Wish Trip... short notice... so many questions!!

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Hey all!! My daughter was granted a wish and chose Disney World! We leave next month, so I’m scrambling a bit. Her brother also had a wish trip many years ago (they have the same disorder), but we had lots more time to plan. This time, not so much. Also, this time around I am a single mama on a much stricter budget so getting things in advance is a little more challenging. I’m hoping some of you have some insight as to where to get the best deals for the things below, and can help me think of things I haven’t thought of yet. :fingers crossed:

1.) My son, who is not the wish child, is 8 and weighs 60 pounds. He needs a stroller for the parks. I know he can get a park issued stroller for free with our wish badge, but the hard plastic upright stroller won’t work for him. He doesn’t need a medical stroller, but something that reclines like the City Mini GT that lots of places rent out. My question is, who has the best rate for 7 days, or does anyone offer wish trip families a discount? I would need it delivered to Give Kids The World Village. Do companies deliver to non-Disney properties?

2.) I would really like to purchase at least one set of matching t-shirts, and personalized autograph books for the kids. Etsy has a billion options. Does anyone here know someone who makes shirts or autograph books at a good price? We don’t need anything fancy.

3.) I am getting ribbon to make our own lanyards for pin trading, and would like to purchase pins in advance. If there’s a good place to buy legitimate Disney pins that can be traded, I’m all ears! Or if anyone has unwanted duplicate pins laying around, I’m happy to buy them from you!

4.) My daughter really really wants to eat at crystal palace with eeyore. Last time around, we didn’t do character meals because we were trying to stretch the budget. This time, it’s at the top of her list. Our wish granted says they will give us some spending money before the trip (and I need to make that amount cover anything out of pocket for the whole trip), but I know crystal palace is $$$$, so I’m wondering if Disney ever offers discounts to wish families. Anyone know?

5.) I need to make a first aid kit. What are the essentials, aside from illness-specific things, that I should pack? I’ll be carrying a backpack. Any other critical items aside from first aid I should be carrying?

6.) My other kids do not know we are going yet, as we just found out. My daughter who is getting the wish is the oldest child and she wants to surprise them and tell them herself! What cool ideas do you have for her to surprise them with the news?

7.) We will have cards as our tickets for the parks and not magic bands. If we want our ride photos to automatically upload to our photo account, we will need a magic band, right? If so, can just one person in our party have one? And where is the best place to buy one that isn’t linked?


I think that’s all my questions for now. I’ll probably come up with more in like five minutes. Thanks everyone for reading!!!


**crossposted because I’m not sure where to put this**

 

[carimar]

How wonderful!
The only "answer" I have for you is I have a Mickey VIP Tour pin and an Aladdin pin I would like to send you. Message me your address.
HAVE THE BEST TIME!!!!

 

[Dumbo777]

Tip*** If you do that want to make the lanyards yourself, Party City sells Disney lanyards for $1

 

[jenPSU]

For the first aid kit, I’m thinking bandaids, neosporin, and moleskin for potential blisters or to prevent blisters. Each park also has first aid stations that appear to be very well equipped. My daughter twisted her ankle at Magic Kingdom once and we were very quickly brought to a private area with a bed, curtain, etc and given ice packs and Motrin.

 

[jenPSU]

Also, for the surprise, I just typed “we’re going to Disney” in Etsy search and there are some cute personalized cards and puzzles there for not too much. You could probably recreate with craft supplies if you have time! There is also something like this if you want to make it more elaborate:
https://stuffedsuitcase.com/disney-...ation-surprise-trip-for-kids-printable-clues/

I surprised my kids (6 and 3) last time we went and we literally picked them up from school as usual on a Friday and told them we were driving to the airport to go to Disney. My 6YO was thrilled and my 3YO was a little scared and kept asking if we’d hold her when we got there. So not sure if I’d recommend the “in the moment” surprise.

Have the best time!!

