Ruined Holiday of a lifetime - Please help

[Toft1]

In October 35 of us are going to WDW for my daughters wedding. One of the guests is our 15 year old niece who has never been before and has been looking forward to the trip for the 2 years we have been planning.

On Friday she was attacked and suffered serious injuries including a broken cheekbone. Now she has been told that she should not go on any rides as this could cause the bones to move.

She has wanted to go to WDW since she was a little girl and now her first visit has been ruined.

What can we do to cheer her up?
Can you suggest things that she could do.

 

[davidpw97]

Sucks, hope she feels better.
I would say avoid the thrill rides but most other rides are gentle enough that they shouldn't cause any problems. Plus, she can still see all the shows, parades, and meet characters. WDW is soo much more than just the rides, i'm sure she could still have an awesome vacation.
I guess to cheer her up i'd show her videos of all the things she CAN do and all the ways she can still have fun.

 

[dazzer68]

thats really awful news, how horrible for her and all of you.
maybe this trip will help the recover and put it all behind you.
she will still have a great time, even if she couldnt go on any ride, the parades, shows, fireworks, the atmosphere, cast members, the detail of disney, the buildings is all part of the experience of wdw not just the rides.
though i expect shell be able to go on most , small world, peter pan etc,pirates? just lay off mission space, space mountain type of rides.
once you get there go to guest services and talk to them im sure they will make sure you will all have a great time.
have fun

 

[Philo]

That is terrible but keep one thing in mind - the holiday won't be ruined. She will have a magical time!

There are alot of things you can do instead of the rides - you might want to check with a doctor what kind of rides are ok though. I imagine that Rock n RollerCoaster or Dino might be to much but what about gentle rides like peter pans flight, Haunted Mansion, Nemo, Soarin, Tough to be a bug, SpaceShip Eath etc. These are a tiny example of the rides which are less bumpy than a car ride of a flight so I'm sure they will be fine. There are loads of shows too which require nothing more than sitting down so I bet they will be ok too.

15 might be an awkward age, it depends what kind of 15 year old they are. I'm guessing that meeting the characters by waiting in line might not appeal to her but no-one can hide a smile if they appear whilst eating. Why not look at some character dining options. I've only ever done this once at DW at the Garden Grill in Epcot. Didn't realise it was character dining but when chip 'n dale, micky and pluto came over it was grins all round.

 

[The Mom]

I brought my children when they were toddlers, and my mother when she was 83 and in a wheelchair. Trust me, and others, who have said there is still a lot to do without going on anything "rough."

Epcot: She can enjoy everything but Test Track, Mission Space, and maybe Norway

AK: Skip Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, and the carnival. The Safari ride can get bumpy; I don't know if the driver can make it smoother for you.


Studios: Skip RocknRoller coaster and ToT

MK: Skip the mountains, ?Astro Orbiter, Speedway, Teacups, ? Dumbo & Alladin rides

That still leaves a ton of rides, plus parades, shows, and fireworks.

 

[Agent1964fem]

I don't think her holiday would be ruined there are alot of rides at Disney she could still get on.

 

[tigsmom]

Its only ruined if you let it be. There is so much to see and do without going on the rides that would likely cause more harm. There are the slow rides as mentioned above, shows, parades and fireworks. The beautiful scenery will make for some great photos (give her a challenge to find X amount of whatever ), the food, maybe a tour, the list can go on & one.

Congratulations on your daughter's wedding, thank God your niece is still with you to enjoy this special time and ((HUGS)) for all everyone is now going thru.
Time will heal the physical wounds, hopefully the visit to WDW to help heal some of the others.

 

[Nemo14]

As others have said, there are so many other things that she could do, that she'll have a great time anyway. Why not get her a digital camera to use to take some pics of the trip?

