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

[Momofwishkid]

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.

I am so srry you have had such a rough couple days. I was the same way with Gavin's first MRI after his surgery. Well, I didnt pass out but please dont feel bad. Those emotions are completley understandable. Hope the MRI comes back OK and your feeling better soon

 

[Wee Annie]

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.

Hi! We are just back from our wish trip (literally -- this evening!). We stayed at GKTW and then extended at WDW. I can tell you our experience with your question. It was my understanding (perhaps from something I read here?) that we should not have Elke (my wish child) wear her "magic" GKTW button after the official last day of our stay there. And my husband and I would have felt uncomfortable doing so (it does have the dates right on the face of it). So we went to the AK the day after we left GKTW, and I went to Guest Relations to renew our GAC for the "stroller as a wheelchair" portion of it (Elke has bad neuropathy, severe osteoporosis, and avascular necrosis in her legs from her treatments for her leukemia). I explained our situation to the CM at the AK Guest Relations (we were extending our wish trip on our own and needed the stroller as a wheelchair extended), and he, on his own, stamped the new GAC with the "magic" green light stamp. It was unexpected, and a wonderful gift. It ensured that we could take the rest of our days there at a slower pace, and I was so thankful to that CM for doing so.

So, by straightforwardly explaining our situation to a Guest Relations CM, he extended our pass (well, he reissued a new one with the same stamps). I hope that the same might be done for any other family in this situation. On the other hand, I would not expect to get the green light stamp in the future (just stroller as wheelchair). HOWEVER, while on our trip we bumped into a friend of mine who has an autistic daughter who apparently was issued a GAC that was very helpful to her. I think it didn't work it's magic for characters, though, like the wish trip GAC does.

 

[Wee Annie]

Just wanted to let everyone know that we're back! We stayed at GKTW and then extended on our own on-site (it was Elke's 4th birthday yesterday, and it was important to us to celebrate it there). We had a great time!

GKTW is a truly magical place. Tip to anyone planning a trip there: do schedule time just to hang out there. It is so relaxing, has a lot for the kids to do (the pool area alone is wonderful), and the people there are truly extraordinary. Pick a handful of things you want to get done at each park, do them, and then spend time at GKTW. That's my advice. Especially if you have a wish child like mine that, ahem, doesn't transition well and doesn't handle sensory overloads wonderfully.... (or so we found out). She still had a good time at the parks, but really really liked just hanging out at GKTW.

Also, I haven't had the time to completely catch up on this thread since we left, but I see people were talking about face painting, so I wanted to tell you about our wonderful experience. Elke wanted to get her face painted at Hollywood Studios, and when I asked the woman how much it would cost, she pointed to Elke's MAW button and said that for her it was free, and absolutely refused to take any money for it. It was these wonderful gestures that made our time in the parks really memorable (oh yes, the magic pass really really helped...).

Just don't get so caught up in having the "magic pass" that you feel like you have to spend all your time in the parks. My two cents.

 

[wishin' on a star]

Welcome back Ann! I hope you guys had a wonderful time! How nice of them to give you the green light pass for your extra days. I'm sure that helped a ton!!

 

[casper_jj11]

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. My heart goes out to you. I remember so well Sydney having to go under for the MRIs. It's just heartwrenching. My thoughts are with you and I hope the headache was just that, a simple headache that all little ones get from time to time. Let us know when the MRI results are back and til then, try not to worry too much.

 

[casper_jj11]

I know most wish kids stay at GKTW but wanted to pass along a bit of info for those that aren't. I called Photopass today about the code for children staying at GKTW and asked if it was available to wish children staying elsewhere. After a bit of discussion, bottom line is that they have no way of confirming who is travelling on a wish and who is not so they don't provide the code to anyone directly, even a wish organization. I was told that our wish organization should contact GKTW and ask about the code. I was told that this was started because of a direct request from GKTW to Disney Photopass so its GKTW that handles forwarding the code to wish children.

While I do understand, it seems a bit odd that they wouldn't provide the code to a wish organization if they were to request it. Anyway, I felt a bit strange about doing it but I passed along the information to our wish coordinator just in case she could help. I'll let you know if I learn anything else.

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Hi does anyone know if i can get the photo pass cd any cheaper at disney world? I want to get one but that is really alot of money help please?

