Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[maroo]

Hi Wish Trippers! I've been off and on reading your thread for ideas. I have questions for the pros, but 139 pages is ALOT to read

I'm a home health special-needs nurse caring for an almost 9 year old Down's Syndrome boy. He is part of one of the most amazing families, I know, big surprise! All special kids are in special families Well, this family chose this little man. You see, the parents could not conceive and wanted to help other kids in need by offering them support and a home. They fostered many children soon after they were married and within a few years they finalized thier first adoption, a daughter that is now 13 years old and has severe ADHD and PTSD due to her first 6 years of life. When big sis was 9yo a special little guy came to live with them. His name is Rodney, and at the time he had been in the hospital for nearly 3 years of his 4 year life. He had a trach and a g-tube, and was clinging to life. The docs asked the family to take him home and make him comfortable because he wouldn't make it longer than a few months. So, they designed a safe room for him, gave him room to wander around safely, put him in a cute toddler bed (he'd been in a cage crib at the hospital), and showered him with love! After those first few months passed they went back to see the docs He was alive, and walking, and trying to eat ! He was strong enough to undergo surgery to reduce the thickness of his tongue to allow for easier breathing at night. He quickly recoverd from that and decided he didn't need his trache anymore! He took it out, untied the shoestrings that were tied behind his neck, and took it out! This was mom's look the next morning But he was breathing, and laughing, so it stayed out He then concentrated on eating by mouth, all the time! He got healthier, some of his specialists began to discharge him, they finalized his adoption, and mom and dad had a miracle baby! This is where I come in...January 2007. And right away I begin talking about WDW! I found out that Rodney had taken a MAW trip to Sesame Place shortly after joining the family, when they still thought he wasn't going to get healthy They just didn't know better!!! So, last year we got Rad-Rod eating enough calories to have his G-tube removed We had him tested for therapies, he doesn't need PT, he's receiving OT and ST when they can fit him into the schedules The ST and I are working to get him started with a communication board very soon. He can speak, but he just doesn't feel it's necessary, he knows how to get what he wants when he wants it...grabs a hand and yanks you to the TV for a movie, or to the fridge when he's hungry

So, why am I here Because my DH and I have decided to invite this family to Disney with us in January. But, we don't have the luxury of having all the extras that MAW and GKTW provides. We're trying to make them a "Wanna-be Wish trip", and that's where you all come in. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm pretty experienced with traveling to WDW with just DH and I, with DH and friends, but they've all been boring people, not special people like this trip! I've read bits and pieces here, i've read the sticky's at the top of DISabilites, but I need help putting all the pieces together!

-We are going down on 1/10 and they are returning 1/17. DH and I are staying another week.
-We are staying in our timeshare, Westgate Town Center on 192.
-DH and I are getting AP's so that will cover our parking, and
-we'll be taking their Expedition back and forth with their handicapped parking tag.
-Rodney uses a stroller as a w/c, so I know we'll need to have them add that to the GAC, and
-he's REALLY not good in lines-he kicks and grabs.
-We also will have the 2year old with us, so we'll be needing to do some kid-swaps.
-We plan to go to the parks from open to 1, then have lunch, nap, small dinner before going back to the parks around 5 to close.

Since this will probably be their only trip to Disney, how do I make it the most magical time for all of them?

TIA I know that this group will be able to give me the best answers for our situation!

I've got a slow moving PTR in my siggie

This sounds like it is going to be so much fun...and such a good trip for this family!

You guys are going to have a wonderful time. Sounds like you have the parking, lodging, etc worked out...which is great!

You should be able to get a GAC that will allow him most of the access that a Wish child would have. That is cool...it is sort of like he gets 2 Wishes!!

And I am going to subscribe to your pre-trip report...sounds like fun!!

 

[roseprincess]

Hi Wish Trippers! I've been off and on reading your thread for ideas. I have questions for the pros, but 139 pages is ALOT to read

