Make a Wish Help

[rachael95]

Hi,

A cousin's son has been approved for a MAW trip. I am trying to do a bit of research for her.

Where do MAW folks stay? I keep seeing something about GKTW. Give Kids the World. Is there a specific place they can stay or do they have to choose?

How do they get the button? Are the buttons used instead of FP+ or do they still have to do all the FP+ stuff that is typical of a trip now?

Is there anything else they need to know? I've given her my general tips on Disney but I'm not sure about tips for special needs situations.

Do they need to pay for "extras" like the Memory Maker? I have no idea how the finances of a MAW trip work so I'm trying to help her but don't have all the details and she's not sure what questions to ask since they've never been to Disney and don't know what's available to do.

I checked out the sticky thread, but honestly, I was a bit intimidated so didn't go through a ton of it.

Thanks!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

most MAW trips stay at GKTW which is not on Disney. GKTW is a great place to stay and granted my grandsons' trips were before the changes. we got all tickets and buttons for the parks at GKTW. all meals and treats at GKTW are free, make sure they have ice cream for breakfast at least once. there are a lot of activities and characters GKTW which are all included plus there are angels there that will use your camera to take pics so everyone is in the pics. there is a prearrival site for GKTW which will answer a lot of your questions. I can not answer for memory maker as it preMM but we were given the photopass disk as part of our trips

 

[FaithsWish]

Hi! In regards to looking for MAW information, you have come to the right place! I know that the Wish Tripper Unite stickies at the top of the page seem daunting but they hold a wealth of information!

And to be honest...I'm still working my way through them! I've only managed to read all of Wish Trippers 6, and part of 5, but in that I found answers to most of my questions.

My daughter was just granted a wish from MAW also.

What a great cousin you are to be helping her research!

 

[Yoshiandi]

Hi,

A cousin's son has been approved for a MAW trip. I am trying to do a bit of research for her.
***** YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where do MAW folks stay? I keep seeing something about GKTW. Give Kids the World. Is there a specific place they can stay or do they have to choose?

****When you get to Orlando and step off the plane, someone from GKTW will greet you with a HUGE sign with the child's name on it. They then take you to the car rental place and let you pick a car. There is a map on the back of the sign on how to get to GKTW. Pretty easy to follow and not far at all from the airport. Once you get to GKTW, they will set you up in one of the duplexes (which are super nice!) There is a "class" in the afternoon and evenings where they give you the packet of tickets, buttons, passes and explain how everything works.

How do they get the button? Are the buttons used instead of FP+ or do they still have to do all the FP+ stuff that is typical of a trip now?

With MAW, you get a pin from MAW, one from GKTW, and a special pass. On our trip, they either brought us to an alternate entrance and we got right on the ride, or they put us in the fast pass lane if it was short. At universal, they put us on the front of the line every time. Same goes for Meet and Greets at both places.

Is there anything else they need to know? I've given her my general tips on Disney but I'm not sure about tips for special needs situations.

**** Just let the wish granter know about anything and GKTW will get it set up. No worries. They are pros for EVERY type of medical situation or otherwise.

Do they need to pay for "extras" like the Memory Maker? I have no idea how the finances of a MAW trip work so I'm trying to help her but don't have all the details and she's not sure what questions to ask since they've never been to Disney and don't know what's available to do.

****NOPE!! They will get that for free in that packet. ALSO: MAW will give them more than enough spending money. You will have to pay NOTHING out of pocket. All the meals at GKTW are free. The money you get is for meals at the parks and anything you want to buy while you are there.

I checked out the sticky thread, but honestly, I was a bit intimidated so didn't go through a ton of it.


*****make sure they bring an extra suitcase. Every day that you come back to your rooms, they have gifts waiting for you. Also check out all the free stuff they do every day. Christmas with Santa handing out gifts, Trick or treating with stations everywhere and candy galore.

