Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Hey everyone! We're back from our trip! 10 days was not enough and we're all very sad to be home

We had an AWESOME time. Took us a few days to get into the groove - particularly of using the GAC for rides my daughter couldn't get on (I felt guilty using it when she wasn't riding until a CM told us to do it). That would have saved us a lot of heartache if we figured that out sooner. But we did all the Disney parks with MK twice - the second was the Pirates and Princesses Party plus we did Seaworld and the Pirates dinner show. We also did Christmas at the Village but that was the only "event" we made - we did use both pools, the ice cream palace, train, boats, carousel, etc... So busy! We're exhausted.

Now I have to start writing up trip report while it's still fresh in my mind. We had lots of magical moments, lots of special treatment everywhere we went and it was just a trip of a lifetime!

Yay!!! Sounds like you had a great time. Can't wait to read all about it!!!!!!!!

 

[GoofyDoo]

Hey everyone! We're back from our trip! 10 days was not enough and we're all very sad to be home

We had an AWESOME time. Took us a few days to get into the groove - particularly of using the GAC for rides my daughter couldn't get on (I felt guilty using it when she wasn't riding until a CM told us to do it). That would have saved us a lot of heartache if we figured that out sooner. But we did all the Disney parks with MK twice - the second was the Pirates and Princesses Party plus we did Seaworld and the Pirates dinner show. We also did Christmas at the Village but that was the only "event" we made - we did use both pools, the ice cream palace, train, boats, carousel, etc... So busy! We're exhausted.

Now I have to start writing up trip report while it's still fresh in my mind. We had lots of magical moments, lots of special treatment everywhere we went and it was just a trip of a lifetime!

You're home!! You're home!!! Can't wait to hear all about it!!!

 

[twinmum]

So happy to hear you had a great time! Can't wait to hear all the details!

 

[lotferg]

We are having a wonderful time! Evan has been all smiles. Haven't seen him smile this much in quite a while. He's super tired at the end of the day, but is chomping at the bit to get started on the next adventure. we had a small medical emergency the first day, but GKTW worked with Make a Wish & U of M hospital to get it quickly taken care of. can't wait to give more details later!

 

[GoofyDoo]

We are having a wonderful time! Evan has been all smiles. Haven't seen him smile this much in quite a while. He's super tired at the end of the day, but is chomping at the bit to get started on the next adventure. we had a small medical emergency the first day, but GKTW worked with Make a Wish & U of M hospital to get it quickly taken care of. can't wait to give more details later!

Awesome to hear from you--so glad you're having fun!!

 

[alizesmom]

We are having a wonderful time! Evan has been all smiles. Haven't seen him smile this much in quite a while. He's super tired at the end of the day, but is chomping at the bit to get started on the next adventure. we had a small medical emergency the first day, but GKTW worked with Make a Wish & U of M hospital to get it quickly taken care of. can't wait to give more details later!

Glad you're having fun. Karen

 

[alizesmom]

Hey everyone! We're back from our trip! 10 days was not enough and we're all very sad to be home

We had an AWESOME time. Took us a few days to get into the groove - particularly of using the GAC for rides my daughter couldn't get on (I felt guilty using it when she wasn't riding until a CM told us to do it). That would have saved us a lot of heartache if we figured that out sooner. But we did all the Disney parks with MK twice - the second was the Pirates and Princesses Party plus we did Seaworld and the Pirates dinner show. We also did Christmas at the Village but that was the only "event" we made - we did use both pools, the ice cream palace, train, boats, carousel, etc... So busy! We're exhausted.

Now I have to start writing up trip report while it's still fresh in my mind. We had lots of magical moments, lots of special treatment everywhere we went and it was just a trip of a lifetime!

Don't forget the pictures! Karen

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

We are having a wonderful time! Evan has been all smiles. Haven't seen him smile this much in quite a while. He's super tired at the end of the day, but is chomping at the bit to get started on the next adventure. we had a small medical emergency the first day, but GKTW worked with Make a Wish & U of M hospital to get it quickly taken care of. can't wait to give more details later!

I'm glad it was only a "small" emergency! Glad they were able to take care of it for you. Enjoy the rest of your trip and I can't wait to read all about it when you get home!!!

 

[bex271]

Queenie, glad you're home and had a good time can't wait to hear about it

Lotferg, glad y'all are having a good time and can't wait to hear about it and glad the emergency was taken care of for you

becca

 

[alylee777]

Hi all,
We are new to this board and wanted to introduce ourselves. We are a family from Southern CA. who are having a MAW trip to Disneyworld granted for our son Jared. He is 14 years old and is finishing his radiation treatments next week for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We are going June 25-30th and are getting pretty darn excited!! Jared is bringing his best friend Alex who is also 14 and who is a major Disney fan. They found us a gorgeous 3 bedroom condo just a mile from Disney so my DH and I could have our own room with a bit of privacy. We had heard alot about GKTW and felt the boys were a bit too teenagey for it. Anyway...thanks for all the great info. on here and I hope if I have some questions some of you more experienced MAW folks can help out. Much love to all!!
Alyson

 

[wendygrace]

Welcome Alyson! We went those dates last year! I can't believe it's almost a year now since our trip! The memories are still so vivid! You will have an awesome time. Please ask any questions!

