Overthinking, but it's driving me nuts....

[wannabemini]

Okay--so our last day at WDW is August 22. We have always ended our trip with a day at MK, early arrival, break in the afternoon, back for evening, fireworks, etc...our way of saying goodbye til next time. Only this time, hubs says might be our last for a LONG time. So of course, my OCD is in overdrive, trying to make this the perfect trip.

I have 8:15 ADR at CP, but then realized it's MK EMH, and easywdw has MK as a not recommended park. Another site has it as a red park, TP has it as a 6.3 in terms of crowd level.

Since my "Empty Park castle photos" are no longer really gonna happen because of the EMH, I'm wondering if I should even keep the ADR, even tho it would mean we don't enter til 9 (we're staying off property this trip). I also have the Fireworks Dessert Party ADR for this last night, and it doesn't look as if any other night we're there has availability. Is it worth keeping?

And now I'm wondering if I should just move the whole itinerary around, even tho that would have us leaving WDW without our usual goodbye?

Yes, I know I'm overthinking. Please grant me some grace on that. I'm just wondering how "red" a park it can be with a crowd level of 6? We've been there many a June/July when it was ferociously crowded but we followed a plan and really had no issues??

What say you? Keep the itinerary as is? Drop the CP ADR? Keep? Switch days around? Helllllppppp!

Just for clarity's sake, this is what our week looks like:

Arrive 8/14, midnight
8/15 off day (pool, golf, DtD, etc.)
8/16 HS (lunch ADR, break, VIP F! pkg)
8/17 MK (CRT ADR, dinner)
8/18 EP (lunch, dinner ADRS, break in between, stay for Illuminations [kids have never seen])
8/19 OFF
8/20 AK (lunch ADR. Chef Mickey's dinner)
8/21 OFF
8/22 MK (THE DAY IN QUESTION, lol)

Thanks for reading all this & tolerating my OCD tendencies. I just want it to be perfect since it's probably the last trip with all 4 kids in tow. Oldest is 16, and this will prob be the last time I walk down Main Street with his sweet self along for the trip. Hubs wants to vacay at other places from now on...and WDW is my happy place.

Thanks for any feedback. Hope i posted in the right place.

 

[Caseheidi]

I say keep to your tradition. If the only reason you have CP ADR is for the photo, then drop it. If there are other reasons, keep it. We always like to end our trip at MK as well, and I like to leave with a last look of the castle all lit. I would regret not following our tradition and would feel like something was missing.

 

[mummabear]

We always start and finish our trips with MK despite any logic to the contrary its just what we do. Cancel the adr at CP if it was only made to get in early/the photo. Keep the deesert party. Don't try to make it perfect a trip never can be so don't add that pressure.
Don't worry you will be back, not for awhile but you will be. A girls weekend, with future grandchildren, a stopover as part of your husband envisioned trips, come to think of it I have always wnted to go to Paris, Hong Kong and Toyko

 

[kappyfamily]

My son has diagnosed OCD, it's not a fun thing to have, it's something that he wishes he did not have but does. Often can be a debilitating condition, that is often thrown around as a joke when someone is over-organizing or over-neat about things. It is something that he and many that are diagnosed suffer with daily. If you indeed are diagnosed OCD, I'm sorry, it is not easy thing to have or live with.

By the way, just because you are wanting to have a good trip and keep re-thinking your plans, does not make you OCD, it makes you well organized.

On a side note, your plans look fine, enjoy your trip!

 

[dpswift]

I would keep with the original plan. If it is your tradition to leave after a MK day then do it. When I miss something that is important to me or my children I tend to go into hyperdrive for our next trip.

Also sometimes breaks make the next trip better. There is so much more out there than Disney. DH needed a break we went for 2 days and now he is more into Disney than me. I love Disney but our best family trips were not Disney.

It is hard when family trips get smaller, you do miss the kids that are not there. You need to remember that they are doing things that do not include you. Last year DD 20 went to Cape Cod and Boston. 2 places I have never been.

Have a great trip the fireworks party seems to be a great way to end a trip. I just made reservations for DH and I last night.

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Keep your last day tradition and end with the fireworks. I think the dessert party will be great and you know you will have a good spot in spite of the crowds.

You could also add a day to your tickets and do a half day the day before (your rest day) and go to MK early for CP bf and pictures (if you can get a ressie at this point) and do some of your must do attractions early in the am before the crowds. Then the next day know it will be busy, go later, use fast passes for things you missed the day before, enjoy the ambiance and fireworks.

 

[LindaOwl1]

Keep the ADR. Just show up super early. With an 8:15 ADR I think you will be let into the park before EMH rope drop. I also believe they will not make you wait for 8:15 - if you are among the first there you will be among the first seated. Even if you don't get the empty park pics, you don't lose anything else - you were still not getting in until 9 if you're off property. This way you're at least in the park. You WILL be behind the EMH crowd for rides, but the park won't be packed until after 11 and with FP you should still be OK if you're taking a nice long break.
Also I would do a MK day on 8/20. You may not need all those "off" days. Do a short day on 8/20 - get all your must do rides done, then 8/21 is your ADR and bonus stuff. Wed. should be super at MK - in fact I'll be there that day!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would keep the day as it is, don't worry about the crowd levels. It will be fine.

Have fun!

 

[saylorbunch]

I was just reading about the "kiss goodnight" that you just shouldn't miss. MK is a red on our last day, and I'm so sad! But, we have the hopper, so we are going to show up just before closing and walk around the park as everyone is leaving. 30 min. after closing there is a dont-miss, perfect ending, 2 minute show where the castle lights up and Disney music is played, and a narrator talks. I have goosebumps thinking about it!!!! (Because of what I've read about it...)So, I'm thinking, especially with this being your last trip, that after the fireworks, don't leave! Stick around until the park empties out, take it all in, and be moved to tears by the "Kiss Goodnight". Ooooooh, I can't wait!!! (I don't know when we'll ever go back either.)

 

[wannabemini]

Thanks to ALL for your advice & input!!!

Kappy--after I had my oldest, I had severe PPD that veered WAY over into OCD. I have come a LONG way since waking up in the middle of the night to make sure there were no fuzz balls on the carpet for the baby to crawl over & put in his mouth--the second & third babies cured me of that! But I still tend to want things to go a certain way & often have trouble "switching gears." Hugs to you & your son. It is NOT fun and I don't joke about others' struggles--just make light of my own. Part of making myself recognize the importance (or lack of) certain things. I do love my meds!

So--big news! I was able to score an ADR at CP on Saturday (first MK day)--and there's no AM EMH that day, so we will get our (sorta) empty park castle pics after all! I also switched our Epcot day (and got almost identical ADRs!!) to Monday instead of Sunday, so we have an off day, 2 park days, an off day, 2 parks, off day, and our last MK day--gives hubs time to golf & "de-Disney" in between times. :0)

I cancelled the original CP ADR, but kept my fireworks party, so we will get to end with our MK ritual, and YES, will be there for the kiss goodnight. Haven't missed it yet!! :0)

Again, thanks to all for "listening" and giving advice & support! That's why I love this place! xoxoxo