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

[Adrismommy]

Ok...............I'm back

I now see that Adri is 3. So that is on the young side. I guess one of the questions would be is she 'just' 3 or closer to 4. And, how tall (and adventurous) is she? I wrote a summary of US/IOA on this Wish Tripper's Unite thread a couple of months ago that lists what rides might specifically appeal to younger kids, height requirements etc. It's on page 45, post # 668 if you want to check it out. And if you so desire you could also check out my Trip Report (the Gingerbread Boy, link below). Pages 10, 11, 12, 18, 19 and 20 have px of US/IOA; pages 22 and 23 have px of SeaWorld.

Hope that helps

Thanks for giving the specific pages... that was so helpful. And I agree that Epcot and DHS don't have much more to offer our kids' ages either. I think we're actually going to do 2 days at MK, 1 day at US/IOA, and figure out how to work the other days. The good thing about going last year is that we realized which things were and were not worth doing with someone that young. My thing is that I want to just really take time to enjoy the things that are best for her instead of trying to cram in so much that is a little bit old for her. I think we'll catch lots of parades, shows, and character dining and hit up some playgrounds, more than doing many rides. But your posts were actually very helpful. Gave me a better idea of what makes sense for our family.

 

[cajunfan]

Beautiful Mya is no longer in pain.

She passed away at 12:10 EST today.





Shardai - We are all praying for you.

I just read this on her Caring Bridge site. Thanks for posting here Maroo.

Lynn

 

[kdzbear]

Of course I couldn't sleep last night thinking about all the planning for this trip. 6 weeks sounded like a long time to keep Tyler patient but now thinking about it... 6 weeks!?! OMG I have a lot to do.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone has gone to see the Cirque de Soliel show? I believe its called La Nouba? I love Cirque and have always wanted to take the boys but its always so expensive when it comes to Denver and seems a little long and boring for them to spend that much. Is the one at Disney more geared to kids? Is this something that we might be able to include in our MAW trip?

I started my PTR I'm so excited/nervous/scared hehe

Tami

I do not think that AK has a Wish Lounge, but each park also has a Baby changing / care center. There is plenty of room to stretch out and relax. It is air conditioned and shows Disney movies on a little TV. There is a seperate room for nursing moms, a changing room, a welcome area and then the relaxation area. We used them at each park. The one in AK is in the middle to the side of the main gift shop. The one in DS is on the left by customer service right after you go through the turnstiles. At Epcot it is by the nurses station before you cross into the World Showcase and in MK it is right next to the Wish lounge.

Beautiful Mya is no longer in pain.

She passed away at 12:10 EST today.





Shardai - We are all praying for you.

I second this. She will be missed. We will continue to pray for Shardai and her family.

 

[kellyw8863]

Shardai,

If you're checking in here, I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss. There just aren't enough words...

Kelly

 

[Mtopher4]

I'm sad but also relieved she is no longer suffering
Can someone post her caring bridge link again please

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I'm so sorry Shardai. Sweet Mya went to Heaven on my fil's birthday(he recently went to Heaven free of Cancer as well). God has a new Angel in Heaven. I know Fil and Mya will be up there free of pain. God Bless you all.

Beautiful Mya is no longer in pain.

She passed away at 12:10 EST today.





Shardai - We are all praying for you.

 

[Mtopher4]

found it

 

[pnutallergymom]

Rest in Peace Sweet little Mya.


Shardai, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[yinyanggirls]

You can't help but hope for a miracle. I think Mya herself was the miracle in this case. We are here for you anytime you need us Shardai.

 

[ndloewen]

Shardai,

My heart is breaking with yours today.

 

[Wee Annie]

Shardai,

I left you a longer note on your CB page, but in case it gets buried in the many, many people who are supporting you with prayers and supportive wishes, just wanted to let you know how truly sorry I am for your loss of beautiful Mya Rose. I cannot even imagine what you are going through, and can only pray that God gives you the peace and strength to endure this. Mya has finally beaten cancer. She is pain-free, at peace, and with Him. And God gave her the best, most loving mother she could have while in this world: you.

