Princess Phoebe's Pre-WISH-Trip Report (arriving in MK 4/17/10)

[All7OfUs]

Just popping over to say hi over here. Sorry I cut you off in my last post on my thread!! I lost power right after that; I knew it was going so just had to post really quick!! Just didn't want you to think I was blowing you off

 

[wishin' on a star]

Woo Hoo 19 Days!!!

THe time is just melting away!!

 

[The Lurker]

The newer villas are by the playground. Various companies pay for and build the villas but cannot advertize the fact by putting up their name. Henri (the founder) believes (and everyone I know agrees) that if you have to advertize your name in the village, you don't understand the purpose of the village. However, there are some subtle hints, and it is kind of fun to look for them (like looking for hidden mickey mouses at Disney World). Burker King built at least one and may be two of the new villas - and used a castle motif and their colors. The Staybridge Hotel chain also built a villa in their colors. I don't know who the others were, but the styles and colors are chosen by the company that donates the villa. The interiors are all alike except that all the new ones are connecting and only two of the old ones connect for larger families. Also most weeks we are full or over-flowing so choosing or changing assigned villas can be difficult to impossible. I do suggest if you have a preference to call way in advance. We do try to meet as many requests as possible. Last week we had 150 families which meant some had to stay at Disney.
You will also see things that look very Disney like and Universal like. They are. And you will see the World's Largest Tinker Toy from one of the major sponcers - Hasbro. Hasbro got involved after one of their employees had a wish child. Hope this helps you understand the differences in the outside and decor of the villas.

Katie

 

[yinyanggirls]

The newer villas are by the playground. Various companies pay for and build the villas but cannot advertize the fact by putting up their name. Henri (the founder) believes (and everyone I know agrees) that if you have to advertize your name in the village, you don't understand the purpose of the village. However, there are some subtle hints, and it is kind of fun to look for them (like looking for hidden mickey mouses at Disney World). Burker King built at least one and may be two of the new villas - and used a castle motif and their colors. The Staybridge Hotel chain also built a villa in their colors. I don't know who the others were, but the styles and colors are chosen by the company that donates the villa. The interiors are all alike except that all the new ones are connecting and only two of the old ones connect for larger families. Also most weeks we are full or over-flowing so choosing or changing assigned villas can be difficult to impossible. I do suggest if you have a preference to call way in advance. We do try to meet as many requests as possible. Last week we had 150 families which meant some had to stay at Disney.
You will also see things that look very Disney like and Universal like. They are. And you will see the World's Largest Tinker Toy from one of the major sponcers - Hasbro. Hasbro got involved after one of their employees had a wish child. Hope this helps you understand the differences in the outside and decor of the villas.

Katie

That is all very interesting info Katie! Thanks for sharing. I think I've read on their website that different companies have donated for the construction but it's neat to know the different corporations put their own little stamp on each building. I can't wait to see the playground, 'cause I know it has accessible swings, Phoebe's favorite thing to do, but I'm sure we can walk or take the train there too.

 

[dawnbu40]

You're going to Disney World THIS MONTH!!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Oh my gosh, it's APRIL!!!

Just a quick little update....after looking over the map of GKTW I decided to go ahead and call them with a request. I felt sheepish doing it, because anything they give us will be wonderful, but I figured why not ask? From the first time I saw pics of Matthew's Boundless Playground I was excited for Phoebe because they have special swings, that bigger kids can sit in and still be supported like a baby swing. Her cerebral palsy makes it hard/impossible for her to hold her own weight up long enough to enjoy the swing, she has balance issues and her mental understanding of what will happen if she lets go makes it unsafe to use regular swings with her. She LOVES to swing. She actually hyperventilates when she sees a playground and it breaks my heart to not be able to put her in anymore. She's still skinny enough to fit but she's too long for me to lift into the seat. If I have a helper I can sometimes manage it, but generally I just try to avoid playgrounds if I know she can't go. In so many TRs I have read about how the kids wanted to ride the carousel over and over and over again. Phoebe will want to swing over and over and over again. (I'll be interested to try her on the carousel also, but in the past they have freaked her out). So I requested a villa that is walking distance to the playground. I was transferred once and then put on hold but the answer she came back with was "It's done".
The catch is, having just viewed James' TR pics and read Katie's explanation of the new area, the playground is new and so are the villas near it. So I have just sealed our fate to stay in one of the new villas. Anyone want to wager if it will be a fluorescent orange one? I'm totally kidding, of course.

