Make A Wish Sends Lauren to Disney World! * IT IS FINISHED...* *Updated 1/28/09*

[lauren_elizabeth]

Oh my goodness! Yall got rooms in the TOWER?! That's going to be such a fun surprise! I can't wait to read how they reacted!

I love the whole Stars on the Ceiling thing they do at GKTW. How special!

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Your trip report is really making me excited about our trip next month! I can't wait to read more!

Carol

 

[AshClan]

Another fan sent over by Jamal! Maroo, this is a wonderful report and I am already in love with Lauren (what a beautiful girl!) and all the rest of your crew, too! I am so looking forward to hearing more about your magical trip!!

 

[maroo]

Ok...now to part FOUR of the FIRST day at Give Kids the World! What a day it has been! Remember back in my second post, I think...that I introduced you to Lauren's surprise guest...well, at this point in the TR, it is only about 4 or so in the afternoon!!! That same day! What a day this family has had!!!! A dream day, for sure! And I do think this will be the last post about this wonderful day!!

They have a wishing well that actually SOUNDS like a well. Kids can wish for ANYTHING in that well. I was pretty pensive at this point, since we had just finished Lauren's star. And I was thinking about all of the sick kids that made wishes in that well? What do they wish for? To get better? To just FEEL better? Or is the wish for their family…parents, brothers or sisters?

But I did not have too long to dwell on that...because the kids both got to make special pillows with this cool contraption!

Lauren eventually got kinda hot and they were showing “Camp Rock” in the movie theater.

And they even serve popcorn , cokes , snacks and ICEE's! (Did I mention all of this was FREE?????!!!!???)

At some point in the movie, Lauren whispers to me that she doesn’t feel good. I reach over and feel her head. And she is a little warm. Off I go to find some Tylenol and a thermometer? Do I really think I am going to find these things...well, no. But GKTW comes through again...they provided a thermometer for us and some Tylenol. Lauren does have fever …which prompts a call to a doctor…some antibiotics are called in. No major deal. But Lauren really doesn't feel well. So, we head out of the movie a little early...to go get some food in our bellies! (As IF I needed any more FOOD at this point...but I digress!)

We eat in the Gingerbread House.

Isn't it just amazing! All of the dolls in the ceiling come from all over the world. And the tables are made out of REAL candy! See the peppermint ones?

The volunteers come and serve your table and bring you drink refills, etc.
And you know what, if you want ICE CREAM...AGAIN...you can have it!

Then the sweetest thing happened...the GKTW volunteers that knew Lauren wasn't feeling well...and knew she had left the movie early...came by our table and GAVE her the DVD for "Camp Rock"...that was so sweet. They did not have to do that!

Then we finish eating and head outside and are surprised by Mayor Clayton and Mrs. Clayton. (This especially surprised Lisa, since she thought that "Mayor Clayton" was a "person"...not a "character!")

They were so sweet with the kids. Our first character greet!!

Now, we just HAD to put this one in here...it is a terrible picture for quality...but sure is funny...Mrs. Clayton was "flirting" with Richard...and Richard, who is hilarious, starts making jokes about the fact that Lisa should be worried because he really thinks Mrs. Clayton is pretty cute! And we are trying to pose for this picture...but we just all bust out laughing! And this is what you get...

William rides the carousel. He was so funny…he really enjoyed himself!

And then it is time to go find our "hotel." Earlier in the day, it slips that we are not staying at GKTW. Lauren is disappointed by this, but we promise her that she will like where she stays (without giving away the surprise). Of course, we have to stop at Walgreens on the way to get Lauren’s antibiotics…but no big deal.


Do you remember that first time you went through the Walt Disney World entrance. I still get chills. We really ham up the surprise of where we are staying. The kids get SOOO excited when they realize we are staying so close to Disney World!

We just keep driving closer and closer to Disney World...

And then they see it...the monorail! The "train in the sky" that they have been wanting to ride!!!

And then we drive...right beside the monorail...and over a little hill...and they SEE IT! The hotel with the monorail!!!! And the castle...now at this point, both kids are freaking out...

