"I'm NOT a Princess, I'm Izzy!" - May '15 Land/Sea ~ Updated 6/4: Link to Disneyland TR!!!

[afwdwfan]

But Canada was the best, right? Right? RIGHT???? SAY IT!!!!!



sorry.

It used to be when Canadians were overly polite and humble.

 

[pkondz]

It used to be when Canadians were overly polite and humble.

Watch it buddy. I sorta almost kinda know where you live.


We're humble... but vindictive.

 

[Dugette]

Smarty pants!



But Canada was the best, right? Right? RIGHT???? SAY IT!!!!!



sorry.







Ah. That would explain it.



Some people... not so much.

It used to be when Canadians were overly polite and humble.

Watch it buddy. I sorta almost kinda know where you live.


We're humble... but vindictive.

You guys are funny!

If you've seen my Hawaii TR, there is at least one very polite and humble Canadian out there. (We were texting a wrong number and he was very kind in his reply - even worried that his slow response may have inconvenienced us. )

 

[Dugette]

Toddler Reunion!

So, for newer followers or those of you who need your memories refreshed, back in June 2014 Izzy and I took a trip with fellow DIS-er Lauren (@Imagineer5) and her daughter Aria (who is 8 months older than Izzy). And, no, we had never met off-line until we were at MCO. Well, turns out that DIS-ers are not strangers, but just friends waiting to happen and it worked out great! So well, in fact, that we spent some time together on our overlapping August 2014 trips too. And now, as luck would have it, we were overlapping yet again on this May 2015 trip. A look back at the girls on that very first trip (and, yes, I was cracking myself up with the Photopass edit ):



Despite this photo, they really did have a great time together and I sincerely plan to do a TR on it someday. You know, when I stop taking all these silly trips to Disney properties that I want to write about.

By the way, that trip also featured such things as Izzy being utterly terrified of Anna and Elsa :



And, also, way back then, we met Duffy…as we were about to do again, nearly a year later. Here’s the original:



So, back to May 2015. Izzy and I made it over to Duffy’s meet and greet area and spotted Lauren and her travel companions already in the line. In addition to Aria, she was with her friend Lynda and Lynda’s boyfriend Aron. They saw us and gestured for us to come up and join them. It was tricky to get through the other parties in the queue and I felt kind-of bad, like I was cutting, but I think the girls hugging hello made it clear to the bystanders that we should be in line together:



Aria had done the Bippity Boppity Boutique earlier that day, so she still had her princess hairdo. The girls seemed pretty happy to see each other again. I met Lynda and Aron and they were both so nice and friendly. I can see why Lauren likes to travel with them.

Despite being in line together, we did our Duffy meets separately. Aria went first, then it was Izzy’s turn to get her bear hugs:









No Photopass here, but I did take video:

(click to watch)

After Duffy, we decided to go to Mexico to ride Donald’s boat. Before we headed over there, though, the girls were being very cute together. I only have blurry photos, so hopefully Lauren doesn’t mind that I stole this off her Facebook album :



I just love that one! So cute!

Once we got into the pyramid, the girls held hands through the whole thing:



Ahhh, twilight in Mexico :



Still holding hands:





Aria was singing, “Donald’s boat ride, Donald’s boat ride…” and Izzy thought it was hilarious and was just cackling away. I caught just a tiny bit of that on video (basically, you only hear Izzy's crazy laugh right at the beginning):

(click to listen)

Yep, that’s where we’re headed:



Almost there:



And finally on the boat:



The girls sat by each other and both enjoyed the ride:



While we were riding, Dug was apparently out of his show and admiring these topiaries while he made his way out of DHS:



After we got off the boat, we all checked out the very expensive, highly breakable, but really pretty Disney character figurines in the shop:



Dug texted me this photo, so I figured he was on a boat bound for Epcot :



Once we left Mexico, we split up, as I wanted to head over to the International Gateway and meet Dug and they were heading off to something that I don’t recall. We bid our friends farewell (until the next day) and I sent Dug a picture of where I was currently:



But, soon, it changed to this:



While in Canada, Izzy found something she wanted to climb. I went back and took a picture of it later, so you can see what we were on:



