AN AP-ALOOZA with a baby! October TR turned year of Disney! NEW 2/7 AUG FINISHED!

[ryansstitch]

I'm finally caught up! Looks like you had an awesome, though sometimes bumpy time using up those APs! I cant believe you went to over 50 TS meals! You TIW card was working for you! Of them all, would you recommend any as especially good for babies in terms of environment, food, pace, etc? my husband would love to eat at as many restaurants as possible, but for whatever reason, i get "restaurant fatigue" easily and then I want only home cooked food...

So unfortunate about your mom though. Maybe the trip would be better if you both had your spouses and stayed in different rooms? You can meet up when you want and split up when you need to!

I'm in love with Aria's Outfit for your final day at AK! I may have to look into a little MJ for our little bean!

 

[Imagineer5]

Aww, beautiful pictures! My favourites are the ones in the garden... So relaxed and happy!

I love your matching pink leggings with the little frills around the bottom!

Thanks for the update!

Hahah! thank you. Yes she loves being outside. I have never spent so much time outside as I have this summer. It's been wonderful!

I'm finally caught up! Looks like you had an awesome, though sometimes bumpy time using up those APs! I cant believe you went to over 50 TS meals! You TIW card was working for you! Of them all, would you recommend any as especially good for babies in terms of environment, food, pace, etc? my husband would love to eat at as many restaurants as possible, but for whatever reason, i get "restaurant fatigue" easily and then I want only home cooked food...

So unfortunate about your mom though. Maybe the trip would be better if you both had your spouses and stayed in different rooms? You can meet up when you want and split up when you need to!

I'm in love with Aria's Outfit for your final day at AK! I may have to look into a little MJ for our little bean!

Yeah, the main reason AP's truly were the best choice was the ability to purchase the TiW card. I love love love eating out as we don't do it that much at home, really. So I never get tired of it. I've only gotten tired of eating "out" once and that was when I was in the hospital after having Aria. Def got sick of hospital food haha!

Yes, separation would make it probably doable but we'll see if we ever go all together again.

I love that outfit too. The leggings (they are called Goldenrods) go with so much. She has shorties that match too.

Regarding the restaurants...I am not a huge fan of buffets, and with a little one it makes it a bit more tough since we have to go up separately while watching Aria. However, the character meals really are great. I'll make notes on my list:

California Grill - not very kid friendly though we are going to try for ADRs here in December WITH aria.
Crystal Palace - delicious, kid friendly, and fun. Best way to start out a MK day, IMO!
Ohana - very kid friendly, fun, delicious
Chef Mickeys - kid friendly, of course! food OK.
Rose & Crown - OK. Not a must do again for a while. Loud though so kid friendly if you like the food.
Cape May - buffet with great food (in DH's opinion), very kid friendly, though we also had a great meal here just as adults
Akershus - kid friendly with princess characters, OK food.
Flying Fish - we have had two great dinners here with Aria, not that kid friendly but delicious food.
Kona - delicious. kid friendly
Biergarten - very baby friendly, fantastic!
Sanaa - YUM. Have yet to get a window table, but even still the atmosphere (esp for lunch) is kid friendly.
50's Prime Time - very kid friendly, food ok.
LTT - very kid friendly, pleasantly surprised by food.
the Wave - quiet, good food
Chefs de France - delicious and very kid friendly while still being a pretty nice restaurant
1900 Park Fare - kid friendly but it will be a few years before we return, atmosphere wasn't amazing nor was the food, or character interaction.
Raglan Road - kinda dark and not as kid friendly. but still good food, could be fun in the evening with the music.
Coral Reef - delicious, very pleasantly surprised by the meals we had, and kid friendly.
Yak & Yeti - also delicious and kid friendly - i'm bringing aria here by myself in Aug.
Garden Grill - kid friendly, want to return now that Aria is seemingly over her fear of characters.
WCC - verryyy kid friendly and great food and atmosphere, we loved it here.
Tusker House - great food, great atmosphere, and character interaction
Mama Melrose - delicious and loved the interior
Be Our Guest - not as baby-friendly but delicious and fun
San Angel Inn - this one not as kid friendly IMO, very dark, ok food, will be a while before we return.
Jiko - amazing food, quiet and darker so maybe older-kid friendly
La Hacienda - great!
CRT - very kid friendly, not a must do though
Boma - normally very kid friendly but it will be a while before we return, if only because of Aria's temperament and our awful meal here haha (having nothing to do with the great food though!)
Marrakesh - eh. Probably a low-light of our trip in terms of food. Ick!
Artist Point - great, and surprisingly kid friendly, so we will be bringing Aria next time.
Rainforest Cafe - very kid friendly, we have one nearby so we never go here, but it was requested by my SIL. Ok food, fun atmosphere.
Hollywood & Vine - great! a surprise favorite and fun to get in the park early.
Sci Fi - not very baby-friendly.
Via Napoli - loud with great food = perfect for kids
Kouzzina - delicious change of pace, fine for kids but pretty quiet at breakfast time

Hope that helps!

