Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[NicoleDisneyFan]

Amy- I have to say that even though you don't celebrate with a big party for your twins that I seen those pictures on your trip and those kids look SO happy!!! I don't know you personally but I would never say your a terrible mom. My two have birthdays back to back on March 11th and April 23(to close for me) and I just realized how much I spent on over the top parties and how happy they would be with just a cake at home. Victor had to spend his 4th birthday at home this year because it was so close to his surgery and he was so happy with my semi homemade cake....lol
I am so not looking forward to our limo because 1. I will have to be on time and 2. That I will have to drag the kids out of it. 3. San Francisco has so many limo's that the kids probably think that it is just a big taxi...lol

Amber-I hope that Sebastian can celebrate being tumor free!!! I will be thinking of him and your family on the day of his surgery. Make sure to let me know when it is.

I think that I will tell our wish team that we would like to have it at chuck e cheese or if they have another suggestion other than the house. I think it will be chuck e cheese because Victor LOVES it there and he has been asking to go all summer but it is so crowded that I have to be the "no" patrol. I don't want to overdue it since our wish team said they have 40 wishes just this month that they are still doing. WOW! Ok, I better stop being a over planner and just try to go with the flow(for now)....lol

 

[GoofyDoo]

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.

My husband is a Southwest pilot, so I'll ask him about your chances of being seated together when he gets home from his trip late tonight (or in the a.m. if I'm asleep already!). I am sure that if by chance there weren't enough seats in one group for you by the time you boarded (worst case scenario, of course), there would be people on the plane nice enough to shuffle around a little for you. You are allowed to take snacks on the plane--we did it and it was great. They were prepackaged, though. I don't know if that makes a difference (I can ask DH that question, too). You can't take anything over 4 oz., I believe. However, DH was amazed that I got through the gate with a water bottle both on the way to Orlando and back home to Texas! It was an accident both times--I never even thought about it! DH could not believe they didn't make me throw those bottles away before admitting me through. I did have to throw away my bottle of travel hairspray (4.2 oz.!!) because I forgot to put it in my checked bag. I was so mad about that stupid $1-bottle of hairspray!! It was almost full!!!

 

[GoofyDoo]

Amy- I have to say that even though you don't celebrate with a big party for your twins that I seen those pictures on your trip and those kids look SO happy!!! I don't know you personally but I would never say your a terrible mom. My two have birthdays back to back on March 11th and April 23(to close for me) and I just realized how much I spent on over the top parties and how happy they would be with just a cake at home. Victor had to spend his 4th birthday at home this year because it was so close to his surgery and he was so happy with my semi homemade cake....lol
I am so not looking forward to our limo because 1. I will have to be on time and 2. That I will have to drag the kids out of it. 3. San Francisco has so many limo's that the kids probably think that it is just a big taxi...lol

Thank you for saying all that! I just feel guilty sometimes when they get invited to all these parties, then they ask me why they don't have the same kinds of parties themselves. They really don't mind too much, though. One really can spend a fortune on parties, I know! We've gotten so frugal in the past few years that we always bake our own cakes (one for each twin when it's their turn) then send them upstairs to the gameroom to pick out a small toy of their choice to stick in the cake!!! Last year Clay had a Fred cake and Shay Lynne had a Daphne cake!! Both toys came from Clay's Mystery Machine toy that I spoke of in my TR. They were happy as could be, and the cake tasted better than store-bought!

One good thing about the limo--> it'll make for some cool pics!

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

There are lots of really neat people on here. It's my favorite place to "hang" out and get excited about our trip.

Mine too. So happy I found you all

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! .

VERY cool. I sure hope that day comes soon

I don't go for another week (and I'll be wired, in any case.)

I've been wondering about that. Is there wi-fi at GKTW?

Amy- I have to say that even though you don't celebrate with a big party for your twins that I seen those pictures on your trip and those kids look SO happy!!!

I totally agree.

