Going to WDW next week and not excited...

[caroline1851]

Anyway to get a refund and go on a beach vacation? As much as I love Disney, it's work. It's work when you're planning and it's work when you're there if you're like me and absolutely despise waiting in lines... DS and I went in June and never waited more than 15 min for anything but it was work to accomplish that. You'll need to find a way to make it relaxing...maybe long breaks at the resort near the pool. Not sure where you're staying. I hated All Star Sports and there was nothing relaxing about that pool...

 

[chrispeto]

I don't know what is wrong with me. We, my spouse and our two daughters, age 3 & 6, are going to be at WDW August 18-28th and I'm not excited for the trip, in fact, I'm almost dreading it. Totally new experience for me as I usually am so excited I'm just giddy about our trips to Disney.

Some of it is because our family has recently been through some horrible and costly legal issues that could have been prevented had a neighbor just talked to us about a property line dispute, rather than suing us, but it's also the thought of the long cross country trip with the kids, the heat, the crowds and the cost of the trip when we still have this lawsuit to pay for.

Part of the reason we're going, is to provide a temporary escape from the stress and reality of life, so I"m trying to focus on that break, but it still sounds like an overwhelming hassle and I almost (not totally) wish we weren't going.

Anyone been on a WDW trip and not been excited to go? How did you change your attitude and have fun on the trip?

We got that way and my kids just seemed more cranky, so we stopped going to Disney every year. We travel out West to visit family on our off year. This year we are going back to WDW ( last trip 2013) in 13 days and we can't contain our excitement.

 

[nkereina]

In the weeks leading up to our November 2013 trip, my grandfather's terminal cancer had taken a turn for the worse. I was terrified he would pass while we were at WDW, but he ended up passing five days before our trip. The funeral was the day before our trip. The trip was a good reprieve to get my mind off it, but I certainly wasn't giddy and excited for the trip prior with everything going on. Hope you can enjoy it once you're there!

 

[Kalliope]

I think some may be drowning in the complexity (not necessarily the OP). I might suggest just enjoying the park experiences, which is all we do, and VERY OCCASIONALLY do we get a dining reservation (pretty much only when company comes in). The resorts, the ADRs, the staying up til midnight. I wish all of you could experience what it is like to live offsite and go as if we are going to a movie. What time is it 'playing?' Is there a 7pm? Not tonight? How about in a day or two? Ok, we got it. That sounds good...and we go to EP or HS and walk around for a bit, and visit with each other and guests. Its STILL special (we have time to stop and listen to a band at EP for once), and I would encourage everyone (especially the present APs!) to book a few FPs and not sweat a whole lot. The more pressure you add, the more of a burden the experience feels. I got 4 TSMM and 7D in less than two weeks. I browse like I'm checking the news or weather. The entire process is very relaxing.

If I knew I could come back at any time, I'd be relaxed about visiting, too. The reality for the majority is much different.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

If I knew I could come back at any time, I'd be relaxed about visiting, too. The reality for the majority is much different.

How about a happy medium? Or there are plenty of new units here available?

 

[Kalliope]

How about a happy medium? Or there are plenty of new units here available?

I don't know what you're trying to say, but for many people, bopping over to the MK after work on a Wednesday isn't a reality. They do what they can while they are on vacation in Florida and don't plan on coming back for a long time, if ever.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

@Kalliope I know, I guess not everyone can move here. (Not sure why but I'm sure they have their reasons?) But I still think if some people take a step back, and not get overly burdened in the planning and dropping MAJOR wow $$, they will enjoy the process a little more and the parks experience a little more. I still think its definitely worthwhile to book some FPs, but your entire trip isn't made by a 90 sec 7D which most instances, you can ride a few times before closing with little wait. I just want them to reclaim some happiness!

 

[MatzoBelle]

It must be dreadful having to run into that neighbor, OP. We can only hope that they run out of sugar one day and you're the only one around to help. "Gee, I'd love to help, but...."

Come to Disney and drown your sorrows in Dole Whip floats, lapu lapus, and some angry-fast-competitive walking to rides. A few coasters should help take your mind off things.

