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

[yinyanggirls]

We are going in April (4/17), and our MAW rep called me before Christmas to give me the heads up that they have booked CRT for lunch the Monday we will be there.
I had already made a CRT lunch reservation for later on in our vacay (on Elke's birthday), so I just cancelled that one.
Ann

Ann, since your coordinator seems to be so understanding, would you feel comfortable calling her back and asking about switching it to Elke's bday? I know it would be no problem to do (I have done it twice now) as long as the person calling has the confirmation number. After looking over that week, and adjusting our schedule I moved our reservation to that same Monday (19th) at 12:55. What time are you guys scheduled?

Lately I've been trying to get our chapter to consider matching families awaiting a WDW Wish Trip with those who have already gone and it's not being received all that well. I really think they are just overwhelmed

Pamela, that's a great idea! At least they could offer a "new" family a chance to make contact with a prior trip family. Or give them this board's web address.

I just found out that our airline (Air Tran) does count the the medical supply bag against us for a carry on. I just wanted to let others know. If you know different please let me know as I just called Air Tran and that is what they told me.

I couldn't quote it, but I'm quite certain that it would be discrimination to do that. You got a new employee that is reading out of the manual and was drilled into his head "no exceptions" because I'm sure people try to get out of the charges all the time. Call back and ask again. If you get the same answer ask for a supe and if they say the same ask for their lawyers number. Seriously. There are non-profits who fight this kind of thing for free.

I
Okay, so I think we may have dates,

So they came back with April 20th - April 26th, which means taking a personal day on the 26th and then sucking it up and returning to work on the 27th.

So, does anyone have the crowd/park info for the 23rd to the 26th? I think Melissa posted the info for the beginning of the week.

Kelly, I'll go look them up and post them on your PTR if no one else has yet. I'm sorry it didn't work out for your first (or second, really) choice. If it makes you feel better, I believe the crowds go down as that week goes on, so you will hopefully have no trouble fitting in all the rides, shows and meals you want.

But what does he keep mentioning about our upcoming Feburary trip? Yup, you've got it..."maybe we can ride BTMRR 34 times in a day!"

My stomach is hoping for larger crowds, rendering this impossible. And yet, I am a "ride gal" and I love BTMRR too...can you imagine?!?

Holy crap! Good luck!!!

 

[Thumper321]

More Information on who you can talk to at Air Tran and who to go to if you don't get results, all the way up to the DOT. Is this excessive, useless information? If so, let me know and I won't post this kind of stuff anymore. Guess I kinda got carried away on this one. I don't like to see our 'babies' being discriminated against.

Contact Information — By Phone

To speak directly with an AirTran Airways representative, please call us between 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

* Reservations
1-800-AIR-TRAN, or in Atlanta, call 678-254-7999.
* TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf)
Call us toll free at 1-800-868-8833.
* Customer Relations
1-866-247-2428

At the Airport
If you encounter problems while traveling with AirTran Airways, please ask one of our Crew Members to put you in contact with a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). Our CROs have been specially trained and are aware of applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) disability regulations. Our CROs are available at all airport locations, and they will be glad to respond to your concerns.

Corporate Complaint Resolution Officer
If you have further concerns, please contact the AirTran Airways Corporate Complaint Resolution Officer.
To contact the Corporate CRO for AirTran Airways, please:

Call the CRO at 800-965-2107, extension 6042.
Or email the CRO at CCRO@airtranweb.com.

You may also contact AirTran Airways via the Contact Form on our website.
Department of Transportation
To contact the DOT regarding air travel and disabilities, please call them at:

Voice: 1-800-778-4838
TDD: 1-800-455-9880

The DOT hotline is staffed seven days a week from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. Eastern time.

 

[yinyanggirls]

P.S. I found the information in my last post from a link on AirTran's special needs information page. It is on this page: http://www.airtran.com/special_needs_information.aspx#med It's listed under Additional Resources towards the bottom of the page. The link is titled "Non Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (14 CFR part 382)." I so hope this helps with your battle!

Good job taking the time to find the link! I knew it wasn't kosher, so to speak. It might not be a bad idea to print that out and stick it in with your med supplies just in case you get the same newbie cust. service guy at the check-in counter!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Kelly, apparently my "subscription" to touringplans.com ended with the new year. Maybe Maroo can still get the numbers for you? Sorry! I do remember that the weekend we leave it was surprisingly lower than earlier in the week. I want to say 4's through the weekend.

