Let's Watch the Hallucination Show on the Castle- A May '14 TR *12/3 PTR Link to Real Life News

[afwdwfan]

Only in Disney would I even come close to considering this a breakfast…

Exactly!

We were just in the MK the night before, but Alex and I still picked that park to visit that morning. Ever since having Landon, the two of us found that particular park to be the one we want to go into the most. There’s just no comparing the sheer number of attractions we can experience with a toddler in any other place.

Good point. We tend to spend a LOT of time there.

Besides…it’s Magic Kingdom.


Do we need a reason to visit it every day of our trip?

Although this is a valid point too. We'd spend a lot of time there even if the kids weren't with us.

Not a common sight for us, but we were just too tired to chase after him that day.

Keep us all night, we revoke your walking privileges.

Such cruel parents…

I feel your pain. Did he at least tolerate it well?

We might not have been capable of taking a decent picture, but at least the meet went well.

There's no need for a good picture as long as he enjoyed the meet and greet.

It slid over the spot where the debris was with no problem.

The two Cast Members kind of shared a, “What do you wanna do?” look with each other.
And I kid you not, they just shrugged their shoulders.

Well that just instills confidence.

Landon seemed to be paying serious attention to the ride. I think he might have recognized the characters as the same ones from breakfast a few days ago. It was seeming to be a really cute and enjoyable attraction, but we didn’t make it past Tigger’s bouncing when the ride came to a stop.

Uh oh... Who'd have thought a simple cup or something could bring a ride to a halt?

I took this photo then promptly got scolded by a Cast Member.


“No pictures, please!”


Oops.

Well, thanks for sharing your illegal photo.

I once got reprimanded for trying to take a picture of an empty log flume sitting on the hill at Splash... when I wasn't even actually trying to take a picture. I just had my phone in my hand. They really don't want pictures of broken down rides to get out. Not that they can really stop it...

While Alex and I did not get to experience a new ride that afternoon, we did get escorted off of one, and I got reprimanded by a CM.


So, some new stuff happened.

Gotta look on the positive side.

Exactly! You can't have that kind of experience every time!

And now we still have a ride that’ll be new to us.

I like your "glass half full" attitude about the whole thing!

She then went on to tell us how her daughter had been in glasses for about as long as Landon and she had received a call that very morning from her optometrist saying that her daughter needed corrective surgery.
As any mom who discovers their kid has to undergo a medical procedure, she became sad and didn’t really feel like going to work that day. They lived in Daytona and were Annual Passholders, and I guess the mom decided spur of the moment to pick her daughter up from preschool and head to Disney for the day.


She said she just needed something happy after that news.

Sometimes, a little Disney magic can go a long way to improving one’s spirit.

Yep. A little time to just lose yourself can go a long way.

Cinderella was trying to get Landon to look at the camera for a picture, but clearly my son didn’t want to tear his eyes away from such pretty royalty.

What am I gonna do with him…

He loves the ladies!

We were standing next to the mom and daughter from the line, and so Alex pulled out our 3 (because Landon got a free one, too) Fastpasses from Winnie the Pooh and offered them to the mom. She was so surprised by the gesture and kept thanking us; then she read the list of attractions they were good for and almost came out of her skin when she saw Peter Pan’s Flight listed.

“Oh my goodness, we were just going to have to skip that ride because the wait’s always so long for it.”
Her sheer joy at getting multiple turns on a ride she otherwise couldn’t have gone on made our day.

Made our trip, really.

That is just awesome! I'm glad you were able to help spread some magic. Definitely therapeutic for you guys and for that mom.

 

[Cando86]

I love your breakfast! Disney breakfasts are the best...and remember, calories don't count in Disney.

I'm loving that conversation you had with the mother about her daughter and Landon's glasses. Disney magic at work!

And even more Magic with the FPs from Winnie the Pooh! Though I don't hate FP+ as much as some, I DO miss this aspect of paper FPs - having a couple left and seeking out who to give them to. Was always so much fun! I know (okay, I'm sure we ALL know!) that awful feeling of your trip coming to an end. But when you can pass along some magic like that to someone else - it's a great reminder of why we all keep coming back.

Looking forward to more!

 

[KatMark]

I can't think of a better breakfast.

I bet you were tired and an "easy" day was probably the best medicine. I would have needed to stop at Starbucks too after that night.

