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

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Hello to all...
back in 2007/2008 I started the pre-trip/trip report from my daughter Ali's MAW trip. When we got back I had every intention of completing the trip report, but never did. Unfortunately, life got us side tracked. Soon after we got back, my mother, who had been battling Breast Cancer, had a relapse and then passed away last October. She was with us on the trip and it made it very difficult for me to recount our trip.
I am now healing and we are planning a trip back to Disney in Sept/Oct of 2011 and I felt bad about never having finished my TR.
I tried to update my TR, but it wouldn't let me now.
Anyway, I'm glad to be back on board. Good luck and God bless you all.
I'm available for questions or to help in any way!
Thanks.
Misty
 
Just a quick note to the people who are going on trips soon - I just saw an announcement that GKTW has car magnets now, so I went to the gift shop website to take a peek and when I priced out a $25 order it was $17 to ship! They only use UPS and there is no cheaper option. I had heard complaints about the shipping before, but this is really bad. I was planning to get a few things for Christmas presents, but now maybe I'll wait and see if we can't plan a return trip and get things in person. When we were checking out I remember the lady telling me we could purchase something now or just get it from the website when we get home. That sounded like a good option, but I didn't know the shipping would be 60 cents for every dollar spent! So, STOCK UP ON GIFTS WHEN YOU ARE THERE!!!

Hey Melissa! (she says sheepishly, knowing she is SO MANY pages behind on your TR, but wanting you to know that she thinks of you all constantly!)

Actually, I went to buy stuff at GKTW before we left and expressed reluctance at having to carry them all home in our baggage, and they gave us a code for free shipping for when we returned home (and agreed that there was no need to carry the stuff around with us). So no need to stock up when there. Just tell them you want to order things after you return, and they'll give you a code (is it in the stuff they gave us?).
 
I was told when I was leaving that we'd have to order the things we wanted online :confused3
I haven't called to see if i can get free/cheaper shipping (i'm in canada, its ridiculous haha) but I will soon! I really wanted a snowglobe but i can only imagine how much shipping will be haha, I am going back in 2012 with my mother so hopefully we can get something then if i can't get shipping cheaper. :)

I'll let you know if past wish trippers can get cheaper shipping somehow once i call if someone doesn't beat me to it.
 
Sorry about the misinformation! I didn't remember being told about a code, but it sounds like several of you have been told that so it's probably true. Still, if you are going straight home after the trip ends, and you don't want bulky items, it would be easier to get them there. I'll find out about a coupon for families. Thanks!
 

I am aware that I will get directions from the airport to GKTW, but I was wondering if I will get a map to get to the other attractions for the week? Will the rental car have a navigation system or is that something additional that I will need to reserve? I get stressed out when I get lost so I want to be well prepared for my commuting each day!
 
Hello to all...
back in 2007/2008 I started the pre-trip/trip report from my daughter Ali's MAW trip. When we got back I had every intention of completing the trip report, but never did. Unfortunately, life got us side tracked. Soon after we got back, my mother, who had been battling Breast Cancer, had a relapse and then passed away last October. She was with us on the trip and it made it very difficult for me to recount our trip.
I am now healing and we are planning a trip back to Disney in Sept/Oct of 2011 and I felt bad about never having finished my TR.
I tried to update my TR, but it wouldn't let me now.
Anyway, I'm glad to be back on board. Good luck and God bless you all.
I'm available for questions or to help in any way!
Thanks.
Misty

Hi Misty!! :hug::hug::hug:

I am so, so sorry that you lost your Mom - my Mom has had breast cancer - I am so sorry. :hug::hug:

You are so sweet to pop in and say hello!
We know life happens and sometimes TR's are hard to finish.

If you want to finish it, you still can...just PM the moderator for the TR board and she will unlock your TR for ya and you can finish it - if you want! No pressure at all....but it isn't "lost"...if that makes sense.

Sorry about the misinformation! I didn't remember being told about a code, but it sounds like several of you have been told that so it's probably true. Still, if you are going straight home after the trip ends, and you don't want bulky items, it would be easier to get them there. I'll find out about a coupon for families. Thanks!

Don't worry at all! I think it was a great suggestion! :)

I am aware that I will get directions from the airport to GKTW, but I was wondering if I will get a map to get to the other attractions for the week? Will the rental car have a navigation system or is that something additional that I will need to reserve? I get stressed out when I get lost so I want to be well prepared for my commuting each day!

Hmm.... I don't remember... Does anyone that just got back remember? I know I brought my own map...but that could just be because I am a little obsessive.
 
I love the questions being asked right now lol, these are ones i have been pondering too ! LOL I also do not liek to get lost :eek:
 
/
When we were there in April, they definately gave us a bunch of directions/maps to everywhere. We had a van, but no GPS in it...HTH!!
 
