Just can't find that spark of excitement..

[Summer2018]

I was in your shoes and when I couldnt go to Disney I went somewhere else. BOY WAS MY EYES OPENED and I found a whole NEW level of spark and excitement. Breaking away FROM Disney is exactly what I NEEDED. Now, Im planning a Disney trip and while I dont think the excitement will ever be what it use to be (Ive realized planning was more of a job than an enjoyment now) its still fun.

If you want the Disney magic with very little planning, try Disneyland. It’s my favorite now.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I think I understand your mixed feelings. Does it help to know you are not alone? It is very different experience this past year and trying to figure out the return to normal probably will not ever happen.
I hope you can be brave for yourself and your family . It really does take one small step at a time for some while others take a giant leap!

 

[Grasshopper2016]

These past 15 months have taken a huge toll on us all. I totally hear what you’re saying.

Myself, I have been griping on these boards about the ways in which my upcoming trip is likely to be less magical than past ones. Yet I still find myself giddy with anticipation. We were very careful and cautious as a family throughout the pandemic. But now that we are all vaccinated, we are so, so ready to get back to our happy place—even if the experience is somewhat reduced.

But I agree with others that, if you’re not there yet, then maybe you should postpone. You can’t force happiness. Give yourself some time.

 

[auntlynne]

If you are a traveler, I would check into alternatives. Something you can research and experience the excitement of planning (that is a lot of the fun).

Can you travel within Canada? Ever visit British Columbia? Or the Maritimes?

Go when you have summer light. Up North, the light can be dreary in winter.

Get out of the house. Go where people are and build up your exposure to crowds.

Here’s hoping for positive days for you. Baby steps.

Let WDW settle into its next phase, especially after the craziness of the 50th. New rides are coming. EPCOT construction walls will come down. We’ll see what restaurants, shows, resorts survive.

And save up your money. It’s not getting cheaper.

 

[StarSeven7]

I live in Ontario as well and I totally get what you’re saying OP (and the PP who lives in Ontario too!) I heard someone say a month or two ago that everyone in Ontario has mild depression and that is SO true!! I don’t normally struggle with mental health and this has been the hardest year for me. I love to travel as well and have been planning and booking trips but there’s so much hanging over my head that I’m afraid to even get excited about them in case we have to cancel! I’m REALLY hoping that the next few months start to take a turn for the better, for good this time, and we can start to dream about the future again!!! Hang in there!!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I've been absent from the boards for a few months, earlier in the year I was eagerly planning a Disney vacation for our family of 4, then Ontario (where I live) hit another covid wave, things were getting worse by the day, and I started to give up hope that we would ever be able to go. I fell into a deep depression (mental health is a chronic issue for me) and stopped planning.

Things are opening up again now, most of the things on my "waiting til it comes back" list have returned to WDW, I'm fully vaccinated and my husband is partially. yet I can't find that excitement to start planning again, I just don't even care anymore and the thought of being surrounded by thousands of strangers sets my nerves on edge. I love Disney and I so badly want that spark of excitement to return so we can have that trip of a life time...I just don't know how to get it back again.

I'm from Ontario also and cannot say that I have depression, nor do many I know but I do know we've taken this situation more cautiously than other places have so we each need to do what we're comfortable with.

You'll know when you're ready OP. Can you book a short trip for a future date you're comfortable with and slowly start the planning process? The good thing is with Disney that if at any point it's too much you can just pull the plug and get your deposit back.

I've found it's been helpful to do things slowly and stop when we need to. Our trip is currently 8 weeks away but we're also aware that it still might not happen if we're not ready to go yet.

Hope you can find a way, when you're ready, to begin planning for Disney with excitement.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

I've been absent from the boards for a few months, earlier in the year I was eagerly planning a Disney vacation for our family of 4, then Ontario (where I live) hit another covid wave, things were getting worse by the day, and I started to give up hope that we would ever be able to go. I fell into a deep depression (mental health is a chronic issue for me) and stopped planning.

