The I've beaten cancer for the 2nd time celebration trip! Updated 3/30

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Hello!

This is my first foray into trip reporting. I am very excited about our upcoming trip.

Why my title: well I just finished my credential program and just defeated cancer for the second time in my life. The first time was right after my dd was born. That time it was a rare type in my lung (not traditional lung cancer) and I lost my entire left lung but.... I got to keep my life. A pretty good deal in my mind.

This past year I was diagnosed with very early cervical cancer. So in December I had a hysterectomy and got rid of it. All scans show to date that there is nothing going on right now. I have another set of scans coming up in late April that I will worry about then.

So after my surgery I got a little depressed. So as I sat around thinking about ways to cheer up I found the 4/3 deal and decided to take Disney up on it. Initally we were going to stay at ASMu which dd and I love. But... then I go to thinking and decided to step it up a notch.

I have always wanted to stay at AKL lodge.... and now we are going to in MAY (15th to the 22nd)!!!! So I booked the trip for my dd and I. Then I thought some more (boy the six weeks I had off left me with a lot of time for thinking. ). My DC (Dear cousin) had never been before and had always wanted to go. So after much adu, about state testing and whatnot, it was finally worked out that he could go.

Then caming the dinning issue. DD and I are fine with the regular ddp but a 12 year old boy? Not enough for him. So we upgraded to the Dxddp.

Wow this is turing out to be quite the trip!!

Here's the cast:

Me: Tinkerbelle's mom here on the dis, Mom to my one and only dd, Disney fanatic, recent credential grad (Pupil and Personnel Services - so I can be a school guidance counselor), DL AP holder- and TWO TIME CANCER SURVIVOR!!!

Here's a pic of me and my dd:

DD: Soon to be 8 (in one week!! Yikes, when did that happen), loves school (hates school work, ), dances ballet and hip hop, DL AP holder, and loves to dress up while at WDW.

Here is a pic of DD dressed as Fawn at Minnies house in DL:

Last but not least:

DC (Dear Cousin): my 12 soon to be 13 year old cousin, first time visitor to WDW, likes school work (hates school, ), loves to play video games, and very excited about our trip in a too cool way.

Next up: our plan (post #5 page 1)
ADR Switch?!?! (post #7 page 1)
Friends, Enemies, or Both? (post #17 page 2)
No ADR Switch, a trip to Phoenix/Virginia/Hershey Park, and we're moving (Page 2)
Birthday party woes (page 2)

 

[scooby9932]

Why my title: well I just finished my credential program and just defeated cancer for the second time in my life. The first time was right after my dd was born. That time it was a rare type in my lung (not traditional lung cancer) and I lost my entire left lung but.... I got to keep my life. A pretty good deal in my mind.

This past year I was diagnosed with very early cervical cancer. So in December I had a hysterectomy and got rid of it. All scans show to date that there is nothing going on right now. I have another set of scans coming up in late April that I will worry about then.

CONGRATULATIONS on your survival! I hope your scans come out clean. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Congrats, too, on your credentialing. I was a high school teacher for a time, and loved working with the kids. Counseling is so important, and I think a rewarding job. Good for you!

I, too, am going to Disney World in May with my DD to celebrate cancer survival. Isn't that neat? We're, like, twins! We also upgraded (staying at the Poly) with the 4/3 deal. I felt like pampering myself.

You should love AKL, I've heard so many great things about that resort. It's one I want to try some day.

I'm celebrating survival, though I still have cancer (stage IV metastatic - so they never say cured), it has been arrested for now. My PET scan is scheduled for April 9, so I'll know more then. I'm a big believer in positive thinking!

I think it's great you're taking your DC. He's going to LOVE it! And what great company for your DD. Ya'll are in for a wonderful time!

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[khertz]

Congrats for kicking cancer's butt two times! That's an incredible feat! I look forward to hearing about your celebration vacation.

 

[bouncycat]

Congrats on kicking cancer...TWICE!! That's amazing!! Unfortunately, I've had cervical cancer also, they took out part of my cervix, so I could have more kids, but I can't because of another disease I have, So, no more kids!! I see you'll be there the same time I am, well, sorta, we're going for a quick trip, just doing one park on the 19th. I can wait to see your plan, if you need any help with the parks, or beaches, let me know!! I'll be glad to help!

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Ok here's our plan:

Thursday May 14th 10:20pm (CA time) board plane to Orlando.

