My Top 10 Disney Parks must buy list

Recently Disney Dining put out their"Top Ten Walt Disney World Souvenirs" list. Here is a summary peek of that list.

10) Christmas Items
9) Kitchen Items
8) Disney Jewelry
7) Food
6) Cups and Mugs
5) Hats
4) Toys
3) Clothing
2) Pins
1) Mickey Ears

Now.. Personally I don't agree with this list. I feel key things have been missed. So here is my top 10 WDW Souvenir/Collectible Item list..

10- Personalized items-
Those great things like park ride "id cards", pens, magnets etc.. They all show you were there, and you mattered to the House of Mouse enough to make chachkeys with your name on them, that is as long your name made the print list that year.

9- Car stickers-
I would add magnets, but after someone STOLE the Stitch magnet off my husbands truck with a friend sitting in the truck, from now on we stick with sticky backed vinyl. Car stickers show your love for Disney. I even excuse the annoying stick family car vinyls if they have mouse ears on the family members.
Some of my favorite Disney car stickers are:

  

8- License Plate holders-

In Virginia we have to have a front and back state issued plate, so those cool plastic "Support my fave cause/team/place on earth" license plates become wall hangings in the man cave or office. The plastic plate holders still allow us to show our love/dedication, but avoid getting a ticket.

7-Christmas Ornaments (Kind of)-

I have an issue with buying a $20 ornament to only display it MAYBE a month out of the year. Yes, Disney Christmas trees are adorable, as are the Jack Skellington Halloween ones I have seen, but they only come out for a bit. Instead my vote on this one goes to the "not obviously a Christmas ornament" ornaments. For example the new decorative resin Mouse Ear lineup, or the upcoming high heel line, or the Christmas shop items that don't scream I AM FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE!! these items allow you to display them where ever you want all year.

 

7- Art
Disney is at the end of the day, an art studio in my opinion. So Lithographs, paintings, prints etc are always great things to purchase and then display on the wall at home. 

6- Useful daily items
Seriously I wouldn't get through the day without a hairbrush, so why not get a Dinglehopper hairbrush in the New Fantasyland. Or Disney themed dishes, cookware etc. These are great useful items you use on a regular basis and remind you of your time in the parks.

5- Clothing of the none dated variety:
Ok I can actually HEAR y'all going "none dated??". Yes, I personally prefer my clothes NOT be dated. Why? Because it DATES how long I have had a specific sweatshirt/shirt etc. I currently am in possession of 4 Disney park themed sweatshirts. All lack a year, well the newest has a year on the shoulder recognizing the year the Disney Cruise Line started but that is different it's a HISTORIC date. The only dated items I buy are a yearly scrapbook and some collectors pins.

 

4- Vinylmations
I'll admit, I had to come around to the Vinyls. I don't know why I didn't love them instantly, except maybe the fact I envisioned them taking over my home like our Disney pin collection, but these are a cute item. From the ones you can decorate yourself, to the special series they are so cute. AND going back to the "design your own" the larger version of that Vinyl can be used as a guestbook at a Disney themed wedding!!

3- Scrapbooks
I am, per my one friend, a "attack scrap booker", meaning due to my personal schedule, and my cats who want to be in EVERYTHING, I don't scrapbook at home, or very often. So a few times a year I go with friends to an all day crop and bust out a massive amount of pages at once. After a trip to the parks I put everything scrap-able into a 12x12 envelope and then when I got scrapping I grab the oldest, uncompleted scrap-wise trip and work on it. Several years ago I started buying one of the FEW dated items I will buy, a 12x12 park album with the year on the cover. That way it's easier to keep the trips in order by year. 

2-Disney Trading Pins
Our very first trip to WDW in 05 started us of on trading pins. Interestingly enough my husband started collecting Stitch based pins, because "he just liked how he looked", yup that's right folks he had NEVER seen Lilo and Stitch. Currently we are working on putting the pins on paint canvases to hang around the house. They also make GREAT gifts for the nieces and nephews after our trips.

1- Duffy
Duffy is Mickey's bear. Before he became HUGE you would see the "My First Disney Bears"around the parks. THEN Duffy exploded in Disneyland Japan. I have no issue admitting I have a 17" Duffy (that travels to the parks with me) and quite the closet of clothes for him. On the plane he doubles as a pillow. In the parks he's something the characters at meet and greets go nuts over creating some really fun photos, and at home he's just a fluffy comforting friend when I need a hug.