Nobody else was on it when we were there. So, with my minimal assistance, I let Izzy climb up:



Looking back down:



Nothing like some good old fashioned Canadian mountain climbing! We actually spent a fair amount of time just hanging out on that tower. Then I got another text from Dug, saying that he was stopping back at the resort for a brief rest. Ugh, wish I’d known he was doing that before I trekked all the way from Mexico to Canada! So, since we now had some extra time, I decided to head over to Future World and find something fun to do. Meanwhile, Dug got off his boat at the Swan/Dolphin stop and walked back to the Boardwalk, barely beating the boat at his slow pace. He was wiped out.

Once we got to Innoventions, I decided to cut through the secret hallway/restrooms route:



I think we probably stopped to use the restrooms. I really like the Disney timeline on the wall in here:



After that, I decided to go check out the line for the Disney Visa meet. I mean, we’d done it the day before, but you can’t get too many free character pictures, right? Well, the line was fairly long:



But we really had nowhere to be anytime soon, so why not?

Up next: “I want to go to potty!!!!” Will we meet Minnie again? Stay tuned!

 

[Allison Joy]

Hello! I'm new here, but just had to comment on this. First, your story and pictures are too cute! Second, I had to laugh about the part about hiking from Mexico to Canada, because my brother and sister-in-law have done that. Literally! They did the Pacific Crest Trail, which is a trail from the US Mexico boarder, up through California, Oregon, and Washington, and into Canada. Two years later, they did the Appalachian trail, which is Georgia to Maine, and two years after that, they did the Continental Divide Trail. They did that one north to south. So that was US Canada border, through Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and New Mexico, to the Mexico boarder (or close to it).

 

[pkondz]

(We were texting a wrong number and he was very kind in his reply - even worried that his slow response may have inconvenienced us. )

This surprises me not even a little bit.

and, yes, I was cracking myself up with the Photopass edit

Me too!

Shouldn't that caption be "What nightmares are made of"?

It was tricky to get through the other parties in the queue and I felt kind-of bad, like I was cutting, but I think the girls hugging hello made it clear to the bystanders that we should be in line together:

Very touchy subject, line cutting.
Parents with little ones in tow... maybe.
But you will be viewed with suspicion.

No Photopass here, but I did take video:

Which I watched. She sure seemed happy!

Before we headed over there, though, the girls were being very cute together. I only have blurry photos, so hopefully Lauren doesn’t mind that I stole this off her Facebook album :

They do look cute together!
Thanks for the thievery!

After we got off the boat, we all checked out the very expensive, highly breakable, but really pretty Disney character figurines in the shop:

How relieved were you that they were behind glass???

While in Canada, Izzy found something she wanted to climb. I went back and took a picture of it later, so you can see what we were on:

What the heck is that?

What lofty heights! How brave you both are!

Meanwhile, Dug got off his boat at the Swan/Dolphin stop and walked back to the Boardwalk, barely beating the boat at his slow pace. He was wiped out.

Poor Dug! Earned himself a nap.

I really like the Disney timeline on the wall in here:

Me too. Wish I'd seen it on my solo trip.

Up next: “I want to go to potty!!!!” Will we meet Minnie again? Stay tuned!

Can't wait!

 

[afwdwfan]

It was tricky to get through the other parties in the queue and I felt kind-of bad, like I was cutting, but I think the girls hugging hello made it clear to the bystanders that we should be in line together:

Cuteness overload!

Still holding hands:

I think they like each other.

After we got off the boat, we all checked out the very expensive, highly breakable, but really pretty Disney character figurines in the shop:

Girls, don't touch anything!

Nothing like some good old fashioned Canadian mountain climbing! We actually spent a fair amount of time just hanging out on that tower. Then I got another text from Dug, saying that he was stopping back at the resort for a brief rest. Ugh, wish I’d known he was doing that before I trekked all the way from Mexico to Canada!

Yeah, that stinks. You could have had some more Dis friend time.

After that, I decided to go check out the line for the Disney Visa meet. I mean, we’d done it the day before, but you can’t get too many free character pictures, right?

