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

[momma_mouse]

Hi Everyone,

I just had a quick question for all of you who have already been on your wish trips!! Our wish granters told us about the "passport" that families receive for other parks in the country that is good for the year after the wish trip, will we be able to get that even though we are staying at AKL??? It looks so awesome!!!

The other question I had, was I know that you can get tickets to some of the other area parks from GKTW...do you all know if Aquatica is one of them?? I was thinking that would be something fun to do with the kids while we were there and we wouldn't have to spend the $$ on tickets to Blizzard Beach of Typhoon Lagoon. Have any of you been to Aquatica??

We haven't been yet and I have no idea about the passport. Heck, I hadn't even heard of that. However, I can tell you that you can get tickets to Aquatica. Our voluteer also said something about Wet and Wild. Aquatica looks very cool! I wish we had the time (and if our kids were a bit older) to go there.

 

[momma_mouse]

I posted this in our PTR, but since we get more traffic here I'm going to ask here, too.

I've been pondering on how to safely take our stroller with us. A bag it will fit in would be $30 so we're trying to avoid that. I read something on another thread where she wrapped the handles in bubble wrap and then packing tape. I was thinking of doing that on the handles and wheels and then maybe putting it in a trash bag to protect the fabric as well. (We will be gate checking it.) Do you think that would work? If not, do you have any other suggestions. We have a Maclaren double stroller. We got a great deal on it so didn't pay retail for it, but we don't want to have to buy another one either.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Hi Everyone, Happy New Year!! It has been quite a while since I posted anything!! Got a call yesterday that Brian's Wish has been approved and will be granted!! They have not booked it yet, so I still don't have our dates!! But We will be setting sail on the Disney Magic for a cruise in either The end of March or April!!! He is soo excited!!

I can't believe that this is all coming true!! Only problem is I am a planner and it is killing me not to have the dates yet. I would love to look into some excusions or maybe a spa treatment (that one is for ME!!) But it will all work out, even if we do nothing but relax and spend time with each other it will be the BEST Vacation ever!!!

I will work on a PTR soon. Was afraid to start too early and jinx myself!! Once we have the dates I will begin!!

A Disney Cruise!! I cant wait to follow your PTR and feel free to start before you get dates, I did

 

[maroo]

I posted this in our PTR, but since we get more traffic here I'm going to ask here, too.

I've been pondering on how to safely take our stroller with us. A bag it will fit in would be $30 so we're trying to avoid that. I read something on another thread where she wrapped the handles in bubble wrap and then packing tape. I was thinking of doing that on the handles and wheels and then maybe putting it in a trash bag to protect the fabric as well. (We will be gate checking it.) Do you think that would work? If not, do you have any other suggestions. We have a Maclaren double stroller. We got a great deal on it so didn't pay retail for it, but we don't want to have to buy another one either.

I am a bit confused...I think...??

Do you need the stroller in the airport? Would you need it to get them to and from the plane? It is a LONG walk at the Orlando airport.

Then you can "gate check" the stroller and they will keep it for you and bring it right back to your gate...so you won't have to pack it at all. It won't go against your luggage or anything.

Was that the question? I may be totally off here?

 

[momma_mouse]

I am a bit confused...I think...??

Do you need the stroller in the airport? Would you need it to get them to and from the plane? It is a LONG walk at the Orlando airport.

Then you can "gate check" the stroller and they will keep it for you and bring it right back to your gate...so you won't have to pack it at all. It won't go against your luggage or anything.

Was that the question? I may be totally off here?

Yes, I need the stroller in the airport. I do want to gate check the stroller, but I have heard stories of strollers being torn up from being gate checked. So I was trying to come up with some way to protect it. After asking some moms on another board, I'm not sure that will work. I don't know what we're going to do. Perhaps I just need to bubble wrap the kids to DH and I's side in the airport and rent a stroller when we get there.

 

[Wee Annie]

I have never had a stroller get damaged by being gate-checked, nor do I know anyone who has. I'm sure it has happened (and I would be pretty steamed if it happened), but I have a feeling this is one of those "hardly ever happens" kind of things. If it happens to you, that won't make you feel better, but at least the probability of it happening is not really really high (of course, this conclusion has no scientific/mathematical basis in the least, and is based purely on anecdotal evidence!!!!).

Of course, I don't think I have ever taken a really expensive stroller with me either (just a basic Inglesina or McLaren). Now if I had something custom-made, like a special needs stroller, I might be more concerned....

I like the bubble-wrapping the kids idea....