Such cute pictures with Ariel.

I'm sorry you didn't get to experience the full Pooh ride. It's a favorite and my husband would be right with Landon playing in the line.

Cute pictures with Rapunzel and Cinderella.

And what a magical moment making that woman's day with the fastpasses.

 

[amazingact21]

... yeah, I guess I suppose that isn't a terrible way to start the morning

Gotta love the people mover - though I didn't remember the dark part being so dark or so long and it kinda freaked the kids out a little bit



I love the look on Landon's face. Kinda like: Yeah, my gal is pretty hot, huh?



I was finding your story of talking to the mom to be really nice and a bit emotional thinking about what the mom was thinking and feeling knowing her child needed surgery .... and then it got so much better and how nice of you to offer up your bonus FP to her. Like you said, definitely seemed to mean more to her than it would have to you to use it. Always love stories like that and get what you are saying about how nice it much be to be a CM that gets to do that often .... unlike the CMs that see something on the tracks and just shrug their shoulders and keep things going. Though, if that didn't happen you wouldn't have had those bonus FP to give away - sometimes things definitely do happen for a reason

I don't know why, but Landon used to love meeting Ariel. He's never even seen the Little Mermaid before, he just likes here. Maybe it's the hair...


Talking with that mom was such a special moment for me. I was really glad I had a way to make her day a little more magical. I guess because of the whole kids with eye problems situation, her story hit close to home and I just really wanted to help lift her spirit.
And, yeah, I was more than a little surprised with the CMs who just kept on trekking after debris fell on the track.

Absolutely!

I have always felt love for MK but in planning this upcoming trip I have to say I agree 100%


Not in my book! If you look at my plans you will notice that we have plans to visit MK 5 out of 6 of our park days.


After the night you had you bet your britches! Thats not just a cup of coffee at that point, its parental survival juice!


Not cruel, just Facts of life!

They didn't give you the Cameras and phones away speech before letting you out of the vehicle? Last trip when we were evacuated off TSM they said that to every vehicle before letting them out and kept repeating it until off of the floor.




Hard news but how special that they can do that.


Absolutely!


How wonderful!!!! I love when this type of thing can happen.


Isn't that the story of life!

The MK is perfect for kids. It's hard not to visit the park once a day when you have little ones. Between the shoes, the parades, the attractions there's always plenty to keep little ones occupied.


Nope, no camera or video spewl, they just let us out of our car and told us to follow the masses out. But these were also the same people who just shurgged in answer to the debris on the track problem, so I'm not surprised that they didn't give some kind if warning.

Alicia... That is absolutely a breakfast!


This also applies to me sans toddler just for the record.


I have to admit, the only thing better than a ride on the Peoplemover is back to back rides on the Peoplemover.

You just keep on playing hard to get with Ariel there Landon. Give the rest of us a chance at least.

While not exactly on my bucket list, I will say that I have never been evacuated from a ride before. So you definitely have one on me there.

AWWWW I love love love the gesture of passing along your FP's. We don't get to do that much anymore, so reading this just makes me happy. Most of all I adore what you took away from the experience. Sometimes it's up to us to make magic happen.

While being evacuated from a ride was a new experience, I think I'd much rather have stayed on and gotten to enjoy the attraction. Hopefully, that's something I'll never have to do again.


I miss passing on the old paper FPs, too. It was such an easy yet nice geture to do as you made your way out the park. Fortunately, with Rider Swap passes, Alex and I have had the opportunity to do it occassionally, still. But not nearly as often as in the past.

 

[amazingact21]

Love doing that! I think the Peoplemover is the only place we've done that, but it's such a treat. I do remember being offered a second ride on Peter Pan without getting off once - it was shortly before closing on a very late EMH night, but we declined, since we wanted to get in another ride.


That's familiar! We had that happen once - I think it was our first ride of our first trip together, actually. I think we made it a bit further along, though.


Oh no! We actually have photos from our behind-the-scenes exit there, but nobody was scolding us. Maybe we are the reason for the current scolding, since I know I posted pics from it.


How perfect that you ended up next to that mom and daughter in line! I love that attitude of making good memories on a day with hard news. So neat that she lives close enough to have that ability. I'd love to just pick up and enjoy some magic on down days.
Great job making the day extra magical! I'm sure she and her daughter have wonderful memories of their spontaneous day now.

