Never thought I'd experience this...DVC Overload

[rutgers1]

For the past year, I have pretty much had this site on my nightly "rounds" of web surfing. On a bad week, I'd still visit once or twice. That was all leading up to my first trip as an official DVC owner. That trip in August turned out to be the longest of my adult life, 16 days. After splitting the stay between BWV and SSR, with a brief stop at Universal.

The odd thing is, after all that time at Disney, I think I overdid it. So much thinking about that one trip, so much time spent planning it and micromanaging every element of it. Now, with another trip scheduled for February, I find that I am on overload and I think I am purposely not thinking about Disney so that February's trip feels fresh.

Our next trip will be our first at AKL. Nine days planned as of right now. I have to stick to the school holidays, so it will undoubtedly be crowded. I am hoping for a warm spell so we can go swimming. The swimming was one of the best parts of our summer trip.

 

[JasonDVC]

My advice would be to stop over doing it; stop planning so much. You can never make a trip perfect. You are a DVC member now, you will be back. Plan a few things you would like to do, i.e. 2-3 rstauarnts you would like to try, and relax; let the rest of your trip just happen.

Also, try notto think about the upcoming trip too much, it makes the day arrive faster

Good Luck!

 

[DeeCee735]

And when you do think about the upcoming trip, think like this.....every trip as a DVC owner can be a very different vacation. Just the fact that you are staying at AKV is making this a very different trip. You can relax at a most unique resort, and make days just about being at this resort.
There are three restaurants onsite, two pools (one at Jambo & one at Kidani), one CS restaurant, and the lounge. Not to mention the animals!

Don't worry too much about overload. Just do something different (a first) with each trip, or stay someplace you've never stayed and you'll soon see that you are once again totally looking forward to your trips.

Enjoy!

 

[cogero]

We have been going yearly since 2003. We bought our DVC in 2008 our first trip in April 09 as DVC owners we decided that we know we will be back at least yearly so we can take it slow and enjoy.

We are staying at AKV in 11/09 and I just decided at the beginning of the week for a quick trip in January 10 and was lucky enough to get a room at BWV. I think you just need to relax. I am honestly not doing any planning other than picking out ADRs.

So as not to stress

 

[Hunclemarco]

I can understand your situation. I've been on the dis boards multiple times per day before our trip in august, and since then, i'm not on as much... i do have many other responsibilities that have kept me away, but i seemed to be able to at least make 2 or 3 passes through the boards.
So, in that respect i see where you are coming from.

I'm now gradually getting back on more and more.... i have 2 families going in Nov. and Dec., so i like to stay up to date with things to inform them of anything going on at Disney. My next trip is in February/March, so i'm sure i'll be on quite a bit before then too.

As far as "burnout", my wife and i do something different on each trip.
This past time we saw the wishes show from the poly instead of the park. I collect pins, so i started a new collection (while still continuing on my hunt for my current collection (incredibles). We see shows that we haven't seen before, or rides we haven't had a chance to go on yet...after two trips, we're still needing to try Toy Story Mania. As others noted, we didn't care that we didn't go on it knowing that we'll always be back at some point. We've been to disney about 10+ times overall, and i know there's still things we haven't seen, and that makes things interesting too.

I also have to say that i do miss seeing the comments from the "Friends/Regulars" on the boards, and that entices me to check the boards out, despite my busy schedule.

 

[toniosmom]

I have had a lot of stress going on in my personal life, so visiting the DIS and planning various scenarios of vacations for the next few years has been making me very happy. I can see what you mean about overload. I realized one day that every weekend, I mention our Disney vacation at least once or twice....and it's still 6 months away. So now I consciously do NOT talk about it any longer for fear that my extended family is going to think I'm obsessed. OK....maybe I am obsessed, but that's my secret....shhhhhh.

