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

[cajunfan]

Lauren finds out tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait!

5 more days!!!!!!

Whoo Hoo! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Lynn

 

[rcq925]

Lauren finds out tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait!

5 more days!!!!!!

Yeah!!! You guys are gonna have a blast!! Can't wait to hear all about it and see your pictures! Have a wonderful time

 

[J'sMum]

Lauren finds out tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait!

5 more days!!!!!!

!!!! How exciting !!!! Can't wait to hear all about it

 

[J'sMum]

My daughter on this trip wants to do the pick a pearl thing, and from what i have been reading there is a place in epcot to do this and a place in seaworld. Has anyone done this? and which is the better place to do so?

I went to the craft store and picked up a pearl cage already, now just need to know where best place is to go and get one for her

 

[Adrismommy]

Adri's wish party is a week from Wednesday and then we leave a week from Saturday. I'm so excited. I have everything planned... the only hiccup that I'm worried about is Cooper's naps. He turns 10 months old this week and is a great napper - that has been a huge blessing as Adri was not a good napper as a baby. We've committed to come back every day for a nap because we just think that's necessary for both kids. However, Cooper regularly takes a 2 hour morning an 2 hour afternoon nap. Obviously that won't be happening. If we have a double stroller and he's sitting beside Adri the whole time, I don't know if he'll lay back and go to sleep. I'm starting to have a mini freak-out over this. He is such a laid back and easy going baby... but we've never put him in a situation where we push him beyond his limits. Wish us luck!

 

[Laurensmom2004]

It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Quick question......we did get an amount to spend butttttttttttt no check or anything lol....everything I've read here they brought it with them........the girls seem to think (this was their first wish) that we receive it at GKTW.......has anyone here done that?

 

[wishin' on a star]

We were given an envelope of travellers checks at Catherine's wish party. It seems like most people get their expense check within a week of their trip. I can't imagine getting the money after you get to GKTW. Can you call the chapter and check? We had wish granters, but there was a wish coordinator in the office who really made all the plans. The granters pretty much just handed everything over to us.

 

[Adrismommy]

Okay now that it's getting so close I have some logistical questions. I know I'll learn this stuff at orientation but I'm curious how it works. When you are going on a ride, how do you use your pass. I've read and heard people are escorted through the back -- how do you get to the people to use the pass? Also, how does it work with character meet & greets? We know this will be a big part of our trip as Adri is scared of a lot of rides (and Cooper won't be able to do much anyway), but I'm wondering how I'm going to avoid feeling incredibly guilty? Is it a "hassle" to find someone who will let you skip the line? Another question - what if DH wanted to ride a roller coaster while we're in a park... is it "cheating" if he uses the pass so that he can quickly get in and out and get back to the rest of us? I don't want to misuse it at all. I also don't want to roam the park for an hour or more by myself for him to ride a ride alone, you know?

Last question - the stroller rental - with the above question about being afraid of naps, we're a little concerned that in their double stroller, Cooper will be less likely to lay back and fall asleep if Adri's getting in and out with him. If we're in a park and decided we just need to get an extra stroller for logistical purposes, do we just go up and show our pass and get a free one? We're planning to bring our double stroller to use most of the time but we realize there may be days or moments where we're better off having an extra one so Cooper can nap - is it simple to do that in the middle of the day or is that something we should do upfront?

 

[tmtyler]

Very excited to have found this!!! I have been reading for all your posts for days and days!!! My son has been granted his wish trip and we are looking at the end of September for his trip to WDW!!
I would love to start his pre-trip info but dont know exactly how to start!

 

[kctwinmommy]

It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Quick question......we did get an amount to spend butttttttttttt no check or anything lol....everything I've read here they brought it with them........the girls seem to think (this was their first wish) that we receive it at GKTW.......has anyone here done that?

Are you talking spending money? Cuz our coordinator told us that we'll get a debit card with our money on it. I thought that was a nice way to do it. I don't know how much we get though. I've been curious, but didn't want to sound rude or greedy. I'm just wondering what we should plan for.

 

[kctwinmommy]

Very excited to have found this!!! I have been reading for all your posts for days and days!!! My son has been granted his wish trip and we are looking at the end of September for his trip to WDW!!
I would love to start his pre-trip info but dont know exactly how to start!

How exciting!! And if you click on my pre-trip report, you'll see that. It's not much yet... although I did add some the other day. But it's minimal right now!

