Tell me it's worth it

[Gracie09]

If you stress about stuff you can't control you will have a bad time. Your dd is three. She won't even know that a&e are there unless you say something. I honestly would cancel the CRT. I don't want to eat and 9 and would be cranky, never mind my 3 year old.
Even if things are planned perfectly a three year old is unpredictable. Last time I went with my 2 dd who were three. We had 5:00 dinner a akerhaus and dd1 had a hissy fit half way through and I removed her from the restaurant. She missed the parade and half the princesses. She will tell you though the most fun she had was the two of us watching the show in china and her playing bongos in the outlook/Africa area.

So what in saying is relax. You dd will have fun. She may actually have more fun playing in a splash pad or just walking along than all the great stuff you have planned. That's just kids

 

[leebee]

I am so sorry planning your trip is stressing you out and making you sad. Although we've been to Disney over 2 dozen times, the new FP+ changes with MDE and everything is stressing me out to the max, and making me want to throw in the towel and cancel, so I understand how you are feeling! I, too, have a DH who never feels the magic (although he's been to Disney maybe 6 times) who will be accompanying us on our next trip, so I get hubby-anxiety also. Here are my suggestions:

1. Cancel CRT. The food is mediocre and the cost exorbitant! Instead, plan dinner at 1900 Park Fare, at the Grand Floridian hotel (accessible from the Magic Kingdom via the monorail, so you don't have to go back to your car and drive around just to eat dinner). Dinner characters there are Cinderella and the Prince, Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anastasia (step mother and step sisters). It's a wonderful meal and I have heard the character interaction is wonderful, too.

2. To meet A&E, keep trying for the FP+. If it doesn't happen, drag your DD out of bed on MK day (she could even wear her shorts and tee shirt to bed the night before, and you can pack a snack and juice in your park bag) and be at the Magic Kingdom well before rope drop, then beat feet to the meet and greet site. You should be able to score a paper fastpass for later in the day. Do NOT make your DH accompany you on this early morning venture. Let him meet up with you a little later, somewhere in the park. You'll all be happier (but impress on him that he might not get to go to the M&G with you).

3. If DD really needs princesses, she can meet Belle at "Enchanted Tales with Belle" and Ariel in her Grotto in FantasyLand. Jasmine and Aladdin are in AdventureLand. There's always the Princess Hall (or whatever it's called) in FantasyLand. Don't panic- princesses ABOUND at WDW and yours will get to meet many of them! Go see the Lil Mermaid show and the Beauty & the Beast show in HS. ALSO… if she is too short for many of the attractions that one would normally FP+, use your FP+s for meet and greets.
Check out this link for "royalty" locations and suggestions:
http://www.charactercentral.net/CC7_DisneyCharacters_PrincesPrincesses.aspx

4. Handling Hubby. This is a bit more delicate. DH isn't a huge Disney lover, although he understands my fascination with it. While he is often happy to have DD and me go, he, himself, doesn't enjoy our repeat trips to WDW very much. He is a wonderful guy but being in large crowds with poorly behaved adults gets his goat. He gets irritated, and that rubs off on our pleasure. He is fairly orderly, a quasi-rule follower, and likes a relaxing schedule. SO… we go to WDW without DH much of the time. When he IS with us, I have found the following to be helpful. First, I don't make him stick to our itinerary. When DD was little I had an umbrella stroller for her and a backpack for me, so I could manage getting us on to the buses, etc., by myself We'd set out and he'd call when he got up. We'd arrange a meeting time/place, often being our lunch break (whether ADR or QS). I found that keeping DH well-rested was tantamount to our enjoyment of the parks- even more than making sure DD got her sleep! He always knew if he was "done" he was free to return to the room, and I made sure that I NEVER whined about it or made him feel guilty for doing so! DH takes WDW in smaller doses, at a much slower pace, than DD or I ever did.

4. MONEY. That's the name of the game at WDW! If we can't go to WDW for $1000 or less per person for a week, we don't go. Yes, it takes finagling. I open credit card accounts with Southwest for the rapid rewards (frequent flyer) points, so we can book "free" airfare. I regularly use my Disney VISA for all purchases possible for the points (1% of purchases become $1 in Disney reward dollars), paying off the balance each month, so I have "money" saved up- EARmarked for Disney. I always look at whether an offsite or onsite hotel would be more affordable. I belong to a variety of "free" member sites so I can score discounts on rental cars, theme park tickets, etc. This is how we've been able to go to Disney every year (or two, slowed down once DD hit high school, also chose some vacations based on DH's preferences). PLEASE don't think that this may be your DD's one and only trip to WDW so you have to blow the budget and do EVERYTHING. Believe me, she will be FINE if she doesn't do BBB, for example. You can cut corners by doing quick service meals sometimes instead of doing all- or any- table service restaurants. Skip dessert at meals in favor of treats in the park. Keep your trip within your budget and I promise your DH will be happier.

