AKV Grand Villa - doing the happy dance w/ a few tears too!

[global_mom]

We are so excited! I have finished booking an AKV grand villa for a week in May so that DH and I can take my parents, my brothers and, of course, our own children. Was able to get the GV at 7 month window and was thrilled. We toured the GV 2 weeks ago when we stayed at AKV but never thought that we would have the good fortune to get one on the 7 month window.

This is a really special trip as we will be taking my dad who suffered a massive stroke during open heart surgery 15 months ago. He is finally strong enough to try traveling. He has limited speech, limited mobility, little eyesight, and is easily confused, but he is determined to see his grandchildren ride Space Mountain! In fact, he fully plans to ride it himself!! (he has not been to WDW since 1981 and we could not ever get him off of Space Mountain, he would ride it 20 times in a single trip)

When he was healthy we talked about making a family trip to WDW but other "important" things always got in the way. DH and I have taked our children to WDW 9 times in the past 5 years but my parents just could not seem to stop being too busy to join us.

Then our lives were completely changed in an instant and you question every decision that you made along the way. All that "important" stuff was not as important as you thought. You never think that bad things can happen to your own family but dad was a 67 year old tri-athlete when the unthinkable happened. If can happen to someone like him, it can happen to anyone. Anyway, just appreciate every minute and never take the simple things for granted.

Now I cant wait to start the countdown to May 25th!!!!

 

[spiceycat]

sounds like a wonderful trip.

but be aware not all the GV are finished. and the front desk is putting guest in the unfinished one - hopefully by the time you arrive this problem won't be one.

so when you get there - check everything - make sure that everything works and if it doesn't call maintence immediately

 

[jb.brooks]

Hope you have a very good time, you all deserve it. I hear the villas are spectacular. God bless you.

 

[global_mom]

Hope you have a very good time, you all deserve it. I hear the villas are spectacular. God bless you.

Thank you!!

 

[Christy LOVES Disney]

woohoo! im sure yall will have a great time

 

[DisneyBB]

I totally agree with you. You have to make the most of family and not put trips off. I did a special trip with my Mum to Paris 3 years ago, if I had waited just one more year she would not have been able to go. She was diagnosed with osteporsis of the spine is not able to walk very far. This all happened with 1 year, from being a healthy 77 year old to a frail 78 year old! We go on holiday every year with my DH's parents, sometimes twice. I get odd looks when I tell people that, but they love being on holiday with us and the kids. We have been to Disney, Portugul, Italy, Spain and even got them camping!

I hope you have a great holiday.

 

[MBELSANTI]

We are so excited! I have finished booking an AKV grand villa for a week in May so that DH and I can take my parents, my brothers and, of course, our own children. Was able to get the GV at 7 month window and was thrilled. We toured the GV 2 weeks ago when we stayed at AKV but never thought that we would have the good fortune to get one on the 7 month window.

This is a really special trip as we will be taking my dad who suffered a massive stroke during open heart surgery 15 months ago. He is finally strong enough to try traveling. He has limited speech, limited mobility, little eyesight, and is easily confused, but he is determined to see his grandchildren ride Space Mountain! In fact, he fully plans to ride it himself!! (he has not been to WDW since 1981 and we could not ever get him off of Space Mountain, he would ride it 20 times in a single trip)

When he was healthy we talked about making a family trip to WDW but other "important" things always got in the way. DH and I have taked our children to WDW 9 times in the past 5 years but my parents just could not seem to stop being too busy to join us.

Then our lives were completely changed in an instant and you question every decision that you made along the way. All that "important" stuff was not as important as you thought. You never think that bad things can happen to your own family but dad was a 67 year old tri-athlete when the unthinkable happened. If can happen to someone like him, it can happen to anyone. Anyway, just appreciate every minute and never take the simple things for granted.

Now I cant wait to start the countdown to May 25th!!!!

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful time!! God bless you all Time is precious, make the most of it and enjoy your Dad. I lost mine 9 years ago. He loved WDW too. I would have loved for him to see his grandson's face while there!!

 

[nunzia]

Have a wonderful trip! I'm glad you are doing this..I know so many who just couldn't do things 'right now' and then the right time never came up. Enjoy!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wonderful accommodations and a wonderful time to visit should make even the bittersweet part of your trip special. Here's hoping your Dad is well enough to get that Space Mountain ride!!

 

[RLRDA]

Enjoy your trip and AKV.....what a bonus to be able to experience a GV!! Hope it is a wonder-filled vacation!

 

[global_mom]

Thank you everyone for the good wishes!!! It is such a pleasure to be a part of the DVC family and we are soooo glad that we became members of such a special "club"!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Obviously, you're dad love's the dark unknown travels of Space Mountain... Whether he makes the ride or not.... and from what you have said, it sounds like he can qualify to take the ride, I think he will have a blast sharing the ride with his grandkids.

Worst case is he watches his grandkids take the ride he loves.... and then shares the experiences with them... what a wonderful way to spend time.

Hope everything is perfect for him and you, and you're family members. I hope if/when I am in the same situation, I can get to see my kids or grandkids ride the waves at VB and enjoy it like I do.. that would be an amazing experience.... Kind of like passing the torch.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

That's great news! Congratulations & have a fantastic trip!!

 

[kikiq]

As I read your happy post, I was tearing up. You are so right about events happening quickly and life as you know it changing.

We will be taking my family to WDW in Aug 08. We bought DVC this last summer during our anniversary trip and after standing over the family bricks at the TTC. (Yes, for those who might have been trying to get to the monorail early August, that was me touching the brick we bought in my mom's memory) We will be spending the first part of our week at SSR and hopefully moving to AKV in a GV for a few days.

You have a wonderful trip...plus we expect pics with a trip report.

 

[global_mom]

As I read your happy post, I was tearing up. You are so right about events happening quickly and life as you know it changing.

We will be taking my family to WDW in Aug 08. We bought DVC this last summer during our anniversary trip and after standing over the family bricks at the TTC. (Yes, for those who might have been trying to get to the monorail early August, that was me touching the brick we bought in my mom's memory) We will be spending the first part of our week at SSR and hopefully moving to AKV in a GV for a few days.

You have a wonderful trip...plus we expect pics with a trip report.

Will definately do a trip report and you enjoy your August vacation! Isn't it amazing that Walt Disney World, and everything that Walt stood for, can make so many people happy! I just think that he must have been an amazing man!!