Please tell me about GKTW/MAW trips

[muldey]

Hi!My family is going to Disney thanks to MAW.We're staying at GKTW,and would love some info about it.MY parents are also going,they are paying for their own plane tickets and park tickets,but are staying with us at GKTW.It's going to be a little odd,as they are divorced(12 years now!).What are the sleeping arrangments like?My ds will be 4 and sleeps with me and dh most of the time,dd will be 7 and can sleep with my mom if need be.

We'd also like to know what the food is like,ds(wish child,heart defects,he is also autistic,but high functioning) especially is a VERY picky eater.Is there yogurt available?He lives on the stuff!

How does the skipping the lines work?Also,will we be able to get seatings in restaurants?We do have ps for Cinderella's Royal Table,Sci-Fi,and Garden Grill(I think that's the name,in the Land at Epcot).I made these myself,I still can't believe I paid $50 just to hold the ps for CRT .We're also celebrating 3 b-days on this trip!Dd's,ds's and dh's actual b-day)the big 3-0!!) is 8/7.SO any info on b-days and WDW,SW,U/IOA would be great too.

Also,one other question.Is Disney Quest an option to go to,or is that something we'd have to pay for?Dh and I would love to go.Dd loves any type of arcade type place.We've never been to DW,hardly ever been out of RI !

Ok,another question. Sorry.Will there be strollers available to go to Downtown Disney(does GKTW have them to borrow?),or should I take my Maclaren?I'm just afraid to have it damaged or worse lost/stollen during the trip,as it was expensive.

We are just so excited!! We're going August 4th-10th.First time ever on a plane!Very nervous about that.Thanks so much,and please tell me things I didn't ask about if you think I'd like to know.Thanks again!

 

[Anne MN]

sleep arrangements-
there are 2 bedrooms- one is the master with a king bed (there is a crib in the closet if needed) br #2 is either 2 twin beds and a roll away in the closet (very comfortable) or a double (do not know for sure, have heard that is the other version) we had the twin beds
there is a very large bathroom in the 2nd bedroom (that is usually the kids) has roll in shower and seperate tub with the jets(very relaxing)
there is also a smaller bathroom in the hall that has just a shower.
the couch in the living room also is a double bed- slept on that for a couple nights, not bad, we took the matress and put it right on the floor

The food at the gingerbread house was great- it is donated by perkins- i know that when we were there there was yougart- if you have specific questions, they (wish granters) should tell you to call the village about 2 weeks prior to be sure that they have the correct diet restrictions (if any) I know that some need the glutin/casin free food. most if the food is kid friendly, my 3 loved it.

everything should be explained at orientation the first night at the village by the staff- that is when you get your tickets- they will also give you a GAC (guest assistance card) if you read other threads that should tell you about them. I can PM you with a couple of other things that are village specific about this, I do not want people who are "looking for ways around the system" to figure out a new way

disney quest is extra, at least when we were there, ask when you get to the village, they sometimes have "extra" tickets to DQ or the waterparks, at least that is what I have heard.

as for the stroller, we brought our double jogging stroller and had no problems with any attraction- the mac should be great, smaller than ours!

 

[SueM in MN]

GKTW has a great website. You can find it at www.gktw.org
You will be able to bring your stroller in line with you the same as a wheelchair if that would be helpful for your child. That helps with keeping trak of it since it will not be left with all the regular strollers. if you are worried about theft, you could bring a small cable or bike lock for it. You can't lock it to anything, but it is possible to either lock it so that it can't be folded (which discourages theft since it would need to be folded to go on the buses or the parking lot trams) or lock it so that it can only roll on 2 wheels (the CM could roll it on the 2 unlocked wheels if they need to, but it couldn't be used).
Downtown Disney has a larger problem with stroller theft than the parks do.
You can do a search of this forum for GKTW. The GACs (Guest Assistance Card) that WISH kids get are different than the usual GAC. The MAW/GKTW GACs do allow front of the line access. The regular GACs basically try to provide what accomidations are needed.

