Make A Wish Disney cruise Questions? UPDATED POST 1 WOOT

[disneylover5]

Wow ours was so totally different. We got a limo to the airport from home and back home. They rented us a car for the whole time since we were doing the cruise and WDW and we were shocked when they handed us 1500.00 spending money too! After the cruise they had us in the Contempory Hotel so it really was the trip of a lifetime for us and my godson! His wish was a cruise and since his father had died soon after my godson was diagnosed with cancer he was able to also wish that I went with them so they paid for his mom, sister, him and me. It was wonderful and even though he has passed away I will always remember that trip.

This story just breaks my heart.......

 

[4fosterkids]

Hi Bug!
So glad to hear Slink is getting a trip from MAW.
My son just returned from his MAW trip on the Wonder on 12/7. We had 1 1/2 days before the cruise in WDW and a 4 night cruise on the Wonder. It was great and something we will all remember.
Like you, I am a plan a holic too! I had a very hard time not knowing specifics until the last minute, but it all worked out fine in the end. A few things we learned along the way was to be very specific about your wish, in the beginning planning stages. We found out our travel dates in September, but didn't get our cabin info until a few weeks out, and our flight info the week before we left. When we got our cruise dates and discovered it was a 4 day cruise, we inquired about staying a few days before or after the cruise to go to WDW. Because the travel plans were done thru Disney travel, we could not make any changes to the plans and were unable to extend our trip, even though we offered to cover any extra time & charges. This was our local MAW's rule, not a Foundation policy. So talk to your chapter and be very clear of your entire wish and everything it entails. We got a call the week we were leaving and they bumped our flight up from Sat to Fri night, so we flew all night and had some of Sat to go to WDW and a few hours on Sunday before our bus transfer to the port. We were just happy he was able to see a little of WDW for the first time, especially during the holiday time.
Our cruise was for our family which was 2 adults and our 4 kids. We had 2 adjoining cabins, category 8's on deck 7. MAW covered our airfare, transportation to and from airports and the port, we also got a check to be used for excursions and any other souveniers etc. We booked our own excursions and used the money to pay for that. We had Jacki as our MAW coordinator on the Wonder and she was so wonderful. Always asking what she could do or help with. We always had special things left on his bed, notes, letters, postcards, stuffed animal, pirate things etc. His wish was to look for treasure with Capt Hook on Mickey's pirate Island (Castaway Cay), so they had a very special meeting for him and Capt Hook during our day at Castaway. Unfortunately it rained alot of our day there, but they modified this adventure from the beach to the dock and it was still just wonderful. We have many pictures of him and Capt Hook holding hands and searching for treasure all around the post office area. He also had a special meeting with Capt Mickey on the ship during our sea day. These meeting were very special as the lines for charactors were always very long, and waiting is not one of his strong points
It was a whirlwind trip, but great every minute! He felt very special and proud that this was HIS special trip.
Hugs to you all! I would love to send him a postcard or map of Castaway, I have lots of extra "stuff". PM me your address, as I think I deleted it from the Hats for Slink thread!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

No specific info for you but I have a MAW DCL cruise story...

My mom worked with someone who's childs wish was a DCL. Because of the childs illness and other factors they could only do a 4 night cruise. When the family arrived in the stateroom, the room was filled with all kinds of treats and stuffed animals, of course the MAW child was thrilled.

Not sure of the circumstances but the family was offered a DCL at a majorly discounted rate if the the child could travel again at a later date. Well about a year later the family took another DCL on their own. When they got to the stateroom, again it was filled with treats and stuffed animals. The mom immediately contacted a person on DCL to tell them this was a family trip not a MAW trip.

The DCL person replied," once a MAW child, always a MAW child"..

Hope your son and you and your family have a very special trip.

