid for it on their own. If so how did you work this out with the wish organization as far as flights and things like that went. Thanks
Mindy
I am not sure if anyone answered this question or not... not sure if anyone saw it...so sorry if we didn't answer ya.
This varies greatly by chapter - some chapters allow families to extend and some don't allow it at all (and forbid it, actually)...
those that do allow it have different ways they do it...some will book flights for the trip home, some won't - some will book the rental car, some won't... totally depends.
Definitely call your chapter.
Wow, so much is happening here. So many upcoming wishes! Its been crazy in our world and I really am trying to get the trip report done... but its taking awhile. Sydney starts school on Monday... first day of junior kindergarten
Caiden's 3rd bday is on Tuesday. Lucas started school last week but hockey starts this weekend. I hadn't thought much about it other than trying to work around it for Caiden's bday party and Lucas' bday party later this month but it turns out, my boy wants to be goalie and player and none of his freaking equipment from last year still fits so I've spent several nights this week, with kids in tow, at sporting goods stores and skate places getting player gear, goalie gear and skates. Just insane

Hopefully the madness will end soon and I can get back to the trip report. The main problem is finding time to download the pics to photobucket ... after all, what good is a trip report with pics .
Anyway, just wanted to touch base, say hi, and wish everyone going soon a wonderful trip!
Oh, I also want to thank everyone for suggested names for the Childrens Wish Foundation walk. We've decided to go with Sydney's Smiles... because that was what Sydney's wish was all about

Hello!!!
On Kylee's MAW trip we just told the Organization we wanted to stay 2 extra days and they just booked the flight home the day we wanted. The only thing we had to pay is the hotel and take over the van rental. We are going to stay 3 extra days this time. We just told them we wanted to leave on the 30th of March.
Awesome!
Jbrnhrt and jen-y and Haybugsmom (and any other wish mom's who's names I haven't got) - pm me your kids names, trip dates and snail addy's and I'll send them "I was so glad to meet you" post cards from Mickey! (Or looking forward to meeting you cards) (We're at the world 9/24 - 10/1)
Um.... We totally need to meet up! I will be there Sept 30th to 10/4!
And this goes for any of you guys, too. This trip will be solo for me! I have several "meets" planned and I won't have a car (so I will have to do all meets on Disney property somewhere) - but if any of you guys are in Disney from the 30th to the 4th and want to meet up for a bit, PM me.
I'm so happy we're here. Thank the heavens for Make-a-Wish!
This is what I posted on the planning board. I can't add links so here's what I posted:
----------------------
Xander - Wish Trip - Wish Granted - Dates TBD
Wooohooo! Xander has been granted a Wish!! We haven't commited to any specific location yet but we will soon and we would like it to be GKTW/Disney. From what I have heard from other wish families, this vacation is ALL about the kids. That is what I want for him. His life has been full of pain and sadness and it's time for some fun!
While we haven't nailed down the dates, I am excited to start planning for our trip. Are there sample itineraries around? I don't know how to go about figuring out where to go and what to do every day. There is so much and I know it isn't all geared toward my sons' age groups. Where can I go to find out age appropriate rides, shows, events, etc...?
Thanks in advance!
Blair
About Xander
Shortly after birth, Xander was diagnosed with the life threatening liver disease, Biliary Atresia. At 7wks old, he had surgery to try and save his native liver. Unfortunately, the surgery failed. Since the surgery was unsucessful, his only chance for survival would ultimately be a liver transplant.
Following Xander's surgery, he deteriorated pretty quickly. He was placed on the transplant waiting list at nine months of age. He was at end-stage liver disease. The day after he was listed, he was admitted to the Johns Hopkins hospital due to complications of liver disease. He remained there until 'the call' came.
Thanks to a most caring family, Xander recieved his gift of life at ten months old. His donor was a 16yr old boy. We thank God every day for Xander's angel donor and pray for his family. Their son gave our son the most beautiful gift one person can give to another. Life. We are forever grateful.
Since transplant, Xander has been in and out of the hospital but for the most part he and his new liver are getting along famously. He is full of energy and I believe he understands how great life is. He enjoys every single second and makes the most out of each day. He has taught us what is important in life. We are so very blessed he chose us to be his Mommy, his Daddy and his brother. We wouldn't want it any other way. ♥
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I am so glad he is getting his wish!!!!

