We leave in 9 days...and I'm so tired...

[Daisybelle]

So this is new for me. We booked our trip in May and have been so hyper about our trip. Until the last couple of weeks. Our summer has been its own roller coaster and I can tell my daughter and I are both DRAINED. The happy Disney bubbles we usually have seem to have popped. I want my Disney bubbles back!

With all the ups and downs there hasn't been any time to do our usual build up of Disney movies, plotting out our must-dos, etc.

Has this ever happened to you? What did you do to get excited for your trip again? Any words of wisdom?

 

[minniecarousel]

Maybe it's time to just go by the seat of your pants! Don't plan much. Decide whether you'll do any EEs. Life can sometimes get in the way - just go and have fun!

 

[djmeredith]

So this is new for me. We booked our trip in May and have been so hyper about our trip. Until the last couple of weeks. Our summer has been its own roller coaster and I can tell my daughter and I are both DRAINED. The happy Disney bubbles we usually have seem to have popped. I want my Disney bubbles back! With all the ups and downs there hasn't been any time to do our usual build up of Disney movies, plotting out our must-dos, etc. Has this ever happened to you? What did you do to get excited for your trip again? Any words of wisdom?

I started my first DLR trip last week in a similar frame of mind. I'm a WDW person and am used to planning, but just couldn't do it for this trip. Plus I read so many comments on here about how DLR parks didn't require as much planning. So I just decided to fly by the seat of my pants on our first day with no real plan. BIG mistake because of the huge crowds right now (which I hear are basically normal summer crowds). After a disastrous first day, I jumped on Ridemax and have used it the rest of our days. Well worth the $15. And even though I haven't followed their suggested plans minute by minute, it relieved some of my anxiety to have a plan and the plan worked fairly well when I did stick to it. So I would recommend you guys use Ridemax in hopes that it will get you excited, and even if it doesn't, at least you still have a plan.

 

[chabelita545]

I agree with minniecarousel; don't over plan or worry about every single detail. And don't worry that your usual pre-trip activities aren't doing it for you this time. Maybe it's time to let go of them.

Do something you've never done before. Try Disneybounding or collecting pins or plan little pixie dust surprises to do for/give to other people. Last summer, my DS13 bought a Hidden Mickey book and was so excited to look for HMs, something we'd never done before.

One thing that always gets us excited to go is looking at our photos from previous trips.

Most of all, slow down! In the week before your trip, make sure you eat well and get enough sleep. Pack a few days early. Starting a trip tired and stressed is no fun.

 

[surfmontana]

No real advice, but I feel ya!

We pulled the trigger on a 'last minute' trip less than 2 weeks ago and will be leaving in 3 weeks.

With things being so hectic until we go, I feel I am not getting the enjoyment mileage out of planning I did last time and feel a bit stressed instead.

I like the idea of simply going through old photos and knowing that all will be right with the world once the trip starts and all the craziness of the summer will be left behind.

Last summer, my DS13 bought a Hidden Mickey book and was so excited to look for HMs, something we'd never done before.

Can you tell me the title of the Hidden Mickey Book? My DS11 has been all about the HM

 

[dpswift]

I think your feelings are coming from the fact that your family is growing up. I have had these feelings in many other aspects in my life. The year I realized that my kids did not want to drive around looking at Christmas lights, the last few years Christmas itself.

On our trip last May we all had a great time but did not do half the things that I had planned. My 25 year old wanted to spend most of his time on California Scream and my 12 year old divided his time between that ride and the Goofy Ride.

To be honest I start to cry as soon as I enter the Magic Kingdom. I think once you get there you will be excited again. Just accept the fact that your traditions will change. DH and I have wanted to do a Disney movie night for months and we still have not.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...Can you tell me the title of the Hidden Mickey Book? My DS11 has been all about the HM

Disneyland's Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to the Disneyland Resort's Best-Kept Secrets

- Dreams

 

[Gigi22]

OP, this may sound a little strange, but I strongly suggest you and your DD go to your hairdresser before your holiday. Several reasons for this: automatic relaxation; it feels good to spend some time on yourself in the here and now; getting a new do makes keeping your hair in good shape for park touring so much easier. Really, it works! Consider it an investment in your well-being. No matter what, you are going to the happiest place on earth! And that's a good thing.

 

[Daisybelle]

So many good points and suggestions!!! Thank you. I think focusing on a restful,healthy week next week will be key and going in for a little pampering beforehand are great ideas. I think I will make an appointment to get our nails done the Friday before we leave.