OK, having said all of that, I just wanted to say that we don't make any major plans for our trip. We eat in the room -- my son is currently 4 and is not exactly "restaurant-friendly", so I avoid a lot of stress that way. We also have a lot more time to do the things we want to do, like going to the parks and swimming. My first DVC vacation was this past spring and I was so relaxed because I knew that we would be back and there was no pressure to see everything we could. It was wonderful. For next spring's trip, we are going for a full week and will probably only hit the parks 3 or 4 days (and probably only in the mornings/early afternoons). We will be at AKV and I really want to experience the resort itself. I'm so happy that we can do that now.

 

[disneynutz]

After we became DVC Members, our WDW way of life changed quite a bit. Out of a 10 day vacation, we might visit the parks 5 days and that is only to go on a handful of rides, visit some attractions, or have dinner.

People watching has become a major pass time, along with taking the time to enjoy the beauty of the resorts and grounds.

Eating our own cooking in the room or on the balcony saves hundreds of dollars and makes our room feel like home.

 

[ddoc185blt]

After we became DVC Members, our WDW way of life changed quite a bit. Out of a 10 day vacation, we might visit the parks 5 days and that is only to go on a handful of rides, visit some attractions, or have dinner.

People watching has become a major pass time, along with taking the time to enjoy the beauty of the resorts and grounds.

Eating our own cooking in the room or on the balcony saves hundreds of dollars and makes our room feel like home.

I agree with disneynutz! We have been to Dinsey three out of the last four years. On our last trip we joined DVC We are now plaining our first trip as DVC members and the game plain is going to change.

 

[Crystal_27]

The odd thing is, after all that time at Disney, I think I overdid it. So much thinking about that one trip, so much time spent planning it and micromanaging every element of it. Now, with another trip scheduled for February, I find that I am on overload and I think I am purposely not thinking about Disney so that February's trip feels fresh.

I know the feeling. When we stayed for 9 days in September it was our first time using TGM and it did feel like we were on overload, and that everything had been planned down to the hour. However, I actually enjoy the planning aspect (probably too much) so after being back a month or so, I get itchy if I'm not planning another trip. I would say to take a couple days to plan your ADRs and then give yourself a break to enjoy the holidays and a break from Disney stuff.

 

[ssawka]

I wouldn't really call it "burn out" but when I get back from a WDW trip, I usually stay off the DIS for a month or two. It is just too depressing knowing my next trip to the World is so far away.

As far as planning, I will normally plan out meals and what parks we are going to when, but once in the park we just "go with the flow".

 

[photobob]

Too much of anything can cause overload. I used to get so excited about our WDW trips that I'd have a huge let down when the vacation was over. I spent so much time planning the trips that when we were there i didn't take enough time to slow down and smell the roses a bit. We were wide open all the time wanting to do as much as we possibly could.

Now that we have joined DVC we are starting to take our time more, I do try to make some ADR's so we can eat at restaurants of our choosing but even that is subject to change once we get there. The fact that we know we will be back is such a comforting feeling that takes away the former angst about gotta do everything. All that being said it didn't happen right away when we joined DVC, it took a few trips to get over old habits.

My advice is slow down, be flexible and enjoy being there. Don't look at a list of things you must do for the trip to be a success. I didn't go this year for the first time in a long time, we went to Vero Beach and had a great time. I think this summer we are going to Vero again and planning for a WDW trip for October of 2010. The October trip in 2010 will mark the longest we have gone without going to WDW and I hope I don't bust before then!!

 

[Coach81]

Welcome to DVC!!!! Now RELAX!!! Take it easy.. try to relax a bit more.. You're gonna be right back!!!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I get that way sometimes-- too much planning.

My last trip in April I did very little planning. I didn't even make Dinner reservation until 6 weeks out- and believe it or not I really enjoyed the trip.

I love coming on the Disboards and other disney websites, but I try to not overplan and micromanage every detail anymore. For example, we were going to hit both waterparks (or try to at least) and BB was EMH so I planned to go to TL 1st. But When I was at the bus stop, I said to my kids, whatever bus comes first is where we will go. (all the while, I'm thinking TL because of the EMH at BB-- but BB came 1st and we went and had a wonderful time!! And it wasn't too crowded until the afternoon since it was only 60 degrees in the morning.

