Going to WDW next week and not excited...

[kmdrago1783]

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?

Maybe once you get there you will get caught up in the Magic and hopefully escape from everyday life!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

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

 

[DisneyFive]

OP... Once you are in that Disney bubble, it will all make sense. Happy travels.

Dan

 

[nduckles]

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.

I couldn't agree more. My kids are older now and we haven't done the parks for a few years, but my teen daughter is feeling nostalgic and wants to go in October. I used to be a pro at Disney planning but now it's just overwhelming. The FP+ just blew my mind, yet we went on to grab a few morning spots for our favorite rides. But parades? Fireworks? We both just started to laugh. I mean, look, I get it.....everyone is looking for a way to make their life easier. But we've just really gone off the deep end.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

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.

Sure, but you can recognize that you represent a severe minority of Disney World guests, right?

It doesn't sound too unreasonable for someone who scrimps and saves to take a single, once-in-a-lifetime trip to stress about trying to do as much as they can, particularly the in-demand headliners that Disney uses to promote their parks. There is a reason that Disney launched an ad campaign last year that focused on the Seven Dwarf Mine Coaster and not the Barnstormer.

 

[MadisonMouse13]

I understand how tough it can be to feud with neighbors (been there, done that. I can attest that not everyone is Mr. Rogers) but I know you have young children, so maybe try getting them excited. Some things I always do to get myself excited for a WDW vacation is ordering a planning DVD (they're free!), however they do take 2-3 weeks to ship so I suggest ordering it online rather than having it shipped to your house. You can maybe watch it together and talk about all the things you're excited to do. Maybe this is just the inner geek in me but making an organized, color coated list of all the rides to do always makes me excited. Also, I'm not sure where you live, but I know in my city's mall there is a store that sells Disney clothes, maybe you could find a Disney store and buy some Disney clothes for your family. Another thing I think may help is a Disney movie marathon, or maybe watching YouTube videos of rides at WDW. Hope you get excited soon!

 

[AquaDame]

We can't just cancel the trip as was suggested due to non-refundable airfare, DVC reservations and park tickets. The trip was booked prior to all this legal crap.

Well, if its already paid for, then I would try dropping those costs out of the equation and stop thinking of it costing X when really you are going to spend y. I'm all for canceling what you can if it lowers stress, but paid is paid! All that is left is to go and enjoy the fruits of your labor and focus on your kids. Disney never let financial concerns or lawyers bother his magic making after all and look how great it all turned out..!

Honestly I have definitely been in the same boat - super excited until it is go time and then I'm a hot mess of worry and stress... each time things have improved drastically once I am there and start having fun. Things aren't often as bad as you imagine them and I'm definitely learning as I go that looking back on all the show stopping awful things that I thought were going to change/ruin my life in the end haven't mattered one whit. This is another one of those rivers that you'll look back on as a stream, I just know it!

 

[momof2cuties]

We got back one week ago today and I'm still trying to recover! It was not a relaxing vacation for us, but fun. And I was feeling exactly like you are the weeks leading up. Almost dreading it. I'm glad we went though. For us it was a "wish" trip. My husband has stage 4 cancer and an organization paid for a good part of our trip, for him to make memories with our children. Our youngest is 3. It was his first trip to Disney and I'm not sure we will be able to go back so we were glad to have the opportunity to experience Disney with him. He had a blast. We all did.

My advice to you is forget the neighbors, forget the cost (hard I know) you go and have a great time,make amazing memories with your family. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. Money can be wasted and replaced...hakuna Matata!

 

[White Rose]

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 typically go every 5 years, and the last big trip was 2013. My hubby was going to Orlando near Xmas for business and would be staying over the weekend, so he got permission to fly me down and we did Disney and Uni over a very short trip in 2014. We had planned to do southern CA ABD in Oct and we joked it would be 3 years in a row that we were doing a Disney trip in some sort...

Now, 2015...We asked my dad...what do you want to do for your 80th birthday this Sept?
And he said "take everyone to WDW, on me!"

Yay! And since my hubby and I book fairly complex trips for ourselves, we were elected to plan the whole Thing. 5 nieces and nephews. 4 happy adults and one very annoyed angry and Disney hater SIL. Too much Disney...too close together...

I have been dreading spending the time with her during the trip since she started to sabotage it. ( I have posted in various places about her attempts.) She gets under my skin, she pushes all my buttons and tries to ruin other people's fun, including her kids...if it involves anything related to Disneyworld.

