I Like Warm Hugs! - Mommy/Toddler Trip ~ Updated 6/20: New Trip Report Link!

[kroseycorn]

Your daughter is so cute!! Her reactions are making me so excited to see my little girl reacting... I'm sure we'll have LOTS of stink eyes!

 

[BlvInMagic]

Hi there, what a wonderful and action packed mini-break you had at WDW! You are definitely "Super Mom!" Can't wait to read what happens next!

 

[RGirl]

Hands in the air (I have no idea why , I don’t even do that on coasters):

Awww - look at Izzy! She's going to be a thrill-ride junky like Willow!

Um, guys, there’s a dinosaur sneaking up behind you :

I love this shot!!!

The posted wait time was 15 minutes, so I asked her if that was accurate and she said that it was actually shorter! Hold the phone! What?! I tossed all my plans out the window and we jumped into the Standby line to make sure we met Minnie (and Mickey) this day.

What a great find!

While we waited, we admired the cute pictures of Mickey and Minnie’s travels along the walls

I love this place - Willow and I met Mickey and Minnie there on our last trip in 2013, and we just LOVED the photos of M&M's travels. Such a cute touch!

She’s totally giving him a look like, “Mickey, are you moving in on my Mommy?!”

Izzy was not very happy about this unplanned photo stop, but put up with it.

Every once in a while, they have to do what WE want to do!

So excited to be here :

I love these kinds of photos - they will always crack you up over the years to come.

but she warmed up to Baloo.

Smart girl - Willow has had quite a few really wonderful meets with Baloo (including one surprise meet in the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel ).

Adorable picture!

It wasn’t until we were on the ride that I realized I’d left my wallet on the stroller! However, I do keep it attached to the handle with a carabiner, so it can’t be swiped super easily. I just had to hope it would be fine and…it was! Whew!

I would have been FREAKING OUT! Seriously - I don't think I would have enjoyed or remembered anything about the safari.

My phone decided to just stop working. Like completely frozen (guess Elsa got to it). So, there will be a bit of a gap without pictures, as that was my camera for this trip. The screen was completely unusable, except for an accessibility feature I had on it (a volume button was broken and it allowed me to adjust volume on the screen)

again! Not cool, phone, not cool!!!!

I was really annoyed because I couldn’t even slide the bar on the screen to power down – thinking a restart might fix it.

GAH!!!!

Awww - so cute! I'm so glad that you ended up getting the PP pictures. Not only for the non-functioning phone, but you really did get some great shots from them over the course of your days there.

Walking through the building, we actually saw Rafiki, but decided to pass on a meet with him. I asked Izzy if she wanted to meet him and she said no, so I went with that. I guess he doesn’t look very cuddly.

I can see her feelings on this. He really isn't particularly cuddly looking.

While I was following Izzy around goat-world, I finally figured out how to restart my phone without using the screen – just had to press both the home and power buttons at once (iPhone 4S). Maybe I should have known how to do that, but I didn’t and I sure couldn’t use the phone to look it up or ask Dug. And the good news is that it came back on and worked again!

YAY!!!!!!!

 

[teekathepony]

Awww, the magic shots with Tink are so cute!
Great safari ride! Glad you saw more animals (even if the elusive lions weren't being social.)
Glad you got your phone working again!

 

[hokieinpa]

I love the magic shots! Izzy looks absolutely thrilled to be there! It's more like, WTH are you doing on my mom's hand!

I'm glad the animals were more plentiful on your 2nd safari. And that your wallet was safe! That stroller handoff can be hectic!

Sorry your phone wasn't be cooperative - very frustrating and especially when it's your camera as well!

I may have pulled the "spit in place of wipes" removal trick a few times too. Totally necessary at times!

Excited to see more pictures!

 

[StephanieE]

First post here but I'm all caught up and read some of your other trips as well. Your family has inspired me to have a Year of Disney with my husband. We own our own business and hadn't taken a vacation for 6 years! We just went to Disney in March and I was reading a lot of reports to get the scoop on the changes, restaurants, etc.

