December Stress

[KevinM]

I had been stressing out about the anticipated crowds in the early part of December this year. I can tell by a lot of the posts that others have been stressing too. Let's review the facts:

1) If your reservations are already made, there is no use in worrying about something you have no control over.

2) I was there last year with Pop Warner. While they packed the value resorts, I rarely saw roving packs of teenagers in the parks. Crowds were fine.

3) Anticipate the worst when it comes to wait times, crowds, etc... When you arrive everything will seem a lot better than you had imagined.

4) Disney is the largest and most popular resort in the world. People are going to be there 365 days a year en masse.

5) Mousefest crowds are much better than obnoxious, rude crowds.

5) You're going to Disney!! Millions only dream of being there during the holidays! Be thankful for how lucky you are!

6) See you next week!

 

[DebbieB]

I'm guilty of over obsessing too, but more about the weather than the crowds. Just to show how people can go overboard, before our December 2001 trip there were people on this board who actually rescheduled their trips because of the panic over the media week for Walt's 100th birthday and Pop Warner. It turned out to be the best trip we ever had, very low crowds and great weather.

 

[ASFCurly]

I might be guilty of obsessing, but not over crowds, I was there last year at this time, I am worried that I might miss something I have scheduled with friends as there is so much, and also that I will not have enough room in my luggage for everything I buy and need to bring back. But I have decided not to worry about it,

 

[bjakmom]

ASFCurly- I pack a small totes nylon folding bag in the bottom of my suitcase and on the way home I just fill it with all the dirty laundry and then pack all of the new (and sometimes more fragile) stuff I've bought in my regular suitcase - I never check 2 suitcases on the way to WDW, but I often check 2 on the way home !!!

I've even stopped obsessing about what will/will not get done/ decorated here at home before I leave !!! - what gets done will get done - I'm going to have a wonderful, relaxed, joyful time no matter what !!!

 

[danny1649]

To our trip and getting to meet some great Disers,if I miss something this trip,hey I will catch it next trip or next trip or the trip after that.

 

[nativetxn]

I will be there on 12/3. I'll be watching for lime green and I hope to meet many DISers

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I've been stressing over crowds too, since it seems everyone will be there the same time we are! I read on another thread that there are NO ROOMS available to the weekend we are there. This will be our 3rd trip this year, and it's just a quick weekend for dd's birthday, but still I want it to be special for her....But, maybe most of the crowds will be for Mousefest like you say, so at least they'll be knowledgeable and not rude.....Here's hoping everyone has a great time!

 

[llij]

Thanks for the reminder! I'm not obsessing over the crowds, but I'm obsessing over all the things that need to get done here at home before we go on the trip!!!

Have a great trip everyone and I hope to meet some of you down there!

 

[HollyJoy]

I'm stressing a bit too, but not about crowds at all! I'm stressing about what to pack, first of all, and secondly, about making sure that I have all my info jotted down in my notebook! Wish I could bring the Dis with me! I'm sure I won't remember EVERYTHING I've learned here, but know I'm as well prepared as I can be thanks to all the wonderful people here !! So with that said, let's roll!!! lol

 

[disneysnowflake]

I'm not worried about crowds. I guess that's because I haven't been to WDW since I was in junior high school, so I don't even know what to expect. So much has changed.

If it's crowded then it's crowded. I plan to have the best time ever. I can't believe our trip is getting closer!!

 

[Simba's Girl]

I'm not obsessing over the crowds...just kinda wondering what it'll be like since this is our first trip this time of year....I'm betting the crowds will be fine from my personal experience, I'm just curious to see if I'm right or not. The other times of year I've been (since I've been an adult)

May 95, graduation trip, crowds moderate
Week between Christmas and New Years 97, Honeymoon, VERY VERY CROWDED
April (1st week) 99 Moderate crowds
November 00 Moderate Crowds, Jersey Week
October 03 Moderate Crowds, moderatly heavy during F&W festival and toward Columbus day

The only time I remember the wait times unmanagable was during our honeymoon. Other than that wait times were usually less than 30min on most things, sometimes walk-on, and the rides that it was longer (like TT) you could easily FP...

