Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[bex271]

Amber,
Thank you so much for the package. We enjoyed helping jonah tear into it. We didn't think to take pictures because we were so focused on helping him that we just forgot to snap pictures. His favorite thing is the spiderman dry erase board. When we pulled it out and showed him, he took it from me and hugged it and wouldn't let go. He liked the goofy figurine and held it for a while and looked at it. I can't thank you enough. The picture the Sebastian colored was great too.
Here is the only picture i did get(taken this morning) and he did let me put stamps on him. I'm hoping we can get some today of him playing his presents

Thank you again
Becca

 

[LindaBabe]

Welcome, Maroo!

To post a trippie, just go over to the trip reports board (there may be a sub board for pretrips) and start a new thread, with some kind of descriptive title. After you've posted it, copy the link over here and WendyGrace or a mod will put it in the first post when she has time.

Also, remember to pm your snail mail to Amber for her Pixie Dust packet, and to me for postcards from my upcoming trip!

Happy planning!

 

[hotmamac]

Hi gang ~

Welcome to you new users. This is the (second most) magical place to be.

Amber ~
I was just starting to wonder where Bill was myself.

On the topic of going away parties, I've already decided that I'm going to do something special even if MAW doesn't offer one. I'm making up big goodie bags for the kids with all kinds of Disney Trip related things like pins and lanyards and Disney Crocs etc. And I want to either have a nice dinner someplace or have something here at the house to kickoff our trip.

I've updated my pre-trip report and I tried to add my link to my signature, this will be the first time I'm posting since adding it so we'll see if it works.

see ya soon.
Misty

 

[hotmamac]

I can't even begin to tell you all how grateful I am to have found you. Thankfully one of Bill_Lin's posts came up in my Google search

My 9yr old son was approved for a wish about a week ago. Of course he chose WDW. I was so hoping he would choose DL, as we've been there before and I know my way around and it's not so far from home. But this is HIS wish so WDW here we come (in December).

I am not used to having some one else plan. I NEED to do that. Thankfully the last 2 days I've had you all to keep me busy Laundry can wait

I am so much more excited about going now that I've read. It's amazing to hear everyone's experiences and heartwarming to see all the smiles

Bill: I must start an Excel sheet of rides. What a great idea. I love the Wallpaper of pictures too. I must do this also.

Amy: I've loved reading your TR. It was like we were right there. I told DH about your 2000 pictures and told him "see, I'm not the only one"

Off to organize my notes (Yes, I took them while reading) and finally feel like I have some part in the planning of all this

PS: Amber: CONGRATS on your new princess. She is absolutely adorable

Deanna ~
Forgive me if I have already asked you this...I have mommy brain today...
when in December are you going? My DD's trip is Dec 13-19 and we are staying at GKTW. My mom and sister are also going but staying at POR.

I would love to see you there!!

Misty

 

[maroo]

Welcome, Maroo!

To post a trippie, just go over to the trip reports board (there may be a sub board for pretrips) and start a new thread, with some kind of descriptive title. After you've posted it, copy the link over here and WendyGrace or a mod will put it in the first post when she has time.

Also, remember to pm your snail mail to Amber for her Pixie Dust packet, and to me for postcards from my upcoming trip!

Happy planning!

Hello Linda,

It won't let me send you a message because I have not posted 10 times yet. LOL

I am so much of a newbie that they won't let me send out mail.

What does it mean to get a Pixie Dust packet? And what is up with the postcards?

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

Yes, you should. They will make every effort to put you close to each other or even together should the opportunity arise.

I told Steve that's his job today. I've put him in charge of making all the reservations on my lists

Hi Friends! By some miracle all three of my kids are napping right now at the same time! WOHOO!!! I should be napping too but I wanted to check in!I can't believe I am 4 pages behind on this thread. I'm glad I did so much reading and planning while I was pregant because now days "sleep" trumps "Disney."

Anyone else miss Bill? I do!

QUOTE]

I remember those early no-sleep days/nights. I hope she settles into a great routine for you soon. How nice to have napping days. Man how I miss those.

I've wondered where Bill went too.

Hi everyone,
I've been gone a day or two. We took my MIL home to Burley, ID and went to my husband's 40th high school reunion.

Anyway, I saw the question about MAW "going away" partys. We are really lucky here in Utah because MAW has a beautiful building called the Wishing Place.

However, 27 of those were just Mike & I and our children and grandchildren I know what you are thinking and yes I am glad I have a big yard and enough space for everyone to come home for Thanksgiving dinner but I have been known to resort to paper plates and plastic utensils

Denise

Welcome back Denise. Glad you had a good trip. The Wishing Place sounds like an awesome place.