We upgraded to annual passes while we were there. We are going back in May and have at least 2 more trips on my radar in the next year!

I can't wait to see how the rest of your trip unfolds!

 

[Dugette]

HAHAHA, that is so stinking cute. Izzy is really giving Tink "the look".

Haha, yeah, it turned out pretty funny. She was just NOT in the mood for a photo shoot at that moment.

Awww, it looks like she did really well with Baloo and Louie. They may not be Minnie level, but I'd count it as a win.

I thought it went much better than I expected - wasn't sure if she'd like them, as she wasn't familiar with them. But she is a fan of bears!

Ooof, I tend to get a little shell-shocked about lost or potentially lost wallets in Animal Kingdom. Happened to me (I got it back), but it was a tense few hours. Thank goodness all was well.

Yikes, a few hours?! It was tough just waiting through the safari to check. So glad it was still there!

Ah the spit wash. I think all children have been the recipient of that at one time or another. If it's good enough for animals, and hey this IS Animal Kingdom.

True, totally appropriate. Just what the momma gorilla would do, I'm sure.

Izzy looked so unamused at the Tree of Life photo spot. She was probably wondering why there were no characters around, since usually when she sees PP photographers, they are with some furry friend.

Very true - she probably thought I'd lost my mind to be taking pictures without a furry friend.

Ugh, phone issues. That's never good. Especially when you're by yourself and there's no way to look up how to resolve the issue because the only thing on hand is the thing that's broken. Glad you got it figured out and could take pictures again.

That was the worst part - I had no way to get help with it, as I couldn't use the internet or make calls. I was actually very close to tracking down a CM that seemed tech-savvy to help me.

You got some great photos - Tree of Life, Izzy holding the bear paw, and great ones with Chip & Dale! Too bad about the phone, though. I'm glad you eventually got it working again!

Thanks! We had so much fun this AK day and have the pics to prove it. The phone was super annoying, though. And (spoiler alert) there is more to come. On this trip and even in Hawaii!

I'm glad Izzy like the petting zoo. I am very curious to see how Rory reacts to the animals there later this month!

I hope Rory loves it! Izzy was really cute chasing goats around and brushing piggies.

Your daughter is so cute!! Her reactions are making me so excited to see my little girl reacting... I'm sure we'll have LOTS of stink eyes!

It's so much fun to see your daughter's reactions to everything at Disney. Makes it so much more magical.

Hi there, what a wonderful and action packed mini-break you had at WDW! You are definitely "Super Mom!" Can't wait to read what happens next!

Aw, thanks! I'm no Super Mom, just Regular Mom Who Managed to Have Fun Solo With Kid. We had a great time.

 

[Dugette]

Awww - look at Izzy! She's going to be a thrill-ride junky like Willow!

I sure hope so! That would be so fun to ride all the mountains together!

I love this shot!!!

Ha, thanks! I was really trying to get a dino in the background.

What a great find!

It would have been nice if it really was less than 15 minutes. Still good, though!

I love this place - Willow and I met Mickey and Minnie there on our last trip in 2013, and we just LOVED the photos of M&M's travels. Such a cute touch!

I really liked this meet too. Really cute theming that I wasn't expecting at all - not to mention a great visit with the main mice!

Every once in a while, they have to do what WE want to do!

Every now and then...

I love these kinds of photos - they will always crack you up over the years to come.

True, they can't all be too perfect.

Smart girl - Willow has had quite a few really wonderful meets with Baloo (including one surprise meet in the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel ).

He was really great to meet. And was totally not on our radar. Glad I was keeping an eye out for characters that day.

Adorable picture!

Thanks!

I would have been FREAKING OUT! Seriously - I don't think I would have enjoyed or remembered anything about the safari.

Well, you know, I had the broken phone thing to distract me from that. And the fear that Izzy was going to toss my Magic Band overboard. It was a stressful safari.

again! Not cool, phone, not cool!!!!

