Recovering from Sandy... A Surprise trip for NYE

[Valentine]

So... I can't tell anyone else.. so I figured a trip report right here on the DIS would be the way to go!!!

So a little back story... As you all know, up here in New York, we were slammed with a little storm called "Sandy". It has been - to say the least - a horrific experience.. for everyone. We have been dealing with survival and recovery 24 hours a day since the storm hit. So many of my friends have been devastated.. and my line of business has me in the thick of things. Needless to say it has been emotionally draining.

So, what does a Disney addict do when emotionally drained??? Run to her happy place!!! But wait... I already have a trip planned for January 10th for marathon weekend... Sigh.. g But I need a trip NOW!! I guess I will just have to hold out till January.. but it's going to be rough.

Well, well... welllllll.. guess what happened??? We get an email at work saying that we are going to be CLOSED on New Year's Eve.. AND New Year's Day... ding ding ding... that means a 4 day weekend... add in a personal day that I have coming to me.... and we have a 5 day weekend. But really.. NYE??? Am I crazy??? That is just insane and only 2 weeks before I am supposed to go anyway...I just can't justify that.

Well... here goes the Disney Addict brain...

Every year for the past 8 years I have been taking my nephew JoJo to Disney... Just the 2 of us.. every August...without fail. It is our special time together and he is now a Disney Addict in training! well.. this past year was our last "alone" trip as we have a new nephew that will be going with us starting next year... JoJo is fine with this and is looking forward to showing the new little guy the ropes..but I a brilliant idea began to form and I thought.. wait a minute.. what if I brought JoJo with me for NYE... this will be great for him.. give him another alone trip with me... and it can be his Christmas surprise!! That was it! Decision made! I went online to see what kind of numbers I would be looking at.. and realized that it was not as bad as I expected. Add to that the DVC PAP discount and I was sold! I booked the flights (only ouch) and figured all I had to do now was wait!

Well.. really? Who am I kidding?? A Diser doesn't just book a trip and then go on it.. No way.. we have many tweaks to make.. reservations to add... plans to make... even if the trip is only 3 weeks away! LOL! Soooooo .. Join in on my whirlwind New Year's Eve Surprise Trip.... I promise it will be an adventure!

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

What a wonderful auntie you are . I have no words to say to anyone one that was in the way of sandy. I am not sure how I would react to seeing my home and all my belongings wet at best or destroyed. I wanted to get a pair of gloves and some work books along with overalls and go there to help. I do home dialysis so would never get the ok from Dr. to travel there . I did next best thing. Donated to the NYC sandy recovery fund. I would need to look up the name I made check out to but it was the one Matt Lauer chaired. I hope the donations reach those in need. I worried about the dialysis patients in NY #1 then the Homeless -- the ones before Sandy hit. They had no where to go unless police told them and hopefully took them. You deserve a trip for all the sadnest Sandy brought to NY. Bless you and the others. Stay strong and wear a smile when you feel tears coming on. You can not cry when you have a smile on your face.

 

[Valentine]

Sooooo.. the big Reveal was today ... and It was great.. I wasn't sure what the reaction was going to be.. so I was happy with the one I got!! LOL!!

To Re-Cap... I take my nephew every year just the two of us in August. We have been doing this since he was 1. He is now 9. We have a new nephew in the mix now who is turning 2 soon and will be joining us on our trips. Since "Sandy" we all needed a bit of a break.. and due to an unexpected 5 day weekend over New Year's eve I decided to plan a last minute trip for just him and I....

So.. I packed a box with our Magical Express tickets, his autograph book, Mickey New Year's ear's from when I had been there several years ago on NYE, some noisemakers, glow sticks, and a "note" from "Mickey" saying.. "can't wait to see you JoJo on December 28th".

I put the box inside his suitcase and Wrapped his suitcase. It was the biggest gift for him.. and the last one he chose to open. We stood by with videos going.. he began to unwrap the "gift" and said.. "A New Suitcase" trying not to be disappointed LOL.. bless his heart.. he really wanted an iPad! LOL! We all said.. no.. it's your old one.. what do you think that means? He had No clue... I said.. Open it.. So he did.. and found the box.. he opened the box.. saw the mickey ears and got excited over them.. even without a trip (I have done a good job making him a Disney Nut) but still wasn't getting it. My niece told him to open the card taped to the box. he did and began to read it. He Sort of got it.. but wasn't sure... then I saw the wheels clicking in his head.. and he fell to the ground and started crying... he was so happy... but still not really knowing 100% what was going on. We told him he was leaving in 2 days with Just me.. and we would be there for NYE.. He laugh/cried again.. and exclaimed.. this is the Best Christmas EVER!!! He put on the Disney ears.. and still has not taken them off... I believe we had a successful surprise Now to start packing!!