I think I read somewhere about getting your child's gac at gktw, do you automatically get one at orientation, or do you have to ask for it? does it include the stroller as a wheelchair tag or do I have to get that separate once we get to the parks?
 
I think I read somewhere about getting your child's gac at gktw, do you automatically get one at orientation, or do you have to ask for it? does it include the stroller as a wheelchair tag or do I have to get that separate once we get to the parks?

I recall getting the GAC at GKTW, but am pretty sure we had to stop in at Guest Relations at WDW to get the stroller as wheelchair stamp.
 
I think I read somewhere about getting your child's gac at gktw, do you automatically get one at orientation, or do you have to ask for it? does it include the stroller as a wheelchair tag or do I have to get that separate once we get to the parks?

Yes - you get it at orientation. :) But you will need to go to Guest Relations to get the stroller as a wheelchair tag.

I recall getting the GAC at GKTW, but am pretty sure we had to stop in at Guest Relations at WDW to get the stroller as wheelchair stamp.

What she said! ^^^


:)

what does GAC stand for?

Guest Assistance Card :)
 
I think you have just put into words what every parent of a wish child is thinking! Or even people like me just helping plan! :goodvibes

I totally understand your feeling here - this is THE trip - the one you have been planning for months - and you know you can only do it once. So I totally get the panic...

I wish there was some way I could convince you that it will be an awesome trip, but it won't be perfect - and you will still love it!

To give you an idea - Lauren got really sick on her trip, spent the night in the hospital and missed basically two park days - and STILL says it was the best trip of her entire life! We had plans to visit every wish lounge, MK, Epcot, DHS, Sea World - and we only made it to MK and DHS and spent just a little bit of time at Sea World. And it was still completely magical! They were even sweet to her in the hospital. The magic followed her everywhere.

Remember that you CAN spend some time at GKTW when you ever return to the Orlando area. So if you miss something there, you can always go back.


The one thing I read over and over in trip reports is that they all had a magical moment - a time with their family that they cherish - but for each family it is different. For some it was just playing together at a playground - something that was not planned at all, just happened. And for some it was a party that they really enjoyed at GKTW. For some it was a special character encounter. But for most it was something that was unplanned and something that happened with the family just went with the flow of the trip and allowed their plans to bend.


All of your planning is really going to help you - because you won't be spending time on your special trip trying to even decide what you want to accomplish and miss lots of things. You will know your way around because you have put so much research into it. You will know what other things families were able to do and have an idea what may be accomplished if you get a great CM that will help create some magic - and all of that information will make your trip more magical. The fact that you planned ahead will help you so much!

But once you are there...try to let go and just let some things just happen. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your family is to take a rest day, watch a movie in the villa and order pizza - something that seems totally crazy as you are planning - but will be a memory you will cherish forever.

It made me laugh - last year Lauren was interviewed by a radio station about her trip. She told them she got sick and that it was the best trip EVER! :goodvibes When they asked her what her favorite part was...she said it was "standing in the rain at the castle watching the light parade!" :laughing: I would have thought she would be disappointed by the rain - but it was her best moment, it was fun playing in the rain. :confused3

Have fun. Relax - as hard as that sounds - and you will really enjoy yourself. Take it all in. Enjoy every minute of the trip, even the parts you think you will regret later - it is all just part of it. :)


And after all of that blabbing...I don't think I even answered your question! Sorry...

Here are some answers: You will get the info on Wish Lounges when you do your GKTW orientation. They will explain where they are and give you a special VIP code to get in. :wizard:

Must Sees and Must Dos - really are all up to you guys. For us they were seeing the light parade and Lauren feeding the dolphins. But they are different for every family - ask each member of your family what one thing they would be disappointed to miss and those are your must dos. :)

It is possible to ride on a parade float - but very few families get to do it and it is totally random. They don't pick wish families for those things, usually.

Getting on stage: There are several things where your child is more likely to get picked to be onstage. Here are a few: Jedi Training Academy - get there early and make sure they know you have a wish child, you should get a ticket of sorts to be able to participate. Lion King Show - Get there early and they should sit you in one of the front few rows (make sure they know you are on a wish trip), and being up front will increase the chance that your child would be picked to participate in something. Beauty and the Beast Show - Usually ONE young girl is chosen to pick up a rose from the Beast at the end of the show - if you have a female wish child and get there early, you could ask if they could do this or they may just offer. But it is possible they would already have chosen a child.

MK Fireworks - this may be less random. Ask...It never hurts to ask! There are CM's that have ear buds in their ears and are usually carrying little trash picker-uppers...(gosh, that makes no sense)...little hand grabber things to pick up trash. Those are, often, managers - and when I have a problem or something I need them to do for me, I try to scout out one of them. They may or may not be able to help you, but they are more likely to have the power than a typical CM. This is true for anything during your trip that you may need.

