Do I need Dr. Phil???

[jnc1970]

OK, here goes....Am I NORMAL?? Before you answer that, let me preface the question with a little background info about me. I am somewhat of a perfectionist, and my wife says that I can be rather "obsessive" about certain things (go figure). This will be our first DC and we are a family of four -- Yours truly, DW, DS-11, and DD-8. I booked our western about 2 months ago, and I am completely consumed with this vacation and it is still seven months away. I want it to be absolutely the BEST vacation of my kids childhood. You know, magical memories that will last a lifetime, blah blah blah. I religiously check the DISboards every day, sometimes up to 5 times. I have ordered books, shirts, water-wallets, beach towels, sarongs(for my wife - I couldn't find my color!), etc., and I am sure that the next "must have for the trip" is only a mouse click away! As you can see, I have become an absolute DC freak, sneaking around from one PC to the next just looking for my "fix". (Thank God it's not gambling or drugs!!) I find myself fantasizing about textures of sticky-sweet souffle's, mouth-watering cheesecakes, towel animals hiding in my room, golden sunsets winking that last sparkle before entering the sea, eternal buffet's with the serenading sounds of "Under the Sea" in the background, and the chill of frosty concoctions on my tongue as the sun warms my skin. Are you getting the picture? Ok, I am willing to admit that I have a problem, and therapy may be in order, but my question is -- Do obsessive-compusive-disorder poster children, like me, often experience a "let down" once we are on the DC, due to the extreme built-up expectations that we have unrealistically set preceding the heavenly escape of the "Magic"? Or does the DC exceed any possible expectations of a mere mortal? I probably need someone to slap me in the face and tell me to get a grip...right? Any veteran DC's armchair psychotherapy is welcome. Thanks!

 

[Masonpips]

~a-HA~ there are people out there like me, I just *knew* it!

Seriously, we (we being I) booked our first cruise in early July 2002 - we cruised over Halloween. It was our BEST VACATION EVER. And with so little time to plan, just about 4 months. So we rebooked on board for the following year's Nov 1 cruise. I only thought I was obsessed for that first cruise. By the time the 2nd one came, I had charts (3, one for each dining rotation) with every activity I thought we wanted to do listed. We still missed things we wanted to do. In fact, there were so many, we *had to* book again. Our longest wait yet. From Nov 8, 2003 to Dec 28, 2004. That's over a YEAR. What was I thinking?

The planning and anticipation is a TON of fun. I love it, thrive on it, store tips in my memory bank, on my spreadsheet or share them with dh (who has been known to roll his eyes occasionally).

No matter how obsessed and how much you enjoy the planning aspect.... the cruise is EVEN better.

You have all the symptoms of a "classic need-to-rebook-while-on-board" patient. You simply can't do everything DCL offers in one cruise (or two). I find out if we hit it all on our 3rd. I seriously doubt it.

 

[westjones]

We have been on 4 cruises, and each one has been better than the one before.

Be prepared for the feeling, "We HAVE to do this again." Once you decide you will be doing it again, then you will feel more relaxed because anything you miss you can tell yourself that you will do it next time (that helps a LOT).

DJ

 

[PoohJen]

I'm right there with you re: OCD and disboards. i swear i'm gonna get fired if i don't stop spending so much work time online!!!

re: build up. Do be careful. You are well informed as to what the ship has to offer. bring your highlighter for the Navigators. Just don't feel you have to hit EVERYTHING! Don't fill every minute of your day - it's okay to have relaxation time that isn't "planned"!!!

On my WDW trips, I have a "schedule" approach, but I make sure it's flexible, so that we can skip things as family members start to fade, or get cranky, or...


That being said, I just know i'll be crushed if the weather is awful or if we have to miss CC for some reason!


You and I have done so much research on this cruise, I'm sure we won't be let down! I know my family is going to have a GREAT time - i'm already planning the next one!!!

Happy Planning!

 

[tevagirl]

I asked Dr. Phil what he thought on my last visit...he said to bring you along

 

[lUVTOGO]

Wow, I wish my DH was as interested in the cruise as you are!!The only question he has is when do we leave and when do we return!!

Oh Yeah, and do they have CoorsLight!

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Don't fret jnc1970, we've all got your back. I think most posters on this board are a little OCD about planning their vacations.

Last year we did the Wonder 3 day tease cruise and had decided to rebook even before we boarded. Of course we didn't know at the time you could rebook onboard and weren't financially prepared to do that but so what.

We booked after we got home and then switched to AAA and have a wonderful $150 onboard credit anyway.

We don't even sail on that cruise for another 111 days yet we have already booked the next one for Dec 05. So who is the obsessive one here.

You could try getting an appointment with Dr Phil, but honestly, I don't think he would be able to help you, or any of us for that matter. We're all too DCL

Sorry to hear you couldn't find a sarong in your color, did you try ebay?

 

[inkkognito]

Do not feel bad...I am completing the last class to make me a doctor of psychology, and I have worked as a counselor and life skills seminars teacher, and I am totally obsessive compulsive about my trips! Considering that we have taken 38 Disney cruises, I've gotten better about it, but I'm still a rampaging perfectionist. Nothing wrong with that, as long as you don't get so hung up on it that something going wrong would ruin your trip. Plan the best you can, but be flexible too.
Barb

 

[webray]

The only thing I can say..is relax and don't overplan...that only sets you up for disappointment on the cruise. If you don't have the same server or experiences other people have..you could be disappointed.


