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NDR. Hey friends. Some of you know this already, but Friday will be the day for my 10-year-old's open heart surgery. I just completed the 20-hr drive to Mayo Clinic in MN (over two days), and I'm waiting for my husband and kiddo to get off the plane...

7:34pm on 7/7/26 by JERancher

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...For those inclined, I'd welcome all the prayers and well wishes for us (especially for Friday, and for his recovery in this upcoming season). Thank you so much!

7:35pm on 7/7/26 by JERancher

Sending prayers your way @JER and happy thoughts for a quick recovery.

7:41pm on 7/7/26 by cdlla

Sending prayers!

7:42pm on 7/7/26 by imadisneymom

So sorry to hear about your child's heart issue. Will be praying.

7:43pm on 7/7/26 by h2olly

Praying here in Michigan for your DS, and for you and DH too. May your faith carry you during this challenging time.

7:49pm on 7/7/26 by Call me Leota

Sending good vibes and wishes your way for a good surgery and speedy recovery for your kiddo! And huge hugs to you!

7:52pm on 7/7/26 by tlrg4488

Adding your DS and your family to my prayer list @JER.

7:57pm on 7/7/26 by TacMed

Sending prayers and hugs.

7:59pm on 7/7/26 by evamarie320

Sending prayers for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery for your DS @JER

8:04pm on 7/7/26 by Rjcsmom

You've got it.

8:07pm on 7/7/26 by utang44

Sending my best to all of you!

8:11pm on 7/7/26 by JJT (staff)

Prayers and more prayers!

8:15pm on 7/7/26 by 58breezy

My DW and I are sending your son and family prayers and strength. We will be thinking of you.

8:15pm on 7/7/26 by IMarriedMyEllie

Sending prayers and pixie dust!!!

8:16pm on 7/7/26 by jbreen25

@JER, praying for a successful surgery, compassionate and wise members of the care team, peace and rest for you, family and kiddo. Prayers of healing and wholeness.

8:20pm on 7/7/26 by ejhnstn

One of my DDs has had 2 heart surgeries, so my mom heart is right there with you @JER! Sending prayers, liner love, pixie dust and whatever else you and your family need!!

8:22pm on 7/7/26 by njhyndman

@JER, sending lots of prayers and well wishes to you all!

8:24pm on 7/7/26 by MicheleandtheBeast

Lots of prayers and positive thoughts to your family and to the doctors and nurses that will be taking care of your little one.

8:26pm on 7/7/26 by HeiGirlHei

Sending prayers your way @JER

8:28pm on 7/7/26 by ram777

Prayers ascending!

8:28pm on 7/7/26 by ferbtones

Hugs!

8:34pm on 7/7/26 by RememberWhen

@JER I'll be thinking of him (and you and the rest of the family) this week but especially on Friday

8:39pm on 7/7/26 by KLuck

Prayers for you and your child.

8:44pm on 7/7/26 by maurine08

Sending much love and hugs to you all. Nurses are amazing and will help you through it. Will be thinking of you Friday. Please reach out if you need anything at all.

8:47pm on 7/7/26 by Magicalday2011

Praying for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Also make sure to take care of you as well!!

8:47pm on 7/7/26 by jules_fletch

Sending healing thoughts to your kiddo and strength to the family during this tough period. Youre in great hands at Mayo

8:54pm on 7/7/26 by 56arlene

I hope everything goes smoothly. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts.

9:01pm on 7/7/26 by Ange425

Sending prayers for safe and steady hands for your doctor and that you and your boy will be on your next Disney trip before you know it. Hugs mom!

9:03pm on 7/7/26 by Totsypooh

Thinking of your family, @JE!

9:13pm on 7/7/26 by TumbleMonkeys

Sending prayers @JE!

9:38pm on 7/7/26 by koolaid

Thinking of your family.

9:44pm on 7/7/26 by momma4fun

Sending prayers for your 10 year old. Also to you and your family.

9:45pm on 7/7/26 by olddonnaduck

Sending prayers for DS, his doctors, your whole family, and the rest of the staff at Mayo Clinic that they keep DS as healthy, happy, and pain free as possible.

9:49pm on 7/7/26 by Phil H. Magic

Absolutely will be praying for your little one plus you and your DH.

9:52pm on 7/7/26 by youcanfly

Praying for your son and your family.

9:59pm on 7/7/26 by WendyMarie

You're in good hands. Best wishes from me and DD (who needs another EKG after heat exhaustion issues at camp)

10:22pm on 7/7/26 by Ali Ababwa

I've added you, your family and friends and your care team to my prayer list @JER. Please keep us posted on how all of yall are doing.

11:06pm on 7/7/26 by popupcamper

Thinking of you and sending well wishes for a smooth procedure and recovery process.

11:20pm on 7/7/26 by trixiedust23

Will definitely be thinking about your family - especially Friday and during recovery. Sending my best to all of you!

11:20pm on 7/7/26 by tl5

Sending prayers @Jer. Hugs to you!

11:57pm on 7/7/26 by armandarae

Lots of prayers for you and your kiddo!! I hope and pray for a successful surgery and fast recovery.

12:05am on 7/8/26 by kslawyergirl

Open heart surgery. Wow. Praying hard for your family and your kiddo.

12:14am on 7/8/26 by Rhondak0000

Sending prayers and well wishes for your DS to have a smooth recovery.

12:19am on 7/8/26 by WildernessPixie

Many thoughts and prayers are with you constantly. You could not be in a better place for his care! I'm glad you had such happy recent travels to fill your minds with happy memories.

12:37am on 7/8/26 by snowdiz

You all are the absolute best; thank you so much. I'll update this post once I have news to share!

4:53am on 7/8/26 by JERancher

Thinking of your DS and your family this week. Sending you a big virtual hug.

5:09am on 7/8/26 by PrincipalTinker

Hope your precious son and hubby made it safely and y'all got settled into a hotel and got some good rest last night.

6:14am on 7/8/26 by h2olly

Prayers and pixie dust.

6:55am on 7/8/26 by matterhorn55

Your family will be in my thoughts.

6:57am on 7/8/26 by deejason

Prayers <>

7:04am on 7/8/26 by pod4christ

Keeping your family in my thoughts.

7:37am on 7/8/26 by Dis_stacey

Sending prayers!

