Bert’s Big Adventure marks 23rd annual Atlanta send-off as families depart for five-day Disney trip

Families depart from Hapeville-area hotel for annual Walt Disney World program

A group of children with serious medical conditions and their families left metro Atlanta on Thursday morning, Feb. 19, 2026, launching the 23rd annual send-off celebration tied to Bert’s Big Adventure, a Georgia nonprofit that organizes an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World.

The send-off took place at the Hilton Atlanta Airport hotel near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. After the morning celebration concluded, the families headed to the airport to begin travel to Orlando, Florida.

What the nonprofit’s trip program provides

Bert’s Big Adventure was established as an official nonprofit in 2002 by Atlanta radio personality Bert Weiss and his wife, Stacey, following Weiss’ experience on a separate charitable Disney trip in the 1990s. The organization’s first trip took place in 2003 and has continued annually since then.

The nonprofit’s central program is a five-day, all-expenses-paid Walt Disney World trip for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families. Program criteria include an age range of 5 to 12, residence within the radio listening area associated with “The Bert Show,” demonstrated financial need, and no previous visit to Walt Disney World.

• Trip duration: five days
• Destination: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando
• Participants: children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families
• Eligibility includes age, geography, financial need, and first-time Disney visitation requirements

This year’s send-off: live broadcast and participating families

Thursday’s send-off included a live radio broadcast featuring Weiss and former co-host Kristin Klingshirn, who is also a board member of the nonprofit. The event focused on the children selected for the 2026 trip and their families as they began their journey.

The nonprofit identified the 2026 participating children as: Asher, Ayden, Brooke, Forrest, Gunner, Jameson, Josiah, Kenken, Lani, Manny, Rowan, and Sebastian.

The send-off tradition is designed to mark the beginning of the trip and gather families, staff and supporters before travel begins.

Year-round support beyond the trip

Organizers say the program extends beyond the Disney travel dates. Bert’s Big Adventure also runs year-round activities and support for families who have participated in prior trips, including reunion-style gatherings intended to maintain connections among families and volunteers after the trip concludes.

Context: Weiss’ retirement and the organization’s continuity

The 2026 send-off comes months after Weiss’ retirement announcement in 2025, when he said his long-running morning program would end with a final broadcast on Oct. 24, 2025. The nonprofit has continued operating and conducting its annual trip program as planned.