Retirement Trip!

[mickmom728]

My DH and I just paid off our mortgage and he is retiring after 40 years as a Union Sheetmetal Worker....so we're going to Disney World! We are staying 7 nights and have 5 day single park tickets. We want to just wander and enjoy things like the Flower and Garden Festival but we are planning some FP+ activities of course. We will mainly do QS and sampling of the food booths for the majority of our meals.
My question is about surprising him with a special dinner/event: Is it worth it to book the Celebration at the Top or the five course monorail event? I'm a pretty picky eater but can usually find something and the drinks and desserts would definitely be to my liking! People have suggested fireworks cruises, too. Or should we just book a really nice meal at one of the signature restaurants? TIA!

 

[janicept]

I've never been to the newer events but did go to Party for the Senses years ago and it was amazing. You can get really dressed up and eat and drink as much as you want. They have so many new events at F & W. As far as signature dining it really depends what kind of food you like - they have it all somewhere. I personally like to go to things that are only in Orlando. EPCOT has a good variety of food outside of F & W festival also.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wow-40 years! That's so cool! Sorry I don't have suggestions, many years ago I might have suggested the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Just wanted to say, he's like my husband-a true dinosaur. DH also recently retired, after 41 years with the same company, and he used to complain that "Young people nowadays don't stay with the same company for more than a few years. I'm one of the last dinosaurs". And although I was very concerned about how he'd deal with retirement, he loves it!

 

[com_op_2000]

For my 30 years retirement getaway we are doing a DCL next year.
IMHO, If you are going for retirement go big.

 

[mickmom728]

Wow-40 years! That's so cool! Sorry I don't have suggestions, many years ago I might have suggested the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Just wanted to say, he's like my husband-a true dinosaur. DH also recently retired, after 41 years with the same company, and he used to complain that "Young people nowadays don't stay with the same company for more than a few years. I'm one of the last dinosaurs". And although I was very concerned about how he'd deal with retirement, he loves it!

. Good to hear! I know once we get a routine for our new day to day life he will be fine but right now he's like an excited kid getting out of school for summer vacation! He doesn't know what he wants to do first!

 

[Scifidiner]

Congratulations, I suggest taking lots of pictures and buying all the souvenirs you want on this trip. You only retire once, so thoroughly enjoy it. Any of the options you mentioned would be great, I'd go online & research them all. I'm planning on retiring in 2028 (that seems a long time away) and for the past 2 yrs every Monday I've put $20.00 in an envelope marked "WDW 2028".

 

[NH-to-FL]

Congratulations!

I retired in 2015 after 42 years of working, 38 for the same company. I guess that makes me one of the "dinosaurs". After so many years of a high stress job I am enjoying the freedom.

From your description of favoring QS and F&G food booth eating (which is also our preferred method) might I suggest exploring non-food experiences. Perhaps a behind the scenes tour? Does he like trains? Maybe the steam train tour?

Wishing you a magical trip!

 

[LisafromIndiana]

Congrats! I can't wait to retire and go to Disney whenever I want! A little off topic but you might want to consider buying Memory Maker if you haven't already . It would be awesome to have the pictures as a reminder of the new start in life!

 

[Imamom2]

Congratulations!!! We did our 25th at California Grill. The food and the fireworks were amazing. Think about a tour or a cruise. Definitely do something special - you will be sorry if you don't. Let CMs at resort know you are celebrating and have a great time!

 

[georgina]

My DH is retiring after 37 years at the same company. We are going to WDW for our 30th anniversary though, both happen this year. I am looking at the Highway in the Sky dine around if they extend it into October. I have looked at some of the pricier restaurants for an anniversary dinner, but the menus don't appeal to me at the price. We are not really foodies but while the signature restaurants do not excite me F & W looks like fun.

You can't blame young people these days for not staying at the same company - very few offer pensions anymore, so there is not really a reason to stay. One of my DDs has been at a consulting firm for 5 years; they are paying for her MBA, and she expects to eventually become a partner in the firm, but my other kids have no expectations to stay at the same place!

 

[spiceycat]

yea pensions were nice. I got retired after 38 years in 2009 - moved to Florida in 2015 loving it! WDW is about an hour sometimes more sometimes less - depending upon the traffic and lights. Go at least every month - sometimes twice a month - so far.

that say there are far more things to do in Florida besides WDW (although it was the reason I moved here)