Wish Trip question-confused

[holly.c]

We got a call in May that my daughter was getting a wish trip through Dream Factory. I was told that we would be staying at GKTW village and we would be staying 6 nights, have a rental car, spending money etc and we would be leaving the day before her birthday.
I did not hear anything else until 4 weeks before we were scheduled to go. We set up a date to go meet the wish manager and go over our trip/fill paperwork out.
She didn't know what I was talking about when I asked if I need a credit card to pick up rental car. She said there is a shuttle that takes you to the parks.
I asked her if it would be okay to use some of the spending money to cover the ECV rental we will need and she didn't know what I was talking about. She said all meals and everything we will need is covered at the Village that we will not have any additional expenses and there is no spending money.
I am really confused. We are suppose to be leaving in two weeks and now I don't know if we can go. I don't mean to sound ungrateful and I am not. I appreciate them giving my daughter a wish trip so much. I just can't afford the evc rental or meals at the theme parks. I'm a single mom and every penny I make is budgeted for our living expenses and needs. I'm not sure if I should I ask them if we can reschedule it to a later date when I can save up some money or if they would just cancel it then. I don't want to upset them or seem ungrateful.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm so sorry you are finding the arrangements aren't what you expected. My suggestion is to go back to the wish manager with any paperwork or documentation you were given and discuss the concerns you have. Dream Factory is one of many wish-granting agencies; all do things somewhat differently and may offer different levels of assistance/funding for the trip. I do believe GKTW does offer transportation shuttles to the parks and that they have all meals available on-site; if meals are desired while at the parks it may be your responsibility - but the wish-granting agency should have made that clear to you exactly what would be provided and what might be extra cost.

Good luck and I wish your DD (and family) a very magical trip!

 

[holly.c]

Thank you. Im sure I will get it all figured out. It's so close to the time we leave and I'm nervous about everything going smoothly. I don't know how to bring it up without sounding ungrateful or greedy. So I will borrow what I can and jiggle some things around to be able to cover those extra expenses and just see what happens. The kids would be so disappointed if I tried rescheduling it and after everything she has been through I really appreciate that they are giving her this trip. I hope she remembers it for a lifetime and it the memories cheer her up when things are rough for her.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thank you. Im sure I will get it all figured out. It's so close to the time we leave and I'm nervous about everything going smoothly. I don't know how to bring it up without sounding ungrateful or greedy. So I will borrow what I can and jiggle some things around to be able to cover those extra expenses and just see what happens. The kids would be so disappointed if I tried rescheduling it and after everything she has been through I really appreciate that they are giving her this trip. I hope she remembers it for a lifetime and it the memories cheer her up when things are rough for her.

I don't know if you're planning to rent the ECV at the parks, but if so, it might well be less expensive to rent from an off-site company and have it delivered to GKTW. You can also have groceries delivered, and perhaps save some money by taking snacks, fruit and perhaps even sandwiches into the park.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Also, from Dream Factory's website:

"Does the family have to pay for the Dream?

No. All dream expenses are paid for through donations, fundraising efforts and in-kind contributions to The Dream Factory. The Dream Factory strives to create a memorable dream experience that is as free of stress and concern as possible."

I would definitely contact them ASAP, as it doesn't seem reasonable that they would provide no money for expenses at all. Going from the parks back to GKTW for all meals will be time consuming, but possible. However, your children will still need drinks in the park, which is an expense.

There is nothing ungrateful about ensuring that you have a 100% understanding of what they're paying for and what you'll be responsible for.

 

[holly.c]

I don't know if you're planning to rent the ECV at the parks, but if so, it might well be less expensive to rent from an off-site company and have it delivered to GKTW. You can also have groceries delivered, and perhaps save some money by taking snacks, fruit and perhaps even sandwiches into the park.

Yes I looked and was a lot cheaper to rent off site. I was able to find one for $150 for a week

 

[holly.c]

Also, from Dream Factory's website:

"Does the family have to pay for the Dream?

No. All dream expenses are paid for through donations, fundraising efforts and in-kind contributions to The Dream Factory. The Dream Factory strives to create a memorable dream experience that is as free of stress and concern as possible."

I would definitely contact them ASAP, as it doesn't seem reasonable that they would provide no money for expenses at all. Going from the parks back to GKTW for all meals will be time consuming, but possible. However, your children will still need drinks in the park, which is an expense.

There is nothing ungrateful about ensuring that you have a 100% understanding of what they're paying for and what you'll be responsible for.

