8 days left -- Not doing happy dance :/

[Sawyer]

We leave in 8 days but I'm not happy In fact, I'm feeling pretty negative. I feel guilty about the $$$ we're spending for this luxury, I feel bad for leaving my business for a week, I'm overwhelmed at the thought of getting ready to go, I'm convinced it's going to rain non-stop and be a big waste and I'm worried that it's not going to be fun. We went to Disney 6 years ago and had such a blast! I really want to see the happy looks on my little boys faces (DS 7 & DS 9) and spend this special time with them and DH, but I think a part of me feels that I don't really deserve this treat.

Who the hell gets depressed over an upcoming Disney trip?? I need some DIS therapy and I need it NOW!!!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, A trip to WDW can be overwhelming!! We all have such high expectations for FAMILY vacations and this alone creates stress. So take a DEEP BREATH and feel THANKFUL that you are ABLE to take this vacation. It might be FUN to do something Disney (like make MICKEY pancakes for dinner one night??) every day with your boys to make this week an EXCITING week.(instead of stressful) Also START packing and getting organized to leave. DO NOT wait till the last day to do EVERYTHING. You will NEVER be sorry that you took the time for a FAMILY vacation, that is one thing that I KNOW for sure. You see we are a family of 5 and have been going to WDW for the past 20 years! (40+trips!!) In fact the one thing my older DS(19 and a sophmore in college) asked we do this summer is GO TO WDW! And my DD(age 23 and JUST graduated Saturday) hopes she doesn't get a full time job too soon so that she can come too! The years go by so quickly! Take this time to be with your family and have TRUELY MAGICAL WDW vacation!! Joan

 

[Sawyer]

Thanks for the encouragement, Joan. Maybe I'm really just bummed because I went shopping for a new cocktail dress for V&A and I left empty handed because I thought I looked fat in all of them! SUCH a downer... I agree that I just need to focus on what this is really all about, which is making priceless memories for my family.

 

[birdiesunshine]

life is so short. Enjoy every bit of your trip and don't feel guilty. We spend way more money than we should on our Disney trips and I NEVER feel guilty!!! We go about 5x per year. ENJOY!!!

 

[AJKMOM]

If you want to save money, cancel your reservations at V&A; you won't need a slinky, expensive cocktail dress just go somewhere you can wear shorts like the rest of us slobs!

 

[DisneyObsessive]

ha, want guilty? When i get home from this trip i will be LUCKY if i have $50 in my savings account left. Oh the woes of being a poor college student who can't find a job! But im not going to worry until i get home. why? because its DISNEY. and all i can think of is the fun ill have, the memories ill make, and they are way more precious than anything else.

 

[kalidk]

ok thank you, I now know I am not alone... I am a nightmare right now, and I leave Friday....Money its all about money always well here it goes...its not worth getting freaked out about it... Money is just a tool as my dad always says, when you need a tool you go get it right?? Well go get money, you can have a yard sale whatever....You have a business, well why do you work?? to pay your bills? Well life is not about just that. (As I am saying this I am giving my self some therapy!!! Cuz I am just like you) My husband has been laid off Since Oct 1st (the day we returned from our last Disney trip), Unemployment ran out and here comes the retirement fund......and there it goes!! LOL but you must live life...What is more important you need to weigh it out....Seeing Disney through your kids eyes??? Or money...So lets just go and have a blast!! no worries right!! Hakuna Matata!!

 

[Sawyer]

If you want to save money, cancel your reservations at V&A; you won't need a slinky, expensive cocktail dress just go somewhere you can wear shorts like the rest of us slobs!

LOL! I am SERIOUSLY considering this cause I just don't think the slinky cocktail dress is gonna happen. My self-esteem won't survive the search!

 

[tasha99]

life is so short. Enjoy every bit of your trip and don't feel guilty. We spend way more money than we should on our Disney trips and I NEVER feel guilty!!! We go about 5x per year. ENJOY!!!

Would you tell that to my mother, please? She doesn't believe me when I say that, and she puts in lots of commentary about how had different priorities when she was my age.

I'm a single mom and barely make ends meet, but darn if I haven't decided that we WILL go on a vacation every year--and camping doesn't count, though we do that too.

 

[rentayenta]

Trips are pricey and very stressful. Don't worry you are going to have a magical trip, rain or shine, and your boys will follow your lead!

 

[Heluvsme]

I've jokingly said in the past that sometimes I need a vacation AFTER my vacation! They can be so stressful!

I just finished 3 weeks of low carb dieting, hoping to just drop maybe 10 pounds or so.....today is exactly the 3 week mark....I have NOT cheated, not even once, I've done my treadmill daily, and I've dropped all of 3 pounds!! I understand your dress dilemma, it's depressing and frustrating.

I know this is easy for me to say, and much harder to do, but try to relax, have a great time, and just enjoy your time away. Think of it as NECESSARY....you need to re-charge and get away. I do think it's vital to everyone's happiness. You can't live your life on empty you know!!!

 

[Sawyer]

Thanks for all the support. It really helps to know I'm not alone! One of the main reasons we broke down and booked this trip is that we really need the quality time together after all the time and attention we put towards working and school and running the house, etc. etc. I think taking care of our family like this is an important priority and I need to claim the right to do so. I wish my parents and I had taken more special trips together when I was a kid.

Anyway, I am feeling better, but still no dress. I'm thinking about canceling V&A and going to Citricos or California Grill instead.

 

[5onadime]

I really think you are on the right track. Even if it does rain, even if you don't have the perfect dress, just remeber that you are investing in family time together. That is priceless. Some of my favorite vacation memories have stemmed from what didn't seem so perfect at the time. Relax, enjoy and remeber to smile at your husband and kids if you are all soaking wet from an unexpected rain. Take pleasure in the unexpected moments that are not planned for.

