Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[5dwarves]

Goodness Becca:

So sorry to hear that you and little Jonah have been doing hard time in the hospital. I know you are ecstatic to be home. It does sound like you are definintely in need of some Pixie Dust! Let the planning begin!

 

[Queenie122]

we are home finally. We had jonah's hearing aid surgery back on march 10 and then he got an awful skin infection that went to the bone on the right side and a small one on the left and was hospitalized for a week to be treated with iv antibiotics and vinegar and saline dressings and was sent home (went to my parents) with saline dressing changes 2 times a day and strong antibiotic for 14 days. He's doing better and has his hearing aid for the left side and have to go back in a couple of weeks to get the right side looked at again and hopefully get the right hearing aid. We are still doing saline dressing on the right side but at least we're home now been gone for a little over a month. Now the real planning can starte

becca

Sorry to hear it was such a rough go.

Hope he keeps getting better!

 

[bex271]

thanks everyone for you well wishes for jonah and he's doing great. He got his new chair thursday and looks great in it and i think he likes seating it too. He is going to get to start school and therapy this up coming week too.

On to disney stuff, i looked up the dates of the mvmcp and there is one day while we'll be there so i'm going ask if we can get tickets when they start on his wish. I'm already working on the schedule so we can decide what we want to see. I'm trying not to plan to much because we are wait and see kinda people, but i do like having a small plan to follow.

becca

 

[Camster0307]

thanks everyone for you well wishes for jonah and he's doing great. He got his new chair thursday and looks great in it and i think he likes seating it too. He is going to get to start school and therapy this up coming week too.

On to disney stuff, i looked up the dates of the mvmcp and there is one day while we'll be there so i'm going ask if we can get tickets when they start on his wish. I'm already working on the schedule so we can decide what we want to see. I'm trying not to plan to much because we are wait and see kinda people, but i do like having a small plan to follow.

becca

If I can suggest one thing though: at 180 days before your trip, you can make ADRs at any of the Disney restaurants. If there is a character meal that you think Jonah would really enjoy, it's best to get the reservation as early as possible. The more popular meals sell out quite quickly - it's almost impossible these days to just walk into any of the Disney restaurants and get a table. I know it's hard to figure out what you want to do so far in advance, but you should think about it and try to get something.

 

[bex271]

camster thanx for the advice, we're trying to decide that too. I think we're going to try the crystal palace so he can see pooh bear and the gang. My only concern is the wheel chair accessibility of it being a buffet

becca

 

[Camster0307]

camster thanx for the advice, we're trying to decide that too. I think we're going to try the crystal palace so he can see pooh bear and the gang. My only concern is the wheel chair accessibility of it being a buffet

becca

What are your concerns? My daughter is in a wheelchair and we've had no problems. She doesn't eat by mouth so I don't have to worry about her getting to the food. The challenge for me at buffets is that, since I'm a single mom, I'm always worried about leaving the kids alone to go up to the buffet or when my younger DD wants go up by herself. That being said though, having a wheelchair in our party usually puts us close to the buffet. I don't think we've ever gotten a table that was so far in the back - away from the food.

Just wanted to add: All WDW restaurants are wheelchair accessible; we've eaten at alot of them! Even the smaller, tighter restaurants like LeCellier or San Angel Inn, have been able to accommodate us! Hope that helps!

 

[alizesmom]

Becca, we had no problem with space for Alize's chair either. If things were a little tight, they fixed it for us. Karen

 

[mtkarens]

Sorry if post sounds choppy I have been up with DD9 all night and when I tried to get some sleep all I could think about was DW!!!

My dd had her wish trip granted and we leave for DW in 9 days. Here are some of my problems and concerns.......

1. We have not heard from our local wish people who originally came over and went through the paper work. I have been in touch with our wish chapter though and they told me we should get info soon. I have read on this that you don't get anything until 6 days ahead but then some people said they got something from GKTW. Me nothing and I am getting nervous. MAW said they will be having someone pick us up and drive us to SF airport which is 6 hours away. Not sure why we can't leave from our airport and make a connection in SF.

2. I have read the unofficial guide and read about the tour plans. Did you all still go with the tour plans or since it is through MAW you didn't worry about following the recommended tour plans?

