Need Direction for CHEAPEST trip (dying cancer patient family)

[Kaylasmomma]

Hello I am brand new here ( a friend directed me here )

I need direction on where to go and book the CHEAPEST possible way for a trip for 3 to Disney
staying 5 nights in June a family of 3.

My cousins husband has cancer and has taken a turn for the worse they have a 7YO daughter and have NEVER gotten to take a family vacation..EVER
The girl has said several times she wants to go to Disney with her daddy before he dies
Our family is trying to chip in and get $$ together to send them but I could use some help here

They need to stay on site. With him starting Chemo it will be MUCH much nicer if he has to go back to the room to lay down if he is weak ect..

I am still waiting to hear from someone about a timeshare so that maybe an option

thanks in advance

 

[peacelover]

Maybe they could stay at a value or moderate resort. If he is weak and tired, the travel to and from offsite will be very time consuming.
there is free dining on the disney website starting the end of august, but the way you make it sound, maybe planning that far ahead is not a good option?
I am sorry for your cousins family.
Do they have AAA? There is a small room discount with AAA .
I would not waste the money on park hopper passes if he tires easily. Maybe just get a 3 day park pass to allow for a day of rest in between visiting the parks.
The disney website is down, but there is a special on the website now for an all star resort for 15% off in June.

 

[Kaylasmomma]

Maybe they could stay at a value or moderate resort. If he is weak and tired, the travel to and from offsite will be very time consuming.
there is free dining on the disney website starting the end of august, but the way you make it sound, maybe planning that far ahead is not a good option?
I am sorry for your cousins family.
Do they have AAA? There is a small room discount with AAA .
I would not waste the money on park hopper passes if he tires easily. Maybe just get a 3 day park pass to allow for a day of rest in between visiting the parks.
The disney website is down, but there is a special on the website now for an all star resort for $69 a night in June.

Yes planning even in Aug doesnt sound like a good idea from what Dr say
They do have AAA i will have to look into that THANK YOU!!
We didnt do Hopper passes the 2 times we went either

 

[peacelover]

Sorry I read it wrong on the website. The value resort rooms are 15% off, not $69 a night

 

[JennCa]

I went to Disneyland so same idea about 1 month before my son died (also had cancer and for us we knew it was terminal at that point and planned it with less than 2 weeks notice) and wanted to show some info my 2 cents...

I hope they can drive down and can be flexible if plans need to change. As much as I love on site, with chemo your appetite can be off so staying off site might be helpful so he can actually get some food he wants. Too much park food would be not be good for the tummy especially for this situation. Also, my kiddo threw up some so having a place to do laundry conveniently was awesome.

Check at guest relations and definitely get a pass so he won't be exposed to as many germs as usual, still a lot, but it is better.

Get as many pics as you can and don't overdo it. It will be hot.

Even going to Downtown Disney, etc, watching the fireworks without going into the park can be magical and a lto less pricey than full day tix you don't use. We went to the park 2 full days and it was plenty for us, but with an adult I imagine maybe more.

I heard the the Grandvillas had a groupon deal going, search it and I'm sure you will see it.

My son also had a blood tranfusion right before going and boy that perked him up : ) Not sure if that is an option, but it was very helpful for us.

Also, I'd scope out the local hospitals just so you know where to go if you need it.

As for meds your doc should have able to hook you up with everything you can imagine, for us it was morphine and that made his trip extra pleasant : )
We didn't need it as much as usual, but it was nice to have it all the same for when it was needed.

Take lots of pictures, video and create all the memories you can. I'd also set expectations with the family that while a vacation is incredible and can be magical, be realistic about what it might be like.

Jenn

 

[mrsklamc]

For onsite, just contact a travel agent or AAA and they will be well aware of what the best deals will be. We work hard to have no debt besides our mortgage but honestly were I in your cousin's shoes I would just go and figure out the $ later.

 

[powellrj]

I would see about renting a ECV that way he can travel easier back and forth. If you check out the disabilites board, they have great advice on how to rent off-site so it can be delivered to him at his hotel.

 

[torinsmom]

I agree with a PP that they may want to consider offsite(but close), so that dad can have a quiet place to lie down away from the rest of the family, and also where meals can be cooked to his liking. If they are able to get a handicap placard(I'm sure he qualifies), parking at everywhere except MK will be as short a walk as taking the buses. He would also be riding in his own car with less germs floating around. I would also suggest an ECV to make things easier.