The neighbors have incurred a few lifetimes of bad karma for no good reason. Wishing you speedy recovery of the money and your spirits.

 

[Jennytoon]

@Kalliope I know, I guess not everyone can move here. (Not sure why but I'm sure they have their reasons?) But I still think if some people take a step back, and not get overly burdened in the planning and dropping MAJOR wow $$, they will enjoy the process a little more and the parks experience a little more. I still think its definitely worthwhile to book some FPs, but your entire trip isn't made by a 90 sec 7D which most instances, you can ride a few times before closing with little wait. I just want them to reclaim some happiness!

@TwinPrincessMermaids I agree with you. There's making a plan for your ideal vacation, and then there's feeling like you "didn't do it right" or "didn't get everything done that you wanted to" if you can't realize that ideal plan. I think in between there is where many people go off the rails.

I'm not local. We go every two years. There's a day in our upcoming trip (TWO DAYS! I'M VIBRATING WITH EXCITEMENT) where it would be great if I could get a BOG lunch ressie. I try once a day. If we get it, it will be great. If we don't get it -- we're still going to have a terrific time.

One or two must-dos in the planning = excitement. A whole vacation full of must-dos = stress.

 

[Buru]

The first time I went, I was so excited. Then because we barely planned, it didn't turn out as well as it could've. So, by the time my parents decided we should go again, I was DREADING it. I didn't want to go at all. But it ended up being pretty great, now with proper planning. I think it might be the same for you.. I hope, especially with all the stuff going on at home. I hope you have a truly magical vacation!

 

[socrateze]

@Kalliope I know, I guess not everyone can move here. (Not sure why but I'm sure they have their reasons?) But I still think if some people take a step back, and not get overly burdened in the planning and dropping MAJOR wow $$, they will enjoy the process a little more and the parks experience a little more. I still think its definitely worthwhile to book some FPs, but your entire trip isn't made by a 90 sec 7D which most instances, you can ride a few times before closing with little wait. I just want them to reclaim some happiness!

We don't make any grandiose plans when we visit Disney, but it still costs a minimum of $ 4,000 for 7 days. When you're spending that mush on a vacation it's difficult to be cavalier about not being able to do what you want. We're not able to return in a week or next month.

OP, I dreaded our most recent WDW vacation. All of the FP+ planning sucked any remaining anticipation out of the trip. However, we did have a good time, but we will not be returning to WDW. FP+ has eliminated spontaneity and made the planning and the trip itself too much work for my vacation dollars. I will miss WDW, but not in it's current iteration.

 

[mom2rtk]

@TwinPrincessMermaids I agree with you. There's making a plan for your ideal vacation, and then there's feeling like you "didn't do it right" or "didn't get everything done that you wanted to" if you can't realize that ideal plan. I think in between there is where many people go off the rails.

I'm not local. We go every two years. There's a day in our upcoming trip (TWO DAYS! I'M VIBRATING WITH EXCITEMENT) where it would be great if I could get a BOG lunch ressie. I try once a day. If we get it, it will be great. If we don't get it -- we're still going to have a terrific time.

One or two must-dos in the planning = excitement. A whole vacation full of must-dos = stress.

I thought you posted just recently about coming back from a Disney trip? How fortunate that you get to go back again so soon and didn't have to wait 2 years!

 

[Angel Ariel]

I felt this way before my November 2014 trip. Most of it was due to all of the changes and reductions at WDW and my strong distaste for FP+. Once we got there, we had a great time and I was glad we went. I still didnt care of FP+, but we made the best of it and truly had an enjoyable time.

This was us as well. The increased pre-planning definitely took away from pre-trip enjoyment, but my trip itself was absolutely wonderful. We still aren't huge FP+ fans, but we really had a blast on our trip. It was much easier to "let it go" once we were actually at Disney and could immerse ourselves in our surroundings. I really hope you have a greta trip!

 

[Aurora0427]

I'm kind of dreading our October trip. I'll be 6 months pregnant, and I am already sad that I won't be able to ride Splash for the first time with our daughter. I'm also worried about how I'll feel. I've had really bad all day sickness, and I'm still feeling poorly at 15 weeks. It's a long trip and I'm just worried. We have until some time in September to cancel, but my husband really wants to go one last time just "us three".

