Hit me with some Disney Magic

[DisneyMama811]

our trip is in 32 days. it's our girls (6&8) first time at WDW, their first time on a plane, our first family vacation since 2018. I've planned this trip to a T. literally every detail is taking care of from breakfast with Mickey to full on make overs at Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique.... and..... I'm not excited.

I'm currently suffering from an episode of major depression, my husband lost his job 3 weeks ago (thankfully we had already paid off the trip) it's not that I don't want to go, I just feel numb and detached from it all ... I need to relax and I know WDW is NOT a relaxing place to be..... I need to find that spark... that feeling you get when you see the castle for the first time and you're like this is it...this is home.


help me out and share some of your favourite experiences whether it was with a character, a cast member or just a really magical day

 

[tinkerjo]

My best memory was my DS7 at the time looking up at me during the MK opening ceremony and saying “now I know why they call this the happiest place on Earth” the joy and happiness in his face made everything else in my life seem insignificant. I cry every time I enter MK since. (Happy tears of course). My advice, leave your life at home. Go and have a great time!! Your life will be there waiting when you get back home.

 

[DL1WDW2]

You will discover many new ways to be thankful .
On Monday I happened to look at the time and remembered the daily Military Salute in front of the flag on Main Street Liberty Square.
Daily around 5:00 with Disney American Band performing and crowd joining in to thank our military with applause.
Shortly after it will be time for the Xmas Tree Lighting Ceremony .
So much to be thankful for in so many ways.

 

[disneyseniors]

our trip is in 32 days. it's our girls (6&8) first time at WDW, their first time on a plane, our first family vacation since 2018. I've planned this trip to a T. literally every detail is taking care of from breakfast with Mickey to full on make overs at Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique.... and..... I'm not excited.

I'm currently suffering from an episode of major depression, my husband lost his job 3 weeks ago (thankfully we had already paid off the trip) it's not that I don't want to go, I just feel numb and detached from it all ... I need to relax and I know WDW is NOT a relaxing place to be..... I need to find that spark... that feeling you get when you see the castle for the first time and you're like this is it...this is home.


help me out and share some of your favourite experiences whether it was with a character, a cast member or just a really magical day

I had the same thing happen to me when my kids went on their first WDW trip. My husband lost his job the week before we left.
Like you, we had everything paid for. I refused to worry about what I couldn't change, and decided we would have a great vacation while at disney.
It was a wonderful trip. My husband found a good job when we got home and all got back to normal.

However, I decided to go to college (at the age of 29) and get a degree in Nursing, so I would have something to fall back on if life threw us more curves! I never regretted going to disney and going to college.

So, just GO and have a great time with your family. Afterall that's what really counts! Things will work out whether you are sitting at home worrying or at disney world having a blast.

I hope you find a way to find all the joy and magic that is at disney

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

The cavalcades bring me a lot of joy, like a random popup of magic. Also, I've had some of the most relaxing times and met some of the best cast members at Ft. Wilderness, so if you get a chance, take a boat over from the Magic Kingdom, stroll through the barn, the kids can play on the playground, enjoy a snack on the beach (they had food trucks there when we went in Oct 2021). A short boat ride from MK but a nice break.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

Just the look on my kids faces for just about every moment. If you aren't excited you will be when you see them light up. I have the BEST pictures of them seeing characters they love for the first time, seeing Tinkerbell fly out of the castle, etc. My girls are the same ages as yours and it's just perfect for Disney Magic.

Also for tantrums, but the good definitely outweighed the bad! One night my 8 year old stayed in Magic Kingdom with her dad until 1 am. And the 6 year old was pulled up on stage for Hoop de Doo! This trip seriously had memories that will last a lifetime.

 

[ktlm]

We've had lots of magical experiences with characters and cast members over the years-- but here is one from a day where I was thinking due to the weather the magic wasn't quite there:

It was pouring down rain in Magic Kingdom- the ground was one big puddle in Frontierland where we were walking. DD was little. She was singing and kicking water, and she looked up at me with big eyes and said "This is the best day ever! You never let me play outside in the rain at home."

So, the next thing I know we are both skipping through the puddles in the walkway laughing.

You can find the magic at WDW- even on an otherwise not so magical day. The looks on your girls' faces as they see WDW itself, the characters, and ride some of the rides for the first time will probably make a lot of magic for you.

