How do I turn a special trip into a magical one?

[1KidandaHalf]

We are throwing together a last-minute trip to DLR and leave in 3 weeks!!! I'm feeling the crunch because we are planners and need a lot of lead time due to our family situation. I've got three boys, 14, 8, and 4. They are all very happy boys and I love them to pieces.

My middle son is medically-fragile and has a ton of medical stuff we have to drag along (hence the need for lots of lead time). He is super friendly and absolutely loves DL, Cars Land and all the fun people he meets. Cognitively, he is more like a preschooler/kindergartner. This is a really special trip for us because his condition is worsening. I want the boys to really have some precious memories together and what better place to make them then at the happiest place on earth?!!

So here's my question - what can I do to make this into a super special, wonderful, awesome trip filled with MAGIC? And in the really short amount of time I have to plan?
(Kind of love that word, because our family's initials actually spell it! )

 

[SMD]

Have you checked to see which character meal ADRs are available during your trip? Is your son in a wheelchair? Right now there are trains parked at Main St and NOS stations (Main St is not wheelchair accessible, but NOS is). You can sit on the trains for pics and talk to the conductors, something that doesn't happen when they're running. Also, you can walk across the tracks and see the buildings other side of NOS station.

 

[Tasscrapper]

Are your boys into Star Wars at all? If so I would do the meet and greets with Chewy and Vader. I think DCA has Spiderman too. If the parks get to much for the younger boys and you have the opportunity for one on one time with your older son (either with mom or dad) while the others hang out at the hotel or turn in early that can be a very special time for the parent and the child. Let the older son lead the way in what ever he wants to do and tag along for the ride. It might surprise you what he would choose to do.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Don't get them too excited about the trains. I have never figured out how to access them in a wheelchair. I have a medically fragile child and we do Disney all the time. Donald duck in DCA is particularly good with children who are different (if you get the right one). One of the things we do so our family can really enjoy Disney is meal packages. If you can only handle one monetary splurge, do the dessert party for WOC. It is worth every penny with a kid in a wheelchair. If money isn't an issue and they are not totally anti frozen, do the frozen VIP package at Carthay. THat plus the show eats up almost half a day but it was truly magical and you really get treated like a VIP. I cried during the show because it was so perfect for my daughter. Might not be a boy thing though. Have they ever eaten at Blue Bayou? It is inside the pirates ride. THat is pretty darn magical if you are a kid. Especially if you ride before your meal. You can get a parade package. Can you move him out of his chair for things? Bugs Life movie/ride is worth getting out of the seat for. My son really likes pins. At age 11 he likes to look at them when we are not there and remember when he got them and why. Of course, they will need to wear matching clothes. Magic does not occur if they are not color coordinated. You should have enough time to order something custom. Direct message me if you have any disability related questions and I will be happy to help. From your signature, it looks like you have not been there since the changed from the GAC pass.

 

[SMD]

You've never seen the wheelchair ramp at NOS and TL stations? There are detailed instructions for NOS station on the DL site describing how to access the station and board the train. There is a tie down spot for a wheelchair on the train. Obviously since it's not running right now, only the access to the station would apply.

 

[GatorChris]

Definitely do a few character meals. Maybe Goofy's Kitchen and Minnie's breakfast at Plaza Inn. Also, find out if the Step-sisters are doing character greets somewhere. They will make any moment more magical. And there's always something magical about rides that get you wet together as a family.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Truth, no. It looks to me like main street station is up the stairs and there is no way to get a wheelchair up there, so we wrote off the train long ago. I have never even seen the other stations despite spending at least 50 days there in the last 5 years! There are so many things to figure out with a medically fragile kid in a wheelchair that I never made the train a priority. I have never figured out the monorail either. Again, never seen the station! I am setting a goal to try the monorail on our May trip.

Just saw Chris's post. Wanted to add, although PLaza Inn was awesome with characters, we found it a bit hard with a wheelchair and ours is just a stroller type. If yours is bulky with equipment, it may be a bad experience for you. The way the tables are set up, the table that could accommodate a wheelchair blocked like 7 other tables. We got bumped and touched a lot (all of us). It might have just been bad luck and we will go back but, fair warning. The character breakfast at PPH is a great one in terms of personal space and fun. THe characters at Storytellers are super fun and interactive despite the fact that they are a bit obscure.

 

[SMD]

Truth, no. It looks to me like main street station is up the stairs and there is no way to get a wheelchair up there, so we wrote off the train long ago. I have never even seen the other stations despite spending at least 50 days there in the last 5 years! There are so many things to figure out with a medically fragile kid in a wheelchair that I never made the train a priority. I have never figured out the monorail either. Again, never seen the station! I am setting a goal to try the monorail on our May trip.

Then why tell someone whose child may not even be in a wheelchair they won't be able to use the train if you've never even tried? As I said in my post, NOS is accessible. And as you've said, you've never even seen the station.

OP, going to the opposite side of NOS station to see both sides of the train and the buildings on the other side is a unique experience that will go away when the train reopen later this year.

 

[PHamrick]

Here is something that I am doing for my kids this trip (so we will see how it goes). Every morning they will receive a small gift of some kind that goes with the theme of the day. For example, autograph books and gift cards on the first day. Lanyards with special trading pins for the second day. Disposable cameras for another day...that sort of thing.

Have you also looked in to in-room celebrations? Having a gift basket delivered with Disney goodies in it? We've had that done at WDW and the kids really enjoyed coming in to a special surprise.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

First, I’m so sorry your precious boy’s condition is worsening, and I think it’s so wonderful that you’re looking for ways to make this trip extra special. I take my granddaughter to Disneyland to make indelible, magical memories as well, and I’ll share a few things that have worked for us.

