Confused about changes for Make-a-wish in terms of waiting in line

[HyperPippi]

Back in late 2013, my 10yo (HLHS) son got approved for a Disney MAW trip. At that time, we were told MAW kids would get to skip the lines. But when he started researching what he wanted to do, we discovered many rides (even simulator rides) said "No heart defects". When we asked cardiology, we were told those were unacceptable. So my son dropped his wish because he couldn't even go on Star Tours - the only Star Wars themed ride.

After having two more Disney wishes get denied after months of waiting for each (he wanted to be an extra in star wars 7 and then he wanted to go to the world premiere of star wars 7 underage), we were told that MAW has a new rule that a wish must be chosen within two years of the initial approval. My son just had no more ideas. He was tired and disappointed at being denied so much.

It became apparent he really wanted to do the first wish if only we could get cardiology's approval. We went to his annual appointment yesterday, and I brought my research about less restrictive rules imposed by the top hospitals for pediatric cardiology and the comparison of Disney roller coasters to the mega coaster used in the AHA study that said they could cause arrhythmias. Long story short, Cardiology listened and approved many of the "no heart defect" rides, but he still can't go on centripetal force rides or roller coasters over 50 mph.

We contacted MAW yesterday with the good news and they mentioned that there's no longer a difference for MAW kids in terms of line handling. They said Make-a-wish kids have to wait in lines now like everyone else. Due to his inability to tolerate heat over 85 degrees with his heart problems, he can only tolerate Florida weather between October and March.I'm kind of concerned that with his heart defect (still cyanotic after 4 heart surgeries with O2 levels around 93), he'll be exhausted just waiting in line. Is this true? I'm seeing on the boards here that MAW kids at Give Kids the World will still get a lanyard that would allow them to skip lines, but that doesn't match what MAW is telling me. Can someone please explain what the current policy is? I just don't know which is correct. Thanks.

Amy
- mom to Danny 10 (HLHS), Liam 7, Ryan 5, and Connor 2

 

[jmartinez1895]

A friend of mine just got back from a wish trip and they where given a lanyard with a pass that allowed them to go to the front of the line or enter the fast pass line. She said they even got to use it for characters that don't have fast pass( like the ones outside ).

 

[redberyl]

We went a year ago, the genie pass lanyard gets you into the fast pass lane. My daughter doesnt tolerate heat and tires easily because of her heart too. We only spent about 3 hours a day in the parks, but we still got to do everything we wanted except for the evening electrical parade, which she was just too worn out for.

 

[aaarcher86]

Is it through MAW directly, or a smaller organization that also grants wishes?

 

[HyperPippi]

This is directly through MAW.

 

[aaarcher86]

This is directly through MAW.

Perhaps it's just a miscommunication then. I believe the genie pass gets you directly into the FP line, so technically still a line.

None of the reports I've seen on MAW trips recently have mentioned any kind of change from what we've always known.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The Genie Pass is usually awarded through Give-Kids-The-World.
2) However, other MAW kids have been able to get it.
3) And, IT DOES, allow Front of Line Access, usually escorted by a CM.
4) Yep, some other guests may rumble a bit for being by-passed, but too freakin' bad.

 

[SueM in MN]

It sounds like your Wish giver may have heard about the change from GAC (Guest Assistance Card) to DAS (Disability Access Service) - or more likely, from your description, just heard GAC was ending and thought that meant the end of any special handling of guests on Wish trips.

This is a link to Disney's page of information about DAS.
https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...disability-access-service-card_2014-11-19.pdf

This is the important point about Wish Trips from that page:
Will Disney Parks continue to provide a service to wish-granting organizations?

This process will not affect those who are visiting on trips organized by wish-granting organizations.
Disney used to provide those special GAC passes themselves at the parks or at Give Kids the World. BUT, there were people who got the special stamp meant for use only with kids on Wish trips. Because of that, Disney no longer issues the Wish credentials at the parks.

There are some Wish Granting organizations that do not participate with Disney and do not get the special lanyard that allows them to skip lines. But, even people on trips with those non-participating organizations would still be able to get DAS, which will allow for waiting outside of lines. And, all guests can prearrange 3 Fastpass Plus.

 

[Grumpy6264]

I hope everything gets worked out and you have a great trip. Our daughter, soon to be 16 has HLHS, has trouble with the heat in s big way. We have always requested a GAC and that helped a lot. We haven't had an opportunity to try the DAS yet.

As far as rides, the only ride her cardiologist said to avoid was Mission Space the full ride.

I'm sure you will have plenty to keep you busy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Due to his inability to tolerate heat over 85 degrees with his heart problems, he can only tolerate Florida weather between October and March.I'm kind of concerned that with his heart defect (still cyanotic after 4 heart surgeries with O2 levels around 93), he'll be exhausted just waiting in line.

Then are you traveling during this period? He's going to spend much more time outside moving from attraction to attraction than outside waiting in line. It's just the way the parks are designed, vs how the individual attraction queues are. Most are indoors and air conditioned.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . As far as rides, the only ride her cardiologist said to avoid was Mission Space the full ride . . .

AND, looking at the hotel bill charges at check-out.

 

[Grumpy6264]

Heat is probably the most difficult thing that our daughter has to deal with when we go to WDW.

