MAW trip for my son in September

[spmoseley]

Hello all!

My son Cole was born with severe ebstein's anomoly and pulmonary atresia 4.5 years ago. He has had three open heart surgeries (the last one just this past April). One of his nurses at his most recent surgery suggested we contact the Make a Wish Foundation. Fast forward to today, when we just received our itinerary for a trip to Disney World.

We leave on September 7 for five days at Give Kids the World/Disney. I stumbled upon this website while looking for trip advice for Make a Wish kids going to Disney. I've already learned a lot but would definitely love more input and advice. I hope to post a trip report and pictures as well. My wife and I are almost as excited as Cole is. He will turn five while we are on the trip!

 

[mamabear0222]

How exciting! I hope your family has a magical time!!

 

[spmoseley]

Thank you! I've never been to Disney World, and obviously staying at GKTW is the opportunity of a lifetime. We feel so unprepared. I'm hoping the tips on this message board will help us get ready and make the most of the trip. So if anyone wants to throw advice my way, I'm all (Mickey Mouse) ears.

 

[mamabear0222]

LOL you might get better luck on the regular trip planning forums for all your questions!! I'm glad to hear your son gets to go. Keep us posted for sure, I for one would love to hear all about his trip!!!!

 

[spmoseley]

LOL you might get better luck on the regular trip planning forums for all your questions!! I'm glad to hear your son gets to go. Keep us posted for sure, I for one would love to hear all about his trip!!!!

Oh, I thought this was the forum for Make-a-Wish kid trips. I thought maybe I could get some insight from those who've stayed at Give Kids the World and gone to Disney via MAW. I'm still not clear on what all the perks/rules are for MAW kids.

 

[lanejudy]

Oh, I thought this was the forum for Make-a-Wish kid trips. I thought maybe I could get some insight from those who've stayed at Give Kids the World and gone to Disney via MAW. I'm still not clear on what all the perks/rules are for MAW kids.

Correct, this is the disABILITIES forum. And here is the link specific to the MAW thread...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3084932...which can also be found "pinned" as a sticky at the very top of the list for this forum. Feel free to ask questions there or here; if specific to GKTW and Wishes, you'll get better answers from the MAW thread. General questions, the rest of us are glad to help as well.

Best of luck to you and your son! Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[Jessicalynne]

Congrats on your dates! How is your planning going so far?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if you have not found the GKTW prearrival site, look for that site. look at the special activities at the Village besides the visits to the parks. I was on 2 MAW trips with 2 grandsons. plan on what is most important to your family and what can be skipped as you will not have enough time for everything. if the Village is still having Mayor Clayton tuck the kids in one night sign up for it, fun memories. take lots of pics, your own, the village cameras, and at Disney esp if phot cd still included. lots of special activities at the Village besides the parks. have a great trip

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I am a volunteer coordinator at GKTW (Give Kids The World).
2) You will be treated like royalty at The Village !!!
3) It might be more of a vacation for the parents than the child(ren).
4) Since most parents have so much to do for the kid(s) at home.
5) At GKTW, you leave most of the things to us.

6) With the exception of some souvenirs, EVERYTHING IN THE VILLAGE IS FREE !
7) REPEAT, FREE, FREE, FREE !
8) Some highlights
. . . ice cream for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or later at the Ice Cream Palace
. . . pizza delivery to your villa
. . . train rides
. . . internal village tram
. . . on stage Village Idol (like Rock Idol)
. . . great pools
. . . Santa & Christmas every Thursday
. . . gifts for the children in the villa daily
. . . staff & volunteers willing to bend over backward for you
. . . evening cookie cart circulating the resort
. . . breakfast cart to bring your breakfast to the villa
. . . drive-in movie
. . . horseback riding
. . . tea party
9) Go to GKTW.org for more info and for Activities

 

[Lsdolphin]

Have a magical trip. Hope you can go to the fireworks dessert party in MK it's wonderful away from crowds!