I think I might be over doing the magic making.... Any thoughts? - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I think you have good reasons for what you've already planned, so you don't need to add extras. The trip itself and time with Mom will be what really counts. On the trip, you may even be able to start putting the past behind both of you and that feeling won't be from material things, but experiences - and the ones that last may surprise you.
You know the old saying about when you're ready to walk out the door, look in the mirror and take off one item of jewelry, so you don't have too much? You may want to consider that with this. I know you have reasons, but my first read-through of what you have planned really sent my brain into overload. I can't imagine doing that much. If you break it down:
- The pirate ride, with downtime for you, makes sense, since it may be your only chance for a break.
- As does the basket, as a "welcome to WDW, we missed it" sort of thing.
- The princess crowning GOAL could be that one truly special, can't duplicate it, do it while she's young enough to be thrilled by it sort of thing.
- Then, you have the Wishes Dessert, which is more something YOU want and is a nice, special bonding moment.
So, do you need a second Pirate experience just so you can do something together? The entire trip will be you two doing things together. If you're feeling like you're piling things on out of guilt, then it's time to take a step back and realize that now that you're feeling that way, then it may have been "too much" a bit ago. If you feel like you can, take that "extra piece of jewelry" off and get rid of the Pirate League. And don't pay for the room decorating - if anything, bring stuff with you and you guys can have fun the first night putting things up to dress up the room.
You guys will have a great time no matter what! If you're comfortable with it, then go for it! But, like others have said, the truly magical moments are many times the ones that weren't planned.
Heather, you made me cry. You are totally right. Maybe I can find some stuff at the dollar store or on Ebay to decorate our room ourselves. It could be a quality time together thing. I could find some streamers, pack a few small suprises for her, get some table confetti. AWESOME idea!!!! I will most likely cancel the pirate league now. It was a lot for that day in particular. We have a late breakfast at ohana then pirate league at 12:30, then wishes dessert. I hate rushing around. Thanks for the suggestions and taking so much time to respond
I understand what you're trying to do because right before my ex and I separated, I tried to do the same thing. It didn't enhance the trip, it nearly ruined it because of all the running around. Not to mention, I threw it all on my Disney Visa not caring about cost and got sticker shock when I got home.
I've since learned that the most magical moments at Disney are free.
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Melinda - I can totally understand you feeling of wanting to do all these magical extras, I can also understand that feeling of making up to them the suffering they went through due to our bad choices, I think even after so many years I am still trying to make it up to them, what is funny is I think the only person that feels that they own them anything is me. Definitely a mother thing...
I think what you have planned looks wonderful, I would agree that the pirate experience might be better left for another trip, and I would not spend the extra money to decorate the room, like others recommended you can do your own little decorations.
I usually plan one special thing, like for my oldest birthday trip I planned a sepcial dinner, my youngest enjoyed BBB one year, last year did the dessert party and all of these were wonderful memories that I would do again but the best memories for us are those little things that were never even planned, like giving up "Le Cellier" for lunch becuase the girls were having so much fun in the pool, it turned out to be one of our best days of our trip.
I love the crowning experience, and I think the pirate cruise is a great idea so you can have a few moments to yourself and she can meet some new friends. I also love the idea of the Dessert Party (ok it is delicious so that should not even count as an extra is should be a necessity )
Save other special things for other trips, so there is always something new to try, in the end the best memory for her will be the magical time she spends with you.
Heather, you made me cry. You are totally right. Maybe I can find some stuff at the dollar store or on Ebay to decorate our room ourselves. It could be a quality time together thing. I could find some streamers, pack a few small suprises for her, get some table confetti. AWESOME idea!!!! I will most likely cancel the pirate league now. It was a lot for that day in particular. We have a late breakfast at ohana then pirate league at 12:30, then wishes dessert. I hate rushing around. Thanks for the suggestions and taking so much time to respond
Awww, I didn't want to make you cry! But, I'm glad you were able to step back and really evaluate your day....
I know you are going to have a wonderful trip, so sit back and enjoy making the memories!
PS - we decorated for DS' birthday to surprise him. Depending on where you're staying, it can be hard to find things to hang banners to, but I had gotten a little table centerpiece (the kind that is flat until you make a circle out of it), a Happy Birthday banner and balloons. So, you should have no trouble finding fun things like Clings for the window, or centerpieces or a new pillowcase that she can put on one of the pillows....stuff like that!
I think the Magic of a Disney vacation (or any vacation) should be the time you spend together as a family. I never did any of the expensive extras with my kids and we always had and still have a great time-just being together and making memories. Watching a lizard or ducks can be just as memorable. The greatest memory two of my kids have from Disneyland (they were 7 and 10 at the time) is seeing different species of birds, particularly American coots.
My question is are you missing the simple pleasures by doing so many extras.
That's kind of my thoughts on it, too. While I TOTALLY understand wanting to do everything to make this special, sometimes we can go overboard and, in the process, miss all the special little magical things that Disney has to offer. And, it's een my experience with my boys anyway, that in the end, it's going to be some small things that stick with them for years to come. So, maybe pick the couple of things you think she will enjoy the most and do them this time, then save the others for future trips! That way you can spread the magic out and have new and exciting things to plan for on your future trips!
Melinda, I have to agree with the others too. I think taking off Pirate's League sounds like a good idea. If you're crafty at all, an idea can be making some special window clings for you two to put up together. Believe me, I know it can't be easy for you or Scarlett(and my parents did the same with my sister & I to make up for their mistakes with us too and feeling guilty about it). Are you taking her to any Character Meals? Those can be special moments too as are sharing Mickey Bars or Ice Cream while watching a parade or the fireworks. Does she have a Cinderella Slipper of her own? You could always surprise her with one of those too. I think you are doing plenty. Save sone for another trip to keep the surprises coming.
You are doing so much I would wait for another vaca to do something else special. Its WDW and its pretty special all in itself. Remember all families go through their trials, but its how you pick yourself up and move on that matters. Just spend time together thats all kids really want anyway.
Wow.. I think I'm the only one who's going to say go for it! We are going in December and while I won't say it will be our only trip to Disney, it will definitely be our first trip. The way I see it, is that there is only ever one today. And our days at Disney in December will never be duplicated and those days will never "be" again.
I'm planning to have a welcome basket and in room decorating for husband and daughter, pirate league for all of us one day, another day for our daughter to do BBB, my daughter and husband will each have a gift card for spending money, do as many character breakfasts we can do during our stay and maybe some other stuff. Our plan sounds a bit similar to yours. Eh, so we may never be able to "one up" our next trip. But why would we? Life is impermanent and we should celebrate it that way. Of course, I'm speaking for myself as this is my philosophy.
Seeing the joy and excitement on the faces of our children is the greatest thing....EVER. I'm able to save up an entire year to put on this vacation and I would do it again if I were given the opportunity.
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But, I'm glad you were able to step back and really evaluate your day....
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