The "Waiting for ROFR" support group thread

[Princess Amy Lyn]

This is something all of us have faced, or will face; and our loved ones will face saying good-bye to all of us, someday. I think the key is to keep lines of communication open all the time, and don't let disagreements and disappointments stand for any time. That way, at least there are no big regrets about things left unsaid, or left unforgiven. I guess that's part of what I mean when I say my mom is at peace. She also has a great deal of faith. I think it's great that all of us, having never met in person, are willing to invest ourselves in one another, whether through prayer or best wishes. Neat bunch of folks, here.

Here Here!!

 

[HolidayRoad]

Here is the picture I used…I got it right before our trip to DL last year. I’m still trying to catch up on all the posts, my mom passed away last week after fighting lung cancer for a few months.

We are treasuring each good day my mom is having right now. She is in late stage liver cancer, but is not hurting too much, so far. They have told us we won't get to keep her much longer, so we are just hoping to keep her as comfortable as possible. She is at peace with whatever happens. I'm at peace, unless she starts suffering, which will be tough.

Tink and Grandbuddy, you and your families are in my prayers. I've been lucky, my mom is in remission which is why we planned this years big Disney trip. Last year she had a nasty battle with leukemia and came through it. She aged twenty years in one but came through, at one point we were called into Brigham and Womens hospital to say our goodbyes when things looked really bad but she ended up defying them and pulling through. My wife lost both parents to cancer her mother passed a month or so before our first child was born and her father when she was only 19, it is so hard to see these kinds of things happen. My thoughts are with you. Grandbuddy Hospice are simply wonderful people take advantage all their help. Those people get all the credit in the world from me, I don't think I could handle their job for a week. Again you are my thoughts and prayers.

 

[monami7]

So sorry to hear about your Mom.

Heidi

 

[Grandbuddy]

Just got an e-mail from Rich Marquette at GMAC, saying he has forwarded my message to Carolyn, for review and presentation of my offer to the seller. We'll see how this goes. Last time, I offered asking price for a contract that was very well-priced from the get-go. This time, I am coming in lower than what they want, so this one may not go as quickly...or at all.

 

[HolidayRoad]

Thanks! I was surprised by the size of the castle too! The park also seems smaller… Have you written a trip report yet? We are thinking about driving for our July trip (Sheraton Vistana). With a 14 & 16 year old, it may turn out like the Griswold’s trip!

O.K. as for the trip report I am on day 3 or our first day in the parks, it's already up on my blog. I'm hoping to get the entire trip report done by the end of the week. If they would stop bothering me with work here!!! As for the drive, is this your first really long Griswold type drive because I have a few MUSTS I'd be happy to share if you haven't got this down to a science yet.

 

[Tigger & Eeyore]

This is something all of us have faced, or will face; and our loved ones will face saying good-bye to all of us, someday. I think the key is to keep lines of communication open all the time, and don't let disagreements and disappointments stand for any time. That way, at least there are no big regrets about things left unsaid, or left unforgiven. I guess that's part of what I mean when I say my mom is at peace. She also has a great deal of faith. I think it's great that all of us, having never met in person, are willing to invest ourselves in one another, whether through prayer or best wishes. Neat bunch of folks, here.

I agree. This is a wonderful group of people and the support here is amazing! Thanks for your words, it is so true. I am trying right now to help get my sister to Disney, that was my original reason for purchasing the points. It just seems at every step there is an obstacle. The family doesn't have much $$ and the cost of treatments - well most is covered - she is uninsured and on a community program, so not all is covered. They were ineligible for medicaid so thankfully the hospital had a program. It seems I get past one hurdle and then there is another. I just think the magic of Disney would be good for her and the family!

I will pray for your mother and I hope she remains as peaceful as she is today.

 

[Tigger & Eeyore]

O.K. as for the trip report I am on day 3 or our first day in the parks, it's already up on my blog. I'm hoping to get the entire trip report done by the end of the week. If they would stop bothering me with work here!!! As for the drive, is this your first really long Griswold type drive because I have a few MUSTS I'd be happy to share if you haven't got this down to a science yet.

I would love tips! Our next trip to Disney (2009) will be on the ground and anything you can share would be great! (our 2008 is in the air)

 

[HolidayRoad]

Just thought I'd bump up the list.

