A fearless trip report- May 12-18th 2011

CandleontheWater · May 25, 2011

The Fearless Trip report- May 12-18 2011
Dateline: Orlando- Oct 2010- after a week of pre-dawn wake up calls from our 10 month old son, my husband stands in the middle of our Saratoga Spring studio and shouts, “We are never going to Disney again” :scared1:

Dateline: Alexandria, Virginia- January 2011- after honoring her husband’s wishes for a WHOLE THREE MONTHS, Marissa goes ahead and books another Disney vacation for May. Husband reluctantly acquiesces.

I’m calling this story the fearless trip report for two reasons, the first being that you really have to be fearless to take a toddler to Walt Disney World. They are not known to be the easiest traveling companions, and can get downright persnickety when things don’t go their way. They are mercurial little creatures, but when the stars align, there is nothing better than seeing the unfettered joy on the face of a child.

The second reason is that even though we’re WDW veterans, and have taken our son Everett to Disney three times in the first 10 months of his life, we still went into this trip with a lot of fears. We all know that no two Disney trips are the same, but I think that is doubly true when it comes to trips with babies and toddlers. Each month brings new changes and challenges, enough to cast doubts into the hearts of even the most hardened WDW travellers. In the days leading up to our May adventure I asked myself- “Would this be the trip he became afraid of the characters?”, ”What about the fireworks?”, “Would he tolerate being confined to the stroller all day?” “Would he still like the rides, or potentially even worse, would he scream when it came time to get off them?”, “Would he eat any Disney food?” and most important if you have read our last report “Would we get any sleep?” :eek:

All of these questions swirled in my head as I was preparing, and I did my best to put them out of my mind, repeating my mantra “A day at Disney is always better than a day at home”.

Of course there were a few setbacks in the days leading up to our trip that made me extra wary, including a disastrous meeting with the Easter Bunny, a hunger strike, a giant tantrum in the mall over being removed from the merry-go-round, and a bad cold which lead to Everett waking up screaming multiple times a night. None of these instances did anything to instill confidence in taking Everett back to Disney, nevertheless we persevered.

I am happy to report that not only did we survive this latest Disney adventure, but we thrived! That’s not saying it was all pixie dust and rainbows, but we didn’t have any character or ride meltdowns, Everett did not starve, and we did sleep, well most nights… :rolleyes1

So if you’d like to join us on another adventure of toddler proportions please stick around, because next time we’ll meet the cast and get this show on the road- or in the air. :upsidedow

TiggerDeb · May 25, 2011

I am on board for this trip report. We have been to Disney with our grandsons from the time they were 5 months and 2 years of age, and yes we have had the meltdowns, scared of dark places, rides, characters, etc etc... but as they have gotten older and now are 8 and 4, we have so much fun with them and 105 days, we will be doing it again with them.... So I cannot wait to read more of your report. :banana:

CandleontheWater · May 27, 2011

Episode 1- the update in which we travel to the airport like normal people

So, how do you get to the airport? Im betting it probably involves getting in a car and driving, and then parking in the long term lot, or maybe you have a nice friend who is willing to drop you off, or maybe even you spring for a towncar or limo- all perfectly normal options.

In our house, normal is generally eschewed for cheap.

You see, We live in Alexandria VA, right outside of DC, and only three metro stops from Regan National Airport; and it is a very easy 10 minute walk to the metro station. Taking the metro to the airport seems logical, if you are one person, with a small rolly suitcase, but if you are three people, with three gigantic suitcases, a stroller and a car seat, it becomes a little more of a production, especially when you are trying to get to the airport during rush hour. I suppose it would be very good practice for living the life of hobos, hopping boxcars and riding the rails across the country, circa 1932!

This trip, we skipped the whole hobo routine and went to the airport like normal people.

I had taken enough flights over the year to earn my free ticket on Southwest, and paying for one ticket on Southwest (and long term parking) was cheaper than two tickets out of Regan National. This time cheaper actually worked in my favor, and I was pleased as punch to drive the 45 minutes to Baltimore-Washington Airport.

The morning we left on vacation was the usual flurry of last minute packing and panicking, but we somehow managed to get out of the house at a husband approved time (usually DH likes to be at the airport roughly a week before our flight departs Just to be on the safe side ). I even had time to run to Walgreens and buy batteries for my little point and shoot camera, even though DH was not thrilled with the last minute errand.

