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

[kmparrish5]

Thank you all for the info on the backpack/fluids.

I will be using our itenerary somewhat loosley. If GKTW is what they want to do more of then we will definately hang around there. I have never done an itinerary before as we usually just go with the flow but I want to make somewhat of an itinerary b/c of so many special things we will get to do that we wont be able to do if we go back.

I will say that we did all of the Disney Parks. However, we did not do Universal or Sea World. We planned on doing either IOA or Sea World, but my kids chose to stay at GKTW instead. We ended up spending 2 days at GKTW. My kids loved being there.
We live in Texas and were able to use our Sea World tickets 6 months after our trip. We were even able to feed the dolphins in San Antonio.

 

[momma_mouse]

Thanks for the tips about the height restrictions. Sloan's tennis shoes put him right about 40 inches. (I need to measure him for certain though.) He has a pair of boots that do the same. Now I've just got to spend the next 19days teaching him to stand up straight and take deep breaths. So what's this toilet paper thing? I'm guessing used the same way I was thinking of using a piece of cardboard? LOL!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Besides the differences in local MAW, there are other reasons that might make a difference in dates being assigned. A few things I can think of include someone may have needed to cancel just as a new wish came in - the new wish may get that earlier date, even though it was not available when someone made a wish earlier. Trips may also be scheduled around medical treatments or condition - someone who is able to wait may get a later date.

All very good points, Sue. We've seen trippers here who had to reschedule at the last minute and hopefully someone else got to go in that time slot.

Right now, I'm trying to figure out what we are going to do about meals.

What I'm wondering is about grabbing things at GKTW and taking with us. Also, good cheap places to eat in the parks? Cheap or not, we will be eating at Flame Tree BBQ in AK for lunch one day. Other than that, I have nothing figured out. What's a cheap place at US/IOA? I do plan to pack PB&J one day.

Any other tips for saving money?

I haven't been, so I could be wrong, but in all the TR's I've read I don't remember hearing about any "to-go" food at GKTW. They have the main restaurant, sandwiches etc at the ice cream parlor, pizza delivery, Boston Market "counter service" and the breakfast cart, but it sounds to me like you use a meal ticket for the meal they are currently serving. So say you are eating at the restaurant for breakfast, you can't turn around 10 minutes later and get sandwiches at the Ice cream parlor to take with you. I would have faith that your wish agency will cover you. It's smart to budget just in case, and if you do eat light it will just leave any leftover money for souvenirs!

I will say that we did all of the Disney Parks. However, we did not do Universal or Sea World. We planned on doing either IOA or Sea World, but my kids chose to stay at GKTW instead. We ended up spending 2 days at GKTW. My kids loved being there.
We live in Texas and were able to use our Sea World tickets 6 months after our trip. We were even able to feed the dolphins in San Antonio.

Hmm, interesting possibility for the Sea World tix, Kristy. We could conceivably use ours in CA when go visit the grands. Something to think about!

 

[momma_mouse]

Working on more planning...

Can someone tell me more about the birthday party at GKTW? What about family fun night? And the Princesses and Pirates party? I'm trying to figure out which nights we're going to watch the fireworks at Disney.

Is Twinkle Hope's Teat Party fun? I'm thinking that might be something my 6 year old DD would love.

 

[maroo]

Thanks for the tips about the height restrictions. Sloan's tennis shoes put him right about 40 inches. (I need to measure him for certain though.) He has a pair of boots that do the same. Now I've just got to spend the next 19days teaching him to stand up straight and take deep breaths. So what's this toilet paper thing? I'm guessing used the same way I was thinking of using a piece of cardboard? LOL!

Well...

There was a story about a boy - a true story - and I really wish I could get it all right...but I won't...Here it the short version...

A man and his son were waiting outside Space Mountain when another boy and his father were walking up to Space Mountain. The child seemed distressed and the man started talking to the father of the distressed child. Turns out the child was really wanting to ride Space Mountain. The situation for the child was this this was his Wish Trip and his prognosis was very poor, so this would be his last chance to ride Space Mountain.

