ehagerty
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2001
- Messages
- 2,099
Our last trip August, 2003 was unique in that my carefully laid plans were subject to last minute changes due to unscheduled, sort-of emergency abdominal hysterectomy last year.
Gone was the pre-paid frequent flyer miles airfare, the $76/week car rental (L&M still havent used them), and whatever hotel reservations we had for the first few days. I was determined to go as soon as my stitches were out, and two weeks to the day, I was on a plane. I only mention this incident as context for this current trip (which report will, eventually, be following this one-time, lengthy introduction):
Airfare - I had to use the deferred frequent flyer miles before 8/3/04.
Park Passes - Usually we take our vacations in a last two weeks of August Year 1 followed by the first two weeks of August in Year 2 to get at least 4 weeks out of an annual pass. Since our annual passes expired during our last years trip, we opted to travel in June (before 8/3) and NOT get annual passes for one year, since we couldnt afford them this year AND we wouldnt be able to schedule that second trip in the right time frame. So, we are going to Disney in June, a first for us.
By the way, we dont really LIKE travelling in August. We accept the heat and humidity as a current limitation of having children in school. Its not burdensome unless you focus on it.
Until DS16 (cast details will follow) entered middle school, we took the boys out of school and completed all their school work on vacation (took about 1 hour a day and they were always ahead of the class when they returned).
Post Surgical Vacation / Recovery I had a fair number of people at Disney ask me last year what it was like to recover from major surgery at Disney. My thoughts:
- I dont work in the medical profession, so take anything I say with a grain of salt. I didnt ask my doctors permission or advice on this and my nurse SIL didnt think this was such a good idea. Caveats aside ...
- I was surprised at the number of people who were recovering from minor surgery on my trip. I probably never noticed before, but since I was waiting with other wheel-chair people, we had conversations. Most of them had minor surgery, like knee ligament repairs and figured that, since they were out on disability anyway, why not schedule their family vacation and take advantage of the time off. Disney is very accessible for those who rely on assistance. Makes sense. I didnt actually meet anyone who took off from major surgery, but the CM at OKW was interested in how I was doing since she was trying to convince her MIL to come down 2 weeks after her pending hysterectomy.
- If this were the trip of a lifetime, I would have postponed it. Since we go every year, I felt comfortable with what I could expect (and not). I was also prepared to miss the motion rides for one year, and the pools for the first couple weeks. I had all my mental adjustments out of the way before I left and was quite pleased to not be at home. As helpful as my guys are, the CMs, with their ingrained kindness, provided tidbits of nurturing that were greatly appreciated. That said
- I dont actually remember as much as I thought I would. I count on pictures to help jog my memory anyway, but the film horizon was about butt-high and somewhat limited. By the time I got the camera, stood up (from the wheelchair) and stabilized (balance), the shot had often passed. So, I do remember watching the animals from my room at the AKL, (probably because it was the situation that was most different from our usual trips), but I have gaps which would be disappointing IF this were the trip of a lifetime.
- BTW, as a sidebar, when your viewing range IS butt-high you notice things. Like the fact that the BCV and BWV have a disproportionate number of thong bathing suits (or fanny floss as my brother calls them) compared to the WLV. AND that thong bathing suits were really meant to be seen at a viewing range of 3 feet or farther out not always an option when you are somewhat immobile. Just thought Id mention it. For those who prefer more of a family pool setting, Id have to cast my vote for my already favorite resort, the WLV. Of course, by this year, this too may have changed. Stay tuned to the report.
Gone was the pre-paid frequent flyer miles airfare, the $76/week car rental (L&M still havent used them), and whatever hotel reservations we had for the first few days. I was determined to go as soon as my stitches were out, and two weeks to the day, I was on a plane. I only mention this incident as context for this current trip (which report will, eventually, be following this one-time, lengthy introduction):
Airfare - I had to use the deferred frequent flyer miles before 8/3/04.
Park Passes - Usually we take our vacations in a last two weeks of August Year 1 followed by the first two weeks of August in Year 2 to get at least 4 weeks out of an annual pass. Since our annual passes expired during our last years trip, we opted to travel in June (before 8/3) and NOT get annual passes for one year, since we couldnt afford them this year AND we wouldnt be able to schedule that second trip in the right time frame. So, we are going to Disney in June, a first for us.
By the way, we dont really LIKE travelling in August. We accept the heat and humidity as a current limitation of having children in school. Its not burdensome unless you focus on it.
Until DS16 (cast details will follow) entered middle school, we took the boys out of school and completed all their school work on vacation (took about 1 hour a day and they were always ahead of the class when they returned).
Post Surgical Vacation / Recovery I had a fair number of people at Disney ask me last year what it was like to recover from major surgery at Disney. My thoughts:
- I dont work in the medical profession, so take anything I say with a grain of salt. I didnt ask my doctors permission or advice on this and my nurse SIL didnt think this was such a good idea. Caveats aside ...
- I was surprised at the number of people who were recovering from minor surgery on my trip. I probably never noticed before, but since I was waiting with other wheel-chair people, we had conversations. Most of them had minor surgery, like knee ligament repairs and figured that, since they were out on disability anyway, why not schedule their family vacation and take advantage of the time off. Disney is very accessible for those who rely on assistance. Makes sense. I didnt actually meet anyone who took off from major surgery, but the CM at OKW was interested in how I was doing since she was trying to convince her MIL to come down 2 weeks after her pending hysterectomy.
- If this were the trip of a lifetime, I would have postponed it. Since we go every year, I felt comfortable with what I could expect (and not). I was also prepared to miss the motion rides for one year, and the pools for the first couple weeks. I had all my mental adjustments out of the way before I left and was quite pleased to not be at home. As helpful as my guys are, the CMs, with their ingrained kindness, provided tidbits of nurturing that were greatly appreciated. That said
- I dont actually remember as much as I thought I would. I count on pictures to help jog my memory anyway, but the film horizon was about butt-high and somewhat limited. By the time I got the camera, stood up (from the wheelchair) and stabilized (balance), the shot had often passed. So, I do remember watching the animals from my room at the AKL, (probably because it was the situation that was most different from our usual trips), but I have gaps which would be disappointing IF this were the trip of a lifetime.
- BTW, as a sidebar, when your viewing range IS butt-high you notice things. Like the fact that the BCV and BWV have a disproportionate number of thong bathing suits (or fanny floss as my brother calls them) compared to the WLV. AND that thong bathing suits were really meant to be seen at a viewing range of 3 feet or farther out not always an option when you are somewhat immobile. Just thought Id mention it. For those who prefer more of a family pool setting, Id have to cast my vote for my already favorite resort, the WLV. Of course, by this year, this too may have changed. Stay tuned to the report.
