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

[wish_upon_a_star35]

So I've finally got my dates and my tentative itinerary all set! But I have a question. For those of you who have extended your trips, did you visit the parks too? I'm just wondering how that would work because I remember the "Magic Button" has dates on it from the time you are there visiting the village. So I am assuming that after those dates you can not use your button anymore which means no more getting on the rides quickly?

I was thinking about trying to extend our vacation. But at this point we may not be able to.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

If you were asking Lauren she would tell you that she really didn't enjoy BBB and that she wishes she got her face painted! But Lauren was 15 on that day.

I know that you can get your face painted in the Animal Kingdom and I am almost positive that it is fairly quick and not something you have to reserve. I have no idea how much it costs, though.

As far as doing just the hair and makeup - I think you would be fine...but you might want to buy a cheaper dress at home - because most of the kids in there will be all dressed up and I would not want my kids to be left of that part, if possible. Even if you just got a dress up costume at WalMart or something??

But that is just my 10 cents. Lauren has said that she really wants to get her face painted when we go in November.

I am interested to see what everyone else says...and we might want to start a thread on the Theme Parks board to ask, too...I know someone would know over there.

For face painting in Animal Kingdom, I believe that it costs $10-$15 depends on the chosen design and takes about 5 minutes or so.

for the BBB hair, nails, and makeup package, it would be $54.95 plus tax (unless the prices have changed recently)

Thank you Maroo. With Sierra being almost 13 I wonder if she would enjoy the animal face painting just as well. I know she would love the BBB but if she will like the other just as well and we wouldnt have to worry about reservations or anything than I would rather do that. As with the costume Im just not sure it would be used after that so I don't think I want to invest in something. kwim? But the hairdo make up and crown she would love but then I dont want her to feel left out either. Decisions decisions Just something I thought i'd ponder around with.

I will post this on the Theme Park board as well thanks for the tip

Thank you for the price for the face painting that definately helps!

 

[casper_jj11]

Someone needs to tell me how to multi quote

Thank you so much for the advice about the boys going on rides without Sydney. Based on everything I've heard, I think I'll make one plan assuming that we'll be able to skip the lines most times. Oh my, that's going to make the trip so much easier! I'm so used to having a strict plan to avoid lines... I can't really imagine being able to go on a ride whenever the kids just simply ask to do it.

Wish Upon a Star - We're planning to extend our trip. My understanding is that, while there's no guarantee of avoiding the lines during the extended portion, if you wear the button and keep the GAC, there's little chance of a CM turning you away simply because the specific date is finished. That said, I'm still going to plan to do each park at least once as well as Seaworld and one day at Universal during the wish portion of Sydney's trip just in case this isn't correct. Anyone have first hand knowledge?

 

[maroo]

Thank you Maroo. With Sierra being almost 13 I wonder if she would enjoy the animal face painting just as well. I know she would love the BBB but if she will like the other just as well and we wouldnt have to worry about reservations or anything than I would rather do that. As with the costume Im just not sure it would be used after that so I don't think I want to invest in something. kwim? But the hairdo make up and crown she would love but then I dont want her to feel left out either. Decisions decisions Just something I thought i'd ponder around with.

I will post this on the Theme Park board as well thanks for the tip

Thank you for the price for the face painting that definately helps!

Is this going to be a surprise for her?

We made an "error" in keeping it all a surprise for Lauren. She said that she would have chosen the face painting...but I don't know...hindsight is 20/20.

You may just want to ask her.

And Lauren, surprisingly, has worn that Tink outfit four or five times since then! School dress up days, Halloween and even a school party. Who knew?

I can understand keeping it a surprise...

If we could do it over again, I think we would have let Lauren do both. (Except we never made it to the AK since she got sick.)

I hope that you get some expense money and maybe you can do more than you initially thought.

 

[kellyw8863]

We were told at the orientation that once you qualify for a "green light" GAC, your child should always qualify. So even though there is an expiration date on the GAC, you should be able to take it to Guest Services after your trip is over, show it to them, and have a new one issued. We noticed many families throughout the parks who qualified for front of the line access due to their disabilities.

Hope this helps!

Kelly

 

[maroo]

We were told at the orientation that once you qualify for a "green light" GAC, your child should always qualify. So even though there is an expiration date on the GAC, you should be able to take it to Guest Services after your trip is over, show it to them, and have a new one issued. We noticed many families throughout the parks who qualified for front of the line access due to their disabilities.

Hope this helps!

Kelly

This would be news to me.

