Owen's Wish DISNEYWORLD 2011!!

[tinytreasures]

We love Animal Kingdom lodge. When they say Welcome home they really mean it.
I am dreaming of going back there can you tell

 

[billwendy]

I think my husband is going crazy with all my planning. It's at least 8 months from Owen's Make A Wish and I am researching Hotels (for an extended stay out of pocket) and getting familiar with the different parks.

Any suggestions on Hotels? I'm looking at the Polynesian, Contemporary, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

WOW I dont think you could go wrong with any of them!!! If staying on the monorail close to the MK I'd do Contemp or Poly. If Owen is into animals I'd do the AK!!!! lol...not much help, but really all 3 are AWESOME!! What is Owen more in to ????? Animals, Trains (monorail going through your hotel is so cool) or the tropical feel of Poly? So exciting to hear your plans!!Some other wish'ers have done a great job stretching out their tickets...its really crazy fun to try to use them all up in a week!!!! and enjoy GKTW!!! There are also some other place you can get tickets to at GKTW as well that could help stretch your trip out even more - I think the space center and bush gardens and a petting zoo and maybe a mini golf course are a few of them - you just have to arrange them with GKTW.....anyone know a for sure list?

 

[mom2pixies]

I'm thinking that if we get B's wish, we might try to extend the vacay a few days, too! I would love to know if there's a list of other GKTW tix or discount locations. How 'bout I inquire on the main thread?

I've never stayed at any of those resorts, but they all look wonderful! Think it really depends on what Owen's into!

 

[fulseasmama]

Just found your PTR. What a beautiful family you have.

We stayed at AKL after our stay at GKTW was over and had a great time. The kids loved the hotel and seeing the animals all the time. I am sure all the hotels would be really nice however!

I look forward to following along with your PTR.

 

[VBAndrea]

Gorgeous family! Honestly, I don't think there is such a thing as planning to far in advance. The more you educate yourself now the easier it will be. The Disboards were my number one resource!

I can't help you with all the hotels, but I can tell you we stayed at AKL and it was awesome. I am such an animal lover though and we got a nice discount on the room. I don't think you can wrong with any Disney properties!

 

[rayleechristian]

what a beautiful family! i look forward to hearing more!!!

 

[rayleechristian]

what a beautiful family! i look forward to hearing more!!!

 

[cogero]

I have not stayed at the Poly. I love AKL it is so restful after the chaos of the parks

 

[sl_underwood]

I hope that you are able to get your wish and stay onsite. I also hope you can stay a few more days. I have not stayed at any of the resorts you listed but I have visited each of them and they are beautiful. My husband and I plan to stay at the Poly someday. The kids never want to stay there though.

 

[Owensheart]

Last I spoke with our wish granters, I asked if staying onsite at a Disney Resort hotel was an option. She wasn't sure, but said she'd get back to me on that and also the option of extending our trip (out of pocket). We know a couple of other MAW families from the same MAW chapter that have stayed onsite and/or extended their trip so I'm pretty sure we have lots of options.

Here's where I would love advice...

Staying on site vs GKTW??

GKTW has villas with washer/dryers and lots to do. I have heard that we can still participate in the GKTW activites even if we stay on site. Also, that we can eat at GKTW still as well. So I guess I wonder what we would miss out on?

Staying on site we havea normal hotel room, without the homey feel. But we are right there on Disney property which makes it really convienient to go back to our room and refill oxygen tanks and nap. Then of course, when/if we can extend our stay, we can just stay put at our hotel and pay the additional days.

Hmmmmm... big decisions. I looked at the calendar and realized that it's been over a month since Owen "made" his wish. The requested dates are still 7 months away, so I wonder when they will actually give us dates. I'm sure they wait til it's closer.

Advice??

 

[billwendy]

Hmmm - that could be a tough choice!! Is there any way to refil tanks at the nurses station or anything in the parks?

Our family really enjoyed staying at GKTW - they loved it there as much as the parks! It was nice staying in the villa, but it was the extra touches - there were gifts for the kids every day in the villa, loved being able to walk over for a round of golf, ride on the train or merry go round, etc. If you were staying on property, I wonder if you'd really go back and forth over there to eat your meals? Not that it was an option for us, but staying at GKTW was a once in a lifetime thing.......????? Guess Im not much help!!! lol....I figure you cant go wrong either way!!!

