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

[casper_jj11]

I just wanted to share a little tip that worked really well for me the first time we took the kids to Disney. I didn't do it last year when we went, and I kind of regretted it, but my mom was with us so she was a HUGE help to me so it wasn't such a big deal.

As you know, I have the 4 kids...well, 5 if you coun't my husband!!

He will yell at us to know end to "Hurry Up" when we are trying to get out of the house. Needless to say, I have myself and 4 kids up, fed, dressed, teeth brushed, hair combed, and buckled waiting in the car for HIM everytime!!

Wow! Sounds like my house! Every Sat and Sun morning is exactly the same thing. I get the three kiddos ready and in the van for swimming, hockey, whatever and we're waiting while DH finishes his coffee! Drives me nuts!

So, he is NOT helpful at all. What I did that first trip, since the kids were alot younger and Brigitte had just had her first 3 surgeries, was to put an outfit for each kid in a ziploc bag. It had a shirt, shorts, and underwear. I wrote their name on it with a Sharpie. All they had to do was grab their own bag and get themselves dressed, while I got Brigge together. We still were wating for DH.

We did this too and its amazing! I kinda take it a step further and do an outfit for each kid as well as outfits for DH and I. I put a piece of paper inside stating the day and location. Silly but we always have matching coloured shirts (red, yellow, blue, whatever) . Its so easy to pack once its done and no chaos in the mornings. I also include hair bows/bands in DD's bags. DH asks what he's wearing each morning and I toss a bag at him. He woudn't match by choice but who says he has a choice

 

[yinyanggirls]

So, all of you who've flown in and out of Orlando/MCO....Is the airport divided in terms of airlines? Meaning is Southwest going to have a different security checkpoint and terminal than American?

 

[that's nice]

So, all of you who've flown in and out of Orlando/MCO....Is the airport divided in terms of airlines? Meaning is Southwest going to have a different security checkpoint and terminal than American?

Both Southwest & American are in terminal A. I'm pretty sure you go through the same security for both. Here is a map of MCO. http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/terminal.htm

 

[maroo]

Just a question. Since Ty is the only one that wll get a Make a Wish shirt (I have seen families where them) where do the other family members get them? I was hoping we would each get one or at least Sierra and Ty but ours said nope its just him any ideas??

It was the same with our chapter. They only gave Lauren a Wish Shirt...but we all bought one. They were sold at cost - so it wasn't a big deal to get one.

The only crummy for me was that the size for me was a totally different color. One big red blob!

We bought Jake one and the buttons, as our chapter did not give either of these things to the wish child or family. I actually found the wish buttons to be a huge help, the rude stares of others were cut down right away as soon as the saw the MAW button. I think it was a total of $15.00 for one kids tee shirt and 8 MAW buttons.

The buttons are a GREAT idea to have and wear every day - in addition to the GKTW button, of course, since that is the real button they will look for.

But especially if your child appears typical - the MAW buttons will help tremendously with that!

Another thing I have not mentioned in a while...Try to wear clothes (for the Wish Child especially) that will SHOW the button.

The official GKTW button changes fairly often...but it is usually pink for the girls and blue for the boys (light blue)...so you may want to have the Wish Child wear contrasting colors to the button. Or...if they happen to have a precious outfit that matches the button, you could put it on something else to make it stand out...Not exactly sure what...? But just make sure they can see the special button.

The MAW buttons in general, though, would give the CM a clue to look for the "real" button...so that helps, too!

 

[casper_jj11]

I'm still trying to 'plan' as such the trip that DD4 would enjoy best. I've been told that there is flexibility with the tickets. I've been concerned that DD is too young for Universal and there is a possibility of getting Busch Gardens tix instead (along with WDW and Seaworld)

Has anyone been on a wish trip to US with teh wish child being younger than a sibling? How have they enjoyed it?

Has anyone gone to BG on a wish trip? If so, what is the experience like for wish kids?

I've heard many say they've gone to US but I haven't heard much about Seaworld. What is the experience like at Seaworld for Wish children?

Its possible that we'll be staying onsite and not at GKTW. For anyone that has not stayed at GKTW, how are wish children recognized at Disney and other parks? Does each organization have different wish buttons that are used? (going through Children's Wish Foundation in Canada)

I know I'll have more questions as time goes on. I've had very little contact with the organization so far as its still very early in the planning stages but I don't want to bug them with questions that I can get answered elsewhere.

 

[noahsketomom]

Hi all,

We have finally started our pre-trip report and I'm so glad......I need something to do with all this nervous energy and excitement!

Of course, I probably should throw the extra energy into the gym, but that would not be as much fun!!!

So glad to hear that Mya is doing well!!! What a great place to celebrate!

Thank you for sharing all your stories and trips with this thread...it's making me more excited than the kids I think!!!!

