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

[Mom2M07]

Now that we have our dates, I tried calling Disney to see if they have any availability for either the Bibbidi Bobbido Boutique or Cinderella's Royal Table, and the cast member pretty much laughed at me. He gave me a lecture about how "these types of experiences are booked 180 days in advance" and how we shouldn't expect to get a reservation less than 2 months before our dates. I know this and told him that I was familiar with how popular these things are, but that I was still hoping that a cancellation might occur. He was pretty rude, saying "I can't tell you not to call back, but there's almost no chance that a spot with open for either." Should I just ignore this rude cast-member and keep trying each day, hoping for a cancellation, or should I just accept that neither are going to happen? I hate rude people

 

[KaylaM]

Now that we have our dates, I tried calling Disney to see if they have any availability for either the Bibbidi Bobbido Boutique or Cinderella's Royal Table, and the cast member pretty much laughed at me. He gave me a lecture about how "these types of experiences are booked 180 days in advance" and how we shouldn't expect to get a reservation less than 2 months before our dates. I know this and told him that I was familiar with how popular these things are, but that I was still hoping that a cancellation might occur. He was pretty rude, saying "I can't tell you not to call back, but there's almost no chance that a spot with open for either." Should I just ignore this rude cast-member and keep trying each day, hoping for a cancellation, or should I just accept that neither are going to happen? I hate rude people

I had the same experience a few times, but I kept calling 2-3x week, then I called daily two weeks out and three days before we left, an opening came up. Don't give up.

 

[JWCJ]

Keep calling! For BBB, you could always try the DTD location too. Our MAW chapter only books there because it's easier to get a reservation.

 

[2012bella13]

Now that we have our dates, I tried calling Disney to see if they have any availability for either the Bibbidi Bobbido Boutique or Cinderella's Royal Table, and the cast member pretty much laughed at me. He gave me a lecture about how "these types of experiences are booked 180 days in advance" and how we shouldn't expect to get a reservation less than 2 months before our dates. I know this and told him that I was familiar with how popular these things are, but that I was still hoping that a cancellation might occur. He was pretty rude, saying "I can't tell you not to call back, but there's almost no chance that a spot with open for either." Should I just ignore this rude cast-member and keep trying each day, hoping for a cancellation, or should I just accept that neither are going to happen? I hate rude people

Keep calling, did you mention that this was a Make A Wish Trip?
When we went in 2011, I did not know anything about DR or anything else, I was letting our wish volunteer do everything, I did not know that they could not make a CT reservations because of the credit card thing, So we did not get to do any Character Dining.
If you can not get any before you leave once you are at GKTW, see if they could call & help get one for you for that week some time.

 

[2012bella13]

I think we're just going to pray the 15 passenger van will make it and all ride together. Ava won't get to fly, but it's the best we can do. And if we don't get gas money, then we don't get gas money. I just wish they would make this a little easier on us. I think they may just be a little upset that we're determined to bring all the kids.

Kristy

My DH can not fly & because of DD (wish Kid) illness, I would not fly (Germs). Our car would not make it to Floridia 1400 miles down & back, The Make a Wish Foundation rented us a car, pd for gas & overnight lodging down & back.
Have you tried to see if any other businesses in you area might help sponser your trip along with Make a wish?
I hope everything works our for your family.

 

[2012bella13]

Thanks for such a warm welcome!

Big news!!! I just got a call from Jenna's Wish Granter and her wish is approved and we have dates! June 8-14 at GKTW. I'm so excited for Jenna that this is happening! I know that you all understand the mixed feelings - I still can't believe that my baby is a Wishtripper, but I'm also so proud of everything she has been through and so happy that she will get such an amazing experience.

We will be extending our trip through the 22nd. Does anyone know if any of the MAW privileges carry over when you extend? We are happy either way, of course.

Yippie!!!