I only try to do big parties for the big birthdays (5,10,13, 16,18) That cuts it down a bit. I'm stressing already about Drew's. He will be 10 on Sept 3rd. It's his turn for a big party but everyone goes out of town for labor day and the 3rd is the first day of school here. Then his little brother turns 6 on the 23rd.

With the small loan I need to take out for all the school supplies the kids need and clothes and such having two Sept birthdays stinks.

ROFLOL about the limo being a big taxi

 

[Lilogirl]

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.

Sea World has two First Aid buildings. One is in the front of the park. The other is in Shamu's Happy Harbor. The staff when we visited were WONDERFUL! They have curtained areas and even a treatment room with door. They told us to spend as much time as we needed.

Universal has a First Aid Station near the Beetlejuice show. We stayed in the lobby area, but I would imagine they have curtained areas as well. Reading from thr Riders Guide from Universal/IOA it says IOA has 2 First Aid stations. One is next to the Voyage of Sinbad attraction, the other is near the Port of Entry.

 

[LindaBabe]

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.

If there's any chance your wish child can't "rush", I would definitely order him a wheelchair in advance for your transfer in St. Louis. (Look at the airport website in advance to see how far you might need to travel from gate to gate.) I would definitely call the southwest number for advice on whether or not at least some of you can preboard - they are great and very understanding with medical needs.

You can pack as big a lunch as you like - just make sure the mustard and mayo are ON the sandwiches rather than in packets on the side, and NO SOUP or other liquidy type foods. Buy your beverages after you pass through security. They will have coffee, tea, soda and water on the flights, as well.

It will be fine!

 

[laurenmama]

We leave for Disney in two days!!!!!!

The weather reports are telling me there is a tropical storm headed that way though, so I am a bit nervous!

I would like to thank Amber for the package sent to the kids. That is going to
be perfect for the flight! That was very thoughtful of you, and the kids absolutely loved it!
So we are all packed up and ready to go...but now I am wondering if I should pack some more rain gear due to the forecast??

If there are any Floridians out there, maybe you can ease my mind, or tell me what to expect????
Thanks!

 

[Lambflock]

I'm in Jacksonville (N.E. Florida) and you should really only get rain and some wind. It won't be anything bad.

I hope you have a great trip despite the weather! Can't wait to hear about it when you get back!!!

 

[mistymouse5001]

Is anyone one in need of postcards when i go in a couple of weeks?

 

[Lambflock]

Is anyone one in need of postcards when i go in a couple of weeks?

We would love to get one!! Thanks for the offer!!!!


I am so excited for you only 18 days!!!!!

 

[twinmum]

Hello everyone! I really must try and spend more time keeping up with all the fantastic pre and post trip reports! We've been away a lot these last few weeks, but the boys are both at an all day space camp, so I've got some to (theoretically) clean out the house in preparation for moving out for our renovation...or...I CAN SPEND MORE TIME HERE WITH YOU GUYS!!!

OK, now here's a question about something I haven't heard anyone comment on - exercise. I actually find that on a busy family vacation with lots of walking and pushing Mark's wheelchair etc, I actually lose a few pounds. Mark has pretty sophisticated tastes, so we'll often split a meal, I think that helps.

My husband is V-E-R-Y fit and is hoping to build in time for exercise beyond park walking. Does anyone have any ideas for him? Would the running be decent around GKTW? I figure he can have some time off for exercise while the boys and I hang around the village, playing Dino-putt, swimming and eating ice cream! (OK, maybe this trip I'm not gonna lose weight after all!)

Thanks!
Alison

 

[mistymouse5001]

Hello everyone! I really must try and spend more time keeping up with all the fantastic pre and post trip reports! We've been away a lot these last few weeks, but the boys are both at an all day space camp, so I've got some to (theoretically) clean out the house in preparation for moving out for our renovation...or...I CAN SPEND MORE TIME HERE WITH YOU GUYS!!!

OK, now here's a question about something I haven't heard anyone comment on - exercise. I actually find that on a busy family vacation with lots of walking and pushing Mark's wheelchair etc, I actually lose a few pounds. Mark has pretty sophisticated tastes, so we'll often split a meal, I think that helps.

My husband is V-E-R-Y fit and is hoping to build in time for exercise beyond park walking. Does anyone have any ideas for him? Would the running be decent around GKTW? I figure he can have some time off for exercise while the boys and I hang around the village, playing Dino-putt, swimming and eating ice cream! (OK, maybe this trip I'm not gonna lose weight after all!)

Thanks!
Alison

GKTW actually has this as topic in their FAQ. There isn't a running trail, but the roads through the village are paved and there isn't a problem with high traffic! There shouldn't be in trouble with getting a couple of miles in.

 

[mistymouse5001]

We would love to get one!! Thanks for the offer!!!!


I am so excited for you only 18 days!!!!!

PM your address kids names and favorite character please!

 

[mistymouse5001]

How do you quote more than one person at a time?

 

[bigdisgrandma]

You find the quotes that you want to reply to. Then in the bottom right hand corner, click on the button with the quotation marks on it. Not the one that says Quote. You click on each one that you want to quote and then click on Post Reply on the lower left hand corner and they should all show up.

Denise

 

[SallyfromDE]

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.

You could ask at the podium if you'd be able to get a pre boarding pass and explain that your child is with MAW. The gave me one with out question, but at the time, I had to use a cane. I wouldn't think it would hurt to ask.

 

[maroo]

We leave for Disney in two days!!!!!!

The weather reports are telling me there is a tropical storm headed that way though, so I am a bit nervous!

I would like to thank Amber for the package sent to the kids. That is going to
be perfect for the flight! That was very thoughtful of you, and the kids absolutely loved it!
So we are all packed up and ready to go...but now I am wondering if I should pack some more rain gear due to the forecast??

If there are any Floridians out there, maybe you can ease my mind, or tell me what to expect????
Thanks!

Laurenmama,

What time are you getting to Florida. I am a weather buff and I can look it up on my weather site and see what the conditions look like for the first few days you are there.

I would definitely pack colored ponchos for each of you guys and maybe a couple of umbrellas? They sell clear ponchos for an arm and a leg at the park, but it would be easy to see your group if you get a different color. I read that somewhere.

 

[maroo]

Sea World has two First Aid buildings. One is in the front of the park. The other is in Shamu's Happy Harbor. The staff when we visited were WONDERFUL! They have curtained areas and even a treatment room with door. They told us to spend as much time as we needed.

Universal has a First Aid Station near the Beetlejuice show. We stayed in the lobby area, but I would imagine they have curtained areas as well. Reading from thr Riders Guide from Universal/IOA it says IOA has 2 First Aid stations. One is next to the Voyage of Sinbad attraction, the other is near the Port of Entry.

Wow, that is so awesome! I just love Disney World...and I have not even gotten there yet! I know that Lauren and her family are going to have such a great time. Just knowing there is going to be somewhere she can rest makes me feel much better! I am so excited.

 

[SueM in MN]

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.

You can bring solid foods with you; I just flew today and took a chocolate chip cookies, apple chips and a candy bar with me thru security. Depending on the airport and what kind of food to buy, you can bring full meals on the plane. In our plane to WDW this April, people brought McDonald's food, pizza, sweet rolls, Subway - a large variety of food with them on the plane.
You can bring any liquids onto the plane if you buy them after you have gone thru security.

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

Here's a picture of one of the small rooms at MK's First Aid station.

All the parks have a similar set up. There are rooms like this with one to 2 cots where people can rest. There are also actual rooms with doors and exam type tables that can be raised and lowered like you would find in a doctor's office. Those rooms are nice for treatments or people who need a low table to transfer their child/companion out of the wheelchair, but need it higher to actually do the care.

 

[mistymouse5001]

If anyone is interested, I updated PTR and added lots of pics!
Thank you bidisgrandma for teaching me how to do that