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

[Happy Dreams1]

(also posted a copy of this to the Pre-Trip Reports section...was a little unclear on where to post)

Hi all!

Well, we are really looking forward to our upcoming stay at GTTW and Disney! Our first trip!

About us...

Wish Kid = 7 YO Jackson (more about him in a bit)
Sister = 5 YO Taryn
DW = Jeanne
me = Craig


When Jackson was born we were quite suprised to find that he was a Down Syndrome person. Another suprise cropped up on 9/8/09 when we were told that he had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We are blessed to have such great facilities to treat him locally (Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth). He is an awesome, energetic and smart little boy that also happens to be tough as nails (also had reconstructive heart surgery at 4 months old).

Well, we are looking for some hints and tips regarding out upcoming adventure...which will also take place over Thanksgiving, which might present some unusual opportunities and challenges. So far I have looked through the following excellent links obtained from the beginning of the MAW thread...

general tips
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31717106&postcount=1741
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34304868&postcount=3226

wheelchair/stroller info
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34304868&postcount=3226

Any other great lists of hints/tips, etc...?

We would love to hear about the easiest/best ways to have a GREAT time next month. I was also wondering about the need and timing for restaurant reservations.

Thanks all,

Jackson and Family,
Euless, Texas

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Your boy is such a trooper! He will love his MAW trip! I'm sorry, but I can't tell you any trips 'cause I haven't been in a MAW trip..but hoping to soon. Please keep us updated.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

Just wanted to give an update on Hayley.

She is still in the hospital and not improving. Still on oxygen and still coughing like crazy!

The doctor is going to give her until tomorrow to improve and then switch to two more powerful IV medications, which she will have to do a full 14 days off! So we are going to be cutting it close to our trip!!

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes! Keep them coming, Hayley needs them!

Hayley is a fighter. I'm praying for her!!! Thank you so much for the update. Things happen for a reason..God has a reason. Trust in Him.

 

[kiwigirl]

Sending prayers for Hayley to kick this quick smart and if not then for the stronger antibiotics to kick it right out so she is on track for her wish trip.

 

[The Lurker]

For those of you who are "theme park affectionados" or visit central florida frequently, a new Lego Land theme park is soon to open to replace the old Cyprus Gardens. There is a detailed description today at myfox.com. I have no connection to it, nor do I know if GKTW will offer tickets, just read it and thought some of you might be interested.

 

[The Lurker]

Whoops! I just realized I gave the wrong address for the info on Legoland. It is myfoxorlando.com.

Sorry about that.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

MapQuest shows about 40 miles and says 47 minutes travel time. The mileage is correct, but the time estimate is very wrong. I know the area (living near Winter Haven) and I would actually say that considering traffic lights and traffic levels you are talking well over an hour each way.

 

[Haybuggsmom]

Hey everyone!! I feel like I haven't been here in a million years!! You all have been busy.
I wanted to give you an update on us.
I'll start with the good news. Neal comes home in a little over a month. (only for 2 weeks but better than nothing) I have planned a trip for just us. We have not been on a trip since we were married in 2000. We are goin to Vegas for a week. I went once years ago for a conference but he has never been. I thought it would be fun to go just the two of us and someplace with lots to look at. Our wish trip and the age of the big kids has given me the guts to leave Haylee at home with the older kids.
NOW THE BAD NEWS!!!
Haylee gave me a huge scare yesterday. She was in for a regular peds appt. She was just acting really wierd!! Getting flush, jittery, a little jerky and like she was "out of it" so after 45 min we got into she her and by now i was really geting concerned!! The dr starting watching her eyes and they were acting up now too. She made a STAT page to Neuro and Haylee's Dr called IMMEDIATELY! He said she was in a seizure!! Needless to say between her terrible veins and 4 nurses after another 45 min we had and IV in and meds onboard. And the seizure finally stopped. I was so scared. 1 1/2 hour seizure. So she was sompletely out of it until about 945 last night (the seizure started at 930am) I tucked her into bed with me and she smiled and fell to sleep.
I am now watching her out of the corner of my eye nervous!! They said this could be a "new thing starting" for her. GREAT!!!!

Thanks for always being there for us!!

 

[mjarecki]

We are leaving for our trip in 23 days. I haven't heard anything from our MAW wish granters. For those of you who have already done your trips-when did you start to hear from them? I'm very much a planner and I am just trying to start thinking everything we've got going on the week before we leave and when we could do Michael's send off party. Thanks

 

[ALLmom]

We leave tomorrow for our MAW trip and I have a quick question. For anyone that has extended a wish trip - How easy is it to return/exchange a rental car at the airport and then rent another? MAW rented a car through National for us and we are extending our trip by two days so I was assuming I would go back to National for our car rental but today I found an awesome rate at Alamo. Is this going to be a time consuming process?

Thank you!

 

[Mom2mitokids]

We leave tomorrow for our MAW trip and I have a quick question. For anyone that has extended a wish trip - How easy is it to return/exchange a rental car at the airport and then rent another? MAW rented a car through National for us and we are extending our trip by two days so I was assuming I would go back to National for our car rental but today I found an awesome rate at Alamo. Is this going to be a time consuming process?

Thank you!

We did during kylee's wish. It was a pain in the butt for us, but that's because we chose one not at the airport(trying to save money)..like Avis is. If it's in the airport..it shouldn't be a problem. The rental we went with was a 20-25 min drive and we had to wait for the shuttle to take us and then we had to drive back to the hotel and then do it all over again when we had to drop it off. It was really a day wasted because of that.

This time..either we keep the same rental company or at least get one from another company at the airport.

Have a great time. Can't wait to hear all about the trip.

