We didn't win the SuperBowl but....
We're going to Disneyworld! We leave on Saturday the 6th.
By the way, our rottweiler will be in the house guarding our pitbull whose cage is on top of the alligator next to the booby trapped pit in the floor where the rattlesnakes live. They think strangers are tasty.
This trip is brought to you by Mark Stagliano's frequent stay Marriott points from umpteen travel nights a year for the last bazillion years.
What does it take for Kim to travel with the three girls??
The Marriott chef is making us GFCF muffins and pancakes and bread for sandwiches and can prepare most grilled meals for us too. I have sticky labels to stick on the back of the girls' T-shirts with each child's name and phone number on it in case she gets separated from us. I also included, "I have autism" although I didn't like doing that. But I would need a security guard to know why my child wouldn't say her name. I printed three ID sheets with each child's photo and height/weight stats to give law enforcement or park security if one of the girls gets lost. I have a single suitcase filled with GFCF cereal bars, organic fruit bars, GFCF pretzels and crackers and a large lunchbox that will hold the supplements, including digestive enzymes (for a GFCF cheat or two) and probiotics, which need to stay COLD, so I have frozen water bottles too. I have 36 AA (why is that number so familiar?) batteries and two screw drivers (Phillips and flathead) for their electronic toys. We ordered a fridge for the room.
Darling Mark will pack his bag tomorrow night..... Grandma is coming to help us too. We will have "man to man" coverage (is that what it's called in basketball?)
I am exhausted. Are we having fun yet?
20 comments:
You must drink heavily after the girls go to bed.
Order the goddamned room service.
You're worth it.
All that said, I'm jealous. I'll be you're a blast at D-World.
Come back safe and sound; we'll miss you.
I always liked Mariotts. Now I have an even better reason. My compliments to the chef and my best to terrific Mark and the girls and your wonderful mother.
Have a great time!!!!!!
Hey Kim,
Have a great time! We went to Disneyland in May, and they were so great about giving us the special pass -my friend and I call it the "A" card - and we got to walk in every exit. Unbelievably great (despite the fact that I stood sobbing at City Hall explaining how we needed it because of my son's Autism). They were also fabulous about us schlepping our gfcfsf snacks with our kids everywhere. Now everyone we know wants to take Carson to Disney with them! :-) Stuff some beers into your freezie bag - my husband would have never survived Disney without cocktails!
Can't wait to hear of your adventures once you're home!
WE LOVE DISNEY WORLD! It is SO fun! We've been twice but both times were just teasers, the first trip consisted of 2 days and the boys were so young (18 mos & almost 3) and the next time was for just a day. We hope to go back one more time REALLY soon and stay until we can't take it anymore. It looks like you've gotten everything packed on the list. Wait....where's YOUR bag? Just stuff some clean panties in with the GFCF bag. HAVE A BLAST!! Way to go Grandma!!
OH! Almost forgot, you may have already done this but check out one of those Disney Guides. We used the Birnbaums and it tells you all sorts of stuff that may help cut back on time wandering aimlessly. Some of the info includes which rides are fast, dark, noisy; when the popular rides are busiest; how to use the fast pass; how to eat w/characters; where to stand to see the parade/fireworks really well and where to go if you lose a kid. Just FYI. It helped us make the most of our short trips and I recommend it to all my friends.
You sound like me when it comes to packing vitamins. I need an extra suitcase. I'm incapable of packing light.
October should be a good time of year to be at Disney. Crowds won't be too bad. The slowest week of the year is the first week of December. (I used to live in Florida so Disney was an hour and a half trip.) When my son was young I used to always dress him in a brilliant color such as lime green so I could find him easily in a crowd if he wandered off. I also had dog tags made for him with our cell phone numbers or put a note in his shoe in case he lost us. Now he is old enough that he has a cell phone. The water parks are the most difficult for keeping track of the kids. You need 2 sets of eyes.
Have the girls been to Disney before? Are you going to go to Universal Studios? Orlando has some great rides & activities on International Drive like the sling-shot and Wonderworks. How long are you staying?
My tip-
put all three girls in the same color shirt each day... It makes it easier to keep track of them. I do that now whenever we go somewhere like that- and so instead of scanning the faces of all the kids around me, I'm just looking around and going- okay- green, green, green-- yup, they are all here.....
that, and don't forget that Magic Kingdom has gluten free food everywhere!!
have a great time!
-m
Dear god , you're a braver mum than me! Disney world = hell on earth!!
Wow, sounds like you are well prepared. I hope you don't have to use all the data sheets and stuff! Have a wonderful time; I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back.
BTW, did you leave the taratula loose, too? ;-)
Niksmom, I'm tucking Tara (our pet tarantula) into my pocket to slip down the shirt of the first person on the flight to shoot us a dirty look. There's a T-shirt that reads,"My child has autism, what's your problem?" I thought that might be a bit aggressive though... At least outside of metro NY.
Kim, I understand the exhaustion from trying to think ahead and pack everything you will need. We stayed at Marriott when we took my son to NY to the DAN doctor. They were absolutely wonderful; let me store packages of my hormone free bacon in their fridge and use their microwave downstairs. Hope you have a great time. I have heard that Disney is great with the kids who have special needs.
I thought they had probiotics that didn't have to be cold these days--no?
Oh, man, what a PROJECT!!! Moving the mountain to Mohammed, you are...
I hope you have a great time and DO get the speed passes at Disney--I hear that saves you a world of hassles...
I'd comment, but I'm exhausted just reading this post.
Disney IS great for mom's with special needs kids. Hope you have a great time!
Disneyland!!!!! I thought you were kidding...I WANNA GO!!! TAKE ME TAKE ME TAKE ME!!!!!
Whew. I'm exhausted.
Have fun.
Be safe... and remember what I told you...
DO NOT LET YOUR GIRLS GO ON THE LILO AND STITCH RIDE... Satan I tell ya! Satan! Oh, and we turned it down, if you know what I mean? There'll be other opportunities! I feel good about the decision.
Safe travels!
That is great of Mariott's chef. Have fun and try not to get too exhausted while "relaxing". Cheers Kim!!
Wow Kim you have my utmost admiration. You always have it, every day, but the energy and focus required for this kind of undertaking is incredible. Those beautiful girls of yours are lucky to have you for a mom. Hope you all have a GREAT time! And with your excellent planning ahead, and your great attitude, I'm sure you will! ENJOY!!!
About keeping things cold: use a CamelBack (an insulated water-carrier backpack thingy). Take two freezer thingies with you. One can be in the camelback cooling the probiotics while the other one is in the freezer getting cold again.
My daughter is a type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetic, and her insulin has to stay cool, too. We have great luck with this system.
Also, Disney is GREAT with special needs and offers ways around huge lines and so forth. Their site gives all sorts of helpful info and they have actual humans you can call to discuss questions or problems.
Have fun. Wish upon a star. . . .
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