We nailed it with a newborn, why not tackle it with a toddler?!? Updated with Trip Video!!

[Gracefulskinny]

Beautiful pics on the boat. Glad you all enjoyed your Lunch. I don't blame your DH for being cranky at schedualing a FP for MS. right after lunch.

 

[Vernie822]

Joining in - Awesome timing getting there the night before.. more time in the parks! Luke is so cute. Can't wait to read more.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Glad your room request was honored and that at least one of your rooms was ready to drop your stuff off.

Bummer about the issues upgrading the tickets, but at least they were friendly and gave you the bonus FPs - and you got in rides on TSMM and ToT that you weren't planning on so that was good. And congrats on the APs

That is a nice view as the boat gets to the IG with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Sounds like a nice lunch and a good start at EPCOT - especially with no space sickness bag needed

I didn't mind the time in Guest Relations, especially since the CM was so friendly, but it is tough to wait over an hour for anything with a toddler! I was super glad he gave us FPs, since we definitely wouldn't have waited for Toy Story without them. We probably would have waited for ToT, but it was super nice to skip the line.

Beautiful pics on the boat. Glad you all enjoyed your Lunch. I don't blame your DH for being cranky at schedualing a FP for MS. right after lunch.

Thank you! I guess I wasn't thinking when booking FPs! I forget not everyone wants to ride MS after a buffet!

Joining in - Awesome timing getting there the night before.. more time in the parks! Luke is so cute. Can't wait to read more.

and thank you! We loved having a full first day. Hoping to repeat on at least one of our trips this year!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Day 1 - Part 3 - Stop and smell the roses

We left off after my family and I had used our Fastpasses to ride Test Track and Mission: Space. This photo was taken around that time (I believe while we were taking turns riding Test Track):




Now we were headed over to The Land to ride one of my very favorites - Soarin'. This is one of my mom's absolute faves too. My dad also really likes it. DH thinks is it just meh. But I stay with him anyway. Oh, the sacrifices I make!

We got a Rider Swap pass and my parents went to ride first. While we were waiting, DH and I took Luke to ride Living with the Land. DH and I are in agreement on this one...we love it! I strongly feel this ride is one of the most unappreciated in WDW. After we were done, we switched off with my parents and went to ride Soarin'. My parents were bummed because they went to take their turn with Luke on Living with the Land and it was closed! Oh well. We enjoyed our flight and headed out to meet up with my parents.

Next, we decided to head over to ride Spaceship Earth, but on our way there we stumbled across someplace that Luke insisted we stop.









Luke was so enthralled with these sidewalk lights. We stayed here and played for quite a while. This was definitely a "stop and smell the roses" kind of moment. It was one of those Disney details that I previously walked right by, but now here we were appreciating it through the eyes of a toddler. It was really a magical moment.

After Luke had thoroughly enjoyed the lights, we continued on to Spaceship Earth.








This is another ride that doesn't get a lot of love, but I just adore it! I could ride this over and over! I am happy to see that Luke seemed to inherit the level of awe and appreciation we have for this ride.




And we got a future without Swiss cheese heads!




After we saw what the future held in store, we disembarked with the intention of heading back to World Showcase. However, as we were getting off the ride, DH's magic band popped off and flew into the ride mechanism. So we made another trip to Guest Relations. They had a hard time transferring all the info to the new band since apparently things still weren't linked correctly (which explains why he couldn't get into the park and why his Fastpasses hadn't been working). But finally they got him fixed up with a new magic band and told us everything was finally fixed (any guesses on whether or not that is true? ). So we left and headed towards World Showcase. But first we stopped for a few Photopass pictures.








You can see in the photos that we had Luke all bundled up for the chilly weather. Here is a better look:




Up next: a chilly night in the World Showcase.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

It was one of those Disney details that I previously walked right by, but now here we were appreciating it through the eyes of a toddler. It was really a magical moment.

You just got to love these little moments!

