A trip of excitement and fear.

[alizesmom]

Hi, I'm Karen and we will be leaving for WDW in a little over 2 weeks. We will be driving down and arriving at the Boardwalk Inn on November 5th.

"We" refers to myself, DH (Charlie) and our youngest 2 children, Ciara is 6 and Brian is 5. Charlie and I have been to the parks multiple times. Ciara has had one disastrous visit and Brian will be a first-timer.

This visit has been over a year in planning and it is hard to believe it's almost here. The excitement and anticipation are overwhelming as the magic approaches.

There is fear as well. I have read the disboard for a long time and am aware of the anger so many seem to feel about people in wheelchairs and both my kids need them. Will we hear nasty comments if we use the buses and people have to wait while my kids are safely loaded on? Will we be ignored at the bus stops? Will we be given angry looks and comments if people think we are getting preferential treatment? Is it possible we will get preferential treatment?

I don't know the answers to any of these so I invite you to come along with us and I will try to report our experiences in as neutral a fashion as I can. Please remember that I am human and won't always live up to my promise.

 

[MisplacedTexan]

I'm in

So sorry you DD has had a bad experience. As for the looks and stares, I wouldn't let it bother you. I am hearing impaired, so my disability is "hidden", however, I do have great speech. I look normal, sound normal, even act normal (at times), but still I need help in large crowds. My mother always told us growing up, If God wanted perfect children he would have made them. Those who stare, stare because they do not understand, or are just not educated enough to want to understand.

Relax, enjoy your trip, enjoy your littles, and most of all, make as many memories as you can!

 

[alizesmom]

Now for the family introduction. First, there's me. I am 58, under-tall and cut my hair whenever it gets long enough to run my fingers through. I am a mico-managing, controlling, detail oriented person. Who better to plan a trip to WDW? Unfortunately, not always easy to live with.

Charlie is my long suffering DH of nearly 33 years. He has silvery white hair that oddly enough started changing shortly after the wedding.

Ciara is 6 and enchanting when she wants to be. She uses a walker or wheelchair for mobility but we are hopeful that independent walking is in her future.

Brian is 5 and uses a wheelchair. He has the most gorgeous dark brown eyes and curly dark hair.

Because the kids don't travel well we will take 3 days to drive the 18+ hours it takes to get to WDW. When we arrive at Boardwalk Inn we just plan to settle in and have ADRs at the Flying Fish. The rest of the first day is open to whatever....

 

[alizesmom]

We will be driving to FL, starting in 13 days. As I mentioned earlier, we will take 3 days to arrive. Our "magic coach" will be a 2006 Grand Caravan. I took it in yesterday for pre-trip servicing and inspection. Got by just needing a new muffler.

We decided to stay at BI mostly cause we love it but also due to the closeness to Epcot and HS. If weather is nice we will just walk to both of these.

I was thrilled when free dining was announced for our chosen dates. We had already paid for it so ended up with a fantastic refund. Also, neither of the kids eat by mouth so it was kind of frustrating that we had to pay for them so we could use DDP. Now that isn't an issue at all.

Along with our ADRs, we will be doing MVMCP on the 9th of November and Charlie will be doing the Epcot Segway Tour on the 6th.

While there are a few "have to" attractions, a lot of our enjoyment is going to be taking in the crowds. Ciara and I are both people watchers and Brian enjoys listening to the noises around him as well as any breeze that may go by.

We decided to do Epcot on Sunday and Monday despite hearing about how crowded it will be due to Food and Wine. We have ADRs for Rose and Crown, La Hacienda, Nine Dragons and the Princess Storybook Royal Banquet Hall on those days. Charlie will be doing Soarin on one of those days. Me, I hate heights so I'm wimping out.

Tuesday is our day for HS. One gotta do for us is the new Star Tours, we are planning to do the baby swap there if possible. I believe we'll end up on the Great Movie Ride as well. Haven't missed that one yet. Meals will be at the Prime Time Cafe and The Brown Derby.

Wednesday is our day for the Magic Kingdom. The plan is to spend most of our time in Fantasy Land from when we arrive until our ADRs at Cinderella's Royal Table for lunch. After that, we will return to Boardwalk for some rest (except mommy who gets to do laundry) for the afternoon. We will reenter the MK about 4p for ADRs at the Liberty Tree Inn and then the MVMCP.

Thursday is our last day in the parks and we will head for AK. Breakfast at the Tusker House since Donald Duck is my secret love. Lunch at the Yak and Yeti Restaurant and finally supper back "home" at the Flying Fish. We are really hoping to do Kilamanjaro Safari and Festival of the Lion King.

Friday morning means breakfast at Kouzzina and then the journey home. It would sure be fun to see Cat Cora there but I know we have better odds of winning the lottery on that one.

 

[alizesmom]

10 days before we leave and Ciara is in the PICU with tracheitis and possible pneumonia. We're here till at least late Tuesday depending on the results of her cultures. Temperature was 103.5 when we brought her in.

We go to the local ED and they transferred us by ambulance to Children's hospital which is 90 miles away from home. The home hospital can't handle kids with trachs especially if they use a ventilator.

Our hope is that the cultures are negative and we can go home on oral antibiotics. Also really praying that our trip can go forward. Mostly praying that Ciara is alright.

 

[MisplacedTexan]

10 days before we leave and Ciara is in the PICU with tracheitis and possible pneumonia. We're here till at least late Tuesday depending on the results of her cultures. Temperature was 103.5 when we brought her in.

We go to the local ED and they transferred us by ambulance to Children's hospital which is 90 miles away from home. The home hospital can't handle kids with trachs especially if they use a ventilator.

Our hope is that the cultures are negative and we can go home on oral antibiotics. Also really praying that our trip can go forward. Mostly praying that Ciara is alright.

Oh no!!!!! Prayers to you and your family!

 

[alizesmom]

Thanks MT. Ciara is doing much better now and may go home tomorrow.

A hospital stay puts WDW in a totally different perspective. Since Ciara has to be in the PICU due to her ventilator this short stay will cost indefinitely more than a stay for 4 at BI for 6 nights.

As a comparison, cafeteria meals average at least $5-7 for less choice, no table service and less attractive atmosphere. The cafeteria overlooks the local cemetery.

For a room that costs more than a suite you share a bathroom and have to go down the hallway to find a shower. I am sleeping on a pullout. Room temperature is difficult to control and the noise level can be high even at night.

Entertainment is sketchy meaning television only though they do have a small selection of new movies.

To make things easier on themselves all of the "cast members" call me Mom. You have no choice of when to awaken but there is no rope drop to look forward to.

Bus vs ambulance? Despite the fact that no one complains that Ciara got in first the bus still wins.

As you can tell I'm being facetious but I really think that if we can still go the minor irritations at WDW have become even less bothersome.

 

[alizesmom]

Ciara is home and we are allowed to proceed with our trip. We leave a week from today. Getting a new muffler put in right now then Charlie will put the topper on it. Next step packing!

 

[MisplacedTexan]

YAY!!!! So glad you were cleared to go. Praying for safe travels and an uneventful, yet magical trip!

 

[alizesmom]

Well, Brian felt left out. He was just admitted to the PICU in respiratory distress. Bye-bye Mickey. Maybe some other time.

 

[Feckless]

SO sorry to hear that your son is sick and that you will miss your trip!

My thoughts and prayers are with your family.