Having Second Thoughts About Discon 2

[Pixie Power!]

I’m having second thoughts about coming to Discon2, I cant really put into words the reasons why as I'm not sure myself. I just don’t think that I’m going to fit in well and mix with everyone. Its easier to be positive about things and have an opinion on things when you just type them on a key board into a computer, but when I meet people face to face I find it hard to be myself and relax. Also everyone around here seems to know each other really well with all the mini meets that you all attend, I just don’t want to spoil the fun.

Its not the money or anything like that, I suppose I’m just scared. I’ve never flown on my own let alone travel half way around the world on my own to meet up with people I have never met.

It took me so long to talk my DH into letting me go, I’m now thinking that maybe his reservations were right.

When I had my roomie, everything was set up, but now I don’t know where I stand with that (no fault on Robin, she needs to sort her family our – family must come first) I suppose its easier to drop out when no one is relying on you. Yes I will loose some money, my registration deposit and my MVMCP ticket but that doesn’t matter, and I could always give my ticket away.

Ive also read a few things / things have happened lately that make me think that im not as liked here as i thought - i dont want to go into details.

I’m not writing this for lots of replies, I’m just thinking out loud about my concerns, I hope this make sense to someone as its not to me right now.

Emma

 

[Towncrier]

Emma - Please don't let concerns about not fitting in cause you to abandon DIScon. There's a place for everyone at DIScon. If you choose to stay out of the limelight, that's fine. When I attended DIScon 2001, I only knew a handful of DISers. And I ended up spending almost no time with that group. Instead of Jellyrolls, I stood around outside on the Boardwalk and spent some time getting to know one or two other DISers who also decided to just hang around outside. I struck out on my own a few times when I needed a break from the action.

If you come, I guarantee that you will make some new lifelong friendships. The DIS boards are a wonderful place, but meeting some of your DIS pals face-to-face makes DISing just that much more fun.

I hope you decide to come to DIScon 2002. I look forward to meeting you.

 

[luvdsny]

Emma, I am really sad to read this. I already like you a whole lot and I know that once we meet we'll hit it off really really well. Please don't be afraid of coming to DIS-Con for fear of not fitting in......I KNOW you will.

I understand the cold feet, really I do. I had them last year too. But I am looking forward to meeting you, so please please dont' make any hasty decisions right now.

I'm really sorry about what's happening with Robin too. I've been thinking about you and wondering if you would consider sharing a room with someone else. Perhaps you've already posted on the 'roomie thread', but if not, I hope you'll consider another roommate. I already have a roommate~~otherwise I'd be more than happy to share a room with you.

{{{hugs}}} Emma. And I hope I can give you real hugs in December.

Tia

 

[tammyh-oregon]

I know what you mean about the cold feet. Last year, I signed up really late in the game and was wondering how I would fit in with everybody who already had plans made, etc. The only person I had ever meet in person was Tia plus some others from Boise area and hadn't really even did any online talking with anyone else. I was nervous about fitting in.
But it all worked out in the end. There were a few moments when I felt like an outsider but that was just me and nothing from anyone else.
I was worried that I would drag everyone down because I was in a wheelchair but everybody was real helpful and "pushy" if you know what I mean. (Many thanks to everyone that helped push me around when I was tired and wouldn't admit it.)
As far as things on the board, I hope I haven't said anything to offend. I know that sometimes things get tough here both on and off the boards over some slight or another but things happen just like in real life. Some people you get along with and others you don't.
I'm sure that there will be at least one person you will hit it off with and that's all that you need. If more become friends, so much the better and I'm sure there will more than you can handle. (don't let that scare you!)
I look forward to seeing you at DISCON.

Wow what a mouthful. Sorry!

 

[CDoobee]

Hi Emma!
I'm one of the quieter people on this board, meaning that I don't post a whole lot. But I lurk a lot ! I'm really looking forward to meeting you! I love your enthusiasm!! I'm very shy in person, (I'm getting better)until I start to get to know people. I was very leery of going to DIS-Con last year with just my 10 year old DD. She's shy too, so she couldn't help me! heehee But, I was determined to be brave and I'm so glad I did! I had a ball! Since I did have my DD with me, I was not able to attend any of the "adult" functions. So, I was not at many of the mini meets. So, there are a lot of people I haven't met, yet. And stories I haven't heard!!! I am SO looking forward this year to going to more of these functions and meeting even more people! (Even though I wouldn't trade my mother/daughter trip for anything!)
I really hope you come!!

