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

[pouty_tink]

I feel kind of odd asking this question, but I know many if not all of the Wish children stay at GKTW. We were told that we may stay on property as part of Kaylins wish.. Both my hubby and I have some reservations about staying there (GKTW) for a few reasons. But Im wondering since it will be the only time she would ever experience that should we just stay there. Can someone enlighten me a little more about GKTW?

 

[Thumper321]

I feel kind of odd asking this question, but I know many if not all of the Wish children stay at GKTW. We were told that we may stay on property as part of Kaylins wish.. Both my hubby and I have some reservations about staying there (GKTW) for a few reasons. But Im wondering since it will be the only time she would ever experience that should we just stay there. Can someone enlighten me a little more about GKTW?

From what I have heard, yes, you should stay there. Just think, she will probably never again have the chance to stay at GKTW. She can go back to any Disney property, but all the money in the world couldn't buy her a week at GKTW. Have you visited their website? It's www.gktw.org if you haven't. Of course, some choose not to stay there. I guess each parent is the best judge of what is best for their child.

 

[yinyanggirls]

I feel kind of odd asking this question, but I know many if not all of the Wish children stay at GKTW. We were told that we may stay on property as part of Kaylins wish.. Both my hubby and I have some reservations about staying there (GKTW) for a few reasons. But Im wondering since it will be the only time she would ever experience that should we just stay there. Can someone enlighten me a little more about GKTW?

I might help if you share some of your concerns or thoughts about staying there. There is another mom here (dang it I'm drawing a blank right now) that is leaning towards staying on property also. We were not given a choice, and I'm kind of glad because not knowing anything about GKTW at the time, I might have chosen on property by default.

The vast majority of opinions about Disney is that they are cordial and welcoming and the properties are very nice, but essentially they are just hotels. GKTW is there to pamper your child (and your family) because they know exactly why you are there. And yet, at the same time I've never heard anyone say that it was intrusive or more attention than they were comfortable with. Since we haven't been yet I can only share thoughts based on others' experiences, but there's my .02.

 

[casper_jj11]

I feel kind of odd asking this question, but I know many if not all of the Wish children stay at GKTW. We were told that we may stay on property as part of Kaylins wish.. Both my hubby and I have some reservations about staying there (GKTW) for a few reasons. But Im wondering since it will be the only time she would ever experience that should we just stay there. Can someone enlighten me a little more about GKTW?

There is another mom here (dang it I'm drawing a blank right now) that is leaning towards staying on property also. We were not given a choice, and I'm kind of glad because not knowing anything about GKTW at the time, I might have chosen on property by default.

That's me I think. We've been given the choice as well. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about GKTW but we are leaning towards staying onsite. There's another mom on here as well that is staying onsite during their upcoming trip. We all have our reasons for staying at one location or the other. I've been really torn because GKTW is a once in a lifetime opportunity but I'm going to go with what I think will make it the most enjoyable trip for Sydney.

 

[pouty_tink]

See and I think that is where some of our dilemma comes into play, we want this to be a memorable and happy vacation. Not that staying onsite would make it that way and offsite wouldnt...I really am on the fence though, like you said a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and yet, staying onsite is very much a part of the Disney experience in my book. I honestly do not know much about GKTW. I will have to check out the website thumper321 listed. Another reason is we will probably be having family there at the same time. And knowing they cannot stay at GKTW, does anyone know if they are allowed to visit there with us? I'm also wondering how easy it will be to interact with family while there if staying at GKTW.

 

[Momofwishkid]

See and I think that is where some of our dilemma comes into play, we want this to be a memorable and happy vacation. Not that staying onsite would make it that way and offsite wouldnt...I really am on the fence though, like you said a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and yet, staying onsite is very much a part of the Disney experience in my book. I honestly do not know much about GKTW. I will have to check out the website thumper321 listed. Another reason is we will probably be having family there at the same time. And knowing they cannot stay at GKTW, does anyone know if they are allowed to visit there with us? I'm also wondering how easy it will be to interact with family while there if staying at GKTW.

I just wanted to say that Yes family, friends can definetley visit you at GKTW. They can even purchase meal vouchers ($1 each??) to eat with you.

 

[jessica52877]

If I were a kid I would want to stay at GKTW, in fact as an adult, knowing it was a once in a lifetime chance I would want to stay there. If you haven't checked out some of the completed TR check them out! There is so much for the kids to do there and they are there to pamper you and the children.

