My Celebration Vacation

[havinfun]

Hi Everyone!!

2-22-08
I have had a very rough year. My reward for hanging in there is a trip to my favorite place ever- WDW. Last April I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Since my diagnosis I have had 16 rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and 4 weeks of twice daily radiation. I worked through the chemo, but went on leave after surgery and radiation. I just started back to work this week. So now that there is no evidence of disease, I am celebrating life at Disney. And I can't wait.

Cast of Characters: Going to Disney will be myself, age 51 and my DH age 58.

Past Trips: Our first trip to Disney was to the MK in 1977. Next I went with my Mother and sister in 1978. Myself, DH, DS(5) and DD(3) went to MK and Epcot in 1983. We finally got to go back in 1996 with our children ages 17, 15 , and 11. That trip was our first on site trip. We stayed in the Fort Wilderness Homes. This was great for a family of five. I really enjoyed staying on site. Our other visits we stayed with my grandmother or off site.

Dh mentioned maybe we could go to WDW this summer. He knows how much I love being there. Well, it didn't take me long to buy a new book about WDW and figure out abut much it would be. I did that and was dissapointed. I didn't think we could afford it. Then something wonderful happened. A flyer arrived in the mail announcing 40% off during certain weeks of the year. I found which week would work for us- Aug. 10th . I work in a school so I can't go during the school year. So I booked 5 nights at CSR for $99 a night. I also decided to try the DDP, so I added that along with 5 park hopper days. Now I am really excited.

I still have to book airfare, rental car and a hotel near Universal before we arrive at WDW. We are going to fly to Orlando on Aug, 6th. DH has an aunt and cousin who live near Orlando so we will visit them on our day of arrival. We plan on spending 4 nights off site. We want to go the Kennedy Space Center for a day and Universal for 2 days prior to Disney. August 10th we will check into CSR.

So that's is far as I have got with my trip plan. I have been looking for airfare, the cheapset I have found is SW at $129 each way Chicago/Orlando. Planning this trip has really helped me escape my winter blues. I love reading other trip reports and all the information on this site. That's it for today. I hope to report some progess on my pretrip report soon.

2-24-08
Today I was a feeling down because I have to deal with lympheda the rest of my life. Then I would think, "I'm going to see the Mouse " as DH says. That instantly cheered me up. Planning this trip is the best medicine for me.

I am waiting for my Orlando Magic information to come. I think we might stay at the Fairfield near Universal. If anyone has any suggestion for a a motel near Universal for about $75 to $100. Let me know. I would really appreciate it. I was also thinking of buying and entertainment book for Orlando to keep the price of meals down before we get to Disney.

So far for my Disney sitdown meals, I have chosen Le Cellier and Whispering Canyon Cafe for dinner. I still haven't made reservations. Has anyone ate at the California Grill? Is it worth two sitdowns? That's all for today.

2-26-08

I keep checking airfare. The cheapest has been SW from Midway, $129 one way. I keep hoping for the $99 rates. I am not sure whether to book at $129 or wait. Today we had lots of snow again. I just keep thinking of sunny, warm Florida.

3-9-08

I made another payment to Disney. I am still researching places to dine. I really need to make up my mind. The CM said many have made their ADR's for August. This is so exciting, just tinking I am back to Disney World. Tomorrow I have another IV infusion to keep the cancer away away. Thinking about my trip during the infusion reminds me that life is worth fighting for.

If anyone has answers to the questions I posted, please post. Thanks to all you have read my pre- trip report.

 

[Twitterpated Dad]

I'm glad your battle against cancer is going well. Congratulations on your great attitude.

I think you should lock in your airfare now. I think that fuel prices and fares are only going up this summer.

I'd also make your ADRs asap.

Have a great trip!

 

[PrincessFan0809]

What a wonderful thing to celebrate. Can't wait to read more.

 

[havinfun]

March 23, 2008

I made my ADR's:
10th-Sunday - Nacoossee's dinner. I hope it's worth 2 meals.

11th- Monday- Le Cellier 9:50 for dinner. This was the only time open for that week. I wonder if the meal will be so good that we are waiting until 9:50 to eat?

12th-Tuesday- Coral Reef dinner

13th-Wednesday- no ADR since we are using 2 points on Monday. We are renting a car so maybe we will go off site and get a pizza. Any suggestions?

