The power of Disney Magic...a personal journey - just tell me I'm not crazy

[kvdisney]

I needed to write or say this to people who would actually understand. So here's te backdrop....

I never went to Disney as a child, my Disney magic came when I was the mother of two girls who felt the needs to finsih a wish for my father who passed away suddenly. He became a Disney fanatic as an adult and kept trying to buy my daughters tickets and convice me to take them and I put it off...making the usual excuses (too young, can't take time off, too much money...you've heard them).

He passed suddenly and the loss was horrific along with what I thought was guilt, but I think in some way it was a calling ...I booked a Disney trip to finsih what he had tried to start...and that was 6 trips ago.

I learned that you cannnot measure, count or explain Disney magic. It is felt, breathed in, embracing you in the essence of what childhood dreams are made of. Connecting with you kids in way that you never have before - free to be a kid again along side them. We sing, dance, laugh, shout with joy, talk to total strangers and pass on Disney magic wherever we can.

This past year was another tough one. I'll spare all the details but - started a new job, lost my furry friend of 15 years that broke our hearts and was told that I will need a full knee replacement at my ripe old 44 years of age after suddenly not being able to walk without excessive pain. I've finsihed gel injections in the knee but still in pain.

And...here is where I need to know I'm not crazy...I have another Disney trip planned. I want to experience the magic with my fast growing teens who still love it. I know it will hurt, that I am not going to be as fast and that there may be times, I really may not be able to handle the walking, but I want to go. I know...there are scooters...but I just don't want to miss or change the way we have experienced the magic. I will endure more injections and bring the giant brace just to go to have this magic with my kids because those moments carry me through and live with me. I'm told this trip may hasten my trip to the operating room. Thus...leads me to: Crazy or Not?

 

[mummabear]

Not crazy. Do what makes you happy knee be damned!

 

[Bean786]

Hey there! I don't think your crazy. If you think you can handle it. I'd reconsider the scooter. You can still have the same awesome experience and you can also get the guest assistance pass if needed ( if your walking). The trip can be amazing still but don't be stubborn! Allow things to change because of your knee. It will still work itself out.

 

[the little marla]

not crazy


"When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable." -Walt Disney

i'm a firm believer in Disney magic

 

[TBLaube]

If you are crazy, then I am too!


Several years ago I planned a trip for me, my mother, two sons, and nephew. My mom's breast cancer had returned and she was scheduled for a mastectomy upon our return. A few days before our trip, i fell down the steps into my garage and jacked my ankle up. Being a medical professional and a terrible patient, I figured it was a bad sprain and would be fine in a couple of days. Needless to say, my ankle was completely black and blue and swollen to almost three times its normal size. We still went on the trip. I wrapped that sucker up and put on a nice, secure sneaker and hit the parks. At the end of the night I would elevate and ice to help reduce the swelling and pain. For some reason, Disney magic kept me from suffering too much while out and about. I did have to rest a bit more than usual, but I refused to let it interfere. Upon hindsight, probably not the smartest move, but I didn't care at the time. I probably should have used a wheelchair, but didn't.

Go on the trip, but get the scooter if you need it for your health, especially on days where there will be a lot of walking. Your kids are older and will understand.

 

[stargazertechie]

I ditto everyone that says reconsider the scooter. You won't be experiencing the same magic if you are in excruciating pain the entire time, and you have to cut out of the parks early because you can't tolerate another step.

You won't be "limited" by it. You may have to move a bit slower than when you're running about the parks- but I guarantee you'll be going faster than your limping pace!

It won't ruin the trip- I promise! Plus, just think about the fact that you won't have to carry anything- they come with a basket, and the captain's chairs have a nice big pouch on the back as well!

See the pic in my signature? My dad was dying in that photo. He could only stand up for 15-30 seconds at a time without collapsing. The scooter made that trip possible, and he (like you) was adamantly refusing it to begin with. I had two custom license plates made on the DISign board for it, and decked it out with garland and Christmas lights.

Within 24 hours of arriving, that scooter was his best friend. You'd see him out of the room at 7AM (he hadn't been waking up earlier than 8:30 at home) ZIPPING through the resort grounds at top speed like a kid on a joyride (Don't worry, he only did it when nobody else was around!)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask yourself the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

Go and rent the scooter! The first time I rented one at Epcot my wife was so happy that I was no longer slowing us down!