7:44am on 7/8/26 by Attyaz9

Sending prayers for your family!

7:47am on 7/8/26 by WDWchipndale

My mom had a surgery at Mayo that none of the other hospitals would even attempt to do. She came through it great. You are in good hands up there. Praying for your family.

7:49am on 7/8/26 by hawkeye91

Prayers for your son, your family, and his care team. It's scary to hand your child over to doctors for a surgery like that.

8:03am on 7/8/26 by JenniferB1975

Thinking of you in Minneapolis. You are in great hands at Mayo.

8:14am on 7/8/26 by VikeQueen

Praying for your son and family!

8:26am on 7/8/26 by GoldenDreams

Adding more prayers as well as chiming in that Mayo is wonderful! Your family is in great hands.

8:50am on 7/8/26 by Muffins_Mom

Thinking of you and sending positive healing thoughts.

9:12am on 7/8/26 by WalternateUniverse

Sending all of you love and light right now. And many nurse-y good luck and healing vibes.

9:22am on 7/8/26 by hauntedmansionnurse

Sending prayers and positive thoughts that everything goes smoothly on Friday and beyond. Thinking of you all

9:30am on 7/8/26 by act72

Hoping everyone got through their flights okay and you can have a productive but boring day getting checked in, if that's supposed to happen today.

9:39am on 7/8/26 by Ali Ababwa

Wow @JER - may God guide the hands of the surgeons & peace rest upon you all! Praying for success, healing, & restoration! Blessings upon blessings!

10:17am on 7/8/26 by DestinyCalled

Praying for full healing and recovery for your son and strength to endure for you and your husband. My daughter had heart surgery, so I know what you're going through. Praying also for God to guide the hands of all the doctors.

10:21am on 7/8/26 by TheWholePie

Sending well wishes and good vibes your way.

11:28am on 7/8/26 by baemax

Prayers for your family @JER. Stay strong, but also allow yourself to be emotional. We are with you.

11:32am on 7/8/26 by trishr.

Praying that peace embraces you all.

11:33am on 7/8/26 by vmorrison63

JER, praying for your little warrior, you & your family, all those involved.

11:36am on 7/8/26 by LisaPooh

Sending prayers to you and your family. The Mayo is the best.

11:39am on 7/8/26 by BraveDisgrrl

Thinking of you

11:56am on 7/8/26 by ls2000

Thoughts and prayers for all of you.

12:13pm on 7/8/26 by BriarRosy

Positive vibes for all.

12:57pm on 7/8/26 by gmcc

Adding good thoughts here for you all tomorrow.

9:36pm on 7/9/26 by RememberWhen

Praying for this!

9:42pm on 7/9/26 by yetisafari

Praying for your son and your family!

9:53pm on 7/9/26 by MstrGoofy

Sending good thoughts and strength

9:54pm on 7/9/26 by TypeAplanner

Sending Prayers

10:01pm on 7/9/26 by bowling_gma

Thinking of you all !

10:27pm on 7/9/26 by snelvis

Thinking of you all today

10:38pm on 7/9/26 by hodg

Prayed for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

10:41pm on 7/9/26 by Pumpkinprincess11

Thanks again, everyone! Pre-op appts went great, and we're due to be at the hospital at 6am (Central) this morning. Thankful for all of your kind words and support!

2:39am on 7/10/26 by JERancher

Wishing you all the very best, from across the pond :-)

5:08am on 7/10/26 by grannymac

Prayers for your family today @JER

6:00am on 7/10/26 by wvdisneyrn

Praying for you and your family today @JER.

6:14am on 7/10/26 by TacMed

Praying for best possible outcome and a full and swift recovery for your little guy.

6:55am on 7/10/26 by gopackgo

Sending prayers for you and your family @JER

7:10am on 7/10/26 by T07

Adding my prayers for your DS and family.

7:21am on 7/10/26 by youcanfly

Holding your son and his surgery team in my thoughts

7:34am on 7/10/26 by KLuck

Today's the day! Lots of good people holding you all in their thoughts today.

8:36am on 7/10/26 by Ali Ababwa

Prayers lifted up

8:50am on 7/10/26 by sarahr

Thinking of you today.

9:03am on 7/10/26 by Jennyhirsch

We are keeping you and your son and his surgical team in our prayers today. Hugs to you.

9:13am on 7/10/26 by evamarie320

Praying

9:31am on 7/10/26 by h2olly

Thinking of you today!!!

9:33am on 7/10/26 by tlrg4488

Thanks, everyone. We're about an hr into his surgery; no news so far, and this is a time when no news is good news.

9:53am on 7/10/26 by JERancher

That's great @JER. Sending a hug <> too

10:21am on 7/10/26 by youcanfly

Praying all goes well

10:39am on 7/10/26 by sivako4750

Praying for you and your family!!

11:02am on 7/10/26 by kimincrete79

Sending all the good energy and pixie dust

11:55am on 7/10/26 by LaurenInWonderland

Three hours later, hopefully it's well on the way to being resolved!

12:26pm on 7/10/26 by Ali Ababwa

Thank you all so much! The main part of the procedure is complete. No surprises, and everything went well. It'll still be a few hours before we can see him- lots to do post-op- but this is amazing news. The next hurdle is to see how he does in the...

12:41pm on 7/10/26 by JERancher

Congratulations to DS for courage, and well done to the family for their patience and support.

12:43pm on 7/10/26 by Ali Ababwa

...next 24 hrs or so with the new (repaired) valve; that will determine whether he'll need a second surgery and/or different interventions. So please do feel free to keep the prayers coming. But good news so far!

12:43pm on 7/10/26 by JERancher

Glad today went well, and continued prayers for all of you.

12:56pm on 7/10/26 by ram777

This is great news ! Will continue to send good thoughts your way

12:57pm on 7/10/26 by VikeQueen

Thank you for the update, been thinking of you all today!

1:01pm on 7/10/26 by ferbtones

So gals everything is going well so far!

1:21pm on 7/10/26 by njhyndman

I hope all continues to go smoothly!

1:26pm on 7/10/26 by WDWchipndale

Prayers, pixie dust and well wishes

1:26pm on 7/10/26 by Eeyores Pal

I'll add good vibes and pixie dust to my prayers!

