If this was your last trip ever what would you HAVE to do?

[SCohen]

I have scheduled a Specialty Cruise with dinner. We are staying at AKL. We are going to MNSSHP. Any other suggestions for making this magical?
My FIL has been diagnosed with cancer. What can we do as a family to make this trip as magical as possible? This is his second bout and prognosis doesn't look so good this time around. He adores Disney and we want to go while he is still well enough. Making this magical for him and the kids is number one! There are 9 of us in the group.
Thanks!!

[CapeCod53]

We are facing a similar situation with my mother's health although it is not cancer. We are going as a group of 15 at Thanksgiving. We really don't know what my mother will be up to doing but we are planning nice dinners together & seeing Illuminations, Spectromagic & Wishes (she loves firework shows). Also thinking of carriage ride or sleigh ride at FtW/WL. We had looked into the specail grand gathering activities but decided against them because they are not private, they are geared to families with younger children(our youngest is 16, then all other kids are in their 20's) because all include characters, & food is served buffet style which my sister hates. My parents have traveled extensively in Great Britain so we have planned 1 afternoon to visit WL & the monorail resorts to see Christmas decorations & have afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. We are planning things we think she will like & be able to do & feel just spending time toegether as a family will be special(mysister & I live more than 10 hrs apart via car so we only see each other a couple times a year)

[PartyFromSaturn]

Wow, that is a really moving question. Since you said you had a group of 9, it made me think of my own family. That is about the number of people we usually have.

We've always gone around Halloween and we've gotten into the habit of taking any packable Halloween decorations and putting them out in our rooms. Not sure if that would work for you, but it really does make it personal and festive. Thought that might be neat if you have some family members who are going to be struggling with health issues and possible in the room for resting more than usual.

Just an idea. Good luck with your planning. I'm sure there are a lot of ways to make the trip special!

[ellyn2000]

I think the afternoon tea is a lovely idea. Another idea is to buy 2 identical postcards that represent some of your favorite WDW memories (a certain park, ride or attraction) have your mom/dad write a short thought about that day on the back and then mail one home from resort and have the other put away. Once home you can begin a memory book and you'll have the photo side of the postcard as well as the written/posted side in mom/dad's handwriting to display in your memory book/scrapbook. My cousin suggested this because she said once she's home it's hard to recall the special way she felt at a certain place, but writing it down that day and mailing home made it easy. I hope your trips are the most magical ever!

[mytwinklestar]

First, I offer my condolences to your family. Miracles happen every day and I will keep you & your family in my prayers.

The must sees for us are always the fireworks, parades, Illuminations, and Fantasmic! You can ask one of the CMs for help if the wait time might be too tiring.

I know that this will be a most special experience for your family. I am reminded of the song, "Live Like You Were Dying." - *I went sky diving, rocky mountain climbing...* God bless you all. We should all learn to live as if today were a gift - because it truly is a gift. I pray that your family enjoys every moment together. You are in my thoughts.

[MousekaMaddi]

get bday buttons,celebrate all week, decorate resort room, bring balloons from home,make homemade cards, decorate the door! Celebrate HIM! :cheer2:

[monorailsilver]

I'd probably try to figure out what he loved to do when he used to go there pre this last trip.

For me I love the Water Parade & I see it every time I go at least once.

I also love to sit on the beach at the Poly & watch the fireworks.

I used to love to (this is going back to the 80's when I was a teenager) park hop at night-when Epcot closed we'd run back to the monorail (we'd be staying at the Poly so our parents-we were cousins and around 13-16 yrs old-wouldn't mind us going out alone), anyways we'd hop on the monorail to the MK & most people would be leaving but we'd go on SM & Big Thunder (Splash wasn't built then) & the Haunted mansion, pirates with limited lines. It was so much fun.

I hope he & your family has a truely magical vacation so you can enjoy the memories when he does pass.

[we3disneygo]

:grouphug: eat in the castle and just have alot of great family time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :cheer2:

[krissylynne]

I think just being in Disney with family is all you need. How beautiful is a life that has been touched by Love! God bless you all.

