First, I don't mean to insult any of my fellow DISers with the title of this trip report, but after 8 days of WDW over Spring Break, and after reading my trip report, it'll all make more sense than it does now.
Second, I have never written a trip report but have enjoyed reading many, many reports over the years as I have researched, planned, and dissected our previous and future WDW trips. Like many of you, DIS has become somewhat of a second 'job' for me, one I love, but I get a bit obsessive about the planning...but hey, planning is just part of the fun for me!
Third, my trip report won't be as detailed as the majority, I didn't take notes or keep complete itineraries of each day of our trip! I do have most receipts which may help me with my memory...
OK - the background. My trip companions were as follows:
ME - 39 year old Mom... public school administrator
DH - 41 year old Dad...police officer
DD - 17 year old...going off to college in the fall...
DD - 14 year old...going off to high school in the fall
DS - 10 year old...off to grade 5 in the fall
FACTS:
*sixth trip for all but oldest DD (one extra school trip thrown in the mix)
*previously stayed at the Poly, Contemporary, All-Star Sports, POR, and off-property at at nearby Condo (timeshare...learned our lesson the first trip to never do this again...wasn't for us).
*decided to stay at the Dolphin to have easier access to MGM, Epcot, and Boardwalk.
*though we have been to WDW numerous times as well as other trips, decided on WDW again b/c it can please all family members. A week at the beach in the Caribbean would bore the 10 yr. old (we've done it) and burn their Irish skin (oldest DD and I tan, the others burn!), DH didn't want to do a cruise (last year), vacation time too short for Europe...so being the Disney Nuts that we are...decided on Disney for the senior's last hurrah before deciding which great university will have her on their roles in the fall (or who will receive one of many checks from this family of public servants...).
Next step: the planning
where to stay? when to go? transportation - drive or fly? dinner reservations? Oh the planning - hours on DIS... checking flights, estimating drive time (never attempted to drive from the Boston area and glad to say still haven't...too much time!)
We decided
on an Epcot resort. Kids are older and though we love the MK, we tend to favor Epcot and MGM. Heck, we love the AK too. Found a great rate for the Dolphin (no teacher or govn't rate, but $229 for a deluxe was great). Then by reading DIS consistently, found out about a AAA rate ($194). Decided to just get one room, we are never in the room. Cheaper than 2 rooms at the All-Stars and more convenient. One bathroom is tough since we are used to 3...but we survived with no problems. Helps that the sink is not in the bathroom but has a separate area. Brought an Aerobed we had for DS (he loved it and we made a deal...didn't tell his sisters...that I would give hime extra $ to spend each night he slept on it...since it saved me from renting a roll-away bed. He was thrilled!
Kids and I all have April Vacation up here in the North, so although it is always one of the busiest times to visit, it's the only one that made sense. College in August, we have visited in the summer - too hot for this New Englander...so April it was. April 11 to 19th, to be exact.
Looked for flights...didn't decide to go until December
...hard to find good rates...perhaps we drive??? 24 hours or so - no thanks! said to DH, with the cost of gas, etc. etc. We agreed - fly! 
Found decent flight and cost (approx. $220 pp) but would have to have kids miss 2 days of school (except oldest, only 1 day missed...). OK, so as a school administrator, I should NOT have gone with this plan, but heck...it is her LAST April vacation before college, right? And how much will the really do those last 2 days??? We booked it and DID buy the insurance...just in case...this plays a role in the future of this trip report...
We talk about ADR, but don't make them yet... plenty of time, right? So all you DISers, was I right?
Then life turn a huge turn...terrible turn. Now this isn't the place to tell sad stories, right? But heck, it is part of the story so I just need to tell it...
I was blessed to be born into a WONDERFUL family, DH, too. My parents were the happiest, most in love couple I ever knew. I had 3 siblings, all very close in age and we are all very close and there are great in-laws and nieces and nephews, etc. etc. My dad recently retired after 34 years in public school education (hence my profession) and mum plans on retiring soon. They were loving life, loving traveling, gardening, woodworking, grandchildren, cooking, each other. Dad was NEVER sick, can't remember more than headcolds and occasional sinus issues. You can see it coming, can't you? We didn't...
