Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[laurabelle]

My parents were how I first started going to WDW, being my first trip was when I was 4. That first taste and watching Disney every Sunday night... well, I was loving it. I keep going back because of that love, the memories and I see something different every time I go. I have 2 older sisters, who just dont get it like I do. I didnt start going a lot until I moved to North Florida (grew up in South Florida).

I am trying to stay at least once at each of the resorts, and love to stay at the GF, Contemp, PORS, and being a DVC owner... I love those too! (even living as close as I do).

I love all the parks equally, but am very much in love with the MK and I want to try and see Wishes everytime I go.

No object??? hmmm the Cinderella Suite?? lol probably a 1 bedroom DVC, so can have some comforts of home, or at the GF or Contemp.

Anytime of year is good for me, though Christmas is a favorite. With the lights, and festiveness, decorations and the Candlelight Processional

I have made some great friends here on the Disboards (singles thread), and we get together every so often. I have had a lot of fun with them. But I enjoy to go with anyone really.

I dont know about length of time. I have stayed 5 days as the most amount of time... maybe stay a week could be nice...

Thanks Snappy

I wish I had gone as a kid! I am making up for it though... It's so cool to meet up with other Disers!

 

[laurabelle]

What fun questions. I sort of squished them all together so I can see them as I answer.

I first went to Disneyland when I was 3, so I had a love of Disney as a child. DH had never been and really had no desire to go until we had kids. He had a conference in Orlando when DS was about 18 months old. We knew he'd never remember the trip, but decided it would be fun to take him. We did and fell in love with WDW. (Back then it was just EPCOT and MK, I believe.) That means we've been going for about 18 or 19 years.

Other than that first trip when we stayed off-site, we've stayed at Dixie Landings, Cabins at Fort Wilderness, Wilderness Lodge, Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Villas at Boardwalk, and Villas at Beach Club. Wilderness Lodge is my all-time favorite. I love the atmosphere there. So far I like the Villas at Boardwalk and Beach club the best of the DVCs. We've been more times than this looks like. We've stayed some places multiple times.

My favorite park is MK, hands down. I just love the magic of it all. My favorite attraction? That's a hard one. My main reason for all of my favorites is the theming. AK is Expedition Everest. Because I just loved it even though it scared the pants off me. The park formerly known as MGM is Rockin-Roller Coaster. I love that coaster. EPCOT is Soarin, I guess. I love the sights and smells. Sort of funny coming from a sensory defensive person. MK is probably Splash Mountain. I love the drop and the theming - gotta love Brer Rabbit. I don't think I can do an overall favorite. Just doing one per park was difficult enough.

I'd stay in the castle if possible. If you mean regular resorts and DVC, I'd go with Wilderness Lodge, although I love to try new places.

I love to go at the very beginning of the Christmas season...before the crowds are unbearable and while it's cool. I love the decorations.

I love going with my family. But it'd be fun to just go with DH too. I've just never had the chance to do that.

A week or 9 days is about right. Although we've done a couple of days on both ends of a 7 day cruise and that was great too. In some ways that may be my most favorite trip of all. You get the fun of the parks (and hit your favorite high points) and you get the relaxation of the cruise. Ahhhh. That sounds good.

Another Disney Kid! I would love to visit DL someday...the original! We are real princesses, I want to stay in my castle too!

 

[laurabelle]

My mom reminded me recently of the story of our first amusement park trip. Some friends of theirs had just returned from a trip to S. California and visited DL. They made such a production telling about it that my dad was jealous. We planned a driving trip from where we lived in Texas out west. We actually saw a lot, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, San Francisco, Hoover Dam, San Juan Capistrano, Las Vegas AND DL.

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

We proceeded to go to Six Flags and similar parks across the country (my dad was transferred a number of times) during the 60's and 70's, in Texas, Ohio, N. Carolina, Georgia, and I am sure others. He took us to WDW in 1978 shortly after DH and I were married.

DH and I went again in the 90's, taking our older 2 in 1994 and then a work related stay in 1995.

Fast forward to 2002 and we bought AP's and went 3 times, renting 4 BR houses.

We took a breather (and I was diagnosed) in 2004 and then went back in 2005 several times.

