Wish Trippers...Unite!! Volume One

[oklamomof4boys]

First of all, about how long does it take to drive from GKTW to the parks?

Also, can you tell me what is on the continental breakfast and how long it takes to eat at the hot and hearty breakfast if we are there right at 8:00am? I wish they started serving breakfast earlier- we want to get to the parks early. If we need to, we will just go to the store and buy some breakfast items to keep in our villa.

 

[twinmum]

Hello! We just got back from Mark's Wish Trip last night - it was amazing...and I want to go straight back! GKTW was wonderful, we had tons of fun, and we also enjoyed our 3 night add-on that we spoiled ourselves with...it certainly made leaving GKTW easier - I woudl have been bawling otherwise!

As some of you know, we also moved house while we were away (living elsewhere during renovations to make our hosue accessible for Mark). I've been unpacking suitcases, doing laundry, fending off contractors needing decisions and so on.

I want to doa somewhat proper report, but that is going to take time, so I am just popping in with a few points:

To the person going on a Starlight wish trip - not sure if our Canadian experience with Starlight will help, but PM me if you have questions. One difference was that our Wish Granter dropped off our package (which was filled with surprises for the boys), had accepted our invitation for dinner so we made our own party. Other organizations seem to have more formal plans. Other than that, the GKTW package/experience seems to be the same - all wonderful - across the board...except maybe number of nights. We were at GKTW for 7 nights.

For those of you planning - and with somewhat older children, and perhaps especially boys (sorry to sterotype)...Oklahomamomof4boys are you listening???...when you visit Epcot, be sure to fit in visits to the Wish Lounges; there are 3 and we did 2. Great spot for a drink, a rest, a great view of the ride and terrific, once in a lifetime access to the ride. They are at Test Track, Mission:Space and Spaceship Earth. A real highlight for our guys.

I'll be back with more as soon as I can!

Alison

 

[twinmum]

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?

Also, will they give us a schedule of all the activities at the Christmas party at GKTW? We want to go to the party but it is on the day we are planning on splitting between AK and Epcot and we don't want to leave Epcot too early to go to the Christmas Party if it is not things my boys would really enjoy. The Christmas Party starts at 7:00pm, right? What do they do from 7:00pm-8:00pm?

Hello!

First, please read my post about trying to get to the lounges (to which Wish families have access - they are actually HP, Siemens and GM lounges) but they wre great.

Driving: It was about 15-20 mins to any WDW park, and 20-25 to Seaworld and Universal. We were parking in Handicapped parking so did not have much of a walk to gate(well, it's still quite a walk at universal, maybe add 10 vs. 5 minutes). Time to add for bag check, ticket taking will depend on time of day and crowds. It wasn't busy and we were never there before or at park opening (although we tried!!!). So what does that add up to - 35-45 minutes? It didn't seem that long, we were always just so excited to start on our next adventure.

Christmas: I brought home the "Village Voice" for each day so I can check, but...I think that Santa was visiting from 6:30-8:00 and I am sure he ran late. The festivities were (I think) 7-8:30, but were were still eating after 7:00. I'll dig out the schedule tomorrow - PM if I forget, OK?

Please let me know if you have any somewhat older boy questions - our twins are 10!

Alison

 

[twinmum]

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.

My point is that if you call they are more than happy to answer any little question.

I think once you get there they also give you a book of info called the Bunny Book.

Oh and I remember reading that they have doctor's who work for free.

Good luck! I bet you are over the moon excited! We're at 4 weeks and counting and can't wait!

Hello! Good time for questions while I still remember the answers!

Laundry detergent was regular Tide, and there was Bounce

The Bunny Book had it all, including medical contact info, and there is someone working at the House of Hearts 24 hours a day, so I know they'll be ready to help. Of course I brought the Bunny Book home, so ask away!

Alison

 

[twinmum]

Amber, just a question for you (since we're in Canada and phoning is more expensive): what did they say about cribs? I know they have playpens but do they have some cribs too? Just curious.

And here's a special tip, fellow Canadian. When they tell you about some free phone time, yes, it does work for Canada!

There were 2 other Canadian families there when we were there (1 on our flight from Newfoundland!) - great to meet them too!

Alison

 

[twinmum]

First of all, about how long does it take to drive from GKTW to the parks?

Also, can you tell me what is on the continental breakfast and how long it takes to eat at the hot and hearty breakfast if we are there right at 8:00am? I wish they started serving breakfast earlier- we want to get to the parks early. If we need to, we will just go to the store and buy some breakfast items to keep in our villa.

