Gktw???

[scrapperjill]

Hi there...I have a couple quick questions reguarding GKTW if anyone knows anything about this place I would appriciate any responces.

I'd like to know how far away from WDW GKTW is. Is it easy to get to WDW, SW, and US. from GKTW and how long does the drive take....also are there any tolls between them. And then...I know GKTW is not part to WDW resorts but dose anyone know if while staying at GKTW can you use the disney transportation and/or any of the things at the WDW resorts?? And how much is parking at WDW per day if staying at GKTW??

Thanks

 

[mommie2angels]

I am trying to get in touch with DH now to ask how long it takes to drive. I don't remember it taking very long to any of the parks. I seem to remember it being centrally located. I don't remember Disney transportation because we drove to all the parks. Parking is free with your GKTW pin.

Someone may have told you already but with the GKTW pin you also get free pictures. The ones that the CMs at WDW, SW & US take. We didn't know that until later on in our trip.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[mommie2angels]

OK DH says it's not far at all mileage wise but depending on traffic and stop lights it may take 15 - 30 minutes.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't already, you can also visit the Give Kids the World (GKTW) website.
There are quite a few helpful people on the DIS that can give you info, but the website has pictures and also an email address for things you might not have gotten an answer to.

 

[scrapperjill]

Thanks so much for all the info.

Mommie2angels...could you tell me more about the pictures? Like when are they done...where do you get them... and how do you find out about them?

I'll have to check out the GKTW web site.

 

[My4KidzMomma]

We were just at GKTW in March this year. The drive usually took us about 20 minutes to WDW, and about 30 minutes to SW and US. The traffic on 192 is really bad, that is why it took so long - the distance is only about 10 miles.
You will receive free parking with your wish child's GKTW button. They will give you that at orientation along with all your park tickets. You will receive a guest assistance pass for Disney that will give your party front of the line access. The actual wording on the pass says "Give this party any assistance necessary to expedite their experience at the attraction." It has a green stop light on it. Every CM we showed the pass to, took us or sent us right to the front of the line or at least through the Fast Pass line. Universal and Sea World will give you priority access to rides and show when they see the child's button also.
You will have a great time! Good luck with your trip.
Angela

 

[mommie2angels]

scrapperjill, when you enter each park there are photographers there to take your family picture. They will give you a ticket to go and look at your picture. When you go to view it if you like it and decide to purchase it they will give it to you free if you are a wish family. This is also true in Toontown, on the rides that take photos and maybe other places that I am forgetting. Oh we also got a photo package at Donaldbreakfasarus. I don't remember getting any at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventures. This was back in 2000. I will have to look back at our pictures and see. We did get one at Sea World on the Kracken ride.

 

[scrapperjill]

Thanks for all the info...everyone. But I still have more questions.

mommie2angels...so is there a limit to the photos? It sounds like your family got quite a few.

Also...I am thinking about making PS plans at Hollywood & Vine or Brown Derby for the Fantasmic show....to save time waiting in line to see Fantasmic. But before I made the PS arrangments I wanted to know...as a Wish family would we have to wait in the long line...or are we able to have PS as a wish family....I don't want to spend so much $$$ on dinners since we can eat at GKTW for nothing...

Is my thinking of saving $$ by eating at GKTW worth doing....is there to much time wasted in travel getting to WDW/GKTW and back to make it worth the savings?

Are you able to get meals (brown bagging it) from GKTW to take on your daily adventures??

Has anyone done the princess dinner at 1900 park fare? I was thinking of doing it as our last meal at WDW...but haven't fully decided.

Thanks again....I'm sure I'll come up with more questions as time goes by...

Oh..dose anyone know if GKTW has a shuttle available from the airport?

 

[SueM in MN]

We have never been a WISH family, but I can tell you that having a person with a wheelchair, we have never waited in a long line for Fantasmic. They do start seating for the first show of Fantasmic at least an hour before the show begins. The whole back row is for people with disabilities/special needs (wheelchair/ecv spaces, plus a few seats). The row ahead of that is for their families or for ambulatory people with special needs.
Getting there early is not bad, since you do have a spot to sit, there are bathrooms inside the stadium and also snack bars/CMs selling popcorn and pop in the seating areas. Even though my DD has issues with being in lines with people and ADD that makes her not the easiest wait-er, we've had pleasant experiences waiting for Fantasmic to begin.
We have also gotten there as little as 15 minutes before the show was to begin and still gotten a seat (although I don't recommend that - there is no way to know how many people with special needs they will have for any particular show).

