Missing WDW....feeling nostalgic and sad :(

[chimo2u]

It's been 1 month and a couple weeks since my son and I came home from our AMAZING Mom and Son trip to WDW/Universal/IOA....what a great time we had. I really enjoyed just spending one on one time with him and doing whatever/whenever we wanted!!! We had fun at WDW, but surprisingly, our best time of our trip was our change over to Universal Studios. We stayed at Hard Rock Hotel (Club Level) and really loved it! We had never been to Universal before, so the whole experience was new to us....and the express pass really made us feel like rock stars!!! That perk was amazing.

Our favourite park of the 2 ended up being IOA....I jumped the gun and just decided I would do it all....I did all the coasters (except Flight of the Hipogrith, and that was an honest oversight.....saw it once walking through Hogsmead then forgot all about it!!!) oh well, next time!
I am amazed that I actually managed to gather the courgage to try all those coasters....and I found out that I am braver than I let myself believe!!! The Hulk ended up being my favourite coaster I have ever done, so much fun and not scary at all!! I even did both sides of Dragon Challenge, which was my first inverted coaster EVER....still holding out review on that one, it's truly an experience that is unique....I will say I enjoyed the Blue side more than the Red side, and that I COULD do it again without a problem! so, that says something! We had a blast and I would LOVE to go back to IOA/Universal again when HP mania dies down a little and I can really enjoy Hogsmead. We never had an opportunity to go in the shops as it was always quite crowded when we where there.

I am sitting here reminicing about our time and feeling a little sad....I truly thought while I was at WDW that hey, this is fun, but we've been here and done it all and I'll be ok not coming back for a long while. (Hubby has said my trip with Andrew is our last for at least another 5 yrs.)....
However, now that I am home, I am missing it very much. I don't know why but sometimes I feel like crying when I think back on our trip and realize it will be a LOOONG while before I can go back again.

I don't know...maybe it's not DISNEY per say, that I am missing but those wonderful memory-making moments with my 14 yo/ NOW 15 yr old son!
Realization that he's growing up and those special memories are, after all just memories.... I was lucky that he loves WDW as much as me and that he accompanied me on this trip, as we had a great time together. I just wish it wasn't over already!
I knew my Dis friends would understand my sadness.... on a final note, I really hope it is not 5 yrs. before I go again, that seems like such a long time!! However, hubby is confident that there are other places he'd like to see...perhaps London, Hawaii, etc....and Disney is out until at least our 25th wedding anniversary when I can plan a trip anywhere I'd like to go!!
Wonder where that'll be??
~ Thanks for Listening,
Marie

 

[maryliz]

Oh, I totally and completely understand! to you. How fabulous that your teenage son wanted to do a trip with his Mom ... those memories are priceless.

We just got back a little over 2 weeks ago ... 2 days at Universal, 4 night cruise on the Dream, back to Universal for 2 more days, then a 5K thru MGM Studios to finish our week. It was the kids first time to Universal (I wanted to wait until they were old enough to go on absolutely everything). I've been going through our trip in my mind CONSTANTLY! We had sooo much fun. I know very little about HP but I thought the entire section, and in particular, The Forbidden Journey to be THE most amazing things I've ever seen/done. The kids even got picked at Ollivanders, so that was pretty cool.

We had Free Dining booked for Aug, and we're going back in Jan for DD and I to do the Disney Half Marathon. So DH and i were kicking around the idea of cancelling our Aug trip. I really would have been OK with it since Jan isn't that far off ... but one night last week I found good flights and showed him ... he said "just book them" ... they're non-refundable so now we HAVE to go!

I could not ever say that i'm not going back to WDW for 5 years ... it just won't happen for me. And in 2004, we didn't go at all, so I went FOUR times in 2005 (got my $s worth out of those AP's). So maybe tell your DH that if he makes you wait TOO long, it could backfire on him!

 

[mtmbyck]

I feel your pain. We landed Sunday afternoon. Suitcases are still packed - haven't had time to unpack. I walked around at work in a daze yesterday. I just kept thinking about the fact that I was lying around a pool in80 degree weather 24 hours earlier.

Vacations can do this. Especially coming home to work, cold weather, laundry, etc. After my trip to Turks last Jan, I used shutter fly and built a free online website of our trip. It was totally therapeutic for me. I also reflect on how blessed I am to share these vacations with my family.

Plus, I guarantee you within 1 month I'll be looking for our next mini vacation. Little weekend vacations can be wonderful too!

