Hi folks, just joined up and had a quick read through some of the thread.
Our son Owen is almost 4 and has Menkes disease, despite his disabilities he is a very happy little boy and he is just the light of our lives. We are based in the UK and Owen has just recently been granted a wish from MAW to go to Florida and we are staying at GKTW. I've read so many great things about the place and really cant wait, I think i'm more excited than he is!! We are planning on going in early December as the theme parks will hopefully be quiter then or so i've read, one thing we are not looking forward to though is the 9 hour flight.
I am so glad you are excited!
I love early December - the weather is usually good and the parks relatively empty!
As Owen is confined to his special wheelchair he will be limited as to what he can do, we also have Olivia who will be almost 2.5 years when we travel so really we need to plan whats best for them both. I'm thinking that US would probably be a bit too much for them, not sure if they have much for their age groups and I think the time may be better spent elsewhere. Certainly we will be spending the 3 days around Disney without question, we all adore anything Disney! epsecially Owen. I think they will both really enjoy Seaworld too, is there any possibility we can arrange to have Owen (and Olivia) swim with dolphins there? I think Owen would love this kind of interaction and especially in the water where he can feel much more free than in his chair.
I honestly think you will be surprised at how much he can do. Is he verbal?
Lauren can't stand or walk, but she was able to ride a lot of rides. Many in her wheelchair! We were amazed at how accessible everything was. Some rides we had to pick her up and hold her, but that worked well, too.
You have several options for Dolphin encounters. The most elaborate (and expensive) option is Discovery Cove - which you can pay to have a whole day of activities including a swim with the Dolphins.
Epcot also has a dolphin excursion, though. The problem you are possibly going to run into is his age - I think you have to be 12 or something before he can get in the water with them.
Lauren's Dolphin Experience
Honestly...the dolphin experience was enough for us for that first trip. It was a very close encounter and something Lauren still talks about!
We are not keen on driving around in America so was wondering about transport, MAW over here told me that they provide shutles to and from the parks and when you want to return to GKTW then you just ring for a shuttle, is this correct?
I second what everyone has said...I totally see that it could be a problem if you are used to driving on the other side of the road? And to be honest...driving around Orlando is not the easiest thing - I tend to get lost and I drive on the "right" side of the road all the time.
You could try the shuttle and then ask for a car later?? Not sure on this one.
If you DO use the shuttle...just be aware that it only heads to Disney at 10 AM - which may seem really late (since everyone on the DIS would tell you have to be at the park at rope drop or you will miss everything...but the GKTW button will help so that you won't have to worry about getting everything done.
And the # of wheelchair spots are sometimes limited - I am sure it depends on which bus the company sends.
All in all really looking forward to it, after a week in Disneyland Paris 10 weeks before we go it should put us right in the mood!
Thanks for the comments folks and the incredibly warm welcome.
Ive been mulling over the transport thing for a while as i've never driven abroad and her in the UK we drive on the left so i've got no experience at all of driving on the other side, some people I know drive in Florida all the time and say its very easy although the wide roads and multiple lanes make me nervous, the only time we have 3 lanes or more is on a motorway! Ideally I do think driving myself would bring alot more freedom to the whole thing so I think i'll just have to get used to it. I've actually just done the route on Google maps via streetview all the way from GKTW to Epcot! I'll be taking a satnav I think just for good measure.
Oh...that is so funny! Google streetview should really be pretty good practice!!
I presume we'll get a car at the airport, it will have to be a wheelchair access vehicle, are these freely available out there? also what is the parking like in Disney? and Seaworld? easy? free?
Parking is free everywhere with the button. If someone anywhere asks you to pay, remind them you are a Make a Wish family and they should take good care of you.
They do have handicapped accessible vehicles since Orlando is a major destination for those with disabilities.
Parking lots are big. Do you have handicapped parking tags in the UK? I am not sure how that would translate to the US?? Technically you are supposed to have your handicapped tag...but I bet if you show them a wheelchair (which they should be able to see, assuming he is sitting it in for transport) I think they will let you park in HA parking. I think they usually let Wish Kids park there either way, really.
I think we'll give US a miss really as the kids just wont get much out of it being so young, I remember loving it when the wife and I went to Florida in 2003 before we had the kids, I seem to remember I was much thinner then too!
I was much thinner in 2003, too.
I reckon 3 days in Disney and 1 in Seaworld and the rest of the time in the GKTW village itself.
We skipped Universal as well. Are you guys Harry Potter fans? I am a HP fan, but Lauren and her family are not - so I don't think we are even going in November when they go back.
I'll keep udated with dates etc as these will be booked fairly soon once we sort out a couple of minor details.
I hope you start a pre-trip report - if you want! Maroo, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this movie. I was surprised to read that you were unsure whether to recommend it to your friends. I really hope they will bring it to Canada, but as for now, it looks like it's US only. I imagine it will be upsetting to me as well once I finally get the chance to see it, but I for one, am glad to hear that the movie portrays the realism and sadness of so many of our situations. Although, I probably have to see it to truly understand what you are saying.
I am glad to hear that there is a solid Christian message of hope, for that is the only hope we can really hang onto when our whole world has been overturned and shattered.
It is disappointing that GKTW isn't portrayed as a more happy place though. If anywhere seeps happiness out of it's pores, it's GKTW.
Sigh...I miss GKTW too...
Which makes me sad for the movie company...if that makes sense...because I think the message they are trying to get out is positive - hopeful? 
Wow, you're up late even for WA. (said one night owl to another)
Some nights the owl in me takes over. I'll regret it when the kids get up in 3hrs
I always wonder what happens to the families whose stories fill the pages before ours. It's nice that you came back to say hi.
Hopefully I'll stick around this time. Life's been crazy for us since Oct and :knock on wood: I think we're finally getting back to a semi routine.
Of course, I have lots of online support through other groups related to Catherine's medical needs. But to find this amazing, assorted group of people who don't necessarily have the same medical condition, but can share the magic of Disney and the joy of "the wish" that all of our kids are experiencing. 
)
We are praying for you
Hello!! 
I agree completely!
I am SO glad I found the DIS, and all of the wonderful people who visit here!
- they do so much that I didn't want to upset anyone and look the gift horse in the mouth sort of thing.
