GKTW - how does it work?

[KateDrake]

Hey all!
I am a WDW and DLR vet, but I'm trying to help out a neighbor who is taking her DS6 on a Wish trip! I've never done a Wish trip before, and I'm wondering if you guys can offer any hints and tips. I was telling her things should be easier because she'll have a Wish pass that will help eliminate lines, etc. Is that still correct? Or will she need to get a DAS? My understanding was that Wish kids still get some other sort of tag or pass.

She was also wondering about using a stroller. Will she need to get a "stroller as a wheelchair" tag, or will the Wish pass thing cover that? Her DS can walk just fine, but he does tire easily, so using a stroller would be very helpful.

Are there any other tips you can offer to make a Wish trip even more special? We are looking for just basic info. She didn't even realize there were 4 parks instead of just one! And they only have three days at WDW, so they are looking to get as much done in that time as possible. They also have a beach day and are hitting Sea World, so if anyone has tips for those on a Wish trip, please let me know!

Thanks in advance for all your help! I hope I can help her to plan a trip that will be special for her son without being too overwhelming.

 

[alizesmom]

There are a few wish threads here that you can look at. Otherwise she will need wheelchair as stroller tag and I'm not sure if she can get it at GKTW or not. Wish trips are the one time the child gets front of the line 90% of the time. We had a few times it didn't happen so don't rely on it. Tell her to make sure to schedule some time at GKTW. it's a wonderful place.

 

[spacecanada]

If this will be their first time at WDW, only make plans to see two or three things per day. See what interests their son (and family) have and pick a few things to do each day - starting with the most exciting (if possible; some shows have specific times). If they try to do it all, they won't be able to and may be disappointed. If they pick just a few, they will have time to explore the park, take in the sights, meet characters, have time to rest and eat, and if they get more things done in the day, perfect. If not, they will still have a wonderful day in the park. It can be overwhelming going to WDW, even moreso as part of a wish trip because of the pressure for it to be perfect, so include some down time (at GKTW or the Wish lounges), some time to play at GKTW or the pool, and have fun.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

based on my 2 grandsons MAW trips at GKTW, they will have 3 days of hoppers to Disney, 2 days of hoppers to Universal/Islands of Adventure and 1 day at Sea World. we had to get the stroller as a wheelchair at Disney. there are a lot of special activities at GKTW in addition to the parks. a number of characters make appearances at GKTW. check out the prearrival page to see what is happening at the Village each day. from what I have read MAW still get pass card at check in at the Village. there is just not enough time to do everything at the parks and everything offered at the Village

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Your post's title was Give-Kids-The-World (GKTW):
. . . this is a non-profit resort for "Make-A-Wish"-type families
. . . to stay, you MUST be referred by a Wish-type agency
. . . one cannot petition as an individual
. . . when on-site, with exception of some souvenirs, EVERYTHING IS FREE
. . . they put up the family, fee them, give them LOTS AND LOTS of activities
. . . a child can ONLY come once as a guest
. . . but, if in town afterward, they are free to visit for the day as an alumnus

2) I was telling her things should be easier because she'll have a Wish pass that will help eliminate lines, etc. Is that still correct? Or will she need to get a DAS? My understanding was that Wish kids still get some other sort of tag or pass.
. . . there is no such thin as a "wish pass" granting special privileges at WDW
. . . I do not believe there ever has been one, at least of which I have heard of one for privileges
. . . there is the new DAS pas, if they qualify, and qualification is harder than the old GAC card
. . . plus, neither the DAS nor the GAC are front-of-the line passes, and never intended as such

3) She was also wondering about using a stroller. Will she need to get a "stroller as a wheelchair" tag
. . . yes
. . . but, occasional use makes it a stroller, not a wheelchair, in most cases

4) Or will the Wish pass thing cover that?
. . . no

5) Her DS can walk just fine, but he does tire easily, so using a stroller would be very helpful.
. . . tiring easily does not automatically qualify for a DAS pass
. . . in fact, in most cases, it will not qualify

6) Are there any other tips you can offer to make a Wish trip even more special?
. . . buy a guide book, such as "The Unofficial Guide to WDW"
. . . there are also touring books specifically for disabled guests



NOTE: All this info, and much more, will be provided to the family by the "Wish" agency that sponsors
them. I am a volunteer coordinator for GKTW, so hopefully the GKTW info helps you.

 

[KateDrake]

Thanks for the tips everyone! I found the Wish families thread and have been sending her links to some of the helpful tips. They are all set and head down to GKTW in mid-December! And she did say that they have a whole day planned just at the village, so that will be awesome!