From what I understand the Green Light is usually only issued by GKTW for families on wish trips. I do think that Guest Services has a Green Light stamp they can use, but don't use it unless the circumstance is extreme.

Even when Mya went back with what I would have considered an extreme need to be expedited through the parks, they did not give them a green light, just one where they could wait in an alternate location.

Basically it depends on the child's needs at the time of the trip (for subsequent trips)...I think it would revert back to the guidelines posted on the FAQ on the DIS.


For example: A child with a history of cancer that was granted a wish trip to Disney would not be eligible for a GAC at all later if they didn't require any accomodations when they go back. Of course, if they still required assistance, Disney would provide it. But the child that lives in my neighborhood that has completed her treatment, is back in school and doing great would not qualify for a GAC simply because she went on a wish trip last year - if that makes sense.

But if your child is chronically ill and the illness presents problems that a GAC can address, then Disney will take care of those regardless of any past wish trip experience.

When we went with Rachel (never a receipient of a wish - they turned it down) in December, we gave them the list of things we needed for her (she has vision issues and needed to wait in an alternate location for rides and shows). They were great and put those two stamps on her GAC. I didn't see much difference in the way they handled her going through lines as they did Lauren with the Green Light, honestly.

The main difference was with the character lines - which you can break as a wish child, but generally can't break when you return. There are a few exceptions - If you go to a place where characters are part of an "attraction" - like the Epcot Character Spot - then they do have a separate "waiting area" for those with the appropriate GAC.

I am interested in hearing from families that have gone back to see what accomodations were made, though.

I think when Lauren goes back we are just going to do a "regular" GAC, though.

 

[jenb1023]

For those that have been I noticed in one of the parks there is a place where the kids can get their face's painted like an animal or something?

Which park is this in?

Do we need a reservation?

Is it expensive?

Which one would you think is better? Doing the face painting or Bibbity Bobbity Boutique for boys and girls? (No costume just hair, nails and make up for girl and for boy hair gel and confetti.)

I cannot do the expensive package for BBB so I was wondering if it is just as well to do the other.

I know that you can get your face painted in the Animal Kingdom and I am almost positive that it is fairly quick and not something you have to reserve. I have no idea how much it costs, though.

Thank you Maroo. With Sierra being almost 13 I wonder if she would enjoy the animal face painting just as well. I know she would love the BBB but if she will like the other just as well and we wouldnt have to worry about reservations or anything than I would rather do that. As with the costume Im just not sure it would be used after that so I don't think I want to invest in something. kwim? But the hairdo make up and crown she would love but then I dont want her to feel left out either. Decisions decisions Just something I thought i'd ponder around with.

I will post this on the Theme Park board as well thanks for the tip

Thank you for the price for the face painting that definately helps!

I think I can help here! My DD has been to BBB three times and had her face painted twice.

BBB is an amazing experience and it is just as amazing wearing your own dress or regular clothes. We always bring our own dress. In fact, 90% of the kids have their own dresses/clothes. I will tell you that BBB can take a little while/run behind depending on the kids and the Fairy Godmothers.

Face Painting
Face Painting can be done at AK or MK for around $15 - I think it depends on the design. In AK I know there is a place by the safari/tusker house but I think there are a few others. In MK there is a place at the front of ToonTown by Pete's garage (I am not sure when that area will be closed for the expansion). No reservations for face painting and it is fairly quick unless there is a line.

A third option you may want to consider it the Barber Shop on Main St in MK. There girls and boys and grown-ups I think can get colored gel and mickey confetti put in there hair. I think it is $10-$15. They don't take appointments so you would want to try to go early or during a parade or something to minimize the wait.

Hope this helps!

 

[kellyw8863]

This would be news to me.

From what I understand the Green Light is usually only issued by GKTW for families on wish trips. I do think that Guest Services has a Green Light stamp they can use, but don't use it unless the circumstance is extreme.

Even when Mya went back with what I would have considered an extreme need to be expedited through the parks, they did not give them a green light, just one where they could wait in an alternate location.

Basically it depends on the child's needs at the time of the trip (for subsequent trips)...I think it would revert back to the guidelines posted on the FAQ on the DIS.


For example: A child with a history of cancer that was granted a wish trip to Disney would not be eligible for a GAC at all later if they didn't require any accomodations when they go back. Of course, if they still required assistance, Disney would provide it. But the child that lives in my neighborhood that has completed her treatment, is back in school and doing great would not qualify for a GAC simply because she went on a wish trip last year - if that makes sense.

