Make a Wish (and other organizations!) - Wish Trippers...UNITE!! Volume 2!

[llurgy]

For those feeling guilty about cutting in line......Our Becca was dreading the cutting in line scenario, she said that she didnt want to do it because she would feel really bad.
Well the best thing about how the lines are built and managed is that you hardly ever see the "real" line that you would have to stand in if you didnt have the Button/GAC.....In Disney you generally find the ride CM (who generally isnt at the line) and he/she will point you to the wheelchair entrance/exit, and at Seaworld/Universal Studios you would fiind their CM counterparts and they usually give you an escort through the back way of the ride.
The only time we encountered what you would call an obvious line jump would be the few times we were led to the front of Character meets.

So rest easy that you wont have your enjoyment spoilt by your own guilt, even though you should never feel guilty. The Magic Button is wonderful, we averaged around 5 rides per day, if we had waited in line that number would have been cut in half even though it was a slack time of year.

Go, enjoy, be happy, make memories

Love
Mandy

 

[LindaBabe]

Elisa, maybe you can help me on this one. My sister any our oldest son will be coming with us on Jake's trip. MAW is not paying for either, but both my sister and my son's mother had to sign paperwork from MAW, and we were told that both of them can stay with us at GKTW. Now all the paperwork I have got, just has our names on it, not my sister or my son. So should I call GKTW and double check with them about my sister and son, or should I call my MAW office and make sure all is set?

Also will they be able to tell us the first day we get their, how much my sister and son need to pay for meals and Ice cream when we are the village?

Sorry for the confusion. This was the post I was answering - I should have quoted it. And, the good news is - it appears to have worked out ok (see dmbfan's post above)

 

[LeeLee2U]

Go to Guest Services in the parks.

Exactly what I was going to say!!

Also if Anyone is in a wheelchair in your party i think you will find that you don't wait near as long.

DH and I will be going by ourselves in AUG and i thnk we are going to discover how much that wheelchair really helped!!! We will have a GAC for DH but don't plan on using it unless It's a Dialysis day and we really need to!!

 

[LindaBabe]

OK I have asked this question in another thread:

I know my DD the wish child will be getting a GAC as well as MAW/GKTW buttons. But we have a little one also with disabilities that will be with us. Now we have someone coming on the trip with us to help out with this child. There may be times when we split up from them and they may take in some little kids rides on there own. It was suggested to me that I should get him his own GAC. My question is: Should I talk to the CM's at the MAW lounge about that or just get one from Guest Relations?

I would also recommend getting a 'stroller as wheelchair' label for the stroller, if the child is in one - and afix it securely and visibly to the stroller. If a CM doesn't see the label, a quiet word and indicate the label will take care of any misunderstandings in the queue where they might want to take your stroller to stroller parking. With this label, the stroller can be taken anywhere a wheelchair can go.

 

[Tamraj]

Thanks so much to all who answered my question ( I know I have a lot of them ) you guys have been a huge help to me so far and I love you for it

Thanks again Tammy

 

[maroo]

OK I have asked this question in another thread:

I know my DD the wish child will be getting a GAC as well as MAW/GKTW buttons. But we have a little one also with disabilities that will be with us. Now we have someone coming on the trip with us to help out with this child. There may be times when we split up from them and they may take in some little kids rides on there own. It was suggested to me that I should get him his own GAC. My question is: Should I talk to the CM's at the MAW lounge about that or just get one from Guest Relations?

I agree...Guest Relations...

Unless you can get someone at GKTW to just give you one...but I think they are pre-printed and they may not be able to...But it might save you a trip to Guest Services?

Thanks so much to all who answered my question ( I know I have a lot of them ) you guys have been a huge help to me so far and I love you for it

Thanks again Tammy

You are so welcome!! Ask away!! We have had lots of folks on recently! Which is great!!!

 

[5dwarves]

OK I have asked this question in another thread:

I know my DD the wish child will be getting a GAC as well as MAW/GKTW buttons. But we have a little one also with disabilities that will be with us. Now we have someone coming on the trip with us to help out with this child. There may be times when we split up from them and they may take in some little kids rides on there own. It was suggested to me that I should get him his own GAC. My question is: Should I talk to the CM's at the MAW lounge about that or just get one from Guest Relations?

I know half a dozen people have already responded to you. The GAC is a pretty special thing. Kind of like a security clearance or something. They are vital for special needs guests and ocassional abused by others. They are a protected thing. There is a spot on the GAC where someone has to vouch for the issuance and say where it was issued (which park). The GAC we got from GKTW had a spot for GKTW to say it was from them. I don't know if they will issue one to a non wish child. They have to account for them all I am sure. It does not take much time at all to get one issued at Guest Services. You will need to go to guest services anyway to get a stroller as wheelchair label and stamp for the wish child. We were there in the height of the summer season and it only took us 3-4 minutes total. Once you have it the first day, you won't have to worry about it again for the rest of the trip. Hope that helps.

 

[macntosh]

OK, another silly button question
We are definitely going to cater to everything that our daughter wants to do, but if we happen to pass a great big roller coaster that daddy can't live without going on and I stay and watch the kids while he gets on, will he have to wait in line even though he'll be decked out with make-a-wish shirt,buttons,ect.?

