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

[BPATSMouse]

I see nothing wrong with a 10am lollipop break The princess autograph chasing brings back a lot of long line memories. I'd do it again in a minute, enjoy while you can.

 

[kmedina]

The Monsters Inc comedy show is my favorite attraction in the MK. I kept dragging my famil back last trip. DS4 (but 3 last trip) does not like any dark rides either. He even considers WtP dark. I love that she made it exactly one hour before she needed to see the princesses again. That is so adorable.

 

[Fall1]

Love your updates and how your DD is acting like a tour guide, so cute!! The color in your pictures is great, do you mind sharing the camera you are using. Thanks!

 

[Heath_Bar]

I'm really enjoying your TR so far! We leave next week with a 3 & 4 year old - I am reminded to go with the flow! Thanks!

 

[CandleontheWater]

What a great morning! All those princesses- how wonderful that you were able to meet them all!

I also haven't been to back to CRT since King Stephan was the proprietor, but I agree that the food doesn't look like anything too special. I'm sure we'll be back if I have a little princess someday.

I'm sorry that Maddie was frightened of the dark rides. Did she get any better as the trip wore on?

 

[204charity]

Your trip report is just great! It's really showing me how great a trip can be to just slow down, and let your kid be the "guide". I am so excited to just let our 9yo DD lead the way in April. There is so much fun to be had without standing in lines for hours and hours everyday. And I have to say how impressed I am with your Day 1 schedule! WOW! Up at 1:30 am and you stayed up for the parade AND Wishes!!! WOW! I sure hope we have that kind of energy and enthusiasum when WE get there. Subbing to your TR. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[kaileighbug]

Love the TR so far. Its great to just slow down and take it in. As for the 10am sucker I thought that was what the cinnamon rolls were for....sugar rush

 

[shan23877]

I see nothing wrong with a 10am lollipop break The princess autograph chasing brings back a lot of long line memories. I'd do it again in a minute, enjoy while you can.

The lollipop was kind of my hail mary pass. DH was loosing patience with her quickly! We were princess stalkers, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm so glad we got to take her when she was so into them, and still believed that she was meeting the real deal! Trying to convince DH that we need to take as many trips as possible while she's still in this phase.

The Monsters Inc comedy show is my favorite attraction in the MK. I kept dragging my famil back last trip. DS4 (but 3 last trip) does not like any dark rides either. He even considers WtP dark. I love that she made it exactly one hour before she needed to see the princesses again. That is so adorable.

We LOVED Monsters Inc. It's become a new family favorite. She hated all the "dark rides" we didn't even attempt WtP or Snow White. Oh well, more time for princesses! What was it about the dark rides for your son?

Love your updates and how your DD is acting like a tour guide, so cute!! The color in your pictures is great, do you mind sharing the camera you are using. Thanks!

Thank you so much! She was loving "being in charge". It's funny because my family referred to me as "Cruise Director Julie" when I was a kid. . Thanks for the compliments on the pics! It's a Sony. I'm not sure of the name of the model (I've forgotten) but the model # is DSC-H20 if that helps. I think its a Cyber-Shot.

I'm really enjoying your TR so far! We leave next week with a 3 & 4 year old - I am reminded to go with the flow! Thanks!

Thanks for joining in! I'm so jealous that you'll be there in a week! I am so glad that we let her lead us. I figured it's only fair- he and I have been there before! Can't wait to hear about your trip!

What a great morning! All those princesses- how wonderful that you were able to meet them all!

I also haven't been to back to CRT since King Stephan was the proprietor, but I agree that the food doesn't look like anything too special. I'm sure we'll be back if I have a little princess someday.

I'm sorry that Maddie was frightened of the dark rides. Did she get any better as the trip wore on?

I think it was King Stefan's joint last time I was there too! It was worth doing, but not because of the food . I think even little boys might enjoy it too- they get a sword!

She never did conquer her fear of the dark rides. It's funny b/c she's never been scared of the dark. I think it had more to do with the combo of "bad guys" and dark places. Oh well, I'm sure we'll get her on them eventually!

Your trip report is just great! It's really showing me how great a trip can be to just slow down, and let your kid be the "guide". I am so excited to just let our 9yo DD lead the way in April. There is so much fun to be had without standing in lines for hours and hours everyday. And I have to say how impressed I am with your Day 1 schedule! WOW! Up at 1:30 am and you stayed up for the parade AND Wishes!!! WOW! I sure hope we have that kind of energy and enthusiasum when WE get there. Subbing to your TR. Can't wait to hear more.