Thank you for the perspective and tips!!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

So this is new for me. We booked our trip in May and have been so hyper about our trip. Until the last couple of weeks. Our summer has been its own roller coaster and I can tell my daughter and I are both DRAINED. The happy Disney bubbles we usually have seem to have popped. I want my Disney bubbles back!

With all the ups and downs there hasn't been any time to do our usual build up of Disney movies, plotting out our must-dos, etc.

Has this ever happened to you? What did you do to get excited for your trip again? Any words of wisdom?

This was us before our October DLR trip last year. And the parks were crowded, too. The little things helped a lot. The stop-and-smell-the-roses minor attractions, the wandering through the parks without putting pressure on ourselves to get too much done. New Orleans Square. Tom Sawyer Island. The Mark Twain. Eating pretzels beneath the swings in DCA. Just going slowly and letting the Disneyland vibe kind of heal us. Throwing any commando plans out the window. All of that helped a lot and we had a good time as usual. It didn't solve any of our problems back at home, but we were in a better mood when we got back, definitely.

 

[chabelita545]

Disneyland's Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to the Disneyland Resort's Best-Kept Secrets

- Dreams

That's the one! It's lightweight, about 3 by 8 inches, 140 pages long, and has a yellow cover. There is an app you can buy for your phone that's cheaper than the book, but App Store reviews are mixed. My son loved reading the book before our vacation and used colored tabs to mark certain pages for quick reference. He even carried it around in the family backpack the first few days of our trip, but he didn't get it out and use it much in the parks after the first day. Too much else was going on for him to want to take the time. We found some HM, but have a gazillion more to look for next time.

 

[SweetAlex]

You know, with all the hectic-ness you've experienced this summer, I wonder if this means that this time around will be extra special for you. Sounds like you could use a vacation big time and knowing this, you might just savour and appreciate every moment "playing" a little bit more than other trips.

I second the plan of going with no plan (oxymoron much). Relax. Go with the flow. Enjoy every non-planned moment of your non-planned trip. If you have no schedule, then it's impossible to be disappointed when things don't go as planned. Okay, have I used the word "plan" enough here yet...?

Enjoy your "down time" together and forget about life just briefly enough to be swallowed by the Disney magic that will inevitably hit you when you walk through those gates.

 

[YukonMommy]

I am loving this thread!!! I find even though we do the Disney movies and I am a pretty good organised person (with 4 kids I have to be) I still find the week leading up to travel day stressful. Last minute glitches, life in general gets in the way and pops my Disney bubbles!

But I find once we are there, walking to Disney it all sort of just goes away. I literally force myself to relax (motto=this moment is now! breath, relax and be in this moment!!) and my Disney bubble is back! (it helps that our family rule is absolutely no electronics of any kind (minus a camera) leave the hotel room.

Try to pamper yourself, try to relax, although I understand its always easier said than done

Have a most magical and relaxing time!!

 

[Daisybelle]

This was us before our October DLR trip last year. And the parks were crowded, too. The little things helped a lot. The stop-and-smell-the-roses minor attractions, the wandering through the parks without putting pressure on ourselves to get too much done. New Orleans Square. Tom Sawyer Island. The Mark Twain. Eating pretzels beneath the swings in DCA. Just going slowly and letting the Disneyland vibe kind of heal us. Throwing any commando plans out the window. All of that helped a lot and we had a good time as usual. It didn't solve any of our problems back at home, but we were in a better mood when we got back, definitely.

Good advice, mike!! Thank you.

 

[Daisybelle]

You know, with all the hectic-ness you've experienced this summer, I wonder if this means that this time around will be extra special for you. Sounds like you could use a vacation big time and knowing this, you might just savour and appreciate every moment "playing" a little bit more than other trips.

I second the plan of going with no plan (oxymoron much). Relax. Go with the flow. Enjoy every non-planned moment of your non-planned trip. If you have no schedule, then it's impossible to be disappointed when things don't go as planned. Okay, have I used the word "plan" enough here yet...?

Enjoy your "down time" together and forget about life just briefly enough to be swallowed by the Disney magic that will inevitably hit you when you walk through those gates.

I am loving this thread!!! I find even though we do the Disney movies and I am a pretty good organised person (with 4 kids I have to be) I still find the week leading up to travel day stressful. Last minute glitches, life in general gets in the way and pops my Disney bubbles!

But I find once we are there, walking to Disney it all sort of just goes away. I literally force myself to relax (motto=this moment is now! breath, relax and be in this moment!!) and my Disney bubble is back! (it helps that our family rule is absolutely no electronics of any kind (minus a camera) leave the hotel room.

Try to pamper yourself, try to relax, although I understand its always easier said than done

Have a most magical and relaxing time!!

