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

[motherof4greatkids]

Hi does anyone know how i can get a make a wish/ disney trip disign for shirts for our family i just need a disign so i can take it to a shirt maker please

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Haven't heard of anything at the disney parks but if you plan on going to universal, we were told that the wish kid gets a free face painting at any of the stands. You just walk up and get it and show them your GKTW button. Luca got his face painted and then played in water so it came off, he went back again and got it painted. then the next day he did it again. he got spiderman on his face and bought spiderman crocs and got his pic taken with spidey. That is one of his best memories

Thank you. This definately helps. Too sweet that this is one of his best memories.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Been a rough couple of days in our house. Yesterday morning Adri woke up at 5am complaining of a headache. That's the one thing I sort of really take notice of, because of her brain tumor. We gave her some water and she went back to sleep. She woke up at 8:30 feeling fine so I sent her to her preschool. At 11 the teacher called saying she'd been crying & complaining of a headache. I had to wake up Cooper and feed him, so by time we left the house it was at least 15 minutes since I'd talked to the teacher. In a hurry, I backed out of my garage before the door was all the way lifted, breaking the door.

Last night Adri was up a lot, feverish, and very cranky. Her first follow-up MRI was scheduled for this morning and we were very concerned that they wouldn't do it if she wasn't well. She wasn't running a fever when we got there, but as always with her, they had a terrible time with an IV. Terrible time. After 5 adults holding her down, and 5 or 6 unsuccessful attempts (and her screaming "get me off of here"), the stress/emotions/fears/memories of her surgery flooded me and I passed out. I guess I did a face plant and busted my head open, so I was wheeled off to the ER while Josh stayed back with her. They wanted to reschedule her but I begged them to go ahead with it. Josh called a friend to come sit with me so I wasn't there by myself through the tests and stitches. I definitely was very emotional - emotional about being back for the first time since the surgery and also having lots of feelings of inadequacy and guilt that I couldn't be there with Adri.

I'm stitched up but look rough and have a nasty headache. Adri seems to be feeling better. We'll get the results of the MRI on Wednesday.

I need a distraction from a crappy couple of days so I think I'll work on some trip planning tonight.

Oh No! I am so sorry!! I remember when Ty had his first surgery I hit my knees when they carried him back into the room. It was just too much for me. I hope your head feels better very soon. You are all in my prayers

Just wanted to let everyone know that we're back! We stayed at GKTW and then extended on our own on-site (it was Elke's 4th birthday yesterday, and it was important to us to celebrate it there). We had a great time!

GKTW is a truly magical place. Tip to anyone planning a trip there: do schedule time just to hang out there. It is so relaxing, has a lot for the kids to do (the pool area alone is wonderful), and the people there are truly extraordinary. Pick a handful of things you want to get done at each park, do them, and then spend time at GKTW. That's my advice. Especially if you have a wish child like mine that, ahem, doesn't transition well and doesn't handle sensory overloads wonderfully.... (or so we found out). She still had a good time at the parks, but really really liked just hanging out at GKTW.

Also, I haven't had the time to completely catch up on this thread since we left, but I see people were talking about face painting, so I wanted to tell you about our wonderful experience. Elke wanted to get her face painted at Hollywood Studios, and when I asked the woman how much it would cost, she pointed to Elke's MAW button and said that for her it was free, and absolutely refused to take any money for it. It was these wonderful gestures that made our time in the parks really memorable (oh yes, the magic pass really really helped...).

Just don't get so caught up in having the "magic pass" that you feel like you have to spend all your time in the parks. My two cents.

Thank you for your feedback on things. and WELCOME HOME!! Would love to read about your trip. Are you doing a TR?

Hello everyone!

I am out of town and hopped on for a quick minute.

Lauren flew Southwest - so I think they can basically fly any airline. I think they try to get miles donated from people for flights.

