Top ideas for a special experience....

[DrunkJam]

My husband and I are taking our children to WDW in December. One is 11, and has been before (he attended our Escape Wedding, at the Yacht Club in 2010) one is 4 and has never been to WDW before.

I think we are all set for things to do with the kids, our ADRs are all booked, and we have a FP plan ready for our 60 day window.

BUT, this is a very special trip for us. As I said, we got married in WDW, but, as we return in December, we know it will be our last trip. My husband has Leukaemia, which in incurable, and he is unlikely to be well enough to make any further long haul trips (we are in the UK) so, we are looking for some ideas of something memorable we can do as part of our trip, with, the children, but with a flavour of being about our time together, and remembering our wedding.

We want it to be something out of the ordinary, that we can think fondly of in the future.

Please share your ideas / experiences.

 

[Barbydoll8]

First - Godspeed to you all. No words......

Definately get memory maker and stop for as many pictures as you can. If it were me though, I'd also call MS and tell them the situation and ask them for suggestions. They do deal with all kinds of special situations. They may suggest a special photograph night where everyone dresses up (or not) but one of their photographers takes special shots of you all (not sure of price). Of course, maybe a night time fireworks on a boat.
Order a cake - I've heard of Disney chef's trying to recreate a mini version of guests previous wedding cakes and have it delivered to one of your TS dinners.
Maybe even a vow renewal at the Grand Floridian or the Yacht/Beach club in their gazebo. Even if it's just the two of you.

I'm sure you will get other suggestions but lean on Member Services. They really do specialise in magical moments and can suggest all kinds of things.

 

[Daniela Rose]

Ugh I'm so sorry for what you and your family are going through. Cancer just sucks.

I agree with a lot of the above. Definitely get in touch with member services. They'll have access to things you wouldn't have even thought of. I'd probably even reach out to the VIP office.

I like the idea of a vow renewal. Also, lots of pictures. Maybe even video of your trip. Disney can help with that too.

 

[DrunkJam]

Is member services different from Guest Services?
I just rang them, and just ended up in tears, they literally couldn't understand why I was calling, I have park hopper park tickets, I have memory maker, I have a hotel reservation, I have dining reservations, so, the lady I spoke to had no idea what else she could possibly help with.
I couldn't face explaining over AGAIN, and just cried.
Maybe member services has an e mail?

 

[Daniela Rose]

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[DrunkJam]

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Thank you so much. I hope I can surprise them all with some extra special touch that they will all be able to especially remember and cherish.

 

[Barbydoll8]

When you get here, if you are staying on property, work with your concierge desk at the hotel as well. These people are wonderful and will do anything they can to help during your stay.
Also in the parks. Guest relations in the parks are very helpful. It might take a few minutes but they really want to help every guest get the most out of their time at WDW.
And finally - come back to these boards often. So many people here are so helpful and many CM's participate on the boards.
Long distance hugs to you.

 

[DrunkJam]

Thank you.
I e mailed them. I hope they will have some ideas. I am not looking for special treatment, I mean so many people go to WDW in such circumstances, I just thought they might have ideas I didn't know about.

 

[earfulofmagic]

I'm so sorry, OP.

since you'll be there in December, maybe if you have time in your schedule on a day off from the parks, you could do a resort-hopping tour to see all of the special Christmas decorations together? I know people like to do a monorail loop tour since it's easy to hop between those resorts, but technically you could make an entire day of it visiting all of the other resorts (hopefully with a car, not bus). It's not wedding-related, but I realize for some families Christmas is an important holiday to gather, so just a thought.

I hope member services has some good suggestions for you.

 

[DrunkJam]

thank you

 

[buddyjo143]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I understand about not wanting to explain over and over so anything you can do by email would be good.

I was going to suggest the memory maker. Both my parents are gone (we never got to Disney together) but I cherish all the photos and memories. With memory maker you will all be in the photos .

There are lots of "hidden" tours and experiences at Disney. I found out about a nighttime safari at AKL. Of course, it was sold out.

Maybe board members can give you ideas of these special experiences or you could share something special your husband and children like and we could help.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm in tears just reading your post. Life is so unfair sometimes.

It sounds like you are doing the right things, and I'm glad you could e-mail them so you could explain your situation properly.


I think my suggestion would be some sort of boat adventure - early morning or sunset/night, maybe. It would make for a nice memory and sort of be symbolic of sharing life's journey as a family for as long as you could.

I also wonder if the guest service people would let you plant something at WDW? A tree or even something smaller. Having something growing there, representing your family, and especially your husband, might be nice to think about later on.


You might also ask on the DISabilities board. Families who have been on WISH trips with sick children may have had experiences that fit what you're looking for as well.

 

[MaggieBags]

No real ideas to add but I hope you have the most wonderful trip ever. It's going to be special no matter what. I am so very sorry.

 

[DrunkJam]

Thanks for your thoughts and help.
Guest services sent me a link to the in room celebrations and gifts and flowers people so I could think of adding something like that. They had no other ideas, so, I guess we have it pretty covered with our package?

 

[earfulofmagic]

Will you be there during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP)? Would you consider maybe going on one of the party nights? Idk if you've done it before, but many think it's great fun and there are tons of special photo opportunities, exclusive characters to meet, and so on.

The in-room celebration packages are extremely expensive, imo, for what is offered. Except for maybe the in-room welcome/celebrations with Mickey and Minnie, or the couples romantic evening packages... but those are all on the high end of cost, too.

I believe a PP mentioned the possibility of ordering a cake (to be delivered to your room as a surprise, or delivered to one of your ADRs), where you could order a recreation of your wedding cake. It depends what the cake looked like but it's a popular thing to have the top layer of your wedding cake recreated and enjoy the specialness of it again! (More on this in the Cakes thread, it's a sticky under the Restaurants forum I believe.)

