Bert’s Big Adventure is an amazing experience for our special needs families year round. In addition to the Magical Journey to Walt Disney World, the adventure is made up of many smaller intimate experiences that happen between the family, sponsors and supporters together as one family.
Enjoy our collection of photos from 2017 and if these photos bring a smile to your face, please consider donating $5 or more to our mission. Help create Magical Moments in the lives of these very deserving kids!
Up early for the morning broadcast from ESPN Club at the Boardwalk. Tears were shed as parents read personalized letters to their children before the flight home. Upon arrival at the ExpressJet hangar the families were greeted to a spontaneous dance party with hugs and tears of joy!
Bert’s Big Adventure families were surprised with huge bins filled with toys and activities at the end of their 5-day trip to Walt Disney World that the kids can enjoy all year-round. Toys were donated by The Bert Show’s co- host, Kristin Klingshirn, and her fiancé, Bart Mattingly. To learn more about Kristin and Bart’s donation, click here.
Last but never least, thanks to our photographers, including Sarah Esther Photography, Cassandra Young Photography, Dash Photography and Monarch Studio.
We kicked off the day with breakfast featuring special guests Cinderella and Prince Charming at American Dance Hall, followed by the Lion King Show at Animal Kingdom. The rest of the afternoon was spent riding roller coasters and exploring other Disney parks, like Hollywood Studios. Families headed to dinner where a surprise awaited them… a dance party with Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many more. The day ended with a fireworks show, where the families received front-row access, glow-in-the-dark accessories and specialty desserts!
Bert’s Big Adventure spent another magical day strengthening friendships and bonds with one another! Make sure to follow all of the magical moments as they happen with the hashtag #BBA2017, or online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
After breakfast at Tony’s Town Square, Bert’s Big Adventure spent the day in Magic Kingdom – starting the day out with VIP access on Main Street and an exclusive view of Cinderella’s castle. Founders, Bert and Stacey, surprised the girls with visits to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for princess makeovers and surprised the boys with pirate makeovers at The Pirates League.
In the evening, families headed to Hollywood Studios where they were surprised with a Star Wars Fireworks show before dinner! Following the fireworks, everyone enjoyed dinner and a show on the streets of Cairo at Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Theater!
Make sure to follow all of the magical moments as they happen with the hashtag #BBA2017, or online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
On February 16th, the Bert’s Big Adventure crew embarked on its 15th annual trip to Walt Disney World. As part of the annual tradition, the send-off party was full of excitement, laughs and tears as The Bert Show revealed many surprises to the families during their live broadcast at the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel. Some of the surprises included a Disney cruise donated by Wishdrawals, a Batman-themed room makeover donated by Dentistry for Children and Family Orthodontics, a player-for-a day with the Georgia Swarm Lacrosse team, and a gymnast-for-a-day with the UGA Gymdogs and Team IMPACT!
Following the send off party, Cooper Global Transportation shuttled the families to a private airplane hangar where they boarded a chartered flight courtesy of ExpressJet to Walt Disney World. Upon arrival to the happiest place on earth, the families checked in to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort and soon headed to the GM Track at Epcot where they were greeted by some very special guests. After dinner the families closed out the night with a dessert and fireworks on their own private patio!
A HUGE thank you to the following vendors and sponsors for making this day so special for everyone! Simple Details, Balloonacy, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Carter’s Charitable Foundation, Q100, Jyl Craven Hair Design, Victoria Kramer Massages, Dentistry for Children and Family Orthodontics, Audi Atlanta, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Dunkin’ Donuts, the Atlanta Hawks cheerleaders and more!
And a special thank you to ExpressJet for sponsoring our chartered flight to Walt Disney World for the 11th year in a row! Thank you to Cindy Powers for all of her support and help during the send-off and throughout the year.
Last but never least, thanks to our photographers, including Sarah Esther Photography, Cassandra Young Photography, Dash Photography and Monarch Studio.
Make sure to follow all of the magical moments as they happen with the hashtag #BBA2017, or online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
The 2017 Bert’s Big Adventure families arrived to the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel in style, courtesy of Cooper Global Transportation, to kickoff day one of their magical journey! All the Bert’s Big Adventure girls were dressed in handmade flower crowns from Rob the King and our friends from Jamberry joined us to glam up everyone’s nails with Disney themed designs. The Kaleidoscope Project passed out personalized tutus and superhero capes to all, while Savvy Stitchery gave each Bert’s Big Adventure kiddo a custom sweatshirt with their favorite characters on them!
The 2017 family members gathered for a delicious meal from Jersey Mike’s Subs followed by a Haagen-Dazs ice cream social. The 2017 Bert’s Big Adventure kids were entertained by Dentistry for Children’s own Luna the Tooth Fairy as she put on a magic show. The party continued with a karaoke booth provided by Atlanta Steeplechase! Tomorrow…. we head to Walt Disney World!
SURPRISE! Mattress Firm generously donated one mattress and box spring to each Bert’s Big Adventure child and one mattress and box spring to the parents!
Make sure to follow all of the magical moments as they happen with the hashtag #BBA2017, or online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! Or, see the photos first by joining our newsletter!
The 2017 Bert’s Big Adventure families in the Atlanta-area met each other for the first time at The Children’s Museum of Atlanta for the pre-trip orientation on Thursday, January 12th. The night began with each child being individually announced by The Bert Show’s Brian Moote as they entered the museum through a tunnel of cheerleaders from Pace Academy! Following this warm welcome, families enjoyed getting to know one another and playing at the museum exhibits. After dinner from Mellow Mushroom parents were given information about the upcoming trip, while the kids enjoyed awesome entertainment by Ken Scott Magic. It was a night to remember and just the start of a magical journey for these very deserving kids and families.
Thank you to The Children’s Museum of Atlanta for once again letting Bert’s Big Adventure host this private party completely free of charge, and for lending us their best staff members to entertain the kids. Last but never least, thanks to our photographers, including Cassandra Young Photography, Sarah Ester Photography, Dash Photography and The Monarch Studio.
YOU put those smiles on these kids’ faces…So a BIG thank you to everyone who’s helped us on the journey! Whether you can give $5 or $50, every dollar helps us make magical moments. Please donate today!