Any way they could go in May? Crowds will be lower and it will not be quite as hot.

As far as where to stay, there may be some units at Bonnet Creek that you could get last minute a lot cheaper than the normal rate, especially if you share your cousin's story. Or you could stay in the Formosa Gardens area. I would suggest looking for somewhere with a bed/bath on the first floor, just to make things easier.

 

[mrsklamc]

It is not always true that onsite= faster transportation. It takes less time to go to WBC or Windsor Hills in your own car than it does to wait on Disney transportation- and having control over their own transportation may be important if he is feeling nauseousness.

 

[v.t.]

If they decide to stay off-site, check into the Y.E.S. program, that would save money on tickets.

 

[Kaylasmomma]

It is not always true that onsite= faster transportation. It takes less time to go to WBC or Windsor Hills in your own car than it does to wait on Disney transportation- and having control over their own transportation may be important if he is feeling nauseousness.

what is WBC??

 

[Gr8t Fan]

what is WBC??

Wyndham Bonnet Creek

 

[cmjaffe]

you might be able to get a room that might be somewhat reasonable (compared to values) if you book at say OKW or SSP.. Even if they use a studio they'd have laundry facilities and come eating in room. You'd also have divsney transportation and I believe there's also the boat to DDT so you'd not have to bother with parking etc.
JMHO
Good luck

 

[mrsklamc]

If they decide to stay off-site, check into the Y.E.S. program, that would save money on tickets.

Normally I would agree, but if he is terminal I wouldn't want to waste time when he might potentially feel up to touring the parks in a class.

 

[adoptivemomx2]

I just wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss you are facing and that you all are doing a wonderful thing. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

I went to Disneyland so same idea about 1 month before my son died (also had cancer and for us we knew it was terminal at that point and planned it with less than 2 weeks notice) and wanted to show some info my 2 cents...

And I wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss.

 

[disney 4 5]

Hello I am brand new here ( a friend directed me here )

I need direction on where to go and book the CHEAPEST possible way for a trip for 3 to Disney
staying 5 nights in June a family of 3.

My cousins husband has cancer and has taken a turn for the worse they have a 7YO daughter and have NEVER gotten to take a family vacation..EVER
The girl has said several times she wants to go to Disney with her daddy before he dies
Our family is trying to chip in and get $$ together to send them but I could use some help here

They need to stay on site. With him starting Chemo it will be MUCH much nicer if he has to go back to the room to lay down if he is weak ect..

I am still waiting to hear from someone about a timeshare so that maybe an option

thanks in advance

My whole family went to DW just 2 months before my Dad passed away from cancer. He was undergoing chemo when we went. He was very tired, weak & didn't eat much (just couldn't keep the food down). Based on my experience here is my suggestions. Tell them to stay on property. That way they are close by & don't have to worry about transportation while they are there. If they are not near Florida have them fly. Even our car trip to the airport that we used (which was about 4 hours away) exhausted my dad. With the current summer special they could stay at one of the all star resorts for 5 nights with 6 day park tickets for $1,428.69 if they add park hoppers it would be $1604.41. I wouldn't go with a dining plan because who knows what he will be able to eat. They could even go with 4 day tickets & enjoy the other things that DW has to offer besides the parks (i.e. hotel pools, downtown disney, sight seeing at other resorts).

I hope this helps. I'll pray for your family during this very difficult time.

 

[Mic]

Rent DVC points to stay onsite. A queen bed and bigger room will be much more comfortable than the value resorts. An individual owner may rent for less than rental websites. Book a YES class for the mother and 7-year-old, and let Dad stay in the room to rest...he may need the break and the 7-year-old will enjoy the class. The room for 5 nights would be @$700, with YES tickets costing $140-164 each, depending on the length/options. The kitchenette in the studio would be ideal for making easy breakfasts, and a quick evening meal if needed, so dining costs should be minimal. I would imagine any family in this heartbreaking situation would enjoy a little down-time by the pool and maybe a character meal, so they could definitely shorten their days in the park to save a little money. Minus transportation to Florida, I think it could be done for $1400 or less. So sorry about your cousin's family...I hope you can make it happen.

 

[Marionnette]

Hello I am brand new here ( a friend directed me here )

I need direction on where to go and book the CHEAPEST possible way for a trip for 3 to Disney
staying 5 nights in June a family of 3.