Hugs

Ann

 

[tinytreasures]

Shardai I am so sorry for your loss of your sweet little Mya

 

[wishin' on a star]

My prayers go out to Mya's family.

 

[livndisney]

I was truly blessed to have met and hold this precious little girl. I can tell you first hand the magic in this child. Now God holds her in his hands.

 

[Khalana]

Shardai,

I am so so sorry for your loss.

 

[LindaBabe]

Mya has finally beaten cancer. She is pain-free, at peace, and with Him. And God gave her the best, most loving mother she could have while in this world: you.

Shardai, You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. There are no words to tell you how much it means to me that you have shared your precious daughter with us all through this board and your trip reports. She will live forever in my heart.

Hugs
'Fairy Grandma' Linda

 

[maroo]

We have a new Pre-Trip that has started!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2438683

Feel free to head over there and post and subscribe!

 

[maroo]

I'm new to the boards but have already invested HOURS pouring over all the information here... I'm a bit overwhelmed but totally excited too. We meet with our MAW wish screener in about an hour!

I have 4 boys ages 14, 11, 8 and 5 (almost 6!). The youngest Tyler has autism/ADHD/SPD and was just recently diagnosed with Friedrich's Ataxia. FA is a rare neuromuscular genetic disease that causes loss of motor function and control in the legs/feet/hands and also can have scoliosis, diabetes and cardiomyopathy. Thank goodness we don't have several of those yet, but he has a rare form of the disease (leave it to him to want to be super special and rare of the rare). He does already have pretty progressed balance/gait/coordination problems but is still somewhat mobile. He has moderate cardiomyopathy that is different than they have seen in kids with this disease at this level of progression. So that is very scary and serious. We just started ACE inhibitors to help the heart function if we can. There is no cure or treatment for his disease, unfortunately.

On the bright side, he is the most happy, loving, funny little kid and he can't WAIT to go to Disney. He also wants to be Steve from Blues Clues for part of his wish so we will see.

Since we are just starting our wish planning I have no idea when we will go or details. With the way his heart problems are progressing and his mobility decreasing so fast, I hope they can make it happen soon. His birthday is in May as well as one of my other kids and we are hoping to go for that. If we can't pull it off that fast I'm going to ask them to wait until fall when it cools back off a little and hopefully is not as busy (school and all).

I have found so many answers here and just want to thank you all for sharing! I was really concerned that we wouldn't get to stay at GKTW because we have 4 kids and 2 adults (if my mom is allowed to go with us, I'm a single mom) but it looks like we might still be able to make it work which makes me so happy!

I'm kinda sad I don't have a girl anywhere in the group to do princess stuff... I'm the only princess around in this house full of boys! Heheh

Anyway, just wanted to say HI and thanks and introduce ourselves. I'm sure I'll have more questions and posts as we actually start planning!

Hugs,
Tami

I understand spending hours on here!! to the Wish Trippers thread and the DIS!!

It seems like some of your questions (if not all?) were already answered - but I wanted to say welcome!!!

I second what Katie wrote about calling GKTW to let them know about his wish to meet Blue! Their number is 800-995-KIDS and they would LOVE to do anything they can to fulfill a wish for a child!

I am glad your Mom is going! That should free you guys up to split up a bit if you want and hopefully take some of the pressure off you.

Woo hoo the MAW screeners just left and we are so excited! We are going to be getting our wish trip towards the middle/end of May so we will be celebrating Tyler's birthday and my 11 year old's as well. We did find out we will be staying at the GKTW which I am so excited about! I didn't know if we would be able to with so many people (2 adults and 4 kids). I have been gathering info from here and other sources for a couple of weeks but now that its reality I'm freaking out and don't know where to start LOL I will try to start a pre-trip soon but have no idea what I'm even supposed to include

All I know is we are all on about this adventure...

Hugs,
Tami

I put a link to your pretrip report in the first page of the Wish Trippers thread!

