Know any 1st class tips/secrets?

[mndisfam]

Hi everyone - I am a major lurker.

Here's my story (probably more than you want to know, but we are all Disney heads here...) I am pretty young, but on 4/21 I am having a hysterectomy. (Again more than you probably want to know...) Needless to say, I am scared to death!!

As part of my recovery, we booked a blow out trip to WDW in October. 2 night AKL concierge (maybe talk DH into a suite...) and 5 nights SSR. Normally, we aren't this extravagant, but this family deserves a happy time, and I know Disney will come thru.

I am really scared about my surgery, but as I posted in another thread, when I am nervous I read this site and focus on the trip & the wonderful magical trip we had for the 1st time to Disney last fall. As I said in my other post, I am taking those memories out of my head like beautiful jewels and remember them.

So - calling all honeymooners, etc. Does anyone have any special 1st class tips or anything extravagant they did? EG - will SSR have any special events, etc you know about ahead of time? Or AKL? Are there any special DVC events or discounts we might be able to take part of? Or any AKL stuff?

The member weekend would have been perfect, but can't make that. We are travelling with our DD & DS - 5 & 8. I am hoping you experts will come up with something!!

 

[burnsoc]

First let me say good luck with your surgery and I'm sending pixie dust your way. If you're looking to do something extra special, try booking an illuminations cruise. I did this on my last trip and it was great. It felt like our own private showing of illuminations. And you can bring your own beverages aboard, so pop open a bottle of champagne and celebrate your successful surgery! The official policy is no outside beverages, but the captain told us we could if we wanted. I wish we had known before. Have a great trip and good luck.

 

[CarolMN]

You didn't say when in October you plan to go. Depending on your dates, you may be there for the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT. Should be fun for all of you.

MNSSHP (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party) may also be offered during your stay. Based on my experience with MVMCP(Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party) and what I've read here on the DIS, you all will just LOVE that. Hope it works out for you to go.

Since your children are aren't babies/toddlers, they might enjoy an evening at one of Disney's child care clubs. You and your DH can then enjoy a special evening out together. I'd recommend dinner at JIKO, the CG or one of the many other fine restaurants. Depending on the club (many serve dinner to the kids), you may even be able to get in some dancing or clubbing at PI.

Most of all, I wish you the best for the surgery and I'm sorry to hear it is necessary. You are in my prayers.

Best wishes -

 

[disgirl]

Hi! I really wanted to post to tell you I am sure all will go well wtih your surgery.
I think planning such a special trip will def. help the recovery go faster and will give you something to really look forward to. Other than a couple of really nice dinners, Yatchman Steakhouse at BC, I personally can not suggest anything really special that we have done. Sorry. However, I agree a nice dinner for just the 2 of you sounds great and that cruise sounds like something worth looking into.

I am sure others will have good suggestions here. My thoughts are with you for the surgery. Just keep thinking about this great Oct. trip and have fun planning!

Patty

 

[chicago641]

I had this surgery unexpectedly last july at 40. I think the Disney trip will be a great goal to focus on. We went to Israel in Sept. after my surgery. i was afraid I would not be up to it,but after the first 5 weeks I really felt back to normal. Good luck... feel free to send any questions you might have.

 

[DisneyDuo]

Hi Mndisfam - we did the same thing back in 2002 - I had my hysterectomy in april and we planned a major WDW trip for January. We did a 4 nite cruise with 4 days before and 4 after in the parks. The last day of that trip was when we bought into DVC!

You're in my prayers that surgery and recovery go smoothly (frankly, it's the best thing I ever did - I've never felt better!!!!!)

Make sure and let the folks at Disney know it's a special trip for you - we had a certificate and rose waiting for us in our room the first day.

Blessings - Lin

 

[mom2rb]

We did Victoria and Albert's on our honeymoon. It was perfect!!! I wouldn't take the kids but if they are ok at one of the kidcare places go for it.

