Disney Help

[MorrowsMom]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this site so please bear with me. We took a trip to Disney 2 years ago and I am planning another trip this August. We lost my daughter in March and my DS has had a hard time. It will just be the 2 of us and I want to do everything I can to make this the best trip ever. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are staying at Pop 8/16-25 and have booked a 10 day park hopper with dining. Anything else I need to know

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I am sorry for your loss and my heart goes out to you and your son!

Yes, the first thing to do is call CRO back and tell them what you have just told us! They will also help (or they should) spread some magic for your son! If you do any character meals, be sure to let them know at the podium your son is going thru a ruff time right now, he may get that little extra attention that he needs from the characters. How old is your son & does he have any favorites?

 

[MorrowsMom]

He's 8 and he loves Donald Duck. His daddy loves goofy and he isn't able to join us for the trip so I'm sure my son will want to do something special for his dad too! He gets angry when we make a big deal out of losing his sister but I know he really just needs to feel like the most special kid in the world right now. I want to do as much as I can before we go so he doesn't think they are doing it just because he lost his sister.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

So sorry for your loss.

Absoultely let WDW and the wonderful Cast Members know about the situation.

My hopes and prayers for a great trip!

 

[Dengar]

I remember when I was a kid, the only thing that could make things better was to stay an extra day! So I think you're good there Seriously, just remember to go on lots of rides, get lots of candy/food and spoil the child like crazy with souvenirs! Also, get there as early as possible, and leave as late as possible!

Have an awesome time! Man, 10 days... Lots of fun!

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

I am very sorry for your loss. I agree with the above posters that you should call CRO and tell them what you posted. I am sure that this trip will help your DS feel very special.

 

[eliza61]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this site so please bear with me. We took a trip to Disney 2 years ago and I am planning another trip this August. We lost my daughter in March and my DS has had a hard time. It will just be the 2 of us and I want to do everything I can to make this the best trip ever. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are staying at Pop 8/16-25 and have booked a 10 day park hopper with dining. Anything else I need to know

Many hugs for you and your family.
Let your son take the lead! Get a tour book and a highlighter and you two go to town. See what he gets excited about and go for it. If you get a chance have lunch over at Beaches and cream, at the beach club for some really special ice cream (since you're staying at the pop, the easiest way to get there is to actually go on your epcot day and walk from the back of epcot right to the beach club)
Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[MorrowsMom]

Thank you all for the support and great tips, keep em coming! I'm a Disney World rookie so any advice is greatly appreciated. We bought the Birnbaums Guide and a hidden mickey book, anything else I should get before we go?

Thanks again, I really appreciate your time!

 

[spiceycat]

if he likes Donald - then be sure to eat at Donald's breakastsaurus
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men-brak.htm

donald is now also at Chef Mickey's for dinner
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_cmk.htm

some autograhy
http://home.att.net/~disneysue/characters/wdw/disneycharacters.html
http://www.mouseforless.com/downloads/CharacterFind.shtml

I like the passporter.
http://www.passporter.com/

 

[grannyminnie]

He might enjoy pin trading. My 7-yr. old granddaughter sure did! That would also give him some extra special interaction with the CMs.

 

[ihearttink]

Thank you all for the support and great tips, keep em coming! I'm a Disney World rookie so any advice is greatly appreciated. We bought the Birnbaums Guide and a hidden mickey book, anything else I should get before we go?

Thanks again, I really appreciate your time!

Sorry for your loss.

The Unofficial Guide to WDW is a must for us. I believe they have an Unofficial Guide specifially for parents and kids.

 

[lonelydreamer]

Thank you all for the support and great tips, keep em coming! I'm a Disney World rookie so any advice is greatly appreciated. We bought the Birnbaums Guide and a hidden mickey book, anything else I should get before we go?

Thanks again, I really appreciate your time!

Hugs to you!

The best piece of advice I can give you is to read read read these boards. So much valuable information is here! Ask lots of questions! Also, allearsnet.com has a lot of valuable info and pictures - things your son might be interested in seeing before your trip. Get some Disney park brochures before your trip. Being familiar with the layout of the parks before you go is very helpful, too!

I hope you guys have a fabulous time together!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

This post brought tears to my eyes. I am so very sorry for your loss. It must be so hard not only for yourself, but to also be the strong Mommy for your son. My DH lost his brother suddenly at a young age (although they were grown) and its been hard, I can't imagine how a child would feel.

