Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[mistymouse5001]

I thought I would remind everyone about an idea LeeLee2u shared with me before our trips to WDW. The idea is to make your own cards to pass out to CM/ TMs to let them know how much you appreciate their help in making your trip magical. A stock card might say, "Your kindness and consideration have helped to make our trip MAGICAL. Thank you!" An appropriate picture could be included.

Bill

Let me pass on another thank you to Jeff at MK Guest Services and Matt and Alex at the Wish Lounge there for all of the wonderful help.

Neato! Me and dilly dilly were just talking about that the other day! Woo Hoo
that makes me 1% less a crack pot

 

[Bill_Lin]

We did not swim with the dolphins. This option is available at Sea World's Discovery Cove Park. That park is not included with a stay at GKTW, but Sea World is. What we got to do was hand feed the dolphins. That was PLENTY close enough for Sugar Baby!

We also got to throw fish to the seals or sea lions, and pet the sting rays (they are a tad slimy).
state
Billstate

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

I havent posted on here for a while but excited that the other day we found out that we are getting our airline tickets so we have a part of our trip ready.

Has anyone went on the disney cruise for MAW? We were suppose to but our ds was to young to take a trip outside of the US since is was going to Mexico so we are going to disney world now. I just wanted to find out how you were treated? We got back from our disney cruise on Sunday and found that their kids club was not prepared at all for a child with "special needs" Very disappointed in the cruise.

 

[Bill_Lin]

We stayed at Give Kids the World Village (link in my signature) near WDW. It was so wonderful. I have never seen such love and support. The folks there deserve sainthood. If staying there is an option, go for it! Our stay included passes to Universal Studios, Sea World and all the Disney Parks.

At Sea World, we received special treatment as Wish Trippers. This included not waiting in line for attractions. The folks were helpful for the most part (and we are used to the friendly standards or west-coast hospitality).

We found the hospitality at Universal to be a bit better. We met some fun people there. Folks took our pictures all over the place. We later learned that we could have a print of one of these for free and could purchase the others. We received a free print at each character greet. We ran into one lady who was having a bad day (I hope her mood was unusual) on Men in Black. Apparently we were to have been escorted to the front by a staffer, but were just sent through on our own. She told us that "we were not supposed to come in without a staffer, and that they should know better." I put this in the category of "maybe you should tell the staffers that instead of us." One other person was a bit testy at the E.T. photos, but that is not too bad for a crowded public place where the staff must have to deal with a lot of ...... well you know.

Island of Adventure was even better. At IOA the staff treated us like honored guests. Even a vendor gave us a discount for our GKTW button. Only one person growled on the Dudley Doo Right Ride, but he was new on the attraction and did not understand about Wish Trippers. He sent us back to the entrance. There, a senior "Mountie" came in character and escorted us to the front of the line. That was great.

However, when we got to WDW all the great treatment we had received at the other parks faded by comparison. At Disney we were treated like royalty. ALL of the CMs smiled and acted like they liked their jobs. I was amazed by the friendly, caring attitudes. The only person whose pixie dust was running low was the poor guy who had to restock napkins and such at the Animal Kingdom McDonalds. Even he blushed when he realized we were on a wish trip. Obviously, Disney places a priority on training their Cast Members in this regard. I was impressed and deeply touched.

Read our Wish Trip Report (link in my signature) to find out about all the magic that came our way, ala Disney.

Bill

 

[alylee777]

Hi,
just a quick question for you experienced folks. I have heard mention here of a wish lounge at MK. Are there wish lounges at any other parks or just MK? What do they have in the longe?? Water, couches, air conditioning etc.?? Our trip is coming up very soon and our wish granter will be here tomorrow night with most of our itinerary. I guess part of it is not ready quite yet. The local paper is supposedly coming over to do a nice piece on Jared so that is also a big deal. I'm looking forward to the cake and ice cream!! Yum!!
Much love,
Alyson

 

[Bill_Lin]

Check out these links for pictures of the Wish Lounge at Magic Kingdom:
http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd070129mg
http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd070205mg

There are soft floor pillows and nice furniture, water bottles, air conditioning, quiet, no crowds, almost private bathrooms in the hall, and Guest Services staff there to help you with any reservations, information or other help. It is next to the first aid room at Main Street near the Crystal Palace side.

