Make A Wish Sends Lauren to Disney World! * IT IS FINISHED...* *Updated 1/28/09*

[heaven2dc]

So glad that Lauren rated this trip an 8 even after all the bad experiences she had (laying on the ewww bathroom floor - how unDisneyfied!!) We can't wait to read of some good news again and that the trip gets salvaged after these past couple days!

Great Halloween pics of Lauren and her/your friends! and you too, Mary!! You make a great C.I.T.H.

 

[zeppy68]

How can any employtee sugest to lay down in the bathroom. That also upsets me. Very nproffesional employees. I'm glad the trip gets better and I'm excited to here the rest of the trip.

 

[AshClan]

Well, like everyone else, I am HORRIFIED that Lauren was forced to lay on a bathroom floor! And so sorry that she was so sick. I am continuously amazed at the positive outlook of all of you, though, considering the circumstances. I KNOW, you all had your moments (of course), but to be wise enough to split up instead of making everyone miss the fun, and to have the wearwithall to think of IV fluids, and the hospital, and to STILL rank this vacation as an 8 our of 10. THAT is a positive outlook!!

I am happy that things DO improve. Can't wait to hear some more good stuff!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I am very horrified about the bathroom floor too!
Thinking of my DD, it's difficult and dangerous to get her down on the floor and to get her back up again. I can't believe they would suggest that.

I'm glad to hear the trip improved after that.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

Well, like everyone else, I am HORRIFIED that Lauren was forced to lay on a bathroom floor! And so sorry that she was so sick. I am continuously amazed at the positive outlook of all of you, though, considering the circumstances. I KNOW, you all had your moments (of course), but to be wise enough to split up instead of making everyone miss the fun, and to have the wearwithall to think of IV fluids, and the hospital, and to STILL rank this vacation as an 8 our of 10. THAT is a positive outlook!!

I am happy that things DO improve. Can't wait to hear some more good stuff!!

I agree your positive outlook ( and Lauren's positive outlook) is just amazing and a great testimony to us all.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Mary, I am so sorry everyone got sick. I would have lost it and cried too. You had to let those emotions out. You had planned so much to give her a magical trip and then she got sick, it wasn't fair for her.

Great Halloween pics!!

 

[bob6sims]

Really enjoying your TR
I was going to go to bed them I started reading your first post then I clicked the next post then the next post....I'll need some pixie dust tomorrow so no-one notices the bags under my eyes.

Lauren looked beautiful in the tinkerbell outfit with her hair all pinned up - I think she made a better job of her make-up before heading to the party MNSSHP than BBB did .

 

[shane&jakesmom]

I am glad everything turned out okay Whew, Lauren looked adorable for Halloween.

 

[lilmissdisney216]

Awesome halloween pictures. I will try to get the pictures posted of me on Halloween with DBF as soon as I can. Lauren still looks pretty as ever in her Tinkrbelle redo.

So sorry to hear that Lauren fell terribly ill while in WDW and had to go to Celebration Hospital. Its good that you got the virus treated in her and I'm glad that all of you got a day off to recharge your batteries and recooperate (sp). Keep us/ me posted and I can't wait to hear more.

Much love and Pixie Dust,

Meredith

 

[eyor44]

Mary
What kind of camera do you have? Seems I thought someone asked you earlier, but I couldn't find it. I have finally decided to get a digital and am taking a poll to see what kind everyone has. Your's takes really good night time pics, one of my requirements.

 

[eyor44]

sorry, double post

 

[tinytreasures]

so sorry you guys picked up a bug on your trip
she looks great in her Halloween costume with her friends

 

[maroo]

Oh Maroo, how sad that everyone got sick. I hope you and Rick didn't also. Can't wait to hear about your next day, after resting that is. Rests days are nice too, at least that is what DH keeps telling me.

I know...We actually did NOT get the virus! We aren't quite done with needing medical help yet...but no more virus!!

You know, I would be all for having a rest day or afternoon or something for every trip with this family. It takes a lot to get us going in the AM...and if we are out late...it really is helpful to have some time to just regroup.

I think your DH is right!!