Friday May 15th
Arrive MCO 6:30 am (3:30 CA time): This is where I start to wonder about my sanity. Can two kids and I really handle a red eye? I have never taken one before. DD travels very well and is used to sleeping on planes but what about DC?? He's only been on a plane twice before.

DD has been trained to believe that it is her job to prove to the other adult passengers that kids can behave on airplanes. She does a very good job with it too.

After arrival we will have a wake up snack in the airport. What is a wake up snack? For me -- any beverage with a high amount of caffine in it. For the kids? Whatever thier little hearts desire at that moment.

Then it is off to DME and finally AKL. I am just going to take a moment here and say how much I love DME!! I love the fact that I do not have to worry about lugging our bags around. As a single mom when dd was younger it was always a pain to cart our bags. But now... I do not have to worry about that at all. I can check it in CA and never have to touch them until they are delievered to our room for me to unpack. I cannot tell you enough how much I love this!!!

After check in, which will be very early am so our room will not be ready, we are going to head to AK.

I have an ADR scheduled for Tusker house at 10am. I think this will be a much needed rest by this point.

Dinner I anticpate having at Mara because I don't think we will make it too long at AK.

That night -- SLEEP, SLEEP, and more SLEEP!

Saturday May 16th - EPCOT Day

Breakfast at Boma - it's great to be staying in a hotel with a buffet breakfast!!

We are having lunch at Coral Reef and dinner at Garden Grill.

I anticipate spending the evening at the hotel.

Sunday May 17th - DHS DAY

We are going to take a cba over to the Poly so we can have breakfast at Ohana. DC loves stitch. DD and I love this breakfast from our previous stay at the poly.

Then it's off to DHS.

We are goin to have lunch at Pizza Planet - DDs favorite.

We will also have the afternoon at the hotel. Neither DD nor DC are coaster junkies like me so no RNR or TOT for us. If we do TSM great if not - thats okay because we have done it at DCA many times.

Then we will come back for dinner at 50s PTC - my favorite - and fantasmic.

Monday May 18th - MK Day

We have breakfast at Boma again and then its off to MK for us.

We have lunch at LTT scheduled and Dinner at WCC.

Our only goal for this day is to see the Fairies. Other than that it is a play it by ear see what happens day.

Tuesday May 19th - Back to EPCOT

We have breakfast scheduled at the PSB in Norway for this day.

Our lunch is not planned as of yet, maybe Sunshine seasons? we will leave it open and eat close to whereever we are.

Then it is back to the hotel for our swim and then our Photo session.

Dinner we have at Le Cellier. Our plans are to see Illuminations. DD has never seen this so this will be a first for both her and DC. I have seen it a few times and I love it.

Wednesday May 20th - MK DAY

We have breakfast set at CPs.

Then I thought we would have lunch at Casey's. DD loves this place and DC loves hot dogs and corn dogs. I thought he might really like the corn dog nugggets.

Dinner for this night is set for the Plaza Inn.

Once again this is just supposed to be a nice relaxing day at MK.

Thursday May 21 - Our Last MK day

AKA - The day of the Princesses as my dc calls it.

I figure we will get a quick breakfast from Mara this day. Then head to MK.

DD has a BBB apointment at the castle location. We also want to do the photo session afterwards.

We have lunch set for CRT. DD and I could pass on this but.. since this is DC first visit to WDW we thought he definately needs to eat in the castle.

Then we will rest in the afternoon (no swimming for dd because of her hair )

We have dinner set for 1900 PF. I have not done this in a long time. We are looking forward to seeing the Step mother and Step sisters.

Then as is our tradition we will spend our last night watching spectro and wishes.

Friday May 22 - EPCOT and Depature Day

Our plane does not leave until 7pm so I figure we have until about 2:30 or 3 to be in the park.

Breakfast we have set for CM. Then it is off to Epcot. DD and I like to spend our last day here.


As you can tell MK and EPCOT are our favorite parks. That is why we spend so much time in them. We enjoy AK and DHS but one day at each is enough for us to do what we like to there. We fill not need to go back.

I also did not do hoppers this time. We have gotten them in the past but never put them to good use. So I saw no reason to get them this time. DD does much better when we are at one park all day anyway.

I also realize that this plan involves a lot of sit down meals. We are on the Dxddp plan and I want to take advantage of that plus my DC is quite the growing boy and can eat a lot!! I figure it is in all of our best interests to take the time to feed him right. Plus we could all use the breaks.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

CONGRATULATIONS on your survival! I hope your scans come out clean. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Congrats, too, on your credentialing. I was a high school teacher for a time, and loved working with the kids. Counseling is so important, and I think a rewarding job. Good for you!

