Disney Help

[MorrowsMom]

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.

Lauren,

Thank you for saying that, sometimes I get so wrapped up in making sure everyone else is taken care of that I forget that I need to heal too. I'm sorry for your loss as well, no one can ever prepare you for the pain of losing a child.

Melissa

 

[WisMom]

I am so sorry for your loss.

I would recommend making reservations for your meals. With the dining plan, restaurants really fill up. Research the restaurants on the restaurant board and maybe find ones that your son will like.

WisMom

 

[MorrowsMom]

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.

We did talk about inviting a friend but after some time to think it over he decided that he really just wanted some mommy time. I can't imagine how he feels either, his counselor has been amazing and is very supportive of this trip. She said he just needs to get away, somewhere where everywhere he looks there isn't a constant reminder. I usually don't ask for help so this is terribly difficult for me but you folks have all been so great with your suggestions! We are finally excited about something and have an amazing adventure to plan and look forward to! Thank you for your support!

 

[LisaBi]

I second what everyone else has said about letting CRO know, and at the desk when you check in (Just say something like "this a very special trip for Timmy - he's been going thru a really rough time). The first time I ever took DS solo I thought it would be a one-time special trip. I said something at check in (DS was SOOOOO excited I had to say something!). A few days into the trip, we arrived back to the room to find a card and balloons from Mickey celebrating "your special trip."

Also, like others have said, make it a kid-driven trip as much as possible. When I take DS, he pretty much gets to call the shots. That really makes him feel special and grown up. And he just thrives on the one-on-one time with Mom. Of course there are limits on spending and junk food and such, but pretty much we go where he wants when he wants. Sometimes that means staying at the resort all day. Sometimes it means trekking back and forth across a park 20 times in a day. Sometimes it means riding the same ride over and over. Sometimes it means eating the same food at the hotel food court EVERY day. Once it meant "accidentally" running into the Power Rangers (forbidden at home.) But it's so worth it to see him enjoy himself so much.

(My DS has Down Syndrome and just doesn't get the social and recreational outlets that most other kids do. He just lives for Disney.)

 

[MorrowsMom]

Wow, what a busy couple of days. We have hi-lighted and typed and retyped our plans. This is so much fun and my DS is soooooo excited. He can't believe that I gave him the job of planning our trip. I can't tell you what a great idea that was! Everyday when we get home from work/camp we go to work on the Great Escape (aka Disney Vacation) named by my DS. He has 2 full days planned and is starting on the 3rd. I have written down all of your suggestions for him and he will be incorporating all of them. He is amazed that people that don't even know us want to help us have a great trip! I think I am going to be one tired mommy by the time he's done but it is all going to be worth it to see him just be 8yrs old again!

Does anyone know how early the buses start running from the resort? It looks like there are a few character breakfasts on our agenda and I need to be sure we can get there in time. My DS is a very early riser so I'm going to have to try to get the earliest ADR possible. Would it be better to take a cab on those days?

Thanks again,

Melissa

 

[OneBadApple]

Wow, what a busy couple of days. We have hi-lighted and typed and retyped our plans. This is so much fun and my DS is soooooo excited. He can't believe that I gave him the job of planning our trip. I can't tell you what a great idea that was! Everyday when we get home from work/camp we go to work on the Great Escape (aka Disney Vacation) named by my DS. He has 2 full days planned and is starting on the 3rd. I have written down all of your suggestions for him and he will be incorporating all of them. He is amazed that people that don't even know us want to help us have a great trip! I think I am going to be one tired mommy by the time he's done but it is all going to be worth it to see him just be 8yrs old again!

Does anyone know how early the buses start running from the resort? It looks like there are a few character breakfasts on our agenda and I need to be sure we can get there in time. My DS is a very early riser so I'm going to have to try to get the earliest ADR possible. Would it be better to take a cab on those days?

Thanks again,

Melissa

Melissa,

I'm so glad that you guys are having fun planning your getaway. I believe the buses start running about an hour before the parks open. I'm sure that someone that knows more will make sure that you have the right information.

