How to manage my HIGH expectations?

[sharona]

It's hard to enjoy yourself when you're worried about and feel responsible for the enjoyment of everyone else. Just relax and be in the moment, it will be so much better this time!!!

 

[Karin1984]

How about booking a spa treatment for some quality time with yourself halfway through the trip? If your husband and in-laws are there to take care of the children, you can take a step back, relax and recharge.

(Or maybe with your daughter and / or your mother-in-law?)

 

[kj2mom]

I took my twins when they turned 5 and I just made the trip as much about them as possible. If they wanted to ride then we rode, if they didn't or if I thought something would frighten them then we skipped it (I was the only adult with them though so couldn't do any kind of swap or trade off or anything). Eating was key for us as well. They no longer napped so that wasn't an issue but if I didn't get them food at the right time I was in trouble. They are 13 now and I still remember my son's meltdown while we were in line for lunch at Epcot, yup I missed the window by just that much! Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and go with the flow! We just got back from a trip last month (the first one since their 5 year old trip) and it was fantastic, a different kind of fantastic than when they were 5 for sure as we went on everything together and they loved all of the things we avoided way back then.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

When you start to get miserable dump the kids with dad and run for a Margarita because you deserve it. Kids that age love water. If it's bad run them to TL or BB. You can't not have fun there.

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

The first thing you should do is stop reading those complaint threads! Some people look for things to hate and they can really bring you down. It's true that Disney may not be for everyone, but... well, I'll stop there.

Kids' ages can make a huge difference. Realistic expectations can as well, and it sounds like you have a better idea of what your family can and can't do this trip. Most importantly, take your trip with the singular goal of having a great time with your family -- and nothing more -- and you'll find that the Disney magic starts to do it's stuff when you least expect it!

 

[fla4fun]

There's a big difference between having a great trip and having a "perfect" trip. Some of my best trips were the ones with the unplanned surprises. So long as you are willing to change plans on the fly if necessary, you have the makings of a great trip. It's trying to have a "perfect " trip that can make you miserable.

 

[robndani]

I would also just want to spend all day at SAB! We were there with our almost 5 year old twins this past September and we kept pushing back fast passes and reservations just to hang by the pool! As long as we made it Food and Wine and they got tomgomtomthe Kids Club, we were all happy! Enjoy!

 

[DisneyGirl4Ever!]

Just focus on having lots of fun and don't expect everything to be perfect!

 

[scoobygrl79]

I am really, really, really looking forward to our Disney trip in Sept. Like, really looking forward to it. I have been looking forward to it since I started saving the week we came back from our last one in Oct 2013. This is our do-over trip.

My husband, daughter, and in-laws loved the last trip, the other family members were neutral, and the twins and I were relatively miserable (except in AK, because the twins loved it.) My twins were about to turn three and EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE was difficult with them. Why I thought Disney would be different, I don't know. All they liked in MK (where we spent 3 days) was the carousel. Dealing with their naps was torturous and involved walking the parks with them in the strollers because they would not nap in the resort. I never relaxed because I was always worried about everyone else having a good time, getting fed, napped, etc.

This trip I have learned from the last one, planned better, and the kids are much, much, much easier in every way possible. I am in a better place mentally, and I really just want to have a magical time.

Reading the thread about regretting trips, though, has me very nervous. I will just be so, so sad if we do not enjoy ourselves this time after two years of planning.

I am going in expecting rain every day, it being way too hot, the kids wanting to do nothing but swim in SAB, but I am still really looking forward to it and think it will be magical.

Are my expectations too high? I just picture us wandering around (with a plan in place, but able to be discarded), having fun and relaxing. Could it happen?

I can definitely relate to how you feel. I am not sure if it has something to do with having a handful of little ones or if it is our personalities, but I actually come back feeling like I need a vacation after my vacation. I think if you just try to not work so hard at making sure everyone ELSE is having a good time, things might be easier. I have to say that MY 3 are a bit older (4/6/8) and are still such the handful (if only they would get hungry, eliminate, and become cranky all in sync...what a wonderful world it would be ), so they won't make the difference anytime soon . Also, practice makes perfect. The more you go, the more you'll be victorious!

 

[Paigesmom2013]

I'd say split off from the inlaws some times. It's hard enough for me to keep my two kids and hubby happy. If I had to worry about the grandparents too, I'd lose it. I second the YouTube videos suggestion. My daughter watches YouTube kids like it's her job!

 

[juliekzp]

I always have the most trouble the first day there - I've been so excited, and I want to get so much done and start having a magical time RIGHT AWAY, but something doesn't go as planned, and I get pissy. For our next trip, I'm planning a very laid back first day to help counteract that. So my advice is to start slow!