 

[Wee Annie]

See and I think that is where some of our dilemma comes into play, we want this to be a memorable and happy vacation. Not that staying onsite would make it that way and offsite wouldnt...I really am on the fence though, like you said a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and yet, staying onsite is very much a part of the Disney experience in my book.

You know, as everyone says, the bottom line is that you need to choose what will make this trip the most special and memorable for your family. For us, we consider this more of a MAW trip than a Disney trip (does that make any sense?). We are blessed to have the resources to possibly visit WDW in the future (assuming hubby can keep his job!), but I know that this is our one and only chance to stay at GKTW (or so we hope, assuming our other kids stay healthy). I have heard magical things about GKTW, and our family really, really needs to be able to relax and regroup as a family a little bit (I know, we shouldn't have chosen WDW if we want to relax...). We have stayed at WDW on property before Elke was born, and we want a different experience. I want to be somewhere where everyone "gets it" -- either that you currently have a child that is struggling against serious medical odds, or that you have been through that in the past. I guess what I'm saying is that I want to walk around our hotel with the knowledge that everyone there knows, in a general way, the struggle we're in (or have been in, for those who are now "survivors"), and that there is this intangible "bond" among the families there, despite their different diagnoses, that we have all been through something your "average" family hasn't.

I hope I'm not building up this experience too much in my mind, but I truly want this trip to be different than anything we've ever done, or could ever do in the future.

Guess I shouldn't have had a glass of wine with dinner (waxing philosphical). The snow (and tomorrow's snow day) drove me to it. At least that's my story (and I'm stickin' to it).

But those are my reasons for staying at GKTW. I think an equally wonderful wish trip can be had on-site. You just have to weigh the pros and cons of each location yourself. And definitely visit the GKTW website.

 

[Mtopher4]

I'm feeling guilty about the cruise knowing it is our one chance to ever go to GKTW

 

[that's nice]

Wee Annie-
I just read your last caring bridge post and I wanted to say how brave your little girl is. I'm glad her spinal fluid was clean. Every little accomplishment is a huge step.

 

[that's nice]

I'm feeling guilty about the cruise knowing it is our one chance to ever go to GKTW

I think a Disney cruise is awesome!!! I'm sure your DD will think so too!

Just be sure to come back after your cruise and write a TR so other Wish families will see too!

 

[Mtopher4]

Her good friend went on the cruise as her wish that's where Ashley got the idea LOL And yes I will for sure do a trip report

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

ARG Sorry Miranda. I meant to thank you. lol I was in a hurry as I was running late to pick Ty up for therapy lol

 

[Wee Annie]

I'm feeling guilty about the cruise knowing it is our one chance to ever go to GKTW

This is where that glass of wine I had is dangerous. Soooo didn't meant to imply that other ways of spending "wishes" were inferior! A cruise doesn't work for us for a couple of reasons, but I can see where a cruise might be an IDEAL wish! (In fact, if it were MY wish we would be going on a cruise -- that's always been a dream of mine). And I can see how staying on-site at WDW might be the best way for another family to use a child's wish. Completely. I just wanted to describe what went into our reasoning behind going to GKTW (and frankly, we weren't given a choice, although that might have been because I excitedly started talking about GKTW right away...).

Definitely want to hear all about your cruise. I'm sure it will be magical, in a way no "regular" cruise could ever be!

No more wine for me! Er, at least for tonight.

 

[Wee Annie]

Wee Annie-
I just read your last caring bridge post and I wanted to say how brave your little girl is. I'm glad her spinal fluid was clean. Every little accomplishment is a huge step.

Thanks -- that's very kind of you to say! And we look to childhood cancer survivors like your beautiful little girl for inspiration!

 

[pipersmom]

WOW....We just got home from our trip yesterday and it was AMAZING...don't get me wrong, Jake's MAW trip was AMAZING, but this trip was right up there.

Our night at GKTW was beyound awesome. We meet so many wonderful wish family's, and so some there were more than ungrateful ( I guess I did not see this as much when we were there as a wish family, vs being a volunteer..) We got to find Jake's star, and they went up on a later and took a close up picture of it.

I hope to get pictures up soon....and they also were able to give us a wish star and Jake got to pick out a wish pillow for his friend Ethan who did not make his trip this week...so it was very touching to say the least...

Hope all is well with everyone...and hey Piper...Jake left you a little something...