They were thinking he would be a bit too short, but were ready to go try...when the man talking to them said to follow him. They walked into the men's bathroom and stuffed toilet paper in the child's shoes.

That wish child rode Space Mountain that day...and the man has never been the same. He single-handedly raised over $10,000 for Lou Mongello's Dream Team that sends Wish Kids to Disney World. And told this story at Magic Meets 2009.

So...I think...in certain circumstances...stuffing shoes with toilet paper is totally approrpriate. But only on a wish trip with an older child with a poor prognosis...of course. I really am not an advocate for totally disregarding safety rules at Disney - they are there for a reason... but it was his last chance to ride.

 

[dmbfan]

Jake meet the height requirements for Rock-n-Roller coaster, but I was so nervous cause he so skinny that I was still had my hand on his lap the whole ride...

My daughter on the hand is on the shorter side ( still taller than Jake) than kids her age, and there were a couple of rides that I choose she not go on when we were at IOA. She was not happy with me, but some of the rollercoaster really whip you around and I was just to nervous.

 

[Savannah's Mami]

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I have been trying to post a new thread on our wish trip report but I am not being allowed to do so....I have no idea why? I am going to finish it up in the next few days on Savvy's COTA site though.

Maroo --- THANK YOU for the photopass code --- I am going to work on editing today and hopefully get it done!!!

Bargain of the day ---- Snapfish has 50 prints for a penny a piece...thought I share for those who have a ton of picture to print.

 

[Savannah's Mami]

another lurker - just wanted to add about the Give a Day opportunity -

Project Linus - making blankets that go to hospitals. (this is something dd and I do once a month at our church) but the link was for a different chapter - (and a child of 6 can volunteer!) I signed up and contacted thru email and we are all set! They are only requiring 1 fleece blanket per volunteer (which seems very small - at our church each person can complete 4 or 5 in a few hours! Some do knit, some crochet the ends of the blankets - that takes a bit more time)

The only blankets that Savvy has our "Special" blankets that she received at the hospital...one is a project Linus blanket...we will be keeping them forever! It really does mean a great deal to cover up your child with a regular blanket rather then those hospital ones...Thank you for this!

 

[Savannah's Mami]

You guys are not going to have a problem with this on a wish trip with Universal - you don't wait in line there - you are escorted to the back door of the attraction and taken right on, so no worries there.

Universal was amazing! Not only did we not wait in lines but when we asked a team lead a simple question about where to find Dora she told us and then proceeded to escort us through all of the attractions! We cut from one park to the other through backdoors as not to miss the Grinchmas show....they were so kind!! Savvy fell in love with Spiderman...I went to buy her a spiderman stuffed toy and she gave us her discount ... I told her it was not necessary (I did not want her to get in any trouble)...she said we were just a "nice family" and SHE was the lucky one!

 

[livndisney]

The only blankets that Savvy has our "Special" blankets that she received at the hospital...one is a project Linus blanket...we will be keeping them forever! It really does mean a great deal to cover up your child with a regular blanket rather then those hospital ones...Thank you for this!

hummmm do I see an Elmo quilt is Savvy's future?

 

[dmbfan]

another lurker - just wanted to add about the Give a Day opportunity -

Project Linus - making blankets that go to hospitals. (this is something dd and I do once a month at our church) but the link was for a different chapter - (and a child of 6 can volunteer!) I signed up and contacted thru email and we are all set! They are only requiring 1 fleece blanket per volunteer (which seems very small - at our church each person can complete 4 or 5 in a few hours! Some do knit, some crochet the ends of the blankets - that takes a bit more time)

Ohh someone made my son a Spiderman blanket from the "project Linus" and this blanket and his Wish Pillow go everwhere he goes... and he is 9 years old... I am sure Jake will still be sleeping with these items for many more years to come, and it is ok with me...

 

[Savannah's Mami]

hummmm do I see an Elmo quilt is Savvy's future?

You are too cute! If she gets an Elmo blanket she won't SLEEP! She has way toooooo much to tell Elmo!

