Please do not allow trip planning to ruin your trip...

[eliza61]

Great post.

One other thing.... I have read posts on this board where the vacation was "ruined" when the poster didn't get room X or building Y IMHO that's just setting yourself up for disappointment. Always remember the key term REQUEST and that the room is at Disney......

I've notice an upswing in this too! It would really take a lot to ruin a disney vacation for me yet I see more and more post about vacations ruined for the smallest things. I mean is your vacation really "ruined" because you didn't get towel animals or had to stand up on a bus?

 

[abaldacci]

100% agree but I also think it's nature to do that at first. I know I did.
It's like when your mom tell's you not to do something it's a mistake. but its just something one has to learn on one's own. I now have my own style to fit my family and it works for us. good luck to all finding your personal Disney style.

 

[Mrs. D]

I totally agree. The DIS has provided great info, and helped me plan a wonderful trip for my family (we really had a great trip!), but I did have to catch myself a few times before we left and put it all in perspective.

 

[Aurora in blue]

Great Post! I find myself over analyzing every choice to see if it was the best. I think I need to re-focus and just get ready to enjoy our trip..which will be here in 9 days. I need to forget about the heat, that the resorts are packed , that the bus service at POR may not be great, that we dont have free dining this year ..and remember we are going to WDW again beacuse my family loves it...regardless if I get the "perfect" room location or not. Thanks for this post.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

I agree GOOD POST! After reading some threads/posts, I've often thought that if I was that stressed over my vacation, I would not have any fun. I (like many others on this thread) approach my WDW vacations postive and upbeat. I'm always just excited to be there. But then again.. I don't tend to have an "I'm entitled" attitude that some people have. I think this really adds to their stress level and leads to the "ruined" vacations because they didn't get a towel animal or free dessert! Good heavens, I'm so happy to be there, I'm happy if I just have CLEAN towels!!!!!

I think the dining plan has really loaded on the stress for some folks too. Good golly Ms Molly.. if you are getting free dining.. don't worry about getting your moneys worth. I agree with others, pick the restaurants you think you will like and go for it. You won't go hungry!!!

I know the turning point for me was when I decided I was going to WDW at least once every year. This reduced my stress level considerably when I knew I would be returning. Many people are not this fortunate and they really are planning the trip of a lifetime so I can see where they would plan more than I do.

Oh well.. I've made a short point too long.. but I'll see ya'll there on Aug 18th!!!

 

[edk35]

P&W - I STILL like your style!

It could just be me - and it usually is! - but I am noticing more and more negativity and perhaps pure anxiety on these boards.

I come on and use the boards like mad when I'm planning a trip and seek out the wisdom and reassurance of those who have travelled to WDW many more times than my half dozen trips. Every trip is different - kids grow older, needs shift, finances and available time change.

We just cancelled a week long cruise to instead get to Disney with my kids mid-August. We got a great offer at YC and it's our first time at an Epcot resort.I've been posting lots! I need input and validation that all will go well with my strange little family in a new place.

It bothers me when the "second guessing" occurs, too, but bothers me also when folks get so defensive also about wherever THEY ate or stayed. Sometimes it's as if the resort is actually your home or your family owns the dining venue! A little respect and understanding in responses could help, too - we are all different!

Thank you for the post!
melomouse YC 16 days!!!!!

I agree. We are going to SSR for the very first time Aug. 15th ....newbies to DVC and I was so worried about which section to request and blah blah blah....when I have never worried where we were placed at any other Disney Resort. So finally I realized...it is just a request and I am sure we will love our first DVC vacation split between SSR and BWV no matter what section we end up in. I have been doing this Disney thing for a while and we always have a great time...despite some small glitch.

 

[misskat]

I have been reading as a guest the last few months and, speaking as a travel agent, even I was getting stressed out over all the minute planning that I thought I had to do to make my trip in Sept. good. I had a good talking with myself and said "Self, my travel likes and dislikes are different from the ones posting and planning. Make 1 ADR per day, have a general idea as to what parks/attractions are a high priority, and show up". I really appreciate the sentiments posted in this thread and they have stuck with me since this thread started. Thank you for some positivity! It is Disney after all!

 

[rolshuk]

THis is a great post.
We are staying at all star movies with free dinning.
I was going to ask for certain rooms but decided to leave it to chance then I wont be disappointed.No problem staying in the value resorts...the others where out of my budget so didnt even look into them...I am looking forward to looking round the other resorts but I am just happy to be staying on site.
Although we are getting free dinning I have based my ADRs on the places I think my family will enjoy rather than getting the best for my money.I probly wont "get" half what other people do but hey its free
I have also cancelled a couple of ADRs for when we will be off site...I dont want to be rushing everyone back.We will eat off site or use a cs at DTD.
I think we will end up leaving a couple of TS and quite a few CS but again we will still have saved a lot of money.I have even commited the sin of...wasting 2 ts on CRT .Also booked three breakfast and I am not paying OOP!
AS for expecting something special to happen..I will be celebrating my 40th
while I am at WDW,thats what the trips for! I have had it noted on my ADRs but rather than expect something I have organized the diver in coral reef and will order a small cake,I will also organize a slipper at CRT on the day.Anything else will just be icing on the cake...eating at CRT regardless of how good the food is,on my big day will be my dream come true.
Hopefully this along with some planning to make the most of our park time will make it magic...at the end of the day as long as my teenage daughter doesnt do the stroppy teenage thing everything else will be fine