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

[Mom2mitokids]

To follow up with what Maroo said,

I have been blessed to meet several families from this board, I have also been blessed to help create some magic for them. But when it comes to trip reports, I read a bit and make sure everyone is having a good time, but rarely post. I do usually read the pre trip reports

..cool you got to meet several families.

 

[The Lurker]

The hours all the parks are open vary according to the time of the year. More visitors, more hours. They stay open later during the summer and over Christmas, perhaps during spring break, but I am not sure. The time of the fireworks also varies as it depends on when it gets dark. Park hours are posted on their website.

 

[The Lurker]

Getting on and off the rides with someone who is handicap can vary according to the cast member you happen to have to work with. We just went to Disney with my adult daughter who became ill 2 years ago and starting using a wheelchair on a regular basis in April. We went to Magic in the evening primarily to see the Electric Parade and the new fireworks - both are fabulous. However, we tried the Buzz Lightyear ride - which she has done with out much difficulty since she became ill. This time, however, the cast member did not slow the ride or stop it. Since Christine said she could walk to it (stagger to it is a better discription), my husband was able to get her on it, but when it came time to get off, since they didn't slow the ride down, she had trouble, and actually fell down. No cast member came to help, the ride kept going and as people were getting off they had to try to climb around her. My husband went to get her scooter, which they had placed a way from the exit. I had trouble getting to her because of the crowds - most of whom could care less. My suggestion is for you to be very explicit in explaining your child's needs to the cast member like "she can walk some, but could you please slow down or could you stop the ride when she gets on and off." Buzz Lightyear can be stopped and the other guests don't mind as they get higher scores.

 

[maroo]

I am so glad you guys were all cool with my take on "popularity" - I hope I didn't offend anyone that didn't post. Or anyone, for that matter!!

As far as the Buzz ride - I hope you told someone at the ride so that they will know. A manager type. Because something similar happened to us, but I thought it was isolated and we didn't say anything about it - I hate to get someone in trouble - but that is a safety issue and they need to make sure that people are taken care of, ya know.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Is there a page where list restaurants links to all the parks?

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Is there a page where list restaurants links to all the parks?

Never mind...I think I found it.

 

[maroo]

Is there a page where list restaurants links to all the parks?

I see you found this...

But for future reference - I use the Allears.net list - it is the best, in my opinion...

It is http://allears.net/din/dining.htm!

Great list of restaurants and menus!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I see you found this...

But for future reference - I use the Allears.net list - it is the best, in my opinion...

It is http://allears.net/din/dining.htm!

Great list of restaurants and menus!

Thank you Mary...That one seems better. Just booked marked it.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Great tips on how to get more readers/exposure Maroo! I think one of the biggest factors is......TIME! I joined the DIS about 10-11 months ago, and only returned from our trip 3 months ago. That means that from the time we knew her wish was approved to the time that we left for the trip was 7 months! I didn't even start the PTR until we had dates because I knew it was going to be dragged out for so long! It gave me lots of time to read previous wish TRs and current TRs from "regular" DISers. I read tons because I had only been to Epcot once 20 years ago. I had TONS of questions! The more I posted on others' reports the more people saw my name, my signature/PTR link, and sure enough after a few months I had lots of fun new friends helping me plan. If you come here today and leave in a month or two or even three, please don't be offended if you only have a few pages of PTR. It just takes time for people to find you.

Also, I think summer is busy for everyone and they are quieter right now. Last week I posted an update and I seriously heard crickets chirping! But thankfully when I posted my concern that maybe people had stopped reading, several wrote a quick note to let me know they were still reading, just no time to post. So in a week, or two, or four, things will probably pick up around here.

Lastly, someone mentioned making it a point to read PTRs. I am sometimes the opposite. I feel like after (almost) a year, the same questions over and over get old. I WAS THERE TOO, asking the same old questions, so of course I don't have a problem with people asking, I just feel like if I only have a few minutes to spend on the computer, I'd rather see someones pics from their trip than read the questions, again. Eventually I do check back in on the PTRs and here, but I am slower about it. Sorry!

I lied. I have ONE MORE thought. There are MANY families who join the DIS to get info and then after the trip they just don't have the time and energy to report back. Totally understandable. I love how Ann (WeeAnnie) visited this thread and some PTRs but just did not want to start a PTR or TR herself because she knew it was going to be an investment of time. If you do a PTR and want lots of people to follow you, do us a favor and give us just a little something when you return. Who said a TR has to detail your every waking moment? Why not just post some favorite pics and a few of your best (and worst?) moments of the trip? That way everyone who got excited for you gets to feel like they know how the story "ended" and you don't have to keep investing the time for months afterward. Just a thought...

