memorial for daughter

[s8film40]

While talking to Disney directly might be a good idea don't be surprised if you don't get too much help or even resistance from them. Disney walks a very fine line on subjects like this, while they want to help people they also try to recognize that WDW is a place for people to have fun, and they usually won't want others to realize you are memorializing someone. I would keep whatever action you do something small that doesn't appear too out of the ordinary to the regular guests.

 

[muse1983]

We are thankful for the kind words. The rock in lagoon or balloon release may be good. What is
magic memories and you show? Not familiar with it

 

[elto64]

I'm currently at work, reading snippets here and there. Really like the ideas. When I get off work tomorrow I will call disney direct about MM&Y. And I understand the fact Disney is a place for Happy Times. But we wil try to do something. The closest she ever got was getting to Florida and getting a bad case of sun poisoning on the way down. She was 28 when broncial pnuemonia took her without warning. Literally. Spoke to her at 3 pm. Was gone at 7pm.

 

[mouse_luv]

Truly sorry for your loss.

I would definately contact guest relations as others have suggested and see what they can help you with. They might have options no one has thought of yet.

 

[mergatroid]

Don''t have any new suggestions but just want to say how sorry I am for your loss, my thoughts are with you.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I am so sorry for your loss. I don't have any permanent ideas (and contacting Disney might be the best to do something more on this scale- if possible...wonder if they ever let people donate trees?), but there are some other symbolic things you can do or try if you're up for it. I say that b/c some may prove to be more emotionally draining than others.

The balloon release a pp noted is a great idea. While not at WDW, I've heard of people doing ladybug and butterfly releases since both help sustain the landscaping/vegetation in the area...i.e. releasing in someone's memory helps sustain the life around them. Not sure if it's an option, but I've also heard of donating honey bees for this as well.

I've also heard of people "spreading the magic" to use the magical memories and kind spirit of a lost loved one to bring joy to others...i.e. passing out stickers and/or glow sticks to children around parade time, giving balloons to others, using snack credits on DDP to treat those around them, etc. Obviously, this last one can be more emotional since it means approaching strangers and tell them in brief why you want to do it- i.e. it's not for everyone or at every time, but I've read that some like doing this.

Not sure if this is any help- but I figured I'd share since others talk about doing this. THoughts and prayers to you and your family.

 

[alissafalco]

Oh I am so saddened and truly sorry for the loss of your daughter.
I do remember reading somewhere that there are plaques that you can purchase by nemo of the seas at epcot. I really dont remember the details or if it is even still available. I will look around and try to see if I can find any information about it. I will let you know what I find. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

 

[alissafalco]

I found a thread here about the epcot plaques and disney bricks but unfortunately it seems both programs are no longer available. Im sorry, i hope you find something to honor your daughter in a way that you would like.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/walkway-bricks-and-epcot-monuments.430090/

 

[LuLaSue]

My heart felt condolences to you and your family. There are really some beautiful ideas here I hope you find one that you feel memorializes your daughter best.

 

[jlevis]

Your post reminds us how fleeting our time together is and how much we must cherish that time. I am so sorry for your loss. I don't have any ideas better than those mentioned but I like the idea of photographing a favorite stuffed animal or toy around the parks. That will give you a permanent record to remember the trip.

 

[Mimi]

I've also heard of people "spreading the magic" to use the magical memories and kind spirit of a lost loved one to bring joy to others...i.e. passing out stickers and/or glow sticks to children around parade time, giving balloons to others, using snack credits on DDP to treat those around them, etc. Obviously, this last one can be more emotional since it means approaching strangers and tell them in brief why you want to do it- i.e. it's not for everyone or at every time, but I've read that some like doing this.

I really like this idea. I wouldn't explain to each person that it is a memorial though, that might put a damper on the happiness created by the gesture (although I would ask the parents' permission first of course). Perhaps choosing stickers with her favorite character on them or glow sticks that are her favorite color would make the gifts more personal. I also really like the rock idea.

We lost my brother when he was 10 years old and my parents always made a point of including him in our vacations. We did little things like dedicate rides to him; "This one's for you James!" or just talked about how he would enjoy certain things and it would feel like he was with us. We always tried to keep those moments happy and pulled each other out of sadness when things started to get too emotional.

Just going to the place she dreamed of going will feel bittersweet as you said but she will be with you, smiling.