But if your child is chronically ill and the illness presents problems that a GAC can address, then Disney will take care of those regardless of any past wish trip experience.

When we went with Rachel (never a receipient of a wish - they turned it down) in December, we gave them the list of things we needed for her (she has vision issues and needed to wait in an alternate location for rides and shows). They were great and put those two stamps on her GAC. I didn't see much difference in the way they handled her going through lines as they did Lauren with the Green Light, honestly.

The main difference was with the character lines - which you can break as a wish child, but generally can't break when you return. There are a few exceptions - If you go to a place where characters are part of an "attraction" - like the Epcot Character Spot - then they do have a separate "waiting area" for those with the appropriate GAC.

I am interested in hearing from families that have gone back to see what accomodations were made, though.

I think when Lauren goes back we are just going to do a "regular" GAC, though.

I just talked to my husband and this was his understanding as well, though it was during a personal conversation during orientation and not something that was addressed to the group, now that I think about it. Perhaps the volunteer was speaking specifically to the fact that Ali's disease is progressive and that's why he said that if we come back she should be able to get the green light stamp?

I know when Christine (DMBFan) went back over February vacation, Jake did get front of the line access, and I know I saw many, many families with GACs but no apparent "wish" status getting the same treatment that we did, at least with the rides.

I'd be interested to have this clarified because with Ali's fatigue and heat intolerance (she can't effectively regulate her temperature), there is absolutely no way that it would be worth it for us to go back if she couldn't get front of the line. As it was, she was only able to last about three hours in the parks before her temp would shoot up and we'd have to leave.

 

[maroo]

I just talked to my husband and this was his understanding as well, though it was during a personal conversation during orientation and not something that was addressed to the group, now that I think about it. Perhaps the volunteer was speaking specifically to the fact that Ali's disease is progressive and that's why he said that if we come back she should be able to get the green light stamp?

I know when Christine (DMBFan) went back over February vacation, Jake did get front of the line access, and I know I saw many, many families with GACs but no apparent "wish" status getting the same treatment that we did, at least with the rides.

I'd be interested to have this clarified because with Ali's fatigue and heat intolerance (she can't effectively regulate her temperature), there is absolutely no way that it would be worth it for us to go back if she couldn't get front of the line. As it was, she was only able to last about three hours in the parks before her temp would shoot up and we'd have to leave.

I sent you a PM.

 

[NVDadof3]

Anyone been to Busch Gardens during their wish trip? It looks like they have some pretty interesting stuff there. Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Thanks Maroo




Welcome back. I hope everyone is doing ok My goodness your trip is coming up soon I can't wait to read your tr when you get back!!

Thank you i will be posting as soon as we get back we are so ecited

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Will some one please help me we leave soon in about a month well little over a month and ive been hearing about The Big Give and i really need some help i dont have anythings for the kids to do in the car on the way there we are driving from ohio so its about 15 hours and we have 4 kids ages 9 ,10 and 13 and wish kid 15 with a mind of a 5 yr old. we dont have any matching shirts or anything please if anyone can help us please ...

 

[alaskanabbott]

I just talked to my husband and this was his understanding as well, though it was during a personal conversation during orientation and not something that was addressed to the group, now that I think about it. Perhaps the volunteer was speaking specifically to the fact that Ali's disease is progressive and that's why he said that if we come back she should be able to get the green light stamp?

I know when Christine (DMBFan) went back over February vacation, Jake did get front of the line access, and I know I saw many, many families with GACs but no apparent "wish" status getting the same treatment that we did, at least with the rides.

I'd be interested to have this clarified because with Ali's fatigue and heat intolerance (she can't effectively regulate her temperature), there is absolutely no way that it would be worth it for us to go back if she couldn't get front of the line. As it was, she was only able to last about three hours in the parks before her temp would shoot up and we'd have to leave.

I'm actually very curious as well. Since our wish trip took an unexpected turn (if you've read our TR you know what I'm talking about) we missed out on Epcot and AK, and would love to try again someday. James is in a wheelchair, has a feeding tube, and is progressive, though thank goodness not rapidly. Honestly the ONLY way we would go back is with a green pass type thing, otherwise it would be a waste of money for us, since there is no way he could manage more than a few hours at the parks. Now this is awful big talk, because I'm pretty sure a trip is likely to cost over $15,000 for our family, and probably never gonna happen, but I'd still like to know.