I agree with what was suggested by speaking w/CMs. It might be a great experience for him to feel special separate from the situation. I don't know how you'd feel about this, but does he have a close friend or cousin that could be his buddy on the trip?

I hope you have an amazing time.

 

[dogsmom]

to you and your son!! I hope you have a wonderful time!!

 

[Colleen27]

My kids like the "for kids, by kids" guidebook as something to look over and check out the attractions before we go. And YouTube videos of the rides and nighttime shows have been a fun way to decide on the must-dos for this trip. My kids have really enjoyed being part of the planning for our vacations and getting to have some say in the plans.

As far as magical surprises, have you looked at some of the things the Disney Florist offers? Their offerings range from inexpensive to rather pricey, but for a boy your son's age, there are some pretty neat packages. They have a pirate hat full of candy for around $30 and a Mickey welcome basket with ears and an autograph book and some other stuff that is really cute for around $70. And they can have the basket waiting at the front desk when you check in, or delivered to the room while you're at the parks. If you aren't happy with what they offer, you could put together a basket yourself and ship it to the resort to pick up when you check in. That's what we're going to do, so that we can include all the goodies that I want to give the kids - autograph books with just the right cover, lanyards with just the right theme, penny books & Epcot passports, and some cheap pins for them to trade away.

This is such a wonderful thing you are doing for your son and for yourself. Follow his lead, and just enjoy the time together. That's the real magic of Disney, IMO - all that time to spend with our kids, without the intrusions of real life. Have a great trip!

 

[ALWEASEL]

Hi everyone,
I am new to this site so please bear with me. We took a trip to Disney 2 years ago and I am planning another trip this August. We lost my daughter in March and my DS has had a hard time. It will just be the 2 of us and I want to do everything I can to make this the best trip ever. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are staying at Pop 8/16-25 and have booked a 10 day park hopper with dining. Anything else I need to know

Hello.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
I think this will be a great trip for the both of you.
If he likes donald do donald breakfastsaurus.
Also does he like pirates?
If possible take him to the pirates and princess day at MGK If avialable.
Also i think they have a pirate and hero area by the bippidi boppidi boutique.
So he can look like a pirate and such.

I'm with everyone else.
When you get there tell the folks at disney.
They will treat you right.
Also go to fantasmic you both should like that.
Maybe a few character meals.
If he likes old west stuff maybe hoop-De- due.
Just have fun.
The both of you will remember this trip forever.

All the best.
Alweasel.

 

[Minniemom97]

If possible, let it be 'his' trip. By that I mean let him pick what to do, when to do it and how ever many times he wants to do it.

I did this with my daughter last year and she loved it (she was 8). She was in command - if she wanted to ride Space Mountain 3 times in a row, we did it. Honestly, it was fun for me to let her make the decisions based on what she wanted to do, not necessarily what I wanted to do or based on which line was shortest or too long to wait in.

Hope you have a good trip. God bless.

 

[kutchyone]

The Pirates and Princess Party is a great idea. I would do a waterpark on that day rest in the afternoon and then the P & PP that night. You won't be using a ticket off your MYW ticket so he will get extra time in the MK without you using a day off your ticket. Or if you already planned two days at MK you can then plan one day and the P & PP and plan an additional day at a park that you originally planned only one day at.

Make sure you make all your ADR's soon too once you decide where you will be on which days.

 

[OneBadApple]

You have my deepest sympathy. As a mom who has lost a daughter I know how you feel. Make sure that you not only take of your DS, but that you take care of yourself.

 

[MorrowsMom]

Thank you all so much, I am truly greatful not only for the suggestions but the support. We are compiling a list from your posts and will get to work on making sure this trip is the most amazing experience for both of us. I love the idea of making my son the leader, everything that's happened to him lately has been completely out of his control and giving that back to him will help tons. When I mentioned it to him this morning his eyes lit up, he said "you mean I get to decide where we go and when?" Thanks for that, it's been awhile since I've seen him smile for real. For those of you who have lost a child, my sympathies, it's the most unbelieveable feeling, I can't even describe it. Anyway, enough for now, I just want you all to know how much I appreciate everything, there is a special place in my heart for all of you. We will keep you posted on our planning process and ultimately our trip, it will be like you all are there with us! Please don't hesitate to let me know if there is anything else you think about!