 

[Laurensmom2004]

Are you talking spending money? Cuz our coordinator told us that we'll get a debit card with our money on it. I thought that was a nice way to do it. I don't know how much we get though. I've been curious, but didn't want to sound rude or greedy. I'm just wondering what we should plan for.

Yes! See I wasn't even counting on it...I know they're all different but it was their idea to pay for gas since we're not flying and they wanted to pay for a hotel on the way so we wouldn't have to drive straight thru so I thought we'd need it before......I'm not at all worried about it.....I was just curious if anyone had this happen that is-getting the check/card whatever at GKTW. Althoughhhhh lol I won't lie and say it wouldn't help!

 

[vincev33]

It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Quick question......we did get an amount to spend butttttttttttt no check or anything lol....everything I've read here they brought it with them........the girls seem to think (this was their first wish) that we receive it at GKTW.......has anyone here done that?

Not sure if you received an answer on this yet. I am a volunteer wish grantor for Make A
Wish. Policies varies by state, but you should clear it up as soon as you can. This is not something that Give Kids The World provides. That should be the wish granting organization. You should have received a number for a staff member at the organization. Have a great trip!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Quick question......we did get an amount to spend butttttttttttt no check or anything lol....everything I've read here they brought it with them........the girls seem to think (this was their first wish) that we receive it at GKTW.......has anyone here done that?

I would definately call your coordinator. We recieved our check last night when we recieved our itinerary and other things.

Are you talking spending money? Cuz our coordinator told us that we'll get a debit card with our money on it. I thought that was a nice way to do it. I don't know how much we get though. I've been curious, but didn't want to sound rude or greedy. I'm just wondering what we should plan for.

I would think you would get it sometime before you leave. Each chapter is different in the amount they give as I understand it. Our chapter issued us a check but a debit card would be great. Although you want to make sure you have some cash on hand as some things are cash only I presume. Like balloons things.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Very excited to have found this!!! I have been reading for all your posts for days and days!!! My son has been granted his wish trip and we are looking at the end of September for his trip to WDW!!
I would love to start his pre-trip info but dont know exactly how to start!

WELCOME! Yay for a WISH trip! I believe on one of the first pages on this thread there are directions on how to start your pretrip report. I can't wait to read about your family and your son.

 

[cajunfan]

Last question - the stroller rental - with the above question about being afraid of naps, we're a little concerned that in their double stroller, Cooper will be less likely to lay back and fall asleep if Adri's getting in and out with him. If we're in a park and decided we just need to get an extra stroller for logistical purposes, do we just go up and show our pass and get a free one? We're planning to bring our double stroller to use most of the time but we realize there may be days or moments where we're better off having an extra one so Cooper can nap - is it simple to do that in the middle of the day or is that something we should do upfront?

Keep in mind that I have never been to WDW when I have needed a stroller, but I would think that it is best to rent the extra stroller when you get there...unless one of you do not mind hiking it back to the front of a park to get one in the middle of the day. Getting it in the middle of the day is probably not too big of a deal for Studios and MK, but I would not want to haul back to the front of the park at AK or EPCOT. Also, keep in mind that the rental strollers at WDW are the hard plastic kind and aren't really great for napping.

Lynn

 

[cajunfan]

It was amazing!!!!!!!!!!! I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Quick question......we did get an amount to spend butttttttttttt no check or anything lol....everything I've read here they brought it with them........the girls seem to think (this was their first wish) that we receive it at GKTW.......has anyone here done that?

As everyone else has said...CALL THEM IMMEDIATELY! Just ask them what to expect...as you need to budget any other expenes.

Lynn

 

[wishin' on a star]

Okay now that it's getting so close I have some logistical questions. I know I'll learn this stuff at orientation but I'm curious how it works. When you are going on a ride, how do you use your pass. I've read and heard people are escorted through the back -- how do you get to the people to use the pass? Also, how does it work with character meet & greets? We know this will be a big part of our trip as Adri is scared of a lot of rides (and Cooper won't be able to do much anyway), but I'm wondering how I'm going to avoid feeling incredibly guilty? Is it a "hassle" to find someone who will let you skip the line? Another question - what if DH wanted to ride a roller coaster while we're in a park... is it "cheating" if he uses the pass so that he can quickly get in and out and get back to the rest of us? I don't want to misuse it at all. I also don't want to roam the park for an hour or more by myself for him to ride a ride alone, you know?

