Off to see the "Real Tree" - April 19th - April 26th! Ali's Wish Trip PTR!

[kayrosek]

Well I don't know anything about the expense check although I would agree you should just call them, explain you are trying to make some plans and would be better able to do that if you had an idea how much the expense check would be. I do have a couple of thoughts from our recent trip. I brought snacks to the resort and carried them in to the park in my purse we snacked on nuts, raisins, crackers and such throughout the parks. We diden't eat three meals a day even though we had free dining. The others are right the portions are huge, but not just the meal portions alot of the snacks are giant too. One night we were too hungry for the little things in my purse but not ready for dinner. The five of us split three snacks in Epcot and still had some left over and two of my kids are big eaters. Another time my three kids split a CS chicken strip meal as a snack and DH and I split a baked chicken meal and we were all fine after words. I agree with Maroo. Eat one large meal at GKTW and one TS meal at the parks. Bring in a few snacks and if you guys are still hungry share some snacks or a couple meals from a CS place. Another thing if you can schedule the last lunch of the day at places instead of a dinner time it is cheaper. In that case you could eat a large breakfast in the morning and snack before and after a big late lunch. We did that a few times.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Your itinerary looks great. You've kept the most important things in mind, especially the energy level. I have quite a few ADRs also and keep wondering if it's too many. We are big on restaurants. Whenever our salary allows, we eat at a sit-down restaurant twice a week. Having never been to WDW (I was a teen and only did Epcot) there are so many choices we want to try! One word of caution I read on other TRs is that the TS places do take time out of your day. If you are trying to get a lot of things done, it might be hard to have more than one TS per day, or any at all for that matter. But. if your kids are good in restaurants, it might be a nice break from the heat, the walking and the excitement of the park. These are fun dilemmas to have!

 

[dmbfan]

WOW, Kelly looks like things are coming along nice.... Just think your trip will be here before you know it.

How AWESOME!!!

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

I am loving your adr's. I cannot wait to read your trip report on how they all went I still don't know how much our expense check is but I didnt make any adr's. Im hoping we can get in to T Rex without them.

 

[pacrosby]

Hi Kelly,

Re: the expense check and whether or not it covered our meals..........in a word, for us, YES...........and then some. I couldn't believe the amount they allotted for lunch in the parks but I must admit we don't go for expensive food much. We did two character breakfasts (1900 Park Fare and Confisco Grille @ IOA) Rainforest Cafe in AK, T-Rexx in DTD and Sci-Fi Diner in HS plus assorted counter service restaurants for quick meals and snacks. I think we barely spent 2/3 of our food allottment on food. Do you know how much your getting?

I noticed you talked to Jessica in the MAW office. I did most of my talking with Jenna. Did you happen to mention your involvement here with the Disboards? I thought it would be such a great idea if they routinely passed this forum on to families going on WDW Wish Trips but when I called, I ended up having to talk to Jessica and she, sadly, was less than receptive. Maybe if you mentioned it too, how helpful it has been (maybe Shannon too), it might open her eyes a bit and make her reconsider (I also suggested maybe hooking a new family up with one who had already been to GKTW but that really went over like a lead balloon LOL).

I had lost track of your PTR there for awhile but that I've found it I dan get myself caught up. Looks like things are moving in the right direction. I'm glad to hear that their inability to pay for Gabe didn't derail you guys.


Pamela
Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

 

[Thumper321]

We're like you guys. We have no idea of even a ball park range of the expense check. We've only schedule 3 ADR's right now. I would like to schedule 1 or 2 more, but I want to know what MAW is covering, and what we'll be covering. Your plans sound great! I keep changing our itinerary. I think I'm on my 4th draft, and we've only had official dates for 4 days.

 

[kellyw8863]

Thanks, ladies, for all of your feedback regarding ADRs and eating in the parks! I truly appreciate it!

Hi Kelly,

Re: the expense check and whether or not it covered our meals..........in a word, for us, YES...........and then some. I couldn't believe the amount they allotted for lunch in the parks but I must admit we don't go for expensive food much. We did two character breakfasts (1900 Park Fare and Confisco Grille @ IOA) Rainforest Cafe in AK, T-Rexx in DTD and Sci-Fi Diner in HS plus assorted counter service restaurants for quick meals and snacks. I think we barely spent 2/3 of our food allottment on food. Do you know how much your getting?