 

[Deslovesdisney08]

Started reading this trip report a couple days ago and already caught up! Your daughter is just too cute! I have two little girls so its good to get to see how other parents tour the world!awesome tr!

 

[tinkgurl]

I laughed out loud when I read the part where you got the wine flight. You crack me up just ordering it to push your mom's buttons.

I love the Easter and May updates. Her pigtails are adorable! And I love that picture of her trying on her new dress. Looks like she approves!

 

[ryansstitch]

Hahah! thank you. Yes she loves being outside. I have never spent so much time outside as I have this summer. It's been wonderful!

Yeah, the main reason AP's truly were the best choice was the ability to purchase the TiW card. I love love love eating out as we don't do it that much at home, really. So I never get tired of it. I've only gotten tired of eating "out" once and that was when I was in the hospital after having Aria. Def got sick of hospital food haha!

Yes, separation would make it probably doable but we'll see if we ever go all together again.

I love that outfit too. The leggings (they are called Goldenrods) go with so much. She has shorties that match too.

Regarding the restaurants...I am not a huge fan of buffets, and with a little one it makes it a bit more tough since we have to go up separately while watching Aria. However, the character meals really are great. I'll make notes on my list:

California Grill - not very kid friendly though we are going to try for ADRs here in December WITH aria.
Crystal Palace - delicious, kid friendly, and fun. Best way to start out a MK day, IMO!
Ohana - very kid friendly, fun, delicious
Chef Mickeys - kid friendly, of course! food OK.
Rose & Crown - OK. Not a must do again for a while. Loud though so kid friendly if you like the food.
Cape May - buffet with great food (in DH's opinion), very kid friendly, though we also had a great meal here just as adults
Akershus - kid friendly with princess characters, OK food.
Flying Fish - we have had two great dinners here with Aria, not that kid friendly but delicious food.
Kona - delicious. kid friendly
Biergarten - very baby friendly, fantastic!
Sanaa - YUM. Have yet to get a window table, but even still the atmosphere (esp for lunch) is kid friendly.
50's Prime Time - very kid friendly, food ok.
LTT - very kid friendly, pleasantly surprised by food.
the Wave - quiet, good food
Chefs de France - delicious and very kid friendly while still being a pretty nice restaurant
1900 Park Fare - kid friendly but it will be a few years before we return, atmosphere wasn't amazing nor was the food, or character interaction.
Raglan Road - kinda dark and not as kid friendly. but still good food, could be fun in the evening with the music.
Coral Reef - delicious, very pleasantly surprised by the meals we had, and kid friendly.
Yak & Yeti - also delicious and kid friendly - i'm bringing aria here by myself in Aug.
Garden Grill - kid friendly, want to return now that Aria is seemingly over her fear of characters.
WCC - verryyy kid friendly and great food and atmosphere, we loved it here.
Tusker House - great food, great atmosphere, and character interaction
Mama Melrose - delicious and loved the interior
Be Our Guest - not as baby-friendly but delicious and fun
San Angel Inn - this one not as kid friendly IMO, very dark, ok food, will be a while before we return.
Jiko - amazing food, quiet and darker so maybe older-kid friendly
La Hacienda - great!
CRT - very kid friendly, not a must do though
Boma - normally very kid friendly but it will be a while before we return, if only because of Aria's temperament and our awful meal here haha (having nothing to do with the great food though!)
Marrakesh - eh. Probably a low-light of our trip in terms of food. Ick!
Artist Point - great, and surprisingly kid friendly, so we will be bringing Aria next time.
Rainforest Cafe - very kid friendly, we have one nearby so we never go here, but it was requested by my SIL. Ok food, fun atmosphere.
Hollywood & Vine - great! a surprise favorite and fun to get in the park early.
Sci Fi - not very baby-friendly.
Via Napoli - loud with great food = perfect for kids
Kouzzina - delicious change of pace, fine for kids but pretty quiet at breakfast time

Hope that helps!