Aww, I feel so sad yet happy at the same time. Happy because I think going to the ER and getting fluids was great! Celebration is an adorable little town, with a cute little main street, a few shops and restaurants and a fun lake to sit by! You'll have to check it out on your next trip and NOT for the hospital!

I am so upset that Lauren had to lay on the bathroom floor! I can only imagine how it made her feel! I am so sorry! You can definately tell you weren't at disney!

Can't wait to hear it get better. I think rest days are wonderful! and hope everyone recovers with this one day of rest!

Yeah...I am very thankful that Lisa had the wisdom and forethought to go ahead and take her in to the Hospital. I didn't realize Celebration was a town...(Sorry, Celebration!)...we might have to stop by...but no hospitals for us!!

As far as the bathroom floor goes. There are a lot of accessibility needs that just have not been really addressed. An accessible bathroom can have plenty of room for a wheelchair and room to transfer to use the toilet...but if you need to change clothes, it gets very tricky. Lauren can not hold herself up...so I can't change her anywhere BUT the floor...

We choose wisely which bathrooms we deem clean enough to do this...and we have a thick large blanket that we use, too...we don't just lay her on the bathroom floor. Not an ideal situation. It hurts the caregiver to have to put her down there (emotionally) and it hurts physically to change her there...especially since we are trying to do it so fast.

I am seriously open to suggestions about a better way to do this...really...there are lots of disabled people reading this...how do you guys handle these situations? You can PM me...I certainly won't encourage you to solve this problem on this thread...

So glad that Lauren rated this trip an 8 even after all the bad experiences she had (laying on the ewww bathroom floor - how unDisneyfied!!) We can't wait to read of some good news again and that the trip gets salvaged after these past couple days!

Great Halloween pics of Lauren and her/your friends! and you too, Mary!! You make a great C.I.T.H.

Yes...I hope that everyone knows just how much FUN we had...we still have a couple of very magical moments that we have not even shared with you guys yet...the trip overall was a complete hit!!

See my note above about the bathroom deal...

And thanks for the CITH comment! I make a fun book character!!

How can any employtee sugest to lay down in the bathroom. That also upsets me. Very nproffesional employees. I'm glad the trip gets better and I'm excited to here the rest of the trip.

I know it! They were pretty clueless...which is normal for "normal" life...but somehow we expect more since they are in Orlando and around Disney...they just don't get it.

Well, like everyone else, I am HORRIFIED that Lauren was forced to lay on a bathroom floor! And so sorry that she was so sick. I am continuously amazed at the positive outlook of all of you, though, considering the circumstances. I KNOW, you all had your moments (of course), but to be wise enough to split up instead of making everyone miss the fun, and to have the wearwithall to think of IV fluids, and the hospital, and to STILL rank this vacation as an 8 our of 10. THAT is a positive outlook!!

I am happy that things DO improve. Can't wait to hear some more good stuff!!

Yes...the splitting up was hard...normally on Rick and Lisa, because they were usually split up...Lisa with Lauren and Rick with William. Next trip we are hoping for more "family" time and maybe some more strategic splitting so that Lauren and I can hang some by ourselves, too. And when she is NOT sick!

Things definitely do improve...I do have one post almost ready...I hope to post it tonight...or early in the AM...

I am very horrified about the bathroom floor too!
Thinking of my DD, it's difficult and dangerous to get her down on the floor and to get her back up again. I can't believe they would suggest that.

I'm glad to hear the trip improved after that.

You are right!!! I am going to PM you about this...you guys have expertise here and I would love your input!! Thanks for reading!!! And feel free to add anything that would benefit future trip readers for persons with disabilities!

 

[maroo]

I agree your positive outlook ( and Lauren's positive outlook) is just amazing and a great testimony to us all.

Thank you! We really can't take credit for the joy that I think you are seeing...That doesn't come from us...It is a God thing. Because personally, I would be "done" after day one. That extra strength...the extra push of joy...that comes from Him. But thank you so much for noticing that...and allowing me some freedom in expressing where I think that positive outlook is coming from...

Mary, I am so sorry everyone got sick. I would have lost it and cried too. You had to let those emotions out. You had planned so much to give her a magical trip and then she got sick, it wasn't fair for her.

Great Halloween pics!!