 

[kissesbykim]

We are leaving for our trip in 23 days. I haven't heard anything from our MAW wish granters. For those of you who have already done your trips-when did you start to hear from them? I'm very much a planner and I am just trying to start thinking everything we've got going on the week before we leave and when we could do Michael's send off party. Thanks

I would definately give your coordinator a call. I was always calling ours...I probably drove her batty! Two and a half weeks before our trip, I hadn't heard anything from the volunteers about the send of party so I called them . We had a big Leukemia and Lymphoma society walk the weekend before we left so I needed to plan his send off party as well. I think we had his the Thursday before we left (we left the following Tuesday night). MAW wont issue any checks or "stuff" until a week or less before your vacation but, in my area, we had to cash the check at their bank when MAW was open. I felt we cut it a little close but it all worked out. So, if in doubt, get on the phone and call them. Hope this helps! Have fun on your trip!

 

[newdrama12]

We leave tomorrow for our MAW trip
Thank you!

Have a GREAT trip! Maybe I will see you at the Village. I will be there all day Monday!

 

[Happy Dreams1]

So next week is gonna be the week when we get news from MAW. Hope everything's okay.

 

[jen-y]

We are leaving for our trip in 23 days. I haven't heard anything from our MAW wish granters. For those of you who have already done your trips-when did you start to hear from them? I'm very much a planner and I am just trying to start thinking everything we've got going on the week before we leave and when we could do Michael's send off party. Thanks

You need to just call them. I was in the same boat (and not sure if I should call them or wait for a call), till 4 days before the trip and I still had not heard from them, so I called home office and just played it off like "just calling to make sure we are all set"

 

[jen-y]

We leave tomorrow for our MAW trip and I have a quick question. For anyone that has extended a wish trip - How easy is it to return/exchange a rental car at the airport and then rent another? MAW rented a car through National for us and we are extending our trip by two days so I was assuming I would go back to National for our car rental but today I found an awesome rate at Alamo. Is this going to be a time consuming process?

Thank you!

We tried to see if we could do it over the phone, and they absolutly would not do it, however we were able to do it at their office on Disney property, which was in the swan and dolphin hotel. It only took a few minutes. The kids and I actually waited in the car while my husband went in and signed the papers.

 

[planningcrazymom]

Hey everyone!! I feel like I haven't been here in a million years!! You all have been busy.
I wanted to give you an update on us.
I'll start with the good news. Neal comes home in a little over a month. (only for 2 weeks but better than nothing) I have planned a trip for just us. We have not been on a trip since we were married in 2000. We are goin to Vegas for a week. I went once years ago for a conference but he has never been. I thought it would be fun to go just the two of us and someplace with lots to look at. Our wish trip and the age of the big kids has given me the guts to leave Haylee at home with the older kids.
NOW THE BAD NEWS!!!
Haylee gave me a huge scare yesterday. She was in for a regular peds appt. She was just acting really wierd!! Getting flush, jittery, a little jerky and like she was "out of it" so after 45 min we got into she her and by now i was really geting concerned!! The dr starting watching her eyes and they were acting up now too. She made a STAT page to Neuro and Haylee's Dr called IMMEDIATELY! He said she was in a seizure!! Needless to say between her terrible veins and 4 nurses after another 45 min we had and IV in and meds onboard. And the seizure finally stopped. I was so scared. 1 1/2 hour seizure. So she was sompletely out of it until about 945 last night (the seizure started at 930am) I tucked her into bed with me and she smiled and fell to sleep.
I am now watching her out of the corner of my eye nervous!! They said this could be a "new thing starting" for her. GREAT!!!!

Thanks for always being there for us!!

You and your husband have a fantastic time in vegas, you two deserve it.
I am so sorry that Haylee is haveing some health issues. That had to be so scary for you. I am glad that she is better now and hope that it was not " the start of a thing"

 

[Happy Dreams1]

This week, one of my friends told me that he feels "obligated" to go to DisneyWorld this weekend. I was like: and I just wish that everyone would have a child's heart. I don't feel so well today..just an hour ago, I have this sharp pain in a specific spot in my abdomen that is aggravated when i inhale deeply. Feels weird....I'll just sleep it off tonight.

 

[mjarecki]

Thank you so much to the Bratton Family of Little Rock, AR for the very cool bag for Michael! He was so excited to get it in the mail! He was just saying the other day that he wanted to get a new bag to take on the plane and in the parks-this will work great! It's so nice that you did this for Michael. He was very excited about the picture from Alex also! He thought it was neat that the Bratton Family has a Lance and an Alex in your family and we do too! Thanks so much again!

[/IMG]

 

[Happy Dreams1]

Thank you so much to the Bratton Family of Little Rock, AR for the very cool bag for Michael! He was so excited to get it in the mail! He was just saying the other day that he wanted to get a new bag to take on the plane and in the parks-this will work great! It's so nice that you did this for Michael. He was very excited about the picture from Alex also! He thought it was neat that the Bratton Family has a Lance and an Alex in your family and we do too! Thanks so much again!

[/IMG]

Wow! I love the bag! Congratulations He will sure love it for his trip!

 

[cdheders]

Cant believe I just found this site!! My daughter is 3 years old and is currently undergoing treatment for Wilms Tumors. She is sooo excited for her trip. So are her brother and sister. We will be staying at GKTW.

I have a couple quick questions. Do I need to make dinner reservations in advance??? How about the Halloween Party at Disney??? Our wish kind of came through pretty quickly...not much time to over analyze or plan to much. I am preggo and cant travel anymore after November 12th and didn't want to go with a baby...so here we are.

Thanks in advance!