A second turn on Peter Pan? That would have been tough to pass up! But I can also understand you wanting to get one more ride in before the end of the night.


Haha...you added a new rule to ride evacuation protocol. I actually do remember you having to leave that attraction, because I remember thinking it ironic that it broke down twice. And then a little later on I read yet another trip report where that happened. Seems to be a popular broken ride.

Awwww - that is a great story about the mom and her daughter coming to visit from Daytona because she received bad news. And how nice of you to give her your FP's. You are right - making someone else's day IS 1000X better than using a FP.

Sorry you didn't get to finish the Pooh ride, but having something to look forward to is special too.

I am so glad Rapunzel didn't put her hair in Landon's face. That would just be so wrong. He really DOES look fascinated with Cindy.

Love your update. Sorry you guys were going on minimal sleep, but you certainly made the best of it.

I really enjoyed getting the chance to talk with that mom and her daughter. I remember the optometrist telling me at Landon's very first appointment (when he was 5 months old) that one day he might need surgery, so I knew a little bit what that mom was going through. I think that's why giving her those Fast Passes meant so much to me.

I love your breakfast! Disney breakfasts are the best...and remember, calories don't count in Disney.

I'm loving that conversation you had with the mother about her daughter and Landon's glasses. Disney magic at work!

And even more Magic with the FPs from Winnie the Pooh! Though I don't hate FP+ as much as some, I DO miss this aspect of paper FPs - having a couple left and seeking out who to give them to. Was always so much fun! I know (okay, I'm sure we ALL know!) that awful feeling of your trip coming to an end. But when you can pass along some magic like that to someone else - it's a great reminder of why we all keep coming back.

Looking forward to more!

Very true statement. Calories do not count in Disney. I tell myself that all too often on vacation...


I miss that aspect of the old FP system, too. It was nice being able to pass on a little magic whenever you felt like it.

I can't think of a better breakfast.

I bet you were tired and an "easy" day was probably the best medicine. I would have needed to stop at Starbucks too after that night.

Such cute pictures with Ariel.

I'm sorry you didn't get to experience the full Pooh ride. It's a favorite and my husband would be right with Landon playing in the line.

Cute pictures with Rapunzel and Cinderella.

And what a magical moment making that woman's day with the fastpasses.

I think Alex would have preferred the Zebra Domes for breakfast, but I insisted we get something that at least looked like a breakfast food.


Slow days tend to be our better days now that Landon's around. Five years ago that style of touring would have driven me insane, but now I get to experience Disney at a much slower pace and I tend to see little details I hadn't before. And I'm sure my old ways of rushing from headliner to headliner will return once the kids are older. (That's when I'll really need the coffee stops.)


From the little I experienced of Winnie the Pooh, it looked really cute. I hope to get ride it again next trip and see the attraction in its entirety.

 

[amazingact21]

I somehow skipped over replying to your post, Andy. Sorry!

Although this is a valid point too. We'd spend a lot of time there even if the kids weren't with us.


I feel your pain. Did he at least tolerate it well?


Well that just instills confidence.


Uh oh... Who'd have thought a simple cup or something could bring a ride to a halt?


Well, thanks for sharing your illegal photo.

I once got reprimanded for trying to take a picture of an empty log flume sitting on the hill at Splash... when I wasn't even actually trying to take a picture. I just had my phone in my hand. They really don't want pictures of broken down rides to get out. Not that they can really stop it...


Exactly! You can't have that kind of experience every time!


He loves the ladies!


That is just awesome! I'm glad you were able to help spread some magic. Definitely therapeutic for you guys and for that mom.

While we would spend a lot of time in the MK if it were just the two of us, I'm pretty sure Alex and I would spend the majorityof our vacation between DHS for the coasters and Epcot for the food and drinks. But I can't put too much thought into that idea, because then I'll get to missing the pre-kids touring days and start wishing I could pawn the little ones off on a grandparent for a long weekend...


CMs are serious about the no broken down ride pictures. I wouldn't have thought it was a big deal, but I guess they want to uphold a certain image in terms of their attractions.

 

[MnstrHgs]

I have been follwing this TR and just finished binge reading your Guppy Groupie TR. (i am taking an 8 month old in 15 days and wanted to get a prespective.) I LOVE your TR.

