My ** Memories of Ma **Pre-Trip Report

[stitches of laughter]

Is there anything you want to do in Disney that your mom never got to do or you want to do the things that you both liked?

My mom and I were going to do the candle light processional last year, she also wanted to eat at the signature restaurants I reserved. I'm gong to eat at a few of her favorites while I'm on the trip. We both loved the People Mover & The carousel of progress. And the confectionary! Yea, I think every step of this vacation is going to totally remind me of my mom which will lead me to tears, but I can only be so thankful to have had those memories. I had the best time with my mom in 21 years than most do in their entire life time.

Which was your mom's favorite park? If you already stated that, I apologize. I didn't see it. Also, did she have a favorite ride? I think Disney will be a wonderful place for you to bond with your daughter when you get older, and she can hear all kinds of memories about her grandma there

The ironic part you mention about if I have a daughter how she will get to know her grandma, everyone I meet I always end up talking about my mom. When I started my job only a month after my mom passed away, my co-worker Kathe could not believe how happy I was when I spoke on my mom. She was amazed at how many happy memories I have with my mom. Don't get me wrong, I cry every day, think of my mom non stop and will wish every single day that she were with me.
And you gave me an idea! Rude of me to only state my favorites, I need to add my mom! She is indeed the true reason behind this trip

thank you

 

[stitches of laughter]

I get to pay my balance off today!!!!!!!


wooo! hoooo!

:

I am going to call Disney once I leave for work (roommate is sleeping). So I am silently celebrating on the disboards!!!
I cannot believe after SEVEN months of planning I AM ACTUALLY GOING!
To have 5 entire days to celebrate my mom, alone, by myself, means a lot to me. It's a way of me sharing my mom with the world in the most intimate way. I will be able to talk to her, laugh with her and cry with her on this trip because I know she will be with me. I am thinking of getting something personalized with the dates on it, maybe a necklace charm. My mom gave me her charm necklace when I first moved to college in 2007 and told me if it could get her through her heart failure diagnosis and her heart attacks, it could get me through anything. And it has. So far I have St. Christopher, the blessed Virgin Mary, her 20th anniversary Jewel charm and a stone she bought that reads "anything is possible".

I wore it yesterday during my book presentation---which if you have read my previous posts--went FANTASTIC! I definitely do not give myself enough credit. The class was highly entertained. It was my mom tickling their sides*

I also want to share my mom's favorites of disney:

Ma's favorite:
favorite disney park: she LOVED Magic Kingdom

favorite rides: The Carousel of Progress
WEDway people mover
Rock'n'Roller Coaster (until she couldn't ride anymore)
It's Tough to be a Bug
Ellen's Adventure
Imagination!
Muppets 3D!!!

favorite restaurants: California Grill
Jiko
50s Prime-Time
Brown Derby
Liberty Tree Tavern
1900 Park Fare
Le Cellier
Coral Reef

favorite characters: Mickey!
Pooh Bear!
Mulan (because she kicked butt)
Sully
Woody
Goofy
Beaker & Professor Honeydew (oh man, if I were to have forgotten those, I would have been in big trouble!)

favorite movies: Monsters Inc (one of her most favorites)
Tangled
Toy Story (only the first one)
Cars
any Muppets movie
Mulan

favorite songs: the monorail loop, in the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room, the carousel of progress theme, yo ho it's a pirates life for me, zipeedeedoodaa

favorite snacks: FUDGE!!!
frozen lemonade
peanut brittle
Dole Whip!!

favorite souvenirs:
she ALWAYS got ears with our names on them
and her most most most most favorite souvenir:
christmas ornament with our family's name on it and the year. she got one every time.

favorite season: christmas

favorite person: me
I had to, it was totally mutual

​

 

[stitches of laughter]

Good morning!

I'm off to work this morning so I thought I would throw out some of the things I have to do because I only have 50! count them, 50! days left!

I still will have to up my 2 day park pass to a five day, I did that with advice from another dis-er to pay off my balance.

