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

[cantwaittoseemickey]

What a lovely pic. Hey Maroo where are your sunglasses girlie Looks like you were all having a great time. We miss you all!!

 

[momma_mouse]

For everyone planning your upcoming wish trip, I just wanted to offer a bit of advice...enjoy your time at GKTW! Don't make this trip all about Disney. I know that was more that likely your child's wish, but make sure you spend time at GKTW, too. That's the one thing I regret most about our trip. We would get up in the morning, eat breakfast, head to a park and not come back until dinner. Our last full day there, I was really regretting that decision. (We went to Sea World for several hours...the kids were tired and did not enjoy it much. I wish we had just hung out at the village all day instead.) Once Sloan rode the train once, he wanted to ride it 1000 more times. It's things like that that we missed out on. We missed some of the evening events, too.

So here we are, not even 3 months back from Sloan's wish trip, and I'm looking at flying to Orlando, visiting GKTW for the day and flying back the next morning. Why...because my son cried when we left...he wanted to ride the train one more time. I promised him if I could find tickets cheap enough and scrounge up the money that we would go. Well, his birthday is at the end of the month and guess what he is asking for.

So, when you are there, make sure you take the time to explore everything. Set aside a day when you won't go to any parks. Let your child explore the village. Spend an hour or 2 in the castle. Walk (or wheel) around the garden. Take advantage of all there is to do. You will not regret it, but promise you will regret not doing it.

 

[alaskanabbott]

So I guess I better start getting into this trip! I have a question for the group..are the disney tickets "Park Hopper" so that if we finish one park we can go to another? I've been reading the WDW website as you can see

 

[kellyw8863]

Hi Kelly,

I am 99.9% positive you can use the tag on any stroller you have!

Thank you!

It was nice meeting you, Maroo, Piper, & pipersmom too!!!!!

We had fun even though it was such a short visit! Hope you had a great evening!!!!! The crowds were NUTS!!!!!!!!

EDIT::: To add a quick pic of us!!!

Maroo, Piper (pipersmom), livndisney, me (that's nice), my DW Melody, and my DD3 Juliana

Everyone looks like they are having fun - thank you for sharing!

For everyone planning your upcoming wish trip, I just wanted to offer a bit of advice...enjoy your time at GKTW! Don't make this trip all about Disney. I know that was more that likely your child's wish, but make sure you spend time at GKTW, too. That's the one thing I regret most about our trip. We would get up in the morning, eat breakfast, head to a park and not come back until dinner. Our last full day there, I was really regretting that decision. (We went to Sea World for several hours...the kids were tired and did not enjoy it much. I wish we had just hung out at the village all day instead.) Once Sloan rode the train once, he wanted to ride it 1000 more times. It's things like that that we missed out on. We missed some of the evening events, too.

So here we are, not even 3 months back from Sloan's wish trip, and I'm looking at flying to Orlando, visiting GKTW for the day and flying back the next morning. Why...because my son cried when we left...he wanted to ride the train one more time. I promised him if I could find tickets cheap enough and scrounge up the money that we would go. Well, his birthday is at the end of the month and guess what he is asking for.

So, when you are there, make sure you take the time to explore everything. Set aside a day when you won't go to any parks. Let your child explore the village. Spend an hour or 2 in the castle. Walk (or wheel) around the garden. Take advantage of all there is to do. You will not regret it, but promise you will regret not doing it.

Great advice! We have decided that we are going to do the three days in the Disney parks (and maybe add a fourth), but that's it. We're looking forward to hanging out at GKTW!

So I guess I better start getting into this trip! I have a question for the group..are the disney tickets "Park Hopper" so that if we finish one park we can go to another? I've been reading the WDW website as you can see

Yes! You're so close - less than a week away!

Okay, I have a couple more questions for you veterans. 1.) Is there a discount for in park stroller rentals for wish families, and 2.) how do the prices at the WalMart by GKTW compare to the prices you find at home? There is no way we will hit our luggage limit (two checked bags per person), so I'm wondering if we are better off filling our bags here (which will then give us empty space on the way home), or if we should just hold off and pick stuff up at the WalMart there. Thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Kelly

 

[HeatherSue]

It was nice meeting you, Maroo, Piper, & pipersmom too!!!!!

We had fun even though it was such a short visit! Hope you had a great evening!!!!! The crowds were NUTS!!!!!!!!

EDIT::: To add a quick pic of us!!!