Right. I mean free and Disney don't exactly go hand in hand so take all that you can get!

 

[hokieinpa]

What a sweet reunion! Add in Duffy and it's almost too much cuteness to handle!

After we got off the boat, we all checked out the very expensive, highly breakable, but really pretty Disney character figurines in the shop:

Isn't that a fun game?


Sorry your long walk around the World Showcase was for nothing! Excited to hear about the Minnie meet!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

It looks like Aria and Izzy were really excited to see each other again! How adorable! I'm glad you were able to meet up with Lauren and Aria.

I think we probably stopped to use the restrooms. I really like the Disney timeline on the wall in here

How fabulous is this?! I need to look for this the next time I'm there! I LOVE historical timelines!

 

[BlvInMagic]

Adorable dis-meet-up! I love it when the little ones hold hands with each other.. so sweet!

 

[Dugette]

Hello! I'm new here, but just had to comment on this.

Thanks for joining in! I'm glad you decided to say hello!

First, your story and pictures are too cute!

Thanks!

Second, I had to laugh about the part about hiking from Mexico to Canada, because my brother and sister-in-law have done that. Literally! They did the Pacific Crest Trail, which is a trail from the US Mexico boarder, up through California, Oregon, and Washington, and into Canada. Two years later, they did the Appalachian trail, which is Georgia to Maine, and two years after that, they did the Continental Divide Trail. They did that one north to south. So that was US Canada border, through Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, and New Mexico, to the Mexico boarder (or close to it).

Wow, they are avid hikers! How amazing that they have done all of those! I bet that Pacific Crest Trail is especially beautiful if it's anywhere near the coastline of those states. How long did it take them to complete those hikes?

This surprises me not even a little bit.

Haha, I did think to myself, "Well, this guy is Canadian, so I guess that explains why he's being SOOO nice about this..."

Me too!

It still cracks me up every time.

Shouldn't that caption be "What nightmares are made of"?

Strangely, Disney didn't offer that one on the Photopass site.

Very touchy subject, line cutting.
Parents with little ones in tow... maybe.
But you will be viewed with suspicion.

I definitely felt awkward walking up there, but I don't think anyone in line cared. Probably figured I'd had to run Izzy to the potty or something (which I had just done...). But, yeah, it can be a touchy subject for sure.

Which I watched. She sure seemed happy!

She was indeed!

They do look cute together!
Thanks for the thievery!

You're welcome!

How relieved were you that they were behind glass???

Very. Fun to look at, though.

What the heck is that?

Um, shouldn't you know, as a Canadian? No clue here.

What lofty heights! How brave you both are!

Izzy is a little daredevil. We were at the zoo today and she was climbing every rock formation she could find.

Poor Dug! Earned himself a nap.

I guess. It's pretty tiring watching all those exciting Star Wars shows...

Me too. Wish I'd seen it on my solo trip.

Another excuse to go back, I guess.

Can't wait!

I'm sure you're on the edge of your seat, waiting for more potty stories.

Cuteness overload!

Sure is!

I think they like each other.

Yeah, just a bit. If I remember correctly, I think Aria asked Lauren later, "Where did my sister go?" Disney "sisters".

Girls, don't touch anything!

Yeah, for sure. At least Disney is smart enough to keep everything completely enclosed.

Yeah, that stinks. You could have had some more Dis friend time.

Exactly! And saved myself some walking too.

Right. I mean free and Disney don't exactly go hand in hand so take all that you can get!

Pretty much!

What a sweet reunion! Add in Duffy and it's almost too much cuteness to handle!

Thanks, it was so cute watching the girls hang out together.

Isn't that a fun game?

Yes, thankfully it didn't get too exciting.

Sorry your long walk around the World Showcase was for nothing! Excited to hear about the Minnie meet!

Thanks!

It looks like Aria and Izzy were really excited to see each other again! How adorable! I'm glad you were able to meet up with Lauren and Aria.

They were very happy to see each other again. They both still talk about each other sometimes, which is pretty cute.

How fabulous is this?! I need to look for this the next time I'm there! I LOVE historical timelines!