Redo in the works.

So it's time to make this awesome tool into something more original. I plan to share Disney Park Blog posts of news importance, but also personal posts. :) Keep an eye out!!

Irish Brown Bread with Guinness Reduction

Put a jig in your St. Patrick’s Day party with this recipe from Raglan Road™ Irish Pub and Restaurant at Downtown Disney®.
Makes 1 (3-pound) loaf

Irish Brown Bread
6 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup Guinness
1/4 cup molasses

Guinness Reduction
2 cups Guinness
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup olive oil, for service

For Irish brown bread:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9 1/2x5x3-inch loaf pan or a 9×9 square pan; set aside.
2. Combine all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, 1 cup rolled oats, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together buttermilk, Guinness, and molasses in a medium bowl.
4. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture in three batches, mixing and folding dough by hand lightly; the mixture should be sticky.
5. Transfer dough to prepared pan and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup oats, pressing lightly to adhere.
6. Bake until bread is golden brown and makes a hollow sound when top is tapped, about 40 to 50 minutes.
7. Remove from pan and cool slightly before serving. Serve with Guinness Reduction and olive oil.

For Guinness reduction:
1. Combine the Guinness and sugar in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Note: Do not leave the pot unattended while it is coming to a boil, as it may boil over.
3. Simmer until mixture is reduced by half and is thick and syrup-like, about 1 hour.
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature
5. For service, place 1/4 cup olive oil in a saucer or small plate. Drizzle with 1/4 cup Guinness Reduction.
6. Refrigerate any remaining reduction for up to 2 weeks.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

200 Facebook Fans Event

Ok ladies and gents, we hit 200 followers on Facebook so I want to do something special and fun :) So here it is.
Everyone who books a NEW Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Resort, or Disney Cruise Vacation between tonight (2/25/13) and 3/16/13 at 11pm est, gets a free Disney Growth Chart, one for each child (minor under 18 years of age) in your home, while supplies last. (Trip does not have to be taken during that time frame, just booked, and deposit placed.)
Follow me at www.facebook.com/AutumnDisneyTravelSpecialist and fill out the form out in full for a free, no obligation quote today or follow me at www.askamouseaddict.com 

The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow

Originally Published January 3, 2013 on WWT written by Autumn Barnes

From 2008-2011, the building in Hollywood Studios between One Man’s Dream and Toy Story Mania was a one-room walk through Narnia memorabilia tour. The exhibit housed short movie clips, authentic concept art, storyboards, as well as some of the actual props and costumes used during the making of the Disney movie series. From September 2011 until December 2012, this building sat empty. In May of 2012, Disney announced a new attraction “”The Legend of Jack Sparrow” would be filling this space. For several months after the announcement very little information was released about the Jack Sparrow attraction, but walls went up with those wonderful “Pardon Our Pixie Dust” signs, while Disney worked it’s magic. In November, Hollywood Studios announced this new attraction would open December 6, 2012.   
I happened to have the pleasure of seeing this attraction the week of December 11 while I was at the parks.  Going off the original concept from the old Narnia tour, I was expecting to walk through a prop and costume tour. Boy was I WRONG!  The outside of the attraction’s building is decorated to look like a treasure map with the Pirates of the Caribbean skull and cross bones over the banner  “The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow” with Jack’s personal Jolly Roger flying high to ensure all know this is Captain Jack’s place!
Upon entering the building you realize, this is NOT going to be a walk through memorabilia tour. As you enter the first room you come face to face with a large door adorned with a Skull and sword style crossbones sculpture over it. Or IS it a sculpture? Once the magic of the sea surrounds you, you are warned by a now enchanted Skull and Crossbones, who will become your guide through the rest of the attraction, that those seeking adventure on the seas are searching for Captain Jack Sparrow. You are also told only a true pirate is fit to sail with Captain Jack.  You are then allowed to proceed to the next room, and of course as a last warning, you are told, Dead Men Tell No Tales.

 

Once all the members of the tour have entered the second room you learn the room is magic and anything can happen. From this point the show now surrounds you, with video, sound, light and interaction from the rest of the “crew” you have joined. While standing in the room the focal point is in fact the bow of the Black Pearl, but you are surrounded by pirate treasure, contraband, and a small stage where the lucky person chosen prior to the show gets to present the skeleton key to the attacking skeletons so that the adventure can begin.

