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

[Mom2mitokids]

I posted a video on Korissa's PTR...page 12.

 

[Haybuggsmom]

So my next question!
My mom just brought it up.
Has anyone with a non eater gone to ADRs.
Did they offer a discount for your non eater? I figured I would ask when I got there but just curious?
I have no issure paying full price for her but just a thought.

 

[maroo]

I'm wondering if maw provides transportation from your house to your local airport and then back home again? Just wondering so I.know if we need to arrange for my dad to drop us off and pick us up (cuz I donNt want to leave our car at the airport)

check with your chapter - we did NOT get transportation. They did other stuff for Lauren with that money instead that was put in our expense check...our chapter just budgets the money differently - so definitely check with your chapter.

 

[maroo]

So...it sounds like GKTW has three "types" of people -
- those officially part of the wish (get lodging, tickets, meals, everything)
- those guests of the party up to a total of 7 (get lodging and meals, but no tickets)
- those guests of the party above 7 that are not staying in the villa - who get one meal and ice cream.

I DO know of families that start with over 8 people total - and they are assigned two villas - so technically that party could be up to 14? I would think? I am guessing here...

But that makes a lot of sense - considering the different experiences people had...with some getting "full" meals and some getting just a bit...

 

[maroo]

So my next question!
My mom just brought it up.
Has anyone with a non eater gone to ADRs.
Did they offer a discount for your non eater? I figured I would ask when I got there but just curious?
I have no issure paying full price for her but just a thought.

Ask at each place when you get there. If you call, they will tell you it is full price...

But if you get there, they will probably discount you somehow...

It depends partly on what the experience is...for example, meals that are mainly entertainment (Characters, Hoop Dee Doo, Shows, etc) - those are more likely to charge you full price. But meals that are simple buffets and your child doesn't eat - they will probably help you out.

I may know in a couple of weeks, because I am going with a family that has a child with autism that doesn't really eat anything like the rest of us...and we have a few buffets scheduled.

 

[rcq925]

]Hi all,

This is my first post. My family (wife, two seven-year old boys, four year-old boy, and me) will be making a wish trip to GKTW on 9/30. I have been obsessively reading these boards for the past couple months. I started on the second installment of the wish thread and have made my way to Page 132 of the third installment, with occasional detours to trip reports. Thanks so much to all who have posted information and experiences here.

I have a question for the board. My parents will be accompanying us on our trip. The villa at GKTW would be too packed for all of us, so my parents will stay at an off-site hotel. Our Make a Wish contact person told us that they will be able to join us for our meals at GKTW.

My parents recently emailed GKTW to ask for advice about nearby hotels. They got back a very nice email from GKTW that told them they would be welcome to spend time with us there during our stay, as well as some information about local hotels. However, the email said one thing that concerned us, which was that my parents would be able to join us for one meal during our stay. It would be a major bummer for all of us if they weren’t able to spend meals with us at GKTW.

Does anyone have any experiences with support people coming and staying offsite in terms of dining at GKTW? We would be willing to pay for them to eat their meals with us, although I don’t imagine that’s an option. We’re planning to call our wish contact and GKTW, but I thought it would be useful to first check on others’ experiences.

Thanks![/QUOTE]


to the Wish Tripper thread!! I am so glad you son will be getting his wish!

Looks like you got answers to most of your questions, so I just wanted to welcome you!!!

 

[ALLmom]

Thank you SO much, both for the quick replies and for actually going to track down the information! That’s great to learn. We’re more than happy to pay, and it’s a relief to know we’ll be able to spend our time together.

I’m conflicted about starting a pre-trip report, but I’ll probably do it. For no solid reason I can place, I am reluctant to post my kids’ names and pictures in a public place. A bit about us. My wish kid (R) is seven. He is in many ways similar to jbrnhrt’s son: spina bifida, hydrocephalus, neurogenic bowel and bladder, arnold chiari. He also has a disorganized brain stem that has left his vocal chords paralyzed, him unable to deal with saliva and secretions, and paralysis on one side of his face. He uses a wheelchair, is trached, eats through a g-tube, and communicates via sign language. Otherwise, he is a typical kid going into second grade: smart, happy, beautiful, and with a great sense of humor. He has a twin brother (N) and a four year old brother (I), both typical kids.

I’m the planner in my family, so I have been the one in charge of setting the details for our trip. I have a schedule mapped out and a few ADR’s set (Liberty Tavern at MK, Biergarten at Epcot, and Hollywood and Vine at HS). They weren’t all our first choices, but we’re happy with what we got.