I noticed you talked to Jessica in the MAW office. I did most of my talking with Jenna. Did you happen to mention your involvement here with the Disboards? I thought it would be such a great idea if they routinely passed this forum on to families going on WDW Wish Trips but when I called, I ended up having to talk to Jessica and she, sadly, was less than receptive. Maybe if you mentioned it too, how helpful it has been (maybe Shannon too), it might open her eyes a bit and make her reconsider (I also suggested maybe hooking a new family up with one who had already been to GKTW but that really went over like a lead balloon LOL).

I had lost track of your PTR there for awhile but that I've found it I dan get myself caught up. Looks like things are moving in the right direction. I'm glad to hear that their inability to pay for Gabe didn't derail you guys.


Pamela
Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

We don't know how much we're getting, and honestly, other than obsessing here, I'm okay with that. I have to admit, our experiences with J. have been a bit...lackluster. I feel guilty saying that because we, too, are so thankful to even have this opportunity, but I always find myself apologizing over and over whenever I talk with her. I will mention hooking people up with this board, though. I'll let you know what happens!

We're like you guys. We have no idea of even a ball park range of the expense check. We've only schedule 3 ADR's right now. I would like to schedule 1 or 2 more, but I want to know what MAW is covering, and what we'll be covering. Your plans sound great! I keep changing our itinerary. I think I'm on my 4th draft, and we've only had official dates for 4 days.

You know, I'm glad you checked in here, because for some reason, you're not on my subscribed list, and I thought for sure I had added you! I know we have more ADRs than we'll probably use, but I'm having such a hard time deciding.

Well, hold on to your hats. Gabe has decided that he does not want to go on Ali's wish trip. So, we're not taking him. I would be lying if I said I'm not hurt/disappointed. I can't help but feel that he would rather stay home than spend QT with our family, even if it is at Disney. Intellectually, I know that isn't the case, but...it's just weird thinking he won't be with us.

On that note, does anyone have any experience with Southwest's cancellation policies? I'm hoping that they will hook us up if I explain the situation...

 

[pacrosby]

HI Kelly,

I'm so disappointed to hear of your similar experiences with the office there. I had hoped that I had just caught her on a bad day. The other J was wonderful when I would call. I wish I had caught her on that day when I was passing on the info about the Dis. Such a lost opportunity.

So Gabe doesn't want to go now????? Did he tell you why? IDK, guess I'm just being nosey. I'm surprised.

As long as the arrangements are made through MAW I don't think you need to be the least bit concerned about flight changes/cancellations. But I guess I must have missed something.................why would you have to cancel????? I'll go back and reread.




Pamela
Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

 

[yinyanggirls]

Oh, I'm sad he doesn't want to go! I guess I'm nosy too, but I can't help but wonder why? Is it just normal teenage angst? Or does he know that MAW isn't paying for him? ARGHHHH!! That would make me mad if that was the reason. Dang it!

Anyway, I wonder if they don't want people to research too much because they would have certain expectations? I would think one chapter does things the same for each family but who knows?

I also, don't want to ask about our expense check (haven't even been told we'll get one, so that would be awkward! ). It's not going to affect my planning because one way or another we'll pay for everything we do. If we don't have the money going in we'll use credit and pay it off later. I'm not normally an advocate of credit cards, but it IS a WISH trip.

 

[pacrosby]

Anyway, I wonder if they don't want people to research too much because they would have certain expectations? I would think one chapter does things the same for each family but who knows?

Hmmmm Melissa has a good point there. I was thinking of all the info the disboards can provide Wish trippers re: GKTW though and WDW in general, not MAW so much. I mean when you really think about it, is a Wish trip the kind of trip you want to take where you no nothing until you get there? I think they think (did you follow that) that the 'surprise' factor is part of the excitement but it would be nice if the families who wanted to be able to plan more had the ability to do so. You can't plan when you don't know what to expect. Heck, you don't even get the info about GKTW until a week or two before you go and even then, what you get is minimal. When I explained to J how the boards were essentially responsible for Matty's Gingerbread Man wish coming true (at Disney and at GKTW) she was less than enthused. It was really wierd.


Ok....sorry to go negative there. I repeat, I am so grateful for MAW. They did a wonderful thing for Matty and my family. I just think of what so many Wish trippers don't know until so late in the process (or in some cases will never know) and how much more fabulous their trips could be if they knew sooner (or knew at all).



Pamela

 

[dmbfan]

Really? Gabe does not want to go? I am shocked too...but than again at 17, maybe being with his friends is more fun....I hope he does change his mind though, cause he would have a trip of a lifetime as well. However I just wish our oldest was honest with us when we paid OOP to take him on Jake's MAW trip, cause during the trip and after the trip he said he wished he never went, as his cell phone and his girlfriend was the most important thing to him than...and he just told my MIL he was kinda shocked we did not ask him to go back with us next month.... ...hmmmm, maybe it was because you already told us you wish you did not go, than why on earth would we take you again......Ok getting off my teen soapbox here...