We leave in 3 weeks, and how I got out of my funk was thinking of all the positive things, like taking everyone on the fireworks cruise we have planned, and my nieces and nephews riding WDW rides for the first time. We are surprising my dad with an upgraded flight...we are going first class, my hubby is redeeming his FF points for it. I stopped thinking about my negativity and started to think how happy my dad is going to be.

My nieces and nephews are so excited to go on vacation with us. It is hard to be in a funk when my 15 year old niece who is usually very similar to the character Disgust from Inside Out (typical moody, Rolling her eyes at her parents) ..told me she is super syched about going to Disneyworld with me. Wow. She wants to hang out with me.

Basically...I am looking forward to the fun things and trying to downplay all the negatives...

 

[kollerbear]

I think whenever we want to MAKE ourselves feel a certain way it's really hard. I think acknowledging that you have mixed feelings about the trip can help a lot. The stress to have a magical trip isn't another stress that you need to put on yourself. Just being on vacation doesn't flip a magical switch for everyone, and that is OK. You feel how you feel. Let it all out, acknowledge it, heck, even say that you wish you weren't going on vacation, primal scream, whatever. Get it all out and make a plan so you KNOW what costs to expect to limit the anxiety and the unknown. If you're sad and your stressed, don't try to pretend that you're not. Try to channel it as productively as you can and make the most out of it. Maybe talk to your kids about the trip to remind you why they're so excited and why you're going in the first place.

Just try to work with your partner to make sure you keep it between the two of you and don't pass that on to your kids. Because at the end of the day, it might not be the most magical trip YOU'LL ever take, but it might be the most magical one THEY ever take. I can't tell you how horrible it felt as a kid to have our parents say things like, "Do you know how much we paid to be here?" or to remark on how expensive every meal was. There's an age to talk about budgets and costs with your kids, but try not to let anxiety, stress, or a short temper bring that into the park with you--because that is probably not the time or place you would choose if you were a little less hot, a little more hydrated, and a little less stressed. (Not saying that you would do that, of course, just knowing that, when we're stressed about these things, they crop up.)

 

[eliza61]

totally understandable. I had a trip like that also. usually for us is because we've gone to much. I still don't have the old excitement because we still hate fp+.

Usually when I get this way I know it's time for a break.

 

[eliza61]

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.

Really, it seems everyone here has definitely been more than once. I haven't heard of many "disser" who only took a once in a life time trip.

 

[Jennytoon]

Sure, but you can recognize that you represent a severe minority of Disney World guests, right?

It doesn't sound too unreasonable for someone who scrimps and saves to take a single, once-in-a-lifetime trip to stress about trying to do as much as they can, particularly the in-demand headliners that Disney uses to promote their parks. There is a reason that Disney launched an ad campaign last year that focused on the Seven Dwarf Mine Coaster and not the Barnstormer.

The first time we went in 2009, we did not know if we would ever be back, or certainly not for a long time. We had a fantastic time, with no ADRs (we did not eat a single entire meal on WDW property that trip, although we did get some snacks). We used FP, but we also waited in some lines -- and yes, more than 15 minutes. We did not ride every ride. We skipped several items commonly cited as "must dos" because well, we just didn't get to them. We forwent more time in the parks, which we could have had on a daily basis, in exchange for a more relaxing vacation.

I believe that "you can't do it, all, so don't stress about trying" may be the most common advice I see given to newbies who come here looking for guidance.

TwinPrincessMermaids had expressed what interpreted as a version of that sentiment, and other posters had responded that she could easily have that viewpoint because she was local. I offered a dissent from the assumption that this viewpoint was limited to locals.

I agree that I'm fortunate to be able to return on a regular basis, I agree that it's easy -- very easy -- to get caught up in planning based on Disney's advertising and the overall cost of the trip, especially if you believe you will not be back ever. I also agree with TwinPrincessMermaids that I believe that many of these people, even the ones visiting only once in their lifetimes, would benefit from taking a step back and look at the huge list of things that they *will* have an opportunity to do on their trip, and let go of the last few things that are taking 100-fold more stress and time to arrange than the entire rest of the trip. I think lots of people go way, way, way past the point of diminishing returns.