Things are opening up again now, most of the things on my "waiting til it comes back" list have returned to WDW, I'm fully vaccinated and my husband is partially. yet I can't find that excitement to start planning again, I just don't even care anymore and the thought of being surrounded by thousands of strangers sets my nerves on edge. I love Disney and I so badly want that spark of excitement to return so we can have that trip of a life time...I just don't know how to get it back again.

I agree with others suggesting trying a different/smaller trip first and seeing how that goes. But I would also say that if you're apprehensive about being in a crowd, I'd recommend waiting it out.

We are in a similar boat - I originally started planning a trip in July 2019 for last summer. We were watching vloggers weekly to see how the crowds and masking were going since the reopening. But recently we decided to cancel again and are now planning for August 2022.

I have enough of my planning completed, and I know so much will change by the time we go, so it's not worth stressing about it right now.

 

[TXRunner]

I understand too. I'm a sahm to 2 teens (one now leaving for college & the other 14) .. and vacation planning is usually one of my favorite activities. It's hard now coming off this pandemic - esp. since we don't really know whether it's over. I have underlying conditions but have been cleared for flying/activities as long as I mask indoors until transmission is a little lower. We are starting with canceled airfare from last year (we were headed to Vancouver that time so we've got Alaskan Air fare to use). We're doing a week in Seattle the end of next month. I figured hiking at Mount Rainier could be rejuvinating. I have Saratoga Springs Resort booked for next spring break - we used to go a lot when the kids were younger but haven't been in about 6-7 years so I'm really excited. We'll see how Seattle goes first, and hopefully that will make us comfortable to take on the bigger trip to FL. This whole covid thing has definitely been unnerving & everyone needs to restart activities again at their own pace. <3

 

[Bullseye]

We have been twice for twelve days each since last October and have had great trips both times. Lower crowds was worth the tradeoff of missing some events and wearing masks. Planning is actually easier since you only have to reserve parks instead of FP. The bare minimum you need to do is plan park days. As far as everything else goes you can wing it. Although, with limited restaurants ADR's are at a premium too.

 

[kylenne]

It’s not quite the same but I understand what you’re going through. My gf is from Ontario and the border situation and the mess the govt has made of the pandemic in general has meant I have not seen her in 15 months. I won’t lie, it’s been horrible. Technology helps, but only so much. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life though and being able to continue seeing my therapist via video chat has been a literal lifeline.

I actually got fully vaccinated fairly early on (2nd dose was on Valentine’s Day), and I was praying gf would be able to come for our trip that had already been postponed from last May. She couldn’t, of course, but insisted I go anyway. I was worried about a lot of things, but in the end Disney was just what I needed and I actually had one of the best trips ever. So much so that I’m doing another quick weekend down there for July 4th, literally just to see fireworks. The big trip with gf will be in October and I’m praying Canada gets its act together before then.

The entire world has gone through a mass trauma event, and it’s not over despite what some believe (or want to believe). It’s okay to not be okay--even people without a history of mental health challenges have been struggling, it’s gonna be worse for those of us lacking spoons to begin with. It’s okay to not be ready yet. As someone with a lot of brain stuff going on myself, something I’ve learned is that you gotta give yourself time and space to process what’s happening and grieve for things. It is very possible to have an amazing time right now but it’s admittedly not for everyone and if you’re not feeling it, please don’t have FOMO. Disney isn’t going anywhere and frankly the longer you wait, the more things will be back to normal.

 

[gharter]

We went in April and had a great time. Looking forward to our October trip.
But, if you are not ready to go, don't do it.
Really, simple as that.
From our trip, I was impressed at all the precautions Disney took to keep everyone safe. CMs and guests.

 

[disneyworldsk]

And here's a thought too: does there have to be a spark to reserve a room? maybe not....why does there always have to be magic in the air when you plan or book. it doesn't mean once you get there it won't be a positive experience. just different from what it was before. that's not a bad thing either.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I just don't know how to get it back again.

