Make a Wish (and other organizations) ~ Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume FIVE!!

[nesser1981]

Anyone know if you can get tickets to Atlanta Braves spring training games from GKTW?

Spring training starts the last full day we're there. I love the Braves & DH loves the Tigers and they happen to be playing each other that day.

 

[newdrama12]

Anyone know if you can get tickets to Atlanta Braves spring training games from GKTW?

Spring training starts the last full day we're there. I love the Braves & DH loves the Tigers and they happen to be playing each other that day.

I'm not sure if GKTW will get any or not. I will ask the manager on duty tomorrow night while I'm there. I doubt it though.

 

[nesser1981]

I'm not sure if GKTW will get any or not. I will ask the manager on duty tomorrow night while I'm there. I doubt it though.

I figured it was a long shot, but if you find out that'd be great. We'll have to squeeze it in if we can get them.

Thank you! I appreciate it!

 

[newdrama12]

Just wanted to post here without going into too much detail. For those of you who remember MitoDadMO, please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow (Feb. 7th), it is Kade's birthday. I will be getting a rose and leaving it on his paver tomorrow. It's going to be rough.....

 

[jon03015]

Just wanted to post here without going into too much detail. For those of you who remember MitoDadMO, please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow (Feb. 7th), it is Kade's birthday. I will be getting a rose and leaving it on his paver tomorrow. It's going to be rough.....

Their family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I could not imagine having to go through the things they have experienced. Hugs to them.


We are waiting for Austin's dates goodvibes super excited!). We asked for some combination of the last 2 weeks of January 2013. They just need the form from the Dr to approve traveling then they will try and coordinate the dates. I will post them as soon as we get them!

 

[starienite]

We get our luggage tomorrow! Now I can actually pack now and figure out what we are still short on. I can't handle little piles of this and that everywhere, because despite my best intentions they don't stay little piles of this and that and become scattered. I am not the most organized person so pray for me.

 

[Moodyzblu]

We get our luggage tomorrow! Now I can actually pack now and figure out what we are still short on. I can't handle little piles of this and that everywhere, because despite my best intentions they don't stay little piles of this and that and become scattered. I am not the most organized person so pray for me.

I usually set the luggage out and opened a few days before and start tossing things in as I remember. I usually buy new packages of socks for the boys, I just love new socks ! Plus I start planning their outfits a few months before and like to match their outfits with the parks (and each other ).
Then I start going down the list .. toothpaste, ponchos, deodorant, sunblock, water wings .. etc
I also go through each day, morning you need soap, shampoo, conditioner, socks, underwear, pants, shirt .. etc .. until nighttime .. pj's, lotion .. you get the idea. I know it sounds weird .. but it really helps me to organize !
I think getting everything ready causes the most stress .. I start having weird dreams, like forgetting to pack, or forgetting my luggage .. weeks before we leave.

 

[nesser1981]

LOL! I'm going to start packing this weekend I think. At least I'll be packed and I can get some things ready for the kids with the exception of the Big Give stuff they keep getting.

We'll be 2 weeks out on Monday, my son's birthday party is the Saturday before we leave, so I don't want to leave anything last minute.

We get our luggage tomorrow! Now I can actually pack now and figure out what we are still short on. I can't handle little piles of this and that everywhere, because despite my best intentions they don't stay little piles of this and that and become scattered. I am not the most organized person so pray for me.

 

[nesser1981]

Those of you have been on a trip lately, did you get charged for your luggage by the Airline?

MAW provided us with $25 per bag, but I was wondering too, does that cover our bags for both ways if we have to pay? Should I set aside another $100 to cover our bags for the return trip?

I haven't flown in 3 years and i was in the Air Force the last time I did, so our bags were all covered.

 

[starienite]

Those of you have been on a trip lately, did you get charged for your luggage by the Airline?

MAW provided us with $25 per bag, but I was wondering too, does that cover our bags for both ways if we have to pay? Should I set aside another $100 to cover our bags for the return trip?

I haven't flown in 3 years and i was in the Air Force the last time I did, so our bags were all covered.

What airline are you taking?
When in doubt, contact your chapter. If anything, your bags will be heavier on the way back with all the souvenirs you'll be bringing back.

 

[nesser1981]

AirTrans, I emailed our coordinator.

What airline are you taking?
When in doubt, contact your chapter. If anything, your bags will be heavier on the way back with all the souvenirs you'll be bringing back.

 

[starienite]

AirTrans, I emailed our coordinator.

It looks like they charge $20 for the first bag, $25 for the second and they charge $49 for bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds and $79 for bags weighing 71 to 100 pounds. If you have one bag per person and don't get over weight you would need $80 set aside, unless they are including baggage fees both ways.

 

[nesser1981]

Yeah, they included all that information. I was just wondering if other families had been charged recently. I've read some that say their bag fees were waived since they were wish families.

It looks like they charge $20 for the first bag, $25 for the second and they charge $49 for bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds and $79 for bags weighing 71 to 100 pounds. If you have one bag per person and don't get over weight you would need $80 set aside, unless they are including baggage fees both ways.