 

[The Lurker]

We have a turtle and a snail on the carousel that are wheelchair accessible. They have a flat seat that comes out, and they turn so we just roll the wheelchair in, put on the brakes, hook up the seat belt and turn it back and it is set. Twice in the last few weeks I have had children get on that are scared. What we did was we showed the child the "magic red button" (there are two of them) that can be used to stop the carousel and told the child to let us know - wave a hand or something if they were scared and we would stop the carousel. It worked and both kids enjoyed the ride. So just let the volunteers know and we will work with the child - it is all about having fun. The train at Amberville is also wheelchair accessible - you just roll the wheelchair on. Also the pool has plastic wheelchairs - so she should be able to participate in everything.

Katie

 

[that's nice]

Melissa-
How awesome you got your request!!!!! I really do think the people at GKTW are angels!

Did you get your camera yet?

I won't remind you that your trip is like 16 days away though OK?

 

[yinyanggirls]

We have a turtle and a snail on the carousel that are wheelchair accessible. They have a flat seat that comes out, and they turn so we just roll the wheelchair in, put on the brakes, hook up the seat belt and turn it back and it is set. Twice in the last few weeks I have had children get on that are scared. What we did was we showed the child the "magic red button" (there are two of them) that can be used to stop the carousel and told the child to let us know - wave a hand or something if they were scared and we would stop the carousel. It worked and both kids enjoyed the ride. So just let the volunteers know and we will work with the child - it is all about having fun. The train at Amberville is also wheelchair accessible - you just roll the wheelchair on. Also the pool has plastic wheelchairs - so she should be able to participate in everything.

Katie

Thanks for that info Katie! I figured we would give it a try when we got there, because it's probably been a year or two since we've tried her on one. She has definitely changed her preferences over the years. (She used to hate slides, but enjoys them now). I knew that it was wheelchair accessible but it's nice to know that they can stop it if she's terrified and they are used to that.

Also, I didn't know details about the pool. That will be fun to try. We can help her walk into the pool but then we have to hold her while we swim and play. I will be curious to see if having a chair in the water helps her enjoy it more. Thanks so much for all the details!

 

[yinyanggirls]

Melissa-
How awesome you got your request!!!!! I really do think the people at GKTW are angels!

Did you get your camera yet?

I won't remind you that your trip is like 16 days away though OK?

"Little" camera is expected by 4/6. "Big" camera not ordered yet. Not sure it will happen before the trip, but still considering it.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Sounds like your trip is really coming together. I can't believe you are going this month! It is great to hear you will have a villa right across from the playground.It's so wonderful to hear GKTW does so many things for the Wish Kids.


I wonder if they have flouresent green villa's. I would never get Ty to leave

 

[pacrosby]

Oh my gosh, it's APRIL!!!

Just a quick little update....after looking over the map of GKTW I decided to go ahead and call them with a request. I felt sheepish doing it, because anything they give us will be wonderful, but I figured why not ask? From the first time I saw pics of Matthew's Boundless Playground I was excited for Phoebe because they have special swings, that bigger kids can sit in and still be supported like a baby swing. Her cerebral palsy makes it hard/impossible for her to hold her own weight up long enough to enjoy the swing, she has balance issues and her mental understanding of what will happen if she lets go makes it unsafe to use regular swings with her. She LOVES to swing. She actually hyperventilates when she sees a playground and it breaks my heart to not be able to put her in anymore. She's still skinny enough to fit but she's too long for me to lift into the seat. If I have a helper I can sometimes manage it, but generally I just try to avoid playgrounds if I know she can't go. In so many TRs I have read about how the kids wanted to ride the carousel over and over and over again. Phoebe will want to swing over and over and over again. (I'll be interested to try her on the carousel also, but in the past they have freaked her out). So I requested a villa that is walking distance to the playground. I was transferred once and then put on hold but the answer she came back with was "It's done".
The catch is, having just viewed James' TR pics and read Katie's explanation of the new area, the playground is new and so are the villas near it. So I have just sealed our fate to stay in one of the new villas. Anyone want to wager if it will be a fluorescent orange one? I'm totally kidding, of course.