Ooh that helps! Given R will only be 1 when we take her, I am def going to do Biergarten, 50s Prime Time, Akershus, and Cape May( my Dh's fav also! he kind of pouted for a while that we missed it last trip!) The dancing and music at biergarten would be very fun I think. Now, that brings up another, probably silly question. Did it taste like German food or Disney-fied German? My friend and I joke that my alter ego is named Gretchen, because I love German food so much! I would try it either way, but definitely have to prepare myself for what I'm going to really eat!

 

[mandas08]

Really enjoying your TR thanks so much for sharing.

Sounds like this tri pcould have went better but it sounds like u made the most of it.

So excited to read about your June family trip

 

[Imagineer5]

Started reading this trip report a couple days ago and already caught up! Your daughter is just too cute! I have two little girls so its good to get to see how other parents tour the world!awesome tr!

Aww thanks so much for reading through it!! I'm sure you saw all the additions along the way lol! Do you do trs? How old are your dds?

I laughed out loud when I read the part where you got the wine flight. You crack me up just ordering it to push your mom's buttons.

I love the Easter and May updates. Her pigtails are adorable! And I love that picture of her trying on her new dress. Looks like she approves!

Lol what can I say!?

Aww thanks!! She is a little bum when it comes to putting her hair up and keeping it up so I rarely pull it back but I did think it was super cute!

Ooh that helps! Given R will only be 1 when we take her, I am def going to do Biergarten, 50s Prime Time, Akershus, and Cape May( my Dh's fav also! he kind of pouted for a while that we missed it last trip!) The dancing and music at biergarten would be very fun I think. Now, that brings up another, probably silly question. Did it taste like German food or Disney-fied German? My friend and I joke that my alter ego is named Gretchen, because I love German food so much! I would try it either way, but definitely have to prepare myself for what I'm going to really eat!

Dancing and music make for a much easier dining experience. We are doing HDD in December and I think it will be great!

Honestly I don't really like German food lol but my IL family does and they all REALLY enjoyed it. I thought it tasted fairly authentic and we are going to Germany in sep so I can let you know then! Lol. (I don't eat meat which is why German is tough for me!)

Really enjoying your TR thanks so much for sharing.

Sounds like this tri pcould have went better but it sounds like u made the most of it.

So excited to read about your June family trip

Thank you so much!! I'm excited to start writing it just need some free time lol!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Just a quick update - work has been crazy and with government furloughs I've been home a bit more. I have been planning outings each day I'm home and today we went to a kids gym type of place and then...gasp...to a restaurant for lunch! Lol. I wanted to practice going out to eat just the two of us. It went great - even though I totally forgot diapers at home! Lol. I did however remember the iPad and despite it being Andrews technically it is def coming with us to Disney in August! Lol. (Sorry if you're rolling your eyes but a whole meal without a meltdown bc she had an iPad to play with is total success in my book!) haha.

 

[khertz]

Just a quick update - work has been crazy and with government furloughs I've been home a bit more. I have been planning outings each day I'm home and today we went to a kids gym type of place and then...gasp...to a restaurant for lunch! Lol. I wanted to practice going out to eat just the two of us. It went great - even though I totally forgot diapers at home! Lol. I did however remember the iPad and despite it being Andrews technically it is def coming with us to Disney in August! Lol. (Sorry if you're rolling your eyes but a whole meal without a meltdown bc she had an iPad to play with is total success in my book!) haha.

I am ALL ABOUT the iPad to prevent meltdowns!! Paxton is a little better in restaurants now, but we usually bring the iPad with us just in case. I even brought it to his doctor's appointment the other day because you know sometimes you just sit in that exam room FOREVER between when the nurse leaves and the doctor comes in! So he was doing Thomas jigsaw puzzles while she looked in his ears. I'm glad the first practice run was a success! It will be a big help on the plane too, I'm sure, since you'll be flying with her alone.

 

[Dugette]

Just got caught up with the end of the trip and your in-between-trip updates. Love seeing Aria growing up!

I like your AP $ justification post. Always good to make sure you're getting your money's worth! When we had our Year of Disney with APs (2010), we took 5 trips and utilized TiW quite a bit also, so it was not bad broken down per day.

Thanks for the list of restaurants and your thoughts on them with a little one! I think it confirmed a lot of things I was thinking, for the most part. Will be a good reference for us!

