Urgent Help needed for Wish trip!!! *UPDATE PAGE 2*

[DisOrBust]

I have posted this on the theme parks board but hoping I would get more of a response here.


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 expeirence 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

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wow, Sue, a real tough read there. I will 'dig around' a bit. And always remember, miracles do happen, they do. My prayers are with little Laura. And what a friend you are, Sue, an angel in disguise.

 

[smilingmouse]

I'm not sore how much help I can be, but I'll try. With regards to attractions, I'd say it would depend on what she likes--is she a thrill ride person? If so, any of the mountains would be great. Some of the shows, like the Tiki room, might be fun. I'd also recommend Dumbe since it's a classic. Peter Pan's Flight and Winnie the Pooh are also wonderful. Spaceship Earth, the Epcot ball ride, would also be fun.

It's kind of hard to offer suggestions without knowing what rides she likes.

Regarding CRT, keep calling every day. You can also walk up to the podium-who knows, someone may have just not shown up.
You might also want to try for the princess breakfast at Akershaus in Norway, or the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare in the GF.

As far as hotels go, the yacht or beach club would be nice because the pool they have is amazing!

I wish Laura and her family all the best. You truly area great friend to them!

Let me know if I can be of more help....

SmilingMouse

 

[DisOrBust]

Thanks Dan! I don't no how good a friend I am. At first it was a relief to be able to finally do something for Laura after feeling so helpless and angry. Now I am petrefied (sp) of the responciblity. Its hard to plan this trip with her blindness and knowing there are no second chances of going back to see whats been missed. I really want her to feel like a princess..she deserves it!


Thanks Smiley! I actuallly have the storybook breakfast booked when my 9yo reminded me of it when she heard me reading the riot at to WDW dining that I could not get CRT. I still can't belive they couldn't give that to wish kid.

As far as rides..the tumor also make her motion sick, isn't that nice dammit! So I have them starting slow and seeing what she tolerates. I have this dream of her and her sisters getting to open the MK, ride the carosel with a princess, open toontown with Mickey and ride the Barnstomer with Goofy, I know I am dreaming,lol! The preincesses are the mosdt important since their the only ones who can talk!! That why CRT was so important.

 

[smilingmouse]

One way that you might have a bit more luck with the CRT breakfast would be to book the family in concierge rooms for their on property days. If you explained the situation to the concierge staff, they might be able to shead pixie dust your way. You might also want to try speaking with guest services/managers at the MK....maybe they can help you....

Best of Luck,
SmilingMouse

 

[DisOrBust]

 

[Rajah]

I'm not sure how you go about doing it, but I've heard of ways you can have a private 15 minutes or so with a character -- that would be perfect either with Mickey or the face characters.

I second 1900 Park Fare as an alternative way to get to see Cinderella. They were great when we ate there a couple of months ago.

Things I'd have her do -- see Cinderella's Surprise Celebration -- that's got some great music and storytelling, so even if she can't *see* the characters, I think that would be great.

Does Belle still do storytime?

She can meet the Ariel in Fantasyland.

I'd say Pooh would be a good ride if she can't see. Not sure there's enough storytelling in Peter Pan or Snow White to tell what's going on.

Good luck! If I think of anything more, I'll let you know. And keep us posted?

 

[nativetxn]

DisorBust, what a great friend you are to help plan this trip. My heart breaks for this child and her family

 

[Keli]

What a sad situation
It is very kind of you to plan a magical trip for this family.
If I were you I'd prioritize the things I wanted to get for this little girl (ie., CRT or riding on a float, or opening MK) and then I would work from there, spending more time on the things I wanted the most. I would also keep in mind how likely it is that this young girl may wear out really quickly and plan the things I really wanted her to get to do first thing in the morning while she's still fresh or later in the afternoon after she has time to nap if necessary.
Good luck with this undertaking. I wish you the best of luck. My heart really goes out to this child and her family.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

You are so such a special friend. My heart aches for little laura. Our friends daughter is also having another biopsy today and she has been cancer free for 10 years but now this has showed up again. They gave their wish trip away to a sicker child once, bless them. Also other friends of ours decided they couldnt wait for their wish trip because they were high up on a transplant list so they went themselves. I would strongly recommend as they did to have a wheelchair. It helps make the most of the time in the park and is less stress physically on the child. Also you might want to focus on rides that are more hearing compatabile. I say this as I am also hearing imparied. I think the its a small world and pirates would be cute. Also all face characters that talk would give her lots of attention. The tiki birds are cute as long as you tell her there is a loud storm noise. These are all sit down things with not too much motion etc. The country bears is just FANTASTIC. I am sure she would like to clap along too. I think she would enjoy the little mermaid ride and beauty and the beast at MGM. These all involve song and music etc. Maybe also a special dinner would be the hoop de doo review as she could enjoy the music etc. Choose any character meals that have face characters that will give her lots of attention. The POLY pool is zero depth entry so that might be easier for her and they have a slide too. How about the childrens tea party at the GF. This might be an option if her stamina is getting slower. It is probably alot less time as a whole meal and also the ice cream social, but the characters do not talk there. Sending lots of pixie dust your way.