I'm a home health special-needs nurse caring for an almost 9 year old Down's Syndrome boy. He is part of one of the most amazing families, I know, big surprise! All special kids are in special families Well, this family chose this little man. You see, the parents could not conceive and wanted to help other kids in need by offering them support and a home. They fostered many children soon after they were married and within a few years they finalized thier first adoption, a daughter that is now 13 years old and has severe ADHD and PTSD due to her first 6 years of life. When big sis was 9yo a special little guy came to live with them. His name is Rodney, and at the time he had been in the hospital for nearly 3 years of his 4 year life. He had a trach and a g-tube, and was clinging to life. The docs asked the family to take him home and make him comfortable because he wouldn't make it longer than a few months. So, they designed a safe room for him, gave him room to wander around safely, put him in a cute toddler bed (he'd been in a cage crib at the hospital), and showered him with love! After those first few months passed they went back to see the docs He was alive, and walking, and trying to eat ! He was strong enough to undergo surgery to reduce the thickness of his tongue to allow for easier breathing at night. He quickly recoverd from that and decided he didn't need his trache anymore! He took it out, untied the shoestrings that were tied behind his neck, and took it out! This was mom's look the next morning But he was breathing, and laughing, so it stayed out He then concentrated on eating by mouth, all the time! He got healthier, some of his specialists began to discharge him, they finalized his adoption, and mom and dad had a miracle baby! This is where I come in...January 2007. And right away I begin talking about WDW! I found out that Rodney had taken a MAW trip to Sesame Place shortly after joining the family, when they still thought he wasn't going to get healthy They just didn't know better!!! So, last year we got Rad-Rod eating enough calories to have his G-tube removed We had him tested for therapies, he doesn't need PT, he's receiving OT and ST when they can fit him into the schedules The ST and I are working to get him started with a communication board very soon. He can speak, but he just doesn't feel it's necessary, he knows how to get what he wants when he wants it...grabs a hand and yanks you to the TV for a movie, or to the fridge when he's hungry

So, why am I here Because my DH and I have decided to invite this family to Disney with us in January. But, we don't have the luxury of having all the extras that MAW and GKTW provides. We're trying to make them a "Wanna-be Wish trip", and that's where you all come in. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm pretty experienced with traveling to WDW with just DH and I, with DH and friends, but they've all been boring people, not special people like this trip! I've read bits and pieces here, i've read the sticky's at the top of DISabilites, but I need help putting all the pieces together!

-We are going down on 1/10 and they are returning 1/17. DH and I are staying another week.
-We are staying in our timeshare, Westgate Town Center on 192.
-DH and I are getting AP's so that will cover our parking, and
-we'll be taking their Expedition back and forth with their handicapped parking tag.
-Rodney uses a stroller as a w/c, so I know we'll need to have them add that to the GAC, and
-he's REALLY not good in lines-he kicks and grabs.
-We also will have the 2year old with us, so we'll be needing to do some kid-swaps.
-We plan to go to the parks from open to 1, then have lunch, nap, small dinner before going back to the parks around 5 to close.

Since this will probably be their only trip to Disney, how do I make it the most magical time for all of them?

TIA I know that this group will be able to give me the best answers for our situation!

I've got a slow moving PTR in my siggie

This boy is a miracle boy!!
That is so cool how he bounced back from his grave illness. What a blessing!!
Praise God!!

THat is so cool you want to help this boy and his family with their WDW trip!!

I would say to make the WDW trip special for this boy, maybe at least one character meal? I know you said in your post that most of the meals
will be eaten at the timeshare. I know Chef Mickey's is a great place for a character meal! Either a breakfast or dinner there. Is there a certain Disney character he really wants to meet?

Also, watching Wishes fireworks at night at MK is so amazing!

Will you, the boy, and his family be going to Universal Studios as well? I heard they have good Spiderman character meals there- the character meals at Universal also need to be advanced reservations.
I know the characters at Universal will be out more(meet and greet) than at WDW(this is the experience I had this past summer).
Universal is really good at honoring the GAC card they have there. I think it's called the GAP there at Universal.

This boy and family will have a great time regardless!

 

[lisaluvsmickey2000]

This boy is a miracle boy!!
That is so cool how he bounced back from his grave illness. What a blessing!!
Praise God!!

THat is so cool you want to help this boy and his family with their WDW trip!!

I would say to make the WDW trip special for this boy, maybe at least one character meal? I know you said in your post that most of the meals
will be eaten at the timeshare. I know Chef Mickey's is a great place for a character meal! Either a breakfast or dinner there. Is there a certain Disney character he really wants to meet?

Also, watching Wishes fireworks at night at MK is so amazing!

Will you, the boy, and his family be going to Universal Studios as well? I heard they have good Spiderman character meals there- the character meals at Universal also need to be advanced reservations.
I know the characters at Universal will be out more(meet and greet) than at WDW(this is the experience I had this past summer).
Universal is really good at honoring the GAC card they have there. I think it's called the GAP there at Universal.

This boy and family will have a great time regardless!

I'm trying to talk them into a character meal. And the one I suggested is Chef Mickey's. Rodney's still a Sesame guy He loves Sesame characters and Veggie Tales. I'm trying to indoctrinate Rodney and Kristian with as much Disney channel as possible But Rodney either walks away or buries his head into the chair when anything Disney is on TV. He's also non-verbal, so it's not easy to figure out if there is one character he dislikes less than the others I don't think he'll react negatively to the characters though, he does this great "happy dance", and I'm hoping to catch it with some of the characters!

Also, they are saving $300 because Homeschool Days were announced for the same week we will be there so I'm trying to get them to use just a bit of that for a character meal.

