planning MAW vacation!

[maroo]

I would be glad to help you with a planner!!!

Just let me know and I can send you the info I would need to do it. It is totally free and is an excel spreadsheet with the GKTW info on there and parades and such!

 

[Lisarh]

I have been out of town, sorry for the delay!! I would LOVE to have a helper for the trip! Do you need my email address?

YAY!!! Thank you so much!


Lisa

 

[keetmommy]

we got our dates today!

June 17 - 23!! Yippie! So now Im excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you staying at GTKW? We will be there June 15-21

 

[Lisarh]

yep! we will be staying at GKTW!!

 

[Lisarh]

here are some pictures!

Kali- in her EEG cap (at home)

Kali again (MAW child)

My husband & other kiddos. ?Emma jordan & Deven

Kali in her wheelchair

 

[Corrine 1973]

Your kids are so cute!!!!

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

 

[tinytreasures]

your family is so cute

FYI- Corrine I packed diapers so I had more room to bring home stuff.
I packed a whole bag with snacks and diapers and we needed it to get everything home

 

[Lisarh]

OK, so is it normal to NOT hear anything for a while from your MAW volunteers?

and.. what are GAC?

Thanks!

Lisa

 

[Lisarh]

Ok, I have another question!

We will be staying at GKTW June 17-23. Exactly what tickets do we get? My family and my husbands family are meeting us there, and we need to tell them which parks we will be staying at!

ALSO! Kali's birthday is June 22, can we ask for something special to be done while were there for her birthday??

 

[twinmum]

OK, so is it normal to NOT hear anything for a while from your MAW volunteers?

and.. what are GAC?

Thanks!

Lisa

Ok, I have another question!

We will be staying at GKTW June 17-23. Exactly what tickets do we get? My family and my husbands family are meeting us there, and we need to tell them which parks we will be staying at!

ALSO! Kali's birthday is June 22, can we ask for something special to be done while were there for her birthday??

Whoohoo! All my posts, and yet I've never multi-quoted, and I think I've got it!

I noticed you hadn't had a reply to your questions, so I'll do my best (our Wish Trip was in November 2008).

First, MAW wish granters. Yes, I think you'll find it's a bit of "hurry up and wait". Sometimes it seems like ages since you've been in touch - but perhaps it's not as long as you think - it's just that you are so eager for answers etc that every day seems like a week! I found we'd wait a while, then lots of things happened all at once. It was also useful that we communicated a lot be email, so I felt I wasn't sidturbing her if I followed up.

GAC= Guest Assistance Card, the paper cousin to the Wish "magic button." YOu'll get a GAC for WDW, and its equivalent for Universal/IOA. We've been to WDW before and were already familiar with the GAC, because our son uses a wheelchair in the parks, has stamina issues etc. Usually you need to go to Guest Services and explain your needs to a CM and you are then given the appropriate GAC (such as needing to wait in the shade etc) For Wish families, you get a GAC that essentially instructs the CMs at the attractions to "expedite" you. Sometimes that means going straight to the front of the line, but when we went we found it meant entry through the FastPass line. Either way, it means significantly less waiting time. There are many types of GACs, but the Wish one is VERY useful and will make a huge difference to your trip. Because we get one usually, the difference was not as significant (Mark's medical issues result in a GAC to be able to use alternate entrances, which usually means the FastPass line).

Tickets: you will get passes for 3 days at WDW (park hoppers), 2 days at Universal/IOA and 1 day at SeaWorld. At Orientation, you'll learn about the availability of tickets to other local attractions...if you still have time!

I think there oare other families who have celebrated birthdays at GKTW...and I know they so a great job of singing Happy Birthday! A character meal with favourite characters might be a good idea. At WDW, stop by Guest Services and get a Birthday button and you can expect tons and tons of birthday greetings from CMs and other guests. There are loads of ideas...can you remind is how old your birthday girl will be?

Hope this helps!
Alison

 

[Lisarh]

oh yay! Thank You for answering my many questions!

Actually (funny thing!) this morning I got a phone call from our MAW volunteer and we are meeting Monday to get our packet! I must have talked her up!

Kali has seizures (over 300 daily) and she cant be in the heat for to long. I guess we will talk to them about all this then?

She will be 3yrs old June 22.

Thanks again!

 

[maroo]

Sorry...just now seeing your questions!

I think twinmum basically answered everything! But I wanted you to know that we are still reading!!

 

[Lisarh]

We received our packet yesterday from our MAW volunteer!

very exciting!

I did not realize how many theme park passes they give you
We will be busy!

What is the dinner theater? they added $$ for this?

What kind of rental car did you get? We are a family of 6, with 2 car seats.

thanks!

 

[maroo]

I would ask MAW about the rental car...I think it is usually very adequate, though. I drove Lauren's special van, so we didn't end up renting a car.

There are several Dinner Theatres you can choose from and you can usually get the MAW child in free and the rest of the party is half price. You have to reserve a spot for one after you check in to GKTW and they have to give them 48 hours notice, so it would have to be scheduled on the 3rd night or later in your trip.

We did the Pirate Dinner Adventure because William loves pirates. We, personally, had a bad experience there - but the show and dinner were good - the staff was just uneducated about disabilities. PM me if you want more details on that. But there are several dinner theatres.

If it is something your kids really, really want to do - then I would go for it...but really, there is PLENTY at Disney, Sea World, Universal and GKTW that would possibly be more fun.

It is good, though, that you already have an idea on your budget - that will help you guys a lot!

 

[Lisarh]

I was quite surprised at the $$ they give you! I was not expecting that much!

the only thing I was disappointed about was the flight, we have to make a connection. I was really hoping for a straight flight to Orlando. Oh well!

We have Kali's wheelchair, so hopefully she will do Ok with the changes and environments. I am going to board the plane LAST!

thanks again!

 

[Lisarh]

ok.. question!!

what is 1900 park fare?

I keep reading about this!!

Thanks

 

[maroo]

ok.. question!!

what is 1900 park fare?

I keep reading about this!!

Thanks

It is a character meal at the Grand Floridian (resort on the monorail). I have seen several reports lately of Wish Kids getting private meet and greets...but I don't think that always happens.

This is a link to a website that has the menus and possible characters that come to the meals.

http://allears.net/din/cb.htm

 

[Lisarh]

WOW.. we have 3 weeks and a few days before we go!! I am so upset, I have not received any messages that I had received PM's here

I am getting sooooooooooo nervous for the trip!! EEEKKK!!

 

[bellairisa]

Hi, I just found your PTR and it looks like both of our MAW trips are just around the corner!! How's the planning, packing, and your nerves going?

 

[maroo]

wow!!!

Time is flying by!

I was out for a week in Chicago and have just gotten my head above water in catching up while I was gone.

I can't believe you guys are leaving in 9 days! That is awesome!

You guys are going to have so much fun!!!!