Ex spouse trumped my vacation to WDW with the kids

[shalom]

I have weeded through the people who have responded in kind and pulled the suggestions to make my trip different. [CLIP] I got what I came here for so the what you think of me really shouldnt matter.

I hope you can hold to that second statement, because it's absolutely true. You were in pain and thrown for a loop, you reached out for support and advice, and you've taken to heart some of the best of it, so I hope you really do know that the ridiculous tangents some people have gone off on really don't matter. It's clear that their rants are much more about their own issues and problems than about anything you've said or done.

I love the idea of staying up late at Disney with kids that age, too. It'll be a special time for them. But whatever you do, I'll be you and your kids are going to have a great time.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

How did line cutting get into this thread?

I'm suprised someone forgot to mention pool hopping and reusing mugs!

 

[Invisable89]

Its not easy, but when I calm down and have time to regroup I realize I love them more than the negative feelings I think about him. I never want to be the realization they have when they are 20 something years old.

That's definitely the best way to be! Quite a number of my friends have divorced parents & it was hell being around that when they were younger cause all the parents did was argue, neither one could back down - they were always trying to 'up' eachother. The children's happiness is always the number one piority, it's lovely to see that you have that same frame of mind considering what you've been through.

 

[SafetyPinndSally]

I'm suprised someone forgot to mention pool hopping and reusing mugs!

Don't forget the now popular: FREE PARKING AT DTD/RESORT/WATERPARK issue that seems to have sprouted up over the past week.

OP-I PMed you, if you choose to read it then great and if not then just know this: as a child of an ugly divorce(and I mean it got NASTY) please know that I am here for you and your kids and can be a shoulder to cry on when times get rough. I've been there, done that and could write several books on how I dealt with an absent father(unless something I did would make him look good) and I know you're kids are going to go through some rough times. Lucky them that they have such a wonderful and supportive mother.

 

[Disney Doll]

I am absolutely in love with the idea of staying in the park until 3am and sleeping late. Just imagining walking through the park at 2 in the morning with barely a sole around is magical all by itself.

Yes it is. We did it in Epcot a few years back...it wasn't really late, maybe about 10-1030pm, and we had had dinner at the French restaurant. The IllumiNations crowd was gone, everything was closed but they still had the lighting and the music. We finished dinner and as we started to walk to the exit, we met up with a CM on a Segway who rolled along with our stroll. He was great. Told us all kind of little tidbits about Epcot, what we were seeing, pointing out little things we wouldn't have otherwise noticed. He escorted us all the way to the International Gateway. I'm sure it was his job to make sure that late departing guests didn't linger around or try to hide and stay in the park or something, but he made the walk so enjoyable.....I absolutely ADORE when something unusual happens to me at WDW.

 

[tlh0726]

That legality is what I am currently trying to figure out.The only travel addressed in our decree is out of country travel. But from what I understand something about crossing state lines, and I having no idea where they were and then texting me that he was turning off their phone until they returned might possibly constitute kidnapping. Especially since the decree is very clear about telephone access. He enjoys tormenting me and controlling me.And despite that I have always told him where they were when we travelled (to my detriment obviously) he's just hateful and spiteful and wants me to worry and panic. We will never agree on anything because he makes decisions based on his rights, what's his, what conveniences him and benefits him. While I will always (whether I have liked it or not) truly made decisions took into consideration what Sydney and Alex wanted or needed. This visitation is a perfect example. He should not have two consecutive weeks, but my kids wanted to feel like they had more down time and the back and forth made them feel on the go all the time, so I let him have 2 consecutive weeks. I am being put in a position to follow the court order to the t. nothing more and nothing less and it sucks.

Wishing you all the best

 

[bouncycat]

Just thought of another story for you!!! I have 2 moms, one real mom, one step mom. I have had my step mom since I was 10, am 37 now....both my son calls grandma. The stepmom spends time with him, takes him to the beach, calls and asks how his first day at school went, all that stuff. The real grandma doesn't talk to him much, let alone to ask how his day was, and buys him everything he asks for.....which isn't much, but still. Guess which grandma he loves the most, and which one he calls the "other grandma"? Kids know. They're LOTS smarter than we give them credit for. So just spend time with them, and that means way more than anything you can buy for them. Make sure when you go on YOUR trip, you let them take the lead sometimes, and laugh. Laugh ALOT!! Laugh at stuff you usually don't laugh at, and everything will be right in your little world. That will be all that matters!!

 

[tjmj9801]

Hugs, mama. Here's to hoping that somehow the CM's *just know* to throw a little extra pixie dust your way.

 

[tmoret]

People really - stop the arguing. Either offer her advice or not...

OP- sorry about what the thread turned into...I scrolled through 5 to 10 pages just looking for your post.

Well said. The op came here looking for help... Some of the people that posted here should be ashamed! Disney is a place of Dreams and Happiness. If someone comes here and post something needing help either try and help or don't post and move on.