Maroo, Piper (pipersmom), livndisney, me (that's nice), my DW Melody, and my DD3 Juliana

Hey! I know a couple of those people! Thanks for sharing the picture!

 

[noahsketomom]

Thank you for that, Ashley! When I started planning, I was trying to pack it all in. Listening to the folks on this board has made me reconsider this. THANK YOU THANK YOU!! We are so excited to see GKTW!

For everyone planning your upcoming wish trip, I just wanted to offer a bit of advice...enjoy your time at GKTW! Don't make this trip all about Disney. I know that was more that likely your child's wish, but make sure you spend time at GKTW, too. That's the one thing I regret most about our trip. We would get up in the morning, eat breakfast, head to a park and not come back until dinner. Our last full day there, I was really regretting that decision. (We went to Sea World for several hours...the kids were tired and did not enjoy it much. I wish we had just hung out at the village all day instead.) Once Sloan rode the train once, he wanted to ride it 1000 more times. It's things like that that we missed out on. We missed some of the evening events, too.

So here we are, not even 3 months back from Sloan's wish trip, and I'm looking at flying to Orlando, visiting GKTW for the day and flying back the next morning. Why...because my son cried when we left...he wanted to ride the train one more time. I promised him if I could find tickets cheap enough and scrounge up the money that we would go. Well, his birthday is at the end of the month and guess what he is asking for.

So, when you are there, make sure you take the time to explore everything. Set aside a day when you won't go to any parks. Let your child explore the village. Spend an hour or 2 in the castle. Walk (or wheel) around the garden. Take advantage of all there is to do. You will not regret it, but promise you will regret not doing it.

 

[livndisney]

Everyone looks like they are having fun - thank you for sharing!

What you can't see in the picture is that Piper was tickling everyone LOL

 

[pacrosby]

Kelly,

yes, you get a free stroller at all of the parks.............and it's good for either a single or a double stroller, you just tell them what you want. As far as Walmart.............the prices seemed comparable to those at our local Walmart so I wouldn't advise packing things you could just pick up on the way. I would however, suggest at least one empty suitcase of you don't have to pay to check it because you probably will fill it on the way home

 

[pnutallergymom]

Okay, I have a couple more questions for you veterans. 1.) Is there a discount for in park stroller rentals for wish families, and 2.) how do the prices at the WalMart by GKTW compare to the prices you find at home? There is no way we will hit our luggage limit (two checked bags per person), so I'm wondering if we are better off filling our bags here (which will then give us empty space on the way home), or if we should just hold off and pick stuff up at the WalMart there. Thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Kelly

Hi Kelly,

I am almost positive, but I believe wish families get a free stroller rental...I have read that it is supposed to be just a single, but if you need a double that most have gotten that at no charge as well.

We did our shopping last year at that Walmart and I never noticed the prices being different...if anything, some things were a bit less.

We plan on throwing a few empty duffle bags in our suitcases and doing our shopping when we get down there. Now, everyone is totally different, but one thing I will do differently this time is NOT buy as much at Walmart. We bought things we thought we would use, and ended up throwing a good part of it away when we were leaving (food wise). I did p/u some pool toys for the kids while we were there and that was the best money we spent there!!

 

[kmparrish5]

For everyone planning your upcoming wish trip, I just wanted to offer a bit of advice...enjoy your time at GKTW! Don't make this trip all about Disney. I know that was more that likely your child's wish, but make sure you spend time at GKTW, too. That's the one thing I regret most about our trip. We would get up in the morning, eat breakfast, head to a park and not come back until dinner. Our last full day there, I was really regretting that decision. (We went to Sea World for several hours...the kids were tired and did not enjoy it much. I wish we had just hung out at the village all day instead.) Once Sloan rode the train once, he wanted to ride it 1000 more times. It's things like that that we missed out on. We missed some of the evening events, too.

So here we are, not even 3 months back from Sloan's wish trip, and I'm looking at flying to Orlando, visiting GKTW for the day and flying back the next morning. Why...because my son cried when we left...he wanted to ride the train one more time. I promised him if I could find tickets cheap enough and scrounge up the money that we would go. Well, his birthday is at the end of the month and guess what he is asking for.

So, when you are there, make sure you take the time to explore everything. Set aside a day when you won't go to any parks. Let your child explore the village. Spend an hour or 2 in the castle. Walk (or wheel) around the garden. Take advantage of all there is to do. You will not regret it, but promise you will regret not doing it.