Updated list 5/5/08:

Disney Hokie Gal

Joyzilli

Billa

u2daisyblue

Haley Whippet

mickeyfan0805

mickeywho?

HayGan

M-I-C-K-E-Y (2nd attempt)

Barb

AinW

dani0622

ROFR is a four letter word.

 

[HolidayRoad]

Tigger & Eeyore

O.K. you got it. First what area you coming from and second what are you going to be driving?
Here is a great little site to give you some ideas to start.
http://www.momsminivan.com/index.html

There is one thing I cannot stress enough no matter how far your coming or what your driving! DVD player for the vehicle!!!

 

[Grandbuddy]

There is one thing I cannot stress enough no matter how far your coming or what your driving! DVD player for the vehicle!!!

After "passing" on the opportunity to add a really expensive entertainment package to my vehicle of choice, I have adapted a small, flat-topped (not a Playmate) cooler to be my "entertainment center." Velcro added to the base of the portable DVD player, and the top of the cooler, secures the player in position where it can be seen by the second seat (or third seat, but not both) passengers. The interior of the cooler holds a few DVDs, plus the adapters for using the player in the car, or in the room. The player also fits inside the cooler, when not in use, and for transport.

This way, I can also use the player in the vehicle, and in the hotel room, or wherever, to entertain the grandkids, without tying up the main TV. With a fully charged battery, the player will play at least one full movie without even being plugged in.

Would be really tough to travel with the grandkids without this wonderful invention - the DVD player, I mean...not the cooler. (But I would find a way to do it!)

 

[mickeyfan0805]

HR - How old were your kids when you started driving? We're 1,100 miles away, and know that driving will be what we'll need to do down the road (there are a lot of families in our area that pull off the overnight non-stop marathon from our area). However, we don't know when to think of making the transition. For this year, and at least the next trip or two, we know we'll fly. But flights will not stay as cheap as they are, and I'm not excited about spending $1,500 or more to fly every time. Thoughts?

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Wow - a lot of things going on with this group, I will keep you all in my prayers.

Grandbuddy Hospice are simply wonderful people take advantage all their help. Those people get all the credit in the world from me, I don't think I could handle their job for a week. Again you are my thoughts and prayers.

As for Hospice, I second HR's thoughts! I work with this stuff nearly every day, and DW is an RN that worked hospice for a few years before children entered the picture. It takes a special person to do that type of care, and it is a special blessing to those who are able to receive it. I only wish we used it more!

 

[HolidayRoad]

After "passing" on the opportunity to add a really expensive entertainment package to my vehicle of choice, I have adapted a small, flat-topped (not a Playmate) cooler to be my "entertainment center." Velcro added to the base of the portable DVD player, and the top of the cooler, secures the player in position where it can be seen by the second seat (or third seat, but not both) passengers. The interior of the cooler holds a few DVDs, plus the adapters for using the player in the car, or in the room. The player also fits inside the cooler, when not in use, and for transport.

This way, I can also use the player in the vehicle, and in the hotel room, or wherever, to entertain the grandkids, without tying up the main TV. With a fully charged battery, the player will play at least one full movie without even being plugged in.

Would be really tough to travel with the grandkids without this wonderful invention - the DVD player, I mean...not the cooler. (But I would find a way to do it!)

Great Idea, I have a Disney (shocker) DVD player for the car, straps on the head rest, two separate screens. I also bought these little plastic cup holder/ folding tray deals that strap on the back of the seats. These have hooks where you can hang plastic grocery bags for trash bags on them. With one bedroom DVC they have DVD players in them however you can use Grandbuddy's idea or even a laptop if you want to play DVD's in the hotel.
We also pack a craft bag for the kids with all sorts of stuff for them to do it fits nicely between the two of my kids solving another problem, keeping them at least two feet apart. We tend to wrap up little gifts (bribes), dollar store stuff and hand them out every couple of hours when things get a little "tense" on the drive.

 

[HolidayRoad]

HR - How old were your kids when you started driving? We're 1,100 miles away, and know that driving will be what we'll need to do down the road (there are a lot of families in our area that pull off the overnight non-stop marathon from our area). However, we don't know when to think of making the transition. For this year, and at least the next trip or two, we know we'll fly. But flights will not stay as cheap as they are, and I'm not excited about spending $1,500 or more to fly every time. Thoughts?

