It's complicated...

[emelee1053]

I ended my previous trip report without completing it because life got complicated. For those who were following, I apologize. My life as I knew it ended when my daughter was killed in a car crash on April 20, 2013.

From her first trip at age 2 in April 1987



to her last trip at age 27 in October 2012, she was truly a Disney Princess



When I went on my already planned trip in May 2013, I wanted to take her with me, but the only thing I could think of was a Celebrate button with her picture on it. So that's what I did, and I wore that button on my lanyard the whole trip



Dinner at Tony's at MK on Mother's Day was really hard, but the CMs there were so nice. After noticing my pin, they presented me with a Mother's Day gift:


I will treasure it always!

My trip at the end of September was my very first "solo" trip. Although I was meeting friends, and visiting my niece who lives in Orlando, I spent quite a bit of time alone. It gave me time to grieve, and it helped, but I don't think I want to do that again realy soon. Too painful!

Just a bit about my DNiece, who is a CM at Universal (after being a CM at Disney for 10 years) and a joy to spend time with. Here are pix from my last trip
As Sarah Connor at Terminator 2 3-D (where I always get VIP treatment)


and as The Battleaxe in Sinbad's Voyage (got the royal treatment here, too!)


So this is where it gets complicated: avoiding another solo trip I've made plans to travel to the World in March 2014, with a bunch of other people! My DS33, and his GF will be traveling down with me (stopping in MD for him to be in his best friend's wedding) and we have booked Beach Club with DVC points for 5 nights. They have to come back sooner than I do, so I have invited one of my daughter's childhood friends and her wife to join me at WDW (she's never been) and drive back with me. I have booked 6 nights DVC at Saratoga Springs for the second leg of the journey, and we hope to spend a night or two on each end at Universal (I got my first Universal AP in October).

In addition to my immediate travel party, there will be overlapping with my cousin and her husband, newlyweds on their first trip to Disney, and some of my online friends from FB. So, stick around and watch the confusion as it unfolds...

 

[Luvchefmic]

I got your PM and responded I am so very very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter

Ruthie

 

[jenseib]

joining in!!!

 

[jenseib]

I just read and I am so sorry. My daughter is 21 and was in a horrid car accident this past Aug. Luckily she lived, but she was thrown out of the truck and really is very lucky to be alive. the driver was killed and another passenger had major head injuries. We were so blessed her injuries were not as severe as they could've been and I can only start to understand what you have been going through.
That was a very hard month for me..... helping her heal and doing a lot of private crying. Stay strong and I admire your strength.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

You are one of the strongest mom's I have had the chance to read about. I must say your daughter is a beautiful girl that will be missed by so many. A mom's love never ends it just grows stronger. My heart is with you and your son. I am glad you are continuing to live a life your daughter would want you to. Looking forward to reading about your trips to WDW.

Prayers and thoughts are with you.

 

[lheav09]

Joining in! I'm so very sorry for the loss of your daughter, she was a beautiful woman! And it's great that you are able to keep the Disney love alive because I am sure that is exactly what she would want you to do.

 

[FLSarah]

I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. After my brother died in a car accident it took many years for his death to no longer define us as a family. I'm glad that you got to honor your daughter on your last trip, and I hope you all enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[emelee1053]

Thank you all for your kind words. I've found that the online community has been a great help to me in getting through the dark days followiny Sarah's death, and will do the same in the months to come as we deal with the aftermath of the accident.

 

[wiigirl]

 

[Lily Mai]

I am literally only after joining this forum and the first post I read was your post about losing your daughter - I am so very sorry for your loss - I cannot imagine what the past couple of months have been like for you! You really have some strength to continue on the way you have and I am delighted to hear about what I am sure will be a fantastic trip for you next year! Well done and keep strong!

 

[blessedmom4]

Your title drew me to read. I am truly sorry for the loss of your beautiful Daughter, Sarah. She truly WAS a Disney Princess, so beautiful. Her photos radiate warmth and joy. I am thankful you have shared her with us and I look forward to reading along.

 

[kittengal13]

I just wanted to say stop in and say I am so sorry to hear about your daughter, what a beautiful woman she was. Sending all love and hope your trip is wonderful xxx

 

[emelee1053]

I'm relatively new to the DISBoards, still "earning my ears", and to the world of Disney planners in general. Although I've been going to Disney since 1972, all of my trips were as an adult. Both of my kids made their first trip to WDW at the age of 2, and most of our trips were multi-generational trips planned and led by my parents. Planned as in dates, and logistics, but nothing like the planning I do today!

My favorite photo of my Dad is him standing under the clock on Main Street in 1971, a few weeks after Magic Kingdom opened.

