Disney Dreams with Danny
The Search for Joy in the Happiest Place on Earth
by Stephanie Tosto, Guest Post
(December 3, 2024) - Taking my son Danny to Disneyland was a thought that danced in my mind for at least two years, maybe longer. Danny has always loved bright, beautiful lights, and I imagined how magical it would be for him to experience them in the happiest place on Earth. But, every time I considered it, I hesitated. It felt like such a big leap—too hot, too crowded, too overwhelming, and too expensive. I kept telling myself, "Don’t be crazy, you can’t take Danny to Disney."
But over the past year, something changed. I started to feel this nagging sense that I was missing out on precious time with Danny. Time I know he doesn’t have much of. I had kept him in a safe bubble, protecting him from anything that could hurt him. But maybe I was holding him back too. I didn’t want to miss these precious moments.
I wanted Danny to see all the lights, experience new things, and make more memories. So, with his 5th birthday fast approaching, I finally decided: Enough of the fears. It was time to take Danny to Disneyland.
The Decision to Go
We spent months planning our trip. As parents of a child with special needs, we knew this would come with its challenges, but we were determined to make it a day full of joy, not just for us, but for Danny, too. Danny has Cockayne syndrome, which means we have to approach things a little differently than other families, and that's okay. We were committed to making this trip as magical as possible.
Of course, the list of things to pack for Danny seemed endless. His medications, sunscreen to protect him from his severe sun allergy, feeding equipment like his tube and pump, and chargers for all his devices. I double-checked everything. Did I pack enough milk? Enough clothes (because Danny tends to throw up often)? As I looked over at Danny, I reminded myself that it would all be worth it. The lights. The experience. I couldn’t wait to see his face light up when he saw them, especially during Halloween time.
The Morning of Departure
The morning of our flight went surprisingly well. With the help of a couple of amazing friends, we made it to the airport on time, and not only were we traveling with Danny and his siblings, but we also had family coming all the way from Germany to celebrate Danny’s special day. Everyone wanted to be part of this memorable trip, which meant the world to us.
But of course, as we arrived at the airport, the worries crept back. Would we have trouble traveling with milk? Would they let us through security with Danny’s suction pump? It felt like a roller coaster of excitement and anxiety. Thankfully, security was a breeze, and Danny did wonderfully on the flight. He was alert, sitting up straighter than usual, taking in the new surroundings. He *knew* something exciting was ahead.
When we arrived at the hotel, we quickly settled in and made our plans for the next day. We were ready for the adventure that awaited us.
The First Day at Disneyland
Finally, the big day had arrived. With plenty of helping hands, we made it onto the shuttle with all of Danny’s equipment in tow—strollers, feeding pumps, bags, and everything in between. When we arrived at Disneyland, the first stop was the assessment desk where we would share Danny’s specific needs. I expressed my biggest concern: Danny’s severe sun allergy and the risk of standing in long lines. The staff was kind and gave us a map, pointing out areas where Danny could enjoy lights in a cooler, shaded environment.
But here’s the thing—I felt disappointed. I had heard so many amazing stories of how Disneyland goes above and beyond to accommodate families with special needs, but the reality didn’t quite match our expectations. The rides we were most excited about, especially the ones with the beautiful lights, were closed for remodeling. And the accommodation they offered—keeping Danny in his stroller and allowing him to stay in the shaded areas of the queue—was helpful, but it didn’t fully meet our needs. I expected a bit more support for Danny’s sun allergy and our desire to experience the more light-focused attractions.
But, we decided not to let that disappointment stop us. We were here, and we were going to make the most of it.
The First Ride: Little Mermaid’s Undersea Adventure
Our first ride was the *Little Mermaid* attraction. Danny enjoyed the lights but was not able to get comfortable on the ride so he started getting squirmy and agitated. We quickly got off the ride, and while Danny needed a moment to recover, he bounced back quickly. We decided to continue with our plan: a short, enjoyable visit to Disneyland before heading back to the hotel for a break.
But as we continued to walk around and look at the attractions, it became clear that Danny had reached his limit. The excitement of the day had worn him out, and he began to cry. We knew it was time to go back.
The Shuttle Struggles
As we started heading back to the shuttle, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. With one child in my arms, the other child in Dad’s arms, a diaper bag on my back, and Danny’s suction pump, I realized we had a serious logistical problem. How on earth were we going to fold the strollers?
The shuttle driver didn’t seem to notice us at first, and the kind staff member who helped guide people onto the shuttle didn’t have much success folding our strollers either. I could see him looking at Danny with a look of sympathy, and in that moment, I realized how much we depended on the kindness of strangers to help us get by.
I looked at Danny’s dad Nate, and with a little shrug, I said, “Let me hold Una.” He was concerned, but I was determined to manage both of them. I took baby Una in my arms while Nate folded the strollers and carried them onto the shuttle. The kind man who tried to help us looked at us and said, “God bless you guys.” I couldn’t help but feel a mix of exhaustion and gratitude.
Once we made it back to the hotel, Danny was completely overwhelmed, and we knew there was no way we’d be going back to the park that night.
The Light Show: A Moment of Magic
The next morning, Danny was still upset. We decided to let him rest, and later in the day, when he started to feel a bit better, we ventured back to the park around 5:00 PM. This time, we were prepared for a slower pace.
As we wandered around Disneyland, I couldn’t help but notice that we weren’t the only ones with a not-so-happy child. There were other parents with toddlers and kids who seemed to be having their own meltdowns, and it gave me a sense of relief.
It wasn’t just us.
By 7:00 PM, the Halloween light show began, and that’s when everything changed. Danny’s face lit up as he gazed at the colorful lights and intricate displays. His eyes widened, and for the first time that day, he was filled with pure joy. In that moment, I realized that despite the challenges, despite the bumps in the road, this trip was perfect for us. It was everything we had hoped for.
Final Thoughts: Imperfect Magic
This trip to Disneyland wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t without its struggles, its disappointments, or its overwhelming moments. But it was our trip, and it was a day I will cherish forever. In the end, it wasn’t about the rides or the perfect itinerary—it was about Danny, and seeing his eyes light up with happiness in front of those stunning lights.
And that, in the end, was more than enough.
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