I agree with this 100%!!!!!!! We spent two whole days at GKTW. My kids chose to stay at GKTW instead of going to Universal. Hanging out and enjoying GKTW was one of the highlights of our trip.

 

[kellyw8863]

Thank you for the WalMart/stroller feedback!

 

[Mtopher4]

OMG $400 for the DCL Photopass CD? UGH

That's Awesome Joanne Can't wait to read all about your trip planning

Sorry I have been scarce we have been sick I'm finally recovering. PHEW

 

[maroo]

wow! I have some pages to catch up on!

Have a wonderful trip, Maroo! It's your race weekend, isn't it? GO RUNNER! FINISH STRONG!

Thank you so much! I had a great trip and finished the half!! It was awesome!

Don't forget to bring your prosthetic feet

I really wish I could pull out those feet today.

Oh I hope you can get your pictures Ashley! I didnt realise there was an expiration date on them. I will be sure to note that! I hope everyone is on the mend. Once is awful twice is Hugs!


Hey Maroo have an awsome trip!!!

Thanks! It was awesome!

I was just catching up and wanted to chime in on the photopass stuff. We got ours just as all this went thru. Thanks again to Maroo for asking for a discount and the wonderful folks at Disney who decided to make the discount 100% off. We would have borrowed the money from someone just to have the CD but this was just another bit of pixie dust to make our trip special. I know not every one has someone they can borrow that much cash from like we do so this will make it available to all the WISH families. Thanks again!!

You are very welcome!

Let me take this opportunity, again, to invite you guys to write a letter to Disney PhotoPass thanking them for this free gift. It is a large donation on the part of Disney to offer the PhotoPass for free - so if you are interested in writing a letter, let me know and I will PM you the address!

 

[Thumper321]

You are very welcome!

Let me take this opportunity, again, to invite you guys to write a letter to Disney PhotoPass thanking them for this free gift. It is a large donation on the part of Disney to offer the PhotoPass for free - so if you are interested in writing a letter, let me know and I will PM you the address!

I would love to write a letter to PhotoPass. Ours is on the way, and I can't wait to receive it. I'm going to be writing a lot of thank you notes this week (and maybe even next), and I'll be more than happy to send one to PhotoPass if you'll PM me their address. ( I never got your phone number PM, so if it's not working, my email is Thumper321@aol.com)

 

[maroo]

So amazing! Do you know if it will be available to those not staying at GKTW? We haven't confirmed location yet but I think we'll be onsite (and not linked with GKTW)

We took a family trip after DDs surgery to remove the tumour in 2007. It was our escape after everything we'd all been through. I too thought we had longer and it expired. I contacted photopass, explained that dd had just had surgery for cancer and this was such an important trip for us. They couldn't do anything. They said the pics were deleted at 30d. I'm so happy to hear you had better luck.

I think the PhotoPass thing totally depends on how your trip is set up. If it is not linked at all with GKTW, then I don't think you would eligible for what PhotoPass is doing....

BUT...

You do have two other options...one is to pre-pay for the CD at the reduced price for those folks staying on property - this will ensure you get one and allow you to have the discount offered to onsite guests.

The other thing is...if it is going to be cost prohibitive for you to get one...call Disney PhotoPass and explain the situation. I have faith that they will help you out in some way with that.

If you don't get anywhere with those two things, PM me, and I will see what can be done, too.

What about cruise line photo pass?

Good question!

do you wait in line for the photo's? I'm not sure we want to spend our time waiting to have our picture taken. I just went to the photopass site, but I'm still kind of confused by it. Then again, I'm easily confused

There may be some "lines" and your button and GAC won't really help you there...but those are few and far between and usually at the main places (like Main Street) or during the holidays.

Yes guys that helps! It would be pretty cool to get some nice pics of us all

This is one of the main reasons I really wanted Wish Families to be able to have access to it...those pictures are PRICELESS to a family with a sick child.

OMG OMG! We have dates! I called just to ask a few questions and there's no problem with the requested dates. Leaving August 7th. They don't extend trips but we can change the flight ourselves so we hope to return on Aug 17th. We've requested to stay onsite and she said to let her know which resort we'd like to stay at... they usually book one of the deluxe resorts. She also said to go ahead and cancel the BBB ressies that I have because she'll be booking that directly for us. She said to give the time and date that we need (because of the CRT ressies we have booked) and she'll get it. I'm going to keep the ressies til I know she has it just in case but holy cow, I'm excited but feel a little sick... does this make sense? Its actually real....

