Day 3-7 trip report: My little disney family just arrived...without me!

[dizneygirl123]

First and most importantly thank you for giving of yourself for our freedom. You said it was only your job - most jobs do not demand as much from us or our families. My hats off to ALL of our women and men serving our great country.
I hope your husband and kids are showered with pixie dust all week and that you get to visit soon with them so you will all be treated to some MAGICAL MOMENTS. You may even own a little more magic by then!!
We just returned from DW and the weather and crowds were both great.
Thanks for your giving of yourself and thanks for sharing your story
GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU

 

[robandkelly13]

I have to say my Heart is with all my fellow soldiers. I joined the Army in 1995 and I was Medically retired in 2006 at 100% disability, from Iraq. I would not change any of it. Well maybe the IED part, but oh well it happens. I was one of those people who were deployed in every Unit I was in. Keep your head up and you are doing the right thing by letting your family go on. From one Veteren to another I Thank You. Be safe I will be praying for you and your family. Rob

 

[marshmallow]

Like the others who have expressed appreciation include mine. It is not the normal job when you have to be separated from your family.

Now about the lack of fellow disney fans around you... thank goodness for the internet and the disboards. My husband works for Disneyland at his dream job but before and now I am the Disney fan in the family. My daughter comes second to me but she draws the line at boards and meets. She worked at Disneyland all through college and freaks to think I would actually attend a meet! "Mother please that is too much!" I love reading about the trips others are having and living vicariously through them. Is your husband the only adullt on the trip with the kids? Hopefully he is taking pictures and sending them to you.

Our first trip to DVC since purchasing is in January.

 

[della]

Hope your family has a great trip. You have so much to look forward to. I am in awe of you (both for the sacrifice made for your country and for that upcoming WDW marathon too!)

 

[DIZZNY]

It took me forever to go to sleep last night since I was so excited for my family but I got about 5 hours so that will have to do. Holidays are typically the hardest being separated from them and I thought this vacation may be difficult, too. BUT, I am so excited for them and being able to report about it to you all has, so far, made this a very positive experience. I am trying to control the urge to call and find out how their evening was. I know they are sleeping since it is midnight and my poor husband was up at 3:30 to catch the very early flight. Again, thank you all for your thank you's. It is nice to hear about all your family and friends who have served.

I have to say my Heart is with all my fellow soldiers. I joined the Army in 1995 and I was Medically retired in 2006 at 100% disability, from Iraq. I would not change any of it. Well maybe the IED part, but oh well it happens. I was one of those people who were deployed in every Unit I was in. Keep your head up and you are doing the right thing by letting your family go on. From one Veteren to another I Thank You. Be safe I will be praying for you and your family. Rob

THANK YOU for your service and sacrifice. You really are a hero.

DH and I just returned from AKV on Wednesday. I'm ready to go back! Our first time in October. I couldn't believe the lack of crowds. We usually go during school vacations. Its a great time to go with the kids. I hope they have a great time - keep the reports coming.

Thanks so much for your service. Your family must be so proud.

October rocks for crowds and weather. We have gone in October for years now. My daughters' school has a fall break. It is only 1/2 a week but we take advantage of the situation and pull them for the first couple days of the week. It is so worth it with the crowds being minimal. We are moving next year and I was checking out the school calendar - no fall break and no real spring break. Ouch! They do get out early for the summer but, since it is in the North, can be delayed depending on snow days added on. Makes it hard to plan at the 11 month mark.

Can't wait to see how day 2 goes for them. I have to get to work, now. Later...

 

[disneymom8589]

Thank you so much for serving our country! You and your family sound very special and I'm glad they were able to enjoy a trip to AKV. When you return you are bound to have many DVC vacations to look forward to!

 

[DVCJones]

Bless you and your family! Thanks for your service and hope you are all together again soon!

Ditto!!!!!!

 

[edk35]

I know it must be so hard for you to not to be with them. ((((((HUGS)))))) I hope you get to take a trip very soon with your family. Thanks for all that you are doing, sacrificing and living without while overseas. My husband has been 3 times so I have a little knowledge of what it is like over there... to an extent. I truly admire and appreciate your service. You are a true AMERICAN HERO. God Bless and I hope you return soon. Let me add that I am sure they miss you very much too......this trip is probably very different for them.

 

[justloveit]

God bless you and your family. Hope you all have a wondeful family trip together very soon. You have my heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifice made by you and your family.