And I know American Airlines is a sponsor in some way of GKTW because we have had a couple of families that were selected for the American Airlines WishFlight. Lauren was supposed to do that and it didn't pan out, but I think they can use any airline.



PhotoPass:

If you are staying at GKTW then you will get a voucher when you go through orientation for a free PhotoPass CD. You will get all of the instructions, etc. If you are going "through" GKTW but are staying on Disney Property instead (but are getting your tickets, etc, from GKTW), then you will also get one when you do the GKTW orientation - even if you are staying at a Disney resort. For example: We stayed at the Contemporary, but all of our tickets came from GKTW - so we went there first to do orientation. You get the code at orientation, so you should be good to go.

I think that takes care of everyone on this thread...as far as I know.


IF you are going with a Wish Organization and not going at all through or staying at GKTW - then PM me. Disney really does want EVERY wish family to get a PhotoPass CD. This is from upper management at the PhotoPass area, but not every CM is aware of how it works, etc.

Just PM me if you are one of the few on here that are not going on a trip affiliated at all with GKTW. I will get some information from you about your trip and then we can get you a code. No worries.


If you are not going on an official wish trip and are just lurking over here, then I can still help you save some money on a PhotoPass CD - just PM me.

Maroo, you are simply amazing. Thank you for all that you do.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Hi yes we are staying at give kids the world thank you for the info. We are so excited we leave on june 11 we are driving to GKTW from ohio. We cant wait my wish child cant wait to see scooby doo. We just found out we have his going away wish party on the 17th of may he cant wait for that either..


Is anyone on here from ohio?

We are from Ohio. What part of Ohio? We are Southern Ohio.

 

[Wee Annie]

Thank you for your feedback on things. and WELCOME HOME!! Would love to read about your trip. Are you doing a TR?

Sorry everyone, but along with no PTR I'm not planning on doing a TR. I'm just too disorganized a person....

However, I do plan on "summing" up the highlights of our trip on this thread, when I can catch my breath (back less than 48 hours and one daughter is already playing in her second of three soccer games this weekend). I also plan on sticking around to answer questions, give insights, and general advice to people coming up on their trips. So ask away!

 

[Wee Annie]

Just to add re why not doing an official TR, we had a really good trip, but it was marred a bit by some tragic news we received during the first several days there. My husband's parents were both diagnosed with cancer withint 6 months of Elke's diagnosis last year (and they're really not all that old), and his mother just passed away in late January. Well, his father went in for scans and found out that his cancer is back and is incurable. He has about 2 to 4 months to live. So that was some horrible news Jake and I had to digest while staying at GKTW. I'm glad we were there, because it would have been horrible regardless, but at least there things are easy and relaxing. We chose not to tell the girls, but will have to in the next couple of weeks. We are VERY close to his parents (I've always said I had the best in-laws ever) -- they dropped everything and drove halfway across the country to care for my older girls when Elke was in-patient for a couple of months last year. So we are literally reeling, and life is just going to get even more difficult in the months to come, as we deal with this latest tragedy.

So I've got my hands full, once again. But I will try to weigh in with some overall thoughts and impressions, answer questions, and give advice!

 

[maroo]

Well, we have been back for almost a week now, and I can't even express to you how difficult it has been. Seriously, I will just burst out in tears at the idea that we spent so much time at such an amazing place, yet we can never make a reservation to stay there again. I just want to get "that" back and I'm afraid we never will. I know some of it is because we were thrust right back into work (got home 11:30 Monday night and was at work at 6:45 Tuesday morning), but it's just...hard. We are already planning our next vacation as I think the week taught us the importance of leaving it all behind regardless of where you go, but still. It won't be there.

Bless your heart - I TOTALLY get this!

You can go back to GKTW when you go to FL - and the magic there doesn't change. It will be waiting for you.

