1st Disney cruise trip-Planning Binder Help

[SixtoMouse]

Hi everyone
THis is my first post ever on the forum. My family has decided on a disney trip for March of 2015 (may change depending on the release of the 2015 and what the rest of the year has to offer)
I have a 4 year old special needs child who has CP, Non Verbal and wheelchair bound so its important i have a binder to organize this trip and also organize all of my son's needs for this trip.
Suggestions how to organize? What to add? etc
Any help is appreciated

I want this to be special for my son and the rest of my family.
Thank You

 

[lelalittlelegs]

Hi everyone THis is my first post ever on the forum. My family has decided on a disney trip for March of 2015 (may change depending on the release of the 2015 and what the rest of the year has to offer) I have a 4 year old special needs child who has CP, Non Verbal and wheelchair bound so its important i have a binder to organize this trip and also organize all of my son's needs for this trip. Suggestions how to organize? What to add? etc Any help is appreciated I want this to be special for my son and the rest of my family. Thank You

I just wanted to say that I also have a daughter with cerebral palsy (hemiplegia), she is about to turn 6 and we are cruising with Disney for the second time in August. You and your family will have a wonderful time and your son will absolutely love it. I can't help with a binder as I always start off with the right intention but then it gets forgotten about as I alternate between Mum and nurse for my princess. We have her life story, her hospital admission information, drug chart, therapy times, allergy information, feed times, fluid output measurements etc on an iPad though that never leaves our side (and is backed up and duplicated in several places) as for us it is just more durable than paper, which my Daughter would attempt to eat anyways. I'm sorry I can't help more with binders etc but if I can help or answer any other questions, DM me

 

[Tinked]

For general planning information go to : http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-plan.htm
Hope this helps some.

 

[SixtoMouse]

I just wanted to say that I also have a daughter with cerebral palsy (hemiplegia), she is about to turn 6 and we are cruising with Disney for the second time in August. You and your family will have a wonderful time and your son will absolutely love it. I can't help with a binder as I always start off with the right intention but then it gets forgotten about as I alternate between Mum and nurse for my princess. We have her life story, her hospital admission information, drug chart, therapy times, allergy information, feed times, fluid output measurements etc on an iPad though that never leaves our side (and is backed up and duplicated in several places) as for us it is just more durable than paper, which my Daughter would attempt to eat anyways. I'm sorry I can't help more with binders etc but if I can help or answer any other questions, DM me [/QUOTE

Thank You. You actually did help with my binder i am going to add a tab for his medical history and also i am going to work on getting all his information on his IPAD ( i never thought of doing that. Thanks again

 

[SixtoMouse]

I just wanted to say that I also have a daughter with cerebral palsy (hemiplegia), she is about to turn 6 and we are cruising with Disney for the second time in August. You and your family will have a wonderful time and your son will absolutely love it. I can't help with a binder as I always start off with the right intention but then it gets forgotten about as I alternate between Mum and nurse for my princess. We have her life story, her hospital admission information, drug chart, therapy times, allergy information, feed times, fluid output measurements etc on an iPad though that never leaves our side (and is backed up and duplicated in several places) as for us it is just more durable than paper, which my Daughter would attempt to eat anyways. I'm sorry I can't help more with binders etc but if I can help or answer any other questions, DM me

I tried to PM with additional questions but i cant until i have 10 posts on boards. ONce i have achieved that i will PM you with my questions. Thanks again for your help

 

[lanejudy]

Have you checked out the Passporter planning books? The WDW book is available in a binder version, though I'm not sure if they have a binder version for either the cruiseline book or the special needs book; but it might give you an idea of sections to include or at least think about.

I have a Care Binder at home for DD that a local parent support organization provides. It has tabs for care plan, family history & information, growth & development, medical history (which I expanded by specialty), contacts, community supports, evaluations, IFSP/IEP/504, education, other information. Obviously some of those sections would not be necessary for a vacation.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Hi everyone
THis is my first post ever on the forum. My family has decided on a disney trip for March of 2015 (may change depending on the release of the 2015 and what the rest of the year has to offer)
I have a 4 year old special needs child who has CP, Non Verbal and wheelchair bound so its important i have a binder to organize this trip and also organize all of my son's needs for this trip.
Suggestions how to organize? What to add? etc
Any help is appreciated

I want this to be special for my son and the rest of my family.
Thank You

I can't help with the care portion for you son, but from a trip perspective, this is what we tend to do:

Flight information - including transportation, I would also include any information on accomodations that the airline will make for you son (wheelchair transfers, gates, etc.)

