Am I expecting too much?

[jarestel]

Just expect to have a great time and leave the details ( or magic, if you prefer ) to chance.

Have a great trip!

 

[Hopefully]

I love Disney and I think it is a truly Magical place. That said, I do think it is possible to set your expectations too high. It is still "life". Things do not always go as planned or expected. You may run into some folks who behave in a less than magical way. It rains, Rides close for refurbishment etc. It is not perfect.
But it is wonderful. Since you have been planning for so long, you must have an idea of the most important things that interest you and your family. As many others have said, do not expect to be able to do it all, it is not possible. Start each day with a list of the handful of things that are important to you that day, and then let the unexpected fill you with joy.
Don't over plan your time. I made the mistake of "Commando Leader" on our first few trips, and everyone was miserable, but me. For me, the planning is part of the fun and it adds to the joy!
Relax, keep your expectations reasonable and you will have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Kristina]

Four years of planning, gosh I've been there too! I remember when I couldn't get our first trip off of the ground and my boyfriend didn't care much. I mean sure he'd love to go but the expense for him seemed quite high. So I dreamed and planned and finally I contacted a travel agent and bought airline tickets, and I was on !

When we finally got to Walt's World well, it was all I had hoped it would be, and we even had one snotty wierdo CM encounter, but we laughed it off. Everything else went really well, and my dear boyfriend convinced me to cancel our Crystal Palace ressie since our trip was already perfect, what more could we want? (hint..we could want Crystal Palace ressies! Won't make that mistake again, aarrgh!) We even were treated to a free Segway class one day, a CM just came up to us in Epcot and asked if we would be interested since they were training a new CM ! Then she took photo's of us with my digicam, her idea and so sweet! Gosh we sure had fun!

I had wanted to go totally commando and tried to but we did have a lot of sleep in's, getting to some parks at around 10 or so but that was okay. Probably a good idea actually, although I highly recommend getting to the MK at least once a good 15 minutes before opening, as the show just adds to the magic!

Oh and if you are staying at the Pop Century, take it from me and don't bother running (!) through the gift shop to the food court hoping to see the Bump or Hustle if they play those songs So embarrassing when they don't!

Don't worry everything will be fine and you are going to have so much fun! It truly is magical!!! Now I think I best go find a Disney chat because this post turned out to be longer than I had planned on sorry if I went on and on, hehe!

 

[JustEngagedNicole]

I think it totally depends on the type of person you are. My fiance and I are crazy about the place. I was telling my girlfriend and her hubby about DVC (my fiance and I became members last fall). I told them that I get to go to Disney for as much as 150 points (hopefully this number will be increasing soon!) will get us each year for the next 40 some years. Her husband was like, "and you really want to do that?!?" OF COURSE I DO! For some people, it is amazing; but I have heard other people say it is too much comercialization for them. Just plan like it is a normal vacation; don't get your hopes or set your expectations too high. To me it is better to be pleasently suprised than to be unpleasently disapointed. I hope you become a Disney nut like the rest of us here - Good Luck!!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

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

I agree, on our last trip I was a little to "commando" and found myself not enjoying the park eventhough we were seeing everything I was rushing and making my wife tired, she would want to rest and I would push her along. Once I made myself relax and take time to rest we enjoyed ourself more.
Don't try to see everything, I you miss a show or a couple of rides it's okay, just make sure you know the ones you want to do the most and do those first then you don't have to rush to get to them later.
A word about ADRs: If you have your ADR made and you find you and your family during the day realize that the time or resturant you choose won't work out well, go to guest relations in the park or call the dinning line and have your ADR changed. We did this numerous times, once we were still full from lunch and our ADR was for less than an hour so we had our time moved later another time we just changed our mind on where we wanted to eat. Now we went in Jan, a slow time when that is easier to do but it cant hurt to call and ask.

 

[44sun]

Short and sweet - Part of my trip begins the minute I start planning! All of the pictures, videos & trip reports whisk me away.

I was finishing up the journaling in the scrapbook from our 2003 trip last night (I kept a notebook while on vacation) and couldn't help but notice in the pics how clean and well kept the park was. That's part of the magic for me! (I could use that magic here at home! )

Relax & enjoy! Heed the advice to take a break in the afternoon...

 

[HappyLawyer]

just ignore your husband, we all do it anyway. You can never build your trip up too much, we go every other year and the minute i get home i am planning for the next trip, i am already thinking about 08, i can't wait, we go this december yeah

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

The answer to your question depends on your answer to these questions.

