Going on wish trip...have questions about GAC?

[scrapperjill]

Okay...we are going on a family wish trip thorugh the Wishing star foundation for my dd(6) my question is should we ge her a GAC when we get to the park...I'm just not sure because I'm really not sure I understand what it is or what it is for.

Any input would be much appriciated.

Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to disABILITIES.
GAC stands for Guest Assistance Card and it is a way to let the CMs know what sorts of assistance you require. It could be things like being able to use a stroller as a wheelchair (taking it into lines and buildings where strollers are not usually allowed), a place to wait out of the sun, etc. The GAC does not allow immediate boarding or front of the line access to rides/attractions, just a place to wait that is more appropraite to the needs. Someone with a wheelchair or ecv does not need a GAC to use the wheelchair accessible lines/entrances. It's more for invisible disabilities. You request a GAC from Guest Services in any of the parks. You don't need a doctor's letter, but you do need to be able to explain what your needs are.

But, people going on WISH trips get a special kind of card that does allow immediate access (at least all that I have heard of) because the kids on WISH trips are usually medically fragile and tire easily. A lot of WISH trip recipients stay at GIVE KIDS THE WORLD Village, which takes care of any needs you may have (including the special GAC) and a lot of things you didn't even think of. You can probably find out from the organization that is granting your daughter's wish where you will be staying and whether or not she will have a special GAC.

 

[scrapperjill]

Thanks for the information...We will be staying at GKTW. But from what I'v asked the wish granters they don't have a whole lot of information for me on what is provided or done.

They have told me how great GKTW is, and how much fun the kids have. But they haven't said much about the parks them self.

But thanks for your information on the GAC card.

 

[BarbJ34]

Hi! How great for your family! Last Aug when my dd and I were at disney we met alot of wish families. Everyone We talked to had a make a wish button and they never had to wait for any ride. The cast members reconized the button and knew right away that child and family got right on the ride with no hassel. I had had gotten a GAC pass last year . My daughter has cp and in a wheelchair and cannot tolerate the heat. Unfortunitly Aug is the only time we can go. All it said is that my dd be able to wait in a shaded area when the line was in the sun,or not shaded. It ended up being more problems then it was worth. Alot of cast members gave me a problem for some unknown reason. When we lost it on our final day I didnt bother to get anouther one because we were let right in the fast past line with no problem. Go figure I'm not sure if I will bother to get it this Aug or not. Anyway I hope your family has a wonderful time and I hope I helped in some way.

 

[SueM in MN]

Give Kids the World has a great website.
www.gktw.org

Enjoy!

 

[dclfun]

Barb- The format of the passes has changed and looks like it's now easier for the CM's to read. I know I've had less hassle with the new one even though I have the green stamp that states to allow any accomodations to expedite our visit. I rarely, if ever, use it but it's nice to have anyway "just in case". Prior to the new passes most CM's wouldn't bother to read the pass and assumed what it said vs. actually paying attention to the wording. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by dclfun
Barb- The format of the passes has changed and looks like it's now easier for the CM's to read. I know I've had less hassle with the new one even though I have the green stamp that states to allow any accomodations to expedite our visit. I rarely, if ever, use it but it's nice to have anyway "just in case". Prior to the new passes most CM's wouldn't bother to read the pass and assumed what it said vs. actually paying attention to the wording. ---Kathy

We found the same thing when we were there in March as Kathy found. The GACs were much easier to read and the CMs really seeemed to know what the GAC meant for their ride.
The old GACS all looked the same, but had a stamp with a lot of writing in tiny letters that told the CM what needs you had. The new GACs have a little picture icon around the size of a stamp that the CM can just glance at and know what it means. I'm not sure, but I think they also are using different color ink for the different stamps.
A CM had posted that they also got some education about GACs at the same time as they changed the format. We found all the CMs recognized the GAC right away and knew what the procedure was for their station (we also used it sparingly).
Also, wheelchair users without GACs are not allowed in the fastpass line (without a fastpass) for every ride; only for the rides/attractions where the regular line is not wheelchair accessible. And, not all GACs allow use of the fastpass line, either.

 

[BarbJ34]

thank you all for the info. I use the GAC very sparingly also. I understand about the fast pass line. I wouldnt try to go in that way I just would go to the regular line a cast member would pull me out and send me thru. I would never abuse the GAC. I just had gotten very frustrated when I was given a hard time. Thanks again!

 

[scratchboat]

You will have a wonderful time on your wish trip! Took my child (age 3 at the time) on wish trip and stayed at GKTW - it was awesome! GKTW will provide you with a GAC and a special button for your child to wear. You'll also get free Park Hopper passes, tickets to SeaWorld and Universal! You will never have to wait in line, but what is even more special is the care and attention ALL the CM's will lavish on your child and the rest of your family! They will make you feel like you are the ONLY guests in the park!

 

[scrapperjill]

WOW...thanks for all the information on GKTW. I have been trying to get more details on what kind of park tickets they had but have been given mixed messages from the wish foundation. They did say passes to WDW, SW and Universial. But they didn't say they were park hoppers. Then the other time they told me they didn't say anything about SW or Universial.

I was/am hoping to find out so we can have somewhat of a game plan on which parks to see on which days.

So with the park hopper passes, we can go to multple parks each day??

