1 month to go and freaking out!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2006
1 month to go and freaking out!
8
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 3:23am

I am sooooo excited never being to Disney before but at the same time I am freaking out so I am looking to you for help. How do you just stop and breathe? I know that sounds crazy but with Dh and I and our 4 kids (12, 7, 6 and 4) it just seems so overwhelming! We have never vacationed before so it's all new to me.

I hate shopping as a rule but for Disney....I can't seem to stop! Living in Canada, the nearest Disney Store is 1 hr away...I have been there 3 times this month! Then there's the packing. Do we really need light jackets or just heavy sweaters. I am hoping jackets cause the Disney store had really cute princess ones I just couldn't resist!

Then the toiletries....bring laundry soap or buy there? My suitcases are already filling up quick. What if the kids get sick...alot can happen in 10 days. Do I bring meds for everything or just Tylenol and cross my fingers? There is just soooo mmuch to think of!

Halloween cotumes for MNSSHP on the 29th, my dd 6th birthday out 4th day at Disney and now an incompetent TA that is telling me that I just pick up my tickets when I arrive at Disney, I will get nothing in the mail from them!!! Is this true? Shouldn't I get ME tags prior to departure? What about park tickets? I would feel so much better having those in my hand before we leave! (I did get my MNSSHP tickets from them, whew!)

My ds has Asperger;'s syndrome so I am trying to plan alot of downtime for him yet there is so much I want to do. How do you find the right balance? All of this and still school to get ready for! We don't leave until the 20th of Sept so I still have some time to work with.

Thanks for letting me vent, I just feel I have taken on so much considering my inexperience at travelling, I truly hope I feel some Disney Magic real soon!

Carrie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 7:03am

I'm right about with you, there, sis! But I have just the 2 kids, so that relieves my stress some.

OK - I can't answer or opine about everything you brought up, but I can on some things:

1. Jackets/sweaters? I guess it depends on how your body temp usually runs. If you are from Canada, your blood is probably "thicker" than mine (I live in Charleston, SC - humidity capitol of the world!). I would definitely say that in September it will still be quite warm. We went in October 2003 and the temperatures were lovely. I remember packing and using a few long-sleeved shirts for going out at night, but I can't recall needing a jacket or anything. OH - and I don't even have a Disney store an hour away...I recently spent almost $100 on Disneyshopping online. I wish I could have seen the shirts in person because they are HUGE but I don't want to send anything back! We'll wear them big!

2. I probably wouldn't pack laundry soap and the like... maybe smaller medications like children's Tylenol & Dimetap would be a fine idea to have on hand (in my experience the best way to prevent sickness is to be prepared for it!). But I imagine you could get laundry soap there...albeit, at a premium price unless you can get out to Walmart somehow.

3. Park tickets - you get those when you check-in. You should have gotten a confirmation with everything you've purchased. When you check-in, your park tickets (in my experience) are also your room keys (and if you set it up this way, also your "credit card"). Though we went 3 years ago, so things might have changed. Don't stress about park tkts. NOW - I believe you should absolutely have something for ME. I understood there were special luggage tags. Pin that TA down on this!

4. I totally understand wanting down-time and wanting to do it all. You don't say how long you'll be staying (and where?), but if you're wanting to bring laundry soap, you must be planning on staying more than a few days. The Disney resorts have great pools - and staying on property makes it easy to check out of the parks for a little r&r before hitting the night-time stuff. When we went, our kids were 3 & 6 and we stayed at the Poly for a week. Each day, I'd have it scheduled to spent the morning and early afternoon at a park, then head back to the room to rest and freshen up for our dinner reservations. After dinner, we'd see one of the night-time shows, then head back to our room. Yes - unless you have - say - 10 days or so, you'll miss SOMETHING by doing this. But assuming you have a wonderful time - which I know you will - you'll be planning to return sometime. Then you can catch what you missed. At least in my case - having such young ones at that time - we could bypass the bigger thrills (Space/Splash/BigThunder Mountains; Kilamanjaro; etc.) And somehow, we managed not to have to ride Dumbo or Aladdin which are just your common amusement park rides. But the things we really loved (Mickey's Philharmagic, Its a small world, Barnstormer, Buzz Lightyear) we did a number of times. If you are a compulsive planner and haven't done so already, get a good guidebook and familiarize yourself with the attractions and shows at each park. Then go through - and with your kids, decide which things you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO see/do. And I went so far as planning - sort of - what order we'd do them in. No - I don't have anything down to the minute. But I do want them to be in a sensible order to keep from running back and forth between the "lands".

