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

[mya1k9]

We leave Sunday, love reading your report. Your right, theres all the time in the world to go at our pace, I really need to remember to slow down and just enjoy the infatuation of my kindergardeners!!!

 

[shan23877]

Dropping in from Lisa's TR. I noticed you are a fellow Illinoisian and Disney enthusiast, great combonation. I'm enjoying your TR and looking forward to more.

Glad you're here! We Illinoians seem sort of scarce! Especially those not from Chicago. Thanks for reading!

The MSEP pic of the castle does not seem blurry (unless my vision is fading). It is nice. I cannot wait to read about the invitation.

They don't look too blurry, just not too good . There were a couple of invitations on this trip!

We leave Sunday, love reading your report. Your right, theres all the time in the world to go at our pace, I really need to remember to slow down and just enjoy the infatuation of my kindergardeners!!!

Oh, I'm so jealous!! 2 days? Have a great time! Thanks, and I am so glad we did let her guide us. We really loved seeing Disney through her eyes. It was a new and great experience.

 

[CandleontheWater]

What a wonderful first day! I'm sorry that Maddie wasn't a fan of Splash Mt, but maybe next time she won't be as afraid of the dark or the darker parts of the storyline.

The pics of your DH and DD all dressed up for halloween are too cute! It brings back happy memories, because my Dad always used to dress up with us kids, and take us around for trick or treat. I think the neighbors got more of a kick out of seeing my dad as a giant leopard or horse or Robot or whatever, than they did out of the kids costumes!

I'm glad you got a good viewing spot for wishes, and I love the new castle show too!

 

[shan23877]

What a wonderful first day! I'm sorry that Maddie wasn't a fan of Splash Mt, but maybe next time she won't be as afraid of the dark or the darker parts of the storyline.

The pics of your DH and DD all dressed up for halloween are too cute! It brings back happy memories, because my Dad always used to dress up with us kids, and take us around for trick or treat. I think the neighbors got more of a kick out of seeing my dad as a giant leopard or horse or Robot or whatever, than they did out of the kids costumes!

I'm glad you got a good viewing spot for wishes, and I love the new castle show too!

It really was a wonderful first day! I wouldn't have changed a thing. I hope that by our next trip (hopefully next May) she'll be a little more brave about the dark rides.

That's awesome that your dad used to dress up with you guys! Those two were a big hit in the neighborhood last year. This year they're going as Belle and Beast (in human form, so really just a prince )

Wishes was great as usual, but Magic Memories and You was amazing. I was tearing up the whole time!

 

[shan23877]

When I was 7 years old, my grandparents took me on my first WDW trip. While I remember many things about that trip, what stands out most is that they took me to lunch at Cinderella Castle.

DH and I had a few surprises in store for DD4. We wanted DD to understand that some things that we would be doing were very special without ramming costs down her throat, so we printed “invitations” for her to find.

We woke up at 6:30 on our second Disney day. After DH and I showered we woke Maddie up and let her find her first invitation. She had been cordially invited to dine with royalty at Cinderella Castle that morning.

Maddie was not clothed when she got her invite so I got a little creative before posting this one

She was SO excited! “Good idea to pack my new Cinderella dress you made Mommy!” Very lucky indeed! (For the rest of the day Maddie basked in the glory of being called Princess everywhere we went) We got ourselves together and got to the bus stop by 7:45. The bus for the Magic Kingdom came quickly and we were there by 8:00.

I was really excited to take pictures on an empty Main Street, but DH’s picture tolerance was already getting low. I wasn’t too sympathetic, but still didn’t get as many photos as I would have liked.

Frustrated Bryan

"Time for my photo shoot!"

The stunning murals leading to CRT

 

[shan23877]

And finally we made it here

We checked in at Cinderella’s Royal Table at 8:15, and were called in immediately.

Apparently there are restrooms to the left of the armor

Awesome! We’re in early! Maddie had her photo taken with Cinderlla and we headed upstairs. (I knew ahead of time that Cindy would be greeting the guests, not participating in the meal, but I still think that it’s weird that it’s her castle, but she’s only downstairs)

"Mommy, Cinderella asked if my Fairy Godmother made my dress. I told her no, just my mommy."