My daughter was three and my son five. We didn't even have a DVD player for the car we had a TV with a VHS player in it that was in a harness and sat between my wife and I. It smelled funny when the plastic got warm. My wife would record my kids favorite shows, commercials and all then play them in the car on the way. I thought we were really hi-tech then!! If you plan it out and get some other peoples idea it's really not all that bad , a little boring but not bad. For me it's just about 3000 miles round trip. We leave Massachusetts early in the morning get to Fayetteville NC late that night get up the next day drive to Disney, we are there by dinner time. The two days to get back help to unwind a little after going crazy for a week and you can't help it, you start to plan next years trip on the way home.

 

[Grandbuddy]

My daughter was three and my son five. We didn't even have a DVD player for the car we had a TV with a VHS player in it that was in a harness and sat between my wife and I. It smelled funny when the plastic got warm. My wife would record my kids favorite shows, commercials and all then play them in the car on the way. I thought we were really hi-tech then!! If you plan it out and get some other peoples idea it's really not all that bad , a little boring but not bad. For me it's just about 3000 miles round trip. We leave Massachusetts early in the morning get to Fayetteville NC late that night get up the next day drive to Disney, we are there by dinner time. The two days to get back help to unwind a little after going crazy for a week and you can't help it, you start to plan next years trip on the way home.

My kids are 33 and 31, this year. When we would go to WDW, or other road trips when they were small, we had children's books on casette tapes, and the storybooks that went with them. The tape would "ding" when it was time to turn the page. These were a lifesaver when traveling with 2 active little boys. The older boy would actually cooperate in holding the book where both he and his little brother could see it! (Good thing- it's the only way that system would have worked.)

 

[HolidayRoad]

Since we are talking about driving to Disney. The Disney people could make some money by putting in a hotel or two for people driving in from different sections of the country. There are a lot of people that drive from the northeast and if there was a Disney themed hotel in the Carolinas somewhere where people from Boston or New York and surrounding areas could stay just for a quick over night stay that would be cool. Not a resort but a nice Disney themed Hampton Inn / Double tree type place. A lot of people would pay a few extra bucks for that type of theme on the way down even if it's only overnight just to get the vacation off and running. Just an idea, I'm sure they need the money.

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Since we are talking about driving to Disney. The Disney people could make some money by putting in a hotel or two for people driving in from different sections of the country. There are a lot of people that drive from the northeast and if there was a Disney themed hotel in the Carolinas somewhere where people from Boston or New York and surrounding areas could stay just for a quick over night stay that would be cool.

Now I like that idea! But, I want our's somewhere along the I-75 corridor, maybe Knoxville or Atlanta?

Just an idea, I'm sure they need the money.

Of course they do! I mean, come on, there are only 175,000 of us who are so obsessed with it we chat about it all day!

 

[Grandbuddy]

Did you decide to just keep on waiting, or are you going to go a different direction with your contract?

 

[mickeyfan0805]

Did you decide to just keep on waiting, or are you going to go a different direction with your contract?

We are not able to back out without forfeiting the $1,000 deposit, and if we simply throw that money away, the financial advantage of buying a full contract disappears. There is still a part of us that would love to hear that Disney exercised ROFR, opening the door for a direct purchase, but now 2 weeks in, we've heard nothing at all. Originally, this timing wouldn't have phased me, but the number of people who found out in 8-10 days got my hopes up. Oh well, I sit and wait (and check my e-mail every 9 seconds)!

 

[Princess Amy Lyn]

No news, here. GMAC may be "open" weekends, but they are hard to contact. .

I just got off with someone at GMAC. The Disney side of GMAC is only open Mon-Fri. 8-5pm

A little news So I was calling because we are on day 27 of the Estoppel process. And, what the lady told me was that Disney has 30 days for the Estoppel process. Then they email Disney to see what the hold up is if it is not back by 30 days. Since we are so close she said they will email and see what is going on. The lady I talked to was not Rachel..she was not there. So Caroline said she will email and let me know what they say!

Cross your fingers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!