 

[scratchboat]

Yes the Park Hopper passes provided by GKTW will let you go to any or all of the Disney Theme Parks (MK, Epcot, MGM & Animal Kingdom) each day. That's good 'cause it's hard to spend the whole day in AK or Epcot with young child. One day we started at AK, had lunch in Epcot and finished the day at MK. I don't remember if they gave access to the water parks (Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon) - we were not interested in them anyway. Also, the GKTW village has several activities in the morning and night time for families - including character visits from Disney and Barney from Universal. They come right to the Village during breakfast or dinner time. GKTW Village has pools, game rooms, miniature "steam" train and merry-go-round for kids. So you can have fun even before you go or after you leave the theme parks!

 

[My4KidzMomma]

Our family just had a wish trip in March for my three year old daughter. We stayed at GKTW and it was wonderful. They provide a GAC with your theme park tickets for Disney. It has a green light stamped on it that the cast members recognize right away and says "Provide this party any assistance necessary to expedite their experience at all attractions". We were treated royally by all the cast members. Chrissy also wore the GKTW button and most times we never even had to pull out our GAC. BTW, we were having our older kids stand in line when Chrissy couldnt ride an attraction. A cast member saw us doing this and made a point to tell us to let the older kids use the GAC even when Chrissy wasnt riding. They said it was only fair, because when the older kids stood in line, that meant Chrissy still had to wait! As she does have a hard time with heat and sitting in one place a long time in her wheelchair we decided to do this. It made her trip much more pleasant. And since the two older kids have to wait all the time for Chrissy (ie doctors appts, hospital visits, etc) we didnt feel guilty for letting them get a "break" on the waiting in lines at Disney.
We also had a pleasant time at Universal and Sea World. They did not have a GAC , but recognized the GKTW button and we never had to wait in line at either park.
Hope you have a wonderful time. It was a sad day for us when we had to leave GKTW. It is an awesome place!
Angela

 

[meeshi]

I'm not sure if they still do this or not (we went on my dd's wish trip in 2001) but when you enter the parks, there are photographers there wanting to take your picture. I think it was through GKTW, but we were given a free 5x7 photo at each park (except Sea World, which we paid for). So we now have a family picture at each park (All 4 WDW, IOA and US) and they are my favorite souveniers!

You will have a blast, be prepared to be spoiled!

 

[SueM in MN]

They do still have the people taking pictures at each park as you enter.
Maybe someone who has been on a WISH trip recently knows if they are still provided for WISH families.
Sounds like a very nice remembrance of the trip.

 

[mommie2angels]

scrappjill, I am assuming you scrapbook. I would love to see your book that you complete when ya'll get back from the WISH trip. Our dd#1 went on her WISH trip in 2000. I am having a tough time completing her scrapbook. It's was a very emotional trip for me and it still is when I go through all those pictures.

I am sure things may have changed some since we have been. When her WISH was granted dh vowed he would take us every year. WDW is just so magical for our family. Each time we go we try to stop by GKTW to visit with them. Since our trip they have added lots of things there. It's really hard to have enough time to do it all. Try to make sure to leave some free time to have fun at GKTW. It's awesome! It's the first time our dd ever got to ride a carosel by herself in her wheelchair. Make sure you schedule a night and time for Mayor Clayton to tuck your dd into bed. It's a very special memory!

If I can help with any questions or anything please let me know! Have a wonderful time!!!

 

[mommie2angels]

OOPs! I started that post as a reply to Sue. They do still provide WISH families with pictures. When we were buying one on our last trip they asked were we a WISH family. The CM said he was looking for our button. I told him no we weren't but thanks so much for asking.

 

[scrapperjill]

I do scrappbook...and I can't wait to get started on the trip album...of course I am more excited to go on the trip first . But I have been keeping my eyes open for any disney related scrap items, and thinking of layout ideas.

If I can ever figure out how to post some pages by then I'll let everyone know. I love to share my pages.

There is so much good feed back about GKTW and Wish families I can't beleive all the little things they do.

I still have some questions about the GAC card and what types of things are on it...but from the sounds of it the GKTW button dose everything and more.

OH one question I have is about PS at places like Cinderella's castle for breakfast. Should I go ahead and make PS for our family, or being a wish family will we be able to get in when we get there? And what about any other events that take PS reservations? Do we go ahead make any and all PS arangements now as if we wern't a wish family??

Thanks

 

[mommie2angels]

Go ahead and make the reservations yourself but when you do tell them that you are a wish family. When we went on our dd#1's wish trip we had no clue about PS. We went up to Cinderella's thinking we could get in but we couldn't. We were about to get into Donald's Breakfasarus even though they were booked. The CM saw dd's GKTW button and took us right in to be seated. We would have made PS if we had known about it. That way you can be sure to eat wherever you want to.

 

[scrapperjill]

Thanks for the input. Now I just have to watch for the date to make the PS and get calling asap.

 

[SueM in MN]

You will also be given some paperwork that indicates you are on a WISH trip. Make sure that you know what you are supposed to carry with you in case you need it. Nasty as this may sound, there are people out there who are making/using counterfeit MAW badges and GACs.
On a WDW trip a year ago, we were waiting to get into a show (I think it was Indiana Jones, but it could have been Tarzan Rocks). We were already standing behind a rope in the right before you go into the seating are, when a family came up with a MAW badge and told the CM they wanted to sit in the front row. That CM took them down to the front. While he was gone, a CM supervisor came. He asked the first CM if he had looked at their paperwork since the "child" looked well over 18 (the upper age for MAW). The supervisor said to always ask if there was any doubt because they had been getting some counterfeits. The first CM hadn't asked, so the supervisor went to ask. As we were waiting for the show to begin, we did see security come and escort those people out, so I think we saw a counterfeiter in action.