Make your dinning reservations early & then put your schedule away and don't open it until you are on the plane. You can review it than and think -- hey this is great, we are eating at such and such place tonight!!!

I'll see you in FEBRuARY !!

 

[permavac]

I really understand where you are coming from! I think for me it was the extended amount of time we spent at Disney. We were there for our longest visit ourselves this past January/February for 11 nights. With the shorter trips, it feels like you've only just arrived and then it's time to go. After 11 nights we were actually ready to go home I even told my DH that I could lay off of Disney for a while But - there is good news - we just came back from an 8 night stay (starting 9/5) and it was just like old times. We were SO excited to be going back and I wished we had scheduled our trip for mid-August instead. After the 8 nights, it felt like we still needed a few more days So I think it's just that the longer trips really tend to make the parks shrink in size and you find yourself ready to do something else. Never thought it would happen to me and I still want to stay another 11 nights but honestly I think that's our limit. This past trip I remember waiting at the boat dock at BCV and looking around then saying to my DH, "I guess I wouldn't want to live here after all. It wouldn't feel as special." He was relieved to hear that!

Terri

 

[eporter66]

This was your first trip as a DVC member, but how many times have you been to WDW?

My wife (then girlfriend) went to WDW on our first vacation together (1997). We tried to cram everything in, and although we had fun, I could have used another vacation because we were burnt out. Not necessarily on Disney, but just trying to do everything possible.

We joined in 2003, and all I can say is that it has actually made our vacations more enjoyable. I am never concerned about the accomadations (they have always been great rooms). We actually take it easy now and enjoy the trips, and even though we get in the spirit, we never rush around to try to get everything done. We have been making at least one trip a year since joining, so we have done so much with the membership.

I actually relax and enjoy our time in Disney. With our daughter now school age, our vacation plans will have to change. We love going in the fall for the F&W fest, but I dont think we will be able to do that for too much longer as the schools get pretty stict with attendance. But I do know that when we go - we plan to enjoy and relax as much as possible.

I think your strategy for February is a good one - just take it easy and see what happens. I think you will find it much more enjoyable.

 

[edk35]

I think planning at trip to WDW is very necessary for people who have not been or been infrequently. I also think some planning is good for most of us that go quite frequenly. HOWEVER....I think several of us on this board can attest to BEING OBSESSIVE ABOUT IT. I am still a big planner.....but I don't do it so much that it becomes a CHORE or is not fun. It has to be fun....if it isn't then THAT IS A RED FLAG......take cover I repeat take cover. You have it REALLY BAD if that is the case. Planning should be fun.

Now I must admit we use to vacation completely different before we bought in. We have been DVC members for over 2 1/2 years and we learn something new on each trip. We now know we like down time, less park time, more resort time whereas before...we were up early, out all day/night and exhausted. By the time we left we were spent. We love our summer trips because they are so much more laid back. We can actually even skip a park on a trip now and it is okay. We have done a few split stays and I think we want to stay put on our next trip. Every DVC trip brings something new...at least it does for us.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We've had several family reunions in the last 9 years. I'm a planner, I admit it! My family looks to me to plan and organize it all. Over the years I've learned that planning special Disney activities and dinners for family members you haven't seen in while is important but too much planning can kill the experience. The let down after such a wonderful time can also be brutal!

But, gone are the commando years, now the resort and it's amenities have become the focus. This past June, a perfect week spent at BWV w/ a day at Star Wars being the only plan, was absolute bliss. We got up when we wanted, we ate on the spur of the moment (just one ADR) and we knew that if we didn't get to see something today or this time, there would be a next time! A relaxing, no pressure vacation!

Buying into DVC I thought, "What if we get tired of going to Disney", but truthfully I won't ever get tired of vacationing, having nice accomodations and Orlando, Vero etc. have a lot to offer beyond Disney!