So not cool.

GAH!!!!

It was so annoying that I couldn't figure out how to power it down without using the screen.

Awww - so cute! I'm so glad that you ended up getting the PP pictures. Not only for the non-functioning phone, but you really did get some great shots from them over the course of your days there.

Yes, it was really a good value this trip! (even if I had paid something for it)

I can see her feelings on this. He really isn't particularly cuddly looking.

Nope, he can keep his distance.

YAY!!!!!!!

Brief party, but don't get too excited just yet.

Awww, the magic shots with Tink are so cute!

Thanks! I was so excited to see a PP person doing Magic Shots! We have hardly ever gotten any, so it was fun (for me, not Izzy).

Great safari ride! Glad you saw more animals (even if the elusive lions weren't being social.)

Glad it wasn't totally quiet on the savannah again. Still not the most active safari, but better.

Glad you got your phone working again!

Me too, but that won't be the last of the issues...

I love the magic shots! Izzy looks absolutely thrilled to be there! It's more like, WTH are you doing on my mom's hand!

She was just not at all interested in doing these photos. I'm sure it would have helped if she could have seen Tink.

I'm glad the animals were more plentiful on your 2nd safari. And that your wallet was safe! That stroller handoff can be hectic!

I can't believe I did that and totally forgot to grab it. I was glad that I use a little carabiner to attach it and I knew that it was not super obvious where I had it. But still...very happy to see it right where I left it, untouched.

Sorry your phone wasn't be cooperative - very frustrating and especially when it's your camera as well!

It was super frustrating. And distracting. I just wanted to enjoy the little time we had there, not deal with technical problems the whole time.

I may have pulled the "spit in place of wipes" removal trick a few times too. Totally necessary at times!

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I was also kicking myself for not thinking to grab the diaper kit, right after the wallet forgetting incident.

Excited to see more pictures!

Can't wait to share more!

First post here but I'm all caught up and read some of your other trips as well. Your family has inspired me to have a Year of Disney with my husband. We own our own business and hadn't taken a vacation for 6 years! We just went to Disney in March and I was reading a lot of reports to get the scoop on the changes, restaurants, etc.

We upgraded to annual passes while we were there. We are going back in May and have at least 2 more trips on my radar in the next year!

I can't wait to see how the rest of your trip unfolds!

That is awesome that you are doing a year of Disney! We had so much fun when we did that in 2010! So many memories - I can't believe it's been 5 years! And, man, you were really overdue for a vacation! So glad you are able to plan a few to make up for that. When in May are you gong back? We'll be there May 14-26 (cruise May 18-22). Glad to have you here!

 

[StephanieE]

I sure hope so! That would be so fun to ride all the mountains together!


Ha, thanks! I was really trying to get a dino in the background.


It would have been nice if it really was less than 15 minutes. Still good, though!


I really liked this meet too. Really cute theming that I wasn't expecting at all - not to mention a great visit with the main mice!


Every now and then...


True, they can't all be too perfect.


He was really great to meet. And was totally not on our radar. Glad I was keeping an eye out for characters that day.


Thanks!


Well, you know, I had the broken phone thing to distract me from that. And the fear that Izzy was going to toss my Magic Band overboard. It was a stressful safari.


So not cool.


It was so annoying that I couldn't figure out how to power it down without using the screen.


Yes, it was really a good value this trip! (even if I had paid something for it)


Nope, he can keep his distance.


Brief party, but don't get too excited just yet.


Thanks! I was so excited to see a PP person doing Magic Shots! We have hardly ever gotten any, so it was fun (for me, not Izzy).


Glad it wasn't totally quiet on the savannah again. Still not the most active safari, but better.


Me too, but that won't be the last of the issues...


She was just not at all interested in doing these photos. I'm sure it would have helped if she could have seen Tink.


