Bear Hugs & Piggy Kisses - Baby's 1st Trip ~ Updated 12/6: Aulani TR Started!!!

[Dugette]

After finishing up our breakfast, we caught a bus to DHS:



Looks like Izzy sat on my lap.

And, soon, we arrived:







So, I was very used to doing the Toy Story Mania Stampede on DHS days. It’s one of the few things in WDW that I actually confidently know my way to (I’m terrible with directions). But we didn’t have to do it this time, thanks to Fast Pass+. So weird to see it so calm and empty through here (just a bit after park opening):





Looks like we arrived at 9:20am and standby was 55 minutes. Our FP+ were for 9-10am, so we headed right in:



You may recall that, on our first ride earlier in the trip, we’d put Izzy between us. This resulted in her standing a lot and us being distracted while trying to keep her seated and safe. So, I tried the lap strategy this time, which worked much better for us:



She actually tried to help me with my blaster at times. Our results:



Decent. Izzy got a kick out of the fun glasses:







That was fun!



Next, we split up for a bit. I wanted to take Izzy to the Disney Junior show, but Dug didn’t really think he’d enjoy sitting on the ground and instead opted for the Legand of Captain Jack Sparrow exhibit. I find it amusing that our pics are mixed together, but I’ll go with that, since they were happening at the same time.

First, Dug’s venue:





And our venue:





We were seated very close to the back, but could still see:



Back to Dug:





After he was done, he had time to stop for coffee:





And see some characters go by:





Meanwhile, the show was wrapping up and Izzy was pondering a gold doubloon:



I think she would enjoy this show a lot now, at 23 months. But, back at 14.5 months (this trip), she didn’t care AT ALL. Again, not sure why we took her to so many shows, but we did. She had very little interest and even the falling doubloons didn’t get much out of her. It was fine, but she just wasn’t really ready for it yet.

When the show wrapped up, we headed out to meet up with Dug so that we could journey to a galaxy far, far away.

Up next: Probably my favorite napping-baby picture ever! And some big-kid rides!

 

[Denovagirl]

So cute, that Izzy! How funny that she wasn't into the shows! Maddie loves that one in particular and danced a lot I'm sure it's bc big sis knows all the songs and such and she's been watching and copying her.

I still don't know really what that Capt Jack thing is!! Lol... Did Dug like it?

 

[Imagineer5]

Finally got caught up! And read through all your PTR stuff for the Labor Day weekend trip! I was like, yep saw Izzy in that, and that! yay!

I hope you are back to feeling 100%! I feel so bad you got sick, too! As you said though, thankfully it didn't wipe out one of your Disney days at least and you had a great trip.

You are right about Ohana, it IS really nice it is served family style vs. a buffet! I might give it another chance on my next Aria/Mommy trip and make sure to watch Lilo & Stitch a couple times beforehand lol. Your photos are so sweet, it is so neat how in love with the classic Minnie & Mickey our girls are!

Your time at DHS sounds really nice - I still haven't done that pirate thing. Need to fit that into the October trip I think! Maybe Andrew & I can take turns while Aria naps.

 

[amazingact21]

It is strange to not to have to do the TSMM dash. You almost don't know what do with yourself when you have free DHS time at park opening.


Yeah, Disney JR didn't appeal to us when Landon was 13 months, but I agree with you. I think now the kids would love it. Guess we'll just have to go back to Disney.



Whoo, glad to hear you guys went on some rides. I wandered if you were going to attempt them.

 

[AprilRenee]

Fun morning!
It IS kinda funny that you kept taking her to shows. Lol Have you tried any of those shows since then?

 

[Dugette]

So cute, that Izzy! How funny that she wasn't into the shows! Maddie loves that one in particular and danced a lot I'm sure it's bc big sis knows all the songs and such and she's been watching and copying her.

Makes sense that Maddie would be more into it with that prior exposure. Izzy really hadn't watched TV at that point and, though she knew some of the characters, it just wasn't enough to hold her interest the full time. I'm sure, whenever we next visit, she'll be far more into it.

I still don't know really what that Capt Jack thing is!! Lol... Did Dug like it?