Welcome home! I'm glad you enjoyed the trip!! Sorry to hear about the ungrateful people, but not really surprised. So did your eyes leak like you were afraid of? I'm so glad they let you pick up the things for Ethan's family. I think you should do a mini-TR! : Piper will be soooooo excited that Jake left her something! Thank you so much!

 

[maroo]

See and I think that is where some of our dilemma comes into play, we want this to be a memorable and happy vacation. Not that staying onsite would make it that way and offsite wouldnt...I really am on the fence though, like you said a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and yet, staying onsite is very much a part of the Disney experience in my book. I honestly do not know much about GKTW. I will have to check out the website thumper321 listed. Another reason is we will probably be having family there at the same time. And knowing they cannot stay at GKTW, does anyone know if they are allowed to visit there with us? I'm also wondering how easy it will be to interact with family while there if staying at GKTW.

GKTW is so hard to explain...

Definitely check out the website.

But what you can't put on the website is the atmosphere there...The music. The people. The other families all around. The volunteers.

The STUFF there is fun. It is awesome to be able to have your child put a star in their sky that stays forever. It is awesome to be able to do EVERYTHING for FREE there. All the entertainment and such is free.

But it is an experience that really only people who have been can really explain. And it is probably different for different families.

If a child has a wish to "Stay on the Savannah at the Animal Kingdom Lodge." OR "I want to stay at the Grand Floridian" or "I want to stay in the hotel with the monorail going through it" - then it may make more sense to stay onsite. It is all about your child's wish.

If you do a wish through MAW and are "booked" through GKTW - even if they have to put you on site (that happened to us) - then you are still a guest of GKTW, you just can't sleep there.

PM me what your concerns are and I will be glad to see if I can address any specific ones.

Lauren basically chose Disney because she LOVED the look of GKTW - and it did not disappoint.

Personally - that place is MORE magical than Disney. And that says a lot.

I'm feeling guilty about the cruise knowing it is our one chance to ever go to GKTW

Don't feel bad! If your child's wish is the cruise, then they will have a GREAT time and not know the difference!

Lauren now wishes she had asked to meet the Jonas Brothers.

 

[maroo]

This is where that glass of wine I had is dangerous. Soooo didn't meant to imply that other ways of spending "wishes" were inferior! A cruise doesn't work for us for a couple of reasons, but I can see where a cruise might be an IDEAL wish! (In fact, if it were MY wish we would be going on a cruise -- that's always been a dream of mine). And I can see how staying on-site at WDW might be the best way for another family to use a child's wish. Completely. I just wanted to describe what went into our reasoning behind going to GKTW (and frankly, we weren't given a choice, although that might have been because I excitedly started talking about GKTW right away...).

Definitely want to hear all about your cruise. I'm sure it will be magical, in a way no "regular" cruise could ever be!

No more wine for me! Er, at least for tonight.

Your wine comment has made me laugh!

I can't tell you how many times I have read over something I have posted and wondered....what was I smoking?? I don't smoke and don't do drugs and would have no reason to think that...except that some of the things I say are so......distracted.

Anyway. I don't even know what you said...but I thought your wine comment was funny.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I dont know how I missed this! So glad to hear you had a wonderful trip! Can't wait to read all about it and see all of the pictures. Im so glad they let Jake pick out a pillow for Ethan

WOW....We just got home from our trip yesterday and it was AMAZING...don't get me wrong, Jake's MAW trip was AMAZING, but this trip was right up there.

Our night at GKTW was beyound awesome. We meet so many wonderful wish family's, and so some there were more than ungrateful ( I guess I did not see this as much when we were there as a wish family, vs being a volunteer..) We got to find Jake's star, and they went up on a later and took a close up picture of it.

I hope to get pictures up soon....and they also were able to give us a wish star and Jake got to pick out a wish pillow for his friend Ethan who did not make his trip this week...so it was very touching to say the least...

Hope all is well with everyone...and hey Piper...Jake left you a little something...

 

[maroo]

URGENT Prayer Request....

This was just posted on myasma's CaringBridge for Mya...

Unfortunately today I recieved the news I was dreading. Mya's AFP has in fact risen to over 5000 and marks a definite relapse. There is not really anymore treatment options left so I can do nothing but let her live out the rest of her life. This is so cruel and we need everyone's prayers right now. Thank you.

Please, please, please - First of all pray for them.

And then, if you are inclined, please go send her a message on her blog.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/myaroseharris