I really like feeling like all reality is suspended when I am there. I seem to be energized and not at all tired or cranky.

I really love MK above all the parks, although I like all four a lot. I really like finding a comfortable spot and people watch. I do end up waiting a bit to meet up with the rest of the family or going to get new fastpasses.

I love the music. I also love all the visuals, the landscaping, the colorful buildings, the seasonaly decorations. I love talking to castmembers and other guests. I like to pin trade. I have really enjoyed our DVC stays as things seem to be a bit more relaxed at these resorts, and other guests chat more, on the buses, at the pool, whatever.

I like knowing where things are located. I imagine lots of people like adventure, I guess I did too once upon a time, now I like knowing what to expect and where I am going. There are always a few surprises sprinkled in but I like counting on certain things, good bathrooms, good beds at night. I am a comfort loving creature. I love the live performers you run in all over the place.

The houses we rented on four different trips were nice, comfortable. with everyone having there own room and a great pool in the back yard that we used ALOT.

We are a different stage now, older kids, being onsite so that everyone can split up and meet together later works better for us now.

I adored WL last September, we are going back there for 3 nights in May and then on to our first stay at the Boardwalk DVC. I have also really like our Old Key West stays, I felt very relaxed there. The big 2 BR unit was especially nice, especially for only 5 of us staying at the time.

I love Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, and Splash Mountain. I also like Soarin' and TOT. I really can't handle the roller coasters anymore. I love the 3 D movies and live shows. and I never miss a Wishes fireworks show if I can help it.

I like to go when the weather is cooler. That being said we had an awesome trip last summer in late July/early August. It rained alot and the rain kept the crowds lighter and the temps cooler.

It was a great trip. I also liked our Easter and Thanksgiving trips. Also, our January trip, just DD and I, was great.

I am not sure what I would pick if we could stay anywhere. I would like to do concierge level at AKL once so we can do the sunrise safari.

I will always treasure our trips in 2002-2005 when everyone went, including DS.

I think our new way of doing it letting our DD's take a friend is also good.

I like a trip of about 10 days length. A week does not feel long enough. The first house we rented we stayed for 3 weeks (they gave us a free week). It was really too long for everyone but me.

I just find the time passes so quickly, and then you are home again.

Ok, I am done. Anyone else care to share?


GAGWTA!!!

And yet ANOTHER Disney Kid! I'm jealous! What an awesome trip your dad retaliated with! I love the music too. When I'm in a funk, or just plain happy, I'll put in my park music and I'm halfway there! Second star to the right!

 

[laurabelle]

Question for you lovely ladies:

Share how long you and your family have been going on trips to WDW. Tell what got you started going and what keeps you going back.

Where do you most like to stay, which is your favorite park and attraction and why? If money was no object, where would you stay?


What time of year do you most like to go? Who do you like most to visit with?
What is the length of your dream trip?

I am just feeling like going from last September to next May is too long a wait for me.
However, DH and I are so darn busy, I can't see a trip before May.


GAGWTA!!!

My sister started taking my nephew as a single mom. I was impressed that there was a place she could do that and feel comfortable. We joined her in Nov. 1997, the year the castle looked like a cake. My kids were 16months and 3yrs old. My youngest dd slept through practically everything, but was mesmerized my small world (she still loves it!) My oldest got to dance in the parade at MK with Cinderella and Prince Charming...I have magical pics that I cherish! We stayed at ASMU. Hubby and I still laugh at each of us having to carry sleeping babies all the way to the last building and up the stairs!

We returned in Dec. 1998. I was in the process of being diagnosed with breast cancer. I was due to have my excisional biopsy as soon as I got back from WDW. I knew I had bc, and I knew I was going to loose my hair. I had really long hair and the kids and I got hair wraps. I still have it. I had an awesome time!

Fast forward. We skipped going for a few years. I did my post-cancer celebratory trip to Atlantis in the Bahamas. When the kids got a little older we started going back. It was so cool when they could ride the bigger rides, although my youngest won't ride everything. The magic really blossomed! We were hooked. I took as many trips as possible, 2-4/year. Airfare was cheap, found the Disboard, the rest is history.