I, too, am going to Disney World in May with my DD to celebrate cancer survival. Isn't that neat? We're, like, twins! We also upgraded (staying at the Poly) with the 4/3 deal. I felt like pampering myself.

You should love AKL, I've heard so many great things about that resort. It's one I want to try some day.

I'm celebrating survival, though I still have cancer (stage IV metastatic - so they never say cured), it has been arrested for now. My PET scan is scheduled for April 9, so I'll know more then. I'm a big believer in positive thinking!

I think it's great you're taking your DC. He's going to LOVE it! And what great company for your DD. Ya'll are in for a wonderful time!

Can't wait to hear more.

Thank you for your prayers. Ofcourse you should celebrate survival!! There are times when dealing with cancer that each day is a celebration of it's own. I too will keep you in my prayers that youhave good results on your PET scan. (I personally hate taking the PET scan. On the last one they taped my head still and for some reason that really set me off.)

The Poly is amazing! It is such a relaxing enviroment. I hope you love it there.

Congrats for kicking cancer's butt two times! That's an incredible feat! I look forward to hearing about your celebration vacation.

Thanks & welcome to my pre-trip report!

Congrats on kicking cancer...TWICE!! That's amazing!! Unfortunately, I've had cervical cancer also, they took out part of my cervix, so I could have more kids, but I can't because of another disease I have, So, no more kids!! I see you'll be there the same time I am, well, sorta, we're going for a quick trip, just doing one park on the 19th. I can wait to see your plan, if you need any help with the parks, or beaches, let me know!! I'll be glad to help!

Thanks for the offer of help! I am sorry to hear about all you have been through. Life is tough at times.

I made the decision after my first round of cancer not to have any more kids, between the radiation and all the junk pumped into me it just didn't seem worth the risk. So making the decision for the hysterectomy was easy but.... there are days when I get sad now that the possibility of having kids again is gone forever. But... I am alive and do have my great dd.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

So after typing my plan I think I should switch the following two ADRs:

Right now it stands that on Sun I am going to the Poly for Ohana breakfast and then to DHS. On Mon I am having breakkfast at AKL then going to MK.

If I switch Ohana to Monday then we can take the Monorail over to MK. Then on Sun we can have breakfast at AKL and just take the bus from AKL to DHS.

Hmmm... I think I need to call Disney Dining when I get home.

- Just note that whatever day we have breakfast at Ohana we will take a cab from AKL to Poly. Its so much faster!

 

[bouncycat]

I keep second guessing our plans too...it's making me crazy!!!!!! Life...well, with only one child, I just spoil him!! HAHA He is definedly well loved!! Doesn't look like our paths will cross, but it looks like you have a very nice trip laid out....nice and relaxed!! I can't wait, I'm ready to go!!!!!

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

I keep second guessing our plans too...it's making me crazy!!!!!! Life...well, with only one child, I just spoil him!! HAHA He is definedly well loved!! Doesn't look like our paths will cross, but it looks like you have a very nice trip laid out....nice and relaxed!! I can't wait, I'm ready to go!!!!!

I do the same thing with my dd. So much so that when I told her that I would not be able to physically have more children- she thanked me!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Hi, joining in on your pre trip report. First off, i'm glad everything is going good for you now!
We're taking our first trip to Disney in May too. We will be there at all star movies from the 12th -19th. Looks like we'll be in Epcot on Saturday together, maybe we'll pass by eachother!! Come check out my pre trip report too.

Your plans look great I'm having so much fun planning.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Hi, joining in on your pre trip report. First off, i'm glad everything is going good for you now!
We're taking our first trip to Disney in May too. We will be there at all star movies from the 12th -19th. Looks like we'll be in Epcot on Saturday together, maybe we'll pass by eachother!! Come check out my pre trip report too.

Your plans look great I'm having so much fun planning.

Welcome!!

Planning for the trip is almost as fun as the trip itself. That is why I decided to do a pre-trip report. It keeps the magic alive.

 

[bouncycat]

Welcome!!

Planning for the trip is almost as fun as the trip itself. That is why I decided to do a pre-trip report. It keeps the magic alive.

It does keep the magic alive, but it drives you crazy at the same time!! You see the trip on print, and go, wow, that looks good, or maybe that isn't right, or second guess something!! It's just crazy the amount of planning, thought and anything else that goes into all this!! I've changed my september trip already 3 times, and I still got 5 months to go!!! So...have fun, just don't let it get to you, DW is supposed to be FUN!!!!