14th-Thursday- Tutto Italia dinner

15th-Friday- last day at WDW, flight for home departs at 9:50.

Three of our dinners are at Epcot. Epcot will have extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday. On Sunday MK is open late, so that should work out with going to the Grand Floridian.

I booked flights three days ago. Arrive on August 6th in early afternoon. This day we will visit relatives. Our flight leaves Chicago at 10:15 so we won't have to get up before dawn. I paid $129 each way Chicago Midway-Orlando.
The next day I checked the rates and our return flight had gone up to $142. That was close.

 

[havinfun]

I'm glad your battle against cancer is going well. Congratulations on your great attitude.

I think you should lock in your airfare now. I think that fuel prices and fares are only going up this summer.

I'd also make your ADRs asap.

Have a great trip!

I am glad I did book my ADR's. Especially since Le Cellier was so booked. Thank you for your reply.

 

[havinfun]

What a wonderful thing to celebrate. Can't wait to read more.

I agree, it is a great way to celebrate since WDW is the "Happiest Place on Earth". Your kids are so cute. It will be strange for me being at WDW without kids. I am sure I will have a great time anyway.

1977 MK- off site, 1978 MK- off site, 1984 off site, 1996- FW Cabin

Bb code

 

[havinfun]

Here are pictures of me and DH, 31 years ago, in Liberty Square.

Sorry I haven't been able to insert the picture or delete this message. I will try again tomorrow.

 

[havinfun]

4-1-08 Happy April Fools. Oh no, the kids at school today are going to drive me nuts with the Appril Fools stuff. BACK to DISNEY. I don't have a Disney store near me. Last week I was off work for Spring Break. I am a school nurse. So anyway I went with my mom, sister and 2 nieces to Indianapolis just to get away. The mall there has a Disney Store. I found T-shirts for $4.99. I was so excited. I bought 2 for me. One Eyeyor ( sorry I can't remeber how to spell). and Minnie Mouse. For DH I bought Grumpy. We will wear them on our trip to see "The Mouse". I should have bought more.

I also posted about diabetic deserts for DH, since we are on the DDP. I got wonderful answers. This board rocks.

Today was another Herceptin day. Even while sitting in the chair I was thinking about Disney World. I was thinking how happy I am that I have hair again for WDW. It's not pretty hair, but it's hair. Now tonight I am writing this and reading the dis board instead of sleeping like I should be doing. I better get a little less excited or I'll be exhausted when I get there. Is anyone else obsessed as bad as I am?

Well good night for now. I hope I dream of Disney World.


http://www.**************/id/1206911059.jpg


1977 MK- Grandma’s house, 1978 MK- Grandma’s house, 1984 MK + Epcot- Days Inn, 1996- FW Cabin. Loved staying on site. Coming up August Coronado Springs.

 

[retiredkid]

So happy to hear of your progress!! And what better place to celebrate??
Your plans sound great. Good thing you booked flights and ADRs when you did.
And try and not be too , you need your rest

 

[jmskinner]

Glad to hear you are doing so well and you get to go to the Happiest Place on Earth. You asked if anyone else was as obsessed as you, wouldn't that be all of us on these boards. I know I am!

 

[havinfun]

4-26-08

GOODBYE CANCER.....This past couple of weeks were very busy for me. Last week I had my annual mammogram. Good news! No signs of cancer. That is great but I still can't let my guard down since Inflammatory Breast Cancer does not show up on mammograms. But I am very happy with the results. I also had another Herceptin treatment. Only two more to go. It sure had been a long year since my diagnosis. I feel so much more positive than I did a year ago when I was first diagnosed.

HELLO DISNEY... Planning this trip to Disney is releasing so many endorphins that the cancer can't possibly find it's way back to me. Okay back to planning. I booked our univesal tickets and hotel room. I thought the price was higher than what I thought I read a couple of weeks earlier. A couple of days later I figured out that I booked the wrong hotel. There are two Fairfield Inns. I had booked the Fairfield near Universal. There is another Fairfield listed as International Dr. that is less expensive. I called the 'help' phone number on the Univesal website. I told the representative that I booked the wrong hotel. She changed it for me and was very nice. So I saved $108.04 with that phone call. The only differance I saw between the two Fairfields was the bedding.