Our schedule looks like this:
Thursday (9/30): Arrive early at GKTW, just a couple hours at Sea World, Christmas at GKTW
Friday: Magic Kingdom in morning and through 3 PM parade (including ADR), a couple hours at Animal Kingdom, dinner at GKTW
Saturday: Universal
Sunday: Universal again and Lego store in downtown Disney
Monday: Epcot (with ADR for lunch)
Tuesday: Hollywood studios (ADR for lunch), dinner at GKTW and back to MK for Wishes
Wednesday: Hang out at GKTW (pony rides), with maybe an hour or so at Gatorland, flight home

My kids are all relatively timid, and they’re pretty limited in how much action they can take, so we’re going to shoot for being back at GKTW for the night each evening by 5 or 6 PM except the night we do Wishes. They’re in bed by about 7:45 EST each night at home, and we’re going to try to avoid pushing them too hard.

I do have a few other quick questions:

-Does the above itinerary have any glaring problems anyone sees?

-We originally planned to do MNVSHP on Sunday, but we’re thinking we’ll just spend the evening at GKTW and the Candyland game. I have read good things here about MNVSHP, even someone trying to book a trip when it’s happening, and we don’t want to miss it if it’s a must-see. At the same time, I think my guys will have plenty of action without it, and it seems best to avoid wiping them out. Would anyone say that MNVSHP is a must-do?

-Do passes from GKTW include Typhoon Lagoon? One thing I like about this board is that people here can appreciate that being the sibling of a special needs kid brings its own significant challenges. I think they are compounded for a twin, and we want to do what we can to make our wish kid’s twin have an extra special trip. I thought just him and me going to Typhoon Lagoon for a couple hours one evening might do the trick.

Thanks so much.

Be aware that Animal Kingdom closes at 5PM on that Friday, with Extra Magic Hours from 5-8PM. I am not sure if wish kids can stay for EMH's without staying onsite.

 

[blessedmom4]

I didn’t want to seem pushy, so I didn’t ask about Typhoon Lagoon.

I don't know the answer about Typhoon Lagoon, I DO know that some tickets to area attractions are provided free or at a discount. Also, every member of your Wish Party is eligible for a comp'd ticket to Sea World's Water Park, Aquatica, OR Wet and Wild Orlando. See info here:
http://www.gktw.org/newsletter/cc_spring10_web.html

Have a WONDERFUL time planning!

 

[Haybuggsmom]

Ask at each place when you get there. If you call, they will tell you it is full price...

But if you get there, they will probably discount you somehow...

It depends partly on what the experience is...for example, meals that are mainly entertainment (Characters, Hoop Dee Doo, Shows, etc) - those are more likely to charge you full price. But meals that are simple buffets and your child doesn't eat - they will probably help you out.

I may know in a couple of weeks, because I am going with a family that has a child with autism that doesn't really eat anything like the rest of us...and we have a few buffets scheduled.

Thanks so much and please do let me know!!

 

[ALLmom]

I don't know the answer about Typhoon Lagoon, I DO know that some tickets to area attractions are provided free or at a discount. Also, every member of your Wish Party is eligible for a comp'd ticket to Sea World's Water Park, Aquatica, OR Wet and Wild Orlando. See info here:


Have a WONDERFUL time planning!

Oh no! Now I want to fit a water park in my itinerary as well. I guess I will play it by ear and see if the weather is good during the end of October.

 

[blessedmom4]

Oh no! Now I want to fit a water park in my itinerary as well. I guess I will play it by ear and see if the weather is good during the end of October.

There truly IS too much to do in those 6 nights/7 days! I know you will have a wonderful time as well! CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I don't know the answer about Typhoon Lagoon, I DO know that some tickets to area attractions are provided free or at a discount. Also, every member of your Wish Party is eligible for a comp'd ticket to Sea World's Water Park, Aquatica, OR Wet and Wild Orlando. See info here:
http://www.gktw.org/newsletter/cc_spring10_web.html

Have a WONDERFUL time planning!

Wow!! aquatica water park is the one we wanted to do. We are staying 3 extra days. Does anyone know if we can still go after we leave GKTW? We leave on a Sat and we were thinking of doing a water park on a Monday.

 

[jen-y]

Be aware that Animal Kingdom closes at 5PM on that Friday, with Extra Magic Hours from 5-8PM. I am not sure if wish kids can stay for EMH's without staying onsite.

I think technically you can not do EMH's without staying onsite, however as a wish kid, they may make an exception.

