Help--I don't know if I want to go anymore

[aseafish]

I'm appealing to the DIS boards because most of you love these cruises. I've looked forward to this trip for some time, but now, well, I just don't even want to think about it. It could be information overload, sensitivity to the not-always-nice differences of opinion, the stock market, I don't know. I can't talk to DH about my thoughts at all; he'd have our ressies cancelled before I could finish my sentence.

Has anyone else felt like this? Should I expect these feelings to pass? We're taking adult children and grandchildren with us, so canceling would hurt a lot of feelings. I am stressed beyond words right now. Thanks for the opportunity to get your views.

 

[SusanD]

I always look forward to planning and preparing for our trips. However, my enthusiasm is not always at the same level. There are many things that can infuence how we feel at any particular time. Give it a while before you make you decision.

It is a wonderful experience to cruise with DCL and I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy it.

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

YES. I totally know what you mean! I seem to remember the negative comments, (especially if they were in regard to something I said or agreed with) about 1000 times more than I remember the positive ones. I had myself into so much of a 'funk' one day that I'd decided that I would just stay in the room a lot, go out now and then but not talk to anyone except those I already know and trust. Then I remembered just how many posts are really nice (4Nana for instance) and see that for the most part, people are very nice, just like you. A community board might not really represent how people will interact with each other face to face. It sounds like you'll have a great support group with you too. You will have a great time. Plan on it!

 

[outahere]

If you spend any amount of time on this board, it is very easy to get "information overload". And...... since it is not always easy to determine everyone's real attitude, it is also easy to get some negative "vibes".

We went on the 4 day and loved every minute. Once you approach the port and see the ship for the first time, any misgivings or stress about the trip will disappear in the excitement.

 

[taswira]

It may not be information overload, but <I>opinion overload</I> that has you down. If you are feeling that way, it might help to (as difficult as it is) stay away from the board for awhile. Either that, or be VERY selective about the threads you read and avoid the controversial ones and trip reports. Block out any negative opinions. View the DCL video and the pretty pictures of happy guests in their brochure.

Two quotes that are useful to me - - "<I>Happiness is a way of travelling</I>" and "<I>We only regret the things we did NOT do.</I>"

Don't forsake a magical, wonderful experience because other people may have rocked the boat for you! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but <I>"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission</I>"!

 

[DisneyKids]

I would echo many of the thoughts above. And, I would like to add that the overwhelming majority of opinion on this board is extremely positive. Those of us that have cruised, sometimes multiple times, would probably agree that MUCH of the complaining is "nit-picky". Most of the times that I hear negative opinion, I disagree. Or if I agree, it's really pretty minor and certainly doesn't spoil my good time. Not everything is perfect for everyone but we all keep going back!!!

Also, as for information overload...you could read nothing, prepare nothing, and take everything as it comes when arriving on DCL and still have a GREAT trip. Don't worry...if you choose to go, I think you'll have a nice time. Don't let others spoil what you want to do!!!

 

[edith76]

Please keep in mind how many REPEAT cruisers there are on this board when you read negative things. We've all probably experienced what you are going through. I get all excited about planning a trip (approx. a year in advance) but, by the time we go on it , I'm planning the next trip and getting excited about it. I didn't even want to go on our Jan.2001 7 day. We'd had a bad year all around and it just seemed like too much effort to go. Well we went ...and it was the best cruise we've ever been on. I don't know if it was the "no expectations" the greatest tablemates or the wonderful servers (Mario and Hudson) but it was truly the best. Others have not been as great, but I don't regret going on any of them. DH, DS now20 and I make our own good time. Relax and enjoy being with your family.

 

[edith76]

Just to clarify - When I reread my post it sounded like our other cruises were not great. We've enjoyed all of them. What I should have written was that the one we weren't looking forward to going on turned out to be the very best one.

 

[FOJMO]

the stress emanating from your post! RELAX. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. And remember that a LITTLE planning goes a long way. You don't have to have every piece of information before you go. You don't have to have every answer to every question. And YOU don't have to be the cruise authority that everyone runs to. You have to be careful, though, to not put yourself in that position. It's easy to do.

I'd agree with staying away from the Boards for a while and then revisit a few weeks before your trip.

You can get some very important info from the Boards, but you can also become so anxious about every minor detail that you miss the whole picture -- which is to go and have a good time, come what may! All good things come to those who can wait!

ENJOY!

 

[MelissaE1]

Hi aseafish...

Just so you know, you are not in that boat by yourself (pardon the pun.) I am an informationaholic, and I sometimes have the same problem. In fact, we are cruising on the next Eastern cruise after you, January 25th. I found myself just doing this, too... suddenly I didn't want to think about it. I was actually dreaming about it at night I was putting so much effort into it. Not in a good way, in a planning way, if you know what I mean. I think the advice to just back off from the planning for a bit is good.

It's true, once you see the ship waiting there for you, everything else will be forgotten, stress will fly out the window and the magic will begin. Seeing the delight on the grandchildren's (and even adult children's) faces will surely be the experience of a lifetime.

Just my .02.

 

[WDWLVR]

I'm going to offer you the same avdice I offered to Imgoingtodisney. Sometime by reading these boards we feel that we have to know everyting and do everything that everyone else does. That can cause a major overload and pressure to do everything.

