Special something

[Ready to go in Ok]

I need your help! Here's the background. DF has lymphoma, best hope is that we have about 3 years. We are making the most of this time, and are planning a trip to WDW in Nov.! Low crowds, lower heat, MVMCP (we are going the week after Thanksgiving). DF very much wants to do something with my DD15 and DD12, just the 3 of them. It can't be anything too strenuous, as he tires easily and has a port that we have to be conscious of. My mom and I, who are also going, are not invited! I checked out different tours, but it seemed that DD's are too young, or it was too much walking, keeping at a pace with the group. He wanted to take them to TL, but I am not sure about that time of year. Sounds like it is hit or miss. Any suggestions?

 

[jann1033]

we have gone the first week in Dec and it has been hit or miss weather wise..how about disney quest as a back up in case it's too cold? if you have plus passes, both are included if not just get tickets when you get there and see where you are going to go.and you and mom could go to dtd to shop. have a great trip and sorry about your dad's condition

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

Anyone done the magical milestones tour? It is only 2 hours long, and first thing in the day, so he might be able to handle it. Thanks for the good thoughts Jann!

 

[jennyl772003]

Could they maybe go to a dinner show? Hoop de Doo, Backyard BBQ, or the one at the Poly?

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I like the dinner show idea. Maybe an Illuminations cruise (though hard to get). A couple of other special things I believe I've read about on the DIS, but have no info about, would be lunch with a Disney illustrator or Disney cooking school (not sure if they still do that).

Also, there is a company (not affiliated with Disney) I read about here, whose name I can't recall, maybe something like "Magical Memories" or "Memories of a Lifetime". Apparantly, they will set up some really special experiences for people. One story I read was about a scavenger hunt of some sort. I think it was just in the MK, the parent set it up for his dd. They left all kinds of gifts for her in different places around the park or something. Hopefully, someone will know what I'm talking about and give you their name.

Good luck with it. You're wise to make the most out of this remaining time with your dad.

 

[aunt kelly]

we have gone the first week in Dec and it has been hit or miss weather wise..how about disney quest as a back up in case it's too cold? if you have plus passes, both are included if not just get tickets when you get there and see where you are going to go.and you and mom could go to dtd to shop. have a great trip and sorry about your dad's condition

I think Disneyquest as a backup to TL is a great idea. At their ages, your kids will love Disneyquest. Your dad can play as many games as he wants with your kids. (Pirates of the Carribean is a great game the whole family can play together). If your dad gets tired, he can go to one of the restaurants and sit and relax for awhile. The Wunderland Cafe even offers free internet. Have a great trip, I'm sure you're father will be making some great memories for your kids, regardless of how they decide to spend their special time together.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, there is a company (not affiliated with Disney) I read about here, whose name I can't recall, maybe something like "Magical Memories" or "Memories of a Lifetime". Apparantly, they will set up some really special experiences for people. One story I read was about a scavenger hunt of some sort. I think it was just in the MK, the parent set it up for his dd. They left all kinds of gifts for her in different places around the park or something. Hopefully, someone will know what I'm talking about and give you their name. :

I think it's Gifts of a Lifetime

I also think you are wise to make the most of your time. We lost my dad to lymphoma about 10 years ago. We had wanted to do some special trip with him, but were never able to get it all worked out.

Sending pixie dust for a great time and good memories.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

I think it's Gifts of a Lifetime

I also think you are wise to make the most of your time. We lost my dad to lymphoma about 10 years ago. We had wanted to do some special trip with him, but were never able to get it all worked out.

Sending pixie dust for a great time and good memories.

Thank you so much. We are well into the acceptance stage of grieving, but very aware that we have a limited time frame to make the most of life. Funny how the end of life makes you start really living.....thanks for the good thoughts and good suggestions guys. I am looking into the memories thing. I had thought about the cruises, but the thought of fighting others at 6am to get a cruise is just more than I can bear. The DQ thing might work, but I know DD15, she would zone in on the games and totally ignore everyone and everything else around her.

 

[denanbob]

What about Cirque? Have any of them seen this show? This would be a relaxing sit-down show for your Dad and I bet your girls would really love it. Dinner and Cirque would be a really nice thing to do just the 3 of them. Good luck!

 

[elastigirl]

What about Cirque? Have any of them seen this show? This would be a relaxing sit-down show for your Dad and I bet your girls would really love it. Dinner and Cirque would be a really nice thing to do just the 3 of them. Good luck!

I agree.