Hotel informatoin - it's highly recommended that you arrive for the cruise the day before departure, so include where you're staying, reservation e-mails, transfer information (how are you going to get there), meals etc.

Cruise transfer information - with your needs, it may be better to get a private car for transfers to the port and back, they'll pick you up at the hotel, allow for stops for snacks, drinks, whatever and drop you at the port, then reverse it for the trip back to the airport. They should also have accessible vehicles that will accomodate your son's wheelchair.

Cruise information - cruise contract, port arrival times, etc.

Port information - for each port know what excursion, DCL or private, and the information on that excursion.

Shopping list - This is to make sure that you have a list of stuff you want to get either on the ship, pictures, souveniers, etc. as well as the stuff you want to pick up on the way to the port, drinks, sunblock, whatever.

Packing list - This is to record items that you want to make sure you remember to bring, equipment, medications, sunblock, sunglasses, hats, numbers of underwear, whatever. Then you can check the items off to make sure you've got them all and don't forget anything. It doesn't have to be comprehensive, just know that if it's not, you also need to make sure you pack the stuff that's not on it!

I hope you have a great time!

 

[Prose]

Don't forget emergency contact info (just in case), a copy of your trip insurance, copy of insurance card(s).

Be sure to call DCL ahead of time and alert them to any special dietary needs.

Download the Disney Cruise app to your phone/iPad. Once you get on board, it will have deck plans, daily Navigators, menus, activities, character appearances, etc. In the meantime, it has a trip countdown clock.

 

[lelalittlelegs]

I tried to PM with additional questions but i cant until i have 10 posts on boards. ONce i have achieved that i will PM you with my questions. Thanks again for your help

I have sent you a direct message, hopefully it'll let you reply!

 

[NCConch]

Get ready for a fun time. We just sailed on our 1st family cruise and my DS 13 uses a wheelchair as well. Disney CMs are experts at helping those of us with special needs. Make sure you book an accessible cabin. This page has a good deal of info: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/services/guests-with-disabilities/

 

[SixtoMouse]

Have you checked out the Passporter planning books? The WDW book is available in a binder version, though I'm not sure if they have a binder version for either the cruiseline book or the special needs book; but it might give you an idea of sections to include or at least think about.

I have a Care Binder at home for DD that a local parent support organization provides. It has tabs for care plan, family history & information, growth & development, medical history (which I expanded by specialty), contacts, community supports, evaluations, IFSP/IEP/504, education, other information. Obviously some of those sections would not be necessary for a vacation.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thanks i will check it out

 

[SixtoMouse]

I can't help with the care portion for you son, but from a trip perspective, this is what we tend to do:

Flight information - including transportation, I would also include any information on accomodations that the airline will make for you son (wheelchair transfers, gates, etc.)

Hotel informatoin - it's highly recommended that you arrive for the cruise the day before departure, so include where you're staying, reservation e-mails, transfer information (how are you going to get there), meals etc.

Cruise transfer information - with your needs, it may be better to get a private car for transfers to the port and back, they'll pick you up at the hotel, allow for stops for snacks, drinks, whatever and drop you at the port, then reverse it for the trip back to the airport. They should also have accessible vehicles that will accomodate your son's wheelchair.

Cruise information - cruise contract, port arrival times, etc.

Port information - for each port know what excursion, DCL or private, and the information on that excursion.

Shopping list - This is to make sure that you have a list of stuff you want to get either on the ship, pictures, souveniers, etc. as well as the stuff you want to pick up on the way to the port, drinks, sunblock, whatever.

Packing list - This is to record items that you want to make sure you remember to bring, equipment, medications, sunblock, sunglasses, hats, numbers of underwear, whatever. Then you can check the items off to make sure you've got them all and don't forget anything. It doesn't have to be comprehensive, just know that if it's not, you also need to make sure you pack the stuff that's not on it!