 

[yinyanggirls]

I know someone just asked this on a PTR. I was wondering the same thing, so I'll ask it here. Has anyone here been to the Twinkle Hope Tea Party at GKTW? It's the one mid-day activity there. Trying to decide if we have time to plan around it.

Also, wondering, since I don't expect to hear our trip details until the last minute. What car rental company did people with MAW use? I'm wondering if they have a corporate account with one in particular and always use them. Then I can figure out who to call to try and get a good deal and still keep the same vehicle on a new contract.

 

[LindaBabe]

Aha! Now I've found you! I wondered why the wish trip thread wasn't showing up on my subscription list!

Here at the World now - volunteering at GKTW on Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone want post cards for your wish kids? PM your child's name and address!

Your stroller should be fine if you gate check it - check the salvation army or goodwill store for a ski bag, golf club bag bag, or duffle bag - that might fit, if you'd like to put it in something.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

More Information on who you can talk to at Air Tran and who to go to if you don't get results, all the way up to the DOT. Is this excessive, useless information? If so, let me know and I won't post this kind of stuff anymore. Guess I kinda got carried away on this one. I don't like to see our 'babies' being discriminated against.


Most absolutely not! You are AWSOME!! Thank you for the information. I was very upset when she told me. But wanted to get some "ducks in a row" before I called back. I have looked over that website several times and could only find the medication part.
Contact Information — By Phone

To speak directly with an AirTran Airways representative, please call us between 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

* Reservations
1-800-AIR-TRAN, or in Atlanta, call 678-254-7999.
* TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf)
Call us toll free at 1-800-868-8833.
* Customer Relations
1-866-247-2428

At the Airport
If you encounter problems while traveling with AirTran Airways, please ask one of our Crew Members to put you in contact with a Complaint Resolution Official (CRO). Our CROs have been specially trained and are aware of applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) disability regulations. Our CROs are available at all airport locations, and they will be glad to respond to your concerns.

Corporate Complaint Resolution Officer
If you have further concerns, please contact the AirTran Airways Corporate Complaint Resolution Officer.
To contact the Corporate CRO for AirTran Airways, please:

Call the CRO at 800-965-2107, extension 6042.
Or email the CRO at CCRO@airtranweb.com.

You may also contact AirTran Airways via the Contact Form on our website.
Department of Transportation
To contact the DOT regarding air travel and disabilities, please call them at:

Voice: 1-800-778-4838
TDD: 1-800-455-9880

The DOT hotline is staffed seven days a week from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. Eastern time.

I will definately print this out. Thank you.

I wasn't too worried about the medications but was worried about his cooling vest( I do not want to take any chances checking that) and his catheters and his diapers as I will have those in the same carryon with his syringes tube feeding supplied and meds etc.

Thank you again!!

 

[momma_mouse]

I know someone just asked this on a PTR. I was wondering the same thing, so I'll ask it here. Has anyone here been to the Twinkle Hope Tea Party at GKTW? It's the one mid-day activity there. Trying to decide if we have time to plan around it.

Also, wondering, since I don't expect to hear our trip details until the last minute. What car rental company did people with MAW use? I'm wondering if they have a corporate account with one in particular and always use them. Then I can figure out who to call to try and get a good deal and still keep the same vehicle on a new contract.

On the WGO info site on GKTW (I found it googling around) it says that GKTW uses Avis. Not that GKTW sets everything up, but I guess maybe they have a preferance or something. Our WGO is Dream Factory and we're using Avis.

Thanks for asking about Twinkle Hopes. I'm still watching to see if I get any responses. Apparantly it is fairly new. Since it's in the middle of the day I doubt as m any people go to it, too. We're going to try to go to it. I'm fairly certain all 3 of my kids will love it. My 6 year old DD is really looking forward to it!

In my googling around, I found out that Twinkle Hope, the GKTW exclusive 25th anniversary My Little Pony, is there. And it's just a tea party with tasty treats, dress up outfits, etc. It sounds really cute! I found a few pictures online of it, but not many.