 

[Thumper321]

If it was damaged, wouldn't it be covered under the airlines damaged luggage policy, thus making the airline responsible for purchasing a new one? I thought it was that way for gate-checked items? And that usually covers up to $3000 which should be enough to cover even the Maclaren double. Am I wrong? Cause we'll be taking our special needs stroller as well.

 

[Thumper321]

I've got a couple of quick questions for those of you who are experienced with this. We will have a rental car on our wish trip. I'm wondering how we deal with the car seat issue. Our oldest child is in a booster seat, our middle is in high back booster seat, and our youngest is in a forward facing toddler car seat. Do we have to pack these? Can we get them with our rental car? Does Make a Wish cover the cost if they are rented?

Also, what about character dining? Does Make a Wish cover this or is the spending money enough to cover it? We aren't going to have a large personal budget for the trip, so I'm wondering how I need to plan.

Thanks in advance!

 

[pnutallergymom]

You can definitely rent them with the car rental company, but I believe it is fairly pricey. You should probably bring your youngest's car seat on the plane and then you'll have it...you can check this also. I have heard that the "rental" ones can be pretty nasty and my concern would be how would you ever know if the car seat had or hadn't been in an accident?.....I have seen on some of the family threads, that alot of people will stop at Wal-Mart and pick up one of the booster seats there (usually about $$15-20) and then they just toss it when they are done. You can also check the booster seats as a piece of luggage too. Then you wouldn't have to worry about the kids not being properly restrained while you drove to Wal-Mart.



I think that most of the chapters seem to differ. Ours gives us a set amount of money in our expense check for each person for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think most of the chapters also typically pay for one "treat", such as a makeover at BBB or a character meal. I could be wrong about that though. Don't forget, you can eat all of your meals for free at GKTW as well.

 

[momma_mouse]

I've got a couple of quick questions for those of you who are experienced with this. We will have a rental car on our wish trip. I'm wondering how we deal with the car seat issue. Our oldest child is in a booster seat, our middle is in high back booster seat, and our youngest is in a forward facing toddler car seat. Do we have to pack these? Can we get them with our rental car? Does Make a Wish cover the cost if they are rented?

Also, what about character dining? Does Make a Wish cover this or is the spending money enough to cover it? We aren't going to have a large personal budget for the trip, so I'm wondering how I need to plan.

Thanks in advance!

I would never ever rent car seats from anyone. You don't know how/if they have been taken car of or if they've been in a wreck. Most are expired anyway.

All 3 of our kids are still in car seats. (Yes, even my yeah old!) My 6 year old DD's seat is a Britax Regent and way to big to even consider taking with us. We're going to put her in a booster seat for the week. I talked to a car seat tech and she said she would let DD ride in a backless that way we could take it as a carry on and stow it in the overhead compartment. (She does not recomend checking car seats ever...not even gate checking them.) For the other 2 kids, we are going to have to take their car seats with us. They have Britax Marathons, so it's going to be a chore. My plan is to rent a luggage cart, put them on that and just push it through the airport. We don't have to put them on the plane, but again, we're not going to check them so we'll just install them on the plane and the kids will sit in them.

How old/tall are your kids? You might be able to use 2 backless seats also. Depending on the kind of booster your middle child has, you could just take the back off. If you don't have that type, I just ordered a backless from Wal-Mart for $13. The tech I talked to said all backless are basically created equal. (unlike high backs and 5 point car seats)

Anyway, if you have any questions feel free to ask. I'm very much a child passenger advocate. (Just waiting for a class to open around here so I can become a tech!)

 

[dma4298]

I started Maddie's PTR. I am not a very good writer but I am going to give it a try. We are going to Disney 2/28 - 3/6 and staying at GKTW.

 

[jenb1023]

Yes, I need the stroller in the airport. I do want to gate check the stroller, but I have heard stories of strollers being torn up from being gate checked. So I was trying to come up with some way to protect it. After asking some moms on another board, I'm not sure that will work. I don't know what we're going to do. Perhaps I just need to bubble wrap the kids to DH and I's side in the airport and rent a stroller when we get there.

I've gatechecked a stroller five times and have never had a problem. The last two times it was a Maclaren. I am sure it is possible for it to get damaged but I think that is the exception and not the rule. I would take a photo of it and document any pre-existing damage if you are worried and go for it. I will say though that I think the bigger strollers are more at risk so depending on how big your double Maclaren is you may want to consider two umbrella strollers. In my observation, it also seems to be a very big pain to get the doubles through security.

