TurnR@TheMouseHouse
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Messages
- 232
Cast: Myself (56 young female who finds planning Disney trips to be as much fun as the trip itself) DF (78 young and first trip to the Parks since 1975 who had no idea what a great time he was going to have) DB (50 young and first time to the World with a planner and first intro to Fast Pass)
Ulterior Motive: To get my DF back into life again since my mothers passing and to help him get over the year of rebuilding his home after Hurricane Jeanne decided to make it a twisted wreck. Weeks without power at 90+ temps and humid, very humid. No water. No gas. Standing in line for ice. The frustrations, the set backs, the challenges. I wanted to see the light in his eyes again. I thought, DISNEY! I will show him this safe and magical place that can be his for the price of a Fl resident season pass and a short drive up the road. He also loves Christmas lights and I had been telling him no one does Christmas like Disney! I had peaked his interest in 2004 while we were holed up at the POR waiting for Ivan to choose his target. Since it was not us we spent the time marveling over the resorts and indulging my father in his newly discovered pastime of finding Hidden Mickeys.
Part 4/ Day 5 Final Day
I usually call my last day at WDW my loose day. I make a couple of ADRs for later in the day, but dont require anyone along for the trip to be up and at it on the last day. Last night was our late night and I wanted my father to have a more leisurely morning than the previous four. I wanted one too.
We had not been to MGM so I had an ADR for the Prime Time at 2 PM just in case. I also had an ADR for OHana in case of the weather did not cooperate. I had MGM plans if we ended up there but had not discussed them. If we made it to MGM this was going to be my little surprise, my little grand finale so to speak.
We woke to sunshine and crisp air. It was the first time we had seen the sun in 6 days. It was going to be a gorgeous weather day. The kind of weather that always reminds me why all the snowbirds migrate to FL in the winter months. My brother and I were sitting on the back patio, that overlooks a conservation area, having our coffee when a Bobcat decided to make an appearance. It was brief, but it was cool seeing him/her so up close and personal. Another surprise was my father stepping out the door fully dressed and ready to go. He was like a kid, I tell ya. My brother and I quickly took this as a good sign and followed his lead, dressed ourselves, and were headed to MGM by 10:30 AM. I knew my father was going to love this park. It has the nostalgia and shtick.
We entered the park having the usual exchange about not having to pay here either. I told my father that this final day at MGM meant he was now in the black as far as admission went. Any future trips during the coming year would be no charge to get in any park he wanted. He had the look of disbelief, and my brother and I exchanged that look of satisfaction once more.
We proceeded in our usual leisurely stroll with my father tooling behind us taking it all in. My brother and I agreed we would forgo the thrill rides to make the best use of time in showing what MGM had to offer a "senior". My agenda was the GMR, Muppets, Prime Time, Holiday Parade, all the Shtick my father wanted to stop and watch as long as he wanted, WWTBAM, One Mans dream, and finally making our way out of the park at 6 PM through the streets of NY and the Osborne lights. We experienced it all except the Muppets.
My father loved it all too. He really enjoyed the street performers and got a big kick out of the Plunger routine. He ate every bite at the Prime Time and declared the Meatloaf as being just like your mom used to make. He said the parade was the happiest parade he ever saw. I thought to myself, Oh, the parades you have yet to see. He faithfully watches Millionaire reruns every night (with Regis only) and the look on his face when he found himself sitting at the show was priceless.
After WWTBAM it was on to One Mans Dream. When we came out it was 6 PM and dark (Showtime!!) so we made a right turn and headed for the streets of NY. Background. Growing up, due to my fathers Christmas enthusiasm we had one of those houses that people would make a special trip to drive to and look at. One year he had a crane come out put lights at the top of our 100 ft Washington Palm. You could find our house if you spotted the palm. I had not told him about Osborne lights because I wanted him to have the full WOW factor. It did. It was a magical experience from one end of the street to the other. It was a chilly night, but dry and perfect for lights, snow and popcorn.