I can't believe I did that and totally forgot to grab it. I was glad that I use a little carabiner to attach it and I knew that it was not super obvious where I had it. But still...very happy to see it right where I left it, untouched.


It was super frustrating. And distracting. I just wanted to enjoy the little time we had there, not deal with technical problems the whole time.


I'm glad I'm not the only one. I was also kicking myself for not thinking to grab the diaper kit, right after the wallet forgetting incident.


Can't wait to share more!


That is awesome that you are doing a year of Disney! We had so much fun when we did that in 2010! So many memories - I can't believe it's been 5 years! And, man, you were really overdue for a vacation! So glad you are able to plan a few to make up for that. When in May are you gong back? We'll be there May 14-26 (cruise May 18-22). Glad to have you here!

We will be there from the 17-21 this time. Sadly we could only get away for a short trip but I couldn't skip SWW! It is our first time checking it out and it looks so fun!

I'm hoping to sneak over to Epcot for some Frushi before they shut F&G down but we'll have to see what happens.

 

[Dugette]

We will be there from the 17-21 this time. Sadly we could only get away for a short trip but I couldn't skip SWW! It is our first time checking it out and it looks so fun!

I'm hoping to sneak over to Epcot for some Frushi before they shut F&G down but we'll have to see what happens.

Oh, cool! Sounds like we probably won't cross paths - our current plans on the 17th are DHS and MK - though there's a chance of walking though Epcot to get between the two - so if you see us, say hi!

Are you following the big SWW thread? I'm finding that super helpful and fun!

 

[StephanieE]

Oh, cool! Sounds like we probably won't cross paths - our current plans on the 17th are DHS and MK - though there's a chance of walking though Epcot to get between the two - so if you see us, say hi!

Are you following the big SWW thread? I'm finding that super helpful and fun!

We will actually be at DHS for the majority of the day so who knows! I just fell in love with Frushi and the Plum Wine Slush when we went to F&G in March so I'm not sure I can pass up the chance to get it again. My hubby is a HUGE Star Wars fan though so I feel like we'll spend 90% of our day there.

I didn't check it out yet but I'll head there next! More info would be super helpful! We booked the package so that should be fun! Yoda cupcakes!

 

[Dugette]

We will actually be at DHS for the majority of the day so who knows! I just fell in love with Frushi and the Plum Wine Slush when we went to F&G in March so I'm not sure I can pass up the chance to get it again. My hubby is a HUGE Star Wars fan though so I feel like we'll spend 90% of our day there.

I didn't check it out yet but I'll head there next! More info would be super helpful! We booked the package so that should be fun! Yoda cupcakes!

Oh, cool! Well, keep an eye out for us! You know, when you're not watching for roaming SW characters. At least it's easy to get back and forth between the two parks. You can take a lunch or dinner break at Epcot to get away for a bit. Just a warning, the SWW thread is HUGE, but the first post is regularly updated with new info, so you don't have to read like 250 pages.

 

[Leshaface]

Fair enough! Maybe I will have to pull a Rob and post a Cronut shout-out to you.

I'd be insulted if I wasn't tagged in a FB photo!

That's cute!

I could see DS doing this!

Peeking out from behind Minnie’s skirt to make sure Mickey doesn’t steal Mommy :

Aw so cute!

I love how Minnie is holding her hands like that.

price-per-length-of-trip modification to PP,

Hmm, very interesting indeed I never thought about it before but that's an idea!

Notice how she's looking at the Tink I put in on this one :

perfect!

So excited to be here :

I totally LOL'ED at your comment with the picture!

So sweet!

Maybe it was good the lions weren’t out or I’d be upset that I couldn’t get a picture!

Of course that would happen right. I'm shocked it didn't!

I finally figured out how to restart my phone without using the screen – just had to press both the home and power buttons at once

I was silently yelling this to you the whole time!

 

[Dugette]

I'd be insulted if I wasn't tagged in a FB photo!

Duly noted.

That's cute!

Loved those pics!