If any of you are considering whether to stay at GKTW or on Disney property, please do not sell the Village short or wonder if your child will "fit in" because he or she appears too healthy. I think this is a great misconception for just about everyone before arriving. With the exception of very few children, it can be difficult to determine just who is the wish child and who are the siblings. And even those who do appear to be severely impaired or ill, it is just amazing to see all of the abilities in spite of their disabilities. For example, we were talking to another family whose son is on a vent and has some very significant medical issues. They actually thought that they wouldn't be able to go because he was struggling so much right before the trip. But, once they got down there, they said that his respiratory numbers were better than they had ever been. And to watch these kids' faces light up because for the first time ever, they can go on a horse drawn carriage or ride a merry go round is just awe inspiring. GKTW is seriously the happiest, most upbeat place I have ever been to and a place where you can truly let go of everything your child and your family have been through. I don't think we talked about any of the "bad" stuff all week. It was all about how much fun everyone was having. So just my .02 worth in case anyone is wondering if there is a place for her child there. I promise you, you won't regret staying there and instead, you will long for the day you can go back to visit.

This is a great explanation. I have tried and tried to come up with some way to explain GKTW to those who are unsure where to stay or how it works, etc...and I have just been at a loss for words.

But I totally agree with this and especially love the bolded parts!

Just to add re why not doing an official TR, we had a really good trip, but it was marred a bit by some tragic news we received during the first several days there. My husband's parents were both diagnosed with cancer withint 6 months of Elke's diagnosis last year (and they're really not all that old), and his mother just passed away in late January. Well, his father went in for scans and found out that his cancer is back and is incurable. He has about 2 to 4 months to live. So that was some horrible news Jake and I had to digest while staying at GKTW. I'm glad we were there, because it would have been horrible regardless, but at least there things are easy and relaxing. We chose not to tell the girls, but will have to in the next couple of weeks. We are VERY close to his parents (I've always said I had the best in-laws ever) -- they dropped everything and drove halfway across the country to care for my older girls when Elke was in-patient for a couple of months last year. So we are literally reeling, and life is just going to get even more difficult in the months to come, as we deal with this latest tragedy.

So I've got my hands full, once again. But I will try to weigh in with some overall thoughts and impressions, answer questions, and give advice!

I am so sorry. That is just horrible!!! I am so sorry and hope that you will continue to hang out here and give us updates so we can support you guys, too.

 

[noahsketomom]

Well, we have been back for almost a week now, and I can't even express to you how difficult it has been. Seriously, I will just burst out in tears at the idea that we spent so much time at such an amazing place, yet we can never make a reservation to stay there again. I just want to get "that" back and I'm afraid we never will. I know some of it is because we were thrust right back into work (got home 11:30 Monday night and was at work at 6:45 Tuesday morning), but it's just...hard. We are already planning our next vacation as I think the week taught us the importance of leaving it all behind regardless of where you go, but still. It won't be there.

Kelly,
I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt this. I almost felt like I had postpartum depression or something! There is definitely something MAGICAL about that place and everytime anybody asks me about the trip, I start tearing up. Then they say...."yes, Disney is magical, isn't it" or something like that. Then I say -- no-- it was where we stayed that was so magical! I will try to capture it with words and write something about it someday..... but so far I've fallen short!

I do hope we can return for a visit -- someday....

 

[maroo]

Kelly,
I'm glad I'm not the only one who felt this. I almost felt like I had postpartum depression or something! There is definitely something MAGICAL about that place and everytime anybody asks me about the trip, I start tearing up. Then they say...."yes, Disney is magical, isn't it" or something like that. Then I say -- no-- it was where we stayed that was so magical! I will try to capture it with words and write something about it someday..... but so far I've fallen short!

I do hope we can return for a visit -- someday....

We had named this on the other thread...

Post Disney Depression - which is a well known disorder on the DIS - can be upgraded when it is a Post Wish Trip Disney Depression...

It really is TOTALLY normal. I think this is one of the reasons we have some families that sorta shy away from the DIS for a time after their trips. Life gets crazy when you get home, but it is also so hard to be back in the real world. And the real world seems somehow worse when you have been somewhere so magical.

