Always Let Your (Preschooler) Be Your Guide. My First Trip Report! COMPLETE

[sammyjo1871]

I’d like to post another installment-- a "wrap up" of sorts listing our favorite things, sharing photos of Mads and Uncle Cory with their souvenirs, and sharing our tentative plans for the next trip, but in case I don’t get to it very soon…

I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who read along, commented, and lurked. I am a pretty shy person in “real life” so doing a TR was a bit of a departure for me. I was nervous that no one would read or care. I am very touched that so many of you did. This is such a nice community of people to share with, and I look forward to reading about all of your future trips and plans. It may sound silly, but I feel that after doing this TR I have some very nice new “friends” here on the DIS.

Thank you so much for letting my share our trip with you friends, I look forward to doing my next TR --Kindergartener VS. The World.

You did a fantastic job on the TR! BTW, love the nod to 'Friends' for all your titles.

And I couldn't agree more, there are some wonderful people on the DIS. It's so nice to be able to read all the experiences and learn great info from other Disney nuts!

Enjoyed the report and look forward to your next one. Have a great holiday season with your family!

 

[shan23877]

I finally caught up. Poor Maddie's ear. So the earring broke off and that was the cause of her pain. But where did the fever come from? Was it a sinus infection?

Can't wait for your next one.
I have a TR going from my Oct trip, but its on another site.

The post of the earring caused an infection which caused the fever. Very weird, and the fever was gone as soon as we got the infection cleared up.

I check out your TR!

What a great ending (minus the fever of course ) Glad Maddie finally got to meet a different fairy and your departure day was uneventful. Can't wait to read your wrap-up post : your trip sounded amazing!

It was a great way to end a fantastic trip, I just wish that baby girl felt better. Vidia was a huge score!

I am so glad Maddie was well enough for Chef Mickey's. That was Xander's (DS4) favorite thing about our last trip. For our upcoming trip, he keeps asking if we are going to eat with Mickey again. Maddie really hit the character jackpot thanks to you and your husband allowing her to guide the trip. It was an awesome trip report and looked like an amazing trip to the world.

It was a great read. Your family is adorable. Thank you for sharing it with us. I will most likely wait until after the holidays before I start our December trip report, but at least I learned how to post pictures today on another thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43281360#post43281360 Now, I just do not know how to make them smaller like yours without resorting to thumbnails.

Chef Mickeys was lots of fun! We really loved the interaction there. I hope that you guys get to eat with Mickey again! Mads was convinced that they'd done all the cooking

We really did some heavy character stalking- I didn't realize how much until I tried to organize some pictures for my MiL by character. There were TONS! It was a fantastic trip, probably why I'm so eager to get back.

Thanks so much for joining in the TR, you've been a big part of making me feel the love here on the DIS

I don't blame you for waiting till after the holidays. Seems that they're really sneaking up on me, and I don't have a trip to prep for!

Here's what I do with the pictures: Once you've loaded the pics onto photobucket, look at the pictures in the album, and choose one picture by clicking on the center of the photo. You'll have that picture pulled up slightly larger now. Once you've done that, roll the cursor over the very top of the picture, and a bunch of options will appear. Roll over resize, and a pull down menu will appear listing the sizes you can choose. I usually choose 600x400. A box asking if you're sure you'd like to resize will pop up. Choose yes, and the page will refresh. Once it's been resized, you can click on the IMG link on the right hand side of page (it will say copied once you do) then, just go back into your TR and paste the link.

You can also do all of that if you choose the "edit photo" option on Photobucket. Then you can choose exactly what size you'd like the pic to be instead of choosing between 4 or 5 preset size options. In this function, you can also save the photo in it's original size as well as the smaller size. This is a nice option if you're also using Photobucket to share the pics with family and friends or ordering prints.

I've done it both ways, and found the first way to be much easier and quicker. I couldn't always get the pics to the same size doing it manually, and it's much quicker to just scroll through the pics you're using too. Hope this helped! Please let me know if you have anymore questions!

I can't wait to read your TR!!

 

[shan23877]

That was a great way to wrap up the trip! That silly doggie!

I have LOVED reading your TR. I completely know what you mean about worrying people won't read it. Not many read mine, but at least I know that I'm typing it out and will have my trip recorded, plus the ones who read it are like friends! I'm so glad to have "met" you and your precious family!

The "silly doggie" melted my heart, it was just too sweet!

Thank you so much! I know exactly what you mean, there may only be a handful of people that you know are keeping up with the TR, but the ones that are are such lovely new friends Thanks for reading along, and I'm glad that I'm "getting to know" your beautiful family through your TR!

No! I don't want it to end.

I felt the same way!!!

I am glad that Maddie got to enjoy most of the last evening. Poor baby.

We did CM on our first trip (last year) and had a lot of fun. We had breakfast there. Didn't do it this last trip, but I think we may go back next time - didn't love the food, but it was so fun!