 

[Pakey]

Hi there, fellow cancer survivor and left coaster. My husband and I went to Disneyland Paris to celebrate by success at beating cancer (I did wait until my hair grew back at least 3 inches before I went though ) and there's nothing like a Disney trip to make ya feel better.

I wish you good luck on the red eye. We tried it once when we went to WDW for a long weekend trip. Our first day was at Epcot and we were walking around like zombies but all 14 of us did make it through the day.

First Disney meal at Tusker House...yummmmmmm

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Hi there, fellow cancer survivor and left coaster. My husband and I went to Disneyland Paris to celebrate by success at beating cancer (I did wait until my hair grew back at least 3 inches before I went though ) and there's nothing like a Disney trip to make ya feel better.

I wish you good luck on the red eye. We tried it once when we went to WDW for a long weekend trip. Our first day was at Epcot and we were walking around like zombies but all 14 of us did make it through the day.

First Disney meal at Tusker House...yummmmmmm

Welcome to my pre=tripee!

Congrats on your survival! I am planning a trip to DLP for dd and I in a few years.

Did I read right... 14 of you??!?! Wow - was that a grand gathering?

I picked AK because we really only do the shows and the safari. This way we are not missing too much if we are zombish.

 

[Pakey]

Welcome to my pre=tripee!

Congrats on your survival! I am planning a trip to DLP for dd and I in a few years.

Did I read right... 14 of you??!?! Wow - was that a grand gathering?

I picked AK because we really only do the shows and the safari. This way we are not missing too much if we are zombish.

AKL is the perfect veg out resort. We usually stay BC but AK is in the top 3 for us.

Yes 14 of us went on that red eye trip 3 years ago. We just got back 2 months ago where there was 11 of us. Those family trips are so much work that I always feel like my husband and I need to go back just for a vacation (our 3 sons are grown so the big groups are when we take our family).

You should be fine on the red eye. If not, there is plenty of shade at AK where you can fall over and take a nap.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

AKL is the perfect veg out resort. We usually stay BC but AK is in the top 3 for us.

Yes 14 of us went on that red eye trip 3 years ago. We just got back 2 months ago where there was 11 of us. Those family trips are so much work that I always feel like my husband and I need to go back just for a vacation (our 3 sons are grown so the big groups are when we take our family).

You should be fine on the red eye. If not, there is plenty of shade at AK where you can fall over and take a nap.

I am thinking of the red eye as an adventure. I am not going to let the kids take too many things in thier carry ons - otherwise they will want to play instead of sleep. Plus I think I will run them ragged earlier in the day.

I know evil --- but I hope it works. I have come to realize after many trips to WDW - that we will go back. I may not be sure on the when and how but I do know that this will not be our last trip. So even if the next day is a wash - thats ok! We normally lose an entire day traveling from the west coast anyway.

Wow - so many people!?!?! How do you do it? Normally it is just dd and I, adding our DC has made me re-think some of our usual plans.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

Hello everyone!

I still have not called Disney dining about the ADR switch yet - I have been too busy. But... I will get to it soon.

I have been thinking about my dd and our dc (dear cousin). Now typcially these annual trips are mom/dd trips. This year we have invited dc. We are excited about this but.... they can be the best of friends (playing for hours on end) or the worst of enemies (I can't go into details. is how I feel when they are like this).

DD is an 8 year old very girly girl.

DC is a 12 year old, soon to be 13, very "cool" boy.

DD has been to DL and WDW many times.

DC has been to DL a couple of times and this will be his first time in WDW.

I dont want to feel on the trip. Instead I would rather feel .

How to accomplish this? (Can you tell by the way that I am a mom to only one child?)

Well key implements in my plan are:

1- Keep them apart the week before the trip. DC will be with his dad this week. Seperation really does make them get along better. (This will work for at least the plane ride. )

2- Each person (including me) gets to pick one must do for the park we are going to that day. I have let dd and dc pour over my park maps so they can pick. Well - dd already knew what she wanted to she just enjoyed showing dc what cool things there are. After that - we will see what happens (meaning I will have a plan the Kids know nothing about and if we stick to it great, and if we don't great too!)

3- FOOD, FOOD, and more FOOD DC can really chow down. My dd on the other hand eats like a bird. I fall in the middle. I got the dxddp so that we could have three full meals a day plus two snacks. I am shipping water to our resort so the snacks will really be food items. I think this will help with the overall mood factor for both of them. If dd eats like a bird at one meal and really doesn't fill up - thats okay because we have the snacks and another planned meal not too far away.

