Our first WDW trip through MAW

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thanks! I'm glad I can be of help. I know planning a Disney trip can be a little overwhelming.

Well, let's just say that WDW has 60,000 plus CMs. It's the world's largets on-site employer. I believe Phase 4 for MK is somewhere around 75,000 guests, but please don't quote me on that.

Don't worry too much about hurricane season. Most hurricanes are Aug-Nov. I lived through Charlie on my first CP and it really wasn't that bad. Orlando is in the smack dab center of the state so hurricanes lose their steam by the time they hit there. Plus there's no ocean for the storm surge.

Yes, it will probably rain every day. It will rain just long enough for you to buy a poncho and by the time you unwrap it will stop, but while it is raining you will feel like you are swimming. I remember one time literally wading across the parking lot at the Poly and havin to take off my flip flops because they had slipped off my feet and were starting to float away! However, if you plan for it (bring ponchos and umbrellas) it can be the best time to hit the rides because everybody runs for cover. As long as it is not lightning the outdoor rides will be open and it is actually really fun to ride them in the rain! One of my favorite Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (BTMR) memories is riding it on my lunchbreak between parades during a downpour.

Yes, the crowds will be a pain. You will have to allow extra time to get around and maneuver, and getting ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) this late in the game is going to be tricky...BUT: You are MAW and we will always do whatever we can to accommodate! This means that you will not be waiting in the lines like everyone else, and if you let people know you are MAW whil trying to book ADRs, they may be able to do a little extra magic for you. No guarantees, but it is always worth a try.

As far as the heat goes... it's miserable, but it's doable! Definitely hit the water rides to cool off, and every park has play areas with water (except maybe DHS). You'll want to scout those out so you can cool off. Fan misters can be found for $5 at most Wal-Marts, and you can also get these neck things that you put in cool water and then tie around your neck. They help keep you cool. Sunblock will be a must, and make sure that you stay hydrated. In most lands there is a good mix of indoor and outdoor attractions.

If you get overheated, duck into an indoor attraction, show, or shop, and cool off. Don't be afraid to sit down and take breaks. There is a Wish lounge at MK and VIP lounges at Epcot. In DHS, the Writer's Stop (a little bakery/bookshop) has some comfy chairs and is very out of the way. It's a nice place to cool off and regroup. At DAK, taking the train to RPW (Rafiki's Planet Watch) which is rarely crowded is a good way to cool off. The majority of RPW is inside, and teaches the kids about conservation. Jiminy Cricket and Rafiki can normally be found there, and there is even a petting zoo for the kids! They can also watch the veterinarians prepare food and do work on the animals. It's a great place for the kids.

You can also plan to go to GKTW for a rest in the middle of the day. They have two pools, one of which has a zero depth entry and special water proof wheelchairs if you need it. Don't forget the ice cream palace! If you read Wendy's TR then you know all about the banana splits! Just be forewarned that on the 4th your best bet is to get to the parks early and stay there the whole day if you can. (If you want to see the fireworks). That is the only day I would not recommend taking a break. You may also want to plan for the day after the 4th (probably the hottest and most tiring day) to stay at the resort all day. GKTW is amazing- there really is so much to do! I would recommend giving up one of your US days to stay at GKTW. It's not really a great place for young children, there isn't as much for them to do as Disney there and you can probably hit it one day.

Because it is busy there is a chance you will not be able to stay at GKTW. They are currently expanding and trying to double their occupancy. During peak times people who do not get to stay at GKTW will normally stay somewhere on Disney property but will still be give full use of the amenities at GKTW.

 

[wendygrace]

EEyores Butterfly you are the shinizzle Kids are awesome. xox So are you.
Wendy I read your trip report and cry every time I tell someone about it.Give that kid hugs and kisses for me would ya .

I am glad you enjoyed it.


