How to add extra "magic"?

[Ladyandthepuppies]

My friend is going to Disney World with her kids after experiencing a horrible, very traumatic year. I'm so glad that they will get to experience the magic of Disney and hopefully the joy that Disney brings will help them to heal a little.

I wanted to try to reach out to Disney to ask if there's anything that I could pay for (or that Disney might do?!?) that would brighten their day and make their vacation even better. They have been through so much hardship and I really want to see them catch a break! Any suggestions?

 

[Marionnette]

My friend is going to Disney World with her kids after experiencing a horrible, very traumatic year. I'm so glad that they will get to experience the magic of Disney and hopefully the joy that Disney brings will help them to heal a little.

I wanted to try to reach out to Disney to ask if there's anything that I could pay for (or that Disney might do?!?) that would brighten their day and make their vacation even better. They have been through so much hardship and I really want to see them catch a break! Any suggestions?

http://disneyworld.disneyfloralandgifts.com/home.do

 

[prgal0715]

Have you looked into Disney Floral & Gifts? They can do everything from welcome balloons to a fully festooned room: http://www.disneyfloralandgifts.com/

Another thought is surprising them with a dinner show or another special event you can pay for in advance such as one of the fireworks dessert parties. You could tell them just before they leave for vacation and all they'll have to do is show up!

 

[Staren]

What's the age range of the kids? The prepared gift bags might be awesome for younger kids, but maybe not as much for teens or older tweens.

Maybe arrange with a restaurant to pay for their first dinner if they're not on a dining plan.

Have a selection of snacks and drinks shipped to their hotel ready when they check in.

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

Have you looked into Disney Floral & Gifts? They can do everything from welcome balloons to a fully festooned room: http://www.disneyfloralandgifts.com/

Another thought is surprising them with a dinner show or another special event you can pay for in advance such as one of the fireworks dessert parties. You could tell them just before they leave for vacation and all they'll have to do is show up!

I LOVE the idea of the fireworks dessert party!!!

 

[prgal0715]

I LOVE the idea of the fireworks dessert party!!!

Those fireworks dessert parties can be pretty magical! When is your friend going? How many kiddos does she have/how old?

 

[Shanti]

My friend is going to Disney World with her kids after experiencing a horrible, very traumatic year. I'm so glad that they will get to experience the magic of Disney and hopefully the joy that Disney brings will help them to heal a little.

I wanted to try to reach out to Disney to ask if there's anything that I could pay for (or that Disney might do?!?) that would brighten their day and make their vacation even better. They have been through so much hardship and I really want to see them catch a break! Any suggestions?

The Fireworks Dessert Party is a great idea. Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table is also a pre-pay event and feels special. At Fort Wilderness Resort, the Hoop Dee Doo dinner show is very popular and fun, and is also a prepay event.

 

[Daniela Rose]

Before becoming a sahm I worked in a very elite travel concierge agency. We had connections with the VIP department at Disney.

Somebody I knew asked if anybody knew anyone at Disney to help with something. There was a little boy, almost 3, with terminal cancer. He was a micropreemie twin to boot. He was in isolation for the first year of his life bc of that and then he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Bc he was so sick he again had to be in isolation. When the diagnosis turned terminal the family said they were going to Disney at the last minute.

I reached out to the VIP department and they planned a lot of very special things for them. The mom had no idea I was the one who coordinated it.

Def reach out to the VIP department. Explain the situation. They can plan anything you can think of and lots of things you never would have. But. They do get lots of make a wish trips and obviously can't do everything for everyone.

 

[ToddyLu]

I am not meaning to turn this into a "healing thread" but Disney does have a healing magic. I think experiencing a special event like the dessert party is wonderful! DH and I lost the contents of our home to Katrina in 2005 and then 5 weeks later DH lots his Daddy after a 2 year battle with cancer. Not only that but DH is a firefighter with the city and had post katrina "clean up" stressors and his parents lost the contents of their home to the hurricane as well. So to say 2005 was stressful is an understatement. I gave part of the eulogy on my 11th anniversary. Sooooo...we had booked a early Dec earlier in the year and debated on going....we did. It is still the best trip we have really ever had. I am telling this to let you know the power of one event...

It was the first time I had ever seen Osborne Family Lights. We got there early that evening because I knew I wanted to be at the end of the street when they turned the lights on. I love Christmas decorations and DH has gotten used to my decorating during the Holidays. So they turned the lights on... I gasped, hands to mouth...and started crying...Dh glanced at me and all he could do was smile and hold me. I felt like the Grinch and my heart grew three sizes too big. Sealed me and DH as Disney Lovers forever I think. That trip really started to heal us both and DH especially needed it.

