We got back from taking our 2 1/2 year old to Disney for the first time! (and my first time in over 20 years!) We had a wonderful time, and DS kept on saying on the plane "go back to hotel, see mickey, see minnie" He was sick, so was held back some, but still had a lot of fun.
Frontier Tower- DLHWe got into Disney at 3, then went to our room on the 11th floor of Frontier tower, premium view. With the construction, I thought this one was best, as its the least encumbered by the construction, and had the shortest walk to the pool. We had a view of the pool, the fireworks at night, and downtown Disney. I think the rooms look better in person, and we loved the firework headboard. Our room had a fridge and was quite large. We had 2 beds, a couch, and a desk/closet area outside the bathroom.
Shortly after arriving we 'lost' one park ticket, so spent much of the afternoon looking for the lost park ticket, assuming that DS ran off with it. We ended up heading over to Goofy's Kitchen for a 5 pm dinner, but were sidelined by a horse and carriage. (only in Disney, right?) WE had to cut through Adventure tower to bypass the carriage as a result.
Character Meals Goofy's KitchenAt Goofy's Kitchen, we arrived at 5 and had to wait 15 minutes to be checked in. (no idea what was taking so long, as there were just a couple people ahead of us in line). After payment, we waited for our call to see/pose for a photo with Goofy, then were seated.
DS was sick at this point, and overall was in a bit of daze. We had a good array of characters-Pluto, Mad Hatter, Minnie, Chip and Dale, and Alladdin. Minnie never stopped at our table, despite our requests. (and DS standing on his chair saying 'minnie mouse, minnie mouse". He eventually said, "go to hotel" and we left. She went right past our little alcove of tables so I think she forgot. We were told to just go say hi to her on our way out, which we did, but DS had had enough.
Food was descent-something for everyone. Kids table included peanut butter and jelly pizza, hotdogs, mac and cheese, fried shrimp, and I think regular pizza. There was a salad bar, ribs, mashed potatoes, beef (carving station), roasted turkey (carving station), roasted chicken, bbq sandwiches, and I think potstickers or eggrolls. Desserts were cupcakes, brownies, jello, fruit pizza, fruit, cookies, a chocolate/mocha item, and ice cream sundaes.
Overall, I thought it was a good introduction for DS, but I was disappointed by the flyby by Minnie and wish I knew about the line ahead of time. I asked on check in what time we should arrive, and they said 5. I wish we had been there at 4:45. Outside of Goofy's Kitchen there was a car for kids to sit in, and DS loved that. Oh, and the photo sale I thought was a little heavy. The woman was doing the pitch while pluto was at the next table. Sort of distracting.
Went back to to the room, and DS went swimming. He LOVED the pool-and having a slide he could go on! Of course, he really wanted to go on the big slide.
Character Meals- Surf's UpOur last day, we went to Surf's Up with Mickey at Paradise Pier and LOVED it! We had Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Pluto and Stitch. We had a 7 am reservation and it was the antithesis of Goofy's Kitchen-first, no line on check in. Then, ample character time. Daisy came up and tried to get DS to eat his breakfast by eating some of DS's cereal which helped a little. They all stopped by several times. Pluto came out to do a dance with the kids, and they all loved that. Not at all crowded, and a lot of fun.
For the food-there really was something for everyone. Scrambled eggs, a frittata, turkey and pork sausage, bacon, smoothies, a yogurt bar, mickey waffles, minnie pancakes, french toast with bananas, assorted muffins, coffee cakes, cerals, and fruit. They brought out a chicken dish later. All in all a wonderful experience. Then off the airport we went...
Rides
Our first day, we got up, and raced to the park. DH grabbed breakfast at Compass books in DD while DS and I went through security. We made it to Fantasyland at 8:15 and were able to ride on Dumbo, carousel, Tea Party, Casey Jr. train, storybook boats, and Mr. Toad, all before 9. Wonderful!! Thankfully, because of the character meal the night before, DS was fine doing rides instead of toontown. Headed back to the hotel for nap, and I did some rides on my own during naptime. Afterwards, DS was anxious to get back to the park.