Krissylynne

[PrincessAlways]

Family time!!! Family time!!! The special things like fireworks, shows, dinners, but do whatever HE wants to do. That will make the trip a joy for him & you'll remember it forever! Appreciate the time together & take LOTS of pictures. LIVE, LAUGH & LOVE! Thoughts & prayers sent your way :grouphug:

[Bliss22]

I think you are on the right track I have booked a specialty cruise myself and hear they really make A Disney trip even more magical. I think you need to take your time and realy "bask" ine every moment. Don't feel like you need to follow any schedule as sometimes that can take some of the fun out of a trip. Just let your day happen by itself. I am from the DFW are too(Flower Mound) and I know however you tackle the parks will be so much fun. Good luck to you and your family and best wishes! :thumbsup2 :wave: :thumbsup2

[Deb & Bill]

I'd want all arguing to be kept to a minimum and keep the line cutters, crowd jumpers away from me.

[mecllap]

Everything he loves to do! Or things he hasn't wanted to try before?
Mostly -- use PhotoPass a lot -- with the whole group, subgroups, and individuals -- take your time. Write your Photopass card number(s) down on somethings in case any get lost. Share the Web site you put your card numbers on with everyone. Write down a record of the trip in a journal -- day to day stuff and special memories.
My best wishes for a lovely trip -- and hopes for a remission.

[dixipixi]

I agree with previous posters about taking pictures and journaling. The idea about writing down things on postcards and mailing them home was really great!!!

We love the fireworks, parades, and Fantasmic! I would suggest seeing all the shows possible.

My highest thoughts are with you and your family. I hope you all have a completely wonderful trip. I'm wishing you great weather and nothing but friendly smiling faces everywhere!!! :wizard:

[SCohen]

Everything he loves to do! Or things he hasn't wanted to try before?
Mostly -- use PhotoPass a lot -- with the whole group, subgroups, and individuals -- take your time. Write your Photopass card number(s) down on somethings in case any get lost. Share the Web site you put your card numbers on with everyone. Write down a record of the trip in a journal -- day to day stuff and special memories.
My best wishes for a lovely trip -- and hopes for a remission.

I'm sorry- what's a photopass? It sounds cool! Can you tell me about it?
Thanks!!

[SCohen]

Thank you all SO much!!!
I really appreciate your kindness!

[LindaBabe]

If you can afford it, instead of rooms, get a suite. ( was going to suggest a villa, but AKL doesn't have those) Then you'd have a private 'gathering' space for your family to just 'hang' together when dad needs a rest.

[Bliss22]

I'm sorry- what's a photopass? It sounds cool! Can you tell me about it?
Thanks!!
I sent you a pm about photo pass info.

[tinan]

I'm sorry to hear of your FIL's prognosis. While we didn't know, this past Feb. was my dd's, 14, first and last trip to Disney. She was diagnosed with an extremely rare (not even a dozen cases worldwide) and extremely aggressive form of ovarian cancer. The only suggestion that I have is to make sure you take it at his pace. The first couple days of our vacation everything was so rushed because we were all excited and had never been there before. Once the pace slowed down and we took it at her pace, she thoroughly enjoyed the vacation. Instead of trying to have everything planned down to a T, try to wing what you can. I know that is very difficult with ADR's, but seriously.......don't overbook anything. Your FIL will appreciate it and your family will have much memorable times for it. The only other tip is to make sure you take LOTS of pictures! Even though we have quite a few, I still wish there had been more!

[SCohen]

Wow... I am so sorry for your loss. My daughter is 14 and I can't imagine what you must be going through. Thank you for your words of kindness. A part of me says "do it ALL" because I know this is the last, but then again I know that we will have a MUCH better time if we just slow down.
Thank you again!

[tinan]

Thank you.......I'm still having a very difficult time since it has only been about a month and a half now. Depending on if your FIL is on treatments, what his blood counts are and what his immune system is at the time, I think you will find it much more enjoyable at the slower pace. Even though DD was a couple months off of treatment back in Feb. she still tired very easily.

In May she had her first recurrence (one year almost to the date after initial diagnosis), surgery to remove tumors, followed by a different type of chemo. July was her second recurrence and the beginning of Aug. she had surgery to remove more tumors, which turned out all could not be removed. They thought after recovery from surgery, they could give chemo and/or radiation to shrink and maintain the remaining tumors. Before she had a chance to recover, they grew out of control and not even 2 weeks post-op is when she passed.

This December, dh is taking us back to Disney for two weeks, to help me get through Dec. I hope it works!

