Evan is going to see "Bickey Bouse" on a wish trip!

Oh my gosh!!!! He is sooooo cute! Ack! It kills me! :goodvibes You are a great mommy, and yes- he def picked the right mommy! I'm not sure if I will be too much help in the planning and such, but I love your ideas so far.

I wonder if you could call the foundation and ask if they get the green light GAC as well- like the one GKTW does? I would think they would and that would help a lot in how much you get accomplished if they do. They are a wish foundation, so I would hope you would get the same pixie-dust kind of treatment! I hope so!
 
If you have your dates, you might be interested in contacting a Fairy God Mailer (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2440121&highlight=fairy+godmailer) for some extra magic for Evan! Basically, the concept is a thoughtful someone who is going to WDW ahead of you will send Evan a postcard of his fav character saying 'Looking forward to your visit' or something similar. Really gets the kids excited about their upcoming trip! Then, you pay it forward when you arrive--you pick up a postcard and mail it to another kid who's trip is coming up.

Thought you might like to know in case you hadn't already read about it.
 
If you have your dates, you might be interested in contacting a Fairy God Mailer (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2440121&highlight=fairy+godmailer) for some extra magic for Evan! Basically, the concept is a thoughtful someone who is going to WDW ahead of you will send Evan a postcard of his fav character saying 'Looking forward to your visit' or something similar. Really gets the kids excited about their upcoming trip! Then, you pay it forward when you arrive--you pick up a postcard and mail it to another kid who's trip is coming up.

Thought you might like to know in case you hadn't already read about it.
that is fantastic! i already want to sign up for "big gives" for some of my new little friends. what a terrific site this is!!!!!!
 
Oh my gosh!!!! He is sooooo cute! Ack! It kills me! :goodvibes You are a great mommy, and yes- he def picked the right mommy! I'm not sure if I will be too much help in the planning and such, but I love your ideas so far.

I wonder if you could call the foundation and ask if they get the green light GAC as well- like the one GKTW does? I would think they would and that would help a lot in how much you get accomplished if they do. They are a wish foundation, so I would hope you would get the same pixie-dust kind of treatment! I hope so!
thanks for the info! the folks from sunshine are coming next friday to "present" evan's trip. i will def check with them. it is called a "green light GAC"?

and thanks for saying ev is cute...i love the word "ack";)!!!!!
 

thanks for the info! the folks from sunshine are coming next friday to "present" evan's trip. i will def check with them. it is called a "green light GAC"?

and thanks for saying ev is cute...i love the word "ack";)!!!!!

All I know is it is a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) and wish kids get a green light stamp on it- it gets you front of the line access to characters and shorter lines for the rides and stuff. You can ask more about it on the main wish thread. I hope that helped a little though.

I hope he LOVES his trip presentation- don't forget to post pics! :goodvibes And he really is a super cutie! :thumbsup2
 
So glad the DisBoards is helpful to you LeAnn!!

For anyone that cares - LeAnn was my best friend through elementary school - before I moved and all that, and I was super thrilled to re-connect with her through Facebook and I am THRILLED that she is utilizing the DisBoards :cool1:

enough of my yammering - I'm in for this trippie for sure!
 
So glad the DisBoards is helpful to you LeAnn!!

For anyone that cares - LeAnn was my best friend through elementary school - before I moved and all that, and I was super thrilled to re-connect with her through Facebook and I am THRILLED that she is utilizing the DisBoards :cool1:

enough of my yammering - I'm in for this trippie for sure!
hey- i know you :)

thanks for tagging along on our trip!
 
/
hey- i know you :)

thanks for tagging along on our trip!

There is a little something on it's way to you from Baltimore. There is a card for Ev from "Bickey" - I didn't realize he didn't know about the trip yet so hide it from him until after the presentation :goodvibes
 

hey gang!

so overwhelmed by the people on this thread. i already feel like you all really want to know about evan and his trip,just like i want to know about your kiddos. it gives me the warme fuzzies:lovestruc

i thought tonight i would post a few more things i am planning, as well as some questions or issues iam looking for help/advice about.