I asked him, since I wasn't sure. He said that he did like it - not the most amazing thing ever, but enjoyable. I guess it is very interactive and there is a CM that looks exactly like Captain Jack in it. And neat pirate scenery.

Finally got caught up! And read through all your PTR stuff for the Labor Day weekend trip! I was like, yep saw Izzy in that, and that! yay!

Ha, better late than never! (Obviously, good reason, being in WDW). Yeah, you saw in person how the outfits ended up - the white skirt was a waste - you may have noticed her in the "backup" outfit that day. She did NOT like the skirt.

I hope you are back to feeling 100%! I feel so bad you got sick, too! As you said though, thankfully it didn't wipe out one of your Disney days at least and you had a great trip.

Exactly. As you know, being sick at Disney is just the pits. After getting home, ah, not so bad. Missing a day of work is kind-of a treat! And much better now!

You are right about Ohana, it IS really nice it is served family style vs. a buffet! I might give it another chance on my next Aria/Mommy trip and make sure to watch Lilo & Stitch a couple times beforehand lol. Your photos are so sweet, it is so neat how in love with the classic Minnie & Mickey our girls are!

Yeah, there's something to be said for a character breakfast where you can stay in your chair. Yes, make sure to watch Lilo and Stitch (especially sweet Stitch at the end!) Mickey and Minnie are totally the best! It's adorable how much they love them!

Your time at DHS sounds really nice - I still haven't done that pirate thing. Need to fit that into the October trip I think! Maybe Andrew & I can take turns while Aria naps.

Sounds like a plan!

It is strange to not to have to do the TSMM dash. You almost don't know what do with yourself when you have free DHS time at park opening.

It feels so odd to not be gearing up to take on the crowds. Really glad to not have to do that with Izzy in tow, though. At least, when we had to, it was just us. I always felt bad for the people with babies and toddlers trying to make the run.

Yeah, Disney JR didn't appeal to us when Landon was 13 months, but I agree with you. I think now the kids would love it. Guess we'll just have to go back to Disney.

Good to know they were on the same page at that age. Yep, guess we're stuck going back again...

Whoo, glad to hear you guys went on some rides. I wandered if you were going to attempt them.

Yes, nap time is a great time, if you get a stroller nap.

Fun morning!
It IS kinda funny that you kept taking her to shows. Lol Have you tried any of those shows since then?

Ha, we really kept trying. I think we were caught up in 1.) she might like this one and 2.) but it's in the schedule. I actually don't think I have tried any of the shows with her since then. The only show I can remember doing the last two trips is the Frozen sing-along, which went pretty well. Guess I learned from our past mistakes.

 

[Dugette]

After the show, we got Izzy set up with a snack – some goldfish crackers – and water:



And, apparently, after that we stopped for a diaper change:



Some of those changing areas are so SMALL! Especially this last trip, since she’s even taller – doesn’t fit in there well at all.

After the pit stop, we were off to Star Tours. Our FP+ was for 10-11am and we just had one and would be using Rider Swap. We arrived:





Dug had the FP+, so he went in and I took the Rider Swap ticket for later. Izzy was starting to get sleepy and drifted off mid-snack:



This was good timing for our day, as she usually took one nap, but taking two – a morning and afternoon one – fit in better with our plans for the day.

I decided to recline her stroller, which always startles her and requires lots of movement to put her back to sleep. I ended up doing laps around a display in the gift shop until she was back out. Then I just parked her and watched people coming off the ride. At some point, I snuck a peek at her and saw something quite unexpected. I have no idea how this happened, but I guess let this be a warning about falling asleep mid-snack:



Yes, that is indeed a goldfish cracker halfway in her mouth. I had to carefully pull it out without waking her. Silly baby!! I was laughing about that one for a while.

I must have decided I was in the way of the crowd in the store, so I moved outside:



When Dug came out, we decided to save the Rider Swap for later and get to our higher priorities, given the sleeping baby we had and all.

