WGO NEWSLETTER: NOVEMBER 2024
Hello, wish-granting partners!
We are happy to provide you with an update on Give Kids The World Village policies, procedures and activities, with a goal of providing your families with the best possible experience while making the planning process as seamless and efficient as possible.
SAFETY FIRST: THE PARK OF DREAMS POOL
We would like to inform you and your families about new safety enhancements at the Park of Dreams Pool. Jeff Ellis Management (JEM), the world leader in aquatic training and pool safety – with 45+ years serving Walt Disney World resorts, cruise lines and water parks for all of their aquatic needs – will be providing a certified lifeguard during all pool operating hours. In addition, we have implemented new policies with respect to life jackets.
In addition to the lifeguard, one designated pool safety attendant will also be on duty during all pool operating hours to measure the height of all children entering the pool area. Any child under four (4) feet (48 inches) tall will now be required to wear a new U.S. Coast Guard certified life jacket provided by JEM. The pool will be open during our busiest hours, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Once these updated safety procedures have been firmly in place, we will add additional pool hours, with the goal of having the pool open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.
Jack’s Wacky Water Works, Bob’s Sparkleberry Nature Trail and the fishing gazebo will be open from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Noah’s Nook snack shack will remain open with regular hours from noo n to 9:00 pm. We appreciate your support in making sure your families enjoy a safe, fun experience at all of our aquatic venues and throughout the Village.
RESERVATIONS REMINDERS
FLIGHT INFO
When making reservations, please make sure to send the flight confirmation for each family to your designated reservationist. We will need the following information:
- Airline
- Flight dates
- Flight number
- Record number
- Passenger names
CONFIRMATION VERIFICATION
Once you receive a wish confirmation from your reservationist, please make sure all of the information on the confirmation is correct, including dates, participant names, mode of transportation, etc. so we can make any adjustments to the reservation if necessary.
TICKET TIME
Please be aware that we need all minors’ names included on the paperwork. We are not able to distribute Disney tickets unless we have all of the Walt Disney World release forms for all complimentary participants.
Our theme park partners allow only two (2) non-complimentary participants per wish. Please contact your reservationist to discuss the non-complimentary options on a specific reservation.
VILLAGE UPDATES
A NEW VENUE
On Friday, November 8, our latest venue opened. Zach’s Time Out is a whimsical space located inside the Gingerbread House which will offer wish children and their families a variety of hands-on, immersive experiences designed to help families bond, have fun and create cherished memories together. Zach’s Time Out is dedicated to the inimitable spirit and remarkable life of Give Kids The World wish child Zachary Doyle. We will be hosting an evening of pizza making, pizza dough tossing, pizza art, and other fun activities from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday evening for any visiting families who would like to help us celebrate the opening!
OUR NEXT WEBINAR
We look forward to updating you on all things Give Kids The World during our next webinar on Tuesday, November 19, at 10:00 am. For everyone’s convenience, a second webinar will be hosted the same day at 3:00 pm. We will be sending out webinar invites shortly.
MOUSE IN THE HOUSE!
We are delighted to have Mickey Mouse visit the Village every Monday and Thursday morning…and he is now bringing Minnie Mouse along with him!
HERE FOR YOU
Your reservationist is available at all times to assist with any questions you may have prior to your families’ arrivals. Once your families are on-site, our manager on duty (MOD) team is available to assist.
We look forward to welcoming your families and hope you will be able to join us at our holiday fundraising activities! For information about all of our fun and festive events, visit www.gktw.org/holidays.