Phipps family brings Disney to Iowa

     When you can’t take your family to Disney World because of a nationwide pandemic, you bring Disney to your family.

     That’s exactly what the Phipps family of Marion did.

     Shantel and Brad Phipps, and their three kids Ava, 7, Briyant, 2, and Annabella, 1, were supposed to embark on a trip to Florida May 15-25. Due to COVID-19, their plans were called off.

     “We started planning the trip over a year ago; it was part of our Christmas present to our kids, as well as from my parents,” said Shantel, whose parents are Shelley and Brian Bronemann of Monticello. (Shantel graduated from Monticello High School in 2006.)

     The trip was going to be an extended family trip of Shantel’s parents, siblings and grandparents all in one.

     “Once COVID hit I had a pretty good idea we would not get to go,” she admitted of the timing. “As things progressed, I was sure we would have to cancel.” Luckily, the Phipps family was able to get travel vouchers, which are good for two years.

     So much of their kids’ Christmas presents were centered around their pending Disney trip: new luggage, new summer clothes, money to be used at Disney World.

     They revealed to the kids in late-April they would not be going to Disney. Unfortunately, they had started a 100-day countdown until the day they were set to leave.

     “They were very aware of when we were supposed to be leaving, especially our oldest Ava,” said Shantel.

     Planning the Disney stay-cation was spur of the moment for the Phipps.

     “The night before we would have been set to leave, the kids were pretty sad. I told them to go pack their suitcases anyway. The excitement these kids had with just packing their suitcases, to literally go nowhere, I knew I could come up with a few other fund ideas for them.”

     After putting their kids to bed that night, the Phipps got busy putting together a stay-cation itinerary, which included things their actual Disney trip would have: resort days, Character meet-and-greets, magic Kingdom, beach day, parade, etc.

     “I wanted this to be a stay-cation to remember,” said Shantel.

     Their nine-day itinerary included:

     • Thursday – Fly out – airport security, flight, flight snacks

     • Friday – Resort Day – bike ride, look for Florida gators, cookout, spa night

     • Saturday – Disney World – lunch at Cinderella’s royal table, meet-and-greets, rides, arcade

     • Sunday – Character Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s, resort karaoke, Epcot rides, fireworks

     • Monday – Resort Day – Movie, Italian dinner

     • Tuesday – Animal Kingdom – Kilimanjaro safari, Frozen PJ party at the resort

     • Wednesday – Beach Day and Hollywood Studios – Tampa beach, finding seashells, crafts

     • Thursday – Last day in Florida – Magic Kingdom parade

     • Friday – fly home

     “The excitation that week brought will surly be something I will never forget,” said Shantel. “Each day the kids had no idea what we had planned, so surprising them was definitely the best part!

     “I have a feeling this will be something they remember and I hope it’s one of those ‘remember when’ moments they tell their own kids about one day.”

     She joked the kids were sad to actually have to come back “home” when their stay-cation was over and done with.

     To highlight the week: Shantel’s family in Monticello threw them a mini Disney parade on May 21, complete with characters and candy.

     “It was the best parade ever!” recalled Shantel.

     She gave all the credit to her mom, Shelley, who took it to a whole other level.

     “I honestly had no idea what she had planned. The parade was a full surprise to Brad and I, as well as the kids.”

     That evening in Monticello also allowed the Phipps kids to finally see their grandparents and Bronemann family members after almost three months. She said that was first time the kids got to actually hug their grandparents on both sides of the family.

     “When COVID dealt the cards that it did, I knew the Disney trip we planned for over a year would more than likely be cancelled. My kids already had school cancelled, daycare cancelled, sleepovers cancelled, playground dates cancelled. Life as they knew it was cancelled.

     “I was not about to let COVID cancel their trip. I want them remember how Mom and Dad were pretty fun and still brought Disney to them.”

     The Phipps encourage parents to break up these days at home with fun activities for kids of all ages.