Make a Wish (and other organizations) - Wish Trippers UNITE! Volume SIX!

That is only the case with the very cheapest fares for both (Basic Economy on both airlines). Which, for both airlines are a separate booking category from Economy (as opposed to a separate fare bucket within Economy) and very clear when booking tickets. I realise that you likely didn't book your own tickets (and most MAW family's don't) so you'd have had no way to know this before getting the tickets. But most fares do include carry-ons (and not all routes have Basic Economy offered, so not an issue for all fliers). I wonder if United or Delta would make an exception for a MAW family?
Yes we are basic economy and that's what our chapter is going to use for future MAW families. They actually didn't know about the policy until I called and told them. We had 5 carryons packed so I'm glad I doubled checked before we took them to the airport! Maybe I'll call them back and ask about an exception.... thanks!
 
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Yes we are basic economy and that's what are chapter is going to use for future MAW families. They actually didn't know about the policy until I called and told them. We had 5 carryons packed so I'm glad I doubled checked before we took them to the airport! Maybe I'll call them back and ask about an exception.... thanks!

So glad you double checked! And let the chapter know - it is cheaper, which I assume is why they did it.

Doesn't hurt to ask for an exception. Note that I think you'll also board last (unless you have a reason to pre-board - and sometimes being an MAW is reason enough or have status (at least on UA)). And you cannot pre-select seats.
 
I don't have to eat at a dining reservation for every meal, but was hoping to maybe do one dinner at table dining. We plan to eat breakfast every morning at GKTW, and do lunch and dinner in the park. I won't rest until I can budget out each day. Being paycheck to paycheck has made me a little ridiculous with planning budgets!! Haha! I just have to trust it will be enough, and we will find out sometime this week I guess! We leave Sept. 24th! We are super excited! So glad you are going so soon! I hope you have a great time!!!

Just a thought - there is so much to do in GKTW, lots of people take a "day off" from the parks and spend the entire day in the Village. If you were to do that, you can plan to have all three meals in GKTW, which saves you a meal in park, and you might be able to budget that into one table service meal. Also, some parks like Universal and SeaWorld don't stay open very late, and if you plan on leaving around 5:00 you can eat dinner back at GTW and only eat one meal out! It's also pretty easy to bring small amounts of food into the parks in a backpack (just not in a cooler). I've personally brought PB&J sandwiches in. Maybe consider going to the nearby Walmart and getting a box of Smuckers Uncrustables, which is good for a meal for a child or at good snack for an adult. Granola bars are also always a good option!
 


With Hurricane Irma, I am getting a little anxious. Has anyone had any experience with what happens if everything is flooded?
 
With Hurricane Irma, I am getting a little anxious. Has anyone had any experience with what happens if everything is flooded?
I'm worried too. We leave for Florida in the morning. I hope Irma moves past Florida with no damage. But then again, maybe we'll get stuck at GKTW for a few extra days and that wouldn't be so bad!
 
I'm worried too. We leave for Florida in the morning. I hope Irma moves past Florida with no damage. But then again, maybe we'll get stuck at GKTW for a few extra days and that wouldn't be so bad!
I am praying so hard!!! We leave next Thursday the 14th. I spoke withy wish coordinator and she said everything is moving forward right now. But I just don't want to have this experience in crazy down pour rain the entire time!!! Have so much fun on your trip! How exciting that you leave in the morning!!!!
 
Our son just got his finalized dates for his FishWish (last name is Fisher). We are headed to Give Kids the World for his birthday and Christmas. I have so many questions....does anyone know if the villa will have a Christmas tree decorated? I am really nervous about the crowds during the Christmas week. Any suggestions about making our way through parks...
 
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I am praying so hard!!! We leave next Thursday the 14th. I spoke withy wish coordinator and she said everything is moving forward right now. But I just don't want to have this experience in crazy down pour rain the entire time!!! Have so much fun on your trip! How exciting that you leave in the morning!!!!
We were evacuated from GKTW yesterday to the Disney World Saratoga Springs resort Villas. GKTW was concerned about the loss of power and damage to the property. Here each building has a generator and the buildings are stronger than those at GKTW. We are expecting hurricane Irma in just a few hours. The resort staff are going above and beyond in trying to keep us safe and even entertained. We played fun games last night and today in the performance hall with Pluto, Goofy, Chip & Dale. They opened up the arcade for everyone to play for free, are loaning out DVDs and keeping the restaurant open for as long as possible. We are so grateful for all the food and water sent with us and delivered to us by Give Kids The World Village! The staff and volunteers there are amazing. We are also very appreciative of Make A Wish Utah for extending our stay by two days. Flights were going to be delayed and we were not going to be able to visit Disney World as it is closed for the storm today and tomorrow. This place is so beautiful and we pray that GKTW and Saratoga Springs do not receive extensive damages. We hope to go back to GKTW on Tuesday but that may not be possible, depending on how crazy the hurricane gets and how much damage is done. #goawayirma
 

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Oh munch goodness. Wow! I'm so glad they extended your trip and you are feeling taken care of and entertained. We are still scheduled to come on Thursday. I'm cautiously excited but I don't really know what to think right now, I'm a hot mess. Would love to still hear your updates. We are not scheduled to get in until later in the afternoon on Thursday so no park going until Friday. Sounds like Disney will be open, but I am worried about GKTW and our flight. Ugh! Praying for you!
 
