1 Year post-cancer.....deluxe dining...post plastic surgery long weekend! YEAH!

[lookingforward]

I was unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with breast cancer last year on November 13th. Thus began the worst year of my entire life...to include stage 2 cancer, major surgery, chemo, radiation, plastic surgery and then most awful of all...the loss of my mom and best friend in June. Somehow, with the love of friends and family, I have survived. One of the most interesting things about getting cancer is that you learn who your friends are...and are not! I discovered some friends I thought would be there for me were not and those I had no expectations of were devoted and true. Interesting!

I am 47 and work for a local law enforcement agency. When I was out of work for weeks on end the officers I work for donated over 200 hours of leave to me. This allowed me to take a week off after each of my horrible chemo treatments without losing a day of pay. My mom, bless her soul, was with me through all six of them and is the only one who could have nurtured me like that.

Last year I was the reciepient of the infamous 40% off coupons. I had the POLY concierge booked for December at a cost of $275 per night (yes...there is a Santa Claus! ) THEN...cancer. I had to have surgery and called disney to try and rebook. HAA!HAAAAAAAAA! No go. Not even with my sob story. So I cancelled the reservation and set about saving my life. Which brings me to THIS year. No 40% off coupon. None. Nada. But my hair IS starting to grow back!

Fast forward.....I had booked the Wilderness Lodge concierge (Okay...the Poly was 1. unavailable and 2. TOO EXPENSIVE) . I was all set to go December 5 which was the one year to the date anniversary of my surgery. THEN...my plastic surgeon booked me for October 22nd! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I can't wait to have both the girls back (if you know what I mean... SO, without any additional leave to be had at work I decided to go to Disney at the end of my plastic surgery leave....November 8-12th. Okay...I'll pack the painkillers and take it REAL slow...I PROMISE!

Cast:

Me:47...with REALLY short hair...and new accessories (if you catch my drift). Sorry if this is too much information.

Hubby: Staying home because he has NO leave left from his government job after the last year of taking care of you know who....ME!

DS 18: Staying home with hubby because he is in college and not too interested in disney anymore. I will miss him but he won't miss his nag of a mom!

DS 15: The sweetest teenager walking this earth...kind, considerate, a good student, faithful, and easy going.

DD 9: Going on 20...a singer, dancer, actress, and drama queen 24/7. My baby and sweetie. LOVES our annual disney jaunts.

 

[lookingforward]

Now that I moved up my trip from December to November I can get REALLY excited and begin the planning...which to a real disboard addict like myself is heaven. Planning to a disney crazed person is like buying real estate is to Donald Trump....hot stuff!!! My non-disney friends tell me to get a life. In fact my friends who don't drink the disney cool-aid think I am nuts. But I think most of us here on the DIS know how that feels.

So....I am planning on re-booking the Wilderness Concierge for November until I open my investment account statement.....OH MY LORD..................NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It is not good. It is really, really bad. I will be working until I am 85 (assuming I live that long). My husband will be sipping margaritas by the pool because he has a military and federal government pension while I bag groceries at Publix in my walker. HA! Seriously, I realize that I have to stop spending money like it is the early 2000's. I live in South Florida (the foreclosure capital of America). Its scary times here. SO...I need to downgrade so I can enjoy myself without twitching each time I open my wallet. I dont' need anymore stress.

My concessions are hotel. My binges will include deluxe dining (we love to eat now that food tastes like food again...and not a chemo cardboard) and annual florida resident passes so we can return in February!

Now I begin to look at which value I want. I decide on the All Star Music...family suites. Then I decide on POP. Then back to Music. Then a cheaper room at Wilderness (who needs concierge with deluxe dining anyway). Now I can honestly say that I just don't know. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I do love my deluxe hotels....but after flying to Los Angeles to pick up my actor son at UCLA and staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel I think I have had my fill this year (American Express LOVES me).So I am leaning towards POP as it would be half the cost of the family suite and we LOVED Pop a few years ago. ........what to do! What to do?????

 

[lookingforward]

Here are my two fellow disney lovers...my middle son and baby daughter. I love them!

