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

[cajunfan]

Ok. so I noticed while we were in Fantasyland that they had a big partition wall up and I could see all kinds of construction equipment and what looked like a couple giant circus tents. Does anyone know what they are doing there

They are doing a major expansion of Fantasy land...you can check it out on allearsnet.com for artist rendering and everything.

Here is a link

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/2009/09/walt_disney_parks_and_resorts_2.html

 

[Happy Dreams1]

Some people say its about an hour from GKTW to the parks, but we were just there a few weeks ago, and it did not seem to be that long. Having said that, I would still leave GKTW an hour before your reservation time, just becuase you are supposed to check in for your reservation 15 minutes early anyways.

Its fine to eat somewhere other than your park of the day. We had breakfast at Chef Mickey and then went to MK no problem. It will not eat up too much of your time.

Don't take the busses around. Drive yourself. My extended family was down there with us, but they stayed on the property and took the busses around. It took them so much longer to get around than it took us. You get a free parking pass, so you don't have to worry about that, and they will let you park in handicap, so you won't be in
"the back 40"

Don't even worry about which days are better than others to be at the parks. Just plan what works best for you. With the GKTW button and GAC, you don't have to wait in a single line, so it does not matter. Since you will have your own transportation, you don't have to worry about the busses being crowded and since you can park in handicap, you don't have to worry about that either. Really, its like being in your own little world without hassle
I had heard horror storys about the crowds at the wizzarding world of harry potter. It was crowded with lines, but again, we were able to bypass those and get right in and see what we wanted to see and get right out.

It's an hour from the parks(like u said- abit less)? I didnt know it is that far? Do you know why? How do you manage getting to Disney World at opening? Im trying to find all the info I can get for my friend who will be hopefully staying there!

 

[newdrama12]

The Grand Floridian is 25 minutes from GKTW and Animal Kingdom is 20 minutes away.

 

[newdrama12]

About how far is the drive to Universal from GKTW?

Universal is about 25 minutes away.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

I've read/heard of a Continental breakfast given at GKTW. What is that?

 

[Happy Dreams1]

The Grand Floridian is 25 minutes from GKTW and Animal Kingdom is 20 minutes away.

Thanks for that info!

 

[newdrama12]

There is several options that are available for breakfast. There is the Gingerbread house, which offers a full breakfast. The Ice Cream Palace, when you can have ice cream and soda fountain drinks. Yes, I said ice cream for breakfast. There is the Express Start Breakfast, which includes cinnamon rolls, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches.

There is also the Breakfast Cart which has continental breakfast items. Not sure what all they serve. But that is available for people strolling through the village or who are requesting room service.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

There is several options that are available for breakfast. There is the Gingerbread house, which offers a full breakfast. The Ice Cream Palace, when you can have ice cream and soda fountain drinks. Yes, I said ice cream for breakfast. There is the Express Start Breakfast, which includes cinnamon rolls, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches.

There is also the Breakfast Cart which has continental breakfast items. Not sure what all they serve. But that is available for people strolling through the village or who are requesting room service.

Thank you!!! Oh my Ice Cream for Breakfast!!!!!! hahaha At what time does the Gingerbread House and the Express Start Breakfast open?
Im so excited for my friend! I hope we both get approved!

 

[newdrama12]

Gingerbread house is open 8-10AM for breakfast with a continental breakfast from 7:30-8AM.

Ice Cream Palace opens at 7:30AM.
I think the Express breakfast at 7:30 AM as well, i believe.

 

[maroo]

Prayer Request -

Madison - our Madison - has broken her arm really bad. It is only two weeks (or so) till her trip!

They have taken her to the hospital to sedate her so that they can set it - evidently it was a bad break...


Please pray for her and her family.

Check her thread for updates and details, as I am about to have to sign off for the night, but we definitely need to pray for her.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=38554592&posted=1#post38554592

 

[Happy Dreams1]

Prayer Request -

Madison - our Madison - has broken her arm really bad. It is only two weeks (or so) till her trip!

They have taken her to the hospital to sedate her so that they can set it - evidently it was a bad break...


Please pray for her and her family.

Check her thread for updates and details, as I am about to have to sign off for the night, but we definitely need to pray for her.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=38554592&posted=1#post38554592

OH MY!!! Although I'm new here, it really saddens my heart . Im gonna pray for her right now! Thanks for letting us know!

 

[Happy Dreams1]

Thanks newdrama12! I replied! Hope you received it cus its not registering in my PM list as sent.

 

[dlewish]

So now that I have some dates to go with I want to start making some plans for the days we will be there and some eating reservations. I have a few logistics questions I am hoping someone can help with.

About how far is the drive to the Parks at Disney from GKTW? About how far is the drive to Universal from GKTW?

!

We found it pretty easy to drive to the disney parks. 30 minutes tops. The directions provided by GKTW are good.

I think it depends on the CM working the parking but we were NOT directed to any special parking at MK. We had to take the tram to the TTC. So I would not count on getting handicap parking unless you have a handicap pass. We got there around 10am. At AK they did tell us to follow the blue line and we were able to park in the front but it still was not handicap parking. HTH.

 

[rcq925]

Do kids need a car seat in a limo? Hayley is 6 years old and just uses a backless booster seat? Will she need one for the limo ride? We will be in the limo 2+ hours to the airport each way.

