Anyone else going this weekend and having second thoughts?

[Luv2Travel]

Of course we will be going to war the weekend my husband and I pick to go to WDW just the two of us! I don't mean that to sound so selfish, and don't get me wrong, I'm glad we are finally going to get started on this war and hopefully get it over with quickly. But come on - it's just my luck it would be this week.

So are there any others out there who will be leaving this weekend for WDW? I'm not so worried about going to the parks, I think security will really be keeping an eye on things (or at least I pray they will). But I'm more concerned about leaving my children at home with grandparents and being so far away if something drastic did happen. Of course my mother is giving me a guilt trip about going (as if I needed her to make me feel guilty about leaving), but the hotel is already paid for (Priceline) and I hate to change my plans to "give into" the bad guys.

It will feel funny being on vacation while there are so many brave men and women over there fighting for our country. I know I'll want to be glued to Fox News or CNN the whole time. Thanks for letting me vent my concerns, any words of wisdom or encouragement are greatly appreciated.

 

[mudd]

I believe that the last thing we need to do is change our lives at this point and time, that would give them some satisfaction that we have folded in to them. I have a trip planned in Sept. I am sure that war will be in effect and I will have my oldest son, a step-son and possible my younger brother over there by that point, plus a possibility of my young son (he is thinking about joining). The only way war will change my plans is if myself or myhusband both retired military get recalled. Our sons will always be on my mind and in my prayers. But I feel if America just stop living we will show that we are weak and they win. We have to continue with life, pull together for the support of our loved one which will be at war. But live and stand tall and proud.

 

[Kallison]

I second what Mudd said. My Mom would be guilt tripping me too, they never stop do they??!! We should just send all the angry mothers over to Saddam, they would beat him into submission in no time.

 

[Luv2trav]

We are leaving on Friday and I have the same reservations but we are not cancelling... What would cancelling do?

I will admit I feel AWFUL if war breaks out and I am enjoying myself at WDW.. I know the right thing to do is to LIVE our lives. There is just a part of me that will feel guilty for having fun when something so terrible is happening....

I don't agree with this war. However, I do support our troops and country. So many innocent lives are going to be lost while I am hugging, laughing, sharing in all the Disney magic with my family... That is what makes me sad...

 

[jamsmom]

Aren't Moms great at making us feel guilty? Go and enjoy.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Nope not at all.

 

[Scrapping Shawn]

On my last trip(Oct. 2001-one month after Sept. 11) we were sitting in Crystal Palace and my mom called to let us know we were at war. It was strange being in such a happy place and knowing that so many Americans were at war at the same time. It did not affect park hours, rides, nor the crowds. They did upgrade security, but that is all I noticed.

 

[KerryCM]

I am leaving Friday for an annual "girls" trip. We will be back on Tuesday. I have 2 sons-in-law in the military. One just PCSd from Germany and is now at Pope Air Base in N.C. He has been told he will probably be deployed soon. My son-in-law in CA is not being depolyed because he launches satelite missles.
They have both told me not to put my life on hold. I need this trip after going through Chemo and facing more surgery when I return. We are all CMs at our local Disney Store and go every year together. We have been counting the days so WDW here we come!!!

 

[miko]

It will feel funny being on vacation while there are so many brave men and women over there fighting for our country.

Don't feel funny but be proud! One of the main reasons the brave US Forces are ready to fight is to protect our freedom. Just keep them in mind and prayers.

 

[Redbeard52]

Originally posted by miko
Don't feel funny but be proud! One of the main reasons the brave US Forces are ready to fight is to protect our freedom. Just keep them in mind and prayers.

What a great reply!

We're heading out on Monday. Not quite this weekend, but close enough.

Me and my buddy have decided that if the plane is flying and the park is open, we will be there.

I think I will feel a bit more proud when I see anyone in US Forces gear. That will remind me about the freedom I have and what the price of that freedom has cost.

It is going to be an interesting time. But do not run from it; embrace it and make it your own.

Here is to our armed forces, wherever they are:

Kungaloosh!!!

 

[Luv2Travel]

Thanks for all of the great words of encouragement. I totally agree with all of you. Plans are still on for us to go this weekend. My husband does not seemed as worried as I am, and my mother's little guilt trips only make my husband more determined to go.

I am still worried about the security at WDW. I know in the past the baggage check has been almost a joke for us, but hopefully that's because we don't look anything like terrorists. I do believe that WDW has many phases of security in place that I know nothing about, so I will put my faith in that and hopefully let the "magic" take my worries away.