*has anyone been to or planning on going to the fireworks dessert party at magic kingdom. my mom is a HUGE dessert person, and i thought it would be nice for ev o get a good view. is it really worth the cost? or does anyone have a good suggestion on where he could see wll from his chair while eating a treat from the confectionary?

* my plan is to tote ev around the park in his wheelchair. but i am concerned because it doesn't have much storage in his wheelchair backpack and because it doesn't have any sunshade on it. if i were to decide i would rather rent a stroller for him, would they still acknowledge his mobility problems? and i guess a more imprtant question is do the strollers fit a 44 inch tall kiddo and can he see well from there. also, do the strollers have straps that can be buckled?

* we will recieve 3 single day tickets from sunshine foundation. i am thinking that a mid day nap and lunch at the village will save money and let ev enjoy more. but with that kind of pass are you allowed to leave and come back? i have always used a park hopper, so i don't know about this.

*do you think it would be worth the time and expense to order or make tshirts for us to wear saying that we are on a wish trip? it looks like GKTW provides special shirts that help folks know that the kiddo is "special". to my knowledge, sunshine does not. i wondered if you thought evan might get the (as you say in this thread) "pixie dust" experience if he doesn't have that. if you think i should do it, do i need to put anything special. i am sure lots of families/groups do shirts, so they may have to really stand out to be noticed.

*i am having a real dilemma over whether to take my good camera (did i mention i have been trying to do photography on the side for families/friends with special needs kids for the last year??) or just an okay camera. my good camera is awesome, but it is heavy, and it cost a lot and i can't afford to replace it. my mom has a tiny nikkon that take decent pictures. i think it will be a lot easier to take with us. will i regret not taking the good camera. i do have photoshop, so i can tinker with the nikkon pics.

* i am also going to take my little flipcam. but i don't know whether to take the laptop so i can store videos on it if it gets full. i want to take as little as possible, but i want to make sure i have enough storage to save all our memories. btw, i plan to set up a youtube channel so i can share videos with family of evan's trip. i will be sure to share it here;)

*lastly, for tonight, i was wondering about suggestions for dinner at hollywood studios. i had done the primetime cafe once. i just wonder if there is a kid friendly place. i was actually considering just doing Pizza Planet. if it is anything like the movie, ev would love it.

thanks again for your help. looking foward to some good adivice:grouphug:
 
There is a little something on it's way to you from Baltimore. There is a card for Ev from "Bickey" - I didn't realize he didn't know about the trip yet so hide it from him until after the presentation :goodvibes
thanks!!! he does know, he just diesn;t know about the presentation. i am actually gonna get a "bickey" cake and invite the sunshine folks to stay for that!!
 
* my plan is to tote ev around the park in his wheelchair. but i am concerned because it doesn't have much storage in his wheelchair backpack and because it doesn't have any sunshade on it. if i were to decide i would rather rent a stroller for him, would they still acknowledge his mobility problems? and i guess a more imprtant question is do the strollers fit a 44 inch tall kiddo and can he see well from there. also, do the strollers have straps that can be buckled?

You would go to guest services and get a "stroller as wheelchair" tag, then the stroller would be allowed anywhere a wheelchair would be. I would suggest an offsite stroller rental, they are cheaper and more comfortable.

A great resource is the Disabilities thread here . It is full of all sorts of information.

* we will recieve 3 single day tickets from sunshine foundation. i am thinking that a mid day nap and lunch at the village will save money and let ev enjoy more. but with that kind of pass are you allowed to leave and come back? i have always used a park hopper, so i don't know about this.

You can go back to the same park you entered with the ticket originally.

