For Julie Rospars Keffer, one moment of her family's Walt Disney World vacation made the trip worthwhile: when her three children - each of whom has a form of autism - stood and smiled for a picture with Princess Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

"They were so happy," said a radiant Rospars Keffer.

Rospars Keffer, 37, her husband, Michael Keffer, 44, and their children - Megan, 9; Abbie, 7; and Riley, 4 - returned to their Oyster Bay home Tuesday from a five-day, four-night trip, courtesy of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

The vacation was the family's first. They hadn't been able to afford to take along teachers who would help with the kids.
"You have to even the numbers. It has to be one-on-one," said Rospars Keffer.

About a year ago, Michael Keffer's sister, Wendy Heaton, sent an e-mail asking DeGeneres to consider the Keffer family if she ever were to dedicate a show to a deserving family.

"I would love to see something really good happen for this family," wrote Heaton, 38, of Glen Allen, Va.

In January, the comedienne surprised Heaton and Rospars Keffer with a phone call during a taping of the show, telling them she would provide a trip for both families. "It's amazing what you're doing, and Julie, it's wonderful that you stay so positive," DeGeneres said.

The show also paid for two teachers to go along: school psychologist Christie Schrank, who has worked with all three kids, and behavior analyst Kim Halter, who works with Abbie.

Meals were paid for by Disney, which also let the Keffer family spend one night at the exclusive Cinderella Castle Suite, replete with a butler. "You couldn't buy this trip even if you wanted to," DeGeneres said.

"It really was incredible," Rospars Keffer said.

During the trip, the family went on rides, interacted with characters at meals, lounged at the hotel pool, and spent time with the Heaton family and other relatives who also went along.

Megan, who can answer questions when she can choose among answers, said she liked Magic Kingdom more than EPCOT and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad more than Space Mountain.

For Riley, who is conversational, the monorail was the best part of the trip.

Although Abbie, who does not have functional language skills, had difficulty getting through the dark and confined waiting line areas, Rospars Keffer said she loved the roller coasters.

"The faster and the scarier it was," she said, "Abbie liked it more."

When a kid became irritable, either Halter or Schrank led them away so the family could enjoy the moment.

"The teachers were the element that changed the vacation from good to great," said Michael Keffer.

His wife agreed, saying "We said it will be hard to go back after this."