 

[Luvin*Livvy]

I don't think you are crazy at all.......I think it's going to be rough for you and your knee and I hope (and know) you will take it easy...but I don't think you are crazy at all. My parents took us to WDW a lot as children and my Mom was a huge Disney fanatic...all she wanted when when her kids were grown was to go with her grandchildren one day. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 7 years ago and as soon as her cancer was gone we booked a trip for my parents, my husband and my oldest daughter (who was 3 at the time) and myself who was 28 weeks pregnant with my youngest. We had a great time and seeing my parent's in the parks with my own children literally brought tears to my eyes. My Mom's cancer came back right after that trip, but she was determined to head back with BOTH of her granddaughters. She started radiation and was about to start chemo again....but she told her Dr that as soon as radiation was over she had to push her chemo back a week...we booked another trip..just myself, my Mom and both my little girls (age 4 and 9months)..that was a rough trip b/c she was so weak and tired a lot, but she never slowed down, had a smile on her face every second of every day.......

I just lost my Mom 3 weeks yesterday........the day she passed (she was in a coma) and the nurses kept saying..."Make sure you talk to her, She can hear you!" So my Dad and my brothers, my Nana and I were all talking about different things (kind of keeping it upbeat) and I mentioned Disney World...well as soon as those words came out of my mouth, she let out this loud noise (kind of like a yell) she DEF heard me....she passed a few hours later, but I'll never forget that sound.

When I got home that night from the what seemed like the longest 2 days of my life...my husband told me that he had just found out earlier that day that he needed to be on a business trip in Clearwater, Fl at the end of April. He NEVER goes on business trips in Florida...we live in NJ! Needless to say, after I told him the story about my Mom from earlier that day....we booked 4 days later and we are headed back to WDW with the girls (and my Mom ) in 2 months!

I don't really know what my point was to post all of this, but I think my point is...do it now...embrace it while they are still young and enjoy going, while you still can! This is your life...LIVE IT!!!! Even if that means renting a scooter for a few days or taking more breaks than usual! And know your Dad is right there with you guys! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

 

[kvdisney]

I am so moved by these posts....you inspire me to hold to my conviction to go...I might even think about the scooter

Luvin Livy - so sorry about your mom but so glad you are going back and will remember your mom at Disney.

stargazertechie....thank you for sharing that - I loved the picture I had in my mind about your dad. And if I scoot..I totally will need to deck out my ride

Cheshire Figment - Okay..so ...what can I say but your right

TBLaube...wow - glad I am not the only one wanting to tough it through

Bean786,mummabear - thank you!

the little marla - LOVE the quote...thank you so much for sharing!

 

[katt789]

Okay, first off, when reading the paragraph about the magic being breathed in, I nearly started crying here at work! Haha! So obviously I agree with that fact!

I don't think it's crazy at all! I would definitely say go, Disney is where my heart is, and I don't know how I'll make it through years without trips, and I advise you to do what makes you happy and what makes the magic for your family!!

 

[cman]

I just have to add my perspective.

My dad has MS and from our first trip, and then 5 more, he has been pushed in a wheelchair or used a scooter to get around and has never thought twice about it.

2 years ago I was also diagnosed with MS. Right now I don't need a chair or scooter but I have to tell you that I wouldn't even think twice about using one to get around.

Disney is the most accommodating place on earth for people with challenges - either permanent or temporary.

If you can handle the discomfort I would use anything available to me and go on the trip.

 

[jenflamingo1]

:thuDear kvdisney ,mbsup2
PLEASE PLEASE GO and use the darn scooter / wc - you'll not regret it .
I am not an overly sentimental person , but these posts have made me tear up...
My family always scoffed at Disney .. ... too much money , too many kids , a tinge of suspicion/disbelief re Disney magic etc so I never considered
going there until I married into a Dis - crazy family . Went there several times and , of course , was hooked . Fast foreward to my marraige crumbling -in fact , I decided AT Disney 4 years ago to end it .I knew the proceedings were going to be tough , and lengthy , so I planned a solo trip with my twin dds for when I thought the divorce would be final .The girls were age 3.5 at the time of the trip and ,seriously , I felt that if I could do this (yes I know , the disney safety and security bubble , etc.) , then I could do anything . The trip went well - only lost one kid for a few minutes! - and I felt like I had proven something to myself . Got back home ,spent the next day tracking lost luggage . Called the lawyer the next day , was told Yes , it has Just been finalized .

