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

[wishin' on a star]

Regarding the character lines...we were just there in May, and never waited in a character line. We just went up to the CM/handler at the front of the line, and showed the button. We were never asked to wait at all. The next family was just told that we would be going ahead of them. We always wore our MAW button in addition to the GKTW button/lanyard, so we really never even got strange looks...or if we did, I just ignored them! I wondered if we would get the same preference at Star Wars weekends with the characters who are not normally there, but we experienced the same thing, right to the front, and lots of special attention.

The characters were a huge part of what made the trip special for my kids...thanks to the magic button.

I think the big thing is not to be afraid to show the button/GAC and ask where to go/fastest way to get on a ride/best seat, etc. Sometimes CM's went out of their way to do something special for us...for example, asking us if we wanted to ride twice. But other times we just asked...and we found that usually a CM is willing to do something great for a wish family.

 

[casper_jj11]

Aww... thanks!!

I do have some questions... Do we need to be making reservations for ADR's and things like that? Or does MAW usually handle those things?? I know things vary by chapter and state. But I'm trying to start thinking about things. And honestly, tonight was the first time that K has even asked about it.

Part of her syndrome is a lack of emotion, or lack of appropriate emotions. So she really hasn't shown much excitement about it. I did show her things on the website about WDW, to give her ideas. She wants to do the Bibbidy-Bobbidy-Boutique, and she really LOVED animals, so something at either Sea World and/or Animal Kingdom would be great!

I just don't know how much we're supposed to set up and how much the MAW people take care of. I'm having a little trouble with our MAW granter cuz she's Polish and I have a hard time understanding her. We were told we had 2, and I met the one and talked to her 2-3 times in the very beginning (back in November), but now the other one has been handling things.

Also, should I be starting to panic or do things really get moving closer to your trip!?! I'm just used to trying to plan a Disney trip several months, 2 years, in advance! With all the reservations, ADR's, plans, etc... So I don't want to miss something, or screw something up.

Thanks so much!!

Anything you'd like to do, try and get a reservation on your own. I knew DD wanted to do BBB and CRT. I booked them as soon as I could. I found out after that our wish group does one 'event' per wish child at Disney. It could be an ADR, it could be BBB or something like that. We chose BBB but they don't book til later and I already had CRT ressie for the day we wanted it. The Wsih group said to keep the ressie and asked for the reservation number. They took over the reservation that I already made. All other ADRs I made myself once I decided where we were going to be each day. You can always cancel the ADRs if you change your mind so to me, more is better.


I'm so glad to hear about TSM. This was our plan for TSM, ride over and over as long as the kids want. I suspect the same may happen for Barnstormer

So I heard from our wish coordinator. She forwarded the questions to head office. Indeed, we will need to go to GKTW for orientation which they believe is twice a day (morning and night). They said that since CM is a hard ressie to get (I was impressed that they knew that) that once I get the pkg, I can call GKTW myself and let them know and they'll likely rearrange the orientation for us so we don't miss our ADR. Now, I think there's more of a chance that Maroo is right that there's a mid afternoon orientation so we'll likely make that one anyway but if not, its good to know we can call them up... I'm working on changing it anyway because our first day may be a good time for the kids to get a feels for GKTW to determine if they want to go back later in our trip.

 

[maroo]

So I heard from our wish coordinator. She forwarded the questions to head office. Indeed, we will need to go to GKTW for orientation which they believe is twice a day (morning and night). They said that since CM is a hard ressie to get (I was impressed that they knew that) that once I get the pkg, I can call GKTW myself and let them know and they'll likely rearrange the orientation for us so we don't miss our ADR. Now, I think there's more of a chance that Maroo is right that there's a mid afternoon orientation so we'll likely make that one anyway but if not, its good to know we can call them up... I'm working on changing it anyway because our first day may be a good time for the kids to get a feels for GKTW to determine if they want to go back later in our trip.

This was almost 2 years ago - I can not believe that trip was almost TWO years ago!

But when I called GKTW to schedule a certain time for orientation, they told me that they can't schedule it the day before. They said that I could call late on the day before and that they would have the schedule for the next day.

I was driving and literally drove straight to Disney well into the night to make SURE I was there for the 9 AM orientation because they couldn't guarantee me a 3:30 PM one.

I didn't know then that I could have requested a private orientation, which would have been ideal.

I just went to the 9 AM one - Lauren did not even arrive until around 2 PM.

I guess it just depends on how they do it now, but back then they would not pre-schedule the afternoon session until the last minute.

 

[casper_jj11]

This was almost 2 years ago - I can not believe that trip was almost TWO years ago!