 

[Thumper321]

I wasn't too worried about the medications but was worried about his cooling vest( I do not want to take any chances checking that) and his catheters and his diapers as I will have those in the same carryon with his syringes tube feeding supplied and meds etc.

Thank you again!!

Ty is 10, right? Is there any way you could get your doctor to write a letter saying what should be packed in his med bag? I can't see the airline saying that catheters and diapers for a 10 year old aren't medically necessary, especially if there's a letter. And the diapers just happen to be in the bag that you would have to have for his meds anyway, right? But the cooling vest would probably be my concern. Could he wear the vest on the plane without the cooling packs and put the cooling packs in with his meds and supplies? Do you guys have a long flight?

Maybe call that DOT number if necessary and tell them that these supplies are what make the flight possible for your child, and that you feel the airline is discriminating against catheterized / incontinent consumers? Tell them that this is an accessibility issue for your son? And just ask if they can make any suggestions. Sorry, I wish I could help more.

 

[momma_mouse]

Maroo...he's really wanting to see Goofy and Pluto. I was thinking Tusker House for a late late breakfast maybe? I had thought about Chef Mickey's (we loved it last time) but we're going to be at Animal Kingdom all day on one of our days so I figured that would work out better. I'm trying to not have to run around place to place. We needed a vacation from our vacation before and we are going to do this very special trip very different.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Ty is 10, right? Is there any way you could get your doctor to write a letter saying what should be packed in his med bag? I can't see the airline saying that catheters and diapers for a 10 year old aren't medically necessary, especially if there's a letter. And the diapers just happen to be in the bag that you would have to have for his meds anyway, right? But the cooling vest would probably be my concern. Could he wear the vest on the plane without the cooling packs and put the cooling packs in with his meds and supplies? Do you guys have a long flight?

Maybe call that DOT number if necessary and tell them that these supplies are what make the flight possible for your child, and that you feel the airline is discriminating against catheterized / incontinent consumers? Tell them that this is an accessibility issue for your son? And just ask if they can make any suggestions. Sorry, I wish I could help more.

Yes he is 10. I am going to have the dr write a note. We do not have a long flight at all. My biggest concern is that bag counting agains us as a carry on but I might see if I can get the others packed a little better and make it not matter. If it does end up counting then I will bring out the copy of the part that says it is not counted

 

[maroo]

Maroo: happy to see you posting, was wondering how things are at home. Is your water all fine again? My goodness, we deal with those temps etc all the time, but of course, we're set up for it. I hope all is well!

Seeing your advice about unique aspects of a wish made me laugh - it reminded me of one aspect of Mark wish that we never raised...goodness knows if anyone had tried to help us with it, we might not have survived! And what was that special wish? Well, our Mark just LOVE, LOVE, LOVES Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. On our first trip to WDW in 2006, we returned for a 2nd day at the MK, and of course, we rode BTMRR. We came through the wheelchair entrance and when it was our turn, we were invited to stay on for a 2nd ride (this happens quite a lot on this ride, I think it has to do with managing the w/c). After rides 1 and 2, a CM recognized us for the first day. She invited us to ride again rather than coming back later. "Great!" said Mark. And again, we rode twice. After ride #4 in a row, we disembarked with shaky legs. Mark, still keen for more, asked what the record for most rides in a day was. He was told it was 33.

Well, to make a long story short, we managed 10 rides on BTMRR that day. On his Wish Trip in 2008, he was all set to try and beat that record of 33 rides. He became so ensconced in other Wish Trip magic that he didn't pursue it. But what does he keep mentioning about our upcoming Feburary trip? Yup, you've got it..."maybe we can ride BTMRR 34 times in a day!"

My stomach is hoping for larger crowds, rendering this impossible. And yet, I am a "ride gal" and I love BTMRR too...can you imagine?!?

My water situation...

Is horrible.

For those of you guys not aware...the City of Jackson, MS has had no water since Monday. Today is Thursday! URGH!

Over 100 city pipes burst during the major cold snap we had a week ago and they are still thawing out and breaking and the city just can't keep up. So many broke that the water pressure in the city went so low that now very few people have running water in the city. Those that do have water are all under a strict boil water alert (which will probably last for days AFTER we get water back).

School have been closed, restaurants, all goverment buildings, even medical clinics are closed all around the city. The larger hospitals have their own water supply (this was done after Katrina), so they are all fine and have water, but the external clinics (like us) still don't have water.