I would definetly be careful and plan carefully for the fourth. Definetly follow the advice given to pick a park and stick with it. I would recommend avoiding MK (I like the idea of going the day before for the show though). Also, remember that Epcot has two special VIP lounges that will really come in handy if you go there on the fourth. DHS would have a first aid station that I am sure you would be more than welcome to stay for awhile. There is also a book called "Passporter's Open Mouse" that is great that tells you everything you need to know about special needs at Disney. Also remember that GKTW will have a ton of activities that week and you should get a schedule the first day you're there to try and help you plan which activities you'd want to do. Also, remember that if you end up staying on site, you'll have disney transportation to get you to and from the parks. I can't wait until you get details of your trip!

 

[alizesmom]

Thursday I was working as "line greeter" outside Typhoon's gates and I saw a family going to one of the ticket windows that was a MAW family. I knew that they don't get free tickets to the water parks from GKTW, but I did a fast check with my lead, went to the window where they were buying tickets and told the ticket seller to stop the transaction, and escorted the family through the gate.

I also told them about DisBoards and disABILITIES.

Bless you for making their wish trip even more special. Karen

 

[5dwarves]

Thanks!
I should share about the family then? Mom of four. Only one going on the wish trip. Heart transplant recipient. Gorgeous boy, 5 in August. We just had our meeting Wednesday. I think we will be going for the fourth of July.
My biggest concern is how much money I should bring for the trip at the moment. Seems like we picked the hottest rainiest time in Fl now that I'm researching the trip but I'm still I really love feedback thank you for noticing me! Will we need to reserve things or does MAW do it? Will he have to wait for shows? I've read about keeping cool and what not which is great because he cant get heated too much. Hid doctor is supposed to be calling about Sea World and swimming with the dolphins. We haven't done anything since his surgery too much, 3 trips to Chattanooga Choo Choo.
I'm reallt way too excited for him. Theres not much in TN to do! I thought maybe the trip would be a day or two but they let the kids stay longer I guess. Wow. I can't believe we're going!!

My son is a liver transplant patient (2+ years now). We are in No. Alabama, about 30 minutes from the TN line. When we go to Chattanooga (about 2 hours away) it is to see the penguins at the Aquarium. My son couldn't go in a pool or the ocean until he was 1 year post transplant. He will never be able to go in a lake or river (high bacteria content). Since the water with the dolphins is salt water, it may be okay, but your dr. knows best!!! We made a friend at the hospital who was a double tx...heart and lungs, and she was doing well. Hope all continues to go well for your little guy!

We were in FL last year on my son's wish trip and the whole family (7 of us) went. Each agency gives a different expense amount (even varies within agencies such as MAW from state to state.) Things they take into consideration are the number of people in your party, whether you are flying or driving, etc. You will have two meals a day provided at GKTW. The wish organizations usually provide for one meal per person per day and some expense money for the wish child, along with gas money and toll fees (for your rental car). There is a ton of info on the wish trippers unite thread, along with links to wish family tr's. I am glad to see you have read Wendy's. Hers was the first I read too. Micheal and Danae had a wonderful experience. Keep asking your questions. We have all been where you are and want to help remove your anxiety.

~Elisa

Have a great trip. I usually don't read this type of post, but something drew me to it while I was surfing the forum. I am the mother of a child that gave the gift of life back in 1997. I will be thinking of you and your little boy this July 4th.

The advice I read re: the fan misters--be sure to find the battery operated ones that mist water. I had a hard time finding them--of all places found at Six Flags near my house. They were $5--figured Wal-Mart couldn't be that much cheaper.

Wow...I haven't teared up reading the boards in some time, but your post got to me. I am also the beneficiary of someone who donated life after having lost a child. Thank you for giving selflessly. My son was on borrowed time when he received his new liver. I will forever be grateful to his donor family. I haven't written them through UNOS yet. I have been afraid to because I have been afraid to make them re-live their heartache. It was two years at the end of April. Do you think the timing is right to contact them?

