I feel kind of sad!

[chimo2u]

All this planning and anticipation....and it's FINALLY here....My 14 yo son /almost 15...(he'll be 15--beginning of March) ...and I leave in only 3 days for our long-anticipated Mom n' Son trip. (5 days WDW, 3 days Universal)....For some reason, I am having a hard time feeling the excitement and happiness, in fact, I feel on the verge of tears at times!
I know this is my last trip for a long while (at least another 5 yrs.)....and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to share time with just my son and I in such a manner.
Why can't I catch the excitement again? I don't want to feel sad, or depressed!! This is the time we've been anxiously counting down to for soooo long!!
I just don't want it to be over. I have loved having this trip to look forward to, and it is finally, almost D Day! I need to get some happiness back!!
~ Marie

 

[LSUfan4444]

You think you're sad now. Wait till you get back and come to the Dis for the first time. We got back on 1/15 after a 8 day trip and today is the first day I could muster the strength to come back.

I need to find out when I can go back.

 

[LaurenT]

It sounds like you're sad because, since it's almost here, it's also almost over. An understandable dilemma!
What you need to do is start a plan for the next special thing you're going to do. Have something to replace the anticipation of thi trip, no matter how small a thing or when it will happen, just make sure it's something you'll love.....and love looking forward to!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I am like that too. As long as I have something planned or something to look forward to I am fine, but if I don't it gets me down. Our trip is a little over three months away and while I want to go, I am not rushing it. I enjoy the planning stage of it just as much as the trip. I know we will not be going next year, we are doing a cruise, but we will return in 2013 once everything is finished there.

OP, once you get there you will be excited again, and when you get home find something to focus on that you are looking forward to. Even if it's just a weekend away somewhere or a special day.

 

[sparks19]

I agree with LaurenT. I think it's the idea that since it's almost here it's also almost over. Once you get there you guys are going to have a wonderful time and you'll be happy. but I understand the pang of sadness too.

Just try to plan something... even just a night out to a movie together or something to do just mom and son so you have that to look forward to when you get back

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I always freak out before a vacation, have nightmares, worry that I will be miserable, etc. I think it is my natural way of 'preparing' for the worst. So when it isn't horrible, it ends up being awesome! I can deal with not getting a fastpass on Soarin because the worst didn't happen. Not sure what your reasons are for being sad before your trip, but many folks feel nervous, upset, sad, worried, etc. before a vacation. Just think how awesome it will be when you aren't waiting for that day to come but you are on vacation! And if you do end up being sad, put on a happy face - it helps

 

[Agri]

All this planning and anticipation....and it's FINALLY here....My 14 yo son /almost 15...(he'll be 15--beginning of March) ...and I leave in only 3 days for our long-anticipated Mom n' Son trip. (5 days WDW, 3 days Universal)....For some reason, I am having a hard time feeling the excitement and happiness, in fact, I feel on the verge of tears at times!
I know this is my last trip for a long while (at least another 5 yrs.)....and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to share time with just my son and I in such a manner.
Why can't I catch the excitement again? I don't want to feel sad, or depressed!! This is the time we've been anxiously counting down to for soooo long!!
I just don't want it to be over. I have loved having this trip to look forward to, and it is finally, almost D Day! I need to get some happiness back!!
~ Marie

Hee! We're leaving soon, too. =)

My advice is a bit different. My mom and I always have a bit of a slump before we have to go. For us, its because there is so much to do before we can leave and the knowledge that now that its here, it'll be over soon. This trip is also our last for awhile (maybe even the last for my mom depending on her health). I think when it gets close to the trip you end up focusing on the downside of planning - getting all the laundry done, packing, figuring out who is going to bring in the mail, and all the other little details that aren't fun to deal with. The 'fun' planning is over and you're stuck with the mundane details and taking care of them.

I would suggest going over your current plans again. If you're into food, look at the menus and think about how great it will be to eat there. If you're into rides - think about how great it will be to go on your favorites again. Think about what pictures you want to take, what souvenirs you want to get, etc.

At least, that's what I do when I get into the pre-trip slump.

 

[bjakmom]

Just remember to enjoy/relish every moment of it - you are making such precious memories
Just reading your post brings back the memory of my last mr/son trip with my DS(now 22) the summer he was 14. We also did WDW and Universal. I remember that after the 1st day or two, he completely gave up his 'teen veneer' from home and he would openly walk with his arm around me LOL - and we laughed and laughed out loud - not something he did at home much during those teen years (he does again now, though). We had so much fun riding all the coasters and he even indulged me a few pictures with the characters. He went again with us for his 16th b'day, but brought a friend and DH was along too - so although it was a wonderful trip, our trip alone was a treasure trove of little moments/memories for me - ones I love having now that he is in school so far away.
Hopefully your magic and joy will return when you get there with him - enjoy it!