 

[Momofwishkid]

Hi does anyone know if i can get the photo pass cd any cheaper at disney world? I want to get one but that is really alot of money help please?

Hi, if your staying at GKTW they include a code for a free photopass during orientation. Thanks to Maroo

 

[rcq925]

Just curious if MAW only uses the airlines that are listed as corporate sponsors (Delta, United and US Airways) or if all the airline donate tickets to make a wish? We are still waiting on our dates. We requested to go in November or December because we want to see all the Christmas decorations and also want the weather to be cooler.

Anyone else gone in November or early December? How was your weather?\

Thanks in advance!

 

[wish_upon_a_star35]

Hi! We are just back from our wish trip (literally -- this evening!). We stayed at GKTW and then extended at WDW. I can tell you our experience with your question. It was my understanding (perhaps from something I read here?) that we should not have Elke (my wish child) wear her "magic" GKTW button after the official last day of our stay there. And my husband and I would have felt uncomfortable doing so (it does have the dates right on the face of it). So we went to the AK the day after we left GKTW, and I went to Guest Relations to renew our GAC for the "stroller as a wheelchair" portion of it (Elke has bad neuropathy, severe osteoporosis, and avascular necrosis in her legs from her treatments for her leukemia). I explained our situation to the CM at the AK Guest Relations (we were extending our wish trip on our own and needed the stroller as a wheelchair extended), and he, on his own, stamped the new GAC with the "magic" green light stamp. It was unexpected, and a wonderful gift. It ensured that we could take the rest of our days there at a slower pace, and I was so thankful to that CM for doing so.

So, by straightforwardly explaining our situation to a Guest Relations CM, he extended our pass (well, he reissued a new one with the same stamps). I hope that the same might be done for any other family in this situation. On the other hand, I would not expect to get the green light stamp in the future (just stroller as wheelchair). HOWEVER, while on our trip we bumped into a friend of mine who has an autistic daughter who apparently was issued a GAC that was very helpful to her. I think it didn't work it's magic for characters, though, like the wish trip GAC does.

Thank you WeeAnnie and everyone else! It's so funny because that thought just occured to me. Both of my little ones are extremely hyperactive and it wouldn't be so bad with maybe one of them, if we had to wait in line...but with both of them I know it would be very rough! I am so happy that it worked out for you! These wish trips are truly magical!!

 

[Momofwishkid]

Just curious if MAW only uses the airlines that are listed as corporate sponsors (Delta, United and US Airways) or if all the airline donate tickets to make a wish? We are still waiting on our dates. We requested to go in November or December because we want to see all the Christmas decorations and also want the weather to be cooler.

Anyone else gone in November or early December? How was your weather?\

Thanks in advance!

Im not sure if all airlines do but we flew American. I know they did have to pay at least partial for the tickets though. There are a few TR's from that time you can check out on the first page. Sounds like a beautiful time to go.

 

[maroo]

Hello everyone!

I am out of town and hopped on for a quick minute.

Lauren flew Southwest - so I think they can basically fly any airline. I think they try to get miles donated from people for flights.

And I know American Airlines is a sponsor in some way of GKTW because we have had a couple of families that were selected for the American Airlines WishFlight. Lauren was supposed to do that and it didn't pan out, but I think they can use any airline.



PhotoPass:

If you are staying at GKTW then you will get a voucher when you go through orientation for a free PhotoPass CD. You will get all of the instructions, etc. If you are going "through" GKTW but are staying on Disney Property instead (but are getting your tickets, etc, from GKTW), then you will also get one when you do the GKTW orientation - even if you are staying at a Disney resort. For example: We stayed at the Contemporary, but all of our tickets came from GKTW - so we went there first to do orientation. You get the code at orientation, so you should be good to go.

I think that takes care of everyone on this thread...as far as I know.


IF you are going with a Wish Organization and not going at all through or staying at GKTW - then PM me. Disney really does want EVERY wish family to get a PhotoPass CD. This is from upper management at the PhotoPass area, but not every CM is aware of how it works, etc.

Just PM me if you are one of the few on here that are not going on a trip affiliated at all with GKTW. I will get some information from you about your trip and then we can get you a code. No worries.


If you are not going on an official wish trip and are just lurking over here, then I can still help you save some money on a PhotoPass CD - just PM me.