 

[dj2]

Originally posted by scrapperjill
Has anyone done the princess dinner at 1900 park fare? I was thinking of doing it as our last meal at WDW...but haven't fully decided.

the cinderella dinner is very nice - we usually go on a day that we haven't gone into the parks, since it's at a resort and you don't need admission. i have no knowledge about how tickets work for gktw, so this might not be an issue for you.

there are, however, more princesses at the EPCOT breakfast (didn't like the food as well) but the best place for princesses is Cinderalla's Royal Table in the MK for breakfast. there are some steps in the dining area, so if you've got wc's you need to let the cm who take your ps know. it opens before the park, so you can eat and still spend a full day if that's your wish. if you do go early, take your child's picture on the throne downstairs before you go up - it will be a mob when you come down .


dj

 

[scrapperjill]

dj2...thanks for the tips on breakfast at Cinderellas Royal Table. I called the other day and made our PS plans. I couldn't beleive I was able to get the day and time I wanted. ....well actually I ended up calling a whole day ahead of what was planned...but since I was on the phone and the time slot we wanted was open...I took it eventhough it was a whole day ahead of schedulle. We were planning on skipping WDW on Labor day and making our first day in the park the day after..on Tuesday..but after my goof..it looks like we will be hitting the park on Labor day after all. The way I see it, they may have extended hours on the holiday...where they wouldn't on Tuesday....and from the sound of being with GKTW...we wouldn't have to wait to long in any line....I'm hoping.

But like I was saying we were able to ge PS for CRT at 8:00 on Monday...so we will be able to go before the park opens...I'll have to remember about the thrown. Thanks.

 

[meeshi]

Originally posted by scrapperjill
Thanks for all the info...everyone. But I still have more questions.

mommie2angels...so is there a limit to the photos? It sounds like your family got quite a few.

****I'm not mommie2angels, but when we were there in 2001 we got a free 5x7 picture at each park.

Is my thinking of saving $$ by eating at GKTW worth doing....is there to much time wasted in travel getting to WDW/GKTW and back to make it worth the savings?

****We were there during off season so we didn't feel rushed, (plus they did give us front of the line access). We would eat breakfast at the village and then head to a park, eat lunch at the park and arrive back at the village for a late dinner. We also headed back to the parks 2 nights to watch the fireworks.

Thanks again....I'm sure I'll come up with more questions as time goes by...

Oh..dose anyone know if GKTW has a shuttle available from the airport?

****There was a volunteer from GKTW to greet us when we got off the plane in Orlando. He gave us a map and directions to the village and escorted us to the rental car area. Make A Wish rented us a mini van to use while we were there. But there was another family there and I believe they took a shuttle to the village, but I'm not sure. He got them situated while we got our luggage.

 

[scrapperjill]

Meeshi...Thank you for your responce. If you don't mind a couple more questions....

How are the meal times at GKTW? Is there a time that you are suppose to be in to eat??? Or is it open for when ever?

Did you know what kind of car you had prior to your arrival...or was it a supprise?

When you say a rep from GKTW was there to great you and help you to the car rental...then give you a map to the village....would you have had time prior to arrive at the Village to do a little shopping first??? I just ask because I'd like to stop by the outlet stores first to get a few items before they close for the day.

I was asking about the shuttle for our return trip....we are going on the DCL after our stay at GKTW and have a car service picking us up....hopefully from GKTW...but we would need to drop the rental car off at the airport first....we were thinking of doing this the night before we left for the cruise...and catching a shuttle or taxi back to GKTW...then having the car service pick us up in the am.

Thanks again.

 

[meeshi]

The Gingerbread House was where we ate breakfast and dinner. Breakfast hours were 8:00am - 10:00am and dinner hours were 6:00pm - 8:00pm. It wasn't open for lunch.

The Ice Cream Palace was open from 8:00am - 9:00pm with a continental breakfast from 7:30am - 11:00am. They also had food there, not just ice cream, but I can't remember exactly what they had. I do know they had hot dogs, but other than that, I'm not sure.

