Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[Queenie122]

Are the tickets to WDW that you receive are park hopper tickets? Does it include the water park? Also, if my ds grandmother comes too and pays for her way, can she stay in our villa since she will be traveling alone. And can the tickets be used on the days that you pick because I want to make my dinner reservations and not sure what day during the week will work if I choose or they choose. thanks

My Mom is staying with us at the Village, she is being paid for by MAW. My brother is also staying with us at the Village, and he is paying his own way. Not too shabby a trip only paying for airfare, park tickets and spending money! I don't think it would be an issue but again, always best to check with your MAW chapter.

Our MAW is making all the arrangements for my brother taking his plane ticket out of our spending money and booking it themselves. We had the option of doing it ourselves but this way we are all together. He'll just give us the money for the ticket before we leave.

My 11 yo son ( not the wish kid) had a horrible accident on the trampoline ( he didn't fall off, he just stepped on his foot wrong, breaking both the leg bones above the ankle. Actually, it nearly severed his foot- it looked like someone took an ax to his leg. He is EXTREMELY lucky he didn't lose his foot). Anyway, we are looking at a 6-9 month total rehab.

Would they approve what our trip is going to be now ( first choice Disney Cruise, second WDW) and then set the date in a couple of months. Since summer is completely out now, we would really like to go over Thanksgiving so I don't miss so much work ( the kids are ok now with missing school, but I am a contract employee to the schools and when I don't work, I don't get paid). Maybe they go ahead and see if they can schedule it then, and then if for some reason he is not rehabbed ( not sure if that is a word!) by then to go - and I pray that he is- we can reschedule?

Ouch! I hope DS feels better soon! I am pretty sure you can book your trip for any time you'd like. I would book it way ahead of time as both Disney and GKTW Village are extremely busy during the holiday weeks. MAW is always really good about giving you anything you might need for other members of the family too - hopefully your son won't need anything but if he needed a wheelchair for some reason they would set that up for you too.

I am also certain that you can reschedule - these kids can be fragile and things happen and I'm sure reschedules happen all the time. Our chapter has been very forthcoming saying it would be no issue whatsoever if DD gets ill (happens a lot unfortunately) and we have to reschedule. Actually, I double checked the flight they made for my brother and it was a bit cheaper if I had done it on my own but then I realized they bought us tickets that would have no fee if we needed to change the date. Good thing they got the tickets! (In my own news, DD has fluid on her ears and may need surgery - not good for flying. We've been giving her nasal spray and the doc *thinks* it will work but if it doesn't we may have to reschedule our own trip ).

 

[scrappin]

Are the tickets to WDW that you receive are park hopper tickets? Does it include the water park? Also, if my ds grandmother comes too and pays for her way, can she stay in our villa since she will be traveling alone. And can the tickets be used on the days that you pick because I want to make my dinner reservations and not sure what day during the week will work if I choose or they choose. thanks

We just had our trip in December. The passes do not include the water parks. The tickets for Disney are hopper passes and we could go any of the three days we wanted to during our trip.

 

[Queenie122]

How far is it to drive from the airport to GKTW Village? From the Village to Disney? From the Village to Universal? It's hard to estimate times from the map.

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

We haven't heard from our wish team yet, but now we have something else we have to work around.

My 11 yo son ( not the wish kid) had a horrible accident on the trampoline ( he didn't fall off, he just stepped on his foot wrong, breaking both the leg bones above the ankle. Actually, it nearly severed his foot- it looked like someone took an ax to his leg. He is EXTREMELY lucky he didn't lose his foot). Anyway, we are looking at a 6-9 month total rehab.

Would they approve what our trip is going to be now ( first choice Disney Cruise, second WDW) and then set the date in a couple of months. Since summer is completely out now, we would really like to go over Thanksgiving so I don't miss so much work ( the kids are ok now with missing school, but I am a contract employee to the schools and when I don't work, I don't get paid). Maybe they go ahead and see if they can schedule it then, and then if for some reason he is not rehabbed ( not sure if that is a word!) by then to go - and I pray that he is- we can reschedule?

Ouch! I hope he is felling a little better. I have never broken a bone, so I don't know what it feels like...but to break two of them....double ouch. Here is some pixie dust for him I would think MAW would schedule you whenever you tell them you would like to go. November is a great time to go. DH and I went in early Dec. in '05 and we loved it!