Last question - the stroller rental - with the above question about being afraid of naps, we're a little concerned that in their double stroller, Cooper will be less likely to lay back and fall asleep if Adri's getting in and out with him. If we're in a park and decided we just need to get an extra stroller for logistical purposes, do we just go up and show our pass and get a free one? We're planning to bring our double stroller to use most of the time but we realize there may be days or moments where we're better off having an extra one so Cooper can nap - is it simple to do that in the middle of the day or is that something we should do upfront?

Having just returned, here's how things worked for us. When a ride had a fastpass line, we were able to just show the GAC to the cast member at the FP line and go through that way. For rides that don't have FP, just show your card to a CM, and they will show you the way to go. Your hubby can definitely ride by himself and use the pass. That's what it's all about, the family not having to wait around. I rode rides with my oldest and used the pass every time. Your GAC is good for your whole family, and you SHOULD take full advantage of it! Don't feel guilty...Adri deserves it!

Regarding characters, just go to the CM/handler at the front, and show your button/GAC. They will take care of you. We didn't experience people who questioned us or seemed irritated at us going ahead of them. I think that wearing a MAW button or shirt helps with this. My kids LOVED the characters, and got tons of pictures and autographs...because they didn't have to wait in line. This is part of the magic of being on a MAW trip, so again, don't feel guilty...it's all about Adri!! Take advantage of every bit of magic you can, as it truly is a once in a lifetime experience!!

For a stroller, again, just show your lanyard with your GKTW button/GAC card at the stroller rental and they will take care of you. We did wait in line at the stroller rental, but it was never very long.

 

[J'sMum]

Very excited to have found this!!! I have been reading for all your posts for days and days!!! My son has been granted his wish trip and we are looking at the end of September for his trip to WDW!!
I would love to start his pre-trip info but dont know exactly how to start!

Welcome !!! It's the second post on the first page of this forum
Can't wait to read all about it

 

[casper_jj11]

Lauren finds out tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait!

5 more days!!!!!!

Yeah! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Adri's wish party is a week from Wednesday and then we leave a week from Saturday. I'm so excited. I have everything planned... the only hiccup that I'm worried about is Cooper's naps. He turns 10 months old this week and is a great napper - that has been a huge blessing as Adri was not a good napper as a baby. We've committed to come back every day for a nap because we just think that's necessary for both kids. However, Cooper regularly takes a 2 hour morning an 2 hour afternoon nap. Obviously that won't be happening. If we have a double stroller and he's sitting beside Adri the whole time, I don't know if he'll lay back and go to sleep. I'm starting to have a mini freak-out over this. He is such a laid back and easy going baby... but we've never put him in a situation where we push him beyond his limits. Wish us luck!

Both of my youngest were great nappers and were in WDW around that age. When it was just DD and DS, I had DD in a single Graco stroller and DS(3 at the time) in a double WDW stroller. DD napped when she was tired and we took afternoon breaks for a nap in the hotel. When DS2 came along, we got a wonderful CitySeries double stroller for the two oldest and DS(10mo then) was in the single graco. DH pushed one and I pushed the other. The double also allowed us to split so if DH was on a ride with our oldest, I could put DSbaby and DD in the double. Even when side by side, if DS decided it was nap time, he slept. I'd wander the park so he would get a nap (ie: shop, watch a show, etc.) It was usually shorter but made him happy. We also took afternoon breaks with him too but he wasn't inclined to nap in the hotel room even if DH took DS and DD to the pool so it was quiet. We learned quickly that our break was better for swimming and DS would sleep in the stroller when tired. Bottom line, don't worry about it. If he's a good sleeper, he'll sleep when tired as long as he has a reclining stroller he can rest in. Make sure it has a good canopy.

Very excited to have found this!!! I have been reading for all your posts for days and days!!! My son has been granted his wish trip and we are looking at the end of September for his trip to WDW!!
I would love to start his pre-trip info but dont know exactly how to start!

Welcome! There's a pretrip thread like the Disabilities thread. Go there and start a new post with your trip report. You can then copy the link to your post and post it here. Maroo will put in at teh beginning with the others. (If you click on our pretrip report at the bottom it will bring you to the right forum) I'm pretty sure there's a description in post one or two of this thread that may be more help.