Make A Wish

[720L]

I know there is a MAW thread already and I tried reading some of it....but too much to go through. My niece is going on a MAW trip at the end of this month. Does anyone have any tips? They are staying at GKTW then added more days on after that at a Disney resort. How does the waiting in line thing work? Do they get a GAC card and not have to worry about Fastpass+?

 

[aaarcher86]

I know there is a MAW thread already and I tried reading some of it....but too much to go through. My niece is going on a MAW trip at the end of this month. Does anyone have any tips? They are staying at GKTW then added more days on after that at a Disney resort. How does the waiting in line thing work? Do they get a GAC card and not have to worry about Fastpass+?

For the portion if their trip not covered by MAW they would get a DAS based on the child's needs (GAC no longer exists) which works best when used with FP+.

The program is entirely separate and different from MAW and what comes with that. With the DAS they don't have to wait in the line, but they do have to wait the standby time minus 10 minutes. Example, if the wait is 60 minutes they would wait 50 minutes (doing whatever they want) and then enter the FP line after their wait time is up. You can only have one time active on the DAS at a time which is why they will also want to schedule FP+ times.

With MAW I believe they can just hop on rides as they wish with a Genie pass and they wouldn't need to worry about FP+ for that portion but I've never experienced it myself.

 

[720L]

Thanks--this is info they got from GKTW resort:

"Each family member and the Wish Child receive three-day park hopper tickets, free of charge. The Wish Child’s GKTW “Magic” button and a WDW Guest Assistance Pass provides “fast pass” service to the families, allowing them to fully enjoy the attractions offered at each park and cost-free parking! In their traditional style, Walt Disney World Cast Members provide excellent guest service to the families as well including an invitation to the Wish Lounge, located at the Magic Kingdom. This special room is dedicated to wish children and their families, recognizing the special needs and attention of each family."

It says "Guest Assistance Pass"---isn't that GAC?

Can anyone else help?

 

[newdrama12]

Thanks--this is info they got from GKTW resort: "Each family member and the Wish Child receive three-day park hopper tickets, free of charge. The Wish Child’s GKTW “Magic” button and a WDW Guest Assistance Pass provides “fast pass” service to the families, allowing them to fully enjoy the attractions offered at each park and cost-free parking! In their traditional style, Walt Disney World Cast Members provide excellent guest service to the families as well including an invitation to the Wish Lounge, located at the Magic Kingdom. This special room is dedicated to wish children and their families, recognizing the special needs and attention of each family." It says "Guest Assistance Pass"---isn't that GAC? Can anyone else help?

It will be the DAS. GKTW probably just hasn't updated their info sheets yet.

 

[2tinkerbell]

For the portion if their trip not covered by MAW they would get a DAS based on the child's needs (GAC no longer exists) which works best when used with FP+.

The program is entirely separate and different from MAW and what comes with that. With the DAS they don't have to wait in the line, but they do have to wait the standby time minus 10 minutes. Example, if the wait is 60 minutes they would wait 50 minutes (doing whatever they want) and then enter the FP line after their wait time is up. You can only have one time active on the DAS at a time which is why they will also want to schedule FP+ times.

With MAW I believe they can just hop on rides as they wish with a Genie pass and they wouldn't need to worry about FP+ for that portion but I've never experienced it myself.

This information is correct. They won't receive the same benefits on their extended portion of their trip as they will on the MAW protion. The DAS has replaced the old GAC program. It appears that MAW has not updated their information. I suggest that your family read up on the DAS and also how others are making it work for them. The combination of DAS and FP+ has been very successful - but it does take some knowledge and planning.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I know there is a MAW thread already and I tried reading some of it....but too much to go through. My niece is going on a MAW trip at the end of this month. Does anyone have any tips? They are staying at GKTW then added more days on after that at a Disney resort. How does the waiting in line thing work? Do they get a GAC card and not have to worry about Fastpass+?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3084932&page=50

Since you don't want to go through the entire MAW thread, the link above takes you to the next to last page, which talks about ride entry for the MAW portion of the trip.

For the non-MAW portion of the trip, they can use FP+ and, if your niece qualifies, the DAS.

 

[aaarcher86]

Thanks--this is info they got from GKTW resort:

"Each family member and the Wish Child receive three-day park hopper tickets, free of charge. The Wish Child’s GKTW “Magic” button and a WDW Guest Assistance Pass provides “fast pass” service to the families, allowing them to fully enjoy the attractions offered at each park and cost-free parking! In their traditional style, Walt Disney World Cast Members provide excellent guest service to the families as well including an invitation to the Wish Lounge, located at the Magic Kingdom. This special room is dedicated to wish children and their families, recognizing the special needs and attention of each family."

It says "Guest Assistance Pass"---isn't that GAC?

Can anyone else help?

It will be the DAS. GKTW probably just hasn't updated their info sheets yet.

The pass that Wish kids get is completely different than the pass regular park goers use, so no. It's not the GAC but it works in a similar way. Even when the GAC was around, the Wish kids had a different pass/treatment.

