Leaving in 72 hrs and just dont care

[SmoothDisneyH2O]

7 months ago when I planned this trip I was so excited I couldnt sleep, I was constantly on youtube watching videos of DL and was always on this website. 7 months ago I ate, drank, slept and dreamt DL. Now theres less than 72 hrs until we fly out and to be honest with you Im just not excited anymore. I havent even begun to pack, the house is a mess, and I just cant seem to get that excitement back I had 7 months ago. I think one of the problems is because of how packed everyone is saying DL will be next week. While these forums are great and I do love spending time here I also think that this forum can take some fun out of DL as well. (please dont take offense as I am not trying to offend anyone at all) When I think of our trip next week all I can think of is how packed everyone is saying it going to be and how its just misserable and how some people wont even go in Oct. because of the crowds, and Im just not looking forward to my trip anymore because of this. This is the only time of year we as a family in whole could go and I am so worried about the crowds that Ive lost the DL spirit. I know that I chose to read what I read and dealing with the crowds is the risk we all take when going to DL but still will someone please give me something to look forward to.....anything.

Sorry for the rant but does anyone else feel that same way at times?

 

[TripHHH]

I am going next week too...and I honestly don't think it will be that crowded. We went the same time last year and it wasn't crowded at all. That being said, it is all up to school schedules and things like that....

I'm going with the attitude of "it might be crowded, but we'll still have a blast!"

Just use the fast pass system and enjoy yourself. There's also really good people-watching when it's crowded.

 

[tlovesdis]

Try not to let it get to you! People have different ideas of what busy is. I was there last year in October and it was very manageable, while people who were there the same time as me say it was packed. I have been in the summer and that is packed! October is nothing like the summer, at least to me!

Just go in with a good attitude and you will be fine! Get there early in the morning and you will get a lot done. Then take a break and go back later in the evening.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Yes, to a lot of what you said. Sometimes right before you leave feels like the day AFTER Christmas. Don't know why that is I know for lots of us that the anticipation is a lot of the fun. Just knowing I have a trip planned helped me get through the rougher parts of the last few months.

Also, a busy schedule is a killer. There just never is a good time, but you need this time, so enjoy.

Now the biggie. Do NOT worry about the crowd levels. First, you can't do anything about it, but most importantly, you are not there in the summer, over Christmas break or Spring Break. For me (leaving soon also) I am way ahead of the game for this reason alone.

Take a deep breath and remember, it is a vacation - you picked a great place to go and I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[Sherry E]

You know, I go through my phases where I am gung ho and super excited and cannot get to DLR fast enough. I have everything planned, I love planning, I can just visualize everything that we are going to do and see. Then, sometime right before going, I kind of burn out. All of a sudden, I think of the money involved and the heat and the crowds and the exhaustion involved, and I just don't get giddy about DLR anymore. I pack at the last minute. But when I arrive and start doing things, the fun and excitement sets in again. The trips never go exactly as planned because one or all of us is usually too exhausted to move, or someone gets a stomachache or someone gets a little snippy or whatever, but we have a great time nonetheless!!! Usually a trip to Goofy's Kitchen restores whatever magic was lost in me. You WILL recapture that feeling as soon as you get there and breathe in the Disney air (I am convinced it is laced with magical powers). But I have 'crashed' and lost the excitement too - sometimes for no specific reason - and always gotten it back!

 

[Anna1227]

One of my favorite Disneyland trips I have taken was during the time in between Christmas and New Year, which I have since learned is one of the very busiest times there. The park was very crowded, but I loved seeing all the holiday decorations and special things they had at the park for that time of year and we had a really great time.

I have been looking at people's pictures of the park all decorated for Halloween, and I told DH that we need to go during October one year because it looks so fun! So I would say don't focus on the crowds, but focus on all the fun stuff they have for October! If you go in with a bit of a plan and some realistic expectations, the crowds shouldn't ruin your trip.

I hope you have an awesome time!

 

[mousefit]

Guess What? You're going to have fun!!!

 

[Tasscrapper]

I was really worried about crowds the last week of August since it was the last week of peak season but it really wasn't bad especially in the mornings. I don't think it really got busy busy until DCA closed in the evenings. Don't worry about the crowds. It's not something you can change either way and since you are expecting it to be so bad you are probably going to end up thinking it's not as bad as you thought it was going to be. I was surprized at how fast lines went and how short most of them were. Use fastpass and you'll be fine.

Try not to be overwhelmed by the housework or packing. The stress of getting ready can sap excitement really fast. You'll have a blast once you get there.

 

[DoomBugger]

Your going to have a great time. You are suffering from a mild case of overanalisis. Once you get there and all you haqve to do is have fun at a great place everything will fall into place. The worst thing you face is having to clean the house before leaving!

 

[kkmcan]

Have a general plan but if it doesn't work be flexible. Gather fast passes and leave DL and cross to DCA is the crowds are unbearable. Basically follow hydroguys tips. And just enjoy taking in the details of DL- the sights, the smells, the sounds that we all love!

We went in June and it was a busy but we still did and saw everything we wanted to see with little wait. We hit the parks early, took our afternoon break at the hotel, used fast passes, avoided super crowded areas of the park (adventureland) during the evening.

 

[davidsprincess]

Just focus on the most important part of all: FAMILY. You will be getting away from home and stress and just be with your family. Do as much as you can and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I think you just got burned out. The same thing always ALWAYS happens to me. I feel ehh right now. I’m still excited, but not about to pop like I was a couple weeks ago….