In January, Dad doesn't feel well. Keeps it quiet...back has been bothering him for a while (a while? time frame? - months). Just doesn't feel great. Nothing bad...keeps cooking, building, doing very physical things, etc. etc. Until late Jan. when he is seeing 'spots.' OK, Mom takes him to the doctors...not a good sign for me. Dad drives to my house 20 minutes a way a few days week for one reason or another...babysits my sister's three young children... Mom takes a day off to take him to the doctors?
One appointment leads to another, and very end of Jan. we find out he has tumor in his brain. They don't think it's cancerous - but has to be removed. No driving, has to take medicine to prevent the chance of a seizure...OK, surgery planned for late February. We are very positive in our thinking - they get the tumor, some radiation, he'll be fine. Probably can drive again in 1 month.
Dad is always our 'rock.' He's brillant, loving, very funny, he's everything a father, husband, man should be. Everyone loved Papa. He was positive, strong, handled the news with grace (never a word I would have used on my dad until this...) and positive thoughts. Dad goes in for pre-op stuff (never had any surgery or even visit a hospital as the patient before and he was in his mid 60's). Surgery is planned for a Monday - pre-op stuff the Wed. before. Surgeon's office wants a few more tests Thursday.... we got a call on Friday that he needed to be in an oncologist office that day at 5 pm. OH God! We are all a mess... except Dad. cool, calm, collective...worried about his wife, 4 kids, 9 grandchildren, his garden, and the family celebration we had planned that Sunday...
Our world as we knew it ended at 5 PM on Feb. 24th, 2006. The warm, caring oncologist (who none of us knew) told us that Dad had cancer virtually everywhere: kidney, liver, bones, brain - can't remember all the technical words (though have the notes from that appt). I will spare you the details. They want to do a liver biopsy and schedule it in a week. He goes on all kinds of medication (including morphine, though he didn't know at the time it was that he called it "rock salt" b/c the generic name on the bottle sounded like that though it was Roxinol). He admits just how poorly he has been feeling.
My dad went to the doctors faithfully. Had a full physical last summer - healthy. Even had 2 prostate exams and all was clear. He was the picture of health - but didn't feel this way. He just didn't tell anyone, including my mom.
5 Weeks to the day we found out he had cancer, by Dad passed away very peacefully and surrounded by all 4 of his children and my mother. I sit here crying silently as I write this to strangers - but we are all part of the DIS family. THose 5 weeks were the most difficult and the most beautiful weeks of my life. There was so much love, kindness and support. Dad handled everything with grace, strength, faith, dignity, and so much love. He had hundreds and hundreds of cards, letters, emails, etc. from family, friends, colleagues, and so, so many from former students. My family and I would read them to him over and over (he was losing his vision b/c of the tumor). My children, being the oldest of the grandchildren, spent wonderful hours with their Papa, particularly my oldest who has her own car - she would go daily and read to him, talk with him, take short walks with him. I have never been more proud of her or my mother and siblings. But most of all, I have never been more proud of my Dad (and he earned many degrees including a doctorate, raised his younger siblings...7 of them...after his dad's very early and untimely death, etc. etc).
Boy, is this a tough trip report, or what? So, the WDW trip was put 'on hold' in Jan. MY DH and kids were all fine with this...I almost cancelled it dozens of time, remember I bought the insurance. But Dad insisted he'd be fine for a week and just wished he could come. His illness was so fast, even the top doctors in Boston were surprised how fast. We were told months, but in typical Dad fashion, he didn't want to waste time or have anyone suffer through a long illness...what he forgot was either way we will suffer from his loss for our lifetimes...
Dad passed away on April 1st at 1 am. Not to torture any of you readers that read this far, but he perserverated about the date, focusing on 'is it one yet?' and he also perservated about what Ivy League colleges would accept his oldest grandchild (and my DD)... 24 hours after the Ivy's send out their letters of acceptance or rejection and my daughter told her Papa what schools offered her what...one the day that his retirement and SS check was deposited into their account, and at 1 am (hours after my sister arrived early from out of state)...and not too close to our WDW trip...he fell asleep and I know he went straight to heaven.