I ordered some prints last night of our year so I can create the scrapbook for our donor angel's family...I realized that the majority of the pictures are of her with Elmo. I am looking forward to writing to them and letting them know all about how Savvy met the princesses and her ROCKSTAR Elmo!

 

[Joanna71985]

Hi Joanna! I didn't know that you were being transferred. Congrats!

A lot of CMs volunteer at GKTW. As Joanna mentioned, the CPs take a van two days a week. That is how I first got involved, and then I started doing it on my own since I had a car. It's a great place to volunteer.

For those who are thinking of volunteering on trips: They do give you a free meal per shift. You can either eat at the Gingerbread House or the Ice Cream Palace. So you may want to consider that in your plans.

Thanks Jessi!

 

[pacrosby]

Right now, I'm trying to figure out what we are going to do about meals. Obviously, no DDP this time. I plan on going to Wal-Mart to buy water, juice boxes, snacks, etc when we get there. I know that will save us a ton as we did that last time. We will eat breakfast at GKTW everyday. We won't eat lunch there except for days 1 and 7. Isn't there somewhere you can grab a lunch at to take with you? Or did I make that up in my own little mind? LOL! If so, we will totally do that as we plan on taking a cooler in anyway. We will eat dinner at GKTW if we are there. I'm sure we will have a couple of late nights and need to eat out.

What I'm wondering is about grabbing things at GKTW and taking with us. Also, good cheap places to eat in the parks? Cheap or not, we will be eating at Flame Tree BBQ in AK for lunch one day. Other than that, I have nothing figured out. What's a cheap place at US/IOA? I do plan to pack PB&J one day.

Any other tips for saving money?

I just wanted to jump in here quick. We found that when we ordered food from Katie's Kitchen we ended up with leftovers galore (unfortunately we threw alot of food out at the end of the week). So you might just find that you could create some lunches from your leftovers. Just something to keep in mind.

Pamela

Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607

Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

 

[maroo]

I have not caught up on this thread..

But I am asking you guys to pray for us.

This could be an ice storm for our area and with the very cold (in the TEENS) temps coming our way afterward, it could be a major problem for us.

Please pray for my friends - that they would all make good preparatory decisions - some are even planning to leave town.

I am heading to Orlando (unless my friends want me to stick around).

 

[alizesmom]

Talk about miracles in the making. Our foster agency supervisor found out that Charlie was staying home with B instead of going on the MAW trip. She got together with B's CYS caseworker and MAW and they performed a little magic. Barring unforseen things, all 4 of us hit GKTW on Saturday!!!!!! Karen

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Talk about miracles in the making. Our foster agency supervisor found out that Charlie was staying home with B instead of going on the MAW trip. She got together with B's CYS caseworker and MAW and they performed a little magic. Barring unforseen things, all 4 of us hit GKTW on Saturday!!!!!! Karen

Oh my that is wonderful to hear! wow that just melts my heart. What a wonderful caseworker and Wish organizers. I am so happy to read this!

 

[Momofwishkid]

Talk about miracles in the making. Our foster agency supervisor found out that Charlie was staying home with B instead of going on the MAW trip. She got together with B's CYS caseworker and MAW and they performed a little magic. Barring unforseen things, all 4 of us hit GKTW on Saturday!!!!!! Karen

That is great news! Im so happy it's going to work out and the whole family will get to experience this trip. It's getting soo close!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Hurray!!!!!! What a great caseworker to take the time to get things in order. We've had great ones and the other kind as well. So happy this one was a great one!!! WOOHOO!!!!

 

[dmbfan]

Talk about miracles in the making. Our foster agency supervisor found out that Charlie was staying home with B instead of going on the MAW trip. She got together with B's CYS caseworker and MAW and they performed a little magic. Barring unforseen things, all 4 of us hit GKTW on Saturday!!!!!! Karen

Oh this is wonderful news... Amazing what a little magic can do ..

All will go well, and your whole family will enjoy this wonderful MAW trip..