A Nov trip with 4 & 2 yr olds! New 4/18: Studios/Epcot

[scrapnmom]

Having DD meet princesses was my major goal for this trip. We got in line and fortunately DD fell asleep since we had to wait 45 minutes. DH offered to take DS on another ride but he said he wanted to stay in line. He did great with such a long wait, and when you barely move, it feels so much longer.

When we got in we saw that the princesses were Aurora, Cinderella, and Belle. I looked at DD’s skirt that I made and realized that Belle had gotten cut off and you couldn’t see her. I felt bad about that, but she was still on DD’s shirt.

Of course this was completely worth the long wait. I had tears in my eyes at how amazing these women were with the kids. DS did not want to approach them or be in the pictures. They all pointed themselves out on her outfit. I remember Cinderella saying to DD “Did Tinkerbelle visit you? She must have flown right by you because you have pixie dust on your shoes!” I just thought it was so special that each princess had a conversation with her. DD is very talkative at home but she barely said a word to them.

Can you believe that out of the 30 photopass pics and 20 some pics that DH took there is not one single picture where both DD and the princess is looking at the same camera?? Not one!!

 

[scottny]

great princess pics.

 

[scrapnmom]

While DD was sleeping, I took these pics from our balcony:

After our rest/swim, we headed back to the MK.

DS said he wanted to go on Peter Pan. We skipped the parade and had a very short wait for PP, then we did the Carousel again, it felt like a different ride in the dark.

This is my favorite picture:

Then DS wanted to do the TTA/peoplemover again so we got some popcorn to munch on the ride. Right after that we went on the teacups. DH started to spin and I had to quickly put a stop to that! Not after all that popcorn!

We ate at Cosmic Ray’s, which was almost empty because it was getting late. We figured we had time to do the Speedway before Wishes. I love how outside rides are so different in the dark. This time I got to ride with DS. DH had said the last time that he was and excellent driver, but that wasn’t true this time. Wham! Wham! We hit the rail over and over again.

We were in front of the Pooh ride when Wishes started. There was no one else in the immediate vicinity, it felt like we had the park to ourselves! I was so glad we got to see it again. A beautiful end to the night. But, as we left I realized how many things we didn't get to do after spending two days in MK.

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

it is amazing when u leave what u realize what u did not do. another reason to go back.

I love the TTA.

 

[scrapnmom]

great update and pics.

it is amazing when u leave what u realize what u did not do. another reason to go back.

I love the TTA.

Thanks, Scott!

 

[scrapnmom]

Today we headed to Disney/MGM Studios. We had a lunch ADR for the Play ‘n’ Dine at Hollywood & Vine, even though the kids had never seen Little Einsteins or JoJo & Goliath as we don’t have cable. After our l-o-n-g trip to Epcot on Monday, DH wanted to drive.

The first thing the kids did when we went through the lobby was to run over to the tv!

Daisy Duck had to come with us, although we managed to convince DD that she should wait in the car.

When we got to MGM, I grabbed the times guide and saw that the meet & greet for Lightning McQueen and Mater was coming up in 15 minutes. We quickly walked over there and a line was starting to form already, so I made sure we got a place. Then I heard the Power Rangers down at the other end of the street so I grabbed DS and ran down there while DH stayed in line. He saw one episode of PR at my mom’s house when he was 2 years old, and he had talked about them ever since. When he saw them on Disney DVD, he was very excited to meet them. The PR did there thing and then split up for kids to meet them. The yellow ranger stopped right in front of us and held out her hand for DS and he turned around and buried his face in my shirt. So much for that! So, we ran back down to the Cars line.

We heard the engines revving and then they turned the corner to come down the street. The look on DS’s face was pure awe, and I have to admit I felt the same way, too. It was amazing to see them looking so realistic.

We waited out turn and DS was star-struck at meeting them. He’s only seen the movie twice but he has all the die cast cars and plays with them all the time.

