help me understand?

[linfin]

My husband and daughter are Disney Nuts. We have been to DW a handful of times, stayed at the Pop, to CBR, and Poly. I myself only had fun 1 time. I am easy going and love to have fun in everything I do, but I find Disney a lot of work. My family wants to go back for the Holiday Season and I just want no part of it. Is there something Im missing or doing wrong? Once Im there I feel like I never left and I hate doing the same things over and over. (been there done that). Someone help me?

 

[Nikayla]

I always plan our trips and each time we go we try something different.

Planning the trips is VERY hard, I don't think most people realize how much work goes into it. So, what I do is get my family involved, what do they want to do and when? What new things can you do to make your trip entirely different?

I know this isn't a lot of help but when you get your whole family involved it does help to take the stress away. OR you can even get your husband and daughter to book it all themselves and let you take a real break =)

 

[alwayspooh]

I know what you are feeling, I plan the entire trip myself but I try not to plan all in one day or week. I take it one step at a time. I also plan the trip when it is quiet (after the family has gone to bed). I use the passporter or some other form of planning book to help with remembering when I have to make PS, when are the best flight prices etc. I know it is really hard but you have to remember that once it is all said and done, you will have the most magical time of your life.

Good Luck and I hope you decide to go during the holidays. It is beautiful with all the decorations.

PS - Here is some pixie dust coming your way!!

 

[EthansMom]

You're completely right! WDW is sooooo much work.

My advice:

DON'T go at Christmas/New Year's -- it is the most crowded time of year to go to WDW. Is it possible that you could go in early December? The Christmas decorations are up, MVMCP is available, the Candlelight Processional is available, and the Osbourne Christmas Lights will be up at MGM. Plus, it's Value Season, so will cost a fraction of the price of Holiday Season for the resort and crowds are much lower.

If you don't like what you've been doing, then do something different. You didn't mention the age of your DD, but would your DD and DH be willing to go to the parks one day without you while you have a relaxing spa day at GF? How about skipping some of the rides/shows/attractions that you don't like. Consider splitting up for a little "me" time.

I'd also consider making DH and DD more in charge of some planning. Even my three year-old can tell me that he wants to have dinner with Pooh AND Mickey on our upcoming trip.

If you've got the time and money, you may want to consider going on a cruise after doing some days at WDW. There are several cruises that leave out of Port Canaveral and/or Fort Lauderdale. Cruises, IMO, are much more relaxing than WDW.

I hope this helps!

 

[msmayor]

I think a lot of it has to do with how WDW just makes you feel, and how you view being there.

For me, the work beforehand is just part of the planning process of any trip no matter where it is. The 'being there' part is the magical thing. My family knows that when I walk through the gates of the Magic Kingdom, I NEED to see the castle at the end of Main Street. I need to stand there and look, and just let the thought that my whole family is there with me and we're about to spend precious time together just having fun. It doesn't matter what we do.

Sometimes, the most fun we have is just telling jokes while waiting in line.

Just walking around, looking for Hidden Mickeys, gets us to view the parks in a different light. It forces us to interact more with each other than we ever do at home, because all the everyday junk that gets in the way of family time isn't there.

For us, WDW isn't just a destination, it isn't just a bunch of rides and shows to enjoy. Its a change in our daily routine that's filled with special moments to be savored and stored up.

 

[maddhatir]

If you really want to enjoy yourself- please remember these few words.....DONT GO DURING THE HOLIDAYS!!! been there 2x during christmas/new years and have learned my lesson!! NEVER again!

listen to "EthansMom" - go during the off season (if you can find that anymore!) or the beginning of December to enjoy the holiday decorations at your own pace!

we are going for visit #10 Dec 4th thru the 9th!!

Good Luck!

 

[lisaviolet]

Maybe it is not for you. Maybe.

Or maybe you would enjoy a totally unplanned holiday at WDW. My holidays there usually consist of watching other people run around sometimes like they are on a scavenger hunt. And don't get me wrong... I know some people love that. Not me.

