Sebastian's Make A Wish Trip to Disney

[twob4him]

Just catching up again....love the custom song and adorable pics of Sebastian! Hope all is going well! So what is the count down now???

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Just catching up again....love the custom song and adorable pics of Sebastian! Hope all is going well! So what is the count down now???

33 days!

 

[LindaBabe]

Amber, I just read all 7 pages of your pre-trip report again, all I can say is WOW! You guys are AMAZING! YOU are amazing.

You do so much, girl, it's no wonder you get a little overwhelmed at times - can you just do what you can do - and let the rest go, without regret? Sometimes, what doesn't get done, isn't that important after all, kwim? The sun will still rise again tomorrow!

Hugs!

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Amber, I just read all 7 pages of your pre-trip report again, all I can say is WOW! You guys are AMAZING! YOU are amazing.

You do so much, girl, it's no wonder you get a little overwhelmed at times - can you just do what you can do - and let the rest go, without regret? Sometimes, what doesn't get done, isn't that important after all, kwim? The sun will still rise again tomorrow!

Hugs!

Thanks Linda! I'm working on letting stuff go.

Linda you would be so proud of me! ...I actually just resigned from two commitees I've been on for a long time...The Party Commitee of my MOMS Club and the Steering Commitee of my neighborhood parent's club. My photography bussiness is just starting to take off and I just don't have the extra time for it. I also talked my mother-in-law into hosting Thanksgiving instead of me since we'll have house guests the whole week before...Yay! Oh and I also backed out of a vendor show of Mom's with their own bussinesses. Go me! I feel secretly empowered for saying "no."

I've also sat down with our Disney itinerary and re-worked it. I had it planned out using fast passes and more criss-crossing to beat crowds but since we will have the GAC card which will hopefully eliminate the need for FPs I'm trying to keep it more geographically oriented --meaning we wouldn't be doubling back. KWIM?

The only time I've ever been able to let stuff go is when Sebastian is sick. It's during those times that I know that nothing else matters but my family and enjoying them in the moment. Somehow as soon as our medical life calms down our "to do" list piles up. ACK!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to let go. Anyway I slice it I'm still busy...Sebastian's Send-off party on the 22nd, Savannah's Baptism on the 23rd, Thanksgiving the 27th, My annual cookie exchange the 30th and then leaving for Disney the 6th and when we come back it's practically Christmas.

I'm just trying to stick to my lists and tackle the items a little each day. I'm about to go take some pictures of the kids for our Christmas cards. I want to get those done before we leave to.

And I started packing....

 

[zeppy68]

Amber is there a difference between the gac and the button?
I thought they both do the same things?

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

From what I gather the GAC and the button (s) are different things.

The GAC looks like its a pass on a lanyard that has the number in your party and the dates of your stay listed on it. I think this is what actually gives you access to the Fast Pass lines/back entrances or zipped to the front of a character line.

I'm not sure about the buttons but it seems they just might be for the purpose of getting the CMs to notice you?

We have not been on our trip yet so I'm not 100% sure on how this all works. Anyone else who might be reading who has been already been on their child's wish trip would you mind giving us a "right" answer?

Also how long were your typical waits with the GAC?

 

[Adi12982]

From what I gather the GAC and the button (s) are different things.

The GAC looks like its a pass on a lanyard that has the number in your party and the dates of your stay listed on it. I think this is what actually gives you access to the Fast Pass lines/back entrances or zipped to the front of a character line.

I'm not sure about the buttons but it seems they just might be for the purpose of getting the CMs to notice you?

We have not been on our trip yet so I'm not 100% sure on how this all works. Anyone else who might be reading who has been already been on their child's wish trip would you mind giving us a "right" answer?

Also how long were your typical waits with the GAC?

Just so you know, GAC doesn't allow you access to the fastpass lanes UNLESS they put the stamp on it that allows you to "use an alternate entrance". Even so, they don't always let you use the FP lane, sometimes they'll give you a paper that tells you what time to return (like a FP, but ask you to come back based on length of line time). However, since you're going on a MAW trip, they may have different rules. I know this b/c my brother has Cerebral Palsy and is on the Spectrum, so we get a GAC, but they vary in what they will do. . .

I suppose having the pass and the button won't hurt, just wanted to clarify that not all GAC's are created equal

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Thanks for the info Adi12982.

I'm not sure how it works for the wish trips but I would really like to know since with 2 toddlers and a 4 month old I need to gauge how much time we'll be spending in line. I don't mind waiting in lines I just don't want to over plan.

 

[zeppy68]

YOur going to have your hands full, But your going to have a great time.