I want to buy a few vacation tops to wear in all of the pictures I plan on taking

I need to figure out what exactly I want to do on the night I have been at AK all day. I have dinner at Narcoossee's and I was planning on watching the holiday wishes from the poly beach, we will see. I want to fit DTD in there somewhere

any other ideas?

have a great day everyone!

 

[bkandreu]

Your mom liked a lot of things I liked! I bet she was a blast to go to Disney with! I'm so glad that you're actually going to get to go! You are going to have an amazing time!! Are you going to do any type of countdown thing?

 

[stitches of laughter]

Your mom liked a lot of things I liked! I bet she was a blast to go to Disney with! I'm so glad that you're actually going to get to go! You are going to have an amazing time!! Are you going to do any type of countdown thing?

oh she so was a blast!! and I am so happy I am going, too.

I'm not sure what kind of countdown. I am going the week after my finals, so I am counting the weeks of fall term, too hahaha

any ideas?

 

[TinkerChelle]

I get to pay my balance off today!!!!!!!


wooo! hoooo!

:

Hi! I just found your PTR. Let me start off by saying that I, of course, am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. Having lost my Grandmother and my Mother in the past 10 years-I have some idea as to how you are feeling.
The spirit you exude is palpable-ur Ma sure did a good job raising such a wonderful young woman! Your Mother seems like my kind of peep!
I thinking eating at some of her fave restaurants is a very nice touch! I hope your trip is filled with many smiles and not too many tears......

 

[iamadisneynut]

Hi!! So sorry to hear about your mom, I lost my mom when I was 22 as well. And we were super close as you described the relationship you and your mom had.

I'm following and super excited about your trip!!

I'm considering a solo trip in May 2012, though I've never travelled alone before! I have kids, so I'm not sure how the family would react to me doing Disney without them!!

 

[stitches of laughter]

Hi! I just found your PTR. Let me start off by saying that I, of course, am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. Having lost my Grandmother and my Mother in the past 10 years-I have some idea as to how you are feeling.
The spirit you exude is palpable-ur Ma sure did a good job raising such a wonderful young woman! Your Mother seems like my kind of peep!
I thinking eating at some of her fave restaurants is a very nice touch! I hope your trip is filled with many smiles and not too many tears......

thank you so much, I greatly appreciate it. I am so sorry for your losses, as well. No one can measure the pain one goes through with grief. And it means the world to know people think my mom did a great job, that is why I am doing this report and trip. I want the whole world to know my mom, even if they only get to meet me. I can't wait to have you along with my planning

Hi!! So sorry to hear about your mom, I lost my mom when I was 22 as well. And we were super close as you described the relationship you and your mom had.

I'm following and super excited about your trip!!

I'm considering a solo trip in May 2012, though I've never travelled alone before! I have kids, so I'm not sure how the family would react to me doing Disney without them!!

I am so sorry you lost your mother, as well. I am glad you are joining me with my planning!

I have yet to go on an entire vacation myself, but I am very independent and do a lot of things on my own. I also talk A LOT and to everyone, so I shouldn't have too much of a problem being social on my trip.

 

[stitches of laughter]

happy monday everyone!!!

Today I am going to Michigan with my dad for the day. We have gone a few times this summer and we usually go up to South Haven. It will be nice to see the beautiful turning leaves and the crisp beach front off of Lake Michigan. My mom liked going on road trips.

It's midterm week (one this week, one next) and that means five weeks until finals AND six weeks until Disney World! Let's just hope Aristotle & Descartes don't make me crawl into a ball

as far as planning goes, I am constantly day dreaming. I always listen to the Four Parks One World soundtrack for WDW on my drive to work. I LOVE the spaceship earth song, although I wish it included the narration. I am so so so so excited to go on a trip for five days. I get frustrated with not "having enough time" 40 hours of work a week plus being a full time student and a social butterfly is exhausting. I love it, but it is tiresome especially with all of my emotions, so I find comfort with disboards You all are so sweet and kind. I appreciate all of your input!