So for a mother and her children a wonderful event like the dessert party is terrific. It is so sweet of you to give them an experience like that...and then they will turn on the fireworks...and Wow!! Giving you and your friends a hug with pixie dust.

 

[DVC_Dad_Canada]

My kids always loved the Pirates and pals cruise when they were small.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My friend is going to Disney World with her kids after experiencing a horrible, very traumatic year. I'm so glad that they will get to experience the magic of Disney and hopefully the joy that Disney brings will help them to heal a little.

I wanted to try to reach out to Disney to ask if there's anything that I could pay for (or that Disney might do?!?) that would brighten their day and make their vacation even better. They have been through so much hardship and I really want to see them catch a break! Any suggestions?

I don't know how much you are thinking of spending, but you could arrange a private VIP tour for them. The MK fireworks dessert party is wonderful and there is a new Frozen dessert party in EP that includes a ride on FEA. I've also used Disney Floral and Gifts and their in-room celebrations are really nice.

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

There's a teenager and two toddlers, plus her and her husband. I don't think the kids will be too into flowers but I love the tours or dessert party ideas! That's so fun for the whole family.

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

Before becoming a sahm I worked in a very elite travel concierge agency. We had connections with the VIP department at Disney.

Somebody I knew asked if anybody knew anyone at Disney to help with something. There was a little boy, almost 3, with terminal cancer. He was a micropreemie twin to boot. He was in isolation for the first year of his life bc of that and then he was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Bc he was so sick he again had to be in isolation. When the diagnosis turned terminal the family said they were going to Disney at the last minute.

I reached out to the VIP department and they planned a lot of very special things for them. The mom had no idea I was the one who coordinated it.

Def reach out to the VIP department. Explain the situation. They can plan anything you can think of and lots of things you never would have. But. They do get lots of make a wish trips and obviously can't do everything for everyone.

Ah thanks so much for this advice! Fortunately none of them are sick but I will reach out and see what the VIP dept says. There were two unexpected deaths in their family this year and I think even something small (like a room upgrade or something!) would help them feel like there are good times ahead.

 

[TJA]

What resort are they staying at? Room upgrade sounds nice - what a way to start a vacation!

My other thought is the Happily Ever After Dessert Party at MK. We went to the party just a few weeks ago and it was AMAZING. We booked the garden plaza viewing and had the best view. It was the highlight of our trip!

 

[Daniela Rose]

There's a teenager and two toddlers, plus her and her husband. I don't think the kids will be too into flowers but I love the tours or dessert party ideas! That's so fun for the whole family.

Check out the flowers and gifts department. It's def not just flowers. They have balloons, toys, candy, cakes, etc, etc. you can arrange to have something waiting in their room.

Here's the link
http://disneyworld.disneyfloralandg...gn=Disneyworldwebsitesearchdisneyfloral&gifts

 

[mickeynut1]

Check out the flowers and gifts department. It's def not just flowers. They have balloons, toys, candy, cakes, etc, etc. you can arrange to have something waiting in their room.

Here's the link
http://disneyworld.disneyfloralandg...gn=Disneyworldwebsitesearchdisneyfloral&gifts

This ^^^. Disney Florist has lots of great gifts, other than just flowers. You can get gift baskets already packaged together or choose items separately to make your own combination. I used them for the first time 2 yrs ago and I was very pleased with the customer service I received when I ordered, as well as the finished product.

 

[meohmy]

Family visit to Pirates League.

Would be a fun experience for the children to see their parents transformed into blood thirsty pirates!

Silly moments make fabulous memories.

The Memory Maker would also be a wonderful gift, there are so many places to have special photographs taken.

 

[Disneytam]

There's a teenager and two toddlers, plus her and her husband. I don't think the kids will be too into flowers but I love the tours or dessert party ideas! That's so fun for the whole family.

I love Disney flowers and gifts. Not just flowers, I had a blanket made for newlyweds with Mr. and Mrs. and their name on it and a little Christmas tree with Pluto. So many good ideas. Wonderful of you to be trying to help.

 

[SharonZ]

Honestly, I would get each child his/her own gift card. The experiences sound great, but you don't know what the family has planned or how tight their schedule is.

 

[shellyj]

Honestly, I would get each child his/her own gift card. The experiences sound great, but you don't know what the family has planned or how tight their schedule is.

I agree, I wouldn't book and pay for an experience without discussing it with her first. If you really want it to be a surprise, you could mail them a package a few days before they arrive and include some fun things, snacks, and gift card(s).