~ A 21 month old, a celebrity sighting, & a whole lotta food~2 week trip~ 2/28 update

[Lamping3]

I love BR outlet! We have one close to us. I know how you feel about shopping at the actual BR store....I only shop the sale rack there.

We are going to have to try Millers.....I was looking for somewhere on Disney property to eat our first night there....but Millers might just be what we were looking for!

 

[eandesmom]

I can’t believe I am so late to the party!

Finally caught up though. Rambling thoughts….

Oh your first day sounds SOOOOO long! I had a flight like that once when E1 was about 1. It was awful, he was an angel on the way there with delays (a 9 hour flight by the time all was done) but a nightmare on the way back, with no delays but still a 5 hour flight. Of course E2 beat him on a DL return with an explosion and really mean flight attendants. At that age there is SO much stuff it’s mind boggling but taking your own car seat and stroller is what we did as well and is worth it. Once you get there!

21 months is a tough age for a trip like that, I did it with E2 when he was about 26 months and E1 3 years old…ugh. I am impressed you tried it but how very smart to do such a long trip so you had time to work around his needs.

I have never noticed that the roads were sparkly, even though we walked on them at the Fort. I’ll need to check for that on the next trip. The necklace is very cute on you! That FuFu at Boma sounds yummy! They didn’t have that out when we were there. I can see where it would be cost prohibitive if you weren’t on the DDP, I don’t think we’d have eaten there without it, for that amount I’d pick a signature OOP.

Welcome to the world of mom, you will NEVER be in any of the best shots! I swear, DH looks like a single dad with 4 kids most of the time! Or that we only have 3 kids as the younger three hang together while the big boys are off. I’m glad you got some cute ones at AKL, that’s what happens when you bring your mom, then you get a couple of pictures!

OW! You burned your face? OW! I burned my hair once, the smell is still with me. At E1’s TKD studio a girl burned her hand with her flatiron, it was AWFUL!

I’m sorry you had such a bad experience at the Fort. There is SO much to do and see but it isn’t intuitive and you need a map for sure. I can honestly say while we stayed there people were pretty much dressed like they were anywhere else but I can imagine what the bus would have been like right before HDDR.

My goodness, your trip just sounds HOT! But you guys still look fabulous in your pictures, sunscreen coated and all. I love the quiet patio moments

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Wonderful update Alison. Your little man is just so sweet. My daughter loves Banana Republic. They have a special now on Wed. an additional 40% off. She has been there every Wedesday. Even in Kansas City last week on her birthday we had to go. ( I don't know if you read her birthday surprise last week on my TR. It was so wonderful for my girls to be together.)

What a wonderful nothing day you had. I like those. Seems like we don't get enough while on vacay. The food looked great once again.

Ginny

 

[jamjar84]

Just caught up with your TR.

Sounds like you're having a great trip so far. My husband hates crocs, and refuses to let me wear them when we are in WDW, but I'm going to tell him about the dressier styles, he might concede to letting me get some.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I just found your TR today and it's great! I have a little boy too so I can relate to all your adventures.

I can't wait to hear more!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

That food looks great!

I am not a shopper either...but there is something about shopping on vacation. It just feels different,doesn't it? I'm glad you were able to find great bargains

I am always called the "black sheep" of my family because I don't like to shop. Todd always says he's lucky I don't drag him shopping all the time. But you are right about shopping on vacation. We always spend money at that outlet, so we budget for it. We know it's coming and we can't resist!

Fun update! My DD has quite a few of those "big girl" cups from various restaurants. We ended up bringing a couple with us to WDW so we wouldn't feel bad if we had to toss a few. She loves drinking with the fun fat straws! Can't wait to hear what you guys did in the evening.

It's funny how much he loves that cup. He always wanted to drink out of our cups when we had straws, so when he got his own he was stoked!

What a nice Father's Day! That was not a bad total at all for all that stuff in BR!!!!!

BR can be so pricey! That's why we love the outlet. I can't always get work clothes there for a good price.

Ok, going back to the WL update, Dylan is so freakin adorable I wanna reach through the computer and just hug him! Pointing at the birds, he is so cute!

I love the WL so much. Disney did an OUTSTANDING job when designing that resort, words can't even describe.

Sounds like you guys made the right decision not to head to AK the next day. I love the crocs that you got for work, they're really nice and I'm sure super comfortable!

Miller's Ale House looks yummy once again!