Our MAW is making all the arrangements for my brother taking his plane ticket out of our spending money and booking it themselves. We had the option of doing it ourselves but this way we are all together. He'll just give us the money for the ticket before we leave.

(In my own news, DD has fluid on her ears and may need surgery - not good for flying. We've been giving her nasal spray and the doc *thinks* it will work but if it doesn't we may have to reschedule our own trip ).

They took the money for his ticket out of your spending money?!?!?!? Oy! I'm glad your brother is paying you back. We talked directly to the Travel Agent who books the flights for MAW and gave them MIL's credit card number so they could get her ticket the same time they got ours. I hope DD is doing better soon. I think she needs some pixie dust too!

How far is it to drive from the airport to GKTW Village? From the Village to Disney? From the Village to Universal? It's hard to estimate times from the map.

Airport to GKTW....30-40 minutes I think. The GKTW greeter at the airport will have some directions for you to follow to the village. They are very good directions and you will make it there fine. Village to Disney...20 minutes I think. (not much help am I? ) The Bunny Book that you get from GKTW will have directions to each park in it. We didn't do universal, so I can't help you there.

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

Does anyone know of any other organizations that might help my mother who is my ds caretaken after me who really wants to go on the trip. My ds asked for his grandmother to go but MAW denied her since my dh was going ad would have been able to go if I was a single parent. I tryed to explain how important of a help she is with my ds and that she is on disability herself and cant afford the trip. We are very grateful but it is hard to know that my son wants her to go and we need to get our money together to get her a plane ride and park tickets. I hope they let her stay at the village since she will be traveling alone.

 

[5dwarves]

Are the tickets to WDW that you receive are park hopper tickets? Does it include the water park? Also, if my ds grandmother comes too and pays for her way, can she stay in our villa since she will be traveling alone. And can the tickets be used on the days that you pick because I want to make my dinner reservations and not sure what day during the week will work if I choose or they choose. thanks

Nicole:

It was our experience that the tickets we received from GKTW for Disney were 3 day park hopper tickets that do not include the waterparks, or Disney Quest. We took them to guest services and wanted to add days to the tickets as well as expand them to include Disney Quest, but the tickets are special "compassion" (I think that was what they called them) tickets and can not be added to. In order to go to the water parks you would have to buy a specific ticket for them for the day. I haven't been on the dis in ages, and I haven't gone back and read the thread very far, so I don't know how old your kids are or if you are staying at GKTW. We had a melt down with my son at the Magic Kingdom and retreated to the big pool at GKTW. While there are no major water slides, there is a water works, and it did wonders to improve his attitude and destress everyone from a very hot day at the park. Hope this helps. ~ Elisa

 

[5dwarves]

How far is it to drive from the airport to GKTW Village? From the Village to Disney? From the Village to Universal? It's hard to estimate times from the map.

.

It is about 10-15 minutes to Disney from GKTW. It was about 30 minutes to Universal going...returning to GKTW took us an hour because of rain, traffic and an accident.

 

[5dwarves]

We are most likely going to stay at the GKTW when we go on our wish trip. I keep hearing about the 3 days with disney and one with universal and one with sea world. After hearing about how fun sea world is then we would like to go there but there is NO way we will go to universal. I brought both kids a few years ago to universal in hollywood and they were SCARED. My dd still talks about how scared she was when we went. Should I talk with MAW about changing the one day at universal for another day at disney? Our main reason to go was for disney since my ds LOVES mickey mouse. I just think now it would also be fun to go to sea world and if it wasnt for that then we would have just wanted to visit disneyworld. Sorry, I have so many questions and hope some of you who have gone before cab give me a heads up on what might happen.

I am not sure if things have changed since last summer, but the ticket packages we received are comp tickets from the parks, given to GKTW. Your wish agency doesn't buy the tickets, they are donated by Disney and Universal and Sea World. Your wish agency is paying for your travel and your spending money. GKTW takes care of 2 meals and your lodging and then the parks donate your park admission. I felt the same way and wanted to spend more time at Disney, but in hindsight I also know that we were very blessed to have gone and had such a wonderful family vacation that didn't cost us a penny. There are so many out there who have chronicially or terminally ill kids, that I am willing to give up a few days of Disney so that more families can be accomodated by all these wonderful wish agencies.