I could see DS doing this!

In her defense, I think she was just pointing out Minnie, but it sure looks like a nose pick. Especially coming from a kid that literally says things like, "Mommy, I'm just picking my nose and eating it. Yum!"

Aw so cute!

Thanks!

I love how Minnie is holding her hands like that.

Minnie was so sweet! She really picked up on how much Izzy loved her and did a great job of being sweet to her.

Hmm, very interesting indeed I never thought about it before but that's an idea!

I had never thought of it until he was asking me those questions. And it occurred to me that paying full price for Photopass for a weekend trip would be somewhat absurd.

perfect!

Thanks!

I totally LOL'ED at your comment with the picture!

Ha, she was tolerant, at best, of that photoshoot. I think because we were supposed to be going to the safari and she doesn't like it when plans change.

So sweet!

Thanks!

Of course that would happen right. I'm shocked it didn't!

Me too! You'd think there would be amazing photo ops that I'd miss.

I was silently yelling this to you the whole time!

I wish you'd yelled louder and into the past! Glad I finally figured it out. Just never had needed to do that before - the slide on the screen always worked just fine to power down/reset.

 

[Dugette]

I Wanna Stuff Some Chocolate in My Face!

So, I’ve been wanting to use this Frozen quote for one of my titles and have realized that I apparently wasn’t eating much chocolate on this trip?! So, this is more of the way I was feeling in this update vs. what I was eating…because chocolate is a comfort as much as a treat.

So, we left off in the petting zoo area at Rafiki’s. I’d managed to get my phone re-started and the camera was working again. I captured some pictures of Izzy with the goats and pigs. Hi, goat:



They weren’t as excited to see her as she was to see them:



At least this one was willing to sniff her hand:



But the pig was up for a massage:



Cow tail:



She got to brush this one:



I had to teach her which side of the brush to use. And I took a quick video while doing it:

(click to watch)

Checking out the animals:





She spotted some fun-looking goats and took off running for them:



Caught one:



Hey, piggy:



And one more goat-petting video:

(click to watch)

So, yeah, that’s a cute little video and all…but it proved to be problematic. Because the couple little video clips I took caused my phone to start telling me that the storage was full and then it froze again!! Ugh. Technology. I restarted it again.

We were ready to head out of the petting zoo, so we washed our hands and were going to head back to the train. However, Izzy spotted Chip and Dale out meeting again and wanted to go back for round two. How could I say no? But when we approached the line, they wouldn’t take us, as Chip & Dale were going on a break soon. I was ready to head out, as I didn’t want to waste our precious time waiting around for them to return, but Izzy had other ideas. She saw some picnic benches and wanted to go sit in a “chair”. She was on a mission to sit on all the chairs at WDW, I’m fairly certain.

These were round tables with individual backless picnic bench type seats. She sat on one with her back facing towards a nearby table and I sat facing her with my back to another table. Just about knee to knee. I figured I’d take this quiet moment (there was literally no one around) to try to look into the storage settings on my phone. I just messed with them for a moment, trying to figure out what was going on, and in that quick second I looked at the phone, Izzy apparently decided to lean back in her “chair”. I don’t know if she forgot what she was sitting on or what, but she was going headfirst towards the pavement very quickly. I saw her in my peripheral vision immediately and reacted fast, grabbing her left leg, which was the nearest thing for me to catch. I caught her and stopped her fall inches before her head hit the ground, but now she was dangling over the bench by her bent left leg. I was worried about hurting her leg if I tried to pull her back up by it, so I decided the safest thing was to very slowly lower her down, just gently touching her head to the ground as I lowered her onto her back and got her up. Keep in mind, this all took place in like 1-2 seconds, but it seems like slow motion in the moment. Once I had her down and unscathed, she burst into frightened tears. She wasn’t hurt, but we were both pretty shaken up by her fall. I hugged her and comforted her and double-checked that she was totally fine. I was so glad that I’d been so close and reacted so quickly. And that the bench was just tall enough that she could be dangling over and not hit her head. Scary.

