Strangely Cold Feet? (Speaking Metaphorically)

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by Calgary DISHeads

At least you had you your jitters (in the right direction) after you paid. I was home with the flu the week before our final payment and we ended up at AKL instead of POR with a HUGE increase in price! That's okay I'm happy with it, and even DH has settled himself into it. Don't worry about the park hopper, as another OP said, you can always add on. We always have the park hopper, never want to limit ourself to one park in a day and only $200 for the four of us for 10 days. Have fun

Park hopping sounds like such fun!! Believe me, I'll give up before my kids do. They are hearty souls.

We even added another day to our tickets for our first day since it was only $12 more.

I think my son has the flu now. Hopefully my daughter will get it, and we'll be over it long before our trip. (Isn't it strange wanting your kid to get sick?)

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by NeverBeen2DW

Do WL you won't regret it for your first trip! First trip should be special. Save the value resorts for when they are older. The bus stops are always the further away for the Value resorts. We did POP once and loved it but the bus stops were so far away at all the parks. Our first trip we did AKL and loved it. I have done Deluxe, Mods and Value and honestly I enjoyed them all!

We really enjoy our hotels. And I know how we travel. We like having a place that's nicer than our home to come back to when on vacation. The theming of WL looks great. My kids are going to love the water features. Also the boat to MK sounds like fun.

Thanks so much.
LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by Carrie in AZ

You are TOTALLY normal. I've been in your shoes for sure. As Moms, we want everything perfect for our families. There are a lot of choices concerning a Disney trip, and it is just plain harddddd to make decisions and then not think about changing.

I can't even tell you how many times I've changed our plans! How's this to sum it up: We are leaving on Saturday and less than a week ago, I changed the first resort of our split stay!!!

Have a MAGICAL time on your trip!!

HI Carrie!

I never said I was normal! I'm a teacher - just ask my students - they will tell you I'm not normal.

I think as a mother and Senior Trip Planner and Tour Guide for Team Ryner I take on a lot of responsibility for the happiness of my family. On our vacation this summer, they would ask where we were going for lunch and dinner. As if I had it all planned out. Well, I did, so maybe this is my fault. I don't need perfection, but I'm happy when stuff is pretty good.

It will be a magical time. Just need to get there.

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by DaveInTN

We did WL for our first trip when our kids were young. It was MAGICAL in every way. Don't second guess yourself. At their ages, you will probably spend more time at the MK than other parks, and being able to hop a boat to your resort for mid-afternoon breaks (nothing like an afternoon swim and rest to recharge those batteries!) and go back for dinner and the evening is awesome! Have a great time!

We have a mutt and a bunny too.

My kids are like elephants. They have wonderful memories. (They only sound like elephants when I'm still sleeping.)

And the pool (no matter the weather) will be a big draw for the kids.

I'm not a bus person - so the boat will be fun.

Thanks for your advice.

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by Kay1

I've seen lots of posts like yours. You may experience anxiety until you're actually at Disney. Remember, it's only a vacation.

I know - but it has to be magical, right? I think that was in the contract somewhere.

When it's December, I'll be pretty happy if the weather is above freezing and the parks haven't closed down.

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by tinkbyday

I do the same exact thing - I usually second guess myself from start to finish, though. not just when I make the final payment LOL!

WL is a fantastic choice, especially during the holidays.

You will love having the town car pick you up and drop you off - it's nice to have your luggage right away. We've done both ME and town car and actually did a limo this last trip for my DDs 10th bday - we definitely prefer the personalized service, although we will use DME in Dec for some savings.

I think part of it is there is nothing left to do at that point - just sit and wait....enjoy the fact that you've planned everything perfectly and just look forward to the rewards of all of your work!

Like I said in another post, I don't need it to be perfect -just pretty good. Part of getting ready for the trip is managing expectations. For me and the kids. (My husband just needs some time to nap during the day... and WiFi.)

We get a good rate on limos in our town. For our last trip we got a stretch with the fiber optic rainbow lights in the ceiling of the car. So much for the hopes of napping in the car on the way to the airport. Of course, it was the first thing in the summer vacation report from the kids ( 1. cool limo 2. San Francisco (actually it's probably our friend's cat!) and 3. Yosemite.)

So I'm waiting! Do I have to be patient?

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by sherry8253

I am going to ask you a few questions. How much would you save to switch to a value? Do you plan on being in the parks from morning until night and then just fall into your bed at night. Are double beds okay for your family? Do you like the idea of food courts or sit down restaurants at your resort? If you are going to spend most of your time in the MK, would you appreciate jumping on a boat rather than taking a bus? Will the amount you are saving allow you to put aside a chunk of cash for your next Disney trip (just in case you fall in love with Disney like I did many years ago). The WL is fantastic at Christmas. But many kids fall in love with the values and want to go there even though the family could afford a mod or deluxe. So.... after asking all of those questions, my answer is..... if this is your once in a lifetime (or once in many years) trip or you think you will feel regret if you visit the WL and didn't stay there, then go with the WL (it is one of my favorites). Let us know your final decision and be sure to give us a trip report when you get back. Wishing you and your family a magical Disney vacation filled with pixie dust. And... I am sure you will become hooked like many of us!!