 

[DIZZNY]

My husband LOVED AKV concierge. Anything that makes life easier for a "single dad" is very much appreciated but he said from check-in to check-out, the staff were wonderful and the snacks/drinks were great. We had a savannah studio on the 5th floor due to the renovations and he said the view was great. He has even hinted at another add-on so we can do concierge more often but, honestly, we have too many points right now so I don't think we can handle that one. Anyways, they woke early on Sunday and ate breakfast in the lounge, caught an early bus to AK after getting a wheelchair for my MIL(in remission from cancer and no strength to walk through the parks). It was pretty crowded and hot but they caught the safari, a few other rides and really enjoyed the NEMO show. By 1 pm, they were done and headed back to AKL to grab my MIL's car and head to WLV. We don't do the park nazi thing anymore. We typically get up early, hit the parks til about noon and head back to the pool when it starts getting really crowded. They stopped by concierge for a quick snack and to add my MIL to the Hoop De Doo and Luau reservations made for later in the week. Again, concierge staff very helpful with everything. He said check-in to our 1 bedroom at WLV was no problem and was room ready at 3 pm. The room is on 5th floor with the slightly different ceilings/balcony that I have read about on the boards previously. We have never had a room on 5th floor before. He said it feels more "rustic." The room was clean and in good shape. So, all good at the World. More later...

 

[marshmallow]

I think I will have to try that concierge at AKL sometime. It sounds good.

So you Husband is taking care of 3 girls now. Moms are not the easiest to handle. Hopefully your mother-in-law is feeling good and your family is able to enjoy this time together.

 

[DIZZNY]

I think I will have to try that concierge at AKL sometime. It sounds good.

So you Husband is taking care of 3 girls now. Moms are not the easiest to handle. Hopefully your mother-in-law is feeling good and your family is able to enjoy this time together.

Yes, I didn't really think about it until you said that but yes, he kind of is. Yesterday, the poor guy was trying to keep track of our daughters while pushing my MIL in the wheelchair through the tight, crowded walkways at AK...while talking to me on the phone multiple times. Poor guy. He said she almost fell walking to the bathroom once but overall did pretty well. The last time we all went, she had insisted on wearing her "pretty sandals" and one fell into the water while she was getting into the boat at Pirates of the Carribean. It was soon followed by the smell of burnt rubber as it was caught in the belts under the boats(sigh). Luckily, I have the same size feet as she does. I gave her my sensible running shoes and walked back to mainstreet in my stocking feet to purchase another pair of shoes. Memories. It is all good, though. We are blessed to still be able to make more memories with her.

I think he forgot his phone today. I keep getting the voice mail. Hmmm....he might have done that on purpose or subconsciously so he didn't have to juggle so many things at the same time. If he did, I can't say that I can fault him for it. Oh well.

 

[ccigliano]

Thanks to you and your family for the sacrifices you make to keep us all safe. I am so glad they are enjoying their time and so glad that your MIL is experiencing it after all she's been through. WLV is my home resort and obviously my favorite. Hope they enjoy their stay and tell them hit the Electrical Water Pageant at 9:30 one evening - its perfect considering where you are. They'll know what I mean at the end of the performance and can tell you about it the next day. I also love to walk on the nature trail over to the campgounds - you'll see turkeys, deer and the infamous WL rabbits (they are everywhere and oh so adorable), tell them to save some carrots from those kids meals. Thanks again - we pray for your safe return and hope they have a blast!!!

 

[marshmallow]

I think he forgot his phone today. I keep getting the voice mail. Hmmm....he might have done that on purpose or subconsciously so he didn't have to juggle so many things at the same time. If he did, I can't say that I can fault him for it. Oh well.

I am sure many husbands would leave the phone behind. They don't seem to understand our need to live vicariously through their experiances. Mine is really bad at the details or he drives me nuts telling a story very slowly. I guess that is why we have the boards and trip reports. We can read someone else's story and escape to the world with them.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

How's the trip going for your family?

As others have said, Thank you...for everything, and God bless you and your family! Hope your DH can send you tons of pics when he returns home!
-mary

 

[dgaston]

Let me add my thanks for your service too.

 

[DIZZNY]

OK, so he didn't forget the phone. He just forgot to charge it. They had a great week overall. They went to MK multiple times and Epcot once. My FIL joined them for one day and they all went to lunch at CRT. They were made the Royal Family and were the first for pictures with Cinderella, up the stairs, etc. My daughters were mortified - one being pre pre teen and the other being quite shy. My MIL thought it was great, though. They were lucky to get the all day Fast Passes coming off one ride and they enjoyed not waiting in the lines. Hoop de doo and the Spirit of Aloha shows were both hits. We have always loved HDDR but this was my MIL's first time and she apparently laughed so hard she cried. It was a first for the Luau and they really enjoyed the entertainment and food. I had heard mixed reviews on it but my husband liked so much, we are booking it again for March. He said it was pretty crowded this week but nowhere near the crowds in the summer. They are relaxing by the pool this afternoon and getting geared up for their early flight out tomorrow. Another wonderful trip home. I can't wait to go with them in January!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks for sharing your family's trip with us!
Bobbi