But when I called GKTW to schedule a certain time for orientation, they told me that they can't schedule it the day before. They said that I could call late on the day before and that they would have the schedule for the next day.

I was driving and literally drove straight to Disney well into the night to make SURE I was there for the 9 AM orientation because they couldn't guarantee me a 3:30 PM one.

I didn't know then that I could have requested a private orientation, which would have been ideal.

I just went to the 9 AM one - Lauren did not even arrive until around 2 PM.

I guess it just depends on how they do it now, but back then they would not pre-schedule the afternoon session until the last minute.

Wow. Good to know. Our flight arrives at 1pm so I'll give a call the day before to just make sure the 330 one is going ahead. If not, we won't rush from the airport. The next is 745 according to the wish foundation and really, that's super late for my kids considering we'll be up late for fireworks and stuff later in the day. While one of us could go if we were staying at GKTW, its not likely to happen with us offsite because neither of us wants to drive back to the resort alone. That means all 5 of us going to an orientation at almost 8pm ... I'm really hoping that won't need to happen.

 

[maroo]

Wow. Good to know. Our flight arrives at 1pm so I'll give a call the day before to just make sure the 330 one is going ahead. If not, we won't rush from the airport. The next is 745 according to the wish foundation and really, that's super late for my kids considering we'll be up late for fireworks and stuff later in the day. While one of us could go if we were staying at GKTW, its not likely to happen with us offsite because neither of us wants to drive back to the resort alone. That means all 5 of us going to an orientation at almost 8pm ... I'm really hoping that won't need to happen.

I definitely think that with you staying at a Disney resort that they will work with you on it.

And if you can get a private one, it would be good...you know most of the info from hanging out over here with us anyway. It would be a fairly short orientation.

 

[casper_jj11]

Thanks Maroo. Hopefully if I explain how hard it will be on the kids after an early start to the day, they'll do a private one for us if the 330 one isn't happening that day. If not, we'll work with it. I'm so excited .... just got our reservation number for our flights from our wish coordinator. I called Air Canada and because the ticket price hasn't increased, we jus need to pay the change of ticket fee to extend our trip... so I did! It's official! We're there an extra 4 days!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Hi everyone. I wanted to see if you could stop buy my ptr and take a look at the green Goofy Tshirt Scouthawkk made for Ty. Remember I had asked on here about his motto and if anyone had any ideas? Well this is the outcome of it and he is sooo thrilled. Im not sure Im allowed to post it on this one or not so please take a peek at his ptr please? I hope and pray I have as much courage as my little boy has. I don't think it could have been explained any better then this because look at Goofy all proud!!

 

[wishin' on a star]

Thanks Maroo. Hopefully if I explain how hard it will be on the kids after an early start to the day, they'll do a private one for us if the 330 one isn't happening that day. If not, we'll work with it. I'm so excited .... just got our reservation number for our flights from our wish coordinator. I called Air Canada and because the ticket price hasn't increased, we jus need to pay the change of ticket fee to extend our trip... so I did! It's official! We're there an extra 4 days!

That's awesome that you will be able to extend 4 days! At the end of our trip, we were SO wishing that we had extended.

I bet GKTW will work with you on the orientation thing. Our flight got in at noon, and that day they were having a 3 pm orientation, because they said several families had checked in that day. Interestingly enough, DH said there were only two others at the orientation with him.

 

[The Lurker]

I apologize. I have spent the last 2 hours watching the Today show and have seen nothing about Give Kids the World. I don't know what happened or why. However, I am volunteering this afternoon and will ask and update later.

Sorry,

A disappointed Katie

 

[maroo]

I apologize. I have spent the last 2 hours watching the Today show and have seen nothing about Give Kids the World. I don't know what happened or why. However, I am volunteering this afternoon and will ask and update later.

Sorry,

A disappointed Katie

You don't owe us an apology at all.

My hunch is that they were going to split their day between Universal and GKTW and the big Universal stars (Harry Potter) may have thrown off the timing, etc. ?? Just guessing?

I wish they would show GKTW as one of those charities that people should support.

 

[rcq925]

I'm disappointed too! But not your fault! Let us know what you find out at GKTW!

I am excited for them to be on the Today Show and hope it is still going to happen!!

 

[cajunfan]

Hey all you dissers...check out Maroo's siggie and vote to have GKTW receive a grant from PEPSI...they have moved from 11th to 9th place in about 2 weeks, but I know WE can get them to first place!! VOTE ONCE A DAY!


Lynn

 

[Adrismommy]

I'm disappointed too! But not your fault! Let us know what you find out at GKTW!