1:35pm on 7/10/26 by TacMed

Prayers for you all and his team. It is crazy how quick they get them up and moving in the ICU. (DH had open heart last year) Be sure to take care of yourself while taking care of him.

1:37pm on 7/10/26 by Tinkerminnie

Continued prayers coming your way, JER.

2:30pm on 7/10/26 by lizshiv

Sending all the love!

2:48pm on 7/10/26 by BlastThatPeterPan

Wonderful news so far still holding you all up in our thoughts

4:29pm on 7/10/26 by snelvis

So glad to read this! Sending more prayers for your DS (and virtual hugs for you).

4:35pm on 7/10/26 by Rjcsmom

Holding you and your family in my thoughts.

4:44pm on 7/10/26 by Tracyclary

Glad our prayers are working. We won't stop praying for your little guy.

6:40pm on 7/10/26 by Phil H. Magic

Glad to hear the good news. Counting to pray.

8:12pm on 7/10/26 by WendyMarie

So glad to read this! Continued prayers and pixie dust.

8:41pm on 7/10/26 by jbreen25

Good news. Prayers for all of you.

10:33pm on 7/10/26 by fcoffey

I'm late to this, but sending my Care Bear Stare your family's way.

12:08am on 7/11/26 by tiana

Great news JERancher! Continued prayers for his recovery and all of you.

1:08am on 7/11/26 by h2olly

I hope the night was uneventful and restful for your son :)

9:18am on 7/11/26 by KLuck

Glad to see it went well! Keep us posted!

9:20am on 7/11/26 by koolaid

Great news!

12:04pm on 7/11/26 by 58breezy

I am so glad for your son's progress! I have had the good (well, kind of, LOL) fortune to have had 2 major surgeries at Mayo; I was so thankful for the superlative care I received. Your providers are among the most expert and dedicated in the world!

12:47pm on 7/11/26 by joeyjojojuniorshabadoo

Been on my mind.. keep checking for the 24 hr update but also know your attention is on taking care of your son. Still praying for you all!

3:58pm on 7/11/26 by Tinkerminnie

@tinker and all others: thank you for the support! His echo this morning looked great, so fingers crossed that continues! Unfortunately, he had a really awful night last night regarding nausea. He seemed to turn a corner this pm, so we're hitting...

9:55pm on 7/11/26 by JERancher

...the hay early and hoping he continues to feel more like himself! If all goes well, the chest tubes come out tomorrow, which everyone says is a huge game changer for pain management. Hoping for that... and so grateful for everyone's prayers and well ...

9:57pm on 7/11/26 by JERancher

...wishes!

9:57pm on 7/11/26 by JERancher

Praying for you all! Glad your son's surgery went well and hoping that he is continuing to do well. Will continue to check for the 24 hr update, but no rush as I know your family is all you really need to care about now. :)

9:58pm on 7/11/26 by JuniperMB

Oh, I just saw you updated as I was typing! So sorry he had a rough night. Praying the tube removal goes well and he is able to fully recover without more surgeries! Praying for your whole family through this!

10:00pm on 7/11/26 by JuniperMB

Thanks for the update! Glad things are progressing and hopefully they're able to find him a more comfortable situation. Sending good thoughts your way.

10:37pm on 7/11/26 by RememberWhen

That sounds like good news - except the nausea. The tube removal will help a lot with his pain. Will keep you all in our prayers.

11:58pm on 7/11/26 by Tinkerminnie

Thanks for the update JERancher. Hopefully his nausea is better and all of you are getting a good night's rest....or as much rest as it is possible to get in a hospital anyway. Fingers crossed chest tube comes out this AM.

3:25am on 7/12/26 by h2olly

Continuing to pray and think of you all.

6:36am on 7/12/26 by youcanfly

Thinking of you and your family this morning.

7:13am on 7/12/26 by allanmayo

Hoping he's feeling much better this morning and tubes will be taken out today. Sending continued prayers for him and your family.

7:50am on 7/12/26 by Rjcsmom

Thankful for good news. Continuing to support and pray for you all.

8:46am on 7/12/26 by yetisafari

Great news! Hugs and prayers sent.

9:40am on 7/12/26 by evamarie320

Sending prayers. So glad to hear the great news so far.

4:32pm on 7/12/26 by royjoyahoy

Hoping recovery is still going well and that nausea is better managed now. Thanks for keeping us posted - I know it is exhausting trying to get any rest in a hospital - don't forget your self care as well.

8:46pm on 7/12/26 by tl5

Thanks for all the kind words, folks! After a decent day yesterday (and getting the chest tubes out), we learned that he has a collapsed lung. Very two-steps-forward-and-one-step-back over here. So appreciate the well wishes and prayers.

6:00am on 7/13/26 by JERancher

Praying for your sweet son and all of you.

6:19am on 7/13/26 by LuvsKonaCoffee

Oh! Please keep us updated. Continuing to send prayers your way.

6:28am on 7/13/26 by PrincipalTinker

Thinking of you, @JE.

6:51am on 7/13/26 by TumbleMonkeys

Thinking of you all, &JER, continued prayers and pixie dust!

7:53am on 7/13/26 by jbreen25

Oh @JER I know you must be so worried and frustrated. Please know your liner family is lifting you and you little one up in prayer!

8:04am on 7/13/26 by youcanfly

Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

8:17am on 7/13/26 by goofygrandpa

Aargh! We will co time to pray for you all. I bet you're exhausted!

8:51am on 7/13/26 by evamarie320

Hey again everyone- thanks once more for the well wishes. He'll be receiving another (smaller) chest tube this morning. Another procedure, more potential complications. It's a bummer... but hopefully a temporary setback. We'll see.

9:12am on 7/13/26 by JERancher

Sending more hugs and prayers.

9:14am on 7/13/26 by Rjcsmom

Sending lots of prayers.

9:25am on 7/13/26 by WDWchipndale

Keeping you and your family in my thoughts @JER.

10:43am on 7/13/26 by cdlla

So sorry. Lots of healing going on. DH had that too. He will get tired of you reminding him to use the incentive spirometer. We are keeping you all in our prayers.

11:08am on 7/13/26 by Tinkerminnie

Thinking of y'all, @JER. That healing process is such a bear sometimes. One of the best illustrations of the "it's a marathon, not a sprint" analogies that I know of.