WDW was still on hold through his services, etc. My mother was the one that said, take the trip. Your father would expect you too, and after 5 straight weeks of constant care of my Dad, and seeing it was our DD's last trip before college (and college expenses!)...DH and I decide to continue with our plans and have some family time to 'relax'. I feel guilty and have mixed feelings, but my siblings and family reassure me that it is the right choice, particularly for the kids.
OK, decision made...but we have NO ADR's! Remember, we thought we had plenty of time! YIkes!
So I get back to DIS when I have time and each family member gets a choice....my oldest DD and I got on the phone and made our ADRs. Not all of first choice times, but got the restaurants we wanted:
- Liberty Tree Tavern
- Sci Fi
- 50's Prime Time
- Concourse
- Rainforest Cafe
- Tony's Town Square
- Le Cellier
We only make 1 ADR per day, mostly around lunchtime. Last trip we spent so much time getting to and from our ADR's that it got crazy and too much food! Scheduled town car service with FL Tours. Arranged for a 'dog sitter' for dog. Wrote our confessions...I mean letters to the kid's schools about them missing school (not long after missing 2 days for my dad's services)...but our kids are great students and will easily make up the work, so we take the plunge into pulling them for schools for a vacation - but only days!?!?
Now I thought this would be short...sorry for the length...but thought the background was important to the trip report. Trust me, the trip was wonderful and happy, so the next entry will be happier. I must go work on laundry and get to the grocery store, and will do another entry later today...thanks to all who suffered through this report with me!
Second, I have never written a trip report but have enjoyed reading many, many reports over the years as I have researched, planned, and dissected our previous and future WDW trips. Like many of you, DIS has become somewhat of a second 'job' for me, one I love, but I get a bit obsessive about the planning...but hey, planning is just part of the fun for me!
Third, my trip report won't be as detailed as the majority, I didn't take notes or keep complete itineraries of each day of our trip! I do have most receipts which may help me with my memory...
OK - the background. My trip companions were as follows:
ME - 39 year old Mom... public school administrator
DH - 41 year old Dad...police officer
DD - 17 year old...going off to college in the fall...
DD - 14 year old...going off to high school in the fall
DS - 10 year old...off to grade 5 in the fall
FACTS:
*sixth trip for all but oldest DD (one extra school trip thrown in the mix)
*previously stayed at the Poly, Contemporary, All-Star Sports, POR, and off-property at at nearby Condo (timeshare...learned our lesson the first trip to never do this again...wasn't for us).
*decided to stay at the Dolphin to have easier access to MGM, Epcot, and Boardwalk.
*though we have been to WDW numerous times as well as other trips, decided on WDW again b/c it can please all family members. A week at the beach in the Caribbean would bore the 10 yr. old (we've done it) and burn their Irish skin (oldest DD and I tan, the others burn!), DH didn't want to do a cruise (last year), vacation time too short for Europe...so being the Disney Nuts that we are...decided on Disney for the senior's last hurrah before deciding which great university will have her on their roles in the fall (or who will receive one of many checks from this family of public servants...).
Next step: the planning
where to stay? when to go? transportation - drive or fly? dinner reservations? Oh the planning - hours on DIS... checking flights, estimating drive time (never attempted to drive from the Boston area and glad to say still haven't...too much time!)
We decided
on an Epcot resort. Kids are older and though we love the MK, we tend to favor Epcot and MGM. Heck, we love the AK too. Found a great rate for the Dolphin (no teacher or govn't rate, but $229 for a deluxe was great). Then by reading DIS consistently, found out about a AAA rate ($194). Decided to just get one room, we are never in the room. Cheaper than 2 rooms at the All-Stars and more convenient. One bathroom is tough since we are used to 3...but we survived with no problems. Helps that the sink is not in the bathroom but has a separate area. Brought an Aerobed we had for DS (he loved it and we made a deal...didn't tell his sisters...that I would give hime extra $ to spend each night he slept on it...since it saved me from renting a roll-away bed. He was thrilled! Kids and I all have April Vacation up here in the North, so although it is always one of the busiest times to visit, it's the only one that made sense. College in August, we have visited in the summer - too hot for this New Englander...so April it was. April 11 to 19th, to be exact.