Tonight I added to the notebook that I have made for our trip. I printed up directions and maps that I made using Microsoft Tips and Streets. I thought it would be nice to have all my plans and information in one place. Making the notebook is really getting me into the Disney mood.

I had wanted to watch the Travel Channel shows on Disneyworld and Disney Land are on Friday nights. I saw the first one and missed the last two. I really hope that the Travel channel repeats them soon.

If anyone is reading this ---THANK YOU.

 

[retiredkid]

Yay! for the results of the mammo. It's been a rough year, I'm sure.

That was a good call, literally. That's quite a difference between the prices of the hotel rooms.

Good idea with the notebook. Something tangible that you can look through whenever you need to get the Disney feel.

Keep us posted.

 

[jmskinner]

Still reading here. Happy to hear the good news on your results and saving money.

Melissa

 

[havinfun]

I just typed in a big long update and it got lost in cyberspace.

I'll try one more time. I made another Disney payment last week. I have one more month to pay my balance. I tried to get a better time for Le Cellier. The CM found an earlier time, but when she went to book it, it was gone. I will keep trying. I want to eat there but the only ADR I could get was at 9:50 pm. It would be okay if we could see Illuminations from there, but I don't think we can.

Has anyone ate at Norcoosess's at the Grand Floridian? Is it worth 2 TS on the DDP? We have an ADR there. We usually don't eat at expensive restaurants but thought it would be something nice to do since we are on the plan. I was thinking of having the Surf and Turf. Any opinions are welcome.

I also made some changes to my Universal Studios package. I saw with a code I could get $50 knocked off. I called customer service and gave them the code. It worked and I saved $50. The CS person said the code must have been new because I was the only person to call in with it. I wound up using the $50 anyway because I added Express Plus to my reservation. Now we won't have to stand in the August sun or rain for very long. I hope it is worth the extra money. On the dates will be there it was $38 per person per day. No Fast passes like Disney.

OT- Our youngest son Ben surprised us last Sunday. He is in the Air Force and been in Korea for a year. Well he came walking in the door. It was great!! We knew he was coming back to the States but didn't know he was coming home. It's great having Ben home. He has leave for about a month. Our oldest son is in the Army. I sure wish he would walk through our door but I know that won't happen for awhile. He is stationed in Iraq and has 8 months left of that tour. When he has his mid tour leave he will go to Louisiana. He is married and has two kids.

We have one more child, our daughter Amy. She lives abut 90 miles away and comes home about once a month. It used to be more but with the price of gas it just costs too much.

That's my update for now.


http://www.**************/id/1206911059.jpg

 

[retiredkid]

fingers crossed for a better ADR time for Le Cellier. It was one of our faves.
How wonderful for your son to surprise you like that! It must be great having him at home for a while. You can pour that motherly love on him.

What a nice Mother's Day you will have.

 

[jmskinner]

Hi! I have been subscribed to your PTR, but didn't realize you were also the one that had posted over in the United We Stand threads. I remembered your son in Korea and the other in Iraq. Glad to hear the one made it home from Korea. And he surprised you, that is so cool. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

As far as spluging for Norcoosess's and it being two TS's. I haven't eaten there, but I know most rave about it. I say do it, unless there is another place you really wanted to try and you will be using a TS you really wanted to use for something else.

We haven't been to Universal, but I would probably pay the extra to not stand in line also. We went to Six Flags over Spring Break. It was the first time in a long time they have actually closed the entrance gates. I wish we would have bought their version of fastpass.

One more thing, I've lost a big long post to Cyberworld also. Man it is frustrating.

Looking forward to more!

 

[SunnieRN]

Happy Mothers Day!!! I am so happy that your son is here to see you and I hope your son in Iraq is safe!! My son in law was in Iraq, arriving back home in early Jan. He will have to go back for another tour a year from June.
I am just about the same age you are, I will be 51 in July. I am also obsessed with Disney. I have only been to disneyland (over 30 times when I lived in No. CA) but in sept. it will be my families first trip to disneyworld!
There is so much more planning involved and at times I feel a bit overwhelmed.
This will also be my grandsons 3, and the baby will be 6 mos old, first trip to any disney park!!
My Mom passed away last July with CA. She was very brave and strong and blessedly the end of her life was without a lot of pain.
I am so happy you are a survivor and doing so well!! Congratulations on your 1 year clean bill of health!! Woo hoo and Hoo yah!!!!
Looking forward to hearing more plans and reading a trip report upon your return!!