From this point the “crew” led and directed by the enchanted skull will then battle the Flying Dutchman and Davy Jones, the Kraken, Mermaids of the non-Ariel variety and other such nautical villains. But when the Dutchman returns for another battle the skull reveals it is time to swear in the crew, and call them to muster for the Captain. At this point Captain Jack, in film format played by Johnny Depp and the Red-Head (we wants the Red-Head) from the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction appear on the deck.  After the ship is fired upon Jack realizes it’s time to be a Captain, and that he must protect the Pearl, with the help of his new crew.

Once the new crew has proven itself Jack and the “strange talking skeleton in the sky” decide the crew has performed well and that they should take the Pirate’s Oath, or at least Jack’s shortened version of it. Once everyone says “aye” the crew is told to prepare to make sail, and the is invited to join the skeleton in a round, not Jack’s concept of a round, but in signing a round of  “A pirate’s life” and then told to weigh anchor as the ship will be sailing with the tide.  The crew then makes it’s way back out of the building to continue on with the pillaging and plundering of helpless tourists, I mean to continue their day at Hollywood Studios.

Traveling to Walt Disney World with a Special Needs Individual pt 2.: DisneyGals Guest Post

Published Sunday, November 11, 2012: http://www.disneygals.com/2012/11/guest-author-sunday-disney-gals-welcome.html

 From DisneyGals:

Guest Author Sunday

The Disney Gals Welcome Back

Guest Author Autumn Barnes

This week Autumn gives us some great tips about how to get the most out of your trip Walt Disney World when traveling with a child with special needs.

Traveling to Walt Disney World with a Special Needs Individual pt 2.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about what I had learned in preparing to travel to Disney World with a special needs individual, and how this would be my husband and I’s first trip to the House of Mouse with a child. Today I am writing to tell you what we learned by experience, and if we survived.

Let’s start with the surviving part. Yes, we did, and to be honest our little friend “E” was great and I think Drew and I may be spoiled by this, because now we will assume ALL kids who go to WDW with us will be such fun, well behaved, mellow travel companions.  “E” unlike me is a morning person, so he was usually up and ready to go before I was in the morning. What we started doing at character meets was Drew and I would go first and just clue in the Princess or character that “E” was non-verbal, but this did NOT stop him from trying to kidnap Peter Pan. Yes, you read this right, the three-year old grabbed Peter by the hand at the “spindle” heading into Adventureland and took him for a walk all the way to the Crystal Palace. This by the way is one of those moments where I have to give HUGE props to the cast members because Peter just went with it crowing and talking away to “E” about becoming a lost boy etc., and his “handler” just sat and laughed with the rest of us.  The longest line we really stood in was for the Little Mermaid ride. Yes! We were there for the first weekend they opened it for dress rehearsal and you have NO idea how wonderfully excited I was.

The wait staffs we had were awesome, and not only wonderfully understanding of Mom’s allergy, but they were constantly making sure “E” was happy. The nice gentleman who waited on us in China made sure we had a take home box since “E” was so tired that night he was falling asleep while chewing. Sadly, the dinner we set up to be his birthday dinner at the Crystal Palace he slept through, but Tigger, Pooh and the gang still made sure they took photos with him in his stroller. The staff at SSR was wonderful and honored our very few requests, like not moving around equipment when they came in, and putting us back by the Paddock pool to make getting counter food easier.

Now, on to the traveling with a special needs child part of the topic. We went in to Guest Relations to get our GAC card at Epcot the very first day, this went smoothly, and we were also given a red special sticker that works very much like the Magic Express luggage tags that signaled that “E” got to stay in his stroller, even in no stroller buildings/areas. The sticker is a great way to signal to cast members that the child in the stroller has a health concern, and keeps you from having to explain it repeatedly. Once you get the red stroller sticker from Guest Relations, you just connect the two sticky parts on the ends of the maybe 18” long sticker to each other after looping it onto the stroller. Once this is on the stroller it signals to the cast members in the entrances of buildings that say “you need to park your stroller!!”  and the cast members that I like to refer to as “stroller valets” that the stroller stayed with us. The only issue we really had was on the first day when we realized that by putting the tag on the left side of the rented umbrella stroller it wasn’t as easily noticeable as we would have liked it to be. So when Mom, Dad and Drew went to ride Mission Space, “E” and I roamed around, met Stitch and Daisy, and then popped back into Guest Relations and explained the issue we were having, and they gave us a second one to attach to the right side giving us visual coverage from either side of the stroller. Problem solved.

