DIS Dads DDC XXXIV: The Original Home Of The DISDads!!!

[Cinderella's Fella]

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Just rain here. It's my weekend off so of course it's going to rain.lol
I didn't post anything on fb, and would appreciate if nobody does but we got some bad news Friday, my brother was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. The worse part is he has had problems for a few years and he has been on meds. for it. They have been keeping an eye on it and now here we are. Has to go through more test, they are concerned that it may have gotten in the bone or lynphs.
He's a pretty private person and don't want people to know. But I had to vent some where.
So we have a few weeks to go and results of test to come back and there looking at surgery in a few weeks.
He and his wife just retired this past July.
Hopefully they caught it early enough.
Appreciate prayers, out of my four siblings and both parents, I'm the only one left who hasn't had a bought with some form. Kind of makes you look at things a little different.
If you guys could do me a favor and just keep it here for now. I'm sure it will show up on fb when he's ready.
Thanks for listening.

Praying

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Hey guys! Another newbie here… well, not so new to the DIS but new to this sub-forum. Not sure why I've never chimed in before, but I figured that I might as well now

My real name is Matt. I live in the western suburbs of St. Louis. I manage an IT team by day… and in my spare time, I love gardening, skateboarding, and of course Disney!!!

We live about 2.5 hours from Marceline, MO. (Walt's boyhood hometown. Amazing place, all Disney fans should make a pilgrimage someday!!!!) We're about 15 hours from WDW (we normally drive.) And 26 hours from Disneyland (yeah, we actually made that drive last summer. Fun!!!)

Luckily, DW is just as big of a Disney fan as I am (if not even more.) We had both been as kids, but our first trip to WDW together was on our honeymoon in 1998.

We've been going back fairly steadily ever since. As far as being a DIS Dad, I've got three kids (DD 16, DS 13, DD 8) They are all pretty stoked on the parks and Walt Disney too himself too.

My oldest DD:

My DS:

My youngest DD:

I guess that's enough of a intro/background. What's next for us?

My in-laws are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary by taking us all to Hawaii in June. We've never been before, so we are super stoked on that. None of DW's family are into Disney enough to want to visit Aulani, so we decided to rent DVC points and tack on a few extra nights on our own. So that was going to be our only Disney property experience this year.

And now, we have a somewhat unusual trip planned for May. The background:

Last summer, I read Lee Cockerell's book, "Creating Magic: 10 Common Sense Leadership Strategies from a Life at Disney." If you aren't familiar with Lee, he was Executive Vice President of Operations at WDW throughout the 90's and into the mid-2000's. Pretty much in charge of all 4 parks, all 20 resorts, waterparks, shopping, etc. He built a tremendous reputation within the company and is responsible for so many of the programs that we as guests love today. The book is pretty much about what you'd expect from the title. But it's awesome. Seriously awesome, and worth a read even if you aren't currently in a position of influence where you work. I've since drank the kool-aid and also read his time management book and listen to his weekly podcast too. Really. Good. Stuff!!!



Anyway, while he was at Disney, he had a huge influence on the "Disney Institute", which aims to teach Disney's leadership strategies to people like you and me...


https://disneyinstitute.com/

They have courses that teach many of the same principles (as well as others) in classroom environments.

After reading the book, I thought, how cool would it be to actually attend onsite leadership training?!?!? I shared the book with my boss last year, and he loved it too. We've since shared it with a few others at our office... and they liked it too. Anyway, I floated the idea of attending the leadership course last fall, and we penciled it into the budget. (Just me as the guinea pig this year.) I recently found out that our training budget was approved and I have the green light to move forward!!!!

So yeah, I'll be staying at the Boardwalk Inn for the first time. Sweet!!! So then, I thought, why not see if DW wants to tag along and join me? We will be depleting our vacation budget in Hawaii, so we didn't really consider bringing the kids along. And the original plan for DW was to not purchase park tickets and just explore and visit the resorts all week. Which is something that we've both always thought would be cool to do…

Except for once I was registered, I found out that two day park hopper tickets were included in my course. Hmm… I can't pass up some free time in the parks can I? I'm cool going by myself in the evenings after training, but it would be more fun to go with wifey. And then I found out that I can purchase additional tickets for my party at a steep discount. We might as well have DW get tickets too. Oh wait, 50% off rack rate for the room?!?! And it can be extended before or after the conference? It would be irresponsible not to at least add another night right? And it gets better... I can upgrade my two day hopper to a three day hopper for like $70 more? Sure!!