We received a 3 day park hopper from disney, 2 day park hopper from Universal and 1 day from Sea World. In addition to our tickets, inside or packet were the GAC from Disney, the GAC from Universal, two days of stroller passes and parking passes for Universal. We didn't have the time to use our Sea World ticket. I had my feathers ruffled about the whole Universal thing as well. The first day there at the Studios didn't impress me. My boys were not big Barney fans, but if your children are younger that is a very nice location.... back in the corner of the park and next to a water works area with Curious George. It was a great place to rest for a little bit and let them play. Islands of Adventure (for my super hero loving boys) was so much better than the Studios was for our family. It is still not Disney, but it was fun nonetheless. Hope this helps.

 

[5dwarves]

I have to ask if anyone out there found that their volunteers were a little off on some of their information?
When our volunteers came the other night, I let them know that we're really not interested in Universal, since DD isn't really familiar with any of those characters and that we wanted to know if we could just go to Disney. They told us we could get whatever tickets we wanted to wherever we wanted and that we weren't limited on the number of days we spent at Disney. Well, from being on here I knew that wasn't true so I emailed GKTW just to be sure and of course they told me that it is 3 days at Disney 2 at Universal and 1 at Sea World. Now, I'm not trying to be picky or greedy or anything like that, I know this trip is a HUGE blessing and we are so fortunate to be granted the opportunity, but I just wonder how accurate all the info they gave me was. They told me the wish coordinator would call me so I'll wait till then to talk to her, but I just wondered if anyone else had any issue like this.

Hey hotmamac....I have learned so much more about all this process AFTER I went through it (not because I went through it though). I guess I am just more atuned to this type of information when I hear about it now. The MAW volunteers in my town are members of our local junior league. The MAW office in the state contacts the charity organization and asks them to deliver the info and t-shirts, etc. to the families. These women don't have any experience with special needs kids (unless it has touched their families in some way) or with MAW, other than getting to be the delivery system MAW uses. They have some knowledge (one of my friends from church does this and she visited GKTW when her family went to WDW on vacation so she coudl learn more)but they don't have as much knowledge as you will find on the GKTW site or here on this site. So, basically, they are people who want to help in some way, but who don't have a lot of knowledge about how all the system works. The best advice I can give you is to read all the wish TR's here, and to call GKTW with any questions you have. You will be surprised, even when you get to GKTW, how many other families have absolutely no idea what to expect before they get there. GKTW has a bunch of "veteran" volunteers who can answer just about any question about the parks. There is a desk area in the Gingerbread house (the dining hall) where someone is stationed to answer any questions the families may have about the various parks. Many of the retirees who are volunteers have annual passes and some of them will go to the parks with the family to help them through their confusion. If you want a volunteer to go with you to help, let GKTW know and find out if anyone is available when you are there.

 

[Queenie122]

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It is about 10-15 minutes to Disney from GKTW. It was about 30 minutes to Universal going...returning to GKTW took us an hour because of rain, traffic and an accident.

Ekks! I bet that was a stinky night! Thanks for the info, it's so awesome that someone here knows the answers!

 

[5dwarves]

Well, it certainly sounds like there are several of us in the same boat. I just keep telling myself, my DD's wish is to "see Din-eze" not to see Universal. She loves all kinds of Disney characters and I know there is no way she will get to do everything in 3 days. I talked to my Wish coordinator today and told her my concerns...of course she tried very hard to talk me into GKTW and the regular package. I'm totally into GKTW and think we will have a great time staying there, but we definitely only want to do Disney. She said she's never done it where a family does only Disney, but I find that hard to believe. All she would say is that they will appeal to the wish granting committee. Really what I care most about is getting the dates we want. If they won't give us the days we want at Disney I plan on just buying the extra days at Disney myself and giving the other tickets back.
Good luck to you ladies and thanks to everyone for the support. I never sought out a TS specific support group, but after being here, I can totally understand their benefit. THANKS!!!