 

[rcq925]

Well said Melissa! I know I have read several PTR and then nothing from the poster when they get back! It is very disappointing! I know that not everyone has time to do a detailed TR (yours is wonderful and I have nejoyed every minute spent reading it!)

But like you said, please just give us a little bit about your overall trip and some pics of the kids we have grown to love

 

[ndloewen]

Hi all and a huge welcome to so many newbies,

I just wanted to say thank you all for your beautiful comments. Maroo, thank you for remembering Noah and taking the time to post the pictures here. I am SO thankful that you had a chance to meet him. It has been a really, really tough week. My heart is so very broken. But it brings me comfort to read about the lives he has touched here on the boards.

I still lurk here often, but I rarely post these days. Planning our wish trip was such a joyous time, so I do find myself drawn back to the boards regularly. I would still love to finish my trip report, but every time I sit down to tackle it, I am too overwhelmed with memories to do it. Perhaps someday...

We do have a trip back to Disney planned for late August. Looking forward to going back to our happy place and visiting GKTW.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Great tips on how to get more readers/exposure Maroo! I think one of the biggest factors is......TIME! I joined the DIS about 10-11 months ago, and only returned from our trip 3 months ago. That means that from the time we knew her wish was approved to the time that we left for the trip was 7 months! I didn't even start the PTR until we had dates because I knew it was going to be dragged out for so long! It gave me lots of time to read previous wish TRs and current TRs from "regular" DISers. I read tons because I had only been to Epcot once 20 years ago. I had TONS of questions! The more I posted on others' reports the more people saw my name, my signature/PTR link, and sure enough after a few months I had lots of fun new friends helping me plan. If you come here today and leave in a month or two or even three, please don't be offended if you only have a few pages of PTR. It just takes time for people to find you.

Also, I think summer is busy for everyone and they are quieter right now. Last week I posted an update and I seriously heard crickets chirping! But thankfully when I posted my concern that maybe people had stopped reading, several wrote a quick note to let me know they were still reading, just no time to post. So in a week, or two, or four, things will probably pick up around here.

Lastly, someone mentioned making it a point to read PTRs. I am sometimes the opposite. I feel like after (almost) a year, the same questions over and over get old. I WAS THERE TOO, asking the same old questions, so of course I don't have a problem with people asking, I just feel like if I only have a few minutes to spend on the computer, I'd rather see someones pics from their trip than read the questions, again. Eventually I do check back in on the PTRs and here, but I am slower about it. Sorry!

I lied. I have ONE MORE thought. There are MANY families who join the DIS to get info and then after the trip they just don't have the time and energy to report back. Totally understandable. I love how Ann (WeeAnnie) visited this thread and some PTRs but just did not want to start a PTR or TR herself because she knew it was going to be an investment of time. If you do a PTR and want lots of people to follow you, do us a favor and give us just a little something when you return. Who said a TR has to detail your every waking moment? Why not just post some favorite pics and a few of your best (and worst?) moments of the trip? That way everyone who got excited for you gets to feel like they know how the story "ended" and you don't have to keep investing the time for months afterward. Just a thought...

I 100% agree with you Melissa. I'm actually looking forward to doing my TR. I can't wait to tell everyone about our trip and how everyone help made our trip even that more special. I hope that made since. Even though I wasn't here for Kylee's MAW trip..I did post pictures, because I know I love looking at everyones pictures...before and after.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Hi all and a huge welcome to so many newbies,

I just wanted to say thank you all for your beautiful comments. Maroo, thank you for remembering Noah and taking the time to post the pictures here. I am SO thankful that you had a chance to meet him. It has been a really, really tough week. My heart is so very broken. But it brings me comfort to read about the lives he has touched here on the boards.

I still lurk here often, but I rarely post these days. Planning our wish trip was such a joyous time, so I do find myself drawn back to the boards regularly. I would still love to finish my trip report, but every time I sit down to tackle it, I am too overwhelmed with memories to do it. Perhaps someday...

We do have a trip back to Disney planned for late August. Looking forward to going back to our happy place and visiting GKTW.

Nichole...thank you for coming by. I wasn't around when you were, but I did read through Noah's PTR. I also just read his blog and looked at all the pictures from your trip. Noah is one special . You are your family are in my daily thoughts and prayers.