Yeah...a few times on this trip I cried...sometimes happy tears...but definitely some frustrated tears. All of us plan and plan for trips...and you think it is going to be a certain way...and things never work out quite like that. And what you are left with is what you have to work with...I guess that is life.

But when it is a wish trip... you know a once in a lifetime deal... it is harder. because we know we won't walk these same roads again in this way.

But, I guess it is that way for all of us. Anything can happen in our worlds...and you never know when you will have a "last trip" with someone...or folks can grow up...so you only have "one trip" when they were "this or that" age... I guess we all just have to live in the moment.

And you gave the best advice when you said to just take it all in! I did that several times on this trip...more than I would have if you had not said that... breathe...enjoy it...take it in. I plan to...again!

Really enjoying your TR
I was going to go to bed them I started reading your first post then I clicked the next post then the next post....I'll need some pixie dust tomorrow so no-one notices the bags under my eyes.

Lauren looked beautiful in the tinkerbell outfit with her hair all pinned up - I think she made a better job of her make-up before heading to the party MNSSHP than BBB did .

Aw... I am so glad that you have enjoyed it! Stick with us...it got sort of a downer in that last few posts...but the good times are returning, I promise!!

Lauren is a beautiful girl...inside and out...and she is GREAT at her makeup! Been practicing a long time!

I am glad everything turned out okay Whew, Lauren looked adorable for Halloween.

Thank you!!!

Awesome halloween pictures. I will try to get the pictures posted of me on Halloween with DBF as soon as I can. Lauren still looks pretty as ever in her Tinkrbelle redo.

So sorry to hear that Lauren fell terribly ill while in WDW and had to go to Celebration Hospital. Its good that you got the virus treated in her and I'm glad that all of you got a day off to recharge your batteries and recooperate (sp). Keep us/ me posted and I can't wait to hear more.

Much love and Pixie Dust,

Meredith

Thanks, Meredith! I would love to see the pics!!!

We were sorry she was sick, too. It was awful, really...I am glad to be past it in the TR...it was sort of depressing me again!! But, we are out of that hole and on to more fun stuff!!!

Mary
What kind of camera do you have? Seems I thought someone asked you earlier, but I couldn't find it. I have finally decided to get a digital and am taking a poll to see what kind everyone has. Your's takes really good night time pics, one of my requirements.

Oh...uh...let's see...

It is a Canon Powershot A250. I am sure they have an updated version coming out now...as mine is fairly old. I had the one before this version, too...it is just a simple camera...point and shoot, but has video. One trick for me is to turn the flash OFF for most of my pics...even outside. I find that there is enough light without it and I don't wash out all of my pics with the bright light. There are a lot of settings you can play with on it...you can take specific fireworks pics or night shots...and the settings are pre-set.

I really like my camera. I would also recommend a 2G memory card. They are expensive. But I got mine at an after Thanksgiving sale for very cheap!! It helps, because it holds so many pics that you can just take a bunch and not worry about it. then you can go through them later and delete the ones you don't want. I also like the feature where you can take 10 pictures directly in a row...do if you are watching a show and press the button, it takes 10 pictures in quick succession so that you can possibly capture that dolphin jumping or whatever you are trying to catch that is moving.

anyway...you can PM me if you want more info about this camera. I would also watch out for how much digital zoom and optical zoom you have on the camera...you might want to read up on that? if you don't already know those terms... Canon makes a great camera, though!

so sorry you guys picked up a bug on your trip
she looks great in her Halloween costume with her friends

Thanks for posting!!! We were sorry, too...but it has worked out!!

And we had a good time on Halloween...I told them that they should have dressed up and done something with the fact that they were all in powerchairs... those three had not ever been out together, so they were not sure what to do...but I am sure there is something creative they could do with that!! It was fun, though!!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

OMG - The bathroom floor!

Unbelievable! When they had that lounge available.

Anyway - I'm so sorry everyone is sick. And a rest day is probably the thing to do.

Can't wait to hear more!

The Halloween pictures were a real treat.

 

[HeatherSue]

I was a few updates behind. You are speedy! I don't think I've updated my TR since you started yours.

I took notes!
-------------------

Oh no! They're sick!

I love your disclaimer about Cinderella's Castle not poisoning them.

Oh my gosh, $12.42 for 2 Sprites! That better have had a cure in it!!