 

[maroo]

PS>>>> This is not directly at anything I have read here on the boards at all...and has nothing to do with any particular person or user (I promise I would PM you if it did!)...just something I have been thinking about over the past month or so.


This is just a public service announcement...and it will be a little ironic...

Please don't forget...as you type in these forums and particularly this thread...that there are people reading the posts that are not identifying themselves.

When I first found these forums, I never thought about who would be reading what I am writing and I always felt anonymous.

But you never know who is reading the threads...and I would assume even as I type this...that EVERYONE is reading them. Representatives from MAW, GKTW, Disney, Universal, your family...you never know who is reading what you are writing...

Most of us have identified ourselves here using pictures or even just type that would give away enough information about ourselves to be easily identified.

Just remember that people are reading what we are writing.

Sorry...I just feel like that needs to be said.


As a funny aside...I have a favorite cousin that I don't talk to often...but I found out a few months ago that she is a DISer...a lurker! We have never talked about whether or not she knows who I am on here...but she spends a couple of hours on here a day...so I figure if she spends that much time around here, she knows where to find ME!

Anyway...I just wanted to throw out that gentle reminder.

 

[maroo]

I'm still trying to 'plan' as such the trip that DD4 would enjoy best. I've been told that there is flexibility with the tickets. I've been concerned that DD is too young for Universal and there is a possibility of getting Busch Gardens tix instead (along with WDW and Seaworld)

Universal does have some playgrounds and fun places and characters for the younger kids - but there are also a lot of big people rides.

Has anyone been on a wish trip to US with teh wish child being younger than a sibling? How have they enjoyed it?

Ours was the other way around...so I can't really answer this question.

Has anyone gone to BG on a wish trip? If so, what is the experience like for wish kids?

I honestly don't know of anyone??

I've heard many say they've gone to US but I haven't heard much about Seaworld. What is the experience like at Seaworld for Wish children?

I think this experience has widely varied. I am not sure if the Sea World staff is as well trained as the Universal staff, for example...The Universal staff ALL seem to recognize the button and their special GAC card...but at Sea World it seems to vary. Some have found that the Sea World staff have been extra special...but we didn't find much special, honestly. The wish kids do get a tray of free fish to feed the dolphins and they were GREAT to us about making sure that Lauren got to touch one...even to the point of getting the dolphin to come up and sit on a ledge for her.

Its possible that we'll be staying onsite and not at GKTW. For anyone that has not stayed at GKTW, how are wish children recognized at Disney and other parks? Does each organization have different wish buttons that are used? (going through Children's Wish Foundation in Canada)

Ahh.... I think this will actually make a fairly significant difference on the answers to your questions, honestly.

If you are staying as a guest of GKTW (even if you are onsite, but GKTW sent you there)...then you get the 3 Day PH to Disney, 1 Sea World day and 2 Universal days...and GKTW handles the button and special GAC pass for the other parks.

It seems to make a pretty big difference whether the trip is through GKTW or not.

I think the only full TR I have read where the child was not a guest of GTKW was kdzbear's report. And they did a Disney only trip and stayed on Disney Property at All Stars, I think. They had their folks get Free Dining for them - since it was cheaper for the organization that way. And they got buttons, but not the same as GKTW.

I know I'll have more questions as time goes on. I've had very little contact with the organization so far as its still very early in the planning stages but I don't want to bug them with questions that I can get answered elsewhere.

I would definitely not be afraid to ask them questions...because the experiences we have all had here are going to be different if you are not going to be staying at GKTW or through GKTW.

Hi all,

We have finally started our pre-trip report and I'm so glad......I need something to do with all this nervous energy and excitement!

Of course, I probably should throw the extra energy into the gym, but that would not be as much fun!!!

So glad to hear that Mya is doing well!!! What a great place to celebrate!

Thank you for sharing all your stories and trips with this thread...it's making me more excited than the kids I think!!!!

Woo HOO!! I gotta go find this!!

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Hello everyone i know i havent been on here in a long while my wish kid was sick but he is doing better now. He is a very strong boy he gets threw everything but it takes him awhile. We have our Disney world dates we leave on june 11th we are driving from hamilton ohio to give kids the world thats where we will be staying from june 12th til june 18th we are so excited i have been trying to find sites that have some game ideals for long car trips i heard its going to take us 15 hours to get there in the car and we have 4 kids ages 9 boy, 10 girl , 12 girl and 14 boy wish boy. So i know im planning early but with us driving we need to come up with stufff for the kids to do on the way down and back. So if anyone has any ideals that would help me find some sites with fun stuff for kids to do on our road trip please let me know thanks

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Is anyone else going to disney world in june 12 - june 18 of this year we will be staying at give kids the world ?????????

