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

[casper_jj11]

Thanks so much to everyone re: US/IOA! Great advice! Its wonderful to hear there's basically front of the line. It will make it much easier to see what we'd like. Ann, we were planning to do US on our first day so I should probably change that. That said, we've been to disney several times... was this your first trip? I've been thinking of changing it anyway so that the US day breaks things up a bit. Maroo, I'm so excited about HP attractions. I know DS7 won't miss the big rides there if it doesn't work out but DH is such a huge fan, I know it would just make his trip so I'd like to manage for him to get at least one big ride in that land if its at all possible.

We may take a chance on getting front of the line for HP rides and try to do them midday so the little ones have had a chance to have a bunch of fun in US beforehand... on the US forum, one person recommended US first and another recommended IOA first... pacrosby, which would you recommend to do first? If I post a list of 'like to dos', would you be able to tell me if its realistic?

I think the general point we're all trying to make is don't just go and "extend" your GAC yourself. Talk to someone, either at GKTW (like Pamela did) or WDW, and there's a good likelihood that something similar will happen to you (since it happened to Pamela and me). But you don't want to be in the position where a CM asks to look at your GAC and sees that it's outdated, because some DO look. The upfront and honest approach seems to work out well in this regard.

I agree 100%. We're extending by several days. We're not staying at GKTW so I think we'll have to pick up our GAC on our own at our first park. I'll mention it then and they may set up our GAC with our departure date instead of the end of our wish trip date.

Joanne

 

[pacrosby]

We may take a chance on getting front of the line for HP rides and try to do them midday so the little ones have had a chance to have a bunch of fun in US beforehand... on the US forum, one person recommended US first and another recommended IOA first... pacrosby, which would you recommend to do first? If I post a list of 'like to dos', would you be able to tell me if its realistic?

Joanne

Hmmmmmm. Not sure. I'd think it might depend on which rides/attractions you planned on taking in at each place. Feel free to post a list and I'd be happy to do my best to offer up an opinion.

As far as getting front of the line access at the HP attractions.........I would think that you would indeed get it being a Wish family. The way the just swept us away and up back stairs/elevators etc. was amazing. I'd be surprised if they made HP an exception. I'm sure the lines there will be outrageous.

 

[jen-y]

Thanks for the info Pacrosby. We are also extending our trip, but over on the other side of town at the Nickelodeon Hotel and US/IOA. I was wondering about the GKTW pass and if it expired or if I would still be able to use it. Of course I would not want to do anything inappropriate, but I will just mention it to GKTW and leave the decision up to them. Jen-Y

 

[yinyanggirls]

I finally started our Trip Report! We've been home a whole week already. Just got the intro going today. Hope to have the first trip post up today or tomorrow.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2461385

 

[crashbb]

It's not a Disney wish, but I thought this was a great story.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011740342_electronboy30m.html

 

[rcq925]

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mothers here! I hope everyone has a great mothers day!!!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mothers here! I hope everyone has a great mothers day!!!

Happy Mothers Day to you too! Hope everyone has a wonderful day today

 

[choochmac]

So we got a packet in the mail from Make A Wish with a few things including a page of stickers. In the letter it says that we should wear these stickers so CM can "be aware" of our visit. Are these the "buttons" people talk about or something else? I thought only the wish child gets a button? The letter clearly states that each family member is welcome to wear them. Now I am very confused. Any help?

P.S. Happy Mother' Day!

 

[maroo]

Those are probably the "Genie" stickers?

We got some of those and I had no idea that they were "official" until a few months ago.

That isn't the magic button - you will get that at GKTW. And you will get the GAC at GKTW, too.

(For those of you guys reading that are not staying through GKTW - your individual wish organization will get you something to identify you. )

But the stickers could be one more thing to put on to get the CM's attention. I would wear them on your Disney Days in particular - not sure if the Genie is known throughout Sea World and Universal? That would be good to know!

My philosophy...wear it all!

 

[yinyanggirls]

So we got a packet in the mail from Make A Wish with a few things including a page of stickers. In the letter it says that we should wear these stickers so CM can "be aware" of our visit. Are these the "buttons" people talk about or something else? I thought only the wish child gets a button? The letter clearly states that each family member is welcome to wear them. Now I am very confused. Any help?

P.S. Happy Mother' Day!

We got the stickers also and when in the parks we specifically asked a couple of different CMs who said they had no idea what they meant. They knew the "button" (the round pin from GKTW with the child's name on it) but not the genie stickers. I'm sure they are official but no one seems to be familiar with them. I'd take them but don't stress if they fall off, the kids eat them, you forget them at the villa etc.

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Hi everyone i wanted to say Late Happy Mother's Day i had a busy day yesterday.. I made some seaworld and universal shirts for the family.. For our wish trip we leave on june 11th we are so excited i cant wait im counting down. This is our first vacation and we can't wait. We have our wish party on monday the 17th of may. My son the wish kid is excited about that. We are in Hamilton Ohio is there any family's close to me.....

 

[Wee Annie]

So we got a packet in the mail from Make A Wish with a few things including a page of stickers. In the letter it says that we should wear these stickers so CM can "be aware" of our visit. Are these the "buttons" people talk about or something else? I thought only the wish child gets a button? The letter clearly states that each family member is welcome to wear them. Now I am very confused. Any help?