However, as we were getting off the ride, DH's magic band popped off and flew into the ride mechanism.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Great trip report!! A silly question but did Disney give you any type of discount for checking into AOA at 1am? You weren't in the room that long at all they should have.

Luke is so adorable, such a cutie!! He is so lucky to have a Disney loving family. We take the boat from DHS to Epcot all the time, we LOVE it. We will be staying at Beach Club Villas in December and can't wait.

The magic band problems are my nightmare. I think it would drive me crazy. I loved the pictures of Luke playing with the lighted sidewalks. Those are precious memories.

I can't wait to read more

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I am a big fan of Soarin - just something about it really makes it easy to lose yourself in the ride. Though I am very much looking forward to a new version with a digital movie that doesn't have spots all over it

It was one of those Disney details that I previously walked right by, but now here we were appreciating it through the eyes of a toddler.

As much as I loved our previous Adult Only trips I do think traveling with little ones almost forces you to slow down at times and take in these details ... I just htink it is great that there are so many ways to enjoy a Disney drip

told us everything was finally fixed (any guesses on whether or not that is true? )

Ugh, that is so frustrating. I mean, I get it, technology problems are going to happen, but if you tell me it is all fixed, it better be all fixed, you know?

 

[sunflowers138]

following! your son is ADORABLE!

We are headed to the Kingdom next month with a 13 month old.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Great trip report!! A silly question but did Disney give you any type of discount for checking into AOA at 1am? You weren't in the room that long at all they should have.

They should have, but they definitely didn't!! If anything, I think we paid more since we paid rack rate instead of getting any kind of special.

Luke is so adorable, such a cutie!! He is so lucky to have a Disney loving family. We take the boat from DHS to Epcot all the time, we LOVE it. We will be staying at Beach Club Villas in December and can't wait.

Thank you! We think he's awesome! We are super excited to be staying at Beach Club Villas for our October trip!

The magic band problems are my nightmare. I think it would drive me crazy. I loved the pictures of Luke playing with the lighted sidewalks. Those are precious memories.

I can't wait to read more "

And as you can assume from my last report, the magic band problems aren't over.

I really loved the little moments with him this trip! They really made the trip special. The magical moments that Disney commercials are made of.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

I am a big fan of Soarin - just something about it really makes it easy to lose yourself in the ride. Though I am very much looking forward to a new version with a digital movie that doesn't have spots all over it



As much as I loved our previous Adult Only trips I do think traveling with little ones almost forces you to slow down at times and take in these details ... I just htink it is great that there are so many ways to enjoy a Disney drip



Ugh, that is so frustrating. I mean, I get it, technology problems are going to happen, but if you tell me it is all fixed, it better be all fixed, you know?

.

I too am really excited about the addition of a new Soarin screen and a new film!

We had a blast on our adult only trips and our trip when Luke was a newborn, but this one was extra special because Luke was more of a participant and there were moments of pure, unadulterated joy! It just warms your heart.

 

[DisneyParkLover]

following! your son is ADORABLE!

We are headed to the Kingdom next month with a 13 month old.

Hope you are prepared to have a great time and start planning your return trip before you leave!

 

[RockinDisney]

Luke is a cutie. I am taking my 18 month daughter in Oct. your report is making me even more excited if that is possible

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Bonus Day 1 Pictures!

I just got my mom's pictures from Disney! For the rest of the trip report, they will be interspersed with my photos. But for the parts of the trip report I have already passed, I will just add hers below.





I am happy to report she did far better than me at getting TSMM and Biergarten photos!

















They also held Luke up so he would show up in their Spaceship Earth future!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Luke is a cutie. I am taking my 18 month daughter in Oct. your report is making me even more excited if that is possible

Thank you! It is a really fun age to take a little one! And bonus, they are too young to really have a lot of fears, so dark rides or giant characters or loud noises aren't usually as big a problem as they are for the preschool set!

 

[Dugette]

This year we will actually be in Disney on Halloween!