Hope tomorrow goes well by the way...I will be waiting to see how she does with the testing...

 

[maroo]

I think the general feeling...from the folks I have talked to with MAW...is that they really don't like so much the idea of all of us getting together on here and comparing notes.

I am sure there are several reasons for this...but not the least of which is that each chapter...and even each trip specifically...is so different. Each chapter gives different things to the family and I am sure if someone was being snarky they could straight up ask why this family got that or that family got this.

And they don't want the families to really plan. At least that has been the impression I have been given...that they don't like for the family to "worry" about anything. And I can see that. But those of us that are planners...it makes me worry to not plan something as special as a wish trip.


As far as Southwest...

They will let you cancel and get a "credit" for future travel for ANYONE within a year.

I personally use Southwest all the time. If I had a credit, for example, I could use it for me, give it as a gift to someone or even sell it to someone for cash - all they need is the confirmation number and name on the ticket and they can use the "funds" leftover once you cancel.

PS: As hard as I am sure this is...don't be too worried about Gabe not wanting to go. I am sure there could be a bunch of reasons...but he obviously really loves you guys and what you are doing for him is going to change his life forever. Even if he doesn't fully get that now (and I hope he already does) - he will certainly get it later in his life. Hang in there.

 

[kellyw8863]

HI Kelly,

I'm so disappointed to hear of your similar experiences with the office there. I had hoped that I had just caught her on a bad day. The other J was wonderful when I would call. I wish I had caught her on that day when I was passing on the info about the Dis. Such a lost opportunity.

So Gabe doesn't want to go now????? Did he tell you why? IDK, guess I'm just being nosey. I'm surprised.

As long as the arrangements are made through MAW I don't think you need to be the least bit concerned about flight changes/cancellations. But I guess I must have missed something.................why would you have to cancel????? I'll go back and reread.




Pamela
Matty's Wish Trip PTR http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2325607
Matty's Wish Trip TR "Mom, Dad, 3 Kids, and a Gingerbread Boy" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2356739

You know, it's really fine. I hate not talking to people in person because I otherwise don't know how to read them. She has been helpful enough, I just can't help but feel like I'm always putting her out when I call. That's why we have email, right?!

As for Gabe, I'm not sure what brought about the change. We had a huge blow-up a couple of weeks ago over some really stupid stuff he pulled, so we have started this whole communication book thing where he writes in it every day and we respond. Over the weekend, he had written that he was reconsidering going to Disney because he's feeling like he needs a break from our family, and he's too nervous about turning 18 to have fun.

And then last night, he said that he definitely doesn't want to go, that he wants to go spend the week with his younger bio brother instead. So we told him that would be fine, but that if he thinks he doesn't want to go, then he needs to decide and can't base it on alternative plans in case those plans fall through. We told him it was too much of a financial commitment for him to waver back and forth, and he told us to cancel his ticket. And as far as we know, that's the end of the story.

And we don't all have to cancel, but MAW did make his flight arrangements using our credit card so that we'd all be on the same flight. Therefore, I'm assuming it's our responsibility to cancel his flight since he's not an official wish trip participant.

Oh, I'm sad he doesn't want to go! I guess I'm nosy too, but I can't help but wonder why? Is it just normal teenage angst? Or does he know that MAW isn't paying for him? ARGHHHH!! That would make me mad if that was the reason. Dang it!

Anyway, I wonder if they don't want people to research too much because they would have certain expectations? I would think one chapter does things the same for each family but who knows?

I also, don't want to ask about our expense check (haven't even been told we'll get one, so that would be awkward! ). It's not going to affect my planning because one way or another we'll pay for everything we do. If we don't have the money going in we'll use credit and pay it off later. I'm not normally an advocate of credit cards, but it IS a WISH trip.

I'm sad, too! In all fairness to him, I guess we never really asked him if he wanted to go and instead just assumed that he did. I mean, who wouldn't?!

I suppose you're right that there are people who would have certain expectations. I admit that I am guilty of that after reading of other foster children being included as part of the wish family.

I don't think the expense check will hugely affect our planning, either. Especially not now that we won't have another adult mouth to feed. I know everything will work out!