I wrote above that on our first trip, when we didn't know if it was our one and only, we forwent more time in the parks in exchange for a more relaxing vacation. I think many people don't see this [or any other exchange that involves striking some things off the list] as an option, because they are paying so much and for other reasons, and as you said and I agreed with that it is easy to get caught up in trying to do as much as possible. I think though, that many people who don't see it as an option to take some stuff off in the interests of less stress ought to think about it, and judge whether that would have value to them. It's quality over quantity. People talk about getting your money's worth, but the reason we didn't try to get it all in on our first trip and didn't sweat the things we didn't do is that the vacation we would have had if we went that route (and the actions required to achieve it) would not have been worth any amount of money to me, I wouldn't have wanted to do it even if it was free.

 

[eliza61]

The first time we went in 2009, we did not know if we would ever be back, or certainly not for a long time. We had a fantastic time, with no ADRs (we did not eat a single entire meal on WDW property that trip, although we did get some snacks). We used FP, but we also waited in some lines -- and yes, more than 15 minutes. We did not ride every ride. We skipped several items commonly cited as "must dos" because well, we just didn't get to them. We forwent more time in the parks, which we could have had on a daily basis, in exchange for a more relaxing vacation.

I believe that "you can't do it, all, so don't stress about trying" may be the most common advice I see given to newbies who come here looking for guidance.


I agree that I'm fortunate to be able to return on a regular basis, I agree that it's easy -- very easy -- to get caught up in planning based on Disney's advertising and the overall cost of the trip, especially if you believe you will not be back ever. I also agree with TwinPrincessMermaids that I believe that many of these people, even the ones visiting only once in their lifetimes, would benefit from taking a step back and look at the huge list of things that they *will* have an opportunity to do on their trip, and let go of the last few things that are taking 100-fold more stress and time to arrange than the entire rest of the trip. I think lots of people go way, way, way past the point of diminishing returns.

I wrote above that on our first trip, when we didn't know if it was our one and only, we forwent more time in the parks in exchange for a more relaxing vacation. I think many people don't see this [or any other exchange that involves striking some things off the list] as an option, because they are paying so much and for other reasons, and as you said and I agreed with that it is easy to get caught up in trying to do as much as possible. I think though, that many people who don't see it as an option to take some stuff off in the interests of less stress ought to think about it, and judge whether that would have value to them. It's quality over quantity. People talk about getting your money's worth, but the reason we didn't try to get it all in on our first trip and didn't sweat the things we didn't do is that the vacation we would have had if we went that route (and the actions required to achieve it) would not have been worth any amount of money to me, I wouldn't have wanted to do it even if it was free.

Well said,
The only thing I disagree with is your first statement. I rarely tell first timers to come here, I prefer allears because over the over abundance of "plan like you are invading Normandy" advice you get here.
basically you are told.
1) don't make adr's at 120 days out you will starve to death (not true) I love the advice about getting up at midnight at exactly 120 days. Seriously? Not a restaurant onsite is worth that IMO.
2) don't make rope drop you will not get every thing done (not true)
3) you can sleep at home, Disney is for going until you drop dead. lol, the Epcot death march comes to mind.


I remember when dining plan came out, and post after post was all about how do I maximize my credits.

So I wish more newbies were told to relax. I truly believe no matter if it's a once in a life time trip or if you're annual visitors it would cut down on a ton of frustration.

anyway, I'm a bit OT

op, relax, if your vacation is not as "magical" as before it's not the end of the world. the more you stress about it and try to "force" a good time the worst you'll feel.

 

[helenm29]

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[3DisneyFanz]

I'm not sure you can draw many comparisons between a 2006 Disney trip and a 2015 trip. It was a much simpler time and didn't require the insane level of detail that it does today. I will agree that trying to do everything is a major headache but when it's your big one time trip that's the mindset most people are going to have and it's what Disney promotes. Their ads show people riding all the best rides, walking on with no waits and skipping down an empty Main Street with their Mickey balloons. I would love to see a reality based ad though I doubt you'd convince many people to come by showing the truth.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Sure, but you can recognize that you represent a severe minority of Disney World guests, right?

It doesn't sound too unreasonable for someone who scrimps and saves to take a single, once-in-a-lifetime trip to stress about trying to do as much as they can, particularly the in-demand headliners that Disney uses to promote their parks.

That's just too much of a burden for anyone. I've been to Europe just a very few times and not in the last 15 yrs, but I never felt like the sum of my whole self depended on that one only shot to get it right. (I say Europe because that is a seldom experience for us personally which takes out the local laid back vibe.)

There are different approaches and everything needs balance. I was trying to bring down the expense and pressure at least a tad, and you say 'this is basically their only one shot' which does NOT alleviate any pressure to OP or others who perhaps may be feeling like it is more like work than a vacay...