Welcome! So glad to have you! DH and I figured that we've had the opportunities to do the things we like, and we'd live if we missed some. I'm so glad we did.

Now, if you're planning on meeting characters, you may be waiting in lines for hours! I think Rapunzel's rivaled TSMM some days!

It was pure enthusiasm/adrenaline that kept us going. I bet the magic will getcha and you'll have just as much energy as us!

Love the TR so far. Its great to just slow down and take it in. As for the 10am sucker I thought that was what the cinnamon rolls were for....sugar rush

Thank you!!! The sucker was closer than the cinnamon rolls! It was all abut location for this one!

 

[kmedina]

She hated all the "dark rides" we didn't even attempt WtP or Snow White. Oh well, more time for princesses! What was it about the dark rides for your son?

I think it was King Stefan's joint last time I was there too! It was worth doing, but not because of the food . I think even little boys might enjoy it too- they get a sword!

She never did conquer her fear of the dark rides. It's funny b/c she's never been scared of the dark. I think it had more to do with the combo of "bad guys" and dark places. Oh well, I'm sure we'll get her on them eventually!

I am not quite sure what he does not like about them. Maybe, dark rides tend to have more sensory overload. He did not like PotC, which I understood. Then, we tried Snow White, and that was a big mistake. It had been years since I rode it, so I forgot how dark it is. Later, we tried Pooh, which is a character he loves. We were shocked that he did not like that either. On our December trip, we may try again. If he does not do well on the first one we try, that is it at least until next trip.

I agree that boys can love the castle. My DH was against us dining there, since we do not have any daughters. DS3 (at the time) loved eating there as much as I did. The princesses really chatted him up, and he adored the attention. He broke the sword before we ever left WDW, but he enjoyed it while it lasted.

DS is somewhat afraid of pitch dark in that he sleeps with a night light. I do not think that is why he did not like the rides though, since they are not pitch black. The not liking bad guys theory is why we tried Winnie the Pooh. With my son, I am not sure what his issue is. Like you said, we'll get him on the dark rides eventually. We'll just try at least once each trip to see how he does.

 

[nvsnot]

Great TR so far! I can't wait to read some more!!

 

[JDailey]

Enjoying the T.R. so far!! I love how you are not getting in a big hurry. It is nice to just take time and relax.

 

[DsnyMama]

Love everything so far!!!! Subscribing!

 

[shan23877]

I am not quite sure what he does not like about them. Maybe, dark rides tend to have more sensory overload. He did not like PotC, which I understood. Then, we tried Snow White, and that was a big mistake. It had been years since I rode it, so I forgot how dark it is. Later, we tried Pooh, which is a character he loves. We were shocked that he did not like that either. On our December trip, we may try again. If he does not do well on the first one we try, that is it at least until next trip.

I agree that boys can love the castle. My DH was against us dining there, since we do not have any daughters. DS3 (at the time) loved eating there as much as I did. The princesses really chatted him up, and he adored the attention. He broke the sword before we ever left WDW, but he enjoyed it while it lasted.

DS is somewhat afraid of pitch dark in that he sleeps with a night light. I do not think that is why he did not like the rides though, since they are not pitch black. The not liking bad guys theory is why we tried Winnie the Pooh. With my son, I am not sure what his issue is. Like you said, we'll get him on the dark rides eventually. We'll just try at least once each trip to see how he does.

Gives us a good excuse to keep going back! gotta help 'em conquer their fears! So glad your DS liked the castle. I think any kid would love it. It seems so special to be inside the castle!

 

[shan23877]

Great TR so far! I can't wait to read some more!!

Thanks! Glad you're here. I hope to have an update done before the end of the weekend!

Enjoying the T.R. so far!! I love how you are not getting in a big hurry. It is nice to just take time and relax.

Thank You!! We weren't in a hurry most of the time, but relaxing? Not always For the most part though, aside from ADRs we didn't have anywhere we HAD to be, which was really nice. I'm not usually so laid back-it was probably good for me

Love everything so far!!!! Subscribing!

Welcome! Glad you're here!

 

[Bethislucy]

Just found your trip report, it's great what I read so far. We did the same thing w/ my nephew we took him when he was 4 and let him lead the trip (for the most part) it was a blast. I love the "friend" titles to your trip report.

 

[shan23877]

Just found your trip report, it's great what I read so far. We did the same thing w/ my nephew we took him when he was 4 and let him lead the trip (for the most part) it was a blast. I love the "friend" titles to your trip report.