You will get the standard package of 3-day park hopper for Disney World, 2-Universal Studios & 1 to Sea World, but you can also get tickets to other things like Bush Gardens, Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center & more.
If you are extending your days, I would get these other tickets & try to go to these places, enjoy the activities at the Give Kids The World & save the others for the week you will not be staying at the village.
You will have an orientation (spelling ?) on your first day & they will tell you everything, give you your tickets, & after that, you can stop by the front desk & ask what other tickets they have available.

God Bless! Your little one will be in my prayers!

 

[angel's momma]

Mom2M07 - Sorry you had a rude CM. Yes, it's hard to get those reservations, but the CM shouldn't have been rude about it. Definitely keep trying - people double book, change plans, etc. I hope they become available for you. I don't remember which section it is on the DIS, but there used to be a place that people would post when they were going to cancel popular reservations, so that someone that needed it could try to get it at the same time.

 

[KaylaM]

Mom2M07 - Sorry you had a rude CM. Yes, it's hard to get those reservations, but the CM shouldn't have been rude about it. Definitely keep trying - people double book, change plans, etc. I hope they become available for you. I don't remember which section it is on the DIS, but there used to be a place that people would post when they were going to cancel popular reservations, so that someone that needed it could try to get it at the same time.

Don't forget to tell them that this is your childs Make-A-Wish trip. My girlfriend who took her daughter on her MAW trip to GKTW/Disney said she asked for a supervisor and then she was able to get a dining reservation. The thing is with a lot of these MAW trips, is that by the time you find out the dates, it doesn't give you enough time to make a reservation during their suggested time frame. I didn't know a lot of this until after our trip. I never knew to mention that this was my daughters' MAW trip, ask for a supervisor, etc. We got lucky with a cancellation.

 

[Mom2M07]

Keep calling, did you mention that this was a Make A Wish Trip?
When we went in 2011, I did not know anything about DR or anything else, I was letting our wish volunteer do everything, I did not know that they could not make a CT reservations because of the credit card thing, So we did not get to do any Character Dining.
If you can not get any before you leave once you are at GKTW, see if they could call & help get one for you for that week some time.

Yes, I told him that this was a Make A Wish trip. He appeared to have no idea what MAW was. He told me that we should "stay on property" so that we can book things earlier next time. Hopefully, a cancellation will happen and we can get in. If not, I know that it will be a wonderful trip even without the makeover and dining.

 

[2012bella13]

Yes, I told him that this was a Make A Wish trip. He appeared to have no idea what MAW was. He told me that we should "stay on property" so that we can book things earlier next time. Hopefully, a cancellation will happen and we can get in. If not, I know that it will be a wonderful trip even without the makeover and dining.

Yes, you must have been unlucky & got ahold of a CM that does not know much. Just keep trying & when you get to GKTW have them try. Also you can have a makeover done at GKTW, now we did not have this done, so I am not for sure to what is done, but they do have a Beauty Spa there. You could call ahead & talk to someone & decide if this would be okay instead of BBB.
You are on the right track, learning everything you can ahead of time.
I hope this helps you & anyone else that can use this info.

 

[Mom2M07]

When GKTW gives you your Guest Assistance Card (pass for lines, wheelchair, etc.) do they also give you a lanyard or some way to hold it? If not, what have families used to hold it and make it easily accessible? Random thing to be worried about, I know!

 

[Moodyzblu]

When GKTW gives you your Guest Assistance Card (pass for lines, wheelchair, etc.) do they also give you a lanyard or some way to hold it? If not, what have families used to hold it and make it easily accessible? Random thing to be worried about, I know!

Ours came with a lanyard and plastic card holder ! It was great and Jayden wore it around his neck so the CMs could see it easily.