[SCohen]

Thank you.......I'm still having a very difficult time since it has only been about a month and a half now. Depending on if your FIL is on treatments, what his blood counts are and what his immune system is at the time, I think you will find it much more enjoyable at the slower pace. Even though DD was a couple months off of treatment back in Feb. she still tired very easily.

In May she had her first recurrence (one year almost to the date after initial diagnosis), surgery to remove tumors, followed by a different type of chemo. July was her second recurrence and the beginning of Aug. she had surgery to remove more tumors, which turned out all could not be removed. They thought after recovery from surgery, they could give chemo and/or radiation to shrink and maintain the remaining tumors. Before she had a chance to recover, they grew out of control and not even 2 weeks post-op is when she passed.

This December, dh is taking us back to Disney for two weeks, to help me get through Dec. I hope it works!

I am praying for your family's healing. God bless you all.
I have a question about planning... did you do anything special for her immune system? I am thinking about calling AKL and asking them to go the extra measure and really sanitize his room. I'm sure the rooms are clean, but I'd feel so much better if I knew they were totally disinfected. (clean comforter, handles wiped down, etc).
We are also thinking about a mask and of coarse plenty of hand washing.
We are going in between chemo treatments and I don't want him to get anything that could interfere with future treatments.
Again, thank you so much for your kindness. I really appreciate you opening up and helping me out with your wonderful advise. God bless your family... I will keep you all in my prayers.

[tinan]

Thank you......again. I am praying that all goes well for your FIL and family as well as having a wonderful trip!

When we went my daughter was off of treatments, but had contemplated going while she was on. Our trip was originally scheduled last Nov., but we pushed it to Feb. since treatments were done in Dec.
Some of the things we were going to do is exactly what you mentioned with the extra hand washing, mask, extra cleaning (I would tell them this is for someone immunocompromised......not sure if it helps or not but worth mentioning), etc. You could ask his Dr. to see if he has any other ideas, but those are the main ones.

The biggest factor you are going to have to worry about with going while he is on treatment is watching his counts and worry about him becoming neutropenic and developing fevers. Is he currently taking injections such as Neupogen or Neulasta (to help with his white blood count)? Do you guys have an idea of how his body reacts from therapy to therapy? I could almost tell what my daughters counts were going to be before we would have the lab results back on a week to week basis. Depending on the time frame of the trip compared to the treatment schedule, you could talk to the Dr. about moving it slightly in the hopes of keeping his counts up and him being able to enjoy his time. As long as you are not adjusting the schedule by weeks, they normally work with people.

Other than the precautions taken, make sure that you have ALL information on your FIL before leaving in the event of an emergency. Some of the information needed is, insurance cards, Dr's names, hospital/dr. phone numbers, list of all medications he is on including his chemotherapy regimen and doses if possible, etc. You could list them all on an index card or two and have them in someone's wallet. Also make sure you guys pack a thermo. and take his temp often. Being on therapy you can't just tell by the touch if they're running a fever or not. Which I hated because as a mother, you can normally tell when your child has a fever just to the touch and tuned in so much that you could guess easily within a degree. The one time my daughter was neutropenic, I wouldn't have known without the thermo. I hope you realize I'm not saying these things to scare you or even make you feel like you shouldn't take the trip. You should take the trip and have a great time..........just be prepared for the unexpected. Last but not least......make sure he is drinking plenty of water and eating some healthy foods!

[karengr]

Give your FIL the chance to sit on a bench near the castle and he can watch the faces of all the people that pass him looking at the Castle and how happy people are no matter what is going on in their lives.

Enjoy your time together.

karen

[ntsammy5]

Just have a good time. God bless you.

[TravelinGal]

A photopass is a card that is handed to you when you get your first photo taken at the park (no matter which one). Each photographer you pass will ask you for your photopass card - they will scan it and all your photos taken at the parks by the pros will be stored in one location. Your family can have more than one card - the account numbers can be combined. At the end of your trip, you have the choice of buying a CD with every photo on it to take home. You can also view the photos on line and order them individually if you prefer. I think the CD is $100 and you get full rights to the pictures on them. (you print them at home on photo paper) Even if you don't want to buy the $100 disk, you still have a month to view the photos on line once home and decide what ones you want. (but you can only get the disk while at the parks)

Cancer is an ugly thing and I'm sorry your family is having to deal with this. My prayers are with you and your family.

RE: the birthday suggestion though - don't they ask for proof of your birthday (ID with birthdate on it) before giving out the birthday button??