Aww, thanks. He's at an age where he really likes to be cuddled with (for short periods of time ) so I try to take advantage of that as much as possible. I can't even tell you how much he liked birds on that trip!

The WL was more impressive than I remember it being. It was raining the first time we visited, and I think you need to wander around the whole property to totally understand the scope of it.

I love my Crocs for work. They are more comfortable than most of my shoes. I try not to wear them all the time because people will think I only have 2 pairs of shoes! LOL

Glad you decided not to go to AK in that heat you wouldn't make it long...we didn't lol Glad your having a good fathers day so far!

I agree. AK is miserable when it is so hot. There is not a lot of places to escape the heat.

I am also a HUGE fan of Crocs!! I wore them our entire trip and they were great with all of the rain we had. I wear them so much that my black and brown pairs of minnie janes have the soles almost worn off of them! Sooo comfy!!

Wow! You are going to need to get yourself a new pair. Or 2 or 3 pairs... you know, just for back up. They are the perfect shoe for rain since they dry out so quickly.

Ahh Father's Day..this means that we were in Gainesville, FL this night! Looks like a nice and relaxing day. Love the shoes!

It's nice to take a nap every once in awhile!

I kept doing that when I would read your report too. I would figure out where we were at the same time. That's funny. I love taking naps on vacation. I barely ever take naps at home, so it's nice to "allow" myself a nap on vacation.

Wow!! I love Banana Republic, too. Those deals you got @ the outlet mall are really good! This Miller's Ale House looks pretty yummy...I'll have to remember it if I ever have a car at WDW. I'm sure you hear this all the time, but you look exactly like your dad!

BR is the best, especially for clothes for work for me. Todd likes their more casual stuff for him. Miller's is a good place because it is so close to DTD. Both times we were there it wasn't busy at all.

It's funny you said that about my dad. All of the kids in my family look alike, but we all look like different parents. I kind of think that my parents look a little like each other, so it makes sense we all look the same. I always say that you could pick us all out of a line-up of people, no problem.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I love BR outlet! We have one close to us. I know how you feel about shopping at the actual BR store....I only shop the sale rack there.

We are going to have to try Millers.....I was looking for somewhere on Disney property to eat our first night there....but Millers might just be what we were looking for!

I wish we had a BR outlet close to where we live. I don't even go in their normal shops in the mall. I would get depressed.

Miller's is about 5 minutes from DTD on the side by the hotels. It's really easy to find and it was never crowded the 2 times that we were there. Plus it was really affordable. Let me know if you want directions...

Wonderful update Alison. Your little man is just so sweet. My daughter loves Banana Republic. They have a special now on Wed. an additional 40% off. She has been there every Wedesday. Even in Kansas City last week on her birthday we had to go. ( I don't know if you read her birthday surprise last week on my TR. It was so wonderful for my girls to be together.)

What a wonderful nothing day you had. I like those. Seems like we don't get enough while on vacay. The food looked great once again.

Ginny

Wow! An extra 40% off!! I would make that a priority too. I need to get caught up on your TR. I'm so behind on everyone's reports because our life has been so crazy lately. Nothing days can end up being some of the best days on our trip. I love how unplanned stuff can be so fun!

Just caught up with your TR.

Sounds like you're having a great trip so far. My husband hates crocs, and refuses to let me wear them when we are in WDW, but I'm going to tell him about the dressier styles, he might concede to letting me get some.

Todd hates Crocs too, especially the style w/ the closed toe and the holes in them (I can't remember the style name). I always got the flip-flop ones so he didn't mind them too much. But he would always roll his eyes at me when I would suggest that he look for a pair for himself. I think the style he got were a new style. I'd never seen them before. The dressier styles look really cute on your feet. Maybe he will give in.

I just found your TR today and it's great! I have a little boy too so I can relate to all your adventures.

I can't wait to hear more!

Welcome! Thank you for reading. I love being a mom of a boy, but he can definitely give me a run for my money sometimes!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I can’t believe I am so late to the party!

Finally caught up though. Rambling thoughts….

Oh your first day sounds SOOOOO long! I had a flight like that once when E1 was about 1. It was awful, he was an angel on the way there with delays (a 9 hour flight by the time all was done) but a nightmare on the way back, with no delays but still a 5 hour flight. Of course E2 beat him on a DL return with an explosion and really mean flight attendants. At that age there is SO much stuff it’s mind boggling but taking your own car seat and stroller is what we did as well and is worth it. Once you get there!

