Advice needed re: "Letdown" of leaving Disney

[ChrisMouse]

Hi all...

I'm working through my planning and am now thinking about our last day at DLR...it's a Sat. and we don't have park hoppers for that day. Our plane leaves SNA at 2:35 pm, so we're pretty much planning on leaving for the airport around 11:30am.

My worry is about "letdown"... I have felt this in the past and am worried about handling it with my kids. I know nothing can make it better, but I'm trying to plan something for that morning to "ease" the transition of leaving DLR.

Any ideas?

One thought was to get PS for Goofy's Kitchen that morning...but we already have several fun and special meals planned (BB for one dinner, a character bkfst at Plaza for our first morning, and a princess lunch at Ariel's for myself & DD...)

Never having done Disney with my kids, I just don't know...Would adding GK to our last morning be overkill on the character meals?

Or if anyone has another good idea for something fun as a last "hurrah" I'd appreciate any suggestions.

TIA!

Chris

 

[lucky1]

I understand the need of doing one last hurrah before leaving. We do this as well. Generally we will have breakfast at PPH with Lilo and Stitch. It is our favorite meal and it tends to be less crowded than the rest of the char. meals, plus we get to see stitch. We plan a bit later breakfast and then do some last minute shopping in DTD when it opens at 9:30 when there are no crowds and then ready to head out.

 

[mystic_path]

It is the hardest thing for out of town folks to leave Disneyland knowing its going to be quite some time before you get to go back. It literally brings you to tears to the point you cant look back at the train station or main gates. Its frusterating.

If I can suggest anything, I would definately do some shopping at the World of Disney store in DTD, or maybe do an extra character breakfast as something to do. That definately wouldnt be an over kill. Remember its going to help you as well with the transition.

Or if you do want to put out the extra money for an extra character meal, I would just get a surprise extra park hopper ticket and spend the morning in the park doing all your favorite things one last time. Thats what my family is doing this time around on our trip. We are in the same boat as you because the transition is so hard. On our last trip we decided this was what we were going to do on our last day because nothing really seems appealing excepting going back into the park. It would be much easier I would think if it feels like your leaving the park for a bit to go back to your hotel for a nap or change of clothing. This is just my opinion. Your gonna be paying around $35-50 per person for a character meal anyway with gratuities. But an extra character breakfast might be a total blast. It just depends on your interests.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We've done GK the morning before leaving. I think it helped. But you're right, nothing really makes it better. Infact I can start feeling that way the last day in the parks, and feeling like I need to hurry up and see things "one last time" as if I'm never going back or something. hehe

But yeah even with your other special meals planned, I think a breakfast at GK is a great way to end your trip!

 

[abby]

I'd make the ps at GK and not tell the kids and then wait till the night before and decide if you want to go or if it will be overkill. You can always cancel.

 

[ChrisMouse]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback!

It's a great idea to make the PS at Goofy's and then I can cancel the night before if we need to.

I also think we'll do some shopping at World of Disney for a last, special souvenir that morning.

Ugh...isn't it just a terrible thing...the trip is so exciting and I simply cannot wait, but I just know it will be heart and gut wrenching when we have to leave again.

So glad you all understand!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I so see where you are coming from, I dread that feeling each and every time! In fact as the days wind down, the sense of doom creeps in! I think making that character meal without telling the kids is a great idea. You can cancel right up to that morning. Since check out is at 11:00, you could just sleep in, pack and have a down morning. Maybe order some room service. But I also love to shop at World of Disney that last morning. Just see what you are in the mood for. And don't be surprised if you have that next trip planned before the plane touches down at DIA (I live in Denver too)! Have a great trip, the first one is always very special!

 

[PattiPB]

I agree a final character meal is a great idea---even if you drop one from the middle of your trip.

Consider visiting Build-a-Bear for a special souvenier that morning. The kids can create the "friend" of their dreams to remember the vacation.

Or, simply hang out at the pool. Request a late check-out until noon, and enjoy a final swim.