I also want to say (and i know you here this all the time from people) was that i was drawn to your posts bc of Landon and his glasses. When i was a baby i wore glasses to and eventually had to get corrective surgery for amblyopia. But all my infant pictures i have glasses on. My dad had the same thing, and we are watching our son now like crazy because it is hereditary. And although i dont see it all the time, sometimes in pictures i think i see signs. Anyway, i'm rambling. But knowing that there is a real possibility that our son may have to where glasses at some point in his young years... i hope he gets to look as cool as Landon. And i love how you as parents just embrace that part of your son.

Your December trip also gave me some confidence that we can take our DS to fireworks. It sounds like Landon did fine. And i am already one up in the game bc my DS is a Wonderful sleeper. (tee hee).

Cant wait to hear more of the trip. It gives me inspiration for my TR that i am working on.

 

[Wendy5055]

It's such a wonderful feeling to "share the magic"...I was able to do that with a stroller rental.

 

[amazingact21]

I have been follwing this TR and just finished binge reading your Guppy Groupie TR. (i am taking an 8 month old in 15 days and wanted to get a prespective.) I LOVE your TR.

I also want to say (and i know you here this all the time from people) was that i was drawn to your posts bc of Landon and his glasses. When i was a baby i wore glasses to and eventually had to get corrective surgery for amblyopia. But all my infant pictures i have glasses on. My dad had the same thing, and we are watching our son now like crazy because it is hereditary. And although i dont see it all the time, sometimes in pictures i think i see signs. Anyway, i'm rambling. But knowing that there is a real possibility that our son may have to where glasses at some point in his young years... i hope he gets to look as cool as Landon. And i love how you as parents just embrace that part of your son.

Your December trip also gave me some confidence that we can take our DS to fireworks. It sounds like Landon did fine. And i am already one up in the game bc my DS is a Wonderful sleeper. (tee hee).

Cant wait to hear more of the trip. It gives me inspiration for my TR that i am working on.

Thank you for reading! I found other people's TRs involving babies to be really helpful, so I am happy to see my report could follow along those same lines. When it comes to traveling with young ones, you can never have too much information!


It surprised me at how many kids actually need glasses, and it's so great that they can detect it early on. I hope for your sake your son doesn't need them, but if he does then at least you are familiar with the condition. I'm sure, later on, if he looks at baby pictures where he's wearing glasses and feels a little out of place, it'll help tremendously to show him that you had to wear them at one time, too. But like I said, hopefully he won't need them at all.

I definitely think it's your attitude that determines how well you take your kid needing glasses. At first I was worried about things like surgery or patches, but then I just told myself, "If glasses are the only thing that I have to worry about with my kid then I'm pretty lucky." There's so many other things that could be wrong that glasses seem like nothing in comparison.
And now, it's such a part of him I dont even think about it. When people comment on them it's like they're commenting on a cool shirt. I have to look and go, "Oh, right, the glasses, duh."


I think the earmuffs helped a lot with Landon and the fireworks. He couldn't hear the loud booms, so he just got to enjoy the sights without getting startled. Keeping my fingers crossed that your little one is the same way!

It's such a wonderful feeling to "share the magic"...I was able to do that with a stroller rental.

It's such a fun thing to do while in the parks. Paying it forward always makes you feel good inside. And hey, stroller rentals aren't cheap! I'm sure the parents of the tired kid appreciated the gesture. Probably made their day much easier.

 

[Elleshoodat]

Love seeing Landon with the princesses, and LOVE how y'all spread some magic to that mom from Daytona. So very thoughtful!

 

[kroseycorn]

I just read through your entire TR this morning! We're heading to WDW this December for my (now 10 month old) daughters first trip, so I appreciate all of the info --- especially the sleeping/napping parts! I'm so anxious about naps and that she'll turn into a monster after a few days!

I love your late evening at MK when you and Alex just sat and talked. I really do find those simple moments enjoying the atmosphere, the music loops, people watching and taking in the smells of Florida and funnel cakes (or corn dogs, or waffles, or ______) to be my absolute favorite.

 

[amazingact21]

Love seeing Landon with the princesses, and LOVE how y'all spread some magic to that mom from Daytona. So very thoughtful!