There is currently a thread in the DisAbilities forum from a new mom. I invited her over here. She is from TN and has a five year old.

 

[GoofyDoo]

I'm wondering if some of you more experienced WishTrippers would be willing to elaborate a little on and/or describe what happens during the following activities at GKTW (I know Christmas is the "must-do" night!!):

-- Pirates & Princesses Party with Shamu
-- Candyland Party
-- Mayor Clayton's Birthday Party

Also, what can we expect at the Nickelodeon Night? Is it usually just one character or several? This happens the night we arrive, and CJ's dream is to meet SpongeBob (or at least a SpongeBob character).

Any info you can provide would be appreciated as I am trying to plan out short/long days. Oh, and our wish kid (CJ) and his twin sister are 8. Thank you so much!!

 

[Iluvmickeymouse!]

Hi all,
We are new to this board and wanted to introduce ourselves. We are a family from Southern CA. who are having a MAW trip to Disneyworld granted for our son Jared. He is 14 years old and is finishing his radiation treatments next week for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We are going June 25-30th and are getting pretty darn excited!! Jared is bringing his best friend Alex who is also 14 and who is a major Disney fan. They found us a gorgeous 3 bedroom condo just a mile from Disney so my DH and I could have our own room with a bit of privacy. We had heard alot about GKTW and felt the boys were a bit too teenagey for it. Anyway...thanks for all the great info. on here and I hope if I have some questions some of you more experienced MAW folks can help out. Much love to all!!
Alyson

Glad you found us!! Your accomodations sound great!! GKTW is wonderful, but I could see where a couple of teenage boys may not see it that way! Feel free to ask away! We love to help! (and then read all about your trip when you get back!!)

I'm wondering if some of you more experienced WishTrippers would be willing to elaborate a little on and/or describe what happens during the following activities at GKTW (I know Christmas is the "must-do" night!!):

-- Pirates & Princesses Party with Shamu
-- Candyland Party
-- Mayor Clayton's Birthday Party

Also, what can we expect at the Nickelodeon Night? Is it usually just one character or several? This happens the night we arrive, and CJ's dream is to meet SpongeBob (or at least a SpongeBob character).

Any info you can provide would be appreciated as I am trying to plan out short/long days. Oh, and our wish kid (CJ) and his twin sister are 8. Thank you so much!!

P&P w/Shamu.....shamu is there dressed as a pirate , they have treasure stations...kids get a little bag and can fill it with candy, pirates get swords and princesses get tiaras, there is face painting, and then there is a coronation ceremony, all the pirates and princesses come out through a castle and become either a princess or pirate....there may be something else I am forgetting....it also started to rain a little that night so they shortened it, there may have been something else that we missed because of the rain.

We did not do the candyland party so I can't help you there. Mayor clayton's bday party....hhmmmmm....oh yeah, it was a "surprise" party for MC they had all the guests in the castle and then MC came in and we "surprised" him. Mainly it was the kids dancing around and playing. For me, it is not something I would try and schedule in.....it was fun...just not a "must do".

Nickelodeon night....we also arrived that night. So, I missed most of it because I went to orientation. Blue was there that night. Blue put on a show in the theater and then took pics with the kids. That was my DD's first character and she wanted NOTHING to do with Blue. Luckily we warmed up to them throughout the rest of the trip!!! I do not know what happened after I left, so can't help you much there. I have read that the characters do change each Nick nite, we were hoping for Dora, but Blue was good too.

Hope that helps a little!!

 

[GoofyDoo]

Hope that helps a little!!

Thank you, ILUVMICKEYMOUSE!! It helps a ton!! Has anyone seen SpongeBob at GKTW? Also, if anyone has done the CandyLand party, I would love to hear about it. This information is helping me feel at ease with planning longer days at Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. I just don't want to miss anything absolutely spectacular at GKTW (like Christmas)...but our four kids are older--8, 8, 11, & 14. I know GKTW is an amazing place, but I also know we can't be in several places at once. Thank you for all the tips!!!

 

[bex271]

now we're really excited our mvmcp tickets came yesterday and i got the adr for crystal palace for the time we wanted too. now i just have to sit and wait for it to get here.

becca

 

[5dwarves]

I'm wondering if some of you more experienced WishTrippers would be willing to elaborate a little on and/or describe what happens during the following activities at GKTW (I know Christmas is the "must-do" night!!):

-- Pirates & Princesses Party with Shamu
-- Candyland Party
-- Mayor Clayton's Birthday Party

Also, what can we expect at the Nickelodeon Night? Is it usually just one character or several? This happens the night we arrive, and CJ's dream is to meet SpongeBob (or at least a SpongeBob character).