 

[JWCJ]

Does anyone know if Lysol wipes are okay to take through security on the airplane? Could I just put a bunch in a plastic baggie?
Trying to think my way through the plane ride - So many germs

 

[KaylaM]

Does anyone know if Lysol wipes are okay to take through security on the airplane? Could I just put a bunch in a plastic baggie?
Trying to think my way through the plane ride - So many germs

Yes, wipes are fine, you can even take the whole package with you. Besides wipes, I also picked up a small travel size of liquid sanitizer to carry with me as well. I dreaded the plane having my daughter enclosed like that for 5 1/2 hours with a ton of ppl around her, but it all worked out just fine. You will be just fine too!!

 

[JWCJ]

Yes, wipes are fine, you can even take the whole package with you. Besides wipes, I also picked up a small travel size of liquid sanitizer to carry with me as well. I dreaded the plane having my daughter enclosed like that for 5 1/2 hours with a ton of ppl around her, but it all worked out just fine. You will be just fine too!!

Thank you for the info - and reassurance. She's pretty good about wearing a mask, so hopefully between the mask, wipes and liquid sanitizer she'll be fine. Everyone might want to buy shares in Purell and Lysol, though, I suspect I'm going to buy enough to send their stock soaring

 

[angel's momma]

Everyone might want to buy shares in Purell and Lysol, though, I suspect I'm going to buy enough to send their stock soaring

I don't even want to think about how much money we've spent on antibac wipes & hand sanitizer in the last year. Had to laugh when we connected with some other families online & found out that antibac wipes had stripped the finish off their tables too.

 

[Mom2M07]

Now that we have our dates, I tried calling Disney to see if they have any availability for either the Bibbidi Bobbido Boutique or Cinderella's Royal Table, and the cast member pretty much laughed at me. He gave me a lecture about how "these types of experiences are booked 180 days in advance" and how we shouldn't expect to get a reservation less than 2 months before our dates. I know this and told him that I was familiar with how popular these things are, but that I was still hoping that a cancellation might occur. He was pretty rude, saying "I can't tell you not to call back, but there's almost no chance that a spot with open for either." Should I just ignore this rude cast-member and keep trying each day, hoping for a cancellation, or should I just accept that neither are going to happen? I hate rude people

Ok ... problem solved! I contacted our Wish Granters to see if they had any success in trying to get reservations and they scheduled Maddie for a Princess Makeover at DTD and a Princess Breakfast in Epcot! We don't know which days yet, but the reservations are made! And our flights are booked, too! I'm trying to figure out if I can fit a quick trip to the craft store into my schedule today, so that I can start making her things for the trip! Who needs work, right?

 

[JWCJ]

Ok ... problem solved! I contacted our Wish Granters to see if they had any success in trying to get reservations and they scheduled Maddie for a Princess Makeover at DTD and a Princess Breakfast in Epcot! We don't know which days yet, but the reservations are made! And our flights are booked, too! I'm trying to figure out if I can fit a quick trip to the craft store into my schedule today, so that I can start making her things for the trip! Who needs work, right?

We're doing the Akershus breakfast on the 28th and BBB at DTD on the 4th right before we leave! Maddie is going to have so much fun!

 

[JWCJ]

I don't even want to think about how much money we've spent on antibac wipes & hand sanitizer in the last year. Had to laugh when we connected with some other families online & found out that antibac wipes had stripped the finish off their tables too.

I know! C is sick today with a bit of a cough and raspy voice, and she's already tired of me following her around wiping everything she gets near....

 

[2012bella13]

I don't even want to think about how much money we've spent on antibac wipes & hand sanitizer in the last year. Had to laugh when we connected with some other families online & found out that antibac wipes had stripped the finish off their tables too.

I carry sanitizer, little can of lysol & wipes with me at all times.
At the parks, I would wipe down the handles, bars & anything DD would be touching & afterwards she would still clean her hands with sanitizer just to be safe.
Walmarts has in the travel section, clorox wipes in travel section, good just to keep in your pockets, & the little lysol sprays. These came in handy in the parks, rides, bathrooms, ect. ect.
Hint: have wipes out & ready before getting on a ride, that way you will have time to wipe things down before you take off.