During the trip, DS's favorite rides by far were the monorail, casey jr. train, teacups, and autopia. For the monorail, we sat in the front and the back just by asking.
Continued below...
Frontier Tower- DLHWe got into Disney at 3, then went to our room on the 11th floor of Frontier tower, premium view. With the construction, I thought this one was best, as its the least encumbered by the construction, and had the shortest walk to the pool. We had a view of the pool, the fireworks at night, and downtown Disney. I think the rooms look better in person, and we loved the firework headboard. Our room had a fridge and was quite large. We had 2 beds, a couch, and a desk/closet area outside the bathroom.
Shortly after arriving we 'lost' one park ticket, so spent much of the afternoon looking for the lost park ticket, assuming that DS ran off with it. We ended up heading over to Goofy's Kitchen for a 5 pm dinner, but were sidelined by a horse and carriage. (only in Disney, right?) WE had to cut through Adventure tower to bypass the carriage as a result.
Character Meals Goofy's KitchenAt Goofy's Kitchen, we arrived at 5 and had to wait 15 minutes to be checked in. (no idea what was taking so long, as there were just a couple people ahead of us in line). After payment, we waited for our call to see/pose for a photo with Goofy, then were seated.
DS was sick at this point, and overall was in a bit of daze. We had a good array of characters-Pluto, Mad Hatter, Minnie, Chip and Dale, and Alladdin. Minnie never stopped at our table, despite our requests. (and DS standing on his chair saying 'minnie mouse, minnie mouse". He eventually said, "go to hotel" and we left. She went right past our little alcove of tables so I think she forgot. We were told to just go say hi to her on our way out, which we did, but DS had had enough.
Food was descent-something for everyone. Kids table included peanut butter and jelly pizza, hotdogs, mac and cheese, fried shrimp, and I think regular pizza. There was a salad bar, ribs, mashed potatoes, beef (carving station), roasted turkey (carving station), roasted chicken, bbq sandwiches, and I think potstickers or eggrolls. Desserts were cupcakes, brownies, jello, fruit pizza, fruit, cookies, a chocolate/mocha item, and ice cream sundaes.
Overall, I thought it was a good introduction for DS, but I was disappointed by the flyby by Minnie and wish I knew about the line ahead of time. I asked on check in what time we should arrive, and they said 5. I wish we had been there at 4:45. Outside of Goofy's Kitchen there was a car for kids to sit in, and DS loved that. Oh, and the photo sale I thought was a little heavy. The woman was doing the pitch while pluto was at the next table. Sort of distracting.
Went back to to the room, and DS went swimming. He LOVED the pool-and having a slide he could go on! Of course, he really wanted to go on the big slide.
Character Meals- Surf's UpOur last day, we went to Surf's Up with Mickey at Paradise Pier and LOVED it! We had Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Pluto and Stitch. We had a 7 am reservation and it was the antithesis of Goofy's Kitchen-first, no line on check in. Then, ample character time. Daisy came up and tried to get DS to eat his breakfast by eating some of DS's cereal which helped a little. They all stopped by several times. Pluto came out to do a dance with the kids, and they all loved that. Not at all crowded, and a lot of fun.
For the food-there really was something for everyone. Scrambled eggs, a frittata, turkey and pork sausage, bacon, smoothies, a yogurt bar, mickey waffles, minnie pancakes, french toast with bananas, assorted muffins, coffee cakes, cerals, and fruit. They brought out a chicken dish later. All in all a wonderful experience. Then off the airport we went...
Rides
Our first day, we got up, and raced to the park. DH grabbed breakfast at Compass books in DD while DS and I went through security. We made it to Fantasyland at 8:15 and were able to ride on Dumbo, carousel, Tea Party, Casey Jr. train, storybook boats, and Mr. Toad, all before 9. Wonderful!! Thankfully, because of the character meal the night before, DS was fine doing rides instead of toontown. Headed back to the hotel for nap, and I did some rides on my own during naptime. Afterwards, DS was anxious to get back to the park.
During the trip, DS's favorite rides by far were the monorail, casey jr. train, teacups, and autopia. For the monorail, we sat in the front and the back just by asking.
Continued below...
