*Urgent* Help needed for planning Wish Trip!

[DisOrBust]

I am asking for any input you feel would be helpful:

My Dear friend at work 11yoDD had been diagnosed with a nasty Brain tumor that took her vision 2 years ago. For the past two years she has been in Chemo, unable to go to school or see friends.
Alll she ever wanted was to be a normal kid again. This September Chemo was done and she had a great prognosis. You see her tumor had been gone since the 2nd month of treatment. Her Mother and I have been "planning" on her trip to WDW to be THIS July to celebrate her recovery. Laura started school this year and was thrilled no chemo precautions ..she could be nomal. This October she started getting tired and headaches. The MRI reveal a new brain tumor that is inoperable. Now she is receiving radiation in the hopes to make her comfortable. Her "Wish" trip ihas been bumped up to Jan 4-15th. They will be staying the first 5 nights at Give the Kids the World Village. I have been giving the task of planning this trip since the family has very little free time and such short notice. I need help from all of you!

1. What attractions would you do with a blind child. Remember she tires easily so I need to plan with the most bang for the buck. Also her 9 and 3yo sisters will be with her. The thing Laura is looking foward to the most is to hear her "little sister laugh."

2.I think I may ask them to stay an additional 3 days on Property either the Poly or YBC. The only negative with the Poly is no hot tub which may be any issue in Jan. Can anyone help me get them a decent rate (ie Dreams Unlimited") Would WDW help with this, calling CRO is a joke they could care less when I explain the situation..

3. They are planning on doing DC for a day. Any help/suggestions? I have never been.

4. They would like to spend 2-3 days on the Ocean. Help me find THE BEST PLACE. PLease all you locals best place for an 11yo blind child...She loves to swim..Tradewinds????

5. Anyone with expience at Busch Gardens. I have been and think the lorakeets and Safari experience would be great. Maybe they could go to Busch Gardens instead of Sea World with Discovery Cove admission? Anyone know who to contact???

6. I need an "in" at WDW resorts. Because of her additional disablities her days at the park need to VERY planned. I would like to see her get to open MK, Be on a parade float, Ride a ride with a princess, etc. The "wish Grantors" can only do so much but I would like to see this happen for her. I know when celebriies are at WDW they and their families get royal tx. I want this for Laura! THe Wish people could noteven get her CRT which is a SHAME!!!

7. Anyone with experience with Gifts for a lifetime?
As you see I am in need of some major Pixie Dust

TIA Sue
dwehrman@wi.rr.com

 

[tjkraz]

A couple of thoughts to get you started:

1. Regarding CRT, keep calling daily and see if they can't get you in. Because of the new pre-payment policy, I understand that they get more cancellations than in the past. Call daily if you can, and ask them to check for the entire duration of the trip, any time, and perhaps you will get lucky.

2. If you're wanting some personalized attention, I'd suggest contacting Tour Guide Mike. Mike was a Disney-employed vacation planner that designed WDW stays for VIPs for years. He now runs his own business doing the same thing, in addition to the TGM web site. I don't have any personal experience with him, but the things I've read on his web site are very favorable. I think it would at least be worth an email. Maybe he can even pull some strings on the CRT front.

Good luck, and God bless.

 

[scoobysmom]

I am sorry to hear about your daughter's declining health
My DD took her wish trip 3 years ago.
Give kids the world will give you everything and anything you need. my daughter gets tired easily also.. so I might not plan as much as you are. We did all the Disney parks and Universal and Sea World.
My daughter got to do what she wanted in Disney. They gave her a pin to wear that is from GKTW no lines,special treatment. Goofy rode the bardstormer with her than did a little dance around Mickey's house. She went for a walk with Alladin and Jasmin. Very special treatment. if she want to be in the parade just stop at guest relations on that day.
They also give you all the pictures (ie:with Mickey ect) for free.
We rode some of the rides 2/3 times in a row.
GKTW also has lots to do on site. Check out their web site.
www.givekidstheworld.org
Your daughter would like the attractions that have lots of auditory stimulation. also don't forget that the parks have devices that descibe ecah attraction for the blind. Check with guest services. Also no charge for wheelchairs that might be a good idea. We used one most days.
At Universal she had ice cream with Marilyn Monroe and the Hardy's. No lines here either
Sea world did not do all that much.
Have a very special time. We did.
Best of eveything to your family.
please e-mail me if you need more info.

 

[DisOrBust]

tHANKS! Laura is my friends daughter.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

uhm.... wow... I am so sorry to hear of your daughter's plight - that really sucks

so if my daughter were in a similar sitaution I would want to get her some type of sensory experience - SO - I would take hr to discovery cove - I would call them direct and tell them the situation - Your DD may not be able to see the dolphin during a swim...but she will be able to feel them, kiss their nose, pet them, as well as a whole host of other animals - she can physically interact, fel, smell, hear them.

Oddly enough the Dolphins seem to be very tuned to people with disabilities... like they have some special sense or special bond. Plus given the situation I am sure the trainers would be more than willing to be somwhat preferential to your daughter.

Your DD could also hang out in the STing ray pool - at seaworld she can feed the rays, feel the stigray remove a shrimp from here hands...kind of a spooky sensation even when you can see it... it would probably be an adrenaline rush if you could not see.

But that is what I would do - I am not so sure about sensory stuff at disney... the more I think about it ...it is all very visual oriented... granted there are a ton of sounds and smells too...but I can't think of a great deal that is touch, feel, smell and sound - but discovery cove for sure has that.

My DD loves that place so much she wants to do an entire vacation there.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

Originally posted by nataliesdaddy
uhm.... wow... I am so sorry to hear of your daughter's plight - that really sucks

so if my daughter were in a similar situation I would want to get her some type of sensory experience - SO - I would take her to discovery cove - I would call them direct and tell them the situation - Your DD may not be able to see the dolphin during a swim...but she will be able to feel them, kiss their nose, pet them, and probably still be able to be allowed to hold onto one while it pulled her through the water )though they would want an adult in the water with her for sure). Also there is whole host of other animals she can physically interact, feel, smell, and hear.

Oddly enough the Dolphins seem to be very tuned to people with disabilities... like they have some special sense or special bond. Plus given the situation I am sure the trainers would be more than willing to be somwhat preferential to your daughter.

Your DD could also hang out in the STing ray pool and aviary at DC - At seaworld she can feed the rays, feel the stingray remove a shrimp from here hands...kind of a spooky sensation even when you can see it... it would probably be an adrenaline rush if you could not see.

But that is what I would do - I am not so sure about sensory stuff at disney... the more I think about it ...it is all very visual oriented... granted there are a ton of sounds and smells too...but I can't think of a great deal that is specifically orientd to touch, feel, smell and sound - but discovery cove for sure has that.

My DD loves that place so much she wants to do an entire vacation there.

 

[DisneyMim]

DisOrBust, what a great friend you are and what a very emotional story. Have you been on the disAbilitites board? I'm sure the wonderful people over there would have all kinds of helpful suggestions for you. Best of Luck in the planning of this trip.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

bump