You don't have to know. If theres no joy here find what does bring you joy and do that. Rather than trying to put joy in joyless things, put yourself in the things that bring you joy. WDW isnt going anywhere...when you're ready you will be welcomed back with opened arms

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I will comment on the thousands of strangers part.

The only way to get back at feeling well about that, is actually putting yourself in the situation again.

About a month ago, I went somewhere where there was thousands of people indoors, unvaccinated, vaccinated, didn't matter. Not one mask in sight. It was my first time feeling pre pandemic with that many people maskless.

It felt weird for about an hour, then I just adjusted and it felt normal again. I was happy. From that point, I haven't worn the mask indoors anymore

Believe it or not, the planning of my upcoming trip actually also helped me feel excited, when I previously had none. In the end, follow your feelings and the time will eventually come where you will wanna plan your next magical vacation =]

This was me at Universal two weeks ago. I'm fully vaccinated and so is my husband. He's been going maskless at work the moment he was allowed, but I was still masking up and nervous going out. I wasn't sure how I'd handle Universal, but the trip was booked and paid in full. I didn't do a great deal of planning, which is not normal for me. I was surprised how quickly I adjusted to a very pre pandemic normal at Universal. I've been an anxious, obsessive compulsive hand washing, homebound mess since the pandemic started, and suddenly I was more or less ok maskless in massive crowds, even indoors. My husband just kept telling me leading up to the trip that I was vaccinated, and to have some faith in that.

We leave for Disney in 31 days, and I'm in full on excited prep mode.

 

[Beer Me]

We had been planning a big trip for this summer before covid hit. Now I’m not sure when - or even if - we will be back although I’ve finally started to think about.

It still doesn’t seem fun to me yet. And when I checked resort rates recently - omg - it just makes it more depressing.

I’ll reevaluate every so often. In the meantime there are plenty of other things to do.

 

[MomOTwins]

We went in April and had a great time. Looking forward to our October trip.
But, if you are not ready to go, don't do it.
Really, simple as that.
From our trip, I was impressed at all the precautions Disney took to keep everyone safe. CMs and guests.

Yeah, but all of those precautions are gone now. I know the precautions were never foolproof to begin with, but it certainly helped. Sounds like that is what's bugging OP and I feel the same--too much too soon. We booked before the precautions are lifted, and are DVC members whose points will expire if we don't go. I would have just banked the points to next year had I known there would be no masks and distancing, but our banking deadline passed before they announced the mask policy change. I was a little naive and felt sure that Disney would at least keep some basic precautions in place while kinds under 12 cannot be vaccinated, since it is a family vacation destination. Now I feel a bit like the rug has been pulled out from under me, but we'd be giving up thousands of dollars worth of points if we cancelled.

I go up and down. Some days I'm so excited to be going back to our happy place, other days I'm horribly nervous and questioning if I'm a terrible mother putting my kids in harm's way.

I will 100% be wearing a mask on our trip and so will the kiddos. It's also helpful to know a lot of people are going to be vaccinated and so the virus likely won't be circulating at the same levels it was on our last trip. DH is the opposite, he couldn't be happier to ditch the mask. I won't go so far as the others who say "don't go"--I think there's a middle ground to be had if you wear a protective mask and try to hang back a bit from the party in front of you in the lines. If people creep up behind us in lines I might say "would you be willing to step back just a bit" and hope they see we have kids and masks and are understanding. Never understood the desire to pack in like sardines anyway--there are many times when I would have welcomed a bit of breathing room even before Covid happened.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Yeah, but all of those precautions are gone now. I know the precautions were never foolproof to begin with, but it certainly helped. Sounds like that is what's bugging OP and I feel the same--too much too soon. We booked before the precautions are lifted, and are DVC members whose points will expire if we don't go. I would have just banked the points to next year had I known there would be no masks and distancing, but our banking deadline passed before they announced the mask policy change. I was a little naive and felt sure that Disney would at least keep some basic precautions in place while kinds under 12 cannot be vaccinated, since it is a family vacation destination. Now I feel a bit like the rug has been pulled out from under me, but we'd be giving up thousands of dollars worth of points if we cancelled.

