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

[that's nice]

Sure!! You are going to be there on my birthday!

Are you going to be there on your birthday??????

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Are you going to be there on your birthday??????

Yes...that's the question..are you going for your bday You can celebrate with Mayor Clayton (is that his name)

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I certainly will give Nichole a hug for ya!!

Well...I am still on the injured list since my last half marathon. I have plantar fascitis really bad in my left foot and moderate in my right...in fact, I am in an ugly, very large and hot boot that goes almost to my knee and will be for my 10 day trip to Disney. I am having to rent a wheelchair for the trip to use in the parks.

I did have a perpetual pre-trippie...but it was so confusing that I finally quit updating it... I just keep adding trips.

This one is going to be 4 days with Baker's family - their first trip to Disney (our church and some other generous folks are sending them because they lost everything in a tornado here in the Spring) - and then I am going to be there with 2 DISers that I met here on the DIS! A trip to Disney with "strangers" - friends now!

Then I have a trip later in Sept - for the weekend - and it is meets for the Wine and Dine half. I was going to do it...but obviously can't, so I am going to meet up with some folks that are doing it. I have 8 meets planned so far for that few days. Fun stuff!!!




This is a great idea! Because that will give you some room to take more stuff home.

We had to go buy an extra duffel bag the last time

Sure!! You are going to be there on my birthday!

We had to go buy an extra duffel bag the last time

 

[twinmum]

(again) to the Wish Trippers thread!

When are you guys going?





We are going 10/23-10/30. Since we only have 4 nights at GKTW we are extending our trip for 2 more nights so we can have more time to enjoy everything. Besides using the three day park hopper at Disney, we are planning to go to Seaworld, because my son wanted to initially swim with dolphins for his wish, and to Universal, because since Christmas we have been reading Harry Potter to E and his two big sisters and now they are all obsessed with the series.

Hello and Happy Wish Trip planning! Our son Mark had his wish trip in Nov 2008 but I enjoy popping back (Don't like calling lurking...) to see if I can help. Mark knew his main wish was to return to Orlando "for some unfinished business", and that this would mostly be WDW, but he had heard about swimming with dolphins and was keen to try. We looked into some options as something we might add on ourselves, but the options were either too cold, required independent standing/swimming, water too cold etc. I knew he wanted to get up close and personal and, fortunately for us, my mother wanted to add some special magic to the trip. For our day at SeaWorld, we added the Dolphin Up Close Tour http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=947 which was very educational, fun and ended with a magnificent interaction with a dolphin for each group within the tour (i.e. our family was linked with a trainer and sweet Ajax, a lovely dolphin. The trainer prompted Ajax to do various "tricks" including "speaking" to us, jumping, rolling over on command, and certainly staying still while we gave him as close a cuddle as we could get. Across the cove, the SeaWorld photographers captured the moments, and yes, we spent the extra $ for the CD, all 85 pictures! Yes, the tour costs - looks like $50/adult and $40/child, but it guaranteed a wonderful dolphin interaction which was something I really, really wanted to give our son. And, I made it a complete surprise for my DH, DS and Ds's twin brother. It was our first touring day and started off so well for a magical Wish Trip. We also found SeaWorld to be more relaxing than the other parks, fewer "must do's" for us, so it was a nice start. We also recommend lunch at the Shark's Grill (hope I have the right name). We sat up at the bar...where the bar is actually a glass topped, shallow aquarium with little fishies swimming right under your plate. Talk about a great way to keep 2 just-turned 10 year olds happy!

I know it's expensive, but if you or your wish granting organization can swing it, it was a great tour.

Alison

 

[LindaBabe]

One month until our family visit to WDW - if any of you would like postcards for your wish kids from "Fairy Grandma Linda" Please pm your wish child's name, snail addy, favorite character(s) and is your trip past or future (also is there anything special you want in the message.)​

Maroo - someone may want you to vouch for the safety of this - if you wouldn't mind?

This is completely safe!


Thanks for doing this, Linda!

Just a reminder - in case you didn't see the first message!

Maroo, I think your F& W trip might overlap ours - I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to meet you in person! Let's chat!

 

[jbrnhrt]

The only thing we need to bring is the flat iron for my girls, and the regular iron for my hair. I'm going to try not to have any check in baggage..besides medical stuff.