Wow, you WERE close to that whale! That's about as close as I would want to be to anything that swims and has teeth.

Teresa seems to have goofed up a quote back there in post #203.

Nope, that dolphin just looks scary to me, not so much cute.

I think Lauren looks beautiful with no makeup!

That picture of all of you petting the dolphin has me all teary-eyed.

I knew those dolphins were evil!! They look too much like a shark, and apparently the funny sweetness is all an act. I knew it!

WHAT? They had upgraded seating, but not for a wheelchair? What are they talking about?

Oh my gosh, I can NOT believe the only place they had for Lauren to lay down was the bathroom. That is just unacceptable!

There was a VIP room?? They told Mary to take Lauren to lay on the dirty bathroom floor when there was a VIP room??? GRRRRRRRR......

Oh my gosh, I can just imagine how you feel, seeing Lauren so sick and worrying about her.

Yes, you did make me laugh with your questioning of the name of "Celebration Hospital".

I am so glad that everyone at the hotel and the hospital was so nice when they found out Lauren was sick.

Oh no, not William, too!!

Great Halloween pictures! The one of Lauren laughing is my favorite, especially after that sad update.

I think one of the only times one of us DIDN'T get sick on vacation is when we all took "Airborne" before we left.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

The bathroom floor? WHAT...I am outraged.

Let THEM lie on the bathroom floor!

Poor Lauren.

I can't wait to hear the rest!

 

[iu97alum]

Bathroom siutation makes me mad. Reminds me of the days when I was nursing and they'd say, go nurse in the abthroom (or pump there!) and I was furious! I'd then ask them, would YOU eat in the bathroom???? Same thing!

 

[maroo]

OMG - The bathroom floor!

Unbelievable! When they had that lounge available.

Anyway - I'm so sorry everyone is sick. And a rest day is probably the thing to do.

Can't wait to hear more!

The Halloween pictures were a real treat.

Yes, the worst part about the whole thing was that they had a basically empty VIP room available...and send them to the bathroom instead!! Crazy!!

I should be able to post my next installment tonight!!

Thanks for reading and for posting!!!

I was a few updates behind. You are speedy! I don't think I've updated my TR since you started yours.

I took notes!
-------------------

Oh no! They're sick!

I love your disclaimer about Cinderella's Castle not poisoning them.

Oh my gosh, $12.42 for 2 Sprites! That better have had a cure in it!!

Wow, you WERE close to that whale! That's about as close as I would want to be to anything that swims and has teeth.

Teresa seems to have goofed up a quote back there in post #203.

Nope, that dolphin just looks scary to me, not so much cute.

I think Lauren looks beautiful with no makeup!

That picture of all of you petting the dolphin has me all teary-eyed.

I knew those dolphins were evil!! They look too much like a shark, and apparently the funny sweetness is all an act. I knew it!

WHAT? They had upgraded seating, but not for a wheelchair? What are they talking about?

Oh my gosh, I can NOT believe the only place they had for Lauren to lay down was the bathroom. That is just unacceptable!

There was a VIP room?? They told Mary to take Lauren to lay on the dirty bathroom floor when there was a VIP room??? GRRRRRRRR......

Oh my gosh, I can just imagine how you feel, seeing Lauren so sick and worrying about her.

Yes, you did make me laugh with your questioning of the name of "Celebration Hospital".

I am so glad that everyone at the hotel and the hospital was so nice when they found out Lauren was sick.

Oh no, not William, too!!

Great Halloween pictures! The one of Lauren laughing is my favorite, especially after that sad update.

I think one of the only times one of us DIDN'T get sick on vacation is when we all took "Airborne" before we left.

Teresa's quote on #203... I actually was glad she did that, because I had forgotten to subscribe to that thread and it reminded me to go back!

Hehe...on the "evil" dolphin... They just want FISH!!

The Contemporary and GKTW were very very nice about Lauren getting sick!!

Airborne...that is a good idea!! Have not thought about that. I guess that is the whole point of the name, huh!

Thanks for reading and posting!!! And everything else you do!! I need to go check the Big Give site...*note to self!*

The bathroom floor? WHAT...I am outraged.

Let THEM lie on the bathroom floor!