And I hear you on the buffet service! We had some pretty bad service at a buffet this trip too. And I don't get it - I too have been a server at a buffet (about 100 years ago, but I still remember!), and it is so easy compared to other table service. Do you think they load them up with too many tables or something, or did we just have bad luck?

LOVE the Vidia pictures!!!!

Chef Mickeys was super fun! The food was pretty blah, but the characters were fantastic! We'll keep going as long as DD and DH want to.

Oh that server. I hope that it's just bad luck, I'd hate to think the servers are like that all the time

Vidia was such fun! She got a real kick out of it when Maddie was honest with her and said she wasn't her favorite!

I didn't comment a lot, but I loved your TR! It's fun reading about how other children my dd's age responded to the various rides, shows and characters in WDW Maddie is such a trooper, I'm glad she really didn't let her fever spoil much of her vacation, even though she must not have been feeling great, she soldiered on!

Thanks so much for reading! I've had such fun reliving the trip, and it means a lot to know that others were enjoying it too.

She really hung in there that last day. She didn't want to miss anything!

You did a fantastic job on the TR! BTW, love the nod to 'Friends' for all your titles.

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the kind words, it's kind of nerve wracking putting yourself out there...

And I couldn't agree more, there are some wonderful people on the DIS. It's so nice to be able to read all the experiences and learn great info from other Disney nuts!

Enjoyed the report and look forward to your next one. Have a great holiday season with your family!

There are so many wonderful people on here! I've learned sooo much from everyone on here, and I genuinely enjoy hearing about the fun that others have at Disney too.

Thanks again! I hope that we'll have a new TR this spring!

I hope that you and your family have a safe and wonderful holiday season as well

 

[shan23877]

Hi Shannon, I've been meaning to check you out but I kept forgetting about it, but now I've got more time.
Um, check out your report, not you, oh you know what I mean.
You have a really cute little girl, you should feel very proud, ok, Brian is cute too.
' I'm enjoying what I've read so far, but one question,,I asked somebody else this recently too, boy I hope it wasn't you but what airport did you fly out of that took 2 hours to get to?
And I just love the Disneyworld welcome signs, I think those are probably photographed as much as the Castle is.
Ok, looking forward to seeing how much you like French Quarter, and or if you went and saw Bob Jackson.

Nebo! I feel pretty special that a DIS celebrity such as yourself hopped on over to my lil' old trip report! Thanks for checking me out

We think the little one's pretty cute, and I am sure that Bryan will be very flattered that you thinks he's cute too.

We loved POFQ, but didn't get over to Riverside to see Bob's show. Maybe next time.

We flew out of Ohare. It took 2 hours even at that time of morning.

We may end up much closer to Chicago by early summer though. DH has had a job offer in the 'burbs.

 

[smidgy]

Nebo! I feel pretty special that a DIS celebrity such as yourself hopped on over to my lil' old trip report! Thanks for checking me out

We think the little one's pretty cute, and I am sure that Bryan will be very flattered that you thinks he's cute too.

We loved POFQ, but didn't get over to Riverside to see Bob's show. Maybe next time.

We flew out of Ohare. It took 2 hours even at that time of morning.

We may end up much closer to Chicago by early summer though. DH has had a job offer in the 'burbs.

oh puhleeasseee!! gak!!! (now I have to live with him!)
where in the burbs? we are in the NW burbs.

I loved your annoyance at mr. swarmy. people have a right to order what they want.. whether it be a cocktail, and iced tea, or even ice water (with lemon).

I have a couple who come in every sat. and only drink a pitcher of ice water. but they are some of my best customers!

I would like to add, however, that the work involved (for a server) at a buffet depends on the restaurant. where I work, when we ahve a buffet (such as thanksgiving, christmas, easter, mother's day,e td.), we servers are the ones to lug the table sout, set out the tablecoths, let up the chafing dishes, along with the sternos, the tongs, serving spoons, make up the salads, put out bows of the dressings, condiments, lemons, cocktail suaces, re fresh ice for the shrimp cocktail, well, I could go an and on, continouously renew foods...... we do a heck of a lot of work for a buffet... and THEN..
when everyone is gone, we are the ones to break it down. andclean it all up. sorry, just getting ready for the "waitress" holiday blues....


maddie look sSO pretty in all her pictures!! I am so glad she had so much fun!!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Maddie was so cute with the characters at Chef Mickey's! Pluto is my favorite too, so I thought her reaction was hilarious!

I'm glad you were able to replace the Ariel wand before Maddie really noticed. Did you ever contact Chef Mickey's to get it back? I bet they would have even mailed it to your home since you were leaving the next day.