 

[scrapnmom]

We went to the Playhouse Disney show next. The kids have a couple of Bear in the Big Blue House dvds so they knew him, and DD was very excited to see him. We really enjoyed the show even though it was hard to see.

We checked in for our lunch ADR’s and were seated pretty quickly. We had to wait awhile for a chef to come out and take me through the line. Once again, he said ALL of the breads/rolls had egg. I asked him if there was any eggless bread and he said he did have a safe baguette in the kitchen so I asked him if dd could have some since she’s a picky eater. He brought out two slices on a plate. I don’t understand why I had to ask for it, you would think he would offer! There were a lot of different choices at this buffet, DH and I were really happy with the food. They had cold cuts so I got DD some salami and she ended up eating tons of it! She also had some mashed potatoes and melon. What I liked the most about the buffets is that the kids didn’t eat fries! I also liked the dessert selection.

The character interaction was excellent! They all came around twice, and they had two dance breaks that the kids joined but didn’t participate in as they had never seen Playhouse Disney. I was a little surprised at how excited the kids were about the characters even though they really didn’t know them. I knew Leo’s name but I was calling the girl Annie. I discovered later that her name was June! We caught an episode of Little Einsteins on Saturday morning, and after we got home we got a couple of LE dvds since it’s such a cute show.

After lunch, DH took DS over to Star Tours. We thought he would really enjoy it since he loves space but he backed out once they got up to the door.
We went back to the WL and DD had a short rest while DH and DS went swimming, then we joined them in the pool. That is a deep pool! The mother duck and her ducklings kept swimming around. I was not exactly thrilled to be in the same pool as ducks.

The wind started picking up so we dragged the kids out of the water. I convinced DH to take DD up to the room and get showered and changed while DS and I sat in the hot tub so that they would be out of the shower by the time we got up there. DS loved the hot tub!

 

[scrapnmom]

We went to Epcot once everyone was ready. DS had been asking to go on the monorail so I figured this was a good time to go.

We went on the loop then came back and headed for dinner at the Sunshine Seasons. DH and I had the Cuban sandwich that I’ve read great reviews of on the dis. We both loved it. DS had a pb&j uncrustable and I don’t think DD ate anything. DH went to the bathroom and I realized that DS was missing. I started to feel real panic but then I saw him going up the escalator by himself! The Land was relatively empty so I could easily see him. I watched him run over to the down escalator, come down, then run around back to the up. I wasn’t quite sure what to do since DD was still picking at her dinner and all our stuff was all over the table. I figured that as long as I could see him, it was okay. However, I was really mad that DS would do that by himself. That just shows how safe he felt at Disney. I’m sure he would never do that at the mall. As soon as DH got back I grabbed DS and we had a talk. We walked onto the Seas ride again. Once we got to the aquarium part, guess where DS headed? Right to the escalator! This time DH stayed with him.

I'm not really sure where this pic was taken, but it's the only one we took that night:

We decided to walk into the World Showcase before Illuminations. I was a little sad that we hadn’t had any chance to explore WS. I really wanted to go to Germany to find a Christmas present for FIL. We walked pretty fast, then stopped at France for dessert. DH really wanted a crepe. I got soft-serve ice cream for myself and the kids (I didn’t check the ingredients on that ice cream although I should have). That ice cream was delicious!!! The best I've ever had! It was so smooth and creamy. They kids went nuts over it. I reluctantly shared some with DH.

We made it to Germany and I was disappointed to find that most of the things in the gift shop were made in China, not Germany. I found a hat for FIL so I could cross that off my list. We walked over to China just in time for Illuminations.

The kids fell asleep on the way to the exit. DD was in our stroller, DS was in the Disney stroller. DH was able to pick him up still asleep and then we were able to get them both upstairs to our room at the WL without waking them up!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

lunch sounds like u had a good time.

no star tours, that is too bad. good ride.

Lucky u saw "Cars", I did not last time but I really do want to.