"As
the mom of a son with special needs, not only was I thrilled to
know of 'the Debs'' project, I was thrilled when asked to be a part
of it. I'm a detail-oriented person and the scope of the
information included in this book exceeded my hopes for it.
This is a very comprehensive book and anyone with a special
need or travelling with someone with a special need, will find this
book the best resource for travelling to Walt Disney World or taking
a Disney Cruise! Thanks again for allowing me to participate, I
was honoured to be part of such a wonderful travel guide!"
Cathy McConnell
"I
just wanted to thank you all for such a wonderful opportunity to
help with the Disney book. It was very fun to work on and I believe
strongly that this book is desperately needed. You all did
an amazing job and I feel truly honored to have been involved. And
my friends with special needs kids have already commented on how
great it is!" Alissa Tschetter-Siedschlaw
"The
info is very thorough and detailed, and really has something in
it for just about everybody. You may be surprised by the wide range
of special needs this book addresses. I'm sure there are
many people for whom this book would be especially helpful, but
who might dismiss it as not being for them because they never stopped
to consider that they have a "special need." Of course,
it provides helpful info for the obvious needs, such as mobility,
vision, and hearing impairments. But, as mentioned in the press
release, take note that this book can also help you make the most
of your WDW trip if you have other (less obvious) needs such as
diet restrictions, allergies, fears (such as heights, enclosed spaces,
etc), and even has some great info about traveling with infants!
This could be the next book that you (or friends or family) just
"have to have" but never realized you needed!" Amy
Warren Stoll
"Great
job! You have been very thorough with the material and the
result is an exceptional book. I thank you both for allowing me
to be a small part of this production." Jean Miller
"...loving
the new book on special needs, and I will be talking about it when
we have a library program on taking a trip to Walt Disney World.
I want to be sure both the presenter and patrons are aware of this
great resource." Sandra Givens
What
Readers Are Saying!
"Deb
Wills and Debra Martin Koma have written an excellent, comprehensive
travel guide and planner of Walt Disney World... Whether you are
the caretaker, family, friend, or have health issues, then this
wonderful, magical planner is for you... with coverage of 24 special
needs categories. And comprehensive information to help you plan
your special adventure, getting there and back, staying in style,
touring the world, dining your way. More detailed, excellent descriptions
of every Disney ride, attraction, resort, restaurant; maps of parks,
resorts, rooms; lists of ratings and websites of all of the above.
I love this book. It has given me a better understanding how I can
enjoy Disney more than I do now. And now, if you know friends with
a special need, don't let them stay at home. Let everyone experience
the Magic of Disney." Ray Sharpton, Atlanta, GA
"As
a travel agent specializing in Disney, I often get questions from
special needs clients. This book now sits next to my desk and is
becoming a valuable and frequently used resource. 'The Debs' have
long been regarded by Disney fans to be the most in-the-know ladies
on the web about all things Disney World, so this book seems a natural
off-shoot of their web efforts. I'm pleased to say that it has been
done with all the attention to detail that we've come to expect
from them. The style is easy-to-read, and the details are both descriptive
and accurate. Most special needs are addressed in this book, and
many of the tips and hints given can be applied to those without
challenges as well. Job well done!" Elizabeth F. Foss, Naples,
FL
"My
husband is a pediatrician and I am a diet counselor. For most of
our career, we have been specializing in children with Autism Spectrum
Disorders. This book is so easy to read and offers help in many
different areas. We both highly recommend it. This was a very difficult
task to tackle, but through pictures, charts and amazing organization,
Deb and Debra help put reassurance into your vacation!" Elizabeth
Hicks, Wisconsin
"As
the parent of a child with multiple special needs, I found this
book to be full of helpful information. Because my family and I
have been to WDW on several occasions, much of it was familiar,
but there were a number of things we were not aware of, and having
all the research in one place is invaluable. This is a must-read
for families dealing with special needs, especially those who are
taking their first trip to 'The Happiest Place on Earth.'"
