Princess Angelina's MAW PT report

[xanphylus]

I dunno why more people haven't found you yet...... prob because you're not on the main page yet. Maroo has to do that and she has been busy. Once she gets you on there, you will be good to go.

As for when to travel- I would go when the wish kiddo wants to go.... esp since you will have the income taxes back then too (sounds like my kinda plan!) Even if you can't go on her exact birthday, you could be really close and she would love that I am sure!

As for the car thing- I bet if you asked the wish coordinator who they are renting from, you could call that company and ask them if you could extend the rental on your own. So you don't have to turn the car in and all. Who knows, they may even give you a deal if you tell them it is for your wish trip.

Also, same goes with the house rental. One of the previous wish mom's called a company and told them it was for her daughter's wish trip and they got a great deal for their rental house. I believe it was momtomito (forgot the whole name on here..... silly me!) But she just finished her daughter's TR. See if you can find it on here...... she might be able to tell you the name of the place she rented from.

hope someone else can chime in with more details!

 

[Momto15]

Thank you thank you thank you!!

 

[DMGeurts]

Sorry I missed your questions...

I agree - I would try to go when your wish child wants to go.

Feb is a pretty good time of year crowd and weather wise. I know that means that your other kids would have catching up to do in school - which isn't easy, but hopefully their teachers will understand (I'd say a huge long email is in order, explaining the reason for the trip - and the sooner the better) and hopefully give them their work ahead of time.

D~

 

[blessedmom4]

Sarah, I only have a quick moment; however, I feel terrible no one else has been by to answer. I saw your question and answered in my PTR, my life has been so busy and i don't have a lot of free time. This was my thought and post in our PTR: Your incredible journey has just begun! I saw your question of WHEN to go...I would pick February 1, since it is the wish girls BD and her request! Plus not too hot and low crowds, early park closings and plenty to do at GKTW in your down time!

I am so sorry more people haven't been by to answer...post this exact question on the Wishtripper's thread...more people might answer there (some don't like to post on PTR's for some reason, but will answer you there). Things have been sort of slow, with the most recent Wishtripper's back and not posting much... I WILL be back, please know I will help you all I can!

 

[Momto15]

Thank you all for the replies! I appreciate it so much! I just thought of one more important question about going in February...is the pool open at gktw? And is it warm enough to swim? Swimming is very important to the wish girl

 

[DMGeurts]

That, I cannot answer. Sorry, I have never been in Feb. I was under the impression that if the pools are heated that it's a nice swim year round - but I could be mistaken.

D~

 

[Momto15]

Ok guess what?
We might have dates!

After way too much thought and deliberation between family and the wish princess- we have decided on April 20-26th for our stay at GKTW.


We are now waiting to hear back from MAW to be sure that it will work out ok. The only draw back is that we won't be at GKTW for a Thursday night- which I think is Christmas right?

So we are planning on staying in Florida an additional week to visit family etc. and thought maybe we could get a hotel near GKTW for the night of the 26th if they would let us come back for Christmas? Thoughts? Should I email them?
Was this a bad idea to miss? (I have read so much about the special events at GKTW and this one seems to be the most popular!

I must admit I am having a big of wish guilt. Did anyone else feel this way? Like wow- we don't desearve all this. This is such an enormous special gift for Angelina and our whole family it feels overwhelming! I am sure that some of you can relate.

Angelina has a big surgery coming up soon. She has hoped to be able to "go potty" without wearing diapers. (She currently wears a diaper and has a catheter four times a day.) So we might be spending Christmas break doing surgery stuff for her and our little guy Jude. (Age 2 with Spina Bifida too.) So when I think of all that they will go through and all the challenges she has overcome and has to come in her future I know she is deserving of this amazing wish. At the same time- I still feel that guilt feeling. I know... I need to get over it.

Big hugs to all. Thanks so much for taking the time to give me feedback on all my indecisive questions!!

 

[blessedmom4]

Ok guess what?
We might have dates!

After way too much thought and deliberation between family and the wish princess- we have decided on April 20-26th for our stay at GKTW.


We are now waiting to hear back from MAW to be sure that it will work out ok. The only draw back is that we won't be at GKTW for a Thursday night- which I think is Christmas right?

