If this was your last trip ever what would you HAVE to do?

[SCohen]

I have scheduled a Specialty Cruise with dinner. We are staying at AKL. We are going to MNSSHP. Any other suggestions for making this magical?
My FIL has been diagnosed with cancer. What can we do as a family to make this trip as magical as possible? This is his second bout and prognosis doesn't look so good this time around. He adores Disney and we want to go while he is still well enough. Making this magical for him and the kids is number one! There are 9 of us in the group.
Thanks!!

 

[CapeCod53]

We are facing a similar situation with my mother's health although it is not cancer. We are going as a group of 15 at Thanksgiving. We really don't know what my mother will be up to doing but we are planning nice dinners together & seeing Illuminations, Spectromagic & Wishes (she loves firework shows). Also thinking of carriage ride or sleigh ride at FtW/WL. We had looked into the specail grand gathering activities but decided against them because they are not private, they are geared to families with younger children(our youngest is 16, then all other kids are in their 20's) because all include characters, & food is served buffet style which my sister hates. My parents have traveled extensively in Great Britain so we have planned 1 afternoon to visit WL & the monorail resorts to see Christmas decorations & have afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. We are planning things we think she will like & be able to do & feel just spending time toegether as a family will be special(mysister & I live more than 10 hrs apart via car so we only see each other a couple times a year)

 

[PartyFromSaturn]

Wow, that is a really moving question. Since you said you had a group of 9, it made me think of my own family. That is about the number of people we usually have.

We've always gone around Halloween and we've gotten into the habit of taking any packable Halloween decorations and putting them out in our rooms. Not sure if that would work for you, but it really does make it personal and festive. Thought that might be neat if you have some family members who are going to be struggling with health issues and possible in the room for resting more than usual.

Just an idea. Good luck with your planning. I'm sure there are a lot of ways to make the trip special!

 

[ellyn2000]

I think the afternoon tea is a lovely idea. Another idea is to buy 2 identical postcards that represent some of your favorite WDW memories (a certain park, ride or attraction) have your mom/dad write a short thought about that day on the back and then mail one home from resort and have the other put away. Once home you can begin a memory book and you'll have the photo side of the postcard as well as the written/posted side in mom/dad's handwriting to display in your memory book/scrapbook. My cousin suggested this because she said once she's home it's hard to recall the special way she felt at a certain place, but writing it down that day and mailing home made it easy. I hope your trips are the most magical ever!

 

[mytwinklestar]

First, I offer my condolences to your family. Miracles happen every day and I will keep you & your family in my prayers.

The must sees for us are always the fireworks, parades, Illuminations, and Fantasmic! You can ask one of the CMs for help if the wait time might be too tiring.

I know that this will be a most special experience for your family. I am reminded of the song, "Live Like You Were Dying." - *I went sky diving, rocky mountain climbing...* God bless you all. We should all learn to live as if today were a gift - because it truly is a gift. I pray that your family enjoys every moment together. You are in my thoughts.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

get bday buttons,celebrate all week, decorate resort room, bring balloons from home,make homemade cards, decorate the door! Celebrate HIM!

 

[monorailsilver]

I'd probably try to figure out what he loved to do when he used to go there pre this last trip.

For me I love the Water Parade & I see it every time I go at least once.

I also love to sit on the beach at the Poly & watch the fireworks.

I used to love to (this is going back to the 80's when I was a teenager) park hop at night-when Epcot closed we'd run back to the monorail (we'd be staying at the Poly so our parents-we were cousins and around 13-16 yrs old-wouldn't mind us going out alone), anyways we'd hop on the monorail to the MK & most people would be leaving but we'd go on SM & Big Thunder (Splash wasn't built then) & the Haunted mansion, pirates with limited lines. It was so much fun.

I hope he & your family has a truely magical vacation so you can enjoy the memories when he does pass.

 

[we3disneygo]

eat in the castle and just have alot of great family time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[krissylynne]

I think just being in Disney with family is all you need. How beautiful is a life that has been touched by Love! God bless you all.

Krissylynne

 

[PrincessAlways]

Family time!!! Family time!!! The special things like fireworks, shows, dinners, but do whatever HE wants to do. That will make the trip a joy for him & you'll remember it forever! Appreciate the time together & take LOTS of pictures. LIVE, LAUGH & LOVE! Thoughts & prayers sent your way

 

[Bliss22]

I think you are on the right track I have booked a specialty cruise myself and hear they really make A Disney trip even more magical. I think you need to take your time and realy "bask" ine every moment. Don't feel like you need to follow any schedule as sometimes that can take some of the fun out of a trip. Just let your day happen by itself. I am from the DFW are too(Flower Mound) and I know however you tackle the parks will be so much fun. Good luck to you and your family and best wishes!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd want all arguing to be kept to a minimum and keep the line cutters, crowd jumpers away from me.

 

[mecllap]

Everything he loves to do! Or things he hasn't wanted to try before?
Mostly -- use PhotoPass a lot -- with the whole group, subgroups, and individuals -- take your time. Write your Photopass card number(s) down on somethings in case any get lost. Share the Web site you put your card numbers on with everyone. Write down a record of the trip in a journal -- day to day stuff and special memories.
My best wishes for a lovely trip -- and hopes for a remission.

 

[dixipixi]

I agree with previous posters about taking pictures and journaling. The idea about writing down things on postcards and mailing them home was really great!!!

We love the fireworks, parades, and Fantasmic! I would suggest seeing all the shows possible.

My highest thoughts are with you and your family. I hope you all have a completely wonderful trip. I'm wishing you great weather and nothing but friendly smiling faces everywhere!!!

 

[SCohen]

Everything he loves to do! Or things he hasn't wanted to try before?
Mostly -- use PhotoPass a lot -- with the whole group, subgroups, and individuals -- take your time. Write your Photopass card number(s) down on somethings in case any get lost. Share the Web site you put your card numbers on with everyone. Write down a record of the trip in a journal -- day to day stuff and special memories.
My best wishes for a lovely trip -- and hopes for a remission.

I'm sorry- what's a photopass? It sounds cool! Can you tell me about it?
Thanks!!

 

[SCohen]

Thank you all SO much!!!
I really appreciate your kindness!

 

[LindaBabe]

If you can afford it, instead of rooms, get a suite. ( was going to suggest a villa, but AKL doesn't have those) Then you'd have a private 'gathering' space for your family to just 'hang' together when dad needs a rest.

 

[Bliss22]

I'm sorry- what's a photopass? It sounds cool! Can you tell me about it?
Thanks!!

I sent you a pm about photo pass info.

 

[tinan]

I'm sorry to hear of your FIL's prognosis. While we didn't know, this past Feb. was my dd's, 14, first and last trip to Disney. She was diagnosed with an extremely rare (not even a dozen cases worldwide) and extremely aggressive form of ovarian cancer. The only suggestion that I have is to make sure you take it at his pace. The first couple days of our vacation everything was so rushed because we were all excited and had never been there before. Once the pace slowed down and we took it at her pace, she thoroughly enjoyed the vacation. Instead of trying to have everything planned down to a T, try to wing what you can. I know that is very difficult with ADR's, but seriously.......don't overbook anything. Your FIL will appreciate it and your family will have much memorable times for it. The only other tip is to make sure you take LOTS of pictures! Even though we have quite a few, I still wish there had been more!

 

[SCohen]

Wow... I am so sorry for your loss. My daughter is 14 and I can't imagine what you must be going through. Thank you for your words of kindness. A part of me says "do it ALL" because I know this is the last, but then again I know that we will have a MUCH better time if we just slow down.
Thank you again!