Landon used to love seeing the princesses. I'm thinking he enjoyed all the attention from such pretty ladies. They were much more interesting than those plush characters we kept forcing upon him.

I just read through your entire TR this morning! We're heading to WDW this December for my (now 10 month old) daughters first trip, so I appreciate all of the info --- especially the sleeping/napping parts! I'm so anxious about naps and that she'll turn into a monster after a few days!

I love your late evening at MK when you and Alex just sat and talked. I really do find those simple moments enjoying the atmosphere, the music loops, people watching and taking in the smells of Florida and funnel cakes (or corn dogs, or waffles, or ______) to be my absolute favorite.

Thanks for reading! I found other TRs involving babies to be extremely helpful when I planned for Landon's first trip, so I'm happy to see my report could help someone else.

I would say just try and keep to as normal a nap schedule as possible, even on vacation. I think it helps a lot with them maintaining their good mood. A little bit of normalcy goes a long way, even if it does mean making it an early night or going back to the room for an afternoon.
And also, don't be surprised if she takes more naps and/or longer ones than normal. Landon had been down to 1 nap a day well before his first birthday, but all the stimulation that Disney brought on had him crash in the morning, as well. At first, we worried that it would mess up his afternoon slee schedule, but no...he just needed that extra sleep.


I'm sure your family is going to have a blast at Disney, and your daughter's going to love it! The wonder and excitement in her eyes will be completely worth the trip, I promise!

 

[Marsheliz]

Alicia, I feel terrible that I've fallen so far behind!! Just with my pregnancy, the drama getting gender wrong, our trip, going back to work... Etc!!! Anyways_ how are you feeling? Will you follow my L trend? Lol!!

Your evening at MK sounds just awesome! I know the feeling of getting interrupted, that sometimes I say " Can I please talk to your dad for 5 minutes??!!

We changed our Landen into PJs at MK too! Yikes on Alex getting locked out while you power napped. I can imagine your surprise. Lol!

When is next trip planned?

 

[amazingact21]

Alicia, I feel terrible that I've fallen so far behind!! Just with my pregnancy, the drama getting gender wrong, our trip, going back to work... Etc!!! Anyways_ how are you feeling? Will you follow my L trend? Lol!!

Your evening at MK sounds just awesome! I know the feeling of getting interrupted, that sometimes I say " Can I please talk to your dad for 5 minutes??!!

We changed our Landen into PJs at MK too! Yikes on Alex getting locked out while you power napped. I can imagine your surprise. Lol!

When is next trip planned?

Don't feel bad at all! You've had a lot going on in your life. I can't believe your little one is almost here. Still can't believe you're having boy number 3!

Honestly, we have no idea if we'll follow the L trend or not. If it's a girl, we're not, but right now we don't have a boy's name. I swear, we've gone through every name known to man and can't find one we both like. I can only imagine what it must be like for you, finding a 3rd boy name!


Right now, no trip planned. We were gonna go for a long weekend this summer. Alex was going to take Landon into the parks while I spent the days at the pool, but our dog got sick and we had to pay an expensive vet bill. So, who knows when we'll make it back. When is baby number 3's first trip going to be?

 

[marDgreen88]

Alicia! I feel so bad for being so far behind on here, but I finally got all caught up! I swear, Landon just keeps getting cuter and cuter. I hope all is well and can't wait to read more!

 

[amazingact21]

Alicia! I feel so bad for being so far behind on here, but I finally got all caught up! I swear, Landon just keeps getting cuter and cuter. I hope all is well and can't wait to read more!

Don't feel bad at all, Marissa! It's probably obvious by my lack of updates that I've been busy and haven't had much time to DIS. There's just not enough hours in the day!


Ahh, I just noticed your ticker! Disneyland!! That's so exciting! Oh my goodness you must be so thrilled. And you get to see it during it's 60th celebration. Awesome!

 

[amazingact21]

I never imagined it’d be this long before I posted an update again, but April was just a crazy month for my family. Between Easter on the 5th, Landon’s 2nd birthday on the 7th, family in town, and a dog getting sick (apparently, Yorkies are predisposed to having a bad pancreas!) I did not have any free time to write. That being said, it’s been almost a year since this particular trip, and I’ve never taken this long to write about a trip. My goal is to have this report done by mid May. So stay tuned!

