Making Lemonade out of Lemons: Katrina

[russtwinsmom]

We are displaced from our home (damage yet unknownl, but not promising) because of Katrina. Interestingly, we were reviewing our homeowner's insurance policy which has a "Lack of Use" clause that will be inacted because we will be denied access to our home by the local government. After calling our insurance company to confirm, we found that our hotel bills will be covered while we await repairs - and yes Disney Resorts are OK (we have a dollar coverage so the location doesn't matter.)

Soooo, we are lengthening our previously planned WDW trip to 20 days and purchasing 10 day tickets, which as you all know, are only a few dollars more. We've decided to take a pool-DTD-visit-the-other-resorts-day between parks and will be able to spend three weeks on site.

I thought that those of you who are in our shoes might also check with your insurance companies. Be careful though, as not all policies may have this coverage.

If you are in our shoes, this might be a great way to lift the spirits of your family and give you something to which to look foward!

Also, if any of you have park suggestions for lengthy trips, I'd love to hear them. Thanks in advance!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

That is so awesome. I am happy for you and I hope many others will able to do the same! God Bless.

 

[nymouse]

That sounds like a great way of making the best of a really bad situation....hope the trip lifts some spirits, and God Bless

 

[babynurse31]

I'm terribly sorry about your loss and all you are going through, my prayers are with you. I'm glad you will be able to have some happiness for your family even in the midst of tragedy.

As far as what to do on your off days, you could always upgrade to plus passes, if $$ allowed, and visit the water parks and disney quest too!

God bless!!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

That is fabulouos news, I am so sorry to hear about the damamge to your home, my thoughts are with you and your family, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[TweetieSC4]

Cheers to Lemonade!

What a fantastic attitude! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and all of those affected by this disaster. Hope the "extended vacation" will bring each of you some fun and relaxation during this stressful time!

 

[isyt]

Boy you have the right attitude. That is some nice lemonade!!! I hope the best for you and your family and that the magic of DIsney helps you forget about home for at least a few minutes!!

May the pixie dust be with you!

 

[tjmouse]

I am glad that you and your family are safe and hope that you can recover from this terrible tragedy. Have a fun and relaxing time on vacation, you deserve it.

 

[kimatigger]

So sorry to hear about your situation. My prayers are with you and your family. Glad you could find something positive in all this. Enjoy every minute of your trip.

 

[pennyplanner]

Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Wishing you a relaxing, restful, rejuvenating vacation with your family.

--pennyplanner

 

[kareneast]

Sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers & Pixie Dust to you & your family (also to everyone else effected by Katrina)

As for stuff to do on your off days:

visit Ft. Wilderness to see the horses & animals and go to the Campfire

watch the Electric Water Pagent from any of the hotels on Seven Seas Lagoon or Bay Lake

Walk around on the boardwalk

Take a ride on the monorail

Play mini golf

 

[pooh2001]

God Bless you and all the families.
Enjoy life at WDW - sit back and watch the clouds go by.
Sit on the beach at the Poly or WL and watch the MK fireworks.
Rent a bike for 4 at the Boardwalk and ride around.
Sit around the pool, dangle just your feet in the water, feel your body realx.

Please relax and enjoy - just call in to your family in the USA to tell them you are all right. You have your health. You are alive. I could not imagine watching my house disappear under water. But life can not be replaced. So please enjoy, tell your hotel/resort you are a Katrina survior - they may spread some magic on you.

Lots of free things to do in WDW - go to DTD and walk around.
Get an ice cream at Giradellies (spelling ?) and sit on a bench - watch the people.

Go to Fort Winderness and walk around where the horses are kept.
Go at night for the campfire and free movie.

Walk along the Boardwalk and watch the preformers (jugglers, mimes...)

Ride the monorail - ask to sit in front with the driver (max 4 people)

Do a tour at a resort - WL has 2 tours - lodge & food, BC/YC has a garden
tour, AKL may also have a lodge tour.


God Bless your family and all the familes affected by Katrina.

 

[melomouse]

In August of 2001, my family - DH, DS and DD went to WDW for our first trip. We planned 7 days, but DH's longterm kidney disease had finally taken its toll. On the 2nd day of out stay - (we were at POFQ) - DH went to dialysis at Celebration and never came back.