3. I am looking for the parks maps with the attractions listed on the map instead of numerical order next to the map.

4. Any other tidbits would be helpful!!

 

[momof4ngls]

Sorry if post sounds choppy I have been up with DD9 all night and when I tried to get some sleep all I could think about was DW!!!

My dd had her wish trip granted and we leave for DW in 9 days. Here are some of my problems and concerns.......

1. We have not heard from our local wish people who originally came over and went through the paper work. I have been in touch with our wish chapter though and they told me we should get info soon. I have read on this that you don't get anything until 6 days ahead but then some people said they got something from GKTW. Me nothing and I am getting nervous. MAW said they will be having someone pick us up and drive us to SF airport which is 6 hours away. Not sure why we can't leave from our airport and make a connection in SF.

2. I have read the unofficial guide and read about the tour plans. Did you all still go with the tour plans or since it is through MAW you didn't worry about following the recommended tour plans?

3. I am looking for the parks maps with the attractions listed on the map instead of numerical order next to the map.

4. Any other tidbits would be helpful!!

Hmmmm... I'd be concerned as well. We have only spoken to our main office when they called to let us know they were going to grant DD a wish and when there was a problem with the paperwork they sent her doctor to sign. Otherwise we've dealt exclusively with our wish coordinators, which are the two people who came to meet us at our home.

We have had reservation specifics (flight, cruise info) for a couple of months now and we leave in two weeks. They are throwing her a bon voyage party in a week also, where they will give her the travel documents.

Every chapter is different, so they may handle communication and planning differently. Is your main chapter aware that you've not heard from your wish coordinators since that first meeting? Maybe that is just normal for them. I've talked to or emailed with my daughter's coordinators basically weekly, especially the last month or so.

I hope you have a magical trip and that your daughter feels like a princess with her wish!!!

 

[5dwarves]

Sorry if post sounds choppy I have been up with DD9 all night and when I tried to get some sleep all I could think about was DW!!!

My dd had her wish trip granted and we leave for DW in 9 days. Here are some of my problems and concerns.......

1. We have not heard from our local wish people who originally came over and went through the paper work. I have been in touch with our wish chapter though and they told me we should get info soon. I have read on this that you don't get anything until 6 days ahead but then some people said they got something from GKTW. Me nothing and I am getting nervous. MAW said they will be having someone pick us up and drive us to SF airport which is 6 hours away. Not sure why we can't leave from our airport and make a connection in SF.

2. I have read the unofficial guide and read about the tour plans. Did you all still go with the tour plans or since it is through MAW you didn't worry about following the recommended tour plans?

3. I am looking for the parks maps with the attractions listed on the map instead of numerical order next to the map.

4. Any other tidbits would be helpful!!

Are you through Make a Wish or a similar organization? You should have your flight info by now. Our GKTW package arrived about 14 days ahead of time. You might want to make some calls. I made our own touring plan, or at least looked at all the attractions and decided what we wanted to try to do, then put them in chronological order (geographical I guess) and went from there. There are park maps at the GKTW Gingerbread House. Tour Guide Mike was our best resource.

 

[mtkarens]

I am with Make a Wish. Right after she was granted her wish and we told them the dates they did send us a one page letter stating the airline times and dates we would be going but that is all.....I am getting nervous and have a call out to MAW. What is the GKTW package we will be staying there and everyone seems to be mailed something a couple weeks ahead of time but I have not.

 

[Camster0307]

Just to reassure you, I didn't get my packet of info until 5 days before we left; my expense check didn't come until the day before we left! Although I did know what my flights were a few months earlier. I think you should definitely touch base with someone - if only to make yourself feel better. This is supposed to be a fun trip - not something to cause you any undo worry!

Have a magical time!

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Sorry if post sounds choppy I have been up with DD9 all night and when I tried to get some sleep all I could think about was DW!!!

My dd had her wish trip granted and we leave for DW in 9 days. Here are some of my problems and concerns.......

1. We have not heard from our local wish people who originally came over and went through the paper work. I have been in touch with our wish chapter though and they told me we should get info soon. I have read on this that you don't get anything until 6 days ahead but then some people said they got something from GKTW. Me nothing and I am getting nervous. MAW said they will be having someone pick us up and drive us to SF airport which is 6 hours away. Not sure why we can't leave from our airport and make a connection in SF.

