Make A Wish Questions

[connie1042]

Someone just got granted a MAW trip and asked if I could help with a plan. I am not versed in MAW trips, but I do know my way around Disney. The child is 5, girl. Wants to eat in the castle with the princesses. They go in Jan. and have not made any reservations. Would be a family of 4. Do they set aside an reservations for MAW kids? Do MAW kids get front of the line access, or do they use DAC cards? I have dealt with these, but I think MAW, should get front of the line access. This child is sun sensitive, so can not just sit in the sun to wait to get on a ride. I don't want to steer these people wrong. They are staying at GTCW and renting a car. Any help would be welcome.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Did you notice this thread pinned to the top of this forum? Start there.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...tions-wish-trippers-unite-volume-six.3084932/

 

[lanejudy]

We have a wish-trippers thread pinned at the top of this forum. Those posters will have the best info for you. http://www.disboards.com/threads/ma...tions-wish-trippers-unite-volume-six.3084932/

Kids on a true MAW trip do get a special pass, not the standard DAS. If the trip is sponsored through another organization, it may depend on which organization. I believe the genie pass is only available during the dates staying at GKTW, and the DAS is used if the family extends their trip beyond those dates. As to what else is "available" such as ADRs or BBB or such -- my understanding is that it depends on the specific wish as well as the local wish-granting organization and what they plan or cover. If the wish was specifically to "eat in the castle with the princesses" then a meal at the castle may be arranged for them, but the family will need to ask the wish-granter.

Thank you for helping the family, and best of luck to them on a magical wish trip!

 

[redberyl]

Someone just got granted a MAW trip and asked if I could help with a plan. I am not versed in MAW trips, but I do know my way around Disney. The child is 5, girl. Wants to eat in the castle with the princesses. They go in Jan. and have not made any reservations. Would be a family of 4. Do they set aside an reservations for MAW kids? Do MAW kids get front of the line access, or do they use DAC cards? I have dealt with these, but I think MAW, should get front of the line access. This child is sun sensitive, so can not just sit in the sun to wait to get on a ride. I don't want to steer these people wrong. They are staying at GTCW and renting a car. Any help would be welcome.

She will get the "genie pass" which is a lanyard her parents wear around their neck, it gets the family into the fast pass lane. If there is no go line, like at some character greets it will get them to front of line. When they call for reservations they should say on a maw trip, and reservations will often magically open up

 

[SueM in MN]

Just Time for a quick reply...
If eating at the castle is part of her wish, they should discuss that with their wish granter. They may be able to help.

As far as waiting in lines, kids on MAW trips use a spcial type of pass during the period of their wish trip, called a Genie pass. It does give much more access than DAS (Disability Access Service).
It is only available to kids on Wish trips from organization Disney has a relationship with. Make a Wish is one of those organizations, but not every wish granting organization is; those organizations would just be DAS.

 

[wilkeliza]

If it is a true Make A Wish they don't have to necessarily stay at GKTW to get the Genie pass. I met a Wish granter with Make A Wish who raise so much money for one little kid that they were able to sponsor them staying onsite. I can't imagine they would have upgraded them to an onsite deluxe room if they lost the pass. I think the only requirement is that they are traveling through a designated wish organization.

 

[lanejudy]

If it is a true Make A Wish they don't have to necessarily stay at GKTW to get the Genie pass.

True. I guess my statement would be more accurate explaining the Genie pass is only available during the dates they are sponsored by MAW. Some families extend their trip at their own expense, and I do not believe the Genie pass carries over into an extended trip. The DAS is used during extra days.

 

[wilkeliza]

True. I guess my statement would be more accurate explaining the Genie pass is only available during the dates they are sponsored by MAW. Some families extend their trip at their own expense, and I do not believe the Genie pass carries over into an extended trip. The DAS is used during extra days.

Yep unless they let the wish organization know before hand and give the wish organization the money to book the extra days etc the Genie pass does not extend. I don't think Make a Wish lets you extend through them.

I only remember very briefly MAW trips as my cousin got one when we were 5/6. I remember she got to ride in a carriage during the parade with Cinderella as that was her wish. I haven't seen a grand wish like that in a long time but I know years later her mom swears that trip boosted her spirits so much she went into remission. Sadly we lost her a year or two after that.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Genie Passes work for rides and attractions, with or without a WDW "guide" present.
. . . they are not truly "Front of the Line" passes
. . . but, the access is pretty quick, versus standing in line or doing FP's
2) However, they do not grant special access or privileges to restaurant ADR's or FP's.
3) However, some Concierge have Dining System Override Codes and can get them in anywhere and at any time.
. . . exceptions are capacity-limited eateries (HDDR, Luau, V&A)
. . . without an override, the MAW guest is subject to the same dining ressie system as everyone else
. . . some GKTW people know the right Concierge and can help
. . . the best bet is to make the ADR prior to the trip

NOTE1: To answer another part of the OP question, restaurants DO NOT set aside tables or ADR's for MAW guests.
.
NOTE2: As a GKTW Coordinator for Volunteers, I see this all the time.