Many trips followed, including many combinations of my parents, me and my siblings, and the grandchildren. Some included in-laws, outlaws and friends. The largest group was 12. We did our first Disney cruise in 1993. We spent 4 days on the Premier Cruise Lines' Big Red Boat (pre-Disney Cruise Lines) and 3 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort.

(Left to right, me, my nephew, Dad, Mom, friend, daughter Sarah, sister, and son Patrick.

My dad passed in 1999 and my mom in 2006. We got our love for Disney from them. His favorite thing was to see his oldest niece perform as CruElla DeVil at MGM Studios


In 2008, during a disasterous stay at a Days Inn on I-Drive, I threatened never to return, but my son suggested we check out Disney Vacation Club. Took the tour. I was hooked. I bought points at Saratoga Springs right then and there, and an annual Disney trip became a must do. I was blessed because my kids hadn't lost their love of Disney and were still willing to vacation with me, especially if I was treating…lol.

With more time on my hands, and children grown, I started getting into the planning part of Disney vacations as a way to fill up my time between trips. I signed up for TourGuideMike.com and learned a lot. Picking a park based on crowd projections? Totally new concept. Having a strategy for touring a park? What's wrong with what we've always done and just go there and wander around? Had to think about that one! Rope drop? Seriously? Learning abbreviations was a challenge but I got most of them. And TGM forums led me to other sites, like DISBoards, some FB Disney fansites, and all the other things that could help make a Disney trip more fun. So thank you all for being here, and sharing what you've learned to make my trips better. With only 135 days until we leave, it's time to get started.

 

[emelee1053]

On several trip reports, I noted that people posted in chapters. Since this is apt to be lengthy, I wondered if anyone could help me out and tell me how to do that? Thanks!

 

[ptisme]

Joining in. Am so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. I can't even imagine the pain you must feel. Generally just lurk through things but pop in now and again to comment.

We will be in the world and at Universal at around the same time. 3/15 - 3/23. We only get 4 days in the world due to military tickets and two days at universal. Then we have friends to visit with (my husband was mobilized twice with a unit out of Orlando). Then back to work and school in Arizona!

 

[emelee1053]

My sister lives in AJ, AZ. Thanks for the kind words. Maybe our trips will overlap!

Joining in. Am so sorry to hear about the loss of your daughter. I can't even imagine the pain you must feel. Generally just lurk through things but pop in now and again to comment.

We will be in the world and at Universal at around the same time. 3/15 - 3/23. We only get 4 days in the world due to military tickets and two days at universal. Then we have friends to visit with (my husband was mobilized twice with a unit out of Orlando). Then back to work and school in Arizona!

 

[emelee1053]

Before I get to the planning stuff, I should introduce the travel party. My son Patrick, 33 (the one on the right)



and his girlfriend, will be going with me for the first part of the trip. He’s in a wedding in MD, so we’ll drive there, attend the festivities, and drive on to WDW. I have not done a road trip of that length (26-28 hours) for a few years, but it’s always been fun in the past. And the wedding will give us a couple of days' break in the middle. DS’s GF has been to Disney once when she was much younger. She doesn’t have a favorite character, but likes Disney movies. So far, she’s not a particularly flexible person in everyday life, so it will be interesting to see how we manage together. I was hoping to do Crystal Palace,



From May 2013

which I love, but she finds the idea creepy - people she doesn’t know being in costumes where she cannot see their faces. And she’s a very picky eater, so probably not a good investment anyway.

Our plan calls for arriving in Orlando on March 9, and we’re hoping to get 2 nights at Loew’s Royal Pacific through my niece, but it depends on availability and we can't book it yet. Otherwise, without her friends and family discount, we can’t really afford to stay there. But I have to use my new annual pass for Universal Orlando, so even if we have to stay on I-drive for those two nights, Universal here we come!

And they will be with me for the 5 days at Beach Club. Patrick would have preferred Boardwalk, but there were no DVC rooms available for the whole time, so I took the Beach Club, and hopefully it will be okay. We’ve never stayed there but Storm-Along Bay is impressive and he likes the proximity to EPCOT. And if they want nightlife, it’s a short walk to the Boardwalk. His time off from work is limited, so they will be returning home after that first week, and I will transfer to Saratoga Springs.

This is my DVC “home” and I love it there. I feel safe there, and comfortable, and I find the Artist’s Palette much easier on my head than the food courts at POP or ASMu, so I don’t mind eating alone there. And tada! Two of my daughter’s friends will be joining me. Jen grew up with Sarah (small town, so daycare, school, church, sports, etc., and she calls me Momma Eason). She and Kate were married in May, and I think they will be a blast to travel with. Jen has never been to Disney and is really excited, and Kate, who has been several times, is excited to share it with her. We’ll do Crystal Palace for sure! I’ll add photos of them later if they don’t mind.