Okay, time for a few hours of sleep!

 

[TinkerChelle]

Enjoy your day with your Dad.

 

[Cafeen]

I get to pay my balance off today!!!!!!!

Yes, I'm late. I've been reading along, just forgot to post. Sue me .

Belated congrats! Love the feeling when it's finally done.

happy monday everyone!!!

Today I am going to Michigan with my dad for the day. We have gone a few times this summer and we usually go up to South Haven. It will be nice to see the beautiful turning leaves and the crisp beach front off of Lake Michigan. My mom liked going on road trips.

It's midterm week (one this week, one next) and that means five weeks until finals AND six weeks until Disney World! Let's just hope Aristotle & Descartes don't make me crawl into a ball

as far as planning goes, I am constantly day dreaming. I always listen to the Four Parks One World soundtrack for WDW on my drive to work. I LOVE the spaceship earth song, although I wish it included the narration. I am so so so so excited to go on a trip for five days. I get frustrated with not "having enough time" 40 hours of work a week plus being a full time student and a social butterfly is exhausting. I love it, but it is tiresome especially with all of my emotions, so I find comfort with disboards You all are so sweet and kind. I appreciate all of your input!

Okay, time for a few hours of sleep!

Sounds like you have a very busy schedule. I'm always amazed by those that can juggle all that. I work my 40-50 hours a week (well, sometimes it's closer to 80, but those don't count) and do nothing else, and I can barely handle it .

Hope you have a great time up in MI. I've been there a couple times, but never really got to go anywhere outside of East Lansing to visit my brother when he was at school (and Dearborn for his wedding). Granted, it's not really on my "must do" list either .

As far as the Disney Music goes, you should check out www.d-cot.com. It's a streaming service (so can't do it while in the car), but they have all sorts of park music. Parades, shows, and even ride-throughs. I know for a fact that several versions of SSE is on there, as I spend most of my time between those, Horizons, World of Motion, and the original Journey into Imagination.

 

[stitches of laughter]

Enjoy your day with your Dad.

Thank you! It was a great time. Beautiful weather & light traffic. We went to South Haven and go along the beach. Met a bunch of nice people, and as my dad knows all too well, I am my mother's daughter. I talk to everyone! He hates it, but I think it's a nice reminder of my mom.

Yes, I'm late. I've been reading along, just forgot to post. Sue me .

Belated congrats! Love the feeling when it's finally done.


Sounds like you have a very busy schedule. I'm always amazed by those that can juggle all that. I work my 40-50 hours a week (well, sometimes it's closer to 80, but those don't count) and do nothing else, and I can barely handle it .

Hope you have a great time up in MI. I've been there a couple times, but never really got to go anywhere outside of East Lansing to visit my brother when he was at school (and Dearborn for his wedding). Granted, it's not really on my "must do" list either .

As far as the Disney Music goes, you should check out www.d-cot.com. It's a streaming service (so can't do it while in the car), but they have all sorts of park music. Parades, shows, and even ride-throughs. I know for a fact that several versions of SSE is on there, as I spend most of my time between those, Horizons, World of Motion, and the original Journey into Imagination.

You are more than welcome to pop in whenever you'd like!
Michigan is close enough to have a day trip, but far away enough to only go a few times a year.
I will definitely check that site out.
I don't mind doing everything I do, but I admit it does add the the excitement of this trip! Even though I won't be relaxing, in other peoples' opinions waking up for rope drop and waiting in lines do not bother me. I look forward to it! Okay, well not so much the waiting, but I will do it

 

[stitches of laughter]

Good Morning!

I hope everyone survived their Monday blues. Today is Tuesday, meaning I have class from 2pm until 10 pm, that of course after I just finished my jogging class this morning.
I have to read 20 pages of Marx for my Adv. Writing class today, I'm kind of the procrastinator. I forgot to bring it yesterday to read in the car. But, I probably would not have read it anyway. My dad and I actually talked the way there and I fell asleep on the way back.