 

[yinyanggirls]

As for car seats, I want to add a very important detail....If you plan to have a child sit in it on the plane it MUST SAY FAA APPROVED ON THE CAR SEAT ITSELF. The flight attendants have to check for it before you can belt it to the airplane seat. If it does not say that, and it is too big for overhead, you will have to gate check it or leave it behind. No other choice. No amount of arguing or "I checked the carseat website" type of thing will make a difference. So make sure you look for it before you go. If you can't find it, then try calling the company and asking if your model is and where to find the info on the seat. That way you won't be holding up the line to board looking for it for the FA.

Another important note, if you have a young child who HAS to be in a carseat, either use it on the plane if it's approved, or gate check it, because if you send it through the belt with your luggage and it doesn't make it on the plane you will have to get really creative or wait a long time at the other airport if your luggage gets lost or held up for any reason.

 

[MomTo4+more]

Deyki is sick again. We have been back and forth to the hospital for IV meds and labs twice this week and go back tomorrow. He was there once last week and three times the week before that. Be praying they find out what is going on and come up with something to make him better.

On a Disney/MAW note, we went on a tour of our local Y. I was telling the attendant in the child care room about Deyki and asking her questions. Somehow his Wish trip came up. She says, "Did you stay at GKTW?" I was shocked she knew about it. Turns out she and her son went on his Wish trip to Disney about ten years ago. Even more surprising, she just happened to have brought her pictures along that day to show someone at work! I showed her the pictures on my phone and enjoyed listening to her memories from a decade ago.

I want to find a way to go back. We need the peace and the fun again.

 

[Thumper321]

Thanks, guys! I don't know why I didn't think about the prior accident issues. That's the sole reason I won't buy a used carseat, but didn't consider it when renting one. I've got to check ours to see if they are approved for flying. If they are, then I'm going to let the younger two ride in theirs. Thanks for the input!

 

[Momofwishkid]

I started Maddie's PTR. I am not a very good writer but I am going to give it a try. We are going to Disney 2/28 - 3/6 and staying at GKTW.

Yay! Another PTR I would love to follow along and dont worry Im not a good writer either. Can I get the link?

Deyki is sick again. We have been back and forth to the hospital for IV meds and labs twice this week and go back tomorrow. He was there once last week and three times the week before that. Be praying they find out what is going on and come up with something to make him better.

On a Disney/MAW note, we went on a tour of our local Y. I was telling the attendant in the child care room about Deyki and asking her questions. Somehow his Wish trip came up. She says, "Did you stay at GKTW?" I was shocked she knew about it. Turns out she and her son went on his Wish trip to Disney about ten years ago. Even more surprising, she just happened to have brought her pictures along that day to show someone at work! I showed her the pictures on my phone and enjoyed listening to her memories from a decade ago.

I want to find a way to go back. We need the peace and the fun again.

Im so sorry Deyki isnt doing well. Im hoping they find out something soon and he is starts feeling better. Your all in my thoughts.

 

[thatkid]

Does anyone have any ideas for songs that I could use for my wish video? I'm putting together pictures to make a video and i can't find any songs that go with it. I want a wish-y song

I also got the stuff to make my wish quilt! I'm printing out my autographs and ironing them onto fabric to make a quilt. I'm super excited and i'll post pictures when i'm done

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

here is one I had picked out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqK5syG7Ips

 

[momma_mouse]

Thanks, guys! I don't know why I didn't think about the prior accident issues. That's the sole reason I won't buy a used carseat, but didn't consider it when renting one. I've got to check ours to see if they are approved for flying. If they are, then I'm going to let the younger two ride in theirs. Thanks for the input!

Didn't you say your middle child is in a high back booster? Boosters are not FAA approved. If he's under 40 pounds, you could get him a Cosco Scenera. It's a 5 point and farely cheap (around $40) to use on the trip. You couldn't rent a crappy seat for that price. Of course, if your seat for your youngest isn't FAA approved, you could get him one, too.

If I had the extra money to do it, I would be getting them for my 2 youngest for the trip. They are feathers compared to our current seats.

 

[that's nice]

Does anyone have any ideas for songs that I could use for my wish video? I'm putting together pictures to make a video and i can't find any songs that go with it. I want a wish-y song

I also got the stuff to make my wish quilt! I'm printing out my autographs and ironing them onto fabric to make a quilt. I'm super excited and i'll post pictures when i'm done

Disney- Wishes song from the Fireworks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdilScQRoYQ

Upbeat- Stevie Wonder- I wish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH1BPQ7FLbc&feature=PlayList&p=E551C1CF802E0E47&index=2

cantwaittoseemickey has a good one as well. I guess it all depends on what kind of vibe you are looking for. How many pictures do you have? You might need to use a few songs.