OMG that's what I was thinking!!!!!





Karma's a ***, ain't it???????????

 

[xanphylus]

From the first time I saw pics of Matthew's Boundless Playground I was excited for Phoebe because they have special swings, that bigger kids can sit in and still be supported like a baby swing. Her cerebral palsy makes it hard/impossible for her to hold her own weight up long enough to enjoy the swing, she has balance issues and her mental understanding of what will happen if she lets go makes it unsafe to use regular swings with her. She LOVES to swing. She actually hyperventilates when she sees a playground and it breaks my heart to not be able to put her in anymore. She's still skinny enough to fit but she's too long for me to lift into the seat. If I have a helper I can sometimes manage it, but generally I just try to avoid playgrounds if I know she can't go.

The catch is, having just viewed James' TR pics and read Katie's explanation of the new area, the playground is new and so are the villas near it. So I have just sealed our fate to stay in one of the new villas. Anyone want to wager if it will be a fluorescent orange one? I'm totally kidding, of course.

I can't believe the parks near you don't have at least one accessible swing!! All of our parks (at least in my county here in GA) have one, if not more accessible swings! My DD is always trying to climb in them and I have to explain, esp when a wheelchair comes rolling in, that those are special swings and that she can swing in a regular swing. She likes them because they are near the baby swings that her brother uses and she wants to be near him.
I can only imagine trying to lift Phoebe into one of those swings- I have a hard enough time with Davy and he only weighs, maybe 30 lbs! We are very fortunate here to have a couple of fully accessible playgrounds- wheelchair ramps and everything! Its great seeing all the kids play together for once and not separate of not even able to play.

And I bet you get the orange one or the one to the right of the orange one!!!

 

[eyor44]

How wonderful they were able to honor your request.

I have a question about GKTW. Is there anything they haven't thought of or done for their children who visit? This place sounds (and looks) absolutely amazing.

 

[All7OfUs]

GREAT NEWS that they can help you out with your villa request! I'm very excited to get to see a picture of your little sweetie swinging with glee on her face!!!

 

[wishin' on a star]

That's fantastic that they are helping you out with the villa request! I can't wait to see pics of Phoebe enjoying the swing. We also have lots of playgrounds with at least one accessible "big" swing. My kids love them!

I am in the market for a new camera, too! Mine has a shattered LCD, and I don't think it's worth it to repair at this point. Makes picture taking not so fun sometimes, constantly having the camera on my face, when I'm trying to keep an eye on all the kids as well. Hoping DH comes through with a cinco de mayo camera for me, although he thinks I can continue to make do with the broken camera...not on our wish trip! I just want a little one!

 

[that's nice]

OMG that's what I was thinking!!!!!





Karma's a ***, ain't it???????????

I thought of the same thing... just didn't want to type it!!!!!!!

At least when you are in the orange one, you can't see the outside of it! (unless the whole inside is orange too!! )

 

[yinyanggirls]

I wonder if they have flouresent green villa's. I would never get Ty to leave

Karma's a ***, ain't it???????????

Easy now!

I can't believe the parks near you don't have at least one accessible swing!!

We live in a small town. It's growing but they can't keep up with the growth. I was told it might happen if I can get the info together for the town council but I came to a dead end trying to get the info.

I can only imagine trying to lift Phoebe into one of those swings- I have a hard enough time with Davy and he only weighs, maybe 30 lbs!

Phoebe's "only" about 55 lbs, but she's just too long to lift up over the swing in order to get her in.

And I bet you get the orange one or the one to the right of the orange one!!!

I know. I realized the minute I made a comment about not loving the orange, that was where we were headed.

I have a question about GKTW. Is there anything they haven't thought of or done for their children who visit? This place sounds (and looks) absolutely amazing.

Good question!!! I can't wait to go and see Phoebe enjoying it all!