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

How wonderful!
The only "answer" I have for you is I have a Mickey VIP Tour pin and an Aladdin pin I would like to send you. Message me your address.
HAVE THE BEST TIME!!!!

Thank you so very much. That is so sweet.

Tip*** If you do that want to make the lanyards yourself, Party City sells Disney lanyards for $1

$1?? Really?? I will be looking to see if we have a party city nearby. That’s a steal! Thanks for the tip!

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

For the first aid kit, I’m thinking bandaids, neosporin, and moleskin for potential blisters or to prevent blisters. Each park also has first aid stations that appear to be very well equipped. My daughter twisted her ankle at Magic Kingdom once and we were very quickly brought to a private area with a bed, curtain, etc and given ice packs and Motrin.

I always forget about blisters. Definitely going to need something for that! I’m glad to know about the ice packs because my daughter likes to rotate between heat packs (we use hand warmers!) and ice for her knees. I have never thought to ask for ice packs in the parks before. Good tip!

Also, for the surprise, I just typed “we’re going to Disney” in Etsy search and there are some cute personalized cards and puzzles there for not too much. You could probably recreate with craft supplies if you have time! There is also something like this if you want to make it more elaborate:
https://stuffedsuitcase.com/disney-...ation-surprise-trip-for-kids-printable-clues/

I surprised my kids (6 and 3) last time we went and we literally picked them up from school as usual on a Friday and told them we were driving to the airport to go to Disney. My 6YO was thrilled and my 3YO was a little scared and kept asking if we’d hold her when we got there. So not sure if I’d recommend the “in the moment” surprise.

Have the best time!!

I am so torn between letting her tell them now or waiting until right before. Both of my boys would be thrilled to know now. My other daughter, however, I just don’t know. She has autism and I imagine would ask 73938373 times a day when we are leaving, even if I give her a visual like a chain link countdown. I’m thinking maybe 2 weeks out would be a good time to tell.

 

[jenPSU]

I always forget about blisters. Definitely going to need something for that! I’m glad to know about the ice packs because my daughter likes to rotate between heat packs (we use hand warmers!) and ice for her knees. I have never thought to ask for ice packs in the parks before. Good tip!

Here’s a link with more info on the first aid stations. https://diz-abled.com/first-aid-stations-disney-world-parks/
It sounds like they have refrigerators so I wonder if they would also store and re-freeze your own ice packs for you?

 

[Gussie Granger 1969]

Hey all!! My daughter was granted a wish and chose Disney World! We leave next month, so I’m scrambling a bit. Her brother also had a wish trip many years ago (they have the same disorder), but we had lots more time to plan. This time, not so much. Also, this time around I am a single mama on a much stricter budget so getting things in advance is a little more challenging. I’m hoping some of you have some insight as to where to get the best deals for the things below, and can help me think of things I haven’t thought of yet. :fingers crossed:

1.) My son, who is not the wish child, is 8 and weighs 60 pounds. He needs a stroller for the parks. I know he can get a park issued stroller for free with our wish badge, but the hard plastic upright stroller won’t work for him. He doesn’t need a medical stroller, but something that reclines like the City Mini GT that lots of places rent out. My question is, who has the best rate for 7 days, or does anyone offer wish trip families a discount? I would need it delivered to Give Kids The World Village. Do companies deliver to non-Disney properties?

2.) I would really like to purchase at least one set of matching t-shirts, and personalized autograph books for the kids. Etsy has a billion options. Does anyone here know someone who makes shirts or autograph books at a good price? We don’t need anything fancy.

3.) I am getting ribbon to make our own lanyards for pin trading, and would like to purchase pins in advance. If there’s a good place to buy legitimate Disney pins that can be traded, I’m all ears! Or if anyone has unwanted duplicate pins laying around, I’m happy to buy them from you!