You will not get the DAS during your Wish portion but it will be something you can utilize during your paid portion since the Wish stuff won't carry through.

 

[720L]

Thanks everyone I will pass this information on to them.

 

[thankudrivethru]

Lots of good info in here, maybe just try to take a second look
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3084932

 

[Coonhound]

You do not want to read the thread about maw, but you want people to post responses that you can read here, which were already posted in the thread mentioned.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Have your niece's family call GKTW directly.
2) The kids are treated like royalty at WDW and at GKTW.
3) I will not go into the perks at WDW in public (you really need to read the MAW thread, yourself).
4) However, at GKTW,
. . . with exception of some souvenirs, EVERYTHING is free !!!!!!!!!!
. . . you can have ice cream for breakfast if you like - all you want
. . . pizza, chicken, etc can be delivered to the their villa
. . . Thursday is Christmas Day
. . . every day, all the kids (MAW and siblings) get a gift
. . . there are so many activities, many guests never leave GKTW
. . . once an alumni, you are welcomed back ANYTIME as a day-guest
. . . every child wins something at the "Idol" talent show
. . . several of pools and playgrounds tailored to special needs
. . . lots of kiddie rides and kiddie attractions

NOTE: GKTW staff and the MANY volunteers know how to treat their kids,
and to us, every kid is ours! Yes, it is a vacation for the kids, but it is
even a bigger vacation for the parents. The parent are used to giving
up so much for the care of the kids, and here, they get to play while
we help take care of the children! Just like the Grand Canyon, GKTW
is one place that never fails to exceed expectations.

 

[720L]

You do not want to read the thread about maw, but you want people to post responses that you can read here, which were already posted in the thread mentioned.

Yep

 

[720L]

1) Have your niece's family call GKTW directly.
2) The kids are treated like royalty at WDW and at GKTW.
3) I will not go into the perks at WDW in public (you really need to read the MAW thread, yourself).
4) However, at GKTW,
. . . with exception of some souvenirs, EVERYTHING is free !!!!!!!!!!
. . . you can have ice cream for breakfast if you like - all you want
. . . pizza, chicken, etc can be delivered to the their villa
. . . Thursday is Christmas Day
. . . every day, all the kids (MAW and siblings) get a gift
. . . there are so many activities, many guests never leave GKTW
. . . once an alumni, you are welcomed back ANYTIME as a day-guest
. . . every child wins something at the "Idol" talent show
. . . several of pools and playgrounds tailored to special needs
. . . lots of kiddie rides and kiddie attractions

NOTE: GKTW staff and the MANY volunteers know how to treat their kids,
and to us, every kid is ours! Yes, it is a vacation for the kids, but it is
even a bigger vacation for the parents. The parent are used to giving
up so much for the care of the kids, and here, they get to play while
we help take care of the children! Just like the Grand Canyon, GKTW
is one place that never fails to exceed expectations.

They know and I know every thing you listed here, but we couldn't seem to get an answer on how they get on rides. This is the first we have heard of a Genie pass. Maybe the closer they get to their trip the better info they will have on what happens AT the park. We know what happens at GKTW.

 

[Yoshiandi]

if your niece is going, then perhaps you can log in and let her mother read the threads??

 

[720L]

if your niece is going, then perhaps you can log in and let her mother read the threads??

They are very busy with a little girl that has leukemia and 3 more kids. I'm just trying to help them figure this out. All I wanted to know is how they get on rides. Their wish coordinator hasn't talked to them about this yet, she probably will, but they are very excited and just wondered if I had the answers.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

besides the parks there are a lot of activities at GKTW that they will want to take part in. the magic button for MAW part of trip, wish child has to be riding to use, can not be used by other kids if MAW child is not riding. all will be explained at the parent meeting that one parent goes to on first day at GKTW. for the resort part of trip DAS card rules will apply. since my grandsons trips were before Fast Pass+ I am not sure how that works. if they decide to see any of the characters that visit GKTW, there are "angels" who will use your camera so whole family can be in pictures. also plan on lots of room in suitcases to bring home all the stuff the kids will be given.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Their wish coordinator hasn't talked to them about this yet, she probably will . . .

1) Her coordinator will have LOTS to discuss, including the WDW Genie.
2) There is just too much to cover here.
3) I deal with questions like this 5-6 times per month at GKTW.
4) And, it is best left to the MAW coordinators or GKTW Angels.

NOTE: This is not meant to be snide, but there are just some things better
explained by "the pros" than in a forum.

 

[720L]

1) Her coordinator will have LOTS to discuss, including the WDW Genie.
2) There is just too much to cover here.
3) I deal with questions like this 5-6 times per month at GKTW.
4) And, it is best left to the MAW coordinators or GKTW Angels.

NOTE: This is not meant to be snide, but there are just some things better
explained by "the pros" than in a forum.

Totally understand! Thank you! I just want their trip to be perfect for that little girl!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

during the MAW part of trip with all the extra activities at GKTW I would have them plan what they want to do there and what they want to do during their days at Disney resort. there just is not time to do everything that you want to do. yes there are a lot of special things at GKTW.