Can't believe you're heading back again soon! Look forward to hearing about that one too. And I'm glad Aria behaved for you in the restaurant. Dug Baby's been okay so far, but she hasn't hit that age yet where you started having issues (I don't think). However, we always do have our iPhones with us, so maybe that would be sufficient if she starts to act up? Or else we can lug along the iPad. Stuff to keep in mind for the future, I guess.

Anyway, looking forward to future updates!

 

[cbcrockett]

Just a quick update - work has been crazy and with government furloughs I've been home a bit more. I have been planning outings each day I'm home and today we went to a kids gym type of place and then...gasp...to a restaurant for lunch! Lol. I wanted to practice going out to eat just the two of us. It went great - even though I totally forgot diapers at home! Lol. I did however remember the iPad and despite it being Andrews technically it is def coming with us to Disney in August! Lol. (Sorry if you're rolling your eyes but a whole meal without a meltdown bc she had an iPad to play with is total success in my book!) haha.

I'm totally with you on the iPad! We try to limit Hannah's time with it (and the phone) but good LORD it has been a lifesaver during meals/doctor's appointments/long car rides! iPad on momma!

 

[Imagineer5]

I am ALL ABOUT the iPad to prevent meltdowns!! Paxton is a little better in restaurants now, but we usually bring the iPad with us just in case. I even brought it to his doctor's appointment the other day because you know sometimes you just sit in that exam room FOREVER between when the nurse leaves and the doctor comes in! So he was doing Thomas jigsaw puzzles while she looked in his ears. I'm glad the first practice run was a success! It will be a big help on the plane too, I'm sure, since you'll be flying with her alone.

Good idea to bring the ipad to the doctor's - we had an hour wait after the nurse left sitting around in the room for her 18m appt. Would have been very nice to have then!! LOL. Apparently Andrew did not quite get the message that I was taking his ipad bc when i mentioned that the computer in the attic is all set for him to use he was very confused. He's still not happy about it but mainly bc he wanted to Facetime, which I won't be paying for the wifi at the resort so that's a moot point.

Just got caught up with the end of the trip and your in-between-trip updates. Love seeing Aria growing up!

I like your AP $ justification post. Always good to make sure you're getting your money's worth! When we had our Year of Disney with APs (2010), we took 5 trips and utilized TiW quite a bit also, so it was not bad broken down per day.

Thanks for the list of restaurants and your thoughts on them with a little one! I think it confirmed a lot of things I was thinking, for the most part. Will be a good reference for us!

Can't believe you're heading back again soon! Look forward to hearing about that one too. And I'm glad Aria behaved for you in the restaurant. Dug Baby's been okay so far, but she hasn't hit that age yet where you started having issues (I don't think). However, we always do have our iPhones with us, so maybe that would be sufficient if she starts to act up? Or else we can lug along the iPad. Stuff to keep in mind for the future, I guess.

Anyway, looking forward to future updates!

I didn't realize you guys went to WDW 5 times on your AP, too! How funny!

Nope, at 8m Aria was fantastic in restaurants - that's why last October was the easiest trip! haha. Fingers crossed she does okay! The iphone is great, too, but i definitely find the ipad even better. For little fingers that are pretty uncoordinated still, it's easier to press the wrong thing on an iphone than it is on the ipad. Toys, snacks, and milk worked pretty well until recently.

I'm totally with you on the iPad! We try to limit Hannah's time with it (and the phone) but good LORD it has been a lifesaver during meals/doctor's appointments/long car rides! iPad on momma!

Yeah I try to limit time too - she is a technology fiend - we have to hide the ipad, phones, remote controls, etc and THEN she will forget about them and go play with her toys or look through books. Ugh! Car rides are def a great use, I've been meaning to get an attachment for the car seat that gives a little play space/table thing which would be good for that! next long car ride, for sure!

 

[Imagineer5]

Sorry I keep disappearing. I wanted to start the June TR before heading off again but looks like that won't happen unless I get some time tomorrow. I just have work tomorrow, Thursday I'm hosting a matilda jane release (first fall release, woohoo) and friday morning we leave! Yesterday I finally sat down for a few hours and worked on our day by day plans in detail, looking at Kenny the Pirate's character touring plans as a guide and getting in all the to-do's I had written down. We'll see how we stick to the plan! Of course it meant I needed to tweak my ADR's so here is the current run down:

Friday arrive in Orlando before 11AM, check in, grocery shop, pool time, dinner at Boatwrights!

