Need planning help for last minute trip to WDW (a little sad)

[eliza61]

My hairdress, who is also a good friend (she's been doing my doo for 11 years now ) is going to wdw.

Unfortuantely, it's a bittersweet trip. She's married to a collosial jerk (my opinion) and last week he became abusive. Thankfully she immediately grabbed her 2 kids (girl 8 and boy 6) and left. She's taking the kids on vacation I think to try to help them not be to traumatized, if that's even possible.

Anyway, most of you know I am the absolute Queen of the wingers tribe, so I'm not sure what to recommend as far as planning.

I was simply going to tell her to not plan on going commando and maybe just hit 2 parks. They are going for 4 nights/5 days but are leaving early on the 5th day.

I'm going to troll the phones to see if I can get 1 character meal for them.
I'm trying not to overwhelm her.
Do you think at this late date you would recommend picking up a guide book?

 

[MHSweb79]

Good for her! And good for you for wanting to help her out.

It's absolutely not too late to pick up a guide book. I recommend you give her a copy of Birnbaum's Disney with Kids book. It's easy to read and well laid-out so they can quickly determine which attractions they most want to see. (Of course, the down side is that they'll want to hit all four parks. Hmm)

 

[Ktharee]

I think your opinion of him became universal the moment he became abusive and BRAVO to her for leaving the out of control coward.

Now, it's never too late to plan, however, it may be more beneficial (and cost effective) if you just create a list of highlights that her kids might be most interested in seeing at each park. Offer her some of your advice and the tips you've picked up along the way, but maybe they'd have more fun without a structured schedule too.

In any case, I wish them all the magic WDW has to offer!

 

[sydneysmom]

Hugs to you and your friend !! I would totally get a guidebook....if for nothing else, it will help keep her mind busy by focusing on something else.

I don't think I'd recommend planning much in this case....like you said, maybe a character meal. But they're going to need some time to heal, grieve, ask questions and cry. And bond as a family. So maybe taking their time without a big plan might be a good thing. Then they can come and go as they please and when they feel like it, then participate in all the fun

I hope all works out well for them.

 

[TandLMommy28]

I've just been through the abusive loser thing with my best friend and I am so happy to hear that she got out fast. I had to plead with my friend to get out for six months before she finally did it.

I'd recommend them focusing their attention on Magic Kingdom because they will really be able to forget their troubles for a little while. If you can't be happy and relaxed at MK, I don't think you can be happy anywhere But maybe they could still get in all four parks if they hopped? Half day at DHS, half day at AK and full day at Epcot? I guess it depends on their interests. And definitely a guide book of some sort--Unofficial Guide to WDW with Kids, maybe?

At any rate, I hope they have the most magical vacation ever and they are covered in pixie dust from head to toe for the entire trip! If anyone deserves it, those kids do.

 

[hmdavid]

Big hugs to you and your friend. So sorry she is going through this but very happy that she was brave enough to leave.

Check the Disney website. Under where to eat you can make dining reservations online. It gives you the option to narrow it down to character experience and will pull up what is available on a certain date within a time period.

Hope they have a great trip!

 

[Local_Girl]

First of all, to them and kudos to you for helping out.

I would make sure they understand how fastpasses work...I think they are essential in touring with minimal lines/hassle, and I'm amazed at how many people don't know about them or use them.

It's wonderful of you to try to get a character meal for them...you could check out the cancelled ADR thread for August on the Restaurant board to see if anyone is cancelling a ressie they can use. I was able to pick up a Crystal Palace breakfast ressie for my own trip that way! Good luck to you, and of course, to them.

 

[SarahWeasley]

I don't think it's ever too late for a guidebook, but it might be more helpful to create a "Cheat Sheet" for her explaining the most important stuff, like how to use Fastpasses, how the transportation works, how the character meet-and-greets work, stuff like that. Listing some of the best rides is probably a good idea, too.

I think your goal should be to ensure she's prepared enough to be able to relax and not have to waste time or money trying to figure stuff out, but don't overload her with stuff she might feel like she HAS to do in order to have a good time.

 

[Faldred]

I'd work on hitting the highlights of touring strategy -- get there early, understand (and use!) the fast pass system, have an idea of how to "manage" the parks so you don't find yourself hopping from one side to the other all day, etc. Most importantly, to understand there's no way to "do it all" in such a short time, and no reason to even try.

That general advice aside, it appears the kids are the main focus for the trip (though it sounds like Mom needs some magic, too!) -- so the best plan might be to see what they're most keen on doing, and working a simple, flexible plan that will focus on making sure they each get what they want.

 

[cydswipe]

Hey there,

So nice of you to help out a friend in need...

I would recommend ROPE DROP and fast passes....
Tell her to get water from quick service places FOR FREE!



As for a nice meal, I would stalk the August ADR cancelled thread and see what is being posted. You may luck out there!!!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

She's staying at the XXXX.

If this guy is as bad as all that, PLEASE EDIT YOUR POST. If you know anyone who has recently left an abusive relationship, never disclose dates or locations where the family is staying. If he is crazy enough to be abusive, he might do something much, much worse.

 

[rentayenta]

If this guy is as bad as all that, PLEASE EDIT YOUR POST. If you know anyone who has recently left an abusive relationship, never disclose dates or locations where the family is staying. If he is crazy enough to be abusive, he might do something much, much worse.

Good call.


I would pick her up the Passporter too.

 

[eliza61]

If this guy is as bad as all that, PLEASE EDIT YOUR POST. If you know anyone who has recently left an abusive relationship, never disclose dates or locations where the family is staying. If he is crazy enough to be abusive, he might do something much, much worse.

Done
Thanks for the heads up. He has been a loser since day 1 (and this is over 10 years that I've known her) recovery alcoholic etc, etc but 10 days ago was the first time that he ever laid a hand on her. She has a very strong support group (parents, siblings and friends) so hopefully she and the kids will be able to get through this.

I truly can't imagine, as my dh is 360 degrees opposite.

thanks for the heads up.

 

[lustergirl]

you are a true gem Eliza!!

 

[lroger01]

If you have park maps from previous trips, you can use those as cheat sheets. Just highlight in green the attractions her group might like that should be ridden in the morning or with a Fast Pass. Highlight in another color the attractions that can be ridden later in the day. Leave unhighlighted attractions that you think are skippable (due to quality, height req., fear factor). Place stars on the map for good fireworks viewing locations, and circles for parade watching spots.

Armed with your map, a knowledge of Fast Pass, and the importance of arriving 15-30 minutes before opening (don't say rope-drop, use real-world speak ), and your cell-phone number (in case she gets stuck) and she should easily have what she needs for herself and the kids to have a good time.