I already wrote about this in my TR but our two cents is WE LOVED the wish lounge at MK. We tried to use the one at Epcot, but it's closed on week-ends, FYI...but at the Magic Kingdom it's in the same building as the first aid, and it's quiet, air conditioned and there is a fridge with cold bottles of water. Anytime James or one of the girls needed to use the bathroom we went back to the Wish Lounge becuase it was pretty centrally located, and no long bathroom lines (and James is in a wheelchair so it was easier for him too). The room had several comfy seats, toys, a tv and movies. We needed to check our voice mail that day and hubby went to use the phone, and forgot it was long distance, only to realise afterward he had just spent about 5 minutes calling back to Alaska on the phone. We told the nurse we owed them some $$ and she just smiled and told us to "make ourselves at home." We were encouraged to each take a bottle of water too. James needed his stoma cleaned and bandaged and the nurse helped with that too. We adored the wish lounge and fear we can never go back to Disney World again knowing it's off limits to us now

Great info!

And.....I am totally stupid! I failed to "subscribe" to your trip report!! So I am on the way back over there to catch up!!!

Blue does occasionally visit GKTW on a Tuesday morning. If your wish organization doesn't make the arrangement for your child to see Blue, contact GKTW and ask. While we never know which character is coming on a given Tuesday, I do remember one Tuesday being told that Sponge Bob was there because a child had requested to see him. If that doesn't work, on Tuesday ask the short guy, Charlie, who comes with the character where can you go to see Blue during the week and he will tell you Blue's schedule. Just remember, if they tell you Blue is coming, he (or she is Blue male or female?) will only be there from 8:30 to 9:15 in the morning. Charlie is a wonderful man, but at 9:15 and not 9:16, he announces that the character is leaving and they leave. It has to do with union rules.

Great info!

She just turned 3 a month ago, so she won't even be 3 1/2 when we go. I don't think we'll avoid it altogether but instead of doing a day at each of US/IOA, I think we'll do one day (probably just a half day at US). I've already decided that at least two of our 5 days that aren't travel we're going to commit to come back and take naps. She still takes a long nap every day and of course the baby still takes 2/day. He'll sleep in the stroller (hopefully!) but she'll probably just miss her nap on those days. I need to find the right balance of enjoying this trip without burning out the kids. We really pushed her too hard when we went last year and I literally sat up crying at night because I was so tired but she wouldn't sleep because she was so cranky & overtired that she couldn't rest. I want this to be enjoyable without leaving w/regrets that we missed something... that's going to be an interesting balance!

I continue to be amazed at the different opinions by families on the parks - which ones they like, which they don't. They are as different as the families that go, really!

It is a very interesting balance! Just remember you can't do it all and enjoy the little things - honestly, those are the moments that many families remember...it wasn't all the attractions they hit or missed - it was standing in the rain watching a parade, or playing on a certain playground, or a surprise character encounter - those special moments are what make a wish trip so special!

AND lots of planning, of course.

You can't help but hope for a miracle. I think Mya herself was the miracle in this case. We are here for you anytime you need us Shardai.

This is so true - and a beautiful observation.

Shardai,

My heart is breaking with yours today.

You know what this truly feels like. Many hugs to you today, too.

 

[WishMom09]

Hey everybody....former wish trip mom here!
I just wanted to encourage you all to go see the new movie out today called "Letters To God"....I'm sure it has been discussed on here (I am WAY behind in reading posts) but part of the movie was filmed at Give Kids The World!!
And I just heard a commercial on the radio for GKTW!! I got chill bumps listening to it!! Encouraging people to donate!!
Just wanted to share!!
Tiffany

 

[cajunfan]

Hey everybody....former wish trip mom here!
I just wanted to encourage you all to go see the new movie out today called "Letters To God"....I'm sure it has been discussed on here (I am WAY behind in reading posts) but part of the movie was filmed at Give Kids The World!!
And I just heard a commercial on the radio for GKTW!! I got chill bumps listening to it!! Encouraging people to donate!!
Just wanted to share!!
Tiffany

It is interesting that this movie was premiered here in Nashville recently, because the dad of the little boy that the movie is based on lives here. It looks like a fantastic movie. Can't wait to see it.