Need idea to make DL trip special

hockeygirl · Post by **hockeygirl** » Oct Thu 08, 2009 1:03 am

So a bunch of you know my challenges. I'm making one last trip to LA to decide if we're doing radiation, another pituitary surgery, or adrenal gland removal. So needless to say I'm pretty stressed out. I'll have most of 4 days at Disneyland. possibly 2 by myself, 2 with another Cushing's patient. I'm really depressed right now. It's hard looking down the barrel of a loaded gun and playing Russian Roulette with your life. I really need something to lift my spirits. I'm staying at Paradise Pier. I'll be on an ECV if that makes a difference in what you suggest. Thanks! It doesn't need to be expensive. Just don't suggest anything that involves the utlildors underground, I'm waiting to experience those for myself when I'm a CM someday. I don't want to spoil all the magic yet...

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Oct Thu 08, 2009 9:42 am

Wow, my prayers go out to you hockeygirl. I hope Disney can brighten your spirits and help you through this difficult time.

I'm afraid I'm not help in this situation though, since I'm only experienced with WDW.

I'm sure you will get many other wonderful suggestions though. Please keep us up to date on your progess. Happy thoughts going your way!

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Oct Thu 08, 2009 11:38 am

Wow!

My prayers are with you hockeygirl!

As far as something special goes, have you ever done the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour? My DH and I found that to be a very interesting tour. I am not sure about the accessibility with an ECV. I know the tour has changed a bit since we went on it (the original Gallery where we ate lunch is now the Dream Suite), but I'm sure a CM can let you know prior to booking.

And make sure to go on all your favorite rides!

hockeygirl · Post by **hockeygirl** » Oct Thu 08, 2009 12:56 pm

Thanks guys! Yes, I will be doing my favorite rides, that's for sure! I'll look into the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. Maybe I can change it to ride in Walt's footsteps...

Disney is my happy place. I'm not sure what to tell them when they ask what I'm celebrating?

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Oct Thu 08, 2009 12:59 pm

Disney is my happy place. I'm not sure what to tell them when they ask what I'm celebrating?

How about...another chance to go to your happy place? I think that's worth celebrating!

If you will be going during either Halloween or the Christmas holiday seasons, I believe they have special holiday tours as well...we've never done them, but it's an idea.

Another thing you could do (if you are into characters) is collect autographs in a special book commemorating this trip...I find nothing makes me feel young and happy than meeting with some fave characters! (of course it will depend on the lines...

but it's always fun to catch them on Main Street or by the castle!)

hockeygirl · Post by **hockeygirl** » Oct Thu 08, 2009 2:08 pm

I like those ideas! The trip is November 15-18 and I believe the Christmas stuff starts on the 13th, so I like the idea of the holiday tours. I've never been at that time, so it should be nice.

Oooh, I like the autograph book too 'cause on my down days I can look at that and think happy! Very nice!

I like your choice of celebration too.

I can't wait for Tower of Terror. I just have to make sure I get there early enough on the 15th to ride the Jungle Cruise 'cause it's going down for refurb and that's one of my favorite rides.

But they still have dole WHips! Yay!

CaptainFinz13 · Post by **CaptainFinz13** » Oct Fri 09, 2009 9:40 am

If the Haunted Mansion is still in it's Haunted Holiday form, that's a must!

I was going to recommend something yesterday, but it sounded really hokey every time I read it so I didn't. But I'm a hokey guy sometimes so here goes. Just take your time and remember to look around at where you are.

I got the opportunity to visit DL last year also in November, and I'll tell you what the best, most magical moment for me of the whole trip was. We tried to pack in as much as we could of both parks in the one day we had. At one point while my wife and son were off in search of snacks, I found myself sitting alone in the Fisherman's Warf.
It was just before sunset, and even though I could hear the sounds of the park all around, there's something about being down in that little pocket. It was really peaceful.
For a few brief moments in time, I swear to you the magic of Disney swept over me. The sky turned a beautiful dark pink color, the air smelled sweet, and I swear to you as I sat there I was able to just stop thinking about everything going on in my life and just enjoy the moment. It was truly sublime.