We seriously had so much stuff with us on the flight. It was almost embarassing! But you are right, once we got there I was so glad that we brought all of our own stuff. The flight was a long one for him but he did really well for the most part. I can't even imagine a 9 hour flight for myself, much less bringing a small child!

21 months is a tough age for a trip like that, I did it with E2 when he was about 26 months and E1 3 years old…ugh. I am impressed you tried it but how very smart to do such a long trip so you had time to work around his needs.

I think we were a little crazy to plan such a big trip with him being so young, but we also knew that his personality could handle it. Todd & I are really good at the tag-team parenting so we feel like we can take him to most places. It would have been harder on a shorter trip though!

I have never noticed that the roads were sparkly, even though we walked on them at the Fort. I’ll need to check for that on the next trip. The necklace is very cute on you! That FuFu at Boma sounds yummy! They didn’t have that out when we were there. I can see where it would be cost prohibitive if you weren’t on the DDP, I don’t think we’d have eaten there without it, for that amount I’d pick a signature OOP.

The sparkly roads were the freeways that traveled all over the place. I don't remember if FW roads were that way...although we were on the lovely bus! We love Boma but it is getting pricey to be paying OOP for it. There are a lot of other restuarants that we would love to try but we think they are too expensive for us. But this last time it occurred to us that we could skip Boma and try a new place on our next trip.

Welcome to the world of mom, you will NEVER be in any of the best shots! I swear, DH looks like a single dad with 4 kids most of the time! Or that we only have 3 kids as the younger three hang together while the big boys are off. I’m glad you got some cute ones at AKL, that’s what happens when you bring your mom, then you get a couple of pictures!

LOL that is so funny about your husband. Yes, I have a TON of pictures of Todd w/ Dylan. I seriously had to search for a picture of Todd and I together for my PTR because we never have anyone to take them for us!

OW! You burned your face? OW! I burned my hair once, the smell is still with me. At E1’s TKD studio a girl burned her hand with her flatiron, it was AWFUL!

Yes, I felt so dumb when I burned myself. It was like I watched myself do it in the mirror and I rolled my eyes. Then I felt the pain and got some cold water on it.

I’m sorry you had such a bad experience at the Fort. There is SO much to do and see but it isn’t intuitive and you need a map for sure. I can honestly say while we stayed there people were pretty much dressed like they were anywhere else but I can imagine what the bus would have been like right before HDDR.

As I was reading your TR, I kept laughing to myself because I was thinking that you & I had very different experiences at FW. It sounds great if you are staying there and know where you are going. It was partly my own fault for not studying a map first. I just thought it would be easy to navigate. There were so many people for HDDR!! Now I know better!

My goodness, your trip just sounds HOT! But you guys still look fabulous in your pictures, sunscreen coated and all. I love the quiet patio moments

Thanks so much for all of your comments. This trip was so hot and the weather forcasters kept saying on the news that they were reaching record high temperatures. We just had to make the best of it!

 

[sharonW]

Sooo happy when I saw your update!!
So much fun to read and love the pics as well!!
I'm hooked....hurry, hurry and post again soon!!!

 

[eandesmom]

As I was reading your TR, I kept laughing to myself because I was thinking that you & I had very different experiences at FW. It sounds great if you are staying there and know where you are going. It was partly my own fault for not studying a map first. I just thought it would be easy to navigate. There were so many people for HDDR!! Now I know better!

I'd definitely give it another shot, I'd actually suggest Mickey's backyard BBQ when Dylan is older and spend a bit of time on the camping board thread.

It is a little frustrating in the sense that it is kind of like a stepchild if you are in the cabins. You aren't "camping" (not that in MY mind a RV is camping but I digress, I am a tent camper) and so it is not, at all a typical Disney resort. You will find a LOT of info about camping and RV'ing, less about the cabins but if you can get past all that there is a TON of truly great info and tips on the camping board.

It is much more like a truly great state or even national park, with lovely little cabins but no real lodge lol! That's next door at WL

But like any great state park, which you need maps for, a little homework will go a long way as it still isn't all that intuitive if you ask me. If you treat it that way then you'll find all the info, there is a ton out there. Even though we stayed there, and LOVED it (and the HDDR!) I feel like we didn't see, or do, squat! The only time we saw crowds though was at the HDDR. But that bus ride of yours, oh my stars!

