Make a Wish...

M

mrs2fat

New Member
Original Poster
:wave:

I may be posting this in the wrong area, not sure. I did a search, but really this is NOT to forum to type wish into the search option on:ROFLOL:So mods please move as you see fit:)

I have never been to Disney
I was approached by a care worker about nominationg our son for Make a Wish foundation. I am not sure if we will do this or not but we think if we did he would enjoy Disney (he's almost 4) I am not sure what it is like/what to expect?? Also what the level of wheelchair access is like throughout the park? Or where to stay.. I am sure I have read MAW guests stay somewhere apart from the main hotels, but I cannot find info on it:confused:

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction on where to find info on all of this :)
I would love to go this coming fall/christmas if we decide to do it

*and for those wondering he has a brain tumour:(
 
Mansion Butler

Mansion Butler

Active Member
It's very hard to explaing "what Disney is like," short of saying it's great. We're more than happy to answer if you've got specifics, though.

As far as Make a Wish boys and girls, we do everything we can to make sure they have an awesome time. Almost everywhere they're able to skip the lines, and Disney is renowned for its excellent ability to assist wheel chair guests and the idea that everyone should be able to ride.

If I can, there are four questions I ask every special needs guest at my attraction to find out what he or she is able to do:

1) Are you able to transfer from your vehicle?

2) Are you able to walk a short distance?

3) Are you able to stand for approximately five minutes?

4) Are you capable of stepping onto a moving belt?


One and two are the most important, I was wondering what your answers would be, if you're willing.

Anywho, if you have the opportunity, take it. Disney will make sure he has a wonderful experience. They just opened a lounge where Make a Wish children can hang out when they need a break, it looks like a great place.
 
smk

smk

Well-Known Member
Once you are nominated to the Make a Wish Foundation they handle all the rest of the plans. It is suppose to be a vacation were everything is planned as you want, but you don't have to do any of the planning or worrying. I believe there is a house/resort/hotel for the families of the children recieving their "wishes". The health care facility where your son recieves his treatment should be able to answer any questions you have about the process.
 
Captain Hank

Captain Hank

Well-Known Member
Families visiting the Walt Disney World resort through Make a Wish, or any other wish-granting agency, are housed at the Give Kids the World village, about 15 minutes or so from property off of 535 in Kissimmee. Here is the website: http://www.gktw.org/

It's a wonderful place, very Disney-like (though it isn't owned or operated by the Walt Disney Company). The architecture is very colorful and whimsical. Many WDW cast members and Universal employees volunteer there on a regular basis. I was intending to myself, but unfortunately just ran out of time.

Here's some information from the Give Kids the World website:
Give Kids the World said:
Give Kids The World Village partners with over 250 wish-granting organizations and foundations to make the Central Florida wish a reality. Since our founding in 1986, over 73,000 families have come to the Village and experienced all of the wonder and remarkable magic that Central Florida has to offer. Families that visit Give Kids The World must be referred by one of these wish-granting organizations or foundations. Children ages 3-18, battling a life-threatening illness as deemed by a medical doctor are eligible, regardless of income. A welcome reprieve is just a phone call away. Please contact your local wish-granting organization or foundation to learn if your child is eligible for a wish, or call 800-995-KIDS, and Give Kids The World can refer you to the wish-granting organization or foundation in your community.
Click to expand...
 
M

mrs2fat

New Member
Original Poster
To answer your questions Mansion Butler:

1) Are you able to transfer from your vehicle? yes

2) Are you able to walk a short distance? yes

3) Are you able to stand for approximately five minutes? yes

4) Are you capable of stepping onto a moving belt? probably not, though my husband or I could assist him in this

He has low muscle tone, he's not very strong or sturdy
He is quite developmentally delayed, no talking and very little understanding.

Thanks to those who have answered, posted and put up links. It is all very helpful.

more questions:
It appears the trips are of a weeks duration... Can you do Disney in a week?
I wonder about transportation around the park?
looking at all of the pictures posted throughout this site really makes me want to do this! I am sure our son would LOVE it:)
 
figment1985

figment1985

New Member
Disney can be done in a week! You shouldn't have a problem with transportation around the park.

...and yes your son and your family will LOVE disney world! Look at all of us! haha.
 
garyhoov

garyhoov

Trophy Husband
As others have said, Disney is very accessible, and one reason I've always liked Disney World is that it is almost likeanother World. People there are so friendlyand helpful that, for that brief period, you can forget about all the worries of the outside world.

I think it would be great . . . but most of the people around here are biased - including me.

Here's hoping your son has a great time!
 
T

TiggersPooh

Active Member
With Make A Wish. Like mentioned you would spend a week at Give Kids the World villiage in Kissimmie (sp?)
Each family stays in their own little cottage. At the complex there is a little train and a carousel. On wednesday nights the parents are given the night off (if they want) and the children are with volunteers, usually from the Disney College Program, till 9 PM. I only got to volunteer once when i was in the college program but it is a great foundation.

Also during your week in FL you will also visit Sea World and Universal Studios.