J. Westerhoff, Des Moines, IA
"Like
all of the PassPorter series books, this guide is well-researched
and extremely informative. It includes information to help travelers
through trip planning, getting there, and maximizing the fun and
minimizing the hassles during their Disney World vacation. As someone
who visits WDW at least twice a year, I didn't think I had much
left to learn about the resort -- boy was I wrong! This book gave
me tips that are extremely useful for traveling with children, special
needs or not." J. Gray "Disney fan, Accounting teacher,
book lover" (New Hampshire, USA)
"...
it's a MUST READ if you plan on going to Walt Disney World and you
or someone in your party have special needs. It covers everything,
in great detail, from diet to mobility to fears. Deb Wills and Debra
Martin Koma have created something really 'Special!' " Regina
Filangi
"We
have thoroughly enjoyed the first edition of PassPorter's
Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs. The wealth of
information is so helpful, in many ways because [our son]'s needs
are so varied, that just one 'category' won't cover it."
Bill Mehner
"I
had never thought of myself as having much experience with Special
Needs at Walt Disney World or needing a guide such as yours. However,
your book opened my eyes to how we each have special needs simply
because we are unique individuals. Thanks again for this guide!"
Craig C., Orlando, FL
To
order: PassPorter's Open
Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line
is available for preorder at many online stores, including:
PassPorter.com
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com
PassPorter's
Open
Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line
will
be available in most bookstores by the end of September 2007.
About
the Authors:
Deb
Wills is the force behind AllEarsNet.com, a website that she
began nearly 10 years ago as Deb's Disney Digest, and as editor-in-chief
of ALL EARS®, a weekly electronic newsletter that goes to more
than 88,000 subscribers. Deb first fell under the spell of Disney
magic as a little girl growing up in New Jersey. Like many her age,
Deb was entranced with Walt Disney himself and his groundbreaking
television shows, and had the chance to visit the 1964-65 World's
Fair in New York, enjoying the original debut of It's a Small World
and the GE Carousel of Progress. She made her first visit to the
Magic Kingdom in 1972, and subsequently returned many times in her
position as a rehabilitation assistant with a vacation travel program
for special needs adults. Since then, Deb has paid countless visits
to the "World" and has sailed on the Disney Cruise Line
nine times.
Pittsburgh-born
freelance writer and editor Debra Martin Koma came to love
Walt Disney World at a much later age. Although she visited Disneyland
as a toddler, and was a devoted Mouseketeer of the original Mickey
Mouse Club, Deb didn't visit Walt Disney World until she was an
adult with a child of her own. Though she was somewhat reluctant
to make the journey to Orlando initially, five minutes into her
first visit to the Magic Kingdom she declared that she never wanted
to leave. She's returned more than 40 times in the ensuing years
despite the raised eyebrows and questioning looks from non-believing
family and friends.
After
meeting in cyberspace (through a Usenet newsgroup) in early 1997,
the two eventually realized that they weren't that far apart from
each other geographically, and they met "in real life"
later that year. We would say that the rest is history, but we don't
think the story of the two Debs has been completely written yet.
Working
together for the past several years, Deb and Deb have enthusiastically
shared their passion for Walt Disney World with others through AllEarsNet.com
and ALL EARS®. Both have been peer reviewers of the PassPorter
Walt Disney World Resort guidebooks for the past several years,
while Deb Wills recently joined the review group for PassPorter's
Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line.
When
PassPorter publishers Jennifer and Dave Marx approached Deb and
Deb with the idea of co-authoring a book about traveling to Walt
Disney World with special needs, they both jumped at the opportunity.
A breast cancer survivor who is active in raising funds and awareness,
as well as in other civic causes, Deb Wills realized that this project
would be the perfect link between her past and present interests.
Having grown up with siblings who had a variety of health issues,
Deb Koma, too, was anxious to participate in this project, which
has the potential to spread some "pixie dust" to those
who face special challenges when traveling.
Researching
and writing the second edition of this book proved to be more of
a challenge for the two than they initially thought it would be.
But they are convinced that the resultant PassPorter's Open
Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line,
which they hope will help so many fully enjoy the Most Magical Place
on Earth, was well worth the effort.
To
read more about the authors, as well as hear their answers to
questions about the book, read the Meet the Authors feature
in ALL EARS® Issue #320,
dated November 8, 2005.
Deb Wills and Deb Koma also talked about the book for the WDWToday.com
Podcast on November 4, 2005 (Episode #19), which can be downloaded
HERE.
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