*do you think it would be worth the time and expense to order or make tshirts for us to wear saying that we are on a wish trip? it looks like GKTW provides special shirts that help folks know that the kiddo is "special". to my knowledge, sunshine does not. i wondered if you thought evan might get the (as you say in this thread) "pixie dust" experience if he doesn't have that. if you think i should do it, do i need to put anything special. i am sure lots of families/groups do shirts, so they may have to really stand out to be noticed.

We love having special t shirts, you do get attention with them, maybe you could put "Sunshine Foundation wish trip" or something like that.

*i am having a real dilemma over whether to take my good camera (did i mention i have been trying to do photography on the side for families/friends with special needs kids for the last year??) or just an okay camera. my good camera is awesome, but it is heavy, and it cost a lot and i can't afford to replace it. my mom has a tiny nikkon that take decent pictures. i think it will be a lot easier to take with us. will i regret not taking the good camera. i do have photoshop, so i can tinker with the nikkon pics.

I suggest prepaying for the Photopass CD. Most of the character greets have photopass photographers. I don't know if you know about photopass but they give you a card (make sure to take a picture of the back of it, so if you lose it you still have your code), they scan it every time they take pictures of you. This way you can be in the pictures with Evan. They have photopass photographers all over the parks. When you get home you log in, "claim" your pictures with the code and you can edit, crop, and add borders. Then order the CD that you paid for.

* i am also going to take my little flipcam. but i don't know whether to take the laptop so i can store videos on it if it gets full. i want to take as little as possible, but i want to make sure i have enough storage to save all our memories. btw, i plan to set up a youtube channel so i can share videos with family of evan's trip. i will be sure to share it here;)

I always take the laptop to download our pictures, videos. It depends on how much stuff you want to take.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi, I am Tracy. I am so happy you two are going to WDW. We will be there 3 days before you. My significant other Bill, has CP and uses a power wheelchair. He LOVES WDW and made me love it too.

Taking care of someone with CP can be very tiring. I understand how you feel.

If Evan needs a place to rest, if he needs personal care, or anything like that please use the First Aid stations in the parks. They are a wonderful place and private. If you need any advice or anything I would love to help :goodvibes.
 
LeAnn - Tracy is the WOMAN with Disney Trips - her trip reports are GREAT if you ever get a chance to check them out. And she has a lot of experience with traveling with Bill (her significant other) and his wheelchair so she'll have a lot of tips that you may find helpful for you, Ev, Gran and Grump :goodvibes


*why do I feel like I'm introducing you to a DisBoard celebrity?* :rotfl2:
 
thanks so much tracy. i really may pick your brain. thanks for the tip about first aid stations! i have ordered a stroller handle for ev's chair and am hoping that it works out. i think he would see best and be most comfortable there. i am looking now for a better bag for the back than his "quickie" one. i saw some really cute ones online, but looks like people made them. i have no talent for things like that! LOL! thanks for checking out our trip!
 
thanks so much tracy. i really may pick your brain. thanks for the tip about first aid stations! i have ordered a stroller handle for ev's chair and am hoping that it works out. i think he would see best and be most comfortable there. i am looking now for a better bag for the back than his "quickie" one. i saw some really cute ones online, but looks like people made them. i have no talent for things like that! LOL! thanks for checking out our trip!

The disABILITIES board here is such a wonderful resource. I will help any way I can. My Bill can only use his left hand (limited use), he has a speech impediment, and can't walk. That doesn't stop him from living a very full life. He has 3 college degrees and a Masters. He amazes me every day.

As for the bag, have you checked out here?
 
Also, for rest you guys might be able to utilize the wish lounges too. I think they are for all wish kids, not just MAW- you may ask Maroo when she gets back! That way, you don't have to go all the way back to Sunshine to get some rest. They even have a huge bean bag chair he could nap on in there. It's only for wish kids and it's in the Magic Kingdom by the first aid place.

