90 years is a long time to wait for the magic, but it'll be worth it!

[slenkey]

Hi all! After posting some questions on a different thread about ideas for a four generation trip we are planning that will include DH's grandfather who is 90 and a first timer at the World, I decided to start a PTR....

We all decided in May to have a family trip for my husband's side of the family and leave after Christmas. After talking, I realized that Papa Joe had never been to WDW before! This sparked my excitement a little more (like that needed help) and I've been trying to plan really cool things ever since to make the trip extra special. Since we are at the 180 mark, I have FINALLY gotten this PTR started. Unfortunately, I have two kids jumping on me and will have to give a better update tomorrow, but at least I got this thing started! YEAH!

More to come.... Steph

 

[slenkey]

All right, some quick time before the kids wake up...

So, for a listing of things that we've already discussed on the last thread, please visit here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2478828

Just to recap some brief things that this discusses...

I am planning a four generations trip that will occur during the busiest time of the year, the week after Christmas. While this is really exciting, I am also worried and have tons of worry. Coming along for the ride will be my in-laws who will be celebrating their wedding anniversary, my DS who will be celebrating his fourth birthday, my s-i-l, b-i-l and DN (first trip at age 2) and Papa Joe. The last thread was asking for ideas of how to make his trip extra special. PLEASE keep suggestions coming as this PTR takes shape.

While both my s-i-l and b-i-l have been the WDW before, they have never had to plan a trip as adults. Due to this, they want to do some of their own planning. They also hope to control naps and overstimulation of their son while there and keep him on a controlled diet. Part of me finds this amusing since I tried to do some this our first trip too. Now I know that the kids pretty much conk out in their strollers and that overstimulation will come and go during the day since it is Disney. I have found a peaceful understanding that it's vacation and I can't control EVERYTHING. But, this is a lesson best learned by experience. The problem with this desire is that it is causing them to drag their feet when telling me if they want me to make ADRs at some of the places the rest of the family will be eating. I'm a little worried about getting in places since it is a really busy time of year. Is this me being too anal retentive?

Anyway, we had kept this trip a secret from Papa Joe until Father's Day. My DH and I had actually ordered personalized Mickey ears for him and then put in one of the free planning DVD that they will send you while he was opening his present. Honestly, I anticipated Papa Joe to be a little hesitant about this trip. He has been hesitant to go on big trips in the past that require so much travel and walking (especially since he doesn't like to use a wheelchair or anything in public). However, after he got the message that we were going, he popped his ears on his head and asked if should pack his walker. We told him no, we could get him a scooter and he never lost this huge smile on his face the whole day. The magic of the World is already starting to make an impact!m

So far we have decided to stay offsite. This will be a first for us, but we my DH travels frequently for work, so we are able to cash in some of his loyalty reward points and provide lodging for everyone. It'll be nice to all stay together, but I'll miss staying on site.

I sent out an email to the group yesterday asking for confirmation as to if they would be dining with us. So far, I am hoping to get CP, 50sPT, HBD, Tutto (for Candlelight Processional), and Yak and Yeti (DH's personal fave). If we can talk Nonni (my m-i-l) into babysitting a night, the DH and I may try Narcossee's or V&A. Any preferences out there?

Please let the comments roll. I will post again tomorrow as to some special plans in store for Papa Joe (ie. flag retreat ceremony, shirts, etc.)

 

[Queenofallthings]

What a magical trip this will be for all of you! When you mentioned the smile on his face, it actually brought a tear to my eye.

I can't wait to read about the surprises you have in store

 

[wlwilliams9]

Yay! I'm in and can't wait to hear all about your plans!

 

[slenkey]

So, I attempted to call Disney's Reservation line to find out if I could reserve a spot for Papa Joe to serve as the Veteran of the Day during the Magic Kingdom's Flag Retreat Ceremony. If you aren't familiar with this tradition, many aren't, you can check out someone's experience here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrY18g0w-So. I knew this would be a long shot because I had been told that you had to go to City Hall at Magic Kingdom that morning to request the honor. However, I thought that since Papa Joe was a 90 -year-old WWII Vet that they may be willing to give him a spot in advance. Besides, what could it hurt to ask?