Give Kids the World is one of the most magical places I have ever been. Our trip still makes me tear up and it was 4 yrs ago. The whole family gets treated like royalty the entire time. Both my husband and I cried on the way home. The workers there are truly angels on earth and make the entire trip amazing for everyone.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Where do MAW folks stay? I keep seeing something about GKTW. Give Kids the World.
. . . GKTW does not house all the MAW trips
. . . they are not that big (I am a GKTW Volunteer Coordinator)
. . . with under 200 villas, people must go to other resorts/hotels
. . . unless the MAW-group is well funded, guests don't stay at WDW

Is there a specific place they can stay or do they have to choose?
. . . you normally do not get to choose your location
. . . that is up to the MAW-type agency to coordinate/pay

How do they get the button?
. . . the MAW-group or the location (eg. GKTW) issues the button
. . . it usually comes within a "packet" from the MAW-group or when at GKTW
. . . Disney DOES NOT issue the buttons at the parks or resorts
. . . so, if you don't get one, call the MAW agency quickly

Are the buttons used instead of FP+ or do they still have to do all the FP+ stuff that is typical of a trip now?
. . . they can be used in lieu of FP

Is there anything else they need to know? I've given her my general tips on Disney but I'm not sure about tips for special needs situations.
. . . check the sticky
. . . if further questions, just ask

Do they need to pay for "extras" like the Memory Maker?
. . . yes
. . . well, at least SOMEONE pays
. . . your MAW-group *usually* covers this as part of their trip benefits
. . . if not, then you pay if you want it
. . . some MAW-type groups are more well funded than others
. . . thus, for non-GKTW activities, there may or may not be additional costs to you

NOTE: If you are staying at GKTW, with the exception of some souvenirs,
everything within the resort is free. This includes activities, the Thursday
Santa visit, etc.

 

[rachael95]

Thanks everyone,

I got some more information from her (See below). Here are the details she sent me:

-------------
We will be staying at Give Kids a The World in Kissimmee Fl. Nov 17-23

We leave nov 16 stop that night (not sure where) and arrive in fl on 17

We have these tickets
3 day disney
2 day universal
1 day sea world

I believe a hopper pass too.
----------

 

[Friend of a Mouse]

I used to vnteer at GKTW and wish grant for MAW. Both organizations are really good about making sure the families have everything they need and take splendid care of them. It sounds like a great trip and thank you for supporting your cousin.

 

[PatMcDuck]

My daughter had a MAW trip to DL, not WDW, and was put into Paradise Pier, with a top floor room and view of the park. It was amazing.

She was 15 when she went and we had heard that sometimes older kids would request to be at a Disney resort hotel.

Hope they have a great trip!! They assigned us a phone number to call and make requests while there. For example, we got permission to use the pool at the Grand Californian one afternoon. We could have asked for a meet and greet too, but DD did not ask for one.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP if you have not gotten a list of activities at GKTW, maybe Rusty Scupper could get you one. that will be a big help in planning what they want to do. there are a lot of extra fun besides the parks at GKTW. and as a pp said make sure they have an extra suitcase or lots of extra room to bring back everything you are given at GKTW and that is not counting anything they buy at the parks. if MAW child is into superheros see if they still do the special M&G for wish kids. grandson and his brothers got to spend like 15 minutes with6 or 7 of them just off stage. look for them to be spoiled but it will be a busy trip

 

[TheRustyScupper]

to OP if you have not gotten a list of activities at GKTW, maybe Rusty Scupper could get you one . . .

1) ALMOST everthing you want/need to know about GKTW is at GKTW FAQ
2) For other questions, just ask.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

thanks Rusty I had lost the site with that info but I was sure you would know. thanks again. that was so helpful when I was planning grandsons trips

 

[rachael95]

1) ALMOST everthing you want/need to know about GKTW is at GKTW FAQ
2) For other questions, just ask.

This is perfect! Thank you so much. I'm sure this will help calm her nerves. I love that they include hospital and pharmacy info.