As for the shirts- go on the creative disboards section and ask one of the DISigners to make you guys special shirt designs!! They will do it no problem. You tell them what you want and they can even make special ones, like "Ev's Sunshine Trip" or "Ev's Wish for Disney" you get the idea. They can do all the characters and everything! Sooo super cute. Then, you print them out on iron on paper (get it at Walmart pretty cheap) and iron them on to plain colored shirts. It's not hard. I had to practice once and now I can do it pretty well. :goodvibes

You should also ask Maroo if there is any way for you to get the photopass cd for free. I know the wish kids at GKTW get the thing for free- and it isn't cheap! She worked with Disney and GKTW so they could get it- def ask her if the same applies for other "wish" trips. I hope it does! That would be such a super pixie dust for you if it does. Then you could get the magic pics free- you know the tinker belle in the hand ones and stitch popping out of the pavement?

Hmmm.... think, think, think.... anything else to add? :rotfl: I think that may be it for now.

Oh yeah! My kiddos loved pizza planet. I dunno if it's really like the movie- but it was good and had a few arcade games and such. decent prices too. And we didn't do the desert party. I wanted too- it looks pretty cool. allears.net has some reviews on there about it I want to say.... can't remember. But I know I saw some trip reports with it in there. Good luck!
 


*has anyone been to or planning on going to the fireworks dessert party at magic kingdom. my mom is a HUGE dessert person, and i thought it would be nice for ev o get a good view. is it really worth the cost? or does anyone have a good suggestion on where he could see wll from his chair while eating a treat from the confectionary?

I can't really help out much with your questions! But, I was just reading a Trip Report and know that Josh (Dis name MitoDadMO) and his family were just there a couple of weeks ago and did the Desserts party for his son Kade's wish trip. Might try messaging him or checking out his thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2625020) for info on it--but his family seems to have really enjoyed it!

As for the camera--I've got the same problem. Hate to bring around my big, expensive SLR, but just know I would regret it if I didn't. So, a few years ago, I invested in a nice backpack-style camera bag. It's not too big, totally comfortable and just perfect for slinging around the camera and a few usual backpack goodies. I'd probably bring both cameras--and get the Photopass. I'm a shutterbug, so I just gotta have the pics. Definitely see if you can get the Photopass for free! That would be fantastic!

Also shirts--I say do it. Such great designs and totally worth the $10 shirt and iron-ons! Makes for great pics, Evan will feel so special in his tee, will get him noticed by everyone...all round goodness!

Good luck with the plans! You seem well on your way......
 
I can understand your struggle on whether or not to tote your good camera around. I have debated this myself. If the Nikon gives you photos that you are happy with, then it would be easier to take it than an slr. I take photos professionally from home, and it is our second income.... and I debated taking one. ( I have two because for wedding photos I need two). But I didn't have access to another decent one or the money to shell out for a decent point n shoot, so I spent what I could on a little video cam and decided to take my dslr. It's heavy but I thought I would feel naked without it since we probably won't make it back to Disney anytime while the kids are little....
so weigh the costs... does the Nikon take acceptable photos? Is this a once in a lifetime trip that would benefit from quality lenses? Do you have a plan to make sure nothing happens to your cam if you take it, since you need it for income? Is it insured?
Hope this helps,it may not, but know you aren't alone in this decision....

If you take your DSLR then take a plastic bag or waterproof covering to protect it form rain.Take care.
 
Wow Great Info. I wish we had know about the stroller (made into a wheelchair tag) we had so much trouble with that when we went on Jason's trip.
I second make T-shirts I heard this place has the best transfers. I plan to order this week and get some shirts made for our trip.
Off to read Tracy's threads. :rolleyes1
 

hey gang!

so overwhelmed by the people on this thread. i already feel like you all really want to know about evan and his trip,just like i want to know about your kiddos. it gives me the warme fuzzies:lovestruc

i thought tonight i would post a few more things i am planning, as well as some questions or issues iam looking for help/advice about.

