A Personal Countdown

[SpottyDog]

DO NOT READ

JUST PERSONAL THOUGHTS - just thinkin aloud really.


Me Countdown says 10 days to another holider of a lifetime.

V's gettin all excited and makin plans and when I read threads about Discovery Cove and Clearwater Beach etc, I remember how much we enjoyed our times there and 'fill up' in the sentimental way I do.
But I still can't get into the holider plannin feel.

Last two trips I bored everyone rigid with 'plannin this' and 'organisin that' but I've done nowt this time.
Haven't even finished last year's trippy yet - I will, when I get the time.

I know it's because this has been a hard year for uz (not lookin for sympathy, just statin it as it is) and it's been tough to adjust to workin office hours again after 7 years 'swannin it' at home - not complainin, it's just hard workin when yer tired isn't it? and it's not as if it's for more money - just peace of mind.

As the holider gets nearer, I'm more aware of it and I am lookin forward to it, just not plannin it, which isn't me. This year will just have to take care of itself.

Mind, all me plans have been just restructurin of what V wants to do and makin sure it actually all fits together so we'll be ok there. Julie's sorted where she wants to eat, so we'll not starve.

It was a bit like this in 99 when we first went to Orlando. It was V's holider of a lifetime. Me? I'd have been happy in Scarborough. I liked Disney films and the ideals of 'The Magic'. Just a shame it was in America coz I had no fancy really.

Just like now, I could take it or leave it. Wasn't bothered if it was cancelled or went ahead.

But it was the best holider ever and I've been happily skint ever sice and made some of the best friends ever as a result of it so that can't be bad

So bring it on !!!! 10 Days.. Whoo Hoo !!!

This is just holider blues with an office routine to add to me troubles. This will pass and in 10 days time I'll be sittin in whatever hotel V's booked uz into at Manchester Airport , drinkin beer and worryin about whatever it is I worry about when the holider's about to start.

Told yer not to read it, didn't ah?

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I know how you feel - I often get the same way before holidays (both Disney and skiing). But (there's always a 'but') it doesn't last, and in 10 days time I'm sure you'll be raring to go!

I try to bare in mind that as you repeat holidays you shouldn't look for the same feelings and discoveries as the first trip. Use your familiarity with the parks, and everything else, to see the holiday in a different way. Take your time and see the little things that we mostly rush past, absorb the atmosphere, turn left when you normally turn right... There are many things that you haven't noticed before which will delight you as much your first visit, just in slightly different ways.

Have a great trip.

Regards

Rob

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Dave I so know how you feel - this is what went through my mind when I got back from DISCon in December and I wasn't feeling all that and I couldn't believe that I just thought sod it I'll cancel. It was a good decision because I was struck down with flu.

However you guys have been and done it now so you know you're gonna have a good time - I think it'll be cool to do a trip where you're not doing a lot of planning - it'll be interesting to read a trip report where things just happened.

10 days you say - I'm jealous yet again.

Hey it's good to be skint if you get the enjoyment out of it that I know you obviously do

I know I'll say this again to you over the next week and a bit but have a great trip guys

 

[Muppet]

I so know how you feel. We felt the same last christmas before we went. It had been a b***h of a year for us and our business and to be honest I could of stayed in the Hilton at Gatwick for 2 weeks. To make matters worse if we ever needed a sign that we shouldn't go it was the night before. We had the Hilton at Gatwick booked so we could have an easy start to the holiday but didn't check in to 5.30am the morning of the flight. What was the point.

It wasn't until we were actually there, in Orlando did we want to be there.

You and the family have an excellent time, you deserve it.

 

[Astrid]

OK, here's the scenario .... ice cold American beer sitting in the cooler (one in your hand and V with a Bacardi Breezer), all of you sitting by the pool, it's a warm balmy evening and you've got two weeks of workfree bliss ahead of you. Just 10 days to wait and that'll be you.

It seems a lifetime away at the moment and the stress and strain of everyday life sometimes takes over doesn't it.

When I went in '99 I was all ready to cancel everything 10 days before taking off and it was only because my mate persuaded me otherwise that I had to go that I ended up dragging a 6yr old and 3yr old to Orlando. I burst into tears on the plane flying over because the woman behind me shouted at me and had the worst experience of my life at Alamo!! I was ready to get the next flight home. However, once we were at the hotel it was fantastic!! In your words 'the best holider ever'!!

Exactly like Muppet said, until I was there I didn't realise how much I wanted to be there!!

Julie's got your grub organised, Valerie's sorted out the when's and where's - you're sorted!

Hope you all have the most fantastic holiday.

Astrid

 

[Kevin Stringer]

Now come on Dave. Admit it. It's not the thought of the holiday that's getting you down, it's Sunderland's league form!
Although even I have to say they were robbed in the FA Cup.