2. I have read the unofficial guide and read about the tour plans. Did you all still go with the tour plans or since it is through MAW you didn't worry about following the recommended tour plans?

3. I am looking for the parks maps with the attractions listed on the map instead of numerical order next to the map.

4. Any other tidbits would be helpful!!

I am with Make a Wish. Right after she was granted her wish and we told them the dates they did send us a one page letter stating the airline times and dates we would be going but that is all.....I am getting nervous and have a call out to MAW. What is the GKTW package we will be staying there and everyone seems to be mailed something a couple weeks ahead of time but I have not.

The lady that came to ask about our DD's wish was her wish grantor. She had nothing to do with the planning and implementation of the wish. She was basically just an information provider. The wish coordinator at the state hdqrtrs was the one planning everything for us. She is the one that I would talk directly to when it came time for questions. Whoever is planning your wish trip is the one that you need to talk to. And, I would be calling them. I am trying to remember how far out we got our letter from GKTW. If you can't get ahold of MAW, I would call GKTW and ask them if they have you down for being there. I don't remember there being a whole lot in that letter/package from GKTW, just a welcome letter I believe.

The deal with the airport....it might be cheaper for them to drive you instead of getting that connecting flight. Who knows? It's nice that they are having someone drive you though.

We did not use touring plans. We were there in Oct. I have never been in May, so I am not sure how the crowds are. If I were you, I would try and get a good sense of what your "must do's" are and go from there. Do not plan on doing and seeing everything....you will not and you would wear yourself and your family out trying to do so. The GAC that you will receive and just wearing your MAW/GKTW buttons that you get, will help. They will help you get to the attraction sooner (rather than waiting in the standby queue). I know we went through the fastpass line for some attractions while other MAW families were led through the exit to get on the ride.

My one suggestion is to take things easy and enjoy being with your family. Definitely remember to do things at GKTW as well as being in the parks.

Let us know what you find out and feel free to ask any more questions that you have....we love to help!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[momof4ngls]

I started our trip report! I know it's not nearly as witty and entertaining as the others I've read, but it will be nice to have our trip documented and hopefully it will help somebody else have an idea of what they might expect from their MAW cruise when it's all finished.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24723512#post24723512 Here is the link, although it's also in my signature now.

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

Sorry if post sounds choppy I have been up with DD9 all night and when I tried to get some sleep all I could think about was DW!!!

My dd had her wish trip granted and we leave for DW in 9 days. Here are some of my problems and concerns.......

1. We have not heard from our local wish people who originally came over and went through the paper work. I have been in touch with our wish chapter though and they told me we should get info soon. I have read on this that you don't get anything until 6 days ahead but then some people said they got something from GKTW. Me nothing and I am getting nervous. MAW said they will be having someone pick us up and drive us to SF airport which is 6 hours away. Not sure why we can't leave from our airport and make a connection in SF.

2. I have read the unofficial guide and read about the tour plans. Did you all still go with the tour plans or since it is through MAW you didn't worry about following the recommended tour plans?

3. I am looking for the parks maps with the attractions listed on the map instead of numerical order next to the map.

4. Any other tidbits would be helpful!!

I think maybe for the flight at SFO is because it is sometimes hard to find connecting flights and may be easier for you to get driven there. I know that SFO has great flights that only stop once in Texas and goes to Florida.

Is your local make a wish chapter in San Francisco? We are with San Francisco and our wish person who came to the house to do the paperwork had never contacted us after the paperwork was done and had someone else take over to make all of the plans. The person who is making the arrangements said she had ALOT of people who need their wishes now since we are not going to DW till the end of September.

I hope all goes well and make sure to call and tell them your concerns and keep on them until they give a straight answer. They told me that this trip was suppose to be stress free so I hope that you get your answer so you can be stress free for the trip. Keep in touch please so I know how it went especially the flight out SF.

All the best!

 

[Queenie122]

Wow, there are a few of us doing wish trips in just a couple of weeks! Whoo hoo! Maybe we'll see each other there!

I haven't gotten my info from our coordinator yet either. I'm not too worried, I know we're leaving Saturday the 10th and they'll get us everything else we need before we go. Yes, this is NOT usually like me!! I'll probably call them the week before if I haven't heard anything by then.