 

[3pletprincesses]

I understand! I went last fall with my triplet to WDW and it was honestly the best trip ever. It was nice to not have to worry about anything and take it day by day. Yes I was tired at the end of the trip but it was the best trip. We are going back in May with DH but it won't be the same has it will me more structured.

 

[Disney-Chick]

I understand how you feel about missing not only Disney but the quality time you spend with your family and the good times that is made while there. As soon as we get home I am always thinking about our next trip. Before our trip this past year I was looking at the end of the year wondering what dates we would be leaving. DH just told me that we may have to do a short trip But we are planning on driving to DL next year so we need to save the money. That trip is coming sooner as we were going to wait until DD was 18 to stay home on her own as this would have been our honeymoon but we decided since we probably will only do it once we should bring her which moved the date up.

I hope that you are able to visit DW before 5 years but im sure if you go on other vacations you will enjoy them as much as DW.

I was asked the other day at work if I feel that im obsessed with Disney? My answer was yes. So I know your pain. Thank goodness for pictures and video.

 

[snowangel72]

It's nice to hear it's not just me. We just got back and honestly we didn't have a great vacay, we all got SICK. But we had some good times and I miss it. I am just sitting here cruising this board jonesing for our next trip. What is it that keeps drawing me back?

 

[chimo2u]

It's nice to hear it's not just me. We just got back and honestly we didn't have a great vacay, we all got SICK. But we had some good times and I miss it. I am just sitting here cruising this board jonesing for our next trip. What is it that keeps drawing me back?

Hi snowangel! I sooo know how you feel....I know it will be a long while before I can get back again....Hubby has definitely put his foot down that He doesn't want to go back again until 2016/our 25th wedding anniversary....I truly don't know how I will make it 5 more years....I don't like wishing my life away, but those 5 yrs. are going to be such a long time coming! I come here and read everyone's excitement about their upcoming trips and it makes me feel sad that I don't have one to look forward too!

Maybe if I am lucky, I will be able to talk him into perhaps letting me go on a Girls only trip (perhaps I'll be able to join the girls only DL trip one of these yrs).....or go again with my son in a couple yrs time!!
I just know it's sooooo hard to let go when you love something so much!

 

[maryliz]

I think disney sneaks something into those Mickey Bars that keep us obsessed about going back!

But on that note, you should see the bickering on the DCL board about the Castaway Cay levels of membership ... should it be based on number of cruises, or how many days you've cruised for, etc. It's actually quite hilarious how upset people get. It DID get me thinking though ... we get absolutely NOTHING for being repeat Resort guests! My youngest is turning 11 this week and has logged 13 trips to WDW and one DCL. Only two of those trips was spent off-site. I personally am well into the mid-30's of number of WDW trips. I'm not asking for the moon, but man it sure would be nice if I got a gift basket in my room like they do on the cruise!

Seriously, there are too many of us obsessed freaks out there that WDW coulnd't afford to give us anything ... but just sayin' that booking a 2nd cruise isn't the world either, yet DCL make their guests feel special about it.

Glad that we all have each other here that totally understand our obsession with the Mouse.

 

[dis_guy]

I know how everyone feels and I totally agree. I'm missing the place something fierce and we were last there in November. I find it tough that friends of ours have been going, are there now, etc. making it even more obvious we're not going anytime soon.

I get a sense from the OP that she may be feeling that there won't be another trip like this one with her maturing son. I'm here to say don't worry about that too much. Our daughters are 21 and 20 this year and were home from University last weekend. The older one casually drops this one: "So when can we all go to Disney World again?" I was a bit surprised because our Christmas 2009 trip was kind of intended to be our last big family WDW blowout before the kids lost interest in hanging out with mom and dad. Seems that was a bit premature.

So I got to talking about this with DW today, and I suggested that if we wanted to use our Aeroplan points for next spring break we'd need to book as soon as the flights came up in a few weeks.

She asked what I was thinking..."I said someplace...warm...?" "Like where?", she asked, I raised an eyebrow (I'm the WDW freak she mostly puts with my obsession). She guesses correctly "Disney world?" I say, "Yeah...?"

"I could do that", she says. So we're going again. Yes, it's a long way away but it's brightened my mood considerably. So my advice is to pick that far off date, make it yours, and quietly begin planning a bit here, a bit there, and I think you'll feel better soon.

Just my two bits.