Thank you for letting us read along! I love reading TRs with little kids, its so much fun to get a peak into what I have to look forward to! Everett is getting to the point of really understanding and recognizing the characters, but I can't wait until he is like Maddie and just loves them! It has been so much fun reading about your vacation, and I'm looking forward to reading your next TR!

 

[ronnmel]

I'm glad that Maddie was able to have some nice moments on her last day despite not feeling well.

 

[kmedina]

We really did some heavy character stalking- I didn't realize how much until I tried to organize some pictures for my MiL by character. There were TONS! It was a fantastic trip, probably why I'm so eager to get back.

Thanks so much for joining in the TR, you've been a big part of making me feel the love here on the DIS

I don't blame you for waiting till after the holidays. Seems that they're really sneaking up on me, and I don't have a trip to prep for!

Here's what I do with the pictures: Once you've loaded the pics onto photobucket, look at the pictures in the album, and choose one picture by clicking on the center of the photo. You'll have that picture pulled up slightly larger now. Once you've done that, roll the cursor over the very top of the picture, and a bunch of options will appear. Roll over resize, and a pull down menu will appear listing the sizes you can choose. I usually choose 600x400. A box asking if you're sure you'd like to resize will pop up. Choose yes, and the page will refresh. Once it's been resized, you can click on the IMG link on the right hand side of page (it will say copied once you do) then, just go back into your TR and paste the link.

You can also do all of that if you choose the "edit photo" option on Photobucket. Then you can choose exactly what size you'd like the pic to be instead of choosing between 4 or 5 preset size options. In this function, you can also save the photo in it's original size as well as the smaller size. This is a nice option if you're also using Photobucket to share the pics with family and friends or ordering prints.

I've done it both ways, and found the first way to be much easier and quicker. I couldn't always get the pics to the same size doing it manually, and it's much quicker to just scroll through the pics you're using too. Hope this helped! Please let me know if you have anymore questions!

I can't wait to read your TR!!

It really was an awesome trip report, so I was honored to read it. I love the DIS too. Most of the people on here are very friendly, especially the gamers.

Thank you so much for teaching me how to resize the pictures. The first one I posted on that other thread was so large, and I did not want them to wait anymore to see the picture I was posting. I figured I would learn how to resize them later.

You are a really nice person, which came across in your report. You've made me feel welcome as well. I am sad that it is over but will look for your next one too.

 

[shan23877]

oh puhleeasseee!! gak!!! (now I have to live with him!)
where in the burbs? we are in the NW burbs.

We're going to be looking at the NW suburbs if the DH takes the position. The job is in Darien, and we've been doing some initial looking in the Bolingbrook area.

I loved your annoyance at mr. swarmy. people have a right to order what they want.. whether it be a cocktail, and iced tea, or even ice water (with lemon)



I have a couple who come in every sat. and only drink a pitcher of ice water. but they are some of my best customers!

I would like to add, however, that the work involved (for a server) at a buffet depends on the restaurant. where I work, when we ahve a buffet (such as thanksgiving, christmas, easter, mother's day,e td.), we servers are the ones to lug the table sout, set out the tablecoths, let up the chafing dishes, along with the sternos, the tongs, serving spoons, make up the salads, put out bows of the dressings, condiments, lemons, cocktail suaces, re fresh ice for the shrimp cocktail, well, I could go an and on, continouously renew foods...... we do a heck of a lot of work for a buffet... and THEN..
when everyone is gone, we are the ones to break it down. andclean it all up. sorry, just getting ready for the "waitress" holiday blues....


I totally understand what you're saying. We do a lot of private parties, and the set up for those is a killer. Lug all the chaffing dishes from the back of the kitchen, up a flight of stairs, fill them with water, bring up the food, set out plates, forks, napkins, and then serve the drinks. Also, at my restaurant, there's no expo--we make all of the salads, take care of the sides, and dress the plates ourselves all the time.

Having said that, if I believed for a minute that Disney has Mr. Smarmy doing even a portion of that every night, I would have been more understanding.

Good ole holiday blues. For a server, Thanksgiving just means no more days off till New Years Day.

maddie look sSO pretty in all her pictures!! I am so glad she had so much fun!!!

Thanks!

Maddie was so cute with the characters at Chef Mickey's! Pluto is my favorite too, so I thought her reaction was hilarious!

I'm glad you were able to replace the Ariel wand before Maddie really noticed. Did you ever contact Chef Mickey's to get it back? I bet they would have even mailed it to your home since you were leaving the next day.

Thank you for letting us read along! I love reading TRs with little kids, its so much fun to get a peak into what I have to look forward to! Everett is getting to the point of really understanding and recognizing the characters, but I can't wait until he is like Maddie and just loves them! It has been so much fun reading about your vacation, and I'm looking forward to reading your next TR!

She had such a great time at Chef Mickeys! The Pluto thing was great. She LOVES him now.

We never did call about the wand-we should have-but we already had the new one, so we just left it.

