26 days away....I absolutely can't believe it

[Geekella]

As a child, I BEGGED my parents to take me to disney world. Never happened.

In May this year, my husband and I booked our first ever DW vacation. I remember feeling like 6 months would never pass!!!

Now our first day in Magic Kingdom is 26 days away and honestly it doesn't feel real!

I'm full of so much anxiety, constantly worrying that we'll forget something important or that our trip will be hurricaned out, or insert any other horrible thing that could happen

Do any of yall get anxiety about this kind if stuff? I don't know what to do with myself. Honestly I haven't had a good night sleep in maybe two months. I'm the kind of sleeper that for some reason has anxiety build up as I sleep, and I'll wake up anywhere from 5 or more times a night from nothing

Any tips?? Haha

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Tips? Maybe, try to relax, it is Disney World, not a jungle expedition. It doesn't matter if you forget something or if you miss out on anything. ^_^

On a first trip, you can't see it all. And just going with the flow, stopping to smell the flowers is a far more enjoyable way of going about it than stressful rush all the time. (Even if Disney forces you towards the latter nowadays)

It is not just a beginner's tip. I myself too fell for the trappings of being rushed into deadlines and crowds and bucket lists. It ruined some days, especially when raining or at the insane zoo of the MK.

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

I tend to be anxious a couple of weeks before a trip, I want my planning to be perfect, I don't want to forget anything, I hope no one gets sick right before leaving... But somehow, once I get on that DME bus, all that anxiety goes away! I just enjoy my time at WDW with my family, change my plans along the way because, hey, if my son wants to ride Barnstormer 5 times and we miss our next FP, who cares, we're at Disneyworld!!! My husband can't believe how happy and relaxed I am at WDW, it must be the Pixie dust! So I suggest that you take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the ride!

 

[jaques21]

yes relax and enjoy the ride! Oh and not everything will go as planned so just roll with the punches. Have fun!

 

[TXDisney]

Plan some things in advance like fp and dining to make your trip that much more enjoyable. I get really excited too. I try to delay watching videos of wishes and such until the week or so before the trip otherwise it just gets me too antsy.

 

[Texas84]

Don't rush from ride to ride. Plan, take your time, and take it all in. I've had plenty of trips where I just hang out, eat, drink, and explore.

 

[wild01ride]

"Try to relax!"
People tell me that all the time but the reality is, I'm like you and can't seem to relax when I have that kind of anxiety.
As it turns out, we'll be there at the same time! I'm stressed/anxious and I've been tons of times in the past.
From my experiences, the less "expectations" you have, the easier it is to relax.
I know it's particularly tough for you since this will be your first trip but, like many others said above, you need to try to focus on some key items and "must-do's" and relax your expectations on the other stuff.
After being many, many times in the past, I am getting less and less tolerant to crazy crowds and it makes it stressful when you have your heart set on doing something.
As much as I dislike the current Fast Pass+ system, requiring you to select attractions before arriving, it is a good way to "focus" on some key things.
Pick out those key things, get FP+'s for them and enjoy them. For those things that you either can't get FP+'s for or aren't sure about having the time, get up early and get to the parks right when they open (I assume you're going to do this anyway since it's your first trip). The wait times are way more tolerable when you are among the first to arrive in the morning.

The MOST important thing I want to suggest is to make sure to "stop and smell the roses!"
Honestly, it is the many, many little details in everything at WDW that make it what it is!!
Pay attention to the names above Main Street USA. Notice the Mickey's in the carpet and wallpaper all over the World. Pay attention to the ambient music as you walk around. Notice the details and the displays in the store windows both in the actual shops and in the facades. Look around and notice the artifacts, details and stories that are told by everything that make up the attractions, shops, restaurants, etc.
Disneyworld really is a World and there are so many details that make it so incredible!

Have an incredible trip, enjoy the heck out of the amazing Halloween decorations while you're there, make sure to enjoy some yummy stuff at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival and most of all, ENJOY your trip and bring home lots of memories (don't let it be a blur from the whirlwind of the commotion and crowds)!

Have fun!!!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I once had that problem years ago when I owned and operated a Nursing home. We would plan a trip and then hold our breath till we were on our way that something would happen, like an employee quit or some other catastrophe might happen. We used to get up at 5am to head south from Vermont. This one time we were all packed up and just leaving the house when the phone rang. My heart practically stopped. I ran to answer and it was a wrong number. Quickly I jumped in the car and headed out.

For those of you that are scratching your heads and wondering what difference leaving quickly would have made, this was pre-cellphone time. Once on the road you couldn't be reached until you called in. By the time I would call in it would be too late for me to do anything about it and the remaining staff would just have to deal with it. They always did, but, didn't want to. That went on for a number of years. You wouldn't believe the number of problems I had to deal with from 1600 miles away. However, it always worked out. I also only had the mid-winter school vacation in late February so snow storms like Nor'easters always were a possibility that might stop us in our tracks.

Relax, don't worry... everything will turn out fine.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Attitude is everything!

It sounds like your anxiety right now is causing some stress and overthinking. Try not to stress too much or it'll overshadow the positivity of this special, first time experience. Trying to flip your attitude and mentality around will be helpful.

I hope you get to a place soon where you can trust that you're going to have the best vacation you can with whatever planning you've done. It'll be your first trip! You'll have so much fun, and you'll learn a lot too. No trip is perfect. Even seasoned travelers run into roadblocks-that's just life.

Think of it this way too-if you don't do everything you want and if it doesn't meet your expectations, you just have to go back I guess!

 

[JIMINYCR]

As a child, I BEGGED my parents to take me to disney world. Never happened.