 

[*dreamit*doit*]

Hi again! Just catching up with your report and loving your pictures of WL - it is my favorite Disney resort! We stayed there last February and hope to stay there again soon. Can't wait to visit on our December trip and see it all decked out for Christmas!!
Wow, not a great FW experience, give it another shot next time; we really enjoy the campfire and movie in the evenings, oh, just not in the summer...mosquitoessss! lol

 

[emyrus2004]

I have really enjoyed reading your trip report. Your son is the cutest little boy

I just had to comment to say that I completely agree about the Ale House. While I was a CP we spent many a nights in those wooden booths. The loaded fries are out of this world delicious. I would definitely suggest it for anyone wanting to eat off property.

I can’t wait to read the rest of your report and find out which celebrity you ran in to.

 

[ptcrn]

Ok, I'm all caught up (again!) I think I was several updates behind!

It looks like you had a great bonus free day. I love those outlets too! We went there in March and the crocs store was crazy with people, so I didn't stay long enough to try anything on. I'll have to go back next time. They had all the Disney jibbitz for only a dollar, which I know my son would love to have on his shoes! The Disney outlet there is fun too, sometimes you can get good deals.

Dylan is so cute with his big boy cup and straw! David would have just tossed his on the floor (and did, the last time we were in a restaurant!) You are lucky to have a well behaved toddler!

Wilderness Lodge looks so beautiful, I would love to stay there sometime. Glad you salvaged that day- the Disney bus service leaves a lot to be desired sometimes!

I think you guys made a great decision not going to AK. It can be miserably hot there on a normal day, never mind when it is over 90 degrees!

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Sooo happy when I saw your update!!
So much fun to read and love the pics as well!!
I'm hooked....hurry, hurry and post again soon!!!

Aww you are so sweet! Thanks for sticking around.

I'd definitely give it another shot, I'd actually suggest Mickey's backyard BBQ when Dylan is older and spend a bit of time on the camping board thread.

It is a little frustrating in the sense that it is kind of like a stepchild if you are in the cabins. You aren't "camping" (not that in MY mind a RV is camping but I digress, I am a tent camper) and so it is not, at all a typical Disney resort. You will find a LOT of info about camping and RV'ing, less about the cabins but if you can get past all that there is a TON of truly great info and tips on the camping board.

It is much more like a truly great state or even national park, with lovely little cabins but no real lodge lol! That's next door at WL

But like any great state park, which you need maps for, a little homework will go a long way as it still isn't all that intuitive if you ask me. If you treat it that way then you'll find all the info, there is a ton out there. Even though we stayed there, and LOVED it (and the HDDR!) I feel like we didn't see, or do, squat! The only time we saw crowds though was at the HDDR. But that bus ride of yours, oh my stars!

Camping in a cabin is right up my alley. I think it would be a fun adventure to stay in one of their cabins. I'm sure that we will visit again but we will definitely be more educated about the whole place by then!

Hi again! Just catching up with your report and loving your pictures of WL - it is my favorite Disney resort! We stayed there last February and hope to stay there again soon. Can't wait to visit on our December trip and see it all decked out for Christmas!!
Wow, not a great FW experience, give it another shot next time; we really enjoy the campfire and movie in the evenings, oh, just not in the summer...mosquitoessss! lol

See, that is what I was picturing for our trip to FW....campfire, movie, s'mores....it sounds like a lovely time. I think that's why it was soooo bad to me. It was not how I'd pictured it. The WL is so pretty when it is decked out for Christmas. I was bummed because it rained while we were there so we didn't get to appreciate anything outdoors. You will have so much fun!

I have really enjoyed reading your trip report. Your son is the cutest little boy

I just had to comment to say that I completely agree about the Ale House. While I was a CP we spent many a nights in those wooden booths. The loaded fries are out of this world delicious. I would definitely suggest it for anyone wanting to eat off property.

I can’t wait to read the rest of your report and find out which celebrity you ran in to.

The Ale house was so good. If we lived there, I'm sure we would go there all of the time. They had such a big menu and everything was affordable. The celebrity update is still a few posts away, but it is getting closer...I promise!

Ok, I'm all caught up (again!) I think I was several updates behind!

It looks like you had a great bonus free day. I love those outlets too! We went there in March and the crocs store was crazy with people, so I didn't stay long enough to try anything on. I'll have to go back next time. They had all the Disney jibbitz for only a dollar, which I know my son would love to have on his shoes! The Disney outlet there is fun too, sometimes you can get good deals.