Thanks so much for reading and joining in! You'll have so much fun with Everett once he gets into the characters! It's just precious watching how happy it makes them. I'll be following along with your TRs until I get another one going

I'm glad that Maddie was able to have some nice moments on her last day despite not feeling well.

It was really nice that she was able to salvage some fun that day. Despite the fever, it was a great day.

It really was an awesome trip report, so I was honored to read it. I love the DIS too. Most of the people on here are very friendly, especially the gamers.

Thank you so much for teaching me how to resize the pictures. The first one I posted on that other thread was so large, and I did not want them to wait anymore to see the picture I was posting. I figured I would learn how to resize them later.

You are a really nice person, which came across in your report. You've made me feel welcome as well. I am sad that it is over but will look for your next one too.

Thanks so much! I've had a great time getting to know you. Glad to help anytime, hope the pics posted ok!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Loved the pictures from Chef Mickey's! I'm glad Maddie was able to get to the fairies one last time! Vidia is my favorite too and we had a great one!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your TR and getting to know you! Let's keep in touch!

 

[adoerr72]

So I lurked here all through your TR, but I wanted to thank you for it. I have 5 year old and 4 year old little girls and you've given me some ideas for our upcoming trip. So, while you may have been initially reticent to write a review due to being introverted, I'm glad that you did. Thanks!!

 

[shan23877]

Loved the pictures from Chef Mickey's! I'm glad Maddie was able to get to the fairies one last time! Vidia is my favorite too and we had a great one!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your TR and getting to know you! Let's keep in touch!

Chef Mickeys was lots of fun, and I thought we got some really great pics from that meal too! She was so excited to see Vidia! (She really would have preferred Silvermist, but Vidia was her second choice ) Personally, I love Vidia, so mom was happy!

Thanks so much for being a part of the TR! We'll certainly have to keep in touch! Luckily, your TR is still going

So I lurked here all through your TR, but I wanted to thank you for it. I have 5 year old and 4 year old little girls and you've given me some ideas for our upcoming trip. So, while you may have been initially reticent to write a review due to being introverted, I'm glad that you did. Thanks!!

Thanks so much for reading along! I am really glad that you got some ideas from the TR. I love reading TRs of families who have kids the same age as mine too. I am so glad that I ended up doing the TR. It's been tons of fun.

 

[partyof2]

Oh no it's over

I have really enjoyed this trip report, it's so special that you let Maddie take the lead. I loved seeing her joy at meeting all the characters.

You have to go again REAL soon so you can write another report

 

[katt789]

Aww...now it's over?! Now what do I do to fill my time?! You guys got some great pics from the last day! And I definitely know how you feel about tipping while working in the service industry!

You're trip's been awesome to read along and share the adventure! I hope the next one comes around soon! I'll keep my eyes open for it!

 

[Jenn51421]

Just read through your whole trip report and loved every minute of it....I also loved that the title of each installment was like the title of a FRIENDS episode lol a girl after my own heart lol. Glad you all had a great time on your trip and hope you all get back there soon

 

[shan23877]

Oh no it's over

I have really enjoyed this trip report, it's so special that you let Maddie take the lead. I loved seeing her joy at meeting all the characters.

You have to go again REAL soon so you can write another report

Thanks for reading! I hope we get to go again soon too! Maybe you'll get to see a slightly older Maddie meeting all the characters in that TR!!

Aww...now it's over?! Now what do I do to fill my time?! You guys got some great pics from the last day! And I definitely know how you feel about tipping while working in the service industry!

You're trip's been awesome to read along and share the adventure! I hope the next one comes around soon! I'll keep my eyes open for it!

Thanks for reading along! I can't wait to hear about your audition trip! It's coming up really soon right? Good luck!

Just read through your whole trip report and loved every minute of it....I also loved that the title of each installment was like the title of a FRIENDS episode lol a girl after my own heart lol. Glad you all had a great time on your trip and hope you all get back there soon

Thanks for reading! We had a great time on this trip, and it was a lot of fun to remember it all.

Glad you caught the 'Friends" reference! I wondered if people just thought I was weird

 

[katt789]

Thanks for reading along! I can't wait to hear about your audition trip! It's coming up really soon right? Good luck!

Thanks!! And yes!! It's in TWO WEEKS!! AHHH <-if I dance just like that I'm sure I'll get it! I'll be sure to start a PTR soon!

 

[PirateKate]

I'm sorry to see your trip report is over. I loved reading about your trip and I'm very impressed that you've already got the title ready for the next trip. I always find the titles to be the hardest part.

Having dinner at Chef Mickey's and meeting Vidia sounds like a great ending to the trip. I'm glad Maddie was still able to have some fun, even though she felt bad.

 

[bbnursie]

Just read your TR. Loved it! Your DD is so cute just like her mama

 

[ronnmel]

Joyeux Noel to you and your family!!