So we tell the kids…. We're going to WDW in May. "Dad has some work related training and mom will be tagging along and exploring by herself during the days." Of course, they were pretty jealous. Sorry, there isn't enough money in the budget to get you guys WDW tickets too. But remember, we're going to Hawaii in June!!!! So yeah, they think they'll be spending the week at their grandparents while we are off having fun.

But as many of you other DIS Dads might do in my shoes… I start to feel guilty about not taking the kids. You know what? Boardwalk Inn does sleep 5, we "could" bring the kids and it wouldn't cost any extra for lodging. Also, DD 8 turns 9 in June and will start counting as an adult… this is our last chance to get her in on kids prices. Oh, and DD16 and DS13 have been to WDW a lot more than DD8, that's not really fair. And those discounted tickets are just too good of a deal to pass up on, right?!?!? When you add all this up, we'd be bad parents if we didn't just bite the bullet and bring them with us, right? Well, right or wrong, we convinced ourselves it was right. So we raided some rainy day money that we've had set aside.

The fun part is, the kids still don't know they'll be coming with us. Tickets are purchased. FP+'s locked in on MDI. Magic Bands are all set for delivery. Etc. We surprised them in the middle of the night for a trip once before (woke them up and headed to the airport immediately) and it was fun! I think this time, we'll let them sweat it out for a while and probably tell them a couple days before we leave so that at least the older two can get all their clothes and gear in order on their own. But it will still be a surprise.

So yeah, super excited about this for several reasons: #1. I'm really looking forward to taking this Disney Institute course and then coming back and sharing what I learned at the office. From everything I gather, these courses are spectacular. #2. I get to visit WDW world this year after all, even if park time is only for one full day and a couple evenings. #3. The rest of the family gets a bonus trip! Yahoo!!!

If you are still reading along, I guess thanks… and Hello again!!! I really didn't intend to write such a long intro, but oh well.

Cheers!

WELCOME TO THE DISDAD'S CLUB Matt!





You have been added to The Official DISDad Members List on Page 1, Posts 8 & 9!

Your Official Member Number is #815!

To see where else you can find the DISDads on the internet, please check out Post 3 on Page One!


If you would like anything added to Page One about yourself, please send me a PM.​

 

[AirGoofy]

We finally made it and even have a room with the Murphy Bed.

 

[pkondz]

DS finished club basketball with a 5th place finish at the Provincial U16 championship. They lost 2 close games yesterday to the two teams that played in today's final and won an easy one today. He fouled out of the first game, had a so so 2nd game and a strong 3rd game. The best thing about the game today was the opposing coach is the Provincial team coach and DS will be spending parts of the next three weekends trying out for that team.

Not too shabby. How's his chances look to making the provincial team?

It's a cool day in this part of the Great White North but no snow and I did manage to BBQ some bacon-wrapped steaks for dinner.

Bacon-wrapped steaks??? You're not that far a drive away...

We finally made it and even have a room with the Murphy Bed.

That exists? I thought it was only an urban legend.

 

[declansdad]

Not too shabby. How's his chances look to making the provincial team?

Bacon-wrapped steaks??? You're not that far a drive away...

I think his chances are pretty good but you never now what could happen. He is probably one of the tallest, if not the tallest of the 15 year olds and he has pretty good skills. If he does make this team, national are in your part of the world this summer, Winnipeg is hosting the U15 and U17 Boys Nationals.

Sorry but the steaks are gone.

 

[declansdad]

View attachment 159985

We finally made it and even have a room with the Murphy Bed.

Have fun.

 

[budamacdvcr]

View attachment 159985

We finally made it and even have a room with the Murphy Bed.

Enjoy!

 

[pkondz]

If he does make this team, national are in your part of the world this summer, Winnipeg is hosting the U15 and U17 Boys Nationals.

Cool! Well, if you come by, let me know. We'll get together.

Sorry but the steaks are gone.

Dang it!!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Thank you everyone, I'll keep you posted. Hopefully they will operate in a few weeks.