I understand that Wish Trippers are invited to use the V.I.P. lounge at Epcot. Otherwise, the first aid rooms are available everywhere.

Bill

 

[HeatherN]

Do you think it would be strange to pack 3 months before a trip?


You make me laugh!!!!! I keep staring going up to the attick to stare at our luggage and mentally pack...hubby thinks I am nuts!


Couple of questions: (I am having a blonde moment) How do you get quotes from past posts into the body of your post???

I think maybe I may start a pre trip report...it's a bit early but it might be fun.Should I put it in the pre trip report section and how do I move the thread once we are back and finish the report?

Do I need to bring beach towels for the pool or are there enough towels in the villas at GKTW?? Thanks everyone!!!

Oh yeah, how do you subscribe to a post??

Are you sick of silly newbie questions yet???

 

[LindaBabe]

I thought I would remind everyone about an idea LeeLee2u shared with me before our trips to WDW. The idea is to make your own cards to pass out to CM/ TMs to let them know how much you appreciate their help in making your trip magical. A stock card might say, "Your kindness and consideration have helped to make our trip MAGICAL. Thank you!" An appropriate picture could be included.

Bill

Let me pass on another thank you to Jeff at MK Guest Services and Matt and Alex at the Wish Lounge there for all of the wonderful help.

There are some customizable thank you cards for available for free over on Tagrel(dot)com.

 

[alizesmom]

I'm sort of in shock here. Ciara just got sent in as a possible wish kid. Make A Wish already called to get the basic information and said they didn't think there would be a problem. I'm not sure what Ciara's wish would be. She is delayed and nonverbal. We're going to a few outings (one picnic, one amusement park, an aquarium, a zoo and a conference on trachs) in the next few weeks so I will be able to see how she does under those circumstances. DH wants her to enjoy Disney, I'm afraid of a meltdown (when she melts down she ends up on BIPAP and oxygen). What are other possible wishes she could enjoy? Can you pray that she would tolerate Disney? Are we out of line wanting to go twice? (She didn't live with us when Alize went so it will be all new to her). Please give suggestions and opinions. I was going to post a picture of her here but my sleeping pill just cut in and the keys are dancing and difficult to cacth. I think I will jst head to bed. Karen

 

[mistymouse5001]

Maybe she would enjoy a bedroom makeover. A new wardrobe?
Maybe a special playground that is easier for her to swing on?

 

[Bill_Lin]

Heather, start your pre-trip report in the Pre-Trip area. When you return, the moderators will move it to the Trip Report section for you.

GKTW will have all the towels and such that you will need. Try to miminize what you bring. We brought minimal changes of clothing and washed in the villa several times. The biggest need for you to bring will be the empty bag to use for brining all the souvenirs and GKTW gifts you will receive. We bought ours at the Flea Market across the highway and just east of Wal-Mart.

To subscribe to a thread, just post a reply on it. It will subscribe you to the thread. To check your subscriptions, just click on User CP in the upper left corner then choose List Subscriptions from the menu on the left.

Linda, thanks for the great card idea. There is plenty to do, what with planning and over-planning for the trip, without having to make our own cards. On the other hand, some folks will enjoy making their own.

Karen, that is exciting about Ciara. How old is she?

You should view her wish as a totally separate thing from Alize's, just as if Alize's trip never happened. The fact that your family will be able to go again is just a side benefit. DO NOT have false guilt about that. It will be important to Ciara to have the family involved.

I love your idea about trying out some lower key places first. On our trip, we took our Princess to a nearby, small theme park to help prepare her for the trip. I think it really helped.

Every wish is special, and flows from the child's heart, from some inner spark that is placed there. Listen to her to hear her dreams. For many kids, WDW is the ultimate wish, for others it is to meet someone they admire, or get to do something that most kids can't (like fly in a fighter jet, or be on stage with a rock star... the possibilities are endless).

Misty, how is your planning proceeding. Are you having fun yet?

Bill

 

[HeatherN]

Thanks Bill!!!

 

[lotferg]

You guys have been busy! My little brother graduated from High School, so I've been busy with party planning, prom and post-grad stuff. I finally added another chapter to Evan's TR. He is handling the additional chemo as well as can be expected, and is looking forward to summer!

