Happy early Halloween spooky wishes to all you MousePlanet readers! Boo to you and you and you… In this week’s mailbag, Steve Russo hears from readers on “When Does the Vacation Begin?” (September 11, 2009)
Audress J.writes:
Thanks for another great article. I’m enjoying all of Mouseplanet even more now that I have a vacation planned for December!
For me, the “real” beginning of any vacation is when I leave the office the day before flying out (or, sometimes, a couple days before). I have a routine of cleaning up my desk, putting a sign on the wall to tell people I’m gone, setting an auto-reply on my email, etc. And when I’m gone that day, I’m really gone – I don’t have a pager or a “work” cell phone and I don’t generally check messages when I’m not at the office. And when I walk out that day, I have a huge feeling of freedom!
But of course, this applies to any vacation, not just Disney. For a Disney vacation, there is an additional starting point, and that happens as soon as I pass under that “Welcome” arch. That makes it real in a way that nothing else quite does. I guess this time when I go, it’s going to be fairly late at night when I arrive – I really hope that arch is well-lit!
Thank you for those kind words, Audress. And thanks for sharing.
Judy P. writes:
I read your article with a smile on my face, Steve! Vacation to Walt Disney World starts in small steps for our family too. The Vacation Reminder widget on my computer that tells the countdown to the big day! That special morning when you go for the mail and THERE IT IS! The envelope with Mickey on it, containing those bright yellow luggage tags; you’re getting closer!
All the landmarks you mentioned are so true, so I will just add a few more from a female perspective! Arriving at Orlando airport, who spies the first palm tree? Don’t forget Disney’s “Earport” store at the Orlando Airport. And yes, we all agree that fabulous rush of Disneyness starts when you enter that first park, whichever one you chose. The first few days go by in a blur, and then you realize how many days are left! So you try to drink it all in, notice every little detail, every song and feel of the place.
On the last day, hours before your return flight, you are like a homeless family. No comforting room to return to, no more days gazing at a princess castle, or a gigantic geodesic ball in the sky. Enough of that. These are the questions I ponder: for people who live locally, how often do you go to Walt Disney World? Does it retain its magic, or is it taken for granted? How many days would a person stay if they could stay an endless number of days? I think you could stay forever and still find something to unwrap! Last trip, I discovered “School Bread” at Norway’s bake shop. Turned out to be the best coconut-cream-filled fresh doughnut I have ever tasted!! Indulged 3 times!
On our last day at Magic Kingdom, I noticed a little boy, barely three years old, decked out from head to toe like Peter Pan. Just then, Wendy and Peter Pan himself rushed by us, ready for their little break. All at once, Peter Pan turned around and noticed the little boy. Peter Pan crouched down, and chatted with his admirer. Then he told the boy to wait right there-the boy was clearly mesmerized! Peter Pan quickly returned with the most beautiful red feather I have ever seen. He placed it in the little one’s cap and before you can say “Second Star To the Right” I caught his mother’s eye, and we both teared up! It was just that moment you never plan on, and that, my friends is magic. That is why we will always go back, even if I am riding around on a scooter!
I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Kirk writes:
I always enjoy your articles. Today’s article on when vacation begins made me realize that for some of us while we may be on vacation, true “vacation” never really begins. Instead we have moments of vacation peace. This inablity to completely relax is like a disease. I blame some of the disease on the fact that I do all of the planning pre-trip (room, flight, ground etc) and all of the decisions on itinerary (which park, what ride, what order, where to eat, etc) and I am chief navigator of the rented double stroller. Add that on top of being type A and there is almost always a sense of stress that I have another task to accomplish.
Don’t feel sorry for me because I do enjoy being the one that makes all of the plans and the fact that my wife and two children can enjoy everything while I shoulder the stress that can come with making all the decisions (I do allow them to pick rides but I give them choices).
I do experience however many moments of vacation-like peace during the vacation. The first time on Main Street. The bus rides (monorail, boat) and meeting people from different places. The little bits of magic that so many cast members share. The time spent eating ice cream with the kids just watching people. The time spent on the rides, watching performances and best of all the complete peace of enjoying the fireworks with little ones hanging on your neck shrieking with joy.
But with the last firework explosion I reenter the role of navigator of the double stroller through the throngs of people. Then I have to make the decsion on which transportation to take to the resort. Followed by going to bed, thinking of the next day’s itinerary.
This disease comes with a little benefit however. I always believe upon returning home that if I do a better job planning and incorporating all that I learned on the trip into the next trip I can truly experience more complete “vacation” time. Therefore I get the gift of a year of vacation planning and the moments of peace, like reading your article, provides in preparing for the next trip.
Thanks for the kind words. Yours is an interesting perspective. All of us trip planners have probably been there at one time or another. Let go a bit, maybe gradually at first, and you’ll find others are quite capable of pitching in with the planning… and you might be able to enjoy a bit more of your vacation. Thanks for writing.
