Dying wish

[oklamomof4boys]

If this isn't appropriate or the right place to ask this, I am sorry. Anyway, my sister's friend has been given 2 months to live. She is a Disney fanatic and her dying wish is to go to Disney World one last time so they are going in a couple of weeks. She has 2 teenage children. Is there anything family and friends could do to make the trip more special? Is there anything Disney would or could do? I am familiar with DAS because my son qualifies for it. We have only used it in California. Is it the same in Florida?

 

[HarleenQ]

If this isn't appropriate or the right place to ask this, I am sorry. Anyway, my sister's friend has been given 2 months to live. She is a Disney fanatic and her dying wish is to go to Disney World one last time so they are going in a couple of weeks. She has 2 teenage children. Is there anything family and friends could do to make the trip more special? Is there anything Disney would or could do? I am familiar with DAS because my son qualifies for it. We have only used it in California. Is it the same in Florida?

The DAS is different in FL in that it's attached to magicbands/tickets and you go to the individual ride to get a return time. But the way it works on the surface is the same.

I wouldn't look to Disney to help with this, honestly. They unfortunately come into contact with thousands of scenarios like this, as awful as that sounds. As far as family, what are they willing to do? Pay for special things? I think a really great memory would be a spa treatment for the mother and her 2 girls, in Disney, the absolute works, just bonding. They could also hire a photographer (not sure which one Disney usually works with) and get some great family photos at one of the deluxe resorts. Splurge on the room. Send a gift through the Disney florist to their room with fun stuff (not sure what they like). Get Cinderella's glass slipper with their names or the date of the trip engraved. Get photopass and make sure they take tons of pictures, especially goofy ones. Order a cake from the bakery to be delivered at a meal with happy birthday written on it and make a big deal like it's her birthday as a surprise. Anything, and everything, that this woman has ever wanted to do at Disney DO IT.

Honestly, the whole trip is probably going to be difficult for all of them with the realization that it's the last one. Setting up moments that allow them to enjoy each other and the magic around them while keeping it easy on the mother will be the best idea if that makes sense. Schedule sit down meals in the AC since it's going to be insanely hot when they go.

I'm so sorry they're in this position but it's amazing that they'll be able to honor her dying wish and enjoy each others company.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Thank you- those are great ideas!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Is there anything Disney would or could do?

1) Call Disney and ask for Community Relations, as they "might" be able to assist.
2) But, if they decide to help,. there will be A LOT of paperwork to verify the illness and prognosis. *

* You can imagine the number of people who call claiming an illness for special treatment.

 

[gap2368]

yes I do not think disney will do much for your friend but like the PP said you can make memories your self and you really do not have to spend a lot a photo in fornt of cenderalas castal a nice meal.

also remember first aid is a great place to take a break and recharge.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm so very sorry.

I'm not sure there's much anyone can do--this will be a poignant trip, regardless of how much Pixie Dust is scattered their way.

 

[Twende]

My only advice is to go as soon as possible. We had a dear friend who also loved Disney and was diagnosed as terminal. I tried to pull together a "last" trip for her but she ended up listening to a family member who told her it would be too tiring to go and within a few weeks or so she could no longer go because of her health. I have always regretted not finding a way to just pick her up and take her.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is a WDW specific DAS thread near the top of this board. The basics are the same, but there are some differences due to what WDW has available compared to DL. The biggest difference is that WDW DAS Return Times are obtained at attractions, while DL it's at park kiosks.
The other difference is that WDW guests can preschedule 3 Fastpass times ahead of time.

Follow the link to my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread (or look near the top of this board). The first post of that thread is an index to what is located in each thread.

Other suggestion I have:
- plan knowing that the trip may have to be cancelled at the last minute if her condition changes. That has happened to multiple people posting on this board. Think of the planning as part of the trip. For many people that is almost as important apart as the trip itself.

- plan for a lot of downtime. Possibly as much as one rest day after every park day. Be aware of the fact that she be very tired and only be able to do one or two park days, despite what she may want to do.

- at the park realize that you may need to skip some attractions if she's too tired. If she needs to rest, each park has a first aid where she can lie down. Some people need to rest before making their way back to their resort.

- plan as many attractions as possible for things that she will not need to transfer. Each transfer in or out of the wheelchair does take some energy and if you are able to do attractions with her staying in the wheelchair it will conserve energy for her. If she is going to do some transfer rides, try to alternate ones where she transfers with ones where she does not need to.

- have someone monitoring her for signs of the fatigue. She may deny or ignore being tired because she doesn't want to spoil anyone's fun. Or, she may be so excited that her excitement is masking tiredness. Buildsome rest times into the day and realize she might suddenly crash.

- have her talk to her doctors to get some ideas of things that might be important in her individual situation and see if you can get recommendations for where to go if she has any problems.

- take lots of pictures, including things the kids may be doing without her. You can make a memory book for her that she can look at in the hard days ahead. I can tell you from personal experience that was something nice we did for my mom and looking at the book later has been a comfort for us.

 

[SMD]

I would add to what Sue said that she should go with referrals from her doctors to medical care facilities or even specific doctors if they have them. My cousin has twice weekly dialysis, and if he goes away, even overnight he always has a referral of where he should go if there's an emergency.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

I would tell her: Definitely do the Memory Maker photos and stop for as many photo opportunities as possible so you get a ton of photos - and be sure you know about the cool Magic ones where they add characters and such to your certain poses.

 

[bopper]

Family and friends could donate so that they could stay on a monorail hotel...would make getting to/from the parks easier.