Right up your alley! I love that they just tucked something like that away for people to run across.

Adorable dis-meet-up! I love it when the little ones hold hands with each other.. so sweet!

Thanks! I love it too - so sweet!

 

[pkondz]

Strangely, Disney didn't offer that one on the Photopass site.

What?!?!? Write a letter of protest!

Um, shouldn't you know, as a Canadian? No clue here.

Nope. Not a clue. I was hoping there was a plaque or something that you might've read.

I guess. It's pretty tiring watching all those exciting Star Wars shows...

I'm sure you're on the edge of your seat, waiting for more potty stories.

toilet seat?

 

[Allison Joy]

Wow, they are avid hikers! How amazing that they have done all of those! I bet that Pacific Crest Trail is especially beautiful if it's anywhere near the coastline of those states. How long did it take them to complete those hikes?

The Pacific Crest Trail is actually more eastern California, in the mountains, but it is definitely beautiful! As far as length and distance are concerned, each hike took them 4.5 to 5.5 months, and each trail was 2,000 to 3,000 miles long. Yes, they are definitely avid hikers! Now they are living in Maine, and are about to have their first child, a girl, in January. I'm going to be an aunt for the first time! Too bad that I live in Missouri, which is about as far away from Maine as one of their cross country hikes! Or at least it feels that way.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Glad to see the girls continued to get along ... I mean, that would have been all sorts of awkward if they wanted nothing to do with each other

Cute meet with Duffy! I know a lot of people that enjoy his meets, I hope they do find a new home for him - but at least you will always have those pictures if he is gone for good.

Bummer about the mix up with Dug - and I think "mix up" is a nice way to put Dug just not informing you of his planes

I do enjoy that timeline as well - love stuff like that!

 

[Imagineer5]

Feel free to use any of my pics!! I tried to get a bunch of them, love seeing Aria & Izzy holding hands!! I read this update a few days ago but then didn't have a chance to comment. Love seeing things from your perspective - I forgot about the crystal shop and doing that with those two lol! Not everything was behind glass. And remember there was actually a LINE (albeit moving) for Donald's boat ride? Crazy.

I don't remember why we didn't get photos with Duffy all together, I feel like the photopass person ushered us away or something? Oh well. So SO sad that he is gone forever now

 

[Dugette]

What?!?!? Write a letter of protest!

I mean, they really need a Photopass border that says, "Where nightmares come to life", right? At least during the Halloween season, if nothing else.

Nope. Not a clue. I was hoping there was a plaque or something that you might've read.

Nothing that I noticed.

Hard work, but someone's gotta do it.

toilet seat?

Ahhhh, you went there! I was SO close to making that same joke.

The Pacific Crest Trail is actually more eastern California, in the mountains, but it is definitely beautiful! As far as length and distance are concerned, each hike took them 4.5 to 5.5 months, and each trail was 2,000 to 3,000 miles long. Yes, they are definitely avid hikers! Now they are living in Maine, and are about to have their first child, a girl, in January. I'm going to be an aunt for the first time! Too bad that I live in Missouri, which is about as far away from Maine as one of their cross country hikes! Or at least it feels that way.

Ah, don't worry, I'm sure they'll show up at your doorstep around June, baby in hiking backpack. That is really amazing that they have done all that. I'm sure they have amazing lifelong memories from those hikes. Congrats on becoming an aunt!

Glad to see the girls continued to get along ... I mean, that would have been all sorts of awkward if they wanted nothing to do with each other

Haha, it would have been. I was actually thinking about that today - now that Izzy's getting a bit older, she's trying to figure out social things and can be very hot/cold in her thinking - one day so-and-so is her best friend, the next day, they don't like each other, etc. Hope she continues to get along well with Aria - we are bound to be in Disney at the same time again someday.

Cute meet with Duffy! I know a lot of people that enjoy his meets, I hope they do find a new home for him - but at least you will always have those pictures if he is gone for good.

Yeah, I haven't kept up on any news, other than him leaving Epcot. I wonder if he's still going to be in Disneyland?