11:17am on 7/13/26 by utang44

Thank your updating. Thinking of you

11:41am on 7/13/26 by VikeQueen

Prayers heading your way. There's no better place in the world than Mayo in MN. Our daughter was treated there in the 90's and she got the absolute best of care.

11:46am on 7/13/26 by Spiff

Sending prayers and positive thoughts your way.

1:19pm on 7/13/26 by Dis_stacey

Oh @JER I know how hard set backs can be. I remember after my DDs first surgery we were expecting 4-5 days in the PICU that turned in to 9. So hard - a marathon for sure but 13 years later all is well. Hang in there and know we are with you!

1:37pm on 7/13/26 by njhyndman

Continuing to pray for you all.

2:53pm on 7/13/26 by WendyMarie

I've been away for a couple weeks and just catching up, @JER. Praying for healing for your sweet boy and no more setbacks. And praying for strength for you! So hard.

3:46pm on 7/13/26 by rickelwoman

This would be so difficult. Prayers.

3:52pm on 7/13/26 by JackOfAll

Prayers for a quick recovery! Sorry, been away from Chat for a while.....

5:30pm on 7/13/26 by hlbyers

Sending more prayers and thinking of yall @JE!

10:04pm on 7/13/26 by koolaid

Positive energy sent your way for you and your sweet boy!

6:58am on 7/14/26 by Magicalday2011

Thinking of you. Lots of love prayers & BIG hugs to you and your family

9:53am on 7/14/26 by LuvEmSunnyDays

Thinking about your son, you and the whole family this morning. I hope the smaller tube is able to come out soon and the healing will continue. Try and rest as best you can while at the hospital. take the breaks you need so you can continue to be strong.

12:23pm on 7/14/26 by MrsNesbitt05

Thinking of you today, @JER! Sending pixie dust for this morning's procedure.

12:28pm on 7/14/26 by jbreen25

Sending prayers!

2:36pm on 7/14/26 by 4wvufans

Continued prayers are being sent your way

4:20pm on 7/14/26 by disneymama3

Lifting your son, you and your family up in my prayers for strength and healing!

4:43pm on 7/14/26 by lala44

Thinking of you guys and sending my best wishes for his recovery.

9:14pm on 7/14/26 by tl5

Praying for his full recovery, especially the collapsed lung, @JERancher! I've been away from this chat for quite a while - sorry to be late to this.

10:22pm on 7/14/26 by Operaml

@JERancher, I am thinking of you and your son. Any updates?

9:56am on 7/15/26 by PrincipalTinker

I was wondering the same @PT.

11:34am on 7/15/26 by TacMed

Thinking of you all today!

1:20pm on 7/15/26 by KLuck

Praying for your family.

2:22pm on 7/15/26 by karen118

Hope things are progressing in a positive way @JE!

12:03am on 7/16/26 by koolaid

Continued pixie dust & prayers @JER!!

9:42am on 7/16/26 by jbreen25

Sending prayers and hugs @JER.

9:54am on 7/16/26 by T07

Hey, thanks to all of you for checking in. I'm sorry I've been away- it's been a rather tiring few days. But clinically speaking, he's doing pretty well. His heart and lungs look good! His spirits are low, which is tough to see in a kiddo. And...

12:07pm on 7/16/26 by JERancher

...which is tough to see in your kiddo. He's cleared to be discharged today once he can go to the bathroom (not easy after surgeries). So just waiting and hoping on that. His energy is low too but his walking has steadily improved. So overall...

12:09pm on 7/16/26 by JERancher

... we're hopeful, but awfully tired from this. His personality has returned (yay!) but with it a lot of preadolescent non-compliance. This is not a kid easily motivated, and he's not great at working through hard things. All of our patience has...

12:11pm on 7/16/26 by JERancher

....been tested, if I'm being honest. But we're getting there, and hopefully on the home stretch, at least with this portion of the journey.

12:12pm on 7/16/26 by JERancher

@JERancher thank you for checking in! So great to hear a discharge should be happening soon! Please take care of yourself too! Hugs

12:13pm on 7/16/26 by PrincipalTinker

Sunsweet dried prunes. Eat'm like candy post surgery etc when you need to get things moving. Anesthesia shuts everything down. Poor guy. He will be on mend soon!

12:25pm on 7/16/26 by Jennyhirsch

Thank you so much for the update! Kiddos at that age are tough and yo add this to the plate-it's a lot for all of you! Sending pixie dust for all of you!

12:39pm on 7/16/26 by jbreen25

Let me add prayers for God-given patience when dealing with uncooperative young patients, because heaven knows I never had any patience of my own!

12:50pm on 7/16/26 by Ali Ababwa

Continued prayers! Hopefully life will get a little easier after discharge. Just getting fresh air/sunshine can do wonders for everyone's soul. Not to mention better sleep/rest! Are you staying in MN for a bit or heading home?

12:59pm on 7/16/26 by Tinkerminnie

Thank you for the update. Sending prayers and hugs your way. Kids aren't always great at understanding that some things are for their own good, even if it's hard at the time. Hopefully every day from here will be a bit better than the day before.

1:07pm on 7/16/26 by hauntedmansionnurse

Thanks for the update. Hope you can get some much needed rest. I'm sure discharge will help. Hugs.

2:34pm on 7/16/26 by evamarie320

I'd see the non compliance as a positive sign- if he can fight back he's doing better :-)

2:35pm on 7/16/26 by hodg

Glad to hear things are moving forward. Will continue to keep your family in my prayers.

2:40pm on 7/16/26 by WDWchipndale

I'm just glad to hear from you! Thankful he is through the 2nd procedure and hopefully discharged soon. Totally agree with @hodg. Maybe the attitude is a positive sign. Hang in there @JER.

3:13pm on 7/16/26 by youcanfly

Thanks for the update! I have been thinking about you. Continued prayers for healing and getting home soon.

3:54pm on 7/16/26 by MicheleandtheBeast

Update: he's been discharged! He's still a bit weak, but we have follow-up appts tomorrow before we start the drive home this weekend. Thanks to all of you for the support and prayers!

4:33pm on 7/16/26 by JERancher

That's wonderful news! Thank God! We'll keep praying he recovers and his spirits get lifted being home. I pray he feels like a new kid again!