Less than 24 hours later , my SIL called and told me the my ex-husband had died that morning.

My point is , life is too tenuous not to do what you need to do .

My in-laws were definitely Disney people - a late DBIL took a trip 3 months prior to dying at age 32 of colon cancer - he was weak and used a scooter , but he got there .My late DMIL put off a quadruple bypass so as not to interfere with that spring's trip . She took her last trip about 5 months before she died .
MIL had mobility issues so used a scooter for the last few trips .

Anyway , please just go and have a good time . Hope your knee replacement , whenever it is , goes well .We have some good orthos in our area (25 year orth rn )

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

Omigod, you people are making me cry.

Please, please go, and when you do, use a scooter. There are posts in the Disabilities section about places that rent; they bring the scooter right to your resort. It may seem like a pain in the butt, but it's so worth it.

I'm a fellow late-blooming Disneyphile, so I know exactly from where you come!

 

[WillAustin]

You're not crazy. I'd rent a scooter though. Have fun!

 

[bushdianee]

I get what you are saying. I had my 1st visit to Disney at the age of 40 when some relatives talked me into meeting them there. I had NO idea what to expect and was hooked instantly. I now go with my sisters or young niece at least every other year. this should be our "off" year but a sister who has never been decided that this is the year she wants to take her 2 children and asked the rest of us to join her family. So we will be a group of 8 this year, 4 sisters, 1husband/brother-in- law, 2 children/niece & nephew ages 3 & 5 and a 7yo niece to all of the adults (her parents have never been but this will be the 4th time I've taken her.)
One of the main reasons for this trip is to celebrate the life of my 5yo nephew who almost died last year after a supposedly easy surgery. Another is that our mother psed away last summer and she loved treating the one niece to BBB on her past 2 visits and was looking forward to treating her youngest granddaughter,the 3yo.
I will be on a scooter this time for the first time. I am have leg issues from a bad fall a few years ago and also have pretty bad asthma right now. I always swore I'd never be one of "those" people always critcized for being on a scooter (I'm very "Pooh" sized) but have come to accept that if I want to go I have to do it.

 

[Izzieheartscindy]

Ok, I am now crying!!

I say go! Rent the scooter and use it as much as you need it. Maybe you only need it to cross the park when going the long distance but can walk from PP to IASM. Or maybe you need it for every minute but at least if you have it then you don't need to worry about it.

Have a great trip!!

 

[auntfrannie]

If you're crazy then I am, too! Last year my sisters & I took our mother for her 80th birthday. I have arthritis in my knees, especially my right knee. We managed to make it through by taking rests.

However, that trip made me realize that I was too young to be limping through the parks. I'm only a few years older than you but I had the total knee replacement back in January and I'm completely ready to go to the parks. Getting the knee replacement has been the best thing for me! The gel injections didn't work for me at all.

I wish you the best of luck. Have a great time!

 

[~April~]

I don't think your cazy.

The feeling of Disney magic is like no other, it takes adults back to being a child and lets a child be a child.

I would agree with other posters that renting a scooter will most likely make your trip more enjoyable.

 

[Nixie]

Not crazy I went to WDW 8 weeks after my ACL reconstruction. I did rent a scooter "just in case". I am so glad I did. Our first evening, I made it half way across the WS and could not take another step. I didn't use it all the time. I would park it in stroller parking and maybe hit up a few rides in the area. It was invaluable though, esp for giving my poor knee a break when needed. I am postive I could not have stayed in the parks as long as we did if I didn't have the scooter.

 

[EagleScout]

If you are worried about scooter slowing your trip, maybe consider a wneelchair. On the last disney trip my dad took before he passed, he was pretty sick. He requested a scooter b/c he did not want to be a burden- but after a couple days, it became obvious that it would be faster and easier for his adult son-me- to just push him in a regular wheelchair, which was literally my pleasure (and allowed us to stop having to cringe at the near-collisions). I recognize your kids are still teens, so maybe slightly different, but either way, have a great trip!