 

[blessedmom4]

We have had so many waits and extensions for Lisa's MAW due to Medical reasons, I know for fact that GKTW requires updated paper work within 6 months of the trip so you can't get confirmed dates until then. We have been waiting for that six month window because we are planing to go in October to coincide with our oldest son's fall break from college.

For us, GKTW without a doubt is the place to stay, even with older children (even though we long to stay on Disney property). I don't think you would travel back and fourth thirty minutes to eat meals at GKTW, it would take too much out of your day. Just my two cents. The experience is one you will NEVER be able to buy...of course, if your heart is set on staying on property...then that would be the way to go. Maybe you could read some completed TR's where people stayed at Disney and others stayed at GKTW and decide what sounds like the best for for your family!

 

[brat]

We are not a Wish family, but we just had a great stay at AK villas.We loved it there and the CMs were wonderful! They made our stay better than we dreamed it would be.

Have fun planning. You got me hooked on following to hear about your cuties wish.

 

[blessedmom4]

I just wanted to wish you a

 

[blessedmom4]

ENJOY your day!!!

 

[Owensheart]

I figured it was time for a quick update!! I spoke with Owen's wish granters last week and still no word from his wish manager. I got a call from his cardiologist stating they sent in the wish approval to go to Disneyworld a few weeks back. Now we wait...

Owen has his big cardiac catherization and MRI scheduled at Stanford the last week of July. That will give his surgeon final information on whether or not he can go forward with his fourth open heart surgery in August. The other option will be moving forward with a heart transplant.

I questioned earlier about where we should stay, given the option of staying on site or at GKTW. We decided upon staying at GKTW and spending lots of time enjoying the village.

Other families from our chapter have extended their trips (out of pocket) and so we plan to do the same. Assuming we are allowed. I'll take that time to stay on site at one of the Disneyworld Resort hotels and enjoy Magic Hours and MVMCP.

After way too much research.. .. I decided upon the Poly, Contemporary, or one of the boardwalk hotels. I am hoping to get a PIN in the mail and used all my tricks to try to get one generated through Disney. I know they do room only discounts usually as well.

I don't know how long to extend our trip.. I'm thinking 4 days, maybe 5?

The first of June would put us six months away from our requested dates.. so we'll hopefully hear something soon. At least prior to Owen's surgery.. I really want him to have this to look forward to at the end of his recovery.

I hope ya'll had a great Easter and Mother's Day.. I will update more when I hear something. I am enjoying reading all the PTR's and TR's.. it is all so amazing!!

 

[billwendy]

If you can swing it, 5 would be nice! I think when you are staying on property there are some special things to enjoy, especially around the holidays when things are so festive. Decorations are just absolutely beautiful!!!!!! Plus, it would give you some time to "relax" after running like crazy the whole week before! ( :

 

[blessedmom4]

I would extend as long as you can...we would have done more than 4 days if we didn't have to get one back to college.

 

[Owensheart]

No word On dates yet...so we wait. We are busy getting reedy to travel to Stanford for Owen's cath and MRI at the end of the month. If things look great, then he will hopefully be a candidate for a 4th open heart surgery in August! Not something you would wish upon a 3year old, but the alternative is transplant.

If his surgery went as planned, he will hopefully ditch his oxygen for the first time ever! He doesn't know what it's like to be free of tubing. I'm singing Pinnochio in my head right now. Ha.

We are hoping for dates soon so I can get my planning on. We are going to do a lot of relaxing at GKTW and allowing the kids 1character meal each. I am keeping my eyes peeled for a great deal on a Disney deluxe resort to move to after the wish part of our trip is over. We are going to take our time, soak in the Christmas spirit and spoil our kids rotten...it's their big Christmas gift from us.

I will have one big awesome trip report at the end! I have a family blog with a fun trip report from our DL trip last christmas. Http://owensheart.com ya know..if you are bored. I also keep that updated with Owen's medical stuff.

Time to go get dinner on. A mothers work never ends.

 

[Owensheart]

I would extend as long as you can...we would have done more than 4 days if we didn't have to get one back to college.

You always have the sweetest Disney bling. I loved watching the video of Rachel playing the blues and am so exicited she gets to play at the HOB. Lisa's make a wish reveal was awesome too. I'm thinking a four to five day extension is in the plans.