Just back from son's Wish trip @ Disney & GKTW

[noahsark322]

Got back Late Friday (Dec 10th, 2004) from GKTW. What a wonderful trip. It was also great to be home too. We had such a fun filled week. I know alot of you will be going soon. Myself, my husband, and 4 kids had a great time. I even met another WDWINFO poster at GKTW. The access to the parks, rides, characters, events, & ect...was unbelievable. We were able to see so much more because we did not wait for anything. I know I had a lot of ????? before I left I wish I knew...so if anyone has a few let me know. From parking at the parks (easy, easy...to strollers, to activities not to miss)

 

[eeyorelor]

So glad to hear you had a great trip.....

 

[DonaldsGrl103]

Hey noahsark,
We did our make awish trip about 7 years ago with my brother but we a re taking him down to disney in about 9 days for the first time since then. How was the parking situation in the parks? I dont know if your child needed changing or meds but did you try out the first aid stations at the parks? How was the special needs parade viewing areas? and as I remember you dont have to wait onlines but how was everything overall. Any insight on how to make our trip as magical as yours would be helpful. Have a happy holiday and I am so glad your trip went well!!

 

[cuddlebugz]

It was so cool to meet you down there.. Sorry I haven't posted since we got back really late wednesday dec. 8th night but we all cought ear infections and strep throat. Probablly had alot to do with the 7 hour plane ride...

Our trip was just as magical. We did not spend longer then 5 min. in a line and that was only once. which made it more easier to see as much as we could. My girls even annouced the Tazan Rocks Show which was really cool then after the show we were wisked away to the back area and were able to meet the whole cast and got pic.s and such.

We have so many magical moments and I want to personally thank MAKE A WISH and GIVE KIDS THE WORLD they are awesome and so were the parks. We felt like vip's......lol

Any questions please feel free to ask away...

TAMMI

 

[SueM in MN]

glad to hear you had a great trip.

 

[minkydog]

I think Disney is the best place in the world to take a vacation when your family includes members with special needs. I love that the walkways are wide and flat, and transportation is easy. In my experience the CMs go way beyond what is expected to give us a good time. It is not an inexpensive vacation but you get what you paid for.

 

[noahsark322]

Parking at WDW was great. Even though we did not have a handicap tag on the rental, just telling the parking guy we were with GKTW, was all he needed to hear. And at Universal, WOW...from my friend cuddlebugs advise.....at Universal...parking is just like WDW,...but they will "escort" you to the front gate with a additional transportation. We went in a golf cart....they just will bend anyway for GKTW. I could not believe it.
And we got worried because at GKTW they told us the parks only provide you single strollers...however....the parks will give you doubles....or 2 doubles if thats what you need.
my son has a Mic-Key (Stomach tube) and we used the first aid stations. But if you get to GKTW they will give you your bunny book..and in it are special areas that you can "rest" as a family in VIP areas of the park.....

On another note....MVMCP....VERY packed...not to be negative...at all..but I would have liked to have gone to a different park that night.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'm glad you had such a great trip! We're leaving for ds's trip on Dec. 23rd. I was wondering, did you go to Seaworld? I saw that we get tickets for it and I was thinking it would be a less crowded place to spend Christmas day (I stress too much with heavy, heavy crowds and 5 kids). Did they have any Christmassy shows? I'm wondering if it would be worth going or hanging out at GKTW for the day instead?

Also, maybe this is a dumb question, but do you have to tell the CM's at every attraction that your're on a wish trip or does the wish child wear a pin or something? I just feel a little awkward about announcing that everywhere we go

Thanks for the trip report and offering to answer questions, it seems the closer we get to the trip the more I've forgotten to find out .

 

[noahsark322]

Okay...I am the woman who turns bright red very easily...and it was a little wierd the first day...getting in front of others...but they do it in such a way...that you dont offend anyone. Your child wears a pin. We tried to wear stickers or something else at first so they knew we were all together....but your Guest Assistance Card (you get one for WDW at GKTW, the one for Universal you pick up when you get to the park. NO hassle at all, just show the pin) has how many is in the party so its really just the pin and the card. When you get to a ride or attraction there is usually a Cast Member there....just show the pin...they may ask for the card...and they will tell you where to go. At universal...they will almost take you by the hand and get you to the front....most of the time they see the pin and you will figure out where to go. Sometimes you go through the fast past entrance, sometimes the handicappped entracne, sometimes via the exit...a CM will help you.....
About Sea World...I was really surprised how much my kids liked it. Not too xmasy like WDW and Universal...but a great low stress day. I went with 4 kids 9,8,4,4, ...and well a husband ...he counts as 2 kids..easily. I stressed a little more then I wish I would have. Just remember you will get to see so much more because you dont have to wait.

 

[Roo'sMom]

and well a husband ...he counts as 2 kids..easily. .

so true! LOL
Glad you had a great time!!

minkydog- I love your tag!

We can't wait to go back!
roo'smom

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

Noahsark322, thanks so much for the info, I feel alot better now. I think we will go to Seaworld for Christmas.