1) Do you have a love for Disney movies?

2) Do you have a deep connection to Disney from childhood?

3) Would it embarass you to be seen enjoying things most would consider "for kids"?

As everyone else has said, it won't be perfect. But each time I have gone it has been as close to perfect as I am going to get on a vacation.

Also don't expect it to be a relaxing vacation. Even if you don't go commando with 14 hours in a park everyday, you will be tired and have feet and legs that hurt, but it is soooo worth it.

 

[Magic Man]

You can NOT have unattainable expectations at Disney because that is what they do...exceed your expectations. Expect to have the best time of your life because that is what Disney is banking on. It happens so often that return business is guaranteed. Why else would so many of us be on this board posting about it when we could be doing other things. The magic is truly there like nowhere else in the world. Thanks Walt and family.

 

[Tegra89]

I agree with Richard andmel. I was all commando and really didn't look for the little things. Don't get me wrong Disney was great and I had a great time. I just think that this trip I'm taking this time will be less stressed. Or I'm hoping so. I'm going to be a reformed commando with 4 little boys to take to the parks so we WILL take an afternoon break.

Have fun!

 

[MAKmom]

Short and sweet - Part of my trip begins the minute I start planning! All of the pictures, videos & trip reports whisk me away.

I was finishing up the journaling in the scrapbook from our 2003 trip last night (I kept a notebook while on vacation) and couldn't help but notice in the pics how clean and well kept the park was. That's part of the magic for me! (I could use that magic here at home! )

Relax & enjoy! Heed the advice to take a break in the afternoon...

I feel this way too. Planning my trips are a big part of the fun for me. I read my Passporter over & over deciding whata a must do for each trip. If I hear a rumer something is closing me try to go to it. This trip its Indiana Jones....we'll Skip The Lights & Moter car show.

We have always gone back to the hotel to rest & swim every afternoon after lunch. Except I day last year. DH wanted to try it. It was fun & a big deal that he wanted to do it. He has come to love WDW. It took a couple of trips for him to really see how special it is. ( Like our Hard Rock Hotel Stay at Universial)

 

[TinkGirl]

There is nothing like a Disney vacation for our family. Especially if you stay on site, it is literally a whole different world. It's just great to put aside reality for a week. Even my son replied once when we saw a gas station at Downtown Disney--yuck! That doesn't belong here. As long as you don't expect everything to be perfect, you won't be disappointed. The first time we went our flight was delayed by hours due to thunderstorms, the second time we visited it rained the whole time, the fourth time three of us got a 24-hour stomach virus. A few weeks ago the kids still fought a little when they grew tired of waiting in line, etc. BUT ALL OUR TRIPS WERE MAGICAL. We just got our Photo Pass pictures in the mail today, and can't wait for our June trip!

 

[allshookup]

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.

This brought tears to my eyes! I don't think you come sum it up any better! The thing is, I know people that feel like they've been there & done that so why go again? I even know a few that HATE the place! So many ask me why we are now going 2 to 3 times per year. "Haven't you gone on every ride by now?" I try to explain it's not about the rides, but they don't get it. I think part of the problem is people don't research enough & they get there and are shocked they have to wait in long lines, can't get into sit-down restaurants, or they save money by staying in low-budget accomodations. I won't get on the "must stay on-site bandwagon" but if you do stay off-site, it should be a resort with a lot of ammenities so you can spend some time relaxing.

We really just love how clean everything is, how friendly MOST of the CMs are, and how magical Wishes and Illuminations are. They never fail to move me no matter how many times we've seen them. Everyone has their own favorites and those are mine. Hope you find the magic too!

 

[brownraven]

Thanks everyone for giving me your impressions of the "World". I am realistic, but I am a kid at heart, but so is my husband. So I am going to take everyones suggestions and take the time to smell the flowers. I think I was going to go commando but I will slow it down a bit. THANK YOU!!!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

If you are even asking the question about expectations then you are being realistic enough to realize that nothing will be perfect but a Disney vacation will be close.

Many years ago, on our very first trip, pre-guidebooks and pre-Disboard. We got into MK the Wednesday after Easter, approx. 2:30Pm. It was so crowded that we did MAYBE one ride before our 5PM CRT dinner. I remember dissolving into tears in Fantasyland because it was way more crowded then I could imagined. I was not prepared for 2 hr waits (the line for Dumbo wrapped around the carosel). You bet I was dissappointed! It did make me want to vacation there at a less crowded time, which I've been able to do.