*has anyone been to or planning on going to the fireworks dessert party at magic kingdom. my mom is a HUGE dessert person, and i thought it would be nice for ev o get a good view. is it really worth the cost? or does anyone have a good suggestion on where he could see wll from his chair while eating a treat from the confectionary?

I have been! The desserts are AWESOME! But I am not sure about the view...There is a wall there, so it depends on how high he can get - he may have a much better view from the Wheelchair Section in the HUB (the Hub is the circle in the street right in front of the castle)...the wheelchair section for parades is on the right side as you are facing the castle and any CM can direct you there. The earlier you get there, the better, so that he can sit up right at the rope and see all the characters in the parade.

I would do this for the night parade.

Then you can move over just a little into the street for the fireworks and see them right from the castle. The trick here is to find some place that doesn't have people standing up right in front of him - that is tricky because it can be packed with people.

So...I am almost talking myself right into the dessert party since you can at least step back so he can see the fireworks. The fireworks will be a little off center from the dessert spot, though. But he can see Tinkerbell fly very well!


* my plan is to tote ev around the park in his wheelchair. but i am concerned because it doesn't have much storage in his wheelchair backpack and because it doesn't have any sunshade on it. if i were to decide i would rather rent a stroller for him, would they still acknowledge his mobility problems? and i guess a more imprtant question is do the strollers fit a 44 inch tall kiddo and can he see well from there. also, do the strollers have straps that can be buckled?

I would rent from an offsite company like Tracy said and get the red sticker that says "Stroller as a Wheelchair" - I would get two stickers so that they can be easily seen by CM's. I would get a special needs stroller. Let them know you are on a wish trip from Sunshine Foundation and they may be able to cut you a break on the cost. It will be cheaper than renting in the parks anyway.

* we will recieve 3 single day tickets from sunshine foundation. i am thinking that a mid day nap and lunch at the village will save money and let ev enjoy more. but with that kind of pass are you allowed to leave and come back? i have always used a park hopper, so i don't know about this.

Yes! You can leave that park and come back to that park - you just can't hop to a new park.

*do you think it would be worth the time and expense to order or make tshirts for us to wear saying that we are on a wish trip? it looks like GKTW provides special shirts that help folks know that the kiddo is "special". to my knowledge, sunshine does not. i wondered if you thought evan might get the (as you say in this thread) "pixie dust" experience if he doesn't have that. if you think i should do it, do i need to put anything special. i am sure lots of families/groups do shirts, so they may have to really stand out to be noticed.

Go down to the DISigns part of the DIS and someone there may be able to tweak a design from the Wish Trippers that are through MAW so that it says Sunshine Foundation and you can make several of those.

*i am having a real dilemma over whether to take my good camera (did i mention i have been trying to do photography on the side for families/friends with special needs kids for the last year??) or just an okay camera. my good camera is awesome, but it is heavy, and it cost a lot and i can't afford to replace it. my mom has a tiny nikkon that take decent pictures. i think it will be a lot easier to take with us. will i regret not taking the good camera. i do have photoshop, so i can tinker with the nikkon pics.

I would take the "just ok" camera. Set it on the highest setting to get the highest resolution and maybe get an SD card that can hold a LOT of pictures! I also use "continuous" setting so that it will take shots every second or something and I can take a bunch of pictures at once and just delete all but the best one. It is a different type of photography, but should work great!

* i am also going to take my little flipcam. but i don't know whether to take the laptop so i can store videos on it if it gets full. i want to take as little as possible, but i want to make sure i have enough storage to save all our memories. btw, i plan to set up a youtube channel so i can share videos with family of evan's trip. i will be sure to share it here;)

I would bring your computer...because you can download your pictures off your camera SD card, too and maybe not have to buy a bigger card?? There is nothing better than awesome pics of your child enjoying this trip!

