Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[alizesmom]

Becca, only on a board like this could someone say their son had a screw loose with a straight face! I'm so glad he's ok. Karen

 

[5dwarves]

Becca, only on a board like this could someone say their son had a screw loose with a straight face! I'm so glad he's ok. Karen

Too Funny. Glad he is okay as well. At least his screws are able to be tightened. The ones I have loose are just going to have to stay that way.

~Elisa

 

[bex271]

Becca, only on a board like this could someone say their son had a screw loose with a straight face! I'm so glad he's ok. Karen

Karen we've been laughing about that too. thank you for wishing him well

Too Funny. Glad he is okay as well. At least his screws are able to be tightened. The ones I have loose are just going to have to stay that way.

~Elisa

Elisa, thank you for the well wishing and i'm so happy that his screws can be tightened too. I wish mine could be tightened that easily

becca

 

[LeeLee2U]

Hi Everyone!! WOW it's been a while since I've checked in and their has been alot going on here I see!!
Hi to all the newbies!! Oh No This means MORE great TRs that I will feel compelled to read and then I will be even more behind!! AAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!! Well can't say I'll run out of reading material anytime soon. Next time we are headed to the hospital I believe I am going to print out some of my tRs and thatway I can get alittle caught up and maybe that will save me some money from buying books at the gift shops!!!!!
Wendy i think about ya'll all the time. Still sending prayers and your way!!

Elisa- WOW you are REALLY back. I see where I need to come to hear from you huh? I think I forgot to respond on my TR and since I won't be on there today ( I'm fixng to head to work!) I'll post it here and then maybe there lately. YES Please!!! let me know when ya'll are headed this way! I would love to get together!!

A brief update on us is YES we are finally in our house!! It's beautifull. I have a couple of pic on my TR. DH is steadily going downhill but he is not letting it stop him. He is still going to college. Thankfully Wed is his last day untill Fall. I talked him into staying home during the summer although now he is looking for a part time job! Dialysis is still not cleaning and his levels are back haywire again! We are still waiting on that kidney and beliving it WILL come.
Braeton has been doing fairly well. We are still having bouts of strep and viruses but it is slowing down!! His allergies and asthma have been very very minor in fact the asthma part has been non existent since we have moved into this house!!! me and T?? Well we are hanging in there!!!

We are in the same predicament...we received a one page letter on April 14 with flight information. We have been assured that more information is to follow. On a side note, we were told that we were staying somewhere other than GKTW. They did not indicate where we would be. I am the most anal retentive trip planner ever; it's freaking me out that we're "homeless" right now. I NEED TO PLAN! Is there a TR out there for a wish family that did not stay at GKTW?

HI! it will be o.k. Your info will come. Mine was way later than I wante but it did come. At the very last possible seconds, but it came AND my trip was awesome so it was a lot of unneeded worry. I got our flight info just a few days before we left. We didn't recieve our $$, tickets etc... untill right before we walked through security at the airport!!! G od has such a sense of humor!! He is constantly working on my patience!!!!

Hello! I'm new here, and first, I'd like to say thank you to all of you who have posted so much info here! I especially love the trip reports!

We have learned that our son ha qualified for a wish granting program. He (and his twin brother) was born >3 months early, has cerebral palsy and some medical issues. He is age appropriate in all areas but mobility, which of course affects his independence. He walks with a walker, is working on quad canes and took 8 independent steps in physio last week! Our next step is to meet with our wish coordinator to talk about the specifics of his wish.

So...we're just starting out, but I know his wish will be Disney-based. And of course, I have some questions for those of you who have been down the lovely wish path.

I should point out that we're from Canada, and we're being blessed with the kindness of the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation. Also, our son is actually a twin. While our wish child faces significant challenges every day, his twin brother is also a survivor, having spent the first 3+ months in hospital, and also several medical issues (mostly lungs), hospitalizations etc. On top of that, it's not easy being the twin brother of a very bright guy who has special needs. It's been a tough road for him, too. One of the reasons I didn't explore the Wish possibility before is that I wanted to wait until able-bodied twin had mature some to understand why special things might happen for the Wish child. I still have some concerns.

Question #1: Has anyone encountered any issues with siblings feeling left out of the wish? Any parents of twins out there? Are the CM's and volunteers sensitive to the feelings of the non-Wish twin, and ensure he/she is as included as possible without diluting the experience of the wish child?

