I've hit a slump in the holiday planning

[CJ2001]

I think I started planning this trip way too early cause I've now lost the excitement. We are now down to 3 months & 18 days & my kids seem to have forgotten that we are going to the USA!

And right now I'm more focused on losing the 10 kilos that I should of lost 7 months ago! And I'm thinking that I'm not going to shed that in 3 months *sigh*

I've started reading travel brochures again to try & get me motivated and excited again.

I've pretty much finalised all the plans just need to pay (and find) the money for few things.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

It happens to all of us at some point, you will get your excitement back probably as it gets a bit closer.

 

[Tashinwdw]

try to get the kids excited with a countdown calendar, that might help. It depends on their ages, after me telling them how many days to go from 399 days, my DD and DS now have it on their phones and Ipods and remind us all every day how long to go. my kids are aged between 10 - 15

They also had a jar of jelly beans with the amount of beans represented how many days until we leave. which they loved, but they got it at christmas and only 2 have the right amount left in it..... they do enjoy pulling them out and counting to see who is actually eating to many etc.

I also give them a different coupon each month for an item at WDW (got them on the disboards) and they get excited each month to see what new treat they can have.

I find now and again I get a bit flat with the holiday but unlike you I still have so much to pay for and book. Which is a pain as I have it all planned out and then because I have not booked it I keep doing other research and finding other things that I would like to do and then I realise 6 weeks there is just not long enough.

 

[PrincessInOz]

3 months is that kinda of point. Too far to become really excited about the trip but close enough to feel the pressure of getting things sorted out.


I know you said you had everything sorted out. I would probably go back and take a close look at your itinerary and review your plans just to make sure it makes sense. I usually create a daily plan at this stage of my planning activities so that I have a back-up of all my reservation numbers, hotel addresses, tour plans etc. Because DH has specific dietary requirements, I'm also researching possible places to eat and putting down at least 2 - 3 options on the daily plan where we could eat for B, L and D as a 'just in case'.


My DS doesn't get as excited about a holiday as I do; so I don't bother too much about keeping his anticipation levels at a high too much. He normally feels really excited about a week beforehand.


Have fun with the countdown!

 

[CJ2001]

try to get the kids excited with a countdown calendar, that might help. It depends on their ages, after me telling them how many days to go from 399 days, my DD and DS now have it on their phones and Ipods and remind us all every day how long to go. my kids are aged between 10 - 15

They also had a jar of jelly beans with the amount of beans represented how many days until we leave. which they loved, but they got it at christmas and only 2 have the right amount left in it..... they do enjoy pulling them out and counting to see who is actually eating to many etc.

I also give them a different coupon each month for an item at WDW (got them on the disboards) and they get excited each month to see what new treat they can have.

I find now and again I get a bit flat with the holiday but unlike you I still have so much to pay for and book. Which is a pain as I have it all planned out and then because I have not booked it I keep doing other research and finding other things that I would like to do and then I realise 6 weeks there is just not long enough.

They are all good ideas will have to try them. My kids are same age 11 & turning 13 in 2 months. My daughter turns 13 a month before we leave so it will be good & interesting to be on holiday together!

 

[CJ2001]

3 months is that kinda of point. Too far to become really excited about the trip but close enough to feel the pressure of getting things sorted out.


I know you said you had everything sorted out. I would probably go back and take a close look at your itinerary and review your plans just to make sure it makes sense. I usually create a daily plan at this stage of my planning activities so that I have a back-up of all my reservation numbers, hotel addresses, tour plans etc. Because DH has specific dietary requirements, I'm also researching possible places to eat and putting down at least 2 - 3 options on the daily plan where we could eat for B, L and D as a 'just in case'.


My DS doesn't get as excited about a holiday as I do; so I don't bother too much about keeping his anticipation levels at a high too much. He normally feels really excited about a week beforehand.


Have fun with the countdown!

Thanks, so true about the pressure of getting sings sorted.

I'm concentrating on New York now, trying to work out maps & subway maps to get more organised.

 

[LisaAJ]

This is one of the reasons I haven't told my kids yet. They would definitely have lost interest by now!

I remember the last time I went (pre-kids) being so excited until about 3 months before and then I didn't get excited again until I was on the plane!

The problem with Aussie Disney trips is that we have to plan them so far in advance! It's natural that the excitement will wear off.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I'm hoping it's natural as I've also hit a bit of a slump.

Apart from some Disneyland bookings which I can't make yet, all I really have left is the boring task of saving and converting spending money and paying off my December cruise. Because of that, my mind has started wandering to a trip I want to do a full 2 1/2 years from now.

It seems so wrong to be dreaming about a trip that I want to do way in the future when I have two upcoming holidays planned this year, but I guess that's the effects of being a serial planner.

Half the excitement is in the decision-making process. So when all decisions have been made, and the fun bookings have been locked in, all I am left with is the wait. This is the point where I hit a bit of a slump. This is until about a month before the trip when I will start getting super excited again, as well as a bit panicky that I have forgotten all the info I researched 9+ months ago.

DH and DS have never been particularly interested in my travel planning, so I guess I'm kind of used to the fact that I can't turn to them to prop up my excitement levels.

 

[BecBennett]

The planning is the best thing about the wait. If you've finished planning it's only natural to get bored with the wait.

Good luck losing those 10kg. You can do it!

 

[CJ2001]

Glad Im not the only one, was worried that I was going to feel like this on holiday!

 

[CJ2001]

The planning is the best thing about the wait. If you've finished planning it's only natural to get bored with the wait.

Good luck losing those 10kg. You can do it!

Thank you