 

[lookingforward]

The restaurants we are planning on eating at are:

Sci-Fi Cafe (I know it gets bad reviews...but we'll try it for lunch)
Tusker House
Kona Cafe
Coral Reef
Toyko Dining
Liberty Tree Tavern (If I can win the reservation lottery..this one is booked solid...but I'll keep calling )
California Grill OR Narcossees (Help me here...not sure which)

Still, this only uses up 8 our our 12 dining credits. Maybe I will replace Kona with Citricos. We are supposed to eat at Kona the night of the Very Merry Christmas party. I figured I could valet park at the hotel, eat a great dinner, and then head to the park on the monorail. Have any of you eaten at Cirticos?

 

[Lcaemom]

Jumping over here from my PRT...your trip sounds great so, far!!! And it's almost here!!! You're family is beautiful! Looking forward to lots of planning in the days ahead!!! Best wishes for happy eating, too!

 

[lookingforward]

Jumping over here from my PRT...your trip sounds great so, far!!! And it's almost here!!! You're family is beautiful! Looking forward to lots of planning in the days ahead!!! Best wishes for happy eating, too!

Thanks! I noticed you are from Boston. I went to college there! Emerson. If I could live anywhere it would be Boston. That town rocks! I am hoping my son goes to Emerson in a few years so I can visit!

 

[Pakey]

Hi there. I'm subscribing here. I just finished my one year anniversary celebration (stage 2 for me too) by going to Paris and Disneyland Paris. Not sure it makes the memory of chemo fade away, but it was pretty dang awesome. I've also got Jan 09 covered by taking all of the kids/spouses/grandson for our WDW gathering to celebrate THEM because there is nothing like chemo to make you appreciate life.

Anyway, I'm on board and can't wait to hear what you have planned.

 

[lucas]

Hi neighbor! Subscribing to your report.

I'm sorry for all that you have been thru during the past year. Hugs to you and to your family.

So glad you are planning a trip to WDW for some F-U-N! Can't wait to read more of your plans. It is just dh and myself and we always stay at POP. Sure the deluxe resorts are great but those prices - holy moly! I'd rather save the money for something else, that's just how I am. Besides, as they say - you're not in the room much. We love to take the monorail around and get off at each hotel and spend time taking everything in.

 

[lookingforward]

Hi there. I'm subscribing here. I just finished my one year anniversary celebration (stage 2 for me too) by going to Paris and Disneyland Paris. Not sure it makes the memory of chemo fade away, but it was pretty dang awesome. I've also got Jan 09 covered by taking all of the kids/spouses/grandson for our WDW gathering to celebrate THEM because there is nothing like chemo to make you appreciate life.

Anyway, I'm on board and can't wait to hear what you have planned.

THanks! Congratulations on your one year cancerversary! HA! Some people think it is a weird thing to "celebrate" but I don't. Anyone who toughs out chemo is amazing in my opinion. Your trip to Paris sounds magical...and you are right...cancer makes you appreciate every day.

 

[lookingforward]

Hi neighbor! Subscribing to your report.

I'm sorry for all that you have been thru during the past year. Hugs to you and to your family.

So glad you are planning a trip to WDW for some F-U-N! Can't wait to read more of your plans. It is just dh and myself and we always stay at POP. Sure the deluxe resorts are great but those prices - holy moly! I'd rather save the money for something else, that's just how I am. Besides, as they say - you're not in the room much. We love to take the monorail around and get off at each hotel and spend time taking everything in.

Hey neighbor! I am slowly getting on the value resort bus, so to speak. We stayed at POP two years ago and it was so much fun so I keep telling myself that we are doing the best thing. I am looking forward to the deluxe dining plan....so much so that I am reading the menus during my lunch hour at work. I know...its kind of pathetic but its much fun to daydream!

 

[lookingforward]

I am still on the fence between the all star Music family suite or a single room at POP. There will only be 3 of us so I think it would be fairly comfortable to share one room. What do you all think? The only thing that makes me think about spending the extra $300 is the ability for me to really get some good sleep in the bedroom are of the suite. I will be only 17 days post op so rest will be important. The pics of the suite are so nice!