P.S. Happy Mother' Day!

Yep, I agree with Melissa. The stickers are cute but didn't seem especially significant while in the parks. We stopped wearing them after the second day. The GKTW or MAW buttons were much more significant to the CMs.

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Hi we dont have much money so i cant get my kids anything for the trip. I have heard some much about the big give will someone please help me and my family . My wish kid needs to have a specail time and im trying to make our car ride easier for him and the other 3 kids. Please will someone help us will the big give i will do the same for another family. i will give back what is givin i am begging for my kids. I know none knows me on here i am a very good person My name is Tina........ please

 

[maroo]

Hi we dont have much money so i cant get my kids anything for the trip. I have heard some much about the big give will someone please help me and my family . My wish kid needs to have a specail time and im trying to make our car ride easier for him and the other 3 kids. Please will someone help us will the big give i will do the same for another family. i will give back what is givin i am begging for my kids. I know none knows me on here i am a very good person My name is Tina........ please

Are you guys staying at Give Kids the World?

Have you checked the Family Thread to see what ideas they have for car ride activities? I think there was a link on this thread earlier, too - let me see if I can find it and I will post it here - hopefully that will help!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Hi everyone i wanted to say Late Happy Mother's Day i had a busy day yesterday.. I made some seaworld and universal shirts for the family.. For our wish trip we leave on june 11th we are so excited i cant wait im counting down. This is our first vacation and we can't wait. We have our wish party on monday the 17th of may. My son the wish kid is excited about that. We are in Hamilton Ohio is there any family's close to me.....

Congratulations on your wish trip!!! If you guys are staying at GKTW you will LOVE it!! I hope you guys have a great wish party!!! Woo Hoo!!!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Hi we dont have much money so i cant get my kids anything for the trip. I have heard some much about the big give will someone please help me and my family . My wish kid needs to have a specail time and im trying to make our car ride easier for him and the other 3 kids. Please will someone help us will the big give i will do the same for another family. i will give back what is givin i am begging for my kids. I know none knows me on here i am a very good person My name is Tina........ please

Don't worry about not having much money! If you are going on a wish trip I am positive that your wish organization will give you guys more than enough to spend! AND if you are staying at GKTW there is a Walmart right up the street from the Village so you will be able to buy anything you might not have been able to pack or bring with!

I did see some cool printable stuff in another forum. I am planning on printing that stuff out for the airplane ride for my kids too! I'll see if I can find it and post the link here!

 

[rcq925]

Hayley is only 6 years old and still in a booster seat with a back. She will not need it on the plane, but will need a seat when riding in the rental car when we arrive.

Do you gate check these at the airport? Do they charge you as an extra item? Did you wrap it up in a plastic bag, so it doesn't get all dirty?

Also is she required to use the booster seat in the limo or can she have free access? It will be a 2 hour limo ride to the airport.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

When we went on our wish trip last year, our local MAW office had the car seats in the limo already when we went to the airport. On our way home they had a van service pick us up and there were also car seats in the van too.

They also had the car seats in the van that they rented for us once we got to Florida.

I wonder if your wish office could arrange something like this?

Sorry I wasn't more help!!

 

[wishin' on a star]

Hi we dont have much money so i cant get my kids anything for the trip. I have heard some much about the big give will someone please help me and my family . My wish kid needs to have a specail time and im trying to make our car ride easier for him and the other 3 kids. Please will someone help us will the big give i will do the same for another family. i will give back what is givin i am begging for my kids. I know none knows me on here i am a very good person My name is Tina........ please

Hi Tina,
Here is a link to a good explanation of the Big Give here on the Dis. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31650201&postcount=1657

I think I gave you a link before maybe, but the Disney for Families thread has many great ideas for making the car ride easier!

 

[kellyw8863]

So we got a packet in the mail from Make A Wish with a few things including a page of stickers. In the letter it says that we should wear these stickers so CM can "be aware" of our visit. Are these the "buttons" people talk about or something else? I thought only the wish child gets a button? The letter clearly states that each family member is welcome to wear them. Now I am very confused. Any help?

P.S. Happy Mother' Day!

My girls played found them and played with them long before we arrived at GKTW. I don't remember them even being mentioned at orientation, but I was tired so maybe they were? At any rate, we didn't use them and had no problems.

Hayley is only 6 years old and still in a booster seat with a back. She will not need it on the plane, but will need a seat when riding in the rental car when we arrive.

Do you gate check these at the airport? Do they charge you as an extra item? Did you wrap it up in a plastic bag, so it doesn't get all dirty?

Also is she required to use the booster seat in the limo or can she have free access? It will be a 2 hour limo ride to the airport.

Thanks in advance!!!

Our chapter doesn't provide them so we brought our own. We did use them in the limo (one high back, one regular booster) and then at the airport, we put them in a drawstring laundry bag that we had and checked them like regular luggage. I'm pretty sure they did count against our allowance (SWA) but kids can't use boosters on planes. We did consider buying a couple of bases once we got down there and then just leaving them since they're inexpensive, but in the end, they were easy enough to bring with us.