*lastly, for tonight, i was wondering about suggestions for dinner at hollywood studios. i had done the primetime cafe once. i just wonder if there is a kid friendly place. i was actually considering just doing Pizza Planet. if it is anything like the movie, ev would love it.

Pizza Planet will be perfect!! :)

thanks again for your help. looking foward to some good adivice:grouphug:

You guys are going to have a great time!

Also, for rest you guys might be able to utilize the wish lounges too. I think they are for all wish kids, not just MAW- you may ask Maroo when she gets back! That way, you don't have to go all the way back to Sunshine to get some rest. They even have a huge bean bag chair he could nap on in there. It's only for wish kids and it's in the Magic Kingdom by the first aid place.

As for the shirts- go on the creative disboards section and ask one of the DISigners to make you guys special shirt designs!! They will do it no problem. You tell them what you want and they can even make special ones, like "Ev's Sunshine Trip" or "Ev's Wish for Disney" you get the idea. They can do all the characters and everything! Sooo super cute. Then, you print them out on iron on paper (get it at Walmart pretty cheap) and iron them on to plain colored shirts. It's not hard. I had to practice once and now I can do it pretty well. :goodvibes

You should also ask Maroo if there is any way for you to get the photopass cd for free. I know the wish kids at GKTW get the thing for free- and it isn't cheap! She worked with Disney and GKTW so they could get it- def ask her if the same applies for other "wish" trips. I hope it does! That would be such a super pixie dust for you if it does. Then you could get the magic pics free- you know the tinker belle in the hand ones and stitch popping out of the pavement?

Hmmm.... think, think, think.... anything else to add? :rotfl: I think that may be it for now.

Oh yeah! My kiddos loved pizza planet. I dunno if it's really like the movie- but it was good and had a few arcade games and such. decent prices too. And we didn't do the desert party. I wanted too- it looks pretty cool. allears.net has some reviews on there about it I want to say.... can't remember. But I know I saw some trip reports with it in there. Good luck!

I think the MK lounge is just for the GKTW kids?? But I am not positive on that??

Photopass is also a GKTW thing...And the codes I had last year have expired, I think. But CALL Photopass before you go - today if you want - and see if they have anything for kids not staying at GKTW that are on wish trips. And you might see if Sunshine Foundation can ask them for a code for a free CD for you guys.

At any rate, it would be a great idea to pre-buy the CD if you can't get one for free so that you can use the PHotopass photographers...tell them you are on a wish trip and ask them to take lots of pictures. Tell them you pre-purchased a Photopass CD, too. Those pictures will be helpful since you may have your hands full with autograph books and such and not be able to take a good picture with a character.

Wow Great Info. I wish we had know about the stroller (made into a wheelchair tag) we had so much trouble with that when we went on Jason's trip.
I second make T-shirts I heard this place has the best transfers. I plan to order this week and get some shirts made for our trip.
Off to read Tracy's threads. :rolleyes1

YEP!! BEST transfers!!!!! :)
 


thanks guys for all the advice:):):)

i think i have all but decided to take the "just okay" camera. i may also check into the special needs stroller thing. i didn't even know they made such a thing!!! but if not, i am just going to use his chair and make him wear a hat.

also, i did some looking online and found a cute disney themed wheelchair bag. my mom has a sewing machine and i may try to copy that to store more stuff in:)

i also looked on etsy. i found some really cute mickey ear shirts that were appliqued with names below them. i think i am going to contact them and see if they will "tweak" it for me and add the "sunshine foundation wish trip" on there. (i did check out the transfer page, but it say she was no longer doing disney desgins :(

i am still thinking about the dessert party. but after reading maroo's advice, we may opt for a good parade spot and a sweet treat and take our chances with fireworks!

does anyone have any input on bibbidy bobbidy boutique for boys? is it fun? would you go to the one in MK or the one at downtown? i was thnking that may be fun on our saturday.

getting ready to take evan to hippotherapy...fun fun fun!:)

princess:
 





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