We took the dreaded Baltimore-Washington turnpike out to BWI, which is notorious for having traffic 24 hours a day, but the only other option was to take the Beltway, which is notorious for having traffic for 72 hours a day (dont ask how, just chalk it up to bureaucratic nonsense).

When we got on the road and found ourselves to be actually moving faster than snail speed, I thought that perhaps the rapture, which was supposed to be coming on the 22nd, was 10 days early! But then I remember that I was living in Washington DC, so that would have had no effect on the local population, so maybe we were just lucky.

When we arrived at BWI, DH dropped DS, me and all our luggage in front of Southwest departures and went to go park the car. While we waiting DS helpfully identified every vehicle that drove by, and I was treated to 20 minutes of car, car, car, car, CAR, car, car!

When DH arrived back unscathed from the long term parking we headed inside to check in and go through security, all which was fairly fast and efficient. Weve gotten really good at getting through the security lines, and Im happy to say that we are actually faster than some casual travelers. I think the people behind us were thrilled.

Once through we went ahead and got some lunch- DH had pizza, and I fed Everett the PB&J sandwich we had brought from home along with some raisins and a yogurt. I had actually packed an entire suitcase of food for Everett to eat at Disney. We were having some issues with Everett eating lately, and had just gone through a food strike. I figured I would bring him one meal into the parks each day, something that I knew he would eat, so even if he refused to eat Disney food, he wouldnt (technically) starve. This also pleased DH, because it would be cheaper- so it was a win-win plan.

After DH inhaled his pizza, I went and got Arbys and we switched off feeding Everett, when we were all finished, we headed back to the gate.
Walking to the gate I saw a plane with the State Seal of Florida on the side, and I got really exciting thinking it was our aircraft- unfortunately it wasnt, but its still pretty cool!

I went up to the service desk, to ask if the flight was full and to get a gate check for the stroller and carseat. Of course the flight was packed, I should have figured, but I was hoping for a miracle so I could bring on the carseat. I know there are a lot of conflicting opinions on buying an airplane seat for babies, but we are firmly in the no seat until 2 camp. I cross my fingers for an empty seat, but mostly I just hold Everett on my lap, and it has pretty much worked out fine.

Everett and the stroller pre-folding

I folded up the stroller and DH and Everett went to look for more CAR! out the window.

not only do I not buy my toddler a seat, but I leash him too- gasp!

Let me digress into a rant here for a second, I love my stroller, I really do. I have an Uppa Baby Vista and I think it is just about the most perfect stroller known to man, that is, except for the travel bag. The travel bag must have been developed by demons intent on ruining any vacation before it begins. It is the TIGHTEST fit imaginable, and you have to pull and tug and fight and grunt and generally look like a crazy person wrestling on the floor with an inanimate object. The first time we tried to use the bag, I let DH give it a try, and after about 15 minutes of struggling, I intervened just before he was going to throw it out onto the tarmac to be run over by a plane. I managed to get it in, but not without effort. I have called the company and told them of my trial and tribulations, and they have thanked me for my imput. If the Uppa Baby Vista wasnt the most wonderful stroller in the universe (outside of the travel bag), I would find another means of conveying Everett around.

Next up- scheduling our flight during nap time was a great idea- right?

cadek · May 27, 2011

Great so far, and I can't wait to read more! I love your comments on the traffic! Here I thought we just always have bad timing when it comes to leaving for the beach!

I think I need to leash my 4 year old! Thanks for the reminder. I'll put it on my to do list, especially if we try to go without renting a stroller this time!

Starwater · May 27, 2011

Still reading your last TR, but subscribing to this one! :goodvibes

CandleontheWater · May 27, 2011

TiggerDeb said:
I am on board for this trip report. We have been to Disney with our grandsons from the time they were 5 months and 2 years of age, and yes we have had the meltdowns, scared of dark places, rides, characters, etc etc... but as they have gotten older and now are 8 and 4, we have so much fun with them and 105 days, we will be doing it again with them.... So I cannot wait to read more of your report.

How fun to have had so many trips with your grandsons! I'm sure you have made some great memories, and have survived the not so great times as well! I hope the time flies by until your next trip!