 

[amandagibbins]

Oh thats really bad but my mother in law comes with us and never goes on any of the rides believe me she will still have so much fun and this will give her the incentive to come back to the wdw .On the down side she will feel a tad left out but there is so much to see and do that doesnt involve rides like shopping:sohappy:

 

[MickeyFan77]

I have to agree with everyone. There is so much more to do at Disney than rides!! Just the atmosphere alone is magical.

GL on your trip and (((HUGS))) to your niece!!!

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Along with everyone else on here - my thoughts go to your neice - I hope that she recovers soon.

Disney is not just about the rides (although a lot of them are part and parcel of a Disney trip) there are still stage shows, fireworks, lasers, parades, character meet and greets, character dining, endless shopping, night clubs (the list is almost endless), plus a load of rides that she can do.

Just be sure and tell her that as she's missed out on probably all the headliners rides on her first trip - she'll have to return.

 

[Gucci65]

Sorry to hear about your niece, hope she gets well soon.

We are not visiting WDW until November and have to adjust some of our plans as well. My Dad recently had knee replacement surgery which ultimately led to a blood clot in his lung. The medication he is on now to thin his blood can be dangerous and he as been told NOT to go on any rides at WDW that can cause him to bruise or he could bleed internally. So we will of course avoid all is favorites and focus on the decorations and shows.

Hope you all have a great time!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

All is not lost..... Get her doctor to be a little more specific and if necessary get a second opinion. Have him/her describe what conditions will make her bones move. Doctors have to be intentionally vague in instances like to avoid getting sued. Logic would dictate that roller coasters and more extreme rides like Dinosaur and M:S would be out but the rest of the parks would be wide open.

To make you niece not feel left out I would look at breaking your party up into 2 groups from time to time. It is almost assured that amongst those other 34 people that there will be several others that do not want to do thrill rides. When group 1 goes on Space mountain group 2 can do TTA or Buzz or both. A few top secret ice cream trips never hurt either. :slurp:

 

[H20Babie]

Please add my thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery. I agree with The Mom that she can probably ride anything without a height requirement, as these are the rides that are more intense, jostling, etc.

Enjoy all the shows, some of them are like going to Broadway! Parades, fireworks, character meet-and-greets, I am sure she will have a blast depsite what has happened to her.

I hope whoever attacked her was caught! Shame on them for attacking a child!

 

[mary219]

Everybody go as planned and enjoy.The rides are only a peice of wdw vacations.My husband broke 2 ribs on expedition everest our first day in the parks of a 10 day vacation.He avoided thrill rides after that and we had a great time.certain rides,like the classics are more visual than anything else.Go and have a great time and put the nightmare that happened behind you.

 

[bgraham34]

I am very sorry to hear that. One thing I would do is see if you can setup a private meet and great with her favorite character somewhere. It might cost you but worth it in the end.

 

[rwdavis2]

I also recommend getting a second opinion and specific guidelines for types of things to avoid and not just "rides".
Bob

 

[PhilharMagician]

You still have some time to go before your trip and maybe the physical healing process goes well. Just make sure she checks with the doctor before leaving. The plane ride could be as rough as the rides in WDW, so make sure she is cleared for flight.

Congrats on your DD's wedding and I wish your family the happiest of holidays.

 

[lumpydj]

First, I'm sorry to hear something so horrible happened to her. That's just awful!

Back to your question - I agree with the other posters that Disney is so much more than thrill rides. Perhaps you can have her be in charge of a Hidden Mickey hunt. Or possibly have a contest of who can find out the most unusual or unknown Disney fact. While others may be going on rides she can't, she can use the time to talk to the CM's and get some awesome info. You should also get her involved with Pin trading. That may distract her a little.

Just a few thoughts...:shrug:

 

[sittle]

15 year old girl... downtown disney?? I think we are forgetting the sheer amount of shopping someone can do at WDW, that can occupy anyone for days!!! You just have to look at everyshop, and don't forget some shopping with international flair at Epcot!!

She will have a great time!! Also, she's young, and young people can heal very quickly! I hope she has a great time and the whole family enjoys the wedding!