Anyone Else Overwhelmed Before They Leave?

[rosie2283]

The excitement of our trip has depleted and now all I feel is overwhelmed. We leave our home in 4 days (fly out in 5) for our Disneyland vacation and I am trying to find the motivation to get packing. I have today and tomorrow as we are crazy busy with hockey weekend. I can't figure out where to even start. Anyone else get like that before they leave?

 

[firefly87]

YES!!!!!!!!!!! You are not alone in that. All the pre-planning, forum searching, stressing about what to pack, finally packing, getting the house prepared for you to leave, getting to the airport & on the plane, shuttling from airport to hotel, checking in & settling into the hotel, getting thru security checkpoint, getting to the park gate & figuring out which one you need to be in.......as soon as you walk thru the front gate, all the above mentioned will all be worth it and all the weight of stress will leave your body. Promise!!!

Have fun!! And what gets done, gets done. Try not to stress too terribly much.

 

[xXtowerOFterrorXx]

Its a tough thing to wrap your head around, you probably have 1,000 things running through your mind now that the trip is only a few days away... I make lists. Everything I have to do I prioritize, give it a try think of everything you have to do in the next few days and put it in a list once you have your list its easy to get started and work on checking things off... Good Luck and HAVE FUN!

 

[mydisneymoney]

Lists are a must for me. When I think about something that needs done, I write it down immediately. Also, I put our suitcases in our guestroom and start packing as I do laundry. DH and DS have to start wearing the underwear they dont' like and have shoved to the bottom of their drawers so the other can go into the suitcases. I am not sure if you are renting car but if you are, remember, you are going to a large city that will have everything you need if you forget something. It isn't like you are going camping in the middle of nowhere with no electricity. Once you are through security at the airport, you will start to relax. I am 24 days out from going and I am already feeling the stress of getting ready to go. And yes, the suitcase is already in the guestroom.

 

[todzwife]

yes but I'm 90% packed already because we had our carpets cleaned yesterday and we're having cleaners come tomorrow so I can come home to a CLEAN house this time. I had to pack our stuff up (since it's going to be so hot there and it's cool here, I could pack summer stuff since we're not using it).


I did have the pre-vacation blahs a few days ago though.

 

[julieheyer]

Lists are a must for me. When I think about something that needs done, I write it down immediately. Also, I put our suitcases in our guestroom and start packing as I do laundry. DH and DS have to start wearing the underwear they dont' like and have shoved to the bottom of their drawers so the other can go into the suitcases. I am not sure if you are renting car but if you are, remember, you are going to a large city that will have everything you need if you forget something. It isn't like you are going camping in the middle of nowhere with no electricity. Once you are through security at the airport, you will start to relax. I am 24 days out from going and I am already feeling the stress of getting ready to go. And yes, the suitcase is already in the guestroom.

I'm 13 days away, and we're driving so I can pick something up if I forget. But I get to this odd, almost apprehensive mood at this stage. I've been over planning it, and over thinking about DL, but now that its really coming, I'm almost disappointed? Not sure how to phrase it. Like the actual packing is to be dreaded? I've got a list, partially packed the dry foods into a tote, and have my Disney specific clothes and address books etc. all in my DL duffle bag.

Part of my challenge is the weather here in AZ is still pretty warm compared to Anaheim. I've lost 30 lbs this year and haven't really "tried out" my jeans, long sleeves, and jackets. I'm packing in faith that ill have what I need/want for DL .

I'm sure it'll all go fine. We ned to relax, do the best we can and enjoy the magic!!

 

[Carolwoodpr]

As someone else said, when you walk through those gates everything will go away as the magic enfolds you.

I too am a list person and will probably begin my lists in about 2 weeks. That will be 3 weeks before our trip. I do several lists. One for things we can't forget to pack because we can't replace them (my son's blanket, contacts, things like that). A list for what needs to be done at home. A list for things I need to go out and do (buy, go to the bank, things like that). This all helps to relieve the stress. We also don't pack until the night before we leave. I do all wash with packing in mind that week though.

 

[disneydeb64]

I can totally relate! I'll get pre-trip anxiety with ANY vacation. I always worry about an unforeseen circumstance arrising that will force me to {GULP}cancel. A work emergency, illness/crisis in the family, etc. But as soon as we arrive and unpack our bags, the fun begins and all that anxiety is but a distant memory.

 

[DisneyMommy403]

Oh my goodness, I'm experiencing the same thing! We leave in less than a week... and like a dumb dumb I still haven't gone shopping for everything, begun packing, preparing the kid's surprise (they have no clue we're going) and I'm doing the color run this weekend. Talk about being so backwards!

I think I shall start creating lists... like right now! Once we get through the gates I'm sure we'll be more relaxed and less frazzled. But I'm not really doing any excited dances lately. I'm just a stress case.