Let's see what I can tell you: the hearty breakfast was a highlight for our guys (Douglas ate a zillion pancakes that week, Mark devoured the potatoes and PEter and I ate more eggs than ever!). The continental bfast would include cereal (limited choices, but my boys are cheerios and Rice Krispies all the way and Peter's all about Raisin Bran), a variety of breads/bagels for toasting, and quite an amazing array of doughnut/sugary things. We're so mean - we let them have a doughnut one day. There was some cut fruit, but we stuck to apples, bananas, mandarin oranges and grapes. Juices, coffee, tea.

All of the above (and maybe a couple of other cereal choices) were available on the breakfast cart that you can call for - we did this one day. It came quite quickly, but this may depend on demand. We only found the toaster in the villa after this day! In the end, we actually packed up what we got from the cart and ate in the car on the way.

Why not save time and have ice cream for breakfast?!?

FYI, we found out that there are also tickets available for the Kennedy Space Centre and did that one day. The boys enjoyed that and our side trip to Cocoa beach - they had never been to the ocean!

Alison

 

[oklamomof4boys]

I am so glad you had a wonderful trip! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Thank you for all of your tips! So there are 3 wish lounges? I thought there were only 2- one in MK and one in Epcot. Where is the third?

Carol

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

I am so glad you had a wonderful trip! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Thank you for all of your tips! So there are 3 wish lounges? I thought there were only 2- one in MK and one in Epcot. Where is the third?

Carol

We only seen two when we went. The epcot lounge needs a passcode that you will get at orientation and the kids loved putting in the code and going into the "secret room".
The epcot lounge had coffee and soda which was great! Also a interactive game for the kids or adults(dh played there too..lol) and a special entrance to the spaceship earth ride which was a total vip experience for us and my kids loved seeing the pictures at the end of the ride and the video(try not to pass on the ride)

The magic kingdom we went once to and the CM's didnt really talk to us at all. They gave us bottle water and juice boxes and the kids played with a few little toys they had there and it was more of a in and out lounge compared to epcot.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We only seen two when we went. The epcot lounge needs a passcode that you will get at orientation and the kids loved putting in the code and going into the "secret room".
The epcot lounge had coffee and soda which was great! Also a interactive game for the kids or adults(dh played there too..lol) and a special entrance to the spaceship earth ride which was a total vip experience for us and my kids loved seeing the pictures at the end of the ride and the video(try not to pass on the ride)

The magic kingdom we went once to and the CM's didnt really talk to us at all. They gave us bottle water and juice boxes and the kids played with a few little toys they had there and it was more of a in and out lounge compared to epcot.

How intense is Spaceship Earth? Is there a ride at DL that you would compare it to in intensity? Nathan can't ride rides that are too intense. His cardiologist gave us very vague guidelines. In fact, 3 different cardiologists have told us very different things. He is fine on something like Big Thunder Mountain, but I wouldn't let him ride Tower of Terror. I'm thinking with rides we aren't sure about, David or I will ride it first and then decide. I'm just trying to prepare him ahead of time for "cool" rides that he won't be able to do.

 

[twinmum]

Hello! Yes, we were invited to visit a total of 4 lounges:

Epcot: 3 lounges - at Spaceship Earth, with the pass code (which we missed, much to the boys' chagrin; at Mission:Space (the HP lounge, had a neat interactive game and you can create a video postcard); and at Test Track (the GM lounge, great view of ride). I think all have cold drinks and water, pop etc. Directions for all were included in our Bunny Book, and the passcode for Spaceship Earth was on a card in the package of tickets etc we got at orientation

Magic Kingdom: Follow directions in bunny book. A nice quiet room, always a CM there. We got water, and the lovely CM discovered that she and her sisters (she's a triplet!) share a birthday with our twins (She turned 21). She also gave us vouchers for 2 ice creams, I think as a bday thing, but she also arranged for a birthday certificate and mouse ears (with their names) for the boys! That one was definitely a bday thing. She had hoped we'd stay for a longer rest, watch a movie etc but we were in a hurry. As it happened, only Mark and I were there. It was actually after the official dates of Mark's wish trip, but when we got to the door, we explained that we had not been able to visit earlier in the week and just wanted a peek. Honesty pays off!