Mitch K. writes:
When does that Disney vacation start? That is hard to say. My brother just booked our room the other day for our trip in December. Does that count? Maybe not this time. In the past I have been excited months before I leave, other times it doesn’t hit me until we are in the airport looking at my watch every fifteen minutes wondering when we can get on our plane. Usually about a week before we leave I start listening to my vast collection of Disney music every day while at work. Any other time of the year it might just be once a week. That music really gets me going. I too don’t really care for a packed airplane and six hours of flying so I am happy to be on the ground in the Orlando sun and warmth. I think I really know it has started when I am on the Orlando airport monorail to the main terminal. I am there!
Our last trip in Feb. 2008 had a false start. We fly redeye so we don’t waste a day of vacation traveling and paying for an extra night of hotel. I get a full day of work in not knowing how I stay concentrated on it. We head to the airport around 9:30 pm for a flight between 11:00 and midnight. We are usually checking in at our resort around noon. My first day at the Magic Kingdom is complete adrenaline power. In the end, that day is easily 40 hours with a couple of 30 minute naps on the plane. I try, but I just can’t sleep on a plane.
Back to that last trip, we are in the air. Oh boy, here we go! Just as we hit cruising altitude the captain comes on, we have to return to the airport. Unknown vibration and we can’t continue. We land somewhere around two in the morning. They get the plane fixed quickly but the flight crew does the math and realizes they can’t make it from Seattle to Orlando and stay within their required hours. Flight is canceled. Now we are in the terminal awaiting new bookings. We are in the middle of the line, pretty much in the same order as you get off the plane, first class first, tail section last. That late at night, nothing else is flying, and there are no other crews to take over. News is getting to us from those that have new tickets and they have a new airline and flight at 7 or 8 in the morning. By the time we get there all flights for the day are filled with all airlines going to Orlando. We end up with the same flight 24 hours later. Our bags are brought to the terminal. We collect them and realize “We should have been landing in Orlando shortly.” We call the hotel…”Hi, we should be checking in about an hour from now. But there is a small problem, we’re still in Seattle.” We tell them we aren’t a no-show, don’t cancel our room. We’ll be there this time tomorrow. Talk about a major let down. You get excited you are on the way, then you are told you can’t go. So does this story qualify as “When does your vacation start, or when does it start?”
Certainly it qualifies. We had one of those once… left Albany 6 hours late, rerouted to Philadelphia, check in to All Star Sports at 3:30 am. Funny thing, that’s the trip everyone talks about most often. Thanks for writing.
Andrew S. writes:
When does our Disney Vacation begin? It depends upon who we are talking about. For me, the vacation begins with the first step in the planning process. Like you I bought into the planning process a long time ago. I love planning our Disney Vacations. For my wife and my sons, the concept is much more near term. I have the same problem you have – my wife has not yet become “Disney insane.” Stay tuned, I’m working on the problem.
Ever since our second visit, I have foisted upon them a ritual that announces the beginning of our vacation. I quote two words of dialogue from the classic 1983 Gene Hackman film, Uncommon Valor. The film is about an attempt to rescue POWs held captive since the end of the Vietnam War. The phrase is uttered by one of the rescuers once he realizes that they are back in Vietnam and once again in harm’s way.
We usually arrive at Walt Disney World early on a Friday, just like we did this past April. We enter the property off Florida 192 and head toward the entry gates on World Drive that lead to the Transportation and Ticket Center as well as the Magic Kingdom resorts. When you are going toward one of the resorts, you bear to the right and take the last gate. From there you still have quite a way to go. As soon as we pass through the gate, I turn to my wife, shake my head and say, “Not yet…” I can now hear my 24-year old chuckling in the back seat. That phrase get’s repeated several times until we drive through the last underpass and come up the hill. At this point you can see the Contemporary Resort’s massive A-frame looming on the horizon. I allow a sly smile to slowly develop on my face, much like the Cheshire Cat. Then I turn toward my wife very slowly and say, “We’re Back!”
This past April, my son had the perfect response to my classic quote, “Whoa, Dad is IN THE LANE.” Let the vacation begin!
Great story and line. Thanks for sharing.
Steve B. writes:
I am a firm believer that the journey is part of the whole vacation experience, so for me, the vacation starts when I set foot out the door. The days leading up the that moment–long extra hours at work to get as much done before leaving, the rush to take care of various personal issues, packing–all fade once I take that first step and lock the door behind me. Living in Chicago, we cut through the alley to head for the nearest “el” train to the airport. On our most recent Disney trip three weeks ago, we caught sight of a rat scurrying past as we passed through the alley (insert Ratatouille joke here). Even a sight like that did not bother me, because after all, my vacation had begun!