GREAT NEWS that they can help you out with your villa request! I'm very excited to get to see a picture of your little sweetie swinging with glee on her face!!!

She will be in heaven!

We also have lots of playgrounds with at least one accessible "big" swing. My kids love them!

It's one more reason why we love to visit the grandparents in CA. They have a couple of awesome parks nearby.

Hoping DH comes through with a cinco de mayo camera for me, although he thinks I can continue to make do with the broken camera...not on our wish trip! I just want a little one!

I was really stressing over choosing two cameras and I finally just let DH get whatever he thought was good for the little one. I think we spent about 130. I hope you get something before the trip!.

I thought of the same thing... just didn't want to type it!!!!!!!

At least when you are in the orange one, you can't see the outside of it! (unless the whole inside is orange too!! )

Can you imagine?!?!

 

[yinyanggirls]

A quick trip down memory lane. We took the girls to Disneyland for the first time last March. Tim and I both grew up within 30 minutes of Dland and (embarrassed to admit) grew tired of it as we became adults. We ended up moving from CA when Phoebe was not quite 2 years old, so then it became a logistical problem of whether or not to go when we were visiting family in CA. Since Phoebe didn't know who the characters were and at that age was freaked out by lots of different things, we just skipped it. Finally with Tessa old enough to enjoy it and Phoebe moving beyond many of her sensory issues, we were inspired to go when we saw the commercials for a free ticket on your birthday. After reviewing the calendar, it appeared that the best birthday to coordinate a trip to Disney around was mine. Yippee! We left Friday afternoon, picking Phoebe up from school along the way (she's 45 mins north of us) and arriving at Tim's parents around 11pm. We were up at 7, but still didn't get to the park until 10. I couldn't believe how long it took just to get in the gate. Then we still had to get lockers (it was supposed to rain so we brought coats) and get a wheelchair pass at City hall. Once we finally got all that settled, and precautionary trip to the restroom, we were off to have fun! It was our family of four, my dad, my MIL, SIL and her 8 month old baby J.

Phoebe was thrilled to ride the tram to the ticket area. It was funny.

Finally we are walking down Main St! I had asked Tessa if she wanted to wear a princess dress to the castle and she said yes. I told her to choose which one (thinking she'd choose a Disney princess) and she picked out an old 1970s vintage hand me down. Whatever! It was her choice. Tessa shrieked with delight when she saw the castle and wanted to put on the princess dress. She twirled around Main St. with glee and we hadn't even been on a ride yet. Phoebe liked watching the horse drawn carriages go up and down Main st.

We were all getting annoyed at doing nothing for the first hour of being there (can you tell?). It was SO crowded.

She loved the mote around the castle.

We headed straight for Fantasyland, because it was quite crowded at this point. We went to Dumbo first and Phoebe was starting to get excited again.

It took a while for us to get on. This ride is so popular they basically had as long of a wheelchair line as a regular one. But once we were on the girls were in heaven!

Tessa rode with Papa. She's quite fond of him, which is cute because all the other grandkids were drawn to grandma first. She learned how to control the Dumbo towards the end of the ride.

Tessa asked to go again as soon as we were off. I figured the line was too long to go right then, not having seen anything else yet.

Next we headed for teacups. Not sure how Phoebe would like it, but willing to try. This also had a long line and Tessa could not stand still. She was into everything.

Once we got on the ride the girls were a little wary at first but loved it.

We kept watching the girls' faces to see if they were getting sick or freaking out. We didn't spin it until the end, and that was just a little.

We headed over to the Princess meeting area and found out that there was no shortcut for that line. I can understand why but it didn't change the fact that there was no way Phoebe was going to sit in a line for 1 1/2 hours to say hi to some chick in a ballgown. Tessa was really into the old school princess movies and I really wanted to let her meet them. No one else in our group was interested. We had to decide what to do.

We sent grandpa up to get in line while we figured out a plan. The girls needed a potty break. I took them both into the bathroom while everyone else stood outside talking about what to do. (warning: TMI coming up!)

 

[kellyw8863]

Okay, I'm so not supposed to be on here right now as dh took the girls on errands so I could finish grading papers, but I had to stop in and tell you I love the pictures! You all must be getting so excited!!!!!!