Any info you can provide would be appreciated as I am trying to plan out short/long days. Oh, and our wish kid (CJ) and his twin sister are 8. Thank you so much!!

The Candyland party is a life size version of the game Candy Land and the kids and volunteers are the tokens. They set up this board in front of the theater I think. You also receive a GKTW edition Candyland game in your welcome basket in your villa.

~Elisa

 

[5dwarves]

Hi all,
We are new to this board and wanted to introduce ourselves. We are a family from Southern CA. who are having a MAW trip to Disneyworld granted for our son Jared. He is 14 years old and is finishing his radiation treatments next week for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. We are going June 25-30th and are getting pretty darn excited!! Jared is bringing his best friend Alex who is also 14 and who is a major Disney fan. They found us a gorgeous 3 bedroom condo just a mile from Disney so my DH and I could have our own room with a bit of privacy. We had heard alot about GKTW and felt the boys were a bit too teenagey for it. Anyway...thanks for all the great info. on here and I hope if I have some questions some of you more experienced MAW folks can help out. Much love to all!!
Alyson

Welcome!!! I am so glad to hear Jared is almost done with his radiation. How wonderful that he will get to celebrate in Orlando! Are you getting your ticket package through GKTW? (meaning are you doing WDW and Universal)? Two 14 year old boys will have a good time on all the thrill rides! Looking forward to hearing more info.

~Elisa

 

[lotferg]

I'm wondering if some of you more experienced WishTrippers would be willing to elaborate a little on and/or describe what happens during the following activities at GKTW (I know Christmas is the "must-do" night!!):

-- Pirates & Princesses Party with Shamu
-- Candyland Party
-- Mayor Clayton's Birthday Party

Also, what can we expect at the Nickelodeon Night? Is it usually just one character or several? This happens the night we arrive, and CJ's dream is to meet SpongeBob (or at least a SpongeBob character).

Any info you can provide would be appreciated as I am trying to plan out short/long days. Oh, and our wish kid (CJ) and his twin sister are 8. Thank you so much!!

All three parties...
...lots of sugar
...lots of give-aways
...lots of pictures

I traveled with 10 year old twins (boy and girl). They were bored with the Pirate and Princess Party after their sugar rush subsided. They really liked the Christmas party. That's the one that should NOT be missed.

 

[alylee777]

Hi all,
5dwarves, not sure where the tickets are coming from but my wish granter said we were getting park hopper passes to all the major parks. This is all new to me but as long as the boys can hit MK, AK, Epcott and DS I know they will be happy.
Here is a question maybe someone can answer...do MAW kids get to have the extended park hours if they are not staying a a WDW resort?? Do they get them at GKTW? I just thought that would be cool for the boys to have the extra hours at night so I'm hoping that even though we will be in a condo this will work!
Also, do the kids where a button or pass that identifies them to all the CM's so they can get to the front of the line?? How does the whole ride thing work for MAW kids? Jared is borrowing my Mom's ECV as they only will rent to over 18 at the parks. He will not be able to do all that walking as he is still going to be quite tired and one of the chemo drugs weakened his feet.
Thanks and much love!!
AlysonPS thanks 4 the warm welcome.

 

[5dwarves]

Hi all,
Here is a question maybe someone can answer...do MAW kids get to have the extended park hours if they are not staying a a WDW resort?? Do they get them at GKTW? I just thought that would be cool for the boys to have the extra hours at night so I'm hoping that even though we will be in a condo this will work!
Also, do the kids where a button or pass that identifies them to all the CM's so they can get to the front of the line?? How does the whole ride thing work for MAW kids? Jared is borrowing my Mom's ECV as they only will rent to over 18 at the parks. He will not be able to do all that walking as he is still going to be quite tired and one of the chemo drugs weakened his feet.
Thanks and much love!!
AlysonPS thanks 4 the warm welcome.

Alyson:

I have heard it both ways on the extra magic hours. I was told we did not, but others have said they were granted the extra hours because they were wish families. GKTW gave us a button with my son's name on it and our dates of stay. If your wish organization is having you go through GKTW for your package (tickets, etc.) then your son will have the button and a GAC (guest assistance card) for guests with special needs who may need extra assistance. Ours was in our packet from GKTW. This is a card that your son will wear around his neck and will need to show the CM at the beginning of each line. The CM will then direct his party to an appropriate entrance for the attraction. Sometimes this is faster and sometimes it isn't (wasn't for us on Pirates and Harmabi Safari), but it is always more convenient. If you don't get your ticket packet through GKTW, then visit the guest relations desk at your first park and let them know you are a wish family staying somewhere other than GKTW and your son needs a GAC because of his recent illness...if you have buttons and paperwork from MAW it will probably expedite this for you. In most instances it does speed up your wait time, but as I said, in some, it slows it down. It does make everything so much easier to manage though....hope this helps.

Elisa