 

[The Lurker]

Orlando weather in the summer is very predicatable. Low around 73, high around 93, chance of an afternoon thunderstorm and we are watching something in the Atlantic, Carribean or Gulf of Mexico which rarely, in fact very rarely comes to Orlando but does give the weathermen something to talk about.

However, from mid-November until late April it is very unpredictable. It can be hot, cold, warm, dry, rainy or sunny. Whatever it is, it won't last the whole week. A couple of years ago November was very cold and December nice and warm. This year December was cold and I don't remember November - so it must have been ok. Also, even when the mornings are cold, the afternoons are in the upper 50's to 60's.

Best bet is to plan to wear layers. They do give us a heater at the carousel, so if it is very cold, you can come and stand by our heater (behind me that is).

Katie

 

[mommy_lisa]

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.

Haven't heard of anything at the disney parks but if you plan on going to universal, we were told that the wish kid gets a free face painting at any of the stands. You just walk up and get it and show them your GKTW button. Luca got his face painted and then played in water so it came off, he went back again and got it painted. then the next day he did it again. he got spiderman on his face and bought spiderman crocs and got his pic taken with spidey. That is one of his best memories

 

[mommy_lisa]

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.

The button does have dates on it but no one ever looked at it close enough to see if we were past our dates. we had no problem in any of the parks

 

[kellyw8863]

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 no! You and our family will definitely be in my prayers. I hope that everything comes out "clean" on the MRI.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we're back! We stayed at GKTW and then extended on our own on-site (it was Elke's 4th birthday yesterday, and it was important to us to celebrate it there). We had a great time!

GKTW is a truly magical place. Tip to anyone planning a trip there: do schedule time just to hang out there. It is so relaxing, has a lot for the kids to do (the pool area alone is wonderful), and the people there are truly extraordinary. Pick a handful of things you want to get done at each park, do them, and then spend time at GKTW. That's my advice. Especially if you have a wish child like mine that, ahem, doesn't transition well and doesn't handle sensory overloads wonderfully.... (or so we found out). She still had a good time at the parks, but really really liked just hanging out at GKTW.

Also, I haven't had the time to completely catch up on this thread since we left, but I see people were talking about face painting, so I wanted to tell you about our wonderful experience. Elke wanted to get her face painted at Hollywood Studios, and when I asked the woman how much it would cost, she pointed to Elke's MAW button and said that for her it was free, and absolutely refused to take any money for it. It was these wonderful gestures that made our time in the parks really memorable (oh yes, the magic pass really really helped...).

Just don't get so caught up in having the "magic pass" that you feel like you have to spend all your time in the parks. My two cents.

Hey there! Welcome back! It was so nice to meet you and your family. Elke is adorable and looks so much like you. I totally agree with you on "scheduling" in time to just hang at GKTW. Literally, all the plans that we had made went right out the window within our first 24 hours of being there. It was torturous getting the girls to leave there to go to the parks and sometimes, we just had to take a step back and realize that it was about them and what they wanted to do and not what we thought they should want to do. I don't regret a minute of it, so great advice!

Just curious if MAW only uses the airlines that are listed as corporate sponsors (Delta, United and US Airways) or if all the airline donate tickets to make a wish? We are still waiting on our dates. We requested to go in November or December because we want to see all the Christmas decorations and also want the weather to be cooler.

Anyone else gone in November or early December? How was your weather?\

Thanks in advance!

We flew Southwest, and I'm pretty sure that our MAW paid for it as opposed to donations (saw the bill). And, I know of another family from the same chapter who flew Delta. So I think it depends on the chapter and the timing - whatever they can do to keep costs down. I hope that you get your dates soon!

Well, we have been back for almost a week now, and I can't even express to you how difficult it has been. Seriously, I will just burst out in tears at the idea that we spent so much time at such an amazing place, yet we can never make a reservation to stay there again. I just want to get "that" back and I'm afraid we never will. I know some of it is because we were thrust right back into work (got home 11:30 Monday night and was at work at 6:45 Tuesday morning), but it's just...hard. We are already planning our next vacation as I think the week taught us the importance of leaving it all behind regardless of where you go, but still. It won't be there.