Bummer about the mix up with Dug - and I think "mix up" is a nice way to put Dug just not informing you of his planes

I do enjoy that timeline as well - love stuff like that!

If I didn't have a toddler to wrangle, I could have stayed there for a while, just studying all the info.

Feel free to use any of my pics!! I tried to get a bunch of them, love seeing Aria & Izzy holding hands!!

Thanks! Your pictures are always so much better than mine, as I'm walking around with an iPhone, halfheartedly attempting to capture things, but you've got the good camera and know what you're doing. I know you have a bunch, but I remember seeing that particular one and just loving how happy they looked. (though I think you are in the background of that, so I guess you didn't actually take that one...)

I read this update a few days ago but then didn't have a chance to comment. Love seeing things from your perspective - I forgot about the crystal shop and doing that with those two lol! Not everything was behind glass. And remember there was actually a LINE (albeit moving) for Donald's boat ride? Crazy.

Those crystal figurines were quite amazing, but certainly not the ideal toddler toys. And, yes, there were actually people lined up to ride Donald's boat! At least it didn't take long.

I don't remember why we didn't get photos with Duffy all together, I feel like the photopass person ushered us away or something? Oh well. So SO sad that he is gone forever now

I don't think there was Photopass, right? Yeah, I don't know, but it worked out just fine, since each girl got her own one-on-one time with him. I hope the girls don't miss him too badly.

 

[Dugette]

I Want To Go To Potty!

So, we just had joined in the long line for the Disney Visa meet to kill time until Dug made it over to Epcot. The wait was fine – longer than I prefer to stand in line, but we did okay. And, just as we finally made it up to the second spot in the line, Izzy decided it was the perfect time to start screaming, “I want to go to potty! I want to go to POTTY!” Just out of the blue. And, of course, she could not be calmed or persuaded to wait a few minutes and go after the impending meet. It could have just been my imagination, but I had the sense that people were giving us “looks”. You know, like “you are a horrible parent if you don’t take your kid to the bathroom” judge-y looks. Because how would they know that this is likely just another false alarm? Since the CM was right there, I asked him if there was any chance I could take her to the restroom and then come back and not have to wait in the entire line all over again. He was very kind and said he would let us back in the front. He told us the restroom was pretty far away, so we followed his directions back over near Guest Services, I believe. At the end of our hike, Izzy sat on her throne and confidently declared, “I don’t have pee or poopies!” Ugh. Of course. I think I gave her a little lecture on what “I want to go to potty!” means as we headed back to Innoventions.

The CM let us back in the front, explaining to the next guest what had happened (they seemed cool with it). And, within moments, we were face to face with Minnie and Pluto again!

We’ll start with my photos:





















So, if you can’t tell from the photos, this was a really fun meet and Izzy had a great time. She favored Minnie a bit, which is why Pluto is begging for attention (and falls down once he gets it). They were super cute with her. Here’s the video:

(click to watch)

And the Photopass shots, starting with a slightly hesitant Izzy walking in:



















Once we finished our meet, we headed straight to the camera shop to grab our photo print before returning to World Showcase to meet Dug. Izzy amused herself by playing with the merchandise next to the line we were waiting in:







Dug sent us a picture from here, saying he had arrived at Epcot on the Friendship Boat:



Yay, we could meet up soon!

Later on, Dug told me about the scary incident that he witnessed shortly after entering the park. He was crossing the bridge over to France and an older man tried to dart around a Photopass photographer (probably trying to get out of the way of a picture?) and the man tripped and fell smack on his face. Dug said there was blood and the man seemed dazed, but was getting lots of help very quickly. Scary incident. Dug thought he likely went to the hospital after that. As magical as Disney is, that was a reminder that real life still happens and isn’t always filled with pixie dust. I hope he was okay.