As we headed to our next destination, I guess we stopped to pull the rope:



Here’s where we were headed:





My FP+ for 10-11am was for Tower of Terror. We displayed our sleeping kid and obtained a Rider Swap for Dug. He went to find a place to wait and I headed in to my doom, er, I mean - room:





Well, believe it or not, I survived:



This picture was taken in the cool nap area that Dug had found. Sort-of across from the ToT entrance and hidden away. Very quiet and shaded with benches. Nice! Oh, and Izzy was still sound asleep:



Dug took his turn:



Also survived!

Next FP+ was Dug’s 11am-Noon Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster:



Again, got Rider Swap for me to use later. Since I could now ride anytime and we were getting up close to our Noon lunch ADR, I headed over to The Brown Derby to check us in:



I was surprised that Izzy was still asleep at that point:



Dug finished his ride:



Then headed over to meet us. I guess this was on the way:







Up next: Lunch!

 

[Imagineer5]

Yay for a great morning nap - you certainly used the time well with all that riding. This must have been before the DHS tiering right? Since you had FP for TSMM along with RnRC? I wish we could still do that!

I love that you got a pic of the goldfish before taking it out! LOL I would have laughed for a bit too!

Interested to see how lunch went! And whether Izzy continued sleeping. I don't remember hearing about this particular lunch.

 

[Denovagirl]

Haha, fell asleep mid-snack! Disney sure can tire a kid out! What a good morning you are having, I feel like you accomplished a lot, even so many rides that Izzy can't do!

 

[jeni16]

Saw this on Amazon & couldn't help but think of Izzy. Why can't Target carry ones like this. So cute! Evens comes in her size.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product//B00I95KVMK/ref=twister_dp_update?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Dugette]

Yay for a great morning nap - you certainly used the time well with all that riding. This must have been before the DHS tiering right? Since you had FP for TSMM along with RnRC? I wish we could still do that!

Yes, it was! If I remember right, we made our FP+ selections pre-tiering, but it changed to tiering before our trip. So annoying to not be able to do that now. I'm gonna miss RnRC.

I love that you got a pic of the goldfish before taking it out! LOL I would have laughed for a bit too!

Well, I had to show it to Dug! (and the DIS!) I still can't believe she did that! Though, looking at the picture as I did that update, it did occur to me that, in her sleepy state, she may have mistaken it for her pacifier. Just not what I expected to see when I peeked in.

Interested to see how lunch went! And whether Izzy continued sleeping. I don't remember hearing about this particular lunch.

Coming up soon! Maybe even tonight, if I can muster up the energy...(I really want to get this report done and move on to the others!)

Haha, fell asleep mid-snack! Disney sure can tire a kid out! What a good morning you are having, I feel like you accomplished a lot, even so many rides that Izzy can't do!

She was just wiped out by this point in the trip, I guess! True, we did get quite a bit done pre-lunch vs. our other days! Not a bad morning at all.

Saw this on Amazon & couldn't help but think of Izzy. Why can't Target carry ones like this. So cute! Evens comes in her size.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product//B00I95KVMK/ref=twister_dp_update?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Look at you, making me buy things... Adorable shirt! I actually almost bought it, but then looked a bit more and found this one (and the price came out about the same, since this one is Prime-eligible): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KA3JG5C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I wish Target had some like this in the stores! But this one will be great - her two favorites and long sleeves to wear throughout our "Frozen" season (or Winter). More than I'd usually spend on a shirt, but I'm justifying it as a birthday present for her!

As a side note, for anyone interested in Frozen merchandise, I was at Target today and found some new Frozen items in the One Spot (dollar section). I got a few, but there were some other fun things too, none of which I'd seen before.

My favorite is this Frozen Memory game (pretty sure it was a $3 one):



Right now, it's just a way for her to have pictures of the Frozen characters, but someday we can actually play a game with it too. Cute pictures on the cards as well. And they seem reasonably sturdy for $3.

The other items were both $1. One was the book you see behind her and the other is the necklace she is wearing:



She put the necklace on backwards and didn't want to let me turn it for a picture, but it's Anna and Elsa. This was the best I could get:



The book is fine. The necklace, however, was a waste of a dollar. She wore it while I made dinner, while she ate dinner, and then... I noticed when we got upstairs to go to bed that she didn't have it anymore. I asked her if she took it off and she said yes. Must have done that while I cleaned up dinner. When I came back downstairs, there were tiny beads all over the floor (hmmm, choking hazard, anyone?) and the broken necklace sitting on an ottoman. So, yeah, if your kid might pull on it, pass on that. Luckily, I think she's past the putting-things-in-her-mouth stage, but still.