Awesome on the dates!! Awesome on the resort picking!! And awesome on the CRT/BBB ressie! Woo Hoo!!!

Code does not work for cruise line - photos there are by an outside vendor - not photo pass - and you have to either buy them by the piece as prints or a CD with unlimited printing rights for about 400$

Bummer for us cruising folks!!

Congrats to Casper_jj11 on getting your dates!! It makes it more real for some reason!!

Well Brian's wish grantor called us today and gave us a date to drop by and deliver all the paperwork, etc!!! Very coo!!! I asked if he will be given and MAW t-shirt and the answer was no....just a button. Well, I'm glad Amber just asked about those so I don't have to look thru thousand of threads to find the answer!! I can't believe it is only 3 weeks away. I feel like I have so much to do but it is also too early. I would love to get the luggage out of the attic, but we are having the family over for Brian's birthday on the 20th so I can't get it out until after. Our family is quite large, we are up to 45 people. That is just DH and my brothers, sisters, their kids and our moms. Brian will turn 7 while we are on the cruise.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!! I'm off to find some t-shirt disigns!!

Aw! I am glad you are going to get some shirts made!!

I got to meet so many wonderful familes today!
I met Piper and her Mom, That's nice and family, Mya's family and Maroo and her friend Lisa.

It was so nice to meet all of you!

It was great to meet you, too!!

It was nice meeting you, Maroo, Piper, & pipersmom too!!!!!

We had fun even though it was such a short visit! Hope you had a great evening!!!!! The crowds were NUTS!!!!!!!!

EDIT::: To add a quick pic of us!!!

Maroo, Piper (pipersmom), livndisney, me (that's nice), my DW Melody, and my DD3 Juliana

Aw! This was so much fun!

Thanks, Tim, for posting the pic!!

What a lovely pic. Hey Maroo where are your sunglasses girlie Looks like you were all having a great time. We miss you all!!

I took them off for the picture! If I only knew everyone else was wearing theirs!

Thank you!



Everyone looks like they are having fun - thank you for sharing!



Great advice! We have decided that we are going to do the three days in the Disney parks (and maybe add a fourth), but that's it. We're looking forward to hanging out at GKTW!



Yes! You're so close - less than a week away!

Okay, I have a couple more questions for you veterans. 1.) Is there a discount for in park stroller rentals for wish families, and 2.) how do the prices at the WalMart by GKTW compare to the prices you find at home? There is no way we will hit our luggage limit (two checked bags per person), so I'm wondering if we are better off filling our bags here (which will then give us empty space on the way home), or if we should just hold off and pick stuff up at the WalMart there. Thoughts?

Thanks so much!

Kelly

I think you got this answered - but strollers are free!

And Walmart seems pretty consitent??

What you can't see in the picture is that Piper was tickling everyone LOL

She sure was! She was hilarious!

 

[jen-y]

Yes - I want to add pictures ???

 

[jen-y]

Does anyone know if families staying at GKTW can get the extra magic hours or the dining plan???

 

[maroo]

Does anyone know if families staying at GKTW can get the extra magic hours or the dining plan???

GKTW families don't get the EMH...

But, to be honest...I would avoid EMH on a wish trip anyway. There is so much to do at GKTW in the early mornings and in the evenings, that there really isn't a lot of time to get them in??

Plus...if you really want to catch an EMH at a park (maybe nothing is open and you have the energy), then just go to Guest Relations at the park - I would imagine that the right person over there would make that happen for you guys.


Dining Plan - since you will eat meals at GKTW, I would not do the Dining Plan. You really can't anyway, because they don't consider GKTW staying "on property"...but you should get some money from your wish chapter (this varies greatly by state) to cover meals when you are at the parks - (usually one meal per person per day?? approx?) - but the food at GKTW is good. Breakfast is huge and can be a really big meal (or you can grab stuff and hit the parks). They also offer lunch and dinner and pizza delivery til fairly late at night.


Did you need help posting pics? Check out the 2nd post on this thread (it is on the first page under all of the wish trip links to the pre-trip reports).

 

[maroo]

Piper's Wish Trip Report has started.

She started a new link - so if you want to follow along, you will need to subscribe to the new thread...

Here is the link.

Piper's Trip Report: I'm Not Riding THAT! A Trip With Character! Piper's Wish Trip 3/2-8

 

[pipersmom]

Thanks, Maroo! I got the first installment of maaaaany up last night..I'm going to try to drag it out so I can focus on the trip for a longer time..