We were thrilled when my mother gave us a family trip to WDW in 2006. We stayed on property and never left WDW! We enjoyed the 4 parks and DTD. Between accessibility and helpful, empathetic CM's we wanted more Disney, so we went to Disneyland last December! Another great trip. So what will our son's wish be? We know he loves the rides, but he also enjoys meeting characters and CM's. We've wondered about a short cruise. Hmmm....

Question #2: Has anyone who has gone on wish cruise written a trip report? (Sorry if I missed it?)
We've already been told that we could likely be accommodated at GKTW, but there is some flexibility. We enjoyed our on-site stay, but GKTW sounds so special. However, we do need rests (endurance) and may want to split up sometimes. GKTW wouldn't be the most convenient for that. Most of the wish kids I've read about going to GKTW seem to be young (and oh so many beautiful princesses!).

Question #3: Will my boys feel older than most at GKTW - they'll be 10 when we go, likely? Is there lots that will appeal to them?
OK, I've got lots more questions, but this is already so long. I'll be back!

WELCOME!!! I do not have twins but my wish child has CP Are you writing a PTR? We are fixing to get a quad cane for Braeton and I'm really interested in how your son does with them. Braeton keeps walking away from his walker. He would rather fall every so many steps than use his walker so our hopes is to ge him used to using the canes or actually at first we will be trying one cane since the whole thing is he likes to have 1 hand free. He will be 6 in June.
We didn't stay at GKTW but as far as DW went the CMS were great about showering attention on both of my children. In fact as far as the attention and little special treatments went you couldn't tell WHO the wish child was untill you read the fine print on our buttons!!! Our wish found had made us buttons that said thier name and then it either said WISH Reciepeint or WISh Family member. These were great. And actually Mom and Dad even got a little extra attention from some of the CMS AND characters!! I got a few extra hugs and points to my button and B and then some more hugs and we got some very special attention throughout our trip.
I would love to get in touch with you if you wouldnt mind. just to "glean" some info and wisdom from a Mom with an older child that has some of the same issues!!!

Thanks everyone. I know we'd be rescheduling instead of canceling per say but we are all so excited, this is just devastating. Even worse is my poor baby! Her mouth is full of sores and her gums are just bleeding and so swollen you can't see her teeth and she has a high fever since Thursday! I feel so badly for her, she's just miserable, we all are. We're supposed to be enjoying packing and counting down and instead we're talking care of a sick baby and scared we have to cancel. *sigh* It never gets easier.

Oh that poor baby!! I'm sending lots of prayers hugs and Warm well Wishes for her and MOM too!!!

just a quick update. Jonah is fine just had some skin covering his anchors and had a loose screw too. We are home now for a little bit anyway. I'll update everyone later

becca

Glad jonah is o.k. As far as the screw being loose well..............

Becca, only on a board like this could someone say their son had a screw loose with a straight face! I'm so glad he's ok. Karen

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!!

 

[mtkarens]

Thank you for all replys we have heard from our wish cooridinator and everything is on the go! My daughter had her wish party yesterday at the fire department and decided I might do a last minute pre trip report!!!! We leave Sunday and are very excited!!!!!

 

[mtkarens]

My daughter wants to know everything about the wish trip but much to her disappointment I have never been to Orlando so can't tell her to much except what I have reasearched.

So if anyone can tell her some magical things they experienced she might give me 5 minutes without any questions I can't answer!!

 

[5dwarves]

My daughter wants to know everything about the wish trip but much to her disappointment I have never been to Orlando so can't tell her to much except what I have reasearched.

So if anyone can tell her some magical things they experienced she might give me 5 minutes without any questions I can't answer!!

Christmas at GKTW was a lot of fun (I can't remember if you are staying there or not.)

MK and AK has face painting. She can be a safari animal or have her face turn into a butterfy, or have tinkerbell pixie dust painted on her face.

The plays/musicas at former MGM and AK are awesome....she will enjoy them....

Lots of fun ahead!

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Queenie.....how's bella doing??????? I hope she is feeling better so that you can leave in 5 days!!!

 

[Mskanga]

OK I have a question for all of you trippers.....has any of you gone on a MAW trip to Disneyland in California ? If so what was included ?
I got news on my daughter's trip today and I am a bit confused. It seems that our trip is six days long including travel days and they only give us two days tickets for DL and one day ticket for Knottsberry farm , nothing else according to our chapter here.
Everyone I know gets seven days including travel days , I just don't understand it.

 

[momof4ngls]

OK I have a question for all of you trippers.....has any of you gone on a MAW trip to Disneyland in California ? If so what was included ?
I got news on my daughter's trip today and I am a bit confused. It seems that our trip is six days long including travel days and they only give us two days tickets for DL and one day ticket for Knottsberry farm , nothing else according to our chapter here.
Everyone I know gets seven days including travel days , I just don't understand it.