So, there's my cheap Frozen thing PSA for you all.

 

[AprilRenee]

Haven't finished your post yet (got distracted by a toddler then forgot to come back). But that goldfish pic is hilarious!! Lol

And I'm so glad you posted the frozen game. I've been wanting to buy a memory game cause I'm pretty sure Caden could play that now (he does on the iPad at least). I'm gonna go find it at target!!

 

[Dugette]

Haven't finished your post yet (got distracted by a toddler then forgot to come back).

I know what that's like!

But that goldfish pic is hilarious!! Lol

I just love that. It was such a surprise to peek in and see that!

And I'm so glad you posted the frozen game. I've been wanting to buy a memory game cause I'm pretty sure Caden could play that now (he does on the iPad at least). I'm gonna go find it at target!!

That's awesome that he might be able to play that! It is in the package that you can see part of at the top of that picture. Not your typical game box, FYI. Hope you can find one!

Another update coming in a few minutes, by the way...

 

[Dugette]

So, I had gone over to the Brown Derby to make sure we didn’t lose our ADR, as Dug was still riding RnRC. When I went up to the podium, they told me it wasn’t a problem and just come back in when Dug got there. Okay, then. I went and sat on a bench outside, Izzy still asleep.

I browsed the DIS from my phone. I posted on someone’s TR at 12:17pm that I was waiting for the Brown Derby, so we were definitely after our Noon ADR.

When Dug arrived, we checked in and waited a bit more. I was trying to figure out if I should wake Izzy or what, but she started waking on her own, so we got her up. Sleepy, but ready for lunch:



Very ready, in fact. Once we were seated, she was given some crayons to amuse her:



Shortly after she discovered them, I found something in her mouth:



Yep, that would be the tip of a crayon. I guess she had to make up for that Goldfish she didn’t get to eat. We redirected her to some puffs and a pouch after that:



Then our bread arrived:



We apparently got an appetizer and I think this must be the description of it:

Crispy Phyllo Napoleon - Of Bleu Affinee, Wild Mushroom Duxelles , Grilled Portobello, Golden Chanterelles and a Fig Reduction



We shared it and I think we enjoyed it. I guess it wasn’t memorable enough for me to know nine months later. I think we felt it was smaller than expected, though.

And, of course, we got what we had come for, the Cobb Salad:



Looks like Izzy ate her food, drained her milk, and is maybe eating bread:



And now she’s all ready to go, no placemat needed:



It’s hard to remember now that it’s been this long, but I feel like this was a somewhat rushed meal because Izzy was not in the most patient of moods. But nothing terrible. Food was good. Table was out in the open, not as nice as the corner booth we’d had on a previous trip. Still a nice lunch, though.

I guess we saw Mulch, Sweat, and Shears performing when we headed out:



My next priority was to use that Rider Swap for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster:



Glad I didn’t have to wait in that standby line!

Meanwhile, Dug was hanging out with Izzy:



I guess they passed by this:



While I was here:



After my super stretch limo ride (which I apparently didn’t get a redneck picture of, but guessing I sat in front), I met up with Dug at Star Tours. I had the FP+ now (I think it was 2-3pm and had just opened up) and we had to get a Rider Swap for him. As I walked through the queue, I snapped a picture of the Jedi Training, but did not stop walking. As Dug had warned me about, the CMs were on me immediately with “keep moving!” type things. I guess they must get a lot of people stopping to watch the show from the FP+ queue? I got a decent picture for not having stopped walking:



According to Dug’s notes, my ride sequence ended up being: Pod races, Ackbar, Coruscant. His morning sequence had been: Probe droid, Kashyyyk, Yoda, and Coruscant.

However, the only part I remember is that…I WAS THE REBEL SPY!!!