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We were seated at a great table by the windows overlooking Fantasyland.

Our waiter was great, really friendly. He took our orders immediately. Adults are given a choice of a traditional breakfast plate (eggs, sausage, potatoes) or cream cheese stuffed French toast. Children are given a plate that includes French toast sticks, eggs, and bacon.

Our waiter delivered our drinks and pastries quickly, and soon our food arrived. I got the egg plate and DH got the French toast. Neither of us was very overwhelmed by the food. It was pretty standard stuff, I guess we were both expecting more for the price. Maddie also got a magic wand and a wishing star.

I think it's awesome that the children are given weapons before 9 am!

[

In no time we heard princess music and were being visited by the ladies. Snow White was first.

We soon discovered the downfall to our great table was that Maddie was facing the window and was looking down in every picture! DD was really excited, but after such a long first day in the parks and only getting 7.5 hours of sleep she wasn’t exactly high energy. She was glad to finally meet Snow White, but didn’t have a ton to say to her, so she moved on pretty quickly.


Next to visit our table was Arial – another first meeting for DD. She was a little more animated with her.

Aurora soon followed, and then came Belle in her “book reading clothes” because to my daughter there's an outfit for EVERY occasion.

We finished our meals, settled up with our waiter (we paid OOP instead of burning 2 TS credits on breakfast) and headed out of the castle. We’ll try CRT again as long as DD loves the princesses, but next time I think we’ll go for lunch or dinner.

 

[kmedina]

How exciting? I was 29 the first time I dined in the castle. My husband was against eating there at first, since we do not have any daughters. "It is for girls, " he said. "What do you think I am," I replied? He gave in, and I loved it. DS loved it too! Your DD sure looks like she had a great time as well! Who doen't love the castle? AHHHHHHH!

 

[Fall1]

So cute!! I was 10 when I ate in the castle but it was King Stefan's then. We are taking DS and DD after their BBB appt for the first time next month!! Can't wait, loved seeing your pictures!

 

[shan23877]

How exciting? I was 29 the first time I dined in the castle. My husband was against eating there at first, since we do not have any daughters. "It is for girls, " he said. "What do you think I am," I replied? He gave in, and I loved it. DS loved it too! Your DD sure looks like she had a great time as well! Who doen't love the castle? AHHHHHHH!

ALL Girls love the castle! You're exactly right. I'm glad your son enjoyed it too. The first time I went my male cousin was with us (also 7) and I remember him being as excited as I was!

So cute!! I was 10 when I ate in the castle but it was King Stefan's then. We are taking DS and DD after their BBB appt for the first time next month!! Can't wait, loved seeing your pictures!

I'm pretty sure that it was King Stefans when I first went too. It was cough 1984 cough. All I remember is being there . We did BBB-maybe I'll be able to day 3 before you leave- and it was AMAZING. So worth the money, a great experience for DD. We'd do it again in a heartbeat. We went to 1900 Park Fare that night but I kinda wish we'd done CRT instead. Live and learn. We'll do it that way next time So jealous that your trip is only a month away!

 

[kmedina]

I forgot to ask yesterday. It was 3am when I was reading your report, so I was sleep deprived. That invitation is adorable. Did you make it yourself?

 

[Fall1]

I'm pretty sure that it was King Stefans when I first went too. It was cough 1984 cough. All I remember is being there . We did BBB-maybe I'll be able to day 3 before you leave- and it was AMAZING. So worth the money, a great experience for DD. We'd do it again in a heartbeat. We went to 1900 Park Fare that night but I kinda wish we'd done CRT instead. Live and learn. We'll do it that way next time So jealous that your trip is only a month away!

It was 1984 when I went too...how funny!!

 

[dismagiclover]

There is nothing like breakfast in the castle! Looks like your DD is having a fabulous time!

