Park worries... cool my jets?

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

We leave tomorrow for an adults only trip for the first time. We've attended countless times with our kids (separately, in our previous marriages), but this time we're going solo for five nights. I usually am so pumped up right before a trip, mostly feeding off the kids' excitement, but am really not feeling the pixie dust right now.

I keep worrying about the parks and touring. It's been busier than normal this year during this "slow" time. I'm worried about the waits and crowds. I have a back issue and horrible anxiety (hence, this thread). I'm already getting a DAS, so that's handled. But still, how busy is it really? And then I start worrying and wondering if I timed our fastpasses correctly, or if I'm budgeting properly or if I'm making a mistake by not doing any counter service. And then I worry about the heat and what if I have to use a wheelchair for the first time and good god, this is our first trip together and will people stare because we're a same sex couple? I keep thinking about everything under the sun and how it could go wrong. I've never worried like this with my kids. Yet here I am a grown adult and wondering how to handle Disney parks. Really? Gosh.

I need some pixie dust. Badly. Give me a nod and tell me it'll all work out and I'm being bonkers right now. We leave in twelve hours. Gah! It's going to be awesome... right?!

 

[EB Beaumont]

We leave tomorrow too, I was also worried about the crowds (our 1st trip in Jan) bc of recent reports, but I’m pretty much over it now. It will be what it will be, my kid will have fun regardless which is really all I care about. I think the weather will be nice overall, my suggestion would be to sit back, relax, and don’t fret over it. Get ready to have some fun...

 

[soniam]

Definitely take a chill pill. It will be great, and you will have a wonderful time. However, a lot of that is under your control in how you handle it. So, just go along for the ride and enjoy each other. If TS isn't working for you, cancel them and do QS. We have done 2 adult-only trips now, and it's so much more relaxing and fun. I love going with our son, but it adds an extra level of stress. BTW, I wouldn't worry about people staring and being a same sex couple. People stare for all sorts of reasons, mostly because they are just thinking about something else and don't even realize they are staring. Plus, who cares if they stare. Maybe they are jealous to see a loving couple Have a great trip!

 

[gap2368]

you will be fine

you have plans on what you want to do, you have been to Disney before and it sounds like you will go again, this will change things will go wrong but all you can do when this happens is to say well that did not work how I thought so now I will do XYZ.

have you used a DAS before?

the crowds were not that bad when I went a few days ago,

weather was nice,

I do not think many people will care about same sex cupolas going any way, and if they do that is there problem, not yours.

 

[mkla2015]

Your trip will be AWESOME!! You are totally overthinking everything!

It will be busy- Disney is always busy these days but it's completely manageable and enjoyable. We went during spring break 2016 with level 10 crowds daily and had a blast. Just know your limits- don't over due it! A plan that works for my family is parks in the morning- FP at 12pm, 1pm, 2 pm. Then break for naps/swimming 2-5 and back to the parks at night.

No one will care if you are with or without kids or if you are a same sex couple! I would LOVE to take a trip to WDW with no kids! Enjoy it!!!

 

[Teamubr]

The crowds (and the weather) should be about as good as it gets. Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. FPs can get changed pretty easy if you don't like the timing. You can cancel an ADR on MDE easy enough if you decide CS fits the day (or budget) better. That's the nice thing about not going in the summer or at holidays. It's easier to be flexible and not feel like you are missing anything.

As for being a same sex couple, I've found this is pretty much ignored at WDW. Most people are focused on their own fun and have left the real world (and their biases) behind.

You'll relax once you get there and start enjoying the magic.

j

 

[Bobb_o]

I think you're worrying too much. No matter how busy it is in January it's not going to be as busy as it in the Summer and if you've done your research there's no need to worry. You can always deviate from your plans if there's a long wait caused by downtime or any other unforeseen circumstance.

The heat shouldn't be bad in January, if you're worried make sure you're not planning to be outside for extended periods by scheduling indoor rides/shows during the afternoon. In 2015 I happened to be at MK during Gay Days and I will tell you the only people who got attention were the ones who wanted to get attention (inappropriate shirts, rudeness, etc.) because most people at WDW don't have time to really notice anyone else.

You'll have a great time.

 

[lovethattink]

Hakuna matata!

Those "what ifs" can really cause stress and anxiety.

Very few, if any, vacations go without a hitch. Allowing for some flexibility will help.