If any of you are considering whether to stay at GKTW or on Disney property, please do not sell the Village short or wonder if your child will "fit in" because he or she appears too healthy. I think this is a great misconception for just about everyone before arriving. With the exception of very few children, it can be difficult to determine just who is the wish child and who are the siblings. And even those who do appear to be severely impaired or ill, it is just amazing to see all of the abilities in spite of their disabilities. For example, we were talking to another family whose son is on a vent and has some very significant medical issues. They actually thought that they wouldn't be able to go because he was struggling so much right before the trip. But, once they got down there, they said that his respiratory numbers were better than they had ever been. And to watch these kids' faces light up because for the first time ever, they can go on a horse drawn carriage or ride a merry go round is just awe inspiring. GKTW is seriously the happiest, most upbeat place I have ever been to and a place where you can truly let go of everything your child and your family have been through. I don't think we talked about any of the "bad" stuff all week. It was all about how much fun everyone was having. So just my .02 worth in case anyone is wondering if there is a place for her child there. I promise you, you won't regret staying there and instead, you will long for the day you can go back to visit.

 

[dmbfan]

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.

Ok it has been a while since I last signed on...busy with work and school...but I just wanted to a say, no we did not get the green light stamp. That is a GKTW stamp only. We got the same stamp as Mary got. We sometimes had another access and sometimes the wheelchair line, as we took Jake's stroller in with us. Sometimes we still had to wait, cause there are only a few "handicap" carts for certain rides...but we were not out in the sun and Jake was able to still sit in his stroller until we were ready. We also went when it was not busy...that to makes a huge difference.

We first got the GAC pass about 4 years ago, before Jake went on his wish trip, and we had ALMOST the same access. You can not and should not use your wish buttons or GAC pass ( as they do look at the dates when you show them) after your trip is over. Now with Jake, they could see at guest serivces his backpacks with TPN and IV fluid, so there was not really alot of explaining to do. ANY family that has a child in a wheelchair can get the wheelchair tag and the GAC pass. There are about 7 different stamps they put on the GAC pass....we too have had the stamp that said " can use stroller as a wheelchair" and we were able to enter thru the wheelchair line....and NOT the fast pass line. So rides that do not have wheelchair access, you have to wait in the regular line ( this was the pass we had four years ago and Jake just had his j tube feeds at that time).

So for the family that is extented your trip, all you need to do is go to guest services and show them your old GAC pass ( as it says it was issues at GKTW) and your GKTW button and explain you would like to get a new GAC pass where your son can go can use an alernative enterance, and you should have no problem at all...

 

[kellyw8863]

Sorry Christine! I misunderstood and shouldn't have mispoken without knowing what I was talking about.

 

[motherof4greatkids]

Hi yes we are staying at give kids the world thank you for the info. We are so excited we leave on june 11 we are driving to GKTW from ohio. We cant wait my wish child cant wait to see scooby doo. We just found out we have his going away wish party on the 17th of may he cant wait for that either..


Is anyone on here from ohio?

 

[Wee Annie]

You can not and should not use your wish buttons or GAC pass ( as they do look at the dates when you show them) after your trip is over.

Just to echo this, I thought I should add that on the extended portion of our trip we had several CMs actually really read the GAC pass carefully and check the dates and number of people allowed in, This tended to happen at the more popular rides. So if you try to "extend" your "green light" stamp on your own you might be in for a really uncomfortable encounter, where you have to explain why you are using a GKTW pass after it has expired. As mentioned, my husband and I would not have felt comfortable using it past its expiration date regardless. But if you don't care about that, know that there are practical reasons why you shouldn't do so. And the last thing we need is for WDW to think that there are people out there misusing the GKTW GACs. It might make things difficult for wish families in the future.

We were more than prepared to make do with a "stoller as wheelchair" GAC and the umprompted reissuance of the "green light" GAC by a Disney employee was a bit of magical pixie dust thrown our way, which we appreciated beyond belief. Again, I was just totally upfront with the CM, and he decided to do that all on his own.

Also, as mentioned by others, the other GAC stamps can really help out with your child's medical needs, whether they be stamina concerns, heat, etc. Don't sell them short. Disney is very good to people with disabilities.

One last tip: since I have two much older children, on the trip we sometimes separated for rides. I easily dealt with this with a little planning by getting fast passes for the big name rides my older ones wanted to do (like Space Mountain, or Splash Mountain), while retaining the GAC for my younger child to use on nice things like Winnie the Pooh and the Carousel in the meantime.