Welcome and Thank You!! Disney with a 4 year old might be the most fun ever

And thanks for catching the Friends reference! I'm not sure anyone else has They might just think I'm weird!

 

[kmedina]

And thanks for catching the Friends reference! I'm not sure anyone else has They might just think I'm weird!

Love it. I did not notice until now.

 

[mjwheelerali]

What an awesome report!!! We're going in December with our 3 year old so you're comments are so appreciated!!! thank you!!

 

[shan23877]

Love it. I did not notice until now.

It's one of my favorite shows, and I always loved the show titles

What an awesome report!!! We're going in December with our 3 year old so you're comments are so appreciated!!! thank you!!

Welcome! Thanks for reading! A December trip sounds great. I hope to have more up tonight!

 

[shan23877]

We were off to Epcot! Bryan and I were very excited to take Maddie on the monorail for the first time. When we were kids, we both thought the monorail was the coolest thing ever. We headed up the ramp and got in line. DD barely noticed our new mode of transportation.

While we were on the monorail it started pouring rain. The train stopped for a bit, but we had a great view of the Polynesian! When we finally arrived at Epcot, we had a decision to make. It was already about 2:30, should we brave the rain, or head back to POFQ? Rain of course! We put on our ponchos and took Maddie into her second park. First stop was for pictures.

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We decided to head straight for the Land to see if there were any FP left for Soarin’. DH and DD waited outside while I ran in to try to score the FastPasses. We got them, but with a return time of 8:15. I met back up with DH and DD, and our next stop was Maddie’s choice. The Seas With Nemo and Friends.

DD enjoyed the ride, no dark ride fears on this one, and thanks to the vacation planning video Maddie knew all about Turtle Talk with Crush so we went there next. The next show was starting in 15 minutes, and we enjoyed the sea life while we waited.

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The show was really cute, a little over DD4’s head, but she enjoyed it anyway. Thankfully she didn’t come away calling us “Dude”

After Nemo the rain had stopped. We wanted to see how long the waits for Test Track and the Character Spot were. Long, they were long. So, we stopped into Club Cool where I exacted my revenge on DH for thinking that I over-prepare for trips by encouraging him to try Beverly. We grabbed a couple of frozen Cokes using some snack credits, and Maddie found another stuffed animal that she couldn’t live without. My MiL had just told us the day we left how much she disliked the purple color scheme for Mickey and Minnie and of course that’s the one Maddie wanted! We snapped a picture of it with our phones to send her.

With no real agenda in mind we wandered toward World Showcase. We started on the Canada side. DH cannot resist any chance to sing the Canadian national anthem, so he treated us to the parts that he knows (Oh Canada, my home and native land ) while we browsed the shops. We moved into England, and that’s where DH and I were caught. DD saw Alice out greeting guests and quickly put 2 and 2 together. “Are there characters at Epcot?”

Alice’s line was closed so I checked my Times Guide, and we made the long walk to China. I knew that this would be the only park that we could find Mulan in, so we were determined to find her. She wasn’t out, but I asked a friendly CM and she pointed to where a line had already formed. DD and DH waited while I wandered around the shops. Mulan came out about 20 minutes later. There were 3 families in front of us, 2 of which had been waiting since Mulan had been out previously. At the exact moment that we saw Mulan, Maddie declared that she had to go potty. I told her that she’d have to hold it if she wanted to see Mulan because this was to be one of her last meets of the day. The wonderful families in front of us overheard this and insisted that we skip ahead of them. So nice of them! Mulan’s photo pass person wasn’t even out yet by the time we were headed to the restrooms.

The requisite "look at my shoes" picture

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By then it was 3:30. The character meets all ended at 4:00, so Maddie had a tough decision to make. Did she want to meet Alice (who we hadn’t seen at MK except in the parade) or the Beast? She’s a Princess at heart, so the Beast it was. We walked over to France and saw a line for Belle, but he Beast wasn’t with her. Confused, we wandered a bit thinking he might be out on his own. Finally we stumbled upon a CM who told us that Belle pretty much stays out the whole time and Beast joins her periodically. We went back and joined the line. This was the longest character line that we’d encountered by far. It was Bryan’s turn to wander and browse while Maddie and I waited. The wait ended up being almost 40 minutes, but in the end I think we both agreed that it was worth it. The look on Maddie’s face when the Beast began to dance with her was one of the best moments on an unforgettable trip.

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Since the character meets were over, DH and I were able to convince Maddie that it would be ok to slow down and enjoy a bit of World Showcase.