The GAC was an interesting item all in it’s own rite. When I was researching the card for the article and for our use, we had read in a suggestion to wear it on your lanyard. This to me meant, “Oh it fits IN the pin trading lanyard id things.” This is NOT true. The GAC is about 4” long and maybe 3.5” tall, and they do NOT offer a sleeve for it, I asked. The thing is you need to flash this card a lot, and it’s not on water proof paper, so you want to keep it dry. Luckily I have a cell phone/camera water proof sleeve that is on it’s own lanyard, and on day two I said “OHHH WAIT!! I have my camera lanyard!” and into that the GAC went allowing it to be on an adults neck when needed.

The other issue we came across was confliction with HOW the GAC works. I kept reading “Please note the GAC is not a FastPass, and please do not use this to bypass waiting” etc., and could not quite figure out why, especially after we READ the card. The back of the card specifically states, “Some attractions have alternate entrances for guests with disabilities and are intended to offer Guests using wheelchairs or with service animals a convenient entrance to the attraction. Alternate entrances are not intended to provide immediate access. Guests with disabilities and up to five members of their party may enter through these entrances. For operational considerations, additional party members are required to use the standard queue. At attractions offering FASTPASS service, Guests should obtain a Disney’s FASTPASS return ticket. “

The issue we came across though is, this “Get a Fastpass come back at your Fastpass time” rule is a BY ride and BY ride manager enforcement issue. Some rides actively enforce this, some do not, which leads to confusion because the newer members of the cast don’t always seem to realize this is just their attraction saying “you don’t need a Fastpass and can just use the handicap entrance and bypass the cue” gives select people the idea that this can be done at ALL rides. There was a tense moment when Drew laid it down to Dad (after Dad was told this the night before at a ride that didn’t enforce the rule). Drew basically said that he “didn’t care what the 19 year old told him, rules were there for a reason, we would be adhering to them not only because Aut is a DTS, and we are DVC members and in the parks a lot and have friends that work there, but also because we will NOT be THOSE people.” I asked our hotel manager about this rule as we were checking out, and the lady at Special Reservations about this issue. They both said it was up to the attraction manager. I will be honest, I did tell them “if it’s in print it’s a rule, and it should be enforced evenly across the board to avoid confusion.” And they agreed and suggested I email customer service with that suggestion.

As for the handicap entrances that the GAC suggested we use because of the stroller, some of them are the same as the general entrance, except for where you load, some run along side the general queue in the FastPass line, and some are WAY off to the side of the building with very limited signage. What we learned quickly was to look for the handicap sign, if we did not see it we would just ask. Sometimes the location was close by and we just missed it due to easy distraction, other times like with Spaceship Earth it is half way down the side of the building, and then has a waiting area outside of the exit. The WORST in my opinion was the Haunted Mansion. Perhaps it was just the cast members we had, but I found the whole event to be confusing and stressful. They send you in to the main room, the take you back into the exit hall to park your stroller or wheelchair, and then have you walk down the exit hall in opposing traffic and down this very small sidewalk to the side of the moving sidewalk. It was just all very confusing and backwards, and I could not figure out why we were not just sent to the exit area to begin with.

I have also learned since returning while helping someone planning an upcoming trip whose daughter is on a very specialized diet, if you are staying in a hotel without microwave or fridge and need one for medical purposes you can request one. It is preferred you stay in a hotel that already has these, but if you aren’t in a hotel that already has these in your room you can request it, there is no guarantee you will get it though if it is not available. There are also a few places that not only rent the electric scooters and deliver them to your hotel, but the also will rent out mini fridges and microwaves as well. I personally would suggest if you do take advantage of this option that you take a surge bar with you in your luggage just to be safe. I also learned there is a group at the parks in booking that is dedicated to helping people with special medical needs.  The Walt Disney World Resort Special Reservations number is 407-939-7807. I learned you make your reservation, note the request in that reservation and then you can call them and verify they received it and they can help you with any info/questions you may have.