Really? Gabe does not want to go? I am shocked too...but than again at 17, maybe being with his friends is more fun....I hope he does change his mind though, cause he would have a trip of a lifetime as well. However I just wish our oldest was honest with us when we paid OOP to take him on Jake's MAW trip, cause during the trip and after the trip he said he wished he never went, as his cell phone and his girlfriend was the most important thing to him than...and he just told my MIL he was kinda shocked we did not ask him to go back with us next month.... ...hmmmm, maybe it was because you already told us you wish you did not go, than why on earth would we take you again......Ok getting off my teen soapbox here...

Hope tomorrow goes well by the way...I will be waiting to see how she does with the testing...

It's funny, because we were JUST talking about this! You know, I'd be lying if I said there isn't a tiny part of me that is relieved. It will definitely be more relaxed not having to worry about a teenager in the mix, but I know Garth is really disappointed because his roller coaster buddy bowed out! And, it will certainly make it easier financially.

Thanks for the wishes on tomorrow. I'm nervous! How is Jake doing with the TPN? I hope that it's been an easy transition for you all...

I think the general feeling...from the folks I have talked to with MAW...is that they really don't like so much the idea of all of us getting together on here and comparing notes.

I am sure there are several reasons for this...but not the least of which is that each chapter...and even each trip specifically...is so different. Each chapter gives different things to the family and I am sure if someone was being snarky they could straight up ask why this family got that or that family got this.

And they don't want the families to really plan. At least that has been the impression I have been given...that they don't like for the family to "worry" about anything. And I can see that. But those of us that are planners...it makes me worry to not plan something as special as a wish trip.


As far as Southwest...

They will let you cancel and get a "credit" for future travel for ANYONE within a year.

I personally use Southwest all the time. If I had a credit, for example, I could use it for me, give it as a gift to someone or even sell it to someone for cash - all they need is the confirmation number and name on the ticket and they can use the "funds" leftover once you cancel.

PS: As hard as I am sure this is...don't be too worried about Gabe not wanting to go. I am sure there could be a bunch of reasons...but he obviously really loves you guys and what you are doing for him is going to change his life forever. Even if he doesn't fully get that now (and I hope he already does) - he will certainly get it later in his life. Hang in there.

Thanks, Maroo! It does make sense. I guess it's just hard for me to understand not planning something like this! So even though the ticket is in Gabe's name, I could use it for myself? If this is the case, I think I may need to plan a trip to Florida to visit some old friends!

And thanks for the encouragement about Gabe. In the past couple of weeks, we've all had to shift our goals a bit. It's taking some getting used to, but it will all be fine!

Ali has some pretty important allergy testing tomorrow, so if you all wouldn't mind keeping her (and us) in your thoughts, that would be great. I updated her CaringBridge page (in my siggie), but in a nutshell, she's being tested for allergies to penicillin, sulfa drugs, and cephalosporins. This is a HUGE deal, because right now, she is literally allergic to every class of antibiotics and has tentatively been diagnosed with something called multiple drug allergy syndrome. Because of the mito, we are supposed to treat all potential infections aggressively to prevent major regressions, but we can't because of the antibiotic issue. So hopefully tomorrow, we will find that she can tolerate something! I will update after we get home.

 

[Momofwishkid]

I will be keeping Ali in my thoughts tommorrow and hope it comes out she can tolerate something. Are they doing something like the allergy scratch test??

 

[kellyw8863]

Thanks, Jennifer. She's having 8 scratch tests and 12 intradermal injections. It's bound to be a very unpleasant morning.

 

[yinyanggirls]

Oh man, what a test! I asked about testing Tessa for allergies (just dust, foods, etc) and her ped said that it could change as she grows or show things that aren't a problem for her. Sounded like it just wouldn't be worth it. Then he changed his mind and gave me a referral. Weird. Anyway, hoping that Ali has some good results. Will you know instantly or do they have to read them and compile a report?

 

[jessica52877]

Just joining in. I enjoyed meeting your family and I am disappointed that Gabe isn't joining you but I really can see why he might not want to go for several reasons.

Your family is adorable! I must get to bed now. I got carried away reading all 11 pages!

 

[Thumper321]

Good luck today, Ali and Kelly! Hope that everything goes as easy as possible and that you get the answers you need!

 

[maroo]

Praying for you guys. For peace and comfort - regardless of the outcome today. I hope it is nothing and that you guys are doing great!

We are praying for you guys!

 

[kellyw8863]

Thanks for the thoughts. It was a truly miserable morning with truly miserable results. She reacted to everything but ceftriaxone, and even that was questionable.

And as if her morning wasn't stressful enough, we took her to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch as a "treat," and let's just say she wasn't a fan. I guess I'll be cancelling those ressies for RC at AK.