Don’t let the noise about the crowds discourage you. Like a PP said, everyone has different opinions on what they feel is crowded. We went last year during Gay Days and it was manageable, we still went on rides and had a wonderful time. I’m sure this weekend and upcoming week will be busy, but it won’t be unmanageable.

Just take a deep breath and thinking about how much you will have spending time with your family at the parks… You will have a great trip! Promise!

 

[avalon451]

I am exactly right where you are right now. I've been planning it for over 6 months, on here daily, obsessive about so many details... and now I'm like, huh. We leave on Sunday. Guess I should get the suitcases down. Sy (CrazyDuck)said something similar just before he left a few days ago. Like, he's planned for so long, he's already afraid to come back disappointed that it's all over.

But I'm not too worried about it. I have what I need, I will get there at opening time and collect FPs, and take a middday break. And, I will focus on talking with and having fun with my beautiful teenage daughter. If it all gets to be too crowded and not fun, hey, we will go back to HoJo and soak in the hot tub, take a nap, and eat some chocolate. It's all good.

Hope you enjoy your trip as much as you'd dreamed of.

 

[merryashley]

I've been to Disneyland the day after Christmas and in mid-July, and while it's crowded, it seems to be worst in mid-day, so what we always do is get a hotel (even if we don't spend the night). We go early in the morning, stay until around 2-3, then go to the hotel and take naps(!), swim or relax, have dinner and then come back and stay until closing. It has really made the day so much better.

If you don't want to leave entirely, you can go to one of the Disney hotels or DTD and get away during the mid-afternoon. It really makes a difference and keeps people from getting grumpy to just "take a break".

Take Care!

 

[NicksMommy]

72 hours!!! I am excited for you!!! I know how you feel though we have about the same amount of time, and with all the excitement I have had over that months I am exhausted now! You know as soon as you see the sign for Disneyland that childhood excitement will get you!!!

Just go and remember you are there to have fun and be a child again!! And atleast it won't be as crowded as say... Christmas day!

 

[Sherry E]

And let's be honest - it isn't just the pre-trip burn out that occurs to most of us, it is also the mid-trip burn out. I mean, we all love the Mouse and DLR or we wouldn't be here on DISboards to begin with. But we are human, and we can get to DLR and suddenly get exhausted and just feel like going back to the hotel or home and curling into a ball. Sometimes the trips seem too long, but then at the end of them, it seems we didn't get enough accomplished! Not long enough! Not planned well enough, maybe. Sometimes, while I am there in the parks and feeling annoyed with crowds, tired and aggravated or my friends have stomach aches or we are waiting in lines in the heat, or maybe we are all being a little snarky with each other, or we are not on the same page as to what we want to do next - I think to myself, "Oh, I can't wait for this to be over." That feeling doesn't last the WHOLE trip, but those thoughts have passed through my mind. I will be honest. Sometimes my bones are just so tired and I feel like another second of Disneyland will kill me or make me into a raving lunatic. But I tell you - it doesn't last for long. As soon as we leave, I want to go back. As soon as I get home from one trip, I am scheming to plan another one. As soon as I look at my pictures, it makes me feel sad that I didn't appreciate the time I was in the parks more while I was busy grumbling and wanting to leave. And of course, I want to get on DISboards and chat with other people who are all on the same wavelength, which only energizes me for another trip!!!

All in all, rough patches aside, the trips are usually great and very rewarding, but sometimes it doesn't seem that way until you are past the planning of it! This last trip, I made sure to get an AP, I made all PS's for our dining and we ate at a different place for every meal, I got to eat at my favorite Goofy's Kitchen and the food was excellent, I tried Photopass for the first time and I think those shots will be great, I went to the TOTP for the first time and that was really cool to do, and I got to see all the great Halloween decorations and bought the Mickey Pumpkin mug. I found a nice black t-shirt, which I had been looking for (they are becoming rare these days), I got the cute Mickey ears shampoo bottles at the PPH and I got to ride TSMM three times. All in all, it was a really good trip and I can't wait to get back - even if it's just for one day - around Christmas!!!

 

[lil_ragamuffins]

I've been several times during this time of year. Yes, at times the crowds got a little thick, but for the most part, it wasn't really all that bad--really! I'd go again during that time in a heartbeat. It's a wonderful time to go!

 

[tyluvsdis]

One thing that might change how busy it is this year in comparison to how busy it was last year (from a UT. perspective) is that UEA (school holiday) this year is earlier this year than last year. I remember this because we planned a trip earlier in the year (last year) counting on UEA being a certain time and for the first time in ages, they changed it to a different week.

That being said, I say just like previous posters have said, go and try to have the best time possible. Remember that time spent with family is the best time spent!!

Have an awesome trip!!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I am one of those who felt it was packed last October, and since we try to go when it's less crowded, it's not something we will repeat. But we still had a great time. You can still enjoy it, even though it's packed. I always tell people to just make sure and get there early. That's when we got on the most rides, and take advantage of the fastpass system. Learn to work the park from what the opposite of the masses are doing.

You'll still have fun though, and it's a beautiful time of year to go. I miss seeing the Halloween decorations this year. So I may talk about how bad the crowds were, but it was still a great trip. Have fun!

 

[cheshiregirl]

To be honest, some of my favorite trips have been when it has been the most crowded. Maybe I'm just weird, but I like having lots of other people in the park as it adds to the energy and excitement for me.

Personally, I am always a little sad when we are there at off peak times. Typically there are attractions and vendors that are not open and the whole place can feel like a ghost town (especially back in Frontierland and Critter Country), and I don't like Disney that way.

Others, I know, wish that they could have the whole park to themselves every trip...

Anyhow, whether it is before you go or while you are there I hope that you can rekindle your Disney excitement!