Well I guess they call it Magic Kingdom for a reason! We were on Peter’s Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World last week and it was, well, magical. I wouldn’t classify it as a relaxing family vacation but it was so much fun! The kids deserved every minute of it, and that alone was priceless!
Our trip actually began with a nights’ stay at the waterpark hotel in Bloomington where the kids had a blast! A limo picked us up early the next morning and brought us to the airport where we were escorted onto the plane so Peter could go in the cockpit and meet the pilots, see the view from there and take a few pictures. Once in Orlando, we were met by a Make-A-Wish volunteer who helped us get our luggage and into the rental car they had reserved for us. A short drive later we arrived at “Give Kids the World Village’ and boy, that is exactly what they do! I can’t say enough about the accommodations, the hospitality and volunteers (over 1,000 every week!), and the fun they have in store for the whole family! After a little mini golf, a train ride, the remote control boats, it was over to the Ice Cream Shop which is open daily from 7am-9pm! Need I say we tried out the product a few times? They serve 3 meals every day, there’s a carousel outside the “Castle of Miraclesâ€, a “Gingerbread Houseâ€, “House of Heartsâ€, a theater, and on and on… we could have told the kids that was Disney World and they would have been happy!
It would be hard to recap the entire week in one short post, but we went to Disney 3 days (Magic Kingdom for 2 and Animal Kingdom for 1), Sea World and Universal Studios. We spent the last day at Wet ‘n Wild which the kids loved too!
We were joined by Troy, Macer, Grace & Lily and Grandma Mary for the first 2 days, and Grandpa & Grandma Hanson for the next 3. I think everyone agrees the trip could not have been any more fun! The kids were so good (not waiting in any lines doesn’t hurt). Peter thoroughly enjoyed being the “big boy†with his little sisters and cousins. It was very cute how he took the lead to help them meet princesses, go to the next ride or whatever. We were amazed at Peter’s energy. Had we taken this trip 1 year ago when we had originally planned it would have been a very different experience. He has come a long way!
There are many to thank for making this trip a reality. Make-A-Wish Minnesota (especially Molly, our Wish Coordinator!), the Central MN Choppers (bike club who raised funds for Peter’s wish), Give Kids the World Village and all the volunteers. I know I am forgetting many. Since I don’t write often, I probably haven’t done a sufficient job of thanking people since this journey began in August of 2006. Life was a bit too overwhelming to keep up on “thank you notes†which I have felt bad about since the very beginning!! Please know that your support, prayers, gifts, generosity of time and resources does not, and has not, gone unnoticed or appreciated. We talk often (daily?!) about how lucky we are and the unbelievable support system we have…we will never forget. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts!
A journal of Peter’s journey
Sounds like you all had a fabulous time – very deservingly!! Jen has shared some of Kate’s stories of the trip; that little girl is something else! Wishing you all a Happy and Peaceful Easter holiday!!
Hey Guys!
Sounds like you had a great time! Hoping that when we can grant a wish to Lexi that we will have all that fun as well! Don’t know if you have been keeping up on Lexi’s site, but we are getting the ball rolling for the transplant process! Maybe one of these days we will cross paths at the U of M! We will be there frequently this next month!
Glad to read the good news!
Have a very Happy Easter!
So glad to hear the Eigner’s had such a wonderful time at Disney! You are so right that the kids and ALL of you deserved it. I’m glad Peter had such great energy!!! Always thinking and praying for you. Have a wonderful easter, I’m sure the easter bunny is going to bring you all some wonderful things.
All our love and prayers~ Ryan, Megan, and Logan
Wow Peter – sounds like a dream come true! We are so happy that you are doing well! I think of you often as I look at Noah since you two are so close in age. Today is his 6th Birthday – yours is coming up soon too! Today is the first day of Spring and I hope that the warm weather will be following soon. I think we are all ready. We wish you sunshine and a very Blessed Easter!