4.) My daughter really really wants to eat at crystal palace with eeyore. Last time around, we didn’t do character meals because we were trying to stretch the budget. This time, it’s at the top of her list. Our wish granted says they will give us some spending money before the trip (and I need to make that amount cover anything out of pocket for the whole trip), but I know crystal palace is $$$$, so I’m wondering if Disney ever offers discounts to wish families. Anyone know?

5.) I need to make a first aid kit. What are the essentials, aside from illness-specific things, that I should pack? I’ll be carrying a backpack. Any other critical items aside from first aid I should be carrying?

6.) My other kids do not know we are going yet, as we just found out. My daughter who is getting the wish is the oldest child and she wants to surprise them and tell them herself! What cool ideas do you have for her to surprise them with the news?

7.) We will have cards as our tickets for the parks and not magic bands. If we want our ride photos to automatically upload to our photo account, we will need a magic band, right? If so, can just one person in our party have one? And where is the best place to buy one that isn’t linked?


I think that’s all my questions for now. I’ll probably come up with more in like five minutes. Thanks everyone for reading!!!


**crossposted because I’m not sure where to put this**

This is what I do for a first aid kit: I get a quart zip lock (this way you can see everything at a glance) and fill it with bandaids, plaquers, friction block stick, hair ties, gum, little bottle of sunscreen. I have a pill holder that has 7 compartments, it’s small and I put in Tylenol, pepto chewables, Tums, decongestant pills, gas pills and kids chewable acetaminophen (they get headaches a lot). I also carry on me tissues, chapstick, sunglasses, reusable shopping. All the above sounds like a lot but it’s not, and I have used everything at least once and that’s why I carry it all.

 

[DisneyOma]

If money is an issue, maybe try to focus on the free stuff you can do on the trip? Instead of pin trading, do the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, which comes with free trading cards. Instead of buying custom t-shirts, do a color theme for each day with what you have already?

 

[gatorlisa]

For the MagicBand question...in general, yes, one band for the party is sufficient for automatically linking photos. You can get a plain, solid colored MagicBand for about $15 and link it to your MDE account. Either ahead of time or when you get there. They are available at all parks and Disney Springs, or online at shopdisney.com or the Shop Parks app. Even if you do have a band, you may want to take the few extra seconds to tap a band or a card to link your photo for Test Track and Splash. Those two are bad about linking the wrong photo to your account.

 

[KayaWildfire]

Buy the digital copy of the shirt design you like from Etsy. They can be personalized by the seller and are fairly cheap. Print them out on the transfer paper you can get from Walmart/craft stores and buy cheap T-shirts from Hobby Lobby. Making your own t-shirts is pretty cheap.
You can also get trading pins in lots from eBay for $1 apiece. They can be traded with CMs. We've never had an issue.

 

[bushdianee]

I just did a reveal for my niece and nephew a little over a month ago. I found a cute and easy treasure hunt on Pintrest for free. It had 9 or 10 Disney themed clues that you can print off and hide around the house. At the end I took the page that said surprise you are going to Disney World and cut it up in puzzle pieces. I did one puzzle for each child. They are 8 & 11 and loved it.

 

[MousetersInc]

I'm going to address a question you didn't ask (how considerate of me): How do you plan in such a short time? Based on others' advice, I'd highly advise going with an "Authorized Disney" travel agent. They don't cost you any additional money because they get their commission from Disney. The big concern I'd have, especially as a single parent with special needs kids, is the ability to get FastPasses and dining reservations that fit our needs at such a late date, and the travel agents may well have reservations they're sitting on or strings they can pull. I'd also call Disney for anything I needed help with—their phone service tends to have a fairly long wait, but have very helpful and caring people.

 

[lanejudy]

Based on others' advice, I'd highly advise going with an "Authorized Disney" travel agent.

It's a good suggestion, except OP's child has qualified for a "Wish Trip" -- a trip that is granted to a child with a critical illness, provided by a wish-granting agency (typically the Make-A-Wish Foundation) who handles things like accommodations and travel. Another TA would not be able to help, though the Wish granting agency (usually MAW) may be able to get answers for some questions. But people here have a lot of experience as well.