OP, please keep in mind that you need to focus your energies and excitement on the things you are going to do, not the things you will miss. BREATHE, and remember you are going to The Most Magical Place On Earth! Take your budget in hand, keep your DH in mind, and plan the vacation that is going to work for YOUR family, not the ultimate vacation of a lifetime based on what you might read on posts here. Your 3 year old has NO expectations of what is going to happen. I assure you she will have an amazing trip to Disney World, as long as you are having an amazing time with her!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Drop the CRT. Skip the A&E if it is stressing you out. You can see them in the daytime parade. Go see some other regular princess M&Gs. Your daughter can ride tons of stuff...sounds like she is into it and will have a blast.

Now...your husband. This is a big and expensive undertaking. I think you need to have a serious talk with him and tell him that you need him, you need his support on this, you need him to be all in. You need him to be your knight in shining armor on this trip Maybe tell him what you wrote in this post so he feels some sympathy for you as well with all of the planning stress.

I hope you have a great trip and I hope you come back and let us know if it was worth it!

 

[Disneylover99]

Drop the CRT. Skip the A&E if it is stressing you out. You can see them in the daytime parade. Go see some other regular princess M&Gs. Your daughter can ride tons of stuff...sounds like she is into it and will have a blast.

I totally agree. OP, you are setting yourself up for disappointment with these high expectations because you see it as a once in a lifetime trip for your daughter. Relax and go with the flow.

And honestly, if your husband is truly not on board with this, leave him at the resort to relax and meet up with him later.

 

[lizzyb]

If DH hates the parks so much why have him go? If it's just the one child (or am I misunderstanding?) the two of you go and have a blast while he plays golf or whatever with his dad. The money you can save on his ticket can be used for either additional day or if that possible, park hoppers or another character meal.

I agree. If my DH was so miserable about it I would just take my child.

 

[lilluv117]

She has, but she doesn't remember. I talked him in to going for a day when she was 19 months. That was when he decided he could never go back and live a happy life. She's 3 now, which is just perfect for the magic. This is the kid who sucks in her breath and says "I've been in that castle" when she sees it on TV. She doesn't remember, we've told her she's been there. DH and I are opposites in a lot of ways. He's impatient. He would rather leave a restaurant and get fast food than wait more than 15 minutes for a table. We are opposites when it comes to travel, like Green Acres opposites. Give him a campsite and water, he's happy. Give me a tourist trap with overpriced coffee mugs and I'm happy. Getting him to agree to a multi day trip was beyond anything I ever expected. But now, I'm just at the point where I'm no longer excited. I'm essentially going to be paying a lot of money to be dragging him around. The waiting for A&E thing is just not going to happen, and I know LO will want that. I'm going to be the one who is trying to play peacemaker between two impatient children. I think I just need to sleep on it.

When are your dates? Try at 30 days out when more FP's may possibly open up. Also, are you subscribed to the cancelled ADR thread? Sometimes people will post cancelled fastpasses as well.

And about your husband, you could always plan a trip with your daughter or even with someone else. I'm going in December with my sister and our kids because we wanted to go a second time this year but not deal with our husbands. Lol!

 

[think-like-tink]

I would drop CRT for sure.

DD was 3 the first time she went, we ate BF at Arkeshus (?) She loved it. It was more relaxed and not rushed like CRT can be.

Another thing from her, she is 8 now, Her fave. memory from that trip was when she met Tink. and She didn't want to leave Tink, so another fairy came over and they started fighting over her. AND the fireworks. That's it.

I would make it a girls day. I know how bummed you are about not having DH go to. But, if he will be a grumpy, put his ticket money toward something else. BBB sounds perfect for your daughter. She would get LOTS of princess attention. You have amazing pictures to boot!

So, there. You have gotten great feed back from others, STOP STRESSING. and have a magical day.