 

[DisneyBill]

Are you aware of this site? There may be some ideas crop-up before you go that will make your trip more special.

http://www.luxurydisneyguide.com/

 

[Jecca]

This may not be along the lines of romance, but it definitely is special! AKL offers a Sunrise Safari to Concierge guests only. You meet in the concierge lounge bright and early (7am-ish) and leave on a Disney bus for Animal Kingdom with AK CMs who give you a short tour of the off-stage areas of Animal Kingdom. Then you have an extended tour on the safari with this CM who gives you tons of info on all the animals, how the safari is set up, secrets, and lots of stops along the way for photo ops. The whole thing takes about 45 or so minutes. The nice thing is that lots of animals are out because its still relatively cool in the early am. All of this is wrapped up with an enormous buffet breakfast in a private room at Tusker House. If I remember correctly, this is only offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays, so I hope your stay falls on one of those days. Its a little expensive, but WELL worth it.

Good luck and best wishes to you.

 

[goofy4dvc]

Just a word of encouragement regarding your surgery. I had a hysterectomy in September. The doctor thought he could do the surgery without an abdominal incision, but said there was a chance I'd need the abdominal incision. Well, when I woke up, there was a 7-8" incision. That was what I was most scared about. Not so much the surgery, but about the recovery after an abdominal incision. Following surgery I developed a hematoma (internal bleeding) as well as a urinary tract infection (which is not unusual). So my recovery was somewhat longer than yours will be. What I'm trying to get to is that I still would have the surgery, even if I knew what I was going to go through. I thought I felt pretty good before the surgery and questioned whether I really needed it or not since I would be going through menopause in a few years. But now that it's been 6-7 months, I can tell you that I feel so much better now. I don't think I realized that I felt bad because it gradually comes over you more and more all the time that you just get used to feeling that way and you think it's normal. Anyway, I know it's hard not to worry about the surgery, but take it from one who had about everything go wrong that could and I'd still do it again. And the best part, you can plan your trips without having to worry about needing those feminine hygiene products!! (sorry, guys!)

 

[JimC]

Good luck with your surgery.

AKL -- concierge is the right thought. At 90 days call the concierge desk and reserve the sunrise or sunset safaris. Heck reserve both!

Safari view rooms might be worth a private dinner on your balcony. They do it up right

Jiko is the signature AKL restaurant. Be sure to have a dinner there.

 

[MelissathePooh]

one thing that we've done a few times that is just a lot of fun for us, and feels really "special" is taking a "burst" on Breathless, the wood speed boat at the yacht club. Of course you can go see illuminations in Breathless, but you can also take a ride during the day, and they have some short ones, like 1/2 hour or 20 minutes, that don't really cost that much. And I think there is a DVC discount on it, too. So it ends up being not that much, it can be a pretty wild ride (wear your bathing suit), but if you are still healing up let them know and they will take it easy. We always think it is big fun.

Good luck.

DR

 

[TwingleMum]

The Sunset Safari at AKL seems much more special than the sunrise safari ( I did the sunrise in Oct but they were testing the sunset unfortunately we couldn't take avantage but theres always next time!!) Any way the Sunset safari is only open to concierge guests and is limited to a much smaller number (16?) It takes place at AKL and you drive the grounds in a land rover type vehicle with your own animal guide. You stop and have cocktails with a giraffe. And then its on to a magical dinner at Jiko. AWESOME!

I highly recommend AKL concierge and if you could swing a few more days there its well worth it. Its the best concierge on property.(IMHO) The offerings are outstanding and the staff incredible. You may want to end your trip here and save a day or two to spend just at the resort. Theres soo much to do there and its soo relaxing it would be a great way to end a Disney vacation.

Best of Luck with your surgery and having a great goal and something postive to plan is great therapy.

 

[TonyS20]

Good luck with your surgery! There is nothing better than to "escape" by planning a Disney vacation.

There is a family tour at MK. I can't think of the name of it, but I have heard it is a lot of fun. Not necessarily romantic, but would be a great "family" activity! You can call 407-WDW-TOUR and I'm sure they could tell you about it.