{{HUGS}}
Debbie

 

[December99]

Oh Emma....please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am looking SSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO forward to meeting you!!!!!! I am very hesitant to fly but I'm doing it on my own and just because some of us already know each other doesn't mean we will exclude you!!!!!! I wouldn't at least. And I am EXTREMELY nervous about goin...I really really really am....I am going to finally get to meet my buddy that I have been wanting to meet for a very long time and I am SO NERVOUS!!!!! I really am...but I so want to meet her and others that I am not going to let my nervousness get in the way!!!!!

I really hope you still decide to come!!!!! And I'm sure you will be able to find a roomy!!!

 

[Barb]

Oh, Emma! Please don't say this! We all had those twinges of doubt before we met each other. I was so nervous that I wouldn't fit in and that no one would like me!! The reason we do know each other now is because of DIS-CON!! I can only echo what everyone else has already said. Once we really start making plans, you'll see there will be tons of things for you to "sign up" for where you won't be alone at all. Last year we made up a schedule of little mini meets that went througout the day. A lot of us spent all that time together. This is how the DIS friendships were born. Up until then, there were very few of us who knew each other. But there's a special something about DIS people. We tend to feel very comfortable with each other right off the bat and there's that feeling like you've known each other for ever. I have that feeling with you, Emma. We've "talked" here so much that I feel I do know you and it's only a matter of meeting in person. Once you meet on that first day, the doubts are over.
I'm sorry that you've experienced some negative vibes here. I do hope it wasn't anything I said. I would never want you to feel that way. I've really been looking forward to meeting you and I'm sure you'll fit right in.

 

[Sandra B.]

Emma, please come!

I got cold feet last year. I'm very shy around new people and I'd never met anybody of the DIS-CON group before.
I also had the language barrier... When I type things I can take all the time I need (can even use a dictionary if I want to), but speaking is more difficult.
However, everybody was so sweet, nobody laughed when I made mistakes and we had so much fun.

I was nervous about travelling on my own, but as soon as I boarded the plane I was relaxed. Too excited to sleep on my way to Orlando. But on the flight back to Amsterdam I was so tired, I fell asleep before the plane took off..........

DIS-CON was an unforgettable experience!

I've been reading a lot of your posts and I feel like I already know you. I'm sure you will fit right in!
Looking forward to meet you!!!!

((HUGS))
Sandra

 

[MdmMim]

Dear Emma--I had some thoughts similar to yours. I felt that I wouldn't fit in; I thought that most people here seem to know each other very well--and I know no one.
I am quiet and shy--I speak when I have something to say, but I'm not good at "small talk." I had second thoughts. But I realized whenever I posted anything (though I don't post often), I was always met with friendly, welcoming comments. And I thought--in a few months, I'll know lots of these people! I'm traveling 27 hours alone on a train to get to WDW--to meet people I never met before. But I know there are some very caring people here whom I would really like to know. (And I was so looking forward to meeting you! I have enjoyed your cheerful posts.)

Please join us--we'll make some new friends and have a wonderful time!

 

[NancyIL]

Emma, please don't make any final decisions yet, as it's MUCH too early to pull out! We should get more details about Dis-Con from Pete any day now, and then you will be swept up in all the planning! Just keep posting here, and chat whenever you can (though I know the time difference makes the latter more difficult) - and soon you will feel that you already know many people! I truly believe that you will have a wonderful time at DIS-CON. If I'm wrong and you have a rotten time - think of the great tell-all book you could write!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Emma, I sent you a pm....Please think about this......I know you will have a great time at DisCon.. we all were new at one time and there will be other new people there as well.. Hugs

 

[nativetxn]

Emma, we all know each other because we met at DISCON I, or a lot of us did.

I think you will have a lot of fun if you go to DISCONII, I know I can't wait to meet you.

{{{HUGS}}} sweetie

 

[OkieDisney]

Emma, I TOTALLY understand how you feel!

I have been thinking all day that us newbies need some kind of match up service. You know, we make groups of 3-4 newbies that would correspond before DIS CON and then the first thing on Dec 4 is a newbie mini meet where the foursome gets together in a non threatening location. Maybe an oldtimer could be matched up with us as a "DIS CON mentor."

I would love to plan this mini meet , but unfortunately, I just do not have the time. So I have been keeping my mouth shut.

The funny thing for me is that in real life, I am very outgoing and have bunches of friends. I am so busy with Life (Job, Kids, etc.) that I don't have to post very much. So there is that "I am not known, I don't fit in, etc. " feeling that I have sometimes too.

So you are not alone.

