Haha! Yes, exactly! I have actually saved most of the itineraries that I made for our trips. I hope that they will be treasured mementos when I’m gone.
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I’m the same way. I researched WDW for months, down to figuring out whether to go through each park clockwise or counterclockwise. The kids rolled their eyes until they saw the long lines we avoided!
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This, 100X. We were spoiled by going to WDW years ago when it didn’t involve the precision planning of a military operation. D planned a visit there with SiL, who did not understand the need for advance planning or reservations. He learned.
For trips with our kids since they became adults, I only make hotel and lunch or dinner reservations. They’re on their own for the rest. When H and I have gone by ourselves, we spend much of our time relaxing at one of the resorts and enjoying the amenities. It’s become a nostalgic trip for us and I can’t wait to return.
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DH and I went by ourselves in October. Besides one lunch reservation, I did very little planning. It was fun!
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I’ve always been the planner too but I’m looking to pass on the torch. We started something new where we do a shared family doc and everyone adds what they want to do. My D did the lion share of the planning for our next trip.
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That too sounds like me. I remember my husband running across the park to get fast passes for rides. We made good use of time. We did something like 6 of the best attractions at Animal Kingdom in 2 hours by timing it correctly.
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We sent our son, a varsity distance runner, for the passes. 
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Yeah so stories like these are why I’m not an “ experiences over things” person. As I like to say, my diamond earrings have brought me nothing but pleasure. Lol. Of course the fact that I’m a homebody is the real reason. Even on a “ perfect” vacation my happiest moment is when my feet cross my front door threshold.
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It’s funny how people are so different. I could go on vacation constantly and be very happy. I love new experiences. 
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As much as I love the planning and ultimately the travel experience, I do find myself getting anxty to get home- I have no idea why other than I think I truly like my everyday, everyday:)
Shorter trips- like 3 to 4 days seem to work best for me. And if I had some of the experiences detailed here I’d probably stay home, haha.
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I used to feel a little unsettled on longer vacations. However now I embrace the 3 week trips to explore and get settled in our destination.
Something that has helped a lot is our Nest cameras. Being able to view our front door/backyard while over a thousand miles away somehow calms me…not to mention our Nest, where we can see if the heat is still running during our long winter getaways.
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Me too. Part of it is I’m a creature of habit. I like MY things. When I was 7/my family went to Disneyland. And I loved it. But about day 3 I told my mon I couldn’t wait to get home. Why? “The drinking glasses here are so icky. Nothing ever gets cold ( you know plastic pebbly glasses in certain casual restaurants….that’s what they had all over DL. ) And I need my pillow. This one is too mushy. And the blankets aren’t soft… And I hate waiting for everyone to use the one bathroom. “.
Lol. Those were among my complaints. AT AGE SEVEN. I was not born to travel, clearly.
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I can relate to this post! A lot.
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People that know my dislike of travel are often surprised that I now go away for 2 months in winter. Then I point out that I bring with me my pillow, my comforter, my knives, my pans, my cutting boards, ALL my favorite toiletries ( in their big sizes…I find the small sizes often annoying…no pump for my shampoo etc…). Then they express shock over things like bringing my own pans. Lol.
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Heck, I travel to Hawaii with my favorite Scanpan. Even when we go for a week! 
You never know what sorts of cookware the rental unit will have, and we must have eggs for breakfast 
. I also pack a stick of frozen butter (it arrives frozen), small bottles of TJ’s olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and my favorite grilling spices. That is for a week of travel. Sometimes, I pack my Casper pillow. It rolls into a small tube.
I have a few dresses I only wear in Hawaii. They are always ready to be packed into the garment bag.
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My brother ALWAYS takes his pillow, even if he’s going to someplace overnight. Then he goes to a Walmart/CVS/Target and buys a fan (which he leaves behind if he’s flying). He figures it is a vacation and he wants to be comfortable
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@BunsenBurner Last day on Maui…leaving in a few hours. That is my kitchen packing list (less the pan). We bring our favorite spices in small pill containers. Also brought three small bottles of specialty olive oils and a small balsamic. My problem is packing clothes. (That is for that OTHER thread).
As for mishaps…on one trip to Germany my second cousin wanted a - I kid you not - trans axil for a go cart he was building from scratch. DH took on that challenge and found the part. It did fit into a regular suitcase. So off DS and I go…we arrive in FRA with all but one suitcase joining us. Yup, the trans axil apparently took a different route. I spent a bit of time explaining the contents of the missing bag to the representative. I’d (on the advice of a sixth sense voice) kept a copy of the purchase receipt. We all had a good laugh. It arrived a few days later.
On the subject of delayed luggage…nothing…and I mean nothing…moves in Germany from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. So, on another visit our luggage was not on the flight…and we arrived on a Friday. Luggage arrived the following Tuesday.
I taught my kids a few tricks early on…they have learned the value of the lesson and passed it on to their traveling partners.
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ALWAYS pack at least 3 days worth of clothing in your carryon. If for no other reason than you might need one set if you spill your drink during the flight.
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Always pack the small things you can not live without in your carryon. Meds, eyeglasses, etc. DD’s MIL ( a Doctor no less) packed her meds in her checked bag. Arrived in Amsterdam on a Saturday morning and spent the rest of the weekend trying to solve the problem.
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COUNT…count how many things you are taking…# checked bags, #carryons, sweater, headphones, phone…anything you have on you when you leave the house. Then keep up with the count. If you take out something while in flight …add to the count. Then, at the end, when it comes time to gather your belongings…you’re less likely to leave behind earbuds, your flight slippers, a sweater, eyeglass case etc.
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And…a later addition…in the case of SIL…LOOK at what bag you pull from the overhead compartment…is it really yours??? It was day two of a visit before he realized the contents of the bag were not his…and the bag was blue, not black (as was his) and it was not even the same shape. Oh…he’s a theoretical physicist.
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Ditto. Though I do hate leaving the dog behind. Also, worrying about what he will do to devalue the house. hehe
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@prezbucky I have several friends who swear by Trustedhousesitters dot com for someone to come stay at their home. I could absolutely imagine doing a month or two in Europe and doing longer stays in a few places, free place to stay in exchange for animal care.
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