We took our time making our way up the street. Looking and pointing out features of the displays to each other an taking it all in. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful trip and my fathers first experience with the Magic of Disney World and to think there is more, so much more magic waiting.
Ulterior Motive: To get my DF back into life again since my mothers passing and to help him get over the year of rebuilding his home after Hurricane Jeanne decided to make it a twisted wreck. Weeks without power at 90+ temps and humid, very humid. No water. No gas. Standing in line for ice. The frustrations, the set backs, the challenges. I wanted to see the light in his eyes again. I thought, DISNEY! I will show him this safe and magical place that can be his for the price of a Fl resident season pass and a short drive up the road. He also loves Christmas lights and I had been telling him no one does Christmas like Disney! I had peaked his interest in 2004 while we were holed up at the POR waiting for Ivan to choose his target. Since it was not us we spent the time marveling over the resorts and indulging my father in his newly discovered pastime of finding Hidden Mickeys.
Part 4/ Day 5 Final Day
I usually call my last day at WDW my loose day. I make a couple of ADRs for later in the day, but dont require anyone along for the trip to be up and at it on the last day. Last night was our late night and I wanted my father to have a more leisurely morning than the previous four. I wanted one too.
We had not been to MGM so I had an ADR for the Prime Time at 2 PM just in case. I also had an ADR for OHana in case of the weather did not cooperate. I had MGM plans if we ended up there but had not discussed them. If we made it to MGM this was going to be my little surprise, my little grand finale so to speak.
We woke to sunshine and crisp air. It was the first time we had seen the sun in 6 days. It was going to be a gorgeous weather day. The kind of weather that always reminds me why all the snowbirds migrate to FL in the winter months. My brother and I were sitting on the back patio, that overlooks a conservation area, having our coffee when a Bobcat decided to make an appearance. It was brief, but it was cool seeing him/her so up close and personal. Another surprise was my father stepping out the door fully dressed and ready to go. He was like a kid, I tell ya. My brother and I quickly took this as a good sign and followed his lead, dressed ourselves, and were headed to MGM by 10:30 AM. I knew my father was going to love this park. It has the nostalgia and shtick.
We entered the park having the usual exchange about not having to pay here either. I told my father that this final day at MGM meant he was now in the black as far as admission went. Any future trips during the coming year would be no charge to get in any park he wanted. He had the look of disbelief, and my brother and I exchanged that look of satisfaction once more.
We proceeded in our usual leisurely stroll with my father tooling behind us taking it all in. My brother and I agreed we would forgo the thrill rides to make the best use of time in showing what MGM had to offer a "senior". My agenda was the GMR, Muppets, Prime Time, Holiday Parade, all the Shtick my father wanted to stop and watch as long as he wanted, WWTBAM, One Mans dream, and finally making our way out of the park at 6 PM through the streets of NY and the Osborne lights. We experienced it all except the Muppets.
My father loved it all too. He really enjoyed the street performers and got a big kick out of the Plunger routine. He ate every bite at the Prime Time and declared the Meatloaf as being just like your mom used to make. He said the parade was the happiest parade he ever saw. I thought to myself, Oh, the parades you have yet to see. He faithfully watches Millionaire reruns every night (with Regis only) and the look on his face when he found himself sitting at the show was priceless.
After WWTBAM it was on to One Mans Dream. When we came out it was 6 PM and dark (Showtime!!) so we made a right turn and headed for the streets of NY. Background. Growing up, due to my fathers Christmas enthusiasm we had one of those houses that people would make a special trip to drive to and look at. One year he had a crane come out put lights at the top of our 100 ft Washington Palm. You could find our house if you spotted the palm. I had not told him about Osborne lights because I wanted him to have the full WOW factor. It did. It was a magical experience from one end of the street to the other. It was a chilly night, but dry and perfect for lights, snow and popcorn.
We took our time making our way up the street. Looking and pointing out features of the displays to each other an taking it all in. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful trip and my fathers first experience with the Magic of Disney World and to think there is more, so much more magic waiting.