That is really cool! I bet you'll have a blast. Cute Halloween costumes, by the way. I can't get over how adorable Luke is too! Having the newborn report fresh in my mind, it feels like he grew up in the blink of an eye. He seems like he's having a great time.

Art of Animation had a room. I had always wanted to stay there, so we booked it!

Good choice! I would choose that over some random hotel off the highway.

But we were also really tired and it took a really long time for them to deliver the pack and play. We even called to make sure they didn't forget us. But they finally brought it over an hour later and we were finally able to go to bed!

I just do not understand why pack 'n' play requests are ever this slow late at night. I mean, clearly you need it, like, 5 minutes ago. I mean, don't they understand that every minute with a tired kid that should be in bed is like an hour to the parents? Seems like it should go to the top of their priority list.

We headed over to guest relations to become Annual Passholders!!!

Congratulations! Let's see how many trips you end up taking...

the CM was super nice and assured me that everything was fixed with DH's magic band. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.

This doesn't sound good at all.

He also really enjoyed the food offerings here - especially the mac and cheese.

I took Luke down and let him dance. He had a really good time dancing and was sad to see the band go.

Oooh, Izzy would love that too. Don't make me add anymore ADRs to our May trip! Can't do it...

Luke was so enthralled with these sidewalk lights. We stayed here and played for quite a while. This was definitely a "stop and smell the roses" kind of moment. It was one of those Disney details that I previously walked right by, but now here we were appreciating it through the eyes of a toddler. It was really a magical moment.

What a great moment. That was definitely something we noticed bringing Izzy the first time - all the little random details that you take for granted take on a new life when seen though your kid's eyes. We spent a LONG time running joyfully back and forth across the trolley tracks.

However, as we were getting off the ride, DH's magic band popped off and flew into the ride mechanism.

Oh no! He is having a bad run of Magic Band luck this trip.

 

[Jenna319]

Subscribing! We are taking our daughter who will be 1-year old the same dates that you were there 10/31 - 11/7!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

That is really cool! I bet you'll have a blast. Cute Halloween costumes, by the way. I can't get over how adorable Luke is too! Having the newborn report fresh in my mind, it feels like he grew up in the blink of an eye. He seems like he's having a great time.

Thanks! I am trying to think of good costumes for this year for everyone, since we will actually be there for Halloween. We want them to be cool and not too hard to do. There is the same group as this trip and it would be cool if everyone was tied together with one theme. I welcome suggestions!

Good choice! I would choose that over some random hotel off the highway.

Our thoughts exactly! We really loved both the Art of Animation and All Stars Music. We have not stayed at a bad Disney resort. They are all nicely themed and well maintained. Plus the CMs have all been great!

I just do not understand why pack 'n' play requests are ever this slow late at night. I mean, clearly you need it, like, 5 minutes ago. I mean, don't they understand that every minute with a tired kid that should be in bed is like an hour to the parents? Seems like it should go to the top of their priority list.

I know! An hour with a super overtired toddler at 1 a.m. is like torture. I thought they would never come! I would have just put him in bed with us, but he has never done well with that. He just wants to use us as a jungle gym and then climb off the bed!

Congratulations! Let's see how many trips you end up taking...

I'm so excited!! And using it for 3 trips made it a good deal. Sadly, I think the planned 3 is all we will get out of it, though I keep suggesting to DH that since we have them we could just fly down for a weekend sometime. He hasn't gone for it yet!

Oooh, Izzy would love that too. Don't make me add anymore ADRs to our May trip! Can't do it...

It is super fun for little ones. You should definitely try to fit it in on some trip!

What a great moment. That was definitely something we noticed bringing Izzy the first time - all the little random details that you take for granted take on a new life when seen though your kid's eyes. We spent a LONG time running joyfully back and forth across the trolley tracks.

We definitely took notice of lots of little details we hadn't seen before and I know it made me appreciate Disney more than ever! All the details they put into things really make it special.

Oh no! He is having a bad run of Magic Band luck this trip.