Thank you both so much!! Your comments really helped, as did everyone's. We have the major parts mapped out and that should be sufficient.
I've decided to take an extra day off before we leave to get organized and go get manicures together. That will help us start relaxing.

 

[BensWife]

I can totally relate to this post! DH and I planned an adults only trip for July and just got back a couple weeks ago. Back in May, I was soooo excited. DH and I were talking about it all the time (in code trying not to make the kids feel bad as we were planning our vacation - even though they knew we are taking them later this year) and just having a grand ol' time with it! Then came June. I got a terrible sinus infection, and while I was sick, DH was out of town for 2 weeks. Then, to make matters worse, I had a reaction to the antibiotics, tried a new one, and also had a reaction to that one. This was all about 3 weeks before we left. The medication (reaction to the z-pack - I think I am the only one who does since it supposed to be the one with the least side effects). Well, the z-pack stays in your system for a long time, so the reaction was sticking around forever. I was sooo stressed about my reaction (feeling crazy dizzy and a weird anxiety) that there was a point I almost had DH cancel. I did start to feel a little better about 4 days before we left and by the time we left, I was even a little better, but still not 100%. However, once we got there, it was GREAT! I don't know if it was the Disney magic or what, but I was able to leave my problems at the gate and really enjoyed our vacation. There was one evening that I kinda started to feel yucky, but got to feeling better after a while and still enjoyed my trip! And what was a nice bonus, is once I got back, I feel like a new woman! Back to my normal self - feeling great and a lot less stress. So, I don't have any wise words on how to get excited again, but just know that if you don't, once you get there you will forget about all that stress and be happy! Good luck!

 

[lalasmama]

So this is new for me. We booked our trip in May and have been so hyper about our trip. Until the last couple of weeks. Our summer has been its own roller coaster and I can tell my daughter and I are both DRAINED. The happy Disney bubbles we usually have seem to have popped. I want my Disney bubbles back!

With all the ups and downs there hasn't been any time to do our usual build up of Disney movies, plotting out our must-dos, etc.

Has this ever happened to you? What did you do to get excited for your trip again? Any words of wisdom?

This happened to me when I was heading for a solo trip 2 years ago... I was thrilled, so very excited, for my first mommy-only-weekend and just.couldn't.wait! My coworkers had a countdown going and everything! Then, two days before I left, there was a work crisis (potentially costing my not-for-profit clinic $10k, and affecting our ability to provide vaccines to children on Medicaid). I didn't sleep much that night! (Everything was sorted out the next day, but the stress was still there, wondering what would happen while I was away!) Then my birthmother came to a town 90 minutes away unexpectedly, and wanted to spend the night, asking me to take her to the airport on the morning of my flight. Kind of difficult since I was getting a ride from a coworker, but we went with it. She wanted to stay up all night talking about her life, her marriage, etc., so we stayed up until 3am. The morning of the 8:00am flight, we had to drop DD off at daycare. The lady was arguing with me about if it was 7:00 or 7:15... and wouldn't take DD until it was 7:15, despite the fact they open at 7:00am. So then we get to the airport at 7:40 for an 8am flight. And my birthmom wanted to stop and chat, eat breakfast, spend more time chatting. There wasn't time for that! I got on the airplane at the last possible minute, throwing birthmom a kiss, and sitting next to the stinky bathroom. Lovely.

I was so ready to throw in the towel!

Then, I got to LAX, where I had never been before... and waited 90 minutes for the DLRE. And then the DLRE changed their stops, so I had to walk a "LONG" block to my hotel (from Katella and Harbor to the Super 8 on Katella, so not really "long" until you remember that nothing had been easy the last 2 days!). And then the lady checking me in wanted to chat! I just wanted to get to the parks! She gives me the keys to my room (finally!) and I go there... to find out that the remodel hadn't made it to those rooms yet! Boo!

What turned me around was finally walking into the parks, and just taking it all in. I remember sitting on the porch to the old lingerie store, and just breathing in the ambiance. But, on my flight, quite honestly, I was thinking, "Sheesh, what in the world is this trip going to be like if this is how my week was?!"