 

[buzz for boys]

Hi,
We went to Gktw in MArch this year and I can tell you it is the most amazing place ever!! I was like you and worried about everything from what there was to eat to whether my 3 boys would be able to sleep in a strange place.
My advice to you would be lokk forward to it and go with the flow as the best thing about the village is the unknown. The people at GKTW will do anything to help and when you are in the parks you will be amazed at how easy everything becomeas when you point out your special pin. Universal will treat you all like royalty and the staff there are amazing. Most of our really special memories come ffrom universal or IOA as they really went out of their way for us.
Birthdays at disney are great is it your wish childs birthday ?? If so make sure GKTW know about this in advance.
As for what food will you be able to eat if you struggle at GKTW (Which I very much doubt) there is a huge wal mart at the end of the road which if you dont have a car the volunteers will take you too.
But honestly I know you will have a wonderful time and come back with some extra special memories - Its impossible to stay at give kids without having fun xxx
If i can help further I will be only too pleased to help XX

 

[abbylukesmom]

Hi Muldey! We have alot in common! Our make a wish trip to set for December! My 4 year old sleeps with me too due to his disability! My 7 year old sleeps with my hubby because she feels left out!


My in laws are considering coming with us...they help so much with Luke's care, they would be valuable to have with us!

I'll be anxious to hear how your trip goes!!

 

[Reyasmom]

. Universal will treat you all like royalty and the staff there are amazing. Most of our really special memories come ffrom universal or IOA as they really went out of their way for us.

I know this is a longshot, but are there ever "extra" tickets to Discovery cove? I heard that Universal gives free ride photos. Is that true? Is there a limit? I'd love to hear more about Universal. I was considering skipping it, since I heard some of it isn't very fat friendly and I don't think I could deal with that kind of embarassment, but this is DD's trip and if it's that great I'll just suck it up and see how it goes.
Thanks
Amanda

 

[buzz for boys]

I know this is a longshot, but are there ever "extra" tickets to Discovery cove? I heard that Universal gives free ride photos. Is that true? Is there a limit? I'd love to hear more about Universal. I was considering skipping it, since I heard some of it isn't very fat friendly and I don't think I could deal with that kind of embarassment, but this is DD's trip and if it's that great I'll just suck it up and see how it goes.
Thanks
Amanda

When we were there there was a lot of people asking about discovery cove but GKTW dont give tickets out for this. We could not do this because my boys are all too young but I guess if you really want to do it I would write to DIS COVE direct and ask if there is anyway they could help. You never know they might.
Universal is totally amazing - I cant help with your issue but I can only reinforce that at all the atrracations they treated my son like royalty and we never had any cm treat us badly. The free photo is restricted to just one when we were there but I think its down to cm discretion as in one store we were given the toys for my ds for free when the cm saw his badge he said "for a special little man like you you can have it for nothing as a gift from all your friends at universal!!" We was gob smacked. At most of hte rodes you join fastpass que and at some you go into a vip waiting area.
Hope that helps x x x

 

[eeyore45]

Hoping Sue can find time to add a GKTW a sticky too!! (in your 'spare time' of course! Your work is appreciated! Well, then there is the problem with getting people to read the stickies... but I'm off topic...)

 

[seashoreCM]

Make A Wish guests get true unlimited FOTL (front of the line) access to all rides.

Depending on your MAW sponsor, Disney Quest may be included in your package. Most games and attractions inside do not require any additional charge. (Games that issue prize coupons do have an additional charge, also purchasing the toy or drawing you produce is an additional charge although just producing it is free.)

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[eeyore45]

Just read some great articles on GKTW, thought I would post them here in case it could help anyone.

http://www.themouseforless.com/community/givekidstheworld.shtml

http://www.gktw.org/

 

[DJBounce]

Eeyore45: Thanks for the article. It was wonderful!

 

[MarieS]

Great article--thanks!

 

[SueOKW]

Have a great time!!!!!!!!!

 

[PammyPoppins]

Hi!
Is there anyone who had their child's MAW trip thru Philadelphia Make a wish. If there is I woul dosme info. My e-mail is Pamandkimmy11@aol.com
My daughters wish trip is this October, 2006.
Thank-You

 

[SueM in MN]

Hoping Sue can find time to add a GKTW a sticky too!! (in your 'spare time' of course! Your work is appreciated! Well, then there is the problem with getting people to read the stickies... but I'm off topic...)

that's a good idea.
now, if I could just get some free time................