I don’t know if this is related, but afterwards I was thinking about it. When I first came in, the people entering the row ahead of me had left some seats empty (it was not a full house, so it didn’t really matter). I sat in the next available seat. The CM started to tell them to move down and use all the available seats, so we were all just about to shift, then he looked at something and changed his mind and told us to just stay where we were. I remember thinking it was odd how he took his request back like that. In retrospect, I don’t know if they had a certain seat that the camera was aimed at and it was going to go empty if I moved (nobody to my left)? Who knows.

While I was rebel spying, Dug and Izzy went shopping:





Looks like Izzy was pleased with her gift:



(If you are unbelievably attentive, you may remember that Izzy got that Ewok in her Christmas stocking. Gotta love short-term memories at that age! She was thrilled to see and hug it all over again).

I got back and she was enjoying the new toy:



Dug and I discussed our plans. We had two Rider Swaps now for Star Tours and I wasn’t really feeling the need to go again (I mean, you can’t top being the Rebel Spy, right?), so we decided that he would use them both and I would take Izzy to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. It was something I really wanted to get in and that sounded more fun than another intergalactic spin to me at the time.

So, we split up and headed off to our respective adventures.

Up next: Honey, I Shrunk Izzy and she is stuck climbing up and sliding down this leaf for all eternity! (aka – Izzy learns how to go down a slide).

 

[jeni16]

Look at you, making me buy things... Adorable shirt! I actually almost bought it, but then looked a bit more and found this one (and the price came out about the same, since this one is Prime-eligible): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KA3JG5C/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I wish Target had some like this in the stores! But this one will be great - her two favorites and long sleeves to wear throughout our "Frozen" season (or Winter). More than I'd usually spend on a shirt, but I'm justifying it as a birthday present for her! :thumbsup

Long sleeved even! Perfect! Especially for this colder weather we're in for the rest of this week. I'm not ready for it to be cold yet. Where did summer go?

 

[Imagineer5]

Nice lunch! Glad Izzy woke up and was in a good eating mood. Nice you were able to split a couple great things. I think the last time I ate there was in August 2013, and it was good. But I'm not a Cobb salad fan (in fact, I don't like any salads) so I always remember having few items to choose from there.

Anyway...awesome about being the rebel spy! I didn't know what Izzy's stuffed animal was loL! Goes to show how much I know star wars. It's cute though.

Sounds like a good plan for Dug to ride while you take Izzy to the playground! That is what makes rider swap wonderful - having time to do that sort of thing (vs. Universal's method of keeping the kids in line with you).

After reading this I added fixing my October FP's to today's to-do list! (Since I planned them out assuming they were changing those rider swap rules but we never had an issue).

 

[amazingact21]

Oh wow, you two did get a lot done while Izzy napped.

That Cobb Salad looks delicious! Hopefully made up for the small appetizer.



You were the Rebel Spy?! Awesome! That's so cool! And,really, you can't top that.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Well, I was going to say that at least crayons are non-toxic.

Crayons - Ending up in children's mouths for 50 years.

I think they do have a lot of people stopping to watch the show from the FP+ queue at Star Tours. And it always seems to lead out into the midway, so it gums up the works.

Woo hoo rebel spy!

You really can't top the rebel spy. Every ride afterwards feels pointless.

 

[Denovagirl]

Whoo hooo for being the REBEL SPY!!! My father in law was it on our last trip and he missed it! Never even noticed he was on screen! LOL...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Ok, I got so disoriented with your latest updates as was reading the comments about you just returning, etc. and then I see pictures with Christmas trees in them

I think FP+ has had the biggest impact on TSMM ... I know some people liked how they could go quick and get a FP- and then ride standby but it is just so nice to not have to be part of that mob and know you have a reserved ride time already for that

Bummer Izzy didn't like the Disney Jr show ... probably really good that Dug didn't go and sit on the floor, etc. given that it would have been a waste that she didn't even like it

That's great how Izzy got those naps in and you were able to power through all those rides ... enjoy it while you can

We ate at the Brown Derby for the first time this past trip ... definitely want to try the new lounge at some point

Congrats on bing the Rebel Spy! ... oh wait, now I am worried what dirt you have on me the Empire might be interested in