{Best Day Ever – Trip to Disney World January 2016}
They say I’m a planner. This may be an understatement when it came to planning the best day EVER! I was packing heavy with my Disney travel tip book complete with written side notes and highlighted “must do’s.” I had a general timeline, but not down to the minute…obviously needed to allow room for flexibility…but not much. The pre-planning mainly focused on attractions Sayla would be able to take part in. Disney has a very thorough list of attractions and modes of transportation access for those with mobility disabilities. (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/mobility-disabilities/) Some of the attractions have ride vehicles modified for a wheelchair. We were able to roll her wheelchair into the vehicle and strap her chair down, as we would typically buckle up in a seat. Some of these rides included Its A Small World, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Under the Sea. It was so convenient! Other rides, we would have to transfer her out of her wheelchair. This includes unstrapping 500 straps (okay just 5), and disconnecting her feeding pump and tubing. Not a huge deal, but a little time consuming. Sayla would ride these attractions sitting in our lap. Some of these included Pirates of the Caribbean, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. With our game plan and matching shirts, Mommy, Diddy, Nini, Pappy, Miss Peggy, and Sayla were ready for the best day ever.
Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Sayla awoke that morning still holding on tight to her Mickey Mouse.
After getting ready for the day, we went to eat breakfast at Give Kids the World (GKTW), and the REAL Mickey Mouse was there!!!! He even autographed her stuffed Mickey. She was so excited. I wasn’t sure how she would react to the characters, but this was a good indication of what she would enjoy the most during this trip.
GKTW provided us with a parking pass to Disney, and we brought our own handicap parking tag with us from home. The handicap parking is very close to the monorail transportation, so getting to the “happiest place on earth” was easy with a special kid. I was so overwhelmed as we arrived and walked down Main Street towards the castle. The emotions of being there and the reason for being there had me enraptured. As we got closer to the castle, we could see a parade taking place, but they had stopped for a street dance party. A cast member/usher saw us wheel up to the scene, and said “follow me!” He led Sayla out into the street to dance with multiple characters. She received some special pins from her dance partners. We all got to bust a move, and it was the best way to start our day! We spent a few hours riding rides (Dumbo was her fave and maybe mine too – please excuse my inner child freaking out in the pic below), and saw a street show with Captain Jack Sparrow. GKTW gave us a special badge which acted as our FastPass. We all got to go to the front of every line, and ride a few rides twice in a row.
Sayla began to get tired, which we expected. GKTW also expected this, and gave us a pass to the Make-A-Wish family resting room located at the First Aid center. After resting for an hour, it was time for THE outfit change and adornment of princess attire to prepare for the Royal Ball. We had made reservations to have dinner with Cinderella and friends at the buffet Park Fare, located at the Grand Floridian Resort, about 2 months prior to our trip. This was the absolute highlight of the entire Disney experience. The food was amazing, and the characters were very interactive with the guests. Drucilla told Sayla her dress was ugly because it looked like Cinderella’s. Anastasia was upset when we called her the “evil step sister,” and Cinderella mostly discussed how pretty Sayla looked at the Ball. Sayla was absolutely enamored with Prince Charming! I have never seen her giddy about a boy, and honestly, I was a little alarmed. Diddy was even more disturbed. She kept looking at the Prince with a silly grin, and then he put a ring on it. This is her reason for having the best day ever.
She was giggling all the way back to the van as our day came to an end. The sweet sound of her laughter was my reason for having the best day ever. Stay tuned for Day 3.