Hotmamac:

Check at the beginning of this thread (the first post). Wendy put a link to LeeLee2U's trip report. She only did Disney, but stayed on property. If you go through GKTW they are locked into the tickets that they are given by the parks. The button that you receive from GKTW gives you additional perks tha may make it worth it for you. First off, you can show it to parking and they will allow you to park for free and in medical overflow (if you don't already have a blue placard for your car.) You receive your free strollers with this (magic chariots I believe is what Wendy called them...livesavers for me!) We received a free picture of our wish kid at Tatooine traders (Star Wars) where they photoshop a picture of your face into a stock film picture from the movie. Another big plus is access to a VIP lounge at the MK and at Epcot (in the Test Track area). The lounges are air conditioned and they have bottled water for you ,and I know the one at MK lets the kids rest and even sleep if they need to. You will also get some preferential treatment in the character lines as you are waiting for autographs (some people have been taken to the front of the line...we didn't wait in any so I can't comment personally on it). There are many benefits to both scenarios.

As far as knowing that you won't be able to do everything you want to do, I have two words of advice...first...you are right. There is no way to get it all done...pace yourself and enjoy the moment and try not to worry about acheiving everything... this word of advice coming from an obsessive someone who went to every park with a pocket folder with brads and dividers listing food places, character meeting spots, show times, and a detailed plan of attack for the order in which to ride the attractions. Needless to say my folders were a nice thing to occupy my need for planning, but were not followed once we were there. The second word of advice I have is a little more positive...your GAC and GKTW button will help you do and see far more while you are there than you woudl be able to if you were going on your own. Our waits were short, Wendygrace got into CRT without a reservation when they saw her GKTW and MAW button....it will be a memorable and eventful trip for you that your DD will remember forever! Read some of the TR's for some realistic looks at what to expect. All parents with chronically ill kids know that there are always bumps in the road, but I promise that in the end it is all good!

~Elisa

 

[5dwarves]

First of all

I never really thought I would find so many people here at the DIS boards who would feel the same way I do!

I put off calling MAW for so long because I kept saying "But my daughter isn't terminally ill." The medical professionals kept insisting that wasn't the criteria and I should call and when I did call - well, I did it thinking, "They'll say no and then I can tell people to stop bugging me about it!" I was surprised when the coordinator said, "No, it doesn't have to be a terminal illness, the child has to either have or HAD a life threatening experience."

I have felt guilty, like I am taking this away from a terminally ill child but our MAW has insisted that each child is looked at on their own merit and one does not affect the other. That made me feel better. They have pretty strict qualifiers - I mean, the first step is the doctors verifying the child's condition - so I don't think any of us would be getting this if our children didn't qualify.

One of my favorite sayings about this situation: There isn't ONE of us who wouldn't trade the trip of a lifetime to not have our kids experience what they've gone and go through. I think we need these vacations more than our kids!

Is May here yet?!?

Queenie:

It is soooooo fun to be back on the Dis! There are few places where so many other people have gone through situations that are similiar to mine, and this is one of them. I too had a preemie (27 week surviving twin) and know the roller coaster ride of the NICU. As far as the wish goes; our wish agency told us that wishes were granted to children who had struggled because of a life threatening or a life changing illness. I know it is hard to accept help sometimes. It is much easier for me to cocoon my family and myself and just deal with our setbacks as best I can, rather than accept someone else's assistance. While you are on this trip try very hard to let that go. As a NICU mom you probably heard the nurses say they have babies and baby's parents for patients. They are there to take care of our little ones, but we were a part of that package as well. My son's last surgery was 2 years ago now. He hasn't been hospitalized in over a year. I have probably aged 20 years in the last 3 years. That is what parenting a special needs child does to us. The trip to Orlando will refresh you. I agree that it is probably as good or better for the parents as it is for the kids. We all benefit when our children are happy. A friend of mine's favorite saying is that you are only as happy as your most unhappy child. We suffer along with them; now it is time for you to be treated like a special valued guest along with her. Let the Wish organization and GKTW take care of you...don't feel guilty. The people with the wish granting organizations and at GKTW are either volunteers or staff, and I am sure that the staff is not paid a huge salary. They are in this because making a difference is important to them. Reward them for their kindness with your willingness to accept their generosity enthusiastically. Enjoy yourselves while you are there and enjoy your daughter's delight in all the wonder that is ahead! It is going to be spectacular!

