I could used to this (except that liquid sunshine) - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I could used to this (except that liquid sunshine)
This is our first trip since fall 2009. This trip was originally to be for the whole family to go to the beach, Disney Dream Cruise, and time at Disneyworld. We had not been as I said since 2009. We banked, saved and borrowed points from our DVC holdings in order to take the whole family on a really special trip to celebrate my parents wedding anniversary on July 4, 2012. Unfortunately after booking (April 2011) and surprising them (July 2011 anniversary), mom was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer (September 2011). She passes away December 22nd (2011) after suffering a lot. She was buried on Dec. 27th (my hubby's and my 25th wedding anniversary so we decided not to celebrate it on that date and would save it for the summer. Dad was inconsolable for months. He stated that he refused to go without her. So we decided to cancel the cruise and utilize the many points another way.
We changed and booked 2 weeks at the Poly for both of us, our grand daughter, and my dad. He refused to go there either as Walt Disney World was special to my mother and he could not be there without her. Ah, what to do. He did note that he might be willing to go stay with his sister in St. Pete FL. while we were at Disney. Ok so plan on. Except.........He began feeling bad in April, Doctor thought he had an ulcer (all the stress and being 84 too so he was put on meds.) Come May no improvement and was actually getting worse. An MRI was ordered. Dreaded news. The findings stage 2 cancer of the Espohagus. Now what to do? He was to undergo Radiation and Chemo for 6 weeks which would fall during the time we were to be gone. Changes were made yet again.
New plan. One week at POLY for hubby, me and grand daughter staying in Club Level to use more of the points. One week booked in Jan at BLT for my daughter so she can run the marathon. Still had points leftover, so I invited a co-worker and her family to go for 4 nights at Poly on our remaining points. We planned to drive originally, but with thinking we might need to return at a moment's notice, we booked airfare on Southwest instead. Obviously by the title you know we did make it to Disney. But have things gone smoothly for us, for dad, for family? Only time and my report will tell. I can say, things were quite a rollercoaster at time for everyone both at Disney and back home!
So here are the travellers and the original panned itinerary, which I might add changed as time went on, some for the better, some not so great.
Linda: 58, Planner Diva, numerous prior trips
Gordon 63 Hubby, numerous prior trips
Kaitlin 12 Grand daughter, her 6 prior trips (just turned 12 a few days prior to the trip so she was celebrating)
Joining us for 4 nights/5 days:
Susie 50, Co-worker/Friend (Just turned 50 in June so she was celebrating too)
Wayne 45, spouse of Susie
Evan, 19 son, of Susie & Wayne
Jared 12, son of Susie & Wayne (Just turned 12 a week prior to trip so he was celebrating)
Family 1 (us) Flying on southwest from Louisville KY. on Sunday July 22nd (departing at 11:00 am, arriving at app. 1:00 pm.
Family 2 (friends) Driving from Louisville on Saturday-Sunday through the night (arrived around 9:00 am on Sunday 22nd.
Base of Operations (our resort):
Family 1 (us) Polynesian, Club Level, Lagoon View
Family 2 (friends) Polynesian Standard, Garden View
Actual lodging once arrvied:
Us; Polynesian, Hawaii Club LevelBuilding, Lagoon/Park View!
Them: Polynesian, Samoaa Building, Standard Room, Pool View!
Wooo hoooo things were promising at this point I must say.
Oh and our ground transport service was Quicksilver and we got surprised there as well. Booked a towncar. Noted it was to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Upon arrival, we were taken to the resor tin STYLE...via a Cadillac Escalade! Yep a promising start for this special (and well needed/deserved) trip.
What more could we ask for than the special ride and the great looking accomodations? Is this as good as it gets? Will things only get better?
One note: Dad was not only fine with us going. He was taking to treatment really well, had even gained 1 1/2 pounds back from the 50 he had lost, no signs of any side effects after 3 weeks of treatment at his halfway point, so we left with confidence. A little too much confidence I might add as changes were on the horizon while we were gone. Uh Oh.
Ok, so we departed Sunday morning for airport at 9:00, I like to get there 2 hours ahead. I had already checked in and printed boarding passes the day before. Checked our bags, picked up a blue preboard pass for hubby, and setteled in at the gate to wait.
Plane departed on time and it was pretty much uneventful (although I did have a boy behind me who was a kicker on the seat back most of the flight). We arrived almost 20 minutes ahead of schedule!
Our Quicksilver driver was there and waiting. We picked up all the luggage, and loaded into the car. We had originally asked for a grocery stop, but decided we really wanted to go to the Resort sooner. So onward we travelled.
Ahhhh, finally in my happy place! At first glimpse I was so relaxed by the Polynesian ambiance. We were quickly escorted to our building and taken directly to our room. Wow what a great surprise we were given, a room with a park view. Yikes I was super excited. After tipping the CM, I went down to the Club Desk to check us in and purchase park passes (putting them onto our key).
That taken care of, I went back up to begin to unpack. We then went to Captain Cook's to grab a quick lunch, Pork BBQ Sandwich for hubby and I, Burger and Fries for Kaitlin. Bought refillable mugs though with club level we could get drinks as often as we wanted just down our hall. But I love the mugs for other uses. checked in with friends. They arrived earlier, were situated near us, and chose to go to Animal Kingdom once they unpacked. We went to lounge later for hot goodies and snacks rather than go to buy dinner. We enjoyed the evening, the kids all swam in the volcano pool, and toasted marshmallows over fire pit stopping periodically to come up for snacks. The adults ate and drank some delicious goodies and adult beverages.
__________________
"My OTHER HOMES!
Last edited by disneygramma; 07-31-2012 at 09:18 AM..
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I can't see any of your pictures. There is a white space and it says 'the photo is currently unavailable'. Great start to your report. I'm sorry you lost your Mom and your Dad couldn't come along. I'm looking forward to how it goes. Keep it coming!
I am unsure what happened. I uploaded to flikr account. I pasted them in. and they ARE showing up for me, but I don't know what is the reason that they are not coming through for others. Anyone have aany idea why this is occurring? I am looking at them in my posts right now and they are all there.
I hope that you and your family have a magical time at the world
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We arrive to find our building. The one we requested: Hawaii. The walkway into our club level paradise. The door to the club building open only with room key access. The door to our little piece of heaven on earth.
And now, we enter into our room to see what the room looks like for the very first time. I am glad we chose to stay here for this special anniversary celebration.
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We arrive to find our building. The one we requested: Hawaii.
The walkway into our club level paradise.
The door to the club building open only with room key access.
The door to our little piece of heaven on earth.
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