Then I had a chance to look up. And it got interesting. I’m just going to copy and paste this part straight out of my detailed “notes”, as I don’t think I can phrase it any better than I already did:

After that excitement, I looked up to see an older woman on an ECV staring at me, somewhat bewildered. I can only assume she watched the whole thing go down. I felt like she was judging – mom staring at her phone, ignoring her kid – or something. However, I was trying to get my camera to work so I could take more pics of my kid – not hanging out on Facebook or something. I assured her that Izzy was okay and explained what I was doing and all. She seemed better then. But weirdly chatty. And tried to “relate” with me by telling me how “things happen” and once she was driving and went through like 2 walls and a building or something crazy and her car was a mess, but she went into work anyway and maybe that’s why she can’t walk super far and uses the ECV at WDW …Okay, I don’t think this is the same thing at all. Thankfully, her hubby came by and distracted her.

Once that lady scooted off, Chip and Dale started making their way back out – which was from nearby and right past our table (and, yes, I did get Izzy back on the bench, but was right next to her). I don’t know if Chip & Dale knew what had happened or if it was just a coincidence, but they both stopped at our bench for an impromptu meet with Izzy! Talk about making her feel better! It was so sweet and she was so happy to see them again, after getting turned away a bit ago. Of course, I still felt terrible as my phone wasn’t working well enough to get pictures or video (it froze when I tried). But then their Photopass person came out and got some shots for us! How awesome! Chip had moved on already, but she got some cute ones with Dale. Perhaps he knew she almost hit her head?



Fancy dancing?



So sweet :



What’s on your shirt? Gotcha!



You can see the bench pretty well here:



That meet was so unexpected and magical! 11:38am Photopass timestamp. Before moving on, I managed to send a text to Dug and he called, walking me through how to delete some of his games that shouldn’t have synced with my phone in the first place, but were taking up a ton of space. Whew, much better! After that, it was smooth sailing (well, until Hawaii while he was gone…)

We actually did head out of Rafiki’s after that:



We got on the train and had a CM in the next row over:



That CM kept reminding everyone (probably mostly us) to remain seated. Izzy was not happy about remaining seated on this ride:



We survived the ride in seats.

Up next: Bolting back to Mickey and Minnie in a valiant effort to meet them again before our FP+ window expired!

 

[MEK]

Awwwww - How fun that Chip came over to see with Izzy after she almost hit the deck from her fall. Kids are just so darn fast and stuff like that can happen in a split second. I'm so glad you were able to grab her. And, yeah, TMI from the lady on the scooter. But maybe she was just trying to be friendly.

Super cute pictures of Izzy. She looked like she was having a blast with all the animals.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

What a scary almost-fall! I'm glad everything turned out okay except for a few frightened tears. How nice that Chip and Dale stopped by and Izzy was much happier and likely forgot about her scary moment.

I agree that the lady was a little strange...

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I actually got cheered up by Chip and Dale myself on our Alaskan cruise. We found out morning of that our whale watching excursion was canceled and while trying to book something else we ran into Chip and Dale who wiped away my tears, gave me extra tight hugs and a few cute pics... Where I miraculously do not look like I was just crying!

 

[kroseycorn]

Ugh, falls are the worst. No, actually people judging you for being a human being and trying to get something done while your child takes a spill are the worst. Back in the 80s when she had her kid, she probably was busy crimping her hair or acid washing jeans when her child fell off a bench.

And really, thank goodness you caught her, but she probably would have been fine! My gosh, it seems like their heads are made of rubber or something! So sweet of Chip and Dale to stop, and and such good timing! Love that!!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

Love the petting zoo pictures! So sorry about Izzy's scary near injury. Unlike the crazy driving lady, I really can relate! I have caught Luke multiple times by an arm or leg! We have had lots of bumps and bruises, but fortunately no serious injuries.