Make sure everyone stays hydrated. It sounds like a no brainer, but I think most people get dehydrated during a day in the parks.

Use indoor rides or water rides, Kali River Rapids especially, as a way too cool off.

What is his endurance like? Our daughter can pretty much go all day, but if she gets too hot or dehydrated, then it's time for a break.

 

[SueM in MN]

Heat is probably the most difficult thing that our daughter has to deal with when we go to WDW.

Make sure everyone stays hydrated. It sounds like a no brainer, but I think most people get dehydrated during a day in the parks.

Use indoor rides or water rides, Kali River Rapids especially, as a way too cool off.

What is his endurance like? Our daughter can pretty much go all day, but if she gets too hot or dehydrated, then it's time for a break.

important advice!

You can get ice water from any restaurant (counter service or full service), but not from the carts that sell soda pop, since they have no water and ice dispensers.

If you need a place to cool off or are felling unwell, First Aid is cool and has rooms with cots.

Soda pop or caffeinated drinks can dehydrate you because of the sugar and caffeine.

 

[Raisenbrand08]

When i went in 04 i was given a badge and when the cms see it they put you to the front to meet the characters or you go to the fp line which isnt much of a wait. i only had 1 issue and it was at ak they told me i couldnt use my badge to skip the line for the kali rapids.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . .
This is the important point about Wish Trips from that page:
Will Disney Parks continue to provide a service to wish-granting organizations?

1) Not all wish-granting organizations can get the Genie Pass privilege.
2) One has to ask the organization if they have a relationship with Disney for the Genie Pass.
3) I have had people in the past come to my desk and almost scream at me for no Genie Pass.
4) When I inquire, their sponsoring organization was not one of those approved for a Genie Pass.
5) And, there are no exceptions for those folks to get a GP.
. . . if on the list, you can get the pass
. . . if not on the list, no pass can be given

NOTE: It might sound arbitrary, but Disney has certain standards and requirements for approving organizations to be allowed to issue a Genie Pass to the families they sponsor.

 

[Firsttimer15]

Sorry but that is disgusting. Those are very sick children so the corp. decides which are worth a pass and which aren't based on what? Really it should be about the children, not money or whatever. Really really sad we have come to this point denying the children this.
Sorry but I would be very aggravated too if I took my very sick child to have a dream fulfilled and then somebody denies it. How would You feel if that was your child's dreams crushed?

 

[LilyWDW]

Sorry but that is disgusting. Those are very sick children so the corp. decides which are worth a pass and which aren't based on what? Really it should be about the children, not money or whatever. Really really sad we have come to this point denying the children this.
Sorry but I would be very aggravated too if I took my very sick child to have a dream fulfilled and then somebody denies it. How would You feel if that was your child's dreams crushed?

It's not Disney's fault. They choose specific organizations to put their support behind because they know that THOSE organizations do things a specific way. I think it is very smart for them to not put their name behind just any organization who says they "give wishes". Don't want to support a scam or questionable "charity".

The organization needs to be open and up front with those using them. It's not Disney's fault if they try to sell it off like they will get front of the line access.

 

[SMD]

Sorry but that is disgusting. Those are very sick children so the corp. decides which are worth a pass and which aren't based on what? Really it should be about the children, not money or whatever. Really really sad we have come to this point denying the children this.
Sorry but I would be very aggravated too if I took my very sick child to have a dream fulfilled and then somebody denies it. How would You feel if that was your child's dreams crushed?

Disney shouldn't be forced to have a relationship with every wish granted organization just because they may be sending sick children to the park. They provide something to the organizations they do have a relationship with, and we don't know the criteria, but there may be very good reasons why some organizations are operating without additional support from Disney.

 

[Gracie09]

Sorry but that is disgusting. Those are very sick children so the corp. decides which are worth a pass and which aren't based on what? Really it should be about the children, not money or whatever. Really really sad we have come to this point denying the children this.
Sorry but I would be very aggravated too if I took my very sick child to have a dream fulfilled and then somebody denies it. How would You feel if that was your child's dreams crushed?

Disney has decided which wish organizations it wants to partner with. Its not an evaluation of the children but the organization. There are many organizations that have extremely high overhead or administrative costs and spend very little funds raised on the kids. Disney may not want to partner with groups that aren't on the up and up.

https://smartasset.com/insights/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed

on this list alone - 2 or the top 3 worst charities are kids wish charities.

The kids still get to go to Disney they just don't get the genie pass.

 

[SueM in MN]

Disney has decided which wish organizations it wants to partner with. Its not an evaluation of the children but the organization. There are many organizations that have extremely high overhead or administrative costs and spend very little funds raised on the kids. Disney may not want to partner with groups that aren't on the up and up.

https://smartasset.com/insights/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed

on this list alone - 2 or the top 3 worst charities are kids wish charities.

The kids still get to go to Disney they just don't get the genie pass.

Those 2 children's Wish charities at the top of the list used to call us a lot to try to get us to donate to them.
They used very coercive and manipulative tactics to try to get people to donate.
We did not like their tactics, looked them up, saw that was a frequent complaint and, as the poster I quoted mentioned, they did not have a good track record.
Contributors and people receiving wishes need to be aware of the organizations they are dealing with.

I for one, am glad that Disney has standards they follow.