Isn't this just a great "problem" to have to ponder?

 

[Sally_fan]

I can't really offer any advice as this is the first time we are taking our kids to DL but I'll tell you what we have planned for the day we leave. It is one of the things that you thought of as well. I called & got PS for Goofy's Kitchen. We don't plan on telling them about it until we arrive at the restaurant. I am really hoping that this will take at least some of the sadness out of leaving.

 

[CindyH]

But for the drive home, I set aside some new DVDs and toys that I know the boys will really like - it gives them something to look forward to, and by the time we get home, everyone is so happy to be home that they're not sad about missing DL (well, until the next day!)

 

[NVDisMom]

The nice thing about GK is the fact that it is in the DLH and they have some amazing art and memorabilia, plus the grounds are worth walking for the Disney feel.
I had that let down the first time we went and didn't think to plan anything before we left. Now we always get a park hopper for our last day($10 extra per person) do our favorites in the morning and have a leisurely late BF at GK or DTD. Last time we topped it off with makeovers for the girls in DTD. They loved it and didn't mind leaving nearly as much this time as the times before. It was all a positive close to a positive trip.

 

[joeysmommy]

Chrismouse-
I know exactly how you feel when it's time to go home.

We stayed at DLH in Sept and in the morning of our last day we did Early entry to Build a Bear. Guests of DLR can go to BAB at 9am and have the store to themselves for 1 hour before it opens to the public.
It was great fun and then my boys had a cuddly friend to bring back home on the plane.
I also tried to book a Lilo and STitch breakfast right after that at 10:30, but it was just too much, so we ate breakfast in our room after BAB.

 

[Zoemakes5]

We did something like this for our trip, with a slight twist. Sat. AM, DD, DS1 and I got up early and went to Stitch breakfast (my least fav, by the way, and we had done Ariel's and Plaza on Thur.), while DH and DS2 packed up the vehicle. Then everyone met up and went to Build a Bear. It was like our "ending", even though we did go back for another day the following week. It gave DD, in particular, something to look forward to, plus it gave everyone something tangible to walk out of DLR with. I would love to do this again in the future.

 

[fidoprincess]

I agree with the others, we always do ee at buildabear (if staying on site) and then hit Goofy's Kitchen. The kids are so happy with their new animals and their stomachs are full so travel home is much easier! I think this is the perfect end to a DL trip and it helps extend the magic and they also have something to play with the whole ride or flight home.

If you do this, make your reservations for Goofy's at 10am-bab does not take more than an hour even with my super slow pokes!

 

[Shawn]

I didn't catch how long you were staying. We live in Oregon and can only get to DL about every 18 months or so. We generally stay a week, Saturday - Saturday.

I understand the let down! It's always a bummer leaving and knowing you won't be back for a long time.

Leaving Saturday (and not visiting the parks that day) helps. Since that is generally once of the most crowded days, when the park isn't as enjoyable as it is during the week.

Also, we generally start planning our *NEXT* trip right away. We will start talking about it and planning it and it gives us something to look forward to.

Also, at home, there are many neat Disney pod casts that are great to enjoy. Both fan based and Disney produced podcasts. There are both video and audio ones. For a good audio podcasts, check out 'Inside the Magic', but there are lots more. I've set up the family computer in the living area of our house for the kids to use (and so we can monitor the usage). I've downloaded quite a few free fan based video podcasts, and I will sometimes just turn them on for background value when I'm working around the house. People are going to Disneyland every week, making videos, and sharing the latest Disney sights with us. So even if we cannot get to Disneyland for Christmas say, we get to see videos taken by others as they walk around the park and show us all the neat holiday theming.

-Shawn

 

[abby]

I would add your attitude will have a lot to do with how the kids react, if they see you sad at leaving, they will be also, if they see you are looking forward to going home, visitng friends or relatives (or in our case seeing the dog and cat) it is so much easier. Also easier if you can say, we will be back, it's only bye for now.....

 

[ChrisMouse]

Thanks, everyone, for all of the great suggestions!!!!