 

[alizesmom]

Hey, this is totally off topic so skip if you don't want to be whined at. I'm tired. So far this year we have been through over 50 doctor/therapist/caseworker appointments, 4 hospitalizations, 4 respiratory arrests, 1 minor surgery and 1 cardiac arrest. DH ended up having to quit work in order to help with the kids. I am up all night at least 4 nights a week due to inadequate nursing. Alize has a large pseudocyst in his abdomen that is pushing his intestines over to the left side and we're in the middle of outpatient tests to find out why. Ciara is going through genetic testing to try and figure out what syndrome she has and neither child sleeps at night. Because of their susceptibilty to infections the only place we go as a family is the doctor's or the hospital (this will improve once RSV/flu season goes away). Checking in with you guys and my other support groups is often my only sanity. Just reading comments on Wish trips either anticipatory ones or reports of others can bring a smile to my face. I'm glad you're here. Okay, I've vented, now back to life. Karen

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Hey, this is totally off topic so skip if you don't want to be whined at. I'm tired. So far this year we have been through over 50 doctor/therapist/caseworker appointments, 4 hospitalizations, 4 respiratory arrests, 1 minor surgery and 1 cardiac arrest. DH ended up having to quit work in order to help with the kids. I am up all night at least 4 nights a week due to inadequate nursing. Alize has a large pseudocyst in his abdomen that is pushing his intestines over to the left side and we're in the middle of outpatient tests to find out why. Ciara is going through genetic testing to try and figure out what syndrome she has and neither child sleeps at night. Because of their susceptibilty to infections the only place we go as a family is the doctor's or the hospital (this will improve once RSV/flu season goes away). Checking in with you guys and my other support groups is often my only sanity. Just reading comments on Wish trips either anticipatory ones or reports of others can bring a smile to my face. I'm glad you're here. Okay, I've vented, now back to life. Karen

vent all you want....we are here for you....all i have to say is that you are amazing and for you to adopt two special needs children i would never be able to do what you do, you are one special lady

 

[5dwarves]

Hey, this is totally off topic so skip if you don't want to be whined at. I'm tired. So far this year we have been through over 50 doctor/therapist/caseworker appointments, 4 hospitalizations, 4 respiratory arrests, 1 minor surgery and 1 cardiac arrest. DH ended up having to quit work in order to help with the kids. I am up all night at least 4 nights a week due to inadequate nursing. Alize has a large pseudocyst in his abdomen that is pushing his intestines over to the left side and we're in the middle of outpatient tests to find out why. Ciara is going through genetic testing to try and figure out what syndrome she has and neither child sleeps at night. Because of their susceptibilty to infections the only place we go as a family is the doctor's or the hospital (this will improve once RSV/flu season goes away). Checking in with you guys and my other support groups is often my only sanity. Just reading comments on Wish trips either anticipatory ones or reports of others can bring a smile to my face. I'm glad you're here. Okay, I've vented, now back to life. Karen

Karen:

I know where you are coming from...I agree with Iluvmickeymouse...vent away. I don't know what it is about the Disboards or talking about Disney trips that are past present or future, but there is something that is cathartic about this site. You, DH and Alize and Ciara are in our prayers...I hope some resolution to medical questions, some back up and some rest are coming your way soon!

~Elisa

 

[hotmamac]

Hi everyone...I've been away too long.
5Dwarves ~ Thank you for your words of support and understanding. I alredy know that most of what I "plan" will be out the window once we hit the sunshine state, but it keeps me occuppied until then.
Karen ~ My heart goes out to you and yours. I think we've all been in a similar place. That's what I love about this place...it's always nice to be able to reach out to a community full of people who actually understand where you are coming from. So venting is always welcome.
On a different subject, we are still in a holding pattern. No word from MAW.
I've been trying to think about other things and not annoy my whole family with all the Disney talk until we know something more concrete.
Take care all.
Misty

 

[momof4ngls]

We haven't heard from our wish team yet, but now we have something else we have to work around.

My 11 yo son ( not the wish kid) had a horrible accident on the trampoline ( he didn't fall off, he just stepped on his foot wrong, breaking both the leg bones above the ankle. Actually, it nearly severed his foot- it looked like someone took an ax to his leg. He is EXTREMELY lucky he didn't lose his foot). Anyway, we are looking at a 6-9 month total rehab.