Will sebestation go on all the rides he is able to?


Ian wants to go on Roller Coaster but I thing he mises Big thunder railroad by one inch.


ians pre trip report
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1958228

 

[twob4him]

33 days!

That certainly deserves three bananas....and look now you are down to 31!!! It's unbelievable when it gets down to single digits!

Thanks Linda! I'm working on letting stuff go.

Linda you would be so proud of me! ...I actually just resigned from two commitees I've been on for a long time...The Party Commitee of my MOMS Club and the Steering Commitee of my neighborhood parent's club. My photography bussiness is just starting to take off and I just don't have the extra time for it. I also talked my mother-in-law into hosting Thanksgiving instead of me since we'll have house guests the whole week before...Yay! Oh and I also backed out of a vendor show of Mom's with their own bussinesses. Go me! I feel secretly empowered for saying "no."

I've also sat down with our Disney itinerary and re-worked it. I had it planned out using fast passes and more criss-crossing to beat crowds but since we will have the GAC card which will hopefully eliminate the need for FPs I'm trying to keep it more geographically oriented --meaning we wouldn't be doubling back. KWIM?

The only time I've ever been able to let stuff go is when Sebastian is sick. It's during those times that I know that nothing else matters but my family and enjoying them in the moment. Somehow as soon as our medical life calms down our "to do" list piles up. ACK!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to let go. Anyway I slice it I'm still busy...Sebastian's Send-off party on the 22nd, Savannah's Baptism on the 23rd, Thanksgiving the 27th, My annual cookie exchange the 30th and then leaving for Disney the 6th and when we come back it's practically Christmas.

I'm just trying to stick to my lists and tackle the items a little each day. I'm about to go take some pictures of the kids for our Christmas cards. I want to get those done before we leave to.

And I started packing....

Hi Amber!!!! Wow, that is one busy month!!! But what fun and lots of memories!!! Well, I am sending you something in the mail today to add to your job of packing! Hopefully it will get there in a few days!! Have a great weekend!

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

That certainly deserves three bananas....and look now you are down to 31!!! It's unbelievable when it gets down to single digits!



Hi Amber!!!! Wow, that is one busy month!!! But what fun and lots of memories!!! Well, I am sending you something in the mail today to add to your job of packing! Hopefully it will get there in a few days!! Have a great weekend!

YAY!!!!!!! I am so excited! THANK YOU

 

[maroo]

From what I gather the GAC and the button (s) are different things.

The GAC looks like its a pass on a lanyard that has the number in your party and the dates of your stay listed on it. I think this is what actually gives you access to the Fast Pass lines/back entrances or zipped to the front of a character line.

I'm not sure about the buttons but it seems they just might be for the purpose of getting the CMs to notice you?

We have not been on our trip yet so I'm not 100% sure on how this all works. Anyone else who might be reading who has been already been on their child's wish trip would you mind giving us a "right" answer?

Also how long were your typical waits with the GAC?

Your question may have already been answered. At GKTW they will give you a GAC that has a green stamp on it...it is the "green light" that allows you to use the fastest entrance or way for every ride and attraction. It won't really help on shows, but it does help on rides.

Average wait totally depends on the crowd at the parks, time of day, what the ride is, etc...but it will be fast...much faster than the regular lines. Basically it keeps you from having to run to _____ ride and then back to ____ thing...so you can just keep going straight through a park and not have to double back.

The button will be blue in your case. It is a special GKTW button and when he wears it, he can get quick access to character lines and ride lines. Some CMs that see it will bend over backwards to make sure that you have a magical experience.

Make sure that the CM sees the button in a character line...the CM's don't want you to wait...but if they don't see it, you can get stuck in a line and waste precious time on your trip.

You also have access to the VIP rooms at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. They will give you water and place to just rest that is comfortable at both places (and GKTW will tell you where these places are).

Sea World will also respond to the button, too. So make sure he wears it at ALL times.

You might also want to make sure he wears a contrasting shirt...so that they can easily see the button.

The button is really the trigger for most things on a Wish Trip, really. We hardly ever used the GAC, although we did keep it with us just in case.

Anyway...I hope this helps!!!

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Your question may have already been answered. At GKTW they will give you a GAC that has a green stamp on it...it is the "green light" that allows you to use the fastest entrance or way for every ride and attraction. It won't really help on shows, but it does help on rides.

Average wait totally depends on the crowd at the parks, time of day, what the ride is, etc...but it will be fast...much faster than the regular lines. Basically it keeps you from having to run to _____ ride and then back to ____ thing...so you can just keep going straight through a park and not have to double back.