 

[C_leen]

Hi there-

Do you enjoy eating at fancy restaurants or watch Food Network like a fiend? Then go & savor V&A. Don't let cocktail dress shopping put you in a pissy mood! Pull anything on that meets their dress code & deal with the diet issues post-vacation. I recommend an empire waist sun dress or a high end skirt with a twin set. Plus these items can be used post vacation while I never ever wear my cocktail dresses... Try anything from Chicos, J. Jill's, Talbots or Cold Water Creek. All of these stores are trying to cater to poor souls who like style but lost their size 4 bodies while out living & experiencing life! Ummm, yeah, I'm waiting for a J. Jill box to get shipped to my house right now!

It sounds that you are trying to ruin your own vacation. You mentioned you run a business, are a parent, and run a household. You sound like a pretty big success to me! I think it it Covey (7 Habits) who recommends you have to put time into a relationship so you can later take it out. Vacation is investing in your family. You've earned it - financially & mentally. If you still don't think you've earned it, as a member of your family, you win the vacation de facto.

You are stressing yourself out! If it rains, go play in the Epcot jumping fountain without a poncho. Jump in real puddles. Have everyone buy WDW crocs and take a picture of everyone's feet in the rain for a holiday card. Go to the movies. Ride Splash Mountain in the front seat! Get in the hot tub or pool no matter your swim suit size or if it is raining. In fact, splash your kids and play with them. Hang out in the hotel lobby and make up stories about the people you observe. Ride the monorail in a circle over and over again. Sleep in! Eat a long & lazy breakfast. Get up one morning and let your kids choose the day.

Be good to yourself. You've earned it.

 

[Sawyer]

Hi there-

Do you enjoy eating at fancy restaurants or watch Food Network like a fiend? Then go & savor V&A. Don't let cocktail dress shopping put you in a pissy mood! Pull anything on that meets their dress code & deal with the diet issues post-vacation. I recommend an empire waist sun dress or a high end skirt with a twin set. Plus these items can be used post vacation while I never ever wear my cocktail dresses... Try anything from Chicos, J. Jill's, Talbots or Cold Water Creek. All of these stores are trying to cater to poor souls who like style but lost their size 4 bodies while out living & experiencing life! Ummm, yeah, I'm waiting for a J. Jill box to get shipped to my house right now!

It sounds that you are trying to ruin your own vacation. You mentioned you run a business, are a parent, and run a household. You sound like a pretty big success to me! I think it it Covey (7 Habits) who recommends you have to put time into a relationship so you can later take it out. Vacation is investing in your family. You've earned it - financially & mentally. If you still don't think you've earned it, as a member of your family, you win the vacation de facto.

You are stressing yourself out! If it rains, go play in the Epcot jumping fountain without a poncho. Jump in real puddles. Have everyone buy WDW crocs and take a picture of everyone's feet in the rain for a holiday card. Go to the movies. Ride Splash Mountain in the front seat! Get in the hot tub or pool no matter your swim suit size or if it is raining. In fact, splash your kids and play with them. Hang out in the hotel lobby and make up stories about the people you observe. Ride the monorail in a circle over and over again. Sleep in! Eat a long & lazy breakfast. Get up one morning and let your kids choose the day.

Be good to yourself. You've earned it.

Thank you, Colleen, you just made my day! I'm going to print this out and take it with me!!

 

[sydprincess]

Sawyer, I am RIGHT THERE WITH YOU! I have been looking forward to our trip for three years. Well, three days ago, I was bawling to my husband about not wanting to go. We're dropping 10 grand on this trip, and I started thinking about how much it is! It wasn't so much when I was planning all the fun ADR's and such Anyway, I keep telling myself that in the end, there will be no regrets because Disney delivers. And that is why I don't mind the cost, the planning, and the stress. It all pays off. ALWAYS. So go get a dress, get to Orlando, and live it up! Because at the end of June, we'll be so depressed about our vacations being over that we'll do anything to be able back and do it all over again.

We'll be there starting June 1st, so we'll see you there!

 

[CindyT]

Your kids are perfect ages for WDW, just picture the excitement and wonder on their faces -- you'll have a great time.

 

[jpaulgor]

Thanks for the encouragement, Joan. Maybe I'm really just bummed because I went shopping for a new cocktail dress for V&A and I left empty handed because I thought I looked fat in all of them! SUCH a downer... I agree that I just need to focus on what this is really all about, which is making priceless memories for my family.

Lol, you probably aren't even fat at all. Why is it that most of the time it is the skinnier people that are afraid of an outfit making them look fat? I am 5' 9" and 280 lb. I make myself look fat. No outfit is going to make me look worse.

Chris Farley: "Does this suit make me look fat?"
David Spade: "No, no, no. Your face does." -- Tommy Boy

 

[jcpuppy.com]

I know of only one cure ...you need to buy a DVC membership...the reason, you need to learn how to take vacations regular and buying such a membership will force you to start having fun and enjoying your family.
I own my own business like you do, and it is very hard to leave "the baby" in someone else's hands or behind.

If I think about the money our trips have cost, then i get bummed, because I know what that money could have done to improve our home or business, BUT what that money gives me in terms of undivided attention for my family...no phones, no business etc... something we miss at times, especially for us sole proprietors.
Don't feel guilty, don't stress, be proud that you are finally getting smart enough to understand a value.

I also second the dump the V and A, never been there, but who needs stress on their vacation?

 

[44disney]

Don't worry about the possibility of rain -- it keeps the crowds away!!!! Just bring ponchos and enjoy not baking in the sun!

We went in January a few years ago and some days were cold, particularly in the mornings. We quickly realized that cold was good -- the low January crowds were even lower when the temp dropped! I think bad weather keeps the local folks away.