Wear your wish buttons - all the time - and have every member of your party wear them. Wear every sticker and button they give you - this will help make sure you are spotted, even in a crowd.

Always, always have your camera with you and make sure it is fully charged (with extra batteries, if you can) - because you never know when the magic will happen and sometimes it happens at the oddest of moments. :rolleyes1

Have fun! You have done your homework and really planned - so once it comes, just enjoy it. Let people wait on you. Let this be your time with your family to do what you would all like to do. :) Have a blast!!

Thank you Mary for writing all that out. I was just wondering if I was doing something wrong. I love meeting new people. especially families that are also dealing with medical conditions. All my friends don't really know what's it like taking care of a child with a medical condition on a daily bases. I will be one that will be here after the trip hoping that I can help others.

Maroo- Thanks for the info. I keep thinking maybe I did something wrong too.:)
Kris- I know what you mean about it being nice to have ather parents around with children with medical concerns. I do not have a lot of family but DO have amazing friends. However even with as amazing as they are they still dont always "get it" no matter how hard they try.:sad2:
 
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.

Kris- This is something I wondered too. I also wonder if an ADR would be any different for her than just a meet and great? Sometimes just the smell of some foods can set her off into wretching! But if they truely spend some time with her maybe it would be worth the $....I've never been so I dont know!:confused3
 
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.)​


What a kind offer! I PM'd you!! Thanks so much, my kids will flip over their first taste of WDW!!:)
 
Kris- This is something I wondered too. I also wonder if an ADR would be any different for her than just a meet and great? Sometimes just the smell of some foods can set her off into wretching! But if they truely spend some time with her maybe it would be worth the $....I've never been so I dont know!:confused3

You may be correct that many of the character dining experiences might be nothing more than a meet and greet. Shortly before our trip, I read a TR with an awesome experience at 1900 Park Fare...and I think this one sounds like it may be worth going without enjoying the food. Check out Kelly's TR, and the 1900 Park Fare experience starts on pg 3.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2453995

I think someone else had a similar experience...but I can't remember who it was! We did CRT, and even though it was cool to go in the castle after doing BBB, the princess greetings were pretty rushed. Next time we'll do 1900 PF for sure!
 
You may be correct that many of the character dining experiences might be nothing more than a meet and greet. Shortly before our trip, I read a TR with an awesome experience at 1900 Park Fare...and I think this one sounds like it may be worth going without enjoying the food. Check out Kelly's TR, and the 1900 Park Fare experience starts on pg 3.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2453995

I think someone else had a similar experience...but I can't remember who it was! We did CRT, and even though it was cool to go in the castle after doing BBB, the princess greetings were pretty rushed. Next time we'll do 1900 PF for sure!
Thanks Laura!!!! That info REALLY helped! I now know that Gloria would love an experience like this even if she doesn't eat. Even without the ending dances it sounds like the characters really go out of their way to interact for more than just a few seconds like I had envisioned.:yay:
 
You may be correct that many of the character dining experiences might be nothing more than a meet and greet. Shortly before our trip, I read a TR with an awesome experience at 1900 Park Fare...and I think this one sounds like it may be worth going without enjoying the food. Check out Kelly's TR, and the 1900 Park Fare experience starts on pg 3.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2453995

I think someone else had a similar experience...but I can't remember who it was! We did CRT, and even though it was cool to go in the castle after doing BBB, the princess greetings were pretty rushed. Next time we'll do 1900 PF for sure!

We also had a special experience at 1900 PF -- we were ushered out after our meal for a special meet and greet and photo op with Cinderella and the Prince. They were truly kind (especially since my wish kid was very very overwhelmed around the characters, and at first wanted nothing whatsoever to do with them). My one big suggestion is to somehow make sure that they know you are on a wish trip before you arrive (ie a notation on your ADR). I made certain to say something about it as a celebration on our ADR, and we were given a prominent table, etc. It appeared to me that it had been set up in advance. So definitely, if you are looking for some pixie dust, don't be shy about mentioning the circs of your trip!
 
Hi everyone,

I so miss this board. I have a lot of catching up to do. My friend from Canada will be leaving on Wed. We are having a good time. We took her to the beach yesterday. Kicking back today and most likely hitting the mall tomorrow. Tomorrow is also my birthday, so maybe I'll buy myself something:rotfl:

Mary...thank you for posting the GKTW video. Can't wait to wait it. I also need to go over the meds on airplane better too.
 
Hi everyone,

I so miss this board. I have a lot of catching up to do. My friend from Canada will be leaving on Wed. We are having a good time. We took her to the beach yesterday. Kicking back today and most likely hitting the mall tomorrow. Tomorrow is also my birthday, so maybe I'll buy myself something:rotfl:

Mary...thank you for posting the GKTW video. Can't wait to wait it. I also need to go over the meds on airplane better too.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY :bday:party: Hope it's a great one :)
 
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