The Scherpings
Eigner’s,
Glad you gyuys were able to get away from it all for a while. You all deserved it!
Continued Prayers from Omaha!
James, Tara, Taylor, and Max Heinen
Sounds absolutely delightful … how wonderful for Peter and all of you to have a great time for a change! Looking for pictures. 🙂
Sounds absolutely delightful … how wonderful for Peter and all of you to have a great time for a change! Looking for pictures. 🙂
I just realized my email address was incorrect … so I fixed it causing a double send … sorry. 🙁
Hey Gang! Great to hear your trip was such a blast!! OMGoodness! Cant wait for this snow to go away and get the kids together soon! Miss ya! Val
Sounds awesome! Looking forward to hearing which ride was Peter’s favorite! I am so glad that he had the energy to enjoy every second of it. You all deserved it and so much more!
Take Care and have a Blessed Easter,
Erika, John, Ella and Caden
Happy Easter Eigners, So glad to hear you all had such a wonderful time at Disney and that Peter was able to enjoy it all. It was probably pretty hectic for Mom and Dad but the kids had a blast !!!
Prayers continue to come your way from Omaha and hope things continue to go well.
Love,
Uncle Chuck and Aunt Rose
Happy Easter to the Eigner’s! Sounds like the Magic Kingdom was a hit for the whole family! Peter, sounds like you are one AMAZING Big Brother! What was your favorite ride? Can’t wait to see some pictures! Love, Kim, Kyle and Emerson Rose
Oh YAYYYY that you all had such a great time on your trip south! I’m so grateful for that. You’re all still in my heart.
This is great news that the trip was such a different and enjoyable experience. Well deserved for all the work and effort you have done.
I trust the memories will bring many smiles. As we Truck Drivers always say, “Keep on Truckin’!” You are doing great!
It sounds like your trip was absolutely wonderful- what a well deserved, memory making trip. Now you (Ty and Erika) need a vacation from your Disney vacation.
Eigners – we’re so glad to hear you had a great trip – you ALL deserved the fun getaway!
Peter – we’re happy to hear you are still feeling well and had lots of energy on your vacation. Sounds like you are an awesome big brother!
Continued prayers from the Swansons,
Cary, Lori, Luke, Brooke, and Erica
WHAT! NO HOUSE OF TEAR RIDES! LOL Sounds like you guys had a terrific time. We’re glad that you were given such a special opportunity to go and that you had a very special time with the entire family! Keep up the battle! See you soon this summer!
Thoughts and prayers always,
The Grillos-Rob, Carol, Brandon & Briana.
Disney World sounds like it was grand and for the Eigners’ the future is bright — you guys deserve the best!
Hi Peter,
What a fantastic time you must have had at Disney World. I feel bad that I haven’t talked to any of you for quite a while. I did make it to a few Hockey games, but far to few. Need I say, that winter was tough. Now with a little ray of sunshine things begin to brighten up. You are still in my thoughts and prayers. I am so happy that you continue to get stronger and that ray of sunshine is all around you. You just keep getting better and remember, if you ever have a craving for more Jerky, don’t be too shy to ask for it. I always have some ready for you. Take care little buddy. the Jerky Man
Good morning! I was re-reading the post about your trip and about thank you notes. It’s so endearing that you, Erika, write simply about life being overwhelming, that thank you notes were in your heart, not on paper. Those of us who love and support you, as you know, do it because you and your family matter to all of us and our hearts embrace and hold you. The biggest thank you is that you, in some way, are in our lives, that we can contribute to your life in some way, however small.
Hi Peter,
My name is Matt Cullen and I play hockey for the Carolina Hurricanes. I got an email from a friend about you and wanted to write you a quick note. I am glad you had a great time at Disney World. I will be thinking about you here when we start our playoff run and I hope to be able to meet you sometime. My wife and I come back to Moorhead MN in the summer. Take care of yourself and God Bless ….. matt #8