MIL is Terminal, Wants to go to Disney

[Rhiannon2005]

Hey Disers,

I need help, Mil has been diagnosed with termanel Brain cancer. She has always dreamed of going to Disney with her kids and Grandkids. The doctors have said to not waste any time. My question is how can we do 6 Adults 2 kids and 6 nights and 5 days most cost effectivly.


Katie

 

[TiredX2]

I am so sorry to hear about your MIL.

My first idea would be to contact Disney directly and see if they have any ideas to help you out. At the very least, see about getting her proof to be able to go in the faster lines. When my brother was dying with brain cancer he was extreamly weakened and Disney lines would have exhausted him.

Take care.

 

[faindrops27]

Hopefully wait for free dining, go in the end of August. Or, if you wish to go right away. Get two rooms, at a value resort with the current promotion. That Disney is running. Your tickets will be included. I am sorry to hear about your MIL. I will keep your family in my thoughts, and prayers.

 

[Tiffa]

Hmm, stay off site try to get non-parking hopping passes. Renting a house is the best way to save, justfloridavacations.com is who we use and the houses are 5 minutes from Disney World and we save money by eating in. And spend time at the house they have screened in pools, hot tubs to relax by the pool the park will be too much after a couple of days for anyone. Keep checking Disney for more special deals they seem to be getting more out there, Sign up for Mousesavers.com newsletter to get the best price on your tickets. Remember you wont be able to do everything so just go with the flow and enjoy the time you have. We went through the same with my MIL and I wish we took time out with the whole family just to enjoy time together. God Bless

 

[jaminmd]

I'm so sorry for your family & I hope your family finds as much joy as possible.

 

[mrudman]

I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL,

There's a few organizations out there similar to Make A Wish, but for adults... I just googled, and came across this one... http://www.herheartswish.org/Main.htm

Might want to look into that, and see what they could do for her...

Best of luck to you and prayer for MIL!!!

 

[RitaE]

so 8 people total? It is hard to say without knowing what exactly your budget might be. If it were me, I'd be looking into renting DVC points for a 2 bedroom Villa. MIL is going to need somewhere close she can rest. Also, then if she is not feeling well you'd be able to do dinner at the Villa. You might go over to the point rental board to see if anybody there can help you out. It can be hard to get last minute DVC, but not always impossible.

If you want to go immediately, I'd suggest April or May, after Easter and before summer break. If you wait until Summer, you are looking at crowds plus heat.

If you can get there in April/May, then I'd wait until October if possible.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

I would stay offsite. Maybe 2 or 3 nights at a Windsor condo. Get everyone a one-day ticket to Magic Kingdom. That is probably where she wants to be with everyone, take pics, etc. Not sure she'd have the energy to do much more Disney than that. Hang out in the condo another day or two just enjoying the family, no rushing, etc. Make a nice meal together. Could be nice - not to mention relaxing.

Good luck and I'm sorry to hear about MIL's health.

 

[shrpgrl]

I feel for you. My Dad wanted the same. We did not have a lot of money and so we got them a cabin at Fort Wilderness and part of us took a tent. We got a golf cart to run back and forth. Worked good for us. We had the full kitchen to do meals and the cabin was home base. They had a bedroom to go to for quiet when it got to rowdy. My dad was too weak to go to the parks so we called him frequently and he got a full report from the grandkids each night. The day we came back he went to the hospital and died shortly there.
Do not wait if possible. There are ways. Renting a house is economical. The downside is it is more difficult to take a break during the day. The upside is everyone can be together and full kitchen.
You could check the family suites at the value resorts or even just the regular rooms. Being on property gets you a chance to take a break and get away from the hustle and bustle that can be hard on someone with brain cancer.
So sorry and my prayers are with you and your family.

 

[horseshowmom]

Check into Bonnet Creek. They have 1, 2, 3, and 4BR condos. They aren't owned by Disney, but you actually have to drive onto Disney property to get to them.

We had a 2BR at Christmas, and it was wonderful - very roomy and upscale. We were able to watch the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom and Epcot every night from our balcony (request fireworks view).

There are several threads on the Dis about Ken Price and the good prices on his site (try the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board on the Dis). Don't just go by what he has listed on the site, it seems that he's somewhat negotiable (particularly for last minute rates). I used ebay and got a very good deal (seller kwksprop).