Well, I can tell you that each chapter has their own rules/guidelines. My daughter desperately wanted to go on the Costa Maya cruise, because she studied about the trades with the Mayans this year and she wanted to see the ruins. I've read other stories of wishes being granted for 7 day cruises, so I asked her wish coordinators about it, and learned that THIS chapter's guidelines only allow them to send children on 3 or 4 day Disney cruises, which means Nassau only. She could go on a different cruise line and see Mayan ruins with a 5 day cruise, but she really wanted the Disney experience, so she decided that was most important to her.

I was disappointed for her that she is unable to see the ruins, but gosh, I don't think we could ever afford a cruise ourselves, so we're just so very grateful to be able to go anywhere. Come to find out, the cruise over my DD's birthday (and Mother's Day) stops at Castaway Cay twice, so that's just icing on our cake!!!

I hope you are able to get more time for your daughter, but if not, I hope you are able to push this out of your head, so you can just enjoy this amazing trip without feeling left out.

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

OK I have a question for all of you trippers.....has any of you gone on a MAW trip to Disneyland in California ? If so what was included ?
I got news on my daughter's trip today and I am a bit confused. It seems that our trip is six days long including travel days and they only give us two days tickets for DL and one day ticket for Knottsberry farm , nothing else according to our chapter here.
Everyone I know gets seven days including travel days , I just don't understand it.

I don't know of anyone who has. Sorry! I would call and ask. Just tell them that you have met other wish families and that you know how long their trips were and why yours is shorter....tell them "just out of curiousity" because you don't want to sound ungrateful!! See what they say. Can you extend the trip on your own dime? We did and I know some other families have. That might be a possibility for you. Let us know what you find out. Oh.....we would love to read a trip report regarding a wish family and DL!!!!

Well, I can tell you that each chapter has their own rules/guidelines. My daughter desperately wanted to go on the Costa Maya cruise, because she studied about the trades with the Mayans this year and she wanted to see the ruins. I've read other stories of wishes being granted for 7 day cruises, so I asked her wish coordinators about it, and learned that THIS chapter's guidelines only allow them to send children on 3 or 4 day Disney cruises, which means Nassau only. She could go on a different cruise line and see Mayan ruins with a 5 day cruise, but she really wanted the Disney experience, so she decided that was most important to her.

I was disappointed for her that she is unable to see the ruins, but gosh, I don't think we could ever afford a cruise ourselves, so we're just so very grateful to be able to go anywhere. Come to find out, the cruise over my DD's birthday (and Mother's Day) stops at Castaway Cay twice, so that's just icing on our cake!!!

I hope you are able to get more time for your daughter, but if not, I hope you are able to push this out of your head, so you can just enjoy this amazing trip without feeling left out.

I wish they had a "hitting my head...in a DUH moment" smilie....I am heading over to read your TR right now....I saw it on your siggy the last time you posted and forgot to click on it! Only five days?!?!?!? WOW!! I bet your family is EXCITED!!!!! I can't wait to read all about it....oooohhhh....and pics...would love to see lots of pics from the cruise (I sooooo want to do one!!) Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mskanga]

That has actually crossed my mind but I just got a call from the volunteer and when I told her what happened this morning she said that her book of guidelines for disneyland trips says something different from what I was told this morning so I am hoping that the girl made a mistake , the volunteer is checking up on that , we shall see what happens after she talks to them. I have no clue , I am so confused now.....

 

[alizesmom]

That has actually crossed my mind but I just got a call from the volunteer and when I told her what happened this morning she said that her book of guidelines for disneyland trips says something different from what I was told this morning so I am hoping that the girl made a mistake , the volunteer is checking up on that , we shall see what happens after she talks to them. I have no clue , I am so confused now.....

I hope and pray that you get more days. Let us know how it turns out and have a magical time. Karen

 

[Queenie122]

Queenie.....how's bella doing??????? I hope she is feeling better so that you can leave in 5 days!!!

Great news!!

Bella is feeling better and her mouth is recovering nicely from weirdo virus. She's been eating since Sunday and we sent her to school yesterday. Yay! None of the rest of us got sick (thankyouthankyouthankyou).

Even better news - took her to the ENT yesterday for our final trip approval. For those who don't know, she was having some fluid issues in her ear, the possibility of needing surgery to have tubes put in was mentioned. I've been scared to death that she would need another surgery and also she would have discomfort flying. We told out Wish team that we might need to drive at the last minute and they said that could be arranged. But really, who wants to spend three miserable days of their vacation driving?