 

[suevee]

Friends of our went to WDW the first time with no planning and didn't see the magic. They skipped their ADR's because they didn't know what a character meal was, they changed ressies to off site because they wanted a cheaper hotel(got one with bugs and dirt) and were put off by the crowds.

Next time they went with us and had the best vacation ever. This time we are taking more newbies who have been told by our mutual friends not to go to WDW without us.

My point is your planning will help make it more magical. You will know the steps to take to avoid crowds, get fast passes, sitting in front of the monorail, places to sit for the parades (fronteer land in MK), how to make the ADR's and because of your planning and knowledge your family will benefit!

My touring is a little different. We usually go for 10 days and the first 3 to 4 days are commando. Can't help it. See the mouse, the adrenaline starts to rush and.....I'm lost. I love the rush!!! BUT, I do plan afternoon breaks and the last half of our trip we make no plans except a few ADR. So I feel we get the best of both worlds. We exhaust ourselves in the first half and recoup and smell the roses in the last half. I even bring my books to read around Epcot on the last part of our trip when the others are doing the Water parks or thrill rides. It is nice for some time to myself.

 

[Julylady]

I have visited WDW about 30 times in the past 10 years with assorted groups of friends and relatives. Every trip has been magical in its own way.

The Disboards provide tons of expectations but I think can also set people up for disappointment if you aren't careful. We all read about the perfect hotel view, the best towel animals, the most delightful servers, the best place to view the parade, the most magical character interaction, etc. If you go expecting ALL of these things to happen in the same trip, you will be disappointed. Don't go thinking that all these magical things will happen to you. Just be open when something does happen!

One example: On a trip with WDW newbies last fall I made a reservation for Rose and Crown for 8pm. When they asked if we were going to stay for the fireworks, I said yes if it works out with dinner. When I checked us in at R & C I politely asked for an outside seat to watch the fireworks. We were seated right at the rail. When the fireworks started at 9pm it was a totally unexpected and magical experience for my friends! They talked about it for the rest of the trip. Due to what I have learned from these boards, I was able to put my friends in a place for the magic to happen!

Have a great trip!

Donna

 

[Becky2005]

Here's my experience - I planned for 2 possibly 3 years (I forget - had a lot of changes between when we planned to go and when we actually got to go). I researched a lot but honestly when I got there I forgot about 90% of what I learned. We probably aren't going again for another 3 years but I'm back hanging out just trying to formulate plans for next time.

Mostly because I was THERE now and well.... experiencing it was different than reading about it, in a good way!

I'm ready to go back and now that I've actually been, seen the kids reactions for things, I know what I would do differently, what I would do the same, etc... I know, even though I read about it and knew, it didn't click with me that it does take longer than you think to get to places - we were always late for ADR's.

I also think researching so long I had a good game plan to get to do some of the extra stuff that wouldn't have happened if I hadn't been researching so much to know it was even possible. For example, we met PUSH - I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have though twice about it if I hadn't read ahead of time so instead of just rushing back to wherever we were going, I stopped when I saw him. Riding up front in the monorail, taking the Family Magic Tour. There are always those unplanned for things good & bad. I didn't expect my older son to have a meltdown (it's all Stitch's fault! However, by researching things ahead of time I was able to warn him of the ride and actually talk him through the ride so he wasn't screaming or anything - even though I had never been on it before in my life - it made things much easier for me at that moment knowing stuff). I didn't expect us to get seperated in Downtown Disney in the middle of a massive rainstorm. I also didn't expect my daughter to get a napkin rose from a guy at Fulton's (that was so awesome and unexpected), I didn't know security would go so out of their way for me when the Downtown Disney situation occured but having read about different situations here, it kept me from being a total basketcase.

I didn't tell my kids a lot of the stuff, just kept it to myself. That way if something happened great, if not it was fine.

My kids keep asking all the time to go back and I know my older one did lots of research with me (and that is how I ended up parasailing! ).

My husband said the same thing but I didn't feel it took anything away. I like knowing what I'm doing though for most things so it made it more magical to me to at least feel prepared as best I could be.

 

[LaughinPlace289]

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)

If that's true than I build it up in my head way too much before every trip. You will be amazed when you get there, believe me.

 

[Stitchfans]

For me personally, the minute I step into the MK or any other park all my troubles, worries melt away. I feel like I am a kid again with no responsibilites and I am free to totally enjoy my life. The joy of interating and watching my DDs interact with the characters is undescribable. I truely believe it is a magical place!