 

[LaurenT]

She has, but she doesn't remember. I talked him in to going for a day when she was 19 months. That was when he decided he could never go back and live a happy life. She's 3 now, which is just perfect for the magic. This is the kid who sucks in her breath and says "I've been in that castle" when she sees it on TV. She doesn't remember, we've told her she's been there.

DH and I are opposites in a lot of ways. He's impatient. He would rather leave a restaurant and get fast food than wait more than 15 minutes for a table. We are opposites when it comes to travel, like Green Acres opposites. Give him a campsite and water, he's happy. Give me a tourist trap with overpriced coffee mugs and I'm happy. Getting him to agree to a multi day trip was beyond anything I ever expected.

But now, I'm just at the point where I'm no longer excited. I'm essentially going to be paying a lot of money to be dragging him around. The waiting for A&E thing is just not going to happen, and I know LO will want that. I'm going to be the one who is trying to play peacemaker between two impatient children.

I think I just need to sleep on it.

I recommend leaving the bigger kid home. Seriously, he's going to hate it and by extension make the whole thing miserable for you and your dd. He's visiting his dad, let him have a few extra days with just him and his dad. They can do drive thru and fish off the local bridge. it'll make him happy, it'll make you happy and it'll shave 1/3 off the cost....
My DH isn't as averse to Disney, but it's not his first choice. So, sometimes he comes with us and sometimes he doesn't. Even when he comes with us, we often stay in the park while he goes back for a leisurely lunch at the resort...

 

[HM]

I think I'm going to be one of the few to say that I think you should cancel this trip to WDW. It's not meeting your expectations and I think you'll be disappointed. Wait a couple years and take her when you have more time and money to spend and she's old enough to do more of the big rides. Plus maybe on the next trip you'll be able snag a better ADR and some FPs you want.

For now, if you're tacking a trip onto your visit with a relative, why don't you do a day at Seaworld instead? It's a good park to do with a younger child. Or spend the three days at a FL beach instead.

 

[Cap'nJack'sMum]

I only say this isn't worth it because it's causing you too much stress. Your daughter is 3 years old. She's not going to remember if she met A&E or if it was Cinderella. What she will remember is what you have to say about the trip in later years. If all you can say is that it was the worst trip because Daddy was in a mood, we had CRT reservations that were at 9:15pm and she slept through them, and you stood in line for 3 hours to spend 2 minutes with some princesses then it's going to be a bad memory for her, too.

This trip is going to be what you make it. Personally, I would cancel CRT and keep trying to get FP for A&E. If you don't get FP, take her to see the other princesses and make reservations for a different princess meal (breakfast is really good for the littles because they're fresh in the morning).

Spend the time that you would in line to see A&E making memories that you can tell her about with a smile. Don't fall for the hype. WDW is so much more than what is most popular at the moment.

Good luck, OP!

 

[Aurora0427]

I'm sorry you're married to a Disney hater! Look, as a mom who has been to Disney with a toddler twice, I'm going to be honest and say that there's no way CRT at 9:15 is a good idea. I'd keep checking, but I'd let that one go if nothing earlier pops up. As for Anna & Elsa, keep an eye on this new testing system, and make sure you're at MK at rd. To make this trip as stress free as possible, you need a touring strategy for each park. Do you have one? Check out www.easywdw.com for great plans.

Any chance you can take her to Disney one day without your husband? Good luck.

 

[Kalea]

I wouldn't "cancel," but I'd postpone for a couple years. Maybe DH would have a better time in the parks with an older child? Maybe waiting a couple years would be more fun for the kiddo too?

And only you know your DH, but I don't think I'd make mine take a trip he didn't want. Especially one as physically taxing as WDW can be. Maybe see what he would like to do this year? Then he can work with you on WDW next trip.

 

[jerivera]

I'm with everyone here.

If your husband doesn't like Disney, then you really should consider him not going. He can go on a camping trip elsewhere with his buds, or maybe somewhere in Florida if plane tickets have already been purchased. Unless he's ok with going to the golf course daily (or elsewhere) while you're at Disney (I know folk who do just that ). Some folk just do not like Disney at all. And they'll use anything and everything that happens at the parks as an excuse to further hate/bash Disney. Like those folks who go during Summer months w/o any planning and use that to bash Disney at every opportunity. Yeesh.

Another option is to do The Campsites @ Fort Wilderness in Disney. That might be more appealing for someone who likes camping. Go to the nightly campfire. Maybe do the Hoop Dee Doo show.

You may also consider other family members going in his stead. Grandma/Auntie/Godmother/BFF/Other, Mom & LO trip sounds like a great bonding experience, IMO.

As for A&E, don't freak out about it! There are princesses EVERYWHERE in Disney. Just go for alternate locations if you want a meal with them (look them up, there's quite a few of them), or do the Hall in Fantasyland as folks have suggested, or just watch them on the parade! Don't let just one thing (out of a hundred) ruing a trip for you.

Not sure I should even mention this, but another thing to note. In the past, ADRs have been released about a month or a week (not sure when exactly) prior to arrival date. Not sure if they still do that, though. Or if they do that for FP+. So I'd just go with a Plan B.

Having said that, if you'll going to let an ADR and a FP ruin your vacation already, then yea, maybe you should skip for now, and plan for another time. Remember, LO is 3. She'll likely love the trip and get really cranky at times, but she'll likely not remember most of it in 3 years time. Trips at that age are all about bonding with your LO, I think. And if she doesn't do a M&G she doesn't know anything about, I'm almost 100% sure she'll be ok with it.

 

[stky6]

Tell him it's not about HIM at Disney but about enjoying the excitement of seeing HIS daughter enjoy herself and making those Disney memories WITH her.

Fifteen years from now when she is moving out getting ready to get on with her life and you all are sitting around looking at the pictures of her Disney trip when she was this age, does he want her to remember the fun she had with mom AND dad at Disney, or have to ask/remember why dad wasn't in any of the pictures?

They grow up fast, worse thing in life is looking at them when they are moving out and wishing you had more memories of doing stuff with them when they were little, you can't go back for a re-do.

 

[Raya]

But now, I'm just at the point where I'm no longer excited. I'm essentially going to be paying a lot of money to be dragging him around. The waiting for A&E thing is just not going to happen, and I know LO will want that. I'm going to be the one who is trying to play peacemaker between two impatient children.

Stupid question: Why take him? You said you guys were going to visit his Dad, right? Why not leave him for three days of 'boy time' with his Dad and take your LO to the park just the two of you? I agree that it doesn't make sense to pay a lot of money for him to do something that doesn't make him happy.

 

[gtpoohbear]

Another vote for not bringing him. Or at least not to MK, it sounds like he may be interested in AK. Maybe he could spend your other park days hanging out at the hotel or assuming you will have a car, drive over to the beach.

I really think it's time for a serious heart-to-heart with him. While I would hope that he could be a grown up, and do something special for his daughter regardless of what "he" wants, if it's not going to happen it's not worth forcing it. And chances are, if he feels like you are forcing something on him, he's going to make darn sure he doesn't enjoy it.

As for the princess experiences, I will say that on our first trip, I waited too late for ADRs and the only CRT I could get for the whole week was at 8:50pm. But it was fine, we took a long break that afternoon and we finished just in time to see the fireworks in front of the Castle. (DD was 4)

But there are other opportunities for princesses too, and at 3, she won't know the difference anyway. You can walk through the Castle, and to her, that's "being in it". Same for A&E. You might be able to get one of the new standby FPs, but if she doesn't know any better, she won't miss it. You can see them in the parade.

I wouldn't give up on the trip, I think it can still work out and be magical. Just try to find a compromise that DH can live with, even if it means he stays home.

 

[Seeker615]

Hmmm...this is a tough call.

I am with the minority and maybe cancel and go when your little one is a bit older?

If something doesn't feel right then there is probably something wrong. I was all set to go to Disney last year with my hubby for our anniversary. He was not thrilled and the more I had to plan the less good I felt it about it. It was for the two of us and I could see him not being happy waiting for shuttles to get around form place to place. In the end I cancelled and booked Universal and we had an excellent time. No shuttles, less planning and crowds. We were both happy. (And we went to Mickey's Christmas Party one evening so I could see MK all lit up.)

In the end it is your decision. I took my youngest to Disney when she was 4 and it was doable but she napped a lot in the stroller and luckily we had the older kids and my sister so we could switch off for rides.

While in Florida there is a lot of great places to visit with your little one. Would your hubby like maybe one day at MK and then maybe doing something he would enjoy so you are all having a great time?

 

[bumbershoot]

Don't stress. She's three and the trip shouldn't be about her. It should be about everyone. She won't know that Anna and Elsa are there. She won't know you can eat in the castle. She'll know about what she sees in front of her.

