I’m so sorry for your loss, but sounds like a wonderful way to honor and remember him. Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge would be a great place to stay.
Eta: wow AKL grand villa! That will be amazing for your whole family to stay together.
4 Likes
I’m so very sorry for your loss. It’s heartbreaking to lose a parent, and a part of you will always feel that missing piece of your life. I’ve lost both of mine now and one thing that brings me comfort is seeing pictures from happy trips we took with them in later years. (They did not travel at all when they were younger.) Just seeing them smile and enjoy themselves. This is what you will want to remember.
I think it’s a wonderful idea for you and your family to revisit a place where your Dad found joy and happiness. It will bring smiles and comforting memories. Take care and be kind to yourself. Grief takes time. 
6 Likes
Once again, thank you all for the lovely messages. It does mean a lot to me. I just got home from NH and the grief as I try to go back to normal is hitting hard, so distracting myself it is!
Our family came to the agreement that we would go in January 2026, specifically the dates of 1/6-1/15, and stay at a Grand Villa at AKL. This will be the first time we rent DVC points, so I’ve been doing plenty of research into that. The plan is to have a relaxing vacation, with more hotel time and taking the parks easy.
My next big project is into dining and food. My partner is celiac and vegetarian, so as much as I have heard that Disney is extremely accommodating, I have a lot of research into possible meal options. Any recommendations would be appreciated!
6 Likes
Disney TS restaurants do allergies and dietary restrictions very well, even very complicated restrictions. That’s one of our favorite things about WDW.
4 Likes
I can have that affect on people! This is a great choice. And a SV GV! Have you found a company that has the available AK points?
Why people have success at QS I’ve read that the TS are “better” at accommodating different dietary needs.
ETA: I see @SirGreggLadyV agrees. She’s be a very reliable source for this info and has more experience with it than me. 
1 Like
More experience than I wish we had, to be honest.
If you can’t find something on the menu that covers both the GF and vegetarian, the chef can make special meals with ingredients on hand. Most of DH’s meals were special made. Mine were easy. No nuts, peanuts, or gluten.
3 Likes
A quote from DVC Rental store says they are able, but also want to check David’s as well. Once we have some more things situated with my dad’s passing, we plan on booking asap through either one.
Do you have any specific recommendations for places you have eaten? Luckily AKL seems to have some good options for them, but we are will to go out of our way for good gluten-free options.
1 Like
The only places we’ve tried that were not great for DH’s dietary restrictions were in France Pavilion and Italy Pavilion; probably because they aren’t run by Disney.
The best place, by far, is Sanaa at Kidani. But there are some great places all over WDW.
When making your reservations, make sure you put down your restrictions in the checkboxes. That way it’s on their radar.
1 Like
I have personally used them for the cancellation policy. They are them most expensive I’ve found but they usually have the points needed. Dave’s isa good value and also has a lot of points to pull from.
I just put down the $100 deposit today with the DVC Rental Store, so crossing fingers they have all the points we need 
4 Likes
They should respond quickly.
1 Like
It’s official! 10 days/9 nights at a Savanna GV at AKL! The whole family is excited for a relaxing time
14 Likes
I hope you definitely plan a meal at Sanaa! My friend with celiac had a wonderful meal there that also happened to be vegetarian. She is not vegetarian but her meal was and she loved that the chef came out to talk to her about her food issues. She has several allergies in addition to celiac.
1 Like
I should have read further!
Another place my friend had a great meal (that was also vegetarian) was Skipper Canteen in MK!
2 Likes
Wow. I wish they had done that for my DH the other day. Maybe he wouldn’t have had an allergic reaction.
2 Likes
They didn’t? That’s awful! It was at Sanaa?
2 Likes
It was Sanaa.
1 Like
Were they aware he had an allergy? That’s so scary!
2 Likes
Yes. Noted on the app at check in. Confirmed upon arrival. Discussed at length with the server. Never offered to discuss with the chef. Drastically different than the following night when we went to Boma. A chef came out with a list of all the things he could and could not eat. And then escorted him through the buffet.
2 Likes
He’s allergic to tomatoes, isn’t he? Or something else?
2 Likes