But...it really does get better.

Plan a trip back...if you can at all...plan to go back. You can't stay there again...but you can experience it again...and be taken back. It is just as magical the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th time you go.

 

[yinyanggirls]

I'd be interested to have this clarified because with Ali's fatigue and heat intolerance (she can't effectively regulate her temperature), there is absolutely no way that it would be worth it for us to go back if she couldn't get front of the line. As it was, she was only able to last about three hours in the parks before her temp would shoot up and we'd have to leave.

I know this has been clarified to some extent, but just to add our experience....When we went to Dland last year we stopped by Guest Services on our way in to the park. They could see Phoebe in a wheelchair of course and I also asked about lines due to her vision (a spinning tea cup in front of her would be a bad thing, lol). They gave us a GAC with two different stamps on it, neither of which were a green light of course. We used the exit for many of the rides due to the wheelchair, and often this meant a shorter wait than the main line, although there were a couple, like Dumbo, that were so popular and busy they had several wheelchairs in front of us and only let one on per trip, so we probably waited about the same amount for a couple of rides. It was very clear that we were not getting any shortcuts to character meets. So, my guess for future trips would be that if you visit Guest Services and explain/show your needs they will have no problem issuing a GAC that will make your trip easier, and in many cases, faster than it otherwise would be.

Will some one please help me we leave soon in about a month well little over a month and ive been hearing about The Big Give and i really need some help i dont have anythings for the kids to do in the car on the way there we are driving from ohio so its about 15 hours and we have 4 kids ages 9 ,10 and 13 and wish kid 15 with a mind of a 5 yr old. we dont have any matching shirts or anything please if anyone can help us please ...

We were given a Tshirt for our wish child by our chapter a couple of days before we left. If they are important to you, I would ask the wish granter if you will be receiving any or not so that you can make other plans if you need to.

We stuck Lauren's Tinkerbell wings on the back of her wheelchair.

I did the same thing one year when Phoebe was a fairy for Halloween. It worked out well.

After 5 adults holding her down, and 5 or 6 unsuccessful attempts (and her screaming "get me off of here"), the stress/emotions/fears/memories of her surgery flooded me and I passed out. I guess I did a face plant and busted my head open, so I was wheeled off to the ER while Josh stayed back with her. They wanted to reschedule her but I begged them to go ahead with it. Josh called a friend to come sit with me so I wasn't there by myself through the tests and stitches. I definitely was very emotional - emotional about being back for the first time since the surgery and also having lots of feelings of inadequacy and guilt that I couldn't be there with Adri.

Holding your child down to be "tortured" for their own good, has to be the worst thing we go through as parents. I'm sorry you had such a bad day! I hope the confirmed results are worth it!

I feel weird doing this but if we wanted to extend the trip by a day or 2 to try to fit in seeing some family, trying to enjoy GKTW (ie. not being on the go every day), and fit in a MVMCP, does MAW have a problem with this? I know other people have extended.. just wanted to know the best way going about this.

Are the park tickets only good for the time you are at GKTW.. meaning if we are at GKTW from 12/1-12/7 can I use a park ticket on the 8th?

WOW by the looks of this post am I officially starting to plan for Juliana's wish trip?

Hurray! The only way to find this out is to ask your chapter if you can extend on your own after the wish week is over. There have been several here who have and a few who haven't been allowed. And if they say no, people here can give you a couple of ideas on how to work around it (re: airplane tickets).

As for using the button in the parks, I would either do what Ann did and go to Guest Services to "trade" for a new one (hoping they will do they same thing- but even if they don't you should be able to be accommodated to some extent) OR buy your extra Disney tickets for the same week of the GKTW stay (assuming Disney is the most important part for you guys) and then just do US or SW on your extended days. Your button doesn't get you much at SW (a free tray of fish to feed the dolphins) and if you don't care much about US, then you can just stick to the kiddie section and not worry about covering the whole park, the character meets etc, that the button would help you do. Does that make sense?