You just KNOW you're going to have a wonderful time, now don't you. And the weather's picking up nicely.
As far as I know there have been no threats of industrial action by the workers at Anheuser Busch breweries. A great time will be had by all as usual.

Please don't write another post like this. I was that depressed I had the noose out and was clambering up onto the chair before Tam stopped me.

Cheers

Kev

 

[SpottyDog]

Sorry folks, and thanks for the understandin and support (I'll talk to you later, Stringer!) it was just the way the boards struck and moved me last night. I did think it was a bit too sombre and dreary but then,
"Hey, that's me life!"

Anyway, I've seen me counter's dropped to 9 days and countin - though it did dawn on uz it's 9 days and 14hours which is the overnight bit so it seems like another day after that.

I got V to show uz her plan last night and was right. She's got no sense of time, distance or proportion! Day 4 she's got us at Sizzlers for brekkie (ta,Julie), Universal mornin then a waterpark for the afty before returnin to the villa for tea. Think I'll have to revamp her ideas sooner rather than later.

Thoughts for the day....
we've decided to do Epcot first night to catch the final Tapestry parade but I'll have to drag meself away before Reflections as I don't want to risk drivin back to the villa on unfamiliar roads when dog tired - I've never left Epcot before Reflections so it'll be a wrench.
V's printed off her AP discounts/benefits list today and found that we can still get 20% off Cirque tickets (Cat 2 only) on Wednesday and Thursday shows so looks like we'll manage to fit that in somewhere too - which is nice.

Now, don't feel obliged to join in this personal drivel - told yer I was thinkin aloud.

 

[WDWfan uk]

Isn't it funny how guilty we feel if we aren't feeling really really excited and revved up for WDW?

I'm a planner too Dave but I've also been in the position where pre-trip circumstances led to being on the verge of cancelling let alone getting down to my usual planning and PS making etc and general near hysteria excitement........ but I am just so glad we ended up going that year........ okay so you aren't planning - don't even try! It is a different trip, why not do things differently ?

Tell you what though, no Reflections ? Oh dear me - this won't do at all. How can you think such a thing?

 

[Bwalker]

Come on, Dave - more details!!!

So what's on the itinerary????

How long will you be there?????

Information ... more information ....... please

Aloha,
Lorraine

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Oh Dave, you got me really panicked when I first started reading your post . . . you really did sound depressed. But then you started to cheer up - see, you're already half way there

I do understand - our second trip of a lifetime all those years ago (it seems) was a bit like that. We'd had such a good time the year before that I doubted it could ever be replicated. But it was - and each trip gets better and better.

OK last year I went into a frenzied planning mode - but that was only because we had to much to do and places to visit whilst touring around. If we hadn't made any plans we would have still been ok cos we all knew what we wanted from our holiday.

It's a different holiday for you this time - two trips in a year, that's probably confusing you, too Staying in the villa will be so cool - all have your own space and time.

You ALL have a fantastic time - I've not done my trip reports from last October yet because it's depressed me to think we're not still there, but I'll crack on with them when you've done yours - from last year - there's a challenge

 

[SpottyDog]

8 days 11 hours

Not done much today coz I've been on a ten hour course, but did get to glance at a couple of maps online this mornin to get me bearins - where the shops are, where the beer is - that sort of thing.

Lorraine, we're stayin at Dave The Fatman's villa (cheers mate - V's the pink'un) and it's our first time off-site. We're doin two trips this year - just the way it turned out ,was supposed to be Dec03 and Oct 04 to make best use of APs. Will add me plans as they develop.

V's gettin well excited now - as if she's not usually when a Disney trip is within less than 11 months - more so coz Dave's posted the villa details and instructions today, so she'll be sittin watchin for the postie in the mornin.

 

[UKANGEL]

Bless you dave, you know you'll be feeling great when you're sitting in the Cantina by the lagoon, with that frozen margerita in your hand!

You just let Val take the strain of all the planning and go along with what the girls organise for you.....HA HA!!!!!!....all that shopping..............are you breaking out in a cold sweat yet mate?

Oh dear! I was supposed to be cheering you up too!

I just know you'll all have a fantastic time, don't drink ALL the margeritas will you Dave, leave some for me in May!

 

[BONZO]

Dave,


You silly old sausage!


I do know what you mean though - sometimes I think that all of the fun is in the planning - all that build up - a bit like looking forward to Christmas with expectations running high.


last year we thought we'd take a break from Florida and go to Corfu instead. Don't get me wrong, we really did enjoy the holiday...sun, sea and sangria - but it just wasn't Florida and Disney!


I'm sure that once you get out there the "Magic" will kick in.