And then I’ll be able to begin my August report, which will be short and sweet, I promise. (Trust me, that one, while memorable, will need to be rushed.)



Thursday, May 15th, 2014:

Alex, Landon, and I took the Express Monorail over to the TTC and then switched over the Epcot one. We intended to head straight to the World Showcase, but who could resist a turn on Journey into Imagination?


Especially with that epic interactive play area at the end.

Landon found the dancing lights on the floor and had a field day running from one to the other.

The older kids weren’t quite sure what to make of Landon, though. He’s a loud kid, and at that age he was running after any older kid he could find. In his mind, he was just as big and as mature as them, so it was only right that he join in their fun.




The majority of the little ones playing just made do, but there was one boy that Landon would not leave be. We could tell he was starting to get annoyed with this tiny toddler constantly getting in his way, so eventually Alex had to intervene and remove Landon from the play area.

Between being ripped away from his fun and not getting a good night’s sleep the evening before and being past his typical naptime, this caused a bit of a meltdown. We were one of those parents carrying a screaming baby down the sidewalks of Epcot, heading to the Baby Center to get him in a quiet place to calm down.

Not one of the most fun moments of the trip but unavoidable given the amount of time we were in Disney. Thank goodness the parks had the baby care centers. We were able to take Landon inside, feed him, let him play by himself for a couple minutes, and gave him some space to decompress. The cool air and the food in his belly did wonders for his mood.

Did nothing for his nap, though.

The kid refused to fall asleep.
Again.



Since we weren’t having much luck rocking him in a chair, we decided to leave and see if sitting in the stroller would do the trick. Nine times out of ten the movement would knock him out in no time.



Walk, Dad, walk!


We spent a good ten minutes pacing that area in front of the Lagoon; even when that wasn’t working and we switched to carrying him we stayed in that general area due to it being deserted.

At least the view was decent:






It was only about a thousand degrees out, but if carrying was what we needed to do, that’s what we’d do.


I can’t remember how we made it happen, but finally Landon gave in and fell asleep. If anyone were to ask me what are the downsides to taking a baby to Disney, the only one I’d say is that sleep is so hard to come by. If you’ve got a bad sleeper to begin with (like we do) their routine becomes worse on vacations, and you just have to adjust to the lack of rest.



With Landon out for the count, Alex declared that he wanted to stop and buy something he’d eyeballed earlier on the trip.

A St. John Brewers Tropical Mango Pale Ale from the Pineapple Promenade open kitchen.

And I’d say after all we went through, he deserved to treat himself. (Treat Yo'Self!)


I had to go buy it for him because he was pushing the stroller and there was no way in heck we were allowing the stroller to stop moving.

Once he had the drink, though, Alex actually hated it. Unlike the one he got at the American pavilion, this one was not a hit with him. Good thing for him I liked it. Actually, it’s one of the few beers I’ve had in my life that I actually liked. Beer’s probably at the bottom of my alcohol interest list, but this mango one was really, really good. Very fruity tasting.I was kind of happy that Alex didn’t like it, because it meant I didn’t have to share.


So Dad might’ve not gotten the drink he wanted…but Mom did.

I drank and Alex pushed the stroller all the way around the World Showcase until we got to the Italy pavilion. (No, the beer did not last that long. I think it made it to the UK before the empty cup was tossed.)


We had an early dinner reservation at my personal favorite Disney restaurant.

Via Napoli.

Home to the greatest pizzas ever invented.
That I’ve tasted so far.


Can’t say it actually beats the pizza in Italy. But in my small frame of reference it’s the best pizza around.


Alex was headed inside with the sleeping Landon when out of nowhere he began waking up.


Shortest nap ever.

Perhaps he smelled the baking bread.

My kid has a sixth sense when it comes to meal times. I don’t think he’s ever missed one.

Call Landon lots of things, but late for dinner won’t be one of them.


We got Landon out of his seat, parked the stroller, and checked in for our reservation very quickly. It was still an hour before the big dinner rush (5pm) so it took no time at all to be seated and our orders taken.


Alex was in the mood for something sweet, so I suggested he buy a chocolate martini. The picture looked delicious and if he didn’t like that drink, either, I knew I’d polish it off for him.

f1 by Alicia Wolchick, on Flickr

I’m such a kind wife…


Alex thought it was okay, but I don’t think he would’ve gotten it if I hadn’t bribed him into it.