I did ask her what expenses I should expect and plan for but the only response I got was that everything we need will be provided at the Village. I did tell her what the person who called to tell me she was approved had said but she just told me not to worry and the same thing about everything is provided at the Village but some of the info she gave me about the GKTW doesn't match the info GKTW has in the email and flyer they sent me. I'm not sure who else to talk to there since she is the contact I have when I try to call there main number at my chapter it just goes to a recording wanting an extension number. The application was all done via email and mail. I was wondering if we were really even going but then I got a call and mail from GKTW so I know we have a reservation.
I am suppose to get the plane tickets next week so hopefully I can get a better understanding of everything then.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hope everything works out.

The information GKTW gave you would be correct for your stay there. They do pretty much provide everything you need for your trip, but as was mentioned, things like spending money depend on the organization that is granting your individual child's wish.

Meals are provided at GKTW ( as much and as many meals as you want to eat). When going to the park, you would be able to eat 2 meals a day at GKTW village free of charge. You can make sandwiches to take to the park for lunch to cut down on expenses.

Check with GKTW about how often the shuttle runs and whether or not you will be able to transport the ECV on the shuttle.

 

[redberyl]

The shuttle doesn't run nearly as often as Disney buses; call Gktw and ask., staff is very friendly and will be happy to help.but when you have a sick kid who tires easily, waiting on a shuttle to get back to the village can be highly inconvenient.you can eat all meals free at the village, but depending on traffic it takes anywhere from 20-40 minutes one way. There is a Wal-Mart just up the road and the villas all have full kitchens, if you wanted to buy things to take along for lunch. Honestly, make a wish would be a better choice if it's available to your family. They provide car, spending money (varies by chapter but I've seen anywhere from $250 per person, $500 per family, and $1000 per family), that can be used in airport and on gas in addition to at parks, plus maw will sometimes pay for an "extra" like a character meal or bibbidi boppity boutique. Since other organizations give all this and you were promised it, I don't think you're being greedy. your daughter only gets one wish, if you're going to end up being stressed out or unable to enjoy it fully, better to postpone it (if that's an option) and save up for the extra experiences, or find a different organization.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Who is the ECV for? Most rentals won't allow minors to operate them.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

told that we would be staying at GKTW village and we would be staying 6

What are your dates? I might be working one of the nights.

 

[holly.c]

What are your dates? I might be working one of the nights.

The 18th-24th

 

[holly.c]

Who is the ECV for? Most rentals won't allow minors to operate them.

The ECV is not for her but for one of the adults.

 

[holly.c]

The shuttle doesn't run nearly as often as Disney buses; call Gktw and ask., staff is very friendly and will be happy to help.but when you have a sick kid who tires easily, waiting on a shuttle to get back to the village can be highly inconvenient.you can eat all meals free at the village, but depending on traffic it takes anywhere from 20-40 minutes one way. There is a Wal-Mart just up the road and the villas all have full kitchens, if you wanted to buy things to take along for lunch. Honestly, make a wish would be a better choice if it's available to your family. They provide car, spending money (varies by chapter but I've seen anywhere from $250 per person, $500 per family, and $1000 per family), that can be used in airport and on gas in addition to at parks, plus maw will sometimes pay for an "extra" like a character meal or bibbidi boppity boutique. Since other organizations give all this and you were promised it, I don't think you're being greedy. your daughter only gets one wish, if you're going to end up being stressed out or unable to enjoy it fully, better to postpone it (if that's an option) and save up for the extra experiences, or find a different organization.

I just don't want to disappoint her or the other kids. She is really looking forward to turning 7 there and we just recently found out she will have to have another surgery after we get back.

 

[Jhaberlein]

Do you have the option of calling another chapter to try to clarify? Things may be slightly different from chapter to chapter, but they might know if the wish includes airfare, gktw, and park tickets only, or if you also get spending money and rental car. Are you meeting again with the wish manager? Did they say in what form the spending money would be in (gift cards, travelers checks)?
With Make a Wish (this has been a few years it may have changed), as volunteers we had to get the parents signatures for the spending money travelers checks.
Things change within wish organizations. The Disney land and sea park/cruise package is no longer able to be a wish for Make a Wish (at least when I stopped volunteering it wasn't) because they considered it two wishes. It could be when you got the call spending money and rental car were part of the wish trip.