 

[MorrowsMom]

Has anyone seen the lanyards available at Everything Pop? I was going to order a couple but if they are really cute I'll just wait and get them there. Also, any experiences with Pal Mickey? Should I get one delivered to the room with the autograph book, pen and treats? Are there several Pal Mickeys to choose from or do they all look the same.

Thanks,

MorrowsMom

 

[fla4fun]

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!

Maybe as part of the touring he could have a project of getting pictures with every Goofy he can, whether it's a statue, or a topiary, or a live character, or a bunch of Goofy toys, to make a scrapbook for Dad. Sometimes doing something for someone else can be a good distraction.

They usually release a new Pal Mickey every year or so, so the ones that are available right now would all be the same. You can get different outfits for him to wear to customize him.

There are so many great recreational opportunities at Disney, that no matter what your son is interested in, there's probably somewhere at Disney to indulge it. Between that and the parks, you'll have a great time.

 

[MorrowsMom]

That is a great idea, my DS will have fun posing with all of the Goofy's and then in the evenings we can print the photos and work on the pages of the book!! He's already been asking what he's going to find for dad and I think he will love this project.

Thanks for the Pal Mickey info, I think I'll get the disney florist to send one to the room along with a few other goodies and make sure that it's from Donald Duck.

I appreciate your time!

MorrowsMom

 

[flyingw/tink]

My DD and I will definately add you to out prayer list. We are in the process of planning a trip for just the two of us and she is sooooo very excited to help plan and know that she gets to pick where we go places so I'm glad that your son is enjoying this as well. You should definately go to the "Pay It Forward" link on this board. Find someone who is going a week or two before you and tell them what is going on in pm (private message). They will send your son a post card from Disney. Usually people just write "Can't wait to see you" and have them signed by Mickey, but I'm sure they would sign it from Goofy. I did this for my DD last time we went and had it signed by Cinderella and she was ecstatic. I hope you and your son have a fabulous time. Many hugs and prayers

 

[LBelle]

Sorry for your loss. I cannot even imagine what your family is going through.

As for your trip...we took our son for 10nts when he was 8, 2 years ago. He loved:

Water Parks

Disney Quest

A few character meals...especially Restrauntasaurus in AK. Yeah Donald!! Also big hits with him were O'Hana at the Polynesian and Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wildernes Lodge. Lots of fun for kids their age!!

He loved getting autographs and pics with as many characters as possible.

Rode in the front of the monorail with the driver and they gave him a Co-Pilot license!! It's in his scrapbook.

We let him take his own digital camera and he got some AMAZING pics!! Great to see a child's perspective on a holiday!!!

Fort Wilderness for Horseback riding in the morning, campfire sing-a-long at night with Chip and Dale, followed by a Disney movie under the stars!!! Another big hit!!

Checking out the Animal Kingdom Lodge at dusk. Animals are active then, CMs will tell you all about them and then there is a story time by the fire-pit later on. We had to miss this though.

Mini-Golfing at WinterSummerland!!!

Taking a LOT of time at the resort to swim and rest!! Late, LATE night swimming was also a big hit!!!


You guys will have a blast!!! Enjoy!!!

 

[skipperkim]

I too am sorry to hear of the loss of your DD. I also agree that letting CRO know immediately will help them make this a "special" trip for the both of you, since you both deserve it. Four days before departure, send the resort a reminder of how he's hoping to spend some time with his favorite character, Donald Duck. In fact, you might mention this to a CM at City Hall at MK. I'd give them a note, so he won't know just what is going on. They might be able to arrange something special just for him.

Have you considered a tour? You 2 could do the family tour. Also, on the last day, how about getting 2 ballons, one for him and one for a child whom he thinks needs some magic?

Don't forget about the photopass CD. It's $125 and you can load up to 300 pics on it. Take pics at different times at all the parks, they look so different at night as compared to the day time.

Oh, and be sure to use those snack credits. Dole whip is my suggestion.

 

[TxTiggergal]

I am so very sorry for your loss. Hopefully, spending this time together at Disney will help you both.