It was hot outside and for the first ten minutes of our dinner, we were simply grateful to be in some air conditioning.






So hot out.



It was also about this time that it hit me this was our last night at Disney. In a blink of an eye, our trip was starting to wrap up. This was our last time in Epcot, our last table service meal, the last time we’d watch day turn into night within the parks.

How depressing.

That thought sure brought my mood down.


Thankfully, my pizza came out soon after the realization hit, and I couldn’t be sad for too long.

Not with all that cheese-y, dough-y goodness in front of me.



The Quattro Formaggi pizza.

If you notice in the picture, I wasn't even waiting for Alex to take a picture of my food. When that particular dish is placed before you, you dig in. Pronto!



Alex got the pepperoni pizza with extra cheese:
f2 by Alicia Wolchick, on Flickr

Last time, he felt like there wasn’t a good enough balance of cheese and sauce, but ordering extra cheese solved that problem. Alex liked the pizza much better this time around. And Landon thought the pepperonis were really tasty.

Alex and I always give each other one slice of each other’s pizza, and while his choice is really good, it doesn’t hold a candle to mine.

Seriously. Why do they even have other choices on the menu?



And because nothing tops off that dish better than the tiramisu they serve, I had to order a piece for myself.

f3 by Alicia Wolchick, on Flickr


This was my 3rd time eating at Via Napoli in the past 2 years, and by the end of it I stood by my opinion.

The food wasn’t getting old in my mind.

Simply better.

Via Napoli was still my favorite.

Still is, in case you were wondering….



Between the short nap and the carb overload, Landon walked out of the restaurant ready to play. He had a ton of energy and wanted to go explore the Italy pavilion.




So we let him play.




And fall.





And climb the stairs.

Over.

And over.

And over.


He also had to go up to every single human being sitting at a table in the middle of the pavilion and chat them up.

But it was the stairs and the raised platform that held most of his attention.


It was enjoyable for Alex and I, as parents, to watch Landon get so much joy out of such a simple thing. We were constantly reminded on this trip that no matter what rides we booked Fastpasses for, what ADRs we managed to reserve, what resort we stayed at, the things that made the trip special for Landon were the things all around him. Getting to go on and off the curb on Main Street, having the opportunity to run down the sidewalks, being chased by both parents in the Italy pavilion…those were the moments that made Landon most happy.



Leaving Italy and walking back around the World Showcase after that thought crossed my mind made the last night Disney blues a little less brutal. We’d gotten our time at the parks, we were walking away feeling like a close knit family, we’d enjoyed all Disney had to offer for us.

f4 by Alicia Wolchick, on Flickr

Goodbye, Epcot.

I took that photo and posted it to Facebook as a bid farewell to my fantastic trip. I thought after tomorrow’s lunch I wouldn’t be seeing any of the park icons for months to come.

Little did I know…




Up Next…I’ve Never Seen That Happen Before

 

[KatMark]

That's too bad about the meltdown after playing in Imagination, but with no sleep it is certainly to be expected.

Glad you finally got Landon to sleep and that you got to drink DH's beer.

We have yet to eat at Via Napoli. I want to, but I just can't seem to keep it on the list. Personally, I don't like Disney or Florida pizza in general, but red sauces and I don't see eye to eye very often so the main reason for my hesitancy. It isn't on the list for any of my three trips this year either.

Those are precious moments of just watching Landong walk all over, chat people up and climb. That is more important than a million rides or a beer.

 

[MnstrHgs]

Woo hoo via Napoli. We always get a pizza to share... But I want to try the one you get... Maybe next Wednesday when we are there

 

[Dugette]

Haha, Izzy handled that Imagination play area much like Landon did, back on her first trip. Running with the big kids and not wanting to leave.

Glad you finally got Landon sleeping! So much work for one little nap.

Nice work on getting drinks you like that night. Did you get any of the chocolate martini? Looked good.

You definitely picked the best pizza. That one is amazing!!

Totally know what you mean about the joy a young toddler gets from the simple things like stairs, etc. One of my strongest memories of Izzy's first trip is how much she enjoyed running back and forth across the trolley tracks in the Hub. Castle, what castle? There's tracks here!