Father's Day - Solo in Memory of Dad?

[lorileahb]

Father's Day has been a tough holiday since my dad passed three years ago. As he loved Disney as much as me, I'm thinking of a solo day trip to Magic Kingdom this Sunday doing our favorites. My kids will be with their dad for the weekend. I'm on the fence - I want to start celebrating his memory on days like this instead of just being sad... but I don't want to be a disaster in the middle of Magic Kingdom either! LOL. Maybe I could buy a balloon or pay for a meal in his memory while I'm there - any other thoughts on how to celebrate him in a happy way? His favorite meal was spaghetti and meatballs, so I'm definitely thinking Tony's for lunch...

 

[gottalovepluto]

do it. I love the idea of paying for a meal, idk if Disney will allow it though. Balloons are safe, you can definitely offer a balloon to someone. Maybe make sure they have a stroller in the group if it’s not end of night so they can tie it down while enjoying the park.

I’m so very sorry for your loss. And yes, you might break down. So what? Let your brain and heart process, it’s time.

 

[Mommb]

A trip to remember your dad is a great idea. (My father was a Disney buff too. He passed away 2 years ago and every time I've been on Disney property since, I've see something that makes me think "Dad would have loved that.")

I agree with gottalovepluto -- so what if you do break down? Odds are you won't see any of the people who see you again anyhow.

You could buy some Disney stickers before your trip and give stickers to young kids who are there with their fathers, saying something like "My dad can't be with me today, but I want you to have fun with your dad."

 

[beccasmom]

My dad regrettably never made it to WDW - he passed away suddenly while still in his 50’s - but it was one of his big dreams to visit. We went to the 1964 NY World’s Fair when I was younger and saw the Mr. Lincoln (when “Abe Lincoln” stood up to speak, my 7-year-old self nearly fainted!) and Small World exhibits. I always think of how much he would have loved visiting the parks and know how fortunate I am to have been there so many times over the years.

I think your idea is a wonderful one!

 

[lorileahb]

My dad regrettably never made it to WDW - he passed away suddenly while still in his 50’s - but it was one of his big dreams to visit. We went to the 1964 NY World’s Fair when I was younger and saw the Mr. Lincoln (when “Abe Lincoln” stood up to speak, my 7-year-old self nearly fainted!) and Small World exhibits. I always think of how much he would have loved visiting the parks and know how fortunate I am to have been there so many times over the years.

I think your idea is a wonderful one!

The World's Fair sounds like a wonderful memory! Thankful we both have these of our dads.

 

[pigletto]

I lost my dad this year in February after a brutal fight with pancreatic cancer. I want you to go and celebrate your dad and think both of your ideas of paying for someone’s meal or balloons are lovely. And if you cry there is someone out there who has lost a loved one who completely understands. I’m positive your dad wants you to go and enjoy the day as best you can.

 

[lorileahb]

I lost my dad this year in February after a brutal fight with pancreatic cancer. I want you to go and celebrate your dad and think both of your ideas of paying for someone’s meal or balloons are lovely. And if you cry there is someone out there who has lost a loved one who completely understands. I’m positive your dad wants you to go and enjoy the day as best you can.

That is incredibly hard - so sorry for you all. Thank you for the encouragement and hope you can celebrate your dad Sunday, too.

 

[HopperFan]

Father's Day has been a tough holiday since my dad passed three years ago. As he loved Disney as much as me, I'm thinking of a solo day trip to Magic Kingdom this Sunday doing our favorites. My kids will be with their dad for the weekend. I'm on the fence - I want to start celebrating his memory on days like this instead of just being sad... but I don't want to be a disaster in the middle of Magic Kingdom either! LOL. Maybe I could buy a balloon or pay for a meal in his memory while I'm there - any other thoughts on how to celebrate him in a happy way? His favorite meal was spaghetti and meatballs, so I'm definitely thinking Tony's for lunch...

ABSOLUTELY love this and 100% do this. My DS lives for Disney. He is disabled and I might outlive him. I often think what will I do but I have come to conclusion that while the first time might be hard and a few tears I think I will feel very close to him there, doing what we used to do together.

After MIL died an extended group of us went on a cruise. She loved to cruise!!! At check in we found a penny face side up so we knew she was with us. My SIL brought MIL clutch purse and brought to dinner each night. We were 7 and they had us at round table for 8. First night they tried to remove the extra chair and we said "no it's for our MIL" and SIL would put her purse at that seat.

Maybe just do things he would love like Tony's or I love idea of gifting somethings to others and see their joy! One night at Tony's a neighboring table (big family, perhaps international) paid for my son and I's meal. It was such a shock and wonderful surprise!!! I have no idea why, we had no conversation other than me saying thank you. But I suppose it meant something to him.

This part is not meant to offend anyone but ........... celebrate his life, not his death. Celebrate his birthday and do not let his death date consume you. Go to places he loved, do things he enjoyed ..... no need to stay focused on where or how he died. When I see roadside memorials I feel so sad for those people who are consumed by a death location. If he loved Disney World - go and celebrate him where you all enjoyed life together.

 

[lorileahb]

ABSOLUTELY love this and 100% do this. My DS lives for Disney. He is disabled and I might outlive him. I often think what will I do but I have come to conclusion that while the first time might be hard and a few tears I think I will feel very close to him there, doing what we used to do together.

After MIL died an extended group of us went on a cruise. She loved to cruise!!! At check in we found a penny face side up so we knew she was with us. My SIL brought MIL clutch purse and brought to dinner each night. We were 7 and they had us at round table for 8. First night they tried to remove the extra chair and we said "no it's for our MIL" and SIL would put her purse at that seat.

Maybe just do things he would love like Tony's or I love idea of gifting somethings to others and see their joy! One night at Tony's a neighboring table (big family, perhaps international) paid for my son and I's meal. It was such a shock and wonderful surprise!!! I have no idea why, we had no conversation other than me saying thank you. But I suppose it meant something to him.

This part is not meant to offend anyone but ........... celebrate his life, not his death. Celebrate his birthday and do not let his death date consume you. Go to places he loved, do things he enjoyed ..... no need to stay focused on where or how he died. When I see roadside memorials I feel so sad for those people who are consumed by a death location. If he loved Disney World - go and celebrate him where you all enjoyed life together.

Thank you for the perspective - I love this and look forward to celebrating my dad at MK tomorrow!

 

[goofyernmost]

As a Father of two, the thought of someone still heavily mourning my passing two years later kind of bothers me a little. Don't get me wrong I love my Daughters and I think they love me, but I would only want them to remember the good times and the fun trips that we took to Disney when they were young and years later when they were older with children of their own. Death is sometimes a hard thing to accept, which seems odd since it is the fate of all of us, but as a parent I want my children to be sad, but not devastated and if they felt that a tribute to me would help them deal with whatever grieving they still had, than I have to say go, have a Mickey Bar in memory of me and remember the great times we had there together and celebrate that.

 

[lorileahb]

No heavy mourning here - more just a girl (ha!) missing her dad on a day meant to celebrate him. Went to MK for the day and, except for not having him with me, it was perfect including hitting his favorite rides, and a few of mine. Special extra tip to my Tony's server in his honor. It was hot, but the crowds were low.

 

[HopperFan]

No heavy mourning here - more just a girl (ha!) missing her dad on a day meant to celebrate him. Went to MK for the day and, except for not having him with me, it was perfect including hitting his favorite rides, and a few of mine. Special extra tip to my Tony's server in his honor. It was hot, but the crowds were low.

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Thanks for sharing back!