You have found a great board here.
I am so glad Xander was approved for a trip

You have come to the right place. As far as research, I would start with the Walt Disney World website. There is information on there geared toward different age groups. Also, order the free vacation planning DVD. There is a group on the Disney website called "ask moms" and you can ask questions, but actually you could just ask us any questions you have. There are certain things that may or may not be good for him to do depending on likes and dislikes. For example, my son is scared of loud noises. There are a few rides I know are loud (the dinosaur one at Animal Kingdom) so we won't take him on that. And he won't go anywhere near the Haunted Mansion. He won't even walk towards it.
After you look around at the Disney website, ask us if you have any questions. One of the most important things to do is make your dining reservations ( or ADR's ) as soon as you get your dates, becuase restaurants fill up fast
Good advice!
I love the Mom's Panel (and know some of those ladies), but I would ask wish trip questions here...they don't know wish trip "rules" - the experts on that are over here. LOL
Day 6 edited and illustrated, Day 7 posted.
We're home and happy to be in our own beds, but we fought back tears when leaving GKTW this morning. And not because I dropped the car seat on my toe.
You crack me up.
I loved the blog posts that I have read and plan to read the rest tonight!

I have a night of DISing coming my way!
I was wondering if someone here can tell me how to get my grandaughter, Madison's pre trip report on the " We are going and planning" list at the beginning of this thread?
That's me!

It is on my "list" for tonight.
I think Maroo does it but she is on a trip right now.
Yes...Mary does it and she is in Florida right now. Maybe someone else does it too.

Nope, just me. Actually, a mod could edit any post, too...but they would probably just wait for me. Usually I buy internet access at least one night...but never did on this trip. It was a full week of fun!
Lucky Mary, being in Florida.We can wait til she gets back.
Very lucky indeed!! It was a GREAT trip!
WELCOME BACK!!!
I hope you had a great time and I'm excited to hear about everthing!!
We had so much fun!!

back Mary!! I can't wait to hear all the details.
We had a blast! I will put a link to the TR in my siggie once we get it started.

"All7ofUs" will be the thread author, but I will be posting on there, too.
Because Maroo started it, she "owns" the thread and is the only one who can edit her own post. She's back and will be posting updates soon! Meanwhile, you can put a link to it in your siggie, if you haven't already
Welcome Back ! hope you had a blast !
It was so awesome!
Welcome back Maroo! Hope you had a wonderful trip!!!
It was so awesome!
My name is Danielle and my 6-year old was diagnosed with Melanoma last year. Our wish trip is on October 1st and we are very excited! I apologize if my question is not appropriate for a Disney board but I'm not sure where else to ask.
In planning our trip, we were not planning to use the Universal tickets but have since changed our minds because I have recently read Harry Potter Book 1 to them (I also have a 9 year old boy) and now we do want to check out that park.
I know that at Disney the kids get a special star to show they are a wish child and that gets them to the front of the line, but does that happen at Universal as well? Another option we are considering is buying an extra 2-day park hopper and just sticking with Disney parks. Is that possible and does anyone know what the cost for a family of four would be? Could we just upgrade the 3-day park hopper?
The kids would like to see Universal though, but for this trip, we want to stick to places that allow us to get through the lines quickly.
Thanks for the help!
I like the way you think here...to focus on doing the things during your time that will be the quickest...makes a lot of sense!
I think you will be pleased with the "quickness" of everything.
Thanks, that does help! I'm going to make a pre-trip report so that I don't dominate this thread for the next three weeks!
Feel free to ask questions here or on a pre-trip report! Totally up to you!
Here is the PTR thread I started. If it can be linked to the start of this thread that would be great!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2554467
Wow! That was fast! I will link it!
I checked the weather for the next ten days at Dis and its gonna be hot (89)
I am prone to heat stroke

Someone once posted something about a cloth that you wet and it stays cold and wet for hours. I think that would help keep me cool, but I can't remember what its called or where to get it. Help
Here are a few tips...
- Wear a hat and sunglasses (I almost forgot mine!)
- Try to make it to the parks early and take a break somewhere during the day...
- Remember that you can get FREE ice water at any counter service spot in Disney World! That helped keep us hydrated this last trip!
We did a lot of going in and out of rides and shops and restaurants and I didn't think the heat was too terrible.
There has been some new posters here over the last few days...
For those of you who are 'long timers' (I was going to type old timers but I didn't want to go there LOL) I'm sure you remember Stefani and her family.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356709
They have been told some not so good news about Bella. I will link her caring bridge page, if anyone would like to post there. I haven't seen her on the DIS in a while, but I'm sure you will understand why. Please keep Bella and the whole family in your thoughts and prayers.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/isabellagriggs/journal/2
Tim,
Thank you so much for posting this! I had a TON of email and missed this update.