Just to add re why not doing an official TR, we had a really good trip, but it was marred a bit by some tragic news we received during the first several days there. Well, his father went in for scans and found out that his cancer is back and is incurable. He has about 2 to 4 months to live.

I'm so sorry to read this Ann! I remember you telling about your MIL earlier this year, right before my grandmother passed. Having to go through it all again so soon must be really hard. I hope the girls (and your DH!) can make some more great memories with him soon.

 

[noahsketomom]

We had named this on the other thread...

Post Disney Depression - which is a well known disorder on the DIS - can be upgraded when it is a Post Wish Trip Disney Depression...

It really is TOTALLY normal. I think this is one of the reasons we have some families that sorta shy away from the DIS for a time after their trips. Life gets crazy when you get home, but it is also so hard to be back in the real world. And the real world seems somehow worse when you have been somewhere so magical.

But...it really does get better.

Plan a trip back...if you can at all...plan to go back. You can't stay there again...but you can experience it again...and be taken back. It is just as magical the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th time you go.

Maroo -- that totally makes sense. I do think it would be awesome if we could return sometime!! But for now -- yes, back to the real world!

PWTDD was (and is) in full force here -- and started on the last day of our trip when it all hit that we had to leave!

Thanks to all of you I can still live vicariously through your trips!

BTW, does anybody know when the Today show will be there in June? I want to make sure I don't miss it! Also, there is a movie playing now in select theatres called "Letters to God", supposedly GKTW is spotlighted in it and it's based on a true story. We hope to go this coming weekend -- has anybody seen it???

 

[maroo]

I saw Letters To God and thought it was incredibly sad.

Almost too sad.

But Lauren LOVED it and said it wasn't sad at all...
So...there ya go.

 

[rcq925]

Our Make A Wish Volunteer called today and said our doctor got the paperwork right back to them and we get our first choices dates for our trip!

We will be at GKTW from November 14th to November 20th!!! The week before Thanksgiving, but all the Christmas decorations will be up and MVMCP (not sure if the letters are in the right order) will be in full swing. Not sure if we will be going to the Christmas party, but we will try to fit it in.

I know it is 6 months away, but I am already so excited and in full planning mode. Trying to decide which restaurants I want to try and get ADR's for. We have done most of the Character Dining before when we went to Disney wtih Grandma 2 years ago (she was paying!) We ate at Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Michey's and Crystal Palace. We love Ohana and will eat there for sure.

Anyone else have any other suggestions for meals at Disney or good restaurants at Universal?

We will try to eat at GKTW most of the time, but I would like to plan 2 or 3 special meals out (one being Ohana).

Thanks for letting me share our good news!!!

 

[casper_jj11]

Yeah on getting dates!

I'm interested in hearing the suggestions for US as well. As for WDW, my kiddos are huge fans of Coral Reef because of the floor to ceiling aquarium. We did Akershus last year for breakfast and everyone enjoyed it. We're doing 1900 Park Fare dinner for the first time this year and Sydney is pretty excited to see Cinderella and Prince Charming.

 

[Wee Annie]

Our Make A Wish Volunteer called today and said our doctor got the paperwork right back to them and we get our first choices dates for our trip!

We will be at GKTW from November 14th to November 20th!!! The week before Thanksgiving, but all the Christmas decorations will be up and MVMCP (not sure if the letters are in the right order) will be in full swing. Not sure if we will be going to the Christmas party, but we will try to fit it in.

I know it is 6 months away, but I am already so excited and in full planning mode. Trying to decide which restaurants I want to try and get ADR's for. We have done most of the Character Dining before when we went to Disney wtih Grandma 2 years ago (she was paying!) We ate at Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Michey's and Crystal Palace. We love Ohana and will eat there for sure.

Anyone else have any other suggestions for meals at Disney or good restaurants at Universal?