I do not believe Typhone Lagoon tickets come with the wish.

I am also debating on MNSSHP. I have always wanted to go, and intentionally picked September for that reason, but now I see that the tickets are expensive. About $200 plus park admission, so I just don't know if we can swing it I am wondering if we wait till we get there to make our decision, if tickets will be sold out.

The only issue I see with your itenerary (and everyone may not agree) is that you may have too much "hopping" some of the days. Thats more of a personal opinion, but last year we went (before Nicky was diagnosed) and I did a lot of hopping, like AK for breakfast, Epcot for lunch, and MK for fireworks. I felt like we wasted a lot of time going from place to place, and it was exhausting. This time, we are going to try to spend most of the day in one place if possible.

 

[jen-y]

Wow!! aquatica water park is the one we wanted to do. We are staying 3 extra days. Does anyone know if we can still go after we leave GKTW? We leave on a Sat and we were thinking of doing a water park on a Monday.

I think you can. We are getting tickets to US/IOA, and we plan to use those after we leave GKTW. We extended our trip a few days so we can stay at the Nick hotel, which is close to US/IOA, so we plan to use those tickets then.

 

[jen-y]

Does anyone have a good Mickey Ears clip art I can use?
I want to put Mickey Ears on the bright green cardstock so that people know I am a disboarder, and I am actually having a hard time finding a picture to use.

 

[blessedmom4]

I think technically you can not do EMH's without staying onsite, however as a wish kid, they may make an exception.

I do not believe Typhone Lagoon tickets come with the wish.

Unless the Wish Family is staying on Disney Property (Instead of at GKTW), they are NOT eligible for EMH...although you never know what Pixie Dust might find you

Typhoon Lagoon Tickets do not come with the wish (those tickets include 3 days of Disney Park Hoppers, 2 days of US and 1 day Sea World). However, GKTW Might have some complimentary tickets or reduced price tickets available for Wish families. The only way to be sure is contact GKTW or wait until check in to inquire.

 

[blessedmom4]

Does anyone have a good Mickey Ears clip art I can use?
I want to put Mickey Ears on the bright green cardstock so that people know I am a disboarder, and I am actually having a hard time finding a picture to use.

Would this help?

http://disney-stationary.com/ears-bows-hats.php

 

[Mom2mitokids]

I think you can. We are getting tickets to US/IOA, and we plan to use those after we leave GKTW. We extended our trip a few days so we can stay at the Nick hotel, which is close to US/IOA, so we plan to use those tickets then.

We stayed 2 days after kylee's MAW trip and we did IOA after GKTW and we were treat just the same. Kylee did wear her button and I wore the GAC and no one said a thing. Universal is great with kids with special needs anyways. We were at our Universal Studios in June and all the saw was Kylee's feeding back pack and they said don't stand in lines.

 

[Mom2mitokids]

Unless the Wish Family is staying on Disney Property (Instead of at GKTW), they are NOT eligible for EMH...although you never know what Pixie Dust might find you

Typhoon Lagoon Tickets do not come with the wish (those tickets include 3 days of Disney Park Hoppers, 2 days of US and 1 day Sea World). However, GKTW Might have some complimentary tickets or reduced price tickets available for Wish families. The only way to be sure is contact GKTW or wait until check in to inquire.

When we were on Kylee's wish trip we stayed EMH at Animal Kingdom and no one said a thing. We knew it closed at 5pm, but no one left. We just thought they were staying open later. We left at 7pm. We didn't know about EMH at that time. Maybe we just got lucky.

 

[Manymosi]

I have been a member of the boards here for a few months, but I didn't want to post until we officially had a wish granted, soI think it is time to introduce myself and tell a little bit about our Wish Child.

My wife and I have been blessed with twelve children, eleven of which have been very healthy. Four of them are married, and we have four grandchildren so far.

Our tenth child, Wendy has been diagnosed with Cushing's Syndrome - a very rare condition caused by too much Cortisol, a stress hormone. Her condition is even more rare because it is caused by cancer cells in her pancreas.

This past Monday, we met with two Make A Wish volunteers so Wendy could officially make her wish - a trip to Disney World!
She really would like to stay on property, preferably at Wilderness Lodge, but would settle for anything really. The volunteers said they would send the five youngest children, and possibly one more who just turned 19 because she has been a big help taking care of Wendy.
As far as dates, they are looking at February or March of next year which is fine with us. If that doesn't work we will probably wait until September or October as we don't want to go during the hot summer months.

I will give more details later, but have to get to bed now.