Looked for flights...didn't decide to go until December
...hard to find good rates...perhaps we drive??? 24 hours or so - no thanks! said to DH, with the cost of gas, etc. etc. We agreed - fly! Found decent flight and cost (approx. $220 pp) but would have to have kids miss 2 days of school (except oldest, only 1 day missed...). OK, so as a school administrator, I should NOT have gone with this plan, but heck...it is her LAST April vacation before college, right? And how much will the really do those last 2 days??? We booked it and DID buy the insurance...just in case...this plays a role in the future of this trip report...We talk about ADR, but don't make them yet... plenty of time, right? So all you DISers, was I right?
Then life turn a huge turn...terrible turn. Now this isn't the place to tell sad stories, right? But heck, it is part of the story so I just need to tell it...
I was blessed to be born into a WONDERFUL family, DH, too. My parents were the happiest, most in love couple I ever knew. I had 3 siblings, all very close in age and we are all very close and there are great in-laws and nieces and nephews, etc. etc. My dad recently retired after 34 years in public school education (hence my profession) and mum plans on retiring soon. They were loving life, loving traveling, gardening, woodworking, grandchildren, cooking, each other. Dad was NEVER sick, can't remember more than headcolds and occasional sinus issues. You can see it coming, can't you? We didn't...
In January, Dad doesn't feel well. Keeps it quiet...back has been bothering him for a while (a while? time frame? - months). Just doesn't feel great. Nothing bad...keeps cooking, building, doing very physical things, etc. etc. Until late Jan. when he is seeing 'spots.' OK, Mom takes him to the doctors...not a good sign for me. Dad drives to my house 20 minutes a way a few days week for one reason or another...babysits my sister's three young children... Mom takes a day off to take him to the doctors?
One appointment leads to another, and very end of Jan. we find out he has tumor in his brain. They don't think it's cancerous - but has to be removed. No driving, has to take medicine to prevent the chance of a seizure...OK, surgery planned for late February. We are very positive in our thinking - they get the tumor, some radiation, he'll be fine. Probably can drive again in 1 month.
Dad is always our 'rock.' He's brillant, loving, very funny, he's everything a father, husband, man should be. Everyone loved Papa. He was positive, strong, handled the news with grace (never a word I would have used on my dad until this...) and positive thoughts. Dad goes in for pre-op stuff (never had any surgery or even visit a hospital as the patient before and he was in his mid 60's). Surgery is planned for a Monday - pre-op stuff the Wed. before. Surgeon's office wants a few more tests Thursday.... we got a call on Friday that he needed to be in an oncologist office that day at 5 pm. OH God! We are all a mess... except Dad. cool, calm, collective...worried about his wife, 4 kids, 9 grandchildren, his garden, and the family celebration we had planned that Sunday...
Our world as we knew it ended at 5 PM on Feb. 24th, 2006. The warm, caring oncologist (who none of us knew) told us that Dad had cancer virtually everywhere: kidney, liver, bones, brain - can't remember all the technical words (though have the notes from that appt). I will spare you the details. They want to do a liver biopsy and schedule it in a week. He goes on all kinds of medication (including morphine, though he didn't know at the time it was that he called it "rock salt" b/c the generic name on the bottle sounded like that though it was Roxinol). He admits just how poorly he has been feeling.
My dad went to the doctors faithfully. Had a full physical last summer - healthy. Even had 2 prostate exams and all was clear. He was the picture of health - but didn't feel this way. He just didn't tell anyone, including my mom.