I know this is not the best use of the dxddp. But.... I got it really to make sure both kids would have enough to eat. I hope to avoid hunger crankiness by doing this. That alone makes the plan worth it in my mind. Plus DC likes to order expensive food. This way he can and I do not have to worry about it.

4- They will each have a set budget for spending money. Once it's gone -- it's gone. I will not be an ATM. I although I will probably hold the money so that it doesn't get lost.

Here is a pic of them playing so nicely on our family trip to Lake Arrowhead in CA this past summer.

Here is a pic of them getting along well at DCA. The other person in this pic is DCs mom.

This is what I am aiming for. Now I realize it is foolish to expect them to get along all the time and not have any fights. I am hoping that they will get along well enough so that it does not ruin our trip.

Plus I have told them both that I can enroll them in SImba's clubhouse and get a message or hit one of the parks by myself if they act up to bad.

 

[Pakey]

My 3 are in their 20's and they can't get along for an entire vacation.

I have done 4 large group vacations to WDW. I learned plenty from the first one because I made one mistake after another on it. The worst was trying to adapt everyone's sleeping habits. It's very hard when you have a group made up of part early risers/part sleep past nooners.

I think the fact that you are going into this fully aware that the two kids probably will not get along like angels for the entire week is a very good start. We have found scheduling in pool time at the resort helped to relax everyone.

We got everyone the Deluxe plan on this past Jan trip (11 people) and it was a big waste. 4 of the 11 got very sick on day 2 and had to start skipping meals. But on our last day, when we went into the Beach Club marketplace, we bought every pez dispenser trying to use up the gazillion snack credits we had left. I got the deluxe for the exact same reasons you are doing it and I hope it works out for you. We would have been fine if the Disney ebola hadn't descended.

I think it will be easier with DC being a first timer. Without any expections, there can be no crying over being unable to do something. What a great gift he is getting with you taking him. At 12, he probably won't fully appreciate it now, but give him a decade or so and he'll know how wonderful it was that you included him.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

My 3 are in their 20's and they can't get along for an entire vacation.

I have done 4 large group vacations to WDW. I learned plenty from the first one because I made one mistake after another on it. The worst was trying to adapt everyone's sleeping habits. It's very hard when you have a group made up of part early risers/part sleep past nooners.

I think the fact that you are going into this fully aware that the two kids probably will not get along like angels for the entire week is a very good start. We have found scheduling in pool time at the resort helped to relax everyone.

We got everyone the Deluxe plan on this past Jan trip (11 people) and it was a big waste. 4 of the 11 got very sick on day 2 and had to start skipping meals. But on our last day, when we went into the Beach Club marketplace, we bought every pez dispenser trying to use up the gazillion snack credits we had left. I got the deluxe for the exact same reasons you are doing it and I hope it works out for you. We would have been fine if the Disney ebola hadn't descended.

I think it will be easier with DC being a first timer. Without any expections, there can be no crying over being unable to do something. What a great gift he is getting with you taking him. At 12, he probably won't fully appreciate it now, but give him a decade or so and he'll know how wonderful it was that you included him.

I don't want to start thinking about sleeping habits! The good thing is that DC is at his dads house the week before - where he has a consistent bed time. THat will work in our favor. But... I also realize that if we sleep in a day- thats okay too.

I have been sick ontrips in the past. I am hoping that does not happen this time.

I also know that DC won't fully appreciate it. My own dd doesn't even, except to hug me and say that I am the best mommy ever at the start of each trip. That will come when they are older and have to foot the bill for thier own vacations.

 

[Pakey]

I don't want to start thinking about sleeping habits! The good thing is that DC is at his dads house the week before - where he has a consistent bed time. THat will work in our favor. But... I also realize that if we sleep in a day- thats okay too.

I have been sick ontrips in the past. I am hoping that does not happen this time.

I also know that DC won't fully appreciate it. My own dd doesn't even, except to hug me and say that I am the best mommy ever at the start of each trip. That will come when they are older and have to foot the bill for thier own vacations.

Wait, you mean children are supposed to foot the bill for their own vacations once they become adults???? Oh my, I'm going about this all wrong. We have taken our adult children on 6 vacations so far, 4 times to WDW, once to Hawaii and once to the Bahamas. I just can't feel like it's wrong when I enjoy their company as much as I do.