Son has medical condition- rethinking WDW- need advice

[ChgoLaniteVal]

We have had a 5 night WDW BW 11/30-12/5 booked since 12/07. My DH had a medical procedure in June, now my 8yo son was just diagnosed with Crohn's Disease which has required lots of hospital, drs, etc. Our finances have been dramatically affected.

So I have 2 questions- I need suggestions for on or offsite places to stay to trim our package with basic dining plan or cancel if still too much. We were planning to drive from Antioch, IL family of 5- 11, 8 , & 6. My son will not be able to walk far or wait in long standing lines. Which leads me to my next question, I read some where about a card that you can get with a drs. note for lines. Anyone know the requirements? Really don't want to disappoint since this has been planned for a long time. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[ElizabethB]

Very sorry to hear about all of these hardships. I hope your son will be okay. To cut costs, you could consider switching to one room at Port Orleans Riverside. You can have 5 people in the Gator Bayou rooms there, with one in a trundle bed.

Another possibility would be a family suite at All Star Music, or two connecting rooms at any of the value resorts.

You can usually have 5 people in a room at Dolphin or Swan. There are sometimes very good values to be had there, especially if you or your DH is a nurse or teacher or in the military. Guests at the Dolphin and Swan still benefit from Extra Magic Hours at the parks, but they don't qualify for the dining plan. I note your plan was to stay at the Boardwalk. A room at Dolphin or Swan would put you in the same area.

Offsite, there are lots of options. Many people rent a condo or house at places like Windsor Hills -- a nearby residential development. This can be an inexpensive option, with more room and comfort and often a private pool. Also, there are numerous timeshare properties nearby that offer rooms by the night such as Vistana and Orange Lake Country Club. Check out the forum on Orlando Hotels and Attractions for lots of ideas. We've stayed offsite several times and, with a car, it's been fine.

As far as the GAC cards, we've never used one though my Mom would qualify. Other posters, no doubt, can fill you in on those.

I hope you'll be able to make the trip.

 

[Schmeck]

For stamina issues, WDW suggests you use a wheelchair. There's a lot more walking being done between attractions than in the actual queues. If you'd rather use a stroller for your son, a Guest Assistance Card can be used to have the stroller treated as a wheelchair. WDW does not require any type of doctor's note for a GAC, as it is not the diagnosis that they need to know, only the things that you may have issues with.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

I would suggest you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #6 discusses the Guest Assistance Card, which you alluded to in your original post. This includes an option to use a stroller as if it were a wheelchair, which will allow you to use it in lines.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

 

[bzzymom]

I am sorry to hear of your son's health problems. That can be tough for a kid. I understand the financial impact having medical bills and related expenses.

I had to cancel a trip that I had planned over DD's 4th birthday this year due to a work injury 15 months ago, that I am still recuperating from and I am not back to work yet. Canceling a trip to WDW seems to me like the hardest thing to do, because the kids were so dissapointed. It broke my heart.

You do have some adjusting room. You can switch to a moderate, POR riverside has rooms that have a trundle bed that will fit 5. Also, ASmusic family suite may be a cheaper option as well. I don't really know the price difference between those 2. Only you know your finances.

As far as GAC, I haven't needed to use one. I know they help people who use them and understand what assistance they are getting. A wheelchair may be a good option for you, but your child may fit in a stroller, in which case you need to get a GAC to allow him to use it as a wheelchair.

We live in West Central Illinois and from here, it is about a 20 hour drive, I believe. If I were going to drive, I would pick somewhere, possibly in Tennesse somewhere and spend the night there, and then finish the next day.

 

[dclfun]

I, too, am sorry to hear about your family's medical problems. It's already been mentioned to either rent a w/c or use a stroller as w/c which would require a GAC. There is no "skipping lines" GAC so really those choices are your best options. I wanted to also mention that you may want to check out renting points from a DVC member. This way you could stay in a larger villa onsite for less cost than through WDW and still could add the dining plan if you want it. A one bedroom villa or larger comes with a washer/dryer ( always nice) and full kitchen in case your son needs some special meals prepared and also will allow your family the room to spread out and really relax. I guess alot will depend on how stable your son's condition is at the time of the trip, but since you might not be able to be in the parks as long as someone without a medical condition, having a nice and convenient resort to return to will make a big difference. Being able to participate in EMH may be helpful too, plus the Disney transportation vs. having to drive a vehicle offsite. Remember that if your son or husband need to rest during the day, they can do so in any of the First Aid stations in the parks. I'll sprinkle some pixie dust for your little guy to feel better soon!---Kathy

 

[bookwormde]

If you are not up against a cancellation deadline I would talk to you child’s doctors and see how his treatments and response to medications goes.

Even when well controlled there is always a chance of a flare up so I would think that trip insurance would be prudent.

As stated above taking it easy and keeping stress down is important as is keeping to any dietary recommendations.

There are lost of offsite houses and townhouses for rent with kitchens and pools for significantly less than you are paying at BW (about ½ as much). This means that you will not be doing DDP but with the situation you will save a ton of money if you are willing to prepare meals at “home” You will need to rent a car but with the potential to need to make quick escapes from the parks that is probably a good idea anyway. With the additional “breaks” that will be needed this should not be an additional significant loss of time at the parks.

As said above a 1 or 2 br DVC would be an alternative (more expensive) but availability through CRO or by renting from a DVC member may be a bit difficult due to the time of year. If you decide to try to rent do your homework about doing it safely. If you are comfortable with discussing you special needs there may be a DVC member who will “go out of there way” to try to accommodate your needs (see the DVC boards).

Hope this give you come alternatives.

Hang in there have been lots of advances with Crohn’s in the past 10 years.



bookwormde

 

[zurgswife]

You've gotten great advice but my cost saving advice if you decided to stay on site might be to scrape the dining plan and look at the menus in advance to see what restaurants or counter service that would work for you and try to preplan your food. We didn't do the dining plan this trip and it was defiantley cheaper to purchase food a la carte then the dining plan. We found that many meals everybody wasn't starved and we shared a few meals depending on who was hungry.