A fearless trip report- May 12-18th 2011

[daisylove]

Hi there
Just came over form Memom's report and I love your TR so far. My ds is 3 now but it sounds like he is just an older Everett (so cute BTW). All energy! Looking forward to more. :0)

 

[CandleontheWater]

Episode 23- the update in which exciting Disney news is learned!

After we said good-bye to my Mom, we headed over to the walkway to the Magic Kingdom. We had to walk by the Contemporary bus stop, and there were lots of people standing around and chatting and all wearing D23 badges.

Now, I was really interested in the D23 conference, but if you really want to see DH’s head combust, try telling him that I am going to spend an entire day of our vacation in a conference room listening to lectures about Disney park history. My father used to famously say “I’m not going to spend good money for you kids to learn on vacation- you can learn when you get back to school” , and I think DH feels sort of the same way.

This pronouncement lead to vacation greats us by passing Colonial Williamsburg (in favor of an additional day at Bush Gardens- mostly because of the free beer), skipping the admission and being boosted up to peek in the windows of the Paul Revere house in Boston (which I'm not even sure was legal), and the great Liberty Belle drive-by of '88. It really is a wonder that I ever embraced history.

Spending good money on a Disney seminar, while we were at Disney and could just GO to the parks, in his mind is lunacy.

In order to preserve family harmony, I didn’t even mention D23 before the trip, but now faced with an entire group of conference goers, I really wanted the scoop. I have never been a shy person, and I had no problems accosting the nearest D23 member and asking them how everything was going, and more importantly if there were any big announcements!

The guys I had approached were very pleased to share the news that the Tiki Room was coming back with a show based around the original. I was thrilled and did a little dance of joy right there outside the Contemporary (much to Dh’s embarrassment). We had all heard the rumors, but to get confirmation from the Disney execs was awesome! I have very fond childhood memories of the Tiki Room, but I don’t really care what the new show looks like, as long as Iago and Zazu are gone, they sing the original theme song it its entirety, and it isn’t frightening to small children.

I haven’t been inside the Tiki Room since I have had Everett, because even though he is a pretty brave little boy, I’m afraid that the thunder and dark and raving tiki goddess, just might put him over the edge. Bringing back “Lets all Sing Like the Birdies Sing” would be much more toddler friendly.

Elated with this news, I happily headed toward the Magic Kingdom. At the entrance Dh and I decided to stop for a photo in front of the train station, something we hadn’t been able to do previously. Everett wasn’t in a very photogenic mood, but he did alright.

The photopass person snapped this picture right as the monorail went by, and Everett is pointing to it and yelling “Car”. He was all about the monorail (or “car”) this trip, and helpfully pointed it out to us whenever it went by. This was especially cute when we were in Epcot and hanging out in Future World, since there were many monorail sightings.

Once inside the park, we decided to take Everett to the new Mickey Meet and Greet. The line was really short (standby posted at 5 minutes) so I knew that it was now or never. I think they did a good job with the theming, it all looked really nice.

The line moved quickly and luckily there was a little boy in front of us that kept Everett entertained while we were waiting. Everett just loves the “big kids” , and spends a lot of time studying them, I guess trying to learn their secrets. I really have to watch him, he has become such a little mimic and when he sees big kids doing something, he immediately has to try himself. The older day he was watching kids climb up the side of the jungle gym at the playground, and I took my eyes off him for one second, and he was half way up the side himself. I honestly didn’t believe he had the arm strength- I guess he proved me wrong!

When it came time for us to visit with Mickey, Everett knew just what to do, and went right up to Mickey like they were old friends. He just seems to love the characters so much right now, I really hope he doesn’t lose his bravery and become fearful between now and our next trip.

video of Everett and Mickey

After we were done with Mickey I wanted to head into Adventureland and pick up fastpasses for Jungle Cruise so we could ride it later in the evening. Jungle Cruise is one of my favorite rides, I just adore all the cheesy humor and bad puns. I was hoping we could fit it in after dark, but we’d have to see what the night held.

On the way there, I guess I remembered that I had a camera, and that I really should be taking pictures. Every once and a while I’ll remember I should be recording my vacation and I’ll take a few, and then I’ll go back to forgetting again. I’m such a terrible picture taker, but I’ve been working to get better. I guess that I just want to enjoy the moment while it is happening, and now view it through a camera lens.

To give you some perspective on how much better I did with picture taking on this trip, I’ll let you know that when we went in June of last year, I took a total of two pictures- TWO- for the whole 5 days we were down there. That is less than ½ a picture a day.

Here are some photos of Adventureland

Wouldn't you just love to live there!

or here!

Once we had fastpasses in hand, we headed back over to the other side of the park- where were we headed, I’ll give you a hint!

 

[CandleontheWater]

So much fun running around in the water, and he wasn't a bit hesitant to run around with those dinosaurs roaring in the background! Simple things are so often some of the sweetest moments of the trips. We've dried clothes off at the hand dryers before, too.

I'm sad to see your mom have to go, but so glad you are discussing a spring trip with just the two of you and Everett. I love Disney World in the spring.

And the summer, and winter, and fall.
Who am I kidding?

But really, spring is special because everything is so alive after a drab winter.

