A nervous wreck... advice please!

[bumbershoot]

Is it normal to be so nervous before a vacation??

Yes. I was petrified! And I have Disney-lovers in my house! In fact I was the one thinking..."I've over-hyped this trip to myself, I'm going to HATE it all, I won't have fun, the food will be awful" and so on and so forth. It was all fine. Fine at the beginning, then it got better and better. So yes, it's normal, especially when you're thinking of it as a once in a lifetime trip.

And one last thing on the not-too-thrilled hubby -- see if you can arrange some "alone time" with him -- a romantic dinner at one of the more "grown up" restaurants (not Chef Mickey's, but California Grill, or Narcooses, or Citricos), and some quiet moments with just the two of you. That can often improve the mood.

Have a wonderful time!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

I like it.

I have to admit to wondering why in heaven's name you'd book a vacation to somewhere you have to drag your family "kicking and screaming" to. If YOU want to visit WDW that badly, then plan a trip with some similarly Disneyite friends and do a family vacation that the FAMILY is interested in.

She's already answered, but not every family vacations separately, and some families take turns in picking where to go for each vacation.

I am literally printing out every one of these replies and taking them with me in my Disney Folder!!

We are taking 2 weeks and driving there and seeing the country a little on the way.

I was told it is possible to walk into a restaurant without a reservation so, we may try that... or we may just do quick service those days and just pay out of pocket. We do have a car so, maybe park hopping for ADR's is easier that way?

Now don't let this thread overwhelm you as well! I had so many notes I forgot what was in the notes, and when we got home and I started going through my notes saying "what? I knew that already? aw man I forgot that!" and so on. Too many notes, too little organization.

That will be fun to see the country!

Do you have hopping on your tickets? If so, yes, you could go to a different park, then hop over for your meal...



Have fun!

And just b/c it might be an only trip for the *family*, maybe you can start taking solo or friends trips there.

 

[eebadeeba]

"or we may just do quick service those days and just pay out of pocket"

I am assuming you are on the dining plan that includes one table service and one quick service per day. Can someone clarify if you can use a table service credit at a quick service restaurant? Just don't want her to pay for out of pocket for a meal she has already paid for. Thanks.

 

[JenSop]

I totally feel for you and want to give some tips to help!

First - like so many others have said - take a deep breath and relax. It's going to be okay!

I've been going to Disney since I was little, so once I hit my teen years, I was already converted to the mouse. And as an adult, I'm proud to admit I've turned DH into a super WDW fan as well.

Here's a few things I would suggest:

*Do some rope drop days, but maybe plan two days to sleep in and have an easy morning. Not everyone can handle early mornings every day on vacation. (If you want to ride Toy Story, make DHS one of those rope drop early days, as the Fast Passes really do run out super early in the day.)

*Really let your family know that this is something you've always wanted to do and to have a good attitude about it because you're their mother! Tell them how important it is to you and how you want them to be a part of this special event for you.

*What are your ADR's???? I would focus on more adult-type restaurants. Stay away from character meals or anything that's too childish.

*Do NOT make MK your first park. I love MK, but most of that love is nostalgia. Like I said, I've been going since I was really young, so I have really fond memories of those times at MK.

*Start with the thrill rides and "cool stuff" at each park.
-DHS - Rockn Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and the Lights Motor Action stunt show.
-AK - Expedition Everest and Dinosaur, then the safari.
-Epcot - Soarin', Test Track, Mission Space.
-Once you do get to MK, start with Space Mountain and Big Thunder. You can probably avoid most of Fantasyland.

For DH, let him do some "drinking around the World" at Epcot.

When I plan itineraries for myself or clients, I look at the park schedules. If someone doesn't want to get up for the morning EMH's, I'll plan a park that had EMH the day before or similar.

DH and I like to do a mix of both morning and evening EMH's. We ALWAYS do an MK evening EMH, because in the summers, that's usually until 2 or 3 in the morning, and we just like that kind of thing. But then we'll sleep in the next day. I also don't do a morning EMH and an evening EMH on the same day - just too long to be going going going.

Since we always break before dinner, we never plan our dinners according to what park we'll be in. Heck, I just made our ADR's for our summer trip (DH is a teacher so we mostly go in summer) and four out of the five ADR's are in the Epcot area. So go figure. But we can do whatever park in the morning before our midday break.

