Flying

As a mom of a beautiful daughter who happens to have Autism, I know planning and preparation is key to success. The more we prepare Sapphira, the better she seems to do. So when we got the idea to take our little princess to see the REAL princesses in Disney, we knew we were going to have to really research, have a plan and prepare her. We knew it would totally be worth doing so! 

We started planning Labor Day 2012. Our original thought was do it for seven days. My parents and my sisters were coming with, and were were going to make a two week vacation out of it. Sight seeing on the way back. We wanted to avoid Atlanta at all cost. Traffic with any child is difficult, traffic with a child on the spectrum who doesn't understand the world doesn't work (unfortunately) on their needs, and with a disgruntled grandpa is to be avoided at all cost. So we decided we would make our first stop Metropolis, IL, for my own Super hero, to meet his Super hero- Superman. Greg was totally into this idea. From there we would drive on to Montgomery,Alabama. Take in some history, and travel on to one of the many small towns dotting the gulf cost line in Florida where my dad was going to go deep sea fishing, while we soaked up sun.  From there to Disney for seven days of magical fun. On the way home we were going to stop in Savannah, Georgia and Nashville TN, and Louisville to catch a race or two.  One trip to Oshkosh, WI a mire hour a way, in the same suburban we were going to be traveling to Florida in was a huge wake up call. Traveling such a distance as we were planning to Disney was not going to work. As much as I would have loved doing this- I would love to travel the US- personalities would not mesh. While family is a good thing, there is such a thing as to much of a good thing. 

In the meantime I had been discussing with her teacher who recommended it may be beneficial if this year we could do a test run before we go for seven full days.. We started to look for flights. There is not many options we wanted to try. Traveling with Soph we wanted nonstop, which meant either a two hour drive to Milwaukee or four hour drive to Chicago. Then costs for an over night stay, parking, and transfers. Disney was getting expensive! To fly out of Green Bay, there was at least one if not two connections. And the airlines REFUSED to guarantee that someone would be sitting with Soph unless we paid a special fee- $80 per leg, per person. it was $640 to guarantee that someone in our party would be sitting with our six year old daughter who has autism, on her first flight.  Uh yeah! Not happening, not to mention the baggage fees. It was more expenses to fly then to stay at Disney. It was looking like our Disney trip was not going to happen or we would have to postpone it at least two years and save for it.  

My mom saw an ad for MetJet. A brand new public charter offering Non-stop services out of Green Bay to Orlando. We called and got a price quote. For a nonstop flight out of Green Bay to Orlando, with no luggage fees, a meal, and they guaranteed that Soph and I could sit together, we were sold! But in addition to that, they had a buy 1 ticket get 2 tickets free for future use.

The fact that they guaranteed that one of us would be with Soph was huge to us. There was no fees associated with this, they do advanced seating. Not only was I able to sit with her, the entire party sat together. They have a three by three configuration, and so only my mom was not in our little cluster, but across the aisle. Being able to sit next to Soph with Greg was a godsend. This was her first flight and we weren’t sure how she was going to react, she did amazing, better then myself or Greg. But her ears hurt on the descent and having that extra set of hands to comfort her was amazing.

The fact that MetJet had such a great deal with Buy 1 Get 2 promotion means that in June of 2014 when we go with a much larger group to Disney that we are going to save money because of their promotions. People who normally wouldn’t be able to afford to go are coming with us, and that is amazing. It’s the first time we are doing a big family vacation with extended family, and we are all looking forward to it. The past couple years we’ve been put through the proverbial ringer and this week spent in Florida is going to be a much needed get away for all of us.

I could stop here, but honestly MetJet did so much more for that. Concerned about her reactions, and knowing the more we prepare Sapphira the more successful she is, we wanted to put together a social story. I went online and got pictures of Austin Straubel Airport, Orlando Airport, the tram in the airport, Disney’s Magical Express, and our hotel. I emailed customer service and asked if they had pictures of the plane, gate, and such. They forward me some that they had, but then offered to have their represented at the airport-Lynn, take some more. Lynn went above and beyond and got tons of pictures we included in Soph’s social story.  