 

[buteraa]

AND IF the parks are crowded there are so many other things to do as adults (traveling with no kids). Hop on the monorail and check out resorts and lounges, go to the Boardwalk for a stroll and treat at the bakery, hang out at your resort and enjoy the pool and relax. Hop on friendship boat and cruise around. My husband and I do not have any children and we go to Disney twice a year (a matter of fact we are heading down in March) and we have a great time no matter what the crowd level because there are so many other things to do than the parks.

Have a magical trip!

 

[Bete]

As others have stated January is still better with regards to crowds then other months. It won't be in the 90s, either. No one will know you are a same sex couple; unless, you make a public display. You can be sisters or brothers whatever the case may be.

With regards to the parks you have an option to do a scooter rather than a wheelchair if you need assistance this way. A scooter will be better all the way around.

If you are staying at an onsite Disney resort take advantage of extra magic hours at the park. You can opt for park hopper tickets and get more park time in that way. You can even buy an express shuttle service between the Disney parks now; so, when you park hop you won't have to go through security and gate admission again. Try to avoid any backtracking in the park; try to do a loop.

 

[Diandra]

Don't let your anxiety win! I have it too and I can imagine you're becoming overwhelmed by your thoughts and worries, most of which probably won't even happen. Our minds are complicated aren't they.

How about you get some low intensity exercise before you leave? I'm talking 30 min walk, and go with your SO for support too. Try and release all that nervous energy, it'll really help you think more straight.

Don't forget, you're going to Disney!!! I'd imagine as soon as you arrive a wash of emotions will come over you and I hope you both have a great time!

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

You can always cancel some of your ADRs if after a day or two you decide it's too much food or time. I feel ya, i have terrible anxiety, especially before a trip, but it will all be fine. Nobody should stare at you. You know how many same sex couples are at DW every day? Holding hands even, and sometimes sharing a G-rated kiss.

The crowds will be what they are and as long as you have a good plan you're fine.

Have fun!

 

[Accident]

I keep worrying about the parks and touring. It's been busier than normal this year during this "slow" time. I'm worried about the waits and crowds.

In my opinion, this is the almost the right attitude to have. It'll be lower than you are worried about and cheer you right up and relax you fast. Going in the opposite expecting it empty will do nothing but disappoint.

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Thank you, all of you.

I'm going to take some more deep breaths and try to sleep now. It's tomorrow already here.

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Oh, I just noticed I made a mistake in the OP. I meant that we are ONLY doing counter service, and second guessing not doing table service, not the other way around. If anything, I figure we might be able to snag something at a sit down place or two during the trip since it's not peak time? We'll see!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Without kids, you're about to get to do only what you want, nothing more, nothing less.

And yes, you're making a mistake by not doing any counter service, because you're locking yourself into unnecessary rigidity that will demand you to be specific places and specific times all throughout your trip. Get rid of most of your ADRs and you'll get rid of most of your stress.

 

[perditax]

I always get pre-trip jitters. For people with anxiety, I think it's mostly about the loss of control, and knowing you can't reasonably make sure every single aspect of the trip is "okay". Sometimes we worry about making it perfect for other people--in my case at least, the other person in question can end up having a better time than I do--because he's not worrying over every little thing. So me trying to make things "perfect" for him wasn't necessary to begin with.

It can take me most of the first day to get past this, so I just roll with it now.

I'm also finding mediation to be helpful.

 

[perditax]

Also if you're leaving in 8-9 hours now (if I did the math right), get off the Internet and get some sleep.

I should take my own advice.

 

[maranara]

I totally feel you! We're leaving Sunday and I keep looking at the wait times and the weather forecast and I'm getting nervous too! It's been a LONG time since I've been at Disney - 2003 - and what's calming me down is remembering how much fun we had that trip. AND the fact that we were there for New Year's Eve...the park was at capacity, yet we still rode lots of rides and had a blast. It won't be that crowded next week. And I get being nervous about the same-sex-couple thing. My daughter is adopted so we're a multi-racial family, and I get nervous when we're out of our comfort zone that people will stare or ask questions. But it's never actually an issue. I'm sure it will be the same for you. Hope I see you in the parks and we can share a relieved hug in person.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Oh, I just noticed I made a mistake in the OP. I meant that we are ONLY doing counter service, and second guessing not doing table service, not the other way around. If anything, I figure we might be able to snag something at a sit down place or two during the trip since it's not peak time? We'll see!

Check the day before if you think you might want TS the next day. Even day of you should still be able to find ADRs for lots of restaurants. A tip: Many restaurants will now turn away walk ups, but still have availability online.