Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[bigdisgrandma]

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

You did a great job. I love the pictures. Those are just the greatest outfits and I love all the party pics. You will be photopass quality in no time and after that, you can be as good as Heather and Amy just in time for your trip!

Denise

 

[mistymouse5001]

You did a great job. I love the pictures. Those are just the greatest outfits and I love all the party pics. You will be photopass quality in no time and after that, you can be as good as Heather and Amy just in time for your trip!

Denise

LOL Not with my crappy camera!

 

[angie1445]

Hi everyone:
We got back from our trip on Saturday and just wanted to tell everyone what an amazing time we all had. GKTW was amazing. We loved how friendly everyone was and helpful. With the GAC that we received at the village we were able to use the fast pass line or the handicap line on almost every attraction. The only time we had any trouble was when we went to Animal Kingdom. My daughter wanted to ride Dinosaur and Justin wasnt tall enough to ride. We were both very surprised when they wouldnt let us use the GAC to get in the fast pass line. She had just used it at Everest Expedition. Evidently each little land within Animal Kingdom has their own set of rules. Anyway that is the only trouble that we encountered. We also went to IOA and Seaworld and had an amazing time at both parks. Our last day there we decided to drive over to Coco Beach as we just couldnt face another theme park. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves more there than anything else we did all week.

Angie

 

[maroo]

Hi everyone:
We got back from our trip on Saturday and just wanted to tell everyone what an amazing time we all had. GKTW was amazing. We loved how friendly everyone was and helpful. With the GAC that we received at the village we were able to use the fast pass line or the handicap line on almost every attraction. The only time we had any trouble was when we went to Animal Kingdom. My daughter wanted to ride Dinosaur and Justin wasnt tall enough to ride. We were both very surprised when they wouldnt let us use the GAC to get in the fast pass line. She had just used it at Everest Expedition. Evidently each little land within Animal Kingdom has their own set of rules. Anyway that is the only trouble that we encountered. We also went to IOA and Seaworld and had an amazing time at both parks. Our last day there we decided to drive over to Coco Beach as we just couldnt face another theme park. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves more there than anything else we did all week.

Angie

That is awesome! I am glad that you guys had a good time!! It is so funny that they enjoyed the beach after all of those parks. Glad you had a good time!

 

[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!

I am just getting home from a busy day and checking the weather. That little storm has figured out a way to "strengthen" over land. It is baffling the weather people. And as a weather buff I am interested in watching it, but I am more concerned about you guys and hoping that your plans are not interrupted in any way. I hope that you will touch base on the boards sometime, if you get a chance.

Looks like it will rain a lot over the next couple of days. Were you flying there today? Or tomorrow (Wednesday)? Let us know how you guys are doing!!

 

[bigdisgrandma]

Hi everyone:
We got back from our trip on Saturday and just wanted to tell everyone what an amazing time we all had. GKTW was amazing. We loved how friendly everyone was and helpful. With the GAC that we received at the village we were able to use the fast pass line or the handicap line on almost every attraction. The only time we had any trouble was when we went to Animal Kingdom. My daughter wanted to ride Dinosaur and Justin wasnt tall enough to ride. We were both very surprised when they wouldnt let us use the GAC to get in the fast pass line. She had just used it at Everest Expedition. Evidently each little land within Animal Kingdom has their own set of rules. Anyway that is the only trouble that we encountered. We also went to IOA and Seaworld and had an amazing time at both parks. Our last day there we decided to drive over to Coco Beach as we just couldnt face another theme park. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves more there than anything else we did all week.

Angie

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time. Isn't if funny how the simplest things like a trip to the beach can make children so happy. It's sort of like when the boxes are more fun than the toys inside them!

Welcome back!
Denise

 

[mistymouse5001]

Hi everyone:
We got back from our trip on Saturday and just wanted to tell everyone what an amazing time we all had. GKTW was amazing. We loved how friendly everyone was and helpful. With the GAC that we received at the village we were able to use the fast pass line or the handicap line on almost every attraction. The only time we had any trouble was when we went to Animal Kingdom. My daughter wanted to ride Dinosaur and Justin wasnt tall enough to ride. We were both very surprised when they wouldnt let us use the GAC to get in the fast pass line. She had just used it at Everest Expedition. Evidently each little land within Animal Kingdom has their own set of rules. Anyway that is the only trouble that we encountered. We also went to IOA and Seaworld and had an amazing time at both parks. Our last day there we decided to drive over to Coco Beach as we just couldnt face another theme park. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves more there than anything else we did all week.

Angie

Are you writing a Tr?Welcome back.