 

[blessedmom4]

Yeah, they included all that information. I was just wondering if other families had been charged recently. I've read some that say their bag fees were waived since they were wish families.

We flew US Air...Our fees were NOT waived. We checked one large bag to and from Orlando. On the way home AT THE GATE, they asked if anyone would check their bags at the gate for free...we agreed, at least we didn't have to wrestle 6 bags in overhead bins. That left us with three medical bags and a bi-pap machine...much easier. We shipped a LOT of stuff home, we were a Big Give family and some people sent things to GKTW and friends brought us gifts as well, not to mention things from BBB, Pirate's League, lunch at the castle and MORE...it cost a fortune to mail home.

I have posted another update of our amazing trip if anyone is interested. Click on the links in the Table of Contents if you don't want to wade through everything. I am trying to post tips and remind everyone it is like life, there are good things and not so good things on a wish trip...but the trip is such a gift and SO MAGICAL!!!!

 

[kellyw8863]

Good morning! We were a Wish Trip family back in 2010 and are planning a return trip in April 2013. I'm looking to "talk" with other previous Wish Trippers who have returned to Disney with their medically fragile children. Please PM me if you're up for talking about your experiences - I'm nervous about trying to do this again!

To everyone else, enjoy every minute of the process. You're in for an incredible journey!

 

[Sean's momma]

Wow real life has kept me busy lately. I have my trip report started in microsoft word (well the openoffice version of that) I am uploading pictures to flikr because photobucket is not liking me at all. Sean's surgery went... well... i suppose. They were just going to put 2 ear tubes in and check for regrowth of tonsil and adenoid tissues. There was no visible regrowth which is very good. However, in Sean's left ear they suctioned all the gunk out but were unable to put a tube in that ear due to obliterative otitis externa. Basically his ear canal is so inflammed and irritated on that side that had they put a tube in it would have most likely caused his ear canal to grow over the tube and cover the opening into his ear canal. Not a good thing at all. So they did a small hole in his ear drum and put a cotton wick in to allow the ear drops to stay both in the canal and behind the ear drum. This has to be removed in a week post op. On his right side they suctioned the gunk out but were unable to see his temporal bone behind his ear drum and there was no air space to put a tube in. The ear doctor said this is something he has never seen before and is very unusual. Because of this we have to have a CT scan done of Seans ears/head to see where the bone is and if there is something causing all the ear infections and the hearing loss. He has to be under anesthesia for that procedure because he is too little to hold still long enough. So next Tuesday we will be driving to Little Rock again for the CT scan at 10 am (check in at 8) and an ear doctor appointment at 1 pm. We will have to leave home by 445 or 5 am, which is a little extra time to get there because we are supposed to be getting snow starting tonight and into tomorrow morning followed by freezing rain tomorrow afternoon. Sigh. I wish I could find a way to save money to get to Disney again, but with living off of Sean's SSI only and these appointments in Little Rock (which cost $100 by the time I fill up my tank and get 2 or 3 meals at a fast food place for us) it just isn't possible right now.

Once these pictures have finished uploading I will cut and paste the trip report and put the pictures in for you all .

Also, to the person asking about the luggage fees, we got ours waved from the Little Rock airport, but had to pay coming home from Orlando.

And anyone needing luggage may wish to check walmart, they had a collapsable rolling duffle bag that was 32" that we left collapsed, placed in our checked bag for the trip to, and opened it up for souveneirs on the way home. Also, for those of you who use pullups for your child, or have any other medical supplies like gloves or what not that you may not need on the plane, you can make a piece of luggage hold ONLY your medical supplies and airlines will not charge you for it. Just make sure to tell them it is a medical supply bag.

 

[roach3770]

So excited. We got an email from wish coordinator this morning with our dates. Our 8 year old, Mackenzie's wish trip will be April 15-24. We are so excited for her. It has been such a rough year and this gives us something to look forward to. I will be back in soon to give more details but let the planning begin!

Shawna

 

[Moodyzblu]

So excited. We got an email from wish coordinator this morning with our dates. Our 8 year old, Mackenzie's wish trip will be April 15-24. We are so excited for her. It has been such a rough year and this gives us something to look forward to. I will be back in soon to give more details but let the planning begin!

Shawna

Thats awesome news !! You'll be coming down just as we are leaving. Looking forward to hearing all your plans.

 

[nesser1981]

Totally understand rough years! Yay for dates! We'll be back March 4th and I'm going to do my best to get my TR done asap for everyone.

Can't wait to see your plans! Be sure to start a PTR!

So excited. We got an email from wish coordinator this morning with our dates. Our 8 year old, Mackenzie's wish trip will be April 15-24. We are so excited for her. It has been such a rough year and this gives us something to look forward to. I will be back in soon to give more details but let the planning begin!

Shawna

 

[roach3770]

Thank you and trying to figure out now how to start a PTR. All of this is new for me so hopefully I'll figure it out. I'm reading through all of the instructions and the first few pages of this site to try and gather as much info as I can. I am excited and overwhelmed all at the same time but I'm sure many others on here can relate