The big concern I'd have, especially as a single parent with special needs kids, is the ability to get FastPasses and dining reservations that fit our needs at such a late date

OP won't need FP since as a guest of Give Kids The World the child will receive a Genie pass. ADRs may be a concern, but those can usually be arranged - though as OP mentions, the meals in the parks will be at her expense (from the spending money provided).


OP - did your daughter specifically include the request to eat at Crystal Palace as part of her wish? If so, they should be able to help you make reservations. If not, you can call WDW now to get that set - or call as soon as you have solid dates; they will require a credit card to hold the reservation but it won't be charged unless you no-show. Plan a breakfast because it costs less. To help stretch the funds, make your ADR for the latest breakfast time you can, which I think may be around 10:45 - call it brunch, or eat breakfast at GKTW before going to the MK and it becomes an early lunch). Take some snacks to stretch between meals.

Congrats to your DD and enjoy the WISH trip!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Hey all!! My daughter was granted a wish and chose Disney World! We leave next month, so I’m scrambling a bit. Her brother also had a wish trip many years ago (they have the same disorder), but we had lots more time to plan. This time, not so much. Also, this time around I am a single mama on a much stricter budget so getting things in advance is a little more challenging. I’m hoping some of you have some insight as to where to get the best deals for the things below, and can help me think of things I haven’t thought of yet. :fingers crossed:

1.) My son, who is not the wish child, is 8 and weighs 60 pounds. He needs a stroller for the parks. I know he can get a park issued stroller for free with our wish badge, but the hard plastic upright stroller won’t work for him. He doesn’t need a medical stroller, but something that reclines like the City Mini GT that lots of places rent out. My question is, who has the best rate for 7 days, or does anyone offer wish trip families a discount? I would need it delivered to Give Kids The World Village. Do companies deliver to non-Disney properties?

2.) I would really like to purchase at least one set of matching t-shirts, and personalized autograph books for the kids. Etsy has a billion options. Does anyone here know someone who makes shirts or autograph books at a good price? We don’t need anything fancy.

3.) I am getting ribbon to make our own lanyards for pin trading, and would like to purchase pins in advance. If there’s a good place to buy legitimate Disney pins that can be traded, I’m all ears! Or if anyone has unwanted duplicate pins laying around, I’m happy to buy them from you!

4.) My daughter really really wants to eat at crystal palace with eeyore. Last time around, we didn’t do character meals because we were trying to stretch the budget. This time, it’s at the top of her list. Our wish granted says they will give us some spending money before the trip (and I need to make that amount cover anything out of pocket for the whole trip), but I know crystal palace is $$$$, so I’m wondering if Disney ever offers discounts to wish families. Anyone know?

5.) I need to make a first aid kit. What are the essentials, aside from illness-specific things, that I should pack? I’ll be carrying a backpack. Any other critical items aside from first aid I should be carrying?

6.) My other kids do not know we are going yet, as we just found out. My daughter who is getting the wish is the oldest child and she wants to surprise them and tell them herself! What cool ideas do you have for her to surprise them with the news?

7.) We will have cards as our tickets for the parks and not magic bands. If we want our ride photos to automatically upload to our photo account, we will need a magic band, right? If so, can just one person in our party have one? And where is the best place to buy one that isn’t linked?


I think that’s all my questions for now. I’ll probably come up with more in like five minutes. Thanks everyone for reading!!!


**crossposted because I’m not sure where to put this**

1. Would a blow up air pad make the hard plastic stroller comfortable enough for your son? Or can you bring your own stroller or borrow one from a friend?

2. For about $30.00 you can DYI tee shirts via michaels.com or a local store. For about $10.00-15.00 you can create a tie dyed version at home using existing tee shirts. Easy to buy a blank notebook, put a Disney pic or words in front. Last notebook I purchased was via Amazon but it's possible your local craft store will have as well. All these DYI projects are fast and easy.

