"The EPIC Neilson Family Trip to Disney World" actually started on Thursday, December 2nd, when Luke, Andie, Porter, and Kenna took the redeye out of Utah to Orlando. They arrived early the next morning and spent the next two days at the Resorts with Andie's, sister (Annie) and brother-in-law (Jayson).
On Saturday, December 4th, we packed up our bags (and Theo's wheelchair) and headed to the airport in our hired van. Turns out it is cheaper and a lot more convenient to hire a van since parking is really expensive at the airport. We hired a local small business called European Class Limousine and they could not have been nicer and more accommodating!
Our van arrived at 8:00 AM and we arrived at O'Hare at 9:00 AM for our 12:40 PM flight. I guess that's what happens when there is no traffic! Since we have special circumstances (a wheelchair and a mask exemption) I would rather get there super early then be rushing.
We got checked in, showed the desk agent Theo's negative COVID test, and cruised through TSA Pre-check in just a few minutes. Since we had 3 hours before out flight left (about 2 hours before boarding), I decided to take Theo on a walk around the airport.
I had read online that there was a newly installed Special Needs bathroom in O'Hare, but it was in another terminal (terminal 2). It was quite a walk from our terminal, but we found it!
Once we arrived at the restroom we had to use the phone to call an operator to let us in. They did and we explored the space. There was an adult sized changing table with a lift, two roll in showers, and an accessible toilet. It was the perfect bathroom space for anyone with a disability. I really wish more bathrooms had adult sized changing tables instead of those small baby ones. Babies, toddlers, teens, and adults can all use these adult sized changing tables. I just don't think people realize how much it sucks to change your child's diaper on the floor of a bathroom (🤢🤢) because he doesn't fit on the baby sized changing tables.
After exploring the bathroom, Theo and I continued our long walk back to Josh at our gate. BUT we had to stop by Garrett Popcorn first! Gotta bring some of that goodness to Florida for the family!
Before the flight I took Theo to the regular bathroom to change his diaper. Luckily, there was a large changing table in there for us to use. It isn't large enough for an adult, but Theo fit in it nicely.
Right before boarding Theo fell asleep. Bummer. At least he got in a 20 minute power nap. We were boarded first due to Theo's mask exemption and it was definitely a team effort to get us onto the plane. We rolled Theo's wheelchair down the jetway and I picked him up while Josh folded up the wheelchair and put it in the storage bag. We then made our way to the last row of coach and set up camp.
Before our trip I bought a CARES safety harness. These nifty devices are FAA approved and help hold up kids who don't have good trunk support.
Since Theo had his power nap he had no desire to sleep on the plane. Instead he spent 2.5 hours pulling on Josh's beard and playing Peek a Boo Barn!
After we arrived in Orlando we quickly found our luggage (that's what happens when you are the last ones off the plane), but then we had a hard time getting a hold of the car rental company. We were supposed to call them and they would send a shuttle to pick up Josh. It was a nightmare. It took so long for them to come and pick him up and even longer for him to get back to the airport after picking up the van. Let me give you some advice: NEVER use NU Car Rentals and make sure to rent a car from a place at the airport. It's worth it to spend a few extra bucks and not have to go off-site for a rental.
After a couple of hours, no joke, we finally made it to our beautiful 8 bedroom rental house in Storey Lake where we found my parents, Luke, Andie, Porter, Kenna, Annie, and Jayson!
[Frozen room where Porter and Kenna slept]
[Private pool]
[Movie theatre room]
[Star Wars room with three beds]
According to our Airbnb listing we were supposed to have this Harry Potter themed game room. But when we showed up we were pleasantly surprised to find a Star Wars theme game room instead! SCORE!
IT WAS AWESOME and the perfect place for Brady, Brodee, Dane, and Cole to sleep!
[Community pool and club house]
I also had these made for everyone in the family, so we knew who was staying in which room. Aren't they adorable?!
That night we ate KFC, went to the grocery store, and Andie shared music from Encanto with Theo.
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