5:15pm on 7/16/26 by TheWholePie

Yay-Amazing news!

5:39pm on 7/16/26 by LuvEmSunnyDays

Prayers answered @JER!

5:41pm on 7/16/26 by TacMed

That's awesome! Lots of rest tonight for everyone I pray.

5:43pm on 7/16/26 by youcanfly

Great news! Safe travels home!

6:06pm on 7/16/26 by VikeQueen

So happy to see this! Prayers still coming.

6:14pm on 7/16/26 by catherine.p.ahern

@je, sending so many hugs, and lifting all of you in prayer. May his journey at home be good and speedy.

7:37pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

Sending prayers and pixie dust your way. Everything will be ok

7:46pm on 7/16/26 by WorldTraveler34

Such a blessing. Continued prayers for safe travels and speedy recovery.

9:26pm on 7/16/26 by Rjcsmom

Sending prayers for strength now. For both of you!

9:29pm on 7/16/26 by trishr.

AMAZING @ JER!

12:26pm by h2olly

Amazing to be heading home. So happy for you all. Let us know if you need anything at all when you return to the East Coast.

2:03pm by Magicalday2011

Such good news! Wishing you a safe drive home!!!

2:40pm by tlrg4488

Such amazing news!!!

3:56pm by jbreen25

So glad to see this @JER. It's always good to get home. Drive safe :)

4:50pm by cdlla

Yay for discharge, that's great news!!

5:19pm by njhyndman

That's great! @Jer

5:23pm by goofygrandpa

Great news!

5:24pm by koolaid

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Hooray! Celebrating with you, @JER.

6:49pm by yetisafari

Safe travels @JE!

44 min ago by TumbleMonkeys

Great to hear! Hope your travel home is going well.

5 min ago by tl5

What's for dinner, my "dahlings" and fellow chatters? @Tac must be busy! I never cook, rarely post on @Tac's dinner thread, but here we are...the one night I have something to share! Homemade Chipotle bowls! What's your dinner plan?

6:43pm by Jennyhirsch

Just to say, DD and DH discovered that cooking the chicken marinated in Sweet Baby Rays Sweet and Spicy BBQ really appeals to them in Chipotle bowls! We top it all off (rice, fajita vegs, etc) with a drizzle of hot honey! Yum!

6:45pm by Jennyhirsch

Thanks for picking up the thread @Jenny. Oddly, no dinner for me. Went straight to beer tonight.

7:25pm by gmcc

I cooked. Flank steak with balsamic. Cauliflower gratin. And blistered (slightly cooked) cherry tomatoes. I'm trying harder than usual to include vegetables that aren't salad. Found out tonight DH thinks I'm trying harder bc of watching The Bear, lol!

46 min ago by TumbleMonkeys

Chicken tendies, watermelon, potato salad

6 min ago by jbreen25

Is it possible to request a security escort to your hotel room, say from the main building? How does one do it?

31 min ago by allanadale

Are you somewhere you feel unsafe?

26 min ago by utang44

I am fine! I am in Illinois! Sorry, did not mean to alarm. My 76-year-old mother will be walking back from the main building at POP to her room after an After Hours event next month, and asked.

15 min ago by allanadale

Not happy about the weather outlook for our trip starting on Saturday!! Praying the rain doesn't kill too many days!!

9:50pm on 7/16/26 by Eemoore79

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Think i just saw Dennis the weatherman (fl weatherman on ig) allude to the disturbance maybe being named Bertha today or tomorrow. Just remember a rainy day at disney is still better then a day at home!

5:20pm by melodicwords

You can buy shoe ponchos on Amazon. They are basically rubber covers you slide over your shoes. They are great!! Highly recommend.

5:57pm by bentobelles

Well it won't be named just a rain maker. I've had super awesome trips with rain and ive had rain trips traumatize me. Cold rain really triggers me now since a dec trip a few years ago. But staring at fireworks in a steady rain is interesting.

30 min ago by melodicwords

So my planned vacation is supposed to be road tripping west MI, but due to smoke I'm considering canceling. How do Midwest Liners feel about air quality in 2 weeks? Any one do a last minute August WDW trip?

50 min ago by kleinmsu

Half the fun of vacation is planning it, so this is incredibly unknown territory for me.

49 min ago by kleinmsu

So hard to predict I think. Yesterday was horrendous in mn but it's ok where am I again today. It came and went very very quickly in my area

33 min ago by VikeQueen

Have you ever been to any animal kingdom level zoos before? What zoo was it and what made it awesome?

11:40am on 7/16/26 by RileysBirthday

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Nahtazu!

11:59am on 7/16/26 by evamarie320

When I travel I often visit the local zoos. One that sticks in my mind (not necessarily in the sense you mean) is Berlin, with historical photos of the zoo during WWII when bombing would free animals to menace the populace.

12:25pm on 7/16/26 by Ali Ababwa

The bear pits in Bern, Switzerland made an impression on me at 7 years old.... as did bullfights in Madrid.

12:27pm on 7/16/26 by Ali Ababwa

For the most attractive tourist destination zoo I'd have to go with San Diego.

12:29pm on 7/16/26 by Ali Ababwa

I love the Cincinnati Zoo.

12:30pm on 7/16/26 by TumbleMonkeys

^what makes it awesome are highly-themed environments, the fact that it's also a botanical garden, and also that it has a train. :-)

12:39pm on 7/16/26 by TumbleMonkeys

Agree with San Diego- had an optional safari type excursion when we went and giraffe feeding. Also love the NC zoo (that's where Dr. Mark is retiring too!) but no safari.

1:05pm on 7/16/26 by Tinkerminnie

I always thought the opening to Three's Company was at the San Diego zoo until I just rewatched it to post this link. Oops! https://youtu.be/OguGKIibA_I?si=qo1VuVgCB5qqvvD0

1:43pm on 7/16/26 by popupcamper

Bronx Zoo is pretty amazing. In addition to San Diego's, I hear there's a great one in Omaha.

2:06pm on 7/16/26 by JERancher

I took my young daughter to Brookfield Zoo outside Chicago every Tuesday for years. Tuesdays were free days. Loved it there!