Oh munch goodness. Wow! I'm so glad they extended your trip and you are feeling taken care of and entertained. We are still scheduled to come on Thursday. I'm cautiously excited but I don't really know what to think right now, I'm a hot mess. Would love to still hear your updates. We are not scheduled to get in until later in the afternoon on Thursday so no park going until Friday. Sounds like Disney will be open, but I am worried about GKTW and our flight. Ugh! Praying for you!
I'll let you know what's happening with GKTW as soon as they let us know. We've been worried about everyone with wishes scheduled for this upcoming week. I hope it works out for you to still come. Disneyworld Parks are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday. Seaworld said some of their animals won't be available in the park for a week or so after the storm. Mostly the manatees, if I'm remembering correctly.
 
I'll let you know what's happening with GKTW as soon as they let us know. We've been worried about everyone with wishes scheduled for this upcoming week. I hope it works out for you to still come. Disneyworld Parks are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday. Seaworld said some of their animals won't be available in the park for a week or so after the storm. Mostly the manatees, if I'm remembering correctly.
I literally just got an email from our wish coordinator saying our trip is still scheduled as planned! So it looks like we are coming. I asked when they would make a final decision to cancel if they do. We weren't planning on going to SeaWorld as we have been there a couple of times with the kids in San Antonio and San Diego. I'm trying to stay positive, but I've been a little bit of a hot mess!!!
 
I literally just got an email from our wish coordinator saying our trip is still scheduled as planned! So it looks like we are coming. I asked when they would make a final decision to cancel if they do. We weren't planning on going to SeaWorld as we have been there a couple of times with the kids in San Antonio and San Diego. I'm trying to stay positive, but I've been a little bit of a hot mess!!!
I will say that I was told that the last major hurricane that hit GKTW only caused a few shingles to be lost and a couple panes of glass to be broken. Hopefully that's the extent of it his time as well. Stay positive.
 
I will say that I was told that the last major hurricane that hit GKTW only caused a few shingles to be lost and a couple panes of glass to be broken. Hopefully that's the extent of it his time as well. Stay positive.
That's good to know. So did they evacuate you as a precaution then? I'm just glad you are till getting the "Disney" experience, and your trip was extended! Did they provide you extra funds for the extension?
 
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That's good to know. So did they evacuate you as a precaution then? I'm just glad you are till getting the "Disney" experience, and your trip was extended! Did they provide you extra funds for the extension?
Yes they evacuated us as a precaution because they do not have generators in every building - only the middle/front villas have them. The middle/front villas also are made of concrete walls and ours wasn't. Initially they were going to move all of us to the concrete villas but then they decided to move us all off property. Everyone who was at GKTW is here with us at this resort. And we got free Magic Bands to boot! Worst case scenario, even if you can't stay at GKTW you will have an amazing time at a Disney property. We are still having lots fun, but now that we are under curfew the kids are getting a little restless. And yes they have given us extra money to get us through the extra days. As a positive, it's like a 10 day Disney vacation now ;)
 
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Yes they evacuated us as a precaution because they do not have generators in every building - only the middle/front villas have them. The middle/front villas also are made of concrete walls and ours wasn't. Initially they were going to move all of us to the concrete villas but then they decided to move us all off property. Everyone who was at GKTW is here with us at this resort. And we got free Magic Bands to boot! Worst case scenario, even if you can't stay at GKTW you will have an amazing time at a Disney property. We are still having lots fun, but now that we are under curfew the kids are getting a little restless. And yes they have given us extra money to get us through the extra days. As a positive, it's like a 10 day Disney vacation now ;)
That is awesome!!!! I'm so happy that it is going well under the circumstances! So the people staying in concrete buildings stayed at GKTW? When will they let you know about returning? Is there a possibility that you stay st the resort for the remainder of the trip?
 
That is awesome!!!! I'm so happy that it is going well under the circumstances! So the people staying in concrete buildings stayed at GKTW? When will they let you know about returning? Is there a possibility that you stay st the resort for the remainder of the trip?
Everyone was evacuated, and all the volunteers left as well. There may be a skeleton crew of staff who stay on but they weren't sure. We are scheduled to stay here at the WDW Resort through Tuesday. They will make a determination if we can go back to GKTW on Tuesday after the storm passes. Our new flight leaves Thursday in the evening.
 

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