Lynn asked if there was anything else they could do to help Soph. I thought it was a long shot but asked if we could visit the airport before our flight to help Soph. I had in mind we would check out the check in counter, maybe walk upstairs, see the baggage claim. Lynn had so much more. When you meet Lynn and chances are anyone who flies MetJet will meet Lynn, she is a presence in the room. She is one of those larger than life people, and is extremely nice, and a sweet heart. She immediately made Soph feel at ease and was extremely welcoming. She practiced checking in with us, and then took us upstairs. When Soph balked because there was an elevator, escalator, and stairs, Lynn took it in a stride. Sapphira is really afraid of elevators and escalators, Lynn just smiled and said well “lets get our exercise in and use the stairs.” Soph agreed and we trooped up the stairs.  Lynn got us gate passes and brought us through security on a practice run, and up to the gate. While there she got her one of the lunches we would be served on the plane. Soph was so excited about this!  Everything Lynn did helped so much with Soph, I know that our actual flight wouldn’t have been as successful with out Lynn’s help.

On the day of the flight Lynn met us at the door. We had lots going on. We were traveling with my 10 year old cousin Kayley, who because a parent wasn’t traveling with us, was considered an unaccompanied minor. So my aunt also got a gate pass to sit with Kayley while we waited for the plane. My grandma was traveling with us, she is older, and really should have had a wheel chair, but stubbornly refused to do so! And Soph. Lynn took it all in a stride and did amazing. Lynn told her she would be waiting for Soph to get back so she could hear all about Disney.

Soph and I were preloaded so Soph could look around. We went to our seats, and to the bathroom, and Soph went into the cockpit. I freaked out! I imagined the air marshel coming out of no where and tackling my six year old who weighed maybe 40 pounds to the ground. I hissed “Soph! Get out of there!” But the pilots both turned around and said it was ok. I got a couple pictures, and they wanted her to sit on their lap and “fly” the plane but Soph didn’t want to. We made our way back to our seats, and people started to board. Soon we were off, Soph clutched my hand and asked about 100 times when could she have her cookie (From Great Harvest Bread who provides this yummy lunch for the flights) we told her when we were in the air. We started to taxi and Soph yelled “Grandpapa! No rocking the plane…” Poor grandpapa was in the parking lot with moist eyes… We were ten feet off the ground, and she let go of my hand, and asked for her cookie. J  She did amazing.

Our trip was… awesome. I can not tell you all the amazing things we saw. Disney is truly a magical place. (look at all those 31 Bags! :)) The Magic starts from the moment you get on to the Disney's Magical express, and continues on.  Our first morning we visited Epcot, and the excitement of the crowd at rope drop was tremendous!

We ate with the Princesses and watched Sapphira in awe of them. Even Kayley and Emily were a little star struck. We met Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, and Soph was beside herself with excitement.  We ate at the Hoop Dee Doo Review, the kids let go of their “coolness’ and tromped around the venue clanging on wash boards in a parade big goofy smiles on their faces. 

We did moonlight swims at our resort, and ate breakfast with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore. Nothing felt better after a long day of walking than to go swim and soak in the refreshing pool. It was open 24 hours a day and we took full use of it!

 I walked around in permanent state of near tears, watching my daughter run, laugh, and interact with characters, with her aunt and her cousin, with no stymming, and only one melt down.

I watched the three of them skip and dance without a care in the world. Soph got to meet her idol, her favorite Princess. Princess Tiana. She has always been a huge fan of the Princess and The Frog. Watching her interact with both Prince Navine and Princess Tiana, was worth every last penny, every last hardship later that night when we were stuck on main street.

It was fun for all ages that were with us. Even if certain people look at their watch wrong! 

Its true, Disney is addicting, and I can barely wait to go back next year! We never would have gotten to experience this vacation if it had not been for MetJet. They were amazing through it all, and I can’t wait to fly them again! I cannot say enough good about this company, and how they treat their customers. They truly get customer service, and they go out of their way, above and beyond to help them. By the end of this year they will be flying to Orlando, Fort Meyers, Cancun, and Minneapolis. I highly recommend them for anyone traveling to those places. Yes they maybe a little more expensive than your big box airlines, but let me tell you the convenience is worth it, and if that is not a concern of yours, the customer service that they offer is above and beyond anything I’ve ever seen. It is worth it! I firmly believe it is the best out of Green Bay, and you and your family should fly the best, the memories you will make, the smiles you will see… it’s all worth it!