We'll be doing all 5 days at Disney. There's too much to do in just the one week, and like I said...he doesn't care for any other characters

Wishes is awesome! I'm going to be picking up some earplugs for both Rodney and Kristian. Although, Rodney loves loud noises (he used to touch Kris to make her cry so that he could laugh ) so I think he'll love all of the noises including the fireworks.

This sounds like it is going to be so much fun...and such a good trip for this family!

You guys are going to have a wonderful time. Sounds like you have the parking, lodging, etc worked out...which is great!

You should be able to get a GAC that will allow him most of the access that a Wish child would have. That is cool...it is sort of like he gets 2 Wishes!!

And I am going to subscribe to your pre-trip report...sounds like fun!!

Thanks! Just wanted to let you know that I'm following your trippie! And loving it!!!!

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

We finally got our dates.We will be arriving on Dec 14th.are there any other wish families here that will be there that week.My kids are so excited.They have made a papr chain countdown and have it hung in the dining room.

We will be there December 6th through the 14th!!

We have a paper chain too in Sebastian's room. It's so nice to see it finally getting shorter!

Just a heads up if you are thinking of doing any special dining or characters meals make your ADRs rightaway. I have been calling since JULY and the grid ahs been completely full (except for 9:30 p.m. table for 2) for ALL of the most popular restaurants for all the days that we will be there. I managed to get a few ADRs so it's still wort ha shot We also plan to do T Rex in downtown Disney which just opened and is not taking reservations until 2009.

 

[hotmamac]

We finally got our dates.We will be arriving on Dec 14th.are there any other wish families here that will be there that week.My kids are so excited.They have made a papr chain countdown and have it hung in the dining room.

Hey there!! My family will be at Disney/GKTW Dec 13-19th!! Maybe we'll get to see you there!

Misty

 

[munch704]

Hi Everyone,
I didn't know where to start so thought I'd jump in and ask for pointers. I spent lots of time reading but didn't see anything similar. My youngest daughter is being granted a Disney/Universal/Sea World trip from Starlight Starbright Foundation. I've read lots about MAW and GKTW but not much from Starlight. I don't know really much other then we are staying at Embassy Suites. Anyone have any info about Starlight? (I did see one family from Canada thru Starlight) What do I do now?!?


-Staci

 

[llurgy]

Hi Staci,

Sorry, I dont have any information on Starlight.
I just wanted to bid you welcome and congratulations to your daughter about receiving a Wish.


Mandy

 

[zeppy68]

The paper chain is a great idea

 

[zeppy68]

Hi Everyone,
I didn't know where to start so thought I'd jump in and ask for pointers. I spent lots of time reading but didn't see anything similar. My youngest daughter is being granted a Disney/Universal/Sea World trip from Starlight Starbright Foundation. I've read lots about MAW and GKTW but not much from Starlight. I don't know really much other then we are staying at Embassy Suites. Anyone have any info about Starlight? (I did see one family from Canada thru Starlight) What do I do now?!?


-Staci

Munch

if you like at the wish trippers unite fron page there is mark who is on a trip I think right now possibly you can get info from them about starlight


Joe

 

[Lambflock]

We leave in the morning!!! Can't wait to come home and let you all know how it went!!!

 

[llurgy]

We leave in the morning!!! Can't wait to come home and let you all know how it went!!!

Yay!!!
Have a great time, lots of and and

Love
Mandy

 

[mom2lilnick]

Have a great time!

 

[camarks1234]

I finally did it and made our PTR.

PTR

 

[macntosh]

We leave in the morning!!! Can't wait to come home and let you all know how it went!!!

Wow I've got that jeaolous fealing. Or however you spell it.

Enjoy the trip, look forward to the updates!

 

[camarks1234]

We leave in the morning!!! Can't wait to come home and let you all know how it went!!!

Just a teeny bit jealous here! j/k Have a super duper fantabulous getaway!!!!!!

 

[LindaBabe]

http://www.starlight.org/site/c.fuLQK6MMIpG/b.1043447/

 

[camarks1234]

aack. I knew I'd do something wrong. I posted our pre-trip report in the wrong place I think. I should've put it in the cruise area. drat. I don't know if it can be fixed or not.

 

[iu97alum]

DH called and said our wish granter dropped off a pkg with cruise info!! I updated my trip report (in siggie below) with the info but here are the deets:
Cat 9; second dining rotation (wonder if this will be a problem with a 3 & 5 yo)? rooms 2604/2602 (connecting with MIL!) So excited!! I started a countdown now that it's "Offical!"

 

[iu97alum]

aack. I knew I'd do something wrong. I posted our pre-trip report in the wrong place I think. I should've put it in the cruise area. drat. I don't know if it can be fixed or not.

Christy - It's in the right place now Under cruise trip reports!

 

[camarks1234]

THANKS!!! I feel so dumb here, I get confused with all the different forums and topics!