Bringing our foster kids to OKW--advice please!

[roadtripper]

Hi fellow DVCers--
We are heading home to OKW this Saturday with our son and 3 foster teenagers, who are students at DH's school who we have had in our family for 6 months. Their Dad died last Feb, and Mom is not able to care for them. Of course this is their first trip to Disney, first trip on a plane, etc. I put a note on our reservation with a little bit of info, and got an email back about the service that offers packages for gifts, etc. We are 2 teachers who can only travel during vacations, so the plane tickets and park tickets for 6 have us maxed out--we can't do any of those things.

I'm not looking for anything over the top, but we have had unsolicited pixie dust on many occasions--autographed Mickey pics, balloons, etc. in our room. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or contact info on how to try to arrange something like that for the kids. They are very appreciative of every little thing; I am just trying to make this truly magical. Any advice would be welcomed! Thanks.

 

[a742246]

The only thing I can think of is if you can call the front desk at OKW and ask to speak to the supervisor on duty and explain your situation maybe they can do a little something extra. I know they will give you First time visitor buttons.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Our last visit down we did receive a "call" from Mickey wishing us a happy celebration that was left as a message on our hotel phone. We had put in our reservation our niece's first trip and our son's birthday. Our seven year old niece thought it was pretty cool. They will have an amazing time just being at Disney. Just enjoy their first trip.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Also, better yet, plan ahead and have the copious amounts of cash required, so that when they see the balloons for sale on main street in the magic kingdom they can each get one. That would probably be more magical than anything randomly left in the room. I definitely remember when my mom let me get a balloon. It was amazing! I was five.

 

[roadtripper]

Thanks so much for the replies!
We are flying, so ixnay on the balloons, though they are each getting a 50 dollar Disney gift card for when they get the gimmes, and they have their own money to bring as well.

I will try the front desk idea--thanks for that. I know we will have a great trip--if only because we will be away from the 8 foot snow piles for a while.

 

[dbs1228]

I know from the friends my DD's have brought as teenagers that no matter what they will have a magical time! You will too because you will be able to experience Disney through their eyes which will be spectacular. I would say fireworks and night time shows at the parks would be great. The gift cert. is a awesome idea we did that too so if they wanted something as small as a snack they can get it. I know my DD's and friends also cherished their independents (in pairs or more) going to the pool, DTD or even taking the bus back to the resort if they want to stay later then you in a park - of course that would depend on the teens and how you feel about that. You are very special people to be doing this for them so no matter what they will cherish this time I am sure. Have a blast!

 

[Sleepy425]

Hi fellow DVCers--
We are heading home to OKW this Saturday with our son and 3 foster teenagers, who are students at DH's school who we have had in our family for 6 months. Their Dad died last Feb, and Mom is not able to care for them. Of course this is their first trip to Disney, first trip on a plane, etc. I put a note on our reservation with a little bit of info, and got an email back about the service that offers packages for gifts, etc. We are 2 teachers who can only travel during vacations, so the plane tickets and park tickets for 6 have us maxed out--we can't do any of those things.

I'm not looking for anything over the top, but we have had unsolicited pixie dust on many occasions--autographed Mickey pics, balloons, etc. in our room. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or contact info on how to try to arrange something like that for the kids. They are very appreciative of every little thing; I am just trying to make this truly magical. Any advice would be welcomed! Thanks.

Fellow foster mom here - are you fostering them through the state? If so, you may want to look into if there is a foster parent support association (in CT it is CAFAP). They may be able to point you in a direction to help get part of the kids' trip costs covered. We are bringing our foster daughters in May. But they are young enough that adding them isn't a financial issue. We brought another foster daughter a few years ago, but she was a family member and not through the state so that was all on us.
I hope you all have a wonderful time!

 

[Dean]

Fellow foster mom here - are you fostering them through the state? If so, you may want to look into if there is a foster parent support association (in CT it is CAFAP). They may be able to point you in a direction to help get part of the kids' trip costs covered. We are bringing our foster daughters in May. But they are young enough that adding them isn't a financial issue. We brought another foster daughter a few years ago, but she was a family member and not through the state so that was all on us.
I hope you all have a wonderful time!

Would there also be a requirement to get authorization for such a trip. I know a number of people who have had faster children and that were either unable to make certain trips or needed to get a formal authorization to do so or even to take them out of the state of residence. If it's not through the government, I'd still get a signed letter from their legal guardian or parent (as it applies here) to seek medical care if needed if you don't have that already.

 

[Sleepy425]

Would there also be a requirement to get authorization for such a trip. I know a number of people who have had faster children and that were either unable to make certain trips or needed to get a formal authorization to do so or even to take them out of the state of residence. If it's not through the government, I'd still get a signed letter from their legal guardian or parent (as it applies here) to seek medical care if needed if you don't have that already.

Absolutely. I will have to have paperwork with me when I take them to Disney. I can take my foster children to neighboring states for the day, but any further than that or to stay overnight requires permission.
The one little girl that we fostered because she was family but it wasn't through the state, we had notarized paperwork that gave us permission to travel and seek medical attention for our Disney trip.
ETA: a lot depends on where in the process the case is whether the kids can go. A new case where DCF doesn't have commitment of the children (aka guardianship) means that the bio parents need to be the ones that sign off. But if DCF has commitment or the bio parents are MIA, a judge can grant permission for travel (domestically at least). That's how it is here at least.

 

[Gracie09]

Absolutely. I will have to have paperwork with me when I take them to Disney. I can take my foster children to neighboring states for the day, but any further than that or to stay overnight requires permission.
The one little girl that we fostered because she was family but it wasn't through the state, we had notarized paperwork that gave us permission to travel and seek medical attention for our Disney trip.
ETA: a lot depends on where in the process the case is whether the kids can go. A new case where DCF doesn't have commitment of the children (aka guardianship) means that the bio parents need to be the ones that sign off. But if DCF has commitment or the bio parents are MIA, a judge can grant permission for travel (domestically at least). That's how it is here at least.

Also to become a foster parent you have to take an extensive course where all the rules and regulations are gone over numerous times. I am sure the op is doing everything by the book and the cw is involved and supports the trip.

 

[kirstenb1]

No advice on the unexpected, but my kids always love making something together in the kids' activity room at Community Hall. Even our teenager loves making a tshirt or mug with her little sister. Those activities are usually $5-10 max, and it might be a nice remembrance of the trip (if not too hokey for teenage boys, lol!!)

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Be sure and stop at Guest Services and pick up some "My First Trip" buttons, if they haven't discontinued doing these recently.