 

[alaskanabbott]

Will some one please help me we leave soon in about a month well little over a month and ive been hearing about The Big Give and i really need some help i dont have anythings for the kids to do in the car on the way there we are driving from ohio so its about 15 hours and we have 4 kids ages 9 ,10 and 13 and wish kid 15 with a mind of a 5 yr old. we dont have any matching shirts or anything please if anyone can help us please ...

we joined late here too, with only about a month before our trip. I went onto the creative board and asked for some wish trip designs and we made our own shirts, it was very easy, and cheap too! We flew from Alaska, almost 24 hours of travel time, and honestly you don't need as much as you think you do. I packed each kid (we have 6) thier own backpack with a color book/crayons, a book for those who read, of course Ipods, gameboys, etc. I did buy some cheap card games, but they were never interested in them. Otherwise they slept! I think driving will be loads easier than flying. I would bring snacks, lots of snacks. Good Luck

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Is this going to be a surprise for her? I haven't decided if I was going to tell her or not. I would love to have it a surprise but part of me want's to tell her too so she can choose.

We made an "error" in keeping it all a surprise for Lauren. She said that she would have chosen the face painting...but I don't know...hindsight is 20/20.

Just me knowing Sierra she would love to feel like a princess but then again I know if she saw the face painting she would want that too so I think with her either one is ok.

You may just want to ask her.

I think your right

And Lauren, surprisingly, has worn that Tink outfit four or five times since then! School dress up days, Halloween and even a school party. Who knew?

Sierra actually asked for a tinker bell costume but I told her no because I just can't imagine her trying to wear wings in 90 degree heat and me getting stuck carrying them around with everything else I have to carry.lol

I can understand keeping it a surprise...

If we could do it over again, I think we would have let Lauren do both. (Except we never made it to the AK since she got sick.)

I hope that you get some expense money and maybe you can do more than you initially thought.

That would be great!

I think I can help here! My DD has been to BBB three times and had her face painted twice.

BBB is an amazing experience and it is just as amazing wearing your own dress or regular clothes. We always bring our own dress. In fact, 90% of the kids have their own dresses/clothes. I will tell you that BBB can take a little while/run behind depending on the kids and the Fairy Godmothers.


Face Painting
Face Painting can be done at AK or MK for around $15 - I think it depends on the design. In AK I know there is a place by the safari/tusker house but I think there are a few others. In MK there is a place at the front of ToonTown by Pete's garage (I am not sure when that area will be closed for the expansion). No reservations for face painting and it is fairly quick unless there is a line.

A third option you may want to consider it the Barber Shop on Main St in MK. There girls and boys and grown-ups I think can get colored gel and mickey confetti put in there hair. I think it is $10-$15. They don't take appointments so you would want to try to go early or during a parade or something to minimize the wait.

Hope this helps!

Thank you Jen this definately helps!

I am going to think about it a little more then decide.

 

[maroo]

We stuck Lauren's Tinkerbell wings on the back of her wheelchair.

Otherwise, I am sure we would have ended up carrying them around!

I think she may be miserable in a costume in that heat anyway. Lauren's was really itchy and we ended up putting an undershirt on her - but it was October.

Will the paint be too hot? I think it is sprayed on, right? So it isn't "cakey"... does that make ANY sense?

 

[wishin' on a star]

we joined late here too, with only about a month before our trip. I went onto the creative board and asked for some wish trip designs and we made our own shirts, it was very easy, and cheap too! We flew from Alaska, almost 24 hours of travel time, and honestly you don't need as much as you think you do. I packed each kid (we have 6) thier own backpack with a color book/crayons, a book for those who read, of course Ipods, gameboys, etc. I did buy some cheap card games, but they were never interested in them. Otherwise they slept! I think driving will be loads easier than flying. I would bring snacks, lots of snacks. Good Luck

I also can add that the Disney for Families thread on the DIS has a post with links to all kinds of printables to make the car ride easier. Lots of fun resources!!

 

[Adrismommy]

Been a rough couple of days in our house. Yesterday morning Adri woke up at 5am complaining of a headache. That's the one thing I sort of really take notice of, because of her brain tumor. We gave her some water and she went back to sleep. She woke up at 8:30 feeling fine so I sent her to her preschool. At 11 the teacher called saying she'd been crying & complaining of a headache. I had to wake up Cooper and feed him, so by time we left the house it was at least 15 minutes since I'd talked to the teacher. In a hurry, I backed out of my garage before the door was all the way lifted, breaking the door.

