Park worries... cool my jets?

[LilyWDW]

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.

This describes me perfectly. I can make all the plans in the world, but there are things 100% out of my control. That is what brings on my anxiety when it comes to travel and not just with Disney. Isn't anxiety so much fun? (/s)

 

[Canooknic]

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!

You should be absolutely fine getting a table, unless you're hoping for BOG etc last minute!
We rarely book tables because we do t know if/when we'll be hungry (sometimes a pretzel will do!) so we use the MDE app or OpenTable and get what we can - we've never not got a table somewhere in the vicinity of where we are at the time

Have a great trip!!!

 

[NileNellie]

Vacations are supposed to be fun, not stressful. You're going to the Happiest Place on Earth. Try to relax a little, and I bet everything will fall into place. Enjoy!

 

[Pmlocke]

Based on your original input, you are leaving today. Take it from someone who has traveled to WDW, sans children and grandchildren for the last 10 years you are going to experiance Disney like you have never experianced it before. Don't worry about the crowds. If the lines are too long, go back later in the day. You can do what you want, when you want because you no longer have the children directing the parade. My advice to you is this- slow down and really enjoy the parks for the first time in your life. Look at the attractions rather than riding them. Step back and marvel at the architecture. Watch the crowds as they pass. But most importantly, slow down.

 

[housetomouse]

You'll be just fine! I've never done an adults only trip (yet) and I think I'd be anxious too about going the first time without kids too. So many people on these boards do it and have a blast though so I think it's just us being worrywarts. You'll have fun!

We visit during peak times, crowd level 10, almost every time we have gone and we've always had a good trip. Just make a bail out plan if the crowds get to be too much. But I don't think they'll be too bad this time of year.

 

[Mousetopia]

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?![/QUOTE]


What's the saying...the devil is in the details?? RELAX. It is easy to get caught up in all these unique to park touring planning details. I know I do. I love to know all my options then just go with the flow rather than set schedule..hard to do at Disney any more. I had a MELTDOWN over fastpass when I tried to schedule them the first time..did not go exactly to plan and I was really upset!!! WHY WHY!! lol looking back I chuckle. My trip a year ago was first in a long while..much had changed, not all good. I really lost pixie dust worrying over touring plans, FP, dining reservations. No time to stop to enjoy the magic lets go go go we got a fastpass to get too!!! Well never again. We will be there in a few weeks and here is my advice and how we have changed our thinking!! And it already is feeling much more magical! :
Remember
1. You can always go back. Stop stressing over trying to do it all!!! Stop looking for that perfect magical meal or experience you read about..often you will find it does not live up to they hype..nor should it need to..create your own.
2. Fastpass are great..use when possible but remember often with planning dont need them! If you follow a wise tour plan app it can help you/save steps.. Thunder Mountain 30 min wait, no wait for Pirates..Pirates it is then. Crazy busy?? There is still always something magical to do..check out that Riverboat!
3.Plan breaks mid day and leave the park and take at least a couple hours at your resort. The parks will be there
when you get back.
4. On long trip plan one day mid trip to just stay at your resort and relax. ahhhhh the beach at the Poly here I come!!!
5. Dining is just food!! RELAX There are many great options! It is not hard to find a table service res. same day if flexible. Plan a few special but dont over plan..leave some to your mood of the day. It really wont ruin your trip if you dont get into BOG..trust me. ....Do you worry about whether you will will find something to eat at home?

6. Make step and energy saving a priority. We plan park days primarily based on best way to minimize walking.
Hopper shuttle...YES YES

 

[skuttle]

We are planning our first trip without kids for April. It's been almost 14 years since we've been to WDW without kids (our oldest will be 14 in July!). I'm honestly worried that I will feel guilty while there and not enjoy it! I know that's silly. We've brought the kids to WDW almost every year since 2005 and we just went in November, and planning a Disneyland trip next year. But I still worry I'll feel guilty and not enjoy it.

 

[Harambe]

Yep - you have a case of what I call "PLANNER'S PANIC". Happens to those of us that make the plans for the trip. FP+, ADRs, which EMHs to do or not do, bla, bla, bla.