Anyway, back to the doctor yesterday. We've been giving her nasal spray every day to help try to clear up the ears. Keeping the head of her bed upright too. She has never passed an ear test... UNTIL YESTERDAY!!! Her ears are better than they have ever been!!!! Totally clear!!! And now she can actually hear you when you speak to her! No tubes needed and she's clear to fly!!!!

Yeah, just a little excited.

Last night our Wish team came by. We got our boarding passes. We found out a freaking LIMO is picking up up Saturday to drive us to the airport!! We got Make a Wish hats and Tshirts (which don't fit) which we are instructed to wear and a cool Make a Wish bag. Special Genie Wish stickers and a Genie hat from Disney too, a Disney book (last years Birnhams) and a planning DVD too. Like we don't have that already! They also gave us a disposable camera which we'll let Bella take pictures with. Should be interesting to see what a three year old takes a picture of.

They also gave us our expense check. AND IT WAS $500 MORE THAN WE THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our check was for a little over $1200. My brother's plane ticket came out of there (which he already paid us for) so it was $1500 to start. Crazy!!

We're so excited now, I can't even put into words how excited we are. Haven't had a real vacation as a family in forever, maybe never depending on what you count as vacation.

It's going to be hot, 90 degrees but we don't care. Heat, rain, locust infestation, we don't care. We are going to have so much fun

 

[Camster0307]

Yeah Queenie!

So glad to hear that things are falling right into place and, best of all, that Bella is feeling so much better! You're going to have an amazing trip!

Funny you mention the shirts from MAW not fitting..... are they too big or too small? Ours were HUGE! We never wore them. Being the obsessive planner I am, I, of course, had coordinating outfits to wear each day! Just make sure your buttons are visible and you'll be fine!

Have a magical time!

 

[momof4ngls]

In our trip information from MAW, they suggested that on the last day of the cruise, we head to Downtown Disney if we have time. I have no clue what Downtown Disney is. Can somebody please enlighten me on what is there, if we pay a fee for entrance, etc. Is there some way to find out what is going on there that week? How late is it open (I'm wondering if we should consider it the night before the cruise as well)?

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

In our trip information from MAW, they suggested that on the last day of the cruise, we head to Downtown Disney if we have time. I have no clue what Downtown Disney is. Can somebody please enlighten me on what is there, if we pay a fee for entrance, etc. Is there some way to find out what is going on there that week? How late is it open (I'm wondering if we should consider it the night before the cruise as well)?

Downtown Disney is a shopping/entertainment/eating area. We mainly go there for the shopping. It has the largest world of Disney store. Earl of Sandwiches is a good place to eat there. There is no entry cost for that "side" of DTD. Pleasure Island is where the entertainment venues are, nightclubs, etc. I think Cirque de Soliel is in that area. There are restaraunts on the West Side. I hope I am getting all the names right....we normally just do the shopping end of DTD and have never really ventured beyond that. Search on Disney's website, there should be info there.

 

[Mskanga]

Downtown Disney is like a boardwalk with tons of stores , restaurants and play areas , my kids LOVE going there.
We also got a message today that our MAW trip to California is for seven days !!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. We are staying on property for six nights , I don't care about the rest ......it is going to be a wonderful trip after the year from hell.....I just know it !

 

[Queenie122]

Yeah Queenie!

So glad to hear that things are falling right into place and, best of all, that Bella is feeling so much better! You're going to have an amazing trip!

Funny you mention the shirts from MAW not fitting..... are they too big or too small? Ours were HUGE! We never wore them. Being the obsessive planner I am, I, of course, had coordinating outfits to wear each day! Just make sure your buttons are visible and you'll be fine!

Have a magical time!

Well, ours are size medium and I probably haven't worn a medium since high school! Hubby has never worn a medium, lol.

And my little bitty petite size 2T daughter has a child's small which is 10-12!

 

[momof4ngls]

Downtown Disney is like a boardwalk with tons of stores , restaurants and play areas , my kids LOVE going there.
We also got a message today that our MAW trip to California is for seven days !!!!!!!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. We are staying on property for six nights , I don't care about the rest ......it is going to be a wonderful trip after the year from hell.....I just know it !

Oh, I am SO glad for you!!! I'm sure it will truly be a magical time for you! And yes, I can sure relate to the break from a nightmare year!! Have a WONDERFUL time!!!

Thank you also for the information on DTD. Thank you all for the information on DTD!! Maybe we'll be able to spend a little time there.