Last night Adri was up a lot, feverish, and very cranky. Her first follow-up MRI was scheduled for this morning and we were very concerned that they wouldn't do it if she wasn't well. She wasn't running a fever when we got there, but as always with her, they had a terrible time with an IV. Terrible time. After 5 adults holding her down, and 5 or 6 unsuccessful attempts (and her screaming "get me off of here"), the stress/emotions/fears/memories of her surgery flooded me and I passed out. I guess I did a face plant and busted my head open, so I was wheeled off to the ER while Josh stayed back with her. They wanted to reschedule her but I begged them to go ahead with it. Josh called a friend to come sit with me so I wasn't there by myself through the tests and stitches. I definitely was very emotional - emotional about being back for the first time since the surgery and also having lots of feelings of inadequacy and guilt that I couldn't be there with Adri.

I'm stitched up but look rough and have a nasty headache. Adri seems to be feeling better. We'll get the results of the MRI on Wednesday.

I need a distraction from a crappy couple of days so I think I'll work on some trip planning tonight.

 

[maroo]

Been a rough couple of days in our house. Yesterday morning Adri woke up at 5am complaining of a headache. That's the one thing I sort of really take notice of, because of her brain tumor. We gave her some water and she went back to sleep. She woke up at 8:30 feeling fine so I sent her to her preschool. At 11 the teacher called saying she'd been crying & complaining of a headache. I had to wake up Cooper and feed him, so by time we left the house it was at least 15 minutes since I'd talked to the teacher. In a hurry, I backed out of my garage before the door was all the way lifted, breaking the door.


Oh no!!!! That is awful!

Last night Adri was up a lot, feverish, and very cranky. Her first follow-up MRI was scheduled for this morning and we were very concerned that they wouldn't do it if she wasn't well. She wasn't running a fever when we got there, but as always with her, they had a terrible time with an IV. Terrible time. After 5 adults holding her down, and 5 or 6 unsuccessful attempts (and her screaming "get me off of here"), the stress/emotions/fears/memories of her surgery flooded me and I passed out.

Oh my gosh! You poor thing! Poor Adri! Poor Mom!

I guess I did a face plant and busted my head open, so I was wheeled off to the ER while Josh stayed back with her. They wanted to reschedule her but I begged them to go ahead with it. Josh called a friend to come sit with me so I wasn't there by myself through the tests and stitches. I definitely was very emotional - emotional about being back for the first time since the surgery and also having lots of feelings of inadequacy and guilt that I couldn't be there with Adri.

Bless your heart! You couldn't help it. I am so sorry!

I'm stitched up but look rough and have a nasty headache. Adri seems to be feeling better. We'll get the results of the MRI on Wednesday.

I need a distraction from a crappy couple of days so I think I'll work on some trip planning tonight.

Bless your heart!!

I am so glad you posted here.

Hopefully the DIS will help take your mind off all of that junk!

 

[wishin' on a star]

Been a rough couple of days in our house. Yesterday morning Adri woke up at 5am complaining of a headache. That's the one thing I sort of really take notice of, because of her brain tumor. We gave her some water and she went back to sleep. She woke up at 8:30 feeling fine so I sent her to her preschool. At 11 the teacher called saying she'd been crying & complaining of a headache. I had to wake up Cooper and feed him, so by time we left the house it was at least 15 minutes since I'd talked to the teacher. In a hurry, I backed out of my garage before the door was all the way lifted, breaking the door.

Last night Adri was up a lot, feverish, and very cranky. Her first follow-up MRI was scheduled for this morning and we were very concerned that they wouldn't do it if she wasn't well. She wasn't running a fever when we got there, but as always with her, they had a terrible time with an IV. Terrible time. After 5 adults holding her down, and 5 or 6 unsuccessful attempts (and her screaming "get me off of here"), the stress/emotions/fears/memories of her surgery flooded me and I passed out. I guess I did a face plant and busted my head open, so I was wheeled off to the ER while Josh stayed back with her. They wanted to reschedule her but I begged them to go ahead with it. Josh called a friend to come sit with me so I wasn't there by myself through the tests and stitches. I definitely was very emotional - emotional about being back for the first time since the surgery and also having lots of feelings of inadequacy and guilt that I couldn't be there with Adri.

I'm stitched up but look rough and have a nasty headache. Adri seems to be feeling better. We'll get the results of the MRI on Wednesday.

I need a distraction from a crappy couple of days so I think I'll work on some trip planning tonight.

Oh Natalie...I hope everything is fine on her MRI! I'm sorry it was such a rough day.