Nope, dinosaur roaring certainly wasn't going to stop him from getting completely soaked! He did have a ball, and I'm glad we had the experience.

Congrats on entering the world of youtube!

Loved the main street video.

Thank you, I'm very proud of my new found technical savvy

Too cute! He looks like he is having so much fun!!!!

He just loved the boneyard. Before I had kids I never understood why people would go into the playgrounds at Disney, I went as far as to accuse them of being a waste of space, oh how wrong I was!

Loved the update! I don't blame you one bit for how you handled the Pluto line with Everett. It's so hard at that age to try & make them understand that they have to wait their turn AND be good doing it.

The pictures of Everett in the Boneyard are priceless. You could really tell how happy your little guy was playing there. Such a cutie!

Thanks for the info about the photopass share. I'm thinking I'm going to check that out on FB the next time we go to WDW.

Yeah, its tough, and if Everett were a better listener and less of a boundary pusher, it might be a little easier. His pediatrician has told me to hold off on time-outs until he is two- well, you better believe that the day of his 2nd birthday- he'll be in for a real surprise!

Enjoyed the update! Cant' wait to read more!

Thank you for reading along!

 

[CandleontheWater]

I can only imagine how much fun Pluto had with Everett and his backpack! That makes for some fun and easy character interaction.

It seems to me that toddlers + water = fun & a wet mess. Every time. No exceptions.
The pictures tell the story though, and it looks like he was having a blast playing in the Boneyard.

You are so right! I got a little smarter by the end of the trip with regards to Everett and water features, as you will see.

Loved the videos! All adorable!!! Definitely has me thinking about the next little one getting his first hair cut at the world!

The haircut was fantastic! They were just awesome with him. We're taking him for his second hair cut this evening, and I'm hoping that it will be OK

Man the poor kid in the next chair at the Barber Shop doesn't sound like he's having very much fun!!

That other kid did not like getting his hair cut AT ALL!

Hi there
Just came over form Memom's report and I love your TR so far. My ds is 3 now but it sounds like he is just an older Everett (so cute BTW). All energy! Looking forward to more. :0)

Thanks for joining in! Yes, Everett is definitely an energetic little boy, but oh so much fun!

 

[afwdwfan]

Congratulations on getting the info on the Tiki Room from the D23 people! I think D23 looks very interesting myself, but I'm sure DW would think I'm nuts.

I really think toddlers are a lot like ants from the standpoint that they say an ant can carry 50 times it's weight. It amazes me some of the things I've seen DS pick up... or climb.

I hope you get your evening ride in on JC! I look forward to seeing more.

 

[amandaw]

Glad Everett was excited to meet Mickey. I really liked the theme of Mickey's new home. I, also, love the Jungle Cruise. I laugh every time at all the jokes, even though I've heard most of them hundreds of times. Can't wait to see what else y'all did!

 

[DisneyMomma09]

Your pictures of Everett and Mickey are awsome! I soooo hope Colby does better with the characters this time! We were at the zoo this weekend and they have a polar bear and a penguin who walk around. Colby actually wanted to go up and give them fives! I hope when he sees Mickey, who he knows and loves, that he will get excited!

I hope you get to enjoy the Jungle Cruise. Hmmmm...with a toddler, I am going to guess you are headed to Buzz!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I have never seen the original Tiki room so I will have to check it out next time we visit.

Adorable Mickey and Minnie pictures.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I think I was about 18 updates behind!

I have so many comments, but I'll sum it up in this:

• Everett gets cuter and cuter with each update.
• Your Mom rules for helping you out with the baby so you could have adult time!
• Reading your TR reminds me SO much of when Henry was that age, it's very sweet!
• I'm loving the videos - especially the one of Everett dancing up Main Street.
• LOVE the photopass pics in front of the waterfall in AK!
• I'm glad Barfy is no longer naked.

 

[heaven2dc]

What a cute video! I think they should have taken a pic of Everett reaching over to grab Mickey's nose when you were holding him - that was too cute!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Thank you everyone for reading along and I hope you will stick with me.

I may be out of the loop for a while, last night my brother's fiancee suffered a brain aneurism, and was lifeflighted to a hospital in Boston. She was in surgery all last night into the morning, and even though they were able to stop the bleeding, there were complications. My mother called me about an hour ago to tell me that it does not look like she is going to make it.

Please keep my family in your thoughts, I think I am still in shock have not processed the enormity of the situation.

I am supposed to be hosting her bridal shower on Saturday, and her and my brother are supposed to be getting married in two months. I do believe in the power of positive though, so any you can spare will be much appreciated.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Oh my gosh. My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[DisneyMomma09]

Oh! How terrible! Your family, and especially your brother's fiancee, are in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[fi46re129]

That is awful! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[amandaw]

I'm so sorry to hear that! I will keep y'all in my prayers.

 

[tammy]

Everett meeting Mickey was sooo adorable. He is such a cutie.

I am so sorry to hear about your fsil. I will keep your family in my thoughts.

 

[afwdwfan]

That is just awful news, especially when it should be a happy time in their lives. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Oh my goodness...you all are in my prayers!

 

[cadesfirsttrip]

You and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[fitgirl36]

Oh how terrible, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!