Not to vilify guest services, but I am a little surprised they didn't suggest anything else? The in-room celebrations pages are available on the room/package booking website; I just thought they might have other ideas similar to what people on this thread have posted.

Let us know how we can help. It might be worthwhile talking to a travel agent to see if they have any tips and tricks up their sleeves, too.

ETA: Disney photoshoot packages are another thing. Exclusive 30 min, 60 min (maybe even longer?) sessions early in the morning of just you and your family in an empty park, in front of the castle, or wherever you choose!

 

[DrunkJam]

oh, photo shoot idea sounds fab!

Thinking about cake too.

Thank you so much. They really didn't suggest anything else. But, like I said, I am sure a lot of people travel there in similar circumstances.

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

OP,

So sorry to read about your DH illness. Fighting back tears as I type this. My wish for you and your family is that this trip is the most magical ever. No flight delays, maybe some pixie dust and a magical upgrade upon arrival at your resort, no rain during any of your ten days (unless you want to dance in it, then maybe a little bit of rain), low crowds, random kindness from total strangers, and every other good thing that could possibly happen for you.(I remember your ADR thread from about a week ago where you mentioned you will be there for 10 days. Enjoy the Cali Grill brunch!)

You've already been given some great advice from PPs and I would echo them. My advice, as others have said, would be to take pictures. Lots of them! The more, the better. Perhaps consider Memory Maker if you haven't already. IMHO, it's a great investment. Especially given that you will be there 10 days.

I see you're considering ordering a cake. Great idea! Here's the most recent thread on everything you could possibly need to know about ordering a cake at Disney. Feel free to ask any questions you may have on that thread. @lurkyloo is a cake genius!
https://www.disboards.com/threads/official-disney-cake-chatter-part-v.3558085/

Also, kind of a silly suggestion, if you decide to order a cake. Maybe tell a little white lie and whisper to your server beforehand that the cake is for your DH's birthday. Even if it's not his actual birthday or anywhere near it! IIRC, in some restaurants the CMs/servers will sing "Happy Birthday." Maybe bring one of those paper, cone-shaped birthday hats from home, or buy a set of Birthday Mickey Ears and put it on him when the cake is brought out. I'm guessing your kids might find that funny and they might remember the day you guys all played a "birthday trick" on Dad for a long time. If you do this, I hope he blushes. The more red his cheeks get, the better!

Also, you mentioned you were looking for something memorable that could possibly incorporate the memory of your wedding at YC. Here's a link to Disney's private photography options. They seem to have a pretty good selection of packages for all price ranges. Maybe a photo shoot at YC with some of the same backdrops/poses from your original wedding there?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/fine-art-photography-video/

All the best to you and your family! December is a wonderful time to visit!

 

[DrunkJam]

OP,

So sorry to read about your DH illness. Fighting back tears as I type this. My wish for you and your family is that this trip is the most magical ever. No flight delays, maybe some pixie dust and a magical upgrade upon arrival at your resort, no rain during any of your ten days (unless you want to dance in it, then maybe a little bit of rain), low crowds, random kindness from total strangers, and every other good thing that could possibly happen for you.(I remember your ADR thread from about a week ago where you mentioned you will be there for 10 days. Enjoy the Cali Grill brunch!)

You've already been given some great advice from PPs and I would echo them. My advice, as others have said, would be to take pictures. Lots of them! The more, the better. Perhaps consider Memory Maker if you haven't already. IMHO, it's a great investment. Especially given that you will be there 10 days.

I see you're considering ordering a cake. Great idea! Here's the most recent thread on everything you could possibly need to know about ordering a cake at Disney. Feel free to ask any questions you may have on that thread. @lurkyloo is a cake genius!
https://www.disboards.com/threads/official-disney-cake-chatter-part-v.3558085/

Also, kind of a silly suggestion, if you decide to order a cake. Maybe tell a little white lie and whisper to your server beforehand that the cake is for your DH's birthday. Even if it's not his actual birthday or anywhere near it! IIRC, in some restaurants the CMs/servers will sing "Happy Birthday." Maybe bring one of those paper, cone-shaped birthday hats from home, or buy a set of Birthday Mickey Ears and put it on him when the cake is brought out. I'm guessing your kids might find that funny and they might remember the day you guys all played a "birthday trick" on Dad for a long time. If you do this, I hope he blushes. The more red his cheeks get, the better!

Also, you mentioned you were looking for something memorable that could possibly incorporate the memory of your wedding at YC. Here's a link to Disney's private photography options. They seem to have a pretty good selection of packages for all price ranges. Maybe a photo shoot at YC with some of the same backdrops/poses from your original wedding there?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/fine-art-photography-video/

All the best to you and your family! December is a wonderful time to visit!

Thank you! That looks awesome! Can't believe they didn't suggest that!
And yes, certainly looking forward to the Cali Grill Brunch. We were lucky though, we got Le Cellier (which is DH favourite) and CRT for DD, and 1900 park Fare breakfast for DS (who is also psyched for Sci Fi)

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Thank you! That looks awesome! Can't believe they didn't suggest that!
And yes, certainly looking forward to the Cali Grill Brunch. We were lucky though, we got Le Cellier (which is DH favourite) and CRT for DD, and 1900 park Fare breakfast for DS (who is also psyched for Sci Fi)

Yes, I remember all the great ADRs you have. That's quite a lineup! From the sound of it, a special ADR for everyone in your family!

 

[DrunkJam]

Yes, I remember all the great ADRs you have. That's quite a lineup! From the sound of it, a special ADR for everyone in your family!

Absolutely. Has to be EVERYONE's memorable trip!