 

[canadiandisneymommy]

This happened to me when I was heading for a solo trip 2 years ago... I was thrilled, so very excited, for my first mommy-only-weekend and just.couldn't.wait! My coworkers had a countdown going and everything! Then, two days before I left, there was a work crisis (potentially costing my not-for-profit clinic $10k, and affecting our ability to provide vaccines to children on Medicaid). I didn't sleep much that night! (Everything was sorted out the next day, but the stress was still there, wondering what would happen while I was away!) Then my birthmother came to a town 90 minutes away unexpectedly, and wanted to spend the night, asking me to take her to the airport on the morning of my flight. Kind of difficult since I was getting a ride from a coworker, but we went with it. She wanted to stay up all night talking about her life, her marriage, etc., so we stayed up until 3am. The morning of the 8:00am flight, we had to drop DD off at daycare. The lady was arguing with me about if it was 7:00 or 7:15... and wouldn't take DD until it was 7:15, despite the fact they open at 7:00am. So then we get to the airport at 7:40 for an 8am flight. And my birthmom wanted to stop and chat, eat breakfast, spend more time chatting. There wasn't time for that! I got on the airplane at the last possible minute, throwing birthmom a kiss, and sitting next to the stinky bathroom. Lovely. I was so ready to throw in the towel! Then, I got to LAX, where I had never been before... and waited 90 minutes for the DLRE. And then the DLRE changed their stops, so I had to walk a "LONG" block to my hotel (from Katella and Harbor to the Super 8 on Katella, so not really "long" until you remember that nothing had been easy the last 2 days!). And then the lady checking me in wanted to chat! I just wanted to get to the parks! She gives me the keys to my room (finally!) and I go there... to find out that the remodel hadn't made it to those rooms yet! Boo! What turned me around was finally walking into the parks, and just taking it all in. I remember sitting on the porch to the old lingerie store, and just breathing in the ambiance. But, on my flight, quite honestly, I was thinking, "Sheesh, what in the world is this trip going to be like if this is how my week was?!"

I love the fact that you went on a solo mommy trip! I really want to do this but am afraid I will be judged by friends and family because I don't want to take the kids. They are 2 and 3 and I am exhausted and could really use a break for a few days. The kids have been to disney and we plan to go annually.

 

[GeneralTso]

We leave next week and have been more excited for this trip than most. I'm not sure why. Sometimes when you book waaaay in advance, the lead up is so long it feels like forever. We booked in May for our August trip, so not that bad.

We are taking my daughter and her best friend. Both turn 26 within a week of each other. We have some fun birthday surprises planned including the in room celebration that decorates their hotel room and puts a big banner on the door. That starts the party off right!

We got our Disney pedis last weekend. My daughter got Frozen toes and they are adorable. Light, frosty blue base with silver glitter on the tips of each toe. Really fun.

Getting our manis this week. She'll do red with white Minnie dots.

We pack this weekend. That always makes it feel real.

I agree with all the other posters who say that it kind of melts away once you arrive. It washes over you. The music, atmosphere, smells, all of it. You'll feel it once you arrive.

 

[lalasmama]

I love the fact that you went on a solo mommy trip! I really want to do this but am afraid I will be judged by friends and family because I don't want to take the kids. They are 2 and 3 and I am exhausted and could really use a break for a few days. The kids have been to disney and we plan to go annually.

My daughter was a bit older--8yo--when I did my solo mommy trip. I seriously worried that I would give her some sort of "complex" that I went to DL without her! I kept very quiet about it, but she eventually asked, and I was truthful about my destination. She said, "That's okay, Mama, you like Disneyland mostly more than I do. Will you take me to the beach to play when you get back?" Sounded good to me!

BFF and I went together at the beginning of the year, when her kids were 5 and 3. We kept seriously quiet about where we were going, because they hadn't been yet! But, they found out when we got home, and they were okay with it... Because BFF announced that they'd be going next summer, when everyone was tall enough to "ride Lightning McQueen." That sold them on waiting!

As for the "general public" (ie, friends and family) giving you guilt trips about it, I tried to laugh it off most of the time, and, honestly, sometimes I stretched where I was going.... So, some people , typically the most "critical" people in my life, only knew I was going somewhere sunny near a beach. (Hey, I was flying into LAX, so I was right above the beach, and it was indeed sunny!) Other people knew I was going to DL, and gave me a little guilt about it, but those are the people who don't "get" DL anyway, ya know? They are the ones who think it's only a place for the under-18 set. What really surprised me where the number of people saying, "Oh, I wish I had the guts to do that, it sounds like so much fun!" For me, it was totally exhilarating, and so beneficial for my daughter. How was it beneficial for her? I had 3 days of relaxation, which took my stress away for 3 days. I came back relaxed, happy, well-rested, and ready to do this parenting thing again. (She came to live with me as a foster child in her toddler years, and we had a rough go of it for many years, and hadn't been apart for more than a night in her first 5 years with me. That's a lot of time for a single parent to not have a break!)

At any rate, I really try to encourage mom's to do a mom-only trip if they love DL... I really think we do a huge disservice to future generations pretending that "good moms" don't need a break!