Have you ever felt this anxiety? *Update:we're going!*

[melk]

We are very seriously considering a 12 day trip the end of August. I have done my research, crowds should be dropping off a bit then, I know what we're in for with the humidity, heat, etc. but I feel I'm prepared. The kids won't miss school which is a plus. With such a long trip we would be able to have a lot of relaxation time (we hope!). We would split our stay between OKW and VWL, we love both. We would be using our remaining points from this year plus borrowing all of next year's points. I've checked airfares, we could get a decent price now.

Then why do I feel nervous??!!! It seems so good on paper yet DH and I just have kind of an anxiety about this trip! I couldn't even call Member Services today! (I know, most of you are saying, is she nuts? )

Maybe it's the length of time, I don't know (we've never taken more than a week long trip). Maybe it's fear of the intense heat/possible hurricanes, I just don't know! Please help me through this so I can pick up that phone and make this trip!

**Update**
Well, we booked today and we feel good about it. We thought long and hard before we took the plunge but we did it and now have a nice long vacation to look forward to the end of this summer.
I think a lot had to do with reading Gopherit's trip report (she put the link on a reply to this thread). Her report made me feel I was there, making me want to go so badly!!
Thanks everyone!

 

[Blackunicorn]

I don't know how to help you, but when I have anxiety like this, I have to stop and figure out the source before I can move on. Usually it's money worries for me, or the fear that this is too good to be true and the minute that I book something will happen to ruin it all.

 

[Plus4206]

We did a two week trip a few years ago. Only anxiety I had was the pile of work I had waiting for me when I returned to work, ( nobody goes behind me and does my job). Bottom line is the trip always had this little black cloud hanging over it for me and as it turned out the pile was deeper then I expected and I regretted my two weeker.

But if you can't pin point a reason for your anxiety then I think you need to relax and go enjoy yourself.

 

[Cinderpals]

Maybe, since it's the last vacation before school begins, you want everything to be perfect: perfectly relaxing, perfect weather, perfect attitudes, perfect service etc.... I felt the same way while booking my looong 12 day Christmas Holiday vacation last year. At the time I did most of the planning, I had never been to Disney, so I didn't know which resort to book, where to eat Christmas Dinner, which CP package to buy etc.... When to book illuminations cruise, golf dates etc... Everything worked out fine. It was one of my family's best vacations! We loved spending time at the WL for Christmas, enjoyed our MVMCP, CP, Christmas Dinner.... Even the rain and cold weather didn't put a damper on our vacation. We loved every minute of it, eventhough, we chickened out and got out of our Christmas Night Illuminations booking! (Too much rain just hours before) We never looked back. We had so many pleasant, unexpected things come up to make our 3rd trip to WDW truly the best! I suspect that once you get your reservations set, and most of your plans down on paper, you'll feel much better and have a lot to look forward to. I'm planning 3 more vacations this year, so far. I really love spending time with my family at WDW. It's really become our 'second' home! We still like to go to other places, but really plan to spend as much time as possible at WDW, and eventually, experience the Cruise, trips to Disneyland, Hilton Head and Paris too. I just want to encourage you to just get your ressies done! I'm waiting to close on our DVC purchase, and can't wait to use some points*

Try getting a list going, and list some of your anxieties on paper. Don't analyze anything while doing it, just write what ever pops into your head for a couple of minutes. You can then look over it, and maybe see a pattern of what's making you so anxious. You can also go through each worry, and write down rational thoughts to the contrary next to it. For example: Worry:
Fear Hurricane weather.... Answer: Very rare to have Hurricanes hit Orlando again two years in a row! Only Charley 1 out of 4 did significant damage to Orlando. Floridians flocked to WDW to escape the storm! WDW not a bad place to be if rare Hurricane does happen to come through Orlando again. I hope you work through your anxieties about this trip, and end up having the best vacation in WDW in August!

 

[gopherit]

We just did 13 days in August (split between BCV/BWV and SSR). WOnderful trip! And we had a hurricane, too (Charley, right smack dab in the middle of our stay) and it didn't put a damper on the fun (for us, anyway -- I'm sure the WDW staff felt otherwise). But I sure had my concerns going into the trip. Mostly -- just logistic issues for me (making sure we get there at the right time, the room is ok, the planning pays off and most importantly, nobody gets bended, folded, spindled or mutilated along the way!) I agree that it helps to put a finger on your fears -- is it the length of the trip? THe amt of points you will use? The planning to be done? Sometimes you can do the legwork to allay your fears (i.e., get your plans set, determine a "provisional" plan in advance of what you will do in case the trip had to be cancelled for some reason, etc.) And some things, you can't do squat about (like the weather....) so you just have to breathe deeply and hope for the best.

My August trip report is at the posted thread, but I warn you, it's fairly wieldy. That's just one more thing you'll have to fear, I guess -- how long it will take you to write your trip report to us folks living vicariously through those who have just come back from The World!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST DAY (of a long, 13 day installment from Aug 2004!)