To make things just that much better...it STINKS today. Someone messed up something somewhere. It smells like a sewer pipe in my office today. Gag.



Riding BTMRR 34 times in one day would be SOOOO awesome! I think it may be doable...just keep getting FP's...and stay in the line most of the day... You can totally do it!

Not sure if this will help or not, but I found it in the United States Department of Transportation, Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement Rules, Part 382:

382.121 What mobility aids and other assistive devices may passengers with a disability bring into the aircraft cabin? Passengers may bring manual, but not electric wheelchairs, other mobility aids (e.g., canes, including those used by blind passengers), and other assistive devices (e.g., POCs), as well as prescription medications and any medical devices needed to administer them (e.g., syringes, auto-injectors), as long as they comply with applicable safety, security and hazardous materials rules. These devices and aids cannot be counted against the airline’s carry-on limits.

Here's the link: http://airconsumer.dot.gov/rules/rules.htm or http://airconsumer.dot.gov/rules/Part 382-2008.pdf

This rule is effective as of May 13, 2009.

I knew there was something against that!

P.S. I found the information in my last post from a link on AirTran's special needs information page. It is on this page: http://www.airtran.com/special_needs_information.aspx#med It's listed under Additional Resources towards the bottom of the page. The link is titled "Non Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Air Travel (14 CFR part 382)." I so hope this helps with your battle!

Great information!

Kelly, apparently my "subscription" to touringplans.com ended with the new year. Maybe Maroo can still get the numbers for you? Sorry! I do remember that the weekend we leave it was surprisingly lower than earlier in the week. I want to say 4's through the weekend.

That happened to me last week, too?? I think they extended everyone through the new year?

But what was the question?

Ty is 10, right? Is there any way you could get your doctor to write a letter saying what should be packed in his med bag? I can't see the airline saying that catheters and diapers for a 10 year old aren't medically necessary, especially if there's a letter. And the diapers just happen to be in the bag that you would have to have for his meds anyway, right? But the cooling vest would probably be my concern. Could he wear the vest on the plane without the cooling packs and put the cooling packs in with his meds and supplies? Do you guys have a long flight?

Maybe call that DOT number if necessary and tell them that these supplies are what make the flight possible for your child, and that you feel the airline is discriminating against catheterized / incontinent consumers? Tell them that this is an accessibility issue for your son? And just ask if they can make any suggestions. Sorry, I wish I could help more.

The cooling vest, diapers, catheters, medications...all of that should be considered medical supplies and NOT count against you guys.

Maroo...he's really wanting to see Goofy and Pluto. I was thinking Tusker House for a late late breakfast maybe? I had thought about Chef Mickey's (we loved it last time) but we're going to be at Animal Kingdom all day on one of our days so I figured that would work out better. I'm trying to not have to run around place to place. We needed a vacation from our vacation before and we are going to do this very special trip very different.

Oh, you guys are going to be in GREAT shape!

Both Goofy and Pluto are usually at GKTW on Mondays and Thursday mornings. They are also in every park! When you meet them - tell the character handler that this is part of his wish trip and that they are his favorites and they should take extra time with you guys.

Don't wait in character lines...you should be taken to an exit or the front of the line for all of them...so each time you see one of those characters, feel free to stop!

You can ask the CM at the front of each park where you can find them and they can let you know, too.

 

[momma_mouse]

Oh, you guys are going to be in GREAT shape!

Both Goofy and Pluto are usually at GKTW on Mondays and Thursday mornings. They are also in every park! When you meet them - tell the character handler that this is part of his wish trip and that they are his favorites and they should take extra time with you guys.

Don't wait in character lines...you should be taken to an exit or the front of the line for all of them...so each time you see one of those characters, feel free to stop!

You can ask the CM at the front of each park where you can find them and they can let you know, too.

Well, he's also wanting to see Woody (and Bullseye which I know isn't going to happen ) Mater and Handy Manny. Is Handy Manny out reguarly?

 

[camarks1234]

wow! I haven't posted in awhile and then stopped getting emails. Volume 3! I'm out of the loop lately. I do have something to share though. It took me a year, but I finally put an album together about AJ's MAW cruise. I'm going to find his post trip report and post it there as well.