Daddy just wears her GAC and goes up and states he want's to ride the ride. I did it and didn't feel one bit bad. Actually found a ride Mya would enjoy. The other time is when the family got locked in a bathroom, but you will have to read my trip report to get that story.

 

[macntosh]

I agree...Guest Relations...

Unless you can get someone at GKTW to just give you one...but I think they are pre-printed and they may not be able to...But it might save you a trip to Guest Services?



You are so welcome!! Ask away!! We have had lots of folks on recently! Which is great!!!

You may need to go to guest relations anyhow to get a stroller=wheelchair pass, if your using a stroller as such. GKTW doesn't give you these, you must get them at GR. So if your already there then ask for the additional GAC.

 

[LeeLee2U]

You may need to go to guest relations anyhow to get a stroller=wheelchair pass, if your using a stroller as such. GKTW doesn't give you these, you must get them at GR. So if your already there then ask for the additional GAC.

you can also get a first visit button for anyone that this will be their first trip! it's worth it. I do believe that that got my boys more stuff than their WISH button did or possibly the combo. Everyone would stop and thell them how happy they were here for their first time etc.... Then they would read the other buttons and want to know about the WISH Kid. our buttons specified WISH recepient, Wish Dad, family member etc... but sometimes they would still ask who the WISH kid was! But anyway this gave the boys a lot of wonderfull memories and very special times.

But even without all that you will still have a good time. it's the WORLD after all!!

 

[5dwarves]

you can also get a first visit button for anyone that this will be their first trip! it's worth it. I do believe that that got my boys more stuff than their WISH button did or possibly the combo. Everyone would stop and thell them how happy they were here for their first time etc.... Then they would read the other buttons and want to know about the WISH Kid. our buttons specified WISH recepient, Wish Dad, family member etc... but sometimes they would still ask who the WISH kid was! But anyway this gave the boys a lot of wonderfull memories and very special times.

But even without all that you will still have a good time. it's the WORLD after all!!

They also give out Birthday buttons, so if anyone in your group has a birthday while they are there, make sure they get their free birthday button. Just another little special recognition.

 

[littlewarriorsmom]

Okay, this is funny ... last night, I had a NIGHTMARE about our Wish Trip!

I dreamed that plans suddenly changed and POW, we had to go on our trip with little warning! In my dream, we were there without things we needed, without my outline of plans, etc. Oh, and I hadn't signed up for the photopass, so I was looking around all over for the place to sign up there.

Think that's my conscience telling me to step it up?

We have this living room closet that last summer we designated the "hospital closet." It is still filled with the suitcases and such that we hauled back and forth to the hospital while Renn was in treatment. Yes, she's been off-chemo since November!

Well, it looks like it's going to be a rainy day today. The perfect day to clean out "the hospital closet" and turn it into the "vacation closet," right?

 

[WishMom09]

Okay, this is funny ... last night, I had a NIGHTMARE about our Wish Trip!

I dreamed that plans suddenly changed and POW, we had to go on our trip with little warning! In my dream, we were there without things we needed, without my outline of plans, etc. Oh, and I hadn't signed up for the photopass, so I was looking around all over for the place to sign up there.

Think that's my conscience telling me to step it up?

We have this living room closet that last summer we designated the "hospital closet." It is still filled with the suitcases and such that we hauled back and forth to the hospital while Renn was in treatment. Yes, she's been off-chemo since November!

Well, it looks like it's going to be a rainy day today. The perfect day to clean out "the hospital closet" and turn it into the "vacation closet," right?

I hope your nightmare was just your mind on overload!!

I am so jealous of your extra closet! What a great thing to have! You can start getting your stuff together and organized!

It won't be long now!!

 

[Somer]

Thanks everyone. I told my husband this, and he feels a lot better. There is NO WAY that he would ever go on a ride and leave us standing for hours waiting for him. He would rather not go on any rides, but since we probably will be able to get him to the front he is happy and looking forward to a couple of rides. We all want him to have fun too, he deserves it. It's good to know that we can slip through the back most of the time, we won't have to feel like we're rubbing it in anyones face and visibly cut in front of everyone.

Your wish child would be miserable sitting on a bench waiting for hours while daddy rides. Have daddy take the GAC, ride his ride and then meet back at the exit. Wish families are the last ones to abuse this privelage. Although this is the wish child's trip, it really is for the whole family. A child's chronic illness impacts everyone emotionally, physically, financially. The week you have in Orlando is your chance to be treated like a VIP and take your mind off your worries for a little bit.

For those feeling guilty about cutting in line......Our Becca was dreading the cutting in line scenario, she said that she didnt want to do it because she would feel really bad.
Well the best thing about how the lines are built and managed is that you hardly ever see the "real" line that you would have to stand in if you didnt have the Button/GAC.....In Disney you generally find the ride CM (who generally isnt at the line) and he/she will point you to the wheelchair entrance/exit, and at Seaworld/Universal Studios you would fiind their CM counterparts and they usually give you an escort through the back way of the ride.
The only time we encountered what you would call an obvious line jump would be the few times we were led to the front of Character meets.