 

[mytymom79]

I am actually feeling the same way too ! We have 5 more sleeps till we leave for the airport, and have nothing but plans on paper ready ! Packing might be a good thing, considering I work Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Who am I kidding, come Tuesday morning while the kids are in school, I know me and I will be running around like a chicken with its head cut off packing to leave for Detroit !! My ultimate plan is to be outta here by 2pm to pick kids up early and make the 3 hour drive. But reality is it will probably be real late when we get to the airport hotel....

rosie2283~ I see you are in Sask...I am in Ontario at least we haven't had any snow yet ! However it has been rainy and freezing cold and it will be nice for some sunny days and shorts and tshirts !!


And like everyone else says, once we walk in the gate and take a breathe it will all be worth it !!

Have a great trip !!!

 

[Rhonna]

Yup - right now! I hate packing for any trip. Don't really like the travel portion either anymore. I am also a list person. Lots of sticky notes to get through, lol.

DCA/Carsland Monday!

 

[aidensmom31]

In the same boat as you. I just want to sleep but I have so much to do. The excitement usually comes back for me the night before

 

[danlkrim]

Lists help a lot. We travel quite a bit so I have made some standard packing lists for the usual stuff (underwear, socks, pjs, bathroom stuff) and the not so usual (extension cord, nightlights) so that helps. I am pretty good about buying the stuff we need but sometimes the procrastinator in me needs motivation to get the stuff in the suitcases so I get them out and start with the basics. I double check the weather forecast and then try to plan the clothes for each day including shoes jackets, purse/bag. When in doubt, layers work for most types of weather. I also try to take some clothes out once I think I am packed because I always overpack. I have duplicates of bathroom stuff so I can have that packed and not worry about it especially when we have an early departure. Anything done in advance makes that morning go so much smoother. If I do forget something, there is a store nearby so no worries. We have a 6:45 am flight when we make our trip in February so I hope I follow my own advice. And it will be worth it once we get there.

 

[rosie2283]

Oh thank goodness it's not just me. Seems like there is just so much to do! I have made list after list. I have them on my table today and I just stood and looked at them, never got the motivation to do anything about them...seems I crumble under the pressure.

I am looking forward to leaving Monday afterschool and head down the highway (we have a 3.5 hour drive to the nearest airport). Then maybe I'll relax...if not a glass of wine may help.

Yes...Northern Saskatchewan...its quite a treat right now. Cold, blizzardy and a foot of snow. Lets just say, I won't complain about the heat when I get to Cali on Tuesday.

Hugs to everyone. You sure know how to make a girl feel better!

 

[madmaxx]

North Sask? Wow! At least it is 12C here in tonight (BC)... I remember living in N. Sask ages ago, better winters (but fall was a bust).

I'm feeling totally un-DIS just a week before leaving. Maybe it's the stress of stepping out of the office? Or the packing? Or just the cost of food? I hope that when we leave that the DIS mood returns!

 

[Susannajean]

Thats me. In a nutshell. With every type of trip out there! I get awful travel anxiety. I have no idea why. I will wake up the morning of a trip, no matter how short, feeling like I am going to throw up and wishing I could cancel! Then as soon as I'm on the road I have a blast! Like everyone else said, make a list, check it twice, and keep remembering why you want to go! Have fun!

 

[Escape2Disney]

I used to get very anxious right before each DLR trip. This year I started something new. The day we made the decision to go I bought a mini 3-ring binder. I put tabs for each category (budget, tickets, reservations, etc.) As we plan, everything goes into the binder. In the front pocket is a master list for packing and one for 'things to bring'. For the last 8 months I update the binder any time we make a change. I'm pretty confident we'll arrive with all of the necessary items.

Where I still get nervous about security and health issues. That usually subsides once I'm buckled into my seat on the plane.

 

[Ozdisneydreamin]

Yes I get overwhelmed but its all part of trip excitement for me. We just want our disney holidays to be perfect!!

 

[HMANSION LOVER]

LISTS ARE A MUST, When I and DW, DS and DD go we have a clipboard. On clipboard is Calendar with which park we will be in on a given day (only for WDW). Where we have dining reservations and any special events planned. We have a list of clothes etc.... that need to be packed. And a list of things that need to be done around the house before we leave. Also a list of hotel reservations with confirmations #s as well as airline info and rental car info. I feel knowing exactly what needs to be done, and what has been done gives me a felling of control over the situation

 

[Escape2Disney]

LISTS ARE A MUST, When I and DW, DS and DD go we have a clipboard. On clipboard is Calendar with which park we will be in on a given day (only for WDW). Where we have dining reservations and any special events planned. We have a list of clothes etc.... that need to be packed. And a list of things that need to be done around the house before we leave. Also a list of hotel reservations with confirmations #s as well as airline info and rental car info. I feel knowing exactly what needs to be done, and what has been done gives me a felling of control over the situation

It's awesome you fit it on a clipboard! My little binder is barely able to close.