ETA: Try some of these threads for more information. http://www.disboards.com/searchbt.php?s=&search=ken+price

 

[clutter]

so 8 people total? It is hard to say without knowing what exactly your budget might be. If it were me, I'd be looking into renting DVC points for a 2 bedroom Villa. MIL is going to need somewhere close she can rest. Also, then if she is not feeling well you'd be able to do dinner at the Villa. You might go over to the point rental board to see if anybody there can help you out. It can be hard to get last minute DVC, but not always impossible.

If you want to go immediately, I'd suggest April or May, after Easter and before summer break. If you wait until Summer, you are looking at crowds plus heat.

If you can get there in April/May, then I'd wait until October if possible.

I'd agree with this, but I don't think you can get 8 in a 2BR?

There's cost effective and there's cost effective. You really need to know what you want in order to plan. Do you need this to be as inexpensive as possible or do you just want to get bang for your buck? If it's the first, you'd be best in condos off-site. But then you have the wear and tear of driving back and forth to the parks. If it's the second, you want to be on-site, maybe have a few special meals, etc.

I'd start by picking possible dates. I agree that at this point, if you're not going in mid-March, you're better off waiting until after Easter. You may want to avoid Grad nights in early May. What about over Mother's day?

After picking dates, go the the disney website and price out staying at the Values using the 7 for 4, with the CS mealplan. Can you all swing that? If yes, build from there. Decide if it's worth more for better accomodations or for the DDP rather than the QSDP or hoppers. If not, then start looking for offsite accomodations. I don't know if you're driving down, but if you're offsite, you need a car. I can't imagine being ill and dealing with off-site transportation.

Also search Mousesavers. Great site!!!

 

[Chicago526]

So sorry about your MIL. My mother died of a brain tumor in '07. By the time they found it, it had already spread througout her body, she died less than a month after being diagnosed. They originally said 3-6 months, so you may not want to wait, sometimes people deteriorate much faster than the doctors expect.

I'd go in April if you can, once you hit mid May it can be really hot, and your MIL may not be up for that. We went over Mother's Day one year and it was in the high 80's, low 90's the whole time. Evenings were nice but being in the parks at high noon was

As for the cheapest way to go, I agree with the rest, either see about a house or condo off site, or see if you can rent points on the DVC board and do a two bedroom villa. My family did the two bedroom villa at Wilderness Lodge and it was perfect for us, we were a party of six adults and two kids. My parents took the master bedroom, my DB1, SIL, and nephews took the smaller bedroom, and DB2 had the pullout couch and I slept on an air matress we had brought along. We had plenty of space and while we didn't cook much, it was really nice to have a fridge for drinks and a microwave to make pop corn or heat up leftovers from the restaurant.

 

[ryanshana]

First off I am so sorry to hear about your MIL I just wanted to say that my mother had Breast Cancer and was diagnosised as terminal. The drs gave her 6 w/o Chemo and 12 months w/ Chemo. She decided to do the chemo cause I was pregnant w/ DS and wanted to see/meet him. She passed away 2 months 3 wks and 2 days after that drs appt w/ starting chemo (the day after ds was born so she did get to see his picture)

But then again a friend of mine's DDad was diagnosed w/ terminal cancer and was given 6 months...surpassed that....another 3 months surpassed that etc. He has since passed away though.

I guess all I am trying to say is that if the dr said not to waste anytime and depending on your families situation I would call asap and schedule asap. Has the dr approved a long trip?

I hope everything works out for you and your family. Sorry this post was such a downer.

 

[Traveliz]

I'd agree with this, but I don't think you can get 8 in a 2BR?

There's cost effective and there's cost effective. You really need to know what you want in order to plan. Do you need this to be as inexpensive as possible or do you just want to get bang for your buck? If it's the first, you'd be best in condos off-site. But then you have the wear and tear of driving back and forth to the parks. If it's the second, you want to be on-site, maybe have a few special meals, etc.

I'd start by picking possible dates. I agree that at this point, if you're not going in mid-March, you're better off waiting until after Easter. You may want to avoid Grad nights in early May. What about over Mother's day?