 

[twinmum]

Hi everyone:
We got back from our trip on Saturday and just wanted to tell everyone what an amazing time we all had. GKTW was amazing. We loved how friendly everyone was and helpful. With the GAC that we received at the village we were able to use the fast pass line or the handicap line on almost every attraction. The only time we had any trouble was when we went to Animal Kingdom. My daughter wanted to ride Dinosaur and Justin wasnt tall enough to ride. We were both very surprised when they wouldnt let us use the GAC to get in the fast pass line. She had just used it at Everest Expedition. Evidently each little land within Animal Kingdom has their own set of rules. Anyway that is the only trouble that we encountered. We also went to IOA and Seaworld and had an amazing time at both parks. Our last day there we decided to drive over to Coco Beach as we just couldnt face another theme park. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves more there than anything else we did all week.

Angie

Welcome Back! Glad to hear you had a great time! We're thinking about taking a day to drive to the beach - at age 9, our boys have never seen the ocean (OK they flew over it) and we thought this would be a nice mid-trip break. My husband also wants to go to Kennedy Space Centre, but I'm not sure if the boys have enough interest. They are a space-based science camp this week, so we'll see how enthused they are after this.

I am curious about using the GAC at Dinosaur etc. Sorry if I don't have the right details about your wish child/party. Are you saying that they wouldn't let you use your GAC for someone in the party other than the wish child? This is something that we are interested in knowing more about, not because we want to be really demanding, but just because there seems to be inconsistency, and I'd like to plan our days so that our able-bodied son will be able to do the things that Mark cannot. Someone else described tkaing the GKTW button to Tower of Terror and explaining that their Wish child was waiting for him, and he was sent to the Fast Pass line.

Does anyone have expereicnes to share? Is there an official policy? And can anyone tell me how this works at Universal as well?

Thank you!

Alison

 

[HeatherN]

Welcome back Angie! We would love to hear all about your trip.

As far as the pass getting other family members into rides...I am not sure what the policy is but Paul(my husband) was able to take the CAP and Hannah's button(GKTW) and he had no trouble going into the fastpass line with it.He only did this for a few rides-Expidition Everest at AK and Aerosmith rollercoaster at Hollywood studios.He just explained that his daughter was waiting for him and they let him right on.I don't know if this will work for all rides, but it is certainly worth a try.

 

[mom2lilnick]

Hi ALL.. I am very new here.. been lurking a few days now and wow.. I am so lost on this HUGE message board so I hope I am in the right place. We were just notified about a week ago that my ds, Nicholas, who is 5 will be granted a wish. He is sooo excited! Our wish volunteers come out this Sunday afternoon to go over what he wants, but we already know.

I guess my biggest question is.. what are the chances that he won't get to go to Disney World? I know his second request is going to have something to do with Legos.. whether it be legoland or a shopping spree, but they will try to give him his first wish, right?

A bit about Nick.. he was born only 3 weeks early after a long pg of bed rest with preterm labor starting at 17 weeks and bed rest starting at 27 weeks. He was sick from the start but no one could tell what the issue was.. feeding tubes, forumla issues, malabsorbtion, central lines and home TPN.. one illness after another.. finally he was dx with a primary immune deficiency (CVID) at 18 months old and has been recieving IVIG every 4 weeks ever since. He still get sick quite often but gone are the days of the life threatening illnesses. He is allergic to latex and has pretty severe asthma and tends to get pnuemonia once or twice a year just to make sure we are still all paying attention. Today is his first day of kindergarten actually. Sniff sniff.

So.. I can't wait to get to know everyone as we get to see his "grand wish" as he calls it unfold.

 

[mom2lilnick]

Oh.. forgot, another question. Is it warm enough to swim outdoors most months of the year in Orlando? If not what winter months do you recommend? I was thinking Jan or Feb but we could wait until March if it would be warmer.

 

[bigdisgrandma]

Hi ALL.. I am very new here.. been lurking a few days now and wow.. I am so lost on this HUGE message board so I hope I am in the right place. We were just notified about a week ago that my ds, Nicholas, who is 5 will be granted a wish. He is sooo excited! Our wish volunteers come out this Sunday afternoon to go over what he wants, but we already know.

I guess my biggest question is.. what are the chances that he won't get to go to Disney World? I know his second request is going to have something to do with Legos.. whether it be legoland or a shopping spree, but they will try to give him his first wish, right?