I love your sig! But if planning is half the fun, am I already half way done with the fun on my trip?

I will do a trip report, and taking everyone's advice, I'm not making any changes. (yet)

When I was making my selection for our resort, my husband asked me "Where do you REALLY want to stay?" The answer continues to be WL. Of all the resorts, it was the most appealing to me. For many reasons.

We will do the parks, but we have a day or two scheduled for just hanging out at the resort. Looks like a great place to spend some time.

Also looks like we'll be adding another day to our stay as well. So as everything changes everything stays the same.

Thanks for the questions. It does help straighten out my thinking.

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbellie16

I enjoy going to new and far away places and every single time I've gone on any vacation, I have nightmares about it! I know it is stress about the 'is this the right trip I should be going on?' but I also am quite sure that it is my way of thinking of all the worst things that could happen so when I do go, I am so happy that they didn't I've traveled to about 30 countries and to Disney at least a dozen times. I still have nightmares before my Disney trips!!! And they are always GREAT!

You are completely normal in how you are feeling. Many of us get stressed and wonder if we did everything the right way. There is no right way at Disney - it's only your way. Yes, relax and enjoy. Your trip sounds great and only change something if you want to (but I really wouldn't go from WL to a value - just my 2 cents!)

My family has this theory - if we get on ONE ride per park per day (we do 2 parks per day), we are happy. When you get that string of getting on ride after ride easily, it is just extra-special. You might call this low expectations, but it works for us And any "bad" day at Disney is better than the best day at work - that's for sure!

Thank for sharing. We're a traveling family too. No fancy cars, no fancy house, but boy do we like travel! And knowing how we travel for a relaxing stay, I don't feel like we would be comfortable at a value.

We live next door to a Six Flags. We've ridden every ride and then some. For our vacation, I'd like to do the special rides that only Disney has. Take my kids on Space Mountain! I still remember going on it when I was my kids age. The safari and Everest at AK! Really fun special stuff.

If we have the time of our lives and can't wait to get back, we'll go back. If we've checked Disney off our list, that's fine too. I just feel like it's one essential part of being a kid. Having a Disney vacation.

Hey, I'm a teacher. My kids and I agree - any day without school is a good day!

Thanks so much.
LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by marcielm

I want to say that you need to step back & relax. Think about the questions that a pp said about how much the price difference is, and just how much you think you might actually be in the resort vs. at the parks, etc. Your choices will be fine, and you will have fun no matter where you decide to stay. Just rememeber this: you will be at WDW... a trip you have been planning for a long time.

I also want to prep you for the depression that will hit once you leave the WDW area. I think I quietly cried for the first 6 hrs of our drive home. I know I didn't speak. My sweet DH totally understood. I perked up a little bit once we made it home, but for a few weeks I couldn't get over the empty feeling that sat inside me. Anytime my sweet 2 yr old said she wanted to go back and live at our "Mickey Mouse House" (what she called the hotel) I just smiled and said "Me, too Honey. Me, too."

When you've poured so much time into a trip like this, it's hard not become obsessed, and then have to deal with the let down once it's all over. We were on a high the whole week, and when we got in the car to leave, it all hit me. At the time we thought this was our "once in a long time trip" and that we wouldn't be going back for about 3-4 yrs when our girls would be older.

Luckily, my DH let my obsession continue at home, and agreed that if our BFF's could join us this year, that we could go again. Guess what... they could! We will be going with our friends when we return in March. Of course, it helps that he also said I could start planning trips for others on the side. All it does is make me wish I was heading to WDW every day of the week... but the best thing is when they come home and tell me how much fun they had.

I think we're related. I cry at the end of every "real" vacation. (visiting family is not a vacation.) Even running through the airport in SF this summer I got teary eyed. (It takes longer than anyone will tell you to drive from Yosemite to the airport - just so you know.)

Going with our best friends would be so much fun. The kids would have a blast.

When we get back from our Disney trip, we will have another week of vacation to hang out and do family stuff - ice skating, board games, taking the dogs to the park in the snow. It should be a nice transition from vacation back to school for all of us. I've seen co-workers go back to work the next day. It's not pretty.

Now if I could bring back some Florida sunshine, I'd be on to something.

Thanks so much.

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by NotSoMini

I've regretted money I've spent: on certain articles of clothing (many, many times, after I've worn it and it's too late to return it); on a new sofa and loveseat, after staring at it for a month in the light of our living room; on the type of family vehicle we own, after gas prices rose out of sight; and on many other things - but I've never regretted for one minute anything we've spent on a family vacation - especially to DisneyWorld, where we've stayed at an AllStars, a couple of moderates and a DVC resort at varying times.