Just go with the flow..don't be disappointed if there isn't a towel animal in your room on the first night (I can't believe people complain about this).

All the special things..depend on what castmembers you come in contact with..you can not force the magic!!!! You may not fell any at all. You have a long way to go before your cruise..you are just setting yourself up for a let down!!!

 

[jwann]

jnc1970, Just wait my friend until you get back. You think you are OCD NOW -- just wait.

 

[tvguy]

Yeah, DW, DS and DD thought I spent too much time on this board before our cruise, and too much time since.
They were a lot less concerned they may miss something than I was. They wanted to discover things (like the ships horn) on their own. They WERE happy that I knew about the beverage station, and I was happy since I knew there was no reason to pop for $35 a person soda passes. That issue is moot now that soda is offered at the beverage station.
But funny, despite all the great information on this board, there was a ton of stuff on board we never had time to do. Honest, we never found time to swim on board, although we did on Castaway Cay. Guess we have to go again!!!

 

[LK03]

Jnc - I completely relate! I'm a "perfectionist" and love for things to go according to plan, love vacuuming, and am very particular about my bed. If someone lies on my bed and then gets up I straighten it religiously in case Oprah were to show up!

I am just like you when it comes to message boards. Ever since I decided a land/sea trip would make a perfect honeymoon I looked and looked online and then found this lovely board and could not had read enough information and then decided, hey, wouldn't a Disney wedding make this even more perfect, and low and behold there was a board for Disney people wanting to be married. Needless to say I have read all those posts and consider myself quite knowledgeable about that as well, lol. And, speaking of books, I'm off to Barnes and Nobles to buy "Disney for couples" book, so I can know even more! If this is my obsession, it's better than illegal substances and a lot more fun at that!

 

[EMS205]

I'm glad I'm not the only Disney freak!

I made our DC reservations 12/18/03 for 10/16/04 and I am driving my DH, DD, and DS nuts! We still have 83 days and mention the DC everyday if not more. I am always checking out what we can do on the ship or shore excursions. I think I've changed our shore excursion at St. Maartin 5x. I just want this to be the best vacation we have every had and I'm sure it will.

I just found this web site last week and I'm to on it everyday if not more. I also have found the site cruise critic that talks about DCL and other peoples comments.

I've read either one this site or on another site about Ron Jons Resort has a promo code. Does anyone know anything about this or how I can get one?

Thanks,


Donna

 

[Mickeyhugger]

jnc1970, I don't think Dr. Phil would be able to help. You're too far gone, as many of us are. And sorry to say, you're not setting yourself up for disappointment once you're onboard, you're setting yourself up for that when you have to disembark! You might cry for weeks afterward (inside, anyway) to yourself..wahhh! I want to go back! After this trip, when you dine out, you'll catch yourself comparing food to what was served on DCL. Desserts elsewhere will pale in comparison. And it will hurt like pins and needles to see a DCL commercial on TV. So, my friend, the only thing that might help you is to do as everyone else here does, rebook while you're on board, as I can already recognize the symptoms of someone who is hopelessly hooked.

 

[Hannosmom]

My name is Linda and I am a Disney Cruise Line/Disboard addict.

 

[drclaws]

Quoting WRH3MD's advice, just don't peak too soon. However, peaking IS permitted once you cross over the bridge and see the Magic/Wonder waiting at the terminal.

Enjoy the anticipation, don't have unrealistically high expectations and you'll have the time of your life.

 

[Rate Queen]

I check this board at least once a day. I've been know to snarl at family members who are taking too much time on our computer. Don't they know I need my daily fix?
At work my co-workers made me a count down calender. I'm not usually on the net at work, but since I booked our cruise for Aug 8th(13 days from now but I'm not counting), I have sneaked on almost every day.
Enjoy!
Carol

 

[Hygiene99]

U Seem Just Fine to US...


we have been on 6 cruises with 7 & 8 Booked # 8 being the 14 day may Repo Cruise ... Anyways each one has Been Better than the last...


We have Followed the changes that DCl has made in there Routes So each one has Been different.. Locations

We are now going to Be doing The Eastrn Route For the Second
Time...


Go RElax and Enjoy...

please do not let some one Else's Experience Set the Stage for u...
Go try it... WE DID NOT GET TO DO EVERYTHING ON OUR FIRST TRIP.. Dont try to Cram it all in... Just Book A second one...

we did not make it to Palo until our 3 rd. cruise...

peace out..

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Originally posted by drclaws
Enjoy the anticipation, don't have unrealistically high expectations and you'll have the time of your life.

That wraps it up perfectly!

Oh, by the way, My name is Karen and I am a DISBOARD addict!


On a lighter note, my husband thought I was crazy for going on this board so much - Then on our first cruise - He was amazed at everything I knew - He was actually thankful that I knew some "inside stuff"

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Originally posted by Hannosmom
My name is Linda and I am a Disney Cruise Line/Disboard addict.

ROFLMAO We can eat therapeutic desserts together Linda!!!