5 Weeks to the day we found out he had cancer, by Dad passed away very peacefully and surrounded by all 4 of his children and my mother. I sit here crying silently as I write this to strangers - but we are all part of the DIS family. THose 5 weeks were the most difficult and the most beautiful weeks of my life. There was so much love, kindness and support. Dad handled everything with grace, strength, faith, dignity, and so much love. He had hundreds and hundreds of cards, letters, emails, etc. from family, friends, colleagues, and so, so many from former students. My family and I would read them to him over and over (he was losing his vision b/c of the tumor). My children, being the oldest of the grandchildren, spent wonderful hours with their Papa, particularly my oldest who has her own car - she would go daily and read to him, talk with him, take short walks with him. I have never been more proud of her or my mother and siblings. But most of all, I have never been more proud of my Dad (and he earned many degrees including a doctorate, raised his younger siblings...7 of them...after his dad's very early and untimely death, etc. etc).
Boy, is this a tough trip report, or what? So, the WDW trip was put 'on hold' in Jan. MY DH and kids were all fine with this...I almost cancelled it dozens of time, remember I bought the insurance. But Dad insisted he'd be fine for a week and just wished he could come. His illness was so fast, even the top doctors in Boston were surprised how fast. We were told months, but in typical Dad fashion, he didn't want to waste time or have anyone suffer through a long illness...what he forgot was either way we will suffer from his loss for our lifetimes...
Dad passed away on April 1st at 1 am. Not to torture any of you readers that read this far, but he perserverated about the date, focusing on 'is it one yet?' and he also perservated about what Ivy League colleges would accept his oldest grandchild (and my DD)... 24 hours after the Ivy's send out their letters of acceptance or rejection and my daughter told her Papa what schools offered her what...one the day that his retirement and SS check was deposited into their account, and at 1 am (hours after my sister arrived early from out of state)...and not too close to our WDW trip...he fell asleep and I know he went straight to heaven.
WDW was still on hold through his services, etc. My mother was the one that said, take the trip. Your father would expect you too, and after 5 straight weeks of constant care of my Dad, and seeing it was our DD's last trip before college (and college expenses!)...DH and I decide to continue with our plans and have some family time to 'relax'. I feel guilty and have mixed feelings, but my siblings and family reassure me that it is the right choice, particularly for the kids.
OK, decision made...but we have NO ADR's! Remember, we thought we had plenty of time! YIkes!
So I get back to DIS when I have time and each family member gets a choice....my oldest DD and I got on the phone and made our ADRs. Not all of first choice times, but got the restaurants we wanted:- Liberty Tree Tavern
- Sci Fi
- 50's Prime Time
- Concourse
- Rainforest Cafe
- Tony's Town Square
- Le Cellier
We only make 1 ADR per day, mostly around lunchtime. Last trip we spent so much time getting to and from our ADR's that it got crazy and too much food! Scheduled town car service with FL Tours. Arranged for a 'dog sitter' for dog. Wrote our confessions...I mean letters to the kid's schools about them missing school (not long after missing 2 days for my dad's services)...but our kids are great students and will easily make up the work, so we take the plunge into pulling them for schools for a vacation - but only days!?!?
Now I thought this would be short...sorry for the length...but thought the background was important to the trip report. Trust me, the trip was wonderful and happy, so the next entry will be happier. I must go work on laundry and get to the grocery store, and will do another entry later today...thanks to all who suffered through this report with me!
The beds were 'heavenly' as so many described (actually we stayed at quite a few hotels over the last year taking DD looking at colleges up and down the East Coast and a number of them had Heavenly Beds and down comforters - very comfie and almost like home!!
, and I had the Pot Roast. All was good and bill was for about $75. 
out of the way. He wasn't 'chosen' and 4 of them were, but it was fas very interesting to see her make pink unicorns, blue birds, flamingos and a sweet hummingbird for a 25ish year old young man who obviously tried a few times to obtain for his much appreciative girlfriend -very cute 
.
! DS was hoping for a squirrel (only boy that I know that started a Squirrel Club Chapter at his local elementary school in grade 2 - where even his teacher and principal joined...wrote a Squirrel Pledge of Alliegence, Anthem, etc. etc.). Though the club is really just a fond memory, he still LOVES squirrels!!