Favorite park: Epcot

One Favorite Ride in Each Park: Soarin', Peter Pan, Kali River Rapids, Rockin' Roller Coaster

Favorite thing to do in favorite park: Shop in Mitsokoshi, sit in Japanese Zen garden, watch Illuminations...

Favorite resort- I can't choose. Have stayed at lots of them. Really love the Boardwalk area. Staying there with a room overlooking the Village Green and Boardwalk was awesome! Sitting on the balcony at night watching the sites was fun!

Going for Easter Week, staying 3 nights at POFQ then 4 nights in a 2br at Vistana Resort. After that I have NO trips planned. I was going for free dining in Sept. but our APs will be expired by then, and I'm trying to pay down some debt. We are thinking about a drving trip this summer out to CO, so we'll see. WDW will always be my favorite! I really love the family time there above all!

 

[snappy]

Wow, that was a bunch of posts, Laura!! You were busy oh so early in the morning!! Are you sleeping? How are you feeling?

I love all the WDW stories, ladies!!! Makes me feel connected to WDw but especially with all of you. We all have different experiences and favorites. I actually seem to find something new each time to love. Traveling at different times of year provides variety.

I am in hopes that my brother Tom from NY will join us this summer.

 

[laurabelle]

Laurie- I have not been sleeping well the past couple of nights. I have had a long run of great sleep too...I feel ok. Just talked to my GI nurse. My WBC counts are still only 2.9, not rising fast enough, have been off the med that supposedly caused it since end of Dec. He's taking me off another med, recheck in two weeks, if it's not going up I have to see a Hematologist. I am trying not to think bad thoughts...I didn't realize how much I needed to be in WDW in my mind when I posted this morning!

 

[Amy]

Here's my Disney travel story:

Waaay back in 1963 when I was 4 years old, my cousin got married out in Calif. My dad saved up his vac and took a month off work and we did a road trip from Pittsburgh to Calif and back, hitting the main national parks and Disneyland. Since I was only 4, I don't remember anything about that trip, but my entire life my parents have always acted like I was a horrible kid for having no memories from that trip. Anyway, after my mom died, my dad gave me a shoebox full of old photos, and here's a shot of me and my brother with Snow White and one of the dwarfs:

No other trips until 1978 - my aunt moved to Ft. Myers, so my parents and I drove down to visit her over Thanksgiving and spent ONE DAY at WDW on our drive back home. I spent a week at WDW with 2 of my girlfriends in 1981 or 1982 (I remember they were just building Epcot) - we rented a trailer at Fort Wilderness and had a blast. River Country, trail rides, the luau at the Poly.....

Then no more trips until 1999 when our DS's were 7 and 9 years old, and we've been going every other year since, on odd-numbered years. Our 1st 2 trips we stayed at Port Orleans FQ; 2003 was going to be an extra-special trip since I had completed chemo and radiation in 2002 and was trying to get back to a "normal" life (if life CAN be normal after a cancer diagnosis?). I had POFQ reserved and my Dreams Unlimited travel agent e-mailed to tell me that we had to move to another resort because they were remodeling POFQ. Once I found out that we could upgrade to a deluxe for only $10 more a night, we jumped at the chance to stay at Wilderness Lodge; we'd dined at Whispering Canyon Cafe numerous times on prior trips and always hoped we could stay there. We were hooked, and WL is our absolute FAVORITE place to stay!

2004 was an "off" year for our WDW trips, but we decided to head out West to the Grand Canyon and to visit DH's brother who lives in LA. And since we were that close, of course we spent a few days at Disneyland.

2005 and 2007 were two-trip years for us - in addition to our family vacation during the summer, our marching band went to WDW in early Dec. both years. There's nothing like seeing your kids marching down Main Street!

Our favorite resort: WL for sure. POFQ would be a close 2nd. We also stayed at Pop in Dec. 2007, and I was perfectly happy there, too. As long as I'm at WDW, I'm happy!

Favorite time of year: we've only been in June or Dec., and so far Dec. is my favorite. I'd love to go in April/early May some time, but we've been planning our trips around school vacations. Once both boys are in college, maybe DH and I can try visiting WDW during other months IF we have any money left after paying for college!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OK, finally slowed down a bit and had a chance to re-read slowly through all the posts.

Beady Lady, what do you want most out of a possible surgery - is it relief of pain, or reconstruction, both or something else?