We went up to South Haven and strolled along their shops. We love Decadent Dogs! I always say I am never going to have kids, so my dad bought me a shirt that says "Dog Mom" with paw prints all over it. Of course in hot pink Then we went to Lake Michigan and went on the shore. It felt so nice to have the sand under my feet in October! Then we went to Four Winds casino. My dad likes good buffets and penny slots. We randomly started going to casinos over the summer. Every once in a while. The first time he wont $80 off of one dollar, so he keeps hoping it will happen again silly man.

I just like looking at the different kinds of games just one more dollar!

Don't worry, I don't need the 1-800 number. Thankfully

Here is my favorite picture from yesterday

michigan trip with frame by alwaysellen, on Flickr
[/COLOR]


I love using picnik. It just takes me forever, but I love seeing what their tools do. I wish I were a scrapbooker.


On to more trip planning!
I am wondering what kind of weather it will be in late November? Anyone have any clue?
I have shorts, capris, jeans. I will most likely take each, just to be comfortable in all weather. I am getting more and more excited!

 

[prisjoyce]

Hello! I've been reading your PTR from the beginning, but am just getting around to posting.

Our family went a few years ago for Thanksgiving. We wore light pants and sweatshirts in the morning and evening, but it warmed up enough during the day to go w/ a short sleeved shirt or light l/s shirt. You'll def need layers if you stay late, though! My kids swam in the hotel (heated) pools that week. So weird to be swimming while listening to Christmas music!

That's a great pic of you and your Dad! I really like the candy corn on the side!

We're headed back this Thanksgiving. If you have a moment, check out my PTR! Good luck w/ school!

 

[melmar136]

Hi, just joining in on your PTR, and I wanted to say I'm so sorry about your mom.
My mom really gave me my love for Disney too, and since she has been gone, planning each trip now is bittersweet. But, I think it is a great way to honor your mom's memory!

 

[Belle599]

Hello! I am all up to date on your PTR and let me just say that I think you trip is going to be an incredible tribute to your mother. I am so sorry that you lost her far too soon.

I looked at your ADRs and all I can say is WOW that is lots of dining! I think you will absolutely love Narcoosee's. I have dined there once as a solo and once with my DH. As a solo I did eat at the bar and the bartender was incredible. Of course they time your courses with the fireworks so you can go outside and watch the fireworks. The bartender was great and had another drink all ready for me at 3 mins before the fireworks.

On the other hand, I will be honest that I probably would not go back to LTT and Tony's for a while. They are ok, but not amazing. Instead I would go over to the Wave or Kona to use that dining credit.

Have you picked which parks on which days yet?

 

[lulubel88]

Subbing in. I'm sorry for the loss of your mom...and what a wonderful way to pay tribute to her. I was in a similar situation last year, my oldest sister passed away unexpectedly at the end of August from congestive heart failure. I'm the youngest of my siblilings and ended up being the one to take care of everything. I always schedule vacation from work the week after Thanksgiving so I planned a last minute trip to Disney instead of having a pity party for myself at home. My co-workers thought I was crazy for going by myself but it did a world of wonders to get away from reality. I'm actually going back again the same week so I can be in a better frame of mind. From my experience last year, plan for all kinds of weather. I went from shorts to having to buy another jacket to go over my light jacket I had brought with me. It got very chilly at night. I'm looking forward to following your posts.

 

[stitches of laughter]

Hello! I've been reading your PTR from the beginning, but am just getting around to posting.

Our family went a few years ago for Thanksgiving. We wore light pants and sweatshirts in the morning and evening, but it warmed up enough during the day to go w/ a short sleeved shirt or light l/s shirt. You'll def need layers if you stay late, though! My kids swam in the hotel (heated) pools that week. So weird to be swimming while listening to Christmas music!

That's a great pic of you and your Dad! I really like the candy corn on the side!