We knew that we had a minivan rented for us before we arrived. Actually, when we got there, there was a problem with the van that was rented. The back area wasn't large enough for my dd's wheelchair and they switched to a different van without any problem.

You should have time to go shopping before going to the village. Our plane landed around 11:00am and I don't think it mattered what time we arrived at the village. You just want to make sure you're there in the evening for orientation. That's where you'll get your park tickets and information.

Sorry I can't answer your question about the shuttle service. Since we didn't use it I'm not sure how it works. But maybe someone else can answer that for you.

Feel free to ask any more questions you may have. I'm so excited for you and your family. You are going to have a wonderful time!

 

[scrapperjill]

Thanks for the info...it's interesting to hear what the hours are. We were told the ice cream place was open 24 hour a day?? My girls have been so looking forward to having LATE night ice cream. And you say they don't do lunch.....do they provide you with sandwhiches or anything? We were hoping to be up and out of GKTW and on our way to the parks by 8:00....so the breakfast hours kind of suck (i mean that in the nicest way). I don't think the parks open until 9ish but I didn't know how long to leave for travel...and not sure how the traffic is down there. Since were going in "off" season...I'm guessing the park hours will be shorter..so we want don't want to waist any time. But like I was saying we were hoping to leave GKTW by 8 to get to the parks in plenty of time to be there when they opened....From what I've read, getting there early before the crouds is the best plan.

So do you know...with breakfast at 8:00...is it a mad house in there with all the families trying to get in and out first thing in the mornning.

I also heard...if you didn't make it back in time for dinner...they had something available for you...do you know?

Thanks.

 

[meeshi]

Originally posted by scrapperjill
Thanks for the info...it's interesting to hear what the hours are. We were told the ice cream place was open 24 hour a day?? My girls have been so looking forward to having LATE night ice cream. And you say they don't do lunch.....do they provide you with sandwhiches or anything? We were hoping to be up and out of GKTW and on our way to the parks by 8:00....so the breakfast hours kind of suck (i mean that in the nicest way). I don't think the parks open until 9ish but I didn't know how long to leave for travel...and not sure how the traffic is down there. Since were going in "off" season...I'm guessing the park hours will be shorter..so we want don't want to waist any time. But like I was saying we were hoping to leave GKTW by 8 to get to the parks in plenty of time to be there when they opened....From what I've read, getting there early before the crouds is the best plan.

So do you know...with breakfast at 8:00...is it a mad house in there with all the families trying to get in and out first thing in the mornning.

I also heard...if you didn't make it back in time for dinner...they had something available for you...do you know?

Thanks.

We went in Nov. 2001, so my memory on some things is a bit foggy. I was taking the hours from a paper we have from GKTW. I do remember getting ice cream at night before we headed back to our villa for the night, but can't tell you what time that was.

About lunches, we never asked about sandwiches or anything because we had plenty of spending money from MAW to eat at the parks. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

We usually got to the Gingerbread House around 8ish for breakfast and it wasn't a mad house. It's cafeteria style so you do wait in line, but it goes fast and there are people there to help with trays.

It's only about 20 mins or so to the parks (I don't remember a lot of traffic in the morning, it seemed worse in the evening going back to the village) and we never had to wait in line to get in. There just weren't any crowds when we went. Even without the pin from GKTW, the lines were maybe a 10 min wait for most rides.

When the CM's see that GKTW pin, they bring you to the front of the line. They even pulled us out of the lines to meet the characters. So you really don't have to worry too much about crowds, except just getting around. But if you're going in off season, the crowds shouldn't be that bad anyway.

About dinner, again, it doesn't hurt to ask. We were either back by dinner time or had plans to eat at the parks so it never was an issue.

Feel free to ask your questions, it brings back so many good memories!


Also, I don't know the ages of your children, but they have activities at the village and my son would have been happy to stay at the village instead of going to the parks. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't his wish trip.

 

[scrapperjill]

Sydney just turned 6...it's her wish trip. Our oldest daughter just turned 11. Both are eager and looking forward to going.

The WSF said we would have some spending money...but we weren't sure how much to expect....so I'm looking for cost saving measures.

