Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[iu97alum]

That stuff is all good. I wrote them last week and they say they haven't heard anything yet. We had asked to be able to attend the Pirate and Princess Party and those dates were announced just a few days ago. So we shall see.

Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed that you'll hear something this week. Is Juanita the one doing your arrangements? What were your preferred dates?

 

[macntosh]

We would like to go one of the last two weeks in February if Possible.

I don't want to go in March due to spring breaks. I would rather pull Mya out of Kindergarten for a week and miss crowds. Easier to get around and I don't think at this grade level she would be missing too much.

 

[teresajoy]

Hi Everyone,
I didn't know where to start so thought I'd jump in and ask for pointers. I spent lots of time reading but didn't see anything similar. My youngest daughter is being granted a Disney/Universal/Sea World trip from Starlight Starbright Foundation. I've read lots about MAW and GKTW but not much from Starlight. I don't know really much other then we are staying at Embassy Suites. Anyone have any info about Starlight? (I did see one family from Canada thru Starlight) What do I do now?!?


-Staci

Hi Staci! When are you going? You should start a pre-trip report!

Is Kahlana's trip through Starlight?

 

[iu97alum]

We would like to go one of the last two weeks in February if Possible.

I don't want to go in March due to spring breaks. I would rather pull Mya out of Kindergarten for a week and miss crowds. Easier to get around and I don't think at this grade level she would be missing too much.

Great time! We went at the end of January earlier this year and the crowds were low! Weather was cool but nice. Our granters told us they didn't like scheduling trips during SB (too expensive) so hopefully you'll get your feb dates!!! Sending goodvibes for hearing thsi week...

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We would like to go one of the last two weeks in February if Possible.

I don't want to go in March due to spring breaks. I would rather pull Mya out of Kindergarten for a week and miss crowds. Easier to get around and I don't think at this grade level she would be missing too much.

I think you are wise to go during an off season. Yes, I think it will be fine for Mya to miss a week of Kindergarten. We were trying to arrange it so our kids wouldn't miss school. But my kids are much older- they are in 4th, 7th, 8th and 11th. But our MAW chapter wouldn't do it over spring break, fall break, or any holiday! Our only choice for non school was summer and Nathan can't handle heat very well. My boys were very nervous about missing school-especially my oldest. He is in several AP and honors classes. But all the teachers have been wonderful-most of them aren't even having them make up the work unless it is something they HAVE to have a grade on. Once we get back, we have 2 days of school until Thanksgiving break so I figure they can get all their work caught up then.

 

[zeppy68]

I think you are wise to go during an off season. Yes, I think it will be fine for Mya to miss a week of Kindergarten. We were trying to arrange it so our kids wouldn't miss school. But my kids are much older- they are in 4th, 7th, 8th and 11th. But our MAW chapter wouldn't do it over spring break, fall break, or any holiday! Our only choice for non school was summer and Nathan can't handle heat very well. My boys were very nervous about missing school-especially my oldest. He is in several AP and honors classes. But all the teachers have been wonderful-most of them aren't even having them make up the work unless it is something they HAVE to have a grade on. Once we get back, we have 2 days of school until Thanksgiving break so I figure they can get all their work caught up then.

I wonder if they have some type of restrictions are maw asked us ang I gave dates all around thanksgiving and they were able to provide that time period.
I was tring no to have the boys miss to much school.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

We are going to have a split day on Jonah's birthday between DHS and Animal Kingdom is there something special you can help me come up with we can do at either of these parks. I'm not looking at restaurants because he is tube fed so food wouldn't interest him. It's also going to be our last day at the parks too. I'm going to get him a birthday button, but i don't know what else to do.

becca

Is there a favorite character he would like to see? If so I would talk with those in the Wish Lounge earlier in the week and maybe do a Birthday Meet on his special day.

We are the type that likes to spend every possible minute in the parks. First of all, do they open up part of the parks early? At Disneyland, if the park opens at 9:00am, they open Main Street an hour early. Do they do that at WDW? Also, how long should we allow for driving to the park from GKTW, park and get in line?