Merry, I absolutely love the "hand prayers". If you don't mind I'm going to print it up for my kids and also share it with their CCD teacher and keep a copy in my prayer box.

Ann, Meghan sounds very bright and ambitious. I'm sure she'll come across the path that will lead her to whatever it is she'll do. The camp sounds like a great experience. My first "real" job out of college was as a nurse at a summer camp.

Laura, just saw your last post.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Love that picture of you, Amy!

I loved reading all of your stories. Especially hearing your favorite resorts and attractions. I'll have to do a Part II as I forgot that:

Where do you most like to stay, which is your favorite park and attraction and why? If money was no object, where would you stay?

What time of year do you most like to go? Who do you like most to visit with?
What is the length of your dream trip?

Like others, we'd like to try all the resorts. We enjoy going to different places as it gives each trip a unique feel. It's hard to pick favorites, I've liked them all for different reasons.

I could probably say "Most Relaxing" would be between CSR and POR. "Most Luxurious" would definitely go to Poly Concierge. "Most Fun" would be a tie between Pop Century and Dolphin. "Most Therapeutic" would be YC as that is where we stayed after my treatment ended. "Most Magical" First Trip/ASMu. "Best Value" Dolphin. Believe it or not, the CR stay that I hungered for for so long would probably rank lowest as a) anything would be a let down after staying PLVC, b) I wasn't wild about our room location at the far end of the south wing (should have stuck with the tower) and c) the parks were super busy with unsupervised teens that trip, in late April IIR. And of course, I absolutely love being on the Wonder and Magic! (You're right, Laurie - doing Land/Sea is like 2 vacations in one.) Places I'd like to stay are OKW, CB, and WL (were booked there twice but changed it); and DS really wants to stay at AKL.

We've been in January (twice), February, April, August (twice), Sept (twice) and Oct (twice). Our favorite time to go is a) January and b) October (kids bday/F&W/MNSSHP). Would love to go in Sept but that's no longer an option. Least favorite: April (for reasons mentioned above).

I love all the attractions but do have a few favorites. HM favorite of all. RnRC and ToT next equally. Also love PoC, SplM, PPF. My favorite park is MGM /DHS. Love the music and "feel" of the park. Next is Epcot, WS specifically. We probably spend more time in WS each trip than anywhere else. Last month we spent a whole day there, no rushing at all. It was great, and even DH remarked yesterday there were no complaints from the kids about that at all, they loved it too. Too many favorites to name at WS but top three: 1) American Adventure (which was closed last month ), 2)getting fish and chips from R&C and watching British Invasion, and 3) Impressions de France (movie). And thanks to Laura, we're all hooked on Kaki Goris, yum on the Rainbow! (I also listen to my WDW CDs in my car on the way to and from work, they relax me.)

So I guess it's the "little things" that I like to do the most while at WDW. And when we don't get to all of them one trip, we save them for another time. And then again we're always finding new favorite things. It's endless. Which is what is so great about going there. The other thing that I really enjoy is Disney photography. I could walk around for hours just taking pictures. I would love to have a whole block of time just to do that, but it hasn't happend yet with the exception of one afternoon at CSR which was great. I will post some from last month.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

These were from a thread over on the PB about low crowd levels on our trip last month. It did get more crowded later on, but for a little while it seemed we had all of Liberty Square practically to ourselves!

First on HM for the day

(Splash Mountain without water)

[/

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some others (the last one is dedicated to you, Amy, LOL - PS looking good for your Valentine's photo )

[/

 

[Amy]

Some others (the last one is dedicated to you, Amy, LOL - PS looking good for your Valentine's photo )

[/

Linda - ! The DIS is very educational - I never knew that before, it was new even to DH, and he flies a lot for work.

I meant to tell you when you first posted your photos on the Photo Board that I really liked the Eiffel Tower shot.

Ooh, am I still in the lead on the Valentine's voting? Goody! I'll have to head over and take a look. It's been a while since I had a photo make it to the final voting. Long time until the voting closes at the end of the week, though. I'll have to get DS to log on and give me another vote.

