Depression and it’s treatments steal a lot from you and I am glad that you are emotionally and financially able to weigh up decisions like this.
That’s a good sign. I worry about developing dementia and not remembering who I am when I am 80.
I think there are stories to tell here!
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On the one hand, the planning of this trip will definitely lighten my mood in the next month. Yet on the other, the lack of ability to plan may well be a positive. We all know I’ve had a tendency to overplan and rush around and not really drink it all in.
In June it was pretty crowded, but this was made worse by the summer heat. If I don’t have to battle with that, the crowds may not bother me too much. As @OBNurseNH said: pick a few must-dos and the rest is icing.
What I might do is sleep on it and see how I feel tomorrow morning.
Equally, I can imagine booking in the next hour!
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Definitely sleep on it!!
Okay…imagine you have booked. You have pressed the virtual button, £2000 has left your account. You have committed to an economy flight, a value hotel and leaving Calvin…now how do you feel?
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Nothing too tawdry.
1 - The motel across the street from my college where I stayed one night during exams because I needed to be able to focus on studying and my roommate’s grandmother had died that day. While I was sympathetic and understood why she was upset, I needed to maintain my GPA to maintain my scholarship and needed to focus, so my dad gave me permission to get a room at the College Motor Inn. It was gross, but it was quiet and I was able to concentrate on studying. (We did not have a 24-hour library and all the friends who would have let me stay with them that night had already gone home for the upcoming week break.)
2 - The apartment my dad was staying in for the second semester of my senior year in HS because he changed jobs but they did not want to move me at that point in school. (For the record, I would have been 100% fine with it. Band was the only thing in high school that I would have missed.) It was one of those places that was intended for people to be there temporarily - horrid furnishings, etc. We called it the rat hole. We stayed there with him one weekend when we went over to visit. (Spring Break we stayed at a Hampton Inn and it was HEAVEN!)
3 - Some place in LA that I stayed with a friend when we went out to see another friend in a production of The Who’s Tommy. I’ve blocked the name of this place out it was so sketchy.
4 - An B&B/Hostel combination in Anchorage, AK. I was on the “B&B” side of it, and I can only imagine what the conditions in the Hostel side must have been. Saggy bed, threadbare towels, etc. I was ready to go and beg our cruise escort to see what she could get for me at the Marriott where other people were (which I had not stayed at in order to save some money - lesson learned).
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As I said in your other post, Disney is especially magical at Christmas. There is so much going on that even if you only got subpar FPPs, you’d still have a lot to do to keep you entertained.
And maybe we could have a liner meet! @AllmadhereUK will be there too.
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I know trips to WDW (and planning them) can definitely bring levity, but what happens when you return? I am not really sure using a trip is the best treatment. I am not against it, just worry it is a bandage. Depression runs deep in many of family members, so I don’t take it lightly.
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First, I’m sorry you’re going through a difficult time and that it seems to be your lot in life to suffer. I don’t myself, but someone very very dear to me does as well. That said, it tends to be ME who makes the impulsive decisions and obsesses and indulges in something over and over until I tire of it. But the in between time is very sweet.
I’m not sure advice is what you’re needing but more understanding of your reasons for wanting to go and for someone to tell you you’re not mad for wanting to.
If I were in your shoes, I would go. I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t, I mean it exactly that way. If I were itching to go to enjoy some time I’m feeling awful, then I would. But I would be careful to plan easy and know what would make me feel better while there. Jet lag will get you, so accept the limitations, and (maybe) plan to do nothing but be spontaneous the entire time. You can survive on QS and day-of FPs, or not even going inside the parks. I do wish to go to WDW someday during full-on Christmastime and see all the resort decorations and just try to be in the moment enjoying the atmosphere without the chaos.
Whatever you decide, you DESERVE to be happy and I know I wish it for you, as little as we know each other. If you truly reason that this trip will do it, well there you go.
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I’ve been looking at FPP availability on TP for the dates of my trip and there’s plenty of good stuff currently available. I don’t know how long it will take WDW to get my booking online so that I can book FPPs.
Obviously no FOP or SDD, but plenty of Na’vi (which I like) and some 7DMT and FEA.
You saw this tool for possible fast passes?
https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=10123554&postcount=1
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Yes, jetlag is a concern that’s on my mind. And timing the days so as to minimise its effects.
Difficult to advise what you should do, but if you decide to go for it then you can absolutely plan the trip and have a ball. Even with the jet lag you will be able to make it work - early mornings will be in your favour at the start of the trip. Whatever you do, I hope things get better for you - I know the hole you mus feel you’re in at the moment and hope you can find no a way out of it.
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If you can afford it and Calvin is taken care of, go right ahead amigo! You can do this!!
Just be aware that it won’t solve your problems, it’s just a minor bandaid on a hemorrhage.
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If this will help you for the next 4-5 weeks and then possibly carry over a little into January (you know you will have to adjust your next trip after this one), Insay go for it.
Well. This sounds weird to say but I’m glad it’s just your baseline … ? In that it’s nothing acute to be worried over. But I’m sorry it’s that way for you.
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He who hesitates is lost.
The flights I was looking at jumped up by about 10% in price at midnight UK time. I hate feeling like I’m not getting a bargain.
This caused some radical rethinking.
Very radical.
I’m now looking at arriving on 18th December and departing on the 24th. Weird, I know. But it gives me the best combination of flight and hotel prices.
Plus I get to stay at ASMo — with a chance of a refurbished room, which would really make me happy.
Still haven’t booked yet, though. The flaw in this plan is the opportunity cost. I’m supposed to be working that week. So it’s a false saving in a sense.
Have you thought about doing something a little different? How about Christmas in a country that doesn’t celebrate Christmas, like China or Japan? You know what I’m saying. Why WDW? Why not another Disney property? Or why not look at a Disney cruise?
Depression is a tough thing to live with. I say, do what will help you to alleviate your depression and live more fully. But, if you think going and then having to come back home again will be worse, then stay home.
What you don’t want is to be depressed in WDW and have that escape tainted for you.
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I’m paralysed by indecision.
My attempts to find the perfect combination of dates and flights and hotel and price are not succeeding.
Sorry you are feeling down. I guess it all depends on how you feel about crowds and waiting in lines. I can’t imagine being happy when it’s so crowded there are lines for everything including restaurants, bathrooms, and yes rubbish rides. The setting is gorgeous and I love the holidays in WDW, but only in early December.
For what it’s worth I really like Sports. It’s not posh, but it is completely adequate and acceptable for a few days. And as far as Calvin goes, unless he has some kind of medical issue where he’s on the brink of death, I wouldn’t worry about giving him a play date at a friend’s house for a few days.
If you decide to go, I would book flights first and then use discount sites to find the cheapest room later.