And I know what you mean about the husband counting as two kids but at least it does make him fun to take places with the kids, if only I could get him one of those harnesses...

 

[noahsark322]

I hope you have a great time. There are nights at GKTW that were Great...dont miss..and then there were some more peaceful, do it yourself kind of nights too. Will you be there on a Monday night? That was our favorite night (okay parents night out was too) it was the SeaWorld Pool Party. Thats when I met Cuddlebugs...from this post...we had a good night, our kids had a great time...its was fun.

 

[cuddlebugz]

yes remembering pool night now and laughing...lol The parent game was fun but I came out soaked....lol

I was going to tell you that we liked sea world too.... How many times did you guys do the journey to atlantis ride?? It was pretty slow the morning we were there so they just kept us on the ride 4 times.....lol

Parking was good for us too... And we didn't have any problems with anything really... CM's were awesome and weather all in all was great.

If you get a chance e-mail me I would love to send you some pic.s...

 

[MarieS]

I really appreciate hearing from those of you who have been to GKTW. My boys are scheduled for a wish trip in late October. Can anyone tell me what the schedule of activities is for GKTW? Should I book a character meal or do you think there were enough opportunities to see characters? Also, can anyone tell me what types of food were on the menu at GKTW? My youngest is limited in what he can eat due to feeding problems and I need to know what I should bring with me. Thanks!
Marie

 

[noahsark322]

You may want a Character meal for the fun of it....but you have much more access at Gktw to the characters....and at each park because of the button allows for character viewing. We did a lunch at the Crystal Palace. It was a very nice Buffet. However it could take up to an hour to see Pooh...and then you get just a few moments with him. But the food was great. You will have soooooo much character time its unbelievable.

If you want a fun evening and GREAT food. We did the Hoop Dee Doo Review. Its not cheap...but SO much fun. All you can eat (Family Style) ribs, chicken, beans, salad, beer, sangria. And for GKTW they took us backstage after the show to meet and greet with all the members of the show.

The food at GKTW is set up cafeteria style. Each night is a different menu. Its pretty simple food, but good. Like pot roast night. mash potatoes, veggies, french fries, fruit, ....There is a ham/hot dog night..with the fixings...However if you have special dietary needs let them know and they will puree, chop, or modify a meal.

Breakfast is pretty much the same each morning. Eggs, cheese, toppings for the eggs (mushrooms, ham, etc.) pancakes, french toast sticks, fruit, yogurt, cereal, ...ect....

They are so helpful in the Gingerbread house (dining room). They carry your trays, get you anything you need....super help.

At night you can order pizza everynight...delivered to your room, + soda...
I hope this helps...KCS

 

[MarieS]

The food at GKTW is set up cafeteria style. Each night is a different menu. Its pretty simple food, but good. Like pot roast night. mash potatoes, veggies, french fries, fruit, ....There is a ham/hot dog night..with the fixings...However if you have special dietary needs let them know and they will puree, chop, or modify a meal.

Breakfast is pretty much the same each morning. Eggs, cheese, toppings for the eggs (mushrooms, ham, etc.) pancakes, french toast sticks, fruit, yogurt, cereal, ...ect....

They are so helpful in the Gingerbread house (dining room). They carry your trays, get you anything you need....super help.

At night you can order pizza everynight...delivered to your room, + soda...
I hope this helps...KCS [/QUOTE]
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Thanks so much for the above info. Both of my sons have very low muscle tone and as a result can't chew. The oldest is tube fed, but we have been able to do the youngest with finely chopping all his foods and mixing with liquid. Pot roast night would be good for him as well as any kind of noodles. My wish coordinator said she would give me the phone number to GKTW when we get closer to our date so I can call and get more info on the food. We are really looking forward to our trip!
Marie

 

[kathyk2]

I have a question about the nominations for Make a Wish. Can family friends recommend a child? I'm a huge Nascar fan and I participate in online groups. The son of one of the group members has some heart problems and is currently in the hospital with health issues. I would love to have Ryan meet Jeff Gordon. Can I nominate him?

 

[roseprincess]

kathyk2,
To refer a child to Make-A-Wish,it has to be a medical person(doctor, nurse) or the parents of that child. I don't know if a friend can refer the child unless that friend is in the medical community. You can check by the Make-A- Wish website under "refer a child". The website is www.makeawish.org. this is the national website.

I refered my dd about a yr. ago thru this website. I got a call about 2 hrs. later from my local MAW chapter. My dd had her Wish trip this past June. My dd has a complex congenital heart defect, so she did qualify. MAW doesn't qualify the child per se. The child's specialist will get faxed some paperwork to do and that specialist will determine if the child is considered life- threatening. Once the child is considered life-threatening thru the specialist, then MAW will start working on granting that child's wish.

I hope this helps. Best wishes on refering that child.

Roseprincess

 

[roseprincess]

Noahsark322,
Glad your son's wish trip went well and everyone had a good time!

Roseprincess

 

[goofyandmore]

Could you please tell me what GKTW stands for? I think another mom mentioned it to me last year when I was on a special line because my daughter has a brain injury. thanks, Carolyn