CandleontheWater · May 27, 2011

cadek said:
Great so far, and I can't wait to read more! I love your comments on the traffic! Here I thought we just always have bad timing when it comes to leaving for the beach!

I think I need to leash my 4 year old! Thanks for the reminder. I'll put it on my to do list, especially if we try to go without renting a stroller this time!

Thank you for reading along! I am definitely pro-leash, I think if you have a wanderer or runner, it saves a lot of unnecessary heart-ache. We got ours on Amazon, and I was thrilled to find one that was Disney themed.

CandleontheWater · May 27, 2011

Episode 2- the update in which you meet the crew

So I realized that I forgot to introduce you guys to the motley crew- so I’ll do this quick and dirty-

I am Marissa, I’m 33 years old, and I am the driving force behind all our Disney trips. I took my first trip at the tender age of nine months old back in 1978, and this was my 50th (!!!) trip to Walt Disney World. I moved to Florida in 2001, and lived there until 2009, so for a while I was part of the trip of the month club. I really miss living in Florida, but there is a slim chance we’ll be moving back to Jacksonville next June (fingers crossed!)

Everett and I at the cherry blossom festival in DC

DH- Mark is 29 years old, and has really come to appreciate (maybe even love) Disney. He had been a few times before we met, but that all changed when we moved to Jacksonville Florida in 2005 and I convinced him to get annual passes (because of all the money we would save).

my little family at the St. Patrick Day Parade in Old Town Alexandria

DS- Everett is 17 months old and this was his 4th Disney trip. I’m really hoping that all this early exposure will lead to a life-long love of the mouse. He is a high spirited child, and can be a handful, but already has a great sense of humor and knows how to make me laugh.

this is from Everett's 15 month photoshoot

DMOM- She is the reason that I am so passionate about Disney. She and my Dad took their honeymoon at Disney in 1975, and they took us on yearly trips growing up. My dad was unfortunately not able to get the time off work to join us this time around, but DMOM was excited to join us for another fun filled trip and to graciously play babysitter while we went on the big kid rides and spend some time with our friends.

my mom and dad with Everett at his baptism party

My friends Bryan and Amy join us on the trip, some of you may know Bryan from the All About the Mouse Disney Podcast

Me, Bryan and Amy, doing what we do best!

Shane from the Communicore Online Disney Podcast will also be making an appearance, as well as Steve from the MuppetCast.

Its almost like vacationing with celebrities!

Disneymoon09 · May 27, 2011

I really like your writing style, very funny! I'm following along, but I'm warning you, I mostly lurk haha.

MeMom · May 28, 2011

CandleontheWater said:
DMOM- She is the reason that I am so passionate about Disney. She and my Dad took their honeymoon at Disney in 1975, and they took us on yearly trips growing up. My dad was unfortunately not able to get the time off work to join us this time around, but DMOM was excited to join us for another fun filled trip and to graciously play babysitter while we went on the big kid rides and spend some time with our friends.

This - I love. I am glad they shared the magic with you. I am glad you enjoy it together now, and that you will pass it on to the next generation. I love the time I get to spend with my girls in Disney World, and even if it is going around three times on the hoe-sies and hanging out in the gift shops and play areas with Bella while the others ride the big stuff, I am still in heaven just being there with my family. I suspect your mom is the same way.

I look forward to new adventures with Everett and his entourage. :goodvibes

teachermommy78 · May 28, 2011

Following you from PirateKate's TR. Great beginning to a hopefully great trip! Everett is a doll!

Sneezie · May 29, 2011

Enjoying your trip report!

amandaw · May 29, 2011

I'm hopping on over from PirateKate's TR to join in on your fun! First of all, Everett is adorable! We took our son for his first trip this past December when he was a few months shy of 3. Then, we took him again at the end of April/beginning of May, after he had turned 3 in March. I'm very interested to see how it is to take one even younger than my DS. I've already told my DH that whenever we have a 2nd baby, we won't be able to wait until he/she is almost 3, we will be going when they're much younger. So, I'm starting to do my research! Can't wait to read more!

CandleontheWater · May 29, 2011

Disneymoon09 said:
I really like your writing style, very funny! I'm following along, but I'm warning you, I mostly lurk haha.