So we are planning on staying in Florida an additional week to visit family etc. and thought maybe we could get a hotel near GKTW for the night of the 26th if they would let us come back for Christmas? Thoughts? Should I email them?
Was this a bad idea to miss? (I have read so much about the special events at GKTW and this one seems to be the most popular!

I must admit I am having a big of wish guilt. Did anyone else feel this way? Like wow- we don't desearve all this. This is such an enormous special gift for Angelina and our whole family it feels overwhelming! I am sure that some of you can relate.

Angelina has a big surgery coming up soon. She has hoped to be able to "go potty" without wearing diapers. (She currently wears a diaper and has a catheter four times a day.) So we might be spending Christmas break doing surgery stuff for her and our little guy Jude. (Age 2 with Spina Bifida too.) So when I think of all that they will go through and all the challenges she has overcome and has to come in her future I know she is deserving of this amazing wish. At the same time- I still feel that guilt feeling. I know... I need to get over it.

Big hugs to all. Thanks so much for taking the time to give me feedback on all my indecisive questions!!

Hugs for the medical challenges.

Christmas was a HUGE deal for us (I REALLY wanted to be there, we always seem to miss Christmas at Christmas at our house due to medical things) and we planned our dates around it at GKTW. My son is actually leaving college the day before fall break starts so we will not miss it. We were told (ad your chapter might say differently) that we MIGHT could come back Christmas night at GKTW (we were planning originally 10/14 to 10/20 and come back that night of 10/20 to celebrate. They told our chapter that IF they were at or near capacity for Christmas, we would NOT be able to stay for the party...I would most definitely check with your MAW chapter so thy can find out for you. AGAIN, this was OUR experience, I can't speak for anyone else's...HTH! They said "probably" but could not/would not guarantee it...

 

[Momto15]

Thanks Judy for the reply about Christmas
I appreciate you all so much. This message board has been a wealth of information and JOY to read about other childrens wish trips.

 

[Momto15]

I am so proud of my husband today.

He ran his first half marathon today and did so for Spina Bifida awareness. He is age 49 and finished in 1 hour 55 mins.
It was an exciting and fun day for our family volunteering at the race (which is a fundraiser for our daughter Graces soccer team and other soccer and swim teams). And then of course watching my husband in the race.
Yea! Love days like this. Just wanted to share some of our blessings and joy!
Sarah

 

[blessedmom4]

What an amazing day and a GREAT way to give back and raise awareness!!! Thank you to your entire family!

 

[Momto15]

Might re think our plans. Our coordinator just called from her vacation (bless her!) To say thay we won't be able to extend our trip because its a liability to maw and that they don't allow it. Bummer!
I know each chapter works differently you would just think that if it were a liability for one it would be for all??
How is the gktw policy for visitors? Maybe my aunt could get a hotel nearby and come visit?

 

[Momto15]

Ok we are waiting on confirmation for our dates but they are looking like april 21 to april 27. Since we have long flights we are hoping to leave the night of the 20th. Our coordinator mentioned that there are shuttles to the parks from gktw. She had asked if we would still want a rental van?
Also does anyone know the gktw policy on family visiting? Have a blessed day

 

[DMGeurts]

Yay for dates!!! How exciting!

I am sorry that I can't answer your question about GKTW... I don't know much about it.

D~

 

[Momto15]

I am far too frugal for buying school pictures. So here is a "picture day" shot of Angelina from the other day. (Taken by her big brother Cole, age 14.)

I just wanted to post a little update. We still don't have confirmation of our dates but we are hoping to hear something soon. Angelina has been watching lots of Disney movies and the kids are SO excited of course. We have also been talking about Halloween and "which princess" she might want to dress up as. She changes her mind daily from Tiana to Belle to Cinderella.

Decisions decisions!