Kelly Z. writes:
People think I’m nuts, but I love the planning stage. It helps build the anticipation! When I call Disney to make reservations, I don’t mind being put on hold to listen to the Disney music… speaking to the call-rep in a non-rushed manner, listening to them describe specifics of new dining experiences we want to try, etc. My kids start immediatley to save cans to help build up their Disney funds. They even create a chain-link construction paper daily count-down calendar donned w/ Disney stickers (they tear off one link each day). The first time they did this, it was for one month before we left for Walt Disney World. Last trip, the chain started at 100 links long! We pull out the pins for trading, and decide which to leave home and which to bring for trading. The kids constantly locate hidden Mickeys (even if we don’t have a trip planned). The pre-trip activities are welcomed in my house since they tend to bring Disney flair to our home daily before the actual departure for Orlando. Always Disney, anytime, anywhere! Then the vacation itself is like the icing on the cake!
Kathi W. writes:
Reading this article, I am convinced that you have a camera in my dining room. You have just described my husband in great detail. And me, following along quite happily. We are in the process of planning our next Walt Disney World vacation during November – love Food and Wine!! We’re staying at home – Wilderness Lodge.
Reading your article also brought me to tears. This vacation is my husband’s one year deployment R&R trip back to the states. It couldn’t have more meaning attached to it (including our one-year anniversary several years back when we stayed at Grand Floridian and dined at the Chef’s Table). And I have no worries that there could be over-sized expectations or possible let-down as a result.
We are going home. For me, it begins the day I leave the place I live to start the drive to Orlando, knowing that my husband will shortly thereafter be boarding a military flight out of the Middle East to meet me there. Thanks for understanding and believing the magic.
I promise – there’s no camera in your dining room. Thank your husband for me and I hope you two have the best vacation ever. Thanks for writing.
Enrique C. writes:
I read your recent article about that instinct we all have when our Disney vacations are looming on the horizon. I’ve never been to Disney World as it’s a lot cheaper and faster for us to go to Disneyland since we’re in the Phoenix area.
For me, it starts when we go to book a room. We stay off property, but there’s still an air of excitement as our family reviews available lodging and the amenities of the hotel (ie continental breakfast or micro fridges in the room). Sometimes we have to look outside Anaheim for value (you can’t beat $39 a night for a Best Western with a hot breakfast, spacious rooms, micro fridge, and microwave, even if it means driving 10 min from Stanton to Disneyland).
Mainly, it’s a waiting game until the day arrives. Last year my sister had a hard time sleeping the week before because she was too excited (and she’s 33!). A few days before does involve laundry so that we may pack and there’s the usual shopping trip for lunch meats, bread, cookies, soda, juice, cheese, fruit snacks, whatever we can cram into a pair of plastic crates. We’re armed for snack attacks during the drive and even those late night returns from Disneyland.
My own preparations include prepping 2 sets of CDs for the car trip to Anaheim. Compiled from multiple sources is a grand set of attraction music organized by land (I even include the People Mover) except Pirates which is on its own CD and a Haunted Mansion CD that includes Haunted Mansion Holiday and Phantom Manor. The last 2 CDs consists of Disney Eurobeat.
Each town we reach is an indicator we’re getting closer. Blythe is the halfway point (more or less) while Beaumont is my cue to leave I-10. I always feel I accomplished a lot when entering Moreno Valley. Transferring to the Riverside Freeway (91) is a huge thing to celebrate because it’s only 35 miles to Anaheim and the Lemon St/Harbor Blvd exit only makes me more excited. Driving through Anaheim is a reminder of the fact Disneyland is in a city, but you quickly forget when you get there.
Almost like a berm, I can see the Harbor overpass for I-5 just past Ball Rd and it’s here you’ll start to see the park’s landmarks. You won’t spot the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and Tower of Terror all grouped together like you do in Disneyland! Part of the excitement is seeing the monorail glide down Harbor Blvd before curving away and into Disney’s California Adventure. The pedestrian entrance has a crosswalk. It’s interesting to stop for that light because you’ll see a diversity of people going to and from Disneyland.
When checking into the hotel, you can’t help but feel excited! Disneyland is tomorrow, so it gives you a chance to swim, rest, watch TV, whatever you want! The surrounding hotels have good views of the fireworks.
When away from the parks, it’s hard to drive since you do have to obey speed limits. In my experience of staying in Stanton, you’re excited to see the overpass that carries traffic into Disneyland from I-5 south because you know you’re so close.
Parking in Mickey and Friends is an experience I enjoy. The Cast Members do a great job of parking cars promptly in Disney’s uniquely striped parking rows. You can’t help but feel excited to see the parking signage and the trams increase your excitement as they transport you to the theme park esplanade. You’ll see familiar landmarks like the Disneyland Hotel and the monorails are constantly whizzing by on their way into Tomorrowland.
Just standing outside the park you can hear a medley of music that includes Disney classics, Muppet show theme, Indiana Jones and Star Wars themes, and Pixar music. You jump a little when you hear the pistol shots of the Jungle Cruise.
I’m excited just thinking about all this right now!
Thanks for giving this “East-Coaster” a little taste of Disneyland.