 

[Towncrier]

Perhaps Laura would enjoy the attractions at the Body Pavillion at EPCOT. There is a whole section devoted to touching and identifying objects. I also remember the hot and cold coils that can "fool" your sense of touch.

Maybe too Mickey's Philharmagic. Although the primary focus of that attaction is visual, there are other aspects that she might enjoy.

You have quite a task ahead of you. I will say a prayer for you, and for Laura and her family. I hope that you get some great ideas here on the DIS.

 

[lentesta]

Hey Sue,

Drop me a line. I'll see what we can do.

Len
testa@ncat.edu

 

[Liz]

Sue, I'm so sorry to read this sad news but its wonderful you are trying so hard to help this family.

We have been to Give Kids the World with my own Laura, a WISH child. So here's a little insight from our visit.

The Disney characters visit GKTW one day a week. They won't get "private" time but its LOTS less crowded than trying to see the characters in the parks. My DS rode on a merry-go-round horse with Mickey on the back (at GKTW)! They also do a family portrait with Mickey and give the family an 8x10.

Also GKTW gives the WISH child a button to wear (or at least they did when we went and I imagine its still the same). The Disney CM's know what this button means and they will do everything they can (unless its somebody that just doesn't care, and we know those kinds are out there) to sprinkle pixie dust in their way. When we went and were in line to see Snow White, the CM with her made sure everyone stayed back so we had time to visit and get our photos, and Snow White was soooooo sweet with Laura, even turning around and saying "bye Laura" just before going backstage. Ever since then Snow White has been my favorite princess!

GKTW is a GREAT place. Shamu came over from Sea World one night for a dance party, etc. Honestly kids would have a wonderful vacation there if they never even left the place.

If I can answer any other questions about anything please feel free to ask. And don't worry about making everything just perfect, just being together at Disney will be wonderful and the magic will happen. I'll be praying for Laura and her family.

 

[Megan's Mom]

Cinderella does come to the Village on Mondays and Thursdays for pictures and autographs. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Pluto also come but since you want a face character that is a great place to meet Cinderella. Also plan on spending a lot of time at GKTW they have so many things for every child to experience. You would be surprised at how things will work out even when you think you have planned for everything. There is a lot of Pixie dust at WDW.

 

[DisOrBust]

Thanks for all the responses and the WONDERFUL emails I have recieived. Good info to know fo the GTKTW Village since I am at a complete loss there. How does the transportaion there work?

Good Ideas about pavillion at Epcot I forgot all about that!

I am also thinking about Typhoon Lagoon..any thoughts???

 

[Liz]

GKTW (or probably Make-A-Wish more likely) paid for a rental car for us and we drove that to the parks each day. At the time we went there wasn't any bus transportation (Disney). We stayed in Florida longer than our Make-A-Wish time and we just had to go to the car rental place and have it switched over to our name and pay for the time we kept it.

Also you mentioned earlier about them needing a wheelchair. We were able to get free wheelchairs at Disney (I believe by showing the GKTW button but I can't remember). If they needed one outside Disney I'm not sure what to recommend there.

Also GKTW provides free breakfast & dinner, no lunch because most people are gone during the lunch hour anyway.

 

[Spinning]

I wish I could help you. You are a great friend and my heart is breaking when I read your message
I would also suggest, Animal Kingdom, Raffiki's planet. They have small rooms to the side that are all sound. You put head phones on and are in the dark. Then the sounds of the forest come alive. I found it to be amazing! Plus usually over there you can meet some characters with out a lot of lines or wait. It is airconditioned and relaxing. Plus you can pet some animals....

 

[DisOrBust]

I did forget raffiki's Palnet watch espeically since there is not to much for her at AK. The family had thought she could have alot of animal interaction there . It was not fun saying they really only had "brusg a goat" there.

 

[bubbleprincessmom]

Another thumbs up for GKTW! We too are a former "Wish family" who sadly lost our wish child. GKTW is an awesome awesome place! Remind your friends to have her wear her button EVERYWHERE!! The resort is the most amazing place, the gingerbread house for meals is too cute for words. What struck me most though was the heartwarming care we recieved from everyone who worked/volunteered here. When they arrive at the village they will also receive an itinerary prepared espically for them to help with their days activities. The character meal provided by the resort was wonderful!!! I cherish my photos!
Good luck to your friends!!

Monica

 

[DisOrBust]

Just an update:

The reponse I received from Guest services was a Canned response that didn't even fit my requests.

I have many Disers with wonderful offers...you know who you are and thank You.

I still need help from locals, ie Floridians, with the Beach resort aspect.