Thanks for joining and feel free to lurk away!

MeMom said:
This - I love. I am glad they shared the magic with you. I am glad you enjoy it together now, and that you will pass it on to the next generation. I love the time I get to spend with my girls in Disney World, and even if it is going around three times on the hoe-sies and hanging out in the gift shops and play areas with Bella while the others ride the big stuff, I am still in heaven just being there with my family. I suspect your mom is the same way.

I look forward to new adventures with Everett and his entourage.

I know my mom treasures eveyr moment she gets to spend with Everett. She calls him her "best buddy" and they really are two peas in a pod. He completely adores her and they have so much fun together. I feel so lucky to have her as my mom, and extra lucky that we all get to spend time together in such a magical place. I wish we could live closer and spend more time together, maybe someday soon. I know from reading your trip reports that you understand that there is a special bond between a mother and a daughter, and that a daughters children claim a really special place in a grandmothers heart. :goodvibes

teachermommy78 said:
Following you from PirateKate's TR. Great beginning to a hopefully great trip! Everett is a doll!

Thanks for coming over and reading, and thank you for your kind words about Everett!

CandleontheWater · May 29, 2011

Sneezie said:
Enjoying your trip report!

Welcome and thank you so much for joining in!

amandaw said:
I'm hopping on over from PirateKate's TR to join in on your fun! First of all, Everett is adorable! We took our son for his first trip this past December when he was a few months shy of 3. Then, we took him again at the end of April/beginning of May, after he had turned 3 in March. I'm very interested to see how it is to take one even younger than my DS. I've already told my DH that whenever we have a 2nd baby, we won't be able to wait until he/she is almost 3, we will be going when they're much younger. So, I'm starting to do my research! Can't wait to read more!

Thank you for joining me! We took Everett at 4 months, 6 months, 10 months and this trip was at 17 months. I have to say the trip at 4 months was by far the easiest. We had no problems with him sleeping, breastfeeding him in the parks was really easy, and he was happy wherever we were. Six months was a little harder, because we went in the summer when it was super hot, and he wasn't a huge fan of long sit down meals, but he was still mostly fine. Ten months was more of a challenge, but as you will read 17 months was much easier.

I agree that it would be really tough to wait it out with a second child. We had to cancel one trip when I was pregnant and it nearly did me in! I know this goes against all common wisdom, but I think the younger they are the easier it is!

CandleontheWater · May 29, 2011

I'm going to try to get a new update in at naptime- stay tuned!

belle aube · May 29, 2011

Fun story so far! I'm in!

Thadine · May 29, 2011

Hi, I just finished reading "WDW with a teething ten month old" and I followed your link to this new report.
I enjoyed your first report and Everett is a handsome little boy

Can't wait to read about his new adventures at Disney :goodvibes

CandleontheWater · May 29, 2011

Episode 3- the update in which we were the least popular people on the plane

Anyway, by the time I was finished with the stroller, it was time to board. We let all the A’s get on first (how magnanimous of us, right?) and then we boarded with the family boarding before the B’s (see, Everett is good for something!)

I like Southwest for a lot of reasons, but a biggie is that you get to pick your own seats, because….I’m a profiler-- no, no, not that type!- I like to pick seats near people either with kids, or who look like they are patient, or possibly even smile at Everett as I walk by. I try to avoid people in professional attire or anyone who sighs dramatically when they see Everett and I board (yes, this has happened!)

I spied a row of seats toward the back of the plane right behind a large extended family. We sat right behind the three elementary aged kids, which I thought was going to be a good spot, because if Everett did accidentally kick their seats, they probably wouldn’t notice (likely because they are too busy kicking the seats in front of them

). As we settled in I watched anxiously as the plane filled up, since the plane was completely full I knew that there would be someone stuck in our window seat, and who would the lucky passenger be?

The last people on the plane were a family, who quickly became flustered because there were no seats left together. I really felt for them, and in my pre-baby days, I would have offered to switch seats so they could at least get two together, but that is not an option anymore. Initially the middle school aged daughter sat in our third seat, but after a little negotiating, a businessman offered to move to the back, and he was seated in our third seat.