 

[SplashMom]

I feel the same. We got home on March 1 after two weeks of sun and warm temperatures, and lots of fun family time. It seems like forever ago. My kids are adults, one in university and the other just graduated from univ and is now a working adult. It was a wonderful chance to still have a family vacation, and luckily for me, my DH and the kiddos are all Disney fanatics as well! I don't think the trips will end any time soon, but they do change a bit as the family changes. That's OK as long as we keep going!

 

[snowangel72]

I know how everyone feels and I totally agree. I'm missing the place something fierce and we were last there in November. I find it tough that friends of ours have been going, are there now, etc. making it even more obvious we're not going anytime soon.

I get a sense from the OP that she may be feeling that there won't be another trip like this one with her maturing son. I'm here to say don't worry about that too much. Our daughters are 21 and 20 this year and were home from University last weekend. The older one casually drops this one: "So when can we all go to Disney World again?" I was a bit surprised because our Christmas 2009 trip was kind of intended to be our last big family WDW blowout before the kids lost interest in hanging out with mom and dad. Seems that was a bit premature.

So I got to talking about this with DW today, and I suggested that if we wanted to use our Aeroplan points for next spring break we'd need to book as soon as the flights came up in a few weeks.

She asked what I was thinking..."I said someplace...warm...?" "Like where?", she asked, I raised an eyebrow (I'm the WDW freak she mostly puts with my obsession). She guesses correctly "Disney world?" I say, "Yeah...?"

"I could do that", she says. So we're going again. Yes, it's a long way away but it's brightened my mood considerably. So my advice is to pick that far off date, make it yours, and quietly begin planning a bit here, a bit there, and I think you'll feel better soon.

Just my two bits.

Awesome!!!! Ok your DD's are so cool to ask to go to WDW I love how we try to hide our DW freak from our SO's hehe.

 

[iluveeyore]

Totally know how you feel - DD (15) and I went Mar. 1-8 to celebrate her Sweet 16 early and had an amazing 7 nights at WDW - looking at the pictures, I can't believe it's been almost a month. Then, hubby said he wants to get away for a few nights, my sister & her husband were hankering for some time away and....voila, we're booked at OKW for four nights a month from today! Love my AP! We just all went for Christmas together, and hubby and I are taking DD and her friend for Halloween this year! I know I'm spoiled, but what can I say? I'm a true Disney freak, and proud of it!

 

[monkey30]

It's nice to hear it's not just me. We just got back and honestly we didn't have a great vacay, we all got SICK. But we had some good times and I miss it. I am just sitting here cruising this board jonesing for our next trip. What is it that keeps drawing me back?

I am missing Disney and searching for deals right now, wish we could go!
Its been a year, we did Mexico this year instead which was fun but not the same!

 

[HamiHarri]

Big hugs! It sounded like such a special trip with your son

 

[Bertie9396]

I totally understand and feel the same way. We just got back on Saturday and I miss it so much already. We had such a great time....storms and all. Today was my first day back at work. I told my boss he didn't sound at all like Mickey Mouse and I needed some pixie dust. LOL

 

[Demi_8]

I truly identify with what you are feeling and saying especially about the memory-making moments with your son and missing Disney. I must be missing WDW too because why else would I be back here visiting the Dis Boards after a long hiatus! In Aug/09, coming to the realization that our sons (ages 10 & 16 at the time) were growing up and worrying that I was getting older and that the years were passing by and we still had never gone to WDW, I decided to leave DH at home (not a fan of line-ups) and take our two boys for some mom and sons quality time. Needless to say, it was one of the most amazing and fun-filled two weeks of my life and theirs as well and I was very sad when it was all over. Since that time we have taken whole family vacations to Mexico and recently on a Caribbean cruise, but I still always have very fond memories of WDW because it was just my boys and I. I honestly didn't think I would want to go back again for a long time because of all the places in this world to see, but I guess these are the signs of a Disney fanatic at heart. I want to re-live those special memories again with them at WDW while I am still young and active enough to clock all those mega miles of walking around the World and being able to keep up with them! Perhaps next year because we just finished our cruise and we only take one vacation a year. I hope you will be able to do the same again with your son sooner rather than later because children grow up way too fast.

 

[chimo2u]

Thank you Demi 8 You hit the nail on the head, they grow up way too quick. I would love to go back again, and I think we will aim for a trip in 2014 when my youngest graduates grade 12. I hope my hubby agrees

 

[Sue M]

Yes, I take my daughters & leave DH at home! He's not a fan, and so we really love our mom/daughter trips. It is a special time.