 

[snappy]

Those pictures made my day, Linda, and my day needed a lift as I am feeling truly overwhelmed today. My boss has been out since around Dec 17th, with taking a few days off, dealing with her mom's sickness, and then having a bad case of pneumonia herself. Today I get an email with a long list of stuff she needs to send out in advance of the board meeting. YIKES!! She wants it all either Wednesday or Thursday. Some of this stuff I did not even know she provided to the board. Of course it is also payday Thursday and I am still working on the 1099's. Long day for me with no break today. I am trying to remember why I accepted this job.

Laura, I am sorry you numbers are still down. Do you feel run down? Hope this WDW memories help cheer you abit. I sure love them, and the pictures, AWESOME!!!

Amy, wow, I think we were at DL the same year, 1963. I was already close to 10, my sister was 6. I do remember a lot of our trip. I think it was almost 3 weeks long. I got so sick when we were in elevated areas, I had terrible motion sickness as a kid. I can't imagine what my parents were thinking. We even slept in the car some (we had a big station wagon).
Loved that picture from the past by the way. I am sure my mom has one or two of us, black and white of course.

Wow again, we were also in WDW in 1978. Our DS also marched in the school marching band on Main Street Mardi Gras 2005.

Our lives seem to be on parallel planes.

Having to mostly travel now during the summer so that the kids don't miss school is the pits. I guess we will end up trying to go again at Thanksgiving or Mardi Gras, when they have more than just a 3 day weekend. I am always trying to figure out low crowd time.

Linda, were the parks that empty all your park days on this last trip?

 

[Amy]

That is too weird, Snappy! Maybe we even saw each other in some ride line way back when and didn't know it.

My mind is fried.....big milestone tonight: DH and I just filed our very first FAFSA for DS18. Pain in the butt, since we won't get a penny. But you have to do it anyway. Tomorrow night we tackle the college's financial aid form. And then I guess we just sit back and wait for all the tuition and fee bills to arrive!

 

[snappy]

That is too weird, Snappy! Maybe we even saw each other in some ride line way back when and didn't know it.

My mind is fried.....big milestone tonight: DH and I just filed our very first FAFSA for DS18. Pain in the butt, since we won't get a penny. But you have to do it anyway. Tomorrow night we tackle the college's financial aid form. And then I guess we just sit back and wait for all the tuition and fee bills to arrive!

Oh boy, I did the CSS one on Jan 15th, and need to sit down and do the FAFSFA.

Believe me the FAFSFA is a picnic after doing the CSS. We did the FAFSFA last year to, for DS19, who is a college freshman this year.

The CSS is the one a lot of the private schools use. You have to give actuals for 2006, estimates to be followed up with actuals ASAP, and estimates for 2008 for:

taxable income for the parents AND each student, medical expenses, medical coverage premiums, tuition for kids in elementary and high school, tuition, room and board and fees for college age kids.

They also require info on your house, your mortgage, the age and make of each car you and your kids drive, how much, if any, you owe on them, your bank accounts, your investments of any kind, your college savings, your retirement savings. I was waiting to be asked for my height, weight, and measurements, hey they left that off??!!

It was unbelievable. I don't have a clue how much I'll make in 2008. The fewer hours I have to work the better, but who knows. Also, who knows what their kids will earn???

OK I am a CPA and I still thought it was long and involved. And to think now I have to back and update it as soon as our tax return is finished.

Our state schools require you do do the FASFA for the tuition scholarship that good students who reside in Louisiana receive. So you do need to do it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laurie, sorry things have been so stressful.

IIR I didn't think your going back to work was a good idea.

were the parks that empty all your park days on this last trip?

Only MK was empty like that for a little while on opening. We tried to avoid times we knew would be busy (like Saturday at MK) and evening EMHs as the ones in August were downright awful. We went to Epcot Sunday evening and it was slow, we walked on SE, TT and attractions in the Living Seas. That was the night we went to MK after Epcot closed and that evening EMH by report from others who were there was that it was awful, but when we got there at 9:30 or so, many were leaving and some of the things we went on were walk on (but HM and PPF still were posting 20 min waits). We went to an early EMH at DHS and that got very crowded pretty quickly, but we did most of what we wanted to do first thing so we were good. Hit Sci Fi for lunch, caught the parade on the way out, then we blew out of there. We skipped AK this time as we were just there in August. Our whole day at the WS we thought the crowds were low.