 

[SilverLight]

I am needing some information on how MAW handles hotel stays if you are driving. We have a 2 day drive home, and have been told by our wish coordinator that the hotels have to be pre-booked at an exact location and time but since we were planning on using our last park ticket during our last day, after we check out of GKTW I have no idea how I'm supposed to plan this! I know hotel funds are in our expense check but it seems we can't check in ourselves. Just found out this morning and deadline to get info back to her is this afternoon!!

 

[Alicenwonderment]

If it is a true Make A Wish they don't have to necessarily stay at GKTW to get the Genie pass. I met a Wish granter with Make A Wish who raise so much money for one little kid that they were able to sponsor them staying onsite. I can't imagine they would have upgraded them to an onsite deluxe room if they lost the pass. I think the only requirement is that they are traveling through a designated wish organization.

Sometimes the wish organization will put them up in the Disney Hotels if Give Kids the World is full.

 

[wilkeliza]

Sometimes the wish organization will put them up in the Disney Hotels if Give Kids the World is full.

That is true as well. It is up the the organization and more importantly how much they have to grant the wish, which is what I was saying.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Sometimes the wish organization will put them up in the Disney Hotels if Give Kids the World is full.

1) Actually, more guests stay at places other than GKTW.
2) GKTW is in such high demand, they can't handle the load.
. . . GKTW takes reservations from over 250 Wish-Granting organizations
. . . that can be a lot of families visiting the area
3) MAW and MAW-like organizations pick places they can afford.
4) Sometimes it can be WDW resorts, sometimes other hotels in the area.

 

[Alicenwonderment]

That is true as well. It is up the the organization and more importantly how much they have to grant the wish, which is what I was saying.

I'm curious if different chapters have different amounts of money to spend on the wish? I was a wish granter about 10 years ago and have also talked with other families receiving a wish from other states. Sometimes things like car rentals weren't covered in some of the wishes and others spending money was given even for souvenirs on the trip. Also from what I saw on bills that came through MAW was given super low rates to pay for the airline tickets. I believe each ticket through Southwest was charged 50 dollars a ticket. Even 10 years ago that was a really good rate. If a child stays at GKTW I don't believe MAW or any other wish organization is charged for their stay. Meals in the village are also covered. That is why I love the village so much. It really is made from the love of all the donors and volunteers.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm curious if different chapters have different amounts of money to spend on the wish? I was a wish granter about 10 years ago and have also talked with other families receiving a wish from other states. Sometimes things like car rentals weren't covered in some of the wishes and others spending money was given even for souvenirs on the trip. Also from what I saw on bills that came through MAW was given super low rates to pay for the airline tickets. I believe each ticket through Southwest was charged 50 dollars a ticket. Even 10 years ago that was a really good rate. If a child stays at GKTW I don't believe MAW or any other wish organization is charged for their stay. Meals in the village are also covered. That is why I love the village so much. It really is made from the love of all the donors and volunteers.

From my understanding it is by chapter and also by the giver. So even between wishes out of the same chapter there can be differences in the amount. The one wish I have been involved in was simply because I worked at the Disney Store. Someone who wqs sponsoring a wish came in and had X amount of money to spend. We never told them when they went over and range the extra stuff up as a donation (with management approval of course).

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I'm curious if different chapters have different amounts of money to spend on the wish? . . . If a child stays at GKTW I don't believe MAW or any other wish organization is charged for their stay . . .

.
.
1) Every chapter has their own donors and budgets.
. . . there are helping businesses that cross many or all chapters (like flights)
. . . there are helping businesses that are specific to a single chapter
. . . each chapter has a cadre of expeditors/planners who try to find the best deals in order to grant a wish
. . . for any given granted wish, a planner could have different amounts to award
2) At GKTW, the ONLY things that cost money are some souvenirs they want to buy.
. . . all food is free (including ice cream for breakfast, if they wish)
. . . all villa expense is free
. . . all on-site entertainment is free
. . . all on-site activity is free
. . . all gifts to the kids are free