Our 25th Anniversary Pre-Trip (and eventual full trip report)

My wonderful husband and I are going to Disney World September 1 -9 for our 25th wedding anniversary celebration. We will then head to Daytona Beach for five days to give us two weeks in wonderful Florida. Traveling with us for the Disney portion is my best friend, Shelley and her husband, Tom. I've known Shelley for 30 plus years; Shelley has been to Disney but has never been to the Studios or Animal Kingdom. Tom has never been to Disney at all. Boy is he in for a surprise. We are staying at the Coronado with free dining. My husband offered me the Polynesian since it is our anniversary and he thought it would bring back memories of our honeymoon in Hawaii, but for two reasons, I said I'd rather stay at the Coronado: 1) I cannot justify the cost of a deluxe with two boys in college--one who just graduated but is going to continue his education to get his teaching certificate/masters and the other a sophomore in college; and 2) I just truly love the Coronado (we are staying for the 7th time). It has everything I could want in a resort and I think it is absolutely beautiful. We have requested the Casitas section--our favorite; and our friends have requested the Ranchos as they like the themeing there.

We have adr's at: LeCellier, Rose & Crown, Yak & Yeti, Cape May Cafe (for breakfast), Crystal Palace (for breakfast), Whispering Canyon, Boma, Mama Melrose, Plaza Restaurant and we will be celebrating our 25th with a special dinner at Fulton's (the first Disney restaurant my husband took me to). My husband I will also have dinner at Emeril's at City Walk at Universal on our way to Daytona.

For awhile, I thought we might have to cancel the trip. My dad was admitted to the hospital in February and then transfered to a nursing home in March. On our actual 25th anniversary in May, he was taken back to the hospital. On at least three occasions, we thought we were going to lose him overnight or the next morning, but he keeps fighting. He is now stable enough to go back to the nursing home. I know my dad...and he has beat death on at least three other occasions, and I truly believe he is holding on so that we can go and enjoy our vacation without worrying about him. That's just the type of man my dad is.

Husband and I are really looking forward to this. I haven't seen a lot of him between my being at the hospital/nursing home/hospital and his umpping over 75 baseball games to make the extra money to pay for our trip and his travels for work.

I'll try to type at least one or two updates before we leave. Six weeks from tomorrow and we'll be at our favorite place in the world.

Kathy and Mark

 

[SchultzFamily]

So glad you had a wonderful time. Congrats on winning the mickey ears and the box when you got home. I had never heard of anyone receiving a box...thats awesome!!! Again congrats on your anniversary...I'll bet your dad is looking down and smiling that you were able to make your trip.:wave:

Thank you. Here are a few photos (I promise more to come in the next couple of days as I get more caught up):

This is the floral arrangement that was in our room when we arrived.

One of our towel animals.

View of Casitas from the Dig Site

Bedroom of our suite

Dig Site pool

 

[DisneyGigi]

I am so glad that you guys went and had such a good time. I enjoyed the report very much. Very cool about the box that was waiting on you- I be that was great!

 

[bradandsarabr]

Great report. I bet the family to whom you gave the balloon will never forget that moment. I know just reading it brought tears to my eyes. Your dad is especially blessed to have a daughter like you. Can't wait for the photos.

 

[SchultzFamily]

As promised, here are a few more pictures. I'll post more tomorrow or the next day:

 

[MSTINKHERBELL01]

Thank you for the trip report. My daddy passed not too long ago...he is my best friend. It's such a hurt...not describable. He had prostate and throat cancer which spread to his brain.

I still cry all of the time...I miss him so. I am so glad that our fathers are no longer in pain which comforts me through my pain. I read what you wrote about your dad and the balloon.

Funny, since I was little..my daddy use to pay for the person behind him when we rode the turnpike. It was sooooo funny. They would be told by the toll attendant that it was already paid...dad got a kick out of the driver rushing to catch up with us just to say thank you. I do it every so often just to remember him and I know it makes him chuckle.

Anyhow, cherish your old memories and be sure they never fade. Create new ones and live your life beautiful...your dad would want you to.:wave:

 

[SchultzFamily]

Thank you for the trip report. My daddy passed not too long ago...he is my best friend. It's such a hurt...not describable. He had prostate and throat cancer which spread to his brain.

I still cry all of the time...I miss him so. I am so glad that our fathers are no longer in pain which comforts me through my pain. I read what you wrote about your dad and the balloon.

Funny, since I was little..my daddy use to pay for the person behind him when we rode the turnpike. It was sooooo funny. They would be told by the toll attendant that it was already paid...dad got a kick out of the driver rushing to catch up with us just to say thank you. I do it every so often just to remember him and I know it makes him chuckle.

Anyhow, cherish your old memories and be sure they never fade. Create new ones and live your life beautiful...your dad would want you to.:wave:

Thank you for your post--it made me cry. It's funny the things are dad's do just to bring a little bit of pleasure to someone else. Today was a rough day as I went to my mom and dad's apartment, and my brother and I went through his clothes and books. I wasn't quite ready to go through all his pictures that he had saved--I'll save that for another day.

Thanks you again for the poignant remarks.

 

[MSTINKHERBELL01]

Thank you for your post--it made me cry. It's funny the things are dad's do just to bring a little bit of pleasure to someone else. Today was a rough day as I went to my mom and dad's apartment, and my brother and I went through his clothes and books. I wasn't quite ready to go through all his pictures that he had saved--I'll save that for another day.

Thanks you again for the poignant remarks.

I know that everyone is saying it but....please PM me if you would like my phone number. If you want to talk, cry, or sit in silence...I am only a call away.

Love and Light,

Samantha