I really like the idea of the charater meals and trying other new restraunts at the parks...but the cost...WOW it could really add up. As of now our plan is to do breakfast in the park on two days (I got PS at Cindy's royal table and at the Princess story book in Epcot) then on the other days eating breakfast at GKTW. We also have PS made for dinner two nights...one at O'hana and the other at Whispering Canyon. I made those on the two non-disney days (the days we plan on going to Sea World and US). Then for the other meals...dinner and lunches we plan on eating at the park, packing some..and trying to make it back to GKTW for dinner.

 

[mommie2angels]

scrapperjill, sorry I didn't get back with you sooner. DH had a conference in Orlando and we just got back.

We went for our dd#1's wish in 2000. At that time you had to preview all pictures taken at MK at Expo Hall. You could choose one picture for free and the others you had to pay for. Now you preview Toon Town pictures back at Toon Town. You would get a free picture there, a free picture from Expo Hall and a free picture from Buzz Lightyear. At the time they were not doing pictures on the Buzz Lightyear ride. At Epcot you would be able to choose one free one because all those are viewed at the Camera store. Disney Studios you would get one because they are all previewed in the same store. You would get a free one on TOT and RNR. Then at AK you could choose one for free up front and get one from The Dinosaur ride. We were given our pictures from Donald's Breakfasarus for free too. They don't do pictures at the four restaurants you have meals planned for.

As far as pictures at US & IOA I don't remember. I will try to look back at our pictures. I do remember getting a picture from the ride Kracken at SW.

When you made your PS did you tell them it was for a wish child? If not you may want to call back and let them know that. Make sure you allow enough time from the other parks to get to the Disney resorts. I am sure you already thought of that. We were staying at the Disney resorts this week and it took us longer than we had planned to get to our dinner at other Disney resorts. Thanks to Disney magic we made it in time.

As far as getting the rental car back to the airport I would check with GKTW and see if they don't have someone to do that for you. I would think that they would be glad to have a volunteer do that for you. It's an amazing place with some awesome people. Like Meeshi said about the meals always ask. It can't hurt and they are always more than willing to help.

Are ya'll adding DCL to your trip or is that part of Sydney's wish? I will be anxious to hear what ya'll think of that. We would love to try that some time.

Make sure you plan some time to spend at GKTW. Like I said the place is awesome. There is so much to do there. When our daughter had her wish there in 2000 we didn't plan to spend enough time there. Our dd#2 is having her wish granted to GKTW this year and we are planning to spend lots more time there.

We always had breakfast there at 8:00. We were leaving there no later than 8:30 and were at the parks either right when they were opening or shortly after. We loved having breakfast at GKTW. They always have or did have a character there each morning to have breakfast with you. Since there are not that many people there is plenty of time for autographs and great picture ops. The characters spend so much time with the kids. I think it's Monday and Thursday mornings that they did pictures of your family with Mickey and Minnie. That's one of our most cherished souvenirs.

I am sure I am leaving so much info out. If I can help in answering any more questions please let me know.

 

[scrapperjill]

mommie2angels...thanks for getting back to me. I'm glad I found out about all the diffrent photo shops. Had no clue there would be so many. .

I tryed to plan enough travel time to get to the restraunts at the resorts...but we have never been down there so I'm not sure how much time we'd need. We planned the PS at the resorts on the days that we plan on doing SW and US. I made the PS times for 7:30ish and 8:00, with SW and US closing at 5pm and 6pm. So I was hoping that would give us enough time each night.

That's a great idea to see if GKTW would/could help with the car rental return. We are adding the limo pick up ourselves as a suprise to the girls....not like they need any more suprises.

From what I understand, by going the time of year that we are going....the parks will be closing earler which should leave us a good amount of time at GKTW.

There is just so much to do and so much to see.....I know...we can't do it all in one trip.

Thanks again for the info....if you can think of any other tips or thoughts I'd love to hear them. (don't know I would have learned about ALL the free photo if you didn't mention it)

 

[scrapperjill]

OH...I was also going to ask what other PS would you recomend. And which ones do the photo op?? And why make sure they know it for a wish trip?? I let them know we were staying at GKTW when I made the PS but did say we had a "wish child".

Did you do lunch and dinner in the park or back at GKTW?

If you don't mind me asking....when are you going on the wish trip this year?