 

[honeydiane1953]

All this planning and anticipation....and it's FINALLY here....My 14 yo son /almost 15...(he'll be 15--beginning of March) ...and I leave in only 3 days for our long-anticipated Mom n' Son trip. (5 days WDW, 3 days Universal)....For some reason, I am having a hard time feeling the excitement and happiness, in fact, I feel on the verge of tears at times!
I know this is my last trip for a long while (at least another 5 yrs.)....and this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to share time with just my son and I in such a manner.
Why can't I catch the excitement again? I don't want to feel sad, or depressed!! This is the time we've been anxiously counting down to for soooo long!!
I just don't want it to be over. I have loved having this trip to look forward to, and it is finally, almost D Day! I need to get some happiness back!!
~ Marie

I had the SAME thing happen to me last trip. I did somewhat cheer up but come to find out I was sick a couple of days while down there. All the planning, anticipating and now all that's over. We all can relate.

 

[larryz]

Just think about how much fun it will be to come back on the DIS and tell us how wonderful your trip was!

Plan now to scrapbook or otherwise document your trip -- makin' memories!

Visualize yourself getting in line, then boarding, then riding your favorite rides.

Watch a couple of YouTube videos of rides you love.

Read more DIS!

 

[dntd]

I feel the same way when I think of my next big family vacation.next year we are going to go to florida on a road trip hopefully to celebrate my graduation. My eldest will be 15 almost 16, after that who knows if he'll want to come on vacations with us.Will the family ever be the same? I mean hopefully he will go off to collage and such by the time he's 20.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's a very normal feeling; you are not alone. Don't worry, it will be totally OK.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

I know what you mean. On our way to Orlando on our last trip I told my DH that I was a little sad that the day finally arrived, and he thought I was nuts. I told him the reason was that time flys when you're having fun and I know we'll have fun, so It will be over before you know. Sure enough it was. Now I'm planning our next 2 trips, a weekend in Sept and another 8 day trip 10/12. I also have to plan for a 4 day camping trip this spring.

Yes it will be over before you know it, yes you will have fun, yes you will probably be some what depressed when you get back, but you also get to start planning your next trip when you get back. You get to start thinking about what you forgot to do on this trip that you wanted to do, or you didn't have enough time to do it in and start looking forward to that. I started planning my next trip while I was at The Poly, DH was taking a nap so I started taking notes, making a budget, making a list of what I wanted to do next time, things like that. You always have another trip to look forward to.

 

[Kay1]

Part of it could be simple stress, too. Try to think about something else for a little while. It's a major trip that took a lot of planning and when it's right on top of you , it's a little stressful.

You'll have fun once you're there and settled in. Have a wonderful time.

 

[carrie1626]

Is it because your DS is growing up and you realize this WDW trip isn't going to be the "same".

Don't let that get you down. You're both going to have a wonderful time. Just let it happen

And please post here and update us

 

[::Snow_White::]

I felt this way on our trip last year. I was so excited for the months leading up to the trip and when the day finally came and we were set off driving towards Orlando I felt extremely sad. Just the fact that I knew soon the trip would be over and it would be at least another year before I would get to come back made me feel horrible. I think it's normal.

As we approached our resort and checked in, I felt overjoyed! I'm sure you'll be having so much fun that you won't even think about it anymore once you arrive. Have a good trip!

 

[ben1993]

Like everyone else says, It alsmos tbeing here means it's almost over. but don't feel sad, as much fun as the Trip planning is, the actual TRIP is what you've been waiting for! Enjoy it, Cherish it, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

 

[MadiPan]

Just think - you and your favorite person, your son, walking up Main Street. The happy music is playing and you just feel like skipping. You can now smell the goodies from the Bakery and the castle is coming into view. You rush rush rush across the park to get to your favorite ride (Peter Pan's Flight, for me!) and you're on in no time!

I understand the sad feeling, totally. But the joy that comes from WDW will trump the gloom in a millisecond - just you wait and see!

 

[chimo2u]

Finally! I have a minute to sit and write to you all..... Thanks so, so much for all the wonderful responses! They where just what I needed to remember the reason I wanted this trip in the first place...To make lasting and wonderful memories with my son! He is coming into his own and becoming more independent by the day, but I am a lucky mom, because my almost-15yr-old son will still walk hand in hand with me, put his arm around me, hug me, kiss me and generally just like to be with me!!! I want to cherish that a little while longer! that's why this trip will be so special for us.

Thank you for helping me put a smile in my heart again, and find the happiness that was lacking there for a few days! YES, the feelings of gloominess where because I have been looking forward to this for so long, and I really don't want it to be over. But, I am going to take the time to slow down and just enjoy my boy!

My next WDW trip will be very different when it happens -- it will be a couple's only trip with just my hubby and I for our 25th wedding anniversary (in another 5 yrs.)..... so even though it will be awhile inbetween trips for me, I will at least, be back to Disney again one day!!

Thanks to my Dis friends for making me see through my sadness and get that spark of excitement again!

~ Marie

 

[My Grandpa]

I agree with everyone else ,,, and have had that feeling. But when you get on the bus at the airport the magic starts to come back.

Be prepared for one more sad moment early in the trip ... when you arrive at the resort you will see someone leaving and you'll think "oh no ... that will be us in 5 short days!" Then it will pass because your days at WDW and Universal are gonna be awesome!!!

Last thing as a Dad and a Grandpa .... go with the flow ... you and your son will find a lifetime of memories in the least expected places. There will be a day in the future when you or he will say something in reference to your trip together and will laff about something only the two of you know ... and no amount of planning or fretting now will make those memories happen, they just will. Have Fun!!!