Your family sounds like mine. The dinners at my grammies usually have 25-33 people, depending on who all comes. I have 3 sisters and the four of us girls gave my mom 12 grandkids.

Deanna ~
Forgive me if I have already asked you this...I have mommy brain today...
when in December are you going? My DD's trip is Dec 13-19 and we are staying at GKTW. My mom and sister are also going but staying at POR.

I would love to see you there!!

Misty

We are going Dec 17-23 so we will overlap a couple days We'll have to meet up if even just for a few. We will get in about 6pm or so on the 17th and will just hang out at GKTW that night. The next day we hope to go to US

 

[GoofyDoo]

Each MAW chapter definitely has its differences. We got a send-off party at Clay's fave restaurant (McDonalds--yeehaw!) with all his family and friends (they did not give us a limit and even paid for parents of friends to eat). My dad wouldn't order anything because he just couldn't let them pay since they were already doing so much for us, but our wish coordinator ordered him something anyway! MAW was very generous at the party--had Scooby Doo table cloths and party favors for all the kids as well. We did not ride in a limo to the airport; however, transportation (gas) money was figured into our expense check, and they paid for long-term parking. The kids would've loved a limo, but this worked out better for us because my husband has an aversion to getting to airports early! Not as exciting as a limo, but I think we must've gotten the party instead. The party ended up being great because the twins have never had a birthday party with friends (I'm a terrible mom). Their birthday is just a few days after Christmas, so I know everyone is recovering, and the fact that there would be two of them just makes me feel too guilty sending out invitations and putting parents in a bind. This year maybe we'll do a party and say "no gifts, please" or something. The twins LOVED the MAW party just because it was a new experience for them having friends there. OK, TMI--sorry!

 

[maroo]

Ok...it won't let me post a link, either, to the pre-trip report because I have not posted enough times. Don't I get any credit for "lurking"... ? LOL

guess not

Well...The Pre-Trip Report is in the right section, hopefully...and you guys post a link for us if you want
It is called...

* ~ * ~ Make A Wish Sends Lauren to Disney ~ * ~ * or something like that!

Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Hello Linda,

It won't let me send you a message because I have not posted 10 times yet. LOL

I am so much of a newbie that they won't let me send out mail.

What does it mean to get a Pixie Dust packet? And what is up with the postcards?

Hi maroo! We're a fellow wish family too. Our little boy Sebastian is being granted his wish to go to Disney World in December. To answer you questions: I started something a few weeks ago that I've dubbed "Project Pixie Dust" bascially I've been making up packets of fun travel stuff for fellow wish trippers as a way to "pay forward" the magic. If you go back a few pages on this thread you'll be able to read more about it. Once you are able to send "PMs" send me your snail mail address and I'll get a packet out to your kids. I just need to know their age, and favorite characters etc.

Linda is an awesome DISER who sends post cards to the wish kids from Disney World when she goes on her trips.

There are lots of really neat people on here. It's my favorite place to "hang" out and get excited about our trip. Welcome, welcome! We're so glad to have you join the fun!

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Sebastian's "Wish Granters" told us that they plan to do some kind of party for him. Last we talked to them they said they were thinking of doing it in September or October after his next surgery as a way to celebrate if we get to remove his central line/port-- which would mean he was tumor free! It will likely be at our neighborhood Clubhouse but I would love if we could do it somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese (he loves pizza). In any event I'm really looking forward to it. As a former event planner I LOVE a party and hope they let me "help" with the planning.

 

[maroo]

For our wish trip...we are going to need a place in each park where Lauren can rest. We are staying at GKTW, so we need a place in each park where she can get some time out of her wheelchair, use the rest room and possibly rest some?

I understand from reading some of this thread that there is a Wish Lounge at the Magic Kingdom. My guess is that Lauren would be able to get out of her chair, stretch out, maybe go to the restroom or change clothes if she needs to? Is that correct? How long can we stay there?

What about Epcot, Universal, MGM/Hollywood, Sea World? What are the rest areas like there?

Have any of the rest of you guys had these issues? I am trying to plan each day and almost want to make sure we end up at MK each day if that is the only real place where Lauren can comfortably rest?

Thank you so much for all of your help!! maroo

 

[HeatherN]

Magic Kingdom has a wish lounge that is quiet, air conditioned and comfortable.They have a restroom there.I think it's the perfect place to rest.Epcot also has a wish lounge but I didn't see it first hand as it was closed in the evening we were there.To the best of my knowledge there are no other wish lounges at the other parks.Also one thing to consider is if you stay at Give Kids the World, they give you a package of park tickets.You recieve one day at Sea World, Two days at Universal/Islands of adventure and three days at the Disney parks.If I understand you correctly, you will only be able to end up at Magic Kingdom for three of the days of your trip.The only thing I can suggest is maybe try first Aid.They may have a place for you to rest a bit.The other thing you could do is to take an afternoon break and go back to GKTW.You could rest at the villa and maybe take a swim.The you could go back to the parks.

