Make a Wish - I need assistance

[DizBelle]

For those that might remember, my niece was diagnosed with cancer last September and has been undergoing treatment since.

It appears that she will be receiving her wish from the Make A Wish Foundation and that is, of course, a trip to WDW with her family.

The players are Mom and Dad plus 4 girls age 8, 7, 5, 4. It's the 4 year old that has cancer.

What I do know is that we are going to go to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue (DH and I always go) and are going to recommend Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the girls. I'm also going to attempt to get a reservation for the Cinderella character meal in the castle.

Now, I need help from all you experts in doing WDW with kids. It's usually just me and DH that go so we don't know all the wonderful not so obvious things for kids.

What would you recommend?

Also, they will be staying at the Give Kids the World Village. Do any of you know anything about this place - services, shuttles, special requests they should make.

Thanks!!!

 

[tchrrx]

How about you & DH taking the girls somewhere one evening (to the parks, DTD, or even to a movie) while mom & dad have a nice dinner out. I know that this trip is for their daughter, but I have a feeling they would probably enjoy some adult time themselves.

 

[lrab1126]

How wonderful! Here is a good link to the GKTW village http://www.gktw.org/pre/Village/village-info.asp?p=village

I would recommend Chef Mickey's as another great character dining experience. My kids LOVE it there and so do we. There is also a great book you could pick up called Walt Disney World With Kids that I used many of the tips from. Also the GF has an alice in wonderland tea party and adventures in cooking and a pirate cruise that kids can participate in and they are pretty reasonably priced too. My girls will be doing the tea party this upcoming trip and possibly the pirate cruise.

Good luck and have a great time !!

 

[UnNamed Project]

If Cinderella's table is too booked, try the Norway pavillion at EPCOT. Lots of Princesses and the food (at least breakfast) was very good.

 

[lrab1126]

1900 Park fare is also Princess theme dining if you are looking for princesses.

 

[kimbac3]

My nephew got a wish trip. My sister's family stayed a the Give Kids the World place. They really liked it there. That was 11 years ago though!

Get them all autograph books. Use photopass photographers whenever you see them. Talk with the girls ahead of time and see what they are most looking forward too. Make a must see list and go from there. Do any of them have any fears or phobias?? Heights, snakes, bugs...??? The Family magic tour is so much fun and is a great memory. Something for the whole family (even you and your DH and the girls' parents) will really enjoy!!

You may want to post over on the Disabilities board. Many people there have had wish trips and have stayed at the Give Kids the world place recently.

I just want to tell you that I know what you are going through. When my nephew was diagnosed with AML we were all devastated. He went through so much and even had brain seizures and ended up in a coma (stupid hospital gave him tainted chemo drugs ). The doctors said he would never pass the mentality of a 4yr old (he was 9 at the time). Well they were wrong! He's 21 now and is a junior in college. He's studying to be an accountant!

Have a great trip and take lots of photos! My nephew doesn't remember alot of that trip but my sister has video and photos and that helps him put that piece of his life in perspective.

Kimba

 

[dairyqueenmom]

Go to trip reports, there are some great trip reports from families that have had wishes granted and have chronicled the entire process and include pictures of the village.

 

[Plantlady]

I read a couple trip reports, where they stayed at GKTW. That might give some more insight there!

Unfortunately, I don't remember the names.. but, the titles involved wish trip.

 

[froggygrrrl]

DH and I usually go alone (no kids for us) but we just got back from WDW with DH's family and our niece and nephews absolutely loved Whispering Canyon Cafe. I was a little surprised that it was such a hit with them, but ecstatic nonetheless because I planned it!

Either way, my heart goes out to your niece. I hope she has a wonderful time and that she gains memories that she will cherish for decades to come!

Have a blast!

 

[Talking Hands]

Check over is DISabilities. This is where many parents of disabled and sick kids hang out and they can probably give you the low down on everything.

 

[t_catt11]

...is HUGE with kids. Located at the Wilderness Lodge; great food and a LOT of fun. Make sure somebody at the table asks for ketchup - my kids are still talking about this more than a year after our visit.

 

[goofyboyzmom]

I don't know how it works, but I am sure that if you let them know you are on a Make-a-Wish trip that you would surely be able to get reservations for Cindy's Round Table. Have a wonderful trip and my positive thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

P.S. Chef Mickey's IS a great place for character interaction. Especially with kids those ages.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest that you go over to the disABILITIES Forum. You will find several threads related to both MAW and GKTW; it is a common topic of conversations there.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Actually .. following up on Cheshires note.. i'm going to move this thread over to the disABILITIES forum for the best answers..

Knox

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for moving it, CanadianGuy.

If you look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread (look for the green arrow), you will find some links that should help you. There are links to some past trip reports and also to a thread on the Community Board where WISH families hang out.

If you look around this board, you can find some past posts about WISH trips.

I would agree with the others who suggested the Princess meal in Norway. It is a Norwegian castle and there are many princesses.

 

[dclfun]

Unfortunately I don't know if mentioning that it's a WISH trip will get you a ressie at Cinderella's Royal Table- they are pretty much first come first served so they don't hold back reservations for special reasons. You want to be sure to make that ressie asap within the booking timeframe. Otherwise as was mentioned there are other meals to be had with the princesses that may even be nicer as far as character interaction. There's now a WISH lounge too at MK that will be available to you anytime during your trip. Transportation will be by private car which will be rented for you so you can come and go from GKTW as you please. Lots of people have reported that their child(ren) enjoyed GKTW just as much as the parks as there are planned activities there, meals, pizza, ice cream, etc. Someone from the village will keep your fridge stocked with snacks and drinks too and usually there'll be some surprises left in your room for each child, not just the wish child. Do you have dates yet for your trip? Have you spoken with your wish coordinator to discuss what the child wants to do and see, including mentioning that they'd like to have a session at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?---Kathy

 

[scojos]

we enjoyed CP, lunch with pooh and friends
my dd was 4 when we went last, she loved CM, WCC but also Coral Reef (those fish are so coool!), riding the monorail to epcot from mk, collecting special things (cards from trains allowing you to ride "up front", they had a race with some CM when we left splash mountain and she won. A guy in epcot did her potrait as minnie and the kidcot stuff is really cool.
mom and dad might enjoy drinking (or in our case snacking with cakes around the world!
Enjoy your trip
Tracy

 

[ireland_nicole]

Young princesses, mine included, also enjoy play-n-dine at Hollywood studios. Its the playhouse disney characters. Plan to spend a lot of time in Fantasyland. My kids also love splash mountain. But remember, everyone is a kid at WDW., chances are the girls will like what you like when you're there. And yes, some sort of princess meal would be priceless. Have a wonderful trip. Take full advantage of photopass, as remember to keep your youngest princess cool, rested, and hydrated.