 

[Bugdozer]

Hi Bug!
So glad to hear Slink is getting a trip from MAW.
My son just returned from his MAW trip on the Wonder on 12/7. We had 1 1/2 days before the cruise in WDW and a 4 night cruise on the Wonder. It was great and something we will all remember.
Like you, I am a plan a holic too! I had a very hard time not knowing specifics until the last minute, but it all worked out fine in the end. A few things we learned along the way was to be very specific about your wish, in the beginning planning stages. We found out our travel dates in September, but didn't get our cabin info until a few weeks out, and our flight info the week before we left. When we got our cruise dates and discovered it was a 4 day cruise, we inquired about staying a few days before or after the cruise to go to WDW. Because the travel plans were done thru Disney travel, we could not make any changes to the plans and were unable to extend our trip, even though we offered to cover any extra time & charges. This was our local MAW's rule, not a Foundation policy. So talk to your chapter and be very clear of your entire wish and everything it entails. We got a call the week we were leaving and they bumped our flight up from Sat to Fri night, so we flew all night and had some of Sat to go to WDW and a few hours on Sunday before our bus transfer to the port. We were just happy he was able to see a little of WDW for the first time, especially during the holiday time.
Our cruise was for our family which was 2 adults and our 4 kids. We had 2 adjoining cabins, category 8's on deck 7. MAW covered our airfare, transportation to and from airports and the port, we also got a check to be used for excursions and any other souveniers etc. We booked our own excursions and used the money to pay for that. We had Jacki as our MAW coordinator on the Wonder and she was so wonderful. Always asking what she could do or help with. We always had special things left on his bed, notes, letters, postcards, stuffed animal, pirate things etc. His wish was to look for treasure with Capt Hook on Mickey's pirate Island (Castaway Cay), so they had a very special meeting for him and Capt Hook during our day at Castaway. Unfortunately it rained alot of our day there, but they modified this adventure from the beach to the dock and it was still just wonderful. We have many pictures of him and Capt Hook holding hands and searching for treasure all around the post office area. He also had a special meeting with Capt Mickey on the ship during our sea day. These meeting were very special as the lines for charactors were always very long, and waiting is not one of his strong points
It was a whirlwind trip, but great every minute! He felt very special and proud that this was HIS special trip.
Hugs to you all! I would love to send him a postcard or map of Castaway, I have lots of extra "stuff". PM me your address, as I think I deleted it from the Hats for Slink thread!

Hi Poohbrlvr!

Always great to hear from a VMKer

Thanks for the post I loved reading it. Sounds like you had an amazing time. I am truley getting excited and need something to focus on since I am stressing over his radiation starting in a week.

When the wish coordinators first came Slink was very specific in what he wanted. He asked for a 7 night western carribean. He even gave them a first choice of a week and the second choice of a week. Of course the choices where 6 months a part He told them he wanted to visit Mexico on his trip. They did write down all the shore excursions he wanted to do. When they called they said his wish is being granted. I am kind of assuming that means the 7 night-I hope.

It will be hard not knowing and hopefully they will let us in on some of the stuff. You said you booked your own excursions. Did you do this before you left or after you got on the ship? What info did they need from you if you booked before and does MAW give that info to you in advance for making the plans? Did you get to request a dining time? When I sent passport copies to MAW I did include a preference for dining time. Slink never made any comment on what kind of room so I guess it is up to fate as now he has mentioned several times that he would love to have a room with a "porch" I told him he should have thought of that on his first interview. I will be happy no matter where we are

Thank you for the offer of sending something and I surely will PM you the address. He is a huge map fan and has all the park maps from WDW and DLR(even though he never has been) all on his wall including the water parks. Too cute.

Thank you so much for all your information it is greatly appreciated!

Bug

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Just sending pixie dust that all your Son's wishes come true and that you have a magical DCL cruise! =o)

 

[scrapperjill]

Wow ours was so totally different. We got a limo to the airport from home and back home. They rented us a car for the whole time since we were doing the cruise and WDW and we were shocked when they handed us 1500.00 spending money too! After the cruise they had us in the Contempory Hotel so it really was the trip of a lifetime for us and my godson! His wish was a cruise and since his father had died soon after my godson was diagnosed with cancer he was able to also wish that I went with them so they paid for his mom, sister, him and me. It was wonderful and even though he has passed away I will always remember that trip.