I am trying to avoid dragging her carseat along if we can. Also if the carseat is not needed for the limo, does the car rental agency have then to rent/use, because she will need one once we arrive in Orlando for all the driving in the rental car between parks. Thanks!

We are almost down to the 30 day mark and so excited!!!!

 

[syammt]

Do kids need a car seat in a limo? Hayley is 6 years old and just uses a backless booster seat? Will she need one for the limo ride? We will be in the limo 2+ hours to the airport each way.

I am trying to avoid dragging her carseat along if we can. Also if the carseat is not needed for the limo, does the car rental agency have then to rent/use, because she will need one once we arrive in Orlando for all the driving in the rental car between parks. Thanks!

We are almost down to the 30 day mark and so excited!!!!

Don't know if this will help you at all, but we just had a limo ride about a month ago and Madison did not have to be in a booster seat. She also is in one that is backless, but did not need it in the limo. We were not in the limo as long as you are going to be, though. I also know that our wish coordinator asked us if we would need a booster once we got to Orlando and I told her yes. She said that it would be taken care of. Hope this helps.

 

[mjarecki]

I'm still working on MIchael's MAW trip as I sit here, in pain from having my wisdom teeth pulled 4 days ago-ugh! When will the pain end? Anyways, I put our PTR out under our planning thread. Someone asked if I have reservations set. Here's what I've got, I need suggestions. We get there on a Monday afternoon, they boys want to do Medival Times that night-is this a good idea on the first day? I'm worried that if our flights are delayed or we're tired that we'll wish we didn't have dinner plans. We have reservations for the luau at the Polynesian on Wednesday night, plan on Thursday night at GKTW for Christmas and Friday night we have tickets to Mickey's Merry Christmas Party. That leaves me Tuesday night and Saturday night. I tried to get reservations for Crystal Palace on Friday for lunch or dinner and was unsuccessful, they were booked. I'm cautious to make anymore reservations because I don't want to be too tied down to a schedule. I'm wondering if you need to have reservations for the restaurants at Universal and IOA-does anyone know? I think we'll be there on Tuesday and possibly Sunday.
I feel behind the eight ball with this trip since it was scheduled so quickly. It looks like many of you have months to plan, we met our wish granters in September and are scheduled to leave November 15th. I'm glad that they were able to schedule us so quickly,(we had asked for that because my mom and dad are leaving to move back to Pittsburgh for my mom's 3rd lung transplant and we wanted to do this before she got too high on the list), but the quickness makes it hard to really plan everything to a tee. I need to keep telling myself that no matter what we do Michael will have fun, he will be happy with anything. Thanks

 

[nursekimber]

Some people say its about an hour from GKTW to the parks, but we were just there a few weeks ago, and it did not seem to be that long. Having said that, I would still leave GKTW an hour before your reservation time, just becuase you are supposed to check in for your reservation 15 minutes early anyways.

Its fine to eat somewhere other than your park of the day. We had breakfast at Chef Mickey and then went to MK no problem. It will not eat up too much of your time.

Don't take the busses around. Drive yourself. My extended family was down there with us, but they stayed on the property and took the busses around. It took them so much longer to get around than it took us. You get a free parking pass, so you don't have to worry about that, and they will let you park in handicap, so you won't be in
"the back 40"

Don't even worry about which days are better than others to be at the parks. Just plan what works best for you. With the GKTW button and GAC, you don't have to wait in a single line, so it does not matter. Since you will have your own transportation, you don't have to worry about the busses being crowded and since you can park in handicap, you don't have to worry about that either. Really, its like being in your own little world without hassle
I had heard horror storys about the crowds at the wizzarding world of harry potter. It was crowded with lines, but again, we were able to bypass those and get right in and see what we wanted to see and get right out.

What does GAC stand for?

 

[maroo]

What does GAC stand for?

Guest Assistance Card.

"Regular" families can get one of these, too, by going to Guest Services at one of the four parks - but wish kids get a special one with a special stamp that basically lets the cast member know that they are on a wish trip. This is given to you at orientation at Give Kids the World.

You also get a button for the wish child to wear...so between the two pieces of identification, it helps the CM's to see you while you are in the parks and helps them know where they should route you.

 

[blondietink]

I think trying to do Medieval Times the evening of your arrival would be too much.

Perhaps your local MAW organization could help you in making the dinner reservations you want. Sometimes they can pull strings when the rest of us can't.

 

[maroo]

For reservations...

for one thing the reservation system is about to be down for 2 days...I think.

We had GREAT "luck" getting reservations for Crystal Palace the day of...They told us to come back at noon and they would put us on the list...we came back at 11:45 and had no trouble getting a table.

So definitely try on the day you want to eat there, too.

Chef Mickey's would not do this - as they usually book completely up...

...but I think all of the park restaurants, especially character buffets, try to keep some reservations available for those families that walk up.

You can also go to Guest Services when you get to a park the first day and let them know you are on a wish trip and see what "magic" they can work for you in that regard, too.

PLUS - keep checking online right until that day or on your mobile phone if you have one. They made it easy to cancel them now, so more people are canceling when they can't use the reservation at the last minute.

I was able to get a family (typical family) a Ohana breakfast on my last trip while I was riding with them on the Disney bus!


As for the other dinner...I would put that one for later in the week and spend the first night at GKTW exploring. It is such a wonderful place!