I hope you have a great time!

Thank you for sharing you have some wonderful information

 

[SixtoMouse]

Don't forget emergency contact info (just in case), a copy of your trip insurance, copy of insurance card(s).

Be sure to call DCL ahead of time and alert them to any special dietary needs.

Download the Disney Cruise app to your phone/iPad. Once you get on board, it will have deck plans, daily Navigators, menus, activities, character appearances, etc. In the meantime, it has a trip countdown clock.

Thanks i had not thought of getting insurance cards we usually give our military id (tricare) but its a good idea to have an insurance card with phone numbers and membership number

 

[lanejudy]

Thanks i had not thought of getting insurance cards we usually give our military id (tricare) but its a good idea to have an insurance card with phone numbers and membership number

And along this line...make sure you know any limitations with regards to your regular medical insurance (coverage in foreign country, medical evacuation, pay upfront for reimbursement, etc.) so you can decide whether you need trip insurance coverage for medical. Keep in mind that any medical service onboard will require you to pay upfront and submit for reimbursement no matter which insurance you have, as will many foreign providers if using your own private insurance.

I was thinking about this more last night -- I'd suggest tabs for each day of your trip for flights, ground transportation, hotels, port excursions (including confirmation that you've arranged for accessible transportation), etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[tonjo]

Looks like you've gotten a lot of great responses already! I just want to share that we are going on our first DCL cruise in October and my sister, who also has CP, will be joining us! I have had a few folks suggest to me to contact disney and let them know ahead of time what special needs or considerations she may need (fortunately she's very high functioning, I can't think of any?!). I've heard disney is AMAZING with special needs folks! <3

 

[SixtoMouse]

Thanks everyone for all your information.

 

[ctbigadventure]

Hi everyone
THis is my first post ever on the forum. My family has decided on a disney trip for March of 2015 (may change depending on the release of the 2015 and what the rest of the year has to offer)
I have a 4 year old special needs child who has CP, Non Verbal and wheelchair bound so its important i have a binder to organize this trip and also organize all of my son's needs for this trip.
Suggestions how to organize? What to add? etc
Any help is appreciated

I want this to be special for my son and the rest of my family.
Thank You

Hello! I have twin girls both who have DS, are non-verbal and who need wheelchairs at this time. I saw your post about possibly going on an Alaskan cruise. We are planning to go Aug. 2018 and I was wondering if you have posted any trip experiences or know of anybody else who posted their trip experiences with a child with special needs? Thanks in advance!

 

[lanejudy]

Hello! I have twin girls both who have DS, are non-verbal and who need wheelchairs at this time. I saw your post about possibly going on an Alaskan cruise. We are planning to go Aug. 2018 and I was wondering if you have posted any trip experiences or know of anybody else who posted their trip experiences with a child with special needs? Thanks in advance!

I believe there are several posters on this forum with experience cruising DCL with children of varying degrees of special needs. How old are your girls? What concerns or questions do you have?

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[RedSox68]

Tip: You can buy 3-hole punched "envelopes" and paper pockets for your notebook at an office supply. They are invaluable for holding papers you need quick access to and don't want to hole punch, and the envelopes keep papers from falling out. You can even get them in various colors to coordinate your needs.

 

[ctbigadventure]

And along this line...make sure you know any limitations with regards to your regular medical insurance (coverage in foreign country, medical evacuation, pay upfront for reimbursement, etc.) so you can decide whether you need trip insurance coverage for medical. Keep in mind that any medical service onboard will require you to pay upfront and submit for reimbursement no matter which insurance you have, as will many foreign providers if using your own private insurance.

I was thinking about this more last night -- I'd suggest tabs for each day of your trip for flights, ground transportation, hotels, port excursions (including confirmation that you've arranged for accessible transportation), etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

I wanted to know if anyone who has a child with special needs has posted a trip report. It would be great to read their experiences especially about the activities they were able to participate in (kids' clubs or not), mealtime in the MDR, excursions taken (or not taken), and accessibility. My girls are 4 years old in age but developmentally are a lot younger.