Disneyland Trip Planning
Topic: Help me be a better person, lol.

#	Author	Message
1	Dalia3001 Wed 7/15/2009 7:56a	My husband is a truly wonderful man. We have visited Disneyland numerous times over the last few years, and we both always enjoy ourselves. We even went for a long stay, 5 nights, this past April where we met up with his family (from Australia) and my parents. This was a great trip, but with all of the other people there I ended up really wishing I had a little time just with my husband there. Now we are planning a trip to Brisbane, Australia to visit his family over Christmas, and though I totally understand that he needs to spend time with them, (this will be his first time back in five years) I am dreading another vacation with very little time on our own. His family is great, really laid back and easy to get along with, the problem is mine. I'm pretty uptight and find it difficult to relax in someone else's home, even a relative who gives us lots of space. We will have a bit of time to explore on our own I am sure, but I'm sort of bummed that we will be based in Brisbane this trip rather than Sydney where we were based last time we went, and since we will be there over the holidays, this will mostly be a trip to spend time with his extended family who will all be in Brisbane while we are there. I know I am a horrible spoiled person, and international travel to see a lot of people who are thrilled to be spending time with my husband and I should be something I really look forward to, but I honestly would rather be at home with our own tree, for the most part. I guess I should get a tour book of Brisbane and try to get excited about it, but it just didn't hold as much allure for me as the other areas of Australia we visited. I am happy to visit with his family, but I would be happier visiting them for a few days in smaller groups, rather than having two weeks chock full of visits not only with his close family who I know but with lots of extended family who I will be meeting for the first time. It makes me anxious. To add insult to injury, there is just no way that we can squeeze in a little trip to DL just for the two of us, which is what I would really love, because we are saving up for Australia. Soooo, what I need to do to get over my lame non-problem is pick the best time to go in the medium-future. New lands are coming! A Little Mermaid ride! Fancy upgrades at the DLH! (I am pretty easy to please in Disneyland, so you can safely assume I am excited to see any and all changes, lol). If my next trip can't be until April 2010 at the very earliest, and my availability is pretty much Spring Break in April, and the months of June, August and December of 2010, when should I plan the short trip of my dreams so I can stop being such a spoiled brat and get over myself? I know not all of the stuff in DCA will be done over the next year, but I don't think I can hold out until 2012 or whenever the DCA redo is finished. I hate to sound like such a whiner, but I needed to say this to someone, ha ha, and I'm hoping not to be too harshly judged.
2	amazedncal2 Wed 7/15/2009 8:18a	I FULLY understand what you are saying! Each time we got to DLR with anyone else, even our adult kids, I try to sneak in an extra night at the front or back of the group vacation so DH and I can have alone time to be "kids" ourselves :) We can have a fantastic vacation planned but if I don't have a DLR trip somewhere on the calendar I feel odd. We typically go in early June and have decent crowds. There are grad nights with early closures to consider and lots of school groups during the day. But wait times are good and the weather is nice. Things like Fantasmic and ELP aren't always showing yet. Sometimes on the weekend. This is FYI for the first week of June. Good weather, good wait times but not in full swing for the summer hours and shows. Have fun planning! Oh, DD and her boyfriend have gone the past 2 years at Spring Break time. It's been crowded but they are DLR veterans. The extended hours are perfect for them as they sleep until 10am and are up until 2am :) They have no problem getting everything done and she says if it's too crowded they just decide they are there for the atmosphere ;) We also usually go the last week of August. It can be HOT. The hours can shift and it opens up to some blocked out passes. It's my birthday week so that's why we go then. Many schools are back in session and school and town sports teams have started practice. We tend to see lots of families with young kids. Nights and weekends bring the crowds. I'll stop now :)
3	Dalia3001 Wed 7/15/2009 8:31a	Thanks! I think June might be a good time for us. My birthday is in early June, and though we would love to pretend that we stay up to enjoy all the extended hours, anything after 9pm is lost on us since we like to try to get into the park at opening. I also really appreciate your understanding about what I am saying. I feel very ugly not to be happy and excited about the vacation plans we have. But I think dreaming about a DL trip in the future will help my attitude. : )
4	SleepingBeauty82 Wed 7/15/2009 10:07a	Oh Dahlia I completely relate to you! My fiance's family is from the Central Valley of CA (about 6 hours away) and every time we go I'm so BORED. There is nothing al ALL to do there but sit around his brother's house or his dad's house and visit tons of family. They are the type of family that is totally kid-centered and I don't have kids and I don't think kids are the cutest and best things in the world so it's another thing that gets on my nerves. If we're not trekking up there, then they are all invading our 1 bedroom apartment down here so they can visit us and go to the beach. My apt gets invaded, they totally disrespect it, they eat all our food (I actually have to hide some of it) and even though I love them I'm like "Get your kids off my furniture and go home!" But I digress, Australia is much better then the central valley and even though you won't have your own tree at home, I'm sure it will be a great trip to remember. As for your Disney trip questions, I pretty much agree with amazed. The last week of August during the week will be hot but a lot of kids WILL be back in school. The first week of August usually isn't too bad as the SoCal passholders will be blocked. July during the week isn't too bad either as they are blocked for the whole month. I don't know when your Spring Break is in April (since many districts vary) but we went the last week of April this year and it was the best trip I ever had. Beautiful weather, locals were all back in school, 10 minute waits for all the "Mountain" rides in the middle of the day. It was awesome!