I'm so thankful for the great people at GKTW who provide these trips! What a wish come true. And I'm also so thankful for my fellow DISers who are always there to lend a helping hand! I'm trying to convince my neighbor to join the Wish families thread, it looks like there is a ton of great info! Thanks all!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

from what we learned on one grandsons trip, hopefully they are leaving before Christmas eve. from notes we saw posted at GKTW, it looked like having meals was tough during Christmas eve and day. we were headed home on the 22, so we were not there but the signs were saying the main meal site would be closed those days

 

[DLRwish]

1) Your post's title was Give-Kids-The-World (GKTW):
. . . this is a non-profit resort for "Make-A-Wish"-type families
. . . to stay, you MUST be referred by a Wish-type agency
. . . one cannot petition as an individual
. . . when on-site, with exception of some souvenirs, EVERYTHING IS FREE
. . . they put up the family, fee them, give them LOTS AND LOTS of activities
. . . a child can ONLY come once as a guest
. . . but, if in town afterward, they are free to visit for the day as an alumnus

2) I was telling her things should be easier because she'll have a Wish pass that will help eliminate lines, etc. Is that still correct? Or will she need to get a DAS? My understanding was that Wish kids still get some other sort of tag or pass.
. . . there is no such thin as a "wish pass" granting special privileges at WDW
. . . I do not believe there ever has been one, at least of which I have heard of one for privileges
. . . there is the new DAS pas, if they qualify, and qualification is harder than the old GAC card
. . . plus, neither the DAS nor the GAC are front-of-the line passes, and never intended as such

3) She was also wondering about using a stroller. Will she need to get a "stroller as a wheelchair" tag
. . . yes
. . . but, occasional use makes it a stroller, not a wheelchair, in most cases

4) Or will the Wish pass thing cover that?
. . . no

5) Her DS can walk just fine, but he does tire easily, so using a stroller would be very helpful.
. . . tiring easily does not automatically qualify for a DAS pass
. . . in fact, in most cases, it will not qualify

6) Are there any other tips you can offer to make a Wish trip even more special?
. . . buy a guide book, such as "The Unofficial Guide to WDW"
. . . there are also touring books specifically for disabled guests



NOTE: All this info, and much more, will be provided to the family by the "Wish" agency that sponsors
them. I am a volunteer coordinator for GKTW, so hopefully the GKTW info helps you.

This is an incorrect post!

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad you found the Wish thread near the top of this board.
The majority of kids on Make a Wish trips stay at Give Kids the World.
People sometimes get it mixed up and think it is a Give Kids the World trip, but that is just the wonderful place that was set up specially for kids on Wish trips from various organizations to stay.

Hey all!
I am a WDW and DLR vet, but I'm trying to help out a neighbor who is taking her DS6 on a Wish trip! I've never done a Wish trip before, and I'm wondering if you guys can offer any hints and tips. I was telling her things should be easier because she'll have a Wish pass that will help eliminate lines, etc. Is that still correct? Or will she need to get a DAS? My understanding was that Wish kids still get some other sort of tag or pass.

Kids on Wish trips are not under the DAS (Disability Access Service).
Their program is handled separately and did not change when Disney introduced the DAS in October 2013.
They used to get a Guest Assistance Card, which was issued at Give a Kids the World. Now they get a Genie tag from their wish granting organization showing they are on a Wish trip. So, how they get it and what the card looks like are different, but they still will get access they need for attractions during their wish trip.

(The confirmation that their program is still the same is the last point in this Disney Blog site information about the DAS).
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/disney-parks-disability-access-service-card-fact-sheet/

She was also wondering about using a stroller. Will she need to get a "stroller as a wheelchair" tag, or will the Wish pass thing cover that? Her DS can walk just fine, but he does tire easily, so using a stroller would be very helpful.

Using a stroller as a wheelchair is different than the Genie tag.
Everything I have heard about using a stroller as a wheelchair indicates it works the same as it did before.
A tag (similar to a baggage tag) is placed on the stroller so that CMs can see it is to be treated as a wheelchair.
That means it can be brought into lines/attractions all the way to the point of boarding (or into the theater for shows) where strollers would not normally be allowed.

Are there any other tips you can offer to make a Wish trip even more special? We are looking for just basic info. She didn't even realize there were 4 parks instead of just one! And they only have three days at WDW, so they are looking to get as much done in that time as possible. They also have a beach day and are hitting Sea World, so if anyone has tips for those on a Wish trip, please let me know!

Thanks in advance for all your help! I hope I can help her to plan a trip that will be special for her son without being too overwhelming.

I agree with the poster who suggested picking 2 or 3 things for each park they plan on going to. If they do more than that - great - but there is no way to do everything and trying to do too much will be overwhelming and frustrating.

There is a good book called WDW For Kids By Kids that is especially nice for kids because it is aimed at them and talks about things like 'scare factor'.

Also, keep in mind there might be some attractions that the Wish child is too small for or ones that have warnings that mean he should not go on them. There is a post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread that talks about attractions with warnings. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.