Poor Lauren.

I can't wait to hear the rest!

I know it!!! But, we are doing great now! I am going to post another installment tonight...

Bathroom siutation makes me mad. Reminds me of the days when I was nursing and they'd say, go nurse in the abthroom (or pump there!) and I was furious! I'd then ask them, would YOU eat in the bathroom???? Same thing!

lol...never thought about it that way...but that does make sense! (No kids...so have not had that problem yet!) Thanks so much for your sympathies on that!! And thank you so much for posting!!

 

[maroo]

Woo Hoo!! Day 4…and NO ONE is sick!! Now that is worth some bananas!


First up…after we got ready and headed out…was breakfast.

Now, Lisa reports during this meal that THIS is her favorite meal so far…seriously…wanna guess what it was?!?!




It’s in Downtown Disney…







Some of you guys are close…








It’s McDonalds!!!!

Yep, those golden arches…exactly what Lisa needed…

Seriously…poor Lisa had eaten at the Castle (which was good food, but a little too rich…and it WAS the last thing she ate before she caught IT) and The Wave (sent that dish back to the kitchen )…all Lisa wanted was a “regular” meal…so a plain ole McDonalds breakfast was perfect. Bless it! So, we did eat at McD’s! And she enjoyed it! We all did!


After we ate…we shopped! I love Downtown Disney. My favorite thing…well…I have 3 favorite things, actually…


What are a few of my favorite things? (Gosh, I feel a song coming on...maybe I have watched at least ONE Disney movie!!)


LEGOs! I love legos…and if you love legos, you will LOVE this…

You know, I like my job…but it sure would be fun to create these things out of legos! Think they are taking applications?

The dinosaur! Someone really, really has a lot of time on their hands. But how cool is that?


And…Pin Trading! Pin Traders, the pin store at Downtown Disney, well I might as well have just given them my whole wallet! I found so many pins that I wanted. I got the whole deal…a lanyard, lanyard medal, and pins! I love the “Where dreams come true” theme…it perfectly described our trip! The Year of a Million Dreams theme…one of those dreams was definitely ours!

I was not the only one that loved the pins…it was a good thing that this was a wish trip…because we budgeted each child to get some souvenir money (more than they would usually get, I am sure)…and they ALSO bought some pins. But William…he was the most excited about this new addiction…I don’t think he even really cared about the toy store, once he saw all of those pins…and found out you could trade them! FUN!

One of the CM’s let us know that they pulled out a big book of pins each day at a certain time in one of the stores. Each person is allowed to trade two pins for any pin they see in the big book!

But first, it is time to eat…So we put our name in at the Rainforest Café!

Here are the kids with their new pins…

William loved the rainforest theme at this restaurant…even this big guy!!

We ordered and got our drinks. By then it was time to do the pin trading “book opening” at a nearby store, so we talked to our waitress and she was all for us going while we wait for our food…Yeah!

Lisa, William and I were the only ones that wanted to go…so we headed out…but, alas, we quickly noticed that it was not only raining inside our restaurant…it was now raining outside, too!! Here is a good illustration of our new addiction…we took off running, in the rain, to find that book! We each traded two pins (this took a while, since we were about 10th in line)…but it was fun! Our first official pin trading!

We returned to our table and finished our food. It was really good! Lisa even enjoyed it more than McDonalds!

And we enjoyed the atmosphere a little longer...

Isn't William cute!!! Look at all of those pins!! And those fish tanks...so cool!

Did a little more shopping...


And then it was decision time…what do we do tonight? It was getting later in the afternoon…and if we were going back to MNSSHP, then we needed to head that way…(we had already pre-purchased our tickets – non-transferable and non-refundable by the way)…but everyone agreed that we should go to Hollywood Studios since we have not even seen it yet. In fact, the only Disney park we had seen so far was the Magic Kingdom, so it didn’t make that much sense to go back there tonight? Oh well…I LOVE the MNSSHP…but, they are right…

So…we finished up our shopping trip and loaded up to go to Hollywood Studios!! The plan…check out Hollywood Studios for a while...go to Fantasmic tonight…and then maybe we can watch Wishes tomorrow night! I am all for that!


Hollywood Studios - Take ONE!