While the boards are great for planning I always try to filter what I read with my own experiences. I know which people I don't agree with and stay away from their opinions. I also know which people I respect opinions from and will put more into reading thier posts.

Most of all I try and plan enough to be ready, but then let things happen. Don't do something because EVERYONE says you have to (be it Palo's, the Spa, whatever). Do things that make you (as an individual, a couple, or a family happy).

It sounds like you planned what could be a great family gathering with your grown children and grandchildren. Think of why you picked Disney in the first place and enjoy.

I hope you don't cancel your vacation because I think that a Disney Cruise is one of the best vacations around.

 

[pal2pluto]

Oh, honey....the pressure!!! I agree with my fellow posters about either being choosy which threads you read, or take a break from the boards.....I especially like the post about watching the video a few times.......nothing gets me more in the mood!

Deep breath....another.....and one more

It sounds as though you are planning the trip for the extended family. May I offer a mantra of sorts to keep in mind "Their happiness on this vacation does not depend on me."

One of the best reasons we enjoyed this vacation with friends was because we all went our own separate ways during the day (if we wanted to) and came together at dinnertime to talk about our days. Relax............breathe.........breathe............

 

[BeanoC]

I am glad to see that I am not the only one who has felt the info overload! I can't help myself and sometimes I just want to walk away from all of it and say forget it!

I talked to some friends a few days ago who had just gotten off of a DCL cruise. I said "Oh, which ship were you on"?

She says to me "I don't know - one of the Disney ones".

I couldn't believe what I was hearing! LOL

I know what time we will arrive at port, our dining rotation, I have 2 Palo ressies already, 2 DIS meetings and about 3,000 other details in place! I was stunned to see that it might even be possible to go on a DCL cruise and not know what ship you were on!!! Wow...

So maybe the lesson there is to find a happy medium and chill out a bit! It is, after all, a vacation!


'Beano'

 

[4nana]

Oh my....
Here's a {hug} to go with a cup of herbal tea
Things will look better tomorrow and you will have a wonderful time making special memories w/your children and grands.

 

[tecdavidt]

We did our first DCL cruise before I discovered the boards! We had a fabulous vacation. The boards can be a big help but don't let them get you so down that you will cancel a vacation. Relax, drink that cup of tea and think spontaneous, that was how our first DCL cruise went and we have cruised that same way since. Happy cruising. Kathy

 

[mareka]

This will be our frst cruise but we gone to Disney Many times. For me the best is not even the trip itself but the look on first mt childrens faces and now my grandson's.

He is sooooo excited about going.

The kids really make every trip Magic.

Take a deep breath - Plan on getting a foot massage or facial to pamper yourself. Bring a book or needlework (both in my case) Find the coffee bar - Get a cappacino and a chair - Watch the waves go by - and breath. WOW I'm there already.

Have Fun.

 

[mmouse37]

DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!!!!! Take a breather as mentioned before.

I know a few people who go on DCL cruises and don't plan anything in advance and have a wonderful time. They didn't know they should be upset about missing an excursion or missing a Palo ressie. Since they didn't know about it in the first place, they could not be disappointed. With so much info at our fingertips on this board it is easy to get carried away.

I decided for our next cruise I will not get pressued. I will just take things as they come and go with the flow. Don't get into Palos, no big deal, etc.

GO FORTH AND HAVE A GREAT CRUISE!!!!!


mj

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Aseafish -

As others have said take a breath, a break, go forth and have fun. Many of the folks are repeat cruisers, others are planaholics (guilty on both counts) and this is a discussion board - so we discuss. Compare viewpoints, etc.

Does that mean we all obsess - maybe on some things, but once the time comes we let go and HAVE FUN! It'll be great! Don't let our "between cruise" conversations get you down!



Deb

 

[aseafish]

Thank you all so much for your reassurances. I apologize if it sounded like I was blaming the discussions for my gloom. This is a first time event for us, and I think I'm genuinely overwhelmed. I've spent so much time looking at flight schedules, I could almost fly there myself. Up to now, a $500 budget for a vacation sounded okay to me. Obviously, we've exceeded that about 20 times over. But you all know that. I sure hope I get back to the excitement part. For now, I'll just force myself to do nothing, if I can.

 

[debbiebones]

I can see you're far from alone in the way you feel and that has actually made me feel better too!

When we started putting our cruise plans together in August, I was so excited that I read this board day in, day out...at home, at work, etc. Suddenly, I started to feel like someone who loves chocolate but has eaten way too much of it. I felt like I was suddenly sick of the whole idea!

I've gotten over all of that and now, I've gone back to "normal life" and every once in awhile, I'll remind myself, "oh yeah, we're going on a Disney Cruise in January...yippee!" It probably helps that happily, I have two toddlers who take up most of my time.

I will say that I've gotten a lot of very good information from these boards which I've filed away in my head and I still visit the boards once or twice (or maybe 3 times!) a week to check up on what's new.

I feel like I have a good group of Disney friends waiting for me if I need them.

I think if you cancel your trip, you'll kick yourself for doing so. Go and have a good time...we all deserve it!