Yes, we've vacationed there in cold and/or wet weather, when one or more of us have had the flu, when the Canadian dollar against the American was so low that everyone thought we were nuts for travelling south....

But the memories are priceless.

Our children are grown adults now, but still reminisce fondly about all of the good (and the not so good) things we've seen, experienced, ate/drank and laughed at while we were on our family vacations to WDW!

And we're planning our next one!

So go! Enjoy! I am sure you'll all love it, and you personally will never have a moment's regret either!

My parents were nice enough to bring my sister and I to Disney twice when we were kids. I remember everything. My sister doesn't remember the Disney trip she took in college.

That being said, my kids remember everything. My son can tell his sister everything he did when she was born at the hospital. He was 2, and non-verbal at the time. We go to Six Flags near our house and they can do a play by play of every ride we go on. It's a little scary.

Personally, I think what goes wrong on a trip is what you remember. We got stuck on Space Mountain because someone's wig flew off on the ride. (This was 30 years ago when more people wore wigs.) We sat in the pitch black for almost an hour. They had to turn the lights on! It was strange being able to see what everything looked like. They actually let us go on for another ride because of everything we went through. We were stuck going up a hill. Now that's a memory I'll always have.

I would rather not get stuck on this trip, but who knows?

Thanks for sharing.

LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by 2kidletsmom

Boy, I thought I was the only one. I want to change everything, including cancelling the trip. I'm really nervous about the crowds-1st week of december. But I will just have to roll with it.

We're going the week before Christmas. I think you'll be fine!!

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by tinkerdorabelle

You sound like I used to be. You'll have a wonderful vacation! We personally don't like the values at all, but that's just us. The mods are gorgeous, but wilderness Lodge sounds fabulous, I've never stayed but visited several times. If I were to cut anything I probably would cut the town car and do the bus. One thing I found was a waste when we took kids with us was park hoppers. If u want to save some way no hoppers honestly it was too expensive and too much especially since you're at a beautiful gorgeous resort, spend time there also, it's a vacation in itself, what a beautiful place. I get nervous also, I used to change things, do split resorts bc I couldn't decide, do hoppers, etc., bc I'm like my mother and always worry about money. Just relax, life is short. U can find other ways to tighten ur budget, not buy souveniers, etc. Have fun! I'm excited for u. We're planning a trip on-site for the first time in years in Dec and I can't wait.

I think some of the mods sound like fun. And people have such loyalty to their resort. It's a little funny.

Maybe on the ME? Probably will cancel the hoppers and add it later? I have no desire to do a split stay. I hate packing and unpacking.

I think everyone is worried about money these days. Hopefully we'll pull out of this slump soon. (I think Disney hopes so too.)

Thanks so much!
LaWa

[LaWa]

Originally Posted by Kae

I gosh if anything keep WL it is awesome & I can't even begin to know how great it would be at Christmas.

I always second guess our trips but they have been great. just don't forget to slow down a bit & smell the roses.

Kae

I keep hearing great things about WL. I'll send you some pictures of the lobby. I hope they don't cut back because of the economy. I think we all need the special touches now.

My planning is always very hectic just so I can relax when I get there. My family (mom and dad, and in laws) actually enjoy traveling with me because I do so much advance planning. I've worked into the schedule lots of wiggle room anyway. Besides I really didn't want to be stressed about getting to ADRs for every meal.

I'll let you know how the roses smell!
LaWa

[DizneyNutz]

Originally Posted by LaWa

This will be a very special trip. Just trying to get into the relax mode is hard for me. Work's really busy.

Still deciding about the town car, ME and a rental. I'm not the driver of the family. Getting my husband to make a decision about something that far in the future is difficult.

LaWa
who still can't figure out how to reply to more than one message at a time. YIKES!

Definately stay with the WL in December. We have stayed there 4 times in December and will be back in 3 weeks. We love having our own vehicle (personal or rental) at our disposal, but I will say our first trip we parked our vehicle upon arrival and never started it again until we left. So for your first trip you will probably want to rely on Disney transportation once you get on site. We have never used ME so I can't really comment on that. I know you are going to love it.

Multi-quotes are easy. On the bottom of the thread you are quoting where you hit the quote button, hit the button to the right of quote instead (multi quote) and then go to the next thread and do the same thing. On the last thread you want to include hit the quote button and when it comes up they should all be included.

[sherry8253]

Lawa it sounds like you have made an excellent choice for you first disney trip. You will love the WL, especially during the holidays. We visit the WL everytime we go to Disney and when we enter the lobby I always ask my DH why didn't we just stay here. I think they have a flag family each day. It may be something your family would enjoy doing. From what I have read, you can ask if there is an opening for one of your days when you check in. If you are interested, hopefully someone here on the boards will have some details for you. Wishing you and you family a super great trip.