The first guy I talked to was very interested and excited when he heard the request. He said he thought it was awesome that we were bringing him down to Florida to meet Mickey for the first time and would certainly transfer me to the reservations desk for MK. Unfortunately, the next person wasn't as excited. In her defense, I think she thought I was asking to be named family of the day for the afternoon parade. However, she quickly informed me that if we hoped to be chosen at all, we had to be at ropedrop and then it was a completely random decision. So while I understand that she couldn't take my request, I'm now a little confused because I thought that you could request being Veteran of the Day. Not one to panic, I talked to my DH and we decided that I will just get up and leave earlier than the rest of the family on our MK day in hopes of getting in good position at rope drop in order to book it over to City Hall and still ask. So while I can't be sure that we'll be able to honor Papa Joe in this way, I am not giving up yet.

On a completely note (yet one that may help my rope drop hopes) I have decided to drop some weight before our trip in Dec. This is something that I've wanted to do for a while, but always found an excuse for. I know that my health will improve, but the real catalyst was the fact that DH decided to buy a waterproof camcorder for pools and the beach This translates into my pooh shaped self joining weight watchers and actually using the treadmill as an exercise machine and not just a drying rack! I worked out this morning for the first time in a while and realized how badly I needed to get back at this so I feel very positive in this decision.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Fingers crossed for Papa Joe!! I get very emotional seeing our veterans and think of the sacrifices they've made so we can enjoy the life we have....I think part of it was growing up with a father who was in the military and the long absences etc. Makes you sure appreciate what we have doesn't it?

Good luck with Weight Watchers....I joined 6 weeks ago and am down 10 pounds The one thing that irriates me though is when people say "is the allowed on your diet"....I now say, I'm not on a diet, I'm changing the way I eat!! It's tough, the toughest for me was getting my butt off the couch to exercise, but I do bike one night, walk the next....but everytime I think of winter coming I get a little knot in my stomach. I think at that point I will have to join a gym, because when it's 40 below, I won't be outside walking Good luck....you're going to do great!!!!!

 

[slenkey]

Thanks for the encouragement! For me, the struggle is to make time for myself to exercise. I chase after the boys, go to soccer games, clean up around the house and take care of DH then go to work and by the end of the night all I want to do is plop down on the couch and watch TV. Plus, I was a traveling teacher this year, so lunch was mainly found at a drive through window... not a good lifestyle. I agree with changing your mindset from what's allowed to a change in lifestyle. It's tough since I have "dieted" a lot and never really changed overall what the thought process was. *Fingers Crossed*

The big news of the day? We changed our travel dates today. After taking a look at school holiday schedules and the fact that hotels were double the week after Christmas as they would be the week of Christmas, we decided that a white Christmas for us this year would mean white sand. So we will be spending Christmas with Mickey this year. This does mean that we technically will no longer be at WDW during DS's birthday or my in-laws anniversary, but I am sure we have plenty of other things to celebrate and I still fully intend on ordering my in-laws an anniversary cake from the Disney Bakers. Even if it costs me all of my points for the day, that is an indulgence I will make...

Does anyone know if the crowds are smaller the week of Christmas? It'd be nice if they would be...


It's great that you guys are reading this too... ANY ideas are welcome. Now that we bumped up our date, I have Ressies to make in a hurry!

 

[slenkey]

BTW - a big C-O-N-G-R-A-T-S on your ten pounds lost. It's difficult but so worth it!

 

[slenkey]

Quick question to help with my planning...

What would your top three places for TS on Christmas be if you were going to eat someplace in the World? Hmmmmm...

 

[Queenofallthings]

Quick question to help with my planning...

What would your top three places for TS on Christmas be if you were going to eat someplace in the World? Hmmmmm...

Thank you for your encouragement and congrats on my 10 pounds I was down another 2 when I weighed in on Wednesday...I was shocked...this past week has been nuts. My daughter's grad was on Tues so we were running around like crazy and grabbing food on the go, but I guess my hour walk everynight is starting to pay off!!!

My top three picks.......Le Cellier, California Grill, and Kona....those are our absolute favorite restaurants on property. Hope that helps, just keep in mind though, that California Grill is 2 TS's.