And then we tell them...WE ARE STAYING HERE...with the TRAIN IN THE SKY! And they go bananas...

But I find out later that Lauren had seen THE CASTLE...and thought we were staying there...

Which made the Contemporary a little letdown for her...like going from cloud 10 to cloud 9, though!...bless it!...I mean they HAD put a crown on her head...made rainbows for her...and given her a $100 bill...let her put an endless star in the sky...and given her the DVD since she missed the end of the movie...so why not? She certainly FELT like a princess! But she will see the castle tomorrow...and she doesn't even know it yet!!

The Contemporary was WONDERFUL! The rooms were fabulous! No kitchen, of course, but we were prepared with several coolers and brought some food and drinks, which cut our costs a lot!

I won’t bore you with all of the details…but for those of you guys interested in the handicapped accessibility, the Contemporary was great! We had a roll in shower that was big enough for Lauren’s shower table (my guess is it was about 5 feet long (or so) and several feet wide). And the bathroom was huge and the sink allows a wheelchair to go under it. The bathroom was big enough for Lauren and her Mom to get her hair done each morning…and that takes some room! If you want more info, PM me!

Click HERE to Continue to Magic Kingdom!! Part ONE!

 

[littleangie]

OMG this is so exciting seeing her getting her wish.

 

[jillalvarez2003]

Oh wow, what a day! Thanks for sharing all the details of your trip with us, I'm really enjoying it.

 

[mommyintn]

What an awesome group GKTW is! I bet the Contemporary would be a temporary letdown if you thought the castle was where you were staying but it sounds like the Contemporary was a great fit. Would love to stay there, can't wait for more!

 

[Embel]

This is a lovely trip report. It brings tears to my eyes, yet warms my heart. Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

[maroo]

First...to ALL of you guys...thanks for posting! Lauren got to read the new ones today and is loving all of the messages.

What a great report!! I can't wait to hear about the reactions to staying at the Contemporary!

It was SOOOO fun to hold on to that surprise! We didn't even tell her Dad til about a week before!

Oh my goodness! Yall got rooms in the TOWER?! That's going to be such a fun surprise! I can't wait to read how they reacted!

I love the whole Stars on the Ceiling thing they do at GKTW. How special!

Yes, I was PUMPED to get to stay in the tower! It was so much fun to wonder where we would get to stay...I kept trying to figure out how to MAKE it happen...but pixie dust just happens! It happened this whole trip!

Your trip report is really making me excited about our trip next month! I can't wait to read more!

Carol

Carol, I am so excited for you guys, too! GKTW is really a blast!! And they are SOOOO nice! They "get it"...you know what I mean? We definitely want to go back! Soon!!!!!

Another fan sent over by Jamal! Maroo, this is a wonderful report and I am already in love with Lauren (what a beautiful girl!) and all the rest of your crew, too! I am so looking forward to hearing more about your magical trip!!

Jamal is like my biggest fan! lol Lauren is a sweet, sweet girl. And she is smart...and loves life! I am glad you guys are getting to know her and her family.

OMG this is so exciting seeing her getting her wish.

We are excited, too! Lauren said today that she was glad that we were writing all of this down...she never wants to forget ANY of it!

Oh wow, what a day! Thanks for sharing all the details of your trip with us, I'm really enjoying it.

I know...what a day, right!! And it took me like two weeks to tell you guys! But we will remember it forever. Especially now that it is all documented for us, and all of you guys, to see!!

What an awesome group GKTW is! I bet the Contemporary would be a temporary letdown if you thought the castle was where you were staying but it sounds like the Contemporary was a great fit. Would love to stay there, can't wait for more!

GKTW is awesome...I hope that some of the people reading this will support GKTW in some way!! Yes...I hate to use the word "letdown"...it was actually pretty funny... because I really think she thought she was sleeping there! She had seen something that showed where there was a room in the Castle...probably on the Disney channel or YOAMD somewhere...

But she was VERY grateful to stay in the Contemporary and really understands now how fortunate we were to get to stay in the Tower and stay for 6 nights!!

It was VERY comfortable, too...the beds were great! And the staff was great, too!