I know our dd's wish was sort of messed up due to the huricanes and the GKTW shutting down...but I could never understand why we had to find our own transportation (even from our house to the airport and back). Come to think of it...we even had to book and pay for our hotel in Orlando the night before the cruise I've heard wonderful stories of wish trips with Disney (WDW, Disneyland and DCL) and I think our strange trip was a boo-boo....ie not the norm. We later found out our wish granter was going through ALOT of personal issues so I don't think her head or her heart was really into the planning of our daughters wish. Matter of fact we found out (on the last night of the cruise) that she never even notified DCL to let them know our dd was on a wish trip. I'd heard all sorts of wonderful things from people on what DCL does/did for their child on their wish trip...and all week long we waited and waited and waited for something/anything to happen...but nothing did. It wasn't until we were chatting with Donna at the rebooking desk that we even found out there was a person on the ship that delt with wish families. Donna asked us if we'd be going to the final farwell that night...we said we HAD to because our DD was on a wish trip and her wish was to see/meet Cindy and we hadn't seen her ALL week long. It was then that we really saw some Disney magic at work....she contacted people who in turn contacted us inviting us to the VIP meet/greet that night before the final farwell event. Anywho....I'm NOT trying to scare you, because I'm sure your sons wish trip will come together with out any problems.

I do agree with the above poster on being very clear with the wish foundation/granter on what your wanting. I also think there's always room for your suggestions and questions. And it's never a bad idea to just ask them if you should be saving for excrusion and/or if you need to handle that on your own.

I always wondered if I was the ONLY parent of a wish child that wanted to know everything ahead of time. It's good to know I not. I can remember when they first told us her wish would be granted...they said we'd know when we'd be going "about" a month ahead of time. BOY....I couldn't take that. In the end we sorta picked the dates (pushing them back about 6mo from when it was granted).

 

[snelsonbrown]

Good morning,
Sorry that I haven't been around much - have had some challenges that kinda has kept me grounded for a few days or so.
Anyhow first I want to say Bugs that the support you have and will receive on this board just sometimes overwhelms me with the supportive group hugs, the kindness, the way folks really show how much they care - I have never ever seen it to fail. I have the deepest respect and admiration for the MAW program - I have seen their spirit and kindness when a family has been so challenged and then there is DCL and D.A.I.D. and they also have on so many ocassions made these families feel so special. I know that D.A.I.D. keeps a tab on what goes on with these families. Thoughts and prayers go out to you Bugs as you go hand in hand with Slinky in his challenges and as you and yours get ready to for this life memory making cruise, may all the good take place of the bad. Listen if you get a chance drop me a note at snelsonbrown@aol.com ok.
Always
Shirley

Hello Jill - think of you often sweetie and how Autumn is holding up - heard she had been having challenges since the cruise - thoughts and prayers are still with you and yours.
Gosh I saw stories that I recognized and thank you for updates - its always so good to know how families are doing.

 

[Ginny]

Bugdozer -

You have gotten such wonderful background info from everyone but I also wanted to send lots of pixie dust to you. One thought: perhaps you could recommend that your Wish Granter join us here on the DIS DCL Board. If he/she is a bit "rusty," that's understandable but I know all the members would love to support them in their planning efforts and crash course on DCL cruising today. It's been three years since our last cruise and, once again, the DIS boardmembers have done an awesome job of getting us right up to speed for our cruise next week.

Again, just a thought. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[michelle9343]

I just wanted to chime in here. My DD rec'd a MAW cruise in 11/05 on the Disney Wonder. It was an incredible trip. I agree 100% that the wish granters want your childs wish to be perfect. My DD granter was wonderful but really could not give me ant details before the trip. We got our cabin assignment 30 prior to sailing . When I asked the best way to get to the port she said drive. ( we live in Fla). 2 days before we sailed she took us out for pizza and informed us that a Limo would be taking us and gave us a check for spend $ / excursions. It seems every child wish is not handled the same. My DD in non-verbal and could not ask for anything, there were about 5 other wish childern on the cruise and we have a wish coordinator (DCL crew member)she was really helpful and would always ask if she could do anything. She left little treats in the room everynight but that was about it.
We went on our second Disney cruise and I think it was actually move magical then the MAW trip. My point if you son wants something ask for it. I was ashamed to ask for anything "extra" because I did not want to look greedy, but now I am sorry that I didn't. If you want to ask me anything you can PM me.
Have fun planning

 

[Thesmithsinde]

Hello Bugdozer,

I just sent you a PM with my e-mail address.