2:10pm on 7/16/26 by snowdiz

To add to @Snowdiz, Brookfield is also free every day in January and February. It's cold but we have had amazing experiences - once they invited us in for a private dolphin training/reward session. 6 total people, just because we were walking by!

2:19pm on 7/16/26 by allanadale

Bronx Zoo and San Diego zoo are both great. And huge. For a smaller, but still impressive zoo sis say Denver, Washington DC, Philly, and West Palm Beach.

2:26pm on 7/16/26 by evamarie320

Sis say=I'd say

2:26pm on 7/16/26 by evamarie320

Bronx zoo NY

2:29pm on 7/16/26 by WorldTraveler34

The St. Louis Zoo is one of the top in the country. And it's always free admission. There are charges for extras-train, petting zoo,, etc. I like it a lot.

2:54pm on 7/16/26 by BriarRosy

^^^And the surrounding area has some fantastic places to eat and drink

3:09pm on 7/16/26 by MOJoe

Our zoo (Brevard) tends to be rated in the top 10ish. We are fairly small, so I think it's the focus on conservation and rehabilitation. We are the area's manatee, sea turtle, and black bear recovery center.

5:56pm on 7/16/26 by moondance07

Can we switch gears slightly to aquariums because the Georgia Aquarium is one of the most impressive places, I adore it on so many levels!

6:25pm on 7/16/26 by LaurenInWonderland

Big fans of the St Louis Zoo and the Brevard zoo. We have family in St Louis, so always go when we visit. And we did the Brevard zoo on a non-Disney Florida trip and loved it. The kids always ask to go back.

9:28am by RememberWhen

NC Zoo in Asheboro is terrific! "The world's largest natural habitat zoo," according to their promo materials.

9:46am by ferbtones

Henry Doorly in Omaha is usually at the top of most lists. An indoor jungle, desert dome, huge aquarium with a tunnel and so much more

10:39am by fantasiapirate

Natazu. City Museum in St Louis walkable from the Arch was fabulous adventure. Lots of climbing and tunnels to crawl through. Hard to explain but it is really cool. We went on a Saturday that turned into Adults hours later at night

2:08pm by Magicalday2011

Grew up going to Cincinnati zoo. Took DD11 there when she was little. Huge variety of animals while having many family friendly experiences.

2:36pm by WildernessPixie

High five, @wilderness!

2:47pm by TumbleMonkeys

High five back @Tumble! :)

3:12pm by WildernessPixie

Love the NC Zoo in Ashboro. It's very spread out tho, so you'll get your steps in:)

3:54pm by vmorrison63

Agree @VMorrison! San Diego was cool too!

5:25pm by koolaid

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I'm in NC, so I kinda have to say Asheboro. We haven't been since 4.5 was 1...might need to go again when it cools down.

6:02pm by ejhnstn

@magicalday the City Museum is really hard to explain bc it's not a museum but super fun! We love the STL zoo but the Omaha zoo is next level

7:04pm by AreWeThereYeti

Columbus, OH!! Was there for a wedding recently and had time for the zoo. Beautiful habitats for the animals, and the way they have some set up, can get really close (e.g., cougars).

43 min ago by WDWJabberwock

I post it every time I come but it bears repeating - the Voices of Liberty are always worth going out of your way for.

2:15pm by dmwiggins

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Yes they are! It's not a trio to EP for me without seeing them perform. So talented!!

5:42pm by njhyndman

Was able to get this video of them singing "a dream is a wish". Worth a couple minutes. https://drive.google.com/file/d/18p1U6o72mPLu7TxAd70Cy7n6wL4t_2dS/view?usp=drivesdk

7:37pm by dmwiggins

Thanks for that video! It was fabulous! I try to catch several of their sets because they do different songs and they are all so good!

59 min ago by MicheleandtheBeast

NDR, but considering this all began in Magic Kingdom, it will always feel disney related to our family. My husband's cancer is back, and he began new therapy for it today. It has spread to lymph nodes in his abdomen. He underwent genetic testing today

1:13pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

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The genetic testing will allow them to add a second medication to aggressively treat this beast. He is also scheduled to see a radiation oncologist to determine if he is a candidate for radiation. I posted a little more detail in today's post in La Cava

1:14pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

So many Liners got us through this eight years ago, and some of you are still on the journey with us, and I wanted to share here. I'm mostly on La Cava since we don't go as often. Thanks in advance for any prayers and pixie dust sent our way.

1:15pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

As hard as it is to believe, our little Darling is now 20 years old, studying to be a surgical tech, and a certified group fitness instructor at Crunch fitness, teaching four classes, and subbing for all the others.

1:16pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

That sucks. Will be praying for your husband in hopes of a quick, painless, and speedy recovery. How is DD handling this? It's got to be tough on her too. Remember, we are always here if you need to vent about life (including outside WDW).

1:18pm on 7/16/26 by Phil H. Magic

Thinking of you, @thedarlings. Big hugs to you and your family.

1:24pm on 7/16/26 by TumbleMonkeys

@phil, It seems to be a little harder on her this time. She chose her career path because she spent so much time in hospitals and doctor's offices the first go around and she wants to help others. But at the same time she knows so much more now

1:31pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

Praying for all of you!

1:32pm on 7/16/26 by Jennifer B.

..and the awareness that this beast is back, and it has spread, and treatment will have serious side effects. But as always, we will get through it together, holding tight to one another, and taking turns lifting each other up. And thank you!

1:33pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

Oh @the.darlings, I'm so sorry. Y'all have come so far for so long. Yes, we're here for you. #linerstrong

1:40pm on 7/16/26 by popupcamper

I'm so sorry to hear this news. Will be praying for your family.

2:00pm on 7/16/26 by sarahr

8 years. Wow. This is news no one wants to get. We are here for you guys @the.darlings

2:00pm on 7/16/26 by cdlla

I'm so sorry, @thedarlings. I'll be keeping you close to mind and heart, and hoping that you can have some new treatment options soon.

2:02pm on 7/16/26 by JERancher

That is not news we wanted to hear! But you will all get through this!!

2:13pm on 7/16/26 by snowdiz

I'm so sorry. Will keep your family in my prayers.

2:27pm on 7/16/26 by WDWchipndale

Is he ok???

2:28pm on 7/16/26 by WorldTraveler34

I was new to Chat when you first shared your story @darlings. You let us follow a very emotional journey, and the amount of Liner support for your family was astronomical. It was one of the reasons I stayed. Allow us...

