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[CollinsFamily]

We are headed to Disney this year with my little girl who will be turning 5 while we are there. It will be her first trip to the World, and I can't begin to tell you how excited she is. She had a tumor removed from her spinal column in March of 07, and has had 5 other surgeries since then, plus at least one more scheduled this week. She has major mobility issues, and will be in a wheelchair most of the time. We are staying in the cabins at Fort Wilderness, and we will be there 2 full weeks. We wanted to make sure we had extra time so we could take our time because she tires out easily.
So far, by what I can tell, the "rules" are: 1. Communicate. Nicely. Let people know what we . need, when we need it. 2. Get the GAC. Can anyone tell me whether we need to get a new one for each day/park, or will one do for our length of stay? 3. Once we get there, take our time, take breaks, and just let the magic take over.
Can anyone tell me anything I may have left out, and does anyone have any tips on traveling with a physically disabled, but very active 5 year old?

[iamgrumpy]

The GAC will be marked with your arrival Date, and departure date, it will also put how many people are with you and will be good at all 4 major theme parks.

Please make sure you have spoken with reservations and have a wheelchair accessible cabin as not every cabin has a ramp available to it for use by those in wheelchairs.

Taking breaks are a great tip, make sure you stay hydrated, and if you stop at the Baby Care Centers in each park they can be a great place to take a break for quiet time, and if you need any help in terms of family restrooms for easy of restroom stops, or if she needs to lay down etc.

Most of all go in knowing that you won't see everything that there is to see, but letting the magic happen makes the trip, most people could say "I rode X 5 times" but you will mostly remember down the road "My DD went to the MK and Mickey did >_______ and she was the happiest little girl" So just go with the flow and let her lead the way, so that she stays entertained and engaged with things.

Have a Magical Trip

[FanOfMickey]

Just wanted to say Hello and Welcome. Hope your little girl has the most Magical trip!

Amy gave you great advice and I agree, just go with the flow and know you will not see everything. I have gone on numerous trips for up to as long as 12 days and have never seen everything.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Welcome!
You may also want to make a list of any "must sees & must do's" you may have.
I always have a list of special things I want to do at each park.
And I always have "Dole Whip Float" on my Magic kingdom list
Enjoy your trip..
Deb

[ChristyLeni]

We just got back from our trip with DD4. My best suggestion for someone her age is the BBB. It was absolutly amazing and DD was thrilled. She kept looking down at herself and smiling and everyone paid special attention to the princess. It was magical. DD sat in a salon chair for the makeover so I'm sure they could do her hair in her wheelchair. Also a little bit of advice... buy a princess dress either online or from a disney store before your trip and just have her wear it to the makeover. Then you're only paying a little over $50 for the hair and nails. It will save you having to change in their changing rooms and it will save you some cash as well. They have a big selection of dresses to choose from, and DD went right for the most expensive of the bunch. Plus, they didn't have the shoes she wanted in her size and we had to settle for something else. There was another little girl there who couldn't get the dress she wanted cause they didn't have her size. I wish we would have had that taken care of before we arrived!!

[taylan1]

You have it pretty much covered! You are there 2 weeks so you have plenty of time. We use a wheelchair for our son because of his mobility issues and he is on the autism spectrum. The GAC is wonderful and it will be for your length of stay! If you have not already purchased it, I suggest getting Passporter's Open Mouse book. It gives great detail about the rides and shows. It addresses many special needs and gives invaluable information. We used this to determine if we should even attempt to take our son on some of the rides or to some of the shows. There were a few we knew he could not handle and did not even try those. I can not tell you how much we love this book! Your plans sound great! Have a magical time!

[CollinsFamily]

Thank you all for your help. We do have the passporter book, and will definately be using it before, during, and probably after our trip! If anyone can think of any other tips or hints, we would be glad to hear them. As it is, I think we are in good hands between the boards here and Disney themselves. The cast members we have spoken to so far have been wonderful, and we are looking forward to this trip!

[Laughaholic]

Good luck on your trip!

I think you are set to have a great vacation!

Have you planned any meals? Maybe you would want to think about any special ADRs for favorite characters or favorite foods that may interest your daughter, that way you don't have to wait in line at the parks.

[CollinsFamily]

Have you planned any meals? Maybe you would want to think about any special ADRs for favorite characters or favorite foods that may interest your daughter, that way you don't have to wait in line at the parks.[/quote]

Oh boy! Have we planned meals. We are actually planning on doing more with meals and taking it slow in the parks because she tires out so quickly. As of right now, we are hoping for:

Oct 30: Illuminations Grand Gathering (already booked)
Oct 31: Dinner: Crystal Palace (DH-"It's tradition. It MUST be done!")
Nov 1: Lunch: Nine Dragons (DBIL + DH-Want to eat there for the name. No other reason. DBIL doesn't even LIKE Chinese style foods)
Dinner: Coral Reef
Nov 2: Lunch: Sci Fi
Dinner: 50's Prime Time
Nov 3: Vivian's Birthday. Start at the BBB.
Breakfast: Royal Table 1st choice/Akershus 2nd choice
PARTY at Goofy's Candy Factory
Dinner: 1900 Park Fare
Nov 4: Breakfast: Grand Gathering Character Breakfast (already booked)
Dinner: Royal Table (for the Fairy Godmother) or Hoop Dee Doo or Luau
Nov 5: Dinner: Safari Grand Gathering (already booked)
Nov 6: Breakfast: Ohana (for Stitch)
Dinner: Flame Tree BBQ (counter service)
Nov 7: Resort stuff, do laundry, relax, go to pool, maybe DisneyQuest. Dinner off site ot Arabian Nights Dinner Show
Nov 8: Dinner: Arabian Nights
Nov 9: Dinner: Luau or Royal Table (whichever we didn't do on the 4th)
Nov 10: Dinner: Hoop Dee Doo or Royal Table (whichever we didn't do on the 4th)
Nov11: Breakfast or Lunch: Akershus or Royal Table (whichever we didn't do on the 3rd)
Nov 12: Rainforest Cafe or Dinner offsite at Medieval Times
Nov 13: Breakfast: 1900 Park Fare

Of course, nothing is set in stone until we can book our ADR's on August 6. We do have the Grand Gatherings booked. We are on the military discount, which will let us book the regular dinning package, and we will have to pay for 7-9 table service credits worth of meals, plus the 2 off site, but that comes out much cheaper than not doing the military discount. And it's worth it, because it will keep Vivian "in characters" and "immersed" in the World while letting her rest and stay in one spot for a while at the same time. Then we'll take the parks themselves a little at a time as her stamina allows. We'll be letting her set the pace.

[Laughaholic]

WOW! You've got a great itinerary there!

I think you are definitely headed in the right direction with having a great, less stressful, fun vacation!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Looks like everyone has answered your questions, so I'll just say WELCOME, and WOW!!! That is one well thought out trip plan! You might want just a BIT more relaxation time!

Have fun!

[ChristyLeni]

Sounds like an amazing trip you've got planned!! We just did the grand gatherings as well. They were a lot of fun!! Have a great trip!!