 

[redberyl]

I just don't want to disappoint her or the other kids. She is really looking forward to turning 7 there and we just recently found out she will have to have another surgery after we get back.

When we were there, there were severalkids celebrating their birthdays at Gktw with really nice looking parties, I assume that was incorporated as part of the wish, don't know if all organizations do that. She's old enough you can try reasoning with her " if we wait until you're 8 maybe we can have a party and eat with the princesses and have money to buy you a present there." But, I do understand not wantingto disappoint, and we did my daughter's wish earlier than I had planned because we wanted to do it before her heart surgery, so I completely get that. I'm also biased, myfamily does Disney a lot, But always on a budget, so having that extra spending money helped make the trip extra special.... We did bbb and cinderellas castle which we normally can't afford, and it was great to be able to spoil the kids with way more souvenirs than we would ever normally buy! anyway, you know what's best for your family, I just hate to see anyone stress over what should be so special. Good luck with her upcoming surgery

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We got a call in May that my daughter was getting a wish trip through Dream Factory. I was told that we would be staying at GKTW village and we would be staying 6 nights, have a rental car, spending money etc and we would be leaving the day before her birthday.
I did not hear anything else until 4 weeks before we were scheduled to go. We set up a date to go meet the wish manager and go over our trip/fill paperwork out.
She didn't know what I was talking about when I asked if I need a credit card to pick up rental car. She said there is a shuttle that takes you to the parks.
I asked her if it would be okay to use some of the spending money to cover the ECV rental we will need and she didn't know what I was talking about. She said all meals and everything we will need is covered at the Village that we will not have any additional expenses and there is no spending money.
I am really confused. We are suppose to be leaving in two weeks and now I don't know if we can go. I don't mean to sound ungrateful and I am not. I appreciate them giving my daughter a wish trip so much. I just can't afford the evc rental or meals at the theme parks. I'm a single mom and every penny I make is budgeted for our living expenses and needs. I'm not sure if I should I ask them if we can reschedule it to a later date when I can save up some money or if they would just cancel it then. I don't want to upset them or seem ungrateful.

2 of grandsons had wish trips thru a different group I did not need a credit card for car rental as I was the driver. yes all meals at GKTW but any meals in parks you have to pay for us. I would check with Dream Factory not the manager as GKTW does not cover things off their site other than the park tickets. I know off site ECV rental groups do deliver to GKTW but I do not know if wish group paid for. do not know if you can reschedule

 

[holly.c]

She got back to me today and said that yes we are getting a rental car but she did not say anything else about expense money so I'm assuming we don't get it. I will be able to borrow about 400 from a relative so I will use that to rent the ECV and have a little left. With a rental car I will be able to go to Walmart and buy food to take lunches to the parks. I figure we can freeze bottles of water and Gatorade to take with us too.

Now that I have a plan and know what to expect I feel a lot better. Now I can be more excited we are leaving in 13 days!!
I found a rental company that will deliver and I can take it apart and put in trunk for about $175. That is a lot less than renting at the parks.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

She got back to me today and said that yes we are getting a rental car but she did not say anything else about expense money so I'm assuming we don't get it. I will be able to borrow about 400 from a relative so I will use that to rent the ECV and have a little left. With a rental car I will be able to go to Walmart and buy food to take lunches to the parks. I figure we can freeze bottles of water and Gatorade to take with us too.

Now that I have a plan and know what to expect I feel a lot better. Now I can be more excited we are leaving in 13 days!!
I found a rental company that will deliver and I can take it apart and put in trunk for about $175. That is a lot less than renting at the parks.

Walmart is very close to GKTW in fact you go by it as you go to GKTW and I would add a soft side cooler and freezer block or 2. we had full size refrig in villa. remember that other than baby center you are not able to get anything heated food wise. all food that you eat at GKTW is free and that includes the ice cream shop and used to include evening pizza delivery to your villa. you like cold pizza and they still deliver in evenings wrap some for one day in parks

 

[SueM in MN]

Walmart is very close to GKTW in fact you go by it as you go to GKTW and I would add a soft side cooler and freezer block or 2. we had full size refrig in villa. remember that other than baby center you are not able to get anything heated food wise. all food that you eat at GKTW is free and that includes the ice cream shop and used to include evening pizza delivery to your villa. you like cold pizza and they still deliver in evenings wrap some for one day in parks

The bolded is correct.
There are no places to heat food other than the baby care centers in each park.
Restaurants are not allowed to bring food from outside into the kitchen for heating due yo food safety rules.