 

[dvczerfs]

On a better note, I'm at the 158 day mark today for the 15 day, one bedroom boardwalk trip with just Tammy and I.
Can't get here fast enough!!
This morning is also Brianas Adr morning. She has some good ones planned out.
She is going a few weeks after we get home with a friend she met on the college program. B had been back since but the other girl hasn't. She is flying in from Oregon into Newark Nj, meeting up with B and they are flying in together.
The magic kingdom will never be the same. Lol

 

[budamacdvcr]

Top O the Mornin Dads! Booked FP+ this weekend for me and DS trip and got into Orlando yesterday. Off to convention center this morning for a week of setup. I hate being in Orlando without WDW plans but this event occurs every two years in Orlando so after over 20 years of this thing you would think I'd get used to it.

 

[declansdad]

Morning.


That is all.

 

[RMColosimo]

Man, we had a blizzard in Ohio(Northern) on Saturday, but it is all gone now. Opening day for baseball, but it is going to be a cold game day for the Indians.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hey guys! Another newbie here…

Welcome aboard Matt!

I should be able to carve out some time to tell the story on Tuesday. It's a doozie (and no, it doesn't involve jail time).

Then hopefully it involves the CIA and exploding helicopters.

I had 1-3 in a federal minimum security prison.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Just rain here. It's my weekend off so of course it's going to rain.lol
I didn't post anything on fb, and would appreciate if nobody does but we got some bad news Friday, my brother was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. The worse part is he has had problems for a few years and he has been on meds. for it. They have been keeping an eye on it and now here we are. Has to go through more test, they are concerned that it may have gotten in the bone or lynphs.
He's a pretty private person and don't want people to know. But I had to vent some where.
So we have a few weeks to go and results of test to come back and there looking at surgery in a few weeks.
He and his wife just retired this past July.
Hopefully they caught it early enough.
Appreciate prayers, out of my four siblings and both parents, I'm the only one left who hasn't had a bought with some form. Kind of makes you look at things a little different.
If you guys could do me a favor and just keep it here for now. I'm sure it will show up on fb when he's ready.
Thanks for listening.

Oh man, that's awful. Praying for him.

Sunday morning. First day of the work week for me this week.
But... I had three... three glorious days off in a row (although they did try to get me to work midnight last night... which would mean: work from 11pm - 7am this morning then back at work at 3pm... nope!)
Other than when I booked off a few vacation days in February, this is the first time this year I've gotten all my days off, off.

3 days off? Whoa. No wonder you didn't know what to do with yourself.

It's a cool day in this part of the Great White North but no snow and I did manage to BBQ some bacon-wrapped steaks for dinner.

NOW you tell us.

We finally made it and even have a room with the Murphy Bed.

Have a great time!

 

[IbeAbitGOOFY]

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Just rain here. It's my weekend off so of course it's going to rain.lol
I didn't post anything on fb, and would appreciate if nobody does but we got some bad news Friday, my brother was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. The worse part is he has had problems for a few years and he has been on meds. for it. They have been keeping an eye on it and now here we are. Has to go through more test, they are concerned that it may have gotten in the bone or lynphs.
He's a pretty private person and don't want people to know. But I had to vent some where.
So we have a few weeks to go and results of test to come back and there looking at surgery in a few weeks.
He and his wife just retired this past July.
Hopefully they caught it early enough.
Appreciate prayers, out of my four siblings and both parents, I'm the only one left who hasn't had a bought with some form. Kind of makes you look at things a little different.
If you guys could do me a favor and just keep it here for now. I'm sure it will show up on fb when he's ready.
Thanks for listening.

Praying for your brother and family.

 

[cj9200]

Sad but strange. DLP Cast Member found dead in Phantom Manor...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...theme-park-s-Phantom-Manor-haunted-house.html

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Sad but strange. DLP Cast Member found dead in Phantom Manor...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...theme-park-s-Phantom-Manor-haunted-house.html

Wow, wonder if they still have room for one more...

 

[cj9200]

Wow, wonder if they still have room for one more...

I was going to go there but decided to let someone else hit it out of the park.

 

[AirGoofy]

If anyone missed it from FB.

Expedition Everest front car.

 

[pkondz]

If anyone missed it from FB.

Expedition Everest front car.

View attachment 160339

I'm going to go out on a limb and say someone looks like they're having a good time.