Other things I should do?

[emmiesmom]

First I just want to say thank you for these threads and stickies they have been an immense help! My DH was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in June and it had already spread to the bones of his spine and ribs and due to this he has a lot of pain and cannot walk or stand for long periods of time and in general is easily fatigued from the chemo and disease, we have always wanted to take our 2 girls (8 and 2) to MNSSHP and decided now is the best time. We have been many times with both our girls and while this isn't a do everything kind of trip I want it to be successful for DH and the girls. I wanted to see given what I have planned if there were other things I should do/plan/think about to accommodate his needs and I appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on how to do this better.

Thanks to the stickies of information here I have already booked a scooter from a preferred vendor to be delivered to our hotel. DH is thinking after the flight the Magical Express walk and line might be too much for him and however long the resort drop off will take, so we are looking into a car service for 5 of us. Any recommendations?
We have my mom and sister coming with us to help wrangle the children with me and have booked 2 rooms at WL that we are hoping can be adjoining but understand this is just a request so DH can nap and sleep in peace. We have also requested a microwave because he is very sensitive to food and some foods/smells really bother him. Is there anything else I could do beside the request on the original reservation?
We plan to spend most of our park time of the trip at MK and take the boat as long as the water levels are ok but we also plan to spend time at the resort and pool because floating in water feels very good to him! We are going to the MNSSHP on 9/13 and we plan to have a day at the resort spending our time taking a swim and a long nap. Other thoughts?
THANK YOU!!

 

[Tiggerish]

Instead of a car service, would he consider using a sky cap to push him in a wheelchair from the plane to the Magical Express. You can stay in the chair all through the line, right to the door of the bus. In Orlando it is a long ways from the exit of the airplane to the baggage claim and bus loading areas. I get around mostly just using my rollator but the Orlando airport does me in.

You let the airline desk know when you are checking in your luggage that you need assistance. In the departing airport they will push you to the gate and when you get off the plane, someone will be waiting as you exit the airplane to roll you away. The sky cap will stop by a rest room if you ask. All it costs is a couple of tips which is much less than a car service.

 

[GrammyJudy]

First of all, I am sorry for what you are going through. I am glad you will take the trip and make those memories for you and the girls. You should call your airlines and tell them you need a wheelchair from the curb to the gate and from the gate in Orlando to the bus or car. They provide that service at no charge, but I give the person pushing me a tip. There is a special phone number at Disney for medical concerns. You can call them to make sure you have a frig and microwave and tell them you want connecting or adjoining rooms. I hope you have a good time and take lots of pictures.

 

[ttintagel]

Bring your own soaps/shampoos, etc. from home if smells are an issue - you never know what the hotel ones will smell like.

 

[lanejudy]

I'm so sorry your DH (and your family) are dealing with this. It sounds wonderful that he wants to make memories with your daughters now.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think microwaves are allowed in resorts rooms other than suites or villas. I thought it was a fire hazard and not allowed for even those with allergies or other food needs, medical needs. I see you will be at WL, so maybe you could upgrade to Club Level and use the one in the CL lounge? Otherwise, there should be a microwave available for guest use in the quick service location (is it Roaring Fork?).

Also, you've requested adjoining rooms - do you mean just rooms next door to each other? If you want rooms with an interior door between the rooms, you want to request connecting rooms. And yes, such a request is just a request, but I have heard that most of the time that request is granted. It just can't be guaranteed as there may be occasions when it's not available.

I agree with others about using a wheelchair at MCO - it's a HUGE airport and the walk to Magical Express will be much more tiresome than waiting for the bus.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[emmiesmom]

Thank you very much for the replies the advice and kind thoughts were wonderful!
Grammyjudy, Is the medical concerns phone number for Disney on their website or is it in one of the stickies and I missed it?
I talked to DH and he still wants to do a car service/limo, I suppose we can book one and make a grocery stop so I don't need to pack food for him and buy lots of water at Disney. Any experiences with car services that were better than others or ones to avoid?

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Even using a car service, you're going to want to request wheelchair assistance at MCO. The walk from the terminal to where any vehicle pick up is at the airport is long (and it's long on the way back, as well). I don't know which airport you're flying from in NE, but you may want to consider assistance there, as well. Even the smaller ones can have more walking than you think (plus you can get stuck in very long TSA lines so if standing for 20+ minutes in line is going to be enough to tire him, I'd request assistance even in a smaller airport).

 

[GrammyJudy]

I think you call 407-824-4321. They should be able to help you with whatever you need.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I think you call 407-824-4321. They should be able to help you with whatever you need.

This is the general number. If you call 407-939-7807 this is a special number for medical needs.

 

[emmiesmom]

THANK YOU ALL! 2 weeks from today we should be on our way with a big surprise for our girls, fingers crossed that next weeks chemo goes well