 

[lookingforward]

I called the dining line and booked Narcoosees for our first night! The menu just really impressed me....LOBSTER! YEA! Then...I heard the horrible rumor that lobster might be removed from the menu. I should not even put it out into the universe because it just can't happen. I am SO looking forward to the lobster tail and filet mignon. That is the beauty and responsibility of all deluxe diners....to plan and plot the best use of their meals and take full advantage of the signature restuarants. Why? Because we can!

Seriously, I have never done deluxe dining before. It is a lot of work but we are up to the challenge!

 

[sherreis]

What an awesome reason to be planning a trip to WDW. I hear ya on the bagging groceries holding onto the walker. Based on the current trend, I'll be doing the same thing. But, meanwhile, a trip to the happiest place on earth is a great thing to focus on to help get you to this wonderful milestone. Sorry your DH can't go with you. As for resorts, would you rather save the money for your winter trip? It's always easier to spend someone else's money. Lord knows, I don't do a good job spending mine...

 

[Pakey]

Here's a woo-hoo on booking Narcoosees. It's a really nice place if you have not eaten there before. It's so gorgeous. It was our first ever meal at WDW so it's a sentimental fav. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the lobster remains in place, at least until after your trip, because you deserve it.

I've never stayed at All Star or Pop so can't help you there. I'm sure it will be great whichever one you choose though.

 

[lucas]

Ohhhhh, I've always wanted to try Narcoosees!

We've stayed at the All Stars and POP. I like POP better because I think they have a better food court and because I feel it is a better location. Shorter bus rides to/from POP and they only have 1 bus stop vs the All Stars where buses stop at all the resorts. But, needing good rest and having the suite with more room may be your deciding factor. So, I guess I'm wishy washy and no help there!

I like to look at the food pics and read the menus, too. But, it makes me starving to do that!

 

[Lcaemom]

You will only be 17 days post op, when you go? I see that you are from FL...so I'm sure it will be fine. I just hope you are ok. But, definately something to celebrate!!!
Yes, we are from the Boston...the Boston area. We are about 20 minutes north of Boston. It would be a great place to go to college. I would love to be there all the time if I was college-aged...now, (that I'm so old )not so much. Even though, we are so close, we may go to Boston, just a few times a year. The big dig makes driving through there so confusing...streets that existed yesterday, don't exist today and vice versa...it has improved but, we really don't go into town too often.

 

[lookingforward]

Thanks for all your responses. I have not forgotten about my pre-trip report...but some last minute snafus have come up. First, my daughter is performing in a play and they added a performance on 11/8...the night we are driving up to Orlando. I have decided to keep with my plans and have her opt out of the add on show. We already have plans to meet my goddaughter at Narcoossees for dinner at 9:30 and I am NOT missing that. I can almost taste the lobster now.

I will post my day by day breakdown and resturant picks tonight for your review. I am still on the fence about the hotel decision...did I mention that the Wilderness Lodge standard room is only $235 per night? What to do??? The Pop would be so much more responsible.

 

[Lcaemom]

did I mention that the Wilderness Lodge standard room is only $235 per night? What to do??? The Pop would be so much more responsible.

Is that the rack rate? You could call and see if you have a code next to your name. I did and saved $1200 off my original reservation.

 

[lookingforward]

Is that the rack rate? You could call and see if you have a code next to your name. I did and saved $1200 off my original reservation.

Oh my, in the infamous codes. I am a code loser. But hope springs eternal and I will definately call tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!!!! And toes!!!! And wish upon a star. HA!

 

[Lcaemom]

Oh my, in the infamous codes. I am a code loser. But hope springs eternal and I will definately call tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!!!! And toes!!!! And wish upon a star. HA!

I will cross everything...and make a wish for you!!! I hope it works out...just to note EVERYONE I have mentioned this to has had a code next to their name, that they were not aware of. I'll be waiting to hear if you do, too!!!