So rest easy that you wont have your enjoyment spoilt by your own guilt, even though you should never feel guilty. The Magic Button is wonderful, we averaged around 5 rides per day, if we had waited in line that number would have been cut in half even though it was a slack time of year.

Go, enjoy, be happy, make memories

Love
Mandy

Daddy just wears her GAC and goes up and states he want's to ride the ride. I did it and didn't feel one bit bad. Actually found a ride Mya would enjoy. The other time is when the family got locked in a bathroom, but you will have to read my trip report to get that story.

 

[Tamraj]

OK I know you all are probably getting tired of me asking questions I am sorry about that... But what is a photopass and will we need it? BTW I am writing everything you guys help me with down in my planner book that way I know what I'm doing while we are there.

Thanks Tammy

 

[5dwarves]

OK I know you all are probably getting tired of me asking questions I am sorry about that... But what is a photopass and will we need it? BTW I am writing everything you guys help me with down in my planner book that way I know what I'm doing while we are there.

Thanks Tammy

Here is a web address...
http://www.disneyphotopass.com/

Disney cast members are photographers around the park. They will take pictures with characters, in front of scenic views...in several different locations all over all the parks. You can purchase them at the parks, or online on the website. You can also purchase a CD with all the photos. Once the CM takes your picture they will give you a card with a code on it. You can give that same card to every photographer, or you can get a new one and conglomerate them all on your account on the website or your dvd. Universal has the same thing. They gave one free 5x7 to GKTW kids at each location around the park. Two years ago they did, at least,...not sure about now. You have to get the pics at the park there...no web address.

 

[5dwarves]

Thanks everyone. I told my husband this, and he feels a lot better. There is NO WAY that he would ever go on a ride and leave us standing for hours waiting for him. He would rather not go on any rides, but since we probably will be able to get him to the front he is happy and looking forward to a couple of rides. We all want him to have fun too, he deserves it. It's good to know that we can slip through the back most of the time, we won't have to feel like we're rubbing it in anyones face and visibly cut in front of everyone.

Don't forget about child swap...parents and kids wait for the ride (even though the kids aren't riding). One parent rides, while the other parent stays with the kids, then the other parent rides...you are together, and the time lag is much shorter.

 

[Tamraj]

Disney cast members are photographers around the park. They will take pictures with characters, in front of scenic views...in several different locations all over all the parks. You can purchase them at the parks, or online on the website. You can also purchase a CD with all the photos. Once the CM takes your picture they will give you a card with a code on it. You can give that same card to every photographer, or you can get a new one and conglomerate them all on your account on the website or your dvd. Universal has the same thing. They gave one free 5x7 to GKTW kids at each location around the park. Two years ago they did, at least,...not sure about now. You have to get the pics at the park there...no web address.

Thanks so much

 

[macntosh]

Thanks so much

However to save money you should look into a Photopass Swap. By participating in one of these you can save lot's of money. I ran one and we all paid about $15 each. Now it's a little more work and others see your photo's but for the cost savings and all y'all see my photos here; I really didn't care.

You can find those on the Budget Board: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22 Just look for a photo pass swap for the time you will be there. I actually opened mine for free to families of MAW kids, but that doesn't mean others will do the same.

That being said if any family does get back before the 25th of this month. Let me know if you would be interested in getting your photopass photos for free. I may be able to just hold mine open till then as others are still manipulating their photos.

Another way to save money on this is to purchase it before going. Here is the link to that: http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitcdplan.aspx We took advantage of this, so with 6 other families the savings really added up.

You can also have these photographers do location shots for you, like Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and other places. I think they raised the sitting fee to $75 for this however. But with my pre-order it was only $25, not sure if it stayed the same.

Our group ended up with like 1400 pictures, I'm wondering how many discs that will be on?

There is also another posting on this board of individuals that have created some amazing frames for photos. You can find that at: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1126496

Hope all this info helps.

In regard to an earlier post about food. Boston Market is now served from 10:30 - 10:00 via in Villa Delivery or Pick-Up. It's really good, we took advantage of it twice.

You can also go to the Gingerbread House for breakfast and pick it up to-go. I did this often while the family was getting ready and we had hot food without so many carbs.

 

[twinmum]

Somer: OK, it's confession time for me! This will make you feel better.

Our first park day was at SeaWorld. Yes, we let the boys feed the stringrays as our first park activity of the Trip (Wish Trips deserve capital W's and T's!), but our first ride was the Kraken...which neither boys either could or would ride. Yup, my hubby rode it, then I rode it, then he rode it again...all while the boys just watched!

But...because of the GKTW button, all this took as many minutes as it takes for the Kraken to run about 6 cycles (the one Peter was on, the next that started while he was still on, then mine, etc). The boys took no notice, and we thanked them for waiting, and explained again that on this trip, everyone was going to have their chance to do whatever they really, really wanted to do!

We soon learned that Douglas, now taller enough for the "big coasters" LOVES them, and we frequently split up - Douglas and Dad to ride the coasters and Mark and me to meet more characters than I can possibly remember! Access/waiting for Douglas and Peter was never a problem.

Alison