You made all the plans and you can change then as you want! If you miss a FP, so what. The crowds were not too bad when we went at the beginning of January, and there were some days that the crowds were very, very doable. Grab a Mickey Bar, find a bench and watch the world go by. You deserve this.

 

[Lizo18]

I've gone around this time before and I am going back next week. I am wondering what you consider a long wait time because I've been looking and the waits seem reasonable / what I would expect. The only rides that have significant waits right now are the ones I would expect - Seven Dwarfs, Soarin', etc. Even a ride like Test Track, which currently has a 50 minute wait, has the single rider option. I think it will be fine.

 

[Gina Starr]

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!

We got lunch reservations at Garden Grill in Epcot for 10 minutes in advance last week! They were taking walk ups! You might not get into Cinderellas Royal Table or Be Our Guest but I bet there will be plenty of options if you decide to do a sit down meal a few times!

 

[BigredNole]

You're going on vacation, relax. If I was this nervous or down, I wouldn't go. It is not worth the $1,000s to go to be miserable.

 

[dkrauss]

Excellent advice given here........up and down! There's always some anxiety about Disney Planning.........but it's finished. Time to party!!! Many here have said it's up to you regarding the time you have...........even if everything doesn't go to script, and that happens.........did to my wife and I in Nov........we won't be doing A Princess room at POR again ,.........but that in no way diminished the fun we had on the trip. Control what you can control...........move with the moment..........enjoy.......laugh.......it will be amazing!!! You'll be at DISNEY!

Doug

 

[Nancyg56]

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?!

I think you are worrying too much. You are going on a special trip, one that only concerns the two of you. You do not need to worry about kids or anyone else's expectation, so that should take the pressure off of some of this.

Same sex couple getting stared at? Maybe, but most likely no. Sometimes I think we feel as though someone is looking at us, but they really are not. We just are not that important. My DH is a really tall big guy. He is always concerned that people look at him. Sometimes they do, but I think it is not because of his size, but because he usually had a little girl perched on his arm like a bird. She was what people were enjoying.

Rent a scooter if need be...do not let pride get in the way of comfort.

I think you may be anxious, but it is not the trip, but a first trip together for the two of you. Relax and enjoy your time together, don't worry about what does not get accomplished, but what does, and have fun!

 

[999happythoughts]

I can see there being anxiety because theres so many things to do on a Disney vacation, however there are a few things you can do at your own pace. I like to discover new hidden mickeys that I've never seen before, you can pick up a book all about them in a merchandise store. Theres even a bunch of hidden Pascals (the character from tangled) in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom that are cool to search for. Maybe play a round of mini golf at Fantasia Mini Gardens? or Winter Summerland? There is also some cool movie props from Pirates of the Caribbean at the Pirates League in Magic Kingdom, I asked a Cast Member if they would be able to point them out to me one day and she seemed more than happy to. She was also very excited about it. You could even spend some time walking around the world at Epcot, it's not the time of year for the Food & Wine Festival but its always fun for me to eat something from a country that I don't eat on a normal basis. I wouldn't worry about stressing when its a time to just relax and be happy! Hakuna Matata! Enjoy your trip!

 

[SorryI'mNotSorry]

Thank you, guys. I was able to get some sleep last night and woke up feeling a little less nervous. I keep reminding myself that I'll be in the magic kingdom in the next couple hours and that music will bring back the happiness and kick out the jitters. I appreciate all the commiseration. While I hate that anyone has to deal with legit anxiety, it's nice to have people who "get it" sometimes. Thank you all for that. I'm on the magical express now. Wish me luck!

 

[hiroMYhero]

Thank you, guys. I was able to get some sleep last night and woke up feeling a little less nervous. I keep reminding myself that I'll be in the magic kingdom in the next couple hours and that music will bring back the happiness and kick out the jitters. I appreciate all the commiseration. While I hate that anyone has to deal with legit anxiety, it's nice to have people who "get it" sometimes. Thank you all for that. I'm on the magical express now. Wish me luck!

Thanks for reporting in! Have a wonderful vacation and closing out the thread now that your trip has begun.