Also - know that you will in no possible way do everything. You just can't. I've been going since 1984 and I still haven't done absolutely everything.

What resort are you staying at? That will possibly play in to the experience of the whole family. Some are more adult-feel than others when it comes to the theming.

If both of your kids are at least 16, then I would second the recommendation of doing the Segway tour at Epcot - that was SO fun!

I would also agree to let your kids have some time away from you. That was the best part about my trips when I went in H.S. with band and my senior trip. I LOVED not having "adults" around telling me where to go.

Also - as much as I LOVED Disney my whole life, even I was "too cool" for any characters in my early teens. I didn't want to be caught dead in a character pic or interacting with ANY characters. So, just putting that out there. I totally got over that once I got older!

And be prepared for the walking. SO. MUCH. WALKING. Take band-aids and blister block.

Go over to Downtown Disney. Maybe the kids would like Disney Quest - actually I'd say it's a very good chance that they would - maybe take an afternoon for that?

I'd be happy to answer ANY questions you may have as they come along. Feel free to post or PM me!

 

[gigi1313]

"or we may just do quick service those days and just pay out of pocket"

I am assuming you are on the dining plan that includes one table service and one quick service per day. Can someone clarify if you can use a table service credit at a quick service restaurant? Just don't want her to pay for out of pocket for a meal she has already paid for. Thanks.

you cannot!

however, before paying OOP i'd use up all my credits... 'cause you just never know and going home with unused credits is like giving the mouse extra money!

 

[KellyWasHere]

Oh my, now this worries me.....avoid MK on Saturday and Sunday??? My books and websites say avoid it on Monday and that Sunday is a good day to go?!??

I'm confused. Which one is correct? I have it booked right now for a Sunday and unfortunately it's not changing because it's the only night that the Electrical parade is active while we are there BUT.....I just want to prepare for crowds.

On our past trip at the beginning of last December, we went to MK on a Sunday. I had heard to always avoid it on Saturday and Sunday but touringplans.com said it was going to be low attendance (I think because there was a Christmas party that night). Well, it was NOT low attendance, actually was the most crowded I had ever seen MK (we only go at value times). But, it was fine! Sure, we had to wait 30 minutes for Small World and Dumbo and had to really utilize fastpass, but everyone still had a great time.

I think what day you do what park should be low on your list of concerns. I think I planned every day wrong on our last trip (what park to do when), and we were still able to do everything we wanted to. I'd focus more on figuring out a fastpass strategy. For instance, even though we were going during a "low" time, Soarin still got to and stayed at a 70 minute wait almost all day both days we were at Epcot and FPs were gone by 3 or 4 (maybe even earlier).

 

[Luvamouse]

Kristine316-- Not sure if you're still at home, but here goes...

Here are my thoughts... My DH originally had zero interest in going to WDW. Workaholic, can't sit still, hates rides, but adores his girls and our family time. Told me to book whatever, go all the way since we won't be coming back...

Short version?? He loved it. Cancelled a 2009 trip to Tennessee because "the girls wouldn't like it as much. Let's go back to WDW." And we leave again in 24 days and 1 hour for our third family trip. He still isn't a fan of the rides with small exception, but he even loves to sit on a bench and watch the mini-parades and shows. In short, that one trip made him a believer. It was a Disney miracle.

As far as your boys, it seems like they have the "Mickey Mouse/Princess" perception of WDW. It is not only that, but so much more! I agree with the PP who said don't do MK first. DS will give them some of the bigger rides and show them there is a lot to enjoy.

Best idea, IMHO? Have a plan. Best parks, places to eat, things to do. Just so you know. Then be prepared to throw it all out the window and just go where the wind blows you It certainly looks like it should be pretty slow for your trip, not knowing the exact days of your stay. (Except for Superbowl weekend I bet.) In a time like this, I don't think the best parks matter nearly as much as they will during President's Day week, Spring Break, Easter, etc. Give yourselves a chance to try things and let the boys go off around the park alone. Meet up back at a designated spot or text them to meet you when you are all free.

I disagree with the posters wondering why you are doing this. It seemed good to you at the time you planned it, and I have seen several conversions-- my dad being another one 30 years ago. People need to see it to conceive it. Most people can't fathom the massive expanse that is WDW. Be flexible and positive. Don't sweat the small stuff. Above all, have fun!!