As for me, I made my own plans. I think with DD's wish status, things may go faster than any touring plan and after a couple of rides it would be off time anyway and also can't plan for the little special things that will happen along the way. I also know that DH and DB and I want to do some of the big rides and we'll try to fastpass but if we don't we'll have to wait. I'm not stressing about it. I've done a lot of planning already and being there will be the easy part!

 

[5dwarves]

I am with Make a Wish. Right after she was granted her wish and we told them the dates they did send us a one page letter stating the airline times and dates we would be going but that is all.....I am getting nervous and have a call out to MAW. What is the GKTW package we will be staying there and everyone seems to be mailed something a couple weeks ahead of time but I have not.

The early GKTW package had some basic info about what to expect when you get there. They show you a picture of a GKTW sign that a volunteer will be holding when you get to the airport, so that you know what to look for just off the plane. The volunteer will help you get to your rental car/limo service and get your luggage...they are there to help you maneuver the Orlando airport. It also gives you some info on what to pack...sunscreen, hat, meds, etc....most of the information is on their website. You can also call them and confirm your arrival time with them and set your mind at ease. There was no monumental, enlightening info in the package that I didn't already know from the disboards and the GKTW website...so don't worry you are going to be fine!

 

[5dwarves]

I started our trip report! I know it's not nearly as witty and entertaining as the others I've read, but it will be nice to have our trip documented and hopefully it will help somebody else have an idea of what they might expect from their MAW cruise when it's all finished.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=24723512#post24723512 Here is the link, although it's also in my signature now.

AWESOME! I am very curious about the cruises. If the funding is there, I would love to take my family on a Disney cruise after my oldest DS graduates from high school in 3 years...you know, the last family vacation with everyone involved. I need to win the lottery I guess, and my state doesn't even have one....

~Elisa

 

[momof4ngls]

AWESOME! I am very curious about the cruises. If the funding is there, I would love to take my family on a Disney cruise after my oldest DS graduates from high school in 3 years...you know, the last family vacation with everyone involved. I need to win the lottery I guess, and my state doesn't even have one....

~Elisa

It seems to me like the best way to do that would be to schedule the trip as far out as possible and then make payments toward your trip. I THINK you can still reschedule or cancel with a full refund up to a certain amount of time before the cruise. So if you got that close and knew you wouldn't be able to finish paying in time, you could either reschedule it or cancel and do something else with that money you've saved. I think when all is said and done, it truly is not much more than taking a more "traditional" vacation, since the only extra things you pay are excursions, spa treatments, Palo, babysitting for children under 3, and alcohol. None of those are necessary, however, so you could easily go for exactly what you pay for your cruise, plus tips. Even room service is free!!

I hope you get the chance to do it! I can not WAIT for them to announce our name as we walk on that ship!!

 

[mtkarens]

Sorry if post sounds choppy I have been up with DD9 all night and when I tried to get some sleep all I could think about was DW!!!

My dd had her wish trip granted and we leave for DW in 9 days. Here are some of my problems and concerns.......

1. We have not heard from our local wish people who originally came over and went through the paper work. I have been in touch with our wish chapter though and they told me we should get info soon. I have read on this that you don't get anything until 6 days ahead but then some people said they got something from GKTW. Me nothing and I am getting nervous. MAW said they will be having someone pick us up and drive us to SF airport which is 6 hours away. Not sure why we can't leave from our airport and make a connection in SF.

2. I have read the unofficial guide and read about the tour plans. Did you all still go with the tour plans or since it is through MAW you didn't worry about following the recommended tour plans?

3. I am looking for the parks maps with the attractions listed on the map instead of numerical order next to the map.

4. Any other tidbits would be helpful!!

I feel soooo much better, thank you to you all. The wish gods must have heard me because yesterday after I vented all of my worry I recieved the GKTW letter in the mail and my wish coordinator called scheduling a small icecream party at the fire dept for her on Wed.

I am so happy that my dd gets her wish. She has gone through so much. She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of four after much damage has been done and now due to this she has chronic pancreatitus. She has been life flighted to Stanford many times. To make matters worse her dad passed away at the age of 29 3 years ago from a heart attack, it happend the day after we got home from a 6 week trip at stanford.

I know this site is about our childrens wishes to DW but it also feels like a support system also!!