 

[shan23877]

I forgot to ask yesterday. It was 3am when I was reading your report, so I was sleep deprived. That invitation is adorable. Did you make it yourself?

Thanks! Actually DH made it. I was quite impressed with what a great job he did!

 

[lbuzz52]

What great luck with Rapunzel! She's so popular. And great job on the cinderella dress. I agree, nothing to write home about food wise at CRT, but you can't beat the ambiance!

 

[shan23877]

There is nothing like breakfast in the castle! Looks like your DD is having a fabulous time!

It was the perfect way to start the day! She loved it, but I think that to her BBB trumped breakfast . I'd love to do it again.

What great luck with Rapunzel! She's so popular. And great job on the cinderella dress. I agree, nothing to write home about food wise at CRT, but you can't beat the ambiance!

We go SO lucky with Rapunzel. Those lines got crazy! I'm just disappointed that we didn't get to see Flynn. Thanks for the compliment. Luckily DD hadn't seen the fancy dresses that the princesses wear in WDW so I didn't have to try to make one of those! The castle was great, I guess I just expected more from the food. I'd like to try dinner next time around.

 

[shan23877]

I'll try to get an update done soon, but I like the "real life" updates on other's TRs so...

Maddie decided to be Belle for Halloween this year. Since I've already started making quilts to give as Christmas gifts, I'm a little overwhelmed with sewing projects. We ordered the costume online and already received it. It looks great! I paid more for the "prestige" costume but I'm glad I did. After getting her dress at BBB, the basic dress might have been a let-down. DD still loves playing dress up, so I figure we'll get some more use out of it.

Tomorrow is school picture day. It's supposed to be 78 degrees, but DD is insisting on wearing a long sleeved "shirt dress" with leggings. Tonight before bed she laid out the whole outfit (including panties) and even picked out the headband she'd like to wear. I like clothes and everything, but I have no idea how I ended up with such a girly girl!

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[kmedina]

That post just reminded me that I have not heard anything about picture day for DS. I will have to check when he goes back to school on Thursday. Her outfit sounds cute. Being hot is one of the prices women pay for fashion. She already gets it.

 

[shan23877]

Without meaning to, we had finished breakfast and gotten outside before Rope Drop!

Some Castle pics from when we left CRT

Since we’re ahead of the crowds where should go first? We consulted our tour guide, and she'd decided that we'd go see Rapunzel of course!

Tour Guide Madison

DD had some unfinished business. She had forgotten to get her autograph, and had a few questions she needed answered. DD and DH got in line there, and I headed toward Tomorrowland just a little ahead of the rope drop crowd so I wasn’t power walking. Turns out THAT was a mistake. When I looked over my shoulder and saw the mass of people heading toward me, I was a little frightened that I’d be trampled! I made it to the FP machines for Space Mountain without being harmed and rejoined Maddie and Bryan in line for Rapunzel. She didn’t come out until 9:15 so they were still waiting, but were second in line. Maddie learned from her mistake, and got her autograph and asked her questions.
“Why are you wearing shoes?” “Because the stone hurts my feet sometimes”
“Where is Flynn?” “Out on another adventure, but he’ll be back soon”
“Can I go in your tower and see Pascal?” “Pascal is feeling a little under the weather and isn’t up for visitors just now”

Satisfied, we moved on.

We planned to focus on Fantasyland and Tomorrowland for our second morning in Magic Kingdom. On our way to Dumbo we passed Lady Tremaine, Drizzella, and Anastasia. Maddie decided not to stop. I had hoped that we’d see the Fairy Godmother out and about, but no luck. While DD and DH got in line for Dumbo, I grabbed a second autograph book and a Coke. I asked DH to try to get some construction pics, but he didn’t zoom, so they didn’t turn out very well. DD had a great time on Dumbo, but luckily didn’t ask to do it again right away. Bryan and I decided that we’d go ahead and use our FP for Space Mountain and take advantage of rider swap. We got to the front of the line right away, and DH told me to go first. Awesome ride as usual, but I must be getting old because my neck hurt from the jostling. When I exited the ride I found out that DD had been throwing a HUGE fit because she wasn’t allowed to ride and DH was getting fed up. He decided that he’d rather not ride than listed to that anymore, so we left the mountain. We thought she’d calm down after she got to ride a few things so we headed toward Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

Standby time was only 10 minutes. Maddie rode between us and did most of the aiming of our guns. Luckily getting good scores wasn’t too important to us. Did Maddie like the ride? Nope, it was “kind of scary”! What the heck? I never expected this from our little roller coaster princess.

