DH back in August from Iraq for R&R

[mmarquez9]

Today I made the final arrangement for our family's trip to Disney World. DH is coming home for R&R from Iraq. We will be visiting Disney World from August 3rd - August 7th, flying from Maryland. Is there anything special I can have done for him while there? He is already so excited about going--spoke to him on the webcam this morning. Thank you so much for any suggestions you may be able to offer.

 

[mea1179]

Don't really have suggestions as to what they can do special for him, but as a former military spouse, I honestly think that every returning military personel should get a Disney Vacation with their families! It is such a magical place, and they surely deserve it!

Thank you SOOO much to your husband for such a great sacrifice he makes for all of us, and for the sacrifice you make in supporting him in such a hard time for all of you!

God Bless you and your family!

 

[hmdavid]

Yay! How exciting! You guys are going to have a wonderful time! We are planning a quick Disney trip while my husband is home on R&R next year. Thinking WAY ahead as he doesn't leave until this fall! Also going before he leaves with his family!

Can we get a little more info so that we can maybe be of more help?What types of activities does he enjoy? What type of food does he like? Are you travelling with others or is it just the two of you? Are you thinking a nice meal or an experience of some sort? I am sure that the wonderful DISers will be able to come up with something great!

 

[mmarquez9]

Thank you so much. While stationed in California we visited Disneyland so many times. But, this trip will be special for him and us. He is so excited--just the look on his face today after everything was finalized was priceless.


Dh's likes: Movies and BBQ
Overall, he likes being entertained. He is also your typical American soldier who loves adventure!

There will be three of us traveling. DD is 12. I would like to include one nice meal and a character meal. We will have 5 day hopper passes and will be staying at the All-Stars Sports Resort. Thank you all for any help you can provide. I will be viewing the boards much more to get a better idea on what will work for us.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

FYI, I believe Shades of Green (the AFRC hotel at WDW) offers a discount for folks coming on R&R.... might be something to look into. (It's a great location/hotel! )

Glad you guys get to take this trip together- I'm sure it will be wonderful to have him for a visit, but even more magical with the mouse!

Thank him from all of us!!!

 

[starbox]

Dh's likes: Movies and BBQ
Overall, he likes being entertained. He is also your typical American soldier who loves adventure!

I'd suggest the Hoop De Doo
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=HoopDeeDooMusicalRevueDiningPage

and recreation at FW:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ldernessCampgroundResortRecreationListingPage

Both a short ferry boat from the MK.

 

[mmarquez9]

Michelle, thank you. It took a little while to have his dates for R&R finalized or else it would have been Shades of Green for sure.

Starbox, thank you for those links, I will be checking them out for sure. I can't help but laugh at one of the threads started in reference to being a control freak. Of course everything will have to be all set before we fly out to include reservations and such. Can't head off to Disney without a plan!

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

Hi. My husband is also in the military. He spent 16 months in Afghanistan. We went in October for 4 days when he was on R&R and we stayed in All Star Sports. The baseball section is updated and rooms were very nice as a result. Try and not have a room facing the football field as it is noisey most of the time and is like an echo chamber. I would recommend you call and request a room in the tennis section since your husband will be on R&R and that is the quietest section. I know when they come home they are just happy to be with their families but they need some down/quiet time as well. Have a blast and utilize the Early morning Magic hours and/or extra evening magic hours. Spend part of the afternoon napping/resting by the pool or whatever back at the hotel. Having a break part-way through the day does wonders for the whole family. And if you utilize the evening magic hours you will be glad. It is VERY hot in Florida during the month of August so get out of the heat during the hottest time of the day. The parks are beautiful at night all lit up and I believe they have many more extended hours in August. I got our tickets at MWR while he was away. We had a trip planned for last year March as he was due to return in February. He got extended until mid-June. The trip was paid for and he asked me to take my grandson in his place, which I did. That trip was one week long and we stayed at Shades of Green. Love that hotel for couples. Love All Star Movies with the grandchildren. You can purchase park tickets right at the Shades of Green for the military price as well as on your base at the MWR. Also, Shades of Green runs a special package for families of military personnel on R&R leave after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Good Luck. Sounds like you and husband are very excited about going to Disney. Thanks to your husband for serving our country and God Bless America!

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

Just want to say "THANK YOU" to your DH for defending the land we love.
Also, if you go out to eat at WDW be sure to tell your hostess before you are seated that your DH is active duty and hoome on R&R. When we were at Mickeys backyard bbq last year they announced a soldiers name and gave a big round of applause. I was in tears seeing the pride in his eyes. And I didn't even know him.

 

[Russian-in-Kansas]

We are going for R& R in now a little less than a month!! What I did for my DH is the Richard Petty Driving Experience. I couldn't keep it a surprise like I originally wanted, so I told him and he was floored! He didn't even know such thing was possible.

 

[Floridian Princess]

Our good friend was in Basra, Iraq for the army,his wife wanted a special holiday for them when he returned[they have a 5 year old dd]She had heard all about disney from me so she decided to book wdw .She looked onto SOG but that is for US military not UK,so she booked All Stars Music.
They really enjoyed it as he said it really takes you away from all the bad in the world,I know he saw some horrific things out in Iraq which I won't write about as kids can read this site.
disney helped them connect as a family.
Thank you to all military US and UK for keeping us all safe, god bless you all.