Am I expecting too much?

[brownraven]

I have been planning this Disney trip for about 4 years now. We are finally going in March. My husband thinks I am building it up to much in my head, but from other post I have read it really is a magical place. Will it really feel magical or I am just being a bit nieve because this is my first trip. (honest answers please)

 

[chrome64]

oh, come on...... it's Disney. over-hyping is not possible.

 

[MermaidsMom]

I have been planning this Disney trip for about 4 years now. We are finally going in March. My husband thinks I am building it up to much in my head, but from other post I have read it really is a magical place. Will it really feel magical or I am just being a bit nieve because this is my first trip. (honest answers please)

Others may not agree with me, but a problem I see with all the info available online is that our expectations go through the roof when it comes to Disney. It's a wonderful and fun place, but there is no heaven anywhere on earth. It's best to look at it as a chance to have fun with your family. You can't make the magic happen, it just does! So just relax and take your time exploring without "searching" for the magic! It's easier to exceed expectations when they are realistic to start with!
Have a great time! (of course you must figure out a way to do this without letting hubby say I told you so)

 

[Popsicle]

You're right!!! Your husband is wrong!!!

All I can say is that I envy you your first time. You must have some pixie dust in your heart already with the planning you've done. Please tell us about it when you get back (and whether he catches the "fever".)

 

[doombuggy3]

Mermaids and Chrome I agree...You CANNOT over-hype disney and also, it always exceeds expectations. I've taken many different types of people with me throughout the years and they worry that I "hype it up" too much when talking to them, but they honestly cannot believe WDW...

Definitely nahtunoterthemepark!

(Get it, like nahtazu? )

 

[richard_andmel]

For some it is extremely magical. However having some knowledge that even the most magical trip has it low points will help you. A good example of too high expectations is the restaurant Boma and Zebra Domes. You will hear a lot of people complain that they were disappointed with Boma because of all of the hype, and they had just expected too much and no restaurant could have lived up to those expectations. While I loved Boma, I was nonplussed with the Zebra Domes. The way people go on about them, you'd think they were literally the best dessert in the entire world. They are ok in my book, but that's all.

I think the planning you have done will help you to have more real expectations versus someone who just goes for the first time with no idea what to expect. Guess what, you won't love every ride. You won't think every meal you have is the best ever. You may meet some guests who definitely can't find the magic. You may meet a CM who is in the same boat as those guests. That is ok. The great thing about WDW is there is something for everyone. And don't to sweat the small stuff.

A few first trip mistakes you can avoid are:

1. Don't be a commando all of the time you are there. Stop and smell the roses and see the magic in the little things.

2. Listen to your body, and those of your family. If your body says hey I need a rest, then give it one. If it doesn't, give it one midday anyway.

3. Go to the parks early at least some of the time to get some stuff done and then relax in the afternoon.

4. Remember that you can come back and see the stuff you miss on your next trip.


If you haven't bought any guide books I'd suggest PassPorter and The Unofficial Guide. They make nice companions.

Most of all have fun.

Mel

 

[tmt martins]

Look at my sig I've been a lot and when my Boss told me last week I was going to LA.

The 1st thing I did was start a day trip to DL ( was just there in June ).I was Hyped you bet.I took a Co-worker (50ish) who has never been and all he did was call his wife and 3 grown kids and tell them what a great day he had .

You HYPE yoursefl silly and just enjoy your time down.

 

[sajetto]

They're not kidding when they say its "The Most Magical Place on Earth" there is no way you are building up anything in your head and will be disappointed.

 

[bcsmom]

I hope it is everything you want it to be. Since my first trip as an adult in 2002, I have been hooked!

 

[aunt kelly]

I think you will love WDW if you have been reading these boards and finding yourself becoming addicted. Just don't expect everyone in your party to love it as much as you do! My husband and kids always have a great time when we go to WDW, but no one in my family loves it as much as I do. I always have to remind myself to give everyone in my family time to "stop and smell the roses" while at WDW. I love it so much that if I had it my way we would go nonstop 24/7 and everyone but me would be miserable!

