Hi All,
I was wondering what kind of bag to bring to the parks and what essential items to put in there.
Does anyone know where the lockers are located at the parks and how much they cost?
We will be using a wheelchair so I maybe able to hook it on the wheelchair.
Any Advice??
Thanks,
Diane
I could have sworn I responded to this yesterday, but I don't see my post. We saved money and used backpacks we already owned, and I also had a fanny pack that is a travel pack I got from LL Bean about 20 years ago (yes my fanny pack is older than all my children).
I had multiple back packs the first day because I was OVER planning; and that turned out to be a big mistake. I had something for every contingency...but being prepared can be burdensome and very heavy. We ended up leaving some "what if this happens and I need this.... stuff.." in the car. Our car was parked in the medical overflow lot and very close to the front gates in all the parks. I took one back pack with meds and plastic panchos, a fanny pack with ID, money and keys (that was always around my waist for safekeeping) and the camera bag with us into the parks. I bought these orange clips from Home Depot and used them to attach the straps of the bags to the stroller. I was worried about theft, and with these clips someone couldn't walk by and just grab it...they have to release the clip to remove the bag. There are lots of Dis boarders who LOVE a brand of bag called Baggalini. I am thinking of getting the messenger bag for the next trip we take (not on the calendar yet). They have several styles in a ton of colors. The Disboarders get the lime green one so they are recognizable to other disboarders at the park. I think I will opt for something a little less "neon" even though I love lime green. Anyway...they are sold at
Amazon, and their web site shows all their different styles...here is the link:
www.baggallini.com/index1.asp
Go to the first page of this thread and check out LeeLee2U's TR. Her son is in a wheel chair and she has wheel chair specific tips in her TR. Here is a pic of the clips I used. They are between $1.00-$3.00 depending on the size.
I'd look at 5dwarves TR. She's extremely through with her pre-trip planning and included all kinds of lists for the bag. There are some other TR's that discuss doing WDW with a wheelchair that are informative.
As for the guilt part, it's hard to accept something that is free for me. I was scared when MAW called because I thought that the Child Life lady knew something about my son's diagnosis that I didn't. The first question I asked was "Is my son dying?" And that's when she explained to me that not all MAW children are dying. I've finally come to realize that my son deserves this. He's had an incredibly hard life and has dealt with things that no child ever should, and he deserves a little R&R.
Thanks for the compliment. I think I over did it a little though. My biggest piece of advice is to "enjoy the moment" when you are there and try and step out of your every day stress.
Sometimes all the "baggage", both literal and figurative, that we take with us as wish families can squelch the magic. Use your best judgment with what you need to bring. We lightened our load after the first day. No need to add extra burdens to your life.
Our wish agency was very careful to make sure that I didn't freak out when I got their letter. In the first or second sentence they made sure I knew that it was for children with life
changing illnesses. My son's illness could have been life ending, but I am forever grateful that the transplant he had changed that. This trip will not only be for your son, but also for you. The illness truly does effect every memember of the family in some way. There are emotional, physical and financial aspects of the illness that touch every aspect of your lives. A good friend of mine has a quote that she uses frequently. "As a parent, you are only as happy as your most unhappy child. " All my children have made sacrifices as a result of Adam's illness. They were all touched by the attention Adam received and they recevied at GKTW and at the parks in Orlando. Please enjoy yourselves, guilt free!!! The trip really is for all of you.
Do u know of anyone who has went to GKTW with the dream factory?
We are going in June but haven't been told what to expect etc. Any help is appreciated. Thank you
If you go to the first page of this thread there are links to several wish tripper's PTR (pre trip reports). In 2007 Whosyourmickey went to GKTW through Dream Factory. She may have specific info there for you. Ask any questions you may have! Welcome to the Dis!
Hey guys, we are in the hospital. Aidan got a stomach bug and we couldn't keep him hydrated. We did the ER thing yesterday and are now going on our first, looking at least at another. He is doing better and is quite active today. Not much fun in the hospital though, I get to hang out with a kid that doesn't really wish to be here and doesn't want to keep in an IV.
Not much fun at home for Naomi however. Mya has the same thing and started throwing up violantly last night, she however is urinating which we are told is a good sign.
I am hopeful that by the time I am posting this that you have already signed your discharge papers. Wishing your little ones a quick recovery!
Getting closer. Sorry you all have to look through my posts.
I was reading where people are being rude to others with disabilities. I have had alot of people who think my daughter doesn't deserve a trip because she *ONLY* has diabetes.
I would love to see them sit through a day of her life. Missing out on snacks at school but having to watch every other kid eat stuff in front of her. Missing school 6-12 times a day to go to the office for extra snacks and finger pokes. Oh and lets not forget about the needles we go through and the site irritations from her pump. She is 7 and is worried about going to Disney World in June because she thinks her insulin will go bad.
Sorry to rant but people really don't have a clue when they open their mouths.
First off, welcome to the Dis. Glad you found this thread.
I was very paranoid about receving evil looks while we were there. My son's illness is not visible. He had a transplant in 2006 and sustained some brain damage (that we initially thought was autism), as a result of seizures post surgery. He doesn't have any visible disability though, so I was fearful we would be met with sneers and rude behavior. We were not. I know a few people have had issues, but that is not a Disney or Universal thing, that is a general population thing. The CM's will assist you. Make sure they see the GAC (Guest Assistance Card) you were given at GKTW, and either a parent or the wish child should wear the GKTW button (I wore my son's to keep him from destroying it or ripping holes in his clothes). The park staff recognizes it immediately and if you are having any issues with another guest they will make sure they know you are there for a wish trip. As soon as people know that they ususally change their tune pretty quick. Again, I was worried about conflict, but didn't have any issues.
There is a full size refrigerator in the villa for your daughter's insulin. I don't know if you are able to take meds to the first aid center for refrigeration. You could call guest services at Disney and tell them your concerns and ask if the meds could be refrigerated there. I am sure you are not the first person with this issue.