Would they approve what our trip is going to be now ( first choice Disney Cruise, second WDW) and then set the date in a couple of months. Since summer is completely out now, we would really like to go over Thanksgiving so I don't miss so much work ( the kids are ok now with missing school, but I am a contract employee to the schools and when I don't work, I don't get paid). Maybe they go ahead and see if they can schedule it then, and then if for some reason he is not rehabbed ( not sure if that is a word!) by then to go - and I pray that he is- we can reschedule?

I just found this thread, so I haven't even introduced myself over here, but I wanted to respond to this. First, I hope your son heals quickly! Secondly, my daughter is also a MAW child and she asked for a Disney Cruise. We were originally told we didn't have to use her wish immediately, that we could wait until it was the best time for us. When we met with her wish coordinators, we requested that we wait until after our 2 year old turns three, in October. We wanted him to be able to participate in the youth programs, but we also wanted to make sure my daughter was going to be stable. The truth is, we just have no idea of when she might NOT be stable, so when the specific cruise she wanted was not one they could send us on (she wanted to see Costa Maya, but it is too long a cruise for our organization's regulations), we decided to just enjoy the opportunity and take the cruise we found out would leave on her birthday. So, they started planning her May cruise in February. Not much notice, but they didn't seem to care either way, they just wanted to send her on a memorable trip. They've worked hard to plan wonderful things for her and also allowed me to do some planning and reservation making, because I am a control freak and it helps me relax when I get to do some of that. The things I've been unable to schedule on my own, they gladly used some magical lines to arrange for us to make things even more amazing for the whole family. Also... we're in Seattle now, but I'm from Oklahoma also! Of course, I'm assuming you are as well because of your screen name. LOL


Now, for my intro... My daughter was diagnosed with a neurological condition in May of 2007 and she had brain surgery in Nov. She will always have to deal with this condition and the side effects of it, and we have no idea how many more surgeries she will need. However, her surgery was successful and she is doing so much better now than before her surgery. She has days where she is stuck in bed in pain, but they are fewer than before, and not as severe. Praise the Lord!

Now we get to forget the stress and fear of the last year and go on a Disney Cruise!! We leave on her birthday (also Mother's Day, btw) and get TWO stops at Castaway Cay!!! My daughter gets a much more amazing birthday than we could possibly give her. She gets to go on a Disney cruise, which is something she's dreamed of for a while now, she gets to have an encounter with dolphins, feed stingrays, snorkle, ride a bike on Castaway Cay, relax and be a teenager without worrying about her condition, etc. She'd love to do WDW, but there are so many rides she'd not be cleared, medically, to ride, plus the heat, smells, etc., would likely put her in bed for days. This way she can relax and still experience the Disney magic. We are so very blessed!!

Now, if we can just get through the trip with her pain-free and me able to walk each day (fibromyalgia), we'll be very happy!!

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Glad you found us!! Now we have two that are going on cruises! I hope you are considering doing a trip report on your trip, 'cause I know we would love to hear about a MAW Disney Cruise! to your daughter and to you. One thing I have noticed with all of us, we all want to plan, organize, etc. I think it comes from having to deal with all of the medical and emotional roller coasters in our life. We need to have control in our life when it seemed like it was spiraling out of control.

Again, welcome!

 

[momof4ngls]

Glad you found us!! Now we have two that are going on cruises! I hope you are considering doing a trip report on your trip, 'cause I know we would love to hear about a MAW Disney Cruise! to your daughter and to you. One thing I have noticed with all of us, we all want to plan, organize, etc. I think it comes from having to deal with all of the medical and emotional roller coasters in our life. We need to have control in our life when it seemed like it was spiraling out of control.

Again, welcome!

Thank you for the welcome, and I agree completely with your comments about us needing to have control when it was so out of our reach.

I have indeed thought about writing a trip report. I don't know that it'll be as entertaining as some, but hopefully it will help somebody else the way other reports have helped us!

 

[alizesmom]

I can't wait to hear about the cruises. Something I've always wanted to do. Thanks too for the kind thoughts. Karen