Hi there, Gene! Welcome to planDisney, where we aim to help each Guest make some magic on their upcoming Disney vacation.
I want to start by wishing your wife, you, and your family all the best with finishing chemotherapy. As a loved one of mine recently went through treatments, I know how taxing it can be on the patients
and the ones who are caring for them. It takes a tremendous amount of strength and love and I hope you carry that courage and devotion into the future. She's lucky to have you...and I'm sure you feel the same way about her. As my friend
Alison S. would suggest, if she has a favorite character that gives her inspiration and courage,
be sure to find them in the parks and take a picture. But I have a feeling that no matter how strong the character she loves is, that character could learn a thing or two from your wife...and then some.
I would look into the
Disability Access Service, commonly referred to as DAS. If your wife qualifies, you can schedule a call with a friendly Cast member between 2 to 30 days before your arrival, ensuring that your wife is present during the call. On this call, you are usually able to schedule up to 2 one-hour return windows for select experiences (subject to availability) for each day you are visiting the parks. Then, on the day of your visit, you'll be able to book more experiences through your My Disney Experience mobile app, one at a time (subject to availability). And don't worry, if your wife qualifies, she doesn't have to ride alone! She can reserve experiences for herself and up to 5 other Guests as long as she is riding the attraction as well.
There are also wheelchair and ECV rentals available at each of the theme parks in case she needs them. And there are always some quiet spaces in the parks to relax if she needs downtime. I love to visit
Tom Sawyer Island in Magic Kingdom Park because you have to take a raft to get there so not a lot of people make the trek. The Morroco Pavilion in World Showcase at EPCOT has a few tucked-away places that few Guests even know exist...and it's such a beautifully crafted pavilion! In Disney's Hollywood Studios,
Walt Disney Presents has so much to look at, and since it's indoors, there's lots of air-conditioning! And in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the exploration trails offer a wonderful space to learn something new and be comforted by the views of the magnificent animals and surrounded by nature.
Gene, if your wife is comfortable, you can also get a Celebration Button at a
Guest Relations location and announce that she's celebrating her last chemotherapy treatment. She will likely receive well-wishes from both Cast Members and Guests alike. But even if she doesn't want to announce it, I hope you find ways to celebrate at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Maybe it's a Mickey Premium Bar or other specialty treat. Perhaps it's a special attraction that means a lot to her. Possibly, it's a nighttime spectacular that causes awe and wonder. Or maybe it's simply being in a fantastical place, spending time with people she loves, and knowing that no matter what the future brings, these memories will be in her heart and yours every day. Now if
that's not magic, I truly don't know what it is.
Here's to a joyous celebration, lots of laughter, and plenty of love,
Matt