So my advice to you is to RELAX! LOL

 

[nicki dahling]

It's funny. I stress about Christmas every year. Two years ago I went to WDW for the first time at Christmas. Guess what ? My stress went away ! I didn't wory about meals, decorating , christmas shopping, etc. As a matter of fact the best part of vacation was that Disney did all my decorating for me, and I ate food that Disney cooked, and Disney shopping is so much more fun then Black Friday shopping. Best bargains were found at the character warehouse. This year we are going to Disney the week before Christamas and coming back a few days before Christmas day. While everyone else will be running around stressing about what to buy, what to cook, or even what to put up in the house. I will be at WDW with my family enjoying a stress free holiday. Even the way I plan Disney trips has changed. Our first trip I ran around trying to see everything , figuring it would be a once in a lifetime trip. Three trips later I look at WDW as a second home. Very familiar so I don't have to rush around. I savor the moment , and each trip I see something different. The one thing I have learned about going this time of year is that even when its crowded ( and I can almost guarantee the next couple of weeks will not even be close to being as crowded as Christmas day ) is that the weather is better the then the heat of the summer, you can't beat all of the festivity of Christmas time, and you'll be at Disney! What could be better then that ?

Cyndi

 

[mickeyschickie]

I've been trying to pack...I've been searching for every article of lime green clothing that I can find...lol...but I've been stressing too with having to clean the house, the car, get everything ready at work...but I just keep thinking, what will I be doing this time next week...and no matter what it is, it is sure to be great because I will be in WDW!!! Saturday cannot come fast enough for me!
Nicki

 

[Chicago526]

I tend to stress about what's going on at work while on vacation! This time, I'm making 100% sure that NOTHING is left un-done before I leave, and anything that comes up while I'm gone, can just wait until I get back!

I'm stressing a little over weather in FL during the trip. Only because A) I'm from Chicago, I want it to be WARM gosh darn it! And B) I don't know what to pack, so I need to pack everything!

But once I'm on the beach at the Poly, holding my BF while watching Wishes, you bet your sweet bippy that I'll be 100% stress free!

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

No crowd stress here just getting ready in a half a day stress! LOL I'm just about done with my driving maps and docs., then I'm off to pack. I just deleted some docs. I will never get done with by tonight in hopes that it would have took some stress away, but nope. LOL

I'm usually the 6 month out everthing planned type, but this year I kept putting it off and here I am stressed out. I just never got really excited about this trip, even though I have wanted to go at Christmas time for years and years and here I am going and bah humbug! That's how I feel. I think I'm just really overwhelmed right now and once I get more things done maybe I'll feel better. I love going to WDW and we have a 1st timer with us this time and those trips are always the best! I love seeing someone at WDW for the first time, so much fun.

I do have 1 bag packed, my car dvd player, oh wait that's been packed up and ready to go since I got it. LOL Okay off to finish my printing!

Pammy

 

[KevinM]

Geesh, I wasn't stressed about crowds when I wrote the original post. I wasn't really stressed about anything...

After reading some of the replies I'm starting to get stressed about packing, being ready to go, seeing everything I planned to see, the weather, finishing up at work, my airline, my rental car.......

Only kidding.

I am glad to know that so many nice people are going to be there the same week my family will be there. In my line of work a pleasant, relaxing vacation is an absolute must to keep the stress level down. Having good people around will make it that much more enjoyable.

 

[HollyJoy]

Okay, so who else doesn't know what in the world to pack? A friend of ours (who lives in Tampa) said that it's been about 82 recently, then dropping down to the 50's in the evening. Does that sound correct? I feel like I'm packing way too much!

 

[DebbieB]

I'm packing 6 pairs of shorts, 3 pairs of jeans, short sleeve tops, a couple sweatshirts, a medium weight jacket. Hopefully I can leave my winter coat at home this year! I will bring a pair of gloves though, just in case. If your hands are cold, everything is.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

The only thing I worry about is being cvold, so I am going prepared! If it's warm I'll be in trouble!! LOL

Think folks will be wearing lime green pins or something? It would be so neat to be able to recognize other DISers!!!! Of course, I am to shy to wear a lime green anything! maybe I'll take my lime green short sleeved top and 3/4 sleeve top just in case it is warm enough

See you there!!
Dec 9-14 MVMCP 12/9

 

[nicki dahling]

Two years ago it was so cold on Christmas Eve we had coats, hats, gloves and a blanket while watching Fantasmic ( made for a great picture on the New York street with the snow falling ). We plan to take jeans/capris, short sleeve shirts, a fleece jacket ( will wrap around my waist if it gets warm ), hat, and gloves. Taking a rain poncho just in case . Will take my winter coat , but will only need it while traveling. Plan to shed it as soon as we hit the Orlando line. I may pop in a couple pair of shorts just in case we get a heat wave ( I doubt it though ). Layering is really your best bet. Have a great trip.

18 days and counting