Karen

 

[disneycub]

Well, Emma, I can tell you my little story, and maybe that will help. I was absolutely terrified of going to DISCON to meet people I'd never met before. Everyone is different (and I certainly am ), but I felt that maybe I was just a little "too" different to fit in with a bunch of people. But I'd so looked forward to going, and I wasn't about to back out just because I was feeling insecure. I'm pretty quiet in real life, and not so quiet on the boards.

From the moment I walked in (late) to the first dinner at the Wilderness Lodge, I felt completely at ease and at home with these wonderful people, whom I now consider my dear life-long friends. We shared so many good times together, and pretty soon all the insecurities melted away.

As for things people might have said on the boards...one thing you have to remember is that it's very hard to communicate what you are really feeling via words, and something you might have taken offense to might not really be what that person meant to convey.

Hope this makes some sort of sense to you. I'm sooo looking forward to meeting you come December.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am thinking here.. good idea Karen..... I believe Taryn last year organized a special luncheon for all single attendees to DisCon.. they all met up at Norway, rode the ride and had lunch.. I did show up with my Tommy late...since I was not there as a single.. but wanted to meet up with everyone..

Maybe someone who is new here could organize some sort of special get together for the newbies to meet each other prior to the scheduled events.. also.. maybe someone could also organize a special thread for all new people attending DisCon for the very first time..

What do you think??

 

[bashful64]

Hi Emma,

I understand how you feel. Last year I was really terrified about the idea of going to DISCON. I had my DH and kids with me and the morning of that first breakfast I almost walked the other way but they were hungry so they wouldn't let me. I am so glad that I didn't. Everyone made us feel welcome and part of the group. We had such a wonderful time....in fact it was so great that I am going again this year. I am still a little terrified becasue I will be on my own this year (DH is staying home with the kids) but I know that there are a bunch of wonderful people there who will make sure that I'm okay. I would love to meet you and I hope that I will get a chance to at DISCON.

 

[OkieDisney]

Okay, just talked to DH, he says "go ahead and host the mini meets" Yikes, who needs sleep anyway.

I will email Marsha the following info as well and post a thread with this as well.

Here is my idea.

Every AM before the Convention starts, have an AM Newbie mini meet (Dec 2, 3, 4???).

Match up 3-4 Newbies that are staying in the same hotel with a "DIS CON" mentor (a veteran). I would set up the groups. These folks interact with each other this fall and meet at that day's AM mini meet.

Here the only problem I have. I won't be getting in until Dec 3 evening. Someone would have to host the early meets for me.

What do you think?

Karen

 

[Beanie]

Oh Emma...I am so looking forward to meeting you!! Please reconsider going to Dis Con!!

I didn't even attend Dis Con last year...I didn't know anyone on this board except Marsha, Steve (disneycub, who posts on my Rewards Board frequently! ) and the other moderators who post here occasionally...but through all the wonderful and helpful posts on this board, I have really got to know alot of them like Barb, Dayna, Mskanga, Tia, ect...I am really looking forward to meeting them all and really hope to see you there as well!!! I just know you will have a wonderful time...

Karen, you have a great idea!!

 

[Taryn]

Wow,

This post really blows my mind! When I heard about DISCON 1 I wanted to go so bad. I know me though, I envisioned myself standing in the corner alone and unable to speak.

I thought I should give myself a good push though, no more regrets. I began to plan a solo travellers meet because I thought if I was involved in some of the DISCON planning I might just feel more a part of it, and also I wanted that kind of forum for myself.

My first night there I learned that BelleMom was my next door neighbor at the Dolphin so I called her up and off we went to Epcot for dinner. She was so sweet and kind and we were both shy and I was put at ease in minutes. She was just like me... everyone at DISCON was just like me! *faint*

I figured everyone was totally self assured and that I was going to be the "different one". Everyone appeared that way when I met them too! That is what blows my mind. That we were all feeling the same way! This is the first time I have heard about all these "cold feet".

I made some of the best friends I have had in years, I only regret that my current circumstances have prevented me from keeping up with them in the way that they deserve.

Do something for yourself, come to DISCON with an open mind, leave your hangups at the door and enjoy the company of a whole bunch of loonies who laugh themselves silly at the drop of a hat and enjoy those memories for a long time to come...

I will eat my hat... or for that matter Dayna's hat (and that would be no easy feat) if I am wrong...

 

[DumboOrBust]

Emma, I'm very tired right now, but I just wanted to let you know that I am going to PM or e-mail you tomorrow. Please don't make any hasty decisions on this.

Hugs,
Dayna