We will try to eat at GKTW most of the time, but I would like to plan 2 or 3 special meals out (one being Ohana).

Thanks for letting me share our good news!!!

Both Kelly's family (Ali is her wish kid) and our family had magical experiences at 1900 Park Fare for dinner. They really seem to go out of the way for wish kids. And I thought the food was pretty decent.

We did a special birthday lunch for Elke at Coral Reef and really liked it, and also did Tusker House Breakfast (a character meal) and liked it too. On a prior trip we did the character breakfast at Cape May Cafe and my older children are still talking about how much they liked it.

I really wanted to do a dinner at the Garden Grill at Epcot, because I heard good things about it and I also heard that it's one of the calmest character dining experiences to be had (which would have worked well for my wish kid), but we were just too tired to go to it when the time came (don't want to push your wish child past what she can handle).

Congrats on your dates!

 

[The Lurker]

On the day the Today show was fillming, I was told it would be shown on May 21st. A day or two later I heard May 20th. Both of these dates are "rumor based" but I plan to watch both days. I think my May 21st source is more reliable - but not guaranteed.

Katie

 

[choochmac]

Hi everyone,

We are leaving May 18th and don't have too much time to plan. One question I have is regarding strollers. I believe we will get a voucher or something at GKTW for a stroller, but I am worried about getting to and from the parking lot. Our daughter does not have much stamina in her these days and at 5 years old she is heavy to carry long distances. For those of you who have gone, do you get lumped in the general public parking lot? If so, we might have to consider shipping/renting a non-Disney stroller.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Just to add re why not doing an official TR, we had a really good trip, but it was marred a bit by some tragic news we received during the first several days there. My husband's parents were both diagnosed with cancer withint 6 months of Elke's diagnosis last year (and they're really not all that old), and his mother just passed away in late January. Well, his father went in for scans and found out that his cancer is back and is incurable. He has about 2 to 4 months to live. So that was some horrible news Jake and I had to digest while staying at GKTW. I'm glad we were there, because it would have been horrible regardless, but at least there things are easy and relaxing. We chose not to tell the girls, but will have to in the next couple of weeks. We are VERY close to his parents (I've always said I had the best in-laws ever) -- they dropped everything and drove halfway across the country to care for my older girls when Elke was in-patient for a couple of months last year. So we are literally reeling, and life is just going to get even more difficult in the months to come, as we deal with this latest tragedy.

So I've got my hands full, once again. But I will try to weigh in with some overall thoughts and impressions, answer questions, and give advice!

I am so very sorryPlease know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Our Make A Wish Volunteer called today and said our doctor got the paperwork right back to them and we get our first choices dates for our trip!

We will be at GKTW from November 14th to November 20th!!! The week before Thanksgiving, but all the Christmas decorations will be up and MVMCP (not sure if the letters are in the right order) will be in full swing. Not sure if we will be going to the Christmas party, but we will try to fit it in.

I know it is 6 months away, but I am already so excited and in full planning mode. Trying to decide which restaurants I want to try and get ADR's for. We have done most of the Character Dining before when we went to Disney wtih Grandma 2 years ago (she was paying!) We ate at Cinderella's Royal Table, Chef Michey's and Crystal Palace. We love Ohana and will eat there for sure.

Anyone else have any other suggestions for meals at Disney or good restaurants at Universal?

We will try to eat at GKTW most of the time, but I would like to plan 2 or 3 special meals out (one being Ohana).

Thanks for letting me share our good news!!!

Yay on your dates!!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Sierra is choosing to have her face painted instead of doing BBB but I told her she had plenty of time to think about it so we will see She could go either way she is such a girlie girl when it comes to dresses.

I know Ty would not allow her fairy wings on his wheelchair But that would be soo cute!!

We should hear about our flights this month. I am starting to get a little nervous on the flying again. I'm really trying not to think about it but being my neighbor just flew to Reno and had a rough flight through the storms he didn't help me out by telling me