 

[newholidayx2]

thank you soooooo much for this thread
DS & I are taking our 1st mother/son WDW vacation Aug 13-27.
It started by needing to use 6nights pts that were rolled over from last yr. Then I added on 3nights, then last wk I added on another 5 t make it 2 full wks (15days). I'll never be able to take him out of school for 2wks during the school yr. We've never been in August.

see you there

(and thanks for the trip reports link)

 

[Divamomto3]

We are very seriously considering a 12 day trip the end of August. I have done my research, crowds should be dropping off a bit then, I know what we're in for with the humidity, heat, etc. but I feel I'm prepared. The kids won't miss school which is a plus. With such a long trip we would be able to have a lot of relaxation time (we hope!). We would split our stay between OKW and VWL, we love both. We would be using our remaining points from this year plus borrowing all of next year's points. I've checked airfares, we could get a decent price now.

Then why do I feel nervous??!!! It seems so good on paper yet DH and I just have kind of an anxiety about this trip! I couldn't even call Member Services today! (I know, most of you are saying, is she nuts? )

Maybe it's the length of time, I don't know (we've never taken more than a week long trip). Maybe it's fear of the intense heat/possible hurricanes, I just don't know! Please help me through this so I can pick up that phone and make this trip!

We will be there for 11 nights in August...August 13-24th. We'll split our time between SSR and BCV with the weekend on cash at BWV. DO IT! I've never done a trip this long before either but I'm looking forward to a lot of relaxing pool time.

 

[Divamomto3]

And I arrived at SSR on the day after Charley hit. Other than some downed bushes and trees and the Donald sprayer at the pool not working, you'd never know anything happened at Disney World.

 

[Cinderpals]

Wish my son would want to stay with me at the BCVs/ WDW for two weeks in August! Maybe Mother/Daughter trip will have to moved to last 2 weeks in August at BCV/BWV!

 

[pplasky]

sCLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST DAY (of a long, 13 day installment from Aug 2004!)

Thanks for the link. Your kids are about the same age as mine, and we usually travel in August. I love hearing from people in similar situations and what they do.

 

[Mickmse2002]

We have done several 10-nite/11-day trips in late August and loved everyone one of them. We are always able to go at a very leisurely pace. Extended vacations are wonderful as they allow you at least the first few days to unwind and relax.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Maybe it's the fear of borrowing all of next year's points.

Have you made a decision? Pixie dust for a good outcome!

Bobbi

 

[lllovell]

My family has vacationed for 2 weeks together for years and it is the most wonderful thing EVER. You spend a ton of time getting umpacked and settled and if you only go for a week, you truly don't get to unwind as much and then it is time to pack again. I would take advantage of going for this longer trip. You will get time to really enjoy your vacation. You will have wonderful experiences where you can explore things you might have missed before in a more rushed "trying to fit everything into 7 days including travel" trip, etc.

Talk to your children. See if they are interested. That might ease your concerns some as well (even young children have opinions lol sometimes LOTS of them - just ask my just turned 3 year old who thinks he is a ) If you are worried about NOT being able to take a trip next year, then see if you can put so much aside each month in a special savings account and make next year's trip somewhere different. (Disney IS expensive as we all know - even with your room "paid" for. I bet the $$$ you normally spend on a WDW trip would more than cover the cost of a room somewhere else along with spending money.)

I would go. Its not long before your older ones will have band, football, soccer, basket weaving, etc camps in the summer and wont be able to go anymore and then you will WISH you had taken the time when they were all smaller and free!

 

[OneMoreTry]

If I'm that anxious I don't book it. I wait. I believe in God's Providence. If it's supposed to happen then everything will fall into place when the time comes to schedule.

Maybe you just need to take a shorter trip this year. Or bank the points for a biggie next year.

 

[melk]

Well, I'm feeling ready to commit, DH is still on the fence. I will update when I finally call MS (I'm hoping it will be soon).

Gopherit,
Thank you, thank you for the link to your trip reports. I have been enjoying them so much these last few days. Your family and mine have many similarities and I found myself laughing out loud so many times (my oldest is the female version of Evan...we too ended up at Centracare, I could feel your pain--for your son and your wallet!). Thanks again!

 

[melk]

Update above, yay we're going!

 

[newholidayx2]

woohoo
where are you staying?

 

[melk]

woohoo
where are you staying?

We'll be at VWL for 8 days, OKW for 4.

 

[tinkgrl]

Hi,

Glad your going! You'll love VWL!!! Be sure to report back. 12 days would be grand!

Allison

 

[gopherit]

Update above, yay we're going!

Good for you! Hope it's a great trip -- with NO visits to CentraCare!

And no hurricanes, either! Here's some early PD for your travels!

(VWL and OKW -- our faves! What a combo!)

Cindy