USAF dad overseas - trying to cheer up DD

[weregoingtodw]

I'm looking for *any* ideas that you can come up with. My husband is leaving in June for a year overseas without us. I've planned a Disney trip for July for my DD (8yo) & me. Obviously, she's quite upset about dad leaving, and I'm wondering if you can think of any extra 'magic' things that I could do.

Is there a way to get a cast member to give her a special message from daddy, or something like that? Any other ideas?

She's already mentioned that she doesn't want to have too much fun because daddy won't be able to go (we went last year while visiting him at a temporary duty in Mississippi). Any ideas to help her not feel guilty about enjoying herself?

Thanks so much for any input you might have!

 

[Tigger&Tink]

Maybe you could have her daddy write out a card for her before he leaves, saying that he hopes she has the BEST TIME at WDW,,and to make sure she remembers EVERYTHING so she can write to him about it,,,,,then maybe you can leave it on here pillow,,the first day/night there... so she can FIND it,,or maybe get a balloon or two and ask the front desk (do not know if they do this,,but if you explain I BET THEY just might) put the balloons and card in the room for your daughter to find on her return,,,,but I think if she got something to read from her daddy (even though he may say it before he leaves) while she is there it may help....


I will pray that your husband, you and your daughter have a FAST year,,and I do hope you have a great trip,,,,God Bless and take care..also PLEASE come back and tell us about your trip..



Tink (LINDA)

 

[Doc and Family]

How about getting her a disposable camera for her to use? She can be her daddy's eyes and take pictures of her memories for him- be sure to capture some of his favorite rides, spots, characters, etc. and let her make a small scrapbook to send to him. May-be you can explain that this can be her special way to include him. Why not make a poster board sign sending her love to him and take pictures with the characters while she is holding the sign? Try this at a character meal so you won't have to lug the sign around.
As far as something from him, may-be this idea could come from him. You could put a few items, like the camera and some scrapbook stickers, etc. with a little note asking her to do this. In all the hotel gift shops you can find small sets that include paper, stickers, letters, etc., or shop for them at home for less expensive versions. At Christmas, we smuggled gift bags into the hotel room with autograph books, pens, disposable cameras, disney dollars, etc. with a note from Santa saying that he forgot to leave this at the house. Our boys were so excited that not only did Santa leave the tickets for the trip (and packed for them as well), but he also know exactly what hotel room we would be in! Our oldest was starting to question "Santa" but after that trip, he said he was certain that only "Santa" could know and do all of this! Sorry this is so long, but I just love surprises!!
We will be in Disney next week (leaving on the 21st) and I would love it if I could buy some of these items and send them to you. It would be my pleasure, all you need to do is let me know what you would want. Just send me a PM.
My family thanks your husband for his service and your family for your sacrifice. You will all be in our prayers for his safe and speedy return home and for a wonderful vacation! Janet

 

[Tigger&Tink]

What GREAT ideas DOC AND FAMILY....


and,, ,,,,WEREGOINGTODW... just to join in on Janets wonderful gesture to pick up what you may need....PLEASE also let me know if you think of anything down the line you may need from THE WORLD,,,as I am about 45 mins away and would not mind the ride over,,

May I ask where your husband will be stationed??
Thank him for me for keeping us SAFE!!!!
God Bless.

Linda (tink)

 

[Harambe]

Best of luck to your DH, and thank you so much for sharing him with the rest of the USA!

I would think your daughter would love the afternoon High Tea at the Grand Floridian. It is a special mother-daughter thing to do, and a wonderful memory to share with your DH.

Also, you could buy her special Disney stationary and stamps - and each night she could send off a little note to Dad detailing her day and what she did, then mail them at the front desk of your hotel. That may keep her connected to you husband!

 

[TwingleMum]

What great ideas you've gotten. I won't pretend to know what yourfamily is going through all I can say is "Thank you " for your sacrafice . You and thousands of families like yours let me and my family enjoy our freedoms. God bless you, your DD and DH. Maybe your DD can buy a special t shirt and mail it to him so he can have it to wear and think of the day when he can go with you and DD in happier times. Please extend my Families gratitude and prayers for hs safe return to your DH. God Bless.

 

[Duckfan]

Thanks, you see I know what you are feeling as we will be in a similar position and it is comforting to see the support you got. I thought we might even video some things and have them copied later to share. I know it will put a small damper on the trip but we will need the vacation for sure. Hope you find lots of things to help......and hope you are a better roller coaster rider than I am. Best wishes

 

[kilee]

All of these ideas are wonderful!!! I really like giving her a camera so she can make something special for him. The whole getting a card thing from him made me misty eyed.

I hope you have the most magical trip ever!!!! I also want to thank your husband and family!!!!

 

[AMaloy314]

First of all, let me say "THANK YOU" for the sacrifices that your family is making for us.

You have gotten some great ideas from others here. My only suggestion is to see if your daughter would like to make the mailing a 'surprise' for her daddy. Maybe she could wear a shirt that says 'Daddy's Girl' so that he could see that in all the photos.

What about explaining that her Daddy does as much as he can to make sure she is happy? It would make him sad to know that she was not enjoying herself because of him. Maybe tell her that going away is hard for him, too, but it will be much easier if he can think of her laughing and having a good time instead of being sad.

Anyway, please give her a big hug from our family. What a wonderful little girl she is to share her daddy with the rest of the world for us!!