OP Please check out the DISigners here on the boards. We have alot of crafts like autograph books you can just print out. Make it a game for the kids. You can make it fun for them to take time out to meet everyone. Also there are t-shirt disigns that you can print on to Irons and make shirts for you and your kids at little or no cost. These are just a few thing that can make your trip stand out and not be the same. Most of the things are as easy as printing them out it is under Creative DISigns here on the board.

 

[Disney Doll]

Oh, and OP, always remember that kids are not stupid and they will see through whatever sham your ex is. With any luck he will turn in to one of those exes who slowly drifts out of your life now that he has a new wife....

 

[amyngary]

I'm a little afraid to respond, but I have stayed at AKL and Kidani Village, so I do have a few ideas (sorry if they are duplicates - I had to skip the middle for obvious reasons):
-Eat dinner at Sanaa, and arrive early so you can go outside to the little fire pit area that's outside the waiting area. It's a very relaxing place that is usually pretty empty (or was during low season anyway), and there was an entertaining CM there who got us all telling jokes.
-my kids LOVE the evenings where they tell African stories in the lobby of Jambo house. DD11 learned so much about Africa there and gave her class a presentation on it a few years back.
-my DH took the kids to see the animals at night with night vision goggles (or something like goggles) - he said it was cool.
-Boma - yum!
-the tub in your room is awesome with jets - melts away stress

Something we did that is Disney-like but can be done anywhere there (or at home too): we timed each other spelling supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (using the stopwatch on my iPhone) and everyone tried to beat their personal best and the family's top time. This may sound silly, but it provided hours of entertainment on monorails, in lines, etc., and often prompted other guests to strike up a conversation.

You will all have a great time. If I think of other ideas, I will repost

 

[bouncycat]

Just thought of something else LOL If you can get the hidden mickey book, do so. They have scavenger hunts in there, and you can make it fun, with earning points, and such. I have the book, if ya did want company, I'll bring it with us!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes it is. We did it in Epcot a few years back...it wasn't really late, maybe about 10-1030pm, and we had had dinner at the French restaurant. The IllumiNations crowd was gone, everything was closed but they still had the lighting and the music. We finished dinner and as we started to walk to the exit, we met up with a CM on a Segway who rolled along with our stroll. He was great. Told us all kind of little tidbits about Epcot, what we were seeing, pointing out little things we wouldn't have otherwise noticed. He escorted us all the way to the International Gateway. I'm sure it was his job to make sure that late departing guests didn't linger around or try to hide and stay in the park or something, but he made the walk so enjoyable.....I absolutely ADORE when something unusual happens to me at WDW.

I hang out in the photography forum and a lot of those folks push park closing time to the outer limit to get those stunning tripod shots with no people in them.

You can actually drag out closing fairly long. And they generally don't "hurry" you along. Just know that once the park is closed, you can move at your own pace, as long as it is toward the exit. You just can't go BACK at all. Take your time, soak in the atmosphere and the magic. Stop and take some photos. I bet the CM's would even take a couple for you. But don't be afraid to move at your own pace.

I think it would be cool to try and be the last ones out of the MK one night. That wouldn't even HAVE to be an EMH night. It's easier to do if the park closes earlier. Just end the day in the back ....... and take your time.

OP..... have you heard of the castle goodnight kiss they do? I haven't seen it, but you can find it on youtube. I think it's a lighting effect they do on the castle. It would be fun to try and see it.

 

[mom2rtk]

we timed each other spelling supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Also be sure to challenge them both to learn to say it backwards! Once you learn it, you'll never forget. Listen to the "Jolly Holiday" song and you'll hear it.

Have them share their newfound skill with Mary herself in the parks. She appears most mornings back by the carousel.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do the kids like to hunt characters? If so, do you know about "Characterpalooza" in the animation building in DHS? Most people have no idea that goes on and would never know to be there for it.

 

[excited4dis]

If you can get the hidden mickey book, do so. They have scavenger hunts in there, and you can make it fun, with earning points, and such.

Bouncycat, where does one get this book?

 

[hmerritt]

some pics I took of the schedule making

 

[kikiq]

some pics I took of the schedule making

Thank you for sharing these pictures. I love the schedule idea with poster board.

 

[drp4video]

I read the first two pages of your post and the last, sorry. But I think you should go on your trip. Your kids helped to plan it, and even though they were just in Disney, because they helped you plan the trip, it will mean more to them than the trip with their dad. Who is a first class jerk.

You said you had special surprises planned and I think those will mean more to the kids than anything. Don't care what they did with their dad, they are going with you, and they know how hard you worked to make this trip happen, as did they, and that will make this trip even more special to them, in addition to being with their mom. Go and have a great time!

 

[relcx4]

some pics I took of the schedule making

1) I agree with the majority of the comments on here. Go on your trip- forget him and do it the way you and your children planned. There's absolutely no reason that you shouldn't. What kid is going to be upset about spending more time at Disney? Let your kiddos make memories with you. Years from now when they are grown, you'll be glad to have those happy memories.

2) and totally off topic here- But, I have a couch in that exact fabric. I did a double take when I first saw your photos. So I wanted to say, nice taste.