As for the Advertising argument, after the money they spent building it, of course Disney wants to advertise the newer rides. But believe me, a 90 sec hill is NOT the sum of a vacation. That will seriously lead to disappointment. A commercial is about 15-30 long, so that's about all they have to get people to book. Of course that's what they are going to highlight. All of us as consumers have to decide what it is that we want to buy. Are you buying time with your family for a week with some cherished characters, or are you buying the 7Dwarfs 90 sec ride? It's all perceived value. That's all advertising is. (Thank goodness its more than 7D, or we definitely wouldn't have moved here for that...)

I think there are two conversations here. One is perhaps that OP has had a crappy (x amount of time) and just can't get enthusiastic. I sincerely hope they can leave some stress behind and enjoy the "bubble".

Others are chiming in that the amount of planning and $ to achieve so called perfection has made it a burden and they have lost some of the whimsical fun they used to look forward to, getting bogged down in the details.

I'm just pointing out that it DOESN'T have to be that way. Find the right tickets for your style and budget, find the right accommodations, book 3 things a day you like, and a dinner if you must, and bring back some of the balance and fun and don't over think, over plan and over spend.

I sincerely wish OP the best time next week. Ill be at the parks with you!

 

[3DisneyFanz]

That's just too much of a burden for anyone. I've been to Europe just a very few times and not in the last 15 yrs, but I never felt like the sum of my whole self depended on that one only shot to get it right. (I say Europe because that is a seldom experience for us personally which takes out the local laid back vibe.)

There are different approaches and everything needs balance. I was trying to bring down the expense and pressure at least a tad, and you say 'this is basically their only one shot' which does NOT alleviate any pressure to OP or others who perhaps may be feeling like it is more like work than a vacay...

As for the Advertising argument, after the money they spent building it, of course Disney wants to advertise the newer rides. But believe me, a 90 sec hill is NOT the sum of a vacation. That will seriously lead to disappointment. A commercial is about 15-30 long, so that's about all they have to get people to book. Of course that's what they are going to highlight. All of us as consumers have to decide what it is that we want to buy. Are you buying time with your family for a week with some cherished characters, or are you buying the 7Dwarfs 90 sec ride? It's all perceived value. That's all advertising is. (Thank goodness its more than 7D, or we definitely wouldn't have moved here for that...)

I think there are two conversations here. One is perhaps that OP has had a crappy (x amount of time) and just can't get enthusiastic. I sincerely hope they can leave some stress behind and enjoy the "bubble".

Others are chiming in that the amount of planning and $ to achieve so called perfection has made it a burden and they have lost some of the whimsical fun they used to look forward to, getting bogged down in the details.

I'm just pointing out that it DOESN'T have to be that way. Find the right tickets for your style and budget, find the right accommodations, book 3 things a day you like, and a dinner if you must, and bring back some of the balance and fun and don't over think, over plan and over spend.

I sincerely wish OP the best time next week. Ill be at the parks with you!

Reminds me of a quote from the great philosopher Phil Dunphy:

The most amazing things that can happen to a human being will happen to you, if you just lower your expectations.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'm just pointing out that it DOESN'T have to be that way. Find the right tickets for your style and budget, find the right accommodations, book 3 things a day you like, and a dinner if you must, and bring back some of the balance and fun and don't over think, over plan and over spend.

I agree about the accommodations. There was a thread on the offsite board about this recently but basically the idea was that by staying offsite and spending less, it can be less stressful. I guess because the value equation comes out a bit more favorably when you stay offsite and cut your lodging costs in half or more for comparable room/villa.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

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.

We had MANY 14 hr drives each way.... Flying in itself was a luxury we were willing to give up even for 3 Disney days. I've been there many times, in that car. For most of my life, it was 21 hrs each way. I've only stayed on property ONCE in my whole life and it was alright but not worth a single penny more than a villa we would always rent as a family the rest of the time. (It was a timeshare trade, we didn't pay more than $99 for the whole week, so that WAS worth it!).

For PP, We NEVER spent $4000 ever, not even on European cruises with Airfare, not even Hawaii! Come to think of it, maybe that is why we got to travel and didn't have the pressure so many feel. We got more trips at a budget and we were DEFINITELY not planners lol and never ate a sit down meal at Disney, never. (altho we did have HoopDDoo growing up. I remember that.) If someone chooses to spend $4000 , that is of course their choice, but I sure hope they felt like it was a choice! When you take the freedom of choice out, that's where resentment comes in!