Saturday, breakfast at the Wave, MK day. Leave late afternoon and spend evening at resort.

Sunday, breakfast at Olivias/check out OKW (working on crossing off some reastaurants I've never been to!), DTD for the morning, T-Rex for lunch then back to resort so Aria can get in a really good nap! Open evening to either relax, head back to a park, etc.

Monday - EPCOT morning, going to check out the france bakery and do snacky stuff for lunch, head out from there to dinner at Maya Grill

Tuesday - AK, Y&Y lunch, afternoon at resort, and Wishes Dessert Party this evening. NO IDEA how this is going to go with Aria - I plan to put her in the Beco carrier and hope she falls asleep in it by 8 or so, then I will have my hands free to enjoy the dessert party. This probably will NOT happen though...

Wednesday - Back to MK for the day, heading over the GF to the GFC for dinner, and checking out the new DVC area and splash pad as best we can - we plan to stay in a 2BR next October!

Thursday - DHS morning, Brown Derby for lunch, back to resort for a good nap, dinner at Sanaa

Friday - fly home.

I added in Sanaa and changed Portobellos to Brown Derby since I decided I wanted to stay in DHS slightly longer. Plus mornings are the best time of day to be at any park. My plan is to see as many characters as possible, given that Aria is no longer afraid of them (FINGERS CROSSED!!!) and of course do as many rides as we can.

As of last week she is down to 1 nap per day between 1-3 or so, which will help greatly with having full mornings in the parks and then afternoon break - either in the park (in stroller or Beco) or going back to the resort.

A few nights ago I had nightmares ALL NIGHT LONG about taking her by myself, mainly regarding the flight there (in my dream i was balling my eyes out while Aria would not stop screaming) but also being so sore from picking up aria that I couldn't walk by day 2. Hopefully, neither happens!!

Anyway that's my update for now! Thanks everyone for checking in and stopping by!!

 

[dtr_angel]

Wow your trip popped up fast! I hope you have a great time with Aria!

 

[jenny105]

Sorry I've been MIA. Have a great trip! I'm jealous you get to go so much.

 

[AussieAngel]

Oh wow, nearly trip time already! So excited for you!

Your day plans look great. I'm sure you and Aria will have a ball together. There's bound to be a few tricky moments, but I'm sure it'll be a trip with lots of very happy memories!

Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Imagineer5]

Wow your trip popped up fast! I hope you have a great time with Aria!

Haha seemed like forever but we have had a fun summer. Thanks!!

Sorry I've been MIA. Have a great trip! I'm jealous you get to go so much.

No worries!! You go to concerts I go to Disney lol!!

Oh wow, nearly trip time already! So excited for you!

Your day plans look great. I'm sure you and Aria will have a ball together. There's bound to be a few tricky moments, but I'm sure it'll be a trip with lots of very happy memories!

Can't wait to hear all about it!

Thank you so much!! Stuck to the plan so far lol lying in bed relaxing now with aria before getting ready for mk!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Well we are here!! Flight couldn't have gone better yesterday - thank you iPad!! had some car rental issues (first car didn't have ac - it's a lot easier to switch cars without a car seat and with more than 1 person hauling stuff to new car!!) but condo is great - literally 1 min from AKL to give you an idea - basically drive to everything is the same as if we were staying there - so nice!! Dinner at Boatwrights was great!! Thanks to a wonderful server bringing a balloon for aria which she played with, she ate some dinner, then played on the iPad. Food tasty and I took her to the playground afterwards before heading to bed. She fell right to sleep but our night wasn't great - ac very Loud and aria woke up crying which she never does. Anyway... So I asked in a thread but maybe you all have some ideas too!! Thursdays Matilda Jane release was amazing and I wanted to pick up thank you gifts while here. I want to average about $5 per person for 20 women around age 30 or so. Some ideas so far: Post it notes (the cute Disney ones and a pen) Mickey ice cubes - the plastic ones Sprinkles and a treat
One of my Fave ideas - reusable bags (I use mine all the time!)

I have to mail these with the clothes so didn't want anything too smelly or can melt.

Ok off to get ready for the wave and mk! Alarm was set for 6:55 but aria had other ideas and was awake at 5:15 ugh!!

 

[khertz]

Hope you have a fantastic trip!!!

 

[ryansstitch]

Just itching to see how your solo adult plus toddler trip goes!