And dinner, one of my favorite memories with my dad growing up was when he took me out to my first *grown up* dinner on my 12th birthday. We dressed up. Mom gave me etiquette lessons and I went out on a date with my daddy. It's something I will make DH do with our daughters when they are around that age. Maybe something like that would work?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is there ANY way your DF would consider using an ECV? If you go to the disabilities board, somebody there posts a list of questions to ask oneself, among them something like "will it make your trip more enjoyable?". Many of the tours are wheelchair and ECV-accessible.

Tours for which both your daughters are old enough:
Epcot Seas Aqua Tour (8+)
Divequest (10+)
Mickey's Magical Milestones (10+)
Family Magic Tour
Magic Behind Our Steam Trains (10+)

There's also Disney's VIP services, where you can tailor your own touring.

If you can manage (financially) Animal Kingdom Concierge, there's a special Sunrise Safari and a Sunset Safari for those Guests (other AKL Guests and/or other resorts' Concierge Guests may be eligible if the safaris don't sell out).

Others have suggested an Illuminations Cruise which is, true, difficult to book as there are only three (I think) boats each night and the reservations go quickly - 90 days in advance. There are also Wishes Cruises on Seven Seas Lagoon which may be a teeny bit easier to book, but again you/he should try at 7 AM 90 days in advance. These are actually called Moonlight Cruises, as the boats go out whether there are fireworks a given night or not. There are also Specialty Daytime Cruises using the same boats, or apparently at Downtown Disney.

Um, food. They could try for Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table (one reservation per night, again reserve at 7 AM exactly 180 days in advance) or V & A 'regular' dinner which is a bit easier to book, given that there's more than just one table in the dining room and there are two seatings.

There's also Lunch with a Disney Artist at the Hollywood Brown Derby (which sounds extremely interesting to me, if I ever have time )

This isn't really a "guy" thing, but there's Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian.

 

[richard_andmel]

I think the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is a good idea.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

I think the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is a good idea.

Thanks for this suggestion guys, but getting a redneck southern man to go to a tea?

I would pay double to see it though!

 

[GEM]

I agree that dinner and Cirque would be a very special evening for all of them, something the girls would remember for the rest of their lives. It's an AMAZING show, absolutely breathtaking and awe inspiring. It would be a very "grown up" sort of night, they could dress up a bit and really make it special. That would be my pick!

 

[KAMommy]

Cirque would be wonderful - we went two years ago and it is totally unforgettable. How about the meal with an Imagineer? That would not include walking and would be something totally special.

On a side note, blessings to you and your family. I am sorry you have to deal with this.

 

[sfbank]

Thoughts and prayers are with you. With all of the magical things to do, I am sure you will choose something great!

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Certainly make the most of it. Stay as long as you can. And, have hope!! I am a strong believer that through God, all things are possible. It is my hope and prayer, that your beloved would be healed, but regardless, make this trip very special.

For their threesome date, I think Family Magic Tour, afternoon tea at GF, dinner and an Illuminations Cruise or dinner and Cirque are all fabulous suggestions.

Please let us know what they decided on and report back about the wonderful time they had. In the meantime, you are in my prayers.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

Certainly make the most of it. Stay as long as you can. And, have hope!! I am a strong believer that through God, all things are possible. It is my hope and prayer, that your beloved would be healed, but regardless, make this trip very special.

For their threesome date, I think Family Magic Tour, afternoon tea at GF, dinner and an Illuminations Cruise or dinner and Cirque are all fabulous suggestions.

Please let us know what they decided on and report back about the wonderful time they had. In the meantime, you are in my prayers.

Thank you so much......I am still trying to decide, but everyone's suggestions have given me lots to research. I will let you know as soon as I make a decision. Thanks everyone!

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

I did the epcot seas aqua tour with two 10 year old children in our group and it was so unique and fun. You use scuba equipment to swim in the living seas but have a flotation device so you float at the surface. No swimming required! You stay in the living seas for 35 minutes. The rest of the tour includes a movie about the sealife in the aquarium and a back stage look at the dolphins and manatees. I have a complete report posted if you do a search for "aqua tour". It is offered daily at 1230 and is 80.00 a person with AAA or disneyvisa discount and comes with a t shirt, photo in keepsake folder, and soda.

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

I did the epcot seas aqua tour with two 10 year old children in our group and it was so unique and fun. You use scuba equipment to swim in the living seas but have a flotation device so you float at the surface. No swimming required! You stay in the living seas for 35 minutes. The rest of the tour includes a movie about the sealife in the aquarium and a back stage look at the dolphins and manatees. I have a complete report posted if you do a search for "aqua tour". It is offered daily at 1230 and is 80.00 a person with AAA or disneyvisa discount and comes with a t shirt, photo in keepsake folder, and soda.

Cool, I will definitely check it out. Thanks!