5	Ursula Wed 7/15/2009 10:09a	Hey, I went to ORLANDO at CHRISTMASTIME and had to drive right by the 4 freeway or whatever it is that takes you to WDW and TURN THE OTHER WAY to visit my out-laws in an upstate Florida town. I hear you and I raise you 5. :P But you know what? My husband appreciated the "sacrifice" I made and I only cried a little bit watching the signs for WDW whizz right past me. And my out-laws were rather entertaining, too. Buy a book on Brisbane and find some fun things that you and husband can do together. Become well-read about the area and ask/tell family that you are interested in ___________ and that you are happy to go alone if they've seen it/done it a hundred times. WDW will be there for me again and DL will be there for you again. As for your next trip, June 2010 is but a short 12 months away! You can do this. I would plan to go right after the A/Ps with blackout dates kick in. Rumor has it that that weekend was terrific to go! And as for your anxiety, just think of this way. They are WAY OVER there in Australia. It isn't like you are going to see them time and time again. Try to relax your best and work on being the best houseguest ever! Leave them with a stellar impression.
6	SleepingBeauty82 Wed 7/15/2009 11:56a	^^^I agree with that last paragraph of advice. When ever I see my future in-laws I just try to enjoy the time and remember that at least we're not called on to constantly babysit the three kiddies like his sister who lives there always is.
7	amazedncal2 Wed 7/15/2009 2:08p	Too funny you guys! I would have LOVED to have my in laws in another state or country, instead they lived 20 minutes away and it was not pretty :P Ursula that is a GREAT idea to check out the blockout dates :) Dalia3001, imagine what you were doing last June. Does it seem like a LONG time ago or "just yesterday." Often I can pinpoint a day or event and can't believe a whole month or year has gone by. I think you have found your support here :) No worries about being harshly judged.
8	Dalia3001 Wed 7/15/2009 8:22p	Wow! Thanks everyone! I can't imagine having to drive right by WDW, Ursula, I would have cried too! Luckily my in-laws are fabulous, it's just me who is a bit neurotic, lol. I feel better already. I think June is a great time to plan a trip, and the idea about waiting until the week where the SoCal AP's are blocked is pure genius! Thank you, thank you for the kind words and great advice!!
9	Dalia3001 Wed 7/15/2009 8:23p	And yes, I will truly try to be the best houseguest I can Ursula, what a great idea. I love having guests and trying to be a good hostess, but being a good houseguest is not something I have ever given that much thought to, so that will give me something to focus on rather than focusing on my own craziness, lol.
10	LuLu Thu 7/16/2009 6:42a	Dahlia, I don't think you're neurotic or spoiled at all, just sounds like you're an introvert! Introverts are drained by spending a lot of time in groups of people and prefer one-on-one time. This is NOT the same as being shy - it's a personality trait. I have found that some people understand this, and others don't. Some don't even believe me when I say I'm an introvert, or others think something's wrong with me! Hopefully your husband understands and will help you two plan some "alone" time. The advice here is great, I just wanted to add - don't feel bad about your preferences, it's normal for YOU, and if you do your best to balance out the family time with some private time, that should help. Enjoy!!

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