The characters are much more interactive if you have a ‘prop’. For example, my granddaughter was dressed as Doc McStuffins one morning at breakfast, and ALL of the characters used her stethoscope to check their heartbeats, her heartbeat, and each other’s heartbeats. They even left our table and brought other characters back with them just to use the stethoscope! We have lots of great pictures and memories from that breakfast. Also, my granddaughter was holding a pair of stuffed Chip and Dale toys when she was in line to get their autographs, and they had the BEST time with the little stuffed versions of themselves. They pranked each other and just goofed off with them, and the pics and memories from that interaction are also high on our favorites list.

If your son loves the monorail and if he’s able, take the time to wait for a ride in the front with the driver. They only take 4 people at a time so your whole family won’t fit, but if you wait at the Tomorrowland station, whoever is in the front has to get out upon arrival. This doesn’t work at the Downtown Disney station because you can take a round trip from Tomorrowland to Tomorrowland, so everyone doesn’t have to exit the train in Downtown Disney.

Another thing that really makes my granddaughter happy is contributing to someone else’s magic. She always brings stickers and glow sticks and she loves giving these out to other children. When we buy a balloon or a bubble blowing toy, she finds another child to give it to on our last night at the parks. These are some of her favorite memories!

My last and favorite tip is to give the camera and/or video recorder to the kids for some portion of every day of your trip. It’s so much fun to see what they choose to take pictures of and record. You’ll end up with tons of memories from your kids’ perspectives that you can enjoy forever.

I hope you have the most wonderful, magical trip.

 

[superme80]

I was also going to suggest Minnie's at Plaza Inn. We took our children ages 2-7. They had some amazing interaction. I am so sorry your family is going through this. I hope you have a fabulous trip!

 

[1KidandaHalf]

Thanks for all the great replies already!

SMD - He is in a wheelchair, but we can transfer him and he always wants to sit in a "regular" chair when we are sitting somewhere. DS4 loves trains, so am writing that down as a to-do.

SMD & GatorChris - Definitely also plan on doing a Character Dining, but can't decide which. Last time we did Plaza Inn and PPH, but that was several years back and DS4 has never been. I haven't called for anything; no ADRs yet. Ack! Hopefully they won't be too booked for the first week of May.

 

[1KidandaHalf]

NevadaJen - Some great suggestions. We are on a budget (truthfully, way over budget already, but oh well... ) so if it's just one, would dessert party WOC trump VIP Frozen?

 

[1KidandaHalf]

Tasscrapper - We do like Star Wars and DS8 loves M&Gs. DS14 loves rides. DS4...we don't know yet if he'll be scared or enjoy either. It is hard to be in line and DS8 will likely only last a few hours in the park each day, so we have to prioritize.

Do you know what the restrictions are on doing the Jedi Training? I think all of them would like to do that, but worried they might not let DS8 since he's in a chair and cognitively delayed. He can follow instructions and DS14 is really wonderful with him, so could push him up and help him with directions.

 

[1KidandaHalf]

PHamrick - I love surprise gifts! Luggage space is an issue, so will have to think of small items. We are staying offsite so can't do in-room packages (see budget comment above ), especially as we are also bringing a nurse & aide to help us with his 24hr care - too many people for onsite! It's worth it so we can actually be mom and dad instead of all our time as nurse to him and it allows us to spend some time with the other boys.

 

[1KidandaHalf]

707MickyGirl - Thank you. And I your suggestions! Especially the idea of spreading pixie dust by bringing give-aways. DS8 is super social and friendly and this will be a nice way to let him interact. The other boys will enjoy it too. Making others happy is awesome!

 

[1KidandaHalf]

superme80 - Thank you. We try not to dwell on the future, and we've definitely learned to value the present and the time with our boys! Truthfully, we feel blessed to have these happy boys. We've had some scares before and my reaction is always, "We need to take a trip!" It usually does the trick.

 

[SMD]

He can stay in a wheelchair for Jedi Training, but the maximum age is 12, so it would be the younger 2 that can participate. As far as surprise gifts, if you wanted to do that you could pack day 1 and then buy the other days in the parks or DTD the night before. It would probably be more expensive that way. There are Disneyland personal shoppers out there that will deliver to off site hotels. The one I know of that does custom orders is Mouseshoppe.

 

[Malcon10t]

Don't get them too excited about the trains. I have never figured out how to access them in a wheelchair. I have a medically fragile child and we do Disney all the time.

The trains are very easy to access. Although there is no access at Main St, you can board at New Orlean's Square, Toon Town, and Tomorrowland Station. Look for the entrance with a handicap symbol, they have a ramp to board the wheelchair. Works quite well.

Only downside for the train is it may still be closed during the OPs visit. But they can access the train and the Lilly Belle at NOS, and if he is partially mobile, he can see the train station on the other side of the tracks.

For me, WOC would be better than Frozen's VIP.

This is something for the future - Have you looked at Make A Wish?

If he can get out of the WC, consider asking to ride in the pilot car of the Monorail. And then ride in the rear car! (We prefer the rear!!)

 

[1KidandaHalf]

He can stay in a wheelchair for Jedi Training, but the maximum age is 12, so it would be the younger 2 that can participate. As far as surprise gifts, if you wanted to do that you could pack day 1 and then buy the other days in the parks or DTD the night before. It would probably be more expensive that way. There are Disneyland personal shoppers out there that will deliver to off site hotels. The one I know of that does custom orders is Mouseshoppe.

Jedi Training: Will they allow my DS14 to push my DS8 in his chair?
I'm pretty sure personal shopping is out of my budget, especially at DLR prices, but you got me thinking... I'm going to see if I can order stuff online to ship directly there. We were already talking to the property manager about shipping some medical supplies in advance, so I know they can hold packages for us.