I'm scared!

[jacs1234]

I'm scared that the Disney magic is all in my head.

I'm scared that the kids will argue and be constipated and totally grumpy and not feel the magic (or ruin it for us).

I'm scared that my mother will drive us crazy.

What if this trip isn't all I've dreamed it will be.

 

[Mum from oz]

Don't worry!!

Sure the kids will get grumpy, you will all get tired and well placed plans don't always go, well as planned. But. Remember you are in the happiest place on earth!! So just go with the flow

 

[BecBennett]

You'll be fine, just don't push anything. If the kids get grumpy take them back to the hotel for a swim/lay down etc.

If you let the holiday just happen it will be magical. Don't worry if you miss a parade, or have to go back to the hotel before the fireworks, just let what wants to happen happen

 

[WAMUMOF4]

I'm scared that the Disney magic is all in my head.

I'm scared that the kids will argue and be constipated and totally grumpy and not feel the magic (or ruin it for us).

I'm scared that my mother will drive us crazy.

What if this trip isn't all I've dreamed it will be.

On our first day at Disney we went to California Adventure and i can truly say when we left there i felt totally deflated thinking that all the Disney Magic was in my head that night we went back and went to Disneyland and I can say i was overwhelmed with emotion it was so beautiful and everything i had thought it would be and i am not ashamed to say that as i watched Tinkerbell fly over the castle for the first time i cried .

Yep our kids fought during our trip mostly in the motel room at the end of long days, but it was everything we expected it to be and more and to see the way the kids faces light up any time they see something Disney reminds me that the magic is not just in my head but we got them addicted to

Can't help you on the mother bit DH and I would never consider holidaying with our either of our Mothers

 

[jacs1234]

My mother is a fusser. She fusses over this and fusses over that, fusses over the kids not eating, fusses over their hair, fusses over their shoes. Dh and I are NOT fussers. I love my mum completely but the fussing gets too much. We're more like, "we're on holidays, I don't care if they don't eat all their carrots". She also moves stuff around the hotel rooms to tidy up, she's constantly picking up stuff and moving it, so when we go to find it it's gone. :lol: I can handle her cause she's my mum and I lived with her for over half my life, dh on the other hand will take more time to warm up.

We've also decided to split the kids up between adults to try to keep them away from each other. We have two that rarely fight, they're so easy going and pleasant, but then we have two that are fiesty and contantly and loudly fight. Those are the two we'll be splitting up. Fortunately we're staying in the view room at Carousel inn and it has 3 bedrooms and a lounge room. 5 year old feisty will be sleeping with my mum. 9 year old feisty will be on the pull out in the lounge or on a fold out in our room and easy going 11 year old and 7 year old will share another room.

I hope the plans we have put in place will work out.

And you're all totally right, I need to go with the flow and not go into this trip with my expections too high. Maybe if I go into it thinking it will be hellish, I'll get a nice surprise.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

If I were you, I would seriously consider having a quiet chat with your mum about your concerns, but in a kind way. Explain to her that you and DH have had a long discussion about your expectations regarding the children, their behaviour, eating habits etc and that you plan to be somewhat more relaxed than at home and that you hope she can assist and support you in that.

Explain that you want to make sure EVERYONE is having a great time and that everyone needs to be respectful of each other.

Maybe hold a family meeting. We kind of did that, but our main family motto was:-

• Have fun
• If something you are doing is making someone not have fun, then stop
• Listen and use your manners
• Have fun
• Hands off
• Have fun
• At least one piece of fruit and one vegetable per day
• Speak nicely
• Have fun

We also had discussed in the lead up about what an expensive thing a holiday like this was and how hard mummy and daddy had worked to take the kids on such a grand adventure. How lucky we all were to be going, how most kids don't get to do this sort of thing, yadda yadda yadda.

We of course only have 2 kids and I'm sure the dynamics of 4 kids is a whole other kettle of fish. It sounds like you have put some great plans in place to keep the rowdier ones separated so you are already ahead of the game.

And as for DISNEY MAGIC it totally exists. You can almost feel it and I actually think nighttime is when it is at its most special. Watching Wishes Fireworks is one of the most amazing experiences ever. My DH doesn't even like fireworks and he said "wow, now that was pretty great".

We did have a couple of times where my son was a handful, my DH was a bit annoying at times too but I just tried really hard not to dwell on it, to focus on my own experience as well because at the end of the day, all hell can be breaking loose around you but it's how you react to it and let it affect you that makes the difference. You will see the magic, without a doubt. I have no doubt that throughout the trip so will your children and DH and DM. But don't stress about it, just let it happen.

You lucky thing, I'm very jealous that I don't have a trip coming up.

 

[Sugarglider]

the only place magic exists is in your head.
remember some people love it and some people just don't get it (read: me - a lover! DH - doesn't get it He just sees a bunch of fake buildings and people in furry outfits )
So if you go looking for magic and interpret events as magical you will find it.
Treat your family with care and you'll see magic in return
Remember : you make your own experience so turn your magic seeking antenna on and have a great time

 

[brettystar]

Great thread OP.
I had looked forward to going to DL for yeeeeeeeeeeeeears before I finally got there at age 35. About four hours in I remember thinking 'OMG I can't believe this is it!?'. Our first ride was Indiana Jones and our second was the Jungle River Cruise (sorry if that is not the exact name - it escapes me at the moment) and the third was Winnie the Pooh.
However, sometime between the fourth and fifth hour some magic fairy dust must have been sprinkled because suddenly it was better than I ever expected. The next four days were some of the happiest of my life.
Looking forward to seeing how WDW is now. I have also been to DL again since the first trip and loved it.
I think that after having an idea in my head of how great I thought it was going to be for so long, nothing could have lived up to that. I know I was underwhelmed by the Indiana ride and it was our first ride - but then when we did it again the next day I loved it soooooooo much.
So relax, enjoy and have fun. Try to get your enjoyment from within, and not outside influences. Don't worry too much about all that could go wrong (though I tend to do similar myself).
Have an awesome trip!!!

 

[jacs1234]

I hope WDW is as magical for you as DL Brettystar.

 

[brettystar]

Thanks!! Me too

 

[shushh]

Having organised a Disney trip for the masses, I can certainly relate to worrying about others enjoying the Disney experience. It did take me 1-2 days to relax and start concentrating about my own experience. Let's face the truth, there will be some grumpiness, there will be some quibbles, there will moments of frustration but then there will be the priceless moments of joy and magic. And it is truly special and will make up for the other "bad" moments.

As the others have said, go with the flow and don't overthink it. Just enjoy it!

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

Having just recently returned from our DLR trip with 3 kids plus 2 grandparents I can really relate to some of your concerns.
I am the Disney addict in our family, DH humours me and it was the first time any of our kids had been to a theme park of any sort. Well I planned every detail of the trip, including a rough idea of what we would do each day, however a combination of Spring Break crowds, jet lag and non-cooperation from kids/grandparents meant that I had to let the plans go and just relax a bit more. We still had a fantastic trip, the kids learned the art of patience in the lines (no whinging allowed in the most magical place on earth!!) and my mum only made me cry once!
My advice is to have "the chat" with your kids about how lucky they are to have this holiday, don't expect much from your first day in the parks as you may all be very tired and don't take cranky mothers on Grizzly Rivers Run if they don't want to get wet!
I found the magic was in the little details, stop and enjoy the roaming entertainment, let the kids participate in the fun such as musical chairs with the Mad Hatter or the Jedi Training Academy.
Also set limits on what treats/shopping that the kids can do or give them their own money to spend, then hopefully they will not nag so much for all the extra's.
Have fun!