We bought mister fans at Walmart, but didn't test them out until we got to GKTW. They leaked and I ended up tossing them. My advice is to test them before you go and return the bad ones if you need to. The ones at Disney are $20, btw. I found them back where they kept the ceiling fans and not where the summer merchandise was. I also got rain panchos at Walmart in the camping section. They are $1 each and they are smaller than those purse packs of kleenex...easy to carry.

~Elisa

...I was also sad to see that one person said the CMs at Disney were not very accommodating and Universal was much better. Please know that this is the exception to the rule. ...

This really surprises me. Our experience was soooo different. Disney CM's have it hands down. When we were at Universal and hot and sweaty, I stood in line to get my kids Icee's. The team member there barely looked up at me and said, "yeah"... instead of "can I help you, or what can I get you..." The difference in the level of service and caring was night and day for us...Disney CMs were so much better than the Universal TMs.

~Elisa

 

[mistymouse5001]

I'm about 5 minutes from Salem Alabama

 

[mistymouse5001]

Thank you so much for all of the great information, I'll run my printer plum out of ink printing all or your guidance It's a great help xox

 

[bex271]

other people from alabama we live near mobile.

becca

 

[SueM in MN]

DHS would have a first aid station that I am sure you would be more than welcome to stay for awhile.

All the parks have a First Aid station and all have been helpful in our experience.

There is also a book called "Passporter's Open Mouse" that is great that tells you everything you need to know about special needs at Disney.

Just a little warning - the Open Mouse book can be a bit overwhelming. I was one of the peer reviewers for the First edition in 2006 and Cheshire Figment reviewed parts of the current edition.
The book is very long (about 380 pages) and can seem like there is too much to absorb.
I'd suggest looking thru it to get an idea how it is organized. Then, go thru and check out the parts that seem most important to your needs. Mark places with bookmarks or post it notes so you can look at them better later. I'd suggest highlighting parts you want to remember, but if you start underlining too soon, you will likely underline too much to be helpful.

There is a link in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread to the WISH Tripper's Community Board thread (just in case you loose your way to find it).

Bless you for making their wish trip even more special. Karen

 

[palpluto]

We went on my 4 yr old son's wish trip last December. He loves Mickey and Pluto. WDW was what we wanted to do. But, I thought we would go to US/ IOA one day. They treated my son like the president. They were so awesome we ended up going back another day, because we knew this was a one time deal. One thing they did was put us up front for the Barney show and told us to stay in our seats after. Barney came out and hung out with Ryan until Ryan was done with him. I kept thinking how Ryan would have been in heaven if that was Mickey or Pluto, but we did not have those experiences at WDW. Pluto did come to GKTW on the last morning of our trip, so that was awesome. So, we had a great time everywhere, but we were very surprised how special we were treated at both Universal and Sea World compared to WDW. I guess I expected it at WDW, but it was definately more "special" at US and Sea World as far as trip of a lifetime. There were a couple CMs at WDW that were very nice and seemed to go out of their way, like brought us up to see a character, but there were others that were really not. At one time my daughter who is 20 took my son on a ride while I went with my other son to get a drink and forgot to give them the GAC. The CM did not let them use the alternate line even though he had his button and Make A Wish shirt. By the time they found me he was too tired and dissappointed to go back. I know they worry about fraud with the buttons, but I would have thought it would be better to risk a fraud button and MAW shirt than to dissappoint a little kid on his wish trip.
Anyway, don't want to be down on WDW and we would love to go back. My son remains Mickey and Pluto obsessed. But, my point is you just don't know where your magic will happen. It was a huge surprise to us.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

pal I'm sorry to hear that you had issues with the Disney CMs, it's very sad. You might want to write a letter to GR to let them know about what happened with the button/GAC. Whenever that happened when I worked attractions I would let them on but remind them that they need to have the GAC.