Overall, I have to say this was a very educational trip for me on many levels.   I learned a good deal, about how Disney goes above and beyond to ensure individuals with special needs are given the same opportunities to enjoy the park. I learned that they also have gone out of their way to ensure cast members know who needs special assistance, without hanging a huge banner over their heads, I have to say in the 20+ trips I have made to the parks in the last 6 years I have NEVER noticed the stroller tags, but had wondered “why is their a stroller in the land?”. I also learned the GAC is great, but I would suggest you find a large clear envelope for it to hang on your lanyard just to make your “Leeloo Dallas Mutlipass” moments go much smoother.  Finally, I learned Drew and I totally could handle taking a child to WDW with us, as long as we can give them back to Mom and/or Dad at the end of the day.

Traveling to Walt Disney World with a Special Needs Individual: Guest Post on DisneyGals

 Published Sunday, October 14, 2012: http://www.disneygals.com/2012/10/welcome-autumn-barnes-to-guest-author.html

From DisneyGals:

Welcome Autumn Barnes to Guest Author Sunday!

Please join the Disney Gals in welcoming Autumn Barnes to the Guest Author stage today. Today Autumn takes the opportunity to set the stage for her first Disney Park trip with a special needs traveler. She is on her magical Disney vacation as we speak and will be following up this post upon her return. Please join us in following her journey and learning how to prepare for this unique experience right along with her!

First Let's Learn About Autumn:  I am that girl. You know the one you say "oh you're going to Disney? You NEED to talk to my friend Autumn she's a Disney Guru". Yup, I will admit it I am a Disney junkie. I start sentences with things like "It's what I do, It's what I live for, to help poor unfortunate tourists, like yourself, poor souls with noone else to turn to", or throws "hakuna matata" into discussions that have people stressed out. It was recently said by a very dear old friend  "If Aut isn't wearing PSU or Disney gear something is wrong with the universe, or she is in desperate need of a laundry washing day." My nighttime routine is Phineas and Ferb, yes yes I am a bit to old for cartoons but that's ok because they make me happy.

I have been hooked on all thinks Disney as far back as I can remember, and I sucked my awesome military husband Drew into that addiction when we got married. I got his stack of internet security textbooks, piles of computer equipment and language based on tech, he got my pile of Ariel collectible dolls, a mountain of Disney movies, and a joint purchase into DVC two years into our union. I adore helping people learn about the Disney as a whole, but really my true addiction anymore is the parks. Our bucket list contains very few items, to see every Disney theme park, and hotel/resort that is not at a theme park on earth in person. Prior to September 2012 I was just your average Disney trip planning friend that had all their knowledge from trips to WDW or online, but after I was able to help my dental hygienist save a good chunk of money on free dining this fall I caved, listened to what my friends and family had been telling me for years to do and became a Disney Travel Specialist with Wishing Well Travel because I wanted to properly help others save money while having a magical trip and getting to know all the amazing parts of my "second home".   Thanks to taking that course I know have an even better understanding of WDW, and actually know useful things about the parks I haven't been to. 

Traveling to Walt Disney World with a Special Needs Individual

“Walt Disney World Vacation”, usually to most people in their thirties these words brings to mind family vacations with the kids, except in my house. My husband and I don’t have kids, we are in all technicality the definition of “DINK”s. We have several nieces and nephews, but when we travel, it is just us, as we tend to go to Disney during the school year. For us planning a Disney trip means, check the calendar and find a weekend that works for us, find an airfare sale, book a room through DVC, and have the husband drop a leave chit.  There are no worries about missing school, getting kids through security, naptimes, ride height restrictions etc. UNTIL now that is.

A few months ago we learned a good friend’s husband would be deploying in October. I knew that this trip was hard on her as their son is classified by the military as EFM (Exceptional Family Member).  Their son has this classification because he was born 4 months early, has a heart condition, a g-tube that they use for night time feedings, and he is autistic, but the thing is the kid is one of the neatest kids you would EVER meet, health issues and all.  So, after finding out this deployment news and knowing we would be in WDW 2 weeks after dad deployed, my husband and I discussed it and invited Mom and “E” to come with us in mid-October to WDW.  A few weeks later Dad’s leave date was revised, and now he is coming with us as well, which is great because it gives them a family trip, and let’s Dad be there for E’s first trip to Disney.