I was wondering this too. And how early the parking opens and how long it takes to get from the parking lot to the parks. At Disneyland it's just a quick walk from the Bus Drop-off. I've never actually taken my own car and we've never even been to the World.

Okay.. another GKTW question. I just read that they provide laundry supplies, does anyone know what type?

Everything I read said it's Tide (regular) and Bounce

I've called GKTW several times these past few days to ask about all sorts of things...the orientation times (3:45 and 7:45 BTW), what kind of car seats they provide (we need 3!), what kind of van we'll get, will the seats collapse, do they provide cribs etc. If I think of something I call.

We're at 4 weeks and counting and can't wait!

Are those the afternoon times? Please tell me they have something in the mornings. We don't land in Orlando until 10:35pm It's making me crazy that we'll spend two whole days of our trip on the airplane.

And they provide carseats???? I've been trying to figure out what we're going to do about that(we need 2). Four weeks

I just want a date. This new sale is making all the eating locations fill up.

I hope they have one for you SOON. That would make me crazy too.

We were trying to arrange it so our kids wouldn't miss school. But my kids are much older- they are in 4th, 7th, 8th and 11th. But our MAW chapter wouldn't do it over spring break, fall break, or any holiday!

Once we get back, we have 2 days of school until Thanksgiving break so I figure they can get all their work caught up then.

We did that too. This is Meagan's first semester at the college. We just couldn't expect her to take a week off and still keep her GPA up. Professors aren't as understanding as teachers either. The boys teachers (6th, 4th & K) are all so understanding. We leave the Wednesday after Meagan's finals. My little kids will miss the last 2 1/2 days of school before Christmas Break

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

I have a couple things that I'm really starting to worry about. My mom has reservations at Port Orleans Riverside. We've never been to WDW. Is it a nice hotel? Will it be easy to get to and from? We still want her to be able to attend the morning & evening activities at GKTW with us.

Next is our trip was booked on Southwest Airlines. We've only flown with them once, with just Meagan(she was 7). I am so worried about getting all of us seated without assigned seating. We need to sit the kids strategically seeing as we'll be on the plane for 7 hrs.

My other concern is that we leave here at 12:40 in the afternoon and don't land until 10:30 at night(we'll loose 3 hrs). Southwest doesn't serve meals. My kids are used to having lunch at 12:30 and dinner at 6pm. I know I can take some snacks, but the kids are going to need more than just snacks if we want a peaceful flight.

I am hoping the kids will sleep some on the flight. Ryan & Madilynn usually go to bed at 7:30. That's right at our landing time. I'm sure it's going to be interesting - to say the least

 

[jham]

I have a couple things that I'm really starting to worry about. My mom has reservations at Port Orleans Riverside. We've never been to WDW. Is it a nice hotel? Will it be easy to get to and from? We still want her to be able to attend the morning & evening activities at GKTW with us.

Next is our trip was booked on Southwest Airlines. We've only flown with them once, with just Meagan(she was 7). I am so worried about getting all of us seated without assigned seating. We need to sit the kids strategically seeing as we'll be on the plane for 7 hrs.

My other concern is that we leave here at 12:40 in the afternoon and don't land until 10:30 at night(we'll loose 3 hrs). Southwest doesn't serve meals. My kids are used to having lunch at 12:30 and dinner at 6pm. I know I can take some snacks, but the kids are going to need more than just snacks if we want a peaceful flight.

I am hoping the kids will sleep some on the flight. Ryan & Madilynn usually go to bed at 7:30. That's right at our landing time. I'm sure it's going to be interesting - to say the least

We stayed at POR on our last trip (click the TR link in my siggy if you want to check it out) and really enjoyed it! We did not have a rental car but Disney transportation was great. We loved taking the water taxi to DTD. When I go on long flights with my kids, I often pack a meal. You can bring something from home as long as it doesn't contain liquid/gel etc. One time I brought along those Oscar Meyer Lunchables and totally spaced that they had capri suns in them. They went through security fine, no one said anything (I didn't think about the liquid until we were on the plane) So I wouldn't recommend that, but we also will buy like bagels and cream cheese or something from one of the "once you are past security" snack places to take on the plane.

