Make A Wish Pass versus GAC

[courtnvm]

I am helping a friend, who's son is going on a MAW trip next week. I am helping her plan her days. I am familiar with a GAC since my daughter gets them, but I'm not familiar with the MAW card that Kyle will get. She said that the MAW card is used like the GAC, except his works for characters. Is this true? She's not been to Disney before and I know it can be a little overwhelming. He wants to see Rapunzel, and I know that is a RD thing normally, but if he has a card that will get him in without standing in line, then I don't want to tell them to get to Rapunzel first thing. Does this make sense?

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[LisaBi]

From my understanding, the GAC simply allows the holder a way to partake of all attractions - whether that be waiting elsewhere, skipping steps, using a stroller, etc. Whereas the kiddos traveling with MAW get the royal treatment (as they should!) and the MAW pass basically acts as a super-VIP front-of-the-line for everything! I do believe it allows them to skip character lines. Enjoy! (Please note: I use a GAC for my son, but do not have any first-hand experience with MAW).

 

[SueM in MN]

What has been posted in the past is that Guest Assistance cards, even for Make a Wish are not used for the outdoor character experiences where a character is just appearing in an area. This is per information from Guest Setvices and from what people were told. Individual CMs may be able to make some allowances for MAW, but I would not expect to be put invahead of other guests for those experiences, even with a MAW GAC.
GACs can be used for permanent character experiences, although they will not shorten the wait.
Since Rapunzel does have a permanent location, with established lines, they should be able to use their MAW GAC there.
They may not be put right into the line ahead of others, but may be given a time to come back or a place to wait away from others.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

I am helping a friend, who's son is going on a MAW trip next week. I am helping her plan her days. I am familiar with a GAC since my daughter gets them, but I'm not familiar with the MAW card that Kyle will get. She said that the MAW card is used like the GAC, except his works for characters. Is this true? She's not been to Disney before and I know it can be a little overwhelming. He wants to see Rapunzel, and I know that is a RD thing normally, but if he has a card that will get him in without standing in line, then I don't want to tell them to get to Rapunzel first thing. Does this make sense?

Thanks for your help!!!

I'm a wish child myself and my family and I got just got back from our wish trip not even a week ago. As for the "super V.I.P. front-of-the-line treatment,", that's not entirely true. Most of the times, the families will be sent through the fastpass line( which can get full during the evenings!) Sometimes, you will be allowed through the exit/disabled line even though you don't have a wheelchair-like me-( if the child is confined to a wheelchair, then in that case, they will always be sent to the wheelchiar line and wait from there). Seldomly, your child and family will be "escorted" to a backdoor entrance and another line and will be allowed immediate access. That happened to us only about three to four times at ALL Disney Parks.

As for the characters, what we did was look at the line, sorta walk towards the CM and let HER/HIM notice US. The card/GAC gave us priority in the character lines. When I took a photo with the character Flick at Animal Kingdom, there was fairly long line and the CM put me in front of everyone. I hugged Flick, Flick hugged my sister and we took the photos. I was shocked to see that after my photo, Flick LEFT!!

 

[SueM in MN]

They do the 'super VIP, front of line' MAW GAC for children who are very medically fragile or terminal at times - we have been in line with other guests with wheelchairs and had a MAW family put ahead of us.
But, even most families on MAW trips don't need that kind of access to have a great time.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

on grandson's MAW trip in June, we were given special treatment at character spots. we were moved to front of line many times, even when sign said no. MAW card does work for most chacacters we went to, even outside ones. Chip and Dale were kept out for us, after we were told they would be going on break when handler saw MAW button.

 

[Joanna71985]

As for the characters, what we did was look at the line, sorta walk towards the CM and let HER/HIM notice US. The card/GAC gave us priority in the character lines. When I took a photo with the character Flick at Animal Kingdom, there was fairly long line and the CM put me in front of everyone. I hugged Flick, Flick hugged my sister and we took the photos. I was shocked to see that after my photo, Flick LEFT!!

His time was probably up (and he would have been going in even if you weren't seeing him).

 

[RareHeartMom]

When we went on our son's MAW trip, we were told that the cards were good for assistance and alternate entrances, but was not meant to get to the front of the line at characters, but most of the cast members just see the cards and will help get you to the front of the line. It is great if you have a child who is weak and can't wait long, has sensory issues, or has issues with prolonged heat exposure, which my son is all 3. We are definitely grateful that the cast members were so helpful and we had a wonderful visit with no complications.