AJ's Magical MAW Cruise Album

 

[maroo]

wow! I haven't posted in awhile and then stopped getting emails. Volume 3! I'm out of the loop lately. I do have something to share though. It took me a year, but I finally put an album together about AJ's MAW cruise. I'm going to find his post trip report and post it there as well.

AJ's Magical MAW Cruise Album

Oh my gosh! How wonderful!

Great book!!!

And you got to go BACK! That is awesome!

 

[maroo]

Well, he's also wanting to see Woody (and Bullseye which I know isn't going to happen ) Mater and Handy Manny. Is Handy Manny out reguarly?

Yes...I think they are usually at DHS?? Is that right? Isn't that a Playhouse Disney character?

 

[that's nice]

Well, he's also wanting to see Woody (and Bullseye which I know isn't going to happen ) Mater and Handy Manny. Is Handy Manny out reguarly?

Yes...I think they are usually at DHS?? Is that right? Isn't that a Playhouse Disney character?

Handy Manny is in rotation outside of the Playhouse Disney show. They have him on one side and 1 or 2 of the Little Einstein's on the other side. You have to time it right or ask a CM what time HM will be out.

 

[pnutallergymom]

Hi Kelly,

Just wanted to let you know, that according to TGM (he does it by blue people days, 5 being the highest) April 11-17th is 4 blue people and then the 18th-30th is 3 blue people.

As you know, we are going the 4/24-5/5.....this is the exact time we went in 2007...it was crowded, but manageable. If you remember, I followed the touring plans to a T and we had a great vacation...we did have the GAC for Brigitte but obviously not the "GKTW Golden Ticket" , and we were perfectly fine.

I guess my only concern for you is going to be the heat. It was in the 90's everyday when we were there. Brigitte was only 8mo old, so it wasn't much of an issue for her then, I know it will be now. My older kids, who are perfectly healthy wanted to stay at the pool ALL day it was so hot. We made it a point to do the parks early in the morning (like rope drop everyday early) and then went back to POR EVERY day for the afternoon for naps/pool. We would then go back to the parks at night when it cooled off and the sun was winding down. If we were not going to be able to extend this trip, I would not be taking Brigge down in April. I would go more around Dec/Feb/March. But then again, you never know what the weather will be. We were there last year in February swimming in the pool (got sunburns mid-80's) but woke up to frost on the windshield the next morning and spent the rest of the week in sweatshirts/hats/mittens.

It's such a hard call. Have you guys thought at all about putting it off until the fall? If Brigitte ends up having heart surgery again, and we need to postpone, I wouldn't be upset at all about going down during the holiday season.....we have friends who leave on Thanksgiving Day every single year, and wouldn't EVER go at another time. They LOVE waking up the day after thanksgiving and seeing the parks decked out for the holidays!! If you went that week, you would only miss a few days of school. I'm just "writing out loud" now!!

Sending you a ...I know this wasn't expected for you.

 

[kdzbear]

Well, he's also wanting to see Woody (and Bullseye which I know isn't going to happen ) Mater and Handy Manny. Is Handy Manny out regularly?

Handy Manny normally rotates with JoJo and Goliath. So, you will see one group for a designated time period and then they switch. The Little Einsteins tend to be Leo and Annie since Quincy and June are at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant. However, this can also change by the day. Mater and Lightning McQueen have their own meet and greet spot on the Streets of NY.

Then on non-Fantasmic days you can find lots of characters by going through the Inside Animation store and out the back entrance that puts you in an inside character courtyard. The characters vary, but they rotate every 15 minutes between two sets of characters. Generally, you can meet about 30 characters in an hour here.

Woody is out at the Magic Kingdom in Frontierland sometimes. The only time I have heard of meeting Bullseye is at MVMCCP, but he is often in parades so your son could at least wave to him!

 

[yinyanggirls]

I keep wondering why you guys all think April will be HOT, then I noticed Shannon's location (NH). I keep forgetting most of you are northeast. We will be coming from similar temps by April, although no humidity, so I don't expect to be overwhelmed by the heat. We do have some cold days in winter (today is a cool 58/34) but in summer it's often over 100 and with monsoons, we even have humidity. So. AZ is a weird climate. Anyway, hot for my girls is when the swings and slide are too hot to touch and you can't set foot outside without shoes on.