So, for the planning part: Being able to travel to Disney, and still pay the bills when I get home, is all about budgeting. And every time I go, something new gets added. First step now is making Mousekeeping Envelopes. These are great! On previous trips, I'd struggled with not enough cash, no small bills, more tips than I'd planned, the whole gamut of awkward moments trying to find a $5 for the bell man, etc. When I learned about these, it was a great problem solver. No more awkward moments for me! After a couple of trips, I started filling them with money (one's and five's) when I had a bit of cash, put them aside, and when it's time to leave I'm all set for gratuities.
I made my first batch for my niece and her hubby, newlyweds and first trippers, and gave them to her at lunch today. She loved them, and hopefully will be able to fill most of them between now and her trip date, March 5.



Unfortunately, our trips only overlap by a day so we might not get to see them, which disappoints me more than it does them, I’m sure. They’re excited to be there, and I’m excited for them!
I also have fun coming up with new t-shirt designs with a Disney theme. If me with their approval, I’ll make these for Jen and Kate. Although my son loves Disney and has a collection of themed T-shirts, his GF doesn’t “do” character T-shirts, so I don’t think I am going to try to figure out a design for them, at least nit right now. Anyway, here’s what I came up with for Jen & Kate.


Comments and suggestions, please!

 

[jenseib]

I hope your sons Gf gets in a better mood when she gets there, but if not, don't let it ruin your fun. some people just don't get it and never will. My oldest daughter doesn't travel with me and has made fun of our matching shirts, but I don't care. We have fun.

I am more worried about her ruining the fun times for your son than you. I am sure you can just go on your merry way when needed, but he will be stuck with her. You would think if she was getting a "free" hotel stay she would be a little flexible.

 

[emelee1053]

Warning: This post is personal, and not Disney related. Please feel free to skip.
This past week has been difficult, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the feelings that have been generated.

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/10/...nection-with-death-of-woman-in-hampden-crash/

Facebook messages and posts have been fast and furious as the debate rages over whether the driver should be prosecuted. The comments range from sad to vicious, as if this was something I had asked for. I’m trying hard to sort it out and here’s what I came up with: If people agree with me, great; if not. I have no time for their hateful, hurtful comments.

My daughter made mistakes, riding with this woman when they had both been drinking, trusting in her friend who claimed to be capable of driving, and not wearing a seatbelt (that’s a whole other story). Her mistakes cost her, her life. The driver, who survived, made mistakes, too. She was drunk (over twice the legal limit), she was speeding on a very dangerous road, and she didn’t insist Sarah buckle up (State law places that responsibility on the driver).

There need to be consequences for her as well, and the Court system will impose them far better than I could. I would not trust myself to be fair, especially since the driver continues to drink, drive, party and have fun. The last post I saw on her FB page, before she blocked me, was posted after the accident, and in it she said “Party hearty. Life is short!” and posted a photo of herself with a cocktail in her hand. I find her apparent lack of remorse appalling, as do my daughter’s friends.

I was told there was enough evidence against the driver that she would probably take a plea bargain rather than face a trial. I hope so because I really don’t want to have to go through the crap storm a trial will generate. So far the media has been circumspect, but I think it’s for the driver’s benefit (parents are wealthy, dad’s a doctor, mom’s a psychologist specializing in substance abuse counseling) more than out of respect for my daughter or my family.

State law says for Class A Manslaughter and Aggravated OUI the driver could get up to 30 years in jail. That’s not likely, and I’m not sure if I would want it to be that way, to spend the rest of her life as a burden to society. What I do want, however, is for her to do some “time” in jail, to lose her license permanently, and to have a felony on her record; I want it to be a sentence that is strong enough and compelling enough for other young people to think twice before getting into a car when the driver has been drinking, to think many times before getting behind the wheel when they’ve been drinking. It won’t bring my daughter back, I know, but I want this statement made so that no one else is killed and no other mother has to sit where I am, dealing with the physical pain, like a fist in the gut, when I think I will never get to hug my beautiful daughter again.



Visiting with Tinkerbell, Oct. 2010

 

[emelee1053]

I hope your sons Gf gets in a better mood when she gets there, but if not, don't let it ruin your fun. some people just don't get it and never will. My oldest daughter doesn't travel with me and has made fun of our matching shirts, but I don't care. We have fun.

I am more worried about her ruining the fun times for your son than you. I am sure you can just go on your merry way when needed, but he will be stuck with her. You would think if she was getting a "free" hotel stay she would be a little flexible.

I wondered the same thing, but... Disney has always been a big part of his life, and if she doesn't share that love, he needs to know it now, rather than later on. I'm hoping she'll relax a little and have a good time. Her parents are pretty rigid, so it may take her a bit of time to get used to Disney-style vacationing. Positive thinking!