 

[SueM in MN]

At one time my daughter who is 20 took my son on a ride while I went with my other son to get a drink and forgot to give them the GAC. The CM did not let them use the alternate line even though he had his button and Make A Wish shirt. By the time they found me he was too tired and dissappointed to go back. I know they worry about fraud with the buttons, but I would have thought it would be better to risk a fraud button and MAW shirt than to dissappoint a little kid on his wish trip.

Just a note about this - in the past, everyone on a WISH trip got the same 'message' stamped on their Guest Assistance Card, which gave access like Eeyores Butterfly posted a few posts back.
When everyone on a WISH trip was in the same condition (i. e. had a terminal illness or were very medically fragile), they all had the same needs and all needed that type of access.

Because of changes in the MAW and other WISH programs, there are now many children going on WISH trips who have life threatening illnesses, who are in stable condition and don't need that same level of access for their trip. People who have gone on WISH trips in the last few years have posted that their children who were in that situation got a GAC that was based on the child's needs (in the way GACs are explained in the disABILITIES FAQs thread). So, seeing a child has a MAW button on does not necessarily tell what access they will need/get. Even if you get the GAC at Give Kids the World, it's important to think about the child's needs so you are able to get a GAC that reflects those needs.

I do agree though that CMs should err on the side of more access if they are not sure.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Sue: I have not heard that. Do you know when the change took place? That last time I worked (06), all Wish trips were treated the same. Most CMs didn't even ask to see the GAC. If we saw the button, or even the Panama Jack shirts, we would immediately go up to them to offer expedited access- before they ever had a chance to say something.

 

[SueM in MN]

I believe it started during 2006 sometime.
when you think of the changes in MAW and who is eligible for a MAW trip, it makes sense to concentrate on needs. at the same time, we have seen some people on MAW trips who obviously have greater needs and have bypassed all the other people with special needs who were already waiting to board. This has happened to us several times, the most recent while waiting for Jungle Cruise and the Safari. Not a problem, people saw the MAW and understood

 

[mistymouse5001]

Our trip is now going to be sometime in September so I can relax a little. Thank you for all of this info my goodness! I'll be living in the halls of this forum for weeks!

 

[Bill_Lin]

Hey, we got the royal treatment, no questions asked with our GAP and GAC. We waited in only one line for a ride and that was because the line was too short to justify a back entry line that day. We waited in line for no character greets. We were given special buttons and pins and... what can I say. My daughter does NOT have mobility concerns other than general stamina issues with Addison's disease, yet she got direct access or Fast Pass entry to all attractions.

Bill

 

[PatMcDuck]

We have a MAW trip to DL in August.

I can't find the posts concerning MAW trips. I looked in FAQ, and tried to do a search (it just hung there)

If anyone can post links, thanks!

 

[HeatherN]

PatMcDuck-I am not good at posting links yet but if you go back to page 2 of this post an look at #22.It's a post by WendyGrace-in the bottom(her signature) there are a few links to wish trip stuff. When are you going on Aug??? We will be on a wish trip Aug 2.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have a MAW trip to DL in August.

I can't find the posts concerning MAW trips. I looked in FAQ, and tried to do a search (it just hung there)

If anyone can post links, thanks!

It's in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There is a link in my signature to that thread. If you look toward the top of the list of threads for this forum, it has a green arrow pointing toward it in the yellow column.

 

[Bill_Lin]

Pat,

I have some links on my signature that are all about MAW trips. They are about WDW, but most of the items apply to DL. I am a DL vet as well, and am very interested in providing tipshttp://start.ubuntu.com/8.04/ for you.

Check out my link to The Home Page for Wish Trippers especially.

Bill

 

[Bill_Lin]

In fact, we are going to DL in early September for our World Passport Trip (we have to pay for DL tickets but will get in free to Knott's Berry Farm, Magic Mt., San Diego Zoo, Adventure Kingdom, Great America and Legoland.

Bill