 

[maroo]

We have a new wish trip pre-trip report!!!

Noah's Pre-Trip Report!!

 

[maroo]

Is anyone else going to disney world in june 12 - june 18 of this year we will be staying at give kids the world ?????????

So far you guys are the first June folks!

But I am sure more will be coming around over the next few months!

 

[motherof4greatkids]

this is so exciting my kids are just so excited about this trip they have never been and i hear give kids the world is a great place..

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

ok quick question Is Sea World close enough to drive over to Universal studios in the same day? Like do half and half? Just trying to fit all the excitment in

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

It was the same with our chapter. They only gave Lauren a Wish Shirt...but we all bought one. They were sold at cost - so it wasn't a big deal to get one.

The only crummy for me was that the size for me was a totally different color. One big red blob!



The buttons are a GREAT idea to have and wear every day - in addition to the GKTW button, of course, since that is the real button they will look for.

But especially if your child appears typical - the MAW buttons will help tremendously with that!

Another thing I have not mentioned in a while...Try to wear clothes (for the Wish Child especially) that will SHOW the button.

The official GKTW button changes fairly often...but it is usually pink for the girls and blue for the boys (light blue)...so you may want to have the Wish Child wear contrasting colors to the button. Or...if they happen to have a precious outfit that matches the button, you could put it on something else to make it stand out...Not exactly sure what...? But just make sure they can see the special button.

The MAW buttons in general, though, would give the CM a clue to look for the "real" button...so that helps, too!

Thank you Maroo Ty and Sierra are getting one so it worked out. woot woot!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

We have a new wish trip pre-trip report!!!

Noah's Pre-Trip Report!!

Joining Noah's PTR right now! Yayy!!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Hello everyone i know i havent been on here in a long while my wish kid was sick but he is doing better now. He is a very strong boy he gets threw everything but it takes him awhile. We have our Disney world dates we leave on june 11th we are driving from hamilton ohio to give kids the world thats where we will be staying from june 12th til june 18th we are so excited i have been trying to find sites that have some game ideals for long car trips i heard its going to take us 15 hours to get there in the car and we have 4 kids ages 9 boy, 10 girl , 12 girl and 14 boy wish boy. So i know im planning early but with us driving we need to come up with stufff for the kids to do on the way down and back. So if anyone has any ideals that would help me find some sites with fun stuff for kids to do on our road trip please let me know thanks

Hi! Never too early to plan! Looking forward to reading your pre-trip report!!

 

[jessica52877]

No wonder I thought you guys suddenly weren't chatty! I missed the new thread!!!

 

[LindaBabe]

HI everbody.
Just back from 3 weeks in Florida. The first two were freezing, but it got better after that.

Thanks to Thumper's request for park maps, the old lady woke up and fetched several sets - I never thought of y'all needing those. I have at least 3 extra sets to the first wish momma's who pm me their addresses.

I took a new potential volunteer around GKTW before leaving for the airport, and it reminded me just how wonderful a place it is. I saw the new villas for the first time (They're amazing) and Mathew's boundless playground. WOW! Your kids will think they're in wonderland for sure.

Please don't plan your days so full that you fail to allow time to spend in this marvelous place! There's a magical playroom in the Castle of miracles that twinkles with fiberoptic lights. The carousel about which much has been written, but there's also a narrow guage train, and a marvelous model railroad running through interactive landscapes. There are model boats to 'drive' and ice cream to eat and a sleeping tree that SNORES. Twice a week volunteers bring horses to ride, and there are Christmas Parties, and birthday parties and visits from Characters. And the POOL! Oh my.

Honestly, you could never leave the resort, and still have a fabulous vacation.

Lurkers, if you're lurking and you are not a wish family - c'mon down and volunteer! OR get out there and raise funding for GKTW or your local wish organization. YOU, TOO, can be a part of something wonderful!

 

[yinyanggirls]

I'm being lazy and not quoting, sorry.


Joined Noah's PTR! Yay!

Welcome back, momof4great kids. I wondered where you went. Did you guys request to drive or can your son not fly? If I find anything about roadtrips I'll pass it along. We will do a few hours of driving here and there and I'm trying to get prepared for the same thing. No one else has reserved dates for June but you're pretty far ahead right now. We've had our dates since November and don't go until April. Most families going in the same month we are were reserved more recently than us.

I was told by a wish family that you do receive tickets to Busch Gardens in your GKTW check-out packet. So if that is a high priority for your family, it would seem that they could give you the tickets up front, but it would be better to ask about it now.

Several families are going to dedicate a special day to Sea World in the next month or so, so keep checking back for more detailed accounts of that park.

Good point about the privacy and sensitivity of the topics, Maroo.

Linda, you mentioned the wonderful pool. Do you know what the hours are and if it's heated?