My cousins husband has cancer and has taken a turn for the worse they have a 7YO daughter and have NEVER gotten to take a family vacation..EVER
The girl has said several times she wants to go to Disney with her daddy before he dies
Our family is trying to chip in and get $$ together to send them but I could use some help here

They need to stay on site. With him starting Chemo it will be MUCH much nicer if he has to go back to the room to lay down if he is weak ect..

I am still waiting to hear from someone about a timeshare so that maybe an option

thanks in advance

My sympathies to your family while they go through this ordeal. Sending your cousin and her family to Disney is a noble gesture and I hope that you can accomplish this.

I'm sure that being onsite or offsite will not matter to them as long as they are there together. Just find the best possible rate for their lodging and then go from there.

Free dining would be nice but your cousin's husband may not have an appetite for theme park food. And you would have to pay the rack rate for whatever room you booked, plus the gate price for the tickets. It would probably be cheaper to book a room-only reservation using a discount code or to stay offsite.

YES tickets would be a good idea if their daughter is interested in taking one of the classes. But if this is the family's first and only visit to Disney, she may not want to take the time away from family to do this. I suggest checking with human resources at work to see if they have discounted Disney tickets. You can also get discounted tickets from AAA, but they will not be as good a deal. Or you could purchase from a ticket reseller like Undercovertourist.com.

If they are flying, start checking airfares as soon as you have dates for travel nailed down. You might want to pay extra for fully-refundable airfare, just in case his treatment makes him too ill to travel and they have to cancel. It will be more expensive but worth it.

If they are staying onsite, they will probably not need a rental car. If they are staying offsite, one will be a must. Mousesavers.com lists rental codes and coupons that you can apply towards a rental car. It's usually cheaper to rent for a week than it is to rent by the day. Five to seven days is considered to be a week. And a Saturday keep is almost necessary to be able to apply most coupons.

For food and dining, check out the menus at allears.net. They have the most up-to-date menus that I know of. Your cousin will be able to get an idea of how much food costs and what is available in the parks and resorts. She may want to consider a grocery delivery service like Garden Grocer if her husband requires/wants very specific foods that are not available onsite.

I highly recommend that they do at least one character meal. Perhaps the family could supply them with a gift card in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of one.

And I second the recommendation for renting an ECV for your cousin's husband - either in the parks or from an outside service. Between the heat and the size of the parks, he may tire easily and an ECV will help to preserve his stamina.

Best of luck pulling this together. I hope that it all goes well.

you might be able to get a room that might be somewhat reasonable (compared to values) if you book at say OKW or SSP.. Even if they use a studio they'd have laundry facilities and come eating in room. You'd also have divsney transportation and I believe there's also the boat to DDT so you'd not have to bother with parking etc.
JMHO
Good luck

I'm always amused when someone makes this suggestion. Renting points for a DVC studio stay IS NOT cheaper than paying the rack rate at a value resort.

The cheapest studio would be the value studios at AKV, which is 9 points per night (Sun.-Thurs.) during Adventure Season. That would require 45 points for the OP to stay there...during Adventure Season. And at the going rate of $11/point, you're talking $99 per night...during Adventure Season. All-Star resorts run $84 + tax (rack rate) during Value Season, which is comparable to DVC Adventure Season.

And that would be if you're lucky enough to get a AKV DVC owner who was able to snag a value studio at the 11-month mark because there are only a handful of those rooms and they go quickly due to their low point costs.

 

[Evi]

Stay onsite with a smaller resort like the french quarter and rent a car. Don't make him wait for buses to get back and forth. If you have triple a and book through them take advantage of diamond parking. I would also consider renting a wheelchair so that if he's tired he's not forced to walk to get to the car etc.

 

[ValpoCory]

My cousins husband has cancer and has taken a turn for the worse they have a 7YO daughter and have NEVER gotten to take a family vacation..EVER
The girl has said several times she wants to go to Disney with her daddy before he dies
Our family is trying to chip in and get $$ together to send them but I could use some help here

I went to Disneyland so same idea about 1 month before my son died (also had cancer and for us we knew it was terminal at that point and planned it with less than 2 weeks notice)

My whole family went to DW just 2 months before my Dad passed away from cancer.

I really think there is a need for a non-profit company that serves to plan and pay for Disney Vacations for families in these situations. I know most of us would gladly contribute.

I know The Make-a-Wish Foundation does great things for kids for various wishes (Disney being one of their main sponsors), but I do not know a group specifically aimed at providing Disney trips for people of all ages with life-threatening medical conditions.

Anyone know of one?