 

[maroo]

Hi all and a huge welcome to so many newbies,

I just wanted to say thank you all for your beautiful comments. Maroo, thank you for remembering Noah and taking the time to post the pictures here. I am SO thankful that you had a chance to meet him. It has been a really, really tough week. My heart is so very broken. But it brings me comfort to read about the lives he has touched here on the boards.

I still lurk here often, but I rarely post these days. Planning our wish trip was such a joyous time, so I do find myself drawn back to the boards regularly. I would still love to finish my trip report, but every time I sit down to tackle it, I am too overwhelmed with memories to do it. Perhaps someday...

We do have a trip back to Disney planned for late August. Looking forward to going back to our happy place and visiting GKTW.

Oh, Nichole - You are so sweet to come over here and post.

My heart aches for you - and I have no idea how hard it all is.

I do remember Noah - not only on Thursday, but throughout the year - on holidays and just driving in my car. Lauren, just the other day, said she was playing "Noah's Song" (Little is Much) - so he is remembered - even a whole country away - and one day we will see him again.

And there is no way any of us would ever second guess you not completing your TR - One day, hopefully, you will feel the urge to come write some more, and I, for one, will be here when you do! But take your time - absolutely no rush.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I posted this on Korissa's PTR, but reposting it here...

Kylee is basically 100% tube feed. She only eats a few bites of foods. Do you still have to buy a meal for a child that doesn't eat? I'm looking at doing an ADR, but hate to spend $30 when I know she will only eat 2 bites of something.

 

[livndisney]

Great tips on how to get more readers/exposure Maroo! I think one of the biggest factors is......TIME! I joined the DIS about 10-11 months ago, and only returned from our trip 3 months ago. That means that from the time we knew her wish was approved to the time that we left for the trip was 7 months! I didn't even start the PTR until we had dates because I knew it was going to be dragged out for so long! It gave me lots of time to read previous wish TRs and current TRs from "regular" DISers. I read tons because I had only been to Epcot once 20 years ago. I had TONS of questions! The more I posted on others' reports the more people saw my name, my signature/PTR link, and sure enough after a few months I had lots of fun new friends helping me plan. If you come here today and leave in a month or two or even three, please don't be offended if you only have a few pages of PTR. It just takes time for people to find you.

Also, I think summer is busy for everyone and they are quieter right now. Last week I posted an update and I seriously heard crickets chirping! But thankfully when I posted my concern that maybe people had stopped reading, several wrote a quick note to let me know they were still reading, just no time to post. So in a week, or two, or four, things will probably pick up around here.

Lastly, someone mentioned making it a point to read PTRs. I am sometimes the opposite. I feel like after (almost) a year, the same questions over and over get old. I WAS THERE TOO, asking the same old questions, so of course I don't have a problem with people asking, I just feel like if I only have a few minutes to spend on the computer, I'd rather see someones pics from their trip than read the questions, again. Eventually I do check back in on the PTRs and here, but I am slower about it. Sorry!

I lied. I have ONE MORE thought. There are MANY families who join the DIS to get info and then after the trip they just don't have the time and energy to report back. Totally understandable. I love how Ann (WeeAnnie) visited this thread and some PTRs but just did not want to start a PTR or TR herself because she knew it was going to be an investment of time. If you do a PTR and want lots of people to follow you, do us a favor and give us just a little something when you return. Who said a TR has to detail your every waking moment? Why not just post some favorite pics and a few of your best (and worst?) moments of the trip? That way everyone who got excited for you gets to feel like they know how the story "ended" and you don't have to keep investing the time for months afterward. Just a thought...

I was the one who posted about reading the PTR. As a member of the Big Give and as someone who helps create magic I try to read as many of the PTR as I can .

 

[kellyw8863]

I'm not around much since Ali's MAW trip, and I know I have a TR sitting there unfinished, but I wanted to throw something else out there in regards to disappearing post trip.

For me, visiting here post-trip became very difficult (and it still is). This is going to sound so petty, but it was hard for me to read the other TR and experiences of those who returned around the same time that I did and see how their kids were able to enjoy so much more than Ali was. Don't get me wrong - we literally had the time of our lives - but we couldn't even do a fraction of what we had planned and what many others here were able to accomplish because of Ali's illness and being here in many ways became a reminder of everything that we have lost. I don't want this to sound like a "whose pain is worse" argument because that is so not where I am going with this. Ali just couldn't do it and has experienced even more physical regressions/complications since we have returned. It wasn't supposed to be like that. It was supposed to be this amazing trip (it was) where we got to do all these things (we couldn't) and we would return home rejuvenated and ready to tackle all that life had to throw at us (we didn't).

So please, don't think for one minute that just because someone who "took" what the DIS has to give (and it was oh so much for which I will be forever thankful) doesn't complete a TR that he or she is ungrateful/selfish/what have you. I'm not saying that's what's being said here, but I don't think anyone can anticipate the deluge of emotions that come with returning from a Wish Trip and you might not process it exactly as you think you will.

I hope that I am making sense, and I hope that I have not offended anyone. I just can't be here right now, and it has nothing to do with not wanting to give back, or not appreciating what was done for us, or etc. It's just...hard to be here. I don't know how else to explain it.

Kelly

 

[maroo]

I posted this on Korissa's PTR, but reposting it here...

Kylee is basically 100% tube feed. She only eats a few bites of foods. Do you still have to buy a meal for a child that doesn't eat? I'm looking at doing an ADR, but hate to spend $30 when I know she will only eat 2 bites of something.

Various people have reported different things on the DIS - some have said that they don't usually have to pay for the person not eating - but sometimes they do charge an "entertainment" type fee - if it is a character meal or something similar?

I'm not around much since Ali's MAW trip, and I know I have a TR sitting there unfinished, but I wanted to throw something else out there in regards to disappearing post trip.

For me, visiting here post-trip became very difficult (and it still is). This is going to sound so petty, but it was hard for me to read the other TR and experiences of those who returned around the same time that I did and see how their kids were able to enjoy so much more than Ali was. Don't get me wrong - we literally had the time of our lives - but we couldn't even do a fraction of what we had planned and what many others here were able to accomplish because of Ali's illness and being here in many ways became a reminder of everything that we have lost. I don't want this to sound like a "whose pain is worse" argument because that is so not where I am going with this. Ali just couldn't do it and has experienced even more physical regressions/complications since we have returned. It wasn't supposed to be like that. It was supposed to be this amazing trip (it was) where we got to do all these things (we couldn't) and we would return home rejuvenated and ready to tackle all that life had to throw at us (we didn't).

So please, don't think for one minute that just because someone who "took" what the DIS has to give (and it was oh so much for which I will be forever thankful) doesn't complete a TR that he or she is ungrateful/selfish/what have you. I'm not saying that's what's being said here, but I don't think anyone can anticipate the deluge of emotions that come with returning from a Wish Trip and you might not process it exactly as you think you will.

I hope that I am making sense, and I hope that I have not offended anyone. I just can't be here right now, and it has nothing to do with not wanting to give back, or not appreciating what was done for us, or etc. It's just...hard to be here. I don't know how else to explain it.

Kelly

That doesn't sound petty at all.

And puts into words much better than I could have said it! This is exactly what I mean when I say it has to be this way - it is what it is. Because you have to take care of your family and yourself, in this case.


Please don't worry about it at all and don't think about it, even for a second! We get it, really, we do. Especially those of us on the back end of the trip.

I do think it is harder for typical families to "get it" - because they have never planned a wish trip and "wished" so hard for things to go a certain way. It is easy to see the trip in my head and for everything to go perfect - to be normal for a time - and you are, sorta. But not really - the illness doesn't disappear for a week.

As a "not the Momma" - it is equally impossible for me to "get it," really - but I see what you are saying.

You are welcome here anytime! And I was so excited to see you had posted!!

 

[J'sMum]

Hi all and a huge welcome to so many newbies,

I just wanted to say that even though we did not meet you , we have thought of you (myself and my kiddos) It was your PTR and info on noah that drew us here. When I searched for information on gktw and disney i had absolutly no idea this board existed, it was Noah's story that come up. So, through you and your story it led us here and i wanted to thank you and your family for takingh the time to share so much about someone so special that he even touches the lives of those who never had the chance to meet him

 

[maroo]

I just wanted to say that even though we did not meet you , we have thought of you (myself and my kiddos) It was your PTR and info on noah that drew us here. When I searched for information on gktw and disney i had absolutly no idea this board existed, it was Noah's story that come up. So, through you and your story it led us here and i wanted to thank you and your family for takingh the time to share so much about someone so special that he even touches the lives of those who never had the chance to meet him

Oh...wow!