I am excited for them to be on the Today Show and hope it is still going to happen!!

Yeah I watched the first 3 hours today hoping I'd see it. We leave in a month so I was excited to show it to Adri. Let us know what you find out, Katie!

 

[The Lurker]

I checked. GKTW got a call late last night saying the GKTW segment on the Today show had been cancelled and with no reason stated nor did they give a future date. I found out I was not alone in watching with disappointment. I will let you no if they post another date.
So now everyone who watched did not see GKTW but they did get a preview to the new Harry Potter exhibit at Universal.

By the way the so-called new Dragon Roller Coaster is actually the old Dueling Dragons with a new name. The other rides are new. The Butter Beer costs $8.95 but you get to keep the mug and one report said unlimited refills - not sure if that was just for the opening. My daughter told me that her friends who had gone to the previews said that the lines for the beer were incredible and her friends didn't think it was anything special (very bland) but the chocolate frogs were great. The local TV also reported the Butter beer is non-alcoholic and made from "Scottish shortbread and butterscotch". It comes in regular and frozen and the frozen, with our hot weather, has been a hit.

Katie

 

[blessedmom4]

I checked. GKTW got a call late last night saying the GKTW segment on the Today show had been cancelled and with no reason stated nor did they give a future date. I found out I was not alone in watching with disappointment. I will let you no if they post another date.
So now everyone who watched did not see GKTW but they did get a preview to the new Harry Potter exhibit at Universal.

By the way the so-called new Dragon Roller Coaster is actually the old Dueling Dragons with a new name. The other rides are new. The Butter Beer costs $8.95 but you get to keep the mug and one report said unlimited refills - not sure if that was just for the opening. My daughter told me that her friends who had gone to the previews said that the lines for the beer were incredible and her friends didn't think it was anything special (very bland) but the chocolate frogs were great. The local TV also reported the Butter beer is non-alcoholic and made from "Scottish shortbread and butterscotch". It comes in regular and frozen and the frozen, with our hot weather, has been a hit.

Katie

Thank you Katie for keeping everyone up-to-date on the GKTW segment.

I love hearing about the HP stuff...please let us know any other tidbits you hear if you have the time.

 

[The Lurker]

ok - here is the "grocery line" gossip - Universal Studies unbelievably packed today. Line for Harry Potter - 1100 people. People leaving without seeing the attraction.

According to my daughter (she is huge fan and an adult Disney Parks fanantic). One of the lines - I think the one that goes into the Castle - goes by all sorts of Harry Potter stuff. She doesn't want to do the ride but is trying to find out if you can do the line and get out without the ride (like Space Mountain). She has decided she wants to wait until the fall and go mid-week when the lines won't be as bad. One problem - she can't drive so she has decided I should take her. I am not a Harry Potter fan and the ticket price is $80. I am not enthused nor is my husband. She may have to wait till her birthday unless she can find a friend or perhaps her brother will take her.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Katie, thanks for the update. I remembered around 8:45 when we were at the hospital for Phoebe's MRI. I called my mom and asked her to record it but I was worried I missed it earlier. Maybe a few emails to the Today show will help??? I'll give it a try.

I hope you can get out of HP. I'm not a fan either. DH rode the Dueling Dragons and LOVED IT. It stayed open during the rest of the construction I guess.

 

[The Lurker]

One problem with the Today show I think is that the segment on GKTW is very general - not date specific which means (unlike the opening of Harry Potter) it can be used any time. I think this may the kind of thing they can stick in a drawer and grab whenever they have a short news day. It is just my opinion. I mention to the people in the Volunteer office that I had posted the time (I didn't say where) and a lot of others had watched for nothing. Another volunteer said she had emailed lots of people to, so I hope they realize there is interest and will keep us informed (even if it is at the last minute or late at night). They have our email addresses.

Katie

 

[wishin' on a star]

Hi Katie! Thanks for keeping us up to date. I watched as well, and my kids were so excited that "Give Kids"...as they call it...might be on tv. It's okay, though...I explained how the news works, and that sometimes there is just more important stuff that has to get shown and features like this just get bumped. Their school has been on the local news before for some of the things they do for Haiti, and we have experienced the same delays with the local news. I'm not a HP fan either, but it was at least a little interesting for them to watch since I was making them watch the news!

Thansk for the updates!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

I too was waiting with excitement!! Well hopefully they will air it soon. I'd love to watch the segment.

We are HUGE HP fans and I am praying that we won't have any problems using the button or navigating through the crowds to see all of the exhibits and cool things. I'm really worried but hopefully things will work out. I know Courtney would LOVE to try some butterbeer so I really hope she is able to get some!!