We're headed back this Thanksgiving. If you have a moment, check out my PTR! Good luck w/ school!

Hi!
I stopped on by and commented on your PTR! We will miss each other by one day
Thank you for your input on the weather. I think I will bring a few options.
I posted a few pictures of me and my mom on the second page, if you would like to look at those. I have more I will post later on.

Hi, just joining in on your PTR, and I wanted to say I'm so sorry about your mom.
My mom really gave me my love for Disney too, and since she has been gone, planning each trip now is bittersweet. But, I think it is a great way to honor your mom's memory!

I appreciate it.
I know most things will be bittersweet. I can't even think about eating at specific restaurants because they will be too much of a reminder of my mom. Go figure, too much of my ma? Never. But being alone would be hard to handle when that was something I shared with my mom, you know?

Hello! I am all up to date on your PTR and let me just say that I think you trip is going to be an incredible tribute to your mother. I am so sorry that you lost her far too soon.

I looked at your ADRs and all I can say is WOW that is lots of dining! I think you will absolutely love Narcoosee's. I have dined there once as a solo and once with my DH. As a solo I did eat at the bar and the bartender was incredible. Of course they time your courses with the fireworks so you can go outside and watch the fireworks. The bartender was great and had another drink all ready for me at 3 mins before the fireworks.

On the other hand, I will be honest that I probably would not go back to LTT and Tony's for a while. They are ok, but not amazing. Instead I would go over to the Wave or Kona to use that dining credit.

Have you picked which parks on which days yet?

thank you.
I have been thinking about what to do for the days at MK. I am going to signature restaurants for most dinners. But I want to eat inside of the park. I do like Tony's but I haven't been to LTT. I don't want to eat at buffets, although I will miss not going to a character breakfast. I am excited to eat at narcoossee's! I have eaten at all of the other Grand Floridian restaurants. I do like Kona, too. Oh, so many choices!!!
And the parks coordinate with the restaurants. Thanks for joining!!!

Subbing in. I'm sorry for the loss of your mom...and what a wonderful way to pay tribute to her. I was in a similar situation last year, my oldest sister passed away unexpectedly at the end of August from congestive heart failure. I'm the youngest of my siblilings and ended up being the one to take care of everything. I always schedule vacation from work the week after Thanksgiving so I planned a last minute trip to Disney instead of having a pity party for myself at home. My co-workers thought I was crazy for going by myself but it did a world of wonders to get away from reality. I'm actually going back again the same week so I can be in a better frame of mind. From my experience last year, plan for all kinds of weather. I went from shorts to having to buy another jacket to go over my light jacket I had brought with me. It got very chilly at night. I'm looking forward to following your posts.

Welcome to my PTR!
I am sorry for your loss No loss is ever easy or less painful than someone else's.

This is actually the third time I have planned a trip and now I FINALLY get to go!!!!
I am beyond excited! I have a few fleeces to bring with and a variety of pants to bring, too

 

[stitches of laughter]

Good Morning!


me and mom kona by alwaysellen, on Flickr
That is a picture of me & my mom when we went to Kona! We got to indulge in the Kona Cones, well, I did the first time. I made my mom get the fondue and the next time we both got the cones.

I'm at work this morning. So exhausted. I have to do laundry after work then head back to campus for a study group for my Adv. Writing midterm. I got an A- on my recent paper *special note: first day of class this professor said NO ONE gets an A in his classes. So I will take it, happily.

I got a B on my movie review of "Our Idiot Brother" which I was not very fond of.

I am thinking of ways to count down because tomorrow is
45 days!!!!!!!!!!

how exciting!!!

Now I am debating on some of my ADR selections. Any suggestions?

I hope everyone has a great day!!!

& welcome to everyone joining my PTR!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Via Napoli! we loved it there! and always kona for breakfast

great pics of you and your mom and of you and your dad!

wow 45 days! time is gonna fly! congrats on your a- and b! great grades!