Going into this adventure though I realized I was walking into a WHOLE new world. Not only would we be traveling with a toddler, something we had never done before, but we would be traveling with someone who was special needs.   Being the research junkie I am I started looking into what we needed to have, do, expect to make the trip smoother for everyone involved.  At first I had some issues finding in depth info but then a person I met on a DVC board, who was also great enough to offer personal experience, pointed me in the right direction. This post will cover what I have learned, the second post which will appear later in October after we get home will go over how much of this info was spot on, any extra tips I have learned, and just a general how it went for those wondering how the DINKS did with a toddler on vacation.

The first step was researching where the first aid stations were in the parks, as well as where the closest hospitals were and providing that info to Mom and Dad just in case Dad’s command asked for it. Because we are all military this isn’t exactly weird to us, we know EFM families have extra rules/regs to follow, primarily just to ensure the ensure the safety of the EFM member.  To be extra safe I made sure the hospital I found was a Tricare friendly hospital. So now we know Celebration ER is the place for us in case there is an emergency that does require an ER run.

Disney has something called a Guest Relations Card (GAC) for people with certain disabilities or medical conditions. I have learned this card can be obtained at Customer Service in the front of each park and that you do not need a Doctor’s note to acquire it, though we have gotten one from E’s doctor just to be safe.  A GAC is good for the entire length of your trip, and there are actually different versions of this card.  We will be renting a stroller card as E does not do well with crowds and the GAC allows him to keep it in the lines.  There is some conflicting information online as to whether different cards are issues for different disability/mobility issues, or if the card is stamped. But it DVC customer service confirmed there is a card, and that it is issues for several different reasons, but that we will need one to keep the stroller out of stroller parking.  E also qualifies for a GAC because he is sensitive in heat because of a heart issue, and possibly may need to use the alternate entrance line as he is Autistic and is immune compromised, all of these things qualify him for a GAC on their own.  A GRC does not mean you jump to the front of the line, but it is suppose to make things easier on the person with the disability.  I have read up to five people can accompany a GAC holder on rides, so this will work well as it will be E and four adults. In my research it is also suggested you put your GAC in a badge holder where it can be easily seen to make it easier on Cast Members, and I would assume to draw less direction attention to the person with special needs.  Another person suggested we attach it TO the stroller but I am not sure how that will work since it is a rental, I am planning to ask Customer Service which method the Cast Members prefer.

In addition, another concern was E has a g-tube for his nighttime feedings.  I know from experience the Disney hotel staff at Saratoga Springs where we are staying is wonderful. However, I also wanted to ensure that E’s feeding tub and IV pole will be left alone and not moved around during the day if the cleaning staff comes to the room.  This seemed to be rather easy to handle, all I did was have the DVC booking agent put a note in our reservation info that there would be medical equipment in the room and we would like them to not move it.  I also reconfirmed there would be a Pack and Play in the room as this makes it easier on E’s parents for his feedings.   

The biggest concern we have had is the flight security checkpoint NOT the parks because as we all know Walt Disney World is the MASTER of customer service.  Mom wants to travel with three packages of feeding formula on the plane in her carry on to be safe, and has concerns with the security area so I started looking up info to help relax her.  The TSA site has provided some info, but to be honest to me it looks like have updated their website recently and removed a good deal of traveler information that I had shared with others before, as well as the “Disability Notification Card for Air Travel” form they state is available online, but the link redirects to an error page.  Because E has an inhaler, his feeding pump, meds, etc. there is a LOT of info I had to look for on the TSA website. What I have learned through their sites is it seems he can travel with his meds and liquids because they are prescription/medical supplies but that they may be tested, or they need to have a copy of the prescription info with them.  The most important thing I have found it the “TSA Cares Hotline” for those who have disabilities and are planning on flying.   Per the TSA site “TSA Cares is a helpline to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. TSA recommends that passengers call 72 hours ahead of travel to for information about what to expect during screening. Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. TSA Cares will serve as an additional, dedicated resource specifically for passengers with disabilities, medical conditions or other circumstances or their loved ones who want to prepare for the screening process prior to flying.” A TSA agent will provide info to the travel based on their specific needs, and if needed will also coordinate with your local TSA office so that they are prepared for you when you arrive for your flight. To ensure Mom does call the TSA three days before we leave I added a “to do” on my Google Calendar just to be safe.

Having all this info, I am hoping we are prepared for our upcoming trip and will not encounter any problems. I am truly looking forward to being present for this little hero’s first Walt Disney World trip and cannot wait to update you on not only how the info above helped us, but also about how awesome a trip he had.