The button will be blue in your case. It is a special GKTW button and when he wears it, he can get quick access to character lines and ride lines. Some CMs that see it will bend over backwards to make sure that you have a magical experience.

Make sure that the CM sees the button in a character line...the CM's don't want you to wait...but if they don't see it, you can get stuck in a line and waste precious time on your trip.

You also have access to the VIP rooms at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. They will give you water and place to just rest that is comfortable at both places (and GKTW will tell you where these places are).

Sea World will also respond to the button, too. So make sure he wears it at ALL times.

You might also want to make sure he wears a contrasting shirt...so that they can easily see the button.

The button is really the trigger for most things on a Wish Trip, really. We hardly ever used the GAC, although we did keep it with us just in case.

Anyway...I hope this helps!!!

Maroo, Thank you so much!!! That is exactly the info I was looking for. I re-worked our itinerary to avoid the doubling back I'm PMing you about something else too

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Maroo, Thank you so much!!! That is exactly the info I was looking for. I re-worked our itinerary to avoid the doubling back I'm PMing you about something else too

I'm glad you asked that, Amber. I was wondering the same thing. And Maroo, you explained it perfectly. Thanks.

Carol

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Sebastian sure is getting excited for his big Wish. The paper chain is getting much shorter! I took some pictures of Sebastian with the chain yesterday. We keep it above the headboard in his room and take links off as the days go by.

My packing is well underway and my famous “binder” with it’s itineraries and lists and lists is shaping up too. I'll have to post some pictures of that

In other news Sebastian’s Oncologists called. Apparently it’s time for scans again. I can’t believe time has passed so quickly! I had just gotten to the point where it wasn’t something I thought about once an hour.

His tests are scheduled for December 1st-- five days before the trip. We have to be at the hospital at 9:45 a.m. He’ll get the radioactive dye injection at 10:00, have CT scans at 10:15 and then three hours later have the bone scan at 1:00. Then we are supposed to meet with the Oncologist that afternoon. It will be a long day.

My cognizant self is totally optimistic that everything is 100% fine with Sebastian at this time. Even so I woke up yesterday from a very vivid and awful nightmare. I dreamt that we were given the terrible news that two new tumors had been found in Sebastian’s lungs. I'm putting such worries out of my head!

 

[Khalana]

I love your links!! We have some hanging up in Lydia's room too and it's so much fund seeing it get shorter and shorter. By the way, Sebastian's room is really cute! I love his bedding!! I'd love to see pictures of your binder. Maybe you'll inspire me to get mine finished.

I wish you the best of luck for his check-up in December. I always get a bit queasy before those too... You just never know, you know. But I'm sure he is fine now, just look at him, so full of life and joy! He's so cute! It sure will be a long day for you guys. It always seems to be so much waiting around too on those days.

Less than 4 weeks now!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[zeppy68]

I wish you look to with your upcoming scan. I hope and pray everything out good. Those dreams and mind can play havoc on the brain.

I know Laura and I also have the hardest time when it is mri time. Ian has to have one every 3 months. Our next one is also coming just before christmas.

 

[iu97alum]

Such great photos! I know about the overplanning. It's in my blood too! Good luck with the scans. I find it if I don't think about it until the day of, I'm a little more sane. Of course it's hard on me when I have to sit at home (DH likes to take Emy) waiting for the results/info.

 

[Tracie]

Sebastian sure is getting excited for his big Wish. The paper chain is getting much shorter! I took some pictures of Sebastian with the chain yesterday. We keep it above the headboard in his room and take links off as the days go by.

My packing is well underway and my famous “binder” with it’s itineraries and lists and lists is shaping up too. I'll have to post some pictures of that

In other news Sebastian’s Oncologists called. Apparently it’s time for scans again. I can’t believe time has passed so quickly! I had just gotten to the point where it wasn’t something I thought about once an hour.

His tests are scheduled for December 1st-- five days before the trip. We have to be at the hospital at 9:45 a.m. He’ll get the radioactive dye injection at 10:00, have CT scans at 10:15 and then three hours later have the bone scan at 1:00. Then we are supposed to meet with the Oncologist that afternoon. It will be a long day.

My cognizant self is totally optimistic that everything is 100% fine with Sebastian at this time. Even so I woke up yesterday from a very vivid and awful nightmare. I dreamt that we were given the terrible news that two new tumors had been found in Sebastian’s lungs. I'm putting such worries out of my head!

Sebastian is sooo DARN CUTE!!!

You are in my prayers now and until you get the news that the scans are clear.

Tracie

 

[bex271]

those are some adorable picture. he is so cute

I hope the scans go o.k. and I hate having those kind of dreams.

becca