 

[HeatherN]

I have a couple things that I'm really starting to worry about. My mom has reservations at Port Orleans Riverside. We've never been to WDW. Is it a nice hotel? Will it be easy to get to and from? We still want her to be able to attend the morning & evening activities at GKTW with us.

Next is our trip was booked on Southwest Airlines. We've only flown with them once, with just Meagan(she was 7). I am so worried about getting all of us seated without assigned seating. We need to sit the kids strategically seeing as we'll be on the plane for 7 hrs.

My other concern is that we leave here at 12:40 in the afternoon and don't land until 10:30 at night(we'll loose 3 hrs). Southwest doesn't serve meals. My kids are used to having lunch at 12:30 and dinner at 6pm. I know I can take some snacks, but the kids are going to need more than just snacks if we want a peaceful flight.

I am hoping the kids will sleep some on the flight. Ryan & Madilynn usually go to bed at 7:30. That's right at our landing time. I'm sure it's going to be interesting - to say the least

Southwest will preboard families with kids right after people with wheelchairs.If you have a concern go to the Southwest desk near your gate.Explain the situation and they may even give you a pre boarding pass.I was so worried about this situation too and it was no problem at all.

 

[HeatherN]

DeAnne,

If you need carseats you should discuss this with your wish granters.This is a detail they can help you with.If you have a rental car they can rent the carseat right from them.If you have a shuttle then I would assume they need to arrange that too.The airport is about half an hour away from GKTW so you need to have that settled at the airport. The wish granting team is real good about these kind of details.They do this all the time.

 

[macntosh]

I have a couple things that I'm really starting to worry about. My mom has reservations at Port Orleans Riverside. We've never been to WDW. Is it a nice hotel? Will it be easy to get to and from? We still want her to be able to attend the morning & evening activities at GKTW with us.

Next is our trip was booked on Southwest Airlines. We've only flown with them once, with just Meagan(she was 7). I am so worried about getting all of us seated without assigned seating. We need to sit the kids strategically seeing as we'll be on the plane for 7 hrs.

My other concern is that we leave here at 12:40 in the afternoon and don't land until 10:30 at night(we'll loose 3 hrs). Southwest doesn't serve meals. My kids are used to having lunch at 12:30 and dinner at 6pm. I know I can take some snacks, but the kids are going to need more than just snacks if we want a peaceful flight.

I am hoping the kids will sleep some on the flight. Ryan & Madilynn usually go to bed at 7:30. That's right at our landing time. I'm sure it's going to be interesting - to say the least

I haven't been to POR since 96, when I took my wife for our honeymoon, long before we had wish kids or even knew what they were, but we enjoyed it. It's a little spread out, but I thought it was a blast. We used the boat as well for DTD which is a fun ride, otherwise we rode the bus.

 

[munch704]

Hi Staci! When are you going? You should start a pre-trip report!

We don't have the dates set in stone yet but at last talk they were hoping for 1Jan-7Jan (we were going to add just 1 day ourselves)

Is there a special place for the "wish" trip reports?

-Staci

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

We stayed at POR on our last trip (click the TR link in my siggy if you want to check it out) and really enjoyed it! We did not have a rental car but Disney transportation was great. We loved taking the water taxi to DTD.

Thanks for the info. I just read your report. Your kids are so adorable!! Just want to snuggle your little one up. I sent a link to the pics of the hotel to my mom. I think she'll be pleased And the water taxi sounds F.U.N.!

Lunchables are a good idea (without drinks). My boys love them. I was hoping to avoid the "after security money pits" So hopefully I can figure something out for the girls.