 

[kazzie]

Dave,

It's good to hear you're feeling more chipper now

I think without realising it all this war stuff might have made it subconsciously negative and hard pressed to get excited about your holiday.

I know exactly what you mean about the feeling of,I've looked forward to this for so long,am I excited enough now??!!

You are all going to have such a fantastic time,just wait until the next couple of days as the holiday draws closer......

 

[Bwalker]

Dave, I do know what you mean about the build-up. Just wait till you get there though

We're staying off-property for the first time next Janaury in a house. So this'll be a new experience for both of us!

We can compare notes

I hope you and V have a wonderful time

Aloha,
Lorraine

 

[SpottyDog]

7 days 3hrs

Now that's more like it and I've even got a weekend off an'all. It doesn't get much better than this !

No, honestly, the way my life goes, this is as good as it gets .

Dave's Villa pack came yesterday packed with how to get there's and how to do this and thats. So now I've got a whole new set of worries..
will I lose the keys?
will I be able to manage the alarm?
what local wildlife?!!!

Gaz was well impressed to see it's proximity to Gatorland and his first stop is Walmart for toughened brown trousers and a gun. He realises he won't stop the gator with a gun, but he plans to shoot me and his Mam for puttin him in such danger the first time one wanders across his path.
Poor bairn, I can't wait to see his sad little worried face when we walk to the bar Dave's recommended. You've got to remember he's only ever lived 'with Mickey' and The Magic extends in his mind to 'nowt that eats yer is allowed on Disney Property'. But the rest? Well it's a known fact (well, I've been tellin him it is for a year) that outside WDW the roads and paths crawl with snakes and gators and stuff.

Yes, this might be a fun trip after all

 

[Sian]

Well you made me laugh with that last post.

I understand the pre-holiday blues. I used to get the same feeling just before going into labour (something I used to do quite a lot) when you suddenly realise how much you have invested - time, money, hopes, dreams - in the upcoming event and get a little panic that nothing can fulfil those expectations. But they usually do (babies and Disney holidays) and the feeling passes, and just shows what a deeply sensitive, caring, touchy-feely person you really are!

Relax and enjoy.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Originally posted by SpottyDog
7 days 3hrsGaz was well impressed to see it's proximity to Gatorland and his first stop is Walmart for toughened brown trousers and a gun. He realises he won't stop the gator with a gun, but he plans to shoot me and his Mam for puttin him in such danger the first time one wanders across his path.
Poor bairn, I can't wait to see his sad little worried face when we walk to the bar Dave's recommended. You've got to remember he's only ever lived 'with Mickey' and The Magic extends in his mind to 'nowt that eats yer is allowed on Disney Property'. But the rest? Well it's a known fact (well, I've been tellin him it is for a year) that outside WDW the roads and paths crawl with snakes and gators and stuff. Yes, this might be a fun trip after all

You'd best warn him then, Dave, about all the very fast-moving little lizzardy thingies that walk on the pavements, up walls, in the roads - in fact anywhere that I go they wait for me

 

[SpottyDog]

6 days 3 hrs

CRISIS IN THE PLANNIN DEPT.

I offered to laminate V's Park and Shows hours list last night - as yer do - but she thought she'd better check them first in view of rumours of change coz of a recent drop in attandances.

Disney've dropped Spectro all but Satdy nights, dropped the second MGM shows throughout March and decided Blizzard Beach now won't re-open till March 16th, when we've gone home.

She was not a happy bunny

The dilema is , now that Spectro is only on Satdy - which is our flyin in and flyin out day - we can only go see it the first night or middle Satdy. The first night we'd planned to go Epcot as it's the final Tappestry parade and the middle one was to be Mardi Gras at Universal with Lynyrd Skynyrd - who I missed last year to let V go see Spectro. (and she's already picked The Rodeo as her Anniversary night out, so I need summat to hang on to!)

I reckon we could just manage it if we go see Spectro first night, then monorail to Epcot , rush to Norway and we should catch the end or most of ToDs. It would then be too near Reflections time for me to leave, which would be nice, but that's the dilema.
By then, we'd have been up 18 1/2 hours (2.30am UK time) and then I'd have to drive back to Dave's villa, weary and on unfamiliar roads.
Sensible thing is to forget Reflections and go home asap.
Or miss Lynyrd Sknyrd - again!- then we could just do the early ToDs and go home.
Or take the Spectro video and let V watch it at the villa. No, that won't work!

What to do?..............

...........

I have a plan

 

[Sian]

I'd give Spectro a miss. It, or something very like it, will still be there next time but it looks as if the Tapestry of Dreams/Nations type of parade is going for the forseeable future. See ToD and then decide how tired you are and whether it's safe to stay for Illuminations. I find I'm quite pumped on the first night but it catches up with me on the second.