Spaceship Earth is very tame - like the people mover, just moves you through man's journey on earth. Very sedate, but interesting. You then answer some questions to "see" what your future will be like. Lots of interactive activities at the end of the ride, rather like the end of Mission Space. Speaking of which, DO NOT have Nathan do the orange version of Mission Space. Mark was fine, but I don't think it wold be a god idea for Nathan.

Alison

 

[chcmama]

I am so excited, we finally have a date to meet my dd's wish granters and start the process. We will be meeting with them on Monday night. We got our letter back in the first part of September that she had been approved for a wish. Hopefully they will approve Disney cruise as that is what she really wants but we do have a back up.
Have any of you started volunteering for MAW after your child has gone on a trip? I've been thinking how much fun planning someone else's trips might be. I love to plan my own but I can only go on so many that that might be something I could do. And what would be better than helping out these special kids.

 

[iu97alum]

I am so excited, we finally have a date to meet my dd's wish granters and start the process. We will be meeting with them on Monday night. We got our letter back in the first part of September that she had been approved for a wish. Hopefully they will approve Disney cruise as that is what she really wants but we do have a back up.
Have any of you started volunteering for MAW after your child has gone on a trip? I've been thinking how much fun planning someone else's trips might be. I love to plan my own but I can only go on so many that that might be something I could do. And what would be better than helping out these special kids.

Make sure your hand is ready! It;s a lot of paperwork! My DD asked for a cruise too and we're going in JANUARY! She is super excited! Good luck and don't forget to start a PTR when you get a chance! Welcome!

 

[chcmama]

Make sure your hand is ready! It;s a lot of paperwork! My DD asked for a cruise too and we're going in JANUARY! She is super excited! Good luck and don't forget to start a PTR when you get a chance! Welcome!

How long a cruise did you get?

 

[iu97alum]

How long a cruise did you get?

Ours is the 4 night to Nassau and CC. Leave 1/18 return 1/22

 

[Ppufi]

First of all, about how long does it take to drive from GKTW to the parks?

Also, can you tell me what is on the continental breakfast and how long it takes to eat at the hot and hearty breakfast if we are there right at 8:00am? I wish they started serving breakfast earlier- we want to get to the parks early. If we need to, we will just go to the store and buy some breakfast items to keep in our villa.

Dosn't tak very long, 15 to 20 minutes maybe?

I FULLY recommend eating the breakfast served in the dining hall. It's delicious and filling. Plus, getting there early isn't too important when you can skip the lines. And, th breakfast keeps you full all day!

 

[tinytreasures]

Dosn't tak very long, 15 to 20 minutes maybe?

I FULLY recommend eating the breakfast served in the dining hall. It's delicious and filling. Plus, getting there early isn't too important when you can skip the lines. And, th breakfast keeps you full all day!

thanks for the info

 

[mom2lilnick]

We got our flight info!! We leave from another city at just after 5am! Wow.. that is super early but I am so okay with that since we will be getting Orlando by noon!

Bummer is that we leave orlando at noon tho heading home . I posted some pics on our PTR if anyone is interested. Just some pics from the first day of school this year.

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

Carlton cards has a snow globe and a christmas tree ornament to purchase of give kids the world and will donate to them. I am not sure if they may give you one if you are going around christmas time but I am looking forward to buying it to celebrate christmas with out favorite place in the world on our tree.

Also, my dh and I are going to be volunteers for make a wish and looking forward to it! Had to spread our good news!!

 

[Momto2redheads]

Hi,

I am the mom to two great kids. My youngest, Sami, has Rett Syndrome and we just got our dates today for our wishtrip to Disney. We are flying out on March 27. It seems a long way away, but I know it will most likely go very quickly. I've been reading your posts for a while now. I have even cheated and wrote out a plan using Sebastian's mom amazing itinerary. Since I have two girls, one in a wheelchair, there have been tweeks, but since we have never been to Disney, it gave me a good place to start. I have to admit that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I want to get as much in as we can, but not so much that every body just ends up tired, cranky, and miserable. Many of my questions have already been answered by reading the posts, but one that I've been thinking about that I haven't seen answered is this: Since my daughter is incontinent, are there handy places to change her . At 13, she is quite large and it's very difficult to manuever around in a handicapped stall, but that is usually what we have to do when we are out and about. I'm sure I will have lots more questions, especially as things get closer. If anyone has any do-not-miss-whatever-you-do rides/shows etc for a diehard Toy Story/Finding Nemo/Monster's Inc fan like my Sami, please let me know.

Tammy

 

[Momto2redheads]

Forgive the dancing banana in the middle of my post. I must have hit a wrong button some where...