As you can see at the end of my post, we have two more trips planned to WDW this year and I am not even considering cancelling those (unless we are at a red level alert or something horrific happens). I'm trying to do my part in keeping WDW a float and the economy in Florida going. Just trying to ease my nerves about leaving the children at home and my husband and I going somewhere else while the war is getting started. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[PattiPB]

We leave in 15 days, and unless the planes are grounded, we are going!!!

BUT!!!!! I am travelling with my DH, 3 kids and my parents. I completely understand your anxiety being centered around not being with your children in case of emergency. Take heart in the fact that you can drive home in (probably??) less than a day if need be, and ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!! Last March DH and I did a solo trip to WDW, and left the kids home with my parents. No guilt allowed---a healthy family starts with a healthy marriage!!!!!

Just MHO!

Patti

 

[Chess]

We're not scheduled for our adults only trip until the middle of May but my DH is already asking if we should take the kids with us instead of being separated. My reply was lets wait and see. Of course we went Oct 6, 2001 and at that time I was asking if we should go without the kids. DH said yes so we went. Of course we then had the anthrax scare and he was ready to go home but I said no as we only had two more days left. We enjoyed ourselves and mentally were more prepared to help our children deal with the world as it is today.

I say go and enjoy. It is not going to do any good to sit at home worrying about the war and what may and may not happen.

I understand the guilt trips from mom as I had them myself in Oct. 2001. I'm sure we will have them again in May but I don't want to teach my kids to live in fear but to live life to the fullest while being aware of your surroundings.

 

[KickTheSky]

I just got back a few weeks ago and was there when the country was under a heightened terror alert. All of my friends are like "how can you go to Disney now, that will be the terrorist's main target?" and I replied to them, "if I change my plans, the terrorists win." Their goal is to disrupt our way of life in this country. I say during this time of trouble in our nation more of us should be going to places like Disney, not to take our minds off of things, but to be supportive of our country's fragile economy in this time of war and also to support the ailing airline industry which is in so much danger of collapsing because of this war.

 

[baileygirlsmom]

We are leaving Friday and will arrive at WDW on Sat. for 6 nights. We wouldn't even consider not going at this point. Have fun and enjoy the "magic"!

 

[mslangen]

Hi,

My next trip starts on 29 april with a flight out of Amsterdam. If planes are flying, Walt Disney World is operating, and my country doesn't call a negative travel advice to the United States, I will go for sure.

Sorry for the war, but when Bush wants a war, I can't stop it.
I absolutely hate war and I think that president Bush made a wrong decision. Once again, I can't do anything against it.
The last thing that I want is that this Iraq war will disturb my Orlando trip. That I hate this war, will not mean that I hate America. For a few years the USA is a wonderfull vacation destination. If I travel to Florida, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. All the time I'v met very nice people. From hotel staff, to cast members, to airplane employees, they allways treated me very good.
Hope that I will have a nice magical vacation at Disneyworld and that unless this war, people are coming to celebrate freedom and peace at WDW.

Marcel.

 

[eeyore0062]

Luv2Travel, we are also heading down to WDW this Sunday. Seems like we will be in good company, though, as I have read that many others will as well.

As I suggested on another post, we should meet up and toast to our country, our military, our freedom and Walt Disney World!!!!

Hope that this trip will be a calm and magical time

 

[Ms. S. White]

We are suppose to leave Saturday am for 8 days. The more I hear about the war, the more worried I get.

How do you feel about the NO FLY ZONE over Disney? Should we feel safer, or worry about the seriousness of the beast?!?

 

[disney91]

We leave Friday and of course have concerns, but I think we should be thankful we have a president who is willing to protect us from terrorists like Saddam so we can enjoy our freedoms. Disney is just one of the many freedoms our nation has provided us with. Whatever your opinion about the war is, support our men and women in military and pray for there safety and quick return.

 

[Luv2Travel]

disney91 - very well said.

Ms. S. White - the mentions of WDW and DL being included with D.C. and NYC with no fly zones is giving me the "hebegebe's" (how do you spell such a word?). But I'm going to put my faith in WDW security, and hope that the publicized increased security will scare off would-be terrorists. So I guess my answer is that I almost feel safer knowing that WDW will really be on the look out.

I do believe that once we get there we will feel safe and have a great time. I truely hope everyone else going in the near future will be able to enjoy the magic of Disney as well.