 

[snappy]

I am sorry I whined so much last night, compared to most here, I SHOULD have little to complain about.

Yeah, Linda, my mother is kicking herself for giving my name out to her friend Madeline. I just keep thinking it will go part time at some point and anyway with two in college next year we are going to need the $$$.

I am in hopes that when my boss gets better and comes to work on a regular basis that things will improve. She said on the phone yesterday that she realizes her being out is putting a strain on the assistant director and me. What she does not know is that the asst director told me yesterday she will be out the rest of the week due to the death of her husband's uncle. I don't begrudge her, she has been working hard but I still was worried when she told me about being out.

Regardless, it does give me some satisfaction that I can pull off working again. I also think my brain function is improved if that doesn't sound too stupid. Accounting can be like a big freaking puzzle at times. I am finding that I struggle with finding the right word less. My way of seeing the glass as half full.

but boy do I need some WDW therapy. I want to apply it directly into my bloodstream. I am thinking of getting a ipod and use Disney music to zone out, the way I used to use Bruce Springsteen music back in the day to zone out in the 80's. No earphones then, I just rocked out in my office (we worked a lot of nights and weekends during the growth era of the company I worked for in New Orleans).

Those were the days. NOT!!!!!

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA our sisters here, old and new!!

Laurabelle...thinking of you!!

Laurie-not a good time of year to be a CPA speaking as daughter of one and sister to 3, no wait-sister to 2 since one has totally gotten out of that field!

Linda (and May too!) --THANK YOU for sharing the pics! I needed that too

We are having a messy storm today -8 inches of snow overnight now turned to ice/sleet and inches of rain expected later. The snowblower broke while DH was trying to make a path down the driveway for me. The city has not plowed the road since the middle of the night, so even if I make it downthe driveway I won't make it up the slight incline on our road going to the main road. I'm supposed to work 10-6 today.

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA our sisters here, old and new!!

Laurabelle...thinking of you!!

Laurie-not a good time of year to be a CPA speaking as daughter of one and sister to 3, no wait-sister to 2 since one has totally gotten out of that field!

Linda (and May too!) --THANK YOU for sharing the pics! I needed that too

We are having a messy storm today -8 inches of snow overnight now turned to ice/sleet and inches of rain expected later. The snowblower broke while DH was trying to make a path down the driveway for me. The city has not plowed the road since the middle of the night, so even if I make it downthe driveway I won't make it up the slight incline on our road going to the main road. I'm supposed to work 10-6 today.

Please be careful, Ann. This is scary. Do you have snow tires? My parents lived in Hartford and Ohio for a few years, I have heard of snow tires. Do they help? I would think 4 wheel drive would be the best option as well?

We had a hail storm with funnel clouds spotted yesterday. Snappy was a nut case, according to DD17 who was still home sick with the flu. I was glad I brought my lunch so I did not have to go out. The traffic was still a nightmare at 6 pm when I headed home.

Well, heigh ho it is off to work I go! Bye, my friends (as McCain would say).

 

[MerryPoppins]

Merry, I absolutely love the "hand prayers". If you don't mind I'm going to print it up for my kids and also share it with their CCD teacher and keep a copy in my prayer box.

Yes, of course you can share the hand prayers. That's why I posted it here. I thought somebody else might like it.

I'll admit...I skimmed tonight. Today has been a busy day. It's my birthday and I had a nice one. Just finally had a chance to sit down and relax. I'm 47. Creeping closer and closer to the big 50. That doesn't really bother me.

DS took me to lunch today. He was really sweet. Amazing how after they are total jerks, kids can be so great. Anyway, he shared a newspaper article with me. I haven't had time to read it yet, but he says folks at the University of Oklahoma have discovered a new cancer drug. It's only been tested on lab animals, but it arrests the growth and spread of the cancer cells. They're getting ready to start human trials and hope it will be available in a few years. It doesn't kill the cancer, but since it can't grow or spread, it's stopped in it's tracks. I'd suppose they could do surgery or radiation at that point. Interesting stuff. I'll try to find the article online or scan my copy for the rest of you if you're interested. He thought it was really cool.

GAGWTA!