Concerning boarding rides with moving belts. Nearly all those attractions are capable of slowly down or even stopping by remote control that each Cast Member wears. The only attraction that cannot be stopped or slowed is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. However, with TTA the hchild can easily be carried onto the ride.

When you visit WDW with Make A Wish you will receive a button for your child to wear that says "Make A Wish" this button along with the Guest Assistance Card will allow you to go to the front of the line at most (if not all attractions) They might have changed this some since I have been there as when I was there on my CP many people were making fake buttons trying to cheat the system (people can be so gross)

Transportation to the parks I beleive is taking care of by Give Kids the World...and transportation between Disney Parks is very easy


Thats all I can think of...
 
Uponastar

Uponastar

Well-Known Member
mrs2fat said:
To answer your questions Mansion Butler:

1) Are you able to transfer from your vehicle? yes

2) Are you able to walk a short distance? yes

3) Are you able to stand for approximately five minutes? yes

4) Are you capable of stepping onto a moving belt? probably not, though my husband or I could assist him in this

He has low muscle tone, he's not very strong or sturdy
He is quite developmentally delayed, no talking and very little understanding.

Thanks to those who have answered, posted and put up links. It is all very helpful.

more questions:
It appears the trips are of a weeks duration... Can you do Disney in a week?
I wonder about transportation around the park?
looking at all of the pictures posted throughout this site really makes me want to do this! I am sure our son would LOVE it:)
Click to expand...

Hi!
I would just like to say, that no matter what your pace is and no matter what you see or don't see, do or don't do in a week, you will not come home feeling like you missed anything. It is an experience you and your family will never forget!
I hope this works out for you. Keep us informed and ask all the questions you want. We love to show off what we know about our favorite place! :lol:
 
Mansion Butler

Mansion Butler

Active Member
mrs2fat said:
To answer your questions Mansion Butler:

1) Are you able to transfer from your vehicle? yes

2) Are you able to walk a short distance? yes

3) Are you able to stand for approximately five minutes? yes

4) Are you capable of stepping onto a moving belt? probably not, though my husband or I could assist him in this

He has low muscle tone, he's not very strong or sturdy
He is quite developmentally delayed, no talking and very little understanding.

Thanks to those who have answered, posted and put up links. It is all very helpful.

more questions:
It appears the trips are of a weeks duration... Can you do Disney in a week?
I wonder about transportation around the park?
looking at all of the pictures posted throughout this site really makes me want to do this! I am sure our son would LOVE it:)
Click to expand...

In the case of the Haunted Mansion, we'd probably take you up to the exit and let you see the belt. If you can handle it, we'll take you around and get you on at the exit, where, if need be, we could help you on. If you're unable to handle it, there are two special buggies to assist with transfer and you'd be waiting no more than 10 minutes or so to get on.

As far as a week, yes, you can do Disney in a week. But don't worry about doing everything, worry about having a good time.
 
saltmom1

saltmom1

New Member
TiggersPooh, are you talking about the walkway up to TTA or the moving platform. One of the times we went my daughter had gotten out of a cast from a broken ankle a week before. She could not manage the walkway up so the CM stopped the belt and let her walk up. My husband then helped her with the moving platform.
 
barnum42

barnum42

New Member
mrs2fat said:
To answer your questions Mansion Butler:

1) Are you able to transfer from your vehicle? yes

2) Are you able to walk a short distance? yes

3) Are you able to stand for approximately five minutes? yes

4) Are you capable of stepping onto a moving belt? probably not, though my husband or I could assist him in this

He has low muscle tone, he's not very strong or sturdy
He is quite developmentally delayed, no talking and very little understanding.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are good to go. Most queues can accommodate wheelchairs, those few that can't fully accommodate chairs will have ways to bypass those areas.

The loading belts can be slowed and most stopped if required. Some rides have altered ride vehicles that allow wheelchairs direct access.

For some more details on my experiences visiting Disney World with my mother in her wheelchair - http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=42507
 
maelstrom

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
saltmom1 said:
TiggersPooh, are you talking about the walkway up to TTA or the moving platform. One of the times we went my daughter had gotten out of a cast from a broken ankle a week before. She could not manage the walkway up so the CM stopped the belt and let her walk up. My husband then helped her with the moving platform.
Click to expand...

I once saw a father carry his grown (and not very small) disabled son up and down the speedramp, while a CM stood by and watched. I'm not sure if stopping the ramp may have helped or not, but the CM offered no assistance whatsoever. It broke my heart. But it made me glow with hope for the human race when I saw that man carry his grown son like that.
 
barnum42

barnum42

New Member
maelstrom said:
I once saw a father carry his grown (and not very small) disabled son up and down the speedramp, while a CM stood by and watched. I'm not sure if stopping the ramp may have helped or not, but the CM offered no assistance whatsoever. It broke my heart. But it made me glow with hope for the human race when I saw that man carry his grown son like that.
Click to expand...
I suspect the lawyers prevent them from helping - in case there is an accident which will of course lead to a massive lawsuit.

A sad state of affairs.
 
T

TiggersPooh

Active Member
i think thats true

I know at the park I work at here in Ohio we cannot pick up a child. (I still do when i work the kid rides)
But you know if someone was to drop a child it would be a massive lawsuit.
 

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