How to handle pre-WDW stress?

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

How do you all handle the pre-trip stress?

I have read these boards every single day, I have studied my guide books relentlessly, and I am planning what to pack. I am watching the extended forecast. I have obsessed over every detail, and now I am losing my grip!

I can't remember half of the things I wanted to remember (what to see, where to look to see it) and I'm sure I'll forget the other half soon. I am having nightmares (literally) about getting to the parks with no passes and no money, being dropped at an off-site resort and stranded (although the decor was lovely and they left me a towel platypus), and more that I don't remember at the moment.

Does everybody freak out as the time draws near? What do you do to keep from being a basket case?

 

[MagicKingdom05]

If you worry about stuff that won't happen then you are going to be a wreck during your vacation. You will do just fine. If you are really worried about leaving tickets and stuff like that make an envelope for each person and in the morning make sure everyone has there ticket, collect them once they are in, put them back in the envelope and then re-give them out the next morning.

 

[Cookie Princess]

Each year I keep a small Disney spiral notebook that I add things to so I don't need to try and remember everything. When I learn something interesting from this board or anywhere else, I add it to the notebook. I also put in tips from the previous year's visit that I might forget in 365 days (things that we liked and things that didn't go so well). I hope this helps!

 

[jtdl]

I was getting kinda like you, obsessing over this trip and then thinking something had to go wrong. Well, when the EMH changed and they came out with the MYW passes, I was devasted - there went all my careful, year long planning. Then I thought, why am I doing this? So what if the EMH have changed, I'm gonna keep my plans the way they are and if things aren't perfect crowd-wise at the park - who cares, we're on vacation and can only do what can be done. So I've changed my way of thinking, I'm still doing my research and planning, but I'm gonna have fun too.

Whenever I see a tip or something I may want to remember I cut and paste it into a Word document and then print them all out periodically, scratch out the ones I don't want and keep all the sheets in a binder. I plan to read over them all a couple days before leaving and then again the night before going to each park (I have them categorized by park, planning, dining, etc). As for the tickets and such, I have a PassPorter with pockets for each day and that's where everything is.

Calm down, relax and have fun

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I like the idea of a little notebook. I don't think my computer skills are advanced enough to do a cut & paste document in a reasonable amount of time - better to just jot it down on paper.

I do have all of the tickets and confirmations and PS numbers and everything in a big envelope. I will be in charge of the envelope and it's contents for the trip. Most of the funds we have set aside are in cash and Disney Dollars. We should probably get some traveler's checks just to cut down on the amount of cash we are carrying. I know the room has a safe, but I would be more comfortable locking up traveler's checks than I would be with cash. Also, if we can't get into our room when we first arrive we will end up taking it all to the park with us the first day. Yes, definitely need to go to the bank for traveler's checks!

I tend to be a very high stress person when a major event is coming up. I guess I just didn't think I would be having nightmares almost two weeks prior to departure! I can just imagine what they will be like over the next 10 days!

 

[bdcp]

I would definitely get traveler's checks if you're planning on paying with cash. If you lose that envelope, everything would be replaceable except the cash. Make sure you keep all your receipts for tickets, etc in a separate location so you would be able to replace your park tickets. We always use credit or debit cards on trips so we don't have to deal with large amounts of cash or bother with traveler's checks. A lot of people's trips have been ruined by losing their cash because it was kept in one place. My dh and I usually split the cash we're carrying if it's more than $100 or so. You both won't lose your wallets. Also, use the room safe for anything of value that could easily "walk" away. The safe's are secure. I've never heard of anyone taking one from a room since they tend to be bolted to the floor.

 

[roadtripper]

Three words-- Disney Vacation Club. I worked myself into a frenzy on our first (and I thought, only trip) to Disney. I wasn't sleeping (even when we were there) and couldn't eat. I wanted everything to be perfect. Then DH said, why don't we join DVC?? Once I knew we would go more often, I chilled out and enjoyed the rest of the trip. Try to take a DVC tour if you can squeeze it in-- it literally changed our lives, and now we've been five times in four years--much less pressure for everything to be perfect. Have fun!

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

I also cut and paste tips and such into word documents. At first I had one document then I split them into five documents; one for each park and one for resorts and everything else!! I have quite a lot of things in each document!! Still undecided on which bldg to request at POP 50's or 70's . . . ???!!! I've got time!! I already know which parks we are going on which days . . . I think!!! Relax, everything will fall into place!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I requested 50's, but we'll see what we end up with. Rumor has it the entire resort is booked solid for the days we are there, so I guess we will take whatever is available and be glad we have a room!

Ideally we would like to have non-smoking, 2 double beds, 50's, fourth floor, lake view, end room. Someone said it is helpful to list your preferences in descending order. Not that it will help if there are very few rooms open, but it can't hurt!