5. You didn't ask for this, but I'll say it FWIW. Pack small snacks and things for having in the parks. I got stuff that the kids don't get all the time...small candies, etc. so they would still be treats. This helped us cut down on the gimme's whenever we passed a snack cart. IT also became a natural "downtime" within whatever park we were in so the kids could get a quick energy boost and DH & I could look over the map/touring plans and see what was next. Crowds were totally manageable when we went...don't know what you'll see in September, but taking small bottles of bubbles for waiting in line is something I've read about here. We didn't need them, but I've heard they're great. Finally - I purchased glow sticks from the Dolllar Store, as well as those belt-clip fans, and these were great, inexpensive treats for the kids and kept me from buying the $10 Disney versions. Not that my kids didn't look LONGINGLY at the light-up products Disney sold, but the were pleased enough with what they had.

Good luck....breath....it WILL be magical!

Tracie

Avatar for ashleysmomma2003
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Registered: 03-31-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 7:14am

you won't need jackets. We were there last October and it was hot. Even at night. Ws in the high 80's and 90's at daytime and low 70's at night! We are going this year in September and I can imagine it will be hotter!

Downtime: So important! We leave the parks everyday at lunchtime. Need a break and it is the hottest part of the day. Go back to hotel and take a nap! Everyone needs a nap! WE all napped for about 2 hours. Disney is your vacation that you will need a vacation from! The hotel pool is a great place to relax during the day, too if you can't sleep. You child with aspergers may feel over-stimulated so you will definitely need time away from the parks. (I had a student with aspergers once.)

We packed everything we would use in a normal day. Shampoo, soap, burshes, ect. We didn't pack laundry detergent, but we didn't do laundry. Too lazy on vacation! If you want to do laundry I would say buy some trial size ones. Or put enough in a little container so you do'nt lug it all around!

Disney is exciting, isn't it! It can also be stressful just planing for it! Relax, remember...if you forget something, Disney has it!

Nicole

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2004
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 7:57am
You will have a great time.
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Avatar for ashleysmomma2003
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 8:07am
hey lovemythree...we will get there Sept 10! Small world..literally!
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2003
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 11:02am

We went the end of Sept 3 years ago and roasted-90's and humid during the day, 70's at night.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-11-2004
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 3:22pm

Im sure the weather isn’t much different from here but in late Sept you will not need jackets. If they are the light wind breakers you could bring them just in case I am fairly certain you will not even want to look at them while you are there lol. I would bring summer clothes and make sure you pack them bathing suits! Last year I had my ac on putting up the Christmas tree lol. And my family that’s from up north that is used to the cold climate thought I was crazy for freezing when we had a cold front come in and the temps dropped to 50 dg lol


With that long of stay you will have plenty of downtime and still be able to see everything it sounds like a wonderful trip.

 Desiree

Nate 6-26-95

Isabella 9-10-04


 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2006
Mon, 08-21-2006 - 6:59pm

I can totally see freaking out at this point. You have a lot to consider.


I would take light jackets with hood. Just in case it rains or a cold front comes through. You should be getting you ME luggage tags in the mail. Check your confirmations and make sure they list ME and call the travel agent. If you don't get anywhere with them call Disney directly with your ressie #. I didn't see you mention if you were staying on property. If so you tickets will be attached to you room key. Its called "the key to the world." You can also attach a credit card to the key and use the key as a credit card throughout the parks. I wouldn't pack laundry detergent. I would pack small bottles of tylenol, benedryl etc, just in case. I actually just bought mine the other day.


Down time is very important especially if you have young kids and especially with your DS. My nephew has Aspergers as well. Use him as you guide. If you see he's getting to that point, go back to the resort and rest. I would say in your situation its very important not to go "park comando" and try to do everything and see everything. If you get to see everything and do everything great but if not you'll still have the best time ever!!!


Enjoy your vacation, your going to have a magical time!


 

          

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2006
Tue, 08-22-2006 - 2:50am

Thanks so much for all of your ideas. I feel much calmer today reading your replies and thinking it all through with a clear head! I guess, as always, my kids will lead the way! Aside from ADR's and BBB we'll just wing it as best we can.

I have read alot about the parks and purchased the WDW Guide for kids, the passporter and of course the hidden mickey's books so I have a good idea of what I think we will all enjoy the most. 10 days at the cabins will be a wonderful retreat, even though it will be busy and we are looking forward to exploring Ft Wilderness almost as much as the parks....almost! Now to visit my TA and demand some Disney Magic!

Thanks again!