This is a lovely trip report. It brings tears to my eyes, yet warms my heart. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Aw...I hate that I keep making people cry. But I love what Make a Wish did for Lauren...and I love what they do for lots of kids across the world. And GKTW is a very special place...so I am glad that many of you guys are learning more about what they do for kids at Disney!

Disney is such a wonderful place...and bring a child, especially one that has never even seen Disney...and grant their wish...is amazing to know about...and very, very amazing to help plan and watch it unfold!



Thanks, everyone, for joining us on this magical trip!!!!

 

[teresajoy]

Michigan IS a lovely place!

Another fantastic update MAry!!! And look, you have famous Disers posting!!!! Cool!

Did you take pictures of your room in the Comtemporary?? I want to see what it looks like!!!

Poor Lauren not feeling well.

 

[bex271]

I hate that she wasn't feeling good but that is so awesome that they (GKTW) noticed she didn't get to finish the movie and gave her the DVD. I'm so enjoying your report. I can't wait to see how everything went in the parks. Lauren's smile tells how magical everything was from the beginning. I can't wait for more

becca

 

[jamal]

Maroo, Every time I look at or think about Lauren's beautiful face (often!) I feel great peace. She just has the most lovely countenance I have ever seen. My heart sank in a reality check when I read she wasn't feeling well. Please let us know how long that lasted.

The GKTW resort(!) is absolutely amazing. I had no idea it existed. Thank you for opening our eyes to the wonderful work of generous souls.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Maroo - thanks for another great chapter.

I'm so glad Lauren liked the CR. It's one of my favourites too! And I can't wait to hear more about it and her first time at the MK.

As Jamal said, I was so amazed to hear about GKTW resort. I, too had no idea it existed. What a wonderful place. I loved the fact they gave Lauren the DVD of Camp Rock so she could finish the movie.

 

[shane&jakesmom]

Hi Princess Lauren

 

[shane&jakesmom]

What great pictures, that place is like Disney, God Bless them for all the wonderful things they do and God bless you and Lauren family too.

 

[heaven2dc]

I just got updated on your trip and have goosebumps! What a wonderful trip Lauren and her family (and you) are having so far!

The rainbow at the airport was awesome - I teared up each time I looked at the pics I hope Lauren got to feeling better and didn't require any more phone calls to the doctor! Anxious to see some pics of the view from your resort!

P.S. What a truly precious helper they have in you - you really went above and beyond for this trip - kudos girlfriend!

 

[maroo]

Michigan IS a lovely place!

Another fantastic update MAry!!! And look, you have famous Disers posting!!!! Cool!

Did you take pictures of your room in the Comtemporary?? I want to see what it looks like!!!

Poor Lauren not feeling well.

I am such a newbie that I don't even know who is famous?! Uh...the room....Uh...I don't know...I did take one of Lauren sleeping...but it is, unfortunately, for another day........... But I might be able to borrow one from another report...it looks just like all of the pictures I have seen...??!?!?! Yikes...one more pic I should have taken! I really, really meant to take one of the shower...and I might have one somewhere...because it was cool...the handicapped accessible stuff....anyway...I digress...

I hate that she wasn't feeling good but that is so awesome that they (GKTW) noticed she didn't get to finish the movie and gave her the DVD. I'm so enjoying your report. I can't wait to see how everything went in the parks. Lauren's smile tells how magical everything was from the beginning. I can't wait for more

becca

I know...I was stunned at their awareness of everything we were doing, even when we were offsite. For example, GKTW actually called us later that night to ask us how Lauren was feeling! They called almost every day to check on us. It was sweet.

Maroo, Every time I look at or think about Lauren's beautiful face (often!) I feel great peace. She just has the most lovely countenance I have ever seen. My heart sank in a reality check when I read she wasn't feeling well. Please let us know how long that lasted.

The GKTW resort(!) is absolutely amazing. I had no idea it existed. Thank you for opening our eyes to the wonderful work of generous souls.

I am so glad that you guys are getting to know GKTW... Seriously...for all of you guys reading this... the GKTW website is www.gktw.org and they take donations on that site...or even better, you can order souvenirs...that are cool (Disney stuff and GKTW merchandise) and all of the profits go to GKTW!