Same here. It was my dream as a child to go to WDW but the reality was, my parents would never make that dream come true so I finally did it for myself as an adult and I enjoyed it even more with my child. Just wait until the moment you step onto Main Street and look up and get your first view of the castle....realizing your dreams finally come true. Keep dreaming and picturing in your mind all the fun you are going to have and all the things you will do.
Theres always anxiety involved because of all the planning needed for a Disney trip now and its increased because its your first trip and you want it to be super successful. Go over your plans and reassure yourself that youve done what you need to do to prepare. Use a check list and you will be fine. Anything minor you forget to pack isnt worth fretting about. Dont worry about trying to fit it all in, do the major things you definitely dont want to miss. First trips are exploration expeditions where you get to know whats there and then you can plan for more on future trips. Weather is out of your control so be prepared for rain and make the best of it. Plug in some great old Disney films and cartoon shorts until you go ....and relax, everythings going to go well and make some great first trip memories.

 

[disneyspirit]

As a child, I BEGGED my parents to take me to disney world. Never happened.

In May this year, my husband and I booked our first ever DW vacation. I remember feeling like 6 months would never pass!!!

Now our first day in Magic Kingdom is 26 days away and honestly it doesn't feel real!

I'm full of so much anxiety, constantly worrying that we'll forget something important or that our trip will be hurricaned out, or insert any other horrible thing that could happen

Do any of yall get anxiety about this kind if stuff? I don't know what to do with myself. Honestly I haven't had a good night sleep in maybe two months. I'm the kind of sleeper that for some reason has anxiety build up as I sleep, and I'll wake up anywhere from 5 or more times a night from nothing

Any tips?? Haha

Did you get the Unofficial Walt Disney World Guide? Priceless and you will get a lot of tips on what to see and do.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Try and have fun anyway. Reading various guide books can also help.

 

[Herdman]

I'm a list guy so try to write down as much as you can when you think of it so when you start to pack you'll feel like you're less likely to forget something. If you remember flight documents (if flying), magic bands and any prescription medications you might need, then anything else you forget can pretty much be purchased there.

We go in 43 days, and we're very excited! Realize that no matter how much planning you do it's just not all going to work. Go with the flow, enjoy all the sights and sounds as you walk through the parks, and if you don't get to ride something or see a show it just means you'll have to go back again. Oh darn! I'm sure you're going to have the best time of your life!!

 

[Ricky Spanish]

Fill your water bottles with gin.
That's what usually helps my anxiety!

 

[Magenta Panther]

Try to visit Main Street the first day of your trip. Walking down that street and seeing the Castle at the end...that sets the mood perfectly for a successful WDW visit in my opinion.

 

[graphite1326]

I honestly get anxiety on the trip there. I always worry about missing the plane. Cancellations at the airport. Missing connecting flight. This comes from a cancellation I had in Detroit and the next flight available was 3 days later. It wasn't a WDW vacation and I found a flight to another airport. But I always wonder "what if they cancel and I miss a couple of days of my WDW vacation?" Once I'm in the air on my final flight to Orlando I relax.

 

[thomas998]

As a child, I BEGGED my parents to take me to disney world. Never happened.

In May this year, my husband and I booked our first ever DW vacation. I remember feeling like 6 months would never pass!!!

Now our first day in Magic Kingdom is 26 days away and honestly it doesn't feel real!

I'm full of so much anxiety, constantly worrying that we'll forget something important or that our trip will be hurricaned out, or insert any other horrible thing that could happen

Do any of yall get anxiety about this kind if stuff? I don't know what to do with myself. Honestly I haven't had a good night sleep in maybe two months. I'm the kind of sleeper that for some reason has anxiety build up as I sleep, and I'll wake up anywhere from 5 or more times a night from nothing

Any tips?? Haha

I used to get anxious when I took trips, can even recall having a panic attack on a plane once.... Then I got paired with an older guy at work for some international trips... He noticed I was always anxious and gave me the best advice ever... If you have your passport and your credit card you don't have to worry about anything. No matter where you go you can replace anything you forgot or anything that gets lost on the way. It might not be the cheapest thing in the world to just assume you can replace anything you forget but it does help you stop being anxious about forgetting stuff.

I'm sure you've done your fastpass selections by now and any reservations for dining so stop worrying. By the time you get there the hurricane will be long gone and everything will be back to normal.

 

[steviej]

As a child, I BEGGED my parents to take me to disney world. Never happened.

In May this year, my husband and I booked our first ever DW vacation. I remember feeling like 6 months would never pass!!!

Now our first day in Magic Kingdom is 26 days away and honestly it doesn't feel real!

I'm full of so much anxiety, constantly worrying that we'll forget something important or that our trip will be hurricaned out, or insert any other horrible thing that could happen

Do any of yall get anxiety about this kind if stuff? I don't know what to do with myself. Honestly I haven't had a good night sleep in maybe two months. I'm the kind of sleeper that for some reason has anxiety build up as I sleep, and I'll wake up anywhere from 5 or more times a night from nothing

Any tips?? Haha

take a deep breath. You are going to the best place on the planet.

You are going to have an amazing time.

And even though our parents were right, that once our childhood was over, it's really over. Disney World is that short amount of time that we can go back and visit.

So have an amazing time =)

BTW, I've been over 20+ times, if you'd like dining suggestions or want to pm me your dining, I'd be happy to give you my opinion

 

[NonnaT]

Be present, be mindful, and smile. Whatever you do, enjoy the moment as its happening!
WDW will always be there, this is probably not your last trip!
Breathe!

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I also echo the comment of enjoying the moment. I know this is easier said than done, but try not to sweat the small stuff.