 

[dimoe]

I went on my first trip last May to disney and planned it ahead for about a year. I thought the same thing as you maybe I am building it up too much but it was just the opposite for me. THe only disappointments I felt were a few of the restaurants that ppl had raved about . But there is so much magic to be had at disney from the dancing with characters, ppl wanting my daughter's autograph when she was dressed as princess Aurora . So many more to the expression on her face and the smiles we wore all week! You cant have a bad time in disney ! imo
Have fun
Take time to relax . I think these boards are awesome and they help ppl to know a lot of things we might not have known. Those unknowns to me are the ones that could possible cause someone to have a bad trip.
Diane

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Here's the Thing..I don't know how..but The Magic Kingdom really is....THE MAGIC KINGDOM! Esp. with kids. And I think even more so if you have been planning for a while. I have been To Disney quite a few times, as a kid, with my hubby and most recently with our 3.5 yo dd...When we walked through the gates, I teared up. Hubby did not. He was oblivious (to the naked eye) of the magic ALL DAY. But that night, when the three of us lined up for WISHES...DH had dd on his shoulders and I was standing next to him..I caught more than a couple tears roll down his cheek. Then when we were walking around a mostly empty park after fireworks..listening to the classic Disney Tunes...like " A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes" I didn't think DH could hold me any tighter. He looked at me as we were standing in front of Crystal Palace looking back at the Castle and said that he never wanted to forget such a magical moment. (and a bunch of other private mushy stuff to dd and I.) I left that day feeling all the magic in the world.
So, as I write this..I think I have found my awnser..The Magic Kingdom is Fun, Amazing,a full circle destination for probobly most of us on these boards..but its the people that you go with that make it Magical.

 

[MAKmom]

I tear up the first time I walk down Main Street...every trip.

If you want to make it great for the family... have a plan. My 18 dd told me some friends thought Disney was bad because everyone was fighting over what to do. She told them "Disney is great with my mom. We all follow her around like DUCKS. She has everything planned"

I include everyone with the plans . Ask them to pick 1 or 2 places to eat. I show them where we are going ...months in advance. They think I'm crazy but they know this is the time to speak up.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

it really is magical and beautiful...and yes...there really is pixe dust abound!!!

I would say try to go easy on yourself and realize you can not do it all...

when I truely relaxed and let the touring plans go and the "we must" do this...
and "We must" do that...we had more fun

I was killing my family (mostly dh) bY staying up til 11 pm and waking at 7 to do it all again at another park!!
NO MAJOR melt downs or fights the whole time!!!
My husband even made comments about the pixie euphoria being gone after a few days upon return, that is how happy we were there...

We made it all OK and out of the world alive, mainly due to low crowds and ok weather...had it been really HOT and crowded, we would not have had sooo much fun...March will be good weather I bet!!!


truely and awesome time
have fun

 

[Sylvester McBean]

if you've been planning it for 4 years, you must have a reason for wanting to go. I think that will all come to fruition when you turn the corner onto Main St. and see the castle.

don't stress, and be ready to be flexible with your plans.

 

[doombuggy3]

I agree!!!!! EVERY moment might not be "magical" but there will definitely be moments where you feel someone sprinkled pixie dust on you.

McBean, your signature is HILARIOUS! I haven't laughed that hard all day.

 

[luv2nascar]

I planned a lot for our first trip in 2000 as a family. I was 32 yrs old and it was my first trip ever. I kinda wondered the same as you. Our first day first park was MK. We got there as the 3pm parade was ready to start. The first time I looked up Main Street and got my first glimpse of the castle. Well lets just say this grown woman was glad she had sun glasses on because I cried -it was more special than I thought it would be. I feel tinglely now just thinking about it. I think you will not be disappointed. I don't feel I'm really there till I get to MK and see the castle.

 

[roadtripper]

The magic is definitely there. Sometimes we have to tune out the non-magical people around to see it, but it's there. The magic is in you, too-- as you know from reading these boards, lots of guests try to share the magic by giving away fast passes, etc. That's my favorite kind of magic, because it's not planned, and it comes from ordinary people.

 

[dolphindan1]

The magic is in your heart. If you want it to be special and participate in that fact it will be magical. There will plenty of things that will make it special but you have to open your eyes and see them. If you go in there expecting someone or something to do something special for you well then you might be dissappointed. The atmosphere is magical but not everyone experiences the magic. the ones who truly takes it in and slows down and smiles will be hooked. If you go in and run from ride to ride just to so called get your money's worth chances are you will see it as just another theme park. I was guilty of this my first trip. I spent all that money to go I was going to get my money's worth. It wasnt until my 3rd trip really that I came to realize what Disney is and what the magic is. go have fun and relax and you will experience Disney magic.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Do I feel that Disney is truly a magical place? Yes. You have been doing a lot of research. Use a guide book and have an idea of what is most important to your family. As long as you realize how big Disney is and the fact that there is no way you will be able to see and do everything (and don't try). Don't get overwhelmed. Go with what makes you and your family happy. You will play a big part of making the magic happen for your family. I'm sending a little pixie dust your way. Have a wonderful trip.