Like I said, it's a little hokey, but I wish I could have bottled that moment so I could share it with everybody. Of course, in the interest of full-disclosure, I was also sipping a beverage from the beer cart. But I assure you the happiness was all Disney!

So all I can say is take your time, slow down, savor every moment.

Have a great time while you're there. You're in our prayers as you make your decisions.

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Oct Fri 09, 2009 12:23 pm

CaptainFinz13 wrote:If the Haunted Mansion is still in it's Haunted Holiday form, that's a must!

I was going to recommend something yesterday, but it sounded really hokey every time I read it so I didn't. But I'm a hokey guy sometimes so here goes. Just take your time and remember to look around at where you are.

I got the opportunity to visit DL last year also in November, and I'll tell you what the best, most magical moment for me of the whole trip was. We tried to pack in as much as we could of both parks in the one day we had. At one point while my wife and son were off in search of snacks, I found myself sitting alone in the Fisherman's Warf.
It was just before sunset, and even though I could hear the sounds of the park all around, there's something about being down in that little pocket. It was really peaceful.
For a few brief moments in time, I swear to you the magic of Disney swept over me. The sky turned a beautiful dark pink color, the air smelled sweet, and I swear to you as I sat there I was able to just stop thinking about everything going on in my life and just enjoy the moment. It was truly sublime.

Like I said, it's a little hokey, but I wish I could have bottled that moment so I could share it with everybody. Of course, in the interest of full-disclosure, I was also sipping a beverage from the beer cart. But I assure you the happiness was all Disney!

So all I can say is take your time, slow down, savor every moment.

Have a great time while you're there. You're in our prayers as you make your decisions.

That is not hokey at all. I think it's a wonderful suggestion! I got to spend a day in DL alone once, and I'll tell you, I went on about 3 rides all day. I had several moments like yours that day...and I will never forget them. People always think I'm crazy, but there truly is magic in that place!

Hockeygirl, I agree with Captain...do take everything in. You'd be amazed what can happen in those moments of down time. A butterfly making its way through the park; a cat deciding if it's safe to come out for a snack; a hummingbird moving from flower to flower; a cute kid wearing a costume pretending to be their favorite character; the smells; the colors; the sounds.

Post by **Len90** » Oct Sat 10, 2009 12:41 am

My idea would be to just go from open to close without any plans at all. Sometimes the best and most special things that happen on a vacation are things that are spontaneous and out of your control.

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Oct Sun 11, 2009 10:59 pm

Len90 wrote:My idea would be to just go from open to close without any plans at all. Sometimes the best and most special things that happen on a vacation are things that are spontaneous and out of your control.

Great point Len! This is very true!

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Oct Mon 12, 2009 11:37 am

You can try a Tender Ride on the Railroad. You have to ask around an hour after park opening at Mainstreet Station. It is always fun to talk to the engineers and hang around with the conductors at Mainstreet Station waiting for the train. Another cool little thing you can do is, if you have never seen it before, is the Mad Hatter and his "little game". If you go and hang around the Piano Player at the end of Mainstreet, just outside the Refreshment Corner. It is a fun little game and the Mad Hatter brings some of his friends along, depends on the day, sometimes Alice is there or Peter Pan, Queen of Hearts, etc. Both of these are nice relaxing things in the parks, although the tender ride is better when it isn't 90+ degrees, unless you like the heat.

I also like Len's idea about the just doing what ever you want when you want too. I generally do that on every trip. I don't like scheduling anything in the parks except for maybe one or two things for the whole day, one of the reasons I don't like Fastpass.

I hope things work out well for you. Good Luck.

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Oct Mon 12, 2009 1:48 pm

I didn't know you can ride the tender...hmmm, something to keep in mind

hockeygirl · Post by **hockeygirl** » Nov Tue 03, 2009 9:41 pm

Thanks everyone! Sorry I was a little slow on the uptake here. I was gone for almost 3 weeks visiting some friends. I like all the ideas. And Finz, that's NOT hokey. I rather like it...

I'll look into the tender ride. That might be fun. I've got BBB scheduled one morning. I've got minnie's buffet one morning. Other than that, I've got nothing scheduled. It'll be interesting since I' haven't been there since 1992...