A bit about Nick.. he was born only 3 weeks early after a long pg of bed rest with preterm labor starting at 17 weeks and bed rest starting at 27 weeks. He was sick from the start but no one could tell what the issue was.. feeding tubes, forumla issues, malabsorbtion, central lines and home TPN.. one illness after another.. finally he was dx with a primary immune deficiency (CVID) at 18 months old and has been recieving IVIG every 4 weeks ever since. He still get sick quite often but gone are the days of the life threatening illnesses. He is allergic to latex and has pretty severe asthma and tends to get pnuemonia once or twice a year just to make sure we are still all paying attention. Today is his first day of kindergarten actually. Sniff sniff.

So.. I can't wait to get to know everyone as we get to see his "grand wish" as he calls it unfold.

WELCOME
We are so glad to have you join us! I do not proclaim to be a Wish expert but I can relate to you what we were told when my granddaughter Karlyn made her wish. They always ask for two wishes in case the first can't be done. Hardly ever is a wish to go to Disney denied unless it is for health concerns. After he makes his wish, they will again contact his doctor to make sure that it is ok for them to grant his specific wish. If the doctor says ok, it should be fine. You might have to adapt or adjust when you go a little but because that is such a popular wish they can handle quite a few wish trips there. Your wish granters will love getting to know your son and will want to do anything they can to grant him his wish. I wouldn't worry too much about him not getting that wish! I can't wait to hear all about your family and your WISH! Ask all the questions you have. Someone will have an answer for you!


Denise

 

[phamton]

And can anyone tell me how this works at Universal as well?

At Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, the pass for Give Kids the World and Make a Wish is called a Gold (VIP) GAP. It is good for the entire family to use. It is like an express/back door entrance to all rides and shows. Anyone in the family may use it, not just the "wish" child. The purpose is to give the entire family the best vacation ever with as few hassles as possible. If some of the family members wanted to ride Dueling Dragons but the wish child didn't or couldn't, it is perfectly fine for other members in the party to use it. The goal is to get them in and out of the ride as quickly as they can so that the child does not have to wait for long periods, even if the child himself isn't riding. The wish trip is for the whole family to enjoy themselves and make wonderful memories, that includes siblings and parents as well as the child. The GAP is for everyone in the family.

 

[bigdisgrandma]

Oh.. forgot, another question. Is it warm enough to swim outdoors most months of the year in Orlando? If not what winter months do you recommend? I was thinking Jan or Feb but we could wait until March if it would be warmer.

My husband and I were at WDW around January 22 for a week this year and there were lots of people swimming. We only needed a light jacket if we were out later in the evening! A far cry from the major snowstorms that were happening at home in Utah!

 

[alizesmom]

I guess my biggest question is.. what are the chances that he won't get to go to Disney World? I know his second request is going to have something to do with Legos.. whether it be legoland or a shopping spree, but they will try to give him his first wish, right?

Push for WDW. There is a fantastic Lego store at downtown Disney. Karen

 

[HeatherN]

Yeah Amy, So glad you found us! We can't wait to hear all about your family and come along on your journey.
I am not sure about the winter months being warm enough to swim.I have been to Florida in April before and it was HOT then.Also at least one pool at Give Kids the World is heated.

 

[mom2lilnick]

Push for WDW. There is a fantastic Lego store at downtown Disney. Karen

Thanks for the tip! He will be thrilled to hear that!

 

[mistymouse5001]

Oh.. forgot, another question. Is it warm enough to swim outdoors most months of the year in Orlando? If not what winter months do you recommend? I was thinking Jan or Feb but we could wait until March if it would be warmer.

The GKTW site has this question in their Q&A. It say Kids swim in the heated pools year round! Welcome to the board. HeatherN just got back, and so did Goofydoo. There are some very good things to read in their TR's as they are recent.Can't wait to see your reports and watch the magic unfold for you!
There's as much Disney magic on the dis as there is at Disney.

Have fun planning.

 

[bex271]

Amy, I'm looking forward to hearing how Sunday goes and getting to know you and your family. This is a great place to find info so ask away.

Becca

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Welcome Amy! I would imagine a wish to WDW has a pretty good chance of being granted. Wish kids going to WDW typically stay at Give Kids the World. I think the website is GKTW.org. We've not been yet, but it looks and sounds incredible. You should really read some of the trip reports about it- reading about it got my kids much more excited about it than seeing the website. Of course, my kids are older ( 16, 13, 12 and my wish kid is almost 10) so they thought it looked too babyish. But when they read everything about it, they were blown away- even my oldest. Something about all the food really won them over!

WDW trips usually are 3 day WDW parkhoppers, 2 day US/IOA and 1 day Sea World. Some have requested to only have Disney and their organization has agreed to that- many will not do that ( ours won't). Some have wanted to stay on property instead of GKTW and their organization approved that. It seems like it really differs from state to state.

I can't wait to hear about his visit on Sunday!

Carol