 

[LindaBabe]

Maroo, I can't tell you about the wish lounges, but I can tell you there's a first aid / baby care center in each park and Lauren would have the ability to lie down there and use the restroom there.

 

[LindaBabe]

Ok...it won't let me post a link, either, to the pre-trip report because I have not posted enough times. Don't I get any credit for "lurking"... ? LOL

guess not

Well...The Pre-Trip Report is in the right section, hopefully...and you guys post a link for us if you want
It is called...

* ~ * ~ Make A Wish Sends Lauren to Disney ~ * ~ * or something like that!

Thank you so much for your help!!

Just keep posting, Maroo! Sooner or later, you'll have enough posts, you've a long time before your trip to get pixie dusted, and for post cards, I don't go for another week (and I'll be wired, in any case.)

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I probably have only flown a half dozen times in my life and only 1 time with my family- and that was 5 years ago. We are flying SW- same as we flew 5 years ago. I know they don't have assigned seats- there were different groups that boarded ( A first, B second etc). But Nathan was 4 then so we got to preboard. It is very important to us to be at least somewhat together. We will get there early, but is there any chance they would let a Wish family pre-board? Even if we don't have any "extra" equiptment like a wheelchair or anything. We only have 40 minutes to make our connecting flight in St. Louis. I am guessing the chances of us sitting together then are very low.

Also, we leave OKC at 9:45am, land at St. Louis at 11:05 and leave at 11:45. Arrive at Orlando around 3:00pm. When do we eat lunch? Can I bring food with us- at least snacks or something- to eat on the plane? I can't take liquids on, right? But if I buy a bottle of water in the terminal ( after going through security) can we take it on the plane with us? I'm afraid we will have 4 very cranky kids if they have to wait until after 3:00 to eat lunch-even though it is only 2:00pm in our time zone. Not to mention a cranky mom- I am severely hypoglycemic and get sick if I go too long without food.

 

[alizesmom]

For our wish trip...we are going to need a place in each park where Lauren can rest. We are staying at GKTW, so we need a place in each park where she can get some time out of her wheelchair, use the rest room and possibly rest some?

Use the first aid facilities. We were able to get Alize out of his wheelchair and do his tube feeds. They told us we could rest there as long as needed. We were in a small (emergency room like) curtained off area. Worked well. Karen

 

[maroo]

Use the first aid facilities. We were able to get Alize out of his wheelchair and do his tube feeds. They told us we could rest there as long as needed. We were in a small (emergency room like) curtained off area. Worked well. Karen

Thank you so much! That will be great! To have a curtained area where she can have some privacy and rest a few min. That should work great!

So when we are in MK, she has the Wish Lounge...and maybe Epcot, if the lounge is open. And first aid station everywhere else.

Are the lounges closed on the weekends?? I read that somewhere??

 

[maroo]

Just keep posting, Maroo! Sooner or later, you'll have enough posts, you've a long time before your trip to get pixie dusted, and for post cards, I don't go for another week (and I'll be wired, in any case.)

I should be up to 10 pretty soon! I will send you a message as soon as I am. Have fun packing, etc.

 

[maroo]

Magic Kingdom has a wish lounge that is quiet, air conditioned and comfortable.They have a restroom there.I think it's the perfect place to rest.Epcot also has a wish lounge but I didn't see it first hand as it was closed in the evening we were there.To the best of my knowledge there are no other wish lounges at the other parks.Also one thing to consider is if you stay at Give Kids the World, they give you a package of park tickets.You recieve one day at Sea World, Two days at Universal/Islands of adventure and three days at the Disney parks.If I understand you correctly, you will only be able to end up at Magic Kingdom for three of the days of your trip.The only thing I can suggest is maybe try first Aid.They may have a place for you to rest a bit.The other thing you could do is to take an afternoon break and go back to GKTW.You could rest at the villa and maybe take a swim.The you could go back to the parks.

Yes, I figure we will stay at Sea World all day and Universal all day when we go there. Not sure about park-hopping...as it will take a while to get from one park to another. So hopefully we will find a place to rest at each place.

 

[maroo]

Here is the link to Lauren's Pre Trip report.

Lauren is going to GKTW on the WishFlight on October 3 - October 9.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1923404


Feel free to post this link wherever...any help, ideas, suggestions, etc will be appreciated!