Maroo - thanks for another great chapter.

I'm so glad Lauren liked the CR. It's one of my favourites too! And I can't wait to hear more about it and her first time at the MK.

As Jamal said, I was so amazed to hear about GKTW resort. I, too had no idea it existed. What a wonderful place. I loved the fact they gave Lauren the DVD of Camp Rock so she could finish the movie.

GKTW was totally awesome! She has watched Camp Rock several times! So that worked out pretty well for her!

Hi Princess Lauren

That is so sweet!! But Lauren won't see this till tomorrow night...I am back at my house tonight. But I will be over there tomorrow and I can show her all of your comments...she will be excited!

What great pictures, that place is like Disney, God Bless them for all the wonderful things they do and God bless you and Lauren family too.

It IS a LOT like Disney! I was surprised, actually...I had seen pictures...but the detail of everything...was amazing. A lot of the Disney folks helped build and design things at GKTW, from what I understand. It is an amazing place. Even after her trip, Lauren and her family (and me, I suppose) are welcome to go back to GKTW. We can't sleep there, but we can participate in the parties (which we didn't get to do this time), swim, horseback riding, etc etc...which we missed this go around...so we do plan to go back! And it is so neat that they are always welcome!

I just got updated on your trip and have goosebumps! What a wonderful trip Lauren and her family (and you) are having so far!

The rainbow at the airport was awesome - I teared up each time I looked at the pics I hope Lauren got to feeling better and didn't require any more phone calls to the doctor! Anxious to see some pics of the view from your resort!

P.S. What a truly precious helper they have in you - you really went above and beyond for this trip - kudos girlfriend!

Aww... I DOOOO have a picture of our view...at least two that are in the queue to be posted! One is pretty funny, though, I must say... We did get the "pool view"...not the Magic Kingdom view...which was totally fine with us!!! Trust me!!! But I don't have any castle pics or anything from the resort.



Thank you all for following the report and posting!!

I am preparing more pics to be posted...I really hope to have an update up before I go to sleep tomorrow night! And Lauren and her family will get to see all of the posts tomorrow, too!

Stay tuned!

 

[ehstrojette]

Lauren is beautiful young lady for starters. I am really enjoying your TR so far and cant wait to hear all the cool things she got to do. Did you take hotel pics. I would love to see what your rooms looked like

 

[llurgy]

Ok, I am on post 75 and I have to stop because I have to get up early in the AM and it is already 12.30pm.

The Rainbow......WOW!!!! I mean, how many people can actually say they have had a rainbow made for them, a real rainbow!?!?! That is just awesome

I love the fact that you write your report with such excitement and enjoyment, it just makes me want to keep on reading and reading. You are so happy with your words, Lauren looks SO HAPPY in the photos to WDW and in GKTW village (I peeked Whoops )

I cant wait till tomorrow when I can read the rest of what you have written to date.

Now I really have to go to sleep

Mandy

 

[twinmum]

Hello! I am really enjoying your Trip report! We leave in just over 3 weeks for our son Mark's Wish Trip! He and his twin brother turn 10 on Thursday and they are looking forward to this trip SO much...so are their parents!

Please tell Lauren that she is absolutely beautiful and we are loving the pictures! OK, I hav stopped showing the boys any more because I don't want them to learn any more! (The Dino-putt pix were hidden by me because they had surprises!) I am trying to keep our expectations at a reasonable level because we read so many amazing stories...surely not every Wish child has such a fantabulous experience, even though they deserve it?!?

Anyway, our son Mark also has CP, and seems to be a younger male version of Lauren - bright, able to manage in a regular class, outgoing etc. Lauren is a great role model!

Please pass along to Lauren that Camp Rock was filmed - mostly - on location at Mark's summer overnight camp, here in Ontario, Canada! Mark's camp for boys w/physical disabilities runs as an integrated cabin within a tradtional boys' camp, Kilcoo. He spooted it within 15 seconds of watching a trailer I showed him after I learned this in the spring. The camp got to keep a bunch of the lights etc from the stage etc set, so Talent Night was pretty cool this year!!!

Can't wait for more!
Alison