I have some questions that I am trying to figure out. I see that lots of people just make Sea World a half day or part day park and then do something the rest of the day.
I am trying to figure out how in the world we will fit so many exciting places into 6 days! I know that its been advised to go through the park maps and really look at the rides and shows etc. and decide what the Wish child and other child want to do the most. But how about Universal and IOA, can those both be done in one day? Or does it just all depend on how much you want to try to do?
Angelina has never been to ANY of the parks so this will be her very first time. Some of the older children have been to Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but no where else. So I guess we are trying to figure out how to best spend our time and where to go!
I would love any input, or any- "you shouldn't miss it!" kind of details so that I can start getting organized.
Ok so I have six months left to plan. lol
This just seems like the most exciting part of the planning! What are we going to do?
Also I was wondering about the waterparks... any input would be great? Of course Angelina is not a swimmer yet- she does love love love the water but won't be able to do any of the slides alone unless its a kiddie slide type thing. But I know she would be thrilled at the idea of a water park! Worth the time?

Thanks in advance for your time and advice!
Many Blessings!!
Sarah

 

[Momto15]

Angelina decided on Princess Tiana for Halloween this year! I ordered her a costume on super sale online yesterday. I can't wait to see her try it on!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Hello Sarah!

you have a beautiful family! you and your DH are angels and have huge hearts! so happy Angelina has received her wish!

we have a common bond with you....also from the PNW we are in Everett and my sweet DH Jim was in Haiti during the earthquake and was tragically killed in the Hotel Montana. We have not yet travelled there but hope to one day soon as we are helping another family affected during the earthquake is building a new orphange in their daughters memory and we hope to go when its completed to volunteer our time.

to hopefully answer some of your questions....

its a great idea to have each child pick their top couple rides, etc so everyone gets to do their fav's....can't help you much on US and IOA, but know there are more "big" thrill rides there.

you can have visitors at GKTW and they can also have a meal with you...we are doing just that with Judy (blessedmom4) family when we are there the end of this week meeting up with them!

look forward to reading more about your plans!

 

[petals]

joining in. congrats on the wish trip!

 

[xanphylus]

Ok we are waiting on confirmation for our dates but they are looking like april 21 to april 27. Since we have long flights we are hoping to leave the night of the 20th. Our coordinator mentioned that there are shuttles to the parks from gktw. She had asked if we would still want a rental van?
Also does anyone know the gktw policy on family visiting? Have a blessed day

I would def ask for the rental van!!! I have heard in other wish reports that you have to wait until later in the morning for the shuttle and you may not want to wait- also, you may have to call them an hour before you want to be picked up at the parks. I would prefer to have the ability to leave when I wanted to or needed to. Just my thought there- Esp if you are leaving later at night after fireworks.... imagine having to wait for your shuttle after a long day with the kiddos... on the other hand- no driving with a shuttle. But I like the convenience factor more!

Hope all is planning well.... I haven'[t been on too much lately. Finally found a part-time job and the kiddos are running me around too.

 

[Momto15]

Hello Sarah!

you have a beautiful family! you and your DH are angels and have huge hearts! so happy Angelina has received her wish!

we have a common bond with you....also from the PNW we are in Everett and my sweet DH Jim was in Haiti during the earthquake and was tragically killed in the Hotel Montana. We have not yet travelled there but hope to one day soon as we are helping another family affected during the earthquake is building a new orphange in their daughters memory and we hope to go when its completed to volunteer our time.

to hopefully answer some of your questions....

its a great idea to have each child pick their top couple rides, etc so everyone gets to do their fav's....can't help you much on US and IOA, but know there are more "big" thrill rides there.

you can have visitors at GKTW and they can also have a meal with you...we are doing just that with Judy (blessedmom4) family when we are there the end of this week meeting up with them!

look forward to reading more about your plans!

(((Lisa)))
You brought back so many memories of the earthquake to me. I am so sorry to hear about your hubby Jim's passing in the Hotel Montana. Our son Isaac was in Haiti at the time at the very end stage of his adoption (waiting on his visa appointment) when the earthquake hit. He was in a more northern part of Haiti but very quickly his orphanage with nearly 60 little ones was running out of food and they were taking in the refugees from the south. It was a dire situation and my husband flew down for us to be able to get him out. I am sorry that we share the Haiti connection on those terms. The earthquake is by far the more tragic event I can remember of my lifetime. With three children from Haiti it hit so close to home.


That is wonderful that your from the PNW! We aren't far from you- north of you- but not far!! Maybe someday we could meet?
Blessings to you! I am going to check out your trip reports!!!
Whoohooo!
Sarah