 

[ShannyMcB]

So many little moments....the sheer excitement on DS7's face when he got on an airplane for the first time and him singing "great big beautiful tomorrow" non-stop after his first viewing of Carousel of Progress. My mostly non-verbal DD (pre-augmented speech device) squealing "minnie" as a cavalcade went by and hopping out of her seat and touching Minnie's nose during a breakfast at topolinos. DS10 completely soaked in sweat with an ear to ear smile seeing a storm trooper in DHS and being picked to be on camera during laugh floor.

Full family pic (the 5 of us, my inlaws, BIL and niece) on main Street...we are all sweaty and squinting into the sun but it is one of my most treasured photos....

The magic is everywhere (much like life in general) if you open your eyes and ears to it.

 

[Threehearts]

You know what is magical? That you are such a great Mom and I'll bet you are a kind and thoughtful person as well.

Depression can seem and can be all consuming. You may be afraid that everything won't go perfectly after you have spent so much time planning this special trip. You probably are worried that there could be some disappointing moments. Here's the deal- no trip is perfect so give yourself a break. Your girls will have never seen anything like Disney World and they will love it. If things don't go exactly to plan, that's okay. There is always another great choice if your first plan ends up not working out. That's the beauty of Disney.

Give yourself permission to feel as you do right now. Of course, the timing is not great with your husband's job situation, but he will get another job and your family will survive this challenge. It sounds like you are expecting a lot of yourself and you've set the bar high for the vacation. Maybe take the next two weeks and just say no to things in your life that are causing you undue stress. Saying no when you are a yes person can be incredibly difficult but practice makes it easier.

You will have a wonderful trip. Your girls will remember it forever and you have made it all happen. I'm sure that I am speaking out of turn here but I want you to know that many people on these boards have experienced serious depression and they are reading your message and know where you are coming from. You have friends here even though you can't see their faces.

 

[DisneyMama811]

You know what is magical? That you are such a great Mom and I'll bet you are a kind and thoughtful person as well.

Depression can seem and can be all consuming. You may be afraid that everything won't go perfectly after you have spent so much time planning this special trip. You probably are worried that there could be some disappointing moments. Here's the deal- no trip is perfect so give yourself a break. Your girls will have never seen anything like Disney World and they will love it. If things don't go exactly to plan, that's okay. There is always another great choice if your first plan ends up not working out. That's the beauty of Disney.

Give yourself permission to feel as you do right now. Of course, the timing is not great with your husband's job situation, but he will get another job and your family will survive this challenge. It sounds like you are expecting a lot of yourself and you've set the bar high for the vacation. Maybe take the next two weeks and just say no to things in your life that are causing you undue stress. Saying no when you are a yes person can be incredibly difficult but practice makes it easier.

You will have a wonderful trip. Your girls will remember it forever and you have made it all happen. I'm sure that I am speaking out of turn here but I want you to know that many people on these boards have experienced serious depression and they are reading your message and know where you are coming from. You have friends here even though you can't see their faces.

thank you so much for this beautiful message. you are an angel on earth. thank you for making my day a little brighter

 

[Threehearts]

Of course. You would do the same for me had I written your post. It's so important to share struggles because overwhelming feelings can be isolating and the worry just gets greater. You've got this. Just don't forget to take care of you.

 

[glocon]

Our children hold a most special place in our hearts… they are our hearts.

Think about the joy they will have (that you and your DH are giving them) and that might brighten your day some.

WDW is the Most Magical Place on Earth!

 

[ucf_knight]

our trip is in 32 days. it's our girls (6&8) first time at WDW, their first time on a plane, our first family vacation since 2018. I've planned this trip to a T. literally every detail is taking care of from breakfast with Mickey to full on make overs at Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique.... and..... I'm not excited.

I'm currently suffering from an episode of major depression, my husband lost his job 3 weeks ago (thankfully we had already paid off the trip) it's not that I don't want to go, I just feel numb and detached from it all ... I need to relax and I know WDW is NOT a relaxing place to be..... I need to find that spark... that feeling you get when you see the castle for the first time and you're like this is it...this is home.


help me out and share some of your favourite experiences whether it was with a character, a cast member or just a really magical day

We had exceptional interactions with most every cast member we interacted with on our 3 day 2 night trip (specifically dining). All were great servers (whispering canyon, space 220, via Napoli). They paid special attention to the kids which we always appreciate but this trip just felt better. On my son’s birthday when going through the park with his birthday button we got free popcorn which he was over the moon about (he’s 9). The magic is there if you let it come to you. We let our kids pick the rides this trip (7 & 9) and just followed them around the parks much more relaxing than worrying about wait times, G+ and ILL’s. Don’t necessarily recommend that for everyone (we have AP’s so we can always come back). Enjoy your trip and good luck