how close to departure day does the dream become the reality?

[newholidayx2]

ok so we make plans make more plans change the plans and dream about our vacations
when does it feel more like reality? like youre really going? another 4 wks and I'll be there! and i think its gonna go fast - does it seem that way to you too - that time drags and all of a sudden its on time warp? (never mind the super time warp once we get there)

 

[Marilou]

It totally seems real when I start packing!!! (which I start way too early) We are going June/July so during April vaca we do a big shopping trip for new clothes for the kiddos (nothing fits from last yr) and brand new snaekers for all 4 of us so we can break em in before our trip. Found out the hard way last yr when DD hadn't worn her sneakers enuff and we found she got wicked blisters from them by our 2nd day hoofing it around the parks.
So we have reality in stages:
1) When we officially book
2) when EMH is posted , I make itinerary
3) shopping trip for clothes & shoes
4) TIME TO PACK!!!

 

[LoriMistress]

Normally, for big trips (but expecially DLR/WDW), the build up and the antisipation of being at WDW takes awhile for me to let it "sink in". I was excited throughout the past several days, the day of--the night of and not getting any sleep, going on the plane, arriving at our hotel, visiting DTD, and getting ready to go to Epcot on our first day. Finally reality kicked in for me--I was finally on vacation. After months of planning and preparing I'm finally at the happiest place in the world. I remember that moment and I started to get teary eyed and I was completely happy because DH and I were finally on our honeymoon...we were at WDW!!!

 

[DisneyObsessive]

i totally agree, marilou. When i start packing, it REALLY hits me. But i like to do thinks periodically to get the excitement going. Like just got the planning DVD about a month ago, and just ordered some custom maps... getting these things here and there keep up the anticipation (as if its needed!). But yeah, when i start packing, when istart planning when i have to wake up for flight, what time i have to be at the airport, etc...

 

[fla4fun]

Most of the time I'm driving to Disney straight from work, so it doesn't hit me until I'm pulling up to the guard gate at the resort and they ask for my name. Then checking in takes me one more level removed from the real world, and by the time the car is unloaded and I've settled in, I'm in a totally magical place!

 

[dsnymomof4]

For months, it seems like it is so far away. Then, all of a sudden, we're down to single digits - and I still have so much to do! Every time it seems to sneak up on me. So, with all of the getting ready and doing things at the last minute, it really doesn't sink in that we're actually GOING u ntil we're in the car on the way to the airport. Oh, the anticipation!

 

[suzimar57]

when it's down to 2 weeks before, that's when the excitement really starts for me! (after waiting and planning and watching the countdown slooooowwwwly go down)

so - i've got a long wait still....

 

[bluwater]

I leave this Tuesday and it DOES feel real now....and time is starting to go faster, rather than slower. I have some last minute running around to do to get ready...and now I wonder how I'll squeeze it all in.

I'm starting to dream about the trip. Last night, I dreamed that TGM was operating a popcorn stand at my resort and when I walked up, he knew who I was and handed me a bag of gold coins. I asked what they were for and he said I could insert them into FASTPASS machines and get FASTPASSes all day long....no waiting.

The dream just got more weird after that.

Back to reality...

We watched the Travel Channel almost all day, while doing laundry and packing. It was a pefect way to celebrate the beginning of the 48 hr countdown!!