Wow! I am overwhelmed by all of the kind and beautiful responses. Hugs to all!
I have been having a lot of fun doing research for this trip.
We have videos from the Travel Channel on WDW and SeaWorld, plus a free Disney Planning DVD that we love to watch. I have seen a LOT of YouTube clips on rides. As a DL veteran I know what to expect at MK, but the other parks were all new territory for me.
We have bought: Crocs, ponchos, shorts, shirts, luggage, and a larger memory card for our camera. The other day a Mickey baseball cap I bought at DL in the 80s showed up from out of nowhere. I had to wear it for a few days.
I have been doing a lot of walking to get ready for the trip. You see, 2 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with near-fatal Cardiomyopathy. It has been a long road to recovery. 2 years ago I could not walk around the block without sitting down to rest. Now I walk, and walk and walk. I am so thankful to be alive to see my DD go on this trip. I feel like a new man (fortunately my DW does not feel like a new man 'cause I won't let her have one).
I can't tell you how many times I have been to the GKTW web site to take the virtual tours. I hear "Mayor Clayton's Song" in my dreams.
It is hard to say what I am most looking forward to, other than the obvious chance to spend time with my family. I am pretty jazzed about touching a dolphin, riding Soarin', seeing Seuss Island, going on the Safari and seeing Captain Jack on the P.O.T.C., but mostly I just want to see the joy, delight and magic in my little girl's eyes after all she has been through (Not to mention my DW caring for her and me and carrying the world on her shoulder's).
When Lysi was little and they took her away from my arms for her surgeries, it tore my heart out to see the look in her eyes as they locked with mine. I prayed and prayed for a chance to see her grow up to experience something like this trip. THANK YOU GOD!
We have all been through a lot of stress. I remember in one winter she had scary scans, my son was sent to Baghdad for combat, my mother had open heart surgery, I was diagnosed with a heart condition, my father had a hip replacement, my brother in law (more like a brother to me) was found to have advanced cancer and I felt overwhelmed with stress. I don't say this to complain but to show how happy and relieved and grateful I am to have made it through all of this.
We REALLY need this vacation and trip of a lifetime.