{Wishes Spectacular – Trip to Disney World January 2016}
Day 2 may have been the Best Day Ever, but THIS day was Spectacular from start to finish. It was Mommy, Diddy, Nini, and Pappy’s last day with Sayla at the Disney parks, so we had a lot planned to see and do. Most of our photos are from Day 3 and we were able to capture so many memories. Warning: this post is mostly photos. Make-A-Wish and Give Kids the World included a Memory Maker/PhotoPass in our trip package. This allowed us access to photos online that professional photographers at Disney World would take of us and our adventures. I would highly recommend purchasing this feature if going to Disney! (https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/photo-pass-service/)
Day 3: Universal Studios & Magic Kingdom
Sayla is a huge Frozen fan and sings her little tush off with Elsa. So, naturally we had to attend the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This was our first stop of the day. There were a few tears shed as Sayla tends to “feel” the music when she sings. We refer to her as the “drama mama” when this occurs. She loved it when it starting snowing inside the auditorium, and the big smiles returned.
Next it was time for some big kid rides. The Tower of Terror is my absolute fave!
Peggy watched Sayla while Mommy, Diddy, Nini, and Pappy had some fun. We are really not sure why preacher Pappy’s hand is blurred out on the Aerosmith Rock ‘n Roller Coaster…I guess his rock star status is too much for the camera? Pappy’s still got it.
While eating lunch, Goofy arrived and had to have a photo-op with the Princess. Diddy carried the Princess backpack all around Disney, and several comments were made by on-lookers. One guy said, “You are a good man…cause I know that is not your backpack.” Patrick tells Sayla all the time that she has changed his life…for the better. (side note: Princess backpacks make life better)
After all of the fun at Hollywood Studios, we made our way back to the Magic Kingdom. We rode the Disney bus, and Sayla took a quick beauty rest en route. Little did she know she was about to meet the REAL Sleeping Beauty…
Before boarding the train we ran into Princess Aurora, and her and Sayla had a discussion about all things related to Princess life. Being a princess is not always easy, but Aurora gets it. “My mom takes a lot of beauty sleeps/naps.”
The train had a special car for individuals in a wheelchair to enjoy with their family. Sayla enjoyed the ride but NOT the choo-choo horn.
We rode a few more rides then it was time to meet characters at the Storybook Circus Fantasyland. This ended up being Sayla’s favorite event for the day. We were escorted through the back of the tent by a cast member to the front of the line. There were people inside the tent who had been waiting for over an hour to meet the characters, and I was afraid they would be offended by Sayla getting to go in front of them without waiting. I never want others to think we feel entitled to or deserve special treatment. The whole experience of getting “royal treatment” is actually very humbling, and we are so grateful for this whole experience. Later on that evening, when leaving the park, a lady came up to me and said, “I just want you to know that seeing your child with the characters at the circus tent was the highlight of my trip. I love her smile.” I love to hear when others are touched by Sayla. I know I have a very special kid, but it is amazing when others notice how special she is.
“Daisy Duck the gypsy, let me play her tambourine.”
Donald Duck was the most amazing with Sayla. The mascot-style characters do not talk, and I wasn’t sure how they would be able to interact with Sayla since she has a cortical vision impairment/blindness. Donald took her hand in his and rubbed her hand against the fur on his face. She immediately lit up and was so excited to feel Donald next to her.
Each of the characters signed her autograph book. “My name is Sayla, and that’s S-A-Y-L-A”
“Goofy was impressed by my Pappy’s goofy yell!” Peggy representing #BBN
“Mommy thinks she is Minnie Mouse.”
After meeting the characters we went to pick a spot for the Electric Parade. We took Sayla to the restroom for a diaper change, and she started seizing. Both Peggy and I went into nurse mode and administered her emergency seizure medication (Diastat) and I sat in the bathroom floor rocking her for 3 minutes until the seizure finally stopped. She has these seizures every few months, so we were so disappointed she had one at the “Happiest Place on Earth.” She recovered well with no post-ictal side effects, so we decided to stay at the park. She was a liiiiitle loopy after the medication, and thoroughly enjoyed the light show parade…
After the rave…I mean parade, we made our way to the front of the park to watch the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular firework show. We were escorted to a special spot for the viewing by a cast member. I have never seen fireworks this amazing. The show included content about wishes coming true…my eyes became misty/waterworks as I thought about my girl having this spectacular day, and enjoying her spectacular wish trip. It was a perfect ending to our Disney experience.