3. D/K

4. D/K

5. Unless you think it's critical everything you might need from a first aid kit is available for free from Disney's first aid centers which are located in every park. I stopped carrying my travel first aid kit once I learned this. Still think you need one? My camping first aid kit is in a plastic double sided business card holder that I repurposed. I keep it stocked with Neosporin or similar antiseptic sample packets from the doctor, 3 different sizes of Band-aids (little ones, large and a triangular), alcohol pads from either the doctor's or my computer tech, and either aloe vera or cyladyrl (sp?) for bug bites. you can add any specialised items you might need).

6. D/K. I don't surprise children with vacation trips. Still the idea another poster had of putting a helium filled balloon in a large present wrapped box with a note attached sounds reasonable in cost and easy to do.

7. D/K

To avoid blisters bring sturdy walking shoes that are not made of plastic so your feet can breathe. When I make up the packing list I always suggest parents send two pairs of sneakers as well as socks; one pair can air out/dry overnight while the other pair are in use. Get a blister? Use the triangular Band-aid.

 

[Nsaudra]

We went on our wish trip we decided to use the wheel chair insted of the stroller both my kids sat in it. Gtktw had some strollers that we could take for the day or ask your wish agency.
With the genie pass we didnt do much sitting it was mostly to avoid walks. They have a place to go rest just for us wish familes. At unaversal there was an issue. We couldn't take the rented stroller or wheel chair park to park it had to stay at the train.
used 4x 6 cards for autographs then when we got home I printed the pics from the disney website and put them in a small photo album next to the pic.
We bought from the disney store online, they had them on ebay but I wanted to make sure they were new enough to have good battries. Ones that have been sitting around not a great idea.

As far a shirts go... I would wear your wish shirts they take you far.... without even looking for your pass, cast members see you and help you get to the front give you free ice creams etc. I would see if you can get the familes shirts ahead of time and personalize from there.

Walmart is right next to gtktw. They have a big disney store in there as well as I picked up lunchables and Gatorade snacks and such. I wanted the money they gave me to stretch as far as I could. Come up with a plan of what you want to do we didnt have enough time for all the tickets we were given. 3 hopper disney passes 2 unaversal 1 seaworld.
We did half a day at seaworld and half a unaversal and a full day at adventure side of unaversal. Saw gatorland on the way to the airport.
Wish you all the luck have lots of fun. Dont miss the parties at night halloween and christmas were my kids faves.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Does your DD really want to eat at Crystal Palace, or really see Eeyore? I ask because a lot of the characters visit the GKTW house, and they could probably arrange for Eeyore if they knew in advance. A lot of the kids can't manage the lines or have compromised immunity, so visiting the characters in the parks isn't advised. I love Crystal Palace, but it would probably be a good $200+, and I know your funds are tight.

 

[DisneyOma]

Buy the digital copy of the shirt design you like from Etsy. They can be personalized by the seller and are fairly cheap. Print them out on the transfer paper you can get from Walmart/craft stores and buy cheap T-shirts from Hobby Lobby. Making your own t-shirts is pretty cheap.
You can also get trading pins in lots from eBay for $1 apiece. They can be traded with CMs. We've never had an issue.

While they probably wouldn't deny a MAW kid in pintrading, CMs can refuse to trade for rip-off fake pins, as they should, as it's dishonest.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Does your DD really want to eat at Crystal Palace, or really see Eeyore? I ask because a lot of the characters visit the GKTW house, and they could probably arrange for Eeyore if they knew in advance. A lot of the kids can't manage the lines or have compromised immunity, so visiting the characters in the parks isn't advised. I love Crystal Palace, but it would probably be a good $200+, and I know your funds are tight.

been years but the Genie Pass helped with character lines for my grandsons trips.