I am glad we were at POFQ, too - because it looks like that may be all that's left of NOLA.

In the 2 1/2 weeks we stayed at WDW, we enjoyed the parks tremendously as he stayed in ICU til he passed on September 2. I ran back and forth between my kids and the hospital but made sure that the overwhelming loss and sadness was tempered with the knowledge that DH would have wanted nothing else but for us to enjoy the MK fireworks each night.

We visited Wonderworks and the Orlando Science Museum (awesome - GO!) , all the resorts, lots of off site neighborhoods and restaurants.My pitcher runneth over. Some told me to leave DH and fly home w/ my kids - but I wasn't going home without him. I finally changed my flights to leave in time for DD to start kindergarten. He passed the night before.

We are going back for the 6th time on October 3rd. Part of me feels guilty because of all the devastation being faced by our Americans in the Gulf Coast. But I have learned to go on and do what you were planning to do - and I am so glad that you are handling the possible loss of your home to be content for awhile in your "second home" of WDW!

Thank you for reading. I had a need to share this, obviously, and your story struck me very powerfully. We wish you many magical wishes and the healing power of Disney pixiedust!

melomouse

 

[undertheseas]

My heart goes out to the thousands and thousands of people who are now homeless, jobless, and suffered such terrible loss. I'm glad you have the right attitude about making lemonade!

I heard on the news that Disney has sent $2.5 million in aid.

 

[littleprincessmom]

May God bless you and your family and all of the Gulf Coast residents who have suffered such tremendous loss! I hope your vacation is wonderful!

 

[homer424]

My thoughts are with you-I am glad you have found a bright spot for you and your family in this otherwise very dire situation.

 

[brandip22]

I live in Baton Rouge and we are set to go Saturday. Our close friends from Kenner are coming to our home tomorrow to stay with us for as long as they need to. I have felt extremely guilty for going to WDW with all the suffering. I wish we could afford tickets for them as we have a 2 BR condo so they could share that. Anyway, they'll get some time to heal and be alone as a family for a while. At least their 2 year old ds can play with my son's toys and all. Also, I am a manager at a bank and every customer I have helped this week has been from New Orleans or Metairie. BR is packed with people and I think it's great that the OP is going somewhere to lift your spirits. It'll be a while before anyone can go back and start over, so go and relax as best you can and have fun. BTW, when will you be going? Good luck and God Bless. Oh, and thanks to all of the people who are donating items to send. BR is already low on food right now and donations to those that are displaced should help that. My DH ran to WalMart tonite and couldn't even get Milk as it was all gone. I'll be checking more places tomorrow, but most stores' shelves are pretty epty. Thanks again for prayers and help- these folks need it.

 

[cherokeemamma]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray you have a great vacation - a time to relax, laugh and make great memories with your family. I think you have a great attitude and I know your family is being blessed by your positive attitude.
I too am planning a vacation to WDW in Oct. (first timers) and I am feeling guilty as well.
I want you to know in my little corner of the world (East Metro Atlanta) there are many people reaching out to help those in the Gulf. There are many prayers being lifted up on your behalf, items being collected, and folks volunteering their time to come and help. As of this morning, Atlantans have raised over $800,000 to send your way. Keep the faith and may God bless you.
Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[curiouser]

That's awesome that you can go to WDW and find some comfort in this time of distress. I hope that when you are able to return home things won't be as bad as they could and you and your familly can rebuild your lives.

Just a thought-- I know you're probably not looking to spend more money, but have you thought of an AP? They are not much more expensive than the 10day passes (depending on which you get) and you'd have the advantage of being able to visit the parks as much as you would like throughout your stay. I believe the way the math works, the AP pays for itself on day 12?

Best of luck to you and your family! Everyone affected by this disaster are in my thoughts.

 

[summersfam4]

Happy to hear that you are able to to find something fun to pass the time! Talk about Lemonaide out of Lemons! We will also be in the Wolrd with you. We are saddened about your loss and have and will continue to donate to help relief efforts. Our thought and prayers are with you and those around you who have also suffered.

Kelly