After picking dates, go the the disney website and price out staying at the Values using the 7 for 4, with the CS mealplan. Can you all swing that? If yes, build from there. Decide if it's worth more for better accomodations or for the DDP rather than the QSDP or hoppers. If not, then start looking for offsite accomodations. I don't know if you're driving down, but if you're offsite, you need a car. I can't imagine being ill and dealing with off-site transportation.

Also search Mousesavers. Great site!!!

Yes you can do 8 in a two bedroom at Disney and its all legal and good even with the disboards police.

With terminal brain cancer I would plan and go now - even with some time she will become weaker as the days progress. I definitely would not wait until late summer to go.

Figure out when you can go and then see what deals are available. Of course the buy 4/get 3 is the deal of the day right now.

Renting points and doing everything ala carte would work too.

Best of luck.
Liz

 

[Mic]

If you can rent DVC points for 5 weeknights(Sun-Thur nights), a 2-bedroom that sleeps 8 people and does not charge extra fees for more than 2 adults will cost less than 2 rooms at a value resort. Tickets to the parks will not be cheap, but you can compare the cost online before you go. Generally speaking, a 4-day base ticket from an independent vendor(like Undercovertourist) will be a few dollars cheaper than Disney's gate price of $233 for adults/$196 for children. By having a full kitchen, you can save a lot on food once you get there. It would be very easy to prepare a few dinners and breakfast in the room, and give you more family time together. You could peruse menus and decide upon one or two special meals(like character meals), eat a few counter service meals in the parks, and cook the other meals in the room. Based on my Mickey Math, about $3000 should cover room and tickets(if the tickets are 4-day base), with food cost being negotiable. Off-site would be less expensive, but be sure to factor in the cost of rental car(if needed), gas, and Disney parking fees when you are comparing prices. Most people find there isn't a big difference in price, and the convenience of being on property makes it worth a little extra, but only you can decide for your family. I'm sure other posters could give you more specific advice, but I hope this helps!

 

[KelliLee702]

Hey Disers,

She has always dreamed of going to Disney with her kids and Grandkids. The doctors have said to not waste any time. My question is how can we do 6 Adults 2 kids and 6 nights and 5 days most cost effectivly.


Katie

California or Florida:
I know some of the family Suites may accomidate you at the Good Neighbor Hotels in CA. There are lots of suggestions, but let me know where???

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

I have been thru this exact same thing, I posted a thread about it here on the dis a couple of years ago. My MIL was terminal, too, and wanted to go to Disney with kids/grandkids. We also had 6 adults 2 children, and went in April. No good deal advice for you, but just wanted to say the one thing I wish we had done differently was to get some sort of disability pass for her so she didn't have to wait in lines. She didn't want us to, though. She passed away 2 weeks later.

 

[AllesonWonderland]

I just want to give hugs to the OP.

My mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor (glioblastoma multiforme) this past June and we lost her in September. I had obviously hoped for much longer. As a previous poster said, I would do your best to make plans soon. Will your MIL be doing surgery, chemo and/or radiation? You may have to take her treatment schedule into consideration. And I'd buy trip insurance as well.

I'll second Windsor Hills for being wonderful and budget friendly.

 

[verlee]

I think I saw it mentioned here but just wanted to mention that even though staying off site might be a little cheaper ...the convienence of being closer to everything might be well worth the added expense. Your mil would be able to go back to the room w/o feeling like she was leaving everyone. If she was tired she could do half days but still be part of the outings. Or..... even just relax by the pool and others can come and go with her without lots of hassel.

Also, I would think that less travel time in and out of the parks would save some energy for her. I would look into renting DVC or the cabins or even family suites at asm. There are lots of discounts now so you should be able to get a deal. Cut back on food costs, do lots of picnics and make your own dinners.
I know you will all create lots of memories. Being together is what is important

 

[mskayjay]

First off, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I would call Disney, explain what is happening, tell them time is of the essence and ask what is the best deal they can offer you as soon as possible. Don't pull punches, don't waste time, just do it. I know the purposes of this board are to be budget conscious but ask for help, see what you get, and go. You will have no regrets. IF you fuss around, bargain shop, she gets worse/can't go, you'll forever be berating yourselves for worrying about the money part of it when you should have been enjoying the last days/weeks/months of her life. Ask everyone to pitch in and just do it.

If you somehow get a snarky CM, call back and talk to someone nicer.

Best of luck to you.