At first I was really worried that he would be bothered by Everett, but I was immediately reassured when he started smiling and talking to him when he first sat down, and told me he had three kids of his own. Whew, crisis averted. The only problem was that now we were taking off late, since it took so long to get everyone settled.

contrast this before (happy smiling faces), with the after in the next update

We ended up taking off about 12:45, which is right around Everett’s usual nap time. The only excuse I have for scheduling a flight during nap is that I was not thinking, but actually I was thinking, I was thinking if we tried to catch a flight any earlier we would have had to have actually left for the airport a week in advance to beat the traffic. I have done some late flights with Everett back to Connecticut to see my family, and he was really good, drifting off to sleep almost instantly, and being a model frequent flier. I crossed my fingers before we took off that we’d have a repeat performance.

Mark was holding Everett during take-off and everything was going very smoothly, he was even resting his head on Mark’s chest and his little eyes were starting to bob. I was mentally congratulating myself for my excellent planning and starting an internal debate on whether I should read the book I had brought (bliss!) or take a nap (double bliss!), when things started to go awry.

Instead of drifting off into dreamland, Everett began to squirm.
And then wiggle
And then flail
And then he added vocals.

No problem, right! That’s why I have THE WORLD LARGEST DIAPER BAG full of toys! I pulled out one, but no, not interested, I pulled out another, but no, not interested. I pulled out 15 different combinations of toys, but all he wanted to do was pull the emergency instruction card, puke bag, and skymall out of the seatback pocket. I let him do it for a while (remember there are kids sitting in front of us!) but then he decided to escalate the fun by throwing the items on the floor.

By this point the flight attendants were making their rounds for drink service, so throwing things into the isle was not an option. This did not go over well. Everett is just getting to the point of temper tantrums, and I guess he figured that having a captive audience was the perfect venue to perfect his new-found skill.

The more I attempted to console him, the angrier he got. I know that what he needed was just to lay on the floor and kick and scream for a minute to get it out of his system, but that wasn’t an option. The nice family in front of us offered to share their DVD player and let him watch some Toy Story 3, but not even the enticement of TV could break him.

At one point the stewardess came by and asked me if there was anything that she could do to help, and I was really tempted to ask about itty-bitty parachutes. “We’ll pick you up in South Carolina on the way home, Everett!”

The real problem was that the seatbelt sign remained on for an extended duration. I knew that if I could get him up and walking around, the fit would be forgotten. There was a little turbulence, so it was understandable, but I think everyone on the flight would have supported them making an exception for Everett and me.

As soon as the captain announced that it was safe to move about the cabin, I was up like a flash. I don’t think anyone has ever whipped off a seatbelt and bolted to the back of the plane faster in the history of air travel.

Once safely in the back of the aircraft with new things to look at and fun flight attendants to flirt with, all tantrum were forgotten. I wasn’t going to let him stay back there, but the flight attendant told me that he could touch anything he wanted (umm.. OK?) and she made him a shaker out of pretzels in a cup with a top. Everett was thrilled with his new noisemaker, and was extra thrilled with walking up and down the isle, which is what we did until the captain once again turned on the seatbelt sign.

I was mentally steeling myself for another fit, but Everett surprised me, by happily sitting down and concentrating on eating the pretzels in the cup. I profusely apologized to everyone within earshot. DH, who does not take these baby snafus with the same (limited) grace that I do, told me we were never flying with him again. I replied “So I guess we get to live at Disneyworld then!” He was not amused at my attempt at a joke, and concentrated on gathering our possessions to get us off of the flight as quickly as possible.

Once off the plane things started to look up a little, I had DS and the carry-ons and DH collected our stroller and carseat, which had happily made it. I do have nightmares of them being left at the end of the jetway, but so far, so good! DH still looked grumpy, but I figured that he’d cheer up once on the Magical Express- which is located where exactly? :confused3

CandleontheWater · May 29, 2011

belle aube said:
Fun story so far! I'm in!

Hi there and welcome!

Thadine said:
Hi, I just finished reading "WDW with a teething ten month old" and I followed your link to this new report.
I enjoyed your first report and Everett is a handsome little boy

Can't wait to read about his new adventures at Disney

Thanks for sticking with us! I hope this trip report will be better, I really tried to remember to take more pictures, and sometimes I succeeded. :laughing:

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