Plz contact me with any questions.

 

[cupcake]

I don't have any personal knowledge, but wanted to extend my best wishes as well as to invite you to pop over to the disABILITIES board. There are quite a few MAW families, and perhaps some of them have cruised. I've always found the board, like this one, to be a wealth of knowledge. Also, if you have any questions or concerns about traveling with meds, any special needs or the like, I'm sure they can also help you out. I know you'll all have an absolutely magical trip!!!!

Cupcake

 

[Bugdozer]

I don't have any personal knowledge, but wanted to extend my best wishes as well as to invite you to pop over to the disABILITIES board. There are quite a few MAW families, and perhaps some of them have cruised. I've always found the board, like this one, to be a wealth of knowledge. Also, if you have any questions or concerns about traveling with meds, any special needs or the like, I'm sure they can also help you out. I know you'll all have an absolutely magical trip!!!!

Cupcake

Hi,
Thanks for your wishes I will check out that board also.

Bug

 

[Bugdozer]

Hi,
Updated first post with news!

Bug

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Thanks for the update I am so happy that your son got his wish to a T. Do you have a DCL planning video? If not I would suggest ordering one (free) and using as a tool to get him through his treatments and maybe create a fun countdown to the cruise together so even when he's feeling down he'll know in X days he'll have something really cool to look forward to.

 

[PhotoLisa]

Hi,
Updated first post with news!

Bug

Thanks for sharing the joy with us! I can tell by your update that you and your family are overjoyed.

Here's wishing that you have the BEST trip ever!

Good luck with the start of radiation.

 

[disneylover5]

Thanks for the update I am so happy that your son got his wish to a T. Do you have a DCL planning video? If not I would suggest ordering one (free) and using as a tool to get him through his treatments and maybe create a fun countdown to the cruise together so even when he's feeling down he'll know in X days he'll have something really cool to look forward to.

This sounds all too wonderful...too good to be true. Enjoy yourselves.....

As far as creating a fun countdown, what we like to do, is make a paper link chain (like you put on a Christmas tree) with the total of # of days till the cruise. Making the link chain is so fun and then each day take off a link....till there are zero links!!

 

[scrapperjill]

Thanks for letting us all know your good news. I'm sure the relief your feeling from just knowing what the plans are and what you now need to do is tremendous. I would go to GS and just let them know your family and your sons friend is there on behalf of your sons wish trip. I'm sure they'll already know and have things in place...BUT you never know. I know during our dd wish we'd thought about going to GS just to make sure they knew..but decided to relax and let it come as it does. And like I've already mentioned in a previous post...our Wish coordinator never let DCL know it was a wish trip....so no-one on the ship knew. "IF" we would have gone to GS after boarding our DD's whole week on the ship would have been totally diffrent. Don't get me wrong...even without DCL knowing we were on a wish trip we had the trip of a lifetime.

 

[curlybop]

I am so glad your son got his wish. Please feel free to come chat with others going that same week!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=967361

 

[4fosterkids]

Hey Bug!
So happy to read your new update! Wonderful news! Let the excitement begin!
As far as contacting the MAW coordinator on the ship, we had a note welcoming us when we got to our cabin and a phone call that evening, letting us know to contact her if we had any questions or issues.
I'm so excited for you guys! Another thing we did too, was went to our local AAA (travel dept) and pick up the Disney brochures which had lots of pictures too.
Lots of fun

 

[Verandah Man]

Congratulations!!! Have a MAGICal cruise!!!