Does the Fantasy Equal the Reality?

[iankh]

There seems to be quite a bit energy that goings into planning and anticipating a stay at WDW and DVC. Lot's of focus on the arranging, planning, dreaming, worrying.

I was wondering if the reality when one is there, equals the fantasy and anticipation?

 

[Kerlynne]

Not sure how to answer this one, since each trip depends. And I have to factor in when I'm going. And that's only because if I go during busy season, there will always be a headache, trying to get around the crowds. I think there is a little more relief knowing that we are Dvc, we know we are going back. So therefore if we don't get to something or someplace, we can get it the next trip.
In the past, I would say option 3, because I'm such a planner. But Now I can relax little more, I would vote for the first two. Each tip has it's magicalness, so that's why in the end, I voted for the first option. Does all that make sense? LOL

 

[Lesli54]

To us, WDW is always magical and is always better than the anticipation. There are not too many places that one can go, stay deluxe, have tons of amenities at hand, have good food, have entertainment close by, and yet, be able to relax, take in the beauty of the resorts, let others transport you, enjoy life and family, and just forget about the worries of day to day life.

The greatest part about DVC is that you don't have to do it all at once, you can take your time and just enjoy being away, because you know you will come back.

Nothing in life is perfect, but if you allow yourself to feel the magic, it will be there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

In every trip so far there has been a time when DH and I look at each other and we know just what the other is thinking, this was a great idea!!!

Bobbi

 

[jarestel]

We don't spend too much time counting down the days until we leave for WDW or thinking about the trip beforehand. Once we're there we always have a good time though. So I guess it's as we imagined.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

It's always better than we imagined--- you just can't predict how your kids will react to things as they grow, it changes with every visit. One time they love Dumbo the next they can't get enough of Big Thunder Railroad. Planning what we might do with the days and making PS's and looking at the menus just really adds to the fun with us. Then not worrying about where to eat and what time means not thinking about what to do and just doing it!
(of course all this depends on everyone being healthy on the trip-- getting sick on vacation can ruin it)

 

[MJTinNH]

Always better then I imagined. Partly because I love to get away from home and work. So that always sweetens the trip.

 

[WOW]

We have been there so many times, that we don't keep track any more......Our first was in 1987 and we became DVC members in 1993 and have gone to WDW at least once every year----we tend to go even more often recently, like 2 or 3 times.......We still just love it!!!! It is certainly a "Magical" place for us!!!!

 

[jctwizzer]

There seems to be quite a bit energy that goings into planning and anticipating a stay at WDW and DVC. Lot's of focus on the arranging, planning, dreaming, worrying.I was wondering if the reality when one is there, equals the fantasy and anticipation?

Our DVC membership goes back to 1992. We average four trips annually---and sometimes do more if circumstances call for it. With that much time at our home away from home, there is absolutely no reason expend energy to arrange, plan, dream, worry---especially worry. Why?? You're back at WDW. We just go and enjoy it.....and if we don't, it's our fault---which is true for just about everything. After you make up your mind that other people and circumstances cannot dictate how you feel--it's a piece of cake. We know what we like, and what we don't care for at WDW. And we skip the parts we don't care for. From time to time we might look into day trips to places or things outside WDW, but mostly we just hang around the World and have a good time.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

It is usually much better than imagined, but I don't like to answer in absolutes, so I voted that it is always just as I imagine.

 

[WDWLVR]

I voted just as I imagined. I love the planning and anticipation, but don't go overboard. I expect that each trip will have some disappointments and some magical moments and they always do.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

The reality is always better. I don't really worry about the pre-trip planning. Thats part of the fun for me too. When I see the ball at Epcot lit up at night for the first time each trip, or when I first walk down Main St. there's just an intense feeling of joy that sweeps over me, and I don't know why.

 

[JimC]

I hold Disney to a much higher standard than most organizations. They consistently meet those expectations. Sometimes they exceed them and once in a great while they do not meet them.

 

[Granny]

There seems to be quite a bit energy that goings into planning and anticipating a stay at WDW and DVC. Lot's of focus on the arranging, planning, dreaming, worrying.

Funny, we've found that since we joined DVC our planning is virtually non-existent now! We pretty much go with the flow, don't make any PS before arriving, and just focus on enjoying ourselves once we're here.

I won't deny the anticipation part, but have never been disappointed, even with the current stay where there is a lot of rain (more than the usual afternoon showers).


WDWLVR said it well...don't expect perfection and you'll be happy. Don't worry about the room views, the weather, whether the kids (family/friends, etc) will get along.

So far, every trip has had aspects to it that have exceeded my expectations. So I voted accordingly.

 

[kathyseb]

We count down every trip. In fact, right now we have two countdowns going. One is 60 days away and the next is 141!

Other than counting down, that had been pretty much all of our planning.
Then we found ourselves not trying new things.
Don't get me wrong, we were not bored, but we decided there is so much to do and see that we were missing out on.

So we decided that each trip we either needed to do something for the first time. Whether than be a new place to eat or a new tour.

I started and picked lunch with an Imagineer. My husband is next and we are doing the Segway Tour.

No matter how things go on a trip, we just smile and keep going because we know if a line is too long or the weather is a little less than perfect.....we will be back down at WDW in a matter of months.

 

[OneMoreTry]

Our trips have highs and lows. Some let-downs mostly due to our youngest child's illness, but just as many unanticipated great times. overall it balances out to be just about what we expect. (We've been enough times to have realistic expections. We usually plan less than we have time for, which helps a lot.)

 

[Deemarch]

I truly enjoy the planning, dreaming, packing...Everything! Then when I get there I feel as if I'm on Cloud Nine!!! I have never been disappointed yet.

I don't think I ever will be, either.

 

[jennypenny]

We've had some disappointments during trips (dad passed away, son very sick) but the disney part of the trip is always better than I expect.

I usually go crazy trying to plan out each day, make PS's and such. Then I get there, CHILL OUT, and let each day happen. It certainly helps that I've made some arrangements ahead of time, but I use my schedule as a *guide* and go from there. The best times always seem unplanned/unexpected. One of the best days we've had in WDW was during a hurricane. The parks were empty so we got to do everything and have lots of fun with the CMs. We laughed about how wet we were and even went swimming. Still a great memory.

I think it helps to take care of some things before, but then roll with it when you get there. It's helps knowing we'll go back every year--the pressure is off to have a "once in a lifetime" trip.

Jenny

 

[CHOPR]

I went with "as imagined" After several times in WDW you just expect magic and usually expectations are met or exceeded. I do love the planning phase and anticipating a great trip. Now with DVC maybe I can get my nutty DW to chill out and not "commando"the parks every year.
Unfortunately I don't see that happening.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

To paraphrase a bumper sticker:

"A bad day at Disney is better than a good day at work."