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

Southwest will preboard families with kids right after people with wheelchairs.If you have a concern go to the Southwest desk near your gate.Explain the situation and they may even give you a pre boarding pass.I was so worried about this situation too and it was no problem at all.

Thanks That is so good to know.

DeAnne,

If you need carseats you should discuss this with your wish granters.This is a detail they can help you with.If you have a rental car they can rent the carseat right from them.

I guess I'll have to decide if I want to use them on the plane. We do have a van rented for us so I will definitely need them once we are there. I'll have to ask our granter when we talk to her this week.

I haven't been to POR since 96, when I took my wife for our honeymoon, long before we had wish kids or even knew what they were, but we enjoyed it. It's a little spread out, but I thought it was a blast. We used the boat as well for DTD which is a fun ride, otherwise we rode the bus.

Thanks

 

[AmberGreenawalt]

Are those the afternoon times? Please tell me they have something in the mornings. We don't land in Orlando until 10:35pm It's making me crazy that we'll spend two whole days of our trip on the airplane.

And they provide carseats???? I've been trying to figure out what we're going to do about that(we need 2). Four weeks

Those were the times that they gave me for the day that we arrive which is a Saturday. Our flight gets in at 10:30 so there may be an orientation before that time

 

[LuvGoing2Disney7]

Those were the times that they gave me for the day that we arrive which is a Saturday. Our flight gets in at 10:30 so there may be an orientation before that time

Gotcha, I'll have to call tomorrow and ask about orientations for the day after we arrive.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Lunchables are a good idea (without drinks). My boys love them. I was hoping to avoid the "after security money pits" So hopefully I can figure something out for the girls.

We are flying SW also and have a similar problem- we will be flying through lunch. Lunchables are exactly what I was thinking about bringing and then we can buy drinks once we are through security.

Like they said before, you will be fine since you have a small child. I think you have to have a child under 5 ( or maybe it is 6, I can't remember) to get the early boarding. We have only flown as a family one time and it was SW. Nathan had just turned whatever the cutoff age was ( 5 or 6) like a week earlier and we fudged a bit and claimed he was under the age. I know it is wrong to lie, but my kids had never flown before and were scared to death. It would have been bad to be separated. I guess this time we will just try to get there very early. I'm going to mention it is a wish trip ( and have him wear his shirt) and maybe they will let us board early.

 

[maroo]

I think you are wise to go during an off season. Yes, I think it will be fine for Mya to miss a week of Kindergarten. We were trying to arrange it so our kids wouldn't miss school. But my kids are much older- they are in 4th, 7th, 8th and 11th. But our MAW chapter wouldn't do it over spring break, fall break, or any holiday! Our only choice for non school was summer and Nathan can't handle heat very well. My boys were very nervous about missing school-especially my oldest. He is in several AP and honors classes. But all the teachers have been wonderful-most of them aren't even having them make up the work unless it is something they HAVE to have a grade on. Once we get back, we have 2 days of school until Thanksgiving break so I figure they can get all their work caught up then.

I am SOOOO thankful that the school is going easy on your boys...Lauren did not have as much luck. They made her make up everything and would not let her do any tests before she left. She is literally still catching up and it has been a month. She is really stressed about it. It takes her longer to write, so it is more difficult for her to miss school. It seems like all she ever does is schoolwork and church. She has even missed church activities at times to do homework. Very frustrating...especially since it was HER wish trip...ya know. not just a sibling...They were better with Williams work, but he is only in 4th grade.

We are planning a return trip and Lauren has already said that she WILL NOT miss that much school again...ever! We have talked about doing a trip over a random school holiday...like a fall break or teacher work day...so that she will miss one less day and just take a shorter trip. But we will see.

We definitely have to go back since she missed so much from being sick.

anyway...I am very glad that they are going easy on them. And way to go to your son for being in AP and honors classes! Kudos to him!!!

 

[llurgy]

We have our dates for Becca's Wish Trip.
We will be staying at GKTW and our dates are January 21st through 27th

Mandy