 

[DumboFan]

To go along with AMaloy314's idea ~ how about putting Daddy's picture on a shirt so he can "see" everything she's doing. Maybe try to arrange a special surprise for her at the Beauty & the Beast show at MGM. If you stop at the info booth (right at the corner of Suset Blvd) & explain the situation to the CMs, they might be able to arrange special seating for the show & have Four for a Dollar (the opening act) sing a special song for her. I know it might be hard to do if its just the 2 of you, but the CMs at your hotel might be able to help. The new tea party (My Disney Princess Tead at Grand Floridian) will be available while you're there. Its a little pricey ($200 for both), but the extras she would get might be worth it.



Thank you for all the sacrifices you have to make so your husband can do his duty. I'm in awe of all the military wives (and husbands) who cope so well while their spouse is protecting us. That goes for you too, Duckfan!

 

[LibertyBelle]

Well said Twinglemum... I was thinking the same thing. I can only imagine what you and so many others are going through but also would like to send my thanks and prayers to you and your family (as well as everyone else that is in the same situation).

The ideas that everyone had are wonderful and I think would easy her guilty so that she could have a good time... making her good time a way to show her dad everything that you did is excellent.

With that I would like to offer my assistance as well. I am a CM at MK. I don't know what I can do for you but if you come up with anything that you need a CM's assistance with I would be more than happy to help if I can. Just send me a PM.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Wow... I don't even have any words to describe the feelings that I've had reading this thread. The outpouring of love is just amazing, especially given the particular political climate in which we're currently living. We live in a community that isn't particularly sympathetic to the military, so to see this absolute unconditional support and love offered to our family, whom you've never even met, who could be anyone who wandered in off the internet, wow... it's just amazing. I think I'm finally starting to realize what Disney magic is ::tears pouring down::.

You've all had some incredible ideas, and I'll definitely continue to visit this forum to update you and to get more ideas.

Tigger&Tink - he'll be at Yongsan Army Post in Seoul, Korea (even though he's AF).

Duckfan - when are you going? I'd love a commentary of SoG! I'm so excited to be able to go that I don't even care what the conditions are like, we all know that our conditions are so much better than those of our guys who are deployed and remote right now... As for what kind of roller coaster rider I am, man, one day I think I'm invincible, the next minute I'm just begging someone to stop the ride already & let me off. We love our country, though, and I can't honestly imagine my husband doing anything else. It's what he loves and what he does.

For all of you who made those wonderful gestures, I'm just amazed... I didn't think people were like that any more. Wow... thanks so very much! You are the true American (and Mickey!) spirit!

 

[Tigger&Tink]

THIS is a WONDERFUL place for sure ,,with simply FANTASTIC people...... weregoingtodw,,,,,,I have always said we do not show enough respect for the men and woman who put their life on the line on a daily basis, to keep ours safe, this goes for our law enforcers also....my ex-husband was in the Army durning Viet Nam, and was there for 13 months and also did a year in Korea,,,and I have to say its a shame that as for the way SOME people think about our man in the service,,, SOME THINGS never change.... you keep your chin up and just KNOW in your heart your DH will be SAFE and tell him he has A LOT more people praying for him then he knows --God Bless

Tink

 

[Baloo]

WELCOME to the DIS weregoingtowdw!

I LOVE Tigger&Tink idea about the card from Dad...I'm SURE a CM will help you out with that once you're there! Take lots of pictures and when you get home the 2 of you make a scrapbook for Daddy that you could send him.Scrapbooking is also a wonderful way to relive all your magical moments when putting it together.You could write Dad little stories of what happened that day when a picture was taken.

Can he get email? There are 3 places in Epcot to send postcards. Mission:Space,Journey into Imagination and Innovenntions West were you can send him an email postcard.M:S and JII postcards are really fun to play around with and create!

You and your family are in my prayers. I was a military wife(with my ex) for 12 years and know the pain seperation can be.

I wish you a MAGICAL WDW vacation and a SPEEDY 12 mth deployment!!!

{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}

 

[Tigger&Tink]

Baloo is right weregoingtodw,,a cast member will be more then happy to help with the card,,,when our son was 10 we had his birthday party at WDW,,and we went over to MICKEYS HOUSE to visit MICKEY,,,well I went ahead and asked the CM, if it was possible for MICKEY to give my son a BIRTHDAY CARD at his visit,,,he said SURE and made sure we were the last to go in to see Mickey,,,,,he made a big deal out of it and when Mickey gave my son a BIRTHDAY card,,,OH MY the look on his face is one I will NEVER EVER FORGET,, so am sure something along those lines could be done.. HAVE FUN!!! and please come back an post after your trip!!

Tink

 

[ILOVEPOOH1]

FIRST OF ALL GOD BLESS YOUR HUSBAND AND YOUR FAMILY.

MAYBE ONE OF THE DISERS WHO ARE GOING DOWN PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP CULD SEND YOUR DAUGHTER A POSTCARD FROM HER FAV CHARACTER SAYING THAT DADDY WROTE THEM TO SAY SHE'S COMING AND THEY CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER! I'M NOT GOING UNTIL NOV. SO I'M NOT MUCH HELP, BUT I'M SURE SOMEONE HERE WOULD BE GLAD TO DO IT!

I PRAY FOR YOUR HUSBAND FAST AND SAFE RETURN!

 

[mkymouse1928]

How about a gift basket from the WDW florist sent by dad. I'm sure a note could be included from him saying how much he wants her to have a great time and such.

I really like the idea of the notes written everyday detailing what you saw and did.

Maybe your husband could write a series of notes that she could get each morning. The notes could include things that he wants her to see and do. Maybe there could be some Disney Dollars involved for her to buy a special souvenire each day for dad.

Finally, I just want to say God Bless you and your family. Thank you for your sacrifices for my freedoms. Your family, and all the other service people and their families, are always close to my heart.

Jessica