Meanwhile, Izzy and I had made our way up to the front and were working with the Photopass CM to make our selection (the Minnie nose squeeze you saw above). So, this close to getting our print, naturally it was time for more potty antics. Before I could even dismiss the obvious-to-me false alarm, the CM insisted that we head to the nearby restroom while she printed up the photo for us. So, off we went. And, again, Izzy didn’t actually need to go. We returned and picked up our photo, then headed towards France, as Dug was here:



While we were in transit, he stopped at the Outdoor Kitchen there to pick up some of our must-have items. He got some duck for himself:



Man, that does not look at all appetizing to me. But I think he enjoyed it. I guess he was also enjoying the scenery:



When we arrived, we found that he had also picked up some gnocchi for us to share:



I believe this was pretty tasty. In addition, he had some treats – the (alcoholic) ice pop for me and the strawberry macaroon for us to share:





In order to distract Izzy from wanting to try my off-limits-for-kids frozen treat, we let her start in on the macaroon. (I had originally planned to have the ice pop while she was napping, but we strayed from the plans):



The ice pop was good, but it was too melty to really savor and enjoy. I ended up just trying to finish it before it ended up as a puddle. Once Izzy tired of the macaroon and decided to share, we sampled that. WOW, it was so good! I kind-of wished I had another one just for me. Very yummy!

Up next: More grazing and an unexpected highlight of the trip!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

By the way, that trip also featured such things as Izzy being utterly terrified of Anna and Elsa :

the girls hugging hello

You know, like “you are a horrible parent if you don’t take your kid to the bathroom” judge-y looks.

Judgy looks are never fun. Especially when they are totally unwarranted!

“I don’t have pee or poopies!” Ugh. Of course.

I've always made Little Miss go anyways when she has pulled this stunt. It nipped it pretty fast.

The CM let us back in the front, explaining to the next guest what had happened (they seemed cool with it).

for great CMs!

So, off we went. And, again, Izzy didn’t actually need to go.

 

[pkondz]

Ahhhh, you went there! I was SO close to making that same joke.

And, just as we finally made it up to the second spot in the line, Izzy decided it was the perfect time to start screaming, “I want to go to potty! I want to go to POTTY!” Just out of the blue. And, of course, she could not be calmed or persuaded to wait a few minutes and go after the impending meet.

You should expect this by now.
Actually, you should be shocked if it doesn't happen!

It could have just been my imagination, but I had the sense that people were giving us “looks”.

Noooo.... Surely not....

Since the CM was right there, I asked him if there was any chance I could take her to the restroom and then come back and not have to wait in the entire line all over again. He was very kind and said he would let us back in the front.

That's nice! I was thinking that you couldn't even ask someone to hold your spot since they'd be gone by the time you got back.

At the end of our hike, Izzy sat on her throne and confidently declared, “I don’t have pee or poopies!”

And the child continues to live?

I think I gave her a little lecture on what “I want to go to potty!” means as we headed back to Innoventions.

"lecture"...

The CM let us back in the front, explaining to the next guest what had happened (they seemed cool with it).

This does not surprise me at all.
I certainly would be cool with it and would think most people would.

Or at least I hope so.

Looks like Goofy's squeezing the stuffing out of her!

Later on, Dug told me about the scary incident that he witnessed shortly after entering the park. He was crossing the bridge over to France and an older man tried to dart around a Photopass photographer (probably trying to get out of the way of a picture?) and the man tripped and fell smack on his face. Dug said there was blood and the man seemed dazed, but was getting lots of help very quickly. Scary incident.

Whoa. Not good.
But yes, even at Disney, stuff happens.

Meanwhile, Izzy and I had made our way up to the front and were working with the Photopass CM to make our selection (the Minnie nose squeeze you saw above).

Good choice. That would've been mine, as well.

the CM insisted that we head to the nearby restroom while she printed up the photo for us. So, off we went. And, again, Izzy didn’t actually need to go.

::

So were you more angry or resigned by this point???

He got some duck for himself:

Duck? That looks like apple pie!

and the strawberry macaroon for us to share:

Mmmm.... macarons......

Ah. Alcohol. The child has a chance to survive now.

 

[annie170]

That toddler reunion was too sweet!

I think potty training is the worst. One of my daughter's had to check out every single public restroom. Wherever we went, she had to check out the facilities with her false alarms. It's one thing for it to happen while at home, but that had to get really old in WDW! Good thing she's cute!

Super cute meet with Pluto and Minnie! Izzy's just a doll.