Make A Wish trip help

[FaithHopePixieDust]

My son's Make A Wish trip is Feb 6th to Feb 12th and we really could use a little help planning. He is almost completely non verbally and does not like loud places. We are staying at Give Kids The World.. Our son is four and he has two older sisters. What did you do in Disney that was special for your special little one? Did you go to Universal or SeaWorld? What places made your child's trip extra special? Where would you avoid? What restaurants to try and what should we avoid? Basically I want your two cents on it all. This is a rushed trip due to his health issues so I need all the tips and suggestions you can add. Thank you!

 

[Topper]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...tions-wish-trippers-unite-volume-six.3084932/

 

[lanejudy]

PP has provided a link to the current WISH trip thread. It has been fairly quiet lately but hopefully others with past WISH trips will answer.

If you are just starting your planning and intend to do sit down table service meals, I suggest you look to see what has availability at this point.

Since your little guy doesn't like loud noise I suggest using Peltor earmuffs for him. They block out a lot of the audio stimulation.

Enjoy your WISH trip!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

My son's Make A Wish trip is Feb 6th to Feb 12th and we really could use a little help planning. He is almost completely non verbally and does not like loud places. We are staying at Give Kids The World.. Our son is four and he has two older sisters. What did you do in Disney that was special for your special little one? Did you go to Universal or SeaWorld? What places made your child's trip extra special? Where would you avoid? What restaurants to try and what should we avoid? Basically I want your two cents on it all. This is a rushed trip due to his health issues so I need all the tips and suggestions you can add. Thank you!

one thing to add to your planning make sure to add in the extra stuff at Give Kids The World. get the list of activities there. lots of character meets there. I cant help with special plans as my grandsons had been before. and yes we did all 3 sets of theme parks. plan on an extra suitcase to bring all the stuff home. be ready to be spoiled enjoy your trip

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) If you find the parks too loud and too much sensory overload, stay within Give-Kids-The-World (GKTW).
2) Is its own village and mini-theme park.
3) There are many families that never leave the property.
4) And, with the exception of some souvenirs, EVERYTHING is free.
. . . ice cream for breakfast - no problem
. . . Christmas every Thursday
. . . trains
. . . pools
. . . carousel
. . . activities
. . . pizza lunch/dinner
. . . Boston Market lunch/dinner

NOTE: As a volunteer coordinator for GKTW, I can say we take really good care of you and your kids. The paid-staff and volunteer-staff are truly dedicated to helping and entertaining our special children guests. In fact, the vacation is even more fun for the adults than the kids, since the parents finally get a break from the 24/7-go-go-go caretaking of the kids. How many vacation places do parents actually go home more rested than the kiddies?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

1) If you find the parks too loud and too much sensory overload, stay within Give-Kids-The-World (GKTW).
2) Is its own village and mini-theme park.
3) There are many families that never leave the property.
4) And, with the exception of some souvenirs, EVERYTHING is free.
. . . ice cream for breakfast - no problem
. . . Christmas every Thursday
. . . trains
. . . pools
. . . carousel
. . . activities
. . . pizza lunch/dinner
. . . Boston Market lunch/dinner

NOTE: As a volunteer coordinator for GKTW, I can say we take really good care of you and your kids. The paid-staff and volunteer-staff are truly dedicated to helping and entertaining our special children guests. In fact, the vacation is even more fun for the adults than the kids, since the parents finally get a break from the 24/7-go-go-go caretaking of the kids. How many vacation places do parents actually go home more rested than the kiddies?

so true Rusty. you have to plan time for everything at the village

 

[TheRustyScupper]

so true Rusty. you have to plan time for everything at the village

1) Right.
2) Not plan for the specific activity (like "going commando" at the parks).
3) Just plan to allow time to stay-and-play at the Village.

NOTE1: I have yet to meet a family that did not thoroughly enjoy their stay at The Village. Nor, have I met any volunteer who did not enjoy, and get satisfaction, from putting in time at The Village.

NOTE2: ANYONE, can volunteer to work "a shift" . . . a shift can be 2-4-6-8 hours, and you can be trained in most activities in minutes. If you are here on vacation, think about driving over and help us take care of our guests. All you need to do is fill out the electronic form on-line, and wait 2-3 days ahead of time for a police record to be cleared. (ALL adults in Florida who work with kids MUST have their police record checked, for the safety of the children.) If you donate some time, you will go home with a whole new sense of pride and warmth. Plus, it makes you appreciate the health and love of your own family.

