Want to make this trip really special...

[NMontma]

Hi all! I'm posting for the first time and could use some suggestions... My husband and I recently decided to book a trip to Disney with our 2 kids... just last week we booked for October 26th - November 2nd of this year. We were so excited when we found out that my aunt and her family will be there at the same time as well, along with my cousin and her husband, and we all started coordinating plans. In the meantime, my mother decided she wanted to come as well and made her reservations. We were trying to get the rest of my family to join in the fun since it started to turn into a big family trip. My sister contemplated coming with her husband and was still unsure if they would be able to make it when last week my brother in law was killed suddenly in a car accident. :-( Long story short, my sister will now be staying with us and accompanying us on our Disney trip and I really want to make it special for her. I know Disney does a lot of things for "special occasions" so I just wasn't sure if there was any way I could talk to them and make it really easy and special for her? Also, we have made a few hard to find reservations for 4 or 5 people over the time we will be there, and I now I need to find these reservations for 6 people... does anyone have any tips or advice? Thank you so much!

 

[smraynor]

I'm sorry about the loss.

This is a good site for starters at WDW. This is to arrange for deliveries etc. to the rooms of Flowers and welcome gifts.

http://www.disneyfloralandgifts.com/home.html

 

[ammag]

So sorry for your loss, how sad. Would it be odd or appropriate for you to have a quiet dinner with her alone? Taking a quiet moment out of the busy trip to say you're there for her and if she wants to share good memories? I imagined this is a small table intimate thing but you could also have one meal together..maybe tying in something he loved (loved the outdoors? Artists point..loved fireworks, wishes at Cali grill etc) and you could all share happy memories. Something to show her your support and have a loving celebration of his life. Everyone could toast, or share a memory,etc. I don't know if it's too soon but you could always ask her and see how she feels about it.

It's so tricky some people want to talk about their loved ones, others want to escape and not think of their grief. It's very nice you're thinking of her in this way I hope your family is able to enjoy the trip as bittersweet as it may be.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

Hi all! I'm posting for the first time and could use some suggestions... My husband and I recently decided to book a trip to Disney with our 2 kids... just last week we booked for October 26th - November 2nd of this year. We were so excited when we found out that my aunt and her family will be there at the same time as well, along with my cousin and her husband, and we all started coordinating plans. In the meantime, my mother decided she wanted to come as well and made her reservations. We were trying to get the rest of my family to join in the fun since it started to turn into a big family trip. My sister contemplated coming with her husband and was still unsure if they would be able to make it when last week my brother in law was killed suddenly in a car accident. :-( Long story short, my sister will now be staying with us and accompanying us on our Disney trip and I really want to make it special for her. I know Disney does a lot of things for "special occasions" so I just wasn't sure if there was any way I could talk to them and make it really easy and special for her? Also, we have made a few hard to find reservations for 4 or 5 people over the time we will be there, and I now I need to find these reservations for 6 people... does anyone have any tips or advice? Thank you so much!

So sorry for your family's loss. I don't know if you were trying to find something for free or if you were looking for ideas. I am going to be celebrating birthdays next time I am going and to make it special from other trips I have a fireworks cruise booked. Maybe something like that would be a way to make it special. It may be possible she would rather not do something special, when my daughters and I lost my husband we just wanted everything to be normal again. If your family frequents WDW she may not want this trip to stand out from the others, then again she may, everyone grieves differently. To make the trip easier on her I wouldn't do anything special unless you are sure she would want to. She is your sister and you know her best, just some things to consider.
In regards to the restaurant reservations I would just keep checking everyday a couple of times a day. If the times overlap with what you already have reserved the computer will not cancel the original reservation until you confirm the new reservation so you won't lose anything until you are sure you want to change it. Reservations open all the time. Look also when you are closer to 45 days out, that is when packages need to be paid so you may find more cancellations around the 45 day mark give or take a few days either way. If you still can't find them before you arrive you can ask the day of but remember if no one stays for the reservation you will be charged the no show fee. Also if you are staying onsite you can see if the hotel concierge can help. Enjoy your vacation and best wishes to your family.

 

[NMontma]

Thank you, everyone. I wasn't looking for anything for free, per se, but just wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how to address the reservations situation, and if anyone knew if there were any special things I could do there that would make this trip really fun, and easy for her. I definitely want her to be included in everything we do as well.

Good point though, Gigi, about how she may want to be back to "normal". So sorry for your loss too.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

Thank you, everyone. I wasn't looking for anything for free, per se, but just wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how to address the reservations situation, and if anyone knew if there were any special things I could do there that would make this trip really fun, and easy for her. I definitely want her to be included in everything we do as well.