I might skip the flat iron if I were you, I am. It pains me to not do my hair since I am a cosmetologist, but with the humidity, it's not worth the time. But I think you're going in March, right? So maybe it won't be so bad. I'm just thinking about when dh and I went to atlantic city in the spring, as soon as I stepped outside it was frizz city!! Lol, just a thought

 

[jbrnhrt]

Have fun on your 2 trips to GKTW! We have asked to go sept 18th-24, so we'll be probably be there right in between your 2 trips(we get confirmation of our dates today or tomorrow!) That's so wonderful that so many people find comfort in you being there with them!

 

[maroo]

Just a reminder - in case you didn't see the first message!

Maroo, I think your F& W trip might overlap ours - I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE to meet you in person! Let's chat!

Oh no! Did I miss a message from you?

I would LOVE to meet up with you!!

PM me! I have to check my "meets" schedule for that weekend and we definitely need to meet!!

Have fun on your 2 trips to GKTW! We have asked to go sept 18th-24, so we'll be probably be there right in between your 2 trips(we get confirmation of our dates today or tomorrow!) That's so wonderful that so many people find comfort in you being there with them!

Aw man! You guys are going to enjoy your trip!!

I am actually only actually going to GKTW on Sept 2nd...I may go back a 2nd time at some point...but these trips are pretty planned out - especially the first one.

 

[kayrason333]

Question
How long does it take to get from GKTW to the beach? My kiddos have never been to the beach before and I am considering trying to do that one day while we are there.
We will be there in late September, will that even be a good time to be at the beach?
If anyone has any input or tips, I would love to hear!

 

[maroo]

Question
How long does it take to get from GKTW to the beach? My kiddos have never been to the beach before and I am considering trying to do that one day while we are there.
We will be there in late September, will that even be a good time to be at the beach?
If anyone has any input or tips, I would love to hear!

This question comes up a lot...and I honestly can't find the answer...

So...local folks... can you weigh in on this again...and I promise I will link it to the 2nd post this time....

 

[that's nice]

Question
How long does it take to get from GKTW to the beach? My kiddos have never been to the beach before and I am considering trying to do that one day while we are there.
We will be there in late September, will that even be a good time to be at the beach?
If anyone has any input or tips, I would love to hear!

In Florida, late September is a great time to goto the beach. The water will still be nice & warm! According to google maps- I searched from GKTW to Cocoa beach Florida (east coast) and it said 1 hour 20 minutes so figure 1 1/2 hours. I'm sure there are plenty of great beaches within 2 hours if you didn't want to go to that particular beach (I have personally never been to that beach)


Check out the map HERE

 

[rcq925]

In Florida, late September is a great time to goto the beach. The water will still be nice & warm! According to google maps- I searched from GKTW to Cocoa beach Florida (east coast) and it said 1 hour 20 minutes so figure 1 1/2 hours. I'm sure there are plenty of great beaches within 2 hours if you didn't want to go to that particular beach (I have personally never been to that beach)


Check out the map HERE

I see you got your dates! Congratulations! You will be there right after us!

 

[rcq925]

Oh no! Did I miss a message from you?

I would LOVE to meet up with you!!

PM me! I have to check my "meets" schedule for that weekend and we definitely need to meet!!



Aw man! You guys are going to enjoy your trip!!

I am actually only actually going to GKTW on Sept 2nd...I may go back a 2nd time at some point...but these trips are pretty planned out - especially the first one.

Maroo, I hope you have lots of fun on your trips!! We will be there November 14th through the 20th, are you planning on being there anytime during that period? I would LOVE to meet you in person as well!

 

[twinmum]

In Florida, late September is a great time to goto the beach. The water will still be nice & warm! According to google maps- I searched from GKTW to Cocoa beach Florida (east coast) and it said 1 hour 20 minutes so figure 1 1/2 hours. I'm sure there are plenty of great beaches within 2 hours if you didn't want to go to that particular beach (I have personally never been to that beach)


I think there are lots of ideas on beaches. On Mark's wish trip in Nov 2008, we took a break from theme parks to drive to the Kennedy Space Centre, and ended up with some fresh seafood (and some wine!) on a wharf at coca Beach. It was the first time our boys had seen the ocean! It was the loveliest beach I've been to, but it worked with our plans for the day. One word of caution - we were low on gas, and found that there were NO gas stations for HUGELY long stretches back to Orlando. We ended up at a rather seedy station, just relieved to get some gas...but we were glad to get filled up!