At that age, my DD really enjoyed having her own camera to take pictures of what SHE wanted to capture! Also, she used to enjoy just hanging out at the resort pool playing with other kids. The pool CM's usually have some sort of activity or game time planned, and she was always into that. And character meals are always a big hit too.

 

[MorrowsMom]

I too am sorry to hear of the loss of your DD. I also agree that letting CRO know immediately will help them make this a "special" trip for the both of you, since you both deserve it. Four days before departure, send the resort a reminder of how he's hoping to spend some time with his favorite character, Donald Duck. In fact, you might mention this to a CM at City Hall at MK. I'd give them a note, so he won't know just what is going on. They might be able to arrange something special just for him.

Have you considered a tour? You 2 could do the family tour. Also, on the last day, how about getting 2 ballons, one for him and one for a child whom he thinks needs some magic?

Don't forget about the photopass CD. It's $125 and you can load up to 300 pics on it. Take pics at different times at all the parks, they look so different at night as compared to the day time.

Oh, and be sure to use those snack credits. Dole whip is my suggestion.

Goodness, I'm teary. The idea of a 2nd balloon for another child in need of magic is an awesome idea! He is so giving that it will make him feel so great to make someone else smile. Thanks for that tip. I have added it to my must do list. Thanks also for the note idea, I have been trying to figure out a way to make him unaware of the fact that I want him to get some extra special attention. We are usually not needy travelers, just go with the flow kind of people but I really just want this to be amazing for him. I hadn't considered a tour, any particular one you would suggest?

 

[MorrowsMom]

I am so very sorry for your loss. Hopefully, spending this time together at Disney will help you both.

At that age, my DD really enjoyed having her own camera to take pictures of what SHE wanted to capture! Also, she used to enjoy just hanging out at the resort pool playing with other kids. The pool CM's usually have some sort of activity or game time planned, and she was always into that. And character meals are always a big hit too.

We did get him his own digital camera because he loves to take photos. I have a printer dock that we will take too so he can print whatever he wants to decorate the room and make the scrap book for his dad. Have you stayed at POP? Do they do fun activities at that pool too? My DS is a fish so I think we will spend a decent amount of time at the pool. He has 2 character meals on his itinerary and we are only on the 3rd day of planning. Thanks for the tips!

 

[skipperkim]

Goodness, I'm teary. The idea of a 2nd balloon for another child in need of magic is an awesome idea! He is so giving that it will make him feel so great to make someone else smile. Thanks for that tip. I have added it to my must do list. Thanks also for the note idea, I have been trying to figure out a way to make him unaware of the fact that I want him to get some extra special attention. We are usually not needy travelers, just go with the flow kind of people but I really just want this to be amazing for him. I hadn't considered a tour, any particular one you would suggest?

The tour he can go on is the Family Magic Tour:

http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#fmt

I have stayed at Pop and he'll love it. Be sure to get a pic of Goofy with the sport car and surfboard there. You might put in your fax to the resort that you'd also like an Epcot view in the 50's section at Pop.

As for being a needy traveler, hardly. After all, Disney is celebrating a year of a million dreams. I can't imagine someone who needs magic more than the 2 of you.

 

[Magic Carpet]

Donald Duck fan eh.......not sure if anyone has posted, but I highly recommend Mickey's Philharmagic (Donald is the main character!) 10 days...so you'll both have ample time to soak all the magic in. Take lots of pictures, he will cherish them as he grows older. Sorry about your loss, much love.

 

[MorrowsMom]

Donald Duck fan eh.......not sure if anyone has posted, but I highly recommend Mickey's Philharmagic (Donald is the main character!) 10 days...so you'll both have ample time to soak all the magic in. Take lots of pictures, he will cherish them as he grows older. Sorry about your loss, much love.

Mickey's Philharmagic is a show at MK? I'll get him the info so he can put it on his list. Is it an everyday show? He's on day 4 now so we still have lots of space left on our must see/do itinerary. Thanks for the tip!