I go up and down. Some days I'm so excited to be going back to our happy place, other days I'm horribly nervous and questioning if I'm a terrible mother putting my kids in harm's way.

I will 100% be wearing a mask on our trip and so will the kiddos. It's also helpful to know a lot of people are going to be vaccinated and so the virus likely won't be circulating at the same levels it was on our last trip. DH is the opposite, he couldn't be happier to ditch the mask. I won't go so far as the others who say "don't go"--I think there's a middle ground to be had if you wear a protective mask and try to hang back a bit from the party in front of you in the lines. If people creep up behind us in lines I might say "would you be willing to step back just a bit" and hope they see we have kids and masks and are understanding. Never understood the desire to pack in like sardines anyway--there are many times when I would have welcomed a bit of breathing room even before Covid happened.

I'm thinking of getting an n95 mask for my almost 3 year old to wear in some inside crowded situations. Outside she will be maskless. Everyone has their own comfort level with covid and their children. I take solace knowing that it is a very mild disease for most young children, but also always have that thought of my child falling into the very miniscule percentage of severe illness. Then I tell myself I can't continue to live indefinitely afraid of small what-ifs. And the thought pattern repeats.

Since the Universal trip though, I've become very comfortable maskless in public, and only worry that I'm making others uncomfortable. Though I'm also hyper aware of people coughing and sneezing now, and try to move quickly away from them if I can. I keep tabs on the Delta variant, but so far I'm still feeling comfortable going to Disney the beginning of August.

 

[DisneyMama811]

popping back in to say thank you everyone for your thoughtful, gentle responses. I'm sorry I haven't been responding. I'm having a bad week. I really appreciate every single one of you taking the time to answer my question and not dismiss my concerns. Thank you xx

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

I love Disney and I so badly want that spark of excitement to return so we can have that trip of a life time...I just don't know how to get it back again.

I feel this so much, but honestly my lack of excitement stems less from covid concerns than it does general Disney concerns. While my family has been very covid-conscious since the beginning (we are in a highly populated area that was hit hard early on, and I gave birth at the height of it all), we are slowly getting comfortable with different scenarios, and our next trip isn't for another 10 months or so. We are vaccinated and I feel like we have time to get back to a point where we can fully enjoy Disney without any kind of worry. I'm not worried about crowds or covid at that point - I am trying to be realistic about the very low transmission rate at this point, and to not let my anxiety get the better of me.

I think what is dampening my excitement is how much Disney seems to be changing. I've always loved the planning, it's half the fun for me. So right now it's hard to plan due to all the changes, so right off the bat there's that. But above that is the fact that Disney just seems less magical than it used to be, what with all the cuts and the direction they seem to be going. It's making me far less excited. No Magical Express. No included magic bands. No EMH unless you're a deluxe/dvc guest (which we actually are, so this should make me happy, but it just feels yucky to me). I'm worried about the future of fastpass+, which is a huge component of how we make our trips enjoyable.

So we are booked, we are going, but my excitement level is so far below what it normally is.

 

[mala55]

I know how you feel. In the past, the excitement for me was always in the planning and seeing how happy my family was with the results of that planning. Now, I just can’t motivate to plan, especially when what we can do is limited. We cancelled a trip in 2020 and rescheduled for Nov 2021. I just can’t get excited. My family isn’t getting excited either. I think we all got complacent with the new way of living in the pandemic shut down, that now we just can’t restart our motors to do more than our day to day routine. The thought of crowds at concerts, fireworks and amusement parks, etc. just is not appealing, even without Covid. I guess we got used to a simpler way of life. As previous posters mentioned, we are coming out of a collective traumatic life event and probably are all a bit depressed or blue. I’m probably going to cancel our November trip and wait until we are itching to go and are excited again. Also, the cost of WDW now is pretty much prohibitive. I’m sure the prices won’t decrease, but we need to be super excited to justify.