 

[TCKK]

I'm joining in. Sounds like we'll be there around the same time. We're there from the 6th to the 16th of August. So glad you have an all clear on your medical report. What a great reason to celebrate and what a great way to celebrate!!

 

[havinfun]

Hi! I have been subscribed to your PTR, but didn't realize you were also the one that had posted over in the United We Stand threads. I remembered your son in Korea and the other in Iraq. Glad to hear the one made it home from Korea. And he surprised you, that is so cool. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

As far as spluging for Norcoosess's and it being two TS's. I haven't eaten there, but I know most rave about it. I say do it, unless there is another place you really wanted to try and you will be using a TS you really wanted to use for something else.

We haven't been to Universal, but I would probably pay the extra to not stand in line also. We went to Six Flags over Spring Break. It was the first time in a long time they have actually closed the entrance gates. I wish we would have bought their version of fastpass.

One more thing, I've lost a big long post to Cyberworld also. Man it is frustrating.

Looking forward to more!

Hi Thanks for reading. My son in Iraq called me on Mothers Day but I missed his call. I was at my Mothers. I keep forgetting to forward the calls to my cell phone.

Ben, the son just back from Korea is jealous of our upcoming WDW trip. He said " You're going to Disney and I spending my vacation here". I didn't respond. I just thought wait --this my reward for a really crummy year. He wasn't here when I was going through chemo, surgery and radiation, so I know he wouldn't understand.

About Norcoosess's (How did they come up with this name that is difficult to spell and say ) Thanks for backing me up on my thoughts. I think I have been to a restaurant that was that expensive only once. It was the 95th floor of the John Hancock in Chicago 33 years ago. So I am going to keep the reservation and go just for the experience. The Surf & Turf or the whole Maine lobster is $58. At home I am too thrifty to spend that much on one meal for one person. It will be interesting to taste food that expensive. This is first time for Disney Dining Plan for us, so I need to get my money's worth.

I think getting the express pass at Universal will keep us from getting too hot and crabby. I don't want to spend all my time in line. We went there once before 12 years ago with our 3 children. Now with just the 2 of us going, spending the extra money isn't as painful as it would have been with kids.

I hope you had a good time at Six Flags. Wow I sure talk a lot online.

 

[havinfun]

Happy Mothers Day!!! I am so happy that your son is here to see you and I hope your son in Iraq is safe!!

Happy Late Mothers Day to you.

My son in law was in Iraq, arriving back home in early Jan. He will have to go back for another tour a year from June.

Wow it's really lousy he has to go back again. I don't think Ben (my AF son) is going to reenlist. He has been in the AF for 4 years and added another year on so he could go to Korea. He really liked it there. He had a TDY 2 years in Kyrgyzstan ( sorry can't remember how to spell it.) Now he has seen people return from Iraq and doesn't want to go there. Ryan is my oldest son and joined the Navy. He spent 5 years in the Navy and then transferred to the Army. He is the one in Iraq.

This will also be my grandsons 3, and the baby will be 6 mos old, first trip to any Disney park!!

I love Disney. I don't know why maybe nostalgia. I think you will have a great time with your grandkids. I have 3 grandchildren. My Army son's children are going to be 3 and 1 soon. I don't get to see them much since I live in Illinois and they are in Louisiana. My daughter's son is 17 months. We are taking him to the zoo Sunday. Not as great as trip as WDW, but it will do.

There is so much more planning involved and at times I feel a bit overwhelmed.

You right about the planning. I enjoy the planning but at the same time I am nervous about getting everything just right. When are you going to WDW? I bet you are just as excited as I am. You'd think by the way I obsess that I had never had a vacation before,



My Mom passed away last July with CA. She was very brave and strong and blessedly the end of her life was without a lot of pain.
I am so happy you are a survivor and doing so well!! Congratulations on your 1 year clean bill of health!! Woo hoo and Hoo yah!!!!
Looking forward to hearing more plans and reading a trip report upon your return!!

I am sorry abut your mother. It must have been hard for you this last Mother's Day. I am glad she didn't have a lot of pain.

Thanks for writing and reading. I don't know what happened but many of my responces landed in the yellow box. I'd fix it but i am way too tired and I'd probably make it worse.