NOTE3: Yes, this sounds like an advertisement/solicitation for volunteers. IT IS, and I admit to being very biased toward GKTW. I have been a volunteer for 8-years, and coordinator for 5-years.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Let me also send a big


and second RustyScupper's thoughts on the possibilities within give Kids the World Village. I suspect by now you have read the GKTW materials. It is truly a wonderful place. My wife and I are also volunteers there and can attest to the dedication of everyone we have met.

As far as the parks, while I can't give you specific "special" thoughts I can offer a couple of suggestions. If your son is into animals then Disney's Animal Kingdom will provide opportunities for viewing and in some cases interacting with animals. The Safari ride is fun and there are two major walking trails that are typically not very busy and good opportunities to see animals. There is the Affection Station over in Rafiki's Planet Watch which you get to by riding a train. It is usually not very busy and gives the opportunity to interact with some animals. One warning, stay away from It's Tough to be a Bug. Loud and scary. Same for Dinosaur. The Dinoland area might be interesting to walk around but stay away from the Dinosaur ride. Very loud and very scary.

SeaWorld is worth considering if your son finds sea life interesting. SeaWorld is a less intense (except for the roller coasters) and typically less crowded park. There are a places where your son could touch sting rays and maybe a dolphin. Lots of places to view sea life.

As far as the other Disney parks, a visit to the Magic Kingdom is the typical focus of a Disney visit. It can be a bit busy though the days your are visiting typically see lower crowds. A walk down Main Street, seeing the Castle, meeting Mickey Mouse and the other characters are all special. Note that Mickey and a few of the other Disney characters come to GKTW on Monday and Thursday mornings. If your son has a special Disney character mention it to GKTW and they will do their best to make it happen. If you decide to visit the Magic Kingdom there are a few attractions that are lower key, quieter, that your son might enjoy. I find the attraction descriptions at Allears.net to be very helpful:

http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_attr.htm

I imagine that you have a lot to do in the next few days to prepare for your visit. I will second RustyScupper's thought that GKTW does everything it can to make your time there fun for you son and as relaxing for you as possible.

Wishing you a smooth and happy trip!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Let me also send a big


and second RustyScupper's thoughts on the possibilities within give Kids the World Village. I suspect by now you have read the GKTW materials. It is truly a wonderful place. My wife and I are also volunteers there and can attest to the dedication of everyone we have met.

As far as the parks, while I can't give you specific "special" thoughts I can offer a couple of suggestions. If your son is into animals then Disney's Animal Kingdom will provide opportunities for viewing and in some cases interacting with animals. The Safari ride is fun and there are two major walking trails that are typically not very busy and good opportunities to see animals. There is the Affection Station over in Rafiki's Planet Watch which you get to by riding a train. It is usually not very busy and gives the opportunity to interact with some animals. One warning, stay away from It's Tough to be a Bug. Loud and scary. Same for Dinosaur. The Dinoland area might be interesting to walk around but stay away from the Dinosaur ride. Very loud and very scary.

SeaWorld is worth considering if your son finds sea life interesting. SeaWorld is a less intense (except for the roller coasters) and typically less crowded park. There are a places where your son could touch sting rays and maybe a dolphin. Lots of places to view sea life.

As far as the other Disney parks, a visit to the Magic Kingdom is the typical focus of a Disney visit. It can be a bit busy though the days your are visiting typically see lower crowds. A walk down Main Street, seeing the Castle, meeting Mickey Mouse and the other characters are all special. Note that Mickey and a few of the other Disney characters come to GKTW on Monday and Thursday mornings. If your son has a special Disney character mention it to GKTW and they will do their best to make it happen. If you decide to visit the Magic Kingdom there are a few attractions that are lower key, quieter, that your son might enjoy. I find the attraction descriptions at Allears.net to be very helpful:

http://allears.net/tp/mk/mk_attr.htm

I imagine that you have a lot to do in the next few days to prepare for your visit. I will second RustyScupper's thought that GKTW does everything it can to make your time there fun for you son and as relaxing for you as possible.

Wishing you a smooth and happy trip!

how long have you been volunteers? either June 2011 or Dec 2011

 

[Joanna71985]

NOTE2: ANYONE, can volunteer to work "a shift" . . . a shift can be 2-4-6-8 hours, and you can be trained in most activities in minutes. If you are here on vacation, think about driving over and help us take care of our guests. All you need to do is fill out the electronic form on-line, and wait 2-3 days ahead of time for a police record to be cleared. (ALL adults in Florida who work with kids MUST have their police record checked, for the safety of the children.) If you donate some time, you will go home with a whole new sense of pride and warmth. Plus, it makes you appreciate the health and love of your own family.