Due to her extensive research Maddie knew that she was interested in checking out Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. We got there just in time for a show, and sat down quickly. Maddie was featured toward the end of the show but clammed up, so DH filled in. We had never done the Laugh Floor before and we all loved it. It was really funny! DD’s energy was fading so we referred back to our parenting manual and got her a giant sucker at 10 am.

We returned to Fantasyland, but after the second “dark ride” fiasco we weren’t going to try Snow White. DH and I weren’t in the mood for Pooh or Peter Pan, so Bryan’s least favorite ride was on tap. After a little confusion because the line had moved we boarded the boats of it’s a small world.

Due to DD's mood needing to be tended, I didn't take many pictures on this leg of our adventure, but not to worry, I have lots of IASW pictures!

​

Maddie of course thought this ride was great! Faith in us restored, she agreed to give the Haunted Mansion a try. We headed there right away before she changed her mind. I was so excited! But I knew that this would probably be our last dark ride. She’d never trust us after we let her go on that one! We bravely headed for the Mansion…. But it was down. GRRRR.

 

[shan23877]

By then Maddie had decided that she’d gone long enough (approximately 1 hour) with out meeting any princess, so we went looking for Jasmine.

We got this picture on the way through Liberty Square. I have an identical picture of myself from my first visit.

On our way we passed a kiosk selling Bullseye stuffed animals. DD had wanted all of the Toy Story gang for her birthday the previous year. We got her Woody, Jessie, and Buzz but not Bullseye. So, of course we got him for her and thus began our 5 day stuffed animal buying spree.

Once we got to the Jasmine area we found out that we had just missed her. We had only been planning to stay at MK until just before lunch, but now had to make a game time decision. We decide to stay in the Magic Kingdom a little longer than we’d origionally planned, and we’d hit the fairies and the guys from Alladdin before we moved on. We lined up for the 40 minute wait to meet Tink and her friends. The CM in charge of the line had used the extra ropes to make a viewing area for the little ones to watch fairie movies while moms and dads held the place in line. It worked like a charm.

We got into the garden and met Rosetta and Tink.

Rosetta was fantastic. Maddie asked her all sorts of questions about being a garden fairie including
“Rosetta, do you like mud?”
“Oh honey, I don’t do mud.”
Maddie was in heaven and this CM was good

​

Tink was great too, but Rosetta was the star of this show.


After we met Tink, it was time for lunch. DD was craving her favorite food- cheese quesadillas. Thank God Pecos Bill’s was right there. I had a taco salad, and DH got the burrito. It was pretty good. I don’t recall eating here on our last couple trips, and we’d go back.
Finally it was time for Jasmine to come back out, so we lined up. It was just her and Aladdin at first, but when we were about 3 groups from the front, Genie joined them too. Our character luck was holding out!

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Showing them her shoes

​

They were great and have fans for life in Maddie because they complimented her dress and shoes.

Satisfied that she’d hit her morning autograph quota, Maddie agreed to let us take her to another park. Epcot here we come!

 

[LilAnn]

Aww, the parks can be pretty exhausting for a little one (and a big person). You certainly had some great character luck with Genie popping out to see Jasmine and Aladdin! Unfortunately, I think he would have just scared our little gal away as she was scared to meet Aladdin too. We had to ask him to kindly step aside while she met Jasmine on our trip, which he very nicely did. I take it as a good sign that she is currently afraid of strange men!

Awesome job on the Cinderella dress by the way! Love that she got a lollipop at 10am.