Good point though, Gigi, about how she may want to be back to "normal". So sorry for your loss too.

Thank You, I wasn't implying you were looking for something free, and I hope you didn't take offense to that, I just wanted to clarify. I wanted to add/ask have you checked the restaurant boards for restaurant cancellations. You can sometimes coordinate with other people who are cancelling.
There is a thread for Oct. cancellations
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3251536
and Nov. cancellations
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3278305
Sometimes there is too much information to remember.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

BIRTHDAY-ANNIVERSARY-HONEYMOON-GRADUATION-ETC Celebrations/Events by Cast Members:
1) It is a matter of the CM's personal initiative.
. . . depends upon how much they like you as a guest
. . . it always helps to wear a Happy Birthday button
. . . depends if they feel like doing anything special today
. . . depends upon the phase of the moon
2) CM's can do a lot, or they can do nothing at all as they have immense control
. . . they are under no obligation to give goodies or even acknowledge special day
. . . they can go way overboard, give lots of gifts
. . . they have A LOT of leeway for what they will or will not do for you
. . . they can see the event if listed on the ADR or hotel ressie and you hope for the best
3) Some of the things a CM can do for free are
. . . table with Mickey confetti
. . . your name/celebration on menu at TS locations (except BOG)
. . . best table location
. . . special personalized menu
. . . character-autographed birthday cards
. . . balloons
. . . balloon animals
. . . wine or champagne or Shirley Temples
. . . room towel animals
. . . appetizers or desserts
. . . cakes
. . . cupcake with candle (almost always available for the asking)
. . . place mats autographed by characters
. . . free appy or free dessert
. . . ride an attraction with a character
. . . personalization items for the Magic Bands
5) Some other items CM's can give for free
. . . room full of balloons and/or flowers
. . . fruit basket or wine basket in hotel room
. . . individual fast passes or booklets of several fast passes
. . . food and snack items (candy, popcorn, sundries)
. . . room upgrades
. . . attraction rides with characters
6) If you really want something special, buy it yourself.
. . . eatery: carry presents in and keep/hide them in a paper bag
. . . eatery: carry a cake in, but, WDW won't prepare, store, or serve it
. . . eatery: order non-decorated cake at the eatery podium check-in
. . . eatery: order decorated cake from the WDW Cake Hotline
. . . room: order special in-room celebration decorarting by Disney
. . . room: order strawberries and cream, if resort has room service
. . . room: decorate the room yourself
7) Hundreds, or thousands, celebrate everyday at WDW.
8) It is too much time/money for CM's to attend or recognize all.


NOTE: I have personally given out freebies such as major room
upgrades, fruit baskets, wine & cheese baskets, fast passes. It
all depends upon how you act toward us and the mood we are in at
that time.

 

[aribelle]

So sorry for your loss, how sad. Would it be odd or appropriate for you to have a quiet dinner with her alone? Taking a quiet moment out of the busy trip to say you're there for her and if she wants to share good memories? I imagined this is a small table intimate thing but you could also have one meal together..maybe tying in something he loved (loved the outdoors? Artists point..loved fireworks, wishes at Cali grill etc) and you could all share happy memories. Something to show her your support and have a loving celebration of his life. Everyone could toast, or share a memory,etc. I don't know if it's too soon but you could always ask her and see how she feels about it.

It's so tricky some people want to talk about their loved ones, others want to escape and not think of their grief. It's very nice you're thinking of her in this way I hope your family is able to enjoy the trip as bittersweet as it may be.

Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian might be just the spot for this....it's quiet and peaceful and beautiful and calm. Starting at 3pm there is a pianist playing that can be softly heard in the tea room as well. A very peaceful place to celebrate his life. Let the staff at the tea room know the situation, and then sit back and see if any pixie dust lands on you (might also help them understand if a few tears are shed so they know it's ok, and don't interrupt the healing process).

My condolences on your loss.....may the pixie dust surround your sister and bring her a few minutes of happiness amongst her sadness.

 

[Travelgrrl]

Perhaps buy a nice card and a thoughtful gift (maybe a plaque that says something apropos to the situation) and pack them in your luggage.

Arrange a quiet time for you and your sister to be alone - could be as complicated as a dinner for two or just strolling down to a quiet place like the rose garden at MK - and give her the gift and a hug.

And keep watch for her emotions, she may not be able to go full steam as usual, and need breaks from the mayhem. Make sure she takes care of herself. Pack OTC medicines for tummy upset, pain relievers, etc, and moleskin and all those things that help make everyone more comfortable.

Tell her how glad you are that she is here and that the trip signals the beginning of a new (different and perhaps sadder but new) life. You just have to keep living until you're alive again.

 

[NMontma]

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions!