Trying to live up to past trips

[100AcreMom]

We have had some great Disney trips over the past few years, and have gotten spoiled by low crowds. We leave Saturday and I can't get excited about it because I am so worried about "what if it's too crowded" or "what if the weather is lousy", etc. How do you get past the great memories of past trips and not fret about the future? I'm afraid that I am so obsessed with planning this trip that I'll flip out if things don't go well.

I think DIS needs a mental health board or support group for those of us suffering from chronic overplanning.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

An interesting question!

I go through this each and every trip with the worrying. Yet somehow it always lives up to billing.

I think the average person frequenting these boards, no arrogance intended (don't know what it would get me anyway!), is to some degree a Disney pro. We all know how to work the system and squeeze a dollar ten out of every buck we spend.

For myself, going in June and then again in the low-season in the fall, I fret my June trip every year. Yet it never fails to live up to and past expectations. I've finally settled into a groove. I believe I have a leg up on the average Disney traveler in several ways:

I know to either not go on Easter, July 4th, Xmas, etc, or else to accept what I'm going to find there.

I know when I go in the fall, things will be closed, and when I go in June, everything will be open but more crowded. I make up for this by keeping in mind that there is SO much to do and I'm getting to the point where with a little research to see what's changed in the last couple months, I can be where "they" aren't.

I've been to Disney over 30 times in my adult life. I know there is a ton of stuff to do, and I've seen everything enough that if I have to miss something today in order to miss a crowd or duck a shower, I know I'll catch it tomorrow. And if I miss it this trip, I'll catch it in the fall.

After living through seasonal downpours, hurricane warnings, and the dreaded squalls while in MK on a Saturday, I know not to fear the rain. If it rains, I get rain gear on and do what I do. And if it rains really hard, I get wet. So what? When it's not raining, it's really, really hot, and I usually have to head back to the hotel. To jump in the pool. To get wet. Go figure.

In short, I began to realize that WDW isn't Epcot, or MK, or The Boardwalk, or DTD, or even the Adventurer's Club (ok, maybe it IS the AC). It's a feeling I get when I'm surrounded by it. I'm as happy sitting under cover in front of DTD's World of Disney, waiting for the inevitable 4 PM deluge to stop as I am riding Spaceship Earth. I'm addicted to Disney and I'm just getting my bi-yearly fix. And it doesn't hurt anyone but my accountant.

That said, if DIS begins offering recreational therapy, I'll take it...

 

[Local_Girl]

Wow, that's a good question. We had a great trip last year and have another planned for Dec. and I too have worried a bit that our upcoming trip might not live up to expectations. One thing I thought might help is that we are planning to do new things this time--try new restaurants, go to Disney Quest, try the WDW mini golf, park hop to resorts we haven't seen before, etc. Of course we'll do our favorites, but having new things to look forward to will help us enjoy our next trip!

Also, regarding crowd levels and weather...there is little one can personally do to influence either, but you can be prepared with info (from these boards! ) such as using fastpasses and ponchos.

Hope you can work through your concerns and have a wonderful trip!

 

[Ursula]

I had the same worries and fears, weather, crowds, what if someone gets sick, etc, before our trip last week. I planned obsessively for months to make this trip the best, and carefully chose the time of year for good weather and low crowds, researched all the resorts, etc.

Well, wouldn't you know, last week in FL the temps. were in the 90's and very humid! Not what I was expectingat all! I may as well have booked our trip in the summer. We stuck to our plan as much as possible but just could not see and do everything we wanted due to the heat. We probably did about 1/2 the things on our list, but we still had the most wonderful vacation Try not to worry to much and just go with the flow when you get there, and I'm sure your vacation will be magical just like ours was

 

[karabear8317]

that is a great question and i would be happy to see what people have to say because this is what i am going through too and what i always go through!!!!!!

 

[InstImpres]

I have the same thing. I try to make sure each trip has at least 2 unique highlights to it. Last trip it was Illuminations Cruise and Tarzan Rocks, Princess Breakfast. In July for me it will be a backstage tour and great new dining. I already have an August trip planned with my DD - doing the Poly Torch lighting and Storm a Long Bay. I am working on special treats for our Feb trip now!

I find I am starting to go much more frequently but Disney always has a parade or show we haven't seen or a restuarant we haven't tried.

Enjoy,
Sandy

 

[HM]

I think the key is to make each trip unique. Stay at a different resort/hotel, try new restaurants/counter service places, find something new to try that you haven't done before....

The magic will be there, just don't look for it, let it find you.

-HM

 

[MOQ3424]

Just be glad you're at WDW. And never compare trips It will just get you mad if everything isn't the same. Everything can't always be the same and every trip you take is still as magical as the ones in the past and will be as magical as your future trips!