That's for sure!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Subscribing! We are taking our daughter who will be 1-year old the same dates that you were there 10/31 - 11/7!

So glad to have you! And how cool that you are going the same dates that we went with a child almost the same age!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Day 1 - World Showcase Crowds...on a Saturday...during Food and Wine...when it's Jersey Week

So I purposely left off right before we headed into World Showcase as I am really bad about taking "food porn" pictures at Food and Wine. Between juggling the food and Luke, I usually don't have a free hand to take photos. But my mom is pretty good about it, so I was waiting until I got her pictures. Now that I have them, we are good to go!

So we headed into World Showcase with very low expectations. On our last trip, we went to Food and Wine on a weekend night and it was wall-to-wall people. The lines for the booths were outrageous and it led to some frustration. We expected the same or worse since this was also a weekend night and the crowds were supposed to be elevated due to Jersey Week. So imagine our surprise to find World Showcase practically empty! I don't know if it was the chilly weather keeping people from coming out, but it was wonderful!!! And the cool weather was actually really nice since it can get warm with all the food booths.

Our first food stop was in Scotland for the seared sea scallop with spinach-cheddar gratin and crispy bacon.




I remember this being delicious...and I'm picky about seafood. The scallop was fresh and cooked perfectly! From the looks of the following picture, my parents ordered something else!




Until this moment, I didn't even realize they had tried this. It is a crannachan: a traditional Scottish dessert trifle with raspberries, toasted oats, and whipped cream. And upon speaking with my mom, apparently this was fantastic! Sorry I missed it!

Our next stop was Greece where I had the griddled Greek cheese with pistachios and honey.




This was delicious, but I thought it was a little better the previous year.

Our final booth stop of the night was Canada. I had the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup with some pretzel bread leftover from lunch. This was so good! It was so much better with the bread. Why can't they just serve it at Food and Wine with a piece of pretzel bread? I would pay extra.




After this, we decided to go rest until Illuminations. We had been going non-stop since early morning after a long travel day and a late night. We were tired! So we grabbed a table in the outside area next to Rose and Crown and ordered a few of these:




It's a Cider & Black - hard cider and black currant juice. I love these. It may be my favorite drink in World Showcase, even above slushes in France and margaritas in Mexico. Appalling, I know! So we sat sipping on these for a little bit while Luke rested, and before long it was time for Illuminations. He woke right up when the music started, but wasn't crabby since he was too interested in what was going on to be upset at being woken up! Here are some blurry photos of his wide eyed wonderment:






Pretty much the same face as last time:

And here are a few favorites from Illuminations:












It was a perfect end to a perfect day!

After Illuminations, we had planned to take the boat back to our car at DHS. I didn't realize that once DHS closes, they no longer run boats there. We were starting to panic, but the captain agreed to take us back anyway.

I assumed the boats ran until Epcot closed, for park hoppers? There was another family in the same predicament (or should I say another family in the same boat? Bwahaha - I crack myself up with my puns!) as us, so it can't be too uncommon an occurrence for people to want to get back to DHS.

We managed to get back to our car and were back at our resort a few minutes later. And I think we were all asleep a few minutes after that!

 

[Dugette]

Our first food stop was in Scotland for the seared sea scallop with spinach-cheddar gratin and crispy bacon.

Wow, Dug would LOVE that! That is so completely up his alley.

Our next stop was Greece where I had the griddled Greek cheese with pistachios and honey.

Mmmm, I remember having this back in 2011 (sigh, has it been that long since we've been to F&W?!) Yummy! Sorry it wasn't as good as before, though.

Our final booth stop of the night was Canada. I had the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup with some pretzel bread leftover from lunch. This was so good! It was so much better with the bread. Why can't they just serve it at Food and Wine with a piece of pretzel bread? I would pay extra.

Nice way to finish off the night! And they should absolutely have pretzel bread!

or should I say another family in the same boat?

I guess at least there is the option to walk back, but at night when you're tired, not the first choice.