 

[Jennytoon]

I thought you posted just recently about coming back from a Disney trip? How fortunate that you get to go back again so soon and didn't have to wait 2 years!

Yes, I did, and yes, it is! I also posted in many other places where I referenced that trip that it was a bonus trip outside of our normal pattern that occurred only because I had a professional conference in Orlando and (due to our upcoming trip already planned for this year) we had purchased APs so our park ticket cost and lodging was covered and therefore we could afford it as we only had to pay for airfare and food. In the interest of full disclosure, we also have a cruise planned for our next April vacation that departs from Port Canaveral and therefore will be at Disney for two days prior (again out of pattern) because our APs will still be valid and we can save $1500 on airfare by flying outside of the we-know-it's-your-spring-break-week-from-school-so-we-jacked-up-all-the-prices airline ticket window.

However, the point of my statement was that as non-locals who could not just drop in any time and have a significant overhead with getting to the parks, I still agree with @TwinPrincessMermaids that many people put unnecessary stress on themselves by thinking they have to plan the "absolutely perfect" vacation without making any trade-offs. Since we have been visiting every two years since 2009, and only have the off-pattern trips in our mindset since January of this year (and even later for the April one next year), I feel perfectly comfortable saying that my opinion can be held by an every-two-years visitor without adding a lot of extra explanatory verbiage to my previous post that didn't really contribute to my point.

OP, sorry for running somewhat off-topic - I agree with others that once you are there, Disney excels at escapism. It may not be the same as if you did not have troubles waiting at home, but I think it will still be a great vacation -- even if you have to work to put things aside for a few days, it will have great benefit for your stress level overall (I recognize that may be easier said than done). And also so sorry to hear that you have troubles with your neighbors that never needed to happen, if people would have just worked for the best instead of assuming the worst.

 

[Aurora0427]

@Kalliope I know, I guess not everyone can move here. (Not sure why but I'm sure they have their reasons?) But I still think if some people take a step back, and not get overly burdened in the planning and dropping MAJOR wow $$, they will enjoy the process a little more and the parks experience a little more. I still think its definitely worthwhile to book some FPs, but your entire trip isn't made by a 90 sec 7D which most instances, you can ride a few times before closing with little wait. I just want them to reclaim some happiness!

If you have to fly to get to Disney World, there's no way you can avoid dropping "major wow money" as you put it. Disney is flipping expensive, even if you stay at a value resort.

 

[mom2rtk]

@Kalliope I know, I guess not everyone can move here. (Not sure why but I'm sure they have their reasons?)

You're not sure why most people can't just pick up and move to Orlando?

 

[marielynn724]

It's totally normal to feel that way sometimes, but it sounds like all of you could really use the break. The cost of the trip is definitely worth the mental health reprieve that everyone needs. I'm sure you'll enjoy it while you are there. Just try to put the lawsuit out of your mind during your trip - make a family rule not to talk about it!

 

[ArwenMarie]

If you have to fly to get to Disney World, there's no way you can avoid dropping "major wow money" as you put it. Disney is flipping expensive, even if you stay at a value resort.

Agree. Having to buy airfare adds a whole different level of budget to the trip. Makes the difference between it being a local/regional destination for some and a national/international destination for others.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

It used to be thinking about our Disney vacation was an escape and an opportunity to get away from "real life". That has changed greatly in recent years where trying to plan is more stressful than anything going on back home which is pathetic considering the chaos we've gone through in the past five years. Between ADRs, FP+ and prices skyrocketing it's hard to keep that same level of excitement that we once had. I still love the feeling of excitement that comes when we walk under the train tracks the first time. Of course it disappears quicker than before once we realize we're using FP+ for HM and SW when it was never necessary before. I keep thinking that I'll get over this but then I see FP options for parades and fireworks and it just makes my head hurt. Vacations are supposed to be an opportunity to relax and have fun not go where an app tells you there might be an option for something to do.