Disney Magic at it's finest during a very dark time in our lives

[Donald - my hero]

This post is hard to make but I wanted to let others know how much Disney is able to help out when things aren't perfectly round even when you think you've planned for every obstacle. I needed to book a scooter for hubby since on our last trip he only made it past the entrance to World Showcase before his feet simply gave up. I quickly popped in here while heading to get a wheelchair to find out how to get one ASAP and this trip I was able to do a bit more research in here and went with Gold Mobility -AWESOME 10/10 service so far and great price. I deal with multiple dietary restrictions and Special Diets has helped the culinary teams keep me well fed and safe. Reading thru the DAS thread gave me the confidence to speak up for myself from the comfort of my own safe bubble and get the accommodations i need without feeling like I'm on display, the service was easy to use and let us enjoy a bunch of rides that would never have been possible.

We arrived on Sat Feb 26th (urgh the entire flight experience was a nightmare) and the trip was picture perfect until I got "the text" on Thursday morning while walking into the breakfast that my mom's health took a turn for the worse and had moved into bedside-vigil mode. We weren't able to fly home because of a winter storm that shut the airport down and as a family made the decision that those at home would keep things held together while we continued our holidays. Disney stepped up to the plate and I'll never be able to properly express our gratitude. We were given the white glove treatment everywhere, our tickets have been transferred into single day hoppers that are valid thru 2025(have 7 out of 10 left) our After-hours tickets at both MK and the Studios were refunded onto gift cards, someone comped us tickets to tonight's After Hours at MK, we got taken up to the top of the Contemporary to see the fireworks, they've agreed to suspend the daily room check to a time when the sign is NOT on the door, brought us a ton of extra kleenex, allowed us to request our room servicing whenever is convenient to us, and I'm fairly confident there's a note of some kind attached to at least my magic band because anytime I use it the CM expresses concern (either that or I look as bad as I feel )

My mom passes peacefully yesterday morning and we're going to be joining the rest of the family to plan her funeral VIA Zoom this afternoon (not something anyone wants to do while on holidays but I'm glad to have access to this technology!!) Our flight home isn't until very late Friday night so we're just taking it moment by moment at this time, going to resorts for quiet wanders, heading to Fort Wilderness for an afternoon since my family first stayed there in 1971 and it feels like home to me.

Thanks to this little community for having each other's backs and providing support to make sure that everyone is able to enjoy a Disney trip regardless of their abilities!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I'm so sorry to hear about your mother, I'm really glad to hear how you were treated. Ironically we had not terribly different situation just a few days after you. We were sitting outside Olivia's on March 1st, waiting for our Uber to take us to the airport when family called to tell us that DH's mom had had a stroke. She was just 20 minutes from WDW, and wanted DH to stay to help out. Unfortunately, circumstances meant he had to go home, but it's comforting to know that under different circumstances Disney isn't always cold to family emergencies.

 

[lanejudy]

My condolences on the loss of your mother. It’s nice you’ve found some solace revisiting your first WDW trip. Good to hear WDW has helped you in this difficult time.