Originally Posted By markcanada Only 34 days to go, and information overload is setting in. Have read the "Unofficial Guide" cover to cover, pored over LaughingPlace and MousePlanet for hours. Obsessing about travel routes, ride limits (have a preschooler), best days and times, ordering tickets, confirming air tickets (already had one change), prepurchasing my rental insurance, what to pack, what not to pack, school, work, dollar exchange, what if someone gets sick, how do we get to the airport, school homework, crowd sizes, comfortable shoes, which rides do you get wet on, when should we take breaks, downloading Ridemax, preparation, what if we get split up, best night/locations for parades, fireworks, Fantasmic, driving on LA freeways, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! I'm typically a pretty organized person, but the amount of information and planning gets overwhelming at times. I can understand why, for some people, a vacation means "arrive at hotel, sit on beach, drink, eat, sleep, repeat". Seriously, it's fun, but there is almost too much info out there. This is a "one shot" for us, costing us thousands of dollars, unlikely we wouldn't get back again (if ever) for ten years or so, so we can't "learn from our mistakes." The advice on this board has been great and very helpful, but I was wondering if anyone else ever goes through this kind of panic, especially as the depart date approaches.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Don't fret over what to pack. If you forget something (usually its something trivial or minor) you can buy it there. There are plenty of discount stores within driving distance of the resort. Don't worry about the freeways. While huge, LA drivers, IMHO, are fairly easy going. If you hit traffic, just relax and go with the flow. LA really isn't all that hard to navigate around. Its not hard at all to get to Anaheim from LAX and back. The friendly people at the rental counter will be more than happy to show you the best way to get there. One thing to remember, is if anyone takes medication, to bring it with you. It might be tricky to refill a Canadian prescription in the US, plus the stuff is expensive if you do not have insurance.
Originally Posted By princess_tink I have over knowledged myself as well...Now i feel like a basket case!
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>While huge, LA drivers, IMHO, are fairly easy going<< Haha, I meant that LA freeways are huge.
Originally Posted By pirategirlscully Speaking of filling prescriptions, if one needed to have a prescription filled, where would the closest pharmacy be to the DLH?
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^I would guess that any supermarket has a pharmacy. Your best bet is to ask the front desk at your hotel.
Originally Posted By Pirate Pete LOL...been there done that!When we went in 2002 , I found this site...and others and had the "information overload" before that trip, we went last year and did it again. This year....think I got it down!! lol... At least I know what I want to do and see this time around...regardless of crowds. Last year we had no line up`s and beat the heck out of all the rides in our 5 day`s there. We were almost getting bored if you can beleive that. This time we plan to enjoy the finer things of the park. Blue Bayou, a visit to inoventions where we have never gone and other things like that. We will also get on rides to for sure...but will do more looking than riding this year.
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess If it's any consolation, we go every year for about 3 days at a time, and we STILL panic over all the preparations and "what if's." My husband even said to me yesterday, "It's getting close! This is when it gets stressful!" I know it's gotta be even worse for you, being that it's costing so much and such a rare kind of thing. TRY to relax... I have found that it almost always works out just fine.
Originally Posted By markcanada Here's an example . . . AAA on-line guide gives one route from the airport (which matches DarkBeer's, by the way). I receive the manually prepared route map prepared by CAA here in Manitoba, with a different route. Do they know something that the computer program doesn't? Or do they know less because they aren't from LA? And other guides have different ones! Which one do I choose!!! So, after I obsess about this for a few moments, I choose the DarkBeer route, because he seems very knowledgable. And, I tell myself, that, ultimately, no matter what route I choose a) I WILL eventually get to Disneyland and b) no matter which route I choose, random factors like traffic accidents or unusually high congestion could affect whatever route I choose, and I have no control over this. OK, next decision . . . : }
Originally Posted By mrspotts As a self-soothing technique, have you tried saying "pre-planning panic" five times fast??? Guaranteed to make you smile ;p Best of luck!
Originally Posted By magicbeinghad2 Darbeer has been right on so many times, that should help those jitters.
Originally Posted By markcanada Yeah, I figured that one out. Has there ever been a question Darkbeer couldn't answer? : )