Your husband isn't being fair. He's given it one day which isn't any amount of time. Camping for one day for someone who isn't ink the outdoors Ian giving coin a good shot. And a 3 day park trip is getting the most expensive per day tickets you can get. Going for longer brings the per day cost of the tickets down and gives more opportunity for relaxation. Is DH aware of the campground and activities to do there?

Canceling because you're not excited is silly because tons of people start feeling that way at a certain point in planning. Pull back those things you feel you need to do. She's 3 and will have a brilliant time. And she's young enough that she won't know what she is missing.

But do work on that hubby thing.

 

[ShannonMB]

1) DH. My DH is not a Disney fan. As weird as I'm sure some would find it, Disney is a huge part of my life and I have a true passion for it. I sometimes wonder if I had held out, if I might not have found a nice fella here on the DIS! I'm totally kidding (I think), but as long as he doesn't stand in my way, we are fine. He has not been with us since DD was 6 (she's 13 now and we've had 6 trips since then), and that suits us fine. My policy in general is that if you aren't up for some Disney magic, you aren't coming with me.

2) CRT. Dump it. I agree with others who have said it's way overpriced and the food is nothing to write home about. Since you aren't going to EPCOT, I totally agree with a PP who said to head over to GF and go to 1900 Park Fare. Your DD will be mesmerized and won't know the difference. Do keep trying, though, if you have your heart set on CRT. We REALLY want BOG (went last year and LOVED it). I changed my dates for FD and lost our ADR, and I keep checking for cancellations, but I'm not giving up hope until much closer. Your and my best chance for cancellations is at/after the 45 day mark when payment is due and people cancel their trips.

3) A&E. Keep checking for cancellations, but if it doesn't happen, I would dump the whole idea. Unless you have spent a lot of time telling her about meeting them, she won't know the difference and as others have said, there are plenty of other princesses to meet. She might find a new favorite out of it. DD never thought anything about Chip and Dale till she met them, now they have a very special place in her heart.

Only you can decide if the trip is worth it to you, but I personally would not cancel!

 

[mm1971]

Please, someone just remind me that it's worth it. I'm ready to cancel the whole thing. My DH does not like Disney. At all. I worked for months trying to get him to agree to this, and he finally gave in to do 3 days at the parks while we're visiting his dad. But...

My LO is obsessed with princesses. Especially Frozen (I know, shocking). We are going in September, missing the Frozen celebration. I just tried for FPs and of course, nothing.

We were able to get an ADR for CRT, but it's at 9:15 PM. If you've ever met a normal 3 year old, you know 9:15 is not a good time for anything other than wrangling them into bed. I hate to say it, but I think I'm going to have to just give it up. I've been stalking for an earlier time, but I have forced myself to step away. It's almost like an addiction. I want this trip to be perfect, it might be my only chance to take her if DH has anything to do with it.

And that leads me to giving up on the whole trip. Why am I spending thousands to not get to do what she would love the most? We are doing 1 day in AK (DH insisted), 1 day at MK and 1 day at HS. Thousands of dollars. If I'm going to spend 3 hours in line to see A&E, WHY. Why am I spending the money. Why am I stressing about everything. She isn't tall enough to do a lot of the rides. We could do a week at the beach and save a ton of money.

I realize I'm on a board with fellow Disney fanatics, but really. If you can't do what you really want to do while you are there, why bother going? Am I crazy?

I didn't read through all of the responses so if other details have been discussed, sorry. I would reschedule the trip to a later/different time.

1) If DH does not want to go, save $$ and leave him at his dad's while you go to Disney. (I am a DH and would appreciate the quiet time and not having to do something I do not enjoy).

2) A&E waits and times will drop at some point and FP will become available. I would not wait in line for 3 hours to do anything and the disappointment would mean not putting my 3 year old in that situation.

3) CRT at 9:15PM would be a no-go for us and I have older kids. No way my kids would be eating at 9:15PM. We always tried to stay on a reasonable schedule when they were young.

4) Take the beach vacation and put the rest of the $$ away so you will have it when needed to rebook.

Vacation is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Disney is a little more stressful with the planning and there can be physically taxing sometimes. I would not pay "thousands" as you say to add stress. There has to be a way to go when you can get the FP and fun you are looking for, DH aside.

Good luck no matter what you decide. Just remember that "perfect" is your perception. Sometimes I think the perfect vacation, even at Disney, would be swimming at the pool all day. That was the highlight of all our vacation when the kids were young.