Dylan is so cute with his big boy cup and straw! David would have just tossed his on the floor (and did, the last time we were in a restaurant!) You are lucky to have a well behaved toddler!

Wilderness Lodge looks so beautiful, I would love to stay there sometime. Glad you salvaged that day- the Disney bus service leaves a lot to be desired sometimes!

I think you guys made a great decision not going to AK. It can be miserably hot there on a normal day, never mind when it is over 90 degrees!

Looking forward to reading more!

The outlets are great because of their location to WDW and for the bargains you can find. We try to go to the Disney store there first before we shop on property. There's nothing worse than paying full price and then finding it later in the week for much cheaper.

Dylan is really well behaved. He has his bad moments, but we are very lucky that he has the personality that he has. The cup is like a reward to him, so he is usually a good boy when he has it.

 

[Leslie63]

I'm really enjoying your TR. I've been lurking around for a while and just decided to pop in and say "Hi" . I'm anxiously awaiting another post. I guess I'm living vicariously through your family.

 

[sharonW]

I'm really enjoying your TR. I've been lurking around for a while and just decided to pop in and say "Hi" . I'm anxiously awaiting another post. I guess I'm living vicariously through your family.

Me too..can't wait for another update!!! Too bad life
has to get in the way of these fun fun TR"S.

 

[sharonW]

I'LL TRY AND KEEP BUSY!!!!

:surfweb

 

[cjackearl]

How did I miss this update!!! I've been having Dis issues lately. I keep getting behind so please forgive my absenteeism. Good plan to go shopping. It seems like you got quite a lot for your dollar at the Outlets. And the Ale House looks fab! I would share a sandwich with you, it looks so yummy! Looking forward to hearing how you spent your Father's Day evening. We were on one of the dreaded FW buses headed to HDDR.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I'm really enjoying your TR. I've been lurking around for a while and just decided to pop in and say "Hi" . I'm anxiously awaiting another post. I guess I'm living vicariously through your family.

Welcome! Thanks for de-lurking. Thanks for your comments. I promise I will update soon. Life has just been crazy for the last few weeks.

Me too..can't wait for another update!!! Too bad life
has to get in the way of these fun fun TR"S.

I'LL TRY AND KEEP BUSY!!!!

:surfweb

Ha Ha, that's funny. I miss being on the Dis!! I can't wait until this period of time is over and I can slow down a little bit.

How did I miss this update!!! I've been having Dis issues lately. I keep getting behind so please forgive my absenteeism. Good plan to go shopping. It seems like you got quite a lot for your dollar at the Outlets. And the Ale House looks fab! I would share a sandwich with you, it looks so yummy! Looking forward to hearing how you spent your Father's Day evening. We were on one of the dreaded FW buses headed to HDDR.

You should try the outlets some time, especially since you have a car. Sometimes it's nice to take a (small ) break from Disney and go off property. Yeah, that sandwich was SO good. I'm not hard to please though...I could each a sandwich every day and probably be happy.

Oh no!! The FW buses.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Just a quick life update.... basically, life is getting in the way of my Dis time. It's very disappointing. I mentioned a few weeks ago that school has started and I have just been riding that wave of being busy. I haven't even touched my computer in 3 days!!!

In the last week we have had 2 volleyball games and 1 all day tournament. Last Sunday was Dylan's birthday (he turned 2!!) and we had a party for him. My parents came to visit for a couple of days. Then I had my yearly Audit at work for most of the day on Monday. Today Dylan had his doctor's appointment for turning 2 years old and then we had a Bible study until 9:30. On top of all of that, it is Homecoming week at my school and there are a ton of activities going on. Usually after this week, the school year starts to calm down and I can start to breathe again.

So needless to say, I'm sorry that there has been no update. I almost completed one a few days ago but I didn't get all of my pictures uploaded. Hopefully tomorrow or Friday I will get in an update.

On a different note....I am pretty sure that we will be getting in some Disney time at Thanksgiving. This time at Disneyland!! We have been talking about holiday plans and we are spending Thanksgiving with Todd's parents who live in Southern California. We are talking about spending a couple of days at Disneyland before the holiday and it will be a trip with just the 3 of us. We realized that we have taken every trip with either family or friends since Dylan was born. Obviously we like to travel with others, but I really want to have some time where it is just our little family doing our own thing. Details are sketchy at this point since we have not had time for a lot of discussion, but it sounds like it is pretty much a sure thing. Yay!