Cousin returning from Iraq and headed to WDW, I need ideas!

[Luv2Travel]

My cousin will be coming home in 2 weeks after serving his country for over a year in Iraq. In 2 weeks and 2 days he is going with his DW, Mother, and DD (3) to WDW. Unfortunately he is not going because he is a huge WDW fan , but because his wife is having to attend a convention there (staying at Coronado Springs Resort). They will only be going to the park for 1/2 day during the 3 full days that they will be there. She has to work long hours and he will probably be too tired to really do the parks in July.

So my request for help is this: I need ideas of what I can have delivered to their room to welcome him home and to help him have a relaxing good time while at WDW. I don't want to break the bank, but want to send something thoughtful and nice. Any other ideas of what to request at CSR would be appreciated. Thanks for any help!

 

[laceemouse]

No real ideas, just hope that they take that baby to Fantasyland and have a great time! Maybe send them a gift basket to the room or something? I think you can order them through the Disney florist?? Even if they don't do much park time, I think he and his mom and the child could have fun doing some pool time, having a few relaxing meals, and such....tell him "Welcome Home" and thanks from me !

 

[JERSEYDISFAN]

This may draw more attention than he would like, however, it's a suggestion. Look up a button maker in the yellow pages or on the internet and order a large button that says, "Just Back from Iraq" for him to wear while at WDW. I'll bet his hand will be sore from being shaken and he won't be able to pay for a beer anywhere he goes.

 

[canda]

Make contact with Magic Kingdom security about the Flag Ceremony. It is very moving and he may be able to take part. The security guards do a great job and everyone around has always been respectful. They will honor cousin.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

You can order a gift basket from Peggy here on the board. Her User ID is FeralPeg and she has one of her many baskets in her siggie.

I'm always so jealous of people that order her baskets because they look FABULOUS!!!

Oh and more importantly - THANKS to your cousin for serving!

 

[Mariaºoº]

Congrats on your cousin coming back! My husband just got back not too long ago himself. Walt Disney World is absolutely wonderful and I'm so glad that he's going, but just a warning he may need loads of down time. Normally the post traumatic stress isn't seen until 4-6 months after their return from Iraq, but if he should experience this so soon after his return be prepared. Him and his wife will more than likely need some alone time as well. Don't fill his days with go, go, go, go, go. Just some friendly advice from what I've seen in my husband and the guys in his unit.

 

[BlindTyldak]

I was going to suggest trying to arrange for the flag ceremony as well. It would be so appropriate since he is so recently back!

 

[hockeybabe]

CSR has great spa facilities, I wonder about a massage?

 

[Jrabbit910]

Hi Luv2...
Imo: If you know where he is staying and what times he will be there I would call the resort and pay for a dinner for them (just the cousin & wife). Explain to the front desk that he will be there for his wife's job and you want to do something nice. They can make the reservations for u and tell them that after dinner you would like a dessert for the two of them and make it extra special by writting on the plate... "THANK YOU"- thank you would be for serving our country...I am sure they can get an american flag somewhere for a little decoration to go in it as well. If this idea didnt work for you, maybe you can just call the front desk and have a gift card waiting for them when they check in and they can use it on what they want...

Hope this helped... and when you talk to your cousin... tell him I said THANK YOU!

 

[nascarcheshirecat]

maybe see a game on the tv at the espn place? or mini golf, or a round of golf? or going to cape canaveral?
or just a dinner out? minor league ball game?
fantasmic show with dinner? one of those behind the scene tours? limo from the airport to disney?

tell him thanks from this diser!

 

[nascarcheshirecat]

in the above, i meant get gift certificate for one of those things.....

 

[indigoxtreme]

Tell him thank you, another vote here for you to contact Feralpeg Peggy her baskets are great and she could come up with some good ideas.

 

[gigi1313]

feralpeg's website is www.peggyssweetsandmore.com and i'm sure she'd do a great job preparing something for your cousin/his family

a gift cert for a massage might be appreciated...

tickets to dinner at HDDR?

limo to/from airport?

fishing excursion?

fireworks cruise?

segway tour (just for cousin while wife is at convention/g'ma is w/dd)?

pizza and a bottle of soda or wine delivered poolside?

 

[tchrrx]

I just checked out the site listed above for the baskets. Since it is so near the 4th of July, there is a patriotic Mickey and a patriotic Pluto available. IMHO, they are really cute (esp the Mickey) and would make a great addition to one of the baskets. The patriotic plushes were listed under the holiday offereings.

 

[Luv2Travel]

WOW! So many excellent ideas (that I would have never come up with) - I knew the DIS family wouldn't let me down. I am going to check on several of these ideas tomorrow and see what works best.

Thanks for the link for the gift baskets, love the idea of patriotic Mickey and gift certificates! Also love the massage idea - good one.

I would give anything if he would be in the parks at the time of the Flag Retreat Ceremony - that was an awesome idea, but I don't think he'll be going back late in the day.

Thanks so much for the words of kindness, I will pass them on. His family has been so strong during the last year. I don't know how military families deal with the seperation. It takes incredible, brave families to make such sacrifices.

Hugs to you Maria, so glad your sweetie is back home too!

 

[sticker231]

I like the "Back from Iraq" pin idea. I know its Seaworld, but it is moving when they salute the troops before the Shamu show.

 

[Mariaºoº]

WOW! So many excellent ideas (that I would have never come up with) - I knew the DIS family wouldn't let me down. I am going to check on several of these ideas tomorrow and see what works best.

Thanks for the link for the gift baskets, love the idea of patriotic Mickey and gift certificates! Also love the massage idea - good one.

I would give anything if he would be in the parks at the time of the Flag Retreat Ceremony - that was an awesome idea, but I don't think he'll be going back late in the day.

Thanks so much for the words of kindness, I will pass them on. His family has been so strong during the last year. I don't know how military families deal with the seperation. It takes incredible, brave families to make such sacrifices.

Hugs to you Maria, so glad your sweetie is back home too!

Thank you!