2:29pm on 7/16/26 by trishr.

Aargh. I'm so sorry to hear this. I'd been praying for you guys since I saw the post on Insta. F cancer. It really is the worst. We have two friends with advanced prostate cancer who have done very well with their treatments. Hope your DH does too. Hugs.

2:30pm on 7/16/26 by evamarie320

Thinking of you all. So hard after so many years it creeps up and bites you in the bum. He's a fighter, has you & all the extended community here on his side, & treatments are progressing all the time.

2:30pm on 7/16/26 by hodg

...once again to lift you up in prayer and support you in this difficult time.

2:32pm on 7/16/26 by trishr.

Oh dear I'm so sorry to hear this.

2:58pm on 7/16/26 by MOJoe

It's hard to even imagine how frustrating and frightening this must be for all of you! Will definitely add your DH to my prayer list!

3:06pm on 7/16/26 by youcanfly

Oh my goodness. Praying for truckloads of pixie dust for you and yours at this awful time.

3:10pm on 7/16/26 by Jennyhirsch

I'm so sorry to hear this news. I hope that treatment goes quickly and as painless as possible. Hugs to all of you.

3:12pm on 7/16/26 by hauntedmansionnurse

I'm so sorry! I hope the medical team is able to find the best possible targeted therapy.

3:34pm on 7/16/26 by Ali Ababwa

So sorry to read this. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you all

3:44pm on 7/16/26 by act72

So sorry to hear this! I followed your journey here 8 years ago! I will add you back to my prayer list. Hugs and good wishes for you all! Good luck to DD as my niece just became a surgical tech and absolutely loves it!

3:51pm on 7/16/26 by MicheleandtheBeast

The "f" word is my word of the year, so I will now use it for your family as a noun, a verb, and an adjective. I pray that his medical team has the clarity and discernment needed to find the right treatment to knock back the cancer and keep it at bay.

4:16pm on 7/16/26 by utang44

Sending my best to all of you.

4:23pm on 7/16/26 by JJT (staff)

This is an old picture but if I'm not mistaken, this was on your "return to Disney celebration" trip after your DH beat cancer the first time. I also believe he took the picture. https://imgur.com/gallery/phil-darlings-ZKPN7UR

4:35pm on 7/16/26 by Phil H. Magic

@phil, I think every trip after that initial diagnosis was a celebratory trip! I remember meeting you that trip (I think it was Easter 2019) and cheftodd. DH has/had no new symptoms whatsoever. A few years ago they started the PSA testing yearly.

4:51pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

In June of 2025 it was 0.07. June of 2026 it was 0.27, and one month later (as of today) it is 0.34. That alone was the reason the doctor ordered the PSMA scan last month, a highly specialized nuclear scan for prostate cancer only

4:52pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

He had the PSMA PET scan on Tuesday of this week, and today was the appointment to discuss it. They found the five nodes in his abdomen after talking with the radiologist this morning, and within 30 minutes he received his Lupron injection.

4:53pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

After his injection we were sent straight to the lab for a new PSA, testosterone, a genetic test and a molecular test. These tests will help the doctor plan the next stage.

4:54pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

As to DH's mental state, he always feels like he has let us down by getting sick. He just turned 63 on Sunday and plans to work until 68 or 69 if at all possible. Of course this may alter that, but we have to wait and see.

4:55pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

But I feel like all three of us are better prepared this time around. There are new technologies, new medications and new treatments, and since he goes to the OU Stephenson Cancer Center in OKC, research is topnotch.

4:56pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

Our sincere thanks for the well wishes, prayers and concern in general. I remember that first night in our cabin at Ft. Wilderness. He had left MK earlier in the day by ambulance, and we were finally back in our room, and I read him all the liner notes

4:57pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

It touched him deeply, and our family in general, and I know 100% that the support here helped lift us up many days when we needed it. This is a beautiful community and I couldn't be more thankful to have all of you on our fighting team.

4:58pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

Praying right now that all the new advances will help bring your hubbie back to full recovery.

5:17pm on 7/16/26 by TheWholePie

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. As one who has went through metastatic prostrate cancer I know how hard it is on the whole family, not just him. Stay Liner strong!

5:27pm on 7/16/26 by goofygrandpa

We're here for you @theDarlings. Praying for strength for your family as you all begin this battle. F-cancer. #LinerStrong

5:39pm on 7/16/26 by TacMed

Thinking of you and your family. Sending lots of hugs your way!

6:07pm on 7/16/26 by HeiGirlHei

So many well wishes and positive energy being sent your way

6:24pm on 7/16/26 by LaurenInWonderland

Reading this I said omg. I can't believe it is happening to your family. You will get through this and back to Disney for his retirement celebration in a few years. Because Liners are strong!! My heart goes out to you.

8:41pm on 7/16/26 by Magicalday2011

Oh NO, I hate hearing this awful news. I'm thinking of you, your husband, and your wonderful daughter. All my love, and good wishes, and prayers for your family.

9:09pm on 7/16/26 by aandjdodisney

Thinking of you all. I remember previous diagnosis and posts. Medicine has advanced so much hoping this cures him

9:21pm on 7/16/26 by snelvis

I'm so sorry @darlings. Sending you, DD, and DH prayers. We are here for you all.

9:33pm on 7/16/26 by Rjcsmom

A simple thank you doesn't seem strong enough to convey how much your words of kindness, support, prayers and solidarity comfort us today and always. We are blessed by all of you.

9:39pm on 7/16/26 by the.darlings

Oh gosh. I noticed each time you posted about a clean anniversary and was happy for you each time. Hugs and prayers for you both. Cancer sucks.

11:34pm on 7/16/26 by Totsypooh

So sorry to hear your news. Reminiscing about your previous trips hopefully bring a smile to your faces during this difficult time. Stay liner strong.

12:37am by olddonnaduck

The Beauty of being on chat is that you have a gazillion Hope filled prayers being sent to you! If possible, please give us your address and we'll send cards filled with love and Pixie Dust. Hugs to you all as you fight Cancer....

5:41am by vmorrison63

I am so sorry for all of you. Thankful you have great care & they caught this lurking & are aggressively fighting back so quickly. Sending prayers of strength & peace & healing.