Other families have also spoken of wonderful beaches on the Gulf side, but it's a longer drive.

Hope you find a beach that suits you!
Alison

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Hi everyone I am still here! I wanted to drop by and send a link to Ty's Caringbridge page. I have been working on it for a few days and can finally post a link.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/abugslife

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Question
How long does it take to get from GKTW to the beach? My kiddos have never been to the beach before and I am considering trying to do that one day while we are there.
We will be there in late September, will that even be a good time to be at the beach?
If anyone has any input or tips, I would love to hear!

We are going to the beach this time. We live about 1 hour from beach now, but that's the Pacific. We need to see the Atlantic...lol. I thought Daytona Beach was a 1 hour drive.

 

[jbrnhrt]

we are planning to get a stroller as a wheelchair tag for our son, we are also now thinking about bringing our 2 year old daughter. if we use the handicap/ wheelchair only ares for our son can we still bring our daughter in her stroller into that area, or will we have to split upor use just find a regular spot to watch?

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I might skip the flat iron if I were you, I am. It pains me to not do my hair since I am a cosmetologist, but with the humidity, it's not worth the time. But I think you're going in March, right? So maybe it won't be so bad. I'm just thinking about when dh and I went to atlantic city in the spring, as soon as I stepped outside it was frizz city!! Lol, just a thought

The flat iron is for my oldest and she wouldn't go anywhere without it...lol. Korissa and I have curly hair so I just scrunch and go

 

[Mom2mitokids]

we are planning to get a stroller as a wheelchair tag for our son, we are also now thinking about bringing our 2 year old daughter. if we use the handicap/ wheelchair only ares for our son can we still bring our daughter in her stroller into that area, or will we have to split upor use just find a regular spot to watch?

I'm not 100% on this and hopefully someone else can chime in, but I think you have to park the stroller outside and have the 2 year old walk on ride. You maybe able to get 2 wheelchair passes. What about getting a double stroller?

 

[kayrason333]

This question comes up a lot...and I honestly can't find the answer...

So...local folks... can you weigh in on this again...and I promise I will link it to the 2nd post this time....

In Florida, late September is a great time to goto the beach. The water will still be nice & warm! According to google maps- I searched from GKTW to Cocoa beach Florida (east coast) and it said 1 hour 20 minutes so figure 1 1/2 hours. I'm sure there are plenty of great beaches within 2 hours if you didn't want to go to that particular beach (I have personally never been to that beach)


Check out the map HERE

Good to know the water will still be warm, the boys would freak if we tried to get them in the water and it was cold.

In Florida, late September is a great time to goto the beach. The water will still be nice & warm! According to google maps- I searched from GKTW to Cocoa beach Florida (east coast) and it said 1 hour 20 minutes so figure 1 1/2 hours. I'm sure there are plenty of great beaches within 2 hours if you didn't want to go to that particular beach (I have personally never been to that beach)


I think there are lots of ideas on beaches. On Mark's wish trip in Nov 2008, we took a break from theme parks to drive to the Kennedy Space Centre, and ended up with some fresh seafood (and some wine!) on a wharf at coca Beach. It was the first time our boys had seen the ocean! It was the loveliest beach I've been to, but it worked with our plans for the day. One word of caution - we were low on gas, and found that there were NO gas stations for HUGELY long stretches back to Orlando. We ended up at a rather seedy station, just relieved to get some gas...but we were glad to get filled up!

Other families have also spoken of wonderful beaches on the Gulf side, but it's a longer drive.

Hope you find a beach that suits you!
Alison

Thanks for all of the good info. I am thinking the boys might enjoy the Kennedy Space Center. Do you have a TR posted on here? I will need to go check it out.

We are going to the beach this time. We live about 1 hour from beach now, but that's the Pacific. We need to see the Atlantic...lol. I thought Daytona Beach was a 1 hour drive.

I wish I lived an hour from the beach!! Lucky you!!
I think if we are going to make the trip out there, we will go to see the space center too and I think that's by cocoa beach. I just looked it up and Daytona is an hour drive....not bad!