My deepest sympathy for your loss.

 

[sleepy01020]

I'm so sorry for your loss. My son was stillborn 18 months ago, and we went to wdw in Feb. From experience bring tissues. We dropped coins into Cinderella's wishing well in Colton's memory.
If you want sometime you can take home with you, there are alot of personizable items you can have her name put on (mouse ears, oranaments, etc) We ended up buying an blown glass angel oranment in Germany.

 

[Disneyboy17]

I realize pavers at mk are no more; trying to come up with a memorial idea for daughter who passed without getting to the MK, a dream of hers. We will be in mk in sept. Any help is appreciated

Call 407-824-2222 asked to be connected to Heather Havey shell help you do something awesome!!!

 

[Jeff456]

Very sorry for your loss. I don't really have any suggestions to make that have not already been posted but there are some excellent ideas in this thread.

 

[SuprDav]

So sorry.

 

[powlessfamily4]

She's not gone because she lives in your heart and in your memories. So choose something you know she would have loved to do and do it for her. Then each time you go back do it again. The greatest memorial you can have is your love for her. That will outlast anything else you can ever create.

 

[Disneyboy17]

I'm currently at work, reading snippets here and there. Really like the ideas. When I get off work tomorrow I will call disney direct about MM&Y. And I understand the fact Disney is a place for Happy Times. But we wil try to do something. The closest she ever got was getting to Florida and getting a bad case of sun poisoning on the way down. She was 28 when broncial pnuemonia took her without warning. Literally. Spoke to her at 3 pm. Was gone at 7pm.

Heather Havey is the Guest Relations Manager for all of Disney here in Orlando! She will help you call this number 407-824-2222 an asked to be connected to her!

 

[bkgrim]

So sorry for your lose. I am sure this is difficult. One idea would be to spend a little bit of your time in her memory at give kids the world. http://www.givekidstheworld.org/. This is a wonderful place that is all about helping and I am sure she would have gone out of her way to help other people.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

My contribution is somewhat similar to the one about a favorite stuffed animal. When my cousin was on one of his deployments to Iraq his wife joined us on our WDW vacation. We knew he'd be sore he couldn't go, he loves WDW. So we made a Build-a-Bear prior to the trip. We dressed it in clothes similar to what my cousin would wear and named it with names that were significant to my cousin. He's a huge knife collector so the first name was Strider and his favorite character is Stitch so that was the middle name. We put a backpack on SS bear and he was all set to go with us. The idea was to take him everywhere we went and get pics of him all over so even tho my cousin couldn't be there the way we all wanted, he was there in spirit and in our hearts. Well, the adventure took on a life of its own. We collected stickers, trinkets, etc everywhere we went and filled his little backpack. The from desk CMs at Pop even made him his own room key and sent him a pet rock. The Chef Mickeys CMs served SS bear his own mini jars of honey. We had mouse ears made for SS bear and bought him a lanyard with pins to wear. We bought on-ride photos showing him having fun. The CMs really got into it and made it a lot of fun. When my cousin's wife returned home she made a scrapbook of SS bear's adventures. Then, after my cousin got back from his deployment she gave him the scrapbook, the bear, and all the stuff we collected so he knew he was with us every step of the way. I don't know if that sort of thing would be something you'd be interested in doing but it's a great way to have fun sharing the adventure with a loved-one who can't be there. You bring them with you in heart & spirit. Your daughter will be there. She's always with you. Condolences for your loss.

 

[Spikerdink]

First let me say how sorry I am for your loss - I have been told that the loss of a child is among the worst grief imaginable because you hold such dreams for your children and expect them to outlive you. I know when my father died, my grandmother used to wait for his truck to pull into the driveway when he normally would visit her. (My father died unexpectedly exactly one week after the family returned from WDW - it was originally not going to be an entire family vacation, but my brother and sister in law decided that they would come along. Those memories were priceless. After his death, I tried to purchase one of the bricks in the MK walkway, but sadly it was already sold out.)

Although many people have said to let a balloon go in your daughter's memory, I would ask that you choose something different to remember her by. I have worked with a number of environmental causes and one of the issues of pollution and marine life injuries/death is attributed to balloons that are ingested and cause intestinal blockages in the animal.

Like a previous poster suggested, maybe donating money to an organization the helps children go to Disney would be a great memorial. Give a family a joyous memory of being together that can be treasured....