GKTW and toilet paper...that was an interesting conversation. I don't remember there being much difference between the stuff I buy at home, and the stuff at GKTW. Guess I never paid that much attention to the stuff. Oh well...there's a WallyWorld up the street if you need to buy some!

 

[mistymouse5001]

 

[mistymouse5001]

You guys have been busy! My little brother graduated from High School, so I've been busy with party planning, prom and post-grad stuff. I finally added another chapter to Evan's TR. He is handling the additional chemo as well as can be expected, and is looking forward to summer!

GKTW and toilet paper...that was an interesting conversation. I don't remember there being much difference between the stuff I buy at home, and the stuff at GKTW. Guess I never paid that much attention to the stuff. Oh well...there's a WallyWorld up the street if you need to buy some!

I enjoyed reading all of your post.Best of wishes for chemo

 

[Bill_Lin]

I am SO homesick for WDW and GKTW. Does anyone else suffer from this. Shoot, I even miss the Wal-Mart there.

Did I mention that one of my trip goals was to see a crocodile? I finally saw a huge one from the tram at the airport before we flew back. Did I say HUGE?

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Hi,
just a quick question for you experienced folks. I have heard mention here of a wish lounge at MK. Are there wish lounges at any other parks or just MK? What do they have in the longe?? Water, couches, air conditioning etc.?? Our trip is coming up very soon and our wish granter will be here tomorrow night with most of our itinerary. I guess part of it is not ready quite yet. The local paper is supposedly coming over to do a nice piece on Jared so that is also a big deal. I'm looking forward to the cake and ice cream!! Yum!!
Much love,
Alyson

In the Bunny Book that you get at check-in (or was it at orientation??) it tells you where the rooms are that you can use. When exaactly is your trip again???? I forget.

You make me laugh!!!!! I keep staring going up to the attick to stare at our luggage and mentally pack...hubby thinks I am nuts!
your not nuts.....just excited

Couple of questions: (I am having a blonde moment) How do you get quotes from past posts into the body of your post??? on the bottom right of the post that you want to quote, you will see a quote button, click on that to get it in your post. The button to the right of it has the "+ on it, that is for if you want to quote more than one person, click that on each post and then click the quote button on the last one that you want. hope that helps!

I think maybe I may start a pre trip report...it's a bit early but it might be fun.Should I put it in the pre trip report section and how do I move the thread once we are back and finish the report? yes start one!!!!! the mods can move it for you when you are ready to write about your trip

Do I need to bring beach towels for the pool or are there enough towels in the villas at GKTW?? Thanks everyone!!! there should be enough. I agree with Bill.....pack light. As far as an extra bag...we put a smaller suitcase inside a larger one for the trip to WDW, then we had that extra bag for the way home....we did that with two of then and they were all full on the way home!

Oh yeah, how do you subscribe to a post?? either post in the thread or there is a way to do it on the menu bar across the top, but I normally just post.

Are you sick of silly newbie questions yet???nope

I'm sort of in shock here. Ciara just got sent in as a possible wish kid. Make A Wish already called to get the basic information and said they didn't think there would be a problem. I'm not sure what Ciara's wish would be. She is delayed and nonverbal. We're going to a few outings (one picnic, one amusement park, an aquarium, a zoo and a conference on trachs) in the next few weeks so I will be able to see how she does under those circumstances. DH wants her to enjoy Disney, I'm afraid of a meltdown (when she melts down she ends up on BIPAP and oxygen). What are other possible wishes she could enjoy? Can you pray that she would tolerate Disney? Are we out of line wanting to go twice? (She didn't live with us when Alize went so it will be all new to her). Please give suggestions and opinions. I was going to post a picture of her here but my sleeping pill just cut in and the keys are dancing and difficult to cacth. I think I will jst head to bed. Karen

You are not out of line to want to go twice. This is Ciara's wish. If you think she would enjoy it then go for it!

 

[bex271]

i have a question. How many times did you have to fill up the gas tank when traveling back and forth from GKTW and parks?

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

i have a question. How many times did you have to fill up the gas tank when traveling back and forth from GKTW and parks?

We had a minivan and the tank was full when we picked it up. I did not fill it until I was on the way back to the airport. So...once!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I read about a wish lounge in Disneyland as well, somewhere.

My daughter's Wish Trip in August is to DL, not WDW, so I was interested.

If anyone has details about a DL Wish trip, please point me to the post or PM me? thanks!