One trip we were there for ten days and never entered a park. And I love the parks. Every morning, "want to?" . "Nah..not today". Got up late. Sat and ate a late breakfast, read the newspaper and relaxed. Sometimes took a nap in the afternoon. And I do like to do things. Just showing you there is a life at WDW without running around.

Have you been around the world? We love hanging out at the CR. Taking the boat to FW and WL from there. Walking the nature trail from WL to FW. Hanging out at the beach at FW or WL. Sitting on our you know what on the rocking chairs at Crockett's Tavern. Sitting in the GF lobby listening to the band. Some of the deluxes are so beautiful.

Staring at WL's Christmas tree.

Love love love dancing at 8trax at PI. Love strolling the Boardwalk. Eating caramel apples. Being with the animals at AKL.

Renting a watermouse. Taking the boat from PO or OKW to DD. People watching. Tennis.

For me, the best part of WDW is hanging out/touring at all the resorts. And not planning. My partner and I play the "okay we'll get on the next bus whatever pulls in" game and go from there. Sometimes we transfer to another resort.

Sometimes I read. If is is March you can bet my partner will be in watchng NCAA ball. Who cares if she is in WDW? Doesn't matter.

So if it is that you don't want to run around maybe you could let the two of them go off and have their fun the way they like it. Try it for an afternoon. Or have you?

We rarely have ADRs. That makes a difference to me.

So maybe WDW is not for you or maybe you need a different kind of WDW vacation.

Good luck.

 

[miranda1979]

If you want to go during the holiday season...to see all the decorations and all the fun. we head out right after Thanksgiving. It is the best of both worlds. less crowds, nights were people that stay on disney property can stay at the MK late (till midnight) and then, there are all the lights, and christmas decorations, carols, hot chocolate, they even make it snow! Its great.

Just take time to enjoy the parks, when you get there. Me and my mom let the boys do there own things,and we just sit and chat at epcot on the benchs, just watching people go by. Yes its alot of planning, but it is alot of fun too. Both my parents act like little kids, so does my boyfriend.

Hope this helps miranda

 

[Servants of Evan]

Okay, I admit it -- I'm an obsessive planner. Looking around, I see I'm in very good company. My question to Linfin is "How much preplanning do you do and do you enjoy the planning?" The reason I ask is that Disney can obviously be very overwhelming without a pretty good idea of what you want to see and how you intend to go about it. Going with the flow is okay to a point, after all -- being a bit flexible is always required when successfully negotiating anything in life. We can plan day and night, but it doesn't matter if you get there only to find "Dumbo" is broken and your exacting plan just went out the window. Unfortunately, I'm one of those twisted individuals who enjoys the planning. Sometimes I think I derive as much pleasure from the planning as I do the actual vacation. I can stop and imagine how I want this or that to happen, and then decipher what I need to do to actually get that outcome. God, I love it when a plan comes together...

The flip side is not planning at all, and surrendering yourself to the whims of fate. Personally, I find that maddening -- to always have stuck in the back of your mind that there's a lot more out there that I missed, and I haven't a clue on how to find it/accomplish it/etc. To me, these are the people who walk inside the main gates, then immediately stop and begin to consult their maps. Uh, Hello? You haven't heard of this place before? If I wasn't so busy having fun I might teach them the 7 P's.

Servants of Evan (Gettin' 'er done).

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

We try not to focus on the same things on each trip. We focus on different parks or sections of a certain park at different trips. There are so many things to see and do. I do agree that doing the same things over and over would turn a vacation into a drag. and maybe, your enjoyment in Disney is just sitting back and watching your family enjoy it.

 

[psiprez]

If you have gotten ovewhelmed at WDW during the regular season, DO NOT EVEN THINK about going during the holidays!

Perhaps the rest of your family are "Park Commando" types, and you are not. As a group, you need to slow down the pace, and plan some down time.

For every two days we spend in the Parks, we have one day off. We also plan to take two days to do MK and EPCOT, and enjoy the Parks at a slower, less-stressed pace. Also think about splitting up in the Park, and rejoining at a set time. Nothing wrong with that!

I know of too many family vacations that have been ruined by the stress to "have fun together". If you ALL can be flexible with your plans, and there is room for everyone to have a great time!