7:02am by gopackgo

Praying <>

7:08am by pod4christ

I am so very sorry that your family is going through this again. Sending pixie dust and positive vibes to you all!

4:03pm by jbreen25

Not the first post I expected to see when popping on lines today, sending prayers and virtual hugs to you all!

5:22pm by koolaid

So so sorry to see this news. Sending prayers, pixie dust, ans good thoughts for him and your family!

5:41pm by njhyndman

I am so sorry. Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Hugs.

6:00pm by ejhnstn

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Thinking of you guys and praying for all

7:09pm by AreWeThereYeti

Many, many prayers and so much love to your sweet family. It's been a long journey and so sorry for the setback. Genetic testing has come a long way and hopefully doctors can better target and knock this thing out for good. Hugs.

7:24pm by MarioMom

How do you fill these lines with tons of heart emojis??? Imagine I figured out how, and there are 999 for my liner family. (Get my WDW reference?)

7:37pm by the.darlings

Did the new room request blog get posted? https://touringplans.com/blog/new-step-by-step-room-request-instructions/

3:54pm on 7/16/26 by PrincipalTinker

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I had not seen it thanks!

4:43pm on 7/16/26 by VikeQueen

Thanks!

5:08pm on 7/16/26 by RememberWhen

Thank you so much! Had not seen it. This is SO helpful!!

5:11pm on 7/16/26 by TheWholePie

Going to read right now! Thanks @PT

5:44pm on 7/16/26 by youcanfly

Thanks @PT

6:02pm on 7/16/26 by cdlla

Nice to see Hank Lonely is back in town :)

6:16pm on 7/16/26 by cdlla

I would love to hear about anyone using the new process, especially if DVC. I've already been searching and trying to think of what matters for us.

7:28pm on 7/16/26 by youcanfly

I might have missed it but will this go out at 30 days?

7:30pm on 7/16/26 by youcanfly

Hank Lovely! Thanks @PT.

9:27pm on 7/16/26 by Rjcsmom

Curious to know how this will work on rented points - pretty sure David's contract says that the points owner has no responsibility to the renter beyond furnishing the reservation

10:29pm on 7/16/26 by 56arlene

Even as a DVC owner I have always just made requests through the regular room booking channels. I believe DVC may take requests but they don't assign rooms, right?

7:26am by PrincipalTinker

Thanks !

7:34am by snelvis

It sounds like what it generates is an email to you, the TP user, is that correct? How are we then getting the requests to Disney, assuming we booked it ourselves? I've read it several times but I'm still missing this answer. Thx!

7:40am by TumbleMonkeys

I have the same question as @tumblemonkeys. Thanks!

8:49am by WDWchipndale

It says to send it through MDE chat or using an email form on the website. I do wish that info could have been clearer and more explanative, because most of us do not have experience with that.

8:58am by utang44

@utang, I am still missing that. Where does it say that?

9:04am by PrincipalTinker

Hey folks! This might be a long enough conversation that the forum is a better venue than chat. But let's see what we can do.

9:14am by len (staff)

I think there are 4 scenarios for room requests: (1) DVC room using your own points; (2) DVC room using someone else's points; (3) Cash room you booked yourself; (4) Cash room booked thru a travel agent.

9:15am by len (staff)

For (1), just forward the email to DVC member services with your info, or paste it into MDE chat when you're logged in.

9:16am by len (staff)

For (2), you can try DVC member services. If they say it has to be the points owner, forwarding the email to them is the next step.

9:16am by len (staff)

For (3, you booked a cash room yourself), you can paste that text directly into MDE, or email using one of the publicly available Disney email addresses, e.g., wdw.gm.yachtandbeach@disney.com.

9:18am by len (staff)

For (4), forward the email to your TA and ask them to call Disney on your behalf. I hate to pass work on to someone else who's not Disney, but this is the only process for that, apparently. You can try MDE chat as well.

9:19am by len (staff)

Sfl

9:20am by herri

No matter which method you try, please let us know what you hear back (and the room you get) in this forum thread: https://forum.touringplans.com/t/please-post-your-room-request-results

9:20am by len (staff)

Will do. My trip is 57 days so I'll look at everything for a DVC stay and share how it goes

9:23am by youcanfly

sfl

9:36am by diannaa

@len, where would we look to find those publicly available email addresses? Or is there a set format for them, like the example address you shared?

9:39am by utang44

I googled to find an email address for BoardWalk Inn, and it came up that there isn't a publicly available email for them. Where can we find an email address to send the request to?

9:44am by diannaa

Thanks, @Hank. And just confirming for everyone that that TAs can still call in requests. I wasn't 100% sure just since was caught up from before the change, but I've done it several times recently and they have let me. Requests aren't guaranteed ofc.

10:01am by TumbleMonkeys

There are instructions when you do it. It tells you how to send the email too, the blog post doesn't really explain it.

10:41am by popupcamper

Thanks @popup!

11:11am by TumbleMonkeys

Just posted my experience in the forum!

12:53pm by aandjdodisney

Bumping again for @goofy.

1:09pm by utang44

How far in advance should we send in our room request under this new system?

2:57pm by VikeQueen

We sent requests about 30 days before check-in in the past (or whenever they were created, if created later), and that seems reasonable now. Do what seems right for you.

4:54pm by david (staff)

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We've also suggested making requests via Disney's web page, either the Help Chat function or https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/help/email/.

4:55pm by david (staff)

Thank you!

5:09pm by VikeQueen

Thanks for this info!

7:32pm by MarioMom

Hello. I just learned that there is a grace period of 119minutes for lightning lane instead of 15 minutes. Is this still accurate? I am really shocked . If this is the case its a major bonus. And also does the app take that into consideration ?

9:16am on 7/15/26 by gscarpaleggia@gmail.com

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Nice. I don't normally use it, but we are hoping to wait out the storms today.

1:58pm by moondance07

For whatever it's worth, if you try to tell people about this 119-min grace period, they won't believe you outside of Lines Chat.

5:43pm by david (staff)

Tried to share once. You could see the parent faces. Like they would risk the happiness of their child based on the word of a stranger at the pool. Although once I did tell the mom of a melting down down child to tap in 5 min early. She was grateful.

6:36pm by Jennyhirsch

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