NOTE3: Yes, this sounds like an advertisement/solicitation for volunteers. IT IS, and I admit to being very biased toward GKTW. I have been a volunteer for 8-years, and coordinator for 5-years.

I need to look into volunteering at GKTW

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I need to look into volunteering at GKTW

1) Just go to GKTW.org and
. . . click "How To Help"
. . . click "Volunteer"
. . . click "Volunteer Opportunities" for different functions and needed volunteer shifts
2) You can then schedule shifts.
3) Also, you will get periodic emails when Angel shifts are needed.

NOTE: GKTW has many volunteers that come to the local theme parks, and volunteer for 2-4-6-8 hours during their trip. Yo are always welcome to help, once your volunteer application is approved.

 

[NH-to-FL]

how long have you been volunteers? either June 2011 or Dec 2011

We are newcomers... we just started volunteering in December.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

1) Just go to GKTW.org and
. . . click "How To Help"
. . . click "Volunteer"
. . . click "Volunteer Opportunities" for different functions and needed volunteer shifts
2) You can then schedule shifts.
3) Also, you will get periodic emails when Angel shifts are needed.

NOTE: GKTW has many volunteers that come to the local theme parks, and volunteer for 2-4-6-8 hours during their trip. Yo are always welcome to help, once your volunteer application is approved.[/QUOTE if I only lived closer

 

[FaithHopePixieDust]

thank you so much for all the help. We are reading through all the GKTW information and hoping he is feeling his best for his trip. He is currently inpatient and every day I promise him he is one day closer to his trip! Appreciate all the suggestions!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

thank you so much for all the help. We are reading through all the GKTW information and hoping he is feeling his best for his trip. He is currently inpatient and every day I promise him he is one day closer to his trip! Appreciate all the suggestions!

remember the extra suitcase don't ask why but Walmart is close that is all I will say. make time for the horseback ride and some of the parties. you will not go hungry. there is always someone ready to take your camera to take pictures so everyone can be in them. if Mayor Clayton still does the tucking in bed try and do one evening and have camera ready. the pass at all the parks is great for families to get one lots of rides. just remember son will have to be going on the rides to use pass. pass is not the same as DAS. be ready to be spoiled and have ice cream for breakfast once. our trips were in 2011 but younger guy still talks about it



.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

the pass at all the parks is great for families to get one lots of rides. just remember son will have to be going on the rides to use pass. pass is not the same as DAS

1) MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR.
2) This is not a Fast Pass, DAS, or reservation.
3) The badge gets the MAW family onto rides almost immediately.
4) And, as mentioned, bring or buy an extra suitcase, as there are gifts delivered DAILY to each villa for each child.

NOTE: We use the term MAW (Make-A-Wish) as a generic term, there are actually many-many charities that provide free trips for sick children. Although there is a large number of charities that can sponsor a family to get into GKTW (individual families cannot contact GKTW directly), Disney only honors a few of the charities for special treatment and ride special access within the parks.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Hi! The one thing that I can think of that helped our son tremendously with the loud sounds was noise cancelling headphones. He does not leave the house without them. (we learned day one at Universal NOT to leave them at the Villa at GKTW). GKTW is amazing. Our son enjoyed all of the theme parks we went to. I think it will depend on the types of things your kids like to do. One thing about GKTW is they treat the entire family amazing. We hope you have a great trip!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

GKTW is amazing

Yes, it is!

 

[Bearshouse]

Our trip was 6 years ago. Our son is non-verbal and even to this day not a trip goes by that a cast member doesn't go out of their way to make him smile. They have always talked to him as though he can communicate and wait for one of us to tell them the answer. We have been back to give kids the world to see our special item. I wont give it away. But we are cloud 7 up near the worn spot. From one wish family to another enjoy and take it slow.

Dont forget to have Ice